The Express.
London, England, 1857-06-27 00:00:00

UNITED LAW CLERKS' SOCIETY.

The anniversary festival of this society took place
last evening at the Freemasons' Tavern, Great Queen-street,
Liu.ln's-inn-fields. The Lord Chief Justice Cockburn was
in the chair, supported by 11r. Roundel' Palmer, r.
Montague Smith, Mr. Locke, M.P., and many other ain-
guished members of the legal profession. In proposing the
toast of tho evening, " Prosperity to the United Law Clerks'
Society," the chairman made a powerful appeal to the econagany
on behelfof the institution, and pointed out its many claims to
I support. The principal fund was milled the " General Renallt
Fund," out of shish relief was afforded to the members Witham,
old ap, or other infirmity, and on death. The number of
members claiming this relief inimares with the age of the
society. Last year there were 18, thin rear three had been
29 and the amount paid to those 29 members had been
21,1. Ida. The total amount received by members on ac-
count of illness had reached the sum of 3,7351. 6s. 110 d. The
provision made for members when old age or other infirmity
disabled them from employment consisted of a weekly allow-
ance varying from 10e. aol&e., granted for life to every mem-
tr.:l:immanently disabled from earning the moans of liveli-
hood. At present there were seven members in receipt of
this allowance; three received yearly, in weekly payments,
311.45. each, and the other f0ur,361.8e. each, In addition to=
benefits granted to members in sickness, permanent affliction,
and old age, the society also grants en allowance of 2111.
to a member on the death of his wife, and a further
sum of 60/. to his family on his demos. During the year
four of the former cams hod occurred, end each member re-
ceived the min of 261. Although the claims of the year had
been heavier than usual, there had been a nearly com.spond-
lag increase in the income of the eociety. The contributions
of the members bad amounted to 1,4631. Se., exclusive of a
munificent donation of 30 guineas from the Hon. Society of
the Middle Temple. On the 7th day of April, 1836, the in-
vestments amounted to 153991., Bs. Id., since which
2,5981. lls. had been received ; but of this sum them had
been expended in relief and necessary disbursements
1,2071. I Is. 6d. The difference between these two sums had
been added to the rociety's investments with the Commis-
airmen for the Reduction of the National Debt. These in-
vestments, en the 20th day of May, 1856, amounted to
19,7281. Bs. 6d. ; on the 20th day of May, 1857, they were
21,1112/. las lid. The total amount expended in gills out
of the benevolent or carnal fund had been grit, and the total
sum 8,9291. 113 e.
The appeal made by the chairman was listened to with
much interest, and the result was that a Hot of subscriptions
ware mad amounting In all to 4001., including 20 guineas
from the chairman.
The musical arrangements were under the direction of Mr.
Donald King, who at a very briaf notice mug with much
effect a new song (written by Mr. George Hodder and com-
posed by Mr. Weiss), eppropriate to the great military event
of the day, and celled "The Order of Valour."
Mr. Harks.. was the tosetmaster.

CLERICAL OPPOSITION TO THE NEW DIVORCE
BILL.—A westing of elerfy of the Archdiecoary of Taunton
was hold yesterday, &amigo's, to consider what Mope should
be taken tooppme the paring of the New Divorce Bill 4,
the Home of Commons ; Archdeacon Denison preeidM.
After prayer. the archdeacon explained the object of the
meeting. lie lamented the apathy which pervaded the church
of England with reaped to questiens affecting bee very exist.
ence. He hoped, however, that this meeting might prove
the beginning of a mune of successful resistance. At any
rule it would relieve the coamiences of the clergy in
regard to the Divorce Bill. He believed that no measure
of a worse climater bad ever been introduced into
the House of Commons. (Cheers.) The inviolability
of marriage bad received the radios of our Lord, ea the
well-known text in St. klark's Gospel showed. The bill held
very different language, sad gave no lees than four grounds
on which man sad wife might be divorced. If the members
of the church of England wished to do their duty they would
oppose the bill. For himself, if the bill should become law
he should disobey it. Nothing should ever induce him to
ask Ood's blowing over those who had been divorced s cre-
me esistranona. He begged the clergy to unite against the
bill. The Rev. W. Portman, rand dean, proposed the Mop.
lion of a petition to the Home of Commons against the bill.
The Rev. F. J. Smith seconded the motion. After a few
remarks from the Rev. H. Gale, Dr. Wolff, and others, the
petition was adopt** with only sae dirwatisat Take.