The Express. — London, England, 1848-03-17 00:00:00

n parliament, Mr. BULLER will be let off by the silence of one, and the apathy of the other. And yet, we cannot say that Lord ASHLEY'S reso lutions were either rationally . conceived or wisely arranged. His first resolution had the great fault of all Lord ASHLEY'S efforts at legislation. It starts with a humane principle, and exaggerates it into the extravagant. The resolution pro posed to provide every woman, who might claim assistance, the best medical advice and attend ance at her first childbirth, at the national expense. Such a sweeping act of obstetric generosity' not con fined to paupers, would indeed be munificent, but scarcely tells within the scope of a poor-law. Of couree, it was rejected ; its exaggeration and combo• qucnt defeat flinging obloquy on some of the subse quent resolution., however just in their nature, and however called for by existing abui•es. The next resolution debated was altogether of a very questionable character. It proposed to ap point medical inspectors, one to each district, to 'which an assistant Poor-law Commissioner is attached. The duties were ,to inspect and re port, on the medical treatment, and on the fitness of the medical men in the unions ; to inquire into the treatment of the sick poor ; to report on the diet and health of the poor in the union houses ; and perform such other sanitary duties as may be re quired of him. There can be no doubt that the ap pointment of such an officer would be attended with many good results; but when it is considered of what materials the medical profession of this country is c omposed, it will, we think, be found that the duties of the medical inspector would be of the most delicate kind, and we should anticipate that there would be few candidates for such an office. The salary of 400/. a ytar would sot procure a fit person for the task, whilst at the same time the expense of the system would be great. Another point in these resolutions was the de finieF the nature of the qualifications of the medical officer. We should have been glad to find this resolution confirmed by the legislature, as it admits one of the great principles we have been contending for in medical reform, the necessity of recognising in all parts of the empire the licenses and diplomas which bestow a legal right to practise in any other part. The union medical offi.er is to possess " a diploma in surgery, and a degree, diploma, or license in physic, from one or other of the universities or colleges of physicians or surgeons, or societies of apothecaries of the United Empire." Although we shall be glad to see the time • hen the government itself will institute one efficient examina tion, or compel each licensing body to do so, so that one license will be sufficient to entitle a medical man to practise every branch of his profession , . we sup pose that at present we must rest satisfied with the double demands made in Lord MULCT'S resolution. Connected with this resolution there is a curl ous exception, and that is, that "if under any circumstances it should be found necessary to employ unqualified persons," such persons are to have the special permission of the poor law commissioners. This exception appears to us quite unnecessary, and open to great abuse. Although the Archbishop of CANTERBURY has the power of making doctors, and has occasionally used his privi lege where a great man has been afraid of risking his reputation before the jealous censors of Pall-mall, we do not see that this is any reason for conferring the 'same power on the Poor-law Commissioners. No ; the only reason for government interfering with medical education at all, is its duty to protect the public health and life. To allow a board of Com missioners to abrogate laws made for this purpose is absurd, and likely to lead to very injurious prac tices. One of the most important and beneficial of the changes recommended, and which alone would diminish much of the hardship of the present system, as far u the poor are concerned, is that which relates to the obtaining orders for the attendance of the medical officer. At present the poor person is obliged to procure an order from the relieving officer, or ovgrsetr, before he can obtain medical relief. The result of this system is, that the medical officer, however ill the person may be, fre quently refuses to afford his attendance till the order is obtained ; or it he commeaces to attend the patient, se in the case at Croydon, ho refuses to continue his aid when he finds the order is not forthcoming. Under these circumstances, much human life has been sacrificed. Instead of this plan, Lord Asir- LEY proposed that the Poor Law Commis ',loners shall cause to be made out a list in every parish of all persons entitled to medical relief,and that such persons shall beat liberty to require the attendance of the medical officer, with out previously applying to the relieving officer ;—such attendance, however, only to be given for twenty four hours, unless an order were received from the re lieving or other authorised officer of the board of guardians. The same rule also to apply to casual poor—those who are not on the former list, and whom the medical officer may refuse to attend, if they are not 'able to procure an order. This plan had the merit of getting rid entirely of the monstrous requirement of the present system, that when persons are dying they may have to send from ten to twenty miles in one direction for an order, and, as many miles in another direction for the medical attendant, before they can obtain assistance. The result of last night's proceedings will give rise to regret. The first four of Lord ASHLEY'S proposi tions were rejected by the House of Commons ; and this rebuff induced him to withdraw the remainder. Thus the useful and the impracticable were sacrificed together, and another session must apparently pass by without any emendation of the admitted defects of our system of poor-law medical relief. GERMANY. PROGRESS OF REFORM. We continae to report the communications which arrive from various parts of Germany recording the progress of the great political movement imparted to E urop Thenews from Vienna goes no farther than the 10th. But the accounts up to that date, both from the capital and provinces, indicate the continuance and even increase of the previous depression and un certainty. In all the towns business is suspended, and the banks and savings banks are all besieged by crowds demanding payment. This is not the worst, however. In order to remedy this state of things, a command has been issued by which it is enjoined on all tradespeople to take in payment for the purchase of food bank-notes, a refusal on their part to do so being severely punishable, the bank-notes in question being changeable for their full value at the )iational Bank. Thus, a forced circulation is given to the bank paper, the necessity of which is hailed as a very bad symptom. The imperial proclamation (published by us yester day) has had uo effect on the public mind, says the Vienna correspondent of the Crdmme Gazette. The Emperor declares that Austria has no intention of intervening in France. Of course, this was plain to every one. Austria has something else to do than to busy itself with questions of intervention. The Em peror further expre-scs a wish to ensure the welfare of the people entreated to his care: but how he will do so is now the question. He further declares that he will protect the institutions and the laws of the king dom, and it is highly desirable that this should take place in a full proportion, including the political rights of the people. A letter from Vienna in the Leipzic Gazette says: " Our system of government seems about to undergo great changes. The censorship is to be made less severe. A grand family council is also spoken of, at which the Archdukes John and Stephen will assist The object of this council is said to relate to the Project of a constitution similar to that of Prussia." All are looking forward with anxiety to the open ing of the Diet, which was fixed for the 15th, but which, from the force of circumstances, will take Place on the 13th. The Russian alliance, how ever,caases disquiet, and makes all look forward to the uture with appreheasion. Accounts say that the Emperor of Russia intends coining to Vienna. It is certain that in his note of the Feb. 17, the Czar inquires why Austria does not interfere in Italy, and then ai!sares Austria of his friendship, not only in poet'. miry matters, but likewise in military affairs. The Prussian official Gazette, of the 14th, is again °dent on the affairs of Prussia. In taking leave of the officers in garrison in Berlin, Previously to his departure for Cologne, where he will viiice se governor of the Rhenish provinces and estphalie, th e P r i nce o f Prussia expo esisd the hope that if circumstances required it, he should meet them Vila on the field of honour. An important difference of opinion has arisen be tween the Prussian cabinet on one side, and the civic authorities of Elbing on the other. It appears that the latter appointed a committee from their body . to draw up a report on the project of law for the revision of the penal code, as lately submitted to the com mittee of the Diet. The government thought proper to remind the authorities of Elbing that, in taking that step, they were transgressing the limits of their functions, and threatenned that if such conduct were repeated, the power of holding that- meetings in public would be withdrawn from the town council. This menace has been denounced by the parties con cerned as a violation of the laws of the land, and it is araned that civic rights have but a poor foundation when they can be destroyed or revoked by the stroke of a ministerial pen. Letters from Posen of the 10th instant announce, that up to that date extraordinary military precau tions, tor the maintenance of tranquillity, continued to be made. Pickets, of forty men each, were on duty all night, and strong patrols were constantly seen in town and its suburbs. The di-actor s of the Aix-la-Chapelle and Dussel dorf Railway, have Nuked not to make any farther calls for the present on the shareholders (iu cons:- quence of the pecuniary crisis of the times), and to reduce the number of the workmen. This is bad news for the Rhenish provinces. The Cologne Gazette gives the following list o states where liberty of the press has been granted, and where the spiritual union of Germany (gristly Zalverein) prevails: Hesse-Darmstadt, Frankfurt, Bavaria (Nassau), Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, Hesse- Homburg and Hesse-Cassel, Bremen, Saxony, Saxe eimar, Saxe-Gotha, Oldenburg, Lippe-Detmold, Waldeck, Hamburg and Lubeck. There is one state (adds this journal) before all others, of which we hoped that it would not yield its place as the foremost in Germany, and that is Prussia. And Prussia has been silent in the midst of the public voice. " There must be," adds thisjournal, commenting on the decree of the King respecting the censorship," truth between the King and his people," This is a pretty broad hint that the ambiguous lan ' guage used by the King is not considered satisfactory. On the 12th inst. the King of Wurtemberg (who has granted all the popular demands) appeared ou the balcony of his palace at Stuttgard, accompanied by all the royal family, and experienced an enthusiastic reception on the part of the dense crowd in front of the building. All the officers of the army of the Grand Duchy of Baden have taken the oath of obedience to the new constitution. It has been already . stated in this journal that a short time ago a meeting of distinguished delegates from different countries assembled at Heidelberg, in order to discuss the basis of a national German par liament. It is now announced that the second and deciding meeting will be held at Frankfort on the 30th instant, or the following day. Apropos of the former meeting, it appears, by a letter from Con stance, in the Cologne Garette of the nth instant, that the greatest excitement was produced on the 9th instant at Stoekach by the unfounded report, that the delegates assembled at Heidelberg had declared in favour of the establishment of a German republic. Immense crowds assembled and vehemently declared their readiness to fight and die for the republic. The peasantry in the neighbourhood were getting all their sickles duly ground. It is stated that in Itudolphs sell the authorities were driven out of the town by the " demagogues." A " peasant war" is expected. Some people in Constance, it appears, express the wish that the King of Prussia be declared Emperor of Germany. Letters from Henan, of the 12th, state all the town was brilliantly illuminated on the arrival of the in telligence that the Elector of Hesse Cassel had granted all the demands of his people. One of the burgo masters, who was a member of the deputation that conveyed to the Elector the wishes of the inhabitants of Henan, has been nominated Minister of the In terior. The Grand Duke of Oldenburg has resolved to convoke a diet, in order to lay before it tke built of a constitution. The joy caused in Saxony, by the concessions granted by the King, is universal. On the 12th a grand review of the civic gaard took place at Dresden, the troops, both horse and foot, defiling before the King amidst loud cheers. The Frankfort Gazette des Poste:, March 12, gives the following. It is positively stated that the Germanic Diet, convinced of the necessity of revising the oonstitution, is now occupied with the projects which are to be presented on this subject to the governments of the confederacy. The Diet has also judged it expectieet, in order to afford these projects the chance of being approved of, to call to this discus sion men who do not belong to the Diet, who enjoy public confidence, and able to form a sane judgment upon present circumstances. In consequence of which, the Diet, it is said, , has requalted every government a the confederacy to send hither, without a moment's delay, men enjoying the confi dence of the public, for the above-mentioned design. The senate of Hamburg published on the 10th the following notice: The senate, considering that the general desire is, that the abolition of the censorship be not adjourned till the moment a special law upon the press shell be published and adopted, decrees as follows : " C,nsorship is aboi6hed." Than follow certain dispositions relative to the manner in which the liberty of the press is to be exer cised. Advices from Carlsrahe of the 12th say that all the general officers, whether in activity or no, have taken their oaths of allegiance to the Grand Duke, and of obedience to the laws and to the constitution. The same formality is to take place in all the regi ments and garrisons. Government has found means to procure a great supply of muskets, which are to be placed at the disposal of the parishes for the civic guard. We have received very bad news from Kraichgan and Neckargrunt. It is said that the peasantry have at tacked the castles and buildings belonging to the ad ministration. Two battalions of infantry have left Carlsruhe for the theatre of these disturbances. It is also rumoured that the Oderwald and Heidelberg have been in a disturbed state. The peasants attack the houses of the tax collectors, some times to the cry of " Long live the Grand Duke." It appears to be greatest in the countries famous in history for the wars of the peasants of Franconia. The houses of the Jews have been at tacked in several localities. At Neckar Elz, 300 indi viduals were seen to attack, on a sudden, the house of the tax collector. The Suahian Mercury, under the date of Mau helm, March 11, gives the following : The request of forming a body of voluu•eers in this town has met with general approbation. Eigt,t bundr•:d persons have given in their names, among whom are several func tionaries They are to be organised immediately, so that the voluhteers will be, ere long, able to commence their service. News has arrived that our troopa, which left hue on the 10th, have met with serious resistance mar Obriglieim, on the Necker. It is said the rebels broke down the bridge, and then commenced the attack with tire-arms. it is stated that the officer woo commanded the troops ha• been killed. HOLLAND.-MORE CONCESSIONS. Important intelligence from Holland has just reached Brussels, hays our correspondent in that capital. It appears that the King, having be come convinced that his people require a more radical reform than that comprised in the numerous bills lately announced by his ministers, has girl n carte blanche to the second chamber of the States- General, to make any proposition respecting the revi sion of the fundamental law to him which that body thinks advantageous to the nation. Since writing the above, I have received the Han delsbled of this day (the 15th). It fully confirms the above intelligence, and adds that his Majesty has expressed his readiness to agree to those propositions (bereid is zich to tiereenigen). His Dutch Majesty appears to have in view the declaration of the Belgian sovereign. The Hande/rb/od insists upon a change of minis ters, and hints that such will take place. All the sections of the second chamber assembled this day at the Hague. The arrival of Count Schimmelpenninek from London has given rise to the report that he will be a member of the new cabinet. BRUSSELS, MARCH 15. The Burgomaster of Ghent has issued a proclama tion, forbidding more than live persons to assemble in the streets, and ordering the public-houses and other places of resort to be closed at 9 P.M. A well-known tavern, the rendezvous of the ultra-liberals, has been entirely closed, and forty policemen were stationed in front of the building, in order to prevent any ingress. This morning the above number was reduced to six. The garrison remains under arms. Several persons have been arrested, amongst others some foreigners, who wore masks whilst mingling with the crowd. Darfng the disturbance, which may be now said to be quelled, an attempt was made to erect a barricade in the Marche de Vendredi. One of the Ohent leaders of the International Democratical Association is in custody. Unfortunately several factories in that large and populous town have commenced short time, and it is fully expected that some will be entirely closed. Several liberal journals are indignant at the alleged hostility of the ministerial press of this country to the Provisional Government of France. The average price of wheat for the week ending March 11 was lkf. 71c., and of rye, I lf. 21c., being a decrease of 9c. on the former, and of Sc. on the latter, compared with the preceding week's quotations. The Minister of Justice has just set a good example to all high functionaries, not only in this country but in other nations. Desirous of employing, for the future, in his department, only persons of merit, what ever may be their family influence, he has forwan'ed a circular to the various courts of appeal, urging talented doctors of law to become candidates fur vacant posts, or for poets which may hereafter become vacant in his office, pledging himself to hold their services and merits constantly in view in the distri bution of places, and they are by no means unimpor tant or ill-paid, of which he has the disposal. The question of a customs union with France is again brou,tht on the lapis by a number of manufac turers in Flanders. A resolution in favour of that union would have been passed at a recent meeting ut Ghent if one of the speakers had not recommended the meeting to wait until the Provisional Government of France had been replaced by a permanent one. The government reward of 3,000 francs for the discovery of the murderers of Mdlle. Evenepoel and her two servants in the Place St. Gery, Brussels, has been divided between two individuals, who, at the time they were inmates of one of the Brussels prisons, gave information which led to the arrest and execu tion of Vandenplas and Ronaseel, the wretched authors of the triple assassination and robbery. RUSSIA.—ST. PETERSBURG, MARCH 7.—The Journal of St. Petersburg of this day contains the first an nouncement of intelligence of the February revolution in Paris. It goes on to the formation of the Provisional Govern ment. The joureal says that no French mail had arrived at St. Petersburg since the 23rd, and that its reports were taken from. the Journal de FrankfOrt and the Allgemeine Zeitung. The Journal of St. Petersburg was not published for several days, in consequence of the court festivities. There is no in. telligsnce of the health of the Emperor. THE EXPRESS. FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 17, 1848. leaving nothing in the cellar. (Hear, and laughter.) He was sorry to hear that the directors had been blamed for making money cheap, but he thoosht the fault was owing to the act of 1844, which same parties considered a self-acung manure, which would adapt itself to all emergencies. Mr. Ald. SALOMON' said that last year he and some friend, around him had set the increased dividend ball in Motion, and he hoped that on the present occasion he might be 'Dewed to say a few words on the subject. He should support the resolution of the governor, because he did not think it would be advantageous to interfere with the deci sion of the court of directors on so small a matter as a dif ference of 10s. in the dividend ; and he trusted, therefore, that the original resolution would meet with the support of the proprietors. With regard to the " Rest," he would state that, between the years 1832 and 1844, it never exceeded two millions and a half, and subsequent to 1844 it did not exceed three millions; and that, on a capital of fourteen millions, wee, he considered, ample. He therefore trusted that the motion for an increased dividend would be with drawn. He also hoped that, before the close of the business, some information would be given to the proprietors with reference to some points which were mooted at the last oourt concerning the future election of governor, deputy-gover nor, &c. Mr. FIBLDER said, that as it appeared to be tne wish of tho court that he should withdraw his motion, he would do so. (Hear, hear.) The Goveunom then put the original resolution that • dividend be declared of four and a half per cent. for the half year; and in clomp so be said that the whole had been put in the shape of a dividend, because, had aey part been given by way of bonus, parties having a life interest only would have no claim to it.—The resolution was unanimously adopted. The GOVERNOR then informed the court that the dividend warrants would he ready and payable en Thursday, April 8, and then stated that with reference to the allusion that had been made by a proprietor to what had taken place at the last half-yearly meeting, he had to state that the attention of the directors nod been directed to the system hitherto pur sued on the election of candidates for re election as directors, and to he elected governor and deputy-governor. Hitherto it had been the custom that each of the directors in rotation should offer himself to fill the office first of deputy-governor and afterwards of governor, and those directors who were unwilling to offer themselves retired from the direction. That practice had been found to be inconvenient, and would in future be abandoned; and in future gentlemen would be elected to the governorship, not on the principle of rotation, but those would be chosen who were considered best quali fied to fill that situation, without regard to seniority in the direction. The names of the candidates would in future be advertised twelve days before that on which the ballot was to take place, and the new candidates would be distin guished from those who were recommended for re-election. Mr. De WINTON gave notice of the following motion for the next court day: Bans of England, March IG, 1848.—Notice of motion, on or between the 10th sod 25th of September. Os the third Thursday in nest September, at a court of the proprictots to consider the dividend, &c., I will move that the bye-laws and regulations for the election of the gore nor and deputy-governor, and the directors, and for the general management of the Bank of England, be then considered, with a view to their amendment.—J. P. Do W INTON. The GOVERNOR said that in order to consider any altera tion in the bye-laws, it would be necessary to appoint a special court for that purpose. Mr. THOMPSON moved, pursuant to notice, that for the future the salaries of the different clerks of the establish ment should be paid in full, without deducting the income tax. The GOVERNOR said the suhjea was one of internal ar rangement, which was rather fir the considerr ion of the court of directors than the proprietors.—The motion was then withdrawn. Mr. J. Pti.enea, after alluding to the late insolvency of BOON of the directors, and the great inconvenience occasioned thereby, moved that in future no proprietor should be eli gible.to the directory who was not willing to declare that he was in possessi-n of property to the amount of 100,0001. over and above the amount of his debts and liabilities—The mo tion was not seconded. After soma considerable discussion, and a motion by Mr. Levy, that the consideration of it should be deferred to March 1840—(laughter)—the governor intimated the course the court of directors intended to pursue at the next vacan cies for the election of directors, due notice of which would be given. The intermediate proposed resolutions having been withdrawn, a most cordial vote of thanks was passed to the governor, the deputy-governor, and the court of directors, for the ability they had displayed in the manage ment of the affairs of the corporation. The governor ex pressed hie acknowledgments, and said that it was the desire of himself and his colleagues to advance the interests of the blank of England lor the general good of all. The court was then declared to be adjourned. GALLANT AFFAIR WITH A PIRATE SLAVER.—A letter from the coast of Africa save " The Philomel, Commander W. C. Wood. and the Dart, 3, Lieutenant- Commander E. A. Glynn, have had a smart affair in their boate, with a felucca pirate, under Spanish colours. The weather being calm, the Philomel and Dart sent their gig!, under command of Lieutenant Wharton, to board the chase.; but on the boats nearing her she fired on them, and with ouch precision as to render the gig of the Philomel hors de combat, and the boats returned to their ships. The gig, temporarily repaired, and with the accession of the Pbilomel'e pinnace, again proceeded in chime of the pirate, and soon succeeded in boarding her, though opposed to • fire from their gun, and also from musketry (the boats are said to be riddled), but, fortunately, only two or three of the men were hurt (one, however, has since dud of his wounds). After being boarded, the piratical crew ran below, but continued to fire musketry up the hatches fir some time afterwards. Several of the pirates were killed. She proved to be a Spanish piratical slaver, mounting one long IS•pounder (an English gun), with a crew of 36 men. kid reported to hare been a desperate affair, and that it was almost miraculous that the boats escaped with such a slight loss in killed and wounded." THE PLEA OF NSA late number of your journal you gave an account of the trial of Martha Prior, for the murder of her infant, and connected with it is a statement of what Lord Denman amid to the jury. I have always regarded Lord Denman as one of the most able and upright judges that ever sat on the English bench ; his decisions have been cleat and constitutional; but in the present instance, if your report is correct, I think he talked very much beside the question. The woman had been delivered of this child, and since her delivery she had required the attendanoe of a me dical practitioner; and from what he observed of his patient he ordered that she should not be left, that her child should be kept from her, and that no dangerous weapon should be within her reach. Nothing can be clearer than that he thought there was an aberration of reason, and that whilst so suffering there was danger df the woman doing either some injury to herself or her child. The precautions unfortunately were not attended to. The poor woman ob tained her child and a razor, and the child was killed. The surgeon gave evidence that, is his opinion, the woman was insane, and Lord Denman thought proper to reflect upon this evidence, asking the witneeb if he considered the crime was committed under • sucklat impulse. Now, Mr. Editor, this questioa is, as it appears to me, quite irrele vant. Death iodic; ed by a sudden impulse is not murder but maaslaughter, or it may even be quite accidental ; but if any time, however short, intervenes, between the supposed determination and the actual inectien, that legally con stitutes murder. Suppose two men quarrelling near the house of one of them, and the owner of the house killed his opponent, that might not be murder ; bat if he stepped into bis house and got a stick or poker, and thereby inflicted a deadly stroke that would be regarded as premed'. toted murder. But surely, in the case of Martha Prior, this distinction did not apply. Let it be conceded that she was bent on killing her child, provided it had been previously ascertained that she was acting under delusion or mental im becility induced by illness, she was fully entitled to the benefit of the plea of insanity; and if in this case repre hension wee anywhere due, it was due to the nurse for leaving the patient, or to those by whose order the nurse was removed. I acknowledge myself opposed to capital punishment in any case; still, I quite admit that Lord Denman may be right in condemning all attempts to evade what is law by pretended pleas of insanity. But in this cane there was no pretended plea. The woman had previously to the alleged murder been pronounced by the surgeon as being unfit to be left alone ; and had she been convicted and executed, this act I conceive would have been a very foul murder committed under the colour of law.— CLIKINS, Chieheater, March 16. DAMAGE COMMITTBD BY RIOYEBS.—Sir,—In con firmation of the very able remarks that appear in your journal of this day, we send you particulars sf the course pursued in consequence of the damage done our property on the 2nd November, 1830. The notice (copy of which in en. closed) was served upon the High Constable of Westminster. After such service it was exhibited three fellowing Sundays on the outer door of the parish church of St. Cherie Hanover square, during the hours of divine service ; and as it does not appear that any change has l,een made in the act of parliament, I have been induced to take the free dom of giving you the information, trusting it may be useful to those parties who have so seriously suffered during the late disgraceful riotings.--GEOROE ALMOND.-1, Old Bond street, March 16. COPY.—We hereby give you notice, that we intend to claim com pensation from the Inhabitants of the hundred of Ossuelton, = ac- count of thedsmage which we have sustained by means of the doitruc don by a number of person' riotously and tumultuously assembled together, cc Tuesday the 3d of November inst., in Old Bondotreet, in the push of St. George, Hanoveroquare, in the county of Middlesex, of 93 panes of glen affixed to the frames of and belonging to the win dows, doors, and other parts of our house, and also of the frames of the said windows, sad further by the atatraction of articles of from the said windows of our hoses, mutate at the corner W Ori t lif Head-street and Piccadilly, to the amount or value of twenty-nine pounde, aix shillings, and threepence; and we hereby require yon within seven days after your receipt of this notice to exhibit the same to some two justices of the peace of the county of Middlemen aforesaid, residing in or acting for the said hundred, in order that they may appoint • time and place for bolding a special petty sesions to hear sad determine our claim for com pensation, by virtue of an act passed in the seventh and eighth years of the reign of King George the Fourth, intituled "An aetforconaolldatang and amendim the Laws in England relative to Al i against the Hundred," and you are required to give as notice of the day, hour, and place, appointed for holding sea petty seekon. within three dap after the justices shall have appointed the same. Given under oar bends this sth day of November, in the year of our Lord, 1130.—T0 Mr. William Lee, the high constable of divi sion In the Hundred of Omuhrtoa, in the county of Middleman. Served tmonthe raid high constable, co the nth day of November, at al, ftsg-cifose. . A NEW SOURCIL OP NEVENTIF..—Sir,—In these days of deficient revenue, there is one source of supply which the Chancellor of the Exchequer might advanterougY avail himself of—unclaimed deposits in banks, If heritable or moveable property be left without a legal heir, or no heir at all, the crown steps in and takes all. Why should it not also reoeive money In banks ? In a saving's bank tarried on fora few years in Edinburgh, the unclaimed deposits at the period of dlmalution amounted to some thowands, and were appropriated to the belittle& of a church. Ora the whole country the sums similarly left in other banks must be large, and must prove a fertile source of revenue to these establish ment'', who, according to the common understanding, re 'Peres them for their own use. The collection of these moneys would not be difficult. Sir K. Peel's set has already made bankers familiar with returns, and every year an ap pearance could be made before a government officer, when a statement could be given in of deposits lying unclaimed for seven years, which, with interest for that period, would be worth collecting.—K. J., Edinburgh, March 14. INQUESTS, YESTERDAY.—MYSTERIOUS DEATII OF YOUNO LADY FROM POISUN.—By Mr. Carter, resumed at the King's Arnie, Roupell-street, Lambeth, touching the de Hi of Mae Emma Wintle, aged 20. The deceased, on Wednes day week, complained of pains in her right leg, and before retiring to bed she bathed her feet and took a couple of pills. Early the following morning she was nixed with vomiting and purging. Her sister, who slept with her, therefore in formed her father, who seat for a surgeon ; but on hie arrival life was extinct. Mr. Brady, surgeou, who had made a post motleys examination, stated that, from an analysis of the oontents of the stomach, he ascertained that the deceased had died from the effects of arsenic. The father said that he could not tell how the poison should IMO into the deceased's stomach. Elie had never stated that she intended to destroy herself, but on the contrary, was always exceedingly cheerful ; and she was • well conducted, moral person, and had no male acquaintance.--The Coroner said the cue now resolved itself into one of the greatest importance. When the jury last met they bad no idea that the deceased had died from the effects of poison. From what had been adduced at the present inquiry, it was quite clear that the deceased had either been poisoned by another party, or had taken it by some miachance, or had purposely destroyed her own life. He proposed that the jury should again adjourn the cue for a week.—Adjourned acoordingly.—Mon- DER or A CRlED.—Before Mr. Carter, at the Fenn tan, Camberwell-road, on the body of a male child about an days old, whose name is unknown, which was found brutally murdered on the night of Tuesday, the 7th instant, in tho outhouse of No. 4, East-lane, - Walworth. Evidence having been given as to the finding of the bo.ty, and that of a medical gentleman having proved that the child had been born alive, and that it had been strangled before haying bees thrown into the soil in which it woo found, the jury manimouely retuned a verdict of wilful murder against ss person or panne unknown. Cig Court. The Duchess of Kent dined with her Majesty and Prince Albert yesterday evening at Buckingham Palace. The Countess of Charlemont has succeeded the Countess of Gainaborough &3 the Lady in Waiting to her Majesty. Sir T. Fremantle, Chairman of the Customs, had an interview with the Chanceior of the Exchequer yester• day. Mr. R. Hill had also an interview yesterday with the right hon. baronet, at his official residence io Uuwning street. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a general meeting yesterday, at their office in Whitehall place. Lord It. Grosvenor , M.P., Mfr. Mr. Wakley, .P., and a deputation of bakers, hsd an interview with Sir G. Grey yesterday at the Rome Office. Col. Alderson attended yesterday and on Wednes day, as one of the Commissioners of Railways, at the office in the Board of Trade. Count Schemnielpenninek, the Netherlands Minis ter, arrived yesterday evening at Blackwell-pier, from Rotterdam, by the General Steam Navigation Company's mail steam-ship Rainbow. It is stated here that the Due I)'Aumalo and the Prince de Joinville have arrives' at Gibraltar, on their way to England. Despatches were sent off yesterday evening from the Colonial Office fur the Governor of Jamaica and for the Governors of the other West India Colonies. Des patch• s were also sent off last evening from the Colonial Office for the Governor of Gibraltar. THE BANK OF ENGLAND. Yesterday a quarterly general court of the stockholders in this corporation was held in the assembly room of the esta blishment, for the purpose of declaring a dividend for the hale-year ending Al rid sth next, and upon other important matters. The court was exceo.iingly well attended. At the customary hour, the governor, Mr. James Morris ; the de- Vi l .7.,%'re.ThcoorAo i nr:a li nd ortyherJ James Prescott; r d e i zo c t t t o ; M e r t n re, .nte Pl r t ed the court room, and the regular business of the day was com menced by the secretary, Mr. Knight, reading the Mialltel of the last general court. The ejovxalloa said that he had to acquaint the court of proprietor that this was a general meeting, held pursuant to the charter, and for the purpose of declaring a dividend. The court of directors having carefully considered the Bank's account, were of opinion that a dividend might be declared at the rate of 44 per cent. for the half-year out of interest and profits, with the income tax deducted. He had to state, for the information of the proprietors, that the amount of the rest on Feb. 20, 1848, was 3,946,6241. On the 31st August last it was 3,925,6341. ; and showing a our plus gain of 20,8901. The rest therefore. after the dividend was paid with the income tax, would be 3,291,6391., or an increase of 20,8991. 'rhe governor moved that the recom mendation of the court of directors, as to the dividend, should be agreed to. Mr. Et eines thought that the interests of the life-holders should be considered in every resolution that might be come to that day. He hoped to be enabli dto show that the pro fits of the Bank of England since the April dividend was declared in 1846, were such as would warrant the increase of the dividend now proposed by one-half per cent., or to 5 per cent. for the half-year. (Hear.) Should a dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. he now declared, there would be, after paying it, income tax included, a eurplus of 3,403,156/. In point of tact the affairs of the Bank of England had pro greesively gone on so favourable that the court of directors ought to make the addition to the dividend, as he should move. In 1846, the April dividend took 509,35.51., and leaving the rest at 3,861,7461., showing an in crease of 172,3161. The October dividend in the same year took 509,3551. ; the rest then stood at 3,892,6131. Increase , as compared with August preceding, 52,7601. At the April dividend (1847) meeting there was required for the dividend 509,3551. ; add bonus, 145,5531.; total, 654,9081. ; and with the rest remaining at 4,046,6741. The GoVERNOs explained that the difference between the two amounts, as would appear, of 3,899,2221., and the 4,046,6741., axon from some payments not made in the previous return, but of necessity included in the latter. Mr. FIELDan said that at all events there was an increase in the rest, notwithstanding, of 147,4521. The October divi dcnd and bonus took 654,9081., leaving the rest at 4,150,3401., an increase of 225,3401. On the 4th March, 1848, the divi dend at 41 per cent. would be 3,980.8401.; six weeks' in crease, 150,0001. Taking the April dividend at 41 per cent. far the half-year, it would amount to 654,9081. ; and if one-half per cent. more were added (or making the dividend at the rate of 5 per cent. for the half-year) the increase to be paid would be 72,776/., leaving a rest remaining of 3,403,1561.. He (the hon. proprietor) would not on any account touch the capital of the Bank which stood at 14,553,0001., or the value of the buildings, &c., which was 4,047,0001., together 18,600,0001., to increase a dividend, but he would contend that, out of the present rest in hand the dividend to be declared should he 5 not 41 per cent., fee the belt-year, as in this way the life and the reversionary interests would be protected. He concluded by moving as an amendment that au addition of one-half per cent. be made to the amount of the dividend, which would raise the annual dividend to 10 per cent. Mr. De WINTON, in seconding the amendment, said that in his opinion the amount of the dividend ought to be in creased. It appeared that, after the payment of the dividend and the bonus that was declared at the laatcourt, the rest amounted to 3,300,0001._, or as stated by the governor to 3,390,0001. Deducting 5 per cent. dividend from that sum there would still be a rest amounting to 3,120,5001 , to which might be added the revenue accruing between that time and the sth of April, which taken at 100,0001. would leave a rest of 3,350,000/. He therefor. hinted, con sidering the very great losses which had been austsined in consequence of the late panic, and which he attributed • eetirely to the course that was then adopted by the court of directors—(hear, hear)—he could prove by figures that it was attributable to them—that the dividend should be in creased to the extent proposed by Mr. Fielder. They never had been in a better position to pay a dividend of 5 per cent. than they were at that moment. He therefore thought that ' the dividend ought to he 5 per cent., if such a dividend could be declared without trespassing on the reserved fund. Mr. CLAIMS said he rcee to oppose the amendment ; and be did so not because he did not most folly recognise the principle that the proprietors ought to have the beuefit of a division among them of as much of the profits of the establishment as could con veniently be given !el them, but because he considered that they were placed in very peculiar circumstances. The whole continent of Europe was convulsed from one end to the other, and no one could foresee in what chaotic state the financial affairs of Europe might yet be placed ; and, with such facts staring them in the face, he thought it would be most unwise to make any increase in their dividend beyond what was truly safe. He would rather, if there was any thing to spare, that it should be added to the amount of the rest. Although the present prospect of affairs abroad indi cated the approach of a financial crisis, he was glad that this country was in a favourable position. In conse quence of the numerous failures that had recently taken place, every mercantile homes had been compelled to con tract their engagements, with a view to their being faithfully and honourably met; and it was in consequence of this course having . been pursued that England stood on a firmer baste than elm. (Hear, hear.) He considered it to be the duty of the court of directors not to increase the dividend at the present moment, and that • dividend of four-and-a-half per Cali was a satisfactory one, and ought to be si considered by the proprietors. It was very it convenient to argue prospectively upon matters which were not before the court. He would, therefore, support the original motion. Mr. Coon hoped the court would not adopt the too corn- Men principle of showing all their goods in the window, and LINCOLN ELECTION. The contest at Lincoln has terminated in the return of the liberal candidate. At the close of the poll the numbers were. Mobhouse 554 Hurafrey Majority for the liberal THE PEACE OF EUROPE AND THE COMMERCE OF ENGLAND. (From the Economist.) While the whole world are amazed at the political transactions which have taken place in France during the past month, the commerce of England, always sensitive of whatever throws doubt, uncertainty, or a want of confidence over the future, has received a sudden shock. On Tuesday —that being the chief weekly market day—Manchester ex hibited a scene of great consternation. At this season of the year, the great northern continental markets being closed, from the state of the weather—our Indian markets being much depressed, owing to the great calamities which have recently interrupted our transactions in that quarter —the recent symptoms of a panic and crisis in the United States having imposed additional cau Lion on the operations to that market—Southern Europe, Greece, Turkey, and the Levant have recently been the chief and most active sources of demand for our manufactures. But, on Tuesday, orders which had been given for those countries were countermanded or materially curtailed, and those which had been more recently received, parties declined to " give out." The monthly circulars of the Manchester firms, which we quote in another part of this paper, give a graphic description of these serious conse quences. The truth is that we have now so long enjoyed a general peace, that the commercial relations between differ ent countries have partaken, through severe competition, of all the advantages which perfect certainty and confidence afford to • trade, in the reduction of profits and commissions to the lowest possible point. For many years all margin for unusual risks has vanished from this business ; and goods manufactured in Manchesterfreach the Mona, Syria, or Pales- tine, with as low a scale of charges attached . to them, transit alone excepted, an those which are furnished to any of our own inland towns. Intermediate dealers, and middle men, with good round profits, as shippers, have long ..ince disap peared; and all that is really paid between the manufacturer in England and the dealer in Turkey, is a well•earned corn. mission for careful selection and negotiating the payment. Such are the beneficial results of long•established peace—the people abroad are clothed more cheaply, our own people at home are employed more abundantly, in proportion to the extended demand created by low prices and such facilities as we have described. It has been under these circumstances that these markets , which but a few years since were of the most secondary character, have recently risen into great importance. The effects which new risks and uncertainties will produce upon our commercial interests generally, are worthy of close examination. Some take what we regard u a selfish sad short-sighted view of the case. In the actual disturbed condition of France, and the possibility of the same or tending to other European countries, they only see dis abled rivals, and a removal of some portion of the com petition which exists with them in transatlantic markets. They do not see them in the truer light of valuable customers and near neighbours, whose interests, in spite of hostile tariffs on the one hand, and enormous revenue duties on the other hand, are so intimately bound up with our own, that our interests must sympathise with whatever affects or injures theirs. By refemng to a table which we publish this day in a supplement, showing the distribution of some of the chief articles of our manufactures during 1847, it will be seen how very large a portion of them has been taken by continental countries. These tables, moreover, exhibit some very remarkable facts, when we consider them iu relation to prevailing impressions and prejudices. For example:—Our exports to the Hanseatic Towns clone (of coune for the trade of Germany) are about equal to our whole exports to the British possessions in the East Indies ; the farmer being 6,326,2101. and the latter 6,434,4561. Again, our exports to France alone are nearly the same as to the whole of our West India colonies and the Mauritius included ; the former being 2,715,9631. and the latter 2,815,8181. Our exports to Ho d exceed by nearly 300,0001. the entire amount of those to the whose British possessions of North America, the former being 3,576,4691. and the latter only 3,308,0591. Again, our exports to Italy and the Italian Islands, also exceed those to British North America; while Turkey is a larger customer by 300,0001. a-year than all the Bri tish possessions in Australia. But even these remarkable comparisons fall very short of conveying a fair and adequate idea of the real relative extent of these trades ; inasmuch as these exports consist entirely of British produce and manu factures, and include nearly the whole of our exports to our possessions abroad ; whereas, in addition to the exports here enumerated to the continent, we further export foreign pro duce of various kinds, consisting of indigo, sugar, coffee, and other articles, to a very large amount. A continuance of an unsettled state of affairs in France, therefore, hazards to this country a market for our manufac tures equal to that of all our sugar colonies together ; while any general disturbance of, or interruption to, the contiuen tal countries generally, endangers • trade to this country more than three times luau than that to all our colonies, and nearly double of that to the whole British possessions, including the territories of the East India Company. When these remarkable facts are considered, it is not • matter of surprise that an event which furnishes such grounds for apprehension u to the peace of Europe, should have produced so great an effect in the capital of our manufactur ing districts. At the same time, these facts cannot fail to show bow close an identity of interests prevails between this country and France, and Europe generally; end how ardently we should strive, even on the narrowest grounds of self-interest, in order to preserve the general peace ; and, above all, these facts show how false are the notions which those indulge who see our continental neighbours only as rivals, whose power of competition they would be glad to see weaksned. . . . . What is to happen, as the result of these great political changes, it would be idle to attempt to foretell. Bat what ever may occur, there are some important respects in which England is peculiarly circumstanced to avoid any severe loss, or even a sudden panic. The circumstances through which the country has passed during the last twelve months I .ave removed ail houses of doubtful credit, and the present extremely low prices at which all articles of importance are held, le the best security against any such sudden fall as would clinpromise the solvency of thae who are holders of such goods. If prices generally had been high at this moment, much more serious consequences might have been apprehended. Again—the great abundance of money and the low rate of interest, while, on the one hand, they will prevent our public securities falling very low, will continue to afford ample means for all legitimate business that can be undertnaen. But, above all things, it is the interest of this country that and order should be preserved in France and ia panne Europa. IRELAND. DUBLTN Mists 15. The announcement of Lord John Rtissell that cer tain parties in this country would be prosecuted, whe ther for sedition or treason does not appear, has ex cited great alarm. The meeting of the Irish Confe deration this evening will develop the feeling of the parties at whom the Premier has directed his shaft. Bluster will keep within the limits of prudence and safety, for the government reporter will attend, and pin the orator to his words. Caution will be charac teristic of the orators to-night. With the exception of the little university imeute rt e l ay, peace and order are still on the ascendant. Patrick's day will, doubtless, pass over without any unusual demonstration. That was partly resolved upon last night, at the committee of trades, on the suggestion of Smith O'Brien, and the day of rejoicing postponed to Monday. The scene of eloquence and patriotism is to be the Irish Spitalfields—the cele brated Liberty of Dublin, once the seat of manufac ture, now tie abode of unparalleled misery and des titution. The Lord Mayor, in pursuance of his declaration yesterday, attended at the City Assembly-hoase at 2 o'clock this afternoon, and proceeded to swear in special constables. Citizens of all classes, bumble and exalted ; and of all parties, whig, conversative, re peeler, and orenge tory, presented themselves and were indiscriminately sworn. The badge is a piece of white ribbon, on which is affixed the seal of the town clerk's department. Amongst those who first pre sented themselves were Messrs. Maurice and John O'Connell, the Hon. Cecil Lawless, M.P., Mr. Peirce Mahony, and the conservative members of the town council. Up to 5 o'clock about 400 persons had pre sented themselves and been sworn in, and the court will remain open during the evening and to-morrow for the same purpose. The Mail states on authority that the disposable force at present in Dublin, including all arms, exceeds 10,000 men. The high sheriff of Roscommon has convened a meeting of his bailiwick for the 20th, to petition par liament against the continuance of the poor-law. The address to the Lord-Lieutenant, which lies at the Chamber of Commerce, health s the Duke of Lein ster, bears the names of Lords Donoughmore. I; ingal, Glengal, and Suirdale. Independently of the city declaration, which has received thousands of signatures of the principal citizens of all creeds and parties, the following decla ration is now in course of signature throughout the entire kingdom: We, the und, rnigned, under the date of slam and is agitation which surround us, reel bound to declare our tin alterable attachment to our sovereign, and to the institutions over which she presides, as well as our determination to support his excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Inland in his efforts to protect the live., the liberties, and the fortunes of all classes • and we respectfully and earnestly invite all our fellow-subjects to join in this declaration of constitutional loyalty, es the test means for protecting us all from the dan gerous efforts now making by a few misguided persons to create confusion, and thereby to endanger the peace of our common country. Mn. JOHN O . CONNELL. — The boo. member for Limerick has 611111,1 another address, counselling the repealer, to re frain from violence, outrage, or breach of the peace, on Friday, and to abstain from marching in procession also, The following is the document : To env P.UYLL or Matt:.—Mardi 14, 1648.—Pellow citizens: The wanly of Dublin will bold meetings upon St. Patrick's Day, to petition for the immediate repeal of the disastrous and ruinous lei's. hart %Mien, and redoration of our native prliamenL We ask of you to give your assistance, each in hie own ward. to this constitutional movement, and we earnestly exhort you to abstain from all pro:amino', in order that there shall be no chance of the occurrence of anything to prevent the good and peaceful irate of those meting,. Thus will you assuredly hams the fell hopes of emus secret euemies—earn the gratitude of your reel friends; and bring a teeming on our cause. Monday's Proceedings at the IttroPli Association will prove to you that von are certain-4f you but continue in your admirabk course of strictly peaceful agitation—of baring the accession to the came of Ireland of Irishmen of rank, station, and high and deserved influence in the land. Peace then—good order. -no processional—so gaga, Oa ban ner., nor emblems of any kuld! No chance to be given to the one. micro of the people of Ireland :! and thus hurrah for the repeal : : June WCO/01141.1, Chairman of the Committee.--Corm Exchange. Llrd Lorton, a nobleman of the pure old tory schosal, bas addressed his tenantry on the pr. sent state of events as follows: To THE TUANTRT UPON THE. BOTIS AND ROCKINOHAEI E,TATEN.— My friends and tenants, *Well I shall continue to cull you, though certainly not satisfied with the conduct of all; however, it is my hay to act at a kind landlord, which none of you can prove to the contrary, during a spew of nearly half a century; but upon this no more shrill be said. My object now is, to call upon you, in coneequenoe of having heard within there few hours, that placards have been punted up in Boyle, of a most seditious nature, which, if attended to, will bring die most awful calamities upon yourselves and families. Ton are to be invited to assemble on St. Patrick's day, I understand, toe the purpose of being informed of the cruelties, dc., you have expo. rienced from our government and England, bat whose conduct and charity, on the contrary, have been the admiration of all Eta tish em s during the heavy calamities It bas plowed the Almighty to In t Zu s ar t e l tertt a gr de:l nd reil b t ' o ni lt ted P SI at the glorious H roju ri ct of France . a foreign country that we hare no right to interfere wash as regard her government, or dealings with her people : and you may depend upon it her riders will he very Play of entering into any disputes with En land, whore immense power ehe Is well acquainted with, and which hes been no wonderfully increased by the &sweety of working ships by steam, the benefit of which our poor etarriag people bare re fully ex .erienced, by the tratudnimion of provisions to Ireland upon macrol necesionx, and more pat ticularly for the last year; but which power, in the event of a war, will prove a moat tremendous weapon in the hand. of England , t hough the gasoonading deruarroguee, by whom no much mischief is plotting, nigh you to believe would add considerably to the power of France. The fact, however, Ls, that there is 'camel' , a steamer among the few she baa, which la not obliged to have an Vnglish engineer, who 01 once would leave their serving on any appearance of war. There would be no difficulty In writing ten times more and stronger upon this subject, but I hope enough has been brought forward to induce you to remain in your own houses upon the forthcoming anniversary of the great tutelar!' mint, and, therefore shall now conclude with remaining your sincere frien.l and • landlord, Luaron.—Rockingbiten, March 13, ISO. SCOT LAND. EDINBURGH. MARCH 15. The special constables met last night, when the sheriff explained that in future each polling district would be expected to furnish from a hundred to two hundred constables, who would be drilled and fur nished with batons and hedged. The proposition was well received, and will be gone into immediately. The only drawback to it is the limiting of the range of selection to householders or their sons, which will partially exclude the noble army of clerks, shopmen, &c., who are neither householders nor the sons of householders. . . - . The town council, by a majority of 20 to 7, have resolved not to fill up the vacant chair of Hebrew. The majority are in hopes that a University test bill may enable them to present a dissenter, but if the Lord Advocate's former bill be adopted as a model for the expected measure this will not be the case. The exaggerated telegraphic communications re garding the riots in Edinburgh and Glasgow have not been without commercial inconvenience. One instance occurred in the ease of a Leith steamer, which was to receive consignments from Hamburg to the two places in question, but the telegraphic intelli gence having been conveyed before the Failing of the vessel, she was despatched almost empty—the Ilam burg exporters being frightened at sending goods to places in a state of tumult. SHIPWRICK OF A WHALER.—The whale-trader Hanni bal, of Peterhead, wu lost on the shores of Norway, en the lit February, and all on board drowned, with the excep tion of one of the crew, who Inched himself to the mizen mast, and there remained five days without food or drink. The ill-fated ship wu in the latitude of the Orkneys on the 31st of January, and on the day following, during a *rumen. dolts sea, the crew, fifteen in number, and five Germans, whom they had picked off a wreck, were all washed off and lost. The Germans belonged to the Lydia, of Embden, sad were picked up in the North Sea to suffer another and fatal shipwreck. PROVINCIAL. LANCAMIUM. IRISH PROCESSIONS AT LIT ERPOOL.—The following notice wee issued yesterday afternooa by the worshipful the Mayor of Liverpool "Sessions House, March 16, 1848. The mayor and magistrates are in possession of information which induces them to call on all persons not already sworn as special constables to attend at the Session-house this day, as early as convenient. Two magistrates will be in constant attendance at the Sessions-house, for the purpose of administering the necessary oaths. Thomas B. Horstall, mayor." We are sorry to hear that it is more than probable that there will be • breach of the peace here to-day (St. Patrick Day), on the occasion of the Irishmen walking in procession. We understand that General Sir Wm. Wares, the commander of the forces in this district, has been called to town, and that the body of pensioners have had orders to be under arms at an early hour in the morning. THE UNUSUAL PREPARATIONS MAKING IN MAN. CRISTIR by the Irish and chartists for the celebration of St. Patrick's day has alarmed the catholic clergy, as well as the authorities, lest there should be an outbreak, and the ea, tholic clergy of Manchester put forth • public address yes terday. warning their flocks against participating in any acts of an illegal and immoral tendency. The bill is signed by 13 priests resident in Manchester, 2 in Salford, and 1 in Barton. I The military force in Manchester is 1,000 strong, and there axe 800 police ; and about 3,009 merchants, tradcao.tn, and I others have been sworn in as special coortablee. CHURCH REFORM IN MANcaesTeit.--Yesterday a meeting of the Association for Promoting • Reform of the Ecclesiastical Provisions for the perish of Manchester, wag held at the Town-ball, being the annual meeting of the body. Mr. R. Birley, manufacturer, presided; and from the report read, end the addresses of the various speakers, it appear. that the association is collecting information as to all the eir eurestances connected with the present ecelesiutical condition and revenues of the parish (very difficult to be got at), before they submit any definite scheme of reform. Their information, ea far, however. appears to lead to the strong condemnation by the association of the present system of the whole I revenues of populous punches going to clergy who refuse to do the work, whilst what are called the district clergy (or the pastors of churches built by private reliscription), who do all the work, live npon en inadequate and precarious in come. The opinions of Dr. Hooke and Dr. in I favour of the subdivion of such parishes and their revenues, were quoted, and met with approval; and the example of the rector of Warwick, who, with the assistance of Lord Stanley, divided his parish into three parts, and gave up two-thirds of his income to the new churches, was parts rolarly applauded.—An opinion was expressed by the Chair man that the church-rates of a large parish like that of Manchester ought not to be retained for the repair of the pariah church alone, but ought to be divided with the dia • trict churches. Regret was expressed that the church wardens had held out a threat to enforce the payment of church-rates in Manchester, where for many years a com promise has existed with the dissenters, making the pay ment optional ; and it was stated, as another matter for re gret, that whilst the parishioners repaired and took great pride in the preservation of the nave of the cathedral church, for which only they were responsible, the chapter, although deriving a large revenue from the parish (for whisk they denied their liability to do duty), out of penuriousnem, were suffering the beautiful choir of the edifice to go to decay.