The Express. — London, England, 1848-01-22 00:00:00

the increased competition of other sugars; and with the augmented power to meet com petition on more equal terms which this fact indi cates, the productive power of the colonies has also increased. Both in 1845 and 1846 the quantity of West Indian sugar imported was lees than the quan tity consumed. Each succeeding year saw a diminu tion of the stocks in hand. In 1847, notwithstanding a large increase in the quantity consumed, there wee still left a considerable artionat of the year's importa tion to replenish the stocks on hand, which had been reduced more than prudence warranted. In spite of the severe pressure which the sugar-traders have ex perienced in common with every other class among us, the experience of the first year and a half of de creased and decreasing differential duties upon sugar vrarrants the most sanguine expectation that free trade, though a rough medicine, will ultimately prove BS wholesome to our suga r colonies as to all the rest of the community. And not only is the balance of argument against the advocates of an increased differential duty on foreign sagars,but the balance of parties in parliament --a consideration hitherto too exclusively looked to by the West India leaders—is also against them. The mere politicians in parliament they know are indif ferent to them; the lea nin g s of the whig party are avowedly in favour of free trade; the conservatives have repeatedly plated fast and loose with the West Indians, and deliberately thrown them overboard when anything was to be gained b y it; and, what is of more consequence. the friendship or hostility of the West India interest in parliament is a matter of much less importance to a political party than it used to be. The great manufacturing interests of the country — necessarily earnest advocates of free trade—are on the eve of becoming, if they have not al ready become, a more formidable phalanx than the West Indians. This new element of parliamentary power is the only one which approximates to the agricultural in its natural and necessary connexion vast. the soil. Th. junta position of coal and ore throughout the region of our iron manufactures roots that trade in the soil. The presence of coal required for the generation of steam prescribes quite as impe ratively the local residence of the textile mannfac-1 hires, cotton and woollen, and scarcely in a less de gree of the glass and eu rthenware. The growth of our staple manufactures is the consequence not merely of our favourable insular position for distribu tion, but of the natural products of the land. That direction of industry is as natural and spontaneous as agriculture, and likely to be as permanent. Our great manufacturers are as well calculated to be an endur ing political power as our great landowners; while the West Indians are a mere sub-section, as the case may be, of the landed or monetary interests. And under the auspices of the Reform Act this new power has found its way into parliament, and even into the ministry. Not only is the representation of great marts like Manchester and Birmingham, and of the minor boroughs linked in business connexions with them, in the hands of this interest, it has ruffled with the landlords for county Beata, and beaten them both in Lancashire and Yorkshire; and more than one gentleman now in office owes his place to the support of this interest. The new secti of the House of Commons of which COBDEN, SMITH (JonN BENJA MIN), WILSON, WALMSLEY, JACKSON, &C., may be taken as samples, is independent of any of the old parties—has views and objects of its own—and as soon as it acquires habits of co-operation and concert will be courted as much or even more than the West Indian. There is but one safe course of policy for the West Indians, and that is, frankly and at once to identify themselves with the interests of the great public. And the way to do this is by acquiescing without fur ther struggle in the system of free trade, claiming in return the removal of all impediments to the immi• ration of free labourers of tropical race into our sugar colonies, the abolition of the navigation laws, the equalisation of all duties on corresponding pro ducts of the mother country and the colonies, and any other reform that may be required to place these out lying portions of the empire on a footing of entire equality with the central islands. THE Manchester Chamber of Commerce has spoken out wihely and in good time against the infatuated notion of re-imposing the duties on imported grain. It is to be hoped that the example thus set will be followed throughout the trading and manufacturing districts. The arrangement by which the duties on corn were to be gradually abolished within a term of three years was accepted by the free-traders merely to escape dis union in their own camp. No person, either agricul turist or trader whose opinion was worth anything, expected any benefit from it—except, perhaps, the prevention of panic in peculiarly ignorant quarters. But as it enabled Sir HOBERT PEEL to disarm opposi tion in certain quarters, the three years delay was acquiesced in. But what earthly purpose can be served by renew ing the duty in next March, it is impossible to conjec ture. It would only give the agriculturists oat year more of their cherished protection. It would renew this protection to them just at a time when experience might have shown them that it is not required. Many years have elapsed since the farmers and land owners have been in such comfortable circumstances as during the time that corn has been imported at a minimum rate of duty or duty free. The very high prices realised for corn in 1846, and during the first six months of 1817, have afforded them more than a compensation for the deficient harvest of 1846. It is notorious that there is more money circulating in the agricultural parts of the kingdom than formerly, ee l the bankers of the manufacturing districts felt, to their lots, when money was scarce. The agriculturists do not need to have the duties on grain reimposed; and the manufacturers and mer chants who bore the brunt of the late crisis would be materially injured by such a step. There has been of late an increase in the exports of some of our manufac tures in return for imported grain; this revival of depressed trade might be checked by the re-imposi tion of the duties. Again, under the apprehension that they are to be re-imposed in March, speculative entries of grain are already being made to escape the duty. This movement may precipitate a renewal of the drain of bullion, or lead to losses that may involve us in another crisis. By re-establishing the sus pended corn-law for one brief year, no good can be done to the agricultural classes; but wide-spread misery may be entailed upon all classes connected with manufactures. In connexion with the meeting of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce we may be allowed to offer one remark concerning ourselves. Our readers would learn from our yesterday's report - of the proceedings that our correspondent in Manchester was compelled, by the indifference of the reformers there, and the professional jealousy of a favoured local newspaper, to make a public application for a copy of the cham ber's petition. We are duly tensible of the readiness and frankness with which the request was complied with on the present occasion ; but there was much meaning in our correspondent's remark, that " lie had been compelled to make the application before the president left the chair, well knowing that, as on former occasions, while gentlemen were putting on their hats, and in the confusion which ge nerally ensued upon the breaking-up of a numerous meeting, the documents might be taken away, and he might be deprived of their use." The Daily News bas all along been the earnest and uncompromising advocate of free-trade. As our correspondent told the meeting, we enjoy in Manchester a circulation un precedented for a daily paper. Not only do we offer the liberals of Manchester a sympathising medium for giving publicity to their views and wishes; we are engaged in a struggle which, if ulnassuccessfl we do not doubt it will be), will insure them ( far as mere publication is concerned) the services of all our rivals and competitors on the same moderate terms, by compelling them to descend to our scale of prices. Our cause is more their cause than our own, and the indifference to our succeos or failure betrayed by the members of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the par ties who petitioned for the removal of Jewish dis abilities, bears slender testimony of the zeal by which they are animated for the promotion of liberal and national measures, or the intelligence with which they apprehend the means of promoting such objects. We cannot expect that all our correspondents are to display the same harm and generous regard for the interests of his employers—the same promptitude and manly courage—as enabled Mr. STOKES to assert our rights on this occasion. A CASE which was tried the other day in the Glou cester County Court, throws a curious laght, not upon the law, but on the internal military organisation of the country. Mr. GIANTLEY BERKELEY is, as all the world knows, captain of the Berkeley troop of Yeo manry Cavalry , . In the course of the great BERKELEY feud, the number s of the troop fell off, in coniequence, as the aggrieved captain alleges, of the interference of the constitutional bead of the military force of the county. It naturally became a point of honour with the party opposed to tho lord lieutenant to coun teract his exertions by filling up the vacant ranks; and an active redeem of Mr. GRANTLE Y BERKELEY incurred oonsi able liabilities for horse Ore, accou trements, and other expenses connected with this purpose. The captain encouraged the efforts of his friend, and failing in an attempt to procure him a commission in the regiment, rewarded him to the ex tent of his own limited patronage by raising him to the rank of sergeant. Afterwards, however, as toe often happens to those who fish in the troub led water,' of Berkeley, the captain and the sergeant differed. The non-commis sioned officer and his friends considered that his ser vices to the cause of national defences in Gloucester shire entitled him to public acknowledgment and reward; while his superior, whether suspicious of a rival in popularity, or zealous for the rigour of mili tary discipline, positively opposed his acceptance of a testimonial. It is hardly necessary to say that any opposition to the pretensions of a candidate for public testimonials is certain to increase the zeal of his friends. The insubordinate warrior was presented with a sword, symbolical no doubt of his exploits against the lord lieutenant and the captain, and an occasion was selected for the delivery of the gift, which was known to be specially obnoxious to Mr. GRANTLEY BERKELEY. The quarrel, of course, g rew and spread ; and in t he progress of it the sergeant brought an action against the captain for a part of the expenses which he had incurred in in creasing the force of his troop. After a lengthened trial the jury found a verdict for the defendant, which seems to have been well warranted by the evidence. ' No point of low was in issue, nor any fact the authority, if any, given by the defendant to the plai n-p tiff to expend money on his behalf. In itself, therefore, the trial requires no special notice ; but it is really worth while to observe the ludicrous state of organisation which it discloses in the yeomanry establishment. If this force was, like the royal archers of Scotland, a mere club, autho rised on certain occasions of parade to wear a uniform in public, the organisation and internal arrange ments of the body would be of little consequence. But it must be remembered that the yeomanry is armed, and, to a certain extent, disciplined, and that, in case of need, it might be called upon for actual and important service. If a domestic force is to be maintained for the protection of the country, it is evident that a portion of it ought to con sist of cavalry ; and there can be no doubt that it is by the agricultural districts that horses and horsemen will be most cheaply and efficiently supplied. This is the only part of western Europe in which civilians know how to ride. Every former and farmer's son, and for the most part every tradesman in villages and small country towns, knows how to sit on a horse, and, if necessary, how to groom him. If Lord FIT,: lIARDINGE does nothing che for the yeomanry, his hounds provide them with the best possible school 1 for riding. A hunting country is as much a school for cavalry, as a fishing town fur the supply of the navy. Moreover, the farmers who fill the ranks of the yeomanry, not only can ride horses, but have horses to ride. It would be impossible to find horses at the public expense for a regiment which is only called out for exercise for a mouth or a week in the year. Whenever a militia artillery force is set on foot it will be almost neces sarily confined to the towns, from tho opportunities which they will afford for frequent practice. The in fantry, if a large militia force should become neces sary, must be drawn from all parts of the country, in proportion to the population ; but the cavalry will continue, from every reason of economy and conve nience, to be supplied by the rural dist:ids. lf, however, the yeomanry regimen s are to form anything more than an armed club, .-eme material change must be introduced into their administration. The charges which have been made with respect to the BERKELEY troop of the Gloucestershire yeomanry are nearly as conclusive on the demerits of the existing system as if they had been proved. The fact of their having been made shows, that they might possibly have been well founded; while the circum stance of their not occasioning the ii.terposition of any authority to examine and adjudicate upon them proves that if such proceedings take place, they are secure of perfect impunity. And let it be considered what these charges are. The lord-lieutenant who disposes of the patron age of the local military forces, and w;io, to the ex tent of his power, is responsible to the crown for their efficiency, is alleged, truly or falsely, to have interfered to weaken and disorganise a portion of the regiment, which he is bound to maintain in its effi ciency, for the purpose of injuring anc annoying an officer against whom he bad family and political grounds of enmity. The only excuse for passing over such a charge without notice must be that it is brought on insufficient authority, and that there is, therefore, no prinui facie ground for believing it to be true. But on this assumption, unless all the laws which govern military bodies elsewhere aro to be reversed in the case of the yeomanry, it is impossible to understand how Mr. GRANTLEY BERKELEY is allowed to retain his commis sion. If the charge which he has repeatedly made is not borne out by the facts, he has committed a grave military offence, as well as a moral crime. The proceedings of the sergeant show an equally happy state of discipline. He seems to have caused a su bs cription to be got up in his own honour for ser vices rendered to his troop, and to have gratified his hostility to his captain by causing the presentation of the testimonial to be made in the manner most offen sive to him. It is possible that in this case also the circumstances may have been incorrectly stated ; but no one can deny that they are such as may have hap pened under the present mode of local military ad ministration. We have not the smallest desire to see a court-martial held on the rebellious sergeant ; but it would be desirable to know whether there is any remedy for more serious cases of insubordination and irregularity. ,• The fact that every person concerned in them bolls his position without inquiry, is equivalent, for the purpose of considering the system, to an admission that all the statements are true as against the accused and false on the part of the accusers. A functionary holds an office in which he has been accused of a grave misfeasance, while hie accuser also retains his subordinate rank. The only explanation of the anomaly is the reason which, in fact, accounts for it. The organisation of the yeomanry is considered too in significant a question to excite public interest or offi cial interference. It has always been a source of petty patronage to the lord lieutenant, and of occasional parade and conviviality for the officers and members of the corps ; but it is not fitting that any armed body should exist in England with a practical exemption from control and superintendence. There is no occa sion to introduce into the yeomanry the strictness of a regiment of the line, nor to require from a lord lieute nant the regularity and punctilio of a general officer: but the highest functionary in the county may rea sonably be expected at least to abstain from thinning the ranks of a force over which he has influence ; and some rules of service may be advantageously observed even by occasional soldiers when they are allowed to wear the QUEEN'S uniform. It is very possible that a complete re organisation may be necessary before the yeo manry bodies can be placed on a proper foot ing; but in the meantime we cannot see why some additional attention might not be bestowed on the working of the present system. A power of ' supervision might be given to some military autho rity, such as the commander of the forces in the dis trict, in addition to the duty of occasionally parading and inspecting the forces. If the establishment is too insignificant to require system and superintendence, it would be much better to do away with it altogether. But it. is not impossible that its services might be ac tually called for ; and it is worth while to consider what would be the effect of an appeal by the head of the Gloucestershire magistrates for the assistance, in case of need, of the Berkeley troop of yeo manry. The captain would oppose the lord-heutenant, and excuse himself in case of failure, by the alleged hostility of his chief. The soldiers would probably take opposite parts in the quarrel, and any misadventure would be welcomed by a portion of the body as an additional ground of charge against their opponents. It is however more against the scandal, than against any pressing danger, that we wish to guard. The commission of the crown should not THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 22, 1848. ---- is any case form the 'abject or tha occasioa of local squabbles and intriguer. A Yowl intolerable system of oppression and misery is not easily to be found than in the existing state of society produced at Sierra Leone by the present worm than useless means now in operation on the western coast of Africa for the suppression of the slave trade. Wearied as the public mind is with the sickening details of life and public property, sacrificed to little if any purpose, in the well-meant attempts to stop an abominable traffic; not one half of the wretched fruits of this unphilanthropic preventive service has been brought to light. Full well do the intelligent traders and officials at Sierra Leone know this ; and did they dare to utter the honest truth they would ro i ax .ressmat,hneoir lesseontteiminpnt social, d ia tis e g v us il t o a w t h t i h n e h n are iora no l and nti n. a ly exposing the utter fallacy of our present plan of trying to do away with it. It is not, simply, and exclusively, in the loss of life and property, and this, heaven knows, is bad enough that we discover the worst abuse of ineffec tual means, more ineffectually carried out. It is not merely because in such a service so many are immo lated at the shrine of that sympathy which originates in the exaggerations of noisy eloquence. To talk about and argue the question in the quiet retirement of the closet; to write on its merits and demerits, thousands of miles from the pestilential shores, where alone the mischief of its progress can be truly sten, is very easy ; and Jour.' Butt. will greedily swallow the composing potion, just as' his stomach is inclined. But it is on the spot that its worst feature is to be detected in the limn lions and sensual indulgences, and the petty trickery 1 of office, to which the very nature and character of the service in such a climate yield so ready and fatal opportunities. One hundred and three slave vessels, captured and brought into Sierra Leone in little more than a twelvemonth, averaging at least from 1,000 to 1,500 victims. tell a sad tale against the decrease of the slave trade. Not to speak here, therefore, of the de cline, proportionate, on a decreasing scale, of the slave trade, to the means used to suppress it, we would ask, What aro the advantages to the liberated P Cedes, not a good exchange. Now, dating from the timo of their happy arrival at Free Town—the metropolis of Sierra Leone—let us take a glance at I their improved condition, their ',teflon' fats! Off they are sent to a place set apart for their reception, close adjoining the colonial gaol, called the Africa* I yard. Here they are deposited , speciously, with great regard to the rules of morality ; for the women are in one department, the men in another, with a wall between them; but the habits of the place require something more coercive and preventive than a few bricks and an easy superintendent to preserve the inmates from the indulgencies of corruption! No sooner are they safely Loused than with sa intuitive quickness peculiar to the followers GC the profession, and, of coarse, ermine roam-1 dicente, an officer, commissioned or non-com missioned, hurries down from the barracks. A tolerable batch of these captured slaves, the finest and most promising of the men, having been exa mined as to their corporeal qualifications, are picked out for military service. They are not asked for their " yes," or " no," because it would be vain to put such a question to people ignorant of every thing around them ; and be it remembered the said yard is kept particularly private, and not accessible without authority. They are, is short, MADE soldiers; the articles of war may be read to them; their meaning, if it is explained, ; tie hard to say ; and a red coat and musket are the exchange they undergo for I3razilian servitude! The bullying and injustice, to which these miserable wretches are often subject from young and intemperate officers set over them would provoke the commiseration of even the Iron l)uke! The ingenuity of l'ity has devised for others a dif ferent mode of relief from slavery. Some are :este: to labour pro bona public°, and " remise mutate " an overseer marches them to and from their qualified confinement to the scene of their labours, which are not of the lightest description. The appetites of these poor creatures, naturally voracious, by this I wholesome and profitable occupation, are, we presume, sharpened to a high pitch of gastric irritation ; and to work they go at the rice, and what Inside is given them: 'tis hard to say, be it little or much. However, sometimes hundreds of these prisoners of hope thus live and feed for weeks at government expense. Those who are on terms with the " powers that be," and are not scrupulous in flattering princes, obtain at prime coat the ser vices of such as are not let loose in the colony under the convenient cognomen of appren tices. Nor is any facility wanting to favour the gratification of those passions by the sa crifice of many of these hapless victims to un blushing sensuality, to satisfy which numbers of them are often undisguisedly sacrificed. As for those who emigrate, they are but few in num ber, and still fewer in inclination. And it is no wonder that efforts to induce them should prove so comparatively unavailing, and the system, itself a wise and good one, if properly employed and worked, be unpopular amongst the thinking portion of the community in the colony, when the measures to effect 't are so faulty. Übe Court. WINDSOR, FRIDAY.—The Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Whewell took their departure from the Castle to-day. The royal dinner party at the Castle this evening will include the Duchess of Kent, the Earl sad Countess Cowper, the Earl of Liverpool, the lady in waiting of the Duchess of Kent, the Baroness de Speth, Sir George Co o per, and C o l. and Mn. Bouverie. - - A cabinet council was held at one o'clock yesterday afternoon, at the Foreign-office. The ministers present were the Marquis of Lansdowne, Sir George Grey, Viscount Palmerston, Earl Grey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Earl of Auckland, Sir John Llobhouse, the Hight Hon. H. Labouchere, Lord Campbell, the Marquis of Clanricarde, and the Right Hon. T. B. Macaulay. The council sat two hours and a half. Lord John Russell was prevented by indisposition from attending the council. His lordship remained yester day at his residence in Richmond-Park. Sir John Guest had an interview with Sir George pre yesterday, at the Home-office. The Earl of Zetland has consented to lay the foundation stone of she new docks at Sunderland, on which occasion there will be a splendid masonic display, from the noble earl being Grand Blaster of the fraternity. The noble earl and countess are expected in town from Yorkehise the second week in the ensuing month. (From lost night's Gazelle.) FOREIGN-OFFICE, JAN. 21.—The Queen hne been graciously pleased to appoint Walter Charles Metcalfe Plow den, Bog., to be liar Majesty's Consul in Abyssinia. 1 WARTOFFICE, Jan. 21. 3rd Drag. Gds.—See. Lieut. J. Winterbottom, from the Ceylon Rifle Reg. (riding master), to be cornet, by pur., vice William., app. to the 12th U. Drag. 14th Lt. Drags.--Cornet T. Barrett, to be lieut., by pur., vice Holder, who retires; 8. 0. Black, 'gent., to be cornet. by mar., vice Barrett. 29th Reg. of F.—Lieut. J. singleton, from the 64th F., to be lieut., vice Francis, app. to the 64th F. 31st F.—Capt. G. F. White, to be major, by pur., vice Itulkeley, who retires; Lieut. J. P. Robertson, to be rapt. , by per., vice While; E.C. J. O. Clwallield, to be Beat., by par., vice Robertron ; Floe. T. E. redder, from the 50th F., to be ens., vice &TIMM, who each. 44th le—LieeL W. F. Wyndowe, to be adj., vice Wheeler, who re. signs the Militancy only. 56th r.—.an. F. R. Bernard, from the 31st F., to be ens., vice Fel der, who enchanget. 64th Y.—Lieut. J. Canavan, to be rapt., without par., vice Jopp, dec.; Fos. R. Mockler, to be lieut., Tice Canavan; Lieut. H. Francis, from the 29th F., to be lieut., vies Singleton, anp. to tke 29th F. ; Gent. Cadet W. Ball, from the Royal Mil. College, to ho ears., vice Mockler. 6711 F.—Gent. Cadet W. 1.. Ingle., front the Royal Col., to be, ens., without par., vice Davy, who reigns. 76th F.—Lieut. W. C. Bancroft, from the 3rd West India Regt., to be lieut., vice Dudgeon, who exchanges. 80th F.—Em. A. Scheberras, to be lieut., by pur., vice Gordon, who ret. ; It. D. D. Cocky, gent., to be enc.., by par., vice Schelierrar. 86th F.—Cent. Cadet 11. E. Jerome, from the Royal Nit. Cell., to be ear., without par., vice Stuart, promoted. 3rd Went India Regt —Lieut. R. Dudgeon, from the 76th F., to be lieut., vice Bancroft, who exchanges. Ceylon stifle Rcgt.—G. C. 11. Waters, gent., to be sec. lieut., by par., vice Winterbottorn, app. to the 3rd Drag. Gds. STAM—Asoiat.-Sarg. J. H. Brummell, from 40th F., to be stafreurg, of the second clam. CONIOSPARIAT.—Deputy-Comenimary-Gen. F. E. Knowles to be commieriery-gen.; Commissariat Clerks: J. 11. Allinaon, It. B. B. Bower, H. Hanle, J. F. Rogers, H. F. Durnford, T. Strickland, C. T. %Velem, J. W. Woodley, It. 11. Smith, P. O. Julyan, to be deputy amist,commiesartetHgen. The commiseions of the mid commimariat officers to bear date 28th Dee. 1847. Eiterven IN Tan DAM= or JAN. 14, 1848.-22nd Y.—For Lieut. Y. U. 11. G. Williams, from 41st F., to be lieut., vice Hunt, who exch., read, Lieut. W. Couch, from tint 1., to be lieut.., vice Hunt, who ; exchanges and —For Lieut. W. Hunt, from the 22nd P., to be lieut., vice Williams. who each., read, vice (bock who exch. ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERY. — It is announced that the utronomers of Pulkova have ascertained the existence of a third satellite of the planet Uranus. Herschel, the dis coverer of this planet, thouitht to have perceived as many as six satellites revolving round the parent luminary : but astro nomers had only succeeded in determining the or ,it of two amongst them, and it may even be doubted whether a trace of the others had ever been discovered. The discovery of a satellite which only occupies 91 hours in effecting its revolt'. tion round Uranus confirms a remarkable fact—amongst the four planets nearest the sun, tke earth is the only one that whilst the most remote planets all poi possesses a satellite, sees several. INTRA-MURAL BtlittalA.--illikoday a meeting of the vestrymen of St. James% Wealininster, was held, the g o y. Jaw Jackson, D.D., rester, in the chair, in oom plianeemith a requisition signed by 860 rate-payers, to con sider fee propriety of peoning the legislature against j a burial', and on other besinesa—The rev. Chair • man ea that the subject was surrounded with difficulties, hat he was of opinion that the overcrowded churchyards should be eiceostl.—Mr. Churchwarden Gersten said that when he ,ermeirlegei erowded state of certain metropolitan bistalvonnos, he wu decidedly of opinion that govern ment was Woad is interfere, and protect the living against Wag brought in such cline contact with putrid and putrefying memo, which necessarily impregnated the barman ag atmosphere with a deadly poison. He therefore most willingly moved the adoption of a petition for the abolition of intramural burials. — Tim Hon. F. Byog, one of the sanitary commissioners, se conded the resolution, awl availed himself of the opportu nity to assure the vestry that the clergy were dt cidedly favour able to the suppression of burials in cities and towns.—Mr. ex-Cburchwarden Austen said that when he wen in oasis a portion of the churchyard wall wu forced out by the hemp of dead bodice that were raised up against it, to the height se several feet.—A Vestryman declared that the dead huried in the churchyard half hid his house, they were piled over each other so clue' up to it.—The motion was carried, and the Chairman, thi Hon. F. Byng, Messrs. Compare,' ' Beeson, and Austen, were appointed a committee to draw up the petition.—Mr. Gauen brought up a petition for the re peal of the window tax, which was laid in the vestry for sig natures; after which, and the disposal of some parochial business of no importance, the vestry broke up. MARINE SOClETY.—Yesterday a quarterly general court of the governors of this society was held at the room in 13ishougatestreet, when the chair was taken by Rear- Admiral Sir Charles Malcolm, who was supported by Major- General James Caulfeild, C. 8., Beer-Admiral Henry Hope, C. 8., Lord Henry Cholmoudeley, Ralph Ricardo, Esq., &c.— After a few prefatory observations from the gallant chair man, the Secretary reed the report, by which it Appeared that the number of boys admitted and apprenticed fi om the Ist of October to the 31st of December last was as follows : Boys remaining on board the society's ship the 30th 183;Sep ember, 1847, 96; admitted during the quarter, 84 ; total, 1 of which number there were sent to the royal navy, 31 ; ditto merchants' ureic°, 47 ; discharged, 3 ; dead, 2 ; on board the 31st December last, 100. The financial statement represented the total amount of receipts as 2,2331. 4s. 6d., including a small balance from the previous quarter, whilst the expenditure extended to 2.1401. de. 2d., which left a ba lance in kind of 921 19s. 4d. The report having been adopted, the anniversary dinner was filed to be held on the 22nd March next, and some other business having been dis posed of, the usual compliment was paid to the gallant chair man, and the court broke up. ASYLUM FOR IDIOTB.—The first election of this charity, which was instituted in October last, for the care and education of idiots, took place yesterday at the London T . The committee met shortly after eleven o'clock — Sir George Carroll in the chair—and opened the proceedings. The board announced that they . felt justified in electing ten of the applicants on that occasion, in consequence of the numerous cases of a dis:reuing character which bed arisen to notice. The elections would in future occur in April and October. Such candidates as might not succeed in the first instance would have credit given them for their amount of votes on the first and two succeeding elections, so that their friends would have the fullest encouragement. Person , ' be coming subscribers might vote immediately. The poll cloud' at two, when ten candidates were declared duly elected. , OMNIBUS TRAPPIC IN NEW YORK AND LONDON. — An American correspondent gays: " 1)o the purple of New York, or the dwellers upon Broadway themselves, know er imagine the amount of travel carried on by those heavy car riage.? I suspect not. On the '2oth day of October 1 had a count made of all the omnibuses and their passengers that passed the corner of Chambers-street, for ten hours—say from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. During that time 1,420 omnibuses, conveying 10,928 persons, passed ; being an average of one in 25t seconds, if regula rl y distanced from each other. I compute, that by estimating (or the five hours not counted, and for the changes of passengers during the route of each coach, • very moderate increase, no less than 18,000 persons must have ridden in the omeihwies traversing Broadway in whole or part above the Astor House." We are told that the average number of omnibuses passing the Adelphi Theatre in the Strand during the day is 2,2so.—Builder. DEATH OF MR. ISAAC 1)18n/tem.—To the author ship of England Isaac Disraeli and Benjamin Disraeli, his son, have been, in their respective walks of literature, ex tensive and distinguished contributory. The pure and honourable career of the former reached its close en Wednes day last. Be had attained the advanced age of 82 years ; and a few weeks ago was in the full possession of his usual Health, and in the complete enjoyment of his intellectual powers. The prevailing epidemic, however, suddenly as sailing a constitution enfeebled by age, soon assumed an ag gravated form, and at length this venerable gentleman sank under the attack. He was born at Enfield, in the month of May, 1766, and was the only child of Benjamin Disraeli, a Veuetisn merchant, who had been many years settled in this country. The death of Mr. Disraeli took place at his country seat, Bradenham-house, in Buckinghamshire ; and it may most truly be said, that few lives extending to upwards of b 0 years have been passed with lee' vicissitude. Mr. Disraeli was the author, in his youth, of several works of fiction, some of which, published anonymously, obtained considerable reputation. Among these the more remarkable was Mejnoun and Leila—the earliest Oriental story in our literature which was composed with any reference is the propriety . of costume. The author was, in this production, much assisted by Sir W. Ouseley, who first drew his atten tion to the riches of Persian poetry. The Rabelaisian ro mance of Flint k'lams and the novel of Vaurien, written in all the lord blaze of French conventions and corrc spending societies, have both, we believe with autho rity, been attributed to him. His acknowledged works were Lines on the Abuse of Satire, which appeared in the 59th volume of the Gentleman's Magazine; the Infence of Poetry (1791). In his 24th year, Mr. Disraeli published the first volume of the Curiosities of Literature, which was afterwards extended to s e veral volumes is/feed between the years 1817 and 1824. Other compendia of lite rary history and anecdote followed, viz. he Quarrels of Authors, Calamities of Authors, Illustration , of the Lite rary Character and Amenities of Literature. liis fame, however, chiefly rents on hie Commentaries on the Life of Charles 1., comprised in five volumes, published at intervals after 1828. For this great work Mr. Disraeli received the honorary degree of D.C.L. from the University of Oxford. He died a widower, having lost his wife, to whom he hail bee a united for more than forty years, in the spring of 1847. Ile has lett one daughter and three sons, the eldest of whom is the member for Buckinghamshire. AN APPROACHING COMET.—If we can give any credit to the opinion of cometographs, 1818 will have the advantage of witnessing the return of a large and beautiful comet, mentioned by historians and chroniclers of 1264, and which was observed in 1556 by Fabricius. It is known that in the month of March, 1556, a singularly brilliant comet was seen, equal in magnitude to a half mom. Its tail was rather short, it was not invariable in its lustre and its light, bore great resemblance to that of the flame of • candle tated by the wind. It terrified the Emperor Charles V., who, convinced that the moment of his death was approach ing, exclaimed, it is said, His err indiciis me mea fats vacant. "In this brilliant sign I read my approaching end." This panic contributed greatly, if we can believe the historians of the time, to the design formed by Charles, and which he put into execution a few months later, of abdicating in fa- TOUT of his brother Ferdinand. The famous Halley, the friend of Newton, determined the orbit of this comet, which it his been proved was similar to that followed by a beautiful comet which appeared in 1264. From thence it has been concluded that the comet of 15d6 was • retum of the comet of 1261 ; that this comet employed 02 years in accomplishing its revolu• tion round the sun, and thus it must re-appear in 1848. It now remains Lobe seen, whether the comet will conform to human previsions or deceive them ; whether the appearances of identity be a delusion, or the expression of a reality. At all events i it is fitting attention should be excited to an event which, if t bo realised, would be of very great astronomical importance. DUTY AND OLORY.—The Duke of Wellington, being asked if he had seen a French criticism on the fourteen volume• of his Despatches, replied in the negative, and in quired, " What do the French say of them ?" He was told that the reviewer remarked the word glory did not once occur, but that duty frequently did.—D'Aubigny's Ger many, England, and Scotland. SINGULAR FlRE.—Yesterday afternoon a fire of a very angular character occurred in Fleet-street. One of Messrs. Spalding's vans, containing upwards of 40 reams of paper, was returning from Dowgate-wharf in Thames-street, to their warehonses in Drury-lane, and while passing the Sunday Times o ffi ce smoke was ob served to issue from the interior of the van. Upon a search being made it was dis covered that the paper, which consisted of what is technically termed " news," had caught fire by some means or other which could not be divined, and before the fire could be subdued upwards of 20 reams were unfortunately destroyed. SIIIP ON FIRE.—The Viceroy steamer, on her voyage from Glasgow to Dublin, on Tuesday night, took fire, and hefore its suppression, her two cabins were nearly de groped. She succeeded in getting into Loch Ryan, and it was not until four hours after the fire was extinguished. The Viceroy is insured for 16,0001., and has been one of the finest and fastest vessels engaged in the Irish trade. ATTEMI-TED MURDElL—Yesterday morning, __a de liberate attempt to murder an aged woman, named Wilke, . was made by a man named George Mason, a coach painter, who has absconded. Mrs. Wilke resides in a small tenement in Norman's-huildings, Cannon-street-road, St. George's-in the-East, with her daughter, who is the mother of one child, and had been keeping comp an y with Mason, who wiiheil her to leave her parent and live with him. At the instigation of her mother she refused, and Mason repeatedly threatened the most deadly revenge against Mrs. Wilks and her daugh ter. Those menaces were ili4regarded, and at 1 o'clock yes terday morning the inhabitants of Norman's-buildings were alarmed by cries of murder, proceeding from the house inhabited by Mrs. Wilke. It was some time before any one wcut to her a s 4stance, when, upon entering a room up-stairs she was found stretched on her bed weltering in her hived, which proceeded from a deep wound on her throat, and cuts on her arms and hands, while by her side was a little girl three years of age, who in the greatest terror was clinging to , 1 her grandmother. The house was soon filled with police constables, and no time was lost in sending fur the nearest surgeon. Mr. Broadwatcr, a medical practitioner, who resides in Cannon-street, adjoining the railway arch, was soon in attendance, end ascertained that the woman had received eleven wounds, of which the chief was on the right side of the throat. It appeared that Mrs. Wilks had received the wounds on her hands and arms while they were uplifted, and in protecting her grandchild, whom the man attempted to stab. The injured woman was conveyed at her own request to the residence of her son, No. 26, Little Turner-street, Commercial-road, where she remains with very little hopes of recovery. She stated to the police that she was just dosing off to sleep when she heard a man in the room, and et the same instant received • stab upon her arm. Slut was raising herself up in bed, and distinctly,' saw Mason before her, with a knife in his hand, hand, and he repeated the blow. and cut her *cross the hand. She called out murder, and her grandchild *creamed and clung to her. She was afraid that Mason would kill her daughter's child, and covered it with the bedclothes. Mason continued stabbing at her till As became insensible. In spector Forbes, of the H division, as soon as he heard of the occurrence, placed constables in charge of the house, and despatched two con stables in pursuit of Mason, and it is believed it will not be many hours before he is in custody. In the course of the day the officers ascertained that Mason had milled it his own lodgings, 9, Felizatreet, Hackney road, at an early hour yesterday morning, and after cbangiag his coat went out again. The coat he left behind him was seized by the police: there are stains of blood upon it. INQUESTS, YESTERDAT.—ACCIDENT ON TIIE BLACK- L RAILWAY.—Before Mr. Baker, at the London Hoe pitel, respecting the death of W. Rutherford, aged 37, a guard in the employ of the Blackwell Railway company. Oa Tuesday evening last, the deceased left the West India dock station, with the quarter-past seven o'clock carriage. On reaching the Minories, the deceased passed the place where he usually unhooked the rope, and the carriage pro. ceeded to the end of the line. The deceased was unable to let go the "grip" before the carriage struck the " drum," a wheel which elude the rope, and the deceased, who was in front of the carriage, wag knocked to the ground by the force of the collieion. He was dragged along the grassed a distance of 14 feet, and when picked up he was in a state of insensibility. The carriage in front was, literally smashed, and a portion of the iron work entered the ground, and stopped the carriage. The deceased was removed to the shove hospital, where it wee found that he had received is fracture of the skull, and several other severe injuries. lie lingered until the following Thursday, when h: expired.— Mr. Wightmen, the superintendent of the company, said the deceased ought to have unhooked the grip 200 yards from the statior., and he had no doubt the occurrence was purely accidental. The jury returned a verdict to that effect.--.- SUICIDE. OF A Sot iciroa.—Befere Mr. C. J. Carttar, at the Green Man, Plumstead, on the body of Mr. James Fyfe, who committed suicide on the bank of the River Themes, near the Practice Range of the Royal Arsenal. On Thursday morning a labouring man, who was ;lamina along the bank of the rarer at a spot known es " Tripoock 'frees," discovered the body of the deceased lying on the Manor the river. By his left hand wee a pistol leaded with powder and two bul lets, and in his other hand was another pistol which had been recently discharged. The ball had passed through hie skull, and must have caused instantaneous death. The deed had evidently been contemplated—his body falling into the river. In his pocket were found four bullets and a flask of gun pawder. Evidence was adduced to how that the deceased was the son of a gentleman of independent property residing at Itamegate, and had been articled to Mr. Cullen, a solicitor resioing at Canterbury, who has chambers also at 67, High street, Popler. The only motive which could be assi g ne d tv his destroying himself was, that the deceased appeared to be labouring under an idea that he should never succeed in hie profession. He left home on Wednesday evening, and after posting a parcel at the terminus of the South Eastern Rail way came down to Woolwich, and must have wandered down the marshes till he reached the spot where he destroyed himself. The jury returned a verdict of "Temporary insanity." THE COMPANIES OF LONDON. No. I.—TSE Me:ROI/01T TAILORS. Not many years have elapsed since a war of news paper correspondents raged in the public press as to the pro priety of substituting Merchant Taylors with a y for Mer chant Tailors with an i. Most stout and tenacious were the advocates of the y in pressing the superior gentility of that orthography. It was contended that there were not half a dozen " tailors" in the entire fraternity ; but, as an astute commentator has observed, if this he the fact, it only shows how widely the company has deviated from the original pur pose of its institution. The ancient Society of Taylors and Linen Armourers of the City of London are ststed. by Stow to have received a license front Edward I. as far back as 1300. Although, how ever, there seems to be evidence that such license did exist, no direct record of it remains on the books of the company, nor does it appear to have been enrolled. Their first known charter is dated Ist Edward 111., and it allows them, by the title above recited, to hold their guild, with its 'serious customs, as they had been imam. morially accustomed. This charter was confirmed by various successive monarchs, some of whom added to the company's privileges. In the reign of Henry VII., however, the com pany obtained their greatest advancement, for that monarch, on the instigation, as Cavendish says, of Sir Wrn. Fitz william, one of the company, becoming a member thereof, he, " for his greater honour," as Maitland declares, " did re-' incorporate the same by name of the Master and Wardesel of the Merchant Tailors of the Fratemity of St John the Baptist." The company shortly after te ok out their present arms which are argent, a tent royal bet, eon two parliament robes (indicative of the original company having been manu facturers of pavilions and robes of state, garnistiers and har neesers they may have been called), with, on a chief azure, a lion of England. Crest, a holy lamb, showing the associa tion of the company with St. John the Baptist, their patron saint. Motto, " Concordia parm res cr•scunt." In the time of Henry VIII., the Livery of the Company of Merchant Tailors numbered 97 only; Annie con-ists of nearly 400 individuals. The fine for admios on to the company varied at different periods. It was 51. in 1608; 131. in 1708; 36/. in 1810, and at present is abo it 851. The govern ment of the company consists of a master, four wardens, and forty members on the court of assistants. The principal power conceded to the Merchant Tailors under the charter granted by King Henry has reference to the trade of which the society were the representatives. The King granted that the muter and •vardens might exer cise full right of survey and search within the City and uhurbs over all persons belonging to the fraternity, or exer cising its mysteries, as also over nati.es, strangers, or fo reigners, as well in the making, cutting, and working of men's apparel, as howsoever otherwise using or exercieing the said mysteries within the City and suburbs, with the correction and punishment of all offenders among them in matters of the said trade, so for as is needful for the benefit and advantage of the King's liege people and consonant with the law of England, and the ordinances, statutes, and customs of the City of London. The charter further pro vides that no person shall use the said art or mystery unless first admitted or authorised by the guild ; and that no right of search shall be exercised over the traders within the City or liberties, or their goods, or wares, except by the muter and wardens of the company. This " right of search" appears to have been considered one of the most important privileges of the company, and, in the early periods of their history,to have been very strictly enforced. The master and wardens appear for a long course of years to have attended at Bartholomew-fair, with the officers of the company carrying a "silver yard," or standard measure, with which they tested the fairness of the salesmen's rules. Cloth at one period was the principal article sold at Bartholomew-fair, whence the part of West Smithfield, in which the fair was held, derives its present name of " Cloth Fair." In 1566 we find the company to have seized and broken the measure of one Pullen, a cloth merchant at this fair, and to have committed him to prison " for using an unlawful yard which was found in his shop at time of search." But this was not the only " search " exer cised by the company. In the year 1663 we find a precept issued by the Lord Mayor calling on all constables, and other officers, to " bee ayding and assisting to the bearer hereof, lawfully appointed by the Companie of Merchan Taylors, London, to make search in all places within the said Citty of London, and liberties thereof, for all persons who are not apprentices bound to the said art within the said Citty and liberties thereof, and freemen of the same." There de not appear, however, to have been many persona brought to the "condigne punishment " which the Lord Mayor threatens to all such offenders. The Merchant Tailors, from the period of their earliest history, took a very high station armor ; the civic companies. The chartering of guilds was a favouri . e part of the political system of Edward 111., who found in these commercial asso mations a great counterpoise to baronial predominance. The King set an example to his courtiers by himself becoming a brother of one of these societies ; and the" lines armourero," the great importers of woollen cloth, which the King was striving to make the Maple manufacture of England, was the first company which boasted a sovereign among their members in the person of the King. Richard 11. also be came a brother of the same company, which, during his reign, numbered in its books no lees than 4 royal dukes, 10 earls, 10 barons, and 6 bishops. One of the earliest mentions of the company on the civic records relates to a dispute for precedence between the Tailors and the Skinners, in the reign of Richard 111. The companies agreed to try their right in the Court of King's Bench, by which authority the matter was referred to the Lord Mayor and aldermen. With great wisdom, these func tionaries decided that the companies should take precedence alternately, unless the mayor elect was of tile company,when his company should take precedence ; and they further de creed, to produce harmony and good fellowship, that the Tailois should dine on the vigil of Corpus Christi with the Skinners, and the Skinners on the feast of St. John the Bap tist with the Tailors. Even in these early days nothing could be settled without a dinner. In 1.503 there is record of the company having attended the funeral procession of Elizabeth of York, queen of Henry VII., and of their "standing in Chepe " whilst the mournful procession passed. The reign of Queen Elizabeth was a glorious period to the Merchant Tailors, as indeed to most other City companies. May games, masques, and mummeries were the order of the day. There are records in 1370 and successive years, of their participation in her Majesty's Mayings, and of their furnishing 187 men, in military costume, as their proportion towards the pageant. In 1372 they furnished " 188 men of the mystery," 64 of whom " were provided with coislets and pikes, 36 with corsli to and halberds, and 58 with kalivers and morryens—all for the chew." All these pageants, however, cost money, and the Merchant Tailors were further relieved of some share of their superfluous wealth by the exactions, not only of the crown for whose use money appears frequently to have bees lent from the rents and stock of the company, but also of the courtiers of the period. There ate one or two curious records in their books showing that "jobbing" is not merely a modern vice, but that it has the unction of age as well as of very high authority. The company owned a house in Lom bardstreet, leased to Sir William Harper. Lady Harper, after her husband's death desired a renewal; and having influence with Lord Treasurer Burleish persuaded hint to write to the company to obtain low terms. The company offered a new lease for 21 years at an additional rent of 101. The lady wanted the house at less. Lord Burleigh wrote again, and the company humbly replied, but finding the teoant would not come to terms, and not being inclined to sacrifice the premises, they attempted to eject her. Matters were coming to extremity when the Lora Mayor wrote to the company that " continipt of the Lord Treasurer's authority might he attended link serious omasequenom," and advised a compromise. The cam. petty gave Ludy Harper 661. 13s. 4.1. to give up p,,e seei k. and let the house to Richard Oftly for 21 years, a t 131, 64 more rent and 4101. fine. The precepts of Queen Elizabeth to the City, requiting them to lend money "to her grace's use, by way of lune for a certeyn time, to be certeynly repaid againe," was not m a only mode her virtuous Majesty made use of to obtain matey from her loving subjects. In the year 1567, borrowing.' hint from continental governments, Elizabeth introduced lotteries; and precepts were ordered by the court to be s eat by the Lord Mayor to the different companies, "etherne t them to adventure some reasonable sum towards the peedeg meat of the same." As the payments' of the prizes, em i when gained, were not, however, part icularly speedy, Uw e lotteries were not very popular, and in lo&s, when this eon. pane were called on to " adventure" something a wo w time, they resolved that they would appoint " twenty sons to see that no man should be defrauded of what zing' bt 6 fall to his lot." The c3mpanies at this time adopted mourn and emblems of distinction at the drawing. The Membe a t Tailors' motto, on this occasion, was somewhat significant of their distrust : One eyrie In the hand Is worth two hi the wood; If we get the great lot, it will do as good. All the City companies were called upon to furnish a peel quota towards the force raised to meet the Spanish - 'sent. E ,rly in 1588 there is a precept from the Lord Xa" yo; to the Merchant Tailors ordering then' to find 3.1 w e ll. men ; and soon after the defeat of the Armada, the go went having determined to increase the naval fora of the country, the City were ordered to provide " six shyppeed war and one pynane," and subsequently " twelve 'hypes and one thousand men," to which the Merchant Tailors w taxed, in the first instance, 2961.10 a, and in the secoud,l3oe, The pageants which had taxed the company so heavily is Elizabeth's reign were occasionally repeated in that of lute successor on the throne. Great preparations were made by the Merchant Tailors on the occasion of the visit of.faxnealf. to the City, in March 1603. The annals of the compuft ars not very explicit about this pageant, modern truuereb en being apparently in doubt whether the occasion was the arrival or the coronation of James. The fact, howeve r that in consequence of the plague prevailing in ion in the early part of James's reign, has visit to the City wu postponed, and there was not the usual Tower procession the occasion of the coronation. That which took place aft:. School was was all a: wards, and in lieu of it, was exeesdingly grand, Six I arches of triumph were erected, of great height and magnitude, adorned with columns, status), rial bearings, and devices. These arches were reepse. lively Fenchurch-street, Gmcechurchstrect, at tee Royal Exchange, above the conduit in Chepe, alone the conduit in Fleet-street, and at Temple-bar. The last wu em river ere t h ro a n n t t o T f ai l l an n, 90 feet high by 50 broad, but the first, called " Loodisium," was the mart superb, it being arranged at the top to present churches and public buildings minutely detailed. On this a occ Pe as rf i e o c n t a rn ec .xl hol l a o r f of th th e pointed to address the king. Another great City pageant in this reign was on the arrival of Christian IV., King of Denmark, the queen's brother, who " made a royal passage through the Citty, " But the great fdte day of the Merchant Tailors was the 16th of July, 1607, when Kine Jamie himself paid theme visit, " when his majesties and Prince Henry, being accompanied and attended by very many of the nobilitie, were very royally and joyfully feasted and entertained." The armee« merits of the music, speeches, &c., were placed on this occuion under the direction of the famous " Mr. Benjamyn lumen, the poet," who did no discredit to the company s selection. It was on this occasion, as history records, that the national anthem, " God Save the King, "was first produced under the direction of its author, Dr. John Bull; 'circumstance which in itself confers celebrity on the feast. Oa this occasion the King was shown a " role" wherein were registered the names of seven kings, one queen, seventeen princes and dukes, two duchesses, one archbishop, thirty-one eerie, five counts se, one viscount, fourteen bishops, sixty-six barons, two ladies, seven abbots, seven friars, and one sub-dean, who had beat free of the company. His Majesty very graciously as the list, and " sayed that he turnselfe was free of another companie, yet he would ro much grace the Merchant Taylors that the prince, his eldest wane, should be free thereof." The consequences of this gracious visit were not, however, so pleasant as the visit itself. They are set forth in the following minute " Aug. 8. The company, falling into consultation, and reckoning of the great charges of this entertainment (amounting to above 1,0001.), and the same being all to be disbursed out of the common stock, the master and wardens to be called on to subscribe." However the different companies may have acquired pro perty, the Commonwealth was a period when all alike were called upon to sacrifice it. King and parliament both plun dered the citizens under the guise of law. Charles made his first demand upon the City in 1640, under pretext of pro. riding for the euppert of the army against the malcontents in Scotland, and the Merchant Tailors on that ocese:ea agreed " to provide and pay into the Exchequer the sum ei 5,0001.," as their share of the loan. Two years after the parliament raised a loan for the City " for the relief and preservation of Ireland," and the Merchant Tailors were again assessed at 5,0001. towards that payment. In the same year the company were required to provide for the safety and defence of the City, and they retained a goodly supply of powder and arms in store, the former in their games, and the latter in their armoury. The company at this time are also recorded to have received a precept from the Lord Mayor to provide " an engine for quenching of fires, if any should happen in the Citty." Shortly after, the parlim meet called upon them to make a periodical weekly payment for support of their troops; a matter which caused great dissatisfaction. Nor was this the only cause of complaint—commissioners were sent into the City, with orders to deface everything " superstitious ;" and decora tions which had been preseraed through the troubles of the reformation were now destroyed or despoiled as ungodly. By this body the hangings in the Merchant Tailors' Hall, Instrative of the history of St. John the Baptist, were mom demned as offensive, and the master and wardens wen ordered to " view the same, and take order for reform, if there was any excess." owever, the companies still con tinued to preserve some influence, and in certain cases to re- ceive marks of special favour from the rulers of the nation. There is a remarkable instance of this in the history of the Merchant Tailors. Fairfax, having filled the metropolis with troops on the occasion of the King's execution, used the halls of the companies, together with the churches s, as bar racks for his soldiery. The Merchant Tailors remon strated, and tke Quartermaster-Geueral Grosvenor, being a member of this company, they succeeded in getting the soldiery removed by a warrant issued " from his lodginp in Queen-street," under Fairtax's own hand and seal. la 1640, there is record of the new arms of the state and corm monwealth being put up in the hall, and of the late kim's arms being taken down and destroyed, together with his pictures. The civic companies generally took a prominent part in the rejoicings which followed the Restoration, but the re cords of such festivities are eclipsed by those of the calamity which befel them so shortly after an the fire which consumed their property, in common with that of their fellow-citizens generally. Merchant Tailors' Hall shared the general de struction. It appears that all their plate was melted,• for, as soon as the ruins were su ffi ciently cool to be explored, the wardens collected precious metals, amounting in weight to no less than 2001., which they immediately sold, in order to raise funds for rebuilding their hall. This edifice does not appear to have been re-opened until Lord Mayor's Day, 1671. The house property of the company which wu de strayed appears to have been rebuilt by - the tenants, for a committee was appointed to " agree with those whose houses were burned, either by addition of years or otherwise, for rebuilding the same." Most of these houses arose, incon sequence of the liberal terms offered, in a form much su perior to that they presented before the conflagration. The attempt of Charles and James 11. to infringe the privileges of the City—an attempt which was so stoutly re mated by some, and which contributed so much to the dis satisfaction which caused the revolution—led the Merchant Tailor", with one or two other companies, to place themselves in a somewhat unenviable and contemptible poeition. No sooner was the charter of the City declared forfeited, and a quo warrant() issued against the companies, with a view to the forfeiture of their charters, than the Court of Merchant Tailors, after debate, agreed that an instrument of surrender should pass their common seal, to be presented to his Ma jeety with a petition in order to obviate his displeasure in the prosecution of the writ, and to obtain his grace in favour of the renewal of the ancient charters, rights, and privileges of the company. The petition referred to was most set vile. The company stated that, " having great cause to fear that they were under his Majesty's displeasure, than which nothing in the world would be more grievous or troublesome to them, they humbly prostrated themselves at his Majesty's feet, begging his Majesty's most gracious par don, and in all humility beseeching his Majesty to be gra ciously pleased to accept the surrender of theft charter, most humbly imploring a re-grant of the same, with such re Deviations and restrictions as his Majesty in his great wisdom should be pleased to think fit." A body of men whe could present such a petition scarcely des reed a new charter et all ; but on the 16th May, 16.94, such charter was granted them, upon which they absolutely were so servile est* unsiii mously vote that the whole of the court should wait upon his Majesty with an humble address, to give his Majesty' thanks; and also to wait on the illustrious prince, James, Duke of York. The king, however, not desiring to see theta, sent Judge Jeffries to tell them that he would excu se ai r attendance, r a tt en d a nce, whereupon, "after waiting on td lo chief justice to the hall-gate," the court sat and ordered a present of plate to be presented to his lordship, to the value of 1001., for the great and eztraortiinary honour he hail been pleased that day to confer on them e ! As a furthering Ja mark of their satisfaction, the company agreed to put mes ll.'e statue, by Gibbons, in the Royal Exchange. The Merchant Tailors, although restored with the other companies to all the privileges of their ancient charter, upoa the accession of William and Mary, never seem entirely to have got over the influence of this unfortunate incident in their history. Their annals f; em the commencement of the 18th century to the present time are of very little interest; perhaps the most important occurrence of which they can boast is the investiture of the Duke of Wellington with their freedom in 1815, when a most magnificent entertainment was given at their hall. The guests on this occasion included three royal dukes—York, Kent, and Sussex, the Lord Chan. cellor, the Lord Chief Justice and other judges, the Lord Mayor, &c. The many members of renown who have belonged to the fraternity have already been spoken of. There are one or two others, however, who deserve particular mention. The famous Sir John Hawkwood was one of the earliest members of the company. He was born at Sible Reding hem in Essex, and bound apprentice to a tailor in London, but passed into the army, and distinguished himself as a soldier of fortune in the wars of Edward 111. Ile stab uquently passed into Italy, where he found sicserce tint he in the army of the Duke of whose nears' dgr pa rried, and afterwards to *smog whom be died, in the character of the best ea well, the companion in arms so have founded " Black. , clothiers, was another earl. Fitswilliam, founder of th, • has already been tut riti.m. .. of Bread-street, mid %heti' as a courtier is told ia i be so long served. Sir St I his best standing cup," for ever. The family of th• a merchant tailor. Sir V. bppletreesiiek, in Craver mouton carrier ' and env. , e • Aim company. By dilige: ,: - alai wealth. Re was aid : Is ISM and lord mayor under Gustavus . soldiers of his d y e ider, he served t,. , Bohemia, sister of Chart, to have been privately a princess, after her return i Re was created E ul Cra• ~ The property of this c $ factions, is v, ry co:lnside, ,t their name v an imposts . boys., and ppwied ...: the company. It . White, and certain otl, • piny, in the year 1581, $ 1 the msnor of the Rose, i, ney, for the purpose of e • and all other documen destroyed in the fire of I . masters and one welter. f ships, founded 1,1 Sir T 1 , Oxford ; one, founded be I Cambridge ; two exhibi t Oxford, and the other a sc h o larship, ot 401. eac. six civil law scholarshipt o and one other exhibition i city. The company at.• tempoy pensions to l• bridge, the amounts 1 The company formerly : t oeret.of the grammar sc . they &de. by suits as th by the in siderablo advance ow rayed the Court of Ch.. m the trust, and 41 nttd to manage th , Mater trusts for educ••.' Lancashire; Audlem, in shire; and Wallingfoid. ' whether all these chari• i might be. The most itu gift of the company are, the parish in which the of St. Michael, Crook 30 widows of decayed which were rebuilt in 1 estates held by the Col ,p houses produce about ". 50 sum, and is paid out or t table gifts of which tba merous, but the sums Ad in moat cases going itro About 7001. a year is . ai some instances, the ten st dently been very loamy The hall of the Mc c needleetreet, and is , The hall itself is a fia : a portraits of sovereign •, e bi this chased : si . dr o e em behi nd rv"Ler p assed g: tot without ::ir the t,t e nhui no v m ttelfh e i u sy wi c r itetaosa i n t m i np g sovereigns o t yr masters ei e p anLo, : nc e s . : l a ,p, in : : : d m h " present site since the ye pavilion maker, of one When Dr. South was he took for the text of lowing: A rev.rtn • in InthetheKing'sC neighbouringOlud of the a p rm rti ,ran, i Lo a g h i n n "dfaereiretigaJ,ll:fireT-he local mending arm., '1 hr their folly. The d e likely awaits them at be shortly in Galway, for employ ment hu The guardians , if rialised the poor-la area of taxation ft out unit, for the puri»se commissioners art re granting the prayer In reply to one of which have passel itraa n y u ci: stexeue l h a r a * ,: i noreeng h id i sa m Lxi thi Adt a a ea n ea bis i m : : ::: :4 se ; i b la i e : , , limb pariah in wlic removal. No jr lr. ment by a 'five y the eY rebto to bill e:ti s rne r h on ce ee m ic: tw . te v t e l i k .. l : S day last a notorious t co wn. sahisla t a or t th O rtra et it e it t rn m t r : ied q edaW : ci tt l sa i nt ff n e i the r ti e h fo,d ae n s ecriee z ar ilitanm , s ,b i a , : : : : i n ii :s e . s found that the puni death ; our leen et! Pronounce that ~ moot with a vi, w the c rown , who it e court of quarter se ei power was alone T. s gsol delivery. The l 1 . co arsel nwfocoa oofhle whichg" o r urtwee w eetat bil; i tnitwia n lienhgn' elgaa. inflam ed other —that e ta axheoTj p n "lt:algu J a nuary eL e ituc. ' '. 'C'dyuc h ' • the Bom an R t ; e rn dtin an cetosd e a a be t . h p t; „, ic , ratihAd te :SUs"'anbc:"ff forwa rd t h at l'lSt r a t com t;oa : 1E : in , ui : :n tnl'h: mit re un .K reign rt ed; d y_te u a . , "'nt. a l3 the z e r7 p ti revai th-inm : n.“l4 .. "" , po t‘ , :Jo ' : 7 th... : ,, : : : ... .: 1 1:::: : :,..v . 0 r : .r 'l.l:: ' tome - . a7:cd ki is i I"l"ed vi m l i c, ""l'w:""e s a c sa d fihn:ll° e i hdrr l'at'°'Slila hnP li :o°aOr a 4 e red .(n)nht.t.:b''' ' ''.lb:rs.'itbtle d'i ll eh : oi l. bliii"bi: 'l'irin t lia l e'l m~aooaa , : i.def it ligartunreditcla ,..._ .we i : zr .*''"...'f;fh l y :e: c: o l f ie e s i hof ti hpt , .. : i! nl. wall 1. of m inister l'ini' i :4; etnt rt : l l : h. h . 4°Uri : eKetri t tli ri b t:l d:YekXl" p i eb h wil: l ' . . ,.:' • , :: 4 was the tit °".. ', t'rg‘ that had LII a heart. I s'l his'lL" Of th e h • ,lue ci rri D. 4w:A • rd ancestor list be ari ng, berlekkiettiell el'' the su ps Us crLituame „,.....,eatb• h tie dee et , d,w 77 er on.kt ni. attitud e of °- the." sit filing dots o ti r a th l ,';.° at e - i,; ( r,,,... th the taw lot eadt,,,,—,..,17ba1e Iry a la" , "•'‘.9. Cue . ‘. , which hung kb- bare :,, 0 o h _ kt k . kr will .., he ta eectet 1 A