The Express. — London, England, 1852-01-29 00:00:00

/Me Court. WINDSOR, JAIL 4{. --.-- There watt no addition to the royal dinner _party rterJay 41 the footle. The Qum' walked in the Blow aa a loins this morning. Prinee of Wale% UM l'fiateSS Royal, and this f eaelter members of the royal family, took walking and n ps r i r5.T.1. 4 . are Albert went nut shooting this m a im i ng , itua d e d beat General Nit on BJwater, Colonel now. C. B. ft,p f o, l'uldisel Ilea. Charles Orty, and Colonel Y. H. &sower th e Lai of Carlisle, the Earl of Aberdeen. onJ Lieut.. y raat i a Seymour have lava invited, and are espech ,l to some tbs. ofternuon. The Poetics. of Kent arrived at her residence, Clarence. St. James's, yesterday morning, from Frognaore. H er K.,,a1 Highness visited the Duehem of Gloucester, at (,10ur,,!, r•house, l'ieuxdilly, and in the afternoon re turned to Fro-mr.te. the Hoe. General Anson hail an interview with the Chineelhir of the Exchequer, on Tuesday, at his official re si.ieseir 14.wnisig-atntt. sir J. Owen had an interview, yesterday, with Lord John Essall. The C,onini•sioners for Auditing the Puhlic Accounts, with NIT' weretary, Mr. Bromley, attended the Chancel lor of the I:sign-quer, yesterday, on the bAltyearly fleets talon ut a: roan.. Ibe Earl of l'Arligle left town after the cabinet council, fr alternuou, for Winfloor Castle, on a tint to her Najwty• A Ctntsa:r WAS HELD YE.4TERI) T at the Fore4m.inlice. The ministers present were— Tont John Ituseell, the Lord litaneellor, the •Nlaritiiis LawAlowne, the Earl of Minto. Sir George (irey, Earl Grenville, Earl Grey, the Chancellor of the Exthequer. Sir Francis !faring. Lord Broughton. the Right Ilan. Ilenry fathom:here. the Earl of Carliele. the Mainline of Chuirieenle, the Right Fox Manic, and Lord teytnour. The Council rat Your hours and a half. . --- MAN,toN-unt - st:.—logrnLtv the Court of Alder men. the Recorder, the Sheriff., and tho ir Colin, as welt Si several private friends of the Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress. wore entertained at the Mansion-house. Covers were laid in the Long Parlour fur 70, but owing to iodui po•itius, the Lady Mayon 4,1 was unable to he present on this occasion. On Friday the Lord Mayor will, according to annual custom, receive at dinner the Master Wardens and Court ..f As. stants of the Erni:mos' t'ompany, toge ther with the Deputy and Common Council of Colenton street (his lordships) Ward. itEstos.vr lON OF LORD NORMANBY. The (;IJ. of DM night soya:—" We understand that the Marquis of Normanhy has, sine, his return to this country. resigned his appointment as British Alubtuatidur at Paris. Tile events which sue:ceded each other so rapidly in France and Europe during the last sin years have made the pest ailed be the noble marquis one of no o rdinary gag. cult!. It as much to the credit of the noble marquis that his tirinnem sad ability have enabled him to maintain an diminished the friendly relations of the two countries *Linn*/ three vieissitud.s. We hx•lieec that Lord Costley, Minister at Frankfort, will sneered to the post which is become recant by the resignation of the Marquis of Nottsaisby. ' 11r \fll OE COLONEL J. J. COCHRANE, T %Tr. 3RD (ii tats --Colonel Cochrane. Nte of the Scot. Fusilier Huard.. died at liath on the 21th inst., aged seventy years. Ile entered the army in December, 1799, and accompanied the litlard, to Egypt in Ibtft. Afterwards he served in the n:nsula. (chisel Cochrane had received the silver war medal with three clasps for Egypt, Fuentes iPOuor, and Visited Hosing.. lIP till lIE B.aRON OSTEN. X 11., PORMERLY 16TH L txt tar.—Baron Osten died sudden) y on the 24th east., when on A visit to the Earl of Rearbor•ugh. Ile served seamy years in the British army, first in the King's German Legion, and afterwards in the 16th Lancers. With the latter distinguished reginseht he served in the Peninsular WA, and at Waterloo. lie haJ received, besides the Waterloo tucd.d, the ether war medal with seven clasps for the folliming battles t Talavera, Blase", Albuhera, Sala manca, Vittoria, Nivelle, and Nive. Baron Osten retired teas the British service in 1631. He was a general officer is the Ilminseriaa army. hist EsT UPON TIIL BODY OP GENV.R.%I. GRANT.— Y, *kohl Mr. Wakley, M.P., held an inquest in the Mid dlrsez Hospital on General Lewis Grant, late of Harley street, Cavenslish•equare, aged 70. Mr. Gerard Wyatt, residing in Gerrard-street, stated:that on Monday afternoon desemodentered an omnibus in Helmut-street is which wit ness was riding. Soon afterwards he became very ill sad milled at a tiflllgai•VA, where he obtained poise restoratives. and resumed has seat in the vehicle. As the omnibus passed through Piccadilly he became very ill, groaned, and his bead fill upon witness's shoulder, after which he Mewed MAN and 'spired. The Rev. Mark Phillips said that as the mermag of hie death, and shortly before the alas eas:y occurrence, ileeased, who had always enjoyed the best health and spirits. left his home without the slightest indication of inures. 1/r. Croft said t h at. alien brought to the hospital. deceased was quite dead. It appeared from se autopsy that death resulted from disease of the heart, bat that all the other organs were healthy. Verdict— '. Natural death." Ns% ,vI.NIPEtt.i BENEVOLENT 'ASSOCIATION. The potions and friends of the Newsvenders' Dew.- bet and Provident Inatitution diced together at the Albion Tavern, Aldersgate-street, on Tuesday. fur the pur pose, of assieting the fends of the charity. The chair was crushed by Mr. FORNIIIII, who was supported, right mid Wt. by Mr. Dickens, Mr. John Leach, Mr. Harmer, Mr. ( hubs Knight, Mr. Bradbury, Mr. P. Cunningham, tie. About Pelt. was subscribed is aid of the charity is the tourer of the evening. ISt oRPOItATION OF FINSSURY.—A meeting of the smote r. of the Finsbury Incorporation Amociatinge, and ethers, being inhabitants of the several parishes cant og the borough of Finebury, was held last night, at 17, ampton-buildinge, Chantery•lane; William Sondlaod, Ben, of Ilatton•garden, in the chair. Janie, C. EVOINII, opened the benign-as of the evening by reviewing disk pea pforeedings. and remarked that Ia the present .tats 411 Stars, when it wee ante mated that in the ensuing emelen of parliament several important subjects sack as these or lona to the supply of water, the sewers, the ssepsratisa of the City, and similar questions would occupy the 11•11116111 of the legislature, a favourable opportunity was peematei M patting forward the claim, of the borough of 111••• bury to obtain a representative body to &Atalanta Its nal affein. It was desirable to take in mat api to give effect to the opinions sad Maas of the inhabitants of the borough in this respect, that they might obtain the advantages of local administratiem he all natter* which concerned the interests of the beemegh. Some discussion then ensued in which Mr. Cooper, of t. Ann's, Sohn; Mr. Marshall. of St. George's, BlotrilgrAutip • Mr. Llosd, of St. Andrew's, Holborn, and others teak put; as to the steps it was advisable to adopt for eaStr ed 2l their ritoi cts, after which, on the motion of Messrs. and Futility, it was resolved that the a omrnittee appdand is ream a statement of the constitution and Benetligne of the municipal corporatioas as laid down in the oneed Municipal Corporation Acts, together with a stassant of the expense which world be incurred in obtainin g be requested to report at the neat meeting. RaaalMisas Weft then adopted for obtaining the co-operation of pater ars of influence in the borough, and that inhabilentln par nag .Is. towards the funds should be aheabsts of as mmelation. James T. S. Hopwood, Eece. Under &wig aas appointed treesorer, and J. C. Cook, Bare, bimister-at law. chairman pro :ow. PosT-OFEIVE. SUPERANNEATMN FEND.—A large number of provincial post-office clerks have memorialised the Postmaster-General to be allowed to subscribe to the superannuation fund, in order that they may share in its bent file the same an the officials of St. Martin's-le-Grand. EARLY DELIVERY or LerrEns.—We recently an nounced that the l'oetmuter-General had made arrange ments for an earlier delivery of general post letters at Clap ham, Brixton-hill, and Stockwell, and that inquiries were making with a view, if possible, of effecting the same int • prom:tient in other districts near London. It is stated that the result of this inquiry has been satisfactory, and mesas Live been devised fur extending the early delivery to Black. heath, Deptford, Greenwich, Hammersmith, Hampstead, Highgate, Lewisham, Peckham, and Stoke Newington. In a tow drys the morning delivery of general post letters at these places will be from an hour and a half to two hours earlier than heretofore, and by about half an hour at Wool web. The deliveries at Kensington sod Bayswater have also lately been expedited still further. Ilinef Or A BOY rot:ND IN retie TllAMEB.—Yen terday evening, Mr. Payne held an inquest at the Union lain, Union -street, Blacktriars, on the tool; of a lad 13 or year. of age, name unknown, who was found drowned under the platform of the lllaekfrisra-bridge steam-boat gar ea Tuesday morning, between flee and six o'clock, about Inv, tide. Deceased, who was of very light corn- eletion, wee dreamed in a corduroy jacket, dark waistcoat with small spots, dark striped troween, with ribbed stork- And blucher boots. In his pockets were found two comb., a tin boa full of buttons, and a thimble. 11. had on also a shawl-pattern handkerchief and tolmired comforter. The inquest was adjourned, in the Lope that the body might in the interval he identified. IleeeTeCeTIVE FIRE IN WARWICK•LANY..-lAat sight as extensive fire happened on the premises of Mears. hay and Whiting, bookbinder, which communicated to th, Oxford Arms public-house. The brigade and West of Leirlend engine', were soon on the spot. Previous to their arrival those from Farrington-street had, under the direc tion of Mr Cole been brought into play, but unfortunately ...timed elf, et, and the Heine* spread with the utmost ra• polity. An abundant supply of water was obtained, and every exertion as, used to save Messrs. Kay and Co.'s property, but in two hours' time the entire mintente of the premise@ were &strops,. With the unwed difficulty the firemen saved the RP r portion of the Oxford Arme Tavern, but the lose u "l' l2 fnege to the premises must be considerable. Among pn.perty rleOrnyeil is a an at quantity belonging to the Ibligieue True Society. The cause is unknown; but in 'wane. • are effected a ainst lag to either party in the Imp owl, National, and West of England office*. At.'. %ACM TO liIsTRES4ED UNIONS IN IRELAND.— Ifestsrday a return to the House of Commons was printed, from which it appear, that the debts due by the union, in Ir. land, ':elusive of debt to government, incurred be fire the lith May last, amounted to 372,4371. CABE OF MR. ALDERMAN BAI.OMONB, LP. JEWISH DISABILITIES. COURT OT RXCURQUIR.-TIIITIIIDAT. - - SIMMS n Buna.—Baroas •ss 1w Caw Bum. No. Buie raw. OM B•ssw Mamma, AN, Ids. Rams. Mums. MtLiss v. SAioroxs, M.P. The further hearing of this ease was resumed at the sit ting of Ste mart this morning, by Sir Filmy Kelly pro ceeding with his argument. The learned counsel said since he last addressed the court be had bad the opportunity of looking at the ems of "Ornychunill v. Basher." In that ease Lord Chief Justice Willes had held that laird Coke had decided that there was • difference between promissory oaths, or oaths of office, and an oath taken in a court of justice. It was not possible to alter the nature of an oath, and he contended that there was no power to substitute the name of Victoria fur the name of George the Third, as it appeared in the 6th of Geo. 111., cap. 53, which con taiued the oath of slouration. It might well be that the Commons might have chosen to swear allegiance to Geo. 111., but it did not follow that they meant to swear alle giance to any succeeding sovereign. No oath could be altered without the authority of parliament. The question was whether the words " on the true faith of a Christian " and " so help me God" formed an essential part of the oath or were merely words of aueveration. His learned friend contended but for the existence of the 10th of Geo. L. the Jew would not have been able at any time to take the oath with the words "so help me God." lie diitered with his learned friend with respect to that proposition. lie sub nutted that the many statutes passed with reference to these oaths were merely to further the taking of the oaths. He submitted under the act of the 6th Geo. HI., cap. 53, upon which the present action was brought, and upon which the oath was to be taken, that it was to be taken leaving oot the words - on the true faith of • Christian." This question depended upon whether, when the 6th of Geo. 111. was passed, the 10th of Geo. I. was still in forte. Ile should contend that it was. The 10th of Geo. I. al lowed a Jew to take the oath of abjuration, leaving out the words " on the true faith 01 • Christian ;" and the 6th of Geo. 111. provided that Si* oath of abjuration should be taken with the same indemnities as the 10th of Geo. 1., sec. 17, contained ; therefore ho contended that the 6th of Geo. 111. allowed • Jew to take the oath of abjuration omitting the words "on the true faith of • Christian." Ilia learned friend said the 10th of Uco. 1., sec. 17, had expired ; but he submitted that it had not. With regard to the oath of supremacy, allegiance, and abjuration, there was the statute of the 14 of tie*. 1., cap. 13, which act was followed by the 9th of Geo. 1., cap. 24. That act provided for persons taking the piths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration, or registering their estates. Then came the 10th of Geo. I. That act enlarged the time for taking the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration. The 17th section provided that Jew, should take the oath of ab juration without using the words " on the true taith of • Christian," and should be sworn in the same manner as they were in courts of law, and that such tak ing of the oath should be held to be a per fect taking of the oath of abjuration. Ile sub milted that the 17th section of the 10th of George I. was a legislative declaration that the words "on the true faith of • Christian" formed no essential part of the oath of ab juration as required to be taken by the various acts of par liament. The oath contained no statement that the person swearing was making a declaration of Christianity. The oath of abjuration was intended to be directed against papists, and those who favoured the cause of the Pre tender. It was intended to be • test of Christianity; if it had been, the legislature never would have provided for Jews taking it. lie would now show that the 10th of George L. was continued beyond the time of the passing of the 6th of George 111., cap. 7 and the 6th George 111., cap. 63. The acts between the 10th of George I. and the 6th of George 111. were some fourteca in number, and he had • list of them which he would band up to their lordships. These acts enlarged the time for taking these oaths up to the time when the 6th Geo. 111. c. 7 was passed. That actof parliament provided that persons who had neglected to take the oaths of abjuration might have the time enlarged for so doing until the month of November 1766, and the month of November 1766 was after the poising of the 6th of Geo. 111. cap. 53. Ile therefore submitted that the indemnity given by the 10th of Geo. I. sec. 17 to Jews who took the oath of abjuration was still kept alive after the passing of the 6th of Geo. 111. in 1766, and therefore • Jew taking the oath at that time might have omitted the words "on the true faith of • Christian " provided he took it within the specified time. It was upon the 6th of Geo. 111., cap. 53, that the present a?.tion was brought, but that act kept alive the indemnity clause, which the 10th of Geo. 1., sec. 17, contained, with reference to the manner in which Jews should take the oath of abjuration and he sub mitted that now • Jew might take the oath, leaving out the words "ea the true faith of • Christian." He con tended that where the law had imposed the duty of taking an oath, it meant that it was to be taken in such • manner as to bind the conscience of the swearer. It was, there fore, clear that a Jew must take this oath in such • meaner as to hind his conscience. If it were possible to construe an act of parliament so as to prevent its com pelling • sae to commit blasphemy as well as perjury, he submitted that the interests of feenligy smiled upon their lordships so to coostrue it, and, thoti genstrue these acts of parliament in favour of the mat sad of liberty of esameasnee. The act of pediemest wig& hut imposed the abjuratisa oath was the lag M ties. L That oath he submitted was not intended as • raligisms leek it was an seam by which the person whir Ma Y blimmied to abjure the Pretender. That act made IC he banisters and caber people to take that oath, end elm it mienhers of parliananat to take it. With dm onseption of op being able to vete, • person returned le pediameM wam la much • member of parliament as if he bed saes these ends. The lard Chief Basun said he did set know Oat thare was anything to prevent • miner, • woman, ee ea slims best gouts to talus their seats ; bet be thought • puma was met • member of parliament who was sot sworn. Sir F. Kelly asides to an alien he could net hike his seat, because be would not have been duly elected. la 1766 the House of Continue decided that Sir Joseph Jeykia might sit on a committee of secresy although he had not been sworn at the clerk's table. Mr. Alderman Salmons was as much • member of parliament as anyone could be although he had not taken the oaths. He submitted that when • penes was returned to parliament and did not take the oaths he was entitled to all the pri vileges of • member, with the exception that be could not vote or be present during a debate. He could ezereise all the other privileges of • member and discliarp all the other duties of • member. He would now call attention to the 10th and 11th meatless of the let Cleo. 1., cap. 13. If the eonstruttion pat ups* that set by Mr. Serjeant Channel' were the want oine, Mr. Alderman Salome= would be subject to great injustice. The Lord Chief Baron wished to know where the injustice was. Iffr said Mr. Alderman Salomon' was liable to be enmenitted b the Speaker for not attending the house, and st he , and voted, not having taken the oath of abjuration, then he was liable to heavy penalties. It was a bard ems that • person should be liable to the jurisdiction of the house for not attending to his duties, which he could set do unless he took an oath in • manner which did not bind his conscience. The 10th section of the let of Oeo. 1., cap. 13, enabled two justices of the peace, if • penes were suspected of being disaffected, to call upon him to take the oaths of supremacy, allegiance, and abjuration, and if he refused to take the oaths, then be might be treated as a popish recusant. So that Mr. Alderman Salomene, or any one else, might be called upon to take these oaths. The I Lai sec tion was still stronger, fur it empowered the justices to sum mon any one before them, whether or not they impacted him of being disaffected, and if he did not appear and take the oaths he might be treated as a popish regiment. The question was whether or nut the legislature intended a Jew to take three oaths in such a manner as to bind his con science. If the oath were to be taken by a Jew with the words " on the true faith of a Christian,'" be must commit blasphemy and perjury ; and, if he did not take the oath, then it was said that he was liable to penalties. Was that the intention of the legislature ? He contended that it was not. Mr. Baron Martin said Sir F. Kelly contended that if the day after the let Geo. 1., cap. 13, passed, • Jew had gone before two justices, and taken the oath of abjuration, omitting the words " on the true faith of a Christian," that would have been a form which bound the conscience of • Jew, and would have been a proper form. Sir P. Kelly said he did so contend it was intended that oaths should be taken in such a manner as to bind the conscience of the swearer. If it bound the con science of man, if he limed the toe of a Brahmin. or put on his hat, that would be an effective taking of an oath. He would now conic to the oath of abjuration itself, and should contend, that from its terms, it was clear that it could be substantially taken, without repeating the words " on the true faith of • Christian." It was clear from history that it we. against the papists, that these stringent acts of parliament were passed, and not against the Jews. The papists could swear with truth, using the words " on the true faith of a Christian ; " and the only object of the acts of parliament •as to apply • test to catholic., to prove their attachment to the House of Hummer, and to try whether they would abjure the Pretender. Now, what did the perwm swear who took the oath of abjuration. He swore that the King,Geo. 111., was righful king, that nonce eke had any title to the crown, that he would make known ' to the King all conspiracies against his life or crown, that be would maintain the suecemion of the house of Hanover to the throne, and that he abjured the Pretender and hi. family. The person then swore that he took the oath heartily and willingly. It it were true that the person who took this oath swore also that he was a Christian, then the words, " On the true faith of • Christian," he would admit, formed an essential part of the oarti. It might hive been that at the time when Jews were banished from England, a Christian teat might have been applied ; but when the oath of abjuration was administered in the time of Goa. 111., them were may wealtby Jews in Img lead add ing to the none, and maid it be mid that the logielature intended to make Jews take an oath that they MOM Chril4ale, er else ruler severe penalties ? Saanderson had laid it hewn that an oath emmietod of the fait in which it was swain, aid of the matter swots to. Is the awe of "Chayskand v. Barker " it was laid down that the form in white • person must swear must be a tarn abed Is kis matieimes. Could it then he said that the liMmled • Jew to swear by • form not suited M his eensaleses ? The case of " Omychund v. Barker" arose upon the question of • com mission to **stains some Gentoos in India. A commission was sent oat to India, and the Goatees were to he examined upon such an oath as would bind their consciences. It ap peared that the Gentoos took the oath by touching the foot of a Brahmin. It seemed to have been laid down that the law regnired that a (lento* should swear the oath in such words as to bind his conscience, and aim should swear in such • form as to hind his conscience. What • was the difference in principle between an oath administered in • court of justice and the oath of abjuration, which all persons of all religions might be called upon to take. He !submitted there was none. A Jew coming into • court of justice, if he were eked to take a Christian oath, would my it was winked to ask him to du so, and he would then be allowed to take a conscientious oath. Why, then, if a Jew were tailed upon by two justices, u he might be, to take an oath of abju ration, should he he called upon to take it upon • different principle to that which VIM applied to • Jew in a court of Justice? Was there anything in the provisions of these acts of parliament to lead their lordships to think that the legislature intended to make Jew, swear that they went Christians? In " Wallis on Statute.'" it was laid down that in con-truing statutes it was necessary to con sider what the law was before the statute was made, what ulteratim the statute intended to effect, and what mischief the legislature intended to remedy, and how it intended to remedy it. He contended that the mi.chicf which these acts of parliament intended to remedy was any opposition on the part of the papists to the House of Ilauover, and not to make • Jew swear he was a Christian. Ile now came to the only remaining point in the ease whias turned on the statute of the I & 2 Vie., cap. led, which was an act " to relieve doubt+ as to the va lidity of certain oaths." It must he ohs reed that the act was a declaratory act, and that the effect of that act wee that a person should be punished if he committed perjury, although he might have taken the oath with such forms and ceremonies as were alone binding upon him, instead of in the common and usual form. According to that statute he submitted that it was clear that it was intended a person should take every kind of oath in a form binding upon his conscience. These were all the points which he (Sir F. Kelly) had to submit to the court, and it would be for the court to say whether the act of the 6 Geo. 111. cap. 53, on which the action was brought, was to be construed liberally and in favour of justice, or in such a way as to inflict • terrible injustice upon that clam of the community to which the de fendant belonged. Mr. A. Ooldsmid was with Sir F. Kelly, but he did not address the court. Mr. Serjeant Channell then replied, and raid that much which Sir F Kelly had uttered was matter to be spoken in another place when his learned friend was returned as member for the city of Exeter. (A laugh.) The two ques tions which he had raised were these, viz. that the oath of abjuration was intended to apply a Christian test, and that the defendant not having taken the °eh in its entirety, he had not taken it all. The oath of abjuration was a statu tory oath of a Christian character, and was not at all affected by the manner in which oaths were adnainistered in courts of law. His learned friend had said that the 6th of Geo. 111. cap. 63, expired with the life of (leo. lII. ' and did not ex tend to his successors. Ile would remind Sir F. Kelly that this oath of abjuration applied to the king and his succes sors, and wail, therefore, equally in force now, when Queen Victoria was on the throne, u when George 111. was the reigning monarch. The Catholic Emancipation Act treated the oath of abjuration, as provided for by the 6th Geo. 111., cap. 53, as still subsisting, although his learned friend bad contended that it had expired. Then came the gus tiest, was this oath • Christian oath? He (Mr. Serjeant Channell) said it was, and the 1 & 2 Viet., cap 105, did - not repeal those statutes which made the oath a Christian oath, to be taken in a Christian form. He would call the attention of the court to the institution of the oaths of supremacy, allegiance, and abjuration. The oaths of supremacy and allegiance were sworn upon the Evangelists, and it was clear that these two oaths were Christian oaths. That was evident by the statutes of Elizabeth and James I. By the 30th of Charles 11. the oaths of supremacy and allegiance were continued, and the persons who took those oaths were required to subscribe a declaration against transubstantiation. That declaration against transubstantiation was not repealed until the Catholic Emancipation Act passed. How could it be said that the oath of abjured= was not • Christian oath when for a considerable time the persons who took it had to sign • declaration against traasubstaatiation, which was • purely Christian declaration ? He would now see whether it was possible that the legislature could have meant that a Jew should take • Christian oath. He con tended that it was possible that such was the intention of the legislature, because the legisla tion of former times partook of the spirit of per secution. The statutes of James I. compelled • quaker who would take no oath at all to take the oaths, and if he did not, he was liable to severe penalties. Looking at the acts of parliament passed in former times, it was clear that the legislature intended to support the church of England, and therefore to support Christianity. lie was surprised when he heard Sir F. Kelly say that the 9th and 10th of Geo. I. were continued in force ; but no act of parliament had been read continuing the important provisions of the 9th and 10th of Geo. I. The provisions of indemnity only referred to the time for taking these oaths. His learned friend had brought nothing forward to show that • Jew might now take the oath of abjuration using the words "so help ins God," instead of "on the true faith of • Christian." The 9th of Geo. I. relieved persons who would not take these oaths, by enabling them to register their estates. The 10th Geo. 1., only permitted the Jew to take the oath of abjuration with the words " so help me God," for the particular purposes of that act. Tne exemption was not general, but only applied to the purposes of the 9th and 10th of Geo. 1., and the 10th of Oro. 1., had no reference at all to a member of puha went. The Ist Geo. I. imposed the oath of abjuration, un der two different sets of circumstances—a difference as to place, as to the person swearing, and as to the obligation to take the oath. fhe oath was to be taken at the quarter sessions of a county, by all pencils above 18, and there fore it was positive and obligatory ; but, as to members of parliament, it was only obligatory in a sense, viz., upoa the, members taking their scats and voting. It might well be that the exemption, as to the manner of taking the oath, was given when it was taken by any private individual, and that the exemption was not given when members of parlia. ment took it. The court was stalled upon to exercise • dis pensing power, but he said if ever there were • case in which the language of a statute was not to be escaped from it was in this case. In taking oaths it was clear that the legislature had intended that the oath should be taken in the very words prescribed by the statute, and afterwards subscribed. The argument of Sir F. Kelly was that you might not only dispense with certain words, but that you might substitute for the words " en the true faith of a Christian " "on the true faith of • Jew." lie submitted, taking the acts of parliament together, that they imposed upon persons the necessity of taking ihe oath of abjura tion in a Christian form, and that if in some cases the words " on the true faith of • Christian" hail been omitted, still the party swearing was compelled to as sent to the fact that the oath wee • Christian oath, and be further submitted that the exemptions to which so much reference had been made, with regard to the oath of abju ration, did not apply to the ease where it was taken by • member w t. He submitted that for these rea sons die was entitled to the judgment of the court. The plastid wadi take the verdict upon the lest count, and as to the other two counts • wile proemial would be entered. The Lord Chief Baron mid as the question was of grave importanos,as the arguments had been very long, and as several acts of parliament had been cited, the court must take time to consider their judgment, although as little time as possible would be allowed to elapse before it was given. Judgment deferred. WINCIICOMBE RIFLE CLUE.—The guardians and principal residents in the Winchcombe Union, Gloucester shire, met on Saturday last for the purpose of considering the propriety of adopting measures to form • ride club for the district. The Earl of Ellenborough presided, and the follow ing resolutions were unanimously passed: "That we have seen with concern the various events which have substituted military for civil government in the largest portions of Europe, and cannot but apprehend that these changes in their governments may injuriously affect the disposition of foreign powers towards this free country. That, resolved as we are to preserve, by God's help, the constitution under which we happily live, and to protect our property from the foreigner, we are convinced of the expediency of taking measures, while there is yet time, for so extending the military means of the country, as either to deter the foreigner from aggression, or to ensure his prompt defeat if he should come. That, with a view to render ourselves more useful in the defence of the institutions and material interests of the country in the event of their being so as sailed, we will at once form ourselves into • rifle club. That a ropy of these resolutions be forwarded to the Secre tary of State for the Home department, with the request that we may he furnished with arms by the government— we, on our parts, being ready to adopt such organisation and such rules for exercise and practice within the union as the Secretary of State may prescribe, and to extend our ser vices to any part of the country in the event of invasion." BRISTOL I'ItOTEsTANT ALLIANCE.—A special gene ts' meeting of this body was held yesterday, at the Victoria room, Clifton, for the purpose of making known its princi ples, and of acting upon the public mind in regard to the government grant to Msynooth College. There was a very large attendance, including ministers and members of the church of England, and of gluiest every denomination of non-conforming Christiana. The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Bristol, W. 11. G. Langton, Esq., took the chair. Several reverend gentlemen addressed the meeting, and • series of resolution. was adopted, approving of the princi ples of the association, the object of which is to organise • union of all true protestants to resist the aggression of popery at home, and to promote the spread of religious truth in Homan eathulic countries sbroad.—PLYIIIICTII.—On Monday last, the first meeting of the I'l mouth branch of the alliance was held in the Mechanics' Institute, on which occasion several addresses were delivered in explunation of the objects of the society, and the persons present were pledged to persevere in their efforts to procure the abolition of the Msynooth grant. Both meetings were characterised by enthusiasm and unanimity. THE LON OF THE AMAZON. (flow ova coannseoniannT.) SOUTHAMPTON, WiDnIISDAY. The Peninsular and Oriental Company have not heard of the Madrid packet, which left Sfewthigmptan oa the 7th inst. with the Peninsular Mail, since the Nth inst., and then she was at Continua, she having heeei e= d te_ Put in there for coals. Os the 17th she lied me Lisbon, bat this is not extraordinary, heemsee dm had to all at Vigo and Oporto es her way to Lisbon sa aisit earner, and it is not Improbable that she was obliged to stepan unusual time at one of theme places, or put beak to Oernsua on se count of bad weather. It is pewits!' that she may arrive at Southampton, however, to-morrow. Hundreds still be lieve that the Madrid will bring further news of some more of the crew and passengers of Om Amason from the roast of Spain or Portugal, although we have now dates from Corunna up to the 13th, and from Lisbon up to the 17th. If any more were picked up and carried southward they must have been delayed on their voyage in • most extraor. diary manner. This is evident from the delay of the 'finest. She left Southampton on the 9th, and she has been known to make Lisbon in 31 days, yet she took 8 days to reach that port. The want of communication between ' the Peninsular ports is proved by the fact that the putting in of the Madrid at Corunna on the 12th was not known at Lisbon on the 17th, although the distance by land between the two ports is not above 200 miles. It must be confessed, however, that the hope of hearing news of any more of the survivors of the Amason from the Peninsular coast is de clining. A piece of a lady's dress, of a very beautiful fabric, with several holes burnt in it, and which was fastened to a charred plank, was brought to the Mayor of Southampton yesterday, for his worship's inspection. It was washed ashore at Lulworth, in Dorsetshire. It is probable that 'it formed • portion of a raft on which an escape, or an attempt at one, had been made. No one can say positively what was the origin of the extra ordinary presentiment of calamity which appears to have been entertained by so many of the officers and crew of the loot ship. It is the opinion of many persons that the feel ing mow from the unusual depth of water the Amazon drew. This would render it hazardous for her to touch at la variety of ports of difficult *cuss, and which must be entered day or night. The rules of the West India C=- 1 1 patty's Service are remarkably strict as to touching the I ground or going ashore, and these rules naturally make officers anxious and foreboding. It is usual, soon after a West India steamer has put to sea, for the officers and crew to adopt ride. for their guidance in case of any extraordi nary accident or emergency. It is believed that these ar rangements had not been perfected when the fire happened, and this partly caused the confusion dunng the escape from the burning ship. It has been already stated that Captain Symons was at one time in the Peninsular and Oriental Company's service. While in that service he commanded the Tagus and Koval Tar. lie left it to command • man-of-war brig in the Brazilian service, and after he left her he obtained employment in the West India service. I Since the above was written, intelligence has been re ceived at Southampton that the port life-boat of the Amason has been picked up at Christchurch, on the Hamp shire coast. It is believed that this is the boat in which Lieut. Grylle and the Rev. Mr. Blood's party escaped. ' A leathern mail-bag was also picked up about three miles to the eastward of Bridport, on Tuesday morning. A brass plate was attached to it, marked "Close Mail fur San Fran , else° via Panama." It was taken possession of by the proper authorities, and forwarded, we understand, to the General Post-olfice in London. There is no doubt that the hag forms part of the mail taken out by the Amason. A short distance lower down the channel some pilots speak of seeing some floating wreck which had been apparently re neatly burnt. THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVFNING, JANUARY 29. 1852. TIIE OFFICIAL INQUIRY. Yesterday the official inquiry of the Board of Trade was continued ; and subjoined is a summary of the evidence : Michael Fox, fireman, was the first witness examined. His evidence differed iu no material respect from that pre viously given by him. He had not seen anyone engaged in making a raft. He thought the persons an charge of the engines exerted themselves to the utmost. The engineers were unremitting in their attentions, so much so that he almost pitied them. Mr. (Denny, one of the passengers, was questioned with regard to the impression of the passengers that something calamitous would happen. He said it was the impression of Mr. Warburton, and another passenger with whom he conversed, that something would really take place before the end of the voyage. This impression was shared by him self. It arose from the fact that the ship was a trial ship. lie had been under the notion that steam vessels were al ways tried first. The fact of the beatings being hot strengthened the apprehension of disaster. He observed no deficiency either in the officers or the crew. The crew was superior to those which he had seen in other vessels. He could give no information as to the origin of the fire. He was awoke in bed by some heavy substance appearing to fall above his head, and immediately after he heard a cry of fire. The moment he got on deck it struck him that the confusion which prevailed was worse than the fire it• self, and that if the captain, who was doing his best, could maintain order, every one might be saved. There were no sailors on dec k. Some of the men in the beats looked like sailors; the rest were engineers and parsngere. He at once perceived that his safety depended on his individual exertions. Ile saw some of the settees or benches being dragged aft. It occurred to him that the captain had or dered that to be done, and he assisted. lie had seen the settees which had been li:eked up, and had recognised them ea those which he saw on board. They were removed, ie probably, ' either to be kept out of the way of the fire, or to used in case of necessity. After he left the ship he saw a boat on the starboard quarter which was quite available. The difficulty arising from speed had then ceased; the wind also had lulled. He believed that if the captain's orders had been obeyed every one would have been saved. When he arrived at Brest, the French authorities showed great alacrity in sending out a vessel to the scene of the fire. He was still of opinion that there was a probability that several persons had been saved in the remaining boat. George Webb, able seaman, was re-examined, but his evidence was purely recapitulatory. He was severely cross examined with regard to his desertion of the wheel, at which be was stationed when the fire broke out. His de fence was that he did not hear the captain's orders respect ing the boats ; that he saw all the boats full ; and that his remaining at the wheel would have been useless, while it would have cut off his chance of escape. James Berryman, the seaman who lashed the tiller, un derwent a similar examination. To the question whether it was not the duty of the crew to attempt to save the pas sengers he gave no direct answer. He was of opinion that the gig would not have lived if she had been put to sea. William Stone and John (amount repeated their former evidence. Henry Pawnor., a seaman who escaped in the tame boat as 31r. Vincent, deposed that when he first saw the barque she was going to windward of the ship, and that she afterwards altered her course to:leeward. An attempt was made by the crew of the boat to pull down to the ship, but it was found too dangerous to be persevered in. Jacob Allen, the engineer sent out by Means. Seaward, the makers of the engines, to see how they worked, was examined with regard to the working of the machinery. its said the boiler was one of the coolest he had ever seen. Its length was about 24 feet. He observed no un usual quantity of smoke. From the construction of the space between the fore-boiler and the bulkhead, where the are wee Bret sesn, it was impossible to get a pricker In, as bad bees ssplemei Job* Be m% shit ossuan, said the gig was stove in in throe or than pions, and the fin cosld be seen through it. Dsaiel Brown, able seaman, thought he was the last on dick of these wto escaped in the boats. When he left the vernal dr oalhia Mt and second mate, and others— in ell threat MNIIIPINO standing together on the quarter deck. There wee platy of room for some of them in bas boat which he entered. About a quarter of an hour attar the Ire bathe eat he heard voice, in the dingey crying eat he ethers th isms down into her. 11siep11;rilaTTisiiiii - o;;Wir evidence. The court then adjourned wall Tuesday neat, et eleven o'clock. STEAM YACHT FOR THE PACIIA OF EGYPT.—One of the most gorgeous and splendid specimens of naval archi tecture which has ever been produced—not excepting, per haps, the famed galleys of Cleopatra—is now being con structed for the of woof the Pasha of Egypt by Mean. Todd and M'Gregor of Glasgow. Her engines, able most bean- I tiful make and finish, are of 300-horse power ; the femme- work isof iron, and being intended only for pimento trips= the Nile, she will not draw more than 4 feet 2 inches of water, and she is to be called " The Light of Heaven." The fittings of the interior are of the most gorgeous eha meter, consisting of papier-mache ornaments and rich ' brocaded silks, which will alone east a sum of 25,0001. Meters. Bielefeld and Son are engaged) to supply the papier mache decorations; and Mews. Keith an d Co., the exhibitors of the silk trophy at the late Exhibi. tion, will supply the silk. The ceiling of the sa loon will be divided into a number of panels of rich white silk, having upon the centre the device of the crescent and the star, encircled with most elaborate and richly•coloured wreaths of eastern flowers of silk. The borders of the panels aro to be richly ornamented with Itaffulesque decorations. Other portions of the ceiling, between the beams, ere to be covered with silk of a white ground, and groups of flowers formed with gold thread. The panels on the sides are of papier mache. 'the ottomans in the saloon are covered with cloth of gold, formed with a warp of gold and weft of glass thread. The awning of the deck is to be formed entirely of richly brocaded silk, the fringe being of gold and costing twenty guineas per yards. The coat of the silk for the awning will not be lees than 2,000 f. The officers' rooms are alo fitted up with brocades of the richest character and colour, differing only from the other portions of the vessel in not having gold embroidery. This is the second vessel of this kind which has been built and fitted for his highness in this country, one having been de spatched a few months sines., a specimen of the rich silk from which occupied so prominent a position, as a speci men of British manufacture, upon Mews. Keith and Co.'s , Silk Troph" at the Great Exhibition. The wh o l e o f the silk will be of Spitalfielda manufacture.. SOUTH AMERICA. —The Linda, Captain Citron, brought to Liverpool on Tuesday dates from Pernambuco to the 2nd inst. The political advice. are unimportant. The occurrence of the Christmu holidays had partially sus pended business orrations, the only change being in ex change, which, owing to the advice* of a decline at Rio de Juno iro, brought by the lay, had been done to the amount of about 5,000'., at 28d. A vessel had Ives. hired to load augur fur the Channel at 395. and 6 per cent., with &a. extra to a continental port. THE STRIKE. AGGREGATE MEETING OF Lent right, an aggregate meeting of labourers thrown out of employment through the strike In the iron trades, was held at the National Mall, High Holborn, to take into consideration their present position, and to take such measures for their laters support as might be deemed necessary. The meeting was convened by the labourers' own committee, but the expenses attendant upon it were defrayed, we understood, by the executive council of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, &c. No skilled work men, whether society or non-society men, were allowed to take part in the proceedings ; but the attendance of la bourers was less numerous than had been anticipated. Mr. MARSTON/I, on taking the chair, briefly enforced the necessity of peaceable conduct. Mr. LLOYD, in moving the first resolution, stated that when the shops were first closed, the executive council of the Amalgamated Society bad promised to aid in pro curing subscriptions from the public, and had with that view issued a circular, but spparently without pro ducing any satisfactory results, as the labourers had only received three shillings as an allowance for the first week, while the non-society men were paid is. A great deal of dissatisfaction consequently arose, and a depu tation of labeurers was appointed to wait upon the Execu- I live Council, to represent the condition in which they were placed. The answer of the council was very peremptory. ! It was, that only the subscriptions derived from the public could be applied to their relief, as the subscriptions coming ' from organised bodies, such as the compositors, and other trade societies, must go to the support of the non-society men. Another deputation had subsequently raped at the . office of the employers association, where they met with • most courteous reception. Without even knowing or ask ing their object, Mr. Sidney Smith, accompanied by three of the largest employers in London, came out to speak to them. They would not acknowledge the deputation as such, but advised that two labourers from each shop should wait upon the employers to represent the condition in which the labourers were placed ; and they further promised to pay due attentiou to any written communication which might be sent from the labourene central committee. Yesterday the executive council had handed over Is. 6d. per man, but the committee, by judicious management, paid each man 2a. Upon the merits of the dispute he would say nothing; but one thing was quite clear, they were thr)wn out of work through no fault of their own ' and in a destitute condition. HOw could it be otherwise? When in work, they earned only from 16s. to 245. per week, and they found a great difficulty out of that sum to pay as much to a friendly society as would secure them 10s. per week when sick. However the question in dispute might be settled, it would make no material difference to them ' • and while he gave the central council credit fee all which they had done for the labourers with a pure motive, there were some things which he thought they hail not done in • pure spirit, and for which he could give them no credit. (Hear.) In conclusion he moved the following resolution " That this meeting views with ex• reme regret the tinter , tunate dispute between the Amalgamated Society of Engi neers and their employers, and it will therefore exert its utmost energies to impress upon the mind of a benevolent public the immediate necessity of contributing towards the support of that large and unorganised body of men, the !labourers, who have hitherto been, and still intend to con tiouc, neutral upon the subject of the strike, but who have, nevertheless, by it been entirely deprived of the means of support. And it would further recommend all persons favourably disposed to the proposed philanthropic object, particularly to state that their subscriptions are for the labourers list,' so that the labourers may derive the im mediate and unconditional benefit." Mr. ALDRID(II, in seconding the resolution, said it was unjust to pay the son-society men 7s. per week while the labourers had only received 3s. The labourers had ex pected to be placed on the same footing as the others. (Hear, hear.) The resolution was then put and unanimously adopted. Mr. EVANM moved the following resolution : " That this meeting cannot but express its firm conviction that the Employers' Association have no desire to see any of their labourers reduced to destitution, but that the masters, both in their collective and individual capacity, would most wil -1 lingly assist the labourers whom the impending dispute has thrown out of employment ; and it would, therefore sug gest that a petition be presented to the Employers' Asso ciation for the purpose of laying before it the position and prospects of the labourers, and also to receive any sum the association may think fit to advance, whilst, at the same time, it would recommend that one labourer from each firm , should wait upon their respective employers for a like pu lr e 6uszon seconded the resolution, expressing a de cided opinion that the labourers would meet with universal sympathy from the public, when their position and pro spects were fairly stated. The resolution was carried unanimously. Several other labourers addressed the meeting, and a central committee was appointed to collect subscriptions solely fur the relief of "labourers." A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the pro ceedings. Yesterday Mr. Gooch, superintendent of the loco motive department on the Eastern Counties Railway, visited the company's works at Stratford, and, sending for two of the engineering workmen into his office, stated that information hail reached the directors that the workmen were contributing a day's pay per week towards tho sup port of the engineers' strike, and that, io consequence, he had been instructed to intimate that any man so contri buting in future would be discharged. LEMURS BY MR. WALTER, M.P.—On Tuesday night a lecture on " Life and Death of Socrates," was de livered at the Mechanics-hall, Nottingham, by Mr. Walter, M.P. The room, which is one of the largest in the town, was densely crowded, and several hundreds returned home unable to gain admission. Mr. Newham, one of the vice presidents, presided. Mr. Walter (who was received with considerable applause), said, that having undertaken, at the request of the committee of the Mechanics' Institute, to deliver a lecture during the course of the present season, he thought he should best consult the wishes of his hearers ' and at the same time relieve himself from some difficulty, by re furring the choice of a subject to the gentlemen most likely to be acquainted with their tastes. In selecting, out of se- I vend which were proposed to them, the subject that had been announced fur the evening, they had done their best to consult the credit of their constituents, if not of the lec turer himself. In opening the topic selected for discussion, he said it would be superfluous to dwell on the advantages biography possessed as a channel for moral instruction over other species of literature. If history had been correctly defined to be " philosophy teaching by example," it might be asserted that moral philosophy was best illustrated and enforced in that branch of history which was dedicated to the memory of the wise and the good. Of those who prior to the Christian era taught mankind that most important knowledge—knowledge of themselves, and tore off the mask from self-satisfied ignorance and conceit, the greatest beyond all comparison wu Socrates. He, however, did more than this : he was not only the first moral philosopher, but the first martyr to philosophy. The poet who had so exquisitely pourtrayed the terrors and solaces of the winter season, dwelt with delight on the evening task, most suitable to that season, of 111Mgt muses withuds the mighty dead, 4• 1411 3 ssaleentale, mewed, As gsisbarlatat. sole limo( manned With NY ea& arms sad Its wised • world. The claims, however, of Socrates wan of a higher order, and the poelyweeeeded to describe him as the man— WY Maly pal la a essrupsad state Aspisat tha moat Irma' doe, mood lawilisMia, ads sessies kaly law Olooleg. lied= winnow death, Greet metal Weibw—seimet al mankind- Adopthig, thee, the poet's sogigoideo, he (the lecturer) pro po•ed beruPes an hoar of s winter's evening with a slight sketch of the life and character of this remarkable man, who, prompted by his heavenly monitor, whose voice he had obeyed from his childhood, and undaunted by the scoffs and insults to which his mission exposed him, devoted a long life to the moral reformation of his countrymen, and crowned the arduous career of a missionary with the triumphant death of a martyr. He deemed it no disparagement to the missionaries of • purer faith to apply a similar term to Socrates, because hi was firmly persuaded (end he be lieved no one could attentively consider his history with out coming to the same conclusion) that Socrates acted under the influence of Divine inspiration. The whole tenor of his life and the whiten°e of his teaching justified this Opinion. No sell appointed teacher ever led so strict and blameless a life, sir iaeulcated a system of mora li ty so simple and unpretendi ng that it could hardly be called a system at all. Socrates founded no school—he propounded no new revelation . the text on which he preached was that which had been inscribed for ages on the temple of Delphi— " Know thyself;" and the means by which he taught his hearers to obtain that knowledge were the subjection of the passions and the confession of their own ignorance. A passage from the defence of Socrates before his judges was then quoted in proof of this opinion. Mr. Walter proceeded to sketch an outline of the life and character of Socrates. Afterwards he translated a few passages from Xenophon and Plato, illustrative of his style of teaching, and then vividly portrayed his conduct on the occasion of his trial and condemnation These disquisitions, which were somewhat lengthy, were listened to with the I the most profound attention, the deep silence which pre ' sailed being broken occasionally by warm plaudits greeting those sentiments of the Greek philosopher, and many of the historical iucidenta mentioned, which the minds of the audience appreciated as markedly applicable to more modern times. The lecturer said he could not conclude without drawing attention to the contrast which the Philosophy of Socrates presented to that purer and more perfect system of teaching in which it was oar privilege to have been in structed. Mr. Walter retired to a rest on the platform amid much applause. Votes of thanks to the lectuier and chairman of the evening closed the proceedings. St'IEIDE AT GUY it HOSPlTAL—Yesterday morn ing, shortly after 6 o'clock, great alarm was created among the inmates of Guy's Hospital by the discovery of the suicide of a patient named William Cayley, aged 46 years. Deceased had been admitted on the 26111 of November last with a tumour of the side, from which he suffered consider able pain. Ile seemed, however, to proven favourably under the treatment, and on Tuesday night he was left by the nurse in Neeman's Ward quite calm, but when she went yesterday morning to the bedstead where the deceased lay, she found that he had a severe wound of the thro a t, which divided all the main arteries of the neck. A razor was lying by the side of him, and he was quite insensible. The dresser was called to the unfortunate man, who had lost a large quantity of blood, and every assistan ce wa s afforded by the medical officers of the institution, but he expired at 3 o'clock last evening. PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. On Tuesday night a great public meeting of the inhabitants of Edinburgh wee held in the Magic hall, George-street:for the purpose of taking into consideration the subject of parliamentary reform. The arcs and gal leries of the hall (the must capacious in the city) were crowded by a respectable and enthusiastic audience ; and on the platform, besides the Hight Hon. the Lord Provost and Mr. Cowan, M.P., were observed a number of in fluential gentlemen, who.e names have long been closely identified with the reform movement. Mr. JAMES RICHARDSON moved that the respected Lord Provost of tee City be called to the chair. (An please.) The LORD PROVOST said the promoters of the pre- sent meeting did not call it fur soy sectional or party pur pose. They desired the meeting to include all earnest reformers, by whatever name they might be called. The promoters of the meeting did not get it up either fur the purpose of opposing or supporting the present government, but simply with the view of enabling the inhabitants of the city to express their wishes, in a deli berate and constitutional manner, respecting the great question of reform which must seen come before parlia ment. The meeting originated in the visit to this city of that tried patriot and veteran reformer Joseph llume. (Applause.) After a lengthened explanation of the prin ciples asserted by the Reform Association, he concluded by advising its meinbere to hear iu mind he history of the Anti•corn-Law League. No popular movement was ever so pregnant with encouragement and instruction. It commenced with a few thoughtful, searching, practical, educated men, whose views expanded and matured as they went along. It trusted to the spread of inhumation, the weight of argument, End the confirming lemons of expe rience alone. It gradually drew all Sects and classes--the chartists last of all—into its ranks. It confined itself, with severe and unswerving self-control, to one object alone ; and that object was a practical, economical reform, bearing directly and powerfully en the west intimate inte rests of the people. It refused to be mixed up with the chartist demands. It stood aloof from all political parties. It commenced among the radicals, recruited itself from among the whigs, and ended by converting the chief of the conservatives. It disdained and disclaimed the temporary strength which it might have gained by alliance s ith fac tions less single in their aims, less scrupulous in their means, less stainless in their character, than itself. And thus it went on, conquering and to conejner, by the very purity, directness, and 'simplicity of its course. Let us prosecute our plan of ;reliirm in the calm and peaceful spirit of the league, here so beeutifully and justly described, and although administrations may fall and rise before it be finally carried, the power of public opinion will as certainly succeed in carrying reform us is succeeded in carrying the repeal of the corn laws. elmud cheer...) Mr. J. F. MACFARLAN moved the first resolution, which was as follows: " That provision should be made fur a large extension of the constituency, which in England and Ireland should take place by conferring the franchise on all persons chargeable with the poor's rate; and in Scot ' land (where the poor's rate does nut universally apply), by conferring the franchise on all person, who are chargeable with any general local rate, such as an amessmeut tor the support of the poor, for prisons, or for police purples; and in the event of there being any burgh or district in which no such rate is now levied, that in such cases the franchise should be conferred on all persons who would be chargeable with any such rate if it were levied." After a br.ef ex planatory statement respecting the resolution, the speaker took occasion to advert to the present state of affairs on the continent. In reference to the prospect of invasion, he asked, are we now afraid of what our forefathers had no dread ? Can we place less confidence iu the energy, the courage, and the love of our people to their native land than before? No '• I would for one have no fears. True, steam now pro pels our vessel., and the enemy might employ it but that so a game that two can play at; and were our gallant troops 'gain sent to the continent, the laurels already gained would wither before those they would reap now. (Ap plause.) But the whole continent is arraieued against us. True, the aspect of affairs is gloomy. There is a natural, an eternal enmity between oppression with its dungeons and its chains, and constitutional law with its peaceful and joyous freedom from restraint, which must break out into bitter warfare should they come into collision. They cannot agree ; sooner shall light and darkness, fire and water, mingle in harmony than the free and enlightened government of this country, ruling lay love, concur with the despot who rules by the terror of his prisons, his gibbets, his expatriations, and the utter ex tinction of all that is noble and generous in our nature. (Applause.) But should it be so, and war should now arise, how are we to meet it? Will it not beet be met by the adoption of such measures as shall unite in oae harmo nious whole the entire people of this country ? Then war may come. Should the despots of the continent seek to crush the liberties of this country—and it is nut lung since Lord John Russell said there had been such a conspiracy formed against liberty, both civil end sacred—a united people would meet them—would overwhelm them, and, in the destruction of lawless despotism, open up the way fur extending the blessings of freedom to the human race. (Loud cheers,) Mr. WM. M'CRIE, manufacturer, seconded the resolu tion. Dr. °LOVER then moved an amendment to the follow ing effect That all the words of this resolution after the tint' that' be omitted, and the following substituted:' Every man who performs his duties to society is entitled to a vote in choosing those who arc to legislate for him and his; but this meeting considers Lord John Russell's promises of re form, like Napoleon's promise of universal suffrage, to be I but a scheme to prolong his own sway to the imminent peril of our national independence, by his lordship yielding to continental despots, and engaging Britain's crown in u ' rangements with them injurious to the rights and liberties of the people.' " Mr. BEERY (a working man of Aberdeen) seconded the amendment, and the original resolution was then put from the chair, and enthusiastically carried , only a few hands having been hell up for the amendment. J. H. BURTON, E.q., advocate. moved the second reso lution, to the following effect :—" That provision should be made for the extension of all small burgh constituencies, either by such an amalgamation of burghs as would form a united constituency of not fewer than 54000 electors in each group, or by merging the voters for small burghs in the constituencies of the counties in which such burghs are severally situated ; that the right to elect members no longer required to be returned for small burghs should be trans ferred, either to towns which have required a large popula tion since the passing of the last Reform Act, or to burghs which have so much increased in population since the pass ing of that act as to be now inadequately represented; and that in any re-arrangement of members, Scotland should have an equal proportion with England, having regard to the population of each division of the United Kingdom, and to the net amount of revenue contributed by each for national purposes." Mr. DENHAM, paper maker, seconded the resolution, which was carried. Mr. F. RUSSELL, advocate, moved the neat resolution ea follows:—" That provision should be made for the esta blishment of the 40s. frechchl franchise in counties, through out the whole United Kingdom; that all real property held by any other tenure than as freehold, should give the same right to the franchise as freehold property ; and that, in Scotland, provision should be made to prevent all merely nominal owners from being registered as electors, by re quiring all claimant' to make up their titles in the most complete manner, by infeftment or otherwise; and that a residence of not lea than three months yearly should be required within the county in which the property is situated." Mr. W. DUNCAN, S.S.C., seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimou►ly. Mr. W. TAIT, publisher, moved the last resolution That in any measure of reform which may be proposed, it is indispensable that provision should be made for protect ing voter*, by enacting that all elections should take place by ballot; for limiting the duration of parliament to not more than three year*; and for abolishing the property qualification now salting is England and Ireland fur mem bers of parliament." Mr. P. ANDERSON (► working man) seconded the resolution. Dr. GLOVER again rose, and was greeted with groans and hisses. He moved as an amendment that the ballot should be omitted from the resolution, as its use would to infamous until every man had a vote. Upon a show of hands only three were held up in support of the amendment, which was accordingly Inst. The CHAIRMAN said the ballot was objected to by government because it was not wanted by the people, but the last division clearly showed the contrary, for only three hands were held up against it. (Cheers.) The Chairman again rose and introduced Mr. Cowan, M.P., who briefly addressed the meeting. Mr. CUMMING (a working man) moved that a petition founded on the resolutions should be prepared for trans mission to both Houses of Parliament, which was passed unanimously. On the motion of Mr. DUNCAN, S.S.C., a vote of thanks having been cordially passed to the chairman, the vast assemblage separated about 11 o'clock. ROYAL DISPENSARY FOR IIISEARES OF TILE EIR, DE tN-STREET. SOHO.SQUARP..—The half-yearly meeting of this useful institution was held yesterday at the dispen sary—Richard John Cole, Esq., in the chair. The secre tary read the report, and the amount of subscriptions re ceived during the last sin months ' from which it appeared that the institution had benefited by additional donations and subscriptions. Mr. Harvey, surgeon to the institution, stated to the committee that the numbers admitted of the various diseases of the car, and some complicated affections of the heed, during the laid sit months, amounted to 500; cured, 196; remaining in weekly attendance, upwards of 300. The committee, therefore, aidwitud the aid of the aMuent for this valuable institution, which is entirely de pendent upon voluntary contributions.--A vote of thanks was missed to Mr. Harvey, and to the chairman, and the meeting separated. ELI,MENTAItY DRAWING AND MODELLING SCHOOLS PUN AKTIZANIL—A meeting of the committee, the Earl of Carlisle in the chair, wow held yesterday at the house of the Society of Arts, for the purpose of making arrange ments for a deputation to visit Bradford on Monday next. The committee were unanimous that, in order to provide means for establishing these schools on a permanent foot ing, it is desirable that the power of raising local rates, at present enjoyed by museums and other institutions, should be extended to these and to Schools of Design. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND SIATE.—A public meeting of the Anti-State Church Association was held, ho tho Stock Exchange-hall, Leeds, on Tuesday Alderman Carbutt, in the chair. Resolutio. 4 . t s ,; ( !, ance with the principles and obj e cts of the 'Zoe adopted, and the meeting separated. :..,4 . 0 f . • X .•'"••••:.*l'.4•4p •