The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-10 00:00:00

UNITED SERVICE INSTITUTION.
--•--

Captain Garnet Man, Professor of Fortification.
at the Royal Military College, gave the first of a course of
lecturek.on the subject of the science he professes lest
evening in the theatre of the United Service Institution.
He commenced by remarking that the knowledge of torn-
. ficatiens was, in consequence of the technicalities by which
it was surrounded, confined almost exclusively to military
engineers. He proposed to popularise the subject by sub-
stituting for the orditiory ground pl Sr., by which it
was usually illustrated dissolving views of the
different 'modes of fortifying cities and strong
places adopted in ancient and modern time,. The
art of fortification, he observed, conduced to the peace
of nations, and, while the other arts of war tended to des-
truction, fortification conduced to the preservation of
human life; and, in the present state of Europe. the
money expended in fortifications, and in maintaining
armies, should be regarded as a sort of assurance premium
paid by the nation for its safety. He t7:en proceeded to
trace the art historically from those ancient times when
fortifications were confined to the simple stockades raised
by the hunters and shepherds for their protection, to the
first attempts at regular fortifications by means of stone
walls by the Assyrians and other nation-, of antiquity.
Troy, which was thus defended, he said held out ten years
against the whole power of Greece ; but tile strongest
modern fortifioation must fall within a month. it' the siege
were conducted according to military rule.
The lecture, which appeared to give great satisfaction to a
large audience, was illustrated by a number of dissolving
views, illustrating the progress of the art, Among which were
representations of an ancient mountain fortification in Al-
bania, the City of Nineveh, Tyre, Syracuse, the wall of Udine,
Jerusalem, and other celebrated fortified places of the
earlier ages, the strongholds of the Gauls and Britain. In
conclusion,.fire gallant captain stated thst the next three or
four lectures would be, like the present, purely of a histori-
cal character, and about the fifth or sixth he would com-
mence the description and illustration of the modern prac-
tice.

CROYDON NEW LITERARY AND Sf•TE.NTITIC
hTITI:TION.—This institution' established last year, pro.
gre-sea favourabl Since the let of upwards of
200 persons have become memb re, the whole,
above 300 An interesting lecture on " Popar superstitions"
was delivered on Monday evening last by Dlr. Joseph
Simpron, librarian of the lelington Lit,niry Society, and
the Rev. Dr. Wilson, late Fellow of St. John's College,
Cambridge, and Desn of the College of Preceptors, is about
to lecture on The Pyramids of Egypt."
INDIAN ARMS FOR THE TOWER 012 LORPON.-
Several cases have arrived from India. eonclrnidio tbs.
East India Company, containing arms intended to he de-
posited in the armoury of the Tower L'noon, and the
necessary arrangements have ben mad:, with the govern-
ment authorities for their adminicn for the intended
purpose.

M CWIPORATION COMMISSION.

Ve'lenity the Commissioners resumed the inquiry
a the Mticial ...eience of the Prime Minister, Dowiiir.gs
wee: lr. L ihouchere in the chair.
Joseph Lawrence, etock.breker of the City of London,
sot-1 have been a stockbroker for the City of Loadoa
1.1 t,„,,ty year., and have been requested to come here
by the members of the Stock Exchange, brokers, to state
t„ee connected with the body. The stock
cigs,6,o-
esae under eery stringent regulations of the Court
of \;' ,men. There are also regulations of the mem-
bers of the stlek Exchange themselves. Every member
W give security net only against cue, of defeult, but
ii:0„0 to Character. Every sworn broker has to take up
bi freedom, and to pay a certain tine, and he has to ex-
tag, a tand only to carry on his business during the pleas
wed the Court of Aldermen, and to subscribe the regu-
i.
iatin •a which they impose. The restrictions imposed by
the corp•nation are vexatious, ioconsistent with the spirit
of the on. and inimical to the freedom of trade.
Inc , —WIII yeti spetify what they are.
Leserencc—lit the first place, they require us to sub-
lON to things which in the present state of things it ie
,res,!sle to carry Out. In the first place, they require us
'a give the name* of the buyer and seller. 1 his is
site impov.ible, because the liroken of the Stock Exchange
do sot themselves always knew the principals in every
Paw-on In the CAW of purchases of the Bank of Eng-
lutd f . •
se* behalf of the government it would be highly ob-
j,thogahle if we gave the name of the parties for whom we
wed. Si also in the case of bankers. We are thus rei-
,,,,eed to enter into a bond to do eert on things, the fulfilment
gg„:11 would be quite opposed to the mode of conducting
our baseless as members of the Stock Exchange. These
reaulations an set aside in practice, having fallen into
~'ounce. The amount of annual payment by each broker
es But by obliging penons to take up their freedom
in order that they may he able to become broker-, they get
good deal is fen. Up to a late period they obliged
beakers to take up Omit freedom through the companies,
Muth involved a still further expense. That rule it now
geghatted, but the brokers must still be freemen of the
city. A partner of mine paid 181. town clerk's fees;
▪ le. lid. to the Cha nberlaia's-oltiee, and 311. 12s. 64.
to become a member of the Wheelwrighthe Con-
ga', before he could be a Stock Exchange broker.
Mu F. Atkinson paid SOI. to take up hie freedom from the
Cape'. Compeer But as I have stated, it is sot peen.
soy enw to be a member of a company. There arced()
stoclebeeken who pay sl. a year each. so that there is
.1.0001. paid by the benders without the least benefit to the
public tnerefrom. The broker gives security himself to the
amount of 1,0101i1., sad two sureties in 2401. each. These
owlet', are
deficit the surety may be one of the waiters of the Stock
Egekeep. There is a security to the public required by the
members of the Stock Exchange themselves, which is the
easy real security the public have. I don't think the ream
11,10111 of the corporation afford the least security. The
members of the Stock Exchange can expel a member who
acts fraudulently, and their rules are far more stringent
thee theism of the corporation. I never knew a can of
&dwelt or misconduct to be inquired into by the Court of
Aldermen. There it a question ae to the right of the cors
polishes% to compel these payments from the atock•brukers,
heciass there is considerable doubt whether a stock-broker
nuns within the meaning of the word broker, as
defined in the act of the 6th of Anne, which
the statute under which the claim ia de-
weeded. The brokers referred to in the act of Anne
were piteous who were employed to we juvice done between
the ialubitaate of the City and the foreign merchant is re-
tinae, to the spice trade, but it could not refer to a clam of
meow who dealt in a species of property which was not in
ettetenee at all when that act was passed. However, filr.
Powell, one of the most respectable members of the Stock
Exchange, but who had not taken up hie freedom, was
prosecuted, about ten years ago, by the City for selling
stock to a person named Clarke, an informer whom the COY-
parities employed for the purpose. Mr. Powell defended
himself, and that defence coat him 1,2001. The Court of
hlueen'a Bench affirmed the right of the City. These fines
were imposed for the purpose of giving compensation for
two abolished offices which the City let at 3001. a year.
This was 150 years ago, yet the present brokers alone paid
VOL a year, besides, at a low estimate, 12,0001. in feet
tar admission. One of the regulations of the Court of
Aldermen was that the agents should have a badge with a
number on it, like a cabman or a waterline ; and it was in
their power to demand the production of this badge from
the brokers of such boons as Coutts and Drummond. This
was never enforced, but it was telt to be degrading that
such a regulation should be in existence. The brokers of
tae Stock Exchange are subject to then fine. merely be-
nne they are called t' brokers.- If they were called
Stock Exchange tt dealer " the cerporation would have no
prance for demanding the fines.
The Rev. Mr. Dalton, Rector of Lambeth, examined—
Ile mid that the poor of the parish between Lam-
beth Palace and Vauxhall-bridge were frequently
'boded by the overflow of the tide, which caused them
great misery. He did not believe that the City of London
was responsible for this, except that he undentood that
these Made never took place till after the building of the
new London-bridge, the lat';e arches of which permitted a
greater tease of water than previously. What was said was,
that the corporation ought to have looked to this mallet whoa
ttey were building the bridge. He was not aware WA Om
City of London bad done anything in respect to the NON&
navy of the river.
Mr. Beck, of laleworth. said that he was in error what
be stated la We farmer evidence that he was sot permitted
to belag s lean the Medway by his own noel. Me
also heeded mendis a scheme for the conservancy of the Timm%
the chief feature. of which were, that he chute *NM opw
the river to all persons, would have beim
and a board appointed for the cameraman of 2:her,
with which the corporation should have nothing to do. He
was sure that under a good system of conservancy boats of
.1.0 tons burden might be brought up the river as far as
Kingston.
Mr. G. C. Aebb , a Roman cement nassfatterer, of
letworth, generally the 'miasma of Mr. Beek,
and detailed eseermi QOM of lassansiesinfreellaney, sad
lo:s which arise kIIM las posesseeimes myelin. Me bed es
one nouns he 601.. Ind la 1001.11 r lIIIT by being
• to employ a escudo elan et men.net when he had
tto control, nem& stems inns elemmentir mod enspetesey
he send Juliette Mese& •
Mr. Sill" ebsenweidms et St. Panne, attended es
behalf of des nifty, time m' the remelt et • meeting held
on the 7tlh if Des mbar, which cans to • mastics in
(weer or a win beorpOrsolete of St. Panne. Mr. Bilden
stated that the parish would be saved a essaiderable yearly
sum if they bast • corporatism to nonage affairs instead of
laving osporato sad ininiaint estheticism to conduit
them, as was the ens st peesen.
Hr. Pritchard. Wyk bmiliff of Southwark, appeared es
the part of a deputation hoof Selinwark, and !mid before
the costaimioa the result at ne pain meeting hold is the
Town-hall on the 23ri of N witlehagelef
bison in favour of neorpessies with the et Larks.
The feeling was not in favour of the of the
live parishes aloes which belessed to the of Leaden
helot the whole of the peelleneetary bessesh of Sean-
eark. The Salsa of ny sin is new between din mad
COOL a year, iselediag fees sad *wayside,. Mr. !EMMA
handed in an historical account of Os essanles Maven
the* City of London and the five Seradtwark wines, the
nature of which has Mindy ben detailed by saw wit-
Sent

Mr. Lewis—Wee the meeting at the Town Hell a lune
sae

Pritchard-1 believe there were between 200 and 300
pencem_peeseet altogether.
Kr. T. Pocock, another member of the deputation, Goa-
plalaed that the inhabitance of Southwark were tazed for
the benefit of the City, without participering Is the sebu-
mge of the sapeaditure. I am sot aware of tee least hese&
dented from the impending", of the City, except the int-
pronemeat is the approaches to Lossloa-bridge. We feel
teat size7reelltaorm a portion of the City, but that we have
co co g advantages.
Sir 1. attesoa—The difficulty I always felt is reference
to the coaimaiosi between the City sad Southwark is, that
they were aeon really nuns pointed, which could not be
mien Seathwark was taken out of the county of Surrey.
Kr. Al. Stanney, 'amber member of the deputatioa,
stated, is Weenie' to the lees sad taxes spoken of is the
malefic., of the meeting as being ousted by the Nevem
ties of Londe,. that they redste the dues eseeMd oaths
italeadie_g of remota which some he Ib#4= side ed the
filer_ The whets amount of looney by the Clip
is Sou•hwark dace 1789 was only 4 , exclusive of Om
Londoe•beidge approaches. is eminegestans of our men-
sezioo with Me City we cannot apply few incorporatioa.
Mr Stephan added some fort. facts.
J C. Beanett, end election agent, said—l
Lave been as election mint for several of the election con.
Into- pesliamentaly and otherwise, within the City of
London I was .at for Mr. Seat, at the last election
for Chamberlain. The expenses cm Mr. Scott's aide were
s goof , subject to the deduction of enhecrietions by his
hinds la the shape of a public tostimonial. I have beard
that he espouse on Loth sides was little short of 10,000!.
The node of coadattiag the elections of Common Hall is
eatremely vulvas and corrupt. When a contest takes pleas
there are mums who supply the candidates from day to
day with a somber of votes. Their object is to pion-
der this coadidates on both else, and for this purpose they
keep theism close ea p‘osible on the poll, so that each may
Le indebted to preload the contest,and to spend more money.
1 tian'is Me result cf L?eeb .lay's poll in the case of the late
vittest foe chamberlain illustrates this practice I hold in
my awl a MUFTI which shows that during the seven days'
r'4l in that ems Lc lees than 201 persons riot liverymen
molded their vote, f r sir J. Key, ad 129 fur Mr. Scott.
These who votei twice ion Sir J. Key were in comber 25,
and for Kr. Soon i ; maiinet a total of 228 fictitious votes
t sir J. Key and 1 5, for Kr, Scott. Thus 382 false
sotto were polls/ and sailer the present system it is im-
possible to surd. against this. I week! thembre spentif the livery is to oe asintnaed that the psi KNOW ane-
tulue for one day orly, , that there should be a eamplete
retr.ster of the hverynern who are eatitled to vote ; that
thg4gstoolitisiaton:d be 'maned is the alphabetical order
of . 7:'ilirillhillhereshelad be a sped& mere
must against bribery I think this would put as sad to
the taanufserare of felfe vote,, to the perjury, subornation
of•perlitry, peroonotiou* whirl now take place. I
would also limit the coustitnesey to thaw whe reside
within seen miles of London. Setae persona were INS-

tined of animation at the late election. It would be im-
possible to institute • scrutiny, because it would be impos-
sible to go thr 'ugh the lists within the time required by
the act of parliament.
T. 11. Saunders said—l reside at Dartford. lam a paper
maaufacturer, and just live within the limits of the 20
miles to which the coal tax extends. We use 100 tons of
coals a week. Wean unlavourably situated, in comparison
with others, as to the price of coals ; and beaiies this, to
have to pay the City dues is a great hardship, in my
opinion.
Mr. John Thos. Norris • member of the Common Coun-
cil, exasethed—l have been • member of the Common
Council for 17 years. I have been a somber of the Conso-
lidated Committee. The went of the necessity of fuller
reports of the proceedings of the corporation was brought
before that committee, and in 1819 we were authorised to
expend not more than I,ooof. for the promotion of more
lextensive reports of those proceedings, by the purchase of
papers which contained those fuller reports. lam not per-
fectly seqsainted with the details of this matter, which I
believe was delegated to • sub-committee of three or five
members. I think the committee bad unlimited power
over the expenditure of this money. I recollect
some project for the starting of • newspaper friendly
to the corporation ; but as the consolidated com-
mittee consisted of, I think, forty-six members, and
as various and antagonistic opinions existed amongst them,
it was found difficult to carry out the project, and it n
succeeded. I bare a general belief that a portion of the
money was expended in the getting-up of the newspaper,
but that is • matter which Mr. Scott can best explain, be
cause he is the person through whom the operation had to
be carried on. I have not directed my attention partici'.
larly to the finances of the corporation. I think the present
division of the wards is opposed to common sense and cos
mon arithmetic. I would divide the City in twelve equal
district,. I think 1.00 common council would be quite
enough. The Conn of Common Council is entirely an
executive body. It theme to me essential to the proper
workin4 of the corporation, that magisterial should be
leant, d from municipal functions. I think the power of
the 'Mennen over the finances should cease altogether. I
think the aldermen should be liable to periodical election
before passing the chair, because that would enable
the electors to correct • bad choice and of con-
firming • good one. I would have the aldermen who
assed the chair elected for life and magistrates.
I
thiuk the corporation has acted with considerable pru-
dence in the selection of the higher 'deers. They have
appointed men of integrity and capacity, and the high
salaries given to those persons have attracted able men to
them. We have too many oMeen and clerks, however, to
do the duty. I think that the system of giviag • sum of
money to he laid out in dinners by the committees of the
Common Conseil is • bad one, and ought to he abolished—
at the same time I must say the committees who give the
dinners are the beet attended. I took an active part for
the removal of Smithfield Market. There was • committee
appointed to resist its removal. lam sot acquainted with
their merit movements; hut on that occasion, as on all
others, when the corporation have been engaged in contests
with the government, there was a lavish expenditure of
money, as though the Cit funds were inexhaustible.
Persons who were inte subscribed their own money
to opoee the removal of the market ; bilk! believe that ten
times the amount subscribed was expended. The com-
mittee would report to the court that they found it
necessary to draw—say for 20001.—upoa the chamber,
sad the court would agree to that amount without fur-
ther inquiry. It would certainly be in my power
to move for the particulars of the expenditure, but I would
have only 10 or 12 for me, and 50 or 60 against me. I
think that a person should have them previous experience
as an alderman or common councilman before his election
to the office of chief magistrate.
Mr. R. Rob, its examined—l am a fish factor living in
Lower Thames-street. Before 1823 we used to pay 30e a
year for standings in the market. We sow pay 91. • week.
can't say what was the cause of that cheap. There is
no complaint of the present rent or of the regulations in
three. There may be one or two who are dimatiellied—there
are always are; but on the whole, I think, the parties
carrying on business are satisfied with the present arrange-
ments.

Mr. Finlay, liveryman of the Blacksmiths' Company,
complained that the Irish Society superseded the livery
companies in the management of the Irish estates.
The cummission then adjourned till Tuesday.

TREATMENT OF THE POOR IN MARY-LE.

BONE.

• --

Yesterday, at the meeting of the Board of Guar-
dians, Mr. HAIIILOWI in the chair, • litter wu read from
the Poor-Law Commissioners in reference to the recent in-
quest. The letter wu to the following effect:—" The at-
tention of the Pow-Law Board has been directed to the
inquiry, reported in the newspapers, before Mr. Wakley,
the coroner, into the circumstances connected with the

death of an infant, named Thomas Walsh, aged eight
weeks, and to the verdict of the jury, who found that
Thomas Walsh died on the 22nd day or November, 1853,
from congestion and inflammation, caused by cold and ex-
posure to the night air ; and the jury are unanimously of
opinion that great culpability attaches to Meru. Poland
and Bessen, directon of the poor of the parish of St. Mary-
lehone, and to Mr. Messer, tautest overseer, for not ad-
mitring the child and parents into the workhouse, when
application had been made by the parents of the deemed,
stating they were utterly destitute.' The board observe
that Mr. Messer, the ass:stant overseer, was not examined
as a witness at the Inquiry, and in the absence of so atata•
rill a witness the Po•r-Law Board refraia from expressing,
at this moment, any opinion upon the particular case which
forms the subject of the investigation. The evidence pro-
duced, however, is of each.' asters as, in the opinion of the
board, to render it incumbent upon theta to hold an official
inquiry late an the Mrcumstances ocaneeted with the case
of T. Walsh, and they have atwordiagty instructed their
iasoactor at ones to institute such inquiry."
The Bev. IL iloonsii inquired of Mr. Merser how it
wee that ha wee not examined ?
Mr. Milieu said the censer suggested to the jury that
he should not be sanitised, aa he was likely .to be twain-
nated, sad therefore he confined himself to calling wit.
sass.

The Rev. K. &octal. said when Mr. Joseph, the sur-
pass, gave his evidence, he distinctly proved that the child
had died from want of air by confinement under its mother's
shawl, and not from exposure and magestica of the lungs.
The coroner then admitted that there elided the fortuity,
but he asked the jury if they wished to go further, sad
said Ham did so, they should. He believed that ask a
preseediag was reatrary to law, and that neither the
coroner see the jury bad acted in the strict line of duty
after the medical tivideace, I. sitting ia judgment, after the
muse of death was proved, as to the administration of re-
lief to the peer by that beard.
Mr. Somata heard the coroner till the jury that, in the
@vest of Mr. Messer being erintinated, it would be, not •
ors, of manslairghtir best mutter spinet him ; and this
strong expreesioa wail mail to the jery before the medical
'videos, was WM. ads wee dearly a case of asphyxia
from broublag fingmee atmosphere, by being wrapped up
too elosely, bet tie oeillear was tried to be twisted to
mak* a are wine the garish.
Dr. Baum woe &I Shia inquiry was about to take
plaeo, far ha felt they ibeeld havonamore impartial tribunal
thaw in that whidilial just Ormilimilid. .Ttio latter had not
bees musaiseed apes the Mr gebsdpies of English justice,
tee he would ask whip ewe bowl I. say mart of jostles of
•liesdsogos giviag an opinion apes a rem before hearinghe
o
? The jag aim exhibited a dasir
disco apes the parish audmvitisa, aml baser a verdict cola-
Mary to ividenee. Dr. Ilasie"11 einspisised that
hide layearaiie to the /Orbited benvionninsiedi toindenl
that Walsh led Mr quartom loaves,, ,in pounds of beef,
and 35., within eight days of the demos, of his and. He
hoped the vestry sad the parish would take the mat* op,
sad mil epos the borough members to ask for a committee
of the House of Col6lllolls to inquire; also how the duties of
wooer and moan's Aries were coadestod is that county.
Kr. limns had expressed to some of the 'cry his regret
that they bad not. returned • verdict of trilful murder, SW
is that ease they would have bad the cam Investigated by
the Court of Qmson's Bench, and then he was sure that the
verdict would share the fate of Use Hounslow verdict. Mr.
Watley had est upp a dictum that they were to audit so in-
quiry and use no " bat that they ought to admit a
mesa into the workhouse at ease.
Mr. BILL moved that the communication of the Poor
Law Board he atiknowledged, aad that the board should
afford ivory facility to thou inquiry.
IThis was seesaskil aad adapted unanimously, and the
board separated.

THE COMM OE COMMON COUNCIL—ME. Francis
Beseech, representing the Ward of Cripplagate Within,
is this court, has renounced his seat under circumstances
somewhat peculiar. In an addres to hi isle coustituests
ha intimates that the cliquery sad spirit of coterie pre-
vailing in that court reduce the influence of an independent
man to very morrow limits " When a few weeks ago,"
sap Mr. Beseech, " I felt impelled to offer evidence to the
Royal Commiatioserr, sad was sammened before then, I
uttered fearlomly and truthfully what I Item to be the fasts
—facts which have not been and cannot be oentrovertod.
' "

Thep the hostility of the mass was unleashed—every cor-
rupt motive was impaled—l was denounced ass traitor;
and bad every imaginable insult heaped upon me. Now,
bower much I may respect Ceipplegate Within, however
meek I may be obliged to those friends, of all parties, who
have so kindly and is uniformly given me their support sod
unwavering confident*, I am, nevertheless, bowed to avow,
that notwitMtandiag all these gratifications, I am indis-
posed to subject myself to secret, cowardly inanition, or to
open brutal attacks. The doubtful honor is not worth the
positive annoyance ; And en long as the Comes Cooped'
is 000stituted as at present, I am resolved the enter it so
mere.
PRESERVATION or STONE.—I think the publics-
dna of tie isilewiag reaps for pormatiag best Erma &Obi
ea lastrlponed lb* sad Caen elms mold he of ambles to
the oreideeetOmildier, sad eporativo. I have tried it tear
Mame% sad *sad it sdeonsful :—Talte fresh Mint lbw
sad id: it to the emnisessme of whitewash : to MO galba
of this add en* pint of barmen salt, sad a quarter of a
pound of alma. This is to be used similar to whitewash,
.and is to be pot la at soon as the Noe is ran, while it is yet
worm, and k IWO to lb dragged eff in the spring. I have
Mind this to ailswer well en blocks of stops (rash dug,
which usually !eel the Minns of the weedier first, whoa
they am equally 'spored. —Corretpondent of " TM
Boulder."