The Express.
London, England, 1852-03-25 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 25, 1852.

SOCIETY OF THE FRIENDS OF ITALY.

Tho second concersazione of the Society of tho
Friends of Italy w:a held yesterda evening, in tho great
hall of the Freemasons' Tavern. The object of this society
(as explained on this and on former occasions) is to direct
public attention to a particular class of facts, affecting the
opinions which may be formed in this country in reference
to foreign politics, and:further, to bring into direct com-
munication active English politicians and the exiled repre-
sentatives of what is popularly termed the " Italian cause."
The society is of distinctly liberal tendencies ; but its or-
ganisation doss not appear to have in view the propagation
of any special doctrines distinguishing the
Italians, who are prominent at these meetings; and, there-
fore, audiences are collected of a very general political and
social character, and by no means ranging under any palpa-
ble " party " standard. Lut evening the hall was well filled,
and fully one-third of those present were ladies. Of the
foreigners es many were Hungarians as Italians.
Professor NEWMAN took the chair, and intimated that
the course of proceeding would, first, be the delivery of a
lecture, and next • colloquial discussion, Mr. Musini
having expressed his willingness to answer all questions
that might Do put to him upon points rising out of the
lesture.

The proceedings were opened by Mr. G. DAWSON, who
declared his belief that no great and noble work could be
effected for Italy until the whole Italian people were one
people. Italy could be nothing but republican. (Hear,
bear.) The traditions of Italy were all republicans, and
the pages of its kings were the pages of shame. (Hear,
hear.) Its meannesses were connected with the crown—
its glories with a republic. Italy is intensely national,
and no foreigner &mid set loot on its soil until he- was sent
for, unless he cams as a friend and an ally. (Cheers.) He
conceived that the people of this country should not deny
their sympany to the Italians; but he regretted that a bad
stlieriytfhlad comeh oi;re
fr. the land, alid.peodle didted not sahy wham, at
premiseit ht
im an oration; andwasutno the talk aboulefu
he felt assured that no power in Europe could make the people
of this country turn out refugees. (Cheer He would open
his house to any plotting refugee that might wish to come
to it—(cheeng —and if, u was reported, this country
should be visited by a foreign police, he would my stick
well to the refugees. (Cheers.) Their best thanksgiving
for liberty would be, to assist others to obtain it. (Chem.)
The CHAIRMAN Gelled on M. Malsini to explain how
the Italians would deal with the difficult samisen of the
pamey, if left to themselves. (Hear.)
N. MAZZINI (who was received with lead *sae) de-
eland in reply, that the ssaitras the wee el the
country. The Emma Ifte was limited to his hues,
and deprived of the skil of and French Meer, he
would Rua swag bes Remo, sod thus the iinestisa would
be ohs& They serildly spate& at Be dishee.
et Bev", bseb es • teemsesl eat "Mem* Omer.
1 Whoa the run away, they would Wept measures
asesaleim Wed state of belief in Italy, and the meet-
beg aught devout gm It the verdict wield he that the
mese was a asses. (Beer.)
The CHAIRXAX begged IL maimid wield °lb" why le did not desire to use liberty mildilihed in Italy
under a monarehied Rem of goverment.
M. MAZZINI would answer the qmseliam es he had in-
=Towered melax queetkes Were. Thep &dared
republiere because they ese esvaNems. sod
*bey we se moldy bemuse they see Italka& flees who
seed te bees emateekkel gownsman{ selellist Itely
Beget that these wen est 'weasels la the eseetrp tease-
stints it. They deslared themselves republican because
every at Sae lad been made without a positive Aag
round ~IM peg* wield rally had fated. (Hear.)
After seem ANON ssaveseelleu end a dere speech from
Mr. DAVID MARION, the lissratery to the &misty, the
meet* separated.

THE ROYAL NavT.—Yesterday • return was
printed hawing that, on the let January last, there were
791—_-eblAthem and cadets in the lies Navy, and 236
metes. The esker of midshipmen from cadets could not
be ethie. Oa the Ist January last year, there were 176
em NO midshipman, and 219- cadets.
DAMOEROUS PlArTics. —On Tuesday morning,
Mr. Molyneaux, an *dicer of the madams at Plymouth,
and his best's crew were placed in a perilous position by
the wend Matlethloa, it is feared, on the part of as einem.
Mr. Melyaseux bad been from Millbay to Devonport, and
at about nine o'clock was returning to Millbay; on arriving
between Drake's Island and the Point at the Longroom
Barracks he saw a yet the 19t1 Rest in the act of
firing at a Mimi as thud at the plat overhanging
the sea. Mr. ltely•eaut peneesied without any apprehension
expecting that the Inv% would he seaaded Ind the
notice for the soldiery to awspend the flag until fife
or beats qa:ithla nye elteald hem got bored the
teeth et • WWI d BMW being givea is Mr.
pessWg, tt he
by th tramgemr simply waved his , bat whit& was ten no seethe of e 'Meer in
eemmand, and the soldiers at *Miamian fired ; the result
wee that several balls dropped near the heat, ewe of than
Mein right between Me ma at the strobe ear end Mr.
Malyaisaz, who was at the helm, and who ware only *Wm
sheet I het apart from sash other, the bell dropping about
we hot the ether side of the boat. The men, as might be ex-
were very melt alarmed. Mr. llolyneaux imme-
diately pulled towards the shore, and landed under the
rocks, and proceeded to have an interview with the corii•
mending officer tombola he told the circumstance, and the
dangerous posit Lea be whisk he had been placed, and no
doubt steps will be taken le p vent the lives of watermen
sadothersfrembidesa to the imminent danger out of
which in this Wenn the above individuals escaped. Mr.
Melymewita hie ibse pat himself into correspondence with
the emememilleg dim of the district, Major-General the
Man. Wray Moovor.

THE CORPORATION REFORM BILL.-
COMMON HALL.

Yesterday a Common Hall, convened in pursuance
of a requisition to the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, signed
by several merchants and others of the City of London, was
held at the Guildhall. His Lordship presided. About 600
of the liverymen were present.
The LOUD MAYOR, on consenting to take the chair,
mid that he willingly agreed to call the meeting, believing
that the subject was of much importance to the entire body
of the citizen. of London.

Deputy HARRISON rose for the purpose of moving a
resolution to the area that the meeting approved of the
principle of the bill, now before parliament, for the pur-
pose of extending the municipal franchise. The bill pro-
posed to admit as freemen of the City of London all persona
who paid taxes as parliamentary electors, rnd who had
retailed fur one year and a day in the City. It was a tact
that as time rolled on great changes would come about in
the corporation as well as in everything else, and therefore
it was that the municipal body had determined, after consi-
derable consideration, to recommend the bill then before
the House of Commons. (A citizen—" Are you a livery.
man, Deputy Harrison?") Deputy Harrison was glad that
question had been put to hint. Ho was a liveryman, and
had been eu for '24 years. (Cheers.) And lie would tell
his brother-liverymen that if they, as liverymen, were not
prepared to extend the franchise very considerably that the
government would soon do it without asking the consent of
the body at all.
Mr. DILIA/N seconded tho motion.

Mr. I'. FLANDERS, citizen and Twiner, said that the
livery had been wrongly treated in this matter. The bill
had been smuggled into the House of Commons before the
livery knew anything about its provisions. Ile considered
that the further discussion of the question ought to be ad-
journed. (Cries of "Adjourn.")
Mr. N. CLARKE, citizen and mercer, rose to move an
amendment, in substance that the meeting viewed with
alarm the proposed bill, which it stated would destroy the
independence and jurisdiction of the body of liverymen.
Ile denounced the contemplated measure as a robbery upon
the livery, who for generations had exercised their privi-
leges with unflinching independence.
Mr. TAYLOR, citizen and master of the Plumbers'
Cornelia, in seconding the amendment, complained of the
want of notice regarding the meeting.
After some further discussion,
The LORD MAYOR put the amendment, which was
carried by an overwhelming majority, and amidst tremen-
dous cheering.
Mr. FINLAY, citizen and blacksmith, then moved that
a committee be formed, consisting of two members of each
company, with their several clerks, to report that meeting
of Common Hall, to watch the interests of the Livery, and
to take such steps as might be deemed desirable as to the
bill now before parliament, as to municipal elections in the
City of London. (Cheers.)
Mr. MASTERMAN, citizen and apectacle•maker, se-
conded the motion.

Corned unanimously.
It was subsequently resolved that the resolutions should
he advertised in the morning journals, alter which thanks
were voted to the Right lion. the Lord Mayor for his able
presidency, and the Common Hall was dissolved.