The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-09-15 00:00:00

calamity

_ . .
at fault. They look on helpless. They see in its
desolating effects the work of a hand mightier than
their own, to destroy or to save—of a Being whose
attributes and power, in their presumptuous self-
'• ~ . . ..

, they have practically denied; and they
wou. ,reat the lesson as canting, and unworthy of
their consummate enlightenment, if they were to be
reminded that that Being never chastises without
provocation—never visits his mysterious dispensa-
tions upon his people without an object in view.
We have a right, however, to call upon them now
to tell us, in their exceeding wisdom, how our mil-
lions are to be fed. Their measures, which were to
have wrought such miracles—which were to have
placed us beyond the reach of calamity and dearth
—which were to have rendered us independent of
the contingencies of seasons at home or abroad—
have been baffled from above. We have no present
prospect of busy looms, or of active induetry in any
branch or in any quarter. The manufacturer, the
merchant, and the trader look forward with un•'is-
guised dread to the coming winter, and ask, " Will
the poor endure patiently their sufferings, their
disappointments ? "—for they were taught to expect i
a very different state of things to that which they
have now to prepare for. " Will those sufferings
be promptly met, or can they be met, by the charity
of the rich ?" We have hundreds of thousands in
England, from whom both employment and their
main and cheapest article of food being withdrawn,
must be relieved; in Ireland we have millions in
-en a worse plight, or soon to be so. Whence is
to come ? By grants from Government,
by voluntary contributions of the wealthy, or from

the re

what other source

of model, accommodation, and sailing qualities, their pre-
decessors.-ing at least is clear. Great masses of
ne3oa It is littlel more than a month since a splen-
people will not voluntarily starve.. We cannot shutour
rs
docksn haendatfhroemr
fittingt south
f r end,ti and. we
them up in our workhouses, which would not hold have nwow int
a tithe of those who, we fear, will be dependent She has been built by Mr. Reid, of
Ipswich,o the service.
upon our bounty. No new tinkering of the corn- personal superintendence of Captain Hudson, of No. 2,
the place of which boat she is intended to supply, and in
laws will materially aid us, for the foreigner is in
much the same condition with ourselves, and will
point of model, she is such as all admirers of naval archi-
want all the food he can rocure. The demolition tectu raell willher view
beam withif
t 4entihusiasm. Her length is 70 feet
P over
n her tonnage
sharponnag e as
a wedge
bo u t I .
of the whole of the existing protection would only In fact she is a regular clinp.p'era dh e i
put the amount of duty repealed into the pockets forward, and so clear in the run that a
at she a
will scarcely
of the capitalist and the foreign agriculturists and have a ripple in her wake. Her cabin, which is amid-
ships, is beautifully and handsomely fitted with maho-
gany, In Ireland such a measure, as one of
renrys,ernvoitcein ac4ghineghearsbread fashi,butfin a style suited to
relief, is wholly out of the question. That country,d accommodation
that or
even
nm men, and
water-
madness nadt
esro
it is too apparent, will seek relief for itself, in the much has their comfort been stude
madness of agrarian distui bance. Already the anti- tanks are made as tables. She is called " The Teaser," a
rent movement has spread amongst the population name we do not fear she will verify by the teasings she
of its most wretched counties; and, in some, the may give the noblest of our yachts.
d ST. BARNABAS' SCHOOLS.—On Friday last the chil-
population, even if disposed to do so, cannot pay.
anrennualltrethatesteo schools, to number of 450, had their
No collectable amount of poor-rates would meet theTheye accompaniedrwtse,re Messrs.
ahfer
emergency there. That country will have to be Revs. T. Nolan and Eastham..
Rob
subsidised, and heavily too, by the British Govern- and J. Lawrence (the churchwardens), the tn astersa!mis-
tresses, and assistant teachers, together with the Sunday-
school who must originate and carry on themselves
those great public works which the landlords of the ila
teachers.ta
kindly arranged for their
Ireland, mulcted of a large portion of their rentals, conveyancembackwearadFerry, . and forward : the beautifully-laid-
wil!_
find themselves unable to execute.

One to

1 out grounds were thrown open for their amusement : the

.... ____ ...
The difficulties are stupendous, however we re- boys played at football, and enjoyed themselves through
the fields.- An abundant lunch of bread and cheese and
and them. They compose a knot which we shall
milk was provided for them, and distributed as they sat
Lave to cut, for untying it is beyond our hope. No i in classes on the grass. At four o'clock they went on
nerely fiscal or economical legislation is applicable i board the returning steamer, testifying their delight and
o the removal of an evil of temporary emergency— thankfulness by repeated cheers for their ministers,
n evil which, as it spurns all established rule, and teachers, friends, &c. They were accompanied home by

inie' may the BrunsWick-pier, near. to St. Barnabas' Church,
upon us to the same
whence they marched home in the most orderly and gra-
must, therefore, resort to an irregular tifying manner, and, after a concluding cheer for their
node of action. In our own country, it is clear conductors, &c. closed a most agreeable and refreshing
.;hat we can no longer be guided, as to the relief of day. The Sunday-school teachers remained for tea with
the poor, by the stringent rules of the New Poor
the
teumr
ni
en,iis tte, r s
theand s
evweanr doe,ncslo
caitc tile.
tE a
as
st h ammuc II odteel li ,
lighd
ted
Law. We shall be compelled to resort to the old with the eyxcursion Its their more youthful companions.g
system of outdoor relief in cases of temporary pau- A few only from the Infant-schools were present, else the
perism. The pressure, in rates, no doubt will fall numbers had exceeded 600. The day was beautifully fine,
heavily upon the middle and wealthier classes in and everything passed off to the entire satisfaction of all
Du r large towns ; but it must be borne. It will fall the parties concerned.E •
' "- -- '-'- -gricultural parishes. The only PROPER AUTHORITIES.—It would
be well if the Council, or those who have the regu-
- . .

for years to come pre

too, in

) enabl

hernselves

lation and licensing of the hackney coaches, cabs, omni-
buses, and other public vhicles, would adopt something
resembling the system adopted in London,, by which a

such vehicles should be brouv.ht and deposited for recog-
nition by their owners. A person getting into a Bus
seldom notices whether he is in a Regulator, a Champion,

place, or past it, where he wishes to be set down ; con-
sequently if he leaves his umbrella, a book, or any other
article behind him, he seldom knows where to hunt for
it, and the conductor as little knows where to find him.
akes the first car in the stand ;

A person arriving per ra

is driven to the pierhead or elsewhere, and in case of any-
thing lost, in nine cases out of ten, neither knows the

difficulty and loss might be prevented,
ment of such a depot as that we recommend, to which
every carman and conductor should be compelled, under
penalties, in case of non-compliance, immediately to re-
turn such articles as have been found in their respective
conveyances ; and in respect of goods not claimed, these
might be sold, annually or otherwise, and the proceeds
form a fund for the reward of those men who have most
prominently distinguished themselves for honesty. W
feel convinced that much good would accrue from such a
system ; and we heartily recommend it for adoption by
authorities with such improvements as their better expe-
rience may dictate.
MR., PHILLIPS' ENTEATAINMENT:—We regret to say
that the unexpected and alarming indisposition of Mr.
Phillips caused his amusing entertainment, entitled "My
Portrait Gallery," to be postponed on Thursday last.
Having recovered from his late illness, it is now announced
for Thurday evening next, when we hope a numerous and
respectable auditory will participate in the humour which
will be excited by this distinguished individual.

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

EDINBURGII AND GLASGOW RAILWAY.— second address of the directors calls for only a few words.
OPPOSITION TO THE DIRECTORS. lltis a reiteration of their infallibility ;in which, also, it

. ,
is ridiculously stated—of course for an especial put pose—
A general meeting of the shareholders of the Edinburgh that the discussion at the late general meeting was pro-
and Glasgow Railway Company, resident in and near tracted by the speeches of the members of the deputation!
And if it were so, was there not a necessity to expose the
Liverpool, was held in the Clarendon-rooms yesterday, at
fallacies of the directors It woulrl be curious to count
one o'clock. The object of the meeting was to meet Mr. the words as spoken by each party. The directors also
John Cheetham, and others of the deputation from Man- point as if with triutnph to the preponderance of numbers
chester, who were desirous of communicating personally vresent in their favour. This was naturally enough to be
exp in Sc and where they couldm a
the results of their late mission to Glasgow; and also for theirected adherent otlands
; but, reverse the business, andsum sav ifon thlle
the purpose of adopting measures, in co-operation with meeting had been held in Liverpool or Manchester, in-
those gentlemen, preparatory to the special general meet- stead of Glasgow, what would then have been the result?
ing, to be held in Glasgow, on the 22nd instant. Mr. The directors also state that they are most unwilling to
expose the company to the imputation of a " breach of
Cheetham was not in attendance, being detained in Man- faith." This is the bugbear which is constantly paraded
chester. The deputation, therefore, consisted of Mr. to frighten timid shareholders. Surely, we understand
William Rawson, Mr. Coston, and Mr. Thomas Greig. what constitutes a breach of faith as well as the directors."
The attendance of proprietors from Liverpool and the The CHAIRMAN concluded by introducing the de-
' neighbourhood was very numerous. putation, who, he said, would explain to the meeting
Mr. A. F. JONES was called to the chair ; and, after a several most important particulars in connection with
few introductory remarks, he read the following address:— the proceedings which had been taken in Edinburgh,
Gentlemen,—With the result of the proceedings at the Glasgow, and London.
late general meeting of this company, held at Glasgow, Mr. RAw soar said he should first say something of the
on the Ist instant, you are well acquainted. After a proceedings of the deputation at the late meeting at Glas-
lengthened discussion, in which the chairman of the gow. Certainly a good deal was then said on broth sides.
Board of Directors was celled on to fulfil the pledge he At the Old Bailey itself the accused had always something
had given at the meeting held in Manchester in May to say in their defence; but without wishing to impute
last, viz., to resign his seat, if the shareholders declined criminal motives or intentions to the directors, he must
to sanction the proceedings of the Board, in respect to the say they were either very unfo:tunate in their management,
amalgamation with the canals, he has refused to do or things were not quite straightforward. At the last
so, and, that, notwithstanding the overwhelming ma- meeting in Liverpool he stated the expenses of working
jority in support of the deputation from the shareholders. the line were much larger than they had ever been before,
A majority, on such an occasion, involving an entire and greater than on any other railway ; but he had no idea
want of confidence in the directors, as I believe to be that Herod would have been so far out- Heroded in this re-
unexampled in railway experience, for the votes were spect. He was himself the director of a railway, the income
5542 against 1313—majority 4229, or fully 3to 1. True, of which for the last half year was £87,000, and it was a cu-
be professes it is his intention to do so hereafter ; but, rious coincidence that the income of the Edinburgh and
with such a result, what must we think of the man who Glasgow Company, including £5OOO from the depreciation
would hold office one moment longer than was necessary fund, was also £87,000. But in the one case the com-
for the instalment of his successor. In consequence of pany was enabled to divide £8 per cent., whilst, in the
a request from the gentlemen of the deputation of the other, the shareholders received only £5 per cent. ;—(hear)
committee sitting in Manchester, I have found it my —and he asked the meeting how it happened that one
duty again to summon your attendance, that you may railway, ou;-. of gross earnings, was able to pay £8 per
hear from those gentlemen an account of their mis- cent. ; another, only £5, which the directors said it would
sion to Glasgow, and of what is now proposed to be not have paid without receiving £9,000 or £lO,OOO from
accomplished at the ensuing special general meet- the canal? He would show the shareholders the reason
ing to be held there on the 22nd instant; arid, gentlemen, they did not receive a good dividend • and. he contended,
I would respectfully claim for them, your cordial, united, the directors must fall upon one of the horns of the dilem-
, and energetic support. I may beg of you not to allow ma, Either, on the one hand, the accounts had been
yourselves to be hoodwinked and deceived—that you will cooked, (he did not use the word offensively), or there was
not allow your minds to be diverted from the main and a presiding genius, for good or for evil, as was the case in
mist important question at issue; for this has been at- every corporation, that absolutely controlled the whole.
tempted in sending anonymous letters, as well as in the The accounts disclosed some curious things; and he was sure
speeches of the chairman of the board, and Mr. M'Neill, that many deeply interested shareholders would sell out
in particular, whose vain endeavour has been most at once, if they thought the expenses were liable to in-
justly and ludicrously described by Mr. J. B. Smith, crease every year in the same ratio. How much did the
in his simile of the dogs and the red herring trailed meeting believe the expenses had increased, without the
before them, to lead them off the scent. As to anony- opening of a single mile of additional line ? Ten per cent.
mous writers, I consider them, in the present case, as would generally be thought a fruitful increase, but last
the worst enemies of their own cause. If that cause is half year it was more than 80 per cent., as compared with
just, what have they to fear? Who is "An Edinburgh the corresponding half year of 1845. Last half year the
and Glasgow Railway Shareholder" ? or who is "An expenses of the head office were £2,733; for the corres-
English Shareholder" ? Let the writers put their names ponding half year of 1845 they were £633, being an in-
names to their statements, and then we may combat them crease of about 75 per cent. How could any railway,
—but we fight not with shadows. The main question, whatever its position, exist under such circumstances?
then, is that in respect to the amalgamation with the He had never been in Scotland before, but there could be
canals, which we contend to be neither necessary, just, or no more promising undertaking in the kingdom than
politic; and, moreover, if it were so, that the board have this line, if it were well managed, between the magni-
exceeded the powers granted under the Act of Parliament ficent cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow ; and so far
by which all their proceedings must be regulated ; that from a dividend of £5 per cent. only being earned with dif-
was, if the consent of the shareholders had been fairly ficulty, he would pledge himself to make it pay six
instead of surreptitiously obtained (for this is a point that per cent., and leave a considerable balance to the
cannot be too constantly kept in view) ; neither would next half year without receiving a single penny from the
their consent have legalized that which required legisla- canal. Mr. Rawson read other items of expenditure also
tive sanction. The directors take credit to themselves, shewing considerable increase ; and then he asked the
in consequence of the increased traffic on the canals, as meeting to consider the grounds upon which all this oppo-
having, in :he Forth and Clyde, given them a surplus profit sition was raised. The amalgamation with the canals
of nearly £lO,OOO. But I will not, for one, allow them could not be worked without an net of parliament, if an
this credit. These gentlemen have established a fallacy ; equal division were to be made. They might work under
and then, grounding their arguments on this their own act, an agreement not to injure each other, but not as a part-
they turn to us, and triumphantly say, " Look at the re- nership, if a single shareholder objected. And if an act
suit." That result is, indeed, such as might be naturally of parliament had been obtained in the late session, the
expected, while so great a differential rate as Is. Bd. per result is ould have been, that a reduction of tolls both upon
ton IA; been established in favour of the canals. I have the railway and the canals must have been submitted to,
beard an eminent carrier of Manchester say, such a dif- nearly equal to all the canal receipts put together; so that
ference could not fail to throw the traffic mainly on the instead of gaining an advantage by the amalgamation, the
canals. And, when we hear the directors asserting their railway must have given £l5O for every £lOO canal stock,
determination to carry out this obnoxious measure— with the certainty of receiving next to nothing in return.
spite of Parliament, in defiance of the shareholders, and The directors, as he had observed before, defended them-
of what we conceive to be their legal authority—is it too selves at the late meeting at Glasgow, and the deputation
much to imagine that they would, by such an attempt as talked a long time without making converts. That was,
this great differential rate, seek to bolster up that deter- perhaps, natural. A number of the shareholders present
mination by its apparent necessity ? But neither, were clearly inaccessible to their arguments; and, like
gentlemen, are they entitled to any credit, inasmuch, the chairman (Mr. Jones), he was convinced the best pos-
as, by their own admission, they have totally neg- able arguments were proxies. (Hear.)
lected the plant ; so, that instead of being able to Mr. COSTON then addressed the meeting. He said
accommodate the increasing traffic which themselves that on Thursday last a meeting of shareholders was held
have stated as flowing to the line, and which it was their in London. About thirty attended, all of whom, with
bounden duty to look to, they are not even able to supply the exception of Lieut. Col. Johnson, (who was a canal
the means requisite for that already at hand, which proprietor) gave the deputation their proxies. The Colo-
has, in consequence, been forced on the canals—thus nel did not like to risk his canal property, although be
abstracting from the railway, and adding to the receipts , (Mr. Coston) convinced him it would be safer in the
of the former, a line of conduct most prejudicial to hands of a good board of direction, under an arranaement
your interest. For we have it on most unquestionable on fair terms with the railway, than in competition with
authority that the state and condition of the whole plant it. He might mention too that proxies had been largely
is awful, that the rails are also much neglected, and that received from shareholdars in other places, coinciding with
the whole of the business, in respect to the working of the deputation. He wished to say one word with regard
the line, has been most shamefully neglected. See, also, to the self-sufficient conduct of the chairman of the rail-
Lord Belhaven's speech as to the opinion of the people of way, who had stated he had been invited to meet the
Glasgow in this respect, and also as to the unpopularity Manchester shareholders, who showed him great kindness
of the company in parliament. Let me now, gentlemen, and satisfaction. The chairman seemed to think that to
call your attention to the difference between the speeches be civil was to express approval ; but he must have a sin-
of the chairman of the board and those of the chairman of gular want of penetration if he conceived there was one
the deputation. The former, hesty,petutent, and threaten- word of approbation expressed as regarded his manage-
ing—the latter, mild and argumentative. Mr. Learrnonth ment in the chair of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Rail-
asserts, again and again, that the result of the examination , way. Every dissatisfaction was shown ; and one gentle-
of the deputies in August last, and of the meeting at New- man, Mr. Gasquoine, said, if no other proprietor would
castle, was " quite satisfactory" to the gentlemen who ' take measures to restrain the directors from g
formed that deputation. These (to use a very mild ex- 'on with the arrangement, he would be one to
pression) incorrect assertions have rendered it necessary do it. Mr. Coston then went through some of the
now to publish the report—withdrawn only in consequence details of the arrangement with the canals. The Forth
of certain stipulations between the parties, but which, and Clyde canal was reduced so as to pay only £4 per
to this day, the directors have failed to comply with. cent. last year, and there was a prospect of the dividend
Let any gentleman read that report, and then say whe- going down still further, and even to pay that the directors
ther " entire satisfaction" was the result of the enquiry.' had been obliged to tax the reserved fund to the amount
A new feature in this case has arisen, having, in of £5OOO. The Union canal, it was well known, had paid
my mind, a most important bearing on the subject. At nothing upon the original shares, and even upon the allo-
a late meeting of the " Sottish Central Railway Corn- cated shares only 255. had been paid in three years, mak-
pany," it was declared by the directors to their con- ing Bs. 4d. per annum. (Hear.) And their condition
stituents that, in respect to this very matter of amalga- was not at all likely to be improved under the tariff which
mation, as legislative sanction hall been refused, the whole would be required by Parliament in the amalgamation act.
business was at an end, and that the company was free to In fact, they would not be earning half so much. Mr.
seek such other measures as might be considered best ; Coston then read the proposed rates for the carriage of
and yet, gentlemen, this very company was equally bound minerals, flour, &c., to prove this statement. The depu-
with the Edinburgh and Glasgow, a number of the di- tation, however, were of opinion that with a board of di-
rectors of the canals being named in the bill of amalga- rection composed of sensible men, no difficulty could
motion. Thus we have two boards arriving at a diame- arise with the canals, but that arrangements might be
trically opposite conclusion from the same premises; and made to the benefit of all the companies concerned, and
I presume it will not be denied that the " Scottish Cen- to that of the public. By such arrangements not only
tral Board" are honourable men. But does not this, their would the public be better served, but the proprietors
opinion, justify us, if justification were wanting ? Again, would be ensured a remunerative dividend. It was the
gentlemen, you must not lose sight of the consequences of end and aim of the deputation to make such arrangements.
this amalgamation, for which legislative sanction must ul- They did not mean to say they feared competition with
timately be obtained ; and had you all seen a draft of the the canals. Far from it. If the canals were determined
bill, imposing such a tariff as would have suited even Mr. to quarrel, the deputation were ready to exclaim, " Come
Wilson, I think your ardour (supposing you to be favors- on, Macduff," for they were satisfied that canals had no
ble to the measure) would have been cooled at once. What chance in hostile competition with railways.
think you of carrying iron, at a maximum rate of bits per Mr. RAWSON remarked that in the accounts for the
ton per mile. and other matters in proportion? Depend corresponding half-rear of 1845, the receipts from rents
upon it, should you unwisely consent to this insane pro- were stated to be £1,211. This half year the account
ject, that on your application to Parliament you would be stated the item thus, "for rents received, £6BB. The ob-
severely punished for the great boon you sought. It ject of this was to make the income of the railway appear
would indeed be singular, could no other gentleman be as little as possible. He contended that in taking stock,
found in all Scotland to carry out a line of policy different credit should be taken for good debts, among which he
from that of the gentleman who now fills the chair. Such classed this scrum, of income. He did not consider the
an assumption is the very essence of egotism. On the carriage of heavy goods on the railway the most profitable ;
contrary, we are assured there are many quite ready and and it mattered very little whether the canals continued to
willing to take office, under a new arrangement of the carry on a ruinous competition for four or five years more,
board—gentlemen quite able to protect the interests of the or not. At the same time any board of direction who had
shareholders, and save them from the threatened injury the confidence of the English shareholders would seek all
consequent on the resignation of the present directors, the means of reconciliation with the canals compatible with
who would, to my mind, have more consulted their honor, the interests of the company. The income from the car-
had they intimated to a colleague the necessity for his riage of goods had been raised from £lB,OOO to £28,000;
retirement. In respect to the arbiters, it has again but he did not believe it had added to the dividend more
and again been stated that no imputation rests on them, than £3,000. It was a mere bagatelle at the present mo- '
but on the parties who did not furnish them with'the proper ment. The company was receiving as much for passen-
documents, by which to arrive at a just conclusion. Fur- gers, parcels, and mails, as they received for all the traffic
ther comment on the speeches of the directors, and their this time last year. He said this in order that the canal
supporters, is not necessary at present, except as to one proprietors might consider whether they had any chance
point, that, judging from what has been said, it would in a fair race of competition.

seem there is a power behind the chair even greater than Mr. GREIG next addressed the meeting, and said the
thechair. It is also well worthy of remark,that all the offers present was the only instance on record where directors,
made by Mr. Learmonth for amalgamating, puechasing after such strong opposition bad been manifested to their
or leasing, (provided hedoes not wish for compliance there- policy, had doggedly determined to maintain their seats.
with), are accompanied by a contingency which is certain' The chairman of the company (Mr. Learmonth) had it
to be rejected, and thus he endeavours to throw the distinctly stated to him in Manchester that this could not
odium, if any, on the other party. Such has been the be permitted to go forth as a precedent, because it was
case in respect to the Edinburgh, Leith and Granton, absolutely necessary the shareholders should have know-
and the Edinburgh and Northern lines, and I may also ledge conveyed to them, which would enable them to
say the Caledonian. On all of which he is desirous of sanction or otherwise whatever took place in respect to
throwing the blame, in loose and vague assertions, while their property. In other words, unless they had every
he is met on this point by the mention of dates and per- information given them the bargain with the canals must
sons, and consequently capable of proof. One thing has, be negatived. The chairman said he could claim 110 ex-
-1 think, been naorefully brought under the notice of the emption from this rule. He bad also been told that the
shareholders by these discussions, which cannot fail to be railway, by the connection with the Leith and Granton
highly gratifying, and that is the great traffic which exists docks, had become possessed of a lever, which would
between Edinburgh and Glasgows—uch as, under able throw almost the whole traffic of the country upon the
and fostering management, cannot fail to be remunerative line; and that it was taking too much upon himself to at-
to both railway and canals. Before I have done, I may, tempt to amalgamate with the canals alter having fought
also, point out to you the neglect of the directors in re- them for three or four years, at a loss of from £40,000 to
spect to the extension. Why was not this completed £50,000 per annum, and they would become a dead
long since ? It ought, at least, to have been so, simul- weight. The basis of any arrangement with them should
taneously with the opening of the North British. And I have been, first, to have taken all the expenses of their
may also remind you, gentlemen, that when the act for I opposition to the railway, on both sides, when the bill
this extension was applied for, one of the principal was in Parliament, and the loss of £40,000 or £50,000 a
grounds assumed was—because it would establish, a con- year for three or four years in competion. He would de-
nexion with the sea by means of the Edinburgh, Leith duct these amounts from the canals, and then give them
and (then) Newhaven Railway. And, now, gentlemen, £5 per cent. per annum. (Hear.) The deputation had
let me remark that I consider an the mischief which has done some good be going to Glasgow, because it was now
happened, in respect to the present dispute between the fully understood that the half shares were to be reinstated,
shareholders and the directors, to have arisen, firstly, for it was no less than confiscation to make them into
from their protracted resistance to the urgent wishes of fifths. Mr. Greig then proceeded to refer to Mr. Gregson,
the former, for an arrangement with the canals, a mea- the manager, and his large salary of £3OOO, which he said
sure which, I think, no man can doubt might have been would, in all likelihood, be increased another £lOOO. He
easily accomplished by two or three gentlemen from each was induced to take up a share list the other day, ex-
party, determined to eject it in an amicable spirit. pecting to find the canal under this gentleman's manage-
need only refer„ for example, to the contest between the went in a very prosperous state, but what was hi,-
Railways, astonishment at discovering the shares to be at a discount ;
besetLond hi,-
London
tahn
infinitely
Birminghamge
at
earn ant
difficulties. Grand
A nd,
secondly, and he asked how it was that the railway must have a
to the assumption of undue power and authority, under manager from a canal which, instead of being at a pre-
which thesel gentlemen have entered into engagements, minim,
was at a considerable discount? (Hear.) But how
of the most important nature, without the sanction of stood the railways which were parallel to, or in the neigh-
their constituents, to whom they have applied for confer- bourhood of, this canal ? The Lancaster and Preston, on
mation, when the business was so far advanced, that as which £73 were paid, were selling at £lo3+; the Len-
they have stated, nothing was left to the constituency but caster and Carlisle, with £45 paid, were selling at £6B,
compliance, however unpalatable the measure might be. and the North Union, with £lOO paid, were selling at
Such a system is greatly to be deprecated, and has led to £lB7. Consequently, if the directors had wanted to have
much confusion in other railways, as well as this ; but it obtained information whereby to have done justice to their
has proceeded to the most unwarrantable lengths in the own shareholders, as well as to the canal proprietors,
Edinburgh and Glasgow direction, since even the three England could have furnished them with sufficient evi-
English directors were never acquainted with the terms dence. After some further remarks, Mr. Greig closed by
of the amalgamation ; and further, it is believed that at saying, that if the amalgamation had been carried out, it
the late general meeting several of the Scotch directors would have obliterated the voice of the English share-
were equally ignorant of their precise nature, although holders ; and he could come to no other conclusion than
they had signed the address issued from the board. Fur- that it was a deep laid scheme to carry out a plan adverse
ther comment on such conduct is unnecessary. The and hostile to their interests.

Dr. DE VITRE, of Lancaster, at some length defended
the proceedings of the directors, and urged that the true
question was one of honour, principle, and commercial inte-
grity. He for one had entrusted them with the management
of the undertaking, and they, having entered into engage-
ments for its benefit, he conceived he was bound to sup-
port them. The deputation, at the meeeting at Glasgow,
had not met this point, and he conceived they had not
touched it now. On his return from Glasgow to Edin-
burgh, he met with a gentleman in the train, an iron
master at Falkirk, and also a shareholder in this com-
pany, who declared that if the arrangement with the ca-
nals was upset he would sell every share he possessed.
Mr. RAwsoN.—•l will buy them.
.Dr. DE VITRE in continuation, said he had himself sold
a considerable number of the shares which he held since
this repudiation was attempted. He was convinced that
by the arrangement the directors had made, the line
would go gradually up to a ten per cent. line; but if it
were repudiated, he did not know when that point would
be reached. He defended Mr. Gregson from the remarks
of Mr. Greig ; and as to Mr. Learmonth, he was of opi-
nion, that though an abler person might possibly be
found, in this particular transaction he was perfectly
blameless.
Mr. GREIG explained what he had said with regard to
Mr. Gregson, and contended that the inference he had
drawn from the sinking state of the canals was perfectly
just. He had no intention whatever to question the abi-
lity or integrity of Mr. Gregson, who was well known to
have first-rate talents as a canal manager. He did, how-
ever, blame the directors for not having given notice to
the English shareholders of the steps they were taking
with regard to the canals.
Mr. COSTON repeated that the directors had not sent
notices of the meetings for the amalgamation, and in refer-
ence to an observation of Dr. De Vitre, who stated he
had received notices of all meetings, he called upon him
to state when he received them.
Dr. DE VITRE did not attend that meeting for the pur-
pose of answering questions. All he said was that all the
necessary documents had been forwarded to him.
M r. ROSSON.—They werenot forwarded to other parties.
Dr. DE VITRE had no means of knowing whether they
were or were not. He protested, however, against being
questioned.
Mr. ROSSON.—What number of shares do you hold
now ?
Dr. Da VITRE apprehended he was not called upon to
answer any unnecessary questions. He hell no incon-
siderable number of shares now. All documents had
been forwarded to him in regular succession.
Mr. RAWSON said it was well known that the directors
had forwarded them only to a few special friends.
Dr. DE VITRE said he did not know the directors, nor
had he had any communication with them.
Mr. RAWSON, Mr. COSTON, and the CHAIRMAN next
addressed the meeting at length upon the conduct of the
directors, and in answer to the remarks of Dr. De Vitre;
and, after some discussion upon "the point of honour,"
in which it was admitted that all were " honourable men,"
Mr. RossoN delivered some remarks in support of the
deputation, and moved the following resolution :—" That
the warmest thanks of this meeting be given to the mem-
bers of the deputation for their report of their able pro-
ceedings at Glasgow ; and hopes they will persevere in the
course which has already proved so beneficial to our va-
luable undertaking.
Mr. HEALEY seconded the resolution, and expressed a
hope that the deputation had their eyes upon gentlemen
fully competent to undertake the future direction of the
company. A large number of English directors would be
prejudicial; and he wished to know whether the deputa-
tion had in view Scottish gentlemen qualified to under-
take the business of the railway ?
Mr. COSTON was glad the question had been put. The
deputation bad no doubt that Scottish gentlemen, highly
capable and efficient, would be found to corry on the con-
cern. The railway would not be left without directors.
The best men would be selected, and this was a subject
which would be attended to by the deputation the moment
they reached Scotland, which would be in a few days.
Mr. HEALEY was satisfied with this answer. In the
second address of the directors, there was one remark
which would not tend to exalt them in his estitimation.
It was " The directors profess [it was only profession]
to regret they cannot pay a dividend to their proprietors
until February next." He should like to know whether
directors were fit to retain office who would not take upon
themselves the individual responsibility of paying a divi-
dend to their proprietors which they ackn)wled to be in
the bankers' hands? (Hear.) He hoped the deputation
would not only remove the directors, but immediately
pay the dividend to those to whom it belonged.
Mr. RmysoN, as a railway man, would pay the divi-
dend, and' fake his chance of the consequences. The legal
adviser of the deputation said the dividend, or a sum
nearly equivalent to it, might be paid, and a vote of in-
demnity be passed at the meeting of the company in Fe-
bruary next.
The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution. It was car-
ried unanimously. Dr. De Vitre did not vote.
The usual thanks were voter! to the Chairman, and the
meeting separated at half-past three o'clock, having oc-
cupied upwards of two hours.

THE LIVERPOOL EXHIBITION OF WORKS

OF MODERN ARTISTS

This exhibition, which is now open to the public, con
tains a collection of paintings of greater average merit
than any which we have previously been permitted to
inspect In the same locality. Of course, the limited op-
portunity which we have had of going through them will
prevent us, in our present notice, of remarking critically
at any length, upon the merits of particular works. We
shall therefore content ourselves with the duty of directing
attention to a few of the leading pictures, reserving to
ourselves future opportunities of entering into further de-
tail.

The first picture which we shall notice is No. 94, Har-
vey's. to which the prize has been awarded. The subject
is "The first reading of the Bible in the Crypts of St.
Pauls.' " The composition, as a whole, is very fine.
The lights, especially, are well managed, and convey ade-
quately the solemnity of the subject and scene. But we
cannot say that the picture displays a very high order of
genius. I'., contains little to strike observation, or to at-
tract the observer to store it up in memory. There is not
one of the figures, which stand forward most prominently,
upon which a lover of the beautiful or the sublime would
care to bestow more than a passing glance. Of course,
the fact that it has been judged worthy of the prize shows
that we differ from those, perhaps better qualified artis-
tically, to give an opinion. Nevertheless, there are some
pictures in the rooms which we, and we fancy many be-
sides ourselves, would value more highly. A Highland
funeral, by this artist, possesses great merit. No. 163,
by Alexander Johnston. This picture is of a very high
order of merit; and, with one exception, is almost fault-
less in execution. The subject is the introduction of
Flora Macdonald to Prince Charles Stewa:t. Both the
composition and the figures are very effective ; some of
them most striking. The figure of Charles Edward him-
self seems to us to be the only failing part of the picture,
the character and expression being too tame, and not at
all in accordance with our notions, or the historical repre-
sentations of them. The back-ground, light, and details,
are worked out with great artistic skill.
No. 116, by Ansdell, the largest composition in the
room, representing a Highland scene, with a stag at bay,
dogs, and a huntsman in the act of firing the death shot,
forms a striking picture.
No. 196, A Sunset in Frost, by Brandtvhile, is one of
the most striking pictures in the collection.
No. 119, by W. G. Herdman, A Market-day Scene in
Ross, is a pleasing composition, well worked out in its
details. In the foreground is the centre arch of the
market-house, from which the celebrated Man of Rosa
used to distribute his charities to the townspeople.
No. 208, a Highland scene, with Drovers setting cut,
by Ansdell, is a fine picture, worthy of this artist. The
distant landscape and cattle are very characteristic, and
the figures in the foreground well painted.
No. 22, by Dighton, is one of the best paintings of the
alternate cloud and sunshine of an April day which we
remember to have seen. It is altogether a very spirited
piece of landscape painting.
No. 122, by Noel Patten, possesses wonderful effect.
The subject is the Interview of Oberon and Titania, in
the " Midsummer Night's Dream." The colouring is
singularly dream-like in its lightness ; the leading figures
of infinite grace and beauty, combined with the grotesque
character of their impish attendants. Both as a highly
poetical description of the scene and a work of high art,
it cannot escape prominent notice.
Another fine picture is an interior, The Smuggler, by
Chas. Landseer, No. 186 The figures are beautifully
brought out, and all the details in excellent keeping.
Mr. Midge contributes a very fine full length of Sir
Philip Egerton.
No. 7, A Morning Scene in Wales, by Creswick,is a fine
landscape with water, and challenges observation as an
excellent specimen of this artist. On the opposite side
of the room is a picture. with fruit, called Preparing for
the Banquet, by Lance, which is very truthful. No. 63.
by Augustus Egg, No. 77, by Lander, and No. 49, by
O'Neill, are also very meritorious. No. 169, is a fine
landscape, by Pyne.
No. 31, by E. M. Ward, the Disgrace of Clarendon,
is a picture of some pretension, and contains some very
meritorious points, with a few faults. In the foreground,
the great minister is represented descending the steps of
the palace, and met by the averted faces of the attend-
, ant courtiers. The bearing of Clarendon is dignified and
firm, and many of the figures excellently painted. The
scene is most expressive of the era, the costumes correct,
and elaborately worked out. As a whole there is great
merit in the picture.
Our native artists have on this occasion contributed
largely to the exhibition ; and in many of their compo-
sitions we observe a great improvement upon their past
efforts. Amongst the number who have contributed
pictures are IV. Huggins (32a and 318, very fine com-
positions), Dawson (3io, a.. scene on the River Mersey),
Davis (a painting descriptive of an ejection of an Irish
family), Windus, Rothwell, Geo. Keel, Buchanan,
Marshall, &c. We must, however, pay our respects to
these and other gentlemen in our next.
Amongst the most pleasing portion of the exhibition
are the miniatures, two of which especially are very beau-
tifully and correctly painted. We refer to No. 219, a
Portrait of Lord John Russell, and 221, a Portrait of
Lablache, by a London artist, Carrick. The likenesses
and artistic execution of both these are inimitable. Nos.
218 and 220, by Sir John Ross, the latter a Portrait of
the Queen of the Belgians, will be viewed with interest,
both for their excellent painting and the characters pour-
trayed. Air. G. Hargreaves has also a striking likeness
of Mr. Hugh Neill, the eminent oculist ; and we notice
two more, No. 228, Portrait of a Lady, and 22,, Portrait
of a Young Lady, by a townsman, Mr. J. B. Cr9s,
which are very clever. If we mistake not, we recognise
in them the likenesses of a talented pianiste of our town
and her sister.
We must break off with these hasty remarks, not how-

ever without inviting our readers to pay a visit to the
exhibition, which will amply repay the lovers and patrons
of art.

Sept. IS, 1R46.

FACILITIES AFFORDED FORA DIRECT ROUTE
TO INDIA BY THE GREAT LUXEMBOURG
RAILWAY.

There are few more interesting subjects of speculation
in the present day than an inquiry into the mode by which
Great Britain can be brought into a more direct and se-
cure connexion with her vast Indian Empire and the con-
tinents ofikAfrica and Asia. Greatly improved as is the
present communication, thanks to the spirited efforts of
Mr. Waghorn and the proprietors of some of our leading
metropolitan papers, there can be no doubt that much can
be effected, and that ultimately, not only our despatches
and wealthy passengers, from the East, can be brought to
this country and to Northern Europe, with increased
spirit and regularity, but that no trifling amount of mer-
chandise and produce may, at no distant period, be simi-
larly accommodated in their transit to and from these
important markets. A writer, in an excellent periodical,
the New Quarterly Review, has recently brought before
the public his views as to the working out of such a
scheme, the leading features of which we propose here
submitting to our readers.

The writer objects, with great judgment, against the
adoption of the present route, via Marseilles, as not being
the most direct, or the most free from contingencies to
arise from an interruption of our relations with Belgium
is better adapted to form the permanent route, both from
the character of the country, its population, its cheaper
railways, and the habits, traffic, &c. of its population.
She possesses coal, moreover, of which France is deficient,
and has a number of lines of road, formed and forming,
which only require to be connected and extended to afford
the accommodation which we require. Amongst these he
enumerates :

" First, an already effected rail from Ostend to Brus-
sels. Next, by the Great Luxembourg, in the hands of
first-rate English capitalists, who already hold half a mil-
lion of money, the route executed to Wavre will be carried
on to Namur. Here again the Great Luxembourg, a rail
200 miles in extent, takes up the continuation, and carries
us to Luxembourg. It has also a branch from Luxem-
bourg to Metz, where it meets a line now in progress to
Strasburg, by which it connects itself with another line
now making through Sarrebruck to Kaiserslautern, with
its own Troves branch and the navigation of the Rhine.
From Luxembourg a line to Troves furnishes another fa-
cility for the Indian route. A Wirtemberg railway has
been projected also in connexion with this line ; and if the
Venice and Milan be used for the same great object of the
Indian route, here also the Great Luxembourg receives
the traveller.

" As, then, the advantages of the most distant foreign
communication appear open to this line, which is in the
possession of English capitalists, and which will bring the
East nearer to our doors, let us examine this nucleus of
future operations. We do this with the greater pleasure,
since we feel that it is one in which English capital is em-
barked, and whose future advance, even to the very gates
of Constantinople, will bring the wealth of the world into
England's custom. This railway, which has received the
complete consent of the King and the Belgian Chamber,
commences with a terminus in Brussels, at the Quartier
Leopold ;' hence, passing Boitsfort, it arrives at Wavre,
a distance already provided for by existing payments,
which renders any call for the present year unnecessary.
At Wavre, passing Gembloux, it conducts us to Namur.
The company possesses capital sufficient to carry out this
branch. It will give thirty-nine miles of railway to the
shareholders of the company, without any further call.
It is also requisite to note, that this line is further in di-
rect communication with Antwerp, around which port all
parties appear centralizing. From Namur the line conti-
nues through Ciney, Rocbfort, Recogne, and Neufcha-
teau, to Arlon, being eighty-two miles. Between Namur
and Arlon, two important branches quit the main line ;
one, twelve miles in extent, leaves Rochfort, passes Mar-
che, and goes on to Deulin, a spot on the Luxembourg,
canal, also the property of this company, thereby con-
veying stone, minerals, ores, &c., from their numerous
mines to the company, and bringing into connexion with
it the important city of Liege, a place of great manufac-
turing interest. The other branch to Bastogne, eighteen
miles long, furnishes access to a highly important district
at Longlier, at Neufchateau. From Arlon the line crosses
the Grand Ducal frontier at Steinfurt, passes the iron
works at Habbaye, and reaches the city of Luxembourg
in about sixteen miles. From Luxembourg there is an
extension to Metz due south, entering France at Frisange,
the well-known iron forges, taking Thionville and Ukange
on its way. The length of the line from Luxembourg to
Metz is thirty-six mites. The only engineering difficulties
of this vast scheme occur between Namur and Ciney :
this expense is, however, neutralized by 150 miles of ex-
tremely low average, so that the Great Luxembourg will
be constructed the ch,apest of existing lines ; and, in
truth, the natural facilities of Belgium are too well known
to need any long details on this matter. Thus far, then.
the northward opening to Trieste appears both favourable
and eminently practicable."

The sources of traffic by this line he shows to be im-
mense. It will pass through districts fertile in minerals ;
it connects together upwards of six millions of people, and.
will receive a large influx of the traffic along the whole
navigation of the Rhine. By the adoption of this route
the distance from Trieste to Ostend (750 miles) could be
traversed in a day ; and India would be placed at a dis-
tance of only twenty-one days from this country. Pre-
suming that a line may be continued down the valley of
the Danube to Constantinople (1500 miles) the entire
distance between Ostend and that city might be compassed
in forty-eight hours.

Lord and Lady Sandon and family arrived at Gros-
venor-square on Friday from the continent.
There is no truth in the rumour that Mr. Jackson has
purchased the Chamberlain estate at Tranmere.
Lord Besborough attended the Dublin Theatre on
Thursday, and was most enthusiastically received.
The Rev. John Eddowes Gladstone, 8.A., of Magdalen
Hall, Oxford, has been presented to the incumbency of
St. Mark's Church, Lakenham, near Norwich.
The Journal des Debars states that the fears which were
entertained reitive to the safety of the potatoe crop
throughout France have been dispelled.
.LABOURERS.—On Thursday, a highly respectable meet-
ing was held at Beawinster, Dorsetsbire, when a society
was formed for bettering the condition of the labouring
classes by the field-garden allotment system.
PuBLICANS' LICENSES.—The magistrates sat yester-
dly, for the purpose of considering applications for
licenses for public houses. Only one new license was
granted, namely, to Mr. John Devine, of Netherfield-
road North, Everton.

NOVELSTEAMER.—We were highly gratified, a few
days since, by the cursory examination of the Levantine,
a new screw steamer, now lying in the Coburg Dock.
This vessel is one of a line of steamers now building to
run between this port and Malta, Constantinople, and
other places on the Black Sea ; and having something
novel in her construction, she may not be unworthy the
notice of our maritime public. In addition to a spread
of canvas, she will, as we have stated, be propelled by the
screw, which is worked by a rotatory engine applied di-
rectly to the shaft. The engines are exceedingly com-
pact, and, from the fact of 90 revolutions per minute
having been obtained on her passage here, there is but
little doubt that it will open a new era in the mode of
propelling vessels, particularly as, by this principle, space
is so much economised as always to allow ample stowage
room. The engines are the invention of Peter Boni!,
Esq., and have been fitted by Caird & Co., of Greenock.
The vessel herself is entirely built of iron, by Messrs.
Ditchburn and Co., of London ; and her mould is fully
shewn by the fact, that under jurymasts, between London
and Greenock, she sailed at the rate of In knots an hour.
The vessel is the property of the Levantine Steam Com-
pany, and is here consigned to Montgredien, Esq.
She will be commanded by Captain Easterby.
THE DISTRESSED IRISH.—On Sunday morning last,
the Rev. Hugh M'Neile. in the course of his sermon.
called the attention of his congregation to the distressed
condition in which the people in many districts of Ireland
are placed through the failure of the potato crop. He
stated that he had received letters from several gentlemen
which led him to believe that nothing short of absolute
famine had come upon large portions of the people. In
the county Roscommon especially, he was given to under-
stand, the inhabitants were literally starving. He an-
nounced at the close, that although no formal collection
for the sufferers would be made in the church that day.
yet that boxes would be held at the doors, and he would
be happy to be the medium of transmitting any contribu-
tions to his brother clergyman at Roscommon. A collec-
tion was accordingly made at the doors, which amounted,
we are happy to sav, to the very handsome sum of £42,
the congregation being unprepared for such an appeal.
We may mention, as a curious coincidence, that at the
moment the churchwardens were taking the colleen'
into the vestry, the Rev. Mr. Somerville, of Doneoineci
who happened to be present at the church, entered, a.-
fully corroborated the statements of Mr. M'Neile—ill-
- he said no language could convey an adequate ides
of the destitution at present existing in the sister country.
In some parts he stated the people were In such a state of
want that they were actually subsisting on nettles. Mr.
Somerville was on his vay to London as a member of a
deputation to Lord John Russell, to impress on Govern-
ment the necessity of immediate relief being granted for
his starving countrymen. The amount collected at St.
Judes was yesterday transmitted to Ireland.
During the visit of royalty to Liverpool, Mr. Satchell,
of 48, Lord-street, who has long held in conjunction with
the London firm with whom he is connected, a royal ap-
pointment, presented two hats to his royal highness Prince
Albert, one of which was worn by the Prince on the day
he laid the foundation stone of the Sailor's Home, Mr.
Satchell has since received the appointment of hatter to
his royal highness.