The Sun. — London, England, 1829-04-29 00:00:00

.the-business of the parish was better done. Often mone y w as saved by the general body being ex cluded. In London a different custom prevailed, partly by custom, and partly by law. He thought there might be some modification of principle, which the. Committee might strike out for effecting a per feet audit of accounts. From the experience he had had he should say, that with reference to the check of expenditure, the employment of tradesmen and Many parochial abuses, a better system might be de vised than that of universal suffrage. He believed that the parishes in general were perfectly ready to submit to inquiry. If dinners had keen given irn koperly in some parishes—if extravagant charges had been made for them—and if parish officers had indulged in such personal gratification at tbe ex pence of the parishioners, no man could defend such an application of parochial funds. Such abuse; did not exist in many parishes, and there was no general feeling against inquiry. Mr. aTURGES BOURNE said, that the Select Vestries under the 59th of the late King were es sentially different from Vestries in London, and yet the terms of the motion had been made to include the Vestries under that Act. To this he objected; arid thotigh he had no objection to enquiry, he Warned the Hon. Member for Westminster, that his Motion might, as it was now worded, occasion some alarm to the country, lest parishes should be put to the inconvenienc e and expence of sending persons up to town. to give evidence. No two subjects could be more. distinct than the crowded parishes of Lon don and those of agricultural districts. and the Hon. 4ember would find his course to be one of great difficulty. He would, however, make no objection to the motion, and he thought that no opposition could be made to the inquiry into abuses. • Mr. RIDLEY COLBORNE said, that if the Committee were appointed, and the case made out, he still ahould not be satisfied that the fault was in the present system; for, irk his opinion, it was in those wh o oug h t to put t h at system i nto execution. were the proposed alterations to take place, what description of persons was likely to be elected on V estries —tradesmen, active attorneys, and others, Who would increase the evils complained Of. Not ithstanding this view of the subject he should vote for inquiry. Mr. HUME thought that if the proposed Com itlittee could not alter the system of self-elewed Vestries, they could do good. The Right Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Sturges Bourne) had mistaken the uhject of the motion, which was not to blend the rating sy s t em , b ut to correct t h e error of Vestr i es Sing established, over whom the parties who are to Pay, and who are the most interested, have not any e "tvoul. Let the House look at St. Marylebone, St. George's, and St.Pancras. Not a more respectable set of individuals could be found than those com- P°aing .the Vestries of those parishes, and yet it was notorious that in each of them certain acts were done which. were not done with the knowledge and concurrence of the respectable parts of the Vestries. The systena adopted in the country was much more applicable to London, where the people were more Intelligent and better able to be entrusted with the Management of their own affairs. The Right Hon. Gentleman had said, that in the case of general suffrage, improper persons would be elected ; but in his (Mr. Hume's) opinion, in ordinary cases, certain qualifications, certain incomes, certain situations, Would secure elections. Those who administer the a nanees of a parish ought to be elected by those 'alto pay the rates. HOBHOUSE explained. He wished L _ t 4t- the el ect i ve pr i nc i p l e s h ou ld b e modified in " i rge.parishes of the metropolis, so as to avoid all di sturbances. M. 5. PEEL explained. 1 7 he motion was carried. SILK TRADE. On the moving of the Order of the Day for the and reading of the Bill, dot r _ brie FYLER said he thought he should consult convenience of the House, with out sacr ifi c i ng I g o:interests of those whose cause h e a d vocate d, if -postponed what he had to offer on the subject tiOtil the motion for the Speaker's leaving the Chair. •' ll r. ROBINSON thought that under the cir ellinstences of the case, the Hon. Member for Co ra, try had act e d w i t h w i s d om an d di scret i on. The stood for Friday ; but although there 1 4 4 been already two discussions on the Silk Bill, hgped th e Committee would be allowed to take precedence on that day. ll i )1 Alderman WAITHMAN concurre d i n w h a t ad fall from the Hon. Member. .Mr. V. FITZGERALD felt convinced that his Right Hon. Friend near him would afford every facility in his power to enable the House to go into a Committee early on that day, with art understand ing that they should get through the Committee on that day. Mr. WAITHMAN meant to offer no unnecessary opposition, but it would be impossible to say how far the discussion might be carried in the Committee. The 13 ill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Friday next. LIFE ANNUITIES' BILL. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX CHEQUER the House went into a Committee on the Life Annuities' Bill. In answer to some questions from Mr. HUME and \ Sir H. PARNELL, I , The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated a few words across the Table as to the dif ference between the old Bill and the present ; he feared he was not able to explain himself with suf king clearness, but it w as o f t h e l ess i mportance e( it present, as he should move the r e -co mm it men t o f 1, h 4 : b ill ; arid ; as it would be print e d, Honourabl e -In vere p r ould come down prepared to discu ss t h e ovisioner. Navin. 'Th e , (;lauses we r e agreed to ; and th e H ouse 7iq dered r e su med, the Report was brought up, and Monday be taken into further consideration on next; and to he printed. CITY CANAL. ,t9nanal , the moti on for the second reading of the City Dill, f orm ' Mr ' HUME sa id l ie cou ld not h e lp re p eat i ng hi s c' e , objectio ns to t hi s Bill ; h e conten d e d t h at psi L kie ought to have been public, no matter what e twas offered by any public or private Company. Itcb ui till WU then read a second time, and ordered . , e committed to-morrow. • n ' LUNATICS' PROPERTY BILL. ti r ',: e th e Motion of Mr. SUGDEN, the Lunatics' tau‘e',PertY'Billread a second time. To be con:- d on Friday next. TRADE WITH INDIA. I t B l ! 1 - 1 , r ` W. 'WHITMORE postponed the Motion of l r ,P l he had given notice, relative to the East ~:A l lTrade , from Thursday next till May the 1 lth. ' c liourned at Half-past Seven. .-.....--- 'Ci 'ICOUNTRY RESIDENCES.—The very first in -9,4 nof returning Spring is perceptible by reference to I,,,Clura ns to-day, fur until now there has not been a i 44 villa on sale. Several of the most distinguished in Oi'leittity of the metropolis are at length announced by 11 0 : 41 c Roams, including Harrow Park (late Lord -111 wica's); Highwood House (Sir STAMFORD th : ) ,_LREe, Bart., near Hendon) ; the admired residence el ' 4l i THOMAS Nam, Esq., (near the Horticultural It; I : tle t 1 ); Old Windsor Lodge (Captain Srayings's) ; )4 4 h kond Hill, (the Rev. 11. GREATES') ; Lady ROBERT plll lr x s's, at Sutton; Chelsea Park, (Mr. • Pamig's) ; therwood Lodge, the once favourite retreat of Mrs. LitililltattaT, at Battersea. So many distinguished villas !eltioni been in the market any antecedent season. ), t , 00 ., :1be prize given by the late Earl of HOPE -41, % commemorate his Majeaty's visit to Scotland, was 1 7 4 t for,on .Thursday at Hope. Park, by, the Royal Corn -1):,!, Archer's king's Body Guard, and gained by tl i , l.44, ,SNiaar, Esq. W. S. As usual, a party of the i f T, t ers alined datewards in the Archer's Hall, in honour birth. of their Royal Master.— Caledonian lterc learn from good authority, says the i fo ar ti tee Courier, that the pernicious trade of smugg l ing th s i. 1 1 ilniVat wholly eradicated front the peasantry in of Aberdeenskire and Banffshire, amongst whom .'l 4 "', l led only a few years since . to a great vne. • , b " 1 ,-,:.i'! • , ' - 3 . -. 1 4 . . ------7 -I.!i• ♦ -- - -‘ V ‘- -;' -_ ---,4 s, '-'...4:' i 4) ..,.......6 - .. LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING. APRIL 29. 1t,29. We are happy to understand his MAJESTY is in the enjoyment of the bet possible health. A Cabinet Council was held at twelve o'clock this day, at the Foreign Office, which was tetended by all the Ministers. The Council broke up about two o'clock. His MAJESTY held a levee this day at Sr. James's Palace. Shortly after one o'clock the SPEAKER of the House of Commons, and all the Foreign Ambassadors, arrived in full state; the LORD MAYOR and Sheriffs also arrived in state, about half -past one, from which time up to Once o'clock there was a constant succession of carriages, amongst which were those of the Great Officers of State, Judges, &c. &c. and a great num ber of General and other Officers. The Cabinet Ministers did not arrive till late, on account of at tending the Council. The crowd was not nume rous, which is probably to be accounted for in con sequence of the Drawing-room to-morrow. Mr. HonnousE, last night, obtained a Select Com mittee to inquire into the general operation and effect of the laws and usages under which Select and other Vestries are constituted in England and 'Wales. Mr. W. WHipiORE postponed his motion for a Select Committee to Inquire into the State of the Trade between Great Britain, the East Indies, and China, from Thursday next, to Monday, the I Ith of May. The Duke of NORFOLK, Lord CLIFFORD, and Lord DORMER took their scats, last night, in the House of Lords. By German Paper , , received this morning, it ap pears that great obstacles are thrown in the way of the vessel which was announced a few days ago as attempting to open the navigation of the Rhine as far as Cologne. The Dutch authorities at Rotter dam have even overstepped the bounds prescribed by the laws of Holland, in order to deter the Captain of the vessel from pursuing his plan. There can be no doubt that the free navigation of such an important river us the Rhine is a most desirable thing for the commerce of England. The only wonder is, that a point promising such national advantages should have been so long overlooked by our Government, after the Duke of WELLINGTON had presented a note upon this subject to the Congress of Vienna. We hope his Grace will now take up the business in a proper spirit, and he must succeed, notwithstanding the jealousy of our Dutch neighbours. These Papers contain no other news of interest. The trade of Trieste and Venice has much increased ►within the last few years, and must continue to in crease if the parties consult their own interests. The people of Silesia complain about the heavy rate of taxation with which they are visited, but they have received no favourable attention from the Go vernment. They are taxed in a heavier ratio than the other provinces, and yet it appears that in the nine years, from 1816 to 1825, the population had increased by 366,496 souls, amounting in the year 1825, when the last census was taken, to 2,280,621 souls. The number of horses had in creased, in that period, by 9,523; of oxen, 73,798; and of sheep, 467,733; and these too almost en tirely of the improved breed. The production of wool, of corn, &c. has much increased. VIENNA, APRIL 17.—Metalliques, 98 i; Bank Shares, 1,104 The appointment of the Duke de Lsvat, MONT. MORENCY to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs still forms the theme of Editorial remark and conversa tion in Paris. Some Papers insinuate that the Duke will not accept the appointment, while others contend that he will. Upon this subject the Illessager des Chvnbres observes, that the Journals " have gone so far as to refuse patriotism and love of Prance to a name so national as that of MoNTmoRENcv ! The Duke is a stranger to all parties —to all coteries ;—for these fifteen years he has constantly displayed great merit and prudent ability in the various posts which he occupied." " Who does not recollect," continues the Mes sager," the benevolent hand which he held out in Spain to the victims of political troubles, the gene rous influence which he exercised at Rome, and the noble patronage given to the literati and artists in the ancient capital of the civilized world ? " These are titles which may be exhibited to those who talk of the spirit of reaction and of poli tical inclination. " It is affirmed that M. de MONTMORENCY will not accept—that he cannot resolve to unite with the present Ministry. Heaven be praised, all this petty contempt, all this disdain for an Administration, the only objection to which is, that it does not give it self to parties, have little influence on'political men; and we are sufficiently acquainted with the character of M. de Laval. to affirm, that he will accept the trust which the confidence of the Throne has placed in his hands. The MONTMORENCIES have never been wanting to other Kings." A Sincapore Paper of the 4th of December, and Price Currents of the 6th, have been received, but they contain no intelligence worthy of extract. We have only room to point attention to a most respectable meeting which took place in Manches ter, upon a subject of the last importance to the Commercial and Manufacturing interests of this country—the East India Monopoly—and the abso lute necessity of throwing open the trade to the East freely to all classes of his Majesty's subjects. TIIE FUNDS.-(TIIIS DAY.) CITY, TP7PLIF: o'CLocr. The same universal gloom that has latterly pervaded every thing attendant on business in the City still mn tinues, and the price of produce of every description seems to be daily more and more depreciated ; this state of affairs appears to have caused some alarm among the merchants and persons of capital, and is becoming still more seri ous to the general welfare by the accounts received of the state of trade in the country ; from this cause may be traced the disinclination, on the part of srculators in the Funds, to enter into new engagements till they can see their way more clearly. Consols have been steady at 87k all the morning ; Three and a half per Cent. Re duced, 96 ; and Four per Cent., 1826, 103 i I. Ex chequer Bills, 59 60 pm. ; India Bonds, 50 2 pm. The Foreign Funds have scarcely had any business all day, and prices remain nearly nominal at the undermen tioned rates; Brazilian Bonds are, however, a shade worse. Shares remain at their former prices. TWO O'CLOCK._ Consols have improved a trifle, and are now 87 ; Brazilian are also a shade batter. In neither the British or Foreign Funds is there any businetio doing worth naming. THREE O'CLOCK Consols, 87g. -- -- FOUR O'CLOCK.—CLOSING PRICES. Consols 87/'} Danisk 651 Do. for Ac. 871 !Greek, 1825 Brazilian Bonds 53 ! Mexican, 1825 Buenos Ayres Peruvian Chilian Do. Russian 96 Columbian, 1d24 15i ISpanish 9i LAW INTELLIGENCE.-(T MS DAY.) HOUSE OF LORDS. The LORD CHANcEt.ton, and Earls MALMISSRUItY and Flinn Ens, sat Scotch Anpeal. to-,InY• CAMPBELL V. ANDERSON. The question in th;s appeal was, whether the appellant was liable for ill , pavment of a bill, driven by the re spondent, as !lie a,-cot or a gentleman cf name of Gordon. It appear. d that Mr. Gordon having amassed considerable property in the West Indies, returned to his native country (Scotland), and purchased an estate, called Draikies, near Inverne. Wishing to have a residence here, he commenced a course of very expen sive improvement. In 1808 he entered into an arrange ment with Campbell, Fraser, and Co., merchants of considerable eminence in Glasgow, to make large pecu niary advances upon the condition of their receiving the con signments of his foreign produce. It became necessary at the end of that year for Mr Gordon to revisit his estates in the West Indies, prior to which he granted a power ofattorney to the respondent for the management of his Scotch affaira. The power of attorney also enabled him to discharge all debts, and, if he should judge it to be fur Mr. Gordon's interest to borrow any sum of money to the extent of 5,0001. — Messrs. Campbell, Fraser, and Cu. was the mercantile house with which Mr. Gordon generally dealt; it was arranged that the respondent was to draw all bills upon that house, which they agreed to honour. Under this ar rangement several bills were drawn and duly honoured. Towards the close of 1809 Mr. Gordon required further advances from Campbell, Fraser, and Co. A letter was therefore written by the respondent to them, stating such to be the case. The appellant answered by stating that the drafts on Campbell, Fraser, and Co. would meet ho nour to the extent mentioned. In consequence of this per mission, the respondent made application to Mr. John Fraser, who was their agent for the Bank of Scotland, at Inverness, to discount the bill, which was for 5001., which he ultimately agreed to do. A copy of the bill was immediately forwarded to Campbell, Fraser, and Co., who made no objection to it. Before, however, Messrs. Camp bell and Co. accepted the bill, infOrmation was received of the death of Mr. Gordon, in the West Inslies, and ulti mately Measrs. Campbell and Co. refused to accept the bill, alleging that there was a considerable balance due from Mr. Gordon to their house. In consequence of this an action, at the instance of the agent, was brought to en force payment of the bill front Campbell, Fraser, and Co. Against the action a keen defence was kept up, be fore the determination of which Mr. Fraser became bankrupt. In the result Campbell, Fraser, and Co. were declared liable for the bill and interest. Upon the case coining before the Court of Session, certain inter locutors were pronounced against the appellant, from which he appealed. POLLOCK appeared on the part of the appellant, contending that the bill was vitiated; that in permitting it to be drawn, Campbell, Fraser, and Co. made a positive stipulation that they should he reimbursed by the respon dent personally, should no remittance arrive from the West Indira. Mr. MILLER followed on the same side. Mr. ADAMS appeared as Counsel on the part of the re spondent, at the conclusion of whose address, The LORD CHANcr.r.Loa observed that as be was under the necessity of leaving the House to attend elsewhere, the further arguments must be postponed till a future day. Upon the motion of the Earl of MALmrsistra - s- several Private Bills were read a second time, committed, and the House adjourned to Frid.y next at Ten o'clock. VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT. The VICE CHANCELLOR., on taking his sestthismorning, informed the Bar that he was happy to say the Master of the Rolls was going on in a very favourable manner. LEVY AND OTHERS V. FRANCO. This was a bill filed by the plaintiffs, thirteen in num ber, (all Jews) as trustees of a college established in 1774 in the city of Jerusalem, for the purpose of compelling the defendant, who is a successor of the founder of the college, to re-insert in the public funds the sum of 2,800/. which he had sold out. To this bill the plaintiff demurred, first on the ground that the hill was deficient for want of parties, and secondly that as the college was founded for the pur pose of advancing the interests of the Jewish religion, and that religion riot being recognized by the laws of thin country, the Court could not ieterpose its authority. Mr. TazsLovz and Mr. SIDEBOTHAM appeared in sup port:of the bill, and against the demurrer the latter gentle man, in reading the prayer of th! bill, said he hoped his Honour would allow him to omit reading the names of the plaintiffs, they were all Egyptian Jews with the exception of Levy, and it was almost impossible properly to pro nounce them, besides he had a bad tooth ache.—( A laugh.) Mr. SUGDEN—Oh, they must be read. It is the first time I ever heard of such words likely to increase the tooth-ache, but they are most certainly what are called " crack•-jaw words."—(Laughter.) Mr. SIDEBOTIIAM then read the names, which produced considerable laughter, from the difficulty of their pronun ciatien. The Vica-CuexcaLLon said the demurrer must be dis missed ; but with respect to the question of costs, he should ❑ot make any order until the cause came again be fore the Court. liiy HoNouß rose at one o'clock for the purpose of at tending his Majesty's Levee, at St. James's Palace. COURT OF KING'S BENCH. Nothing of importance took place in this Court up to the period at which we went to press. THE MARKETS.-(THIS DAY.) CORN EXCHANGE. The boisterous state of the weather occasions our supply to be small this week. The Wheat trade for good parcels is Gil* at Monday's prices, in other sorts there is little doing. Barley con tinues dull. Beans find ready sale. Pease are unaltered. Oats of good quality are scarce, and rather dearer. In the Flour trade there is no variation. ARRIVALS. Wheat. Barley. Oats. I Flour. 1,050 qrs. 1,050 qrs. 2,50 qrs. 1 3,050 sacks. 1,250 150 480 4.50 English Foreign - brl 6. SPORTING.-(RECEIVED THIS DAY.) BATH AND BRISTOL RACES. TUKSDAT, APRIL 28.—The Lansdowne Stakes of 10 soy& each, and 10 added, for horses that never won. Heats, one mile. (14 subs.) Mr. Bigg's Luther, by Reveller, 2 yrs 0 1 0 1 Mr. Knatchbull named Golcon.ia, 3 yrs 0 0 1 2 Mr. Yates's Little Boy Blue, 3 yrs Mr. Mills's Comelian, 2 yrs 1 dis Mr. Wilson named Grecian, 4 yr 5..... Four others started, but were not placed. The Lanka' Silver Cup, value SO soya, added to a Sweep stakes of five soya, each, for horses not thorough-bred, second horse saving his stake. Gentlemen riders. Heats, one mile and three quarters. (14 subs.) Mr. Gurther's Sailor, by Candidate, 5 yrs 1 0 1 Mr. Wilson's Fanny, 6 yrs Mr. J. Savins's Warrior, 3 yrs 0 2 dr Mr. Hayward's Ancient, 4 yrs 9 3dr Mr. Phillipson named Cherry Ripe, 3 yrs 4 dr Four others started, but were not placed. Match for 50 901'9. Half.a-mile.—Mr. Wilson's Naughty Tommy beat Sir L. Glynn's Noureddin. Match for 50 sovs. One mile.—Mr. Wilson's Levanter beat Mr. Snowden's Lilla. Match for 50 sous. One mile and a half. —Mr. W. Goldstone 's gr. h. beat Mr. Newcome's ch. m. The Duke of CUMBERLAND, the Princess AUGUSTA, the PrinCeSi SOPHIA, aad the Duchess of GLOUCESTER, visited his MAJESTY yesterday, at his Palace in St. James's. The Archbishop of CANTERBURY and the Duke of WELLINGTON had audiences yesterday of the KING. The Princess AUGUSTA entertained the Duke of CUMBERLAND and a select party to dinner, on Monday, at her residence in the King's Palace, St. James's. The Earl of ELDON and the Earl of FAL MOUTH visite.l the Duke of CUMBERLAND yesterday, at his residence in the King's Palice, St. James's. The Duke of WELLINGTON left town on Monday afternoon, for the seat of the Marquis of akus- BURY, at Hatfield, Hefts; his Grace returned to town yesterday morning, and afterwards had interviews with Earl BATHURST, the Earl of ABERDEEN, Lord Eld.r.s aosouran, Mr. Secretary PEEL, and the CHaNcELLoa of the EXCHEQUER. The Spanish Minister transacted business yesterday at the office of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Despatches were brought by a King's Mes senger on Monday night to the Forei g n Office, from Lord COWLEY, our Ambassador at Vienna. The state of the hIAsTERof the Ror,r,s was, we are happy to state, favourable yesterday. The report of his medical attendant, Sir Haxar HALFORD, was, that his Honour had passed a good night, and was going on very satisfactory. Earl BATnultsT arrived in town on Mon day night from NVoodend. HIETIN INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY.) F ROM LLOYD'S. DEAL, AERII, 28.—Wind W.—Arrived from Lorelott the Marqui. of Anglesea, for Jamaica; Isabella, Meliili.•, for Dominica; Beltrice, Quelch, for St. Kitt's; 3/P1)01mM, for 'Van Dioman's Land ; and Sir Page, tier India. Arrived the Hope, Matthias. fr , 37iti Tribidad ; Druid, Davenbill, from Montserrat; Oil Maid, Brown, from Sierra Eetioe; Elizabeth, Holmes, from Jamaica; and William Fairlie, Blair, Clement, and Crom well, from India. PoursmouTH, APRIL 28,—Wind W.N.W.—Arrived the Harriet, Rinstnan, from Sierra Leone. PLYMOUTH, Apart 27.—Wind W.N.W.—Arrived the Ellen, Confer, from the Mauritius; and Lady Frances, Davies, from Seville. ST. Joux's, N. 8., Ithactt, 1529.—The brig Nancy, Strachan, returned here on Sunday last from Jamaica on her outward passage ; the day after she left Halifax, the 9th of January, she saw a barque under main and foretop sails, standing N.N. W., the wind was then blowing strong from the S. S. W., and is was with difficulty the Nancy weathered Sable Island ; from the course the barque WAR steering, Capt. S. is of opinion she struck on that Island, and hopes are entertained that it may have been the Arit4 packet which left Falmouth on the I Ith of November from this port, and that the officers and crew may have fortunately cached the shore in safety. Several weeks, however, will probably elapse before it is ascertained such is the case. The Pcndarves, Phillips, was on shore near Ilr‘scastle, on Monday, and it was expected would go to pieces. The Star, from Jamaica, is supposed to be arrived off Portsmouth. The Ada, 31.irtin, from Jamaica, is supposed to be ar rived in the Channel. The Almorab, from Bengal and Ceylon, is supposed to be arrived in the Channel. FIRE IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY. On Monday night the neighbourhood of Westminster Abbey was alarmed by a report that this antique and mag nificent structure had been set fire to by some incendiary. Various idle rumours were abroad ; but we have been able to collect, from the most authentic sources, the true cir cumstances of the cave. Bradburn, a watchman of St. Margaret's church-yard, was the first to alarm the neighbourhood, in which attempt be was seconded by Smith, the watchman of the Abbey. This was about ten minute's past ten o'clock, and the flames were distinctly seen isaming from the north tran sept. The watchmen immediately ran to the house of Mr. Billington, landlord of the Coach and Horses, in Little Dean-street, opposite the western entrance, who with the utmost alacrity alarmed Mr. Carter, the clerk of the works, whose residence is in Little Dean's-yard, and informed him that the Abbey was o❑ tire. Mr. Billington next pro ceeded, with the utmost speed, to Dr. Ireland's house, the Dean of Westminster, and gained an entrance into the Abbey through his house, and; with the assistance of Mr. Carter, Mr. Walmisly, Mr. Oxley, and others, the Ten o'clock Bell was rang, which alarmed the neighbourhood, and the Abbey was soon surrounded by crowds.— The Dean of Westminster was out of town, but every assistance was afforded from his house, which is situated in the cloisters, and a supply of water was furnished by means of buckets. From the confusion and alarm which prevailed, there was some difficulty in reaching the place whence the fire had broke out, and the fire-escape was tried, but found too short to reach the threatening site. About this time Mr. Carter had succeeded in opening the door leading to the vaultings of the edifice, and they as cended the stairs nearest to the fire, where it was first as certained that the screen had caught fire, and fallen on the boards, which were in a blaze, which was fast commu nicating to the roof; every exertion was used to quench the flames, which for some time threatened destruction to the building. The engines soon arrived, but the fire men were unable to bring their leathern pipes to operate with effect, though they came exactly in time to prevent the further spread of the conflagration. G. Rose, Esq., Mr. Phillips (1 ate clerk of the works), and several other gentlemen, who thronged to the scene, were most ex emplary in their exertions to subdue the devouring element, in which they happily succeeded. Had the alarm been given half an hour later, the roof ing of the Abbey must have been entire)" burnt, and probably the greater part of the building. The da mage done is fortunately but very trifling. Mr. Bil lington'and Mr. Wahnisly, in their endeavours to save the building, nearly sacrificed their lives in their hurry to gain the place where the fire broke out. They had reached the upper vaultings, and it being dark, Mr. Billington, who was unaware there was no guard to the precipice be fore him, stepped his foot over, but instantly throwing him self back, he by borne extraordinary means managed to save himself from the frightful death before him by re gaining his balance : the height was nearly four hundred feet, and it was the greatest mercy be was not precipitated into the centre of the Abbey. At an early hour the fol lowing morning the strictest inquiry was set on foot, and the Magistrates of Queen-square inspected the Abbey per sonally, when it was discovered that a door near Poet's Corner, leading into the Abbey, had been opened, appa rently with picklock keys, and the prints of footsteps were also legibly traced in a passage leading to Poets Corner, which bad been recently made, and the soles of the shoes must have been full of bob-nails from the marks. No doubt is entertained that it must have been the work of some incendiary, but at present the affair is involved in mystery. Mr. Secretary PEEL arrived in town from the seat of his fat!4er, Sir ROBERT Pant., at Drayton Park, Staffordshire, on Monday evening,. Prince LEoPoLD, attended by Baron STOCK MAR, Sir HENRY SETON, and Dr. GWYNN; arrived with his suite in four carriages, at his residence, Marlborough House, Pall-mall, about half-past seven o'clock yesterday evening, from Dover, where his Royal Highness had landed from Calais, on his way from Paris. JOHN BAYLEY, Esq. eldest son of Mr. Jus tice BATLEY, has been appointed Clerk of Assize or the Northern Circuit, in the room Of FLETCHER HIGGE, Esq. deceased. Lord EGREMONT has given to Mr. CAREW, formerly of Waterford, 10,0001. for some very elegant groups, the production of his chisel.— Waterford Mail. - - Mr. LEE, the present High Constable of Westminster, is among the candidates for the vacant offioe of Governor to the House of Correction, Coldbath-fields. The public view of the celebrated collection of Mr. Wxsrs's Pictures eotnmences on the 4th of May. We have beard much of the catalogue raisonaie, and shall return to the subject next week. The Pamphlet styled " Reflections on the Present State of British India," is, we very much incline to think, by far the ablest production on the subject, which has for a long time issued from the press. It is arranged chiefly under four heads—let, Our position among the Sovereign Powers of Asia ; 2d, On the danger to which British India is exposed from Russian invasion ; 3d, On the condition and character of the Natives; 4th, On the colonization of India. Mr. HOPKINSON'S Wines, which are an nounced this evening for public competition, are stated to be more recherche than any thing for a very long period antecedent. His protracted and unexpected stay in the West Indies has produced this favourable opportunity to amateurs in especially fine wines. Mr. GxoltnE ROBINS, it should seem, travels out of his usual course, by recom mending them, and in no unmeasured terms, to the cognos centi in rare wines. CHELSEA WATER WORKS.--The inhabit ants of Chelsea, feeling themselves aggrieved by the con duct of this Company in putting on additional rate upon them, chargeable fur the last half-year, in order to cover the expence of filtering the water from the present period, have forwarded a requisition to the churchwardens, for holding a Vestry on Thursday, the 7th of May, for the purpose of taking into consideration the best mode of re sisting the payment of this extra charge. Dr. WELLES LEY, the rector of the parish, will, we understand, preside at the meeting. ALARMING FlRE.—Between three and four yesterday afternoon the extensive premises of Messrs. ninon:NT and Co., sugar-refiners, Shorter's-street, Well close-square, were discovered to be on fire, and Curb strong hold had the devouring element taken before it was discovered, that more than one-half of the roof and build ing were enveloped in flames before any effectual assistance could be procured ; and although the firemen with four teen or fifteen engines were promptly on the spot, every effort to save the building proved ineffectual. There are scenes of light, and hope, and beauty, before us : neither shall we calculate upon or de scribe at length what fields of ambition and enterprise, what rewards and honours for industry and merit, what improvements in agriculture and manufactures, what se curity for capital, what thousands of happy visions are now opening on the country. The Irish Catholic has long since been told of them : from his present height of moral grandeur he can view and grasp them a 11...-. LOlt. tionehrry Cltronith. PUBLIC MEETING AT MANCHESTER. ( :'rota the Manchester Mercury of Thursday.) TUF. EAST. Ve.t e day a nuelerotes ail hielily-esetepectable meeting er :eel-chants, inn ufactiners, .nil others interested in the :e ;le to theL et. eras held in the inildie-roeni of the Town Hell, pursuant to a most respectahee requisition addressed to the horoughreeve and constables, to consider the pro priety of petitioning Parliament for a free intercourse with the countries of the E•ost, on the expiration of the East India Company's charter. At half-past eleven o'clock, Ronenr °Gore:, Esq , the senior constable, was called to the chair, and opened the business by reading the requisition end notice fur oneen ing the Meeting. • Mr. G. Woon then rose to move the first resolution, and was received with loud and general cheers. He said the charter under which the East India Company had en joyed their exclusive privileges was first granted in the reign of Elizabeth, for a short period, and was renewed at short intervals down to the last renewal, which took place in 1813. Until about 20 years before that renewal, namely, up to 1793, the trade to the East was entirely confined to the East India Company, and no other persons were permitted to have the slightest participation in it. In that year, however, under the influence of a number of distinguished individuals, at the head of whom was Mr., Pitt, same regulations were adopted for allowing the private merchants of this country to enjoy a partici pation in the advantages of this commerce. The regula tiocs under which the trade was carried on so fettered and hoimpered the privilege thus conceded, that very little was done in the way of private trade, until 1600 ; when Lord Melville, at that time President of the Board of Control, seeing how ineffective were the regulations which he had been concerned in introducing, suggested some charges to which the East India Company were induced to yield, and which were calculated to put the trade upon a better footing. From that time to 1814 the trade gra dually increased, though it did not reach to any thing like the amount to which it has since attained. In 1812 (the charter being to expire on 1814) the Company commenced their efforts to obtain a renewal of :heir exclusive privileges. Public attention, however, was at that time alive to the subject; and the great importance of it was felt amongst the commercial and manufacturing classes in almost every part of the kingdom. We were at that time engaged in a most expensive and ruinous war, which weighed heavily on the resources of the country, and the end of which no one could foresee. India was, therefore, looked to with great interest by mercantile men, in the hope that it might replace the markets of which the war had deprived us. After a long and severe struggle between the two parties, which lasted dur ing ine the greater part of two sessions of Parliament, a Bill was obtained under the provisions of which the trade had been comductecl to the present time. He (Mr. Wood) recollected a speech made during the dis cussion by a gentleman holding one of the highest offices of state, but who had *ince, he was happy to say, begun to entertain more liberal opinions on commercial affairs ; in which there was a very striking passage on this subject. He slid that three thousand years had now rolled over the Peninsula of India, during which empires had risen and disappeared,—mountains had been levelled and valleys filled up,—even the Ganges had changed its course : but amidst all these changes its inhabitants re mained the same. Their habits were unchanged ; their wants and wishes remained the same; and those who sought to change them would find it a hopeless task. Other advocates of the Company contended that those who asked for a free commercial inter course were seeking their own ruin ; that they were rushing on what would destroy them. A third individual, distinguished as one of the first mer cantile men of the age, contended that India could fur nish no produce in return for our commodities. He said its cotton had been tried and found not to answer the pur pose of our manufacturers; anti that the import of indigo could not be materially extended, unless every man in the country would wear a blue coat. To be sure the piece of goods of India might be obtained to any amount; but be apprehended that a large import of them would not suit the manufacturers of Manchester and Glasgow. The trade, however, was opened ; and the result of the expe riment ought to make us feel great diffidence in the judg ment of the acutest men. Events had completely set at nought the anticipations—had falsified the predictions of all these eminent authorities. The piece of goods of India had been admitted to this country, and so far were they from beating us out of the home market, as the advocates of restriction foretold, that they had not even diminished the demand for our manufactures in the other countries of Europe ; and there was at this time a very large export of English piece goods to the very country from which this overwhelming opposition was to come.—(Cheers.) — These were the results of the anticipation of some of the ablest men in the country, and he would now proceed to examine how the predictions of the merchants and menu facturers had been borne out by experience.—" Mr. Wood here read a resolution passed at a public meeting on the subject, held in 1812, which was to the effect that the opening of the trade to the east, would cause an increased export of Thitish manufactures.)—He would now ask whether the anticipations of the merchants and manufac turers of Manchester, or those of the eminent English Statesmen, had turned out to be more correct. The in- tercourse with India had now been, to a certain extent, open for the last fifteen years, and the meeting were aware trade to a vast extent was now carried on between this country and India, by individual skill, capital, and enter prise; and he (Mr. Wood) might add, that it had been a highly successful trade. Of course it had Sot been without its vicissitudes : but that it had been on the whole a lucrative trade, was best shown by its rapid extension, In the year 1814, when the free trade was first established, the export of white calicoes from this country to India did not exceed 200,000 yards, whilst, in the year 1527, it amounted to no less than twenty eight millions of yards, having inmeesed 140 fold in the short space of thirteen years.—(Cheers.)—Of printed and dyed calicoes, the export in 1814 was only 605,000 yards : in 1827, it was fourteen millions,— (Cheers.)—And, notwithstanding these large exports of goods, an entirely new trade' had sprung up in cotton twist, which was not amongst our exports prior to the opening of the intercourse with India. In the year 1814 it appeared only eight pounds of twist were exported to India—whilst, in 1828, there were near three millions of pounds.—(Loud cheers.) —With theme facts before their eyes, the merchants and manufacturers of Mancliee ter might say that what had been done 41 1811 was well done ; that the changes made at that time, as far as they had gone, had been highly beneficial ; and they had a fair claim on Government that they should now allow the utmost freedom of intercourse that was compatible with the security and well-being of the Company's possessions in India. He would therefore now proceed to inquire what were the restrictions under which the trade at pre sent laboured, and which contributed to prevent its ex tension. In the first place, the private merchants of this country were entirely shut eut from any participa tion in the trade to China. It certainly did seem odd, at first sight, that China, a country over which the Company had no manner of controul, should be the only one excepted from our commerce ;—that whilst they permitted a commercial intercourse with their territories in the Peninsula, they should reserve to themselves the trade of a great and independent empire, so far removed from their own.. One of the arguments made use of in support of this singular anomaly, was, that the Chinese were so peculiar a people, so quarrelsome, and so jealous of Europeans, that the trade with them could be carried on by no nobody but the East India Company. In a speech of Lord Castlereagh, during the discussions in 1813, it was stated that such was the nature of the Chi nese government, and such the peculiar character of the people, that it was extremely doubtful whether the trade could be carried on by any other individuals than the agents of the company, even aided by all the influence of the Crown of Great Britain. To this argument an answer would he found in the single word " America." Both then and now the Americans carried on a very ex tensive traffic with China ; and their example was per fectly demonstrative on this point. If they could trade with the Chinese, surely private English merchants could trade with them also ; for it would he derogatory to the power and dignity of our government to say that the Americans, a people of yesterday,—descendants of our own,—were able to exercise an influence which could nut be wielded by this country.—(Cheers )—But the exclusive trade to China had also been defended on the ground of revenue. The advocates of the company stated, that their trade to India was unprofitable ; and that, unless they con tinued to have a monopoly of the China trade, they should not have the means of paying their stockholders. At the time when this argument w as urged, it certainly possessed some weight. The country was at that time involved in a war of which no one could foresee the termination ; and if it had so happened that the Company had been unable to discharge their obligations, it might have been neces sary that they should be provided for by Government ; and in a time of considerable financial difficulty, it was desirable to avoid any addition d burthens. He (Mr. lel'tnohwtoe rather Wood) u) urged not td N. rhi a re s ildy, ion let continue ttiaway-the country re t hi s oo t tu t fini a stt t rhyep rt argu ment ikwennttohpe, had been re ,elyxctluasni dividendsy d e , iftosiytsitl;l 141 e. ift rteortopoly formed sue great brattea of this h Eng land b ; e the ade g ( r in e a this h eisy subject question ; wet by that monopoly that the Company en obtained their proffx. Of eourse those profits could he gained only at that expellee of the people of more than the Company gained. Some computations e i t lost muck : " L t i h r e erp p o:l Pl , that the consumers of tea in this country were injured by the monopoly to the extent of about 2,800,000/. per annum. They had, therefore, a fair right to ask to be re ' lieved from thie hnrthen. The private merchants of Eng land did net ask Government to transfer the trade of the company to them ; they OM not wish to take from the corn pm y one tittle of what they Assessed : all they asked was that the trade should be thrown open p--(cheers)—in order that it might be seen whether they or the company could condmt:.t it most to the advantage of the comnry.—(Cheers.) After some observations on the arbitrary power of banish ment possessed by the agents of the company, Mr. Wood concluded by moving the filet resolution, which will be found below. Mr. WILLIAM Gent4nrr seconded the resolution. Mr. Jolts: Suurri.Evvoant then rose to earns the Meeting in support of time resolution, and delivered one of the most able and impressive speeches that we ever heard on any public occasion. Its great length, however, for it occupied fully an hour in the delivery, and the holding of the Meeting so near our time of publication, precludes us from giving any thing like a report of it; and we . do not know how to select any part where all wa s 80 forcible and impressive. When Mr. Shuttleworth had concluded hie speech, which was received throughout with the strongest marks of approbation, the first resolution was put, and carried unanimously. The succeeding resolutions were then successively passed. In moving or seconding them the following gen. tlernen addressed the Meeting at some length, viz.:--Mr. Jahn Bradshaw - , Mr. R. H. Greg, Mr. Joseph Smith, and Mr. Samuel Fletcher. The Meeting was also ad dressed by Dr. Johns and Mr. Jambes Bunting. For the reasons already mentioned, however, we cannot give an outline of their speeches. Time following are the resolutions passed on the occa sion :--- 1. That results highly beneficial to the manufactures and commerce of the kingdom, hive arisen out of the par -611 opening to individual skill and enterprise of the trade with the countries of the East, which took place in 1814, on the last renewal of the East India Company's Charter. .2. That similar good effects may be confidently antici pated from extending the principle then acted upon, to osr interior of India and to China, which still remain subject to the interdict of the Company's monopoly. 3. That one of the main blessings which the freedom of commerce confers on mankind is the distribution of the products of the eoil, and of human industry, amongst the various nations of the earth, on cheaper terms, and in greatly augmented quantities ; that, tried by this test, the experiment of 1814 has proved eminently successful, and sanctions and prescribes to us the removal of those re maining restrictions which were then suffered to continue. 4. That exclusive privileges depend for their vindicatitnt on the supposition of their being beneficial to the commu nity at large; and are manifestly impolitic and unjust when they are otherwise;--that the monopoly of the trade its tea, now possessed by the Company, is productive of great and obvious injury to the public, and is not attended with any equivalent advantage to the revenue. 5. That the power enjoyed by the Company, of sum mary and arbitrary banishment, without legal process, from all the territories under their eontroul, is in violation of the rights of Englishmen ; injurious to the interests of India and of Great Britain ; unjustifiable on any plea of state necessity ; and ought to be no longer suffered to exist. 6. That the happiest consequerces might be expected to arise from giving encouragement to the settlement of British-born subjects throughout our Indian posseeeione ; the capital, would be thereby promoted; the arts, the civilization, and the literature of Europe it mild spread ; and the great blessings of Christianity be peaceably dif fused through regions where its name is yet unknown. 7. That for the reasons contained in the foregoing re solution., petitions be presented to both Houses of Par liament, praying that, at the earliest practicable period, the trade to the interior of India, and to China, may be thrown open ; the monopoly in tea cease ;—the right to proceed to, and settle in India, be materially enlarged ; and the power of banishment, without trial and conviction, for some known offence, be put an end to ;—and further, that inquiry may be instituted into the present condition of the countries now subject to the British Crown, within the limits of the East India Company's charter, in order that such measures may be adopted, as shall most speedily develope the native resources of those regions, and most effectually promote the permanent welfare of their inha bitants. 8. That the following gentlemen, jointly with the Di rectors of the Chamber of Commerce, be appointed a Committee, with power to add to their number, be re quested and authorized to use their most active exertions to promote the object of this meeting by deputation to London, by correspondence with other commercial towns, and in such other ways as they may judge expedient, namely : Mr. Douglas Mr. Mark Philips. Mr. John Hargreaves Mr. James Oughton Mr. H. Houldsworth Mr. B. Braidlev Mr. John Barton Mr. Thus. A.lkon Mr. Shakspeare Philips Mr. Thos. Heywood Mr. H. Newberry Mr. John Powell Mr. Richard Smith Mr. John Bentley. That the proceedings of this ➢leeting be advertised under the direction of the Committee. KING'S THEATRE.—The Barber of Seville was performed last night at this Theatre. Madame MALIBRAN was the Rosina, and went through the part with much judgment and spirit. Zccrixtr.t was the Barber, and as usual, gained great applause. M. LE VAssEus, in the character of Basilio, made au indifferent Basilio, so much so, as to cause us to regret the loss of Nero. Signor GRAZIANI'S Doctor Bartolo was excel lent. Altogether the opera was strongly cast, and gave general satisfaction to a crowded house. PURE WATER.—The complaints are so loud as it regards the water supplied to the inhabitants of this great metropolis, and have continued so long, that it may be imagined the remedy for this grievance has escaped at tention. GEORGE ROBINS'S Royal Filter, at No. 6P, Strand, not only purifies the most turbid foetid stagnant water, but it renders it of a chrystaline brilliancy, and effectually destroys all smell and taste. It is adapted to Cisterns of all dimensions, awl will filter as many hundred gallons per diem as the Thames Company will indulge the. good folks with, sad which many of the most learned Physicians pronounce to be disgusting to the eye, and the effluvia to affect the senses. There ars also portable cis terns to meet the wishes of every family, and filters of all sizes: but we have still to add, that the remedy fur this mischief is within the means of the humblest class, the price is so low that we only wonder a single family in this great town can abridge themselves of sach a luxury as brilliant and pure water. _ _ DINNER AT ABINGDON.—On Thursday, the 23d instant (being the day on which the Catholic Relief Bill canse into operation) two handsome silver salvers were presented to Mr. W. STRANGE and Mr. C. BASTER, bailiffs of the corporation and borough of Abing don, bearing the following inscription:--" Presented to Mr. W. STRANGE and Mr. C. Baarxit, bailiffs of the borough of Abingdon, from their friends and fellow townsmen, as a tribute of respect for their independent conduct in defence of civil and religious liberty, at a Com mon Council held on the 20th day of February, 1829." The friends of civil and religious liberty dined together, at the Crown and Thistle, on the occasion. The chair was taken by Thomas BowLxs, of Milton.hill, Ezq., late re spected high sheriff of the county; and CHARLES ETSTON, of Henslred House, Esq., was Vice-Chairman. There arc Four Landed Investments an nounced in our Auction Department to-day, by GEORGE ROBINS, the value of which exceeds 650,0001. sterling. We are persuaded these is no precedent for this since auc tions were first instituted. A ludicrous circumstance occurred here the other day, which has furnished matter for gossip to our old maids and servant girls for a month to come. A ser vant in a respectable family, actuated it is s.iid by a principal of retaliation, and instigated by her neighbours and companions, put into the kail designed for the Sabbath dinner a quantity of physic. The trick was discovered on the Saturday evening, and the girl with her coadjutors have been examined before the Magistrates. The stuff has been analyzed, and found to be two or three laxative pills ! ! Although too mach importance bas been attached to this matter, yet the girl's conduct is very reprehensible. Fife Herald. SUICIDE BY DROWNING.—On Tuesday week, JOHN FARQUHAR, one of the pilots of Wick, a married man, having quarrelled with his wife, thrcateced to drown himself in the harbour. He accordingly left the house, followed by his wife, and instantly pree;pitatel himself into the see, over the pier. The body of the un fortunate man has not yet been found. On his way to tilo pier, after leaving home, it appears that the man called at the house of his parents and bade them ktewell. His wife was present when he leapt into the sea. Two ehil ren are left to deplore the loss of their rash ill-fated parent. Inverness Garin%