The Express. — London, England, 1848-04-11 00:00:00

this bill. It was to maintain • state of pdlos:! an d security in which the offender should he) that he could no longer escape under the grand name of being a martyr fur high treason, of which he would not in cur the penalty, because it inflicted capital punishment. It was to maintain this necessary principle of government, that they introduced this bill. And, if any one could doubt or hesitate for a moment as to the value of internal pane, end the nertssity . of preserving it, that which occurred to day would show its vast benefit. What would be the state —not of the upper classes as they were called, but of the working classes—if those excitements to crime, of which' they h a d seen oto much, had been successful, and this town had been made the scene of confusion and Mood-' a b e d. (Hear, hear.) And, what was the state of the case when, owing to the staid, admirable, and magnanimous conduct of the great body of the people— (bers)—when, owing'. to the respect which the people pity to the name and authority of the law, to the attachment sod love which they bore their institutions—when, owing to the respect and confidence which they reposed in those de. monstrations of force whir's the government had at its com mand, and which thus hacked became more powerful, but which without the assistance of the great body of the people could no more be, to the peace of London than it had been preserved at Berlin, Vienna, or Milan—the peace of the metropolis had been maintained. (Hear, b ee r) This power had been quite sucecesaful. And when they contrasted the situation in which they stood with what it would have been had the event been otherwise, the was no min hut must put a higher value on the peace end security of society, on which not only the progress of in stitutions but the daily comforts end even the daily subsier wee of the great body of t h e people meanly depended. He smurrd the hon. emher for Finsbury tht e would not be • party to the m ntroducoon of this b i ll s fhe believed that the liberties of this country would in any way he infringed by it. (liter, hear.) He believed that the power ,d discussion, whether by the press or in public meetings, would he enjoyed as fully by the country, atter this bill passed, as it now enjos ed. (Hear, hear.) Bot, at the same time, he believed that some reckless persona would b.• checked in their career, and that, while those who rose iu arms would be strictly punished by the law, those who excited others to such offences would be no longer safe in their impunity. (Cheers.) It was for this purpose that he asked teem to agree to the se:ond reading of the bill. If he was told that this was a coercion bill fur Ireland, it was the same as *rot proposed for England and Scotland, and be hoped with confidence that a large majority of the house would consent to the second reading. (Cheers.) Mr. HORSM AN rose to address the house, but the cries of " Divide, divide," preventing him from being heard, he moved that the debate he adjourned. Mr. HIME seconded the amendment. Lord J. RUSSELL called upon the house to hear the hon. member. Mr. HORSMAN then withdrew his amendment, and said he should vote for the second reading of the bill, in the hope that the noble lord would omit that part of the measure which precluded 0 open and advised speaking." The pre cedent for such a course was afforded by Lord Granville, who withdrew these very words from the identical bill— which then passed into an act it was now proposed to modify. Mr. HINDLEY said he should be ready to support the second reading on the same conditions. The house divided—For the second reading 4.12 Against it 35-117 Sir G. GREY moved that the house do go into committee on the bill. Mr. AGLIONBY objected to the transportation clause of the bill. Mr. J. O'CONNELL said that he hoped Ireland would be struck out of the Ira. (A laugh.) Mr. ILUME believing that the bill was an attack on the constitution, by which the government would be weakened, and believing also that the ministers were urged on by those who only supported in order to betray them, earnestly begged ministers to delay the progress of the bill, so as to let the country knew what it really was. He proposed that Monday next should he fixed for the committee. Sir:G. GREY urged that it would be a mercy to those who were now being goaded into rebellion to let the bill peas as speedily as po•sible. If the house would consent to meet to-morrow at twelve o'clock, he would be content w th committing the bill pen . forma, merely for the purpose of making some verhal amendments. Mr. HOME had no objection to this course. Mr. J. O'CONNELL would not veld his precedence on the following day. Lord J. RUSSELL 'aid that the hon. member would be able to bring forward his motion at the usual hour of sitting intim evening, when he would have precedecce. Mr. GARDNER said, that although he was a young member—(Oh, uh)--he appealed to the house—(Oh, oh.) He begged only to he heard. toh, oh). He would not detain—(Uh, oh). (The cries of oh, at length completely drown. d the hon. member's voice, who at down for a moment, and then rose and moved that the house do now adjourn. A desultory conversation ensued, during which Sir 0. Grey and Lord J. Russell urged the hon. member to withdraw his motion and speak to the ques tion.) Mr. Gardner withdrew his motion, and said that he had taken the course which he bad done merely in order to be able to deliver his sentiments on the bill, as he had net been able to catch the Speaker's eye. The reasons urged by the noble lord (J. Rumen) were all against the bill. , He objected to the bill as curtailing that freedom of speech which was one of the most essential privileges of the British people. Some violent language of Mr. Mitchell had been quoted as its justification; but, he asked, would government have cared for such language had it not been addressed to a people smarting under misery and injustice. (Hear, hear) When the people demanded justice, every delay was inter posed; but when coercion was contemplated, precipitation ' was the order of the day. (Question, question.) He be lieved he was giving a vote in favour of order, and on con servative principles, in opposing every constitutional obstacle to the progress of this measure. (Hear, hear.) Mr. AGLIONBY booed that the suggestion he bad of kred in the early part of the evening, with reference to the third clause, would be attended to by government.—(The object of the hon. member's suggestion was to make a dis tinction between spoken and written treason.) Mr. F. O'CONNOR wished for postponement, and grounded his request oa the speech of the hon. and learned &leiter-General. He considered that that hon. and learned gentleman's explanation of the definitions of the bill was most ambiguous. He (Mr. O'Connor) should give every op position in his power to what he conceived to be a most un mastitutional proposition. He considered that government had acted most unconstitutionally in tacking themselves to the crown in this bill. Take a case. As soon as this bill be- MX law he should raise the cry from one end of the coontry to the other of " Down with the Whigs." Would he rot in doing so make himself obnoxious to its provisions? (Hear, hear.) The bill might check agitation but only to Pet in its place secret plots and conspiracy. There was no man in that house rejoiced more than he rid at the way in which that day had passed off. (Oh, oh.) But London ms not England, and they did not know how their conduct would be estimated in the provinces. He, J. O'CONNELL said he had a motion on the paper Ist this day, and claimed precedence for it at the next sitting tithe house. Lord J. RUSSELL said that the hon. member's motion he the repeal of the union would come on exactly at the ma hour. whether the house sat at twelve o'clock or not. Mr. HUME considered that the hon. member for Lime- Mk Lad u ri;;ht to precedence. With these views he should sere as an amendment that the bill should be committed that day week. Kr. WAKL EY seconded the amendment. The house divided—For the motion For the atcondment &motion was then ma :e that the house do now adjourn, von which the 116:use again divided. Ayes Noes Oa our return to the gallery we found L. G. THOMPSON contending that the measure would sot give security to the crown or the people. (Oh, oh ) +hey were now legislating on liberty of thought—on liberty of speeeh—a right that was not given by human enactment, and which ought never to be taken away by human enact rent- (Oh, and hear ) They were making it felony by •hit bill to deny th• divine right of the sovereign—(hear, I 'ml—or to advocate the separation of any part of the respire. (Hear, 11.6ar.) They were about to admit those who denied the divinity of the Saviour—(question)—and they were now to make it felony to call in question the divine ?lain of the sovereign. (.. Oh, oh," and "question.) He defied hon. members to point to one act on th • part of (he people that day, or previously, which evinced any inten tion on desire to commit an act of violence ; and yet the govemment bad thoaglit it necessary to make preparations v the most horrid and unexamoled description for their Matinee. (Loud tries of "Oh,' groans, and other inter h9tions.) He war determined not to bear any share in the responsibility of the measure , and he therefore moved that the house do now adjourn. Mr. WAKLEY sail the whole question was, whether the t&eurnment shoul.l be to " this day " or " tconuarJw." Sir G. GREY had no objection to say " to-morrow," if the hon. member would guarantee that the bill would be allowed to take pr,cetience on that day. But Wednesday not being a government day, without such pledge he could sot consent, and mustask the house to support h6m. (Cheers.) The house divided—For adjournment .. 21 Against it 213-189 The bill was thin crlcrAl to be committed to-morrow the day) at 12 o'clock. The house 'hen adjourned at half-past 1 o'clock, to 12 t 6 oth tomorrow (this day.) - - - PARLIAMENTARY PAPER. ROUSE OF LORDS. ( 8 44 SALARIEd, &C., OF THE POOR-LAW COM 4'"'"zas. &C., or IRELAND.—There is one chief com missioner, with a sal;.: of 2,0001. per annum; one assistant teastissioner, with a salary of 1,200/. per annum ; and a Pedal allow.mee of 331. 54. per annum to the present in bent; and one secretary, with a salary of 1,0001. per —44 ot. There are ten permanent inspectors, and one mu. 1 2" 1 teraporarily (till 2.5 th March, 1818), with salaries of iz : Per annum, and an allowance of 1/. Is, per diem when , and travelling expenses actuaLy incurred. There " inspectors employed, temporarily and Icr various ril i ods termineing Ist August, 1848), with salaries of a. per diem, allowance of 3s. per day as lodging money, 'pa allowance at 10s. per night when absent from station on "tY. Lad travailing expenses actually incurred. SWITZERLANI).—A decree was issued on 4 Pil 6 by the President and Executive Council of the edenl Directors, whereby they prohibit in the cantons the Manion of any armed or organised corps. 13y a circular t4 tl alio convoke the Diet f9r April 13, The erprefso. MAILS. The mails for British North America, and the UMW Slates, will be raw up en the evening of the 13th April The West India Mails, excluding Bermuda, NaISIM, Havana, Honduras, New Orlevne, Vera Cruo, Trample°, and Porto Itrco, and ineluding those for Madeira, Jaernel, Cafthagena, Santa Martha, Chagree, Panama, West Comet of South America, and St. Juaa-eis- Nicaragua, will be made up on theevening of the 17th Aprii. The Mail/ for Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, blesdnera, Cadiz, and Gebrallar will be made up on the morning of the 17th April. The overland mails for Gibraltar, Malta, Greece, the lonian Island; toreyAden, Ceylon, India, Hong-Kong, and China, vie Sauthanep ,pll be made up on the mouth* of the lath ApriL The overland eleven' malls, roe Mareeillee, to the Mediterranean, Egypt, Aden, Ceylon, India, Hoag-Kew, ma, will be made up on the evening of the 24th April. The mails for New South Wales, Tan Diemen's Land, and New Zealand will be made up ou the evening of the 30th April. The mails for the West Coot of Africa and Madeira will be made up on the evening of the 30th April. The mails for the Brazils, the River Plate, Moate Video, Pernam buco. Bahia, Madeira, and Buence Ayres, will no made up on the evenuig of the 4th May. NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS. The number of STAMPS issued by the authorities of the Stamp-office, during 1447, to the DAILY NEWS was 3,447,009 This, we believe, is within eight per cent of the number issued to the Morning Herald; Morning Chronicle, and Morning Post, ALL PUT TOGETHER. In addition to the above, issued to the DAILY NEWS, Morning Paper, there were issued for tke Awning Edition, THE EXPRESS 778,714 Which was more, we believe, than were issued either to the Globe or Standard, Evening Papers. b .22 4 °°t'RESP,ONDE.3 . f". n . ofte. 19, b, T:re• iota brdartot 11 . 1 . 011 . WATII AT WNDOM BRIDGE. T.,. 8. T 6. xossopt—Motto& II .t. pot et MOttoopa, .34 mm. pot I. LONDON, TUESDAY, APRIL 11. WE have not waited for the present times of ex citement to propose large concessions to the popular spirit of the day. We have advocated the reform of the House of Lords, the extension of the suffrage, the vote by ballot. We have no objection to see the pro perty qualification for members of parliament done away with. Nor do we see why the constituents of a member of parliament may not pay him a salary in indemnification for his services, if he needs it. Here are several points of the charter, which have our support, se veral others to which we are indifferent and do not resist. But neither universal suffrage nor annual parliaments can we accept ; the former would be legislative, the latter administrative, anarchy. We can never admit that the man without either property, or education, or the skill which commands an income, has an equal right to influence and direct the political affairs of the country with the man possessed of any of the three. Nor can we admit that the electoral franchise is to be given without any distinction of qualities or persons. Twenty per cent. of the male population of London consist of domestic s_rvants. Give them the elective franchise, and the masters no longer live in the draw ing-room, but in the servant's hall. Nor is this confined to fashionable quarters in life. The same revolution would be effected by the people's charter, not only in great mercantile establishments, but in the tradesman's aboic. This country has been or ganised and develops 1 1 with a far too great pre dominance of the upper classes and a too great durability of privileges and fortunes, and castes. To remedy this by leaping from one ex treme to the other, and subjecting both upper and middle classes to the control, the desires and the political theories of the poor and unprovided class—this would be neither more nor less than a massacre—a massacre of wealth, intelligence com forts, respectability, of everything that renders life supportable or dignified, and to end inevitably in a massacre of life itself. We do not estimate the result of suddenly decreed universal suffrage in this country at less. Those who cry for it do not indeed contemplate such results. They see it working in America with no disastrous conse quences; but American society has safety valves and peculiarities. Nature's poor-law flourishes there with large tracts of unappropriated land, and a demand for labour which no increase of population or emigration can surmount. The Americium are not driven to contemplate any social revolution at the expense of the rich. They possess, what Mr. O'CoNNori and others declare to be the ultimate end and only ad vantage of the charter—the land. But there are, undeniably, many abuses to be reme died in this country, many grievances to be probed and healed, many inequalities to be done away with. Our electoral franchise is absurdly limited and distri buted. It is maintained by the law in the hands of thousands of mercenaries and paupers, whilst it is denied to the intelligent and industrious earner. Our whole system of election is one of grudges and exclu sion. The middle class, both in town and country, is denied the exercise of its free judgment and will by the prejudices of landlords and customers; and the ballot is indispensable to that political emancipation, which was extended to them in 1831 merely in name. Household suffrage, as it exists, is a fallacyand a trick. In two cities of almost equal population, the policy of landlords, or the nature of the ground and vicinity, afford ample building extension to the one, deny it to the other. The result is 12,000 ten pound houses in the one, and 5,000 similar houses in the other, with very little difference either in the total of the popula tion, or in the number of those, calculated from respectability and earnings, to be electors. The door porter of an establishment shall have a vote, and its first clerk, with two or three hundred a-year, shall have none, because he is a bachelor, lives in lodgings, and is a more independent man. This injus tice might be remedied by giving the electoral fran chise to the occupiers of lodgings, possessed of a cer tain value of moveables. The acquisition of property of any kind should confer a vote, and that vote should have its worth by a more equable division of electoral I districts. The result of the present system is, that even the skilled labouring classes are not repre sented. They have no one to vent their ideas, and state their complaints in parliament ; 'those members whom they do nominally return, being taken by them from some other class, with far other interests, or other ideas than theirs. No thing is so deeply felt by the more enlightened portion, the chiefs of the operatives, than this. They cannot make themselves heard. If they publish a newspaper, it is read merely by their own followers. If they call a public meeting, their speeches are burked in the London newspapers. Parliament is closed against them, or it awes and sends to Coventry any who even approach their opinions. When we consider that these foremost ranks of the operative classes, are amongst the most educated and active minds of the empire ; that 'they far surpass the lazier middle classes in their acquirements and their freedom of thought, we may imagine how deeply and dangerously they feel their intellectual and poli tical helotism. " Let us have an Eight Hours Bill, in order to devote the evening to the cultivation of our minds," exclaimed an unshorn operative the other day at a trades' meeting. The fact is, that whilst the middle classes are absorbed in the pursuit of wealth, the skill , d labouring classes have started lathe pursuit of knowledge. And knowledge is power, we know, as well as wealth. Such men and such classes as these we cannot shut out from the immunities and privileges of the consti tution. We must enlist them in it, gratify them with it. If they are political waifs and orphans, without the right of citizenship in our institutions, we must I adopt them, cherish them, and treat them as sons and as brothers. Nor is it because some rash spirits clamour in the streets, and create a riot in their name, that we are for that reason to ignore their rights, or punish them with exclusion. On the contrary, let not the lust of keeping order and maintaining pride preclude the equally noble one of being generous and lust. And whilst, like the gal lant mayor of olden time, we annihilate treason and riot with the mace of office, let us, as was done in that remote age, extend the girdle of the constitution, and take in all that are worthy and well-minded, without asking if they be rich, to share with them the active rights and privileges and dignities of the British citizen. MR. JORN OCoNNELL moves to-night for leave to bring in a bill to repeal the legislative union between Great Britain and Ireland. That such a proposition will find any considerable number of supporters we very much doubt. When brought before the house in 1834, by the great leader of the Irish people, and sustained by all the skilled and versatile eloquence of which he was the master, there were but four-and thirty members willing to vote that the project of THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 11, 1848. legislative separation should be considered in de tail. A large, and in every respect influential, majo rity not of English members only, but of Irish representatives, voted against it then—how much more likely are they to do so now ? Mr..l. O'CoNxtu, is just the sort of man that is not well qualified either by natural or acquired endowments to impart new life to well-worn subjects, or to undermine, by the sub tlety of persuasion, the well-founded convictions that are opp osed to him. He possesses as little of his father's imagination as of his reasoning powers, and inherits as little of his humour as of his fo-ce. Re peal will, therefore, be argued at considerable disad vantage, as far as its proposer is concerned ; and how many of his followers are likely to excel their chief, remains to be seen. Nevertheless, we are most sincerely desirous that the question should be fairly and forbearingly dis- cussed upon its merits, and upon these alone. De ceptive and delusive as are the hopes raised amett,g certain classes of the people of Ireland regarding it, it ought not to be forgotten that these hopes have long and fervently been cherished, and that they are en tertained by multitudes of deeply and justly discon tented men. It will not do to meet a motion of the kind by a cold and contemptuous negative. The de mand for repeal springs from the misery of vast numbers of the population, and from the resentment inspired by the Infatuated and iniquitous refusal of equal rights and franchises to the two kingdoms. The only way of honestly or wisely dealing with the demand for repeal, is at once to grapple with these shameful facts, which cannot be denied, and must not be eluded. So long as these things are, so discontent among the richer, and disaffection among the poorer, classes hi Ireland will continue to subsist; and their feelings, if not expressed in "Ilurrah for the repeal!" will be uttered in some other, perhaps less in noxious, way. Mr. J. O'CoNNEWs motion may be got rid of by "the previous question ;" but the alienation and distrust engendered by the causes we have adverted to, can only be got rid of by a prompt and cordial endeavour on the part of the imperial le gislature to begin at length to do its duty towards Ireland. What, for instance, can be more senseless or absurd than the obstit.ate refusal to the inhabitant house holders of the great towns in Ireland of liberty to pave and light their own streets, as the bursesses of ' every town in England and Scotland are enabled by law to do? What more foolish or offensive than the exclusion by tests, founded on pro perty and taxation, of the mass of sueh inhabitants in the poorer country, when no such exclusion is recognised in the wealthier? Or why should the corporations of Scotland and Eng land be invested with privileges, such as those relating to the nomination of sheriffs, which the municipali ties of Ireland are declared unfit to share? Again, how is it possible to expect political content under I the existing state of the elective franchise, a state which, fairly contrasted with that subsisting in the other portions of the empire, can only be correctly designated as a mockery and a force ? The parlia• mentary franchise created by the soio/isauf Irish Reform Bill was narrow and inadequate from the beginning ; but resting as it did alto gether in counties upon the possession of leases, the landlords soon found a way practically to &nude the people of their lawful privilege, by w.t iholding from the occupiers of the sod that tenure which would alone qualify them to vote. In a few years the effects of this scheme became apparent, and the legis lature was called upon to interpose its authority, and to amend the law, (1) as to secure a bona fide consti tuency to the Irish counties. But, though urged by the Whig administration of 1839 and 1840, the united parliament refused to do this manifest act of justice ; and to the present hour it remains undone. Mean while the constituencies have gone on daily diminishing in numbers; and there is actually more than one county in Ireland at this moment whose registered electors do not exceed a few hundred persons, amid populations varying from one to two hundred thou sand. If leave is to be refused to bring in a bill for the dissoluti -n of the united legislature, let some distinct pledge be given that such inequality and injustice shall henceforth cease. There is no meaning in a united parliament, unless there be a united kingdom. Above all, however, we trust that the intolerable abuse of the principle of ecclesiastical endowment, too long and mischievously maintained in Ireland, will at length be rigorously reformed. We are no zealots for an abstract theory in this mat'er ; but common sense and common justice cry aloud against the per petuation of a vast church establishment for the ex clusive benefit of a minority of the population. on the 4th, caused by the Italian traders there. The national guard soon, however, restored order. In all the provinces recruiting is proceeding rapidly, and as Hungary has promised, not 10,000 men as was erroneously stated yesterday, but 100,000 men, it is stated that the Austrian force will shortly amount to 600,000 men. The news of the declaration of independence of Hunga-y, made at Festh on the 3lst, is confirmed. The official bulletins of the Austrian force in Italy made by Field-Marshal Welden, and dated Inns pruck, Aprit 3, will be found under the head of Italy. The Emperor has appointed Field-Marshal Count Auersperg to the office of General in command of Lower Austria, at the same time conferring on him the dignity of Privy Councillor. BAVARIA.—Our news from the capital is to the sth. The King has determined to grant assistance in men to the duchies against Denmark. Six officers have gone to the scene of war. The Bavarian Cham bers have also elected the ministers for the assembly at Frankfort. The senate held a sitting on the sth, in which a project of law for the foundation of the new constitution was brought in. Cbt Court. - - The Queen will hold a privy council, on Saturday next, at her Majeatli's marine residence, Osborne, Isle of Wight. The council will be held at one o'clock in the afternoon. THE CHARTIST DEMONSTRATION. MEETING ON KENNINGTON COMMON. During this discussion two newly-constructed cars bad driven up to the doors of the institution. The one intended lur the conveyance of the monster petition was on (our wheels, and drawn by as many very splendid fans horses. The body of the car was square, and surmounted by a tastefully con structed canopy. The attendants bore strearalets in the varied colours of red, green, and white, having appropriate inscription+. The van or car in waiting (or the delegates was upwards of 20 feet in length, with seats arranged transvenely, in no commodious a manner as to afford comfortable accommodation to the delegates,an well as several representatives of the pree's. 'The body of the car was inscribed on the right side with the motto, " The Charter. No surrender. Liberty is worth living for and worth dying for ;" on the left, "The voice of the people is the vcice of God ," while on the hack of the car was inscribed, "Who would be allay/ that could be free ?" Onward, we conquer; backward, we fall." Eight banners were fired (four on each side) of the car, inscribed, "The Charter," " No vote, no muskets," " Vote by ballot," "An nual parliaments," " Universal suffrage," "No property qualification," " The mount of members," and " Electoral districts." To the vehicle were harnessed sir farm horses of superior breed, and in the highest possible condition. The marshals (designated by a silk sash of the colours red, white, and green. having announced at ten minutes past 10 o'clock all in readiness) Mr. F. O'Connor was the first to ascend the car. The hon. gentleman was received with load' cheers by the crowd which thronged John street, and took his seat in the front of the van. He was followed by Mr. Ernest Jones, Mr. Harney, Mr. M'Orath, Mr. Clark, Mr. ‘Vbeeler, Mr. Reynolds, Dr. Hunter, and other leaders et the convention. The rest of that body h aving also taken their seats, the cortage set forth amidst loud cheers. Passing along Cloodge-street in.° Tottenham-court-road, along High street, Bloomsbury, the National Land Company's office was reached, and from that building five huge bales or bundles, comprising the petition, with the signatures, were brought out, and aecured on the first car, prepared for their reception. Again the cavalcade moved forerard, and progressing along Holborn and Farringdon- street reached New Bridge-street, the crowd increasing the train at every step. Se far the shops in the line which had been paused were only partially closed; the utmost order prevailed, though the delegates were recognised by numerou.s friends and adherents, and at intervals most vociterousl; cheered. At the Waithman obelisk the alderman of the ward (Sir J..mes Duke) was in attendance with his deputy, Mr. Obbard ; but up to this spot not a single policeman was to be seen. The windows of the houses in New Bridge-street were filled with spectator, and, amidst much applause, the moving mass took an on ward course across Blsektrisrs bridge. At this time (eleven o'clock) a strong detachment of the battalion of Pen sioners, under arms and fully accoutred, were observed to have just leaded at the City pier from Woolwich, and were loudly cheered by the vast concourse that now crowded the bridge. On reaching the Surrey side. the first display of the civil force appeared. On each side of Albion-place were drawn up, in military order a strong body, in double file, of the L division of Metropolitan police, while the City police maintained the ground on each side of' the bridge, which woe within the limits of the City jurisdiction. This force was under the orders of Mr. Henry, one of the magis trates ot Bow-street. Opposite the end of Stamford-street, a party of the mounted police, fifteen strong, under the command of un inspector, was stationed. In its passage along the Blackfriaresoad to the Elephant and Castle the crowd continued to increase and hem in the vehicles on both sides: still everything was peaceable, orderly, and well conducted. At the Elephant and Castle a new mass joined the rear of those who, walking eight abreast, had followed the train from the place of departure, and on reaching Newington church the apper ranee of the masses was most bewildering. Proceeding along the Kennington road the Common was reached at half-past eleven o'clock. Here had already assembled the Irish confederalists and the various bodies of the trades of London, who had intimated their intention of going in the demonstration. These had taken their position in numerical order on the Common, hav ing arrived from their different rendezvous some time pre viously. Each trade had its emblematic banner, and the Irish confedernlists displayed a very splendid green standard emblazoned with the harp of Erie, and the motto " Erin-go brsgh." The numbers assembled at this time have been variously estimated at from 200,000 to 50,000. This we mention as an illustration of the danger of hazarding amputations of this kind by persons not accustomed to make them. We have since learned that a careful estimate was formed by several military persons of great experience in making such computations, and they, on comparing their different calculations, agreed that no more than 15,000 per sons were present, as spectators and as forming part of the procession. On arriving about the centre of the Common, the carriage in which Mr. F. O'Connor and the delegates were seated halted, while that in which the monster petition was de posited took its station on the south side, opposite the Horns Tavern. In a few minutes after the halt had been made, an in spector of police approached Mr. O'Connor, and communi cated to that gentleman that the police commissioners desired to confer with him. Mr. O'Connor immediately descended from the car, and, accompanied by Mr. M'Grath, proceeded on foot across the Common in the direction of the Horns Tavern, where it was understood the commissioners and ma gistrates had assembled. A cry went forth that Mr. O'Connor had been arrested, but Dr. Hunter (one of the delegates) set the matter at rest by announcing the reel state of the case. In a short time Mr. O'Connor (with Mr. M'Grath) was ob served wending his way back, and his re-appearance in front of the car was the signal for the most enthusiastic cheering. Oa the motion of Mr. CLARK. seconded by Mr. Anita, the chair was taken by Mr. C. DOYLE, the secretary of the National Chartist Association. The CRAIR.IIA.N rose and said that this was one of the most glorious sights that he had ever had the pleasure to witness. It was such a sight as must make the heart of every true democrat heat with joy and exultation • it was a sight which proved to demonstration that the people of this great metro polis were in favour of the common rights of humanity. rhey had elected him to till the office of chairman this day, and as a chartist he thanked them for the confidence they had thus reposed in a working man. He was especially thankful for the honour, because it showed that the work ing classes were beginning to see that they could do their own work themselves. (Cheers.) He was sure he need not ask them to be peaceable on the present occasion, nor to heg of them so to conduct themselves with calm demeanour, but still with firmness; for upon their conduct d, pended the success of one of the most glorious questions that ever was agitated by man. (Renewed cheers.) Mr. O'Connor and the other gentlemen in the van had come there to do their duty to the people who had sent them, and they represented to a great extent the people of the United Kingdom. In the van before them was a petition signed by nearly 6,000,000 of the people, a proof that the gentlemen now in the carriage represented the people. Those gentlemen came to-day to perform their du!y, and they expected the p. ople would discharze theirs. (Applauss ) Mr. O'Connor would first address them, and would not only express his own opinions but those of the delegates compris ing the national convention. Without, therefore, taking up more time he begged leave now to introduce to them their tried friend and the ecampion of the rights and common privileges of humanity—Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P. (Cheers.) Mr. F. O'CONNOR then presented himself, and was vocifer ously cheered. He said—My children, you have been told that I should not be amongst you to-day. I am, however, here, and sit in the front rank. Although my life has been threatened to be taken my hand does not tremble. I her, now for a quarter of a century been mixed up with the de mocratic movement—in Ireland since 1822, and in England from the year 1833—and I have never shrunk from taking my share of all responsibilities. (Applause.) When I was asked in the House of Commons whether or not I would at tend this meeting to-day I said that, as I always liked the lion's share of popularity 1 was prepared for the lion's share of danger. (Cheers.) I have always, in and out of parliament, coatended for your rights, and I have received more than 100 letters, telling me not to mine here to day, or my li te would be sacrificed. My answer was, that I would rather be rtaboed to the heart than abstain from being in my place. And, my children—for you are my children—these are your horses (pointing to the twelve animals by which the vehicles were drawn), these cars are yours, made of your timber, not mine; I am only your father and bailiff ; but I amour fond father and your unpaid bailiff. (Loud cheers.) I y t ever tnere was a time when our cause could be prosperous, if we do not damatv it ourselves, it is now. No man has ever received more badgering in the House of Commons than I have received, but I see that we are, in spite of all difficulties, bringing our task to a me cesaful issue. In the name, then, of that great God who has to-day blessed us with a splendid sunshine, let me enjoin you, let me adjure—let me, it necessary, on my beaded knees, implore you, not t.) damage the cause that I have struggled for all my life. In yonder car are the feelings and the voices of five millions seven thourand persons. They are looking to you this day—l am looking to you—the world is looking to you—for in my place in the House of Commons I told the prime minister that be need not be afraid of my counsels or of your folly. (Loud cheering.) Just now, as you are aware, I received a message from the commissioners of police. They have not, although they threatened to do so, interfered with the great meeting upon Kennington common. That, then, is one great and glo rious step achieved, for, as I have often told you, chartism, whenever it struck terror cut of ceuntenenc., would rise to I march onward from that spot. My children, will you not place reliance upon me, that I will strain every nerve to place you upon that labour market where your labour shall be your own, where none 'hall dare to make you afraid,—where none shall take part to rob you of the fruit of your industry ? Now that to some extent I have placed you there, is not the charter better worth contending for than ever ? (Cheers.) When I think of the splendid results I have in view for you—when I thick of the necessary consequences of such a splendid demonstra tion as this—when I go down to the House of Commons to night to oppose Sir G. Grey's treasonable bill—my heart bound. within me with unaffected delight. I will oppose that treasonable bill of the goverum nt until the last mo ment ; and if no other man ern be found to do it, I declare that I will impeach the government fur its unjust interfer ence with the rights and liberties of the people (Loud cheers.) You, my friends the chartists are not pickpockets, I as has been charged upon you_ Pickpockets are not I chartists, chartists are not pickpockets—(hear, hear)--and their cause shall not be damaged by being thrown into the 1 hands of pickpockets. (Cheers.) Well, then, we have suc (seeded in holding our meeting to-day ibut I must tell you I that the government has taken possession of all the bridges. I I have always been a man of determination, as you k now, anal a man of courage, too, but how should I rest in my bed to night if, through any incautious advice or expressions of mane, I made any of your wives widow. ? How should I rest on my bed if I made any of those children who are de pendent upon your exertions fatherless ? How should I rest if I jeopardised the lives of thousands amongst you, and jeopardised also the great and sacred cans: we have at heart? How would you feel if, through any indiscretion ' on your part, you should be the cause et my death ? If you have any true love for the cause—if you appreciate the trouble, the anxiety, the loss I have sustained to secure its promotion, I beg of you to counteuance no violence this day. Therefore, what the convention have decided upon I is, that we should not attempt to cross the bridges, which are guarded by armed forces, and I am ready to take my share in the responsibility of such advice, in order that you, being unarmed, may not be brought into collison with that armed force. (Cheers.) The huge petition which you have prepared will be taken down to the House of Commons by the executive, and I shall be there ready to present it, to protest against the injustice which has this day been inflicted upon you, and to make your voice heard through out the length and breadth of the land. (Loud cheers.) It I have stood by you through evil report and through good report, as most certainly I have dune, I ask you most solemnly, will you stand by me to-day ? Will you obey my counsels ? Will you assist me in carrying out my views ? I remain amongst you as a hostage, for, so help me God, I will never desert the cause until life deserts me. (Loud and prolonged cheers) But you must bear in mind the great responsibility you impose upon the stranger to your country. You must bear in mind the grist responsibility that now devolves upon me. You must remember that I have spent six watchful months thinking and thinking, and at this moment my breast is more like a coal of fire than the breast of a human being. If, as you have heard it stated, I wanted An excuse for being absent, I could easily have obtained the certificate of a doctor, who would h .ve proved that I was more fit to be in b ed than in the open air, addressing • quarter of • million of persons. (Loud cheers.) Now, then, let all those who are resolved upon obeying my counsels, which is also the counsel of the executive—to act this day as prudent men—as men longing for the charter of their liber ties—let such persons hold up both hands. The dense mass surrounding toe carriage, as one man, obeyed the summons, and Mr. O'CoNeon resumed—l( appears to me that my voice is heard to a considerable distance, and I take it for granted that all who held up their hands represent the feelings of all others who are present. (Cries of "Ve e do.") That being so, then this peti , ion shall be taken down to the House of Commons by the executive committee in cabs, and not by • procession, which may render you liable to be shot by the armed forces now guarding the bridges. I will go down by myself to the house. I will present and support your petition boldly, and die on the floor of that house ere I will consent to see it abandoned. If I stand alone, I will oppose Sir George Grey's treasonable bill, and will protect your interests, for, large as my family is, I do not wish to see one miming from the great and glo rious feast we have in store. (Cheers.) By the God that made me, I love you better than my life.—l think I have sufficiently proved this by giving you every moment of my time, and bountifully of my means. On Friday next the discussion on your petition takes place, and I entreat you not to jeopardise or damage the good cause by any intem perance or folly on your part. Then, I ask all of you who think the executive have acted wisely and bravely—that the petition should be taken down by your executive committee to the House of Commons, and that I as your representative should go there alone, and that by these means a col lision with en armed authority shall be avoided—hold up both your hands. (Again a forest of hands were simultaneously displayed amidst loud cheer'.) Once more I beseech you hear and adopt the advice of your father, friend, and leader. If you see a man breaking into a shop, do not hand him over to the police, but knock him down. (Cheers and laughter.) And do not let it be said we are thieving chartists. When you have heard the speeches which will now be delivered by your champions,disperse quietly but not in procession, and return to your several homes. I shall now conclude in order to reserve the fag-end of my breath for the House of Commons to night. But let every man now take off his hat and vow to heaven that he will not to-day violate the law. (The crowded assembly at once answered the appeal with much apparent devotion.) My breath is now nearly gone, and I will only say, when Ide sect you may God desert me. You have by your conduct to day MO7O than repaid me for all I have done for you, and I will eo on conquering until you have the land, and the people's charter becomes the law of that land. (Loud and long-continued cheers, in the midst of which the hon. and learned gentleman, who was evidently labouring under se vere indisposition, sank exhausted on the shoulder of a pri vate friend.) Mr. Exeter JONES next addressed the meeting. Though he was what was called a physical force chartist, it was use less for them—peaceable men—to engage in a collision for which they were wholly unprepared. He regretted that this meeting had not been held on the other side of the river Thames, as in that case the bridges would not have to have been passed. As it was, they had achieved a victory, for they now held a meeting which had been forbidden and pro. claimed down. Under these circumstances, be trusted those present would follow the admirable advice given today by their friend and leader ; and it so, eventual success was certain. (Loud applause.) Mr. F. O'Coresiou again came forward and asked the meeting to give him authority now to wait upon Sir George Grey and to tell the right hon. baronet that the people were determined not to come into collision with any armed force, polite or military; and that they were resolved to keep the peace inviolate that day. The meeting at once responded to this demand, and Mr. F. O'Connor quitted the van and pro ceeded on his mission, cheered on by vehement plaudits. Mr. CLARK then moved the adoption of the following pe tition to the House of Commons. The humble petition of the inhabitants of the metropolis of En& land, in public. meeting assembled, showeth t That your petitioness have heard with Icelings of indignation and astonishment that, by a bid which is now before your honourable house, for the ostensible purpose of providing more efficiently for the security of the crown and the government of these realms, it is sought to alter the law re lating to the indefinite charge of sedition, and to punish by transporta tion that which is at present punishable by fine and imprisonment. That your petitioners regard thin bill as an attempt to deprive the people of the right of expressing their just horror at the atrocious le gislation which is generally practised by your honourable hoax, and your petitioners beg your honourable house to stamp this infamous measure Mtn condemnation, by its unanimous and ignominious rejec tion. Mr. KYDD seconded the motion, which was also supported by Mr. REYNOLDS, and after a futile attempt on the part of a person named Spurr to interfere with the proceedings, it was carried unanimously. The meeting was then declared to be dissolved at a quarter past one o'clock. The four large bundles forming the petition were then re moved from the carriage and placed in cabs, and taken in charge of the executive committee to the House of Commons _ The delegates then mounted the carriage, which was dis mantled of its trimmines and decorations, and with its com panion conveyed to a neighbouring Etable.yard, and at two o'clock not more than 100 persons were to be seen upon the Common. Many of these consisted of its usual occupants; boys playing at trap-ball and other games, and by a quarter past two a stranger to the day's proceedings would never have guessed from the appearance of the I,ciihbourhood that anything extraordinary had taken place. GERMANY. PRUSSIA.—We hare Berlin papers of the Bth, and our usual German correspondence. The follow lug is the letter of our correspondent at Berlin : BERLIN. Arun 7. The diet, contrary to expectation, did nut sit to day, but it has transpired that the elections for the forthcoming constituent assembly in Frankfort —for such it may be called—have fallen, for the greater part, if not entirely, on persons warmly devoted to the liberal cause and possessing the confidence of the Prussian people. The way in which the delegates to the constituent assembly were elected yesterday was as follows:—The members of each provincial diet chose from out the residents of their respective pro vince—whether the latter be or not members of the provincial diet—the number of delegates fixed by the royal ordonnance which communicated the decision of the Frankfort diet. The mernbeis of the diet wisely determined to select only half of the delegates from amongst themselves, and the other half from out the general residents of the respective provinces. The Rhenish members have chosen,amongst others, Herr Hanemann (Minister of Finance and Deputy for Aix-le-Chapelle), Herr Camphausen, Prisidetd of the Council and Deputy for Cologne, Herr Arndt, the well known lyric poet. 'l he illustrious Humboldt is the chosen of the province of Brandenburg. In general, the members for the Duchy of l'osen took no part in the elections, having the option to de so or not. People have been surprised to learn that the exist ing national fund, chiefly reserved for purposes of war, does not amount now to more than four millions and a half of thalers. It was long believed—and the delusion was kept up by the late government—that slum were at least some thirty milhons in the Staats tellatz. The thing is certain, there are only now four millions and a half in the reserve treasury, and Prussia requires some forty millions at this very moment. The Silesian Gazelle of yesterday states that the proclamation of the military governor in Breslau (referred to in a recent communication), has caused the greatest alarm amongst the inhabitants, who fully expect that, sooner or later, the city will be bom barded. Notwithstanding the proclamation (which forbids all assemblages), 1,000 Poles, belonging to the new n itional army, went through the usual exer cises on the 3rd inst., in Breslau. In the evening great numbers of military were stationed in various parts of the town—no one knew for what purpose. fhe Polish committee continue to hold their sittings undiiturbed. P.S. There were several attempts made to create disturbances yesterday, and a serious conflict took place between the day labourers and the "piece" labourers. It is said that two of the latter were killed. The members of the provincial states of Prussia Proper have addressed a petition to the King begging to be incorporated in the German confederation. The petition appears in the A llyenicine Prenssische Zeilt(»y of the Bth inst., together with the answer of the King granting their demand. Prussia Proper has, there tore, elected members to the constituent assembly at Frankfort. AUSTRIA.—Our dates from Vienna are no later than those previously received, viz., the 4th, but we have some interesting additional items of intelligence. The deputies chosen to represent Austria in the con stituent assembly at Frankfort left Vienna on the 4th, having Archduke John at their head. Though Austria is willing to grant peace to Lombardy on the terms we stated yesterday, namely, that it wile take part of the Austrian debt and pass a favourable com mercial treaty, war with Sardinia has been deter mined upon, the first step towards which was the dismissal, as we stated yesterday, of the Sardinian ambassador. War has also been declared against the Pope and Tuscany, and both the Nunci and the Tus can ambassador have also left Vienna. Radetzki has been ordered to keep on the defensive pending nego tiations with Lombardy. The declaration of war against Sardinia brought on a slight riot in Vienna THE METROPOLIS DURING THE DAY. At an early hour yesterday morning the City and suburbs gave preliminary signs of the approaching demonstration. The various troops billetted around, London left their tem porary quarters, and were posted atd concentrated at various points, where it was feared their presence might be wanted, long before sunrise. The trains which arrived at the London and North- Western Railway brought several persons from Manchester, Birmingham ' Rochdale, Liverpool, and other Marta of Lsn csshire, to be present during the proceedings of the thy. Some from as tar even as Edinburgh and Glasgow were tra vellers by this train. Many of them were third-class pas sengers, who &armed themselves during a great part of the journey by singing, with we need hardly add, mo?e strength than harmony. The persons thus delegated to attend the ' grlat metropolitan demonstration brought with them large rolls of signatures, to be appended to the monster petition, which was last night presented to the House of Commons. The Great Western Railway brought by no means si many perions as the London and North-Western. The South- Eastern, London and Brighton, Eastern Counties, and South-Western also contributed their quota. The rallying points of the chartists in various localities began to till at an early hour. The thiet of these were Rus sell-square, Stepney green, Clerkenwell-green, besides other open spaces in the various outskirts. The chartists of entiah-town, Somers-town, Hempstead, Paddington, St. Pancras, ann Marylebona assembled in Russell-square at S o'clock. A tow minutes before 10 o'clock that procession being formei two and two, the whole body left the square and went towards Southmptou-street, into tipper king street, through Holborn into Farringdon-street, from thence to Kenuington-common. A large body of special constables, urnter the command of Lieut.-Col. Clarke, were present in the square. The chartists who had arranged to meet at Stepney-green arrived there early. At 9 o'clock a procession was formed, and in a short time it started, preceded by a band. To every party of 30 or 40 men there wee a white flag, bearing the number of the section to which they belonged. There were numerous banners with the words, " The Charter, and no surrender;" "The Bethnal Green National Land Com pany ;" " Live and let Live." The min walked arm-in arm, six a-breast, with pink and white ribbons attached to their button holes. They mustered several thousands, and with the lookers-on and the rabble, formed a large assem blage. The body was addressed to keep peace and order, and the victory would be theirs. At harpast 9 they marched down the Wbitechspel-road, over London-bridge, to Ken. nington.common. The churchwardens of Clerkenwell assembh d the special constables of the parish at the workhouse, nod proceeded subsequently to Clerkenwell-green, in the absence of the G division, for the purpose of preventing any riotous proceeding. About 8 o'clock a body of churtists appeared on the ground, several of them carrying flags and banner, one of which had on it the following inscription—" The voice of the people it the voice of God." There were two poles surmounted by the cap of liberty, with a tri-coloured flag and an American flag. The procession was formed two and-two, shortly before 9 o'clock, consisting of between 300 and 400 persons. It entered St. John-stung, crossed Sinithibld, and passed through Farrinadon-street to Ken nisgton.common. There were about 4,000 is. moos present. The proceedings of the other sections differed but little from those retailed above, until their arrival at Kennington Common, which is reported in another column The streets of the metropolis after the various processions had passed presented nearly the same appearance as thst on a holiday. The police having been mostly withdrawn from their regular duty, and concentrated on special localities, the town was guarded by special constables, who, either singly or in bands, paraded the streets and squares, being eistinguished from their fellow-citixens by whit* bands on their arms, and by staves. Except that in the various lines of the different processions the miejority of the shops were shut, there was nothing to indicate the smallest public alarm ; the more timid part of the eommu nity—the female portion—had not been kept at home, for well dressed females is numbers no less than usual appeared. The. predominant expression in the oeuutenarees of the passers by of both sexes was merriment; partly occasioned by the " speci?ls," w ho, despite the exc. Cent and praise worthy feeling which prompted thi m to enrol themselves to preserve order, did not of course look so w.ll drilled or uni form as the regular police. Their varietb sof mature and dress forced upon the spectator associations of the comic ; neither did the union of spectacles (which some wore) and umbrellas (which others carried), harmonise with nbe insignia of office, or tend to lessen the merriment. Lenin lsoctes of special constables were stationed in Bridewell, the v rious churches, and in many of the large manufactories sanding in or near the lines ot the processions, and at Kennington-common—be sides the police and soldiers. . . As we stated yesterday would be the ease, all the public buildings were fortified and invested with salthery, and the officials and clerks armed, not only with staves, as special constables, but with tira.etrms. Somerset-house was packed with the household troops ; the Admiralty was occupied with a detachment of the 16th and the Sapp. rs and Miners; while the Horse Guards and the llome -office were taken possession of by other regiments of the lice. The Treasury, the British Museum, &c., were also strongly guarded and fortified. The minor ffices, as the Board of Control, &c., were also defended by armed detach ments, while other measures, the closing up of the gates, barricading the windows, and strengthenieg the external de fences, were extensively adapted. The Custom-house was garrisoned by the east metropolitan division of the enrolled out.pensionen of Chelsea Hospital. The resides lice of the Duke of Northumberland at Charing-crow, Montague house, and the residences of Sir Robert Peel dud other no blemen and commoners in Whitehall-gardens, were fas tened up. The area surrounding the fountains in Trafalgar-eqnare was occupied by a detachment of police, amounting to about two hundred men. The special constables, in the mean time, performed the duties of the police, by keeping idlen upon the move, and preventing the gathering of knots of persons upon the streets and pavements. The parks were closed, and the entrance to St. James's was guarded by a double file of guards and the wardens of the parks, the latter acting as gate-keepers, under the orders of the military, • corporal or sergeant being stationed as commandant at each gate. lorries and egress were immediately allowed to all persons exhibiting the " pan" greeted by the autho rities of Scotland-yard. Patrols of th hoes, hold troops marched up and down the mall, Ond officers held constant communication with the several posts. Apsley-house was barricaded, and the bullet-proof shutters were drawn over the windows. Buckingham Palace did not appear to be guarded by any extra strength, but a strong force was ready to march from the drill-around of the Wallington Barracks at any moment. The private servants of the officers were armed as well as the regular soldiery. In the Coy hundreds of spectators were to be observed at the different stations appointed to be most strictly attended to, attracted, no doubt, by the military arrang,ments. which to some were matters of curiosity, to others of alarm. The spectators of the Bank fortifications were very numerous throughout the day, and the soldiers, as they entered the building, were moat vociferously cheered. The Lord Mayor and the commissioner 01 the city police had an interview on Sunday, at the Rome-office, with Sir G. Grey and the com misainners of the metropolitan police, when final regula tions were made as to the course to be adopted and placed in the hands of the authorities, and throughout the whole of Sunday night the principal officers of the Cite force were occupied at the several stations in preparations to carry the instructions into effect. Apart from the innumerable special constables who assembled at the various wards w.der the ale denuen, and the greater part of whom were provided with stares and armlets, upwards of 2,000 of the younger " specials" were selected by the aldermen, and placed in direct com munication with the City police, under the commissioner. This latter body had received instructions to take up petitions at the Cross Keys, in Gracechutch.strect, the Royal Ex change, which were placed at the complete dioposal of Mr. Harvey, and Bridewell Hospital, and, as they mustered at the several places of appointment, they we re immediately marshalled into bodies of 100 each, and again subdivided into tw nuns, and followed under the command of captains and sergeants of their own selection, with e sp. ctors of the City police force controlling the whole. A' I I o't.lock the po. lice and special constables marched in large bodies to the three bridges, and took up their stations 'fire^ in immediate communication with the metropolitan constables, who at tended at each in great numbers. About 300 gen'lemen of the Stock Exchange were PROM in *rebel constables, 100 of whom attended under their re spective leaders in the Royal Exchange, from whence they were marched to Bleckfriars-bridge. On their return to the Stock Exchange, " God save the Queen" was sung by the whole house ; and shortly afterwards, Mr. Hutchinson, the chairman of the committee, announced publicly the thanks of the Lord Mayor for their services, which was received with hearty cheers. For the reasons above-stated the bridges were the thief points of defence, of which Blackfriars-bridge appeared to be a sort of centre, u it had the strongest force. The proceed ings in its neighbourhood were nearly as follows: — By ten o'cloce a considerable crowd had c anted in Far ringdon-atreet and New Bridge-street, alai at the point where Fleet-street and Ludgate bill join this lice of street. The stable-yard of the Rose Inn, in Farringdon-street, had previously been occupied by • body of cavalry. Though the gates bore the announcement of " These premises to be let on lease," the people were well aware that not • particle of the interior was empty, and a thump hovered round the place, In anticipation of what was to occur. Special consta bles were also mustered in great force by the authorities of the ward, bat kept out of sight. Soon after ten the crowd assumed • " processional " ahem, and by half-past ten began to pees over the bridge. Men who had been talking together in groups, joined arm in-arm, and the march commenced. From half put ten till past eleven one continuous stream of people crossed the bridge the pavement on the east side being oc occupied by the more systematic procession, and the road way being thronged by a closely-packed body. At the latter hour vans, decorated with flags. and containing some of the leaders of the " demonsttation " made their nppearance, and passed on without any appearance of confusi r oil. With the exception of a few closed shops there were, in this locality, no signs of alarm, and certainly no symptoms of disorder. Though numerous respectably-dressed females were, as usuid, among the pedestrians, their faces betrayed no ap pearance of trepidation, theugh they were iu the midst of the " unlawful assemblage " that has called forth police pro clamations, and caused governmental alarm. At about twelve o'clock a company of pensioners made their appearance. (heat amusement was excited amongst a large number of persons assembled at the foot of the bridge, on the London side, by a party of the veterans, in marching order, investing " the office of the " Heir-at-law " Society, which joins the river at the enu of Chatham-plaice. The approaches to the bridge un the Surrey side of the river were occupied by large bodies of mounted and metropolitan foot police. The point when the City jurisdiction ends was very ilioinetly marked on this lode of the bridge by one line of City policemen, and one line of the metropolitan force. A portion of these were mounted, and contributed very much to the general amuse ment, by riding in two circles, to keep Inc crow, from invading the road-way, very much like a couple of "scenes in the mole," at Franconi'a or Astley's. Immediately after the Kennington meeting, and for several hours subse quentl), all access was denied to the bridge. This gave rim to a collision. After the meeting on Kennington Common had dispersed, an immense crowd on their retum straggled :re. gularly along Blackfriars-road. Upon arriving at &amt . . ird•street, they of course came face to face with the mounted police, who re fused them passage, and ranged themselves across the road. Together with these were the police and speeial constables. Many strenuous attempts were made by the thatists to get across the bridge. As fresh numbers arrived from Kenning ton Common, those in advance were pushed forward, but were immediately driven back by the horse-petrel without drawing their sabres. The metropolitan police made we of their staves, and from time to time repulsed the crowd, which grew thicker and toicker every minute. In about an hour and a half, however, the mob which by this time reached as far down as Rowland Hill's Chapel, made many vigorous attempts to forte their way through, and notwith standing the cool steady courage of the police, the latter were at intervals separated. The special con stables at these times were very roughly handled, a great many of them having their hats broken and being deprived of their staves. Showers of large stones were every few minutes thrown on the bridge, and the Police received many severe blows, but gave more than equivalent in return with their batons. A great number of men who were seized b the police for throwing stones were rescued, and the yells and shouts were deafening. At half-past three o'clock the pressure of the concourse was so great that the line of polies was forced, and a great many of them corri.d with the throng over the bridge, h o lding their stave. up as they were borne along. On the City aide of the bridge a groat many 1 IF 1 I