The Express.
London, England, 1848-05-25 00:00:00

rating seven alterations of a kind more or less tech-
nical. 'the Marriage Bill was condemned, us " ealcu-
lair d to injure the feelings of the community, without
conferring any practical good." It was admitted that
the present system of registration stands in need of ,
improvement, but they did not consider the matter so
urgent as to justify the imposition of additional bur-
dens at a time when the country is suffering from dis-
tress, and when additional burdens for more important
purposes are about to be propoaed." Thu Lunatic
Bill was denounced still more roundly. Mr. Maco-
nocbie, of Meadowbank, who himself was Lord
Advocate some thirty years ago, stated that
he " thought it absurd to take the management
of the 3,004) pauper lunatics from the board, who
had charge of 100,000 sane paupers, while the pro-
posal to create a new hoard at an expenco of 3,000!.
a year to the country was a complete job, that ought
to be put down—that ought to he cried down—that
ought to be unanimously condemned by the country."
The general assembly of the established church has,
by a majority of 112 to 5, resolved to petition the
lionse of Lords against the removal of Jewish dis-
abilities. In the free church assembly the case of
the refractory Gaelic church iu Greenock was disposed
of, by the charge being ordered to be kept vacant
for three months; and the ministers, about whom the
dispute hod arisen, being kept out of the list of new
candidates for the vacancy. Deputations from foreign
churches were introduced, consisting of Mr. Scholl,
from the free church in Switzerland, and Professor
La Ilarpe, from Geneva. From tho report of the
college committee, it appears that the cost of the
Free ('hunch College is 5,000/. per annum, the income
from students is 1,2001., leaving 3,800!. to be provided
by the church. At present the debt is 2,0601.

PROVINC'IAL.
STAFFORDAIIIIIE.
INCORPORATION 01 WOLVaItIIAMPToN.—On Mon-
day the hi wly-sleeted councillors of this borough assi mbled
for the first time, when twelve of the thirty-six chosen by
the burgesses were elected aldermen, the council thus Jar
evincing their determination that the entire power to con-
struct the corporation should remain with the constituency.
Mr. G. B. Thorneycroft, the ironmaster, was unatimou•ly
erected mayor. ►fe is a conservative, but as the majority of
the new councilors are of liberal politics, it is only fair to
state that it is the new mayor's hioh character and the
esteem in which he is held, that carried his election. There
were tour candidates fur the town clerkship; Mr. Walker
(liber•l) was elected, by a majority of 20 to 10. The new
corporator, finished the day by dining together at the Swan
Hoti I. Wolverhampton," says a correspondent, ecnnot
fail to benefit by this new local govern nit hoard. Situate as it
is in the centre of a district of great wealth and importance,
and with a population greatly on the increase, the town is
fast springing into consideration, mama only to the very
largest provincial boroughs. Very much requires to be dune
in the way of tani•ary and other improvements; the railway
companies are doing much in one direction to remove un-
sightly appearances, and abundance of work presents itself
for the attention of the local authorities in other quarters.
The x lateness of longchu rch-leases upon property in the centre
of the tiara is doubtless a great bar to those improvements,
which might but for them have been effected, and is per-
haps& main cause for the existence of so many ill-constructed
budding+ and min-shapen streets. The town has a good
natural drainage, which a little art would render complete,
—a great desideratum in'such a population. These ore all
matters requiring attention and remedy as far as possible."
ESSEX.

ABOLITION OF TUE LAW OF SETTLEMENT.—At
the last meeting of the Co!Ouster board of guardians, after
some discussion, several of the guardians not voting, a reso-
lution was carriid virtvalty in favour of abolishing the law
of settlement, and adopting a national poor-rate ; and on
Tuesday last, Mr. a Beckett, a poor law inspector, attended
the Chelmsford board officially, when, after taking into con.
sideration the effects of the existi. g law of settlement, and
the best measures to promote its more equitable bearing, the
following resolution WIDA unanimously adapted : " That in
the opinion of the members now present, the abolition of
the law of settlement, accompanied by an equitable adjust-
ment of the burden of maintaining the pior, would be
beneficial."