gating information on the subject, we wish that some of them had been more specific.

The statistics of Life Assurance are still unknown. The number of policies is not even stated, and, if it were, as several policies are current on one life, we should not have the means of ascertaining the number of individuals insured.

We will probably receive more answers to the circular, which we shall publish in the June Number, but those already given confirm the idea that disputed policies rarely occur.

The theory might, however, with much comfort, and perfect security, be conformed to the practice; after the course adopted by the Scottish Provident "and other companies.

LITERARY REGISTER.

American Scenes and Christian Slavery. By Ebenezer, and the diabolical trader-not moved with pity, but only fearing

Davies. London: John Snow.

THIS is the last volume on American slavery. The author is a minister of New Amsterdam, Berbice. Sickness induced him to visit the Southern States of Americ a and he travelled over them for 4,000 miles.

Mr. Davies is a Welshman, but the former circumstances of his own flock gave him a peculiar interest in the condition of the American slaves, and he reveals the existence of a lamentable state of society.

The picture has been drawn so often, and is so painful, that those who have no national antipathy to the Americans would gladly draw a thick veil over the entire business, if that were not in itself abetting the crime and aiding the criminals.

a

ter.

he should lose her-placed her for the remainder of the way in a waggon. Arriving at Natchez, they were all offered for sale. Mary, being still sick, begged she might be sold to a kind mas. Sometimes she made this request in the hearing of purchasers, but she was always insulted for it, and afterwards punished by her cruel master for her presumption. On one occasion he tied her up by the hands, so that she could barely touch the floor with her toes. He kept her thus suspended for a whole day, whipping her at intervals. In any other country this inhuman beast would have been tried for the greatest crime, short of murder, that man can commit against woman, and transported for life. Poor Mary Brown was at length sold, at 450 dollars, as a house-servant to a wealthy man of Vicksburgh, who com pelled her to cohabit with him, and had children by her-most

flesh."

probably filling up the measure of his iniquity by selling his own Mary Brown's owner, who very probably may sell his Nothing can be more decidedly horrible than the children, is susceptible of the highest honours in the state, transactions narrated in the following extract :

"Mary Brown, a coloured girl, was the daughter of free parents in Washington city-the capital of the freest nation under heaven! She lived with her parents until the death of her mother. One day, when she was near the Potomac Bridge, the Sheriff overtook her, and told her that she must go with him. She inquired what for? He made no reply, but told her to come along, and took her immediately to a slave auction. Mary

told him she was free; but he contradicted her, and the sale

and not to be regarded as a remarkably loose man. Selling children is a common mode of making money amongst some of these southern gentlemen, who would, probably, upbraid the Circassian system of disposing of young fe males for the Turkish harems. But the latter are better than the Vicksburgh harems.

paratively moral, in fact, nothing more than a peculiar After Mary Brown's tale, the following story is comprejudice, which chooses to forget some Bible texts ;

proceeded. The auctioneer soon sold her for 350 dollars, to a Mississippi trader. She was first taken to jail; and, after a few hours, was handcuffed, chained to a man-slave, and started, in a Subsequently, on the same day, I had conversation with a drove of about forty, for New Orleans. Her handcuffs made her young man, whom I had that afternoon seen sitting down at wrists swell so much that they were obliged to take them off, the Lord's Table in the Baptist Church. He told me that there and put fetters round her ancles. In the morning the handcuffs were in New Orleans two Baptist churches of coloured people, were again put on. Thus they travelled for two weeks, wading || presided over by faithful and devoted pastors of their own colour. rivers, whipped up all day, and beaten at night if they had not 'And does your pastor,' I inquired, recognise them, and have performed the prescribed distance. She frequently waded rivers fellowship with them?' 'Oh! yes, he has often preached to in her chains, with water up to her waist. The month was them. He feels very anxious, I can assure you, for the conver October, and the air cold and frosty. After she had travelled sion of the slaves.' And do those coloured preachers ever thus twelve or fifteen days, her arms and ancles had become so swollen that she felt as if she could go no further. They hadWhy not? You say they are good men, and sound in dococcupy your pulpit?' 'Oh, dear me, no!' with evident alarm. no beds, usually sleeping in barns-sometimes out on the naked trine.' Oh! they would not be tolerated. Besides, they are ground; and such were her misery and pain, that she could only accustomed to speak in broken English, and in very familiar lie and cry all night. Still she was driven on for another week; language; otherwise the slaves could not understand them. The and every time the trader caught her crying he beat her, utter- slaves, you know, cannot read, and are not allowed to learn. ing fearful curses. If he caught her praying, he said he would This he said in a tone of voice which indicated an entire acqui'give her hell.' Mary was a member of the Methodist Church escence in that state of things, as if he thought the arrangement in Washington. There were several pious people in the com- perfectly right. But what iniquity! To come between the pany; and at night, when the driver found them melancholy, Word of God and his rational creature! To interpose between and disposed to pray, he had a fiddle brought, and made them the light of Heaven and the soul of man! To withhold the dance in their chains, whipping them till they complied. Mary lamp of life from one-sixth of the entire population! Of all the at length became so weak that she really could travel on foot no damning features of American slavery, this is the most damning ! further. Her feeble frame was exhausted, and sank beneath accumulated sufferings. She was seized with a burning fever;

your churches, they have to sit by themselves?'
"I suppose,' continued I, 'if any of the black people come to

The Peerage, Baronetage, and Knightage of Great Bri-11 diffuse, an easily-attainable knowledge of the titled orders, tain and Ireland, for 1849, including all the Titled and the different members of the aristocracy. It is illus Classes. By Charles R. Dod, Esq., Author of the trated with twenty-four representations of the insignia "Parliamentary Companion," &c. London: Whit-peculiar to the different orders of the nobility, including

taker and Co.

A MOST useful and comprehensive book of reference in

those of the blood royal.

THE success of this work is certain; it is a popular, illustrated Commentary on the Scriptures, in an alphabetical form, issued at a very moderate price.

It seems to contain all that is attainable in the way of explanations for the ordinary reader who studies for selfimprovement. Dr. Eadie avoids all the scientific affectation of excessive minuteness in zoological, botanical, or geological technicalities, giving what is required, and no more.

relation to the existing personages of the nobility and || Dr. Eadie's Biblical Cyclopedia. John J. Griffin & Co., titled classes generally, including Bishops, Judges, Privy London; R. Griffin & Co., Glasgow. Councillors, the different classes of Knights, and the junior branches of the nobility. Mr. Dod has bestowed great labour on this history of the titled and honourable of the land; and the information furnished, though necessarily given in a condensed form, of the titles, parentage, and descent, ages, marriages, professions, residences, public services, offices, &c., is, in general, correct. Upon a pretty close examination, we have detected very few inaccuracies, and only one or two omissions. One important feature of the work is the introduction of every Lord of Session in Scotland, every Scots Episcopal Bishop, and every person who, by courtesy or office, bears the prefix of Lord, Lady, or Honourable. The classification of the work is admirable, and the introductory article on "Precedence" contains all that is required to be known regarding this most important point; the grounds for each claim to precedence being examined and explained at length, under the head of every office or dignity. The work has not the pretensions, and is on a different plan from the larger and more expensive publications of Burke, and Debrett; but it forms a volume of convenient ||ber, even if we should put an extra sheet into the Magazine size and moderate price, and embraces, without being too" for that purpose.

He avoids the equally inconvenient habit to which "the cloth" are so much addicted of tedious dissertations on contested points in Theology. We think this is wisely done. Allow the people to read their bibles for themselves, induce them to do so by all proper means, and in due time we should see more of Christianity and less of Sectarianism.

We hold a number of books, some of them, indeed, for two or three months, which we should have noticed ere now, and have been prevented by other engagements. to overtake all of them in our June num

We

purpose

POLITICAL REGISTER.

month in this unfortunate war.

THE political events of the month have been [] and nearly four thousand men have been killed last most important, and several of them unfortunate. The city of Brescia, in Lombardy, rebelled We noticed, in last number, the defeat and the disagainst the Austrians, in the expectation that the persion of Charles Albert's army. The Austrians Piedmontese would be able to re-enter Lombardy. have not yet closed the anticipated treaty with They attacked the Austrian soldiers in the garriPiedmont and its new King. They are said to de- son, and overpowered them. It is added, that they mand four millions, and the fortress of Alessandria, gave no quarter. In turn, they were attacked, their city stormed and destroyed, and fifteen thou until payment be made; and are offered two mil-sand persons are said to have perished. lions four hundred thousand pounds. Genoa had The Neapolitans have re-commenced the conrevolted from the Piedmontese, but has been re-quest of Sicily, with prospects of success, because duced. France threatens to occupy Savoy unless peace be immediately established, and with the view of protecting Piedmont.

France has committed one of the most deplorable blunders a republic could ever make in sending an army to restore the Pope. The French are the last people on earth who should interfere to put down republics and restore kings.

The elections for their Legislative Assembly occur during the current month, and will render it one of bustle and excitement.

The Germans have invaded Denmark, and their most unjustifiable attack of last year on that weak state is renewed.

The German ports are all blockaded, but the Danes have lost by mismanagement at Eckernforde, a ship of the line, and a fine frigate. They have|| been also on the whole unsuccessful in the land fighting. A number of engagements have occurred,

neither the British nor French admirals will interfere farther. It would have been well if they had never interfered. The Neapolitans stormed the city of Catania, and a great slaughter was made of the inhabitants. The Sicilian forces attacked the Neapolitans, and occupied the city a second time. They were expelled a second time, with a destruction of life equal to the first. Syracuse has surrendered. Palermo will probably be taken ere this time; and Earl Minto's mischievous dreams regarding Sicilian independence, have cost already many thousand lives.

The most arduous struggle of the month has covered the Hungarian plains with the dead, and Europe with reports that leave us in ignorance of the current of the war. The Austrian forces have been handled with great severity by the Magyar Hungarians, and the Poles in their connection. A number of battles have been fought. Within the month, nearly thirty thousand men have died

in battle. The insurgents are under the walls of || taking another tax, which he did not specify. His Pesth at our latest date, and the citizens have been alarmed with continued cannonading in their neighbourhood, without knowing the result.

The end of the war may be distant; but Austria is tough, and will cling to her old possessions with a death grasp. The Magyars are an exciteable people, but they want the cunning and perseverance of their foe.

Our Sikh war has been settled for the time by the total route of Shere Singh at Goojerat. Lord Gough closes his career in India with a brilliant victory, and has settled the Sikh question for seven to ten years.

In this country we hear occasionally of the pacific state of the world. It is a profound error. Nobody now alive has remembered the world, so full of wars and rumours of wars, as at present. More lives have perished by the sword, either in the past month, or at the dates which have reached this country in the currency of the past month, than died at Waterloo, and these deaths have settled nothing.

guests, invited to this unwelcome meeting, wisely refused to commit themselves to unknown measures, in an unconstitutional manner; and the implied rebuke of Sir Lucius O'Brien to Lord John Russell for proposing unconstitutional arrangements was a rare affair. The Premier was in agony for the place, and certainly stepped out of the common

course

The repeal of the Navigation-law Bill, notwithstanding every opposition and no support from without, has been read a third time in the House of Commons.

The majority is 61. Last year it was 117. The difference of 56 marks a revulsion of feeling on the subject. The Peers are said to have a majority of 40 against the measure, and are afraid to use it; because they dread the competence of Lord Stanley to form a cabinet.

They will, we hear, reject the bill; and they have no reason to dread Lord Stanley's weakness in this business of Cabinet making. Lord John Russell did not close the door against himself and The Easter recess interrupted our Parliamen- friends, when he allowed Mr. Labouchere to intary proceedings. Since the re-assemblage of the terfere with navigation business. He made Mr. two houses, some business has been transacted || Baines, of Hull, his wedge, and still keeps the door in the Commons, and none in the Peers. The of the Treasury open, and the roof over his head, Irish Rate-in-aid Bill has been carried in the by the aid of that gentleman's negative. Commons by a smaller majority than were ex- The Government might resign in the event of depected to vote on the question. The Irish mem-feat, but these Greys, Elliots, and their cousins bers seem to have retired from business, as few downwards, are numerous, while blood is stronger more than one-half of the number were present. than principle. Lord John Russell had an interview with a number of members belonging to that country before the final debate in the Commons. He desired them to decide on accepting the rate-in-aid, or

We supported not the measure because it is not a free trade scheme, but a bastard bill-one of those crosses between freedom and monopoly that the Whigs have an undoubted tendency to produce

RAILWAY AND JOINT STOCK BUSINESS OF THE MONTH.

Connected, to some extent, with the foregoing transactions, was the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Midland Counties Company, on Thursday, April 19th. The object of this meeting, was to appoint a Committee of Inquiry into the whole affairs of the Company, as the revelations in connection with the York, Newcastle, and Berwick shares have greatly disquieted the proprietors. The business opened

The absence of bustle and excitement arising out of the half-yearly meetings of February and March, has been amply compensated for in the affair of Mr. Hudson which has been the great railway topic of the month of April. We referred to this matter in our notice of the Eastern Counties Railway half-yearly meeting in last month's summary, and shall only again briefly notice it in connection with the events of the month, as the subject is fully alluded to else-by the reading of a letter from Mr. Hudson, announcing his rewhere. The committee appointed to investigate the share transactions charged against Mr. Hudson, made their report about the middle of the month, accompanying that document with the evidence on which they came to their decision. The report fully establishes the fact that Mr. Hudson purchased a number of Great North of England shares, which he immediately afterwards sold to the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway, at a profit of £7,185 above the market price. Subsequently it appears that Mr. Hudson, on the plea that the average price of the shares had been too highly estimated, repaid £2,874, leaving still a balance in his favour of nearly five thousand pounds-this is the first transaction referred to in the report. Another item of £990 18s. 9d., charged by Mr. Hudson, for brokerage on shares sold by him to the company, is severely commented on by the committee. These are the main points established by the inquiry, which implicates all the Directors of the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway, nearly as much as Mr. Hudson.

signation of his office as chairman of the company. He says:'It must have been obvious to every one that the Great Northern Railway, when opened, must of necessity materially affect the existing lines of railway in the districts through which it passes. To the formation of that railway I gave my most strenuous and uncompromising opposition. I believed its formation to be unnecessary, and I felt that the benefits to be derived from it were not sufficient to justify an expenditure of the immense capital requisite for its construction. It pleased the legislature to view the question otherwise, and the consequence is, that this line will very shortly be brought into active operation. The existence of that company cannot now be disregarded, and it may be that the interests of these different railways may not be found to be identical. Therefore it is that, after due deliberation, I have thought it might be more satisfactory to the shareholders of the Midland Company that I should resign the office of their chairman," The letter

the 1st of January last, having been paid before the end of that month, the directors declared an intermediate dividend at the rate of 3 per cent., for the half-year ending the 31st of December, 1848, which was paid in February; an intermediate dividend had also been made for the previous half-yearWest London Railway.—The adjourned half-yearly meet

was not received in a very friendly spirit, as the impres- || wick Railway. The half-year's rent of the railway, due on sion was, that the resignation was more an act of necessity than virtue. After some discussion, the following committee of investigation was appointed :-Charles Arkwright, of Dunstall, Stafford, Esq.; W. M'Crackan, of Liverpool, Esq.; William Smith, of Sheffield, Esq.; J. Cartwright, of Lough- || ton, Esq.; W. Watson, of Ayr, Esq.; John Starkey, of Huddersfield, Esq.; and John Mercer, jun., of Bristol, Esq. Aing of this company was held in London on April 4. The similar proceeding may be expected on the 4th of May, when the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Company meets at York. The other meetings of the month of April will be found in the following summary, in the order of the dates at which they took place.

business was merely routine, and consisted of the re-elec tion of the directors, and the usual matters transacted at such meetings.

plied as a dividend of 4 per cent., for the half-year ending 31st of August, leaving £7,854 1s. 6d. now available, from which the Board declare a dividend of 3 per cent. for the past half-year, amounting to £7,350; and a balance of £504 1s. 6d. will be carried to the next account. The report was unanimously adopted.

Dublin and Kingstown Railway.—The half-yearly meeting of this company was held in Dublin, Saturday, April 7. The Edinburgh and Northern Railway.—The half-yearly meet-report stated that the balance applicable to dividend, this ing of this company was held at Edinburgh, on March 27. || year, is £17,654 1s 6d., from which a sum of £9,800 was apThe Directors' report furnished the following state of the Company's affairs up to the 31st December. Inclusive of the balance at the close of the previous half-year, the net revenue at the disposal of the proprietors, after deducting working and other expenses, and a sum of £10,499 10s. of interest, is £23,711 10s. 5d. Out of the free revenue, as above stated, of £23,711 10s. 5d., the Directors recommend, in the first instance, that £3,634 10s. be applied in payment of nine months' dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. per annum, on the late Granton Company's preference capital of £96,920, payable on 20th April next. On the other stocks of the company, they recommend that a dividend for eight months should be declared, at the rate of 2 per cent. per annum, payable on the 30th June next, in the following proportions, viz.:

On full amount of the £20 (original Granton) 5s. 4d.
On £7 of the £20 (Granton shares, No. 1) 1s. 101d.
On £3 of the £20 (Granton shares, No. 2) 91d.

After payment of which, there will remain a surplus of

£5,808 3s. 1d. to be carried to the credit of next account.

The report was agreed to. The line was stated to be rapidly in the course of completion. It is proposed to change the name of the scheme to the "Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee Railway Company." The meeting was afterwards made special, when the following bills were approved of:-1. A bill to enable the company to raise a further sum of money. 2. A bill to vary their Dunfermline branch, in the parish of Dunfermline, so as to pass under the Townhill and Halbeath tramways, and to connect the same tramways therewith, and for other purposes in relation thereto. 3. A bill to construct a low-water pier and other works at Granton, and to provide for the better regulation, management, and control of the general railway station at Perth, and for other purposes. The Chairman intimated, in regard to the last bill, that the directors had abandoned the clauses in it which referred to the general railway station at Perth. Of these three bills none of them were expected to be opposed except the second.

Newcastle and Carlisle Railway.—The half-yearly meeting of this company was held at Newcastle, on Tuesday, March 27, Mr. M. Plummer in the chair. It appeared from a statement of the capital account, that the share capital of the company on the 31st of December, 1848, amounted to £1,155,000, the borrowed capital to £445,037 10s., making, with current accounts, reserve fund, and land re-sold, a total of £1,648,811 5s. 4d. No revenue account was exhibited, the railway having been let from the 1st of January, 1848, at a rent calculated to produce for the present £6 per cent. per annum on the share capital, and having been since May last worked in connection with the York, Newcastle, and Ber

South Devon Railway.-An extraordinary meeting of this company was held at Plymonth on Tuesday, April 10. The object of the meeting was to consider the propriety of raising additional capital by the issue of fresh shares. Power was given to the directors to raise the necessary capital required, by an issue of new shares, and the meeting was adjourned till May 10, to receive the directors' report on the matters referred to them.

North Wales Railway.—A special meeting of the shareholders of this unfortunate scheme took place in London on April 10, to consider the propriety of appointing a commit. tee to wind up the scheme. A resolution, in pursuance with the above object, after a long discussion, was agreed to. The chairman and the secretary, in the course of the month, have been committed, by order of the House of

Lords, for contempt, in carrying out a division of the assets of the company without taking the proper steps for a legal dissolution, and otherwise mismanaging affairs. They were

kept in custody for about a week, and, after apologising

and promising amendment, they were discharged on Monday, April 21.

Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan Railway-A special meeting of this company took place in Glasgow, on April

18, in order to have a full explanation of the affairs of the company from the directors. A long discussion took place, which resulted in the chairman (Lord Eglinton) engaging to submit all the papers of the company to the examination of Mr. S. A. Anderson and Mr. H. Brock, bankers, on con dition of their divulging nothing that would prejudice the company.

East India Railway.—A special general meeting of this company was held in London, on April 10, to consider the propriety of acceding to the terms of the East India Company. The terms are that the East India Company, in addition to the free grant of land for the use of the railway, shall guarantee 5 per cent. on a capital of £500,000.

Great Grimsby Docks.-The foundation stone of this, the eastern terminus of the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Junction Railway, was laid with great eclat on April 18-Prince Albert officiating on the occasion. The dock's are to be rivals to those of Hull, on the other side of the Humber, and are to cost £500,000.

This constitutes all the actual business of the month. Rumours prevail that the report of the Eastern Counties Railway, which is to be ready by the first of the month, will be of a most unfavourable character. It is stated that the dividend cannot be more than 28. a share, instead of 51. Gd., as declared at the half-yearly meeting.