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

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

ND GLASGOW RAILWAY
ITION TO THE DIRECTORS.

EDINBURGH
I OPP(

general imee

ing of the shareholders of the Edinburgh

and Glasgow Railway Company, resident in and near
Liverpool, was held in the Clarendon-rooms yesterday, at

one o'clock. The object of the meeting was to meet Mr.
John Cheetham, and others of the deputation from Man-
chester, who were desirous of communiCating personally
the results of their late mission to Glasgow; and also for
the purpose of adopting measures, in co-operation with
those gentlemen, preparatory to the special general meet-
ing, to be held in Glasgow, on the 22nd instant. Mr.
Cheetham was not in attendance, being detained in Man-
chester. The deputation, therefore, consisted of Mr.
William Rawson, Mr. Coston, and Mr. Thomas Greig.
The attendance of proprietors from Liverpool and the
neighbourhood was very numerous.
Mr. A. F. JONES was called to the chair; and, after a
few introductory remarks, he read the following address:—
Gerolemen,—With the result of the proceedings at the
late general meeting of this company, held at Glasgow,
on the Ist instant, you are well acquainted. After a
lengthened discussion, in which the chairman of the
Board of Directors was celled on to fulfil the pledge he
had given at the meeting held id Manchester in May
last, viz., to resign his seat, if the shareholders declined
to sanction the proceedings of the Board, in respect to the
amalgamation with the canals, he has refused to do
so, and, that, notwithstanding the overwhelming ma-
jority in support of the deputation from the shareholders.
A majority, on such an occasion, involving an entire
want of confidence in the directors, as I believe to be
unexampled in railway experience, for the votes were
5512 against 1313—majority 4229, or fully 3to 1. True,
he professes it is his intention to do so hereafter ; but,
with such a result, what must we think of the man who
would hold office one moment longer than was necessary
for the instalment of his successor. In consequence of
a request from the gentlemen of the deputation of the
committee sitting in Manchester, I have found it my
duty again to summon your attendance, that you may
hear from those gentlemen an account of their mis-
sion to Glasgow, and of what is now proposed to be
accomplished at the ensuing special general meet-
ing to be held there on the 22nd instant ; and, gentlemen,
I would respectfully claim for them, your cordial, united,
and energetic support. I may beg of you not to allow
yourselves to be hoodwinked and deceived—that you will
not allow your minds to be diverted from the main and
most important question at issue ; for this has been at-
tempted in sending anonymous letters, as well as in the
speeches of the chairman of the board, and Mr. M'Neill,
in particular, whose vain endeavour has been most
justly and ludicrously described by Mr. J. B. Smith,
in his simile of the dogs and the red herring trailed
before them, to lead them off the scent. As to anony-
mous writers, I consider them, in the present case, as
the worst enemies of their own cause. If that cause is
just, what have they to fear? Who is "An Edinburgh
and Glasgow Railway Shareholder" ? or who is "An
English Sharehol ler" ? Let the writers put their names
names to their statements, and then we may combat them
—but we fight not with shadows. The main question,
then, is that in respect to the amalgamation with the
canals, which we contend to be neither necessary, just, or
politic; and, moreover, if it were so, that the board have
exceeded the powers granted under the Act of Parliament
by which all their proceedings must be regulated ' • that
was, if the consent of the shareh,,lders had been fairly
instead of surreptitiously obtained (for this is a point that
cannot be too constantly kept in view) ; neither would
their consent have legalized that which required legisla-
tive sanction. The directors take credit to themselves,
in consequence of the increased traffic on the canals, as
having, in he Forth and Clyde, given them a surplus profit
of nearly £lO,OOO. But I will not, for one, allow them
this credit. These gentlemen have established a fallacy ;
and then, grounding their arguments on this their own act,
they turn to us, and triumphantly say, s" Look at the re-
sult." That result is, indeed, such as might be naturally
expected, while so great a differential rate as Is. Sd. per
ton ha: been established in favour of the canals. I have
beard an eminent carrier of Manchester say, such a dif-
ference could not fail to throw the traffic mainly on the
canals. And, when we hear the directors asserting their
determination to carry out this obnoxious measure—
spite of Parliament, in defiance of the shareholders, and
of what we conceive to be their legal authority—is it too
much to imagine that they would, by such an attempt as
this great differential rate, seek to bolster uo that deter-
mination by its apparent necessity ? But neither,
gentlemen, are they entitled to any credit, inasmuch,
as, by their own admission, they have totally neg-
lected the plant ; so, that instead of being able to
accommodate the increasing traffic which themselves
have stated as flowing to the line, and which it was their
bounden duty to look to, they are not even able to supply
the means requisite for that already at hand, which
has, in consequence, been forced on the canals—thus
abstracting from the railway, and adding to the receipts
of the former, a line of conduct most prejudicial to
your interest. For we have it on most unquestionable
authority that the state and condition of the whole plant
is awful, that the rails are also much neglected, and that
the whole of the business, in respect to the working of
the line, has been most shamefully neglected. See, also,
Lord Belhaven's speech as to the opinion of the people of
Glasgow in this respect, and also as to the unpopularity
of the company in parliament. Let me now, gentlemen,
call your attention to the difference between the speeches
of the chairman of the board and those of the chairman of
the 'deputation. The former, hasty, petulent, and threaten-
ing latter, mild and argumentative. Mr. Learmonth
asserts, again and again, that the result of the examination
of the deputies in August last, and of the meeting at New-
castle, was " quite satisfactory" to the gentlemen who
formed that deputation. These (to use a very mild ex-
pression) incorrect assertions have rendered it necessary
now to publish the report—withdrawn only in consequence
of certain stipulations between the parties, but which,
to this day, the directors have failed to comply with.
Let any gentleman read that report, and then say whe-
ther " entire satisfaction" was the result of the enquiry.
A new feature in this case has arisen, having, in
my mind, a most important bearing on the subject. At
a late meeting of the " Sottish Central Railway Com-
pany," it was declared by the directors to their con-
stituents that, in respect to this very matter of amalga-
mation, as legislative sanction hash been refused, the whole
business was at an end, and that the company was free to
seek such other measures as might be considered best •,
and yet, gentlemen, this very company was equally bound
with the Edinburgh and Glasgow, a number of the di-
rectors of the canals being named in the bill of amalga-
mation. Thus we have two boards arriving at a diame-
trically opposite conclusion from the same premises; and
I presume it will not be denied that the " Scottish Cen-
tral Board" are honourable men. But does not this, their
opinion, justify us, if justification were wanting ? Again,
gentlemen, you must not lose sight of the consequences of
this amalgamation, for which legislative sanction must ul-
timately be obtained ; and had you all seen a draft of the
hill, imposing such a tariff as would have suited even Mr.
Wilson, I think your ardour (supposing you to be favora-
ble to the measure) would have been cooled at once. What
think you of carryingiron, at a maximum rate of jths per
ton per mile, and other matters in proportion? Depend
upon it, should you unwisely consent to this insane pro-
ject, that on your application to Parliament you would be
severely punished for the great boon you sought. It
would indeed be singular, could no other gentleman be
found in all Scotland to carry out a line of policy different
from that of the gentleman who now fills the chair. Such
an assumption is the very essence of egotism. On the
contrary, we are assured there are many quite ready and
willing to take office, under a new arrangement of the
board—gentlemen quite able to protect the interests of the
shareholders, and save them from the threatened injury
consequent on the resignation of the present directors,
who would, to my mind, have more consulted their honor,
had they intimated to a colleague the necessity for his
retirement. In respect to the arbiters, it has again
and again been stated that no imputation rests on them,
but on the parties who did not furnish them with;the proper
documents, by which to arrive at a just conclusion. Fur-
ther comment on the speeches of the directors, and their
supporters, is not necessary at present, except as to one
point, that, judging from what has been said, it would
seem there is a power behind the chair even greater than
the chair. It is also well worthy of remark,that all the offers
made by Mr. Learmonth for amalgamating, puechasing
or leasing, (provided hedoes not wish for compliance there-
with), are accompanied by a contingency which is certain
to be rejected, and thus he endeavours to throw the
odium, if any, on the other party._ Such has been the.

case in respect to the Edinburgh, Leith and Granton,
and the Edinburgh and Northern lines, and I may also
say the Caledonian. On all of which he is desirous of

throwing the blame, in loose and vague assertions, while,
he is met on this point by the mention of dates and per-
sons, and consequently capable of proof. One thing has,
I think, been more:fully brought under the notice of the
shareholders by these discussions, which cannot fail to be
highly gratifying, and that is the great traffic which exists
between Edinburgh and Glasgows—uch as, under able
and fostering management, cannot fail to be remunerative
to both railway and canals. Before I have done, I may,
also, point out to you the neglect of the directors in re-
spect to the extension. Why was not this completed
long since ? It ought, at least, to have been so, simul-
taneously with the opening of the North British. And I
may also remind you, gentlemen, that when the act for
this extension was applied for, one of the principal
grounds assumed was—because it would establish a con-
nexion with the sea by means of the Edinburgh, Leith
and (then) Newhaven Railway. And, now, gentlemen,
let me remark that I consider an the mischief which has
happened, in respect to the present dispute between the
shareholders and the directors, to have arisen, firstly,
from their protracted resistance to the urgent wishes of
the former, for an arrangement with the canals, a mea-
sure which, I think, no man can doubt might have been
easily accomplished by two or three gentlemen from each
party, determined to effect it in an amicable spirit. I
need only refer„ for example, to the contest between the
London and Birmingham and Grand Junction Railways,
beset with infinitely greater difficulties. And, secondly,
to the assumption of undue power and authority, under
which these' gentlemen have entered into engagements,
of the most important nature, without the sanction of
their constituents, to whom they have applied for confir-
mation, when the business was so far advanced, that as
they have stated, nothing was left to the const;tuency but
compliance, however unpalatable the measure might be.
Such a system is greatly to be deprecated, and has led to
much confusion in other railways, as well as this ; but•it
has proceeded to the most unwarrantable lengths in the
Edinburgh and Glasgow direction, since even the three
English directors were never acquainted with the terms
of the amalgamation ; and further, it is believed that at
the late general meeting several of the Scotch directors
were equally ignorant of their precise nature, although,
they had signed the address issued from the board. Fur-
_ ther comment on such conduct is unnecessary. The

second address of the directors calls for only a fev word
It is a reiteration of their infallibility ; in which, ale,
is ridiculously stated—of course for an especial purpose,
that the discussion at the late general meeting was pro-
tracted by the speeches of the members of the deputation!
And if it were so, was there not a necessity to expose the
fallacies of the directors ? It would be curious to count
the words as spoken by each party. The directors also
point as if with triumph to the preponderance of numbers
present in their favour. This was naturally enough to be
expected in Scotland, and where they could summon all
their adherents ; but reverse the business, and say if the
meeting had been held in Liverpool or Manchester, in-
stead of Glasgow, what would then have been the result?
The directors also state that they are most unwilling to
expose the company to the imputation of a " breach of
faith." This is the bugbear which is constantly paraded
to frighten timid shareholders. Surely, we understand
what constitutes a breach of faith as well as the directors."

The CHAIRMAN concluded by introducing the de-
putation, who, he said, would explain to the meeting
several most important particulars in connection with
the proceedings which had been taken in Edinburgh,
Glasgow, and London.
Mr. Raw sox said he should first say something of the
proceedings of the deputation at the late meeting at Glas-
gow. Certainly a good deal was then said on both sides.
At the Old Bailey itself the accused had always something
to say in their defence ; but without wishing to impute
criminal motives or intentions to the directors, he roust
say they were either very unfortunate in their management,
or things were not quite straightforward. At the last
meeting in Liverpool he stated the expenses of working
the line were much larger than they had ever been before,
and greater than on any other railway ; but he had no idea
that Herod would have been so far out-Heroded in this re-
spect. He was himself the director of a railway, the income
of which for the last half year: was £87,000, and it was a cu-
rious coincidence that the income of the Edinburgh and
Glasgow Company. including £5OOO from the depreciation
fund, was also 4:87,000. But in the one case the com-
pany was enabled to divide £8 per cent., whilst, in the
other, the shareholders received only £5 per cent. ;—(hear)
—and he asked the meeting how it happened that one
railway, out of gross earnings, was able to pay £8 per
cent. ; another, only £5, which the directors said it would
not have paid without receiving £9,000 or £lO,OOO from
the canal? He would show the shareholders the reason
they did not receive a good dividend • and, he contended,
the directors must fall upon one of the horns of the dilem-
ma, Either, on the one hand, the accounts had been
cooked, (he did not use the word offensively), or there was
a presiding genius, for good or for evil, as was the case in
every corporation, that absolutely controlled the whole.
The accounts disclosed some curious things; and he was sure
that many deeply interested shareholders would sill out
at once, if they thought the expenses were liable to in-
crease every year in the same ratio. How much did the
meeting believe the expenses had increased, without the
opening of a single mile of additional line ? Ten per cent.
would generally be thought a fruitful increase, but last
half year it was more than 80 per cent., as compared with
the corresponding half year of 1845. Last half year the
expenses of the head office were £2,733; for the corres-
ponding half year of 1845 they were £633, being an in-
crease of about 75 per cent. How could any railway,
whatever its position, exist under such circumstances ?
He had never been in Scotland before, but there could be
no more promising undertaking in the kingdom than
this line, if it were well managed, between the magni-
ficent cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow ; and so far
from a dividend of £5 per cent. only being earned with dif-
ficulty, be would pledge himself to make it pay six
per cent., and leave a considerable balance to the
next half year without receiving a single penny from the
canal. Mr. Rawson read other items of expenditure also
chewing considerable increase ; and then he asked the,
meeting to consider the grounds upon which all this oppo-
sition was raised. The amalgtanation with the canals
could not be worked without an act of parliament, if an
equal division were to be made. They might work under
an agreement not to injure each other, but not as a part-
n^rship, if a single shareholder objected. And if an act
of parliament had been obtained in the late session, the
result would have been, that a reduction of tolls both upon
the railway and the canals must have been submitted to,
nearly equal to all the canal receipts put together; so that
instead of gaining an advantage by the amalgamation, the
railway must have given £l5O for every £lOO canal stock,
with the certainty of receiving next to nothing in return.
The directors, as he had observed before, defended them-
selves at the late meeting at Glasgow, and the deputation
talked a long time without making converts. That was,
perhaps, natural. A number of the shareholders present
were clearly inaccessible to their arguments; and, like
the chairman (Mr. Jones), he was convinced the b!st pos-
&hie arguments were proxies. (Hear.)
--

Mr. -COSTON then addressed the meeting. He said
that on Thursday last a meeting of shareholders was held
in London. About thirty attended, all of whom, with
the exception of Liedt. Col. Johnson, (who was a canal
proprietor) gave the deputation their proxies. The Colo-
nel did not like to risk his canal property, although he
(Mr. Coston) convinced him it would be safer in the
hands of a good board of direction, under an arrangement
on fair terms with the railway, than in competition with
it. He might mention too that proxies had been largely
received from shareholders in other places, coinciding with
the deputation. He wished to say one word with regard
to the self-sufficient conduct of the chairman of the rail-
way, who had stated lie had been invited to meet the
Manchester shareholders, who showed him great kindness
and satisfaction. The chairman seemed to think that to
be civil was to express approval ; but he must have a sin-
gular want of penetration if he conceived there was one
word of approbation expressed as regarded his manage-
ment in the chair of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Rail-
way. Every dissatisfaction was shown; and one gentle-
man, Mr. Gasquoine, said, if no other proprietor would
take measures to restrain the directors from ping
on with the arrangement, be would he one to
do it. Mr. Coston then went through some of the
details of the arrangement with the canals. The Forth
and Clyde canal was reduced so as to pay cnly £4 per
cent. last year, and there was a prospect of the dividend
going down still further, and even to pay that the directors
had been obliged to tax the reserved fund to the amount
of £5OOO. The Union canal, it was well known, had paid
nothing upon the original shares, and even upon the allo-
cated shares only 255. bad been paid in three years, mak-
ing Bs. 4d. per annum. (Hear.) And their condition
was not at all likely to be improved under the tariff which
would be required by Parliament in the amalgamation act.
In fact, they would not be earning half so much. Mr.
Coston then read the proposed rates for the carriage of
minerals, flour, &c., to prove this statement. The depu-
tation, however, were of opinion that with a board of di-
rection composed of sensible men, no difficulty could
arise with the canals, but that arrangements might be
made to the benefit of all the companies concerned, and
to that of the public. By such arrangements not only
would the public be better served, but the proprietors
would be ensured a remunerative dividend. It was the
end and aim of the deputation to make such arrangements.
They did not mean to say they feared competition with
the canals. Far from it. If the canals were determined
to quarrel, the deputation were ready to exclaim, " Come
on, Macduff," for they were satisfied that canals had no
chance in hostile competition with railways.
_ _

Mr. RAWSON remarked that in the accounts for the
corresponding half-year of 1815, the receipts from rents
were stated to be £1,211. This half year the account
stated the item thus, " for rents received, £6BB. The ob-
ject of this was to make the income of the railway appear
as little as possible. He contended that in taking stock,
credit should be taken for good debts, among which he
classed this source of income. He did not consider the
carriage of heavy goods on the railway the most profitable ;
and it mattered very little whether the canals continued to
carry on a ruinous competition for four or five years more,
or not. At the same time any board of direction who had
the confidence of the English shareholders would seek all
the means of reconciliation with the canals compatible with
the interests of the company. he income from the car-
riage of goods had been raised from £lB,OOO to £28.000;
but he did not believe it bad added to the dividend more
than £3,000. it was a mere-bagatelle at the present mo-
ment. The company was receiving as much for passen-
gers, parcels, and mails, as they received for all the traffic
this time last year. He said this in order that the canal
proprietors might consider whether they had any chance
in a fair race of competition.
I Mr. GREIG next addressed the meeting, and said the
present was the only instance on record where directors,
after such strong opposition had been manifested to their
policy, had doggedly determined to maintain their seats.
The chairman of the company (Mr. Learmonth) had it
distinctly stated to him in Manchester that this could not
be permitted to go forth as a precedent, because it was
absolutely necessary the shareholders should have know-
ledge conveyed to them, which would enable them to
sanction or otherwise whatever took place in respect to
their property. In other words, unless they had every
information given them the bargain with the canals must
be negatived The chairman said he could claim no ex-
emption from this rule. He had also been told that the
railway, by the connection with the Leith and Granton
docks, had become possessed of a lever, which would
throw almost the whole traffic of the country upon the
line; and that it was taking too much upon himself to at-
tempt to amalgamate with the canals after having fought
them for three or four years, at a loss of from £40,000 to
£50,000 per annum, and they would become a dead
weight. The basis of any arrangement with them should
have been, first, to have taken all the expenses of their
opposition to the railway, on both sides, when the bill
was in Parliament, and the loss of £40,000 or £50,000 a
year for three or four years in competion. He would de-
duct these amounts from the canals, and then give them
£5 per cent. per annum. (Hear.) The deputation had
done some good by going to Glasgow, because it was now
fully understood that the half shares were to be reinstated,
for it was no less than confiscation to make them into
fifths. Mr. Greig then proceeded to refer to Mr. Gregson,
the manager, and his large salary of £3900, which he said
would, in all likelihood, be increased another £lOOO. He
was induced to take up a share list the other day, ex-
pecting to find the canal under this gentleman's manage-
ment in a very prosperous state, but what was his
astonishment at discovering the shares to be at a discount ;
and he asked how it was that the railway must have a
manager from a canal which, instead of being at a pre-
mium, was at a considerable discount? (Hear.) But how
stood the railways which were parallel to, or in the neigh-
bourhood of, this canal ? The Lancaster and Preston, on
which £73 were paid, were selling at £1034-; the Lan-
caster and Carlisle, with £45 paid, were selling at £6B,
and the North Union, with £lOO paid, were selling at
£lB7. Consequently, if the directors had wanted to have
obtained information whereby to have done justice to their
own shareholders, as well as to the canal proprietors,
England could have furnished them with sufficient evi-
dence. After some further remarks, Mr. Greig closed by
saying, that if the amalgamation had been carried out, it
would have obliterated the voice of the English share-
holders ; and he could come to no other conclusion than
that it was a deep laid scheme to carry out a plan adverse
, 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
puny, who declared that if the arrangement with the
nals was upset he would cell every share he possessed

Mr. ltAwsonr.—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. Cos Torr 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.

Mr. ROSSON.—They werenot forwarded to other parties

Dr. Da VITRI3 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. DE VITRE apprehended he was not called upon to
answer any unnecessary questions. He held 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
bad 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 had 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. RAWSON, as a railway man, would pay the divi-
dend, and take 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 rem irking 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 Stewart. 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 Brandwhile, is one of
the most striking pictures in the collection.
No. 119, by W. G. Herdinan, A Market-day Scene in
Ross. is a phasing composition, well worked out in its
details. In the foreground is the centre arch of the
market-house, from which the celebrated Man of Ross
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. Illidge 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 W. Huggins (325 and 318, very fine com-
positions), .Dawson (370, a scene on the River Mersey),
Davis (a painting descriptive of an ejection of an Irish
family), Windus, Bothwell, 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. Mr. G. Hargreaves has also a striking likeness
of Mr. Ilugh Neill, the eminent oculist ; and we notice
two more, No. 228,
Portrait of a Lady, and 227, Portrait
of a Young Lady, by a townsman, Mr. J. B. Cros,
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 patrona
of art.

Sept. Is, 1841.

FACILITIES AFFORDED FOR A 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 of Africa 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, Rochfort, 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 miles. 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 choapest 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 hag
purchased the Chamberlain estate at Tranwere.
Lord Besborough attended the Dublin Theatre 011
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 rel .tive to the safety of the potatoe crop
throughout France have been dispelled.
LABOURERS.—On Thursday, a highly respectable meet-
ing was held at Beaminster, Dorsetshire, 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-
day, 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, Evertors.

NOVRL STEAMER.—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, apace
is so much economised as always to allow ample stowage
room. The engines are the invention of Peter Bouil,
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 12/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 woulu 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 say, to the very handsonatl 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 collection
into the vestry,. the Rev. Mr. Somerville, of Doneraile,
who happened to be present at the church, entered, and
fully corroborated the statements of Mr. M`Neile--;°:
deed, he said no language could convey an adequate des
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 way 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.