The Express.
London, England, 1849-04-12 00:00:00

'G, APRIL

FINANCIAL AND

PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.

Last evaing a very important and influential
meeting was held at the Hides Head Tavern, Poultry,
on the subject of financial and parliamentary reform.
The gentlemen composing the meeting, to number
about 100, consisted of the former chairman and secretary,
end other active members of the late District Anti-Corn
Law League Societies of the metropolis, representing in their
persons the reform interests of nearly all the great districts
in and about London ; and the ocea ton of their assembling
arose in a circular invitation, which had been sent round by
the council of the newly-formed Metropolitan Financial and
Parliamentary Reform Association, requestleg their antis-
donee on that evening, for the purpose of entering upon a
conference as to the most advisable mode in which local and
to-operative associations could be formed anew in the
localities previously so successfully operated upon by the
Ley,,
Sir J. WALMSLEY, as president of the Metropolitsn
Financial and Parliamentary Reform Association, took the
chair, and, after a heist and c, naprehensive address to those
present, in which he explained that the object was to arouse
local energy by Wooing the establishment of district sad
independent societies. and not to interfere with local vigour,
by say generalisation either of fuads or of efforts, called
upon various speakers to detail their views to the meeting.
The appeal was responded to by upwards of twenty
umikers, among others by Mears. ORISON, LANHAM,
WDONALD, WFARLANI, SHILLTERIS, MICELI, HOWARD,
Shuts, HETHERINGTON, JACIMAN, &O. The general °pl-
uton expressed was that the metropolis was ready to under-
take the suggested agitation ' • that the basis of Mr. Hums's
manifesto, in the session of 1848, if accepted as the text of
the local associations, would induos co-operation among all
classes of reformers ; that the public sympathy was, however,
with parliamentary reform as secessarily the prel min.ry to
financial reform • and that it only required a decided disrlay
of power on the ;art of the central associatioo, by the calling
of an sggreaate public meeting, to originate a universal
movement throughout the country.
Various members of the council, the CHAIRMAN, Mr.
nom Mr. P. Testa:fa, jun., Mr. W. WILLIAMS (late
M.P. Lc Coventry), Mr. W. J. HALL, &c., also addreseed
the meeting, and replied to such of the obj•ctions as had
been taken. It was stated as the intention of the council to
hold an aggregate public meeting at the earliest possible
moment, and that, as to assuming any particular defini-
tion of the reform demanded, they would proceed to work
es practical men :—that, in one word, they would take all
they could get, but, for the time, that they would not strive
Ilse more than they were likely to attain. In answer to
several questions, it was further stated that the central amo-
elation intended, as part of the general plan, to watch over
the registration of the metropolis and of the home counties,
end to resort to such efficient machinery as would, in a very
Inlet period, give to it the command of a majority of votes in
the home counties by the purchase, and distribution among
ha members, of landed freeholds.
A gentleman, +hose name could not be learned, having
expressed an opinion that the aims of the association, as to
parliamentary reform, were undefined, and would, there
fore, enlist none of the support of the working classes,
the Chairman explained that when the association came
before the world at a general meeting all misconception
would be removed. They adopted, at present, as disbuds
of their scheme, household suffrage, such suffrage to include,
as intended by Mr. Hume, all lodgers: but they adhered to
this proposal not because, individually, the council might
believe it to be the best. but because, upon consideration,
they were oon4ned that it would he to give up all chance of
success to go fer. They hoped for the aid of the working
classes; and u they went to the very threshold of the
charter, they thought they might rely upon such aid, and
upon it being ananimoua.
The dissuaded eventually terminated in the passing of re-
solutions to the effect—first, that the time had snared for
commencirg a public agitation for parliamentary and fiscal
reform ; second, that the meeting pledged itself, collectively
and individually, to use its utmost exertions to establish dis-
trict reform societies; and third, that each person present be-
come a member of, and subscriber to, the Metropolitan,
Financial, and Parliamentary Reform Association.
A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman ; and the
meeting, which, though altogether of a preliminary charac-
ter, was conducted with a warmth and heartiness very un-
usual in merely preliminary proceedings, then separated

EAST INDIA HOUSE.
Yesterday a ballot was taken at the East India
House for the election of ex directors, in the room of
Lieutt-Gen. Sir James Law Luthington, G.C.B ; George
Lyall, Esq.; Elliot Maenauthten, EN.; John Petty Mus-
pratt, ER. ; Martin Tucker Smith, Esq., M.P. ; and Wm.
Wieram, Esq.. who go out by rotation.
At six o'clock the glasses were closed and delivered ti tke
aerutineres, who reported that the election had fallen on Sir
Robert Cowbell, 132 rt. ; William Joseph Eastwick, Esq. ;
Sir James Weir Hoge, Bart., M.P.; I Lieut -Col. William
Hilary Sykes; John Clermont Whiteman, EM.; and Sir
Henry•Willock, H.L.L.
A court of directors was also held at the East India House,
when the thanks of the court were voted unanimously to
Lieut. Gen. Sir Jaws L. Lushingtoo, G C 8., chairman, and
Major-Gen. Sir Archibald Otlloway, K.C.8., deputy-chair-
man, for their great application and attention to the affairs
of the East India Company during the past year.

FISTULA INFIRMARY.

Yesterday, the annual meeting of this charity took
place at the London Tavern, Mr. &lien:tan HOOPER, V. P.,
In the et sir.

The SECRETARY read the following annual report fot
the year ending Dee., 1548, which stated:
" At the close of any year, however prosperous to the com-
munity in general, it would be a source of great satisfaction
to your committee to report the infirmary in a pros' crone
and flourishing condition, but to be enabled to do this,
Re they happily are, at the dose of a year of general
distress and difficulty, is an uncommon gratification to
them, and an evidence, if any such were needed, of
the utility of the institution, and of the estimation
in which it is held. Sion the foundation of the infirmary
above 5,000 afflicted poor have been admitted, and during
the past year 520 patients have been relieved or cured.
There are at present 105 persons on the books, of whom 68
are waiting for admission, their cases requiring the comforts
of the in-door establishment as well as the assistance
of operative surgery. Your committee regret that their
endeavours to purchase more commodious premises or to pro-
cure a suitable plot of ground for the projected new building
have filth. rto been unsuccessful, although they have neglected
no endeavour or exertion likely to conduce to so desirable an
end. They trust, however, that when it shall again become
their duty to submit their annual report, they will have it in
their power to congratulate the governors and sub-
scribers on the attainment of this much required
and important object. And as it would be dif-
ficult to exaggerate its importance, or to estimate
too highly the amount of consolation and relief that will be
conveyed to many lingering sufferers when the doors of a
new building, especially sdapted to the exigencies of their
peculiar maladies, shall be thrown open to them, your com-
mits. e most earnestly entreat attention to the building fund,
which is now established, and implore on its behalf the aid
of all friends of humanity. Nothing that is given in aid of
that fund will be. given in vain, for every farthing con-
tributed to it is a contribution towards the mental
peace and bodily ease of a long succession of sffiicted per-
sons. In behalf of the infirmary funds, your committee
also once more appeal with confidence to those who can sym-
pathise with the sufferers of a class of disorders to which all
Are liable; which are in their nature extremely painful, irk-
some, and distressing; under which very many persons lan-
guish secretly, and which experience indubitably shows this
institution always alleviates, and often curer. But your com-
mittee would more particularly address themselves to master
tailors and shoemakers, whose workmen are so frequently
and severely visited by these maladies, that one-
sixth of the whole number of patients admitted
into the infirmary during the past year are found
to have been artisans engaged in these reepectire
trades. Your committee have to lament the loss by death
of very many distinguished supporters of the institution,
both among the vice presidents and subscribers. Of the
former Lord George Bentinck, Sir Hector Maclean,
and Mr. Alderman John Johnson, have passed from
this world, since your committee made their last
report. The scientific, skilful, and arduous attention
of the medical officers, whose time and abilities are ever at
the command of the institution, b a theme too familiar to
all who in any capacity have been acquainted with tke in-
firmary, and too long within the grateful knowledge of your
committee not to receive that recognition here which it de-
serves ; your committee simply desire again to record their
sense of these inestimable services, and of the daily increas-
ing debt of gratitude incurred to those who render them.
Finally, your committee would remind all those who, in
their generosity and charity, have heretofore supported, or
may yet support, this institution, that it is purely established
an maiatained for the reception of some of those poor and
afflicted strangers, of whom it is written, Inasmuch as ye
have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye
have done t unto me.' "
It also appeared from the statement of accounts, that
there was a balance in the treasurer's hands of 1931. Is. 9d.
On the motion that the report be adopted and circulated,
also that the thanks of the governors be tendered to the
Rev. Dr. Vivian, and the gentlemen of the committee of
management f•r their effective services during the past year,
Mr. Ald. HOOPER observed that all who were present
were so well acquainted with the nature and era:elbow of
the institution, that it was unnecessary to take up their
time with any remarks upon the subj. ct. He could only
add his testimony to its excellence, and trusted that it would
not only continue to do good, bat be able to increase its
amount o(good. The motion was carried, and Dr. Vivian
rendered thanks.

Mr. Char. WINO proposed a vote of thanks to J. J.
Furnival, E q., the honorary physican, and to F. Salmon,
Esq., the honorary surgeon and founder of the infirmary,
for the courteous sad effective discharge of their duties
during the nearer.
Mr. R. BRIO° seconded the motion, and said that he
had seen a great deal of the workings of the charity, and he
bogeed to impress upon the committee to use every exertion
to increase the six, of the building. It was lamentable to
see such a number of poor creatures obliged to leave the
hospital without relief. Out of the whole number who ap-
plied *iffy one-third, from want of room, were actually re
lieved.—The resolution was agreed to.
Dr. FrELNITAL and Mr. SALMON returned thanks. The
latter observed that he was obliged to reject one-half of the
perw.to who applied, not having governors to send them to,
or moans to receive them. There were more patients now
waiting than would fill every bed for the next six

months. If the public were only made acquaint with
fiat,governors and if the governo would exercise their Mutate
wan
means of the seciety would be rendered adegsate to its weak
Those whom Providenos had placed in a superior stitiZ
were u liable to thew diseases as the poor. The tailor, 1Q
contributed annually 25 guineas to this institution, sad
bad been a source of profit to them, by their poor beemg 1.7
loved in one.third part of the usual time, and he ksew
It was the intention of the trade to increase theta
on that ground only. He was mewed to offer to
tad= additional cervices if furnished with the
randsring_those services effectual. wafts "
Mr. J. 8.-Brooks having been elected a member of %sift
mattes of management, and thanks having barn vow b..
chairman, the meeting separated.

TRANSMISSION OF CHANNEL ISLAND NEWSPAPgps
BY POST.—A notice hu been issued front the Ornery pea
published to this effect :—Benoeforoard, newspaper, yam!
published in any of the Channel Islands or in the ble efig..!
and seat by the post between any of such islands and cIZI
Britain or Ireland, or sent by the peat in Great Bilteie.
Ireland, will be liable to the full letter rates of paw. :
cording to the sca'e for charging inland letters by ee". 7
with the exception of such of the newspapers alheur.
may be printed in the French language.—It mey LI 'oat
tioned, in reference to this notice, that although lift'
printed in the above islsnds are not required to be
they have hitherto gone free by poet. 'Tie his
and drum
the publication of periodicals in the Channel islanetteTS.
Isle of Man of en objectionable nature, and of others har--
no local characteristic whatever, and issu d for the 0.
purpose of transmission to England, in evasion of the "'
duties. It is presumed that the new regulation hug,:
made to /top this fraudulent burthea on the poetufgre ---'
TIIE " CLERGY RELIEF" BILL—Nit s
Cum.—This bill, we learn, has passed through the eele,,
committee to which t was referred, and has bees repriiisi
with some important amendments. The objectionable heeek
clause, enabling vetr ding clergymen to deprive
themselves, has been altered so uto make the deprivai
and deposition the act of the bishop, who is now d•reeteg le
epeaiyse
aPParently to met du
record sentence of deprivation and 'entente of d
against the seceder, and such sentences are to have the dm '
of sentences by any duly authorised ecelesiaMeal mart. Au
offices held by the seceder as a member or minister of the
church are thereupon to be instantly determined and fit,
and no clergyman is to be liable to prosecution for refusing'
to administer to him any rite or aserament of the chunk,
any writ tie coniumau capiendo for contempt of to
case
ocfl gainer.
shhoavree,
talbsoefib:enn.abdidail,personn
in
engtody
wider
regain their liberty on making the prescribed dedaradea,
and payment of coats; the ota( r stopping promotions kg
preachingian in unlicensed places before tha passing 01 the not,
Guard
EASTER TERM.—ARREABS.—The breakfast usnaily
pious to the Judges and Queen's Counsel on the fing
day or term by the Lord Chaneel'or, will not oa the
present ocesaim take place. Neither will the great leed
functionaries assemble at his lordship's home aftpit6;
to custom. Yesterday, on the opening of dte law 0(6;
after the holidays, the lists of rules standing for um
' ment and judgment in the three common law cans
for the ensuing Easter Term, were exhibited. 'lse
tureen number in the whole 305 ; and, as a leamerem
singular circumstance, it may be mentioned that, with theexception of one in each of the courts, the rules for surtlith
were not obtained before last Easter Term. Cahn do
learned judges exert themselves to diminish the pro*
' arrear, the lists will be considerably increased at the tan.
mencement of Trinity Term, by applications arising frets tie
' cases and demurrers 55 for argument, and 2 for judgment.
„, circuits. In the Court of Queen's Bench there are of quid
and of new trials, 49 for argument and 2 for judgment. In
' the Court of Common Pleas there are 40 demu
rers entered for argument ; and on the remanst-pspee i
enlarged rules, 61 new trials for argument, end 11 for jejg
wmhienhtt,
nchappeal,
and 1 new trialmsunthere is 1 rule in the pee.
emptory paper, and in the demurrer list 4 for judgment, sod
biensitdheeeclo registration
of traEtio.
' 3 for argument. Of special CAM there are 5 for indium,
' and 10 for argument, and in the new trial paper 3 for jolt
' ment, end 53 for argument. The arrears of the respeedu
' courts are as follows :—Court of Queen's Bench, 108; Coot
of Common Pleas, 118 , • and Court of Exchequer, 79. Tina
' commences on Monday next.

THE BLUE•COAT SCHOOL.—OH Easter Toothy,
according to ancient custom, th-, hoys of the Blos.Ost
School, amounting to upwards of 1,000, visited the Munk&
house. They were received in the Egyptian Hall, ands*
each getting two buns and a glass of wine, they marched k
procession through the saloon, where the Lord Marr aai
Lady Mayoress were seated with a large party of ladies sad
gentlemen who had assembled to witness the ratify*
spectacle. On passing the Lord Mayor, each of the twin
Grecians received from his lordship one guinea each of
the monitors were presented with half-a-crown, and all lls
remaining boys got ls. ; and the whole of the coin beiag
new from the mint, it seemed to be highly priced by tits
boys, who always look forward with great delight to tkit
kind and hospitable reception at the Mansion-hooss as Es.
ter Tuesday