The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-12 00:00:00

THE BANKING INSTITUTE.

A monthly meeting of this institution was held last
evening at the Hall of Commerbe, Threadneedle-street,
to hear a paper read by Leon Levi, Esq., the author of
" Commercial Law : its Principles and Aministration,"
on the state of the mercantile, maritime, and bankruptcy
laws of the United Kingdom.
The chair was taken by B. Oliveira, Esq., M.P. The
lecturer complained that there was no positive written
code of mercantile laws, as ih other countries; they were
scattered over a number of books, containing decisions
of courts, and opinions of writers, and in statutes which
amounted to the enormous number of thirty-eight
volumes. When an act of Parliament was passed,
it generally repealed only certain sections of other
acts, so that it was impossible for any one man
to know what they were. As to the common law, it
was no doubt governed by fixed rules, which derived
their authority from prescription, but those rules were
HO interwoven with other matters, and found in such a
number and variety of books, that the mercantile com-
munity were really bewildered, and knew not what that
law was or what it meant. The statute law was also
much to be complained of, its language was too general
and too verbose, and the acts passed for England did
not extend to Ireland, and Scotland, causing the
greatest confusion. As to the law of partnership, he
was an advocate for the system in France where, if
partners disagreed, they were compelled to accept of a
forced arbitration, and the decision given by the arbi-
trators was made to have effect by the French law ; whereas
in this country, though every deed of partnership con-
tained a clause directing that disputes should be settled
by arbitration, yet as the parties were not named,
the Court of Chancery would give no effect to it.
The system of bankruptcy should be the same in the
three kingdoms. Great difficulties also existed in the
colonies, inasmuch as some of them, such as Canada,
were subject to French law, and islands in the West
Indies, governed by Spanish laws, they ought to be
placed under the laws of England. With respect to the
delays now experienced in their courts of justice, he
recommended the establishment of tribunals of com-
merce, as existed on the Continent, where disputes were
settled without the enormous expense incurred in this
country.

A short discussion then ensued, after which, thanks
were voted to Mr. Levi.

CITY OF LONDON HOSPITAL FOR DISEASES OF THE
CHEST.—The annual meeting of the governors of this
charity was held yesterday at the London Tavern—the
Right Hon. the Lord Mayor in the chair. The report
of the committee of management stated, that both with
regard to the amount of support received, and of relief
granted, the progress of the institution had been such as
to afford every reason for satisfaction and thankfulness.
The donations and subscriptions received during the past
year amounted to 5,575/. 14s. 5d., making, with 3,1111.
18s. 2d. in hand at the close of last year, the sum of
8,6871. 7s. 7d. ; of this sum, 1,7541. 19s. 7d. had been
expended in defraying the current expenses of the
charity; 5,8501. 9s. 11d. had been paid on account of the
new building; and there remained a balance of 1,0811.
18s. id. in favour of the institution. The increase of
the current expenditure during the last over the pre-
ceding year was 1421. 2s. 10d. The number of patients
admitted during the year amounted to 3,626, the average
attendance each week being 633, being an increase of
695 in the number of patients, and of 65 in the weekly
attendance. The hospital, which adjoins the principal
entrance to the Victoria-park, was commenced under the
auspices of his Royal Highness Prince Albert, on the 25th
June, 1851, and is far advanced toward completion ; the
exterior is now finished, and rapid progress has been
made in fitting the interior, and it is hoped that the hos-
pital will be ready for the reception of patients by Mid-
summer next. Up to this time there has been expended
upon the erection of the building and the enclosure of the
site, the sum of 9,0111. 18s. sd. Before, however, the
committee could recommend the governors to incur the
responsibility of increasing the current expenses 'of
the charity by the reception of in-patients, they were of
opinion that a much larger income must be provided by
annual subscriptions. After a few words from the
chairman in commendation of the charity, the report of
the committee of management was received, adopted,
and ordered to be printed. The officers for the ensuing
year having been appointed, and a vote of thanks passed
to the chairman, the proceedings terminated. We un-
derstand it is expected that Lord J. Russell will take
the chair at the anniversary dinner of the charity on the
9th of March next.