The Sun.
London, England, 1854-01-14 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 14, 1854.

EAST INDIA DOUSE, 11th JANuARY, 1854.
THE COURT of DIRECTORS of the EAST
INDIA COMPANY do hereby give Notice, that the Pap(rs
relative to Dscussions between the Marquis of Dalhousie and Lieu',
General Sir Ch ales James Napier, G.C.8., which were ordered by
the General Court on the 21st ult. to be printed, will be ready for
delivery to the proprietors on TIIESDAY next, the 17th instant, on
their making application for the same at this Douse.
JAMES C. MELVILL, Secretary.

THE ROYAL BRITISH BANK have
OPENED a BRANCH at 1, Shaftesbury-terrace, Victoria-
street, for the accommodation of the Pimlico, Belgrave, and adjoin-
ag districts. Interest, reckomed from day to day, on the fluctuating
,alances of drawing accounts, and on deposits, will be allowed agree-
ably to the Bank's terms of business, of which copies, and any tar-
titer necessary information, may be obtained at the Bank, Token-
house-yard, or at any of the Branches-42:#, Strand ; 77, Bridge-
road, Lambeth; 97, Gcswell-road, Islington; and 1, Shaftesbury-
terrace, Vjeteria-street, Pimlico.
By order of the Court of Directors.
HUGH INNER CAMERON, General Manager.

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
PATRON—H.R.H. PRINCE ALBERT.
MAGNIFICENT PIIOTOGRAP are PICTURES, prepared ex-
pressly for this Institution by Monsieur Ferriere of Paris, exhibited
en a surrace of about a thousand square feet, with an ENTIRELY
NEW SERIES of DISSOLVING VIEWS, daily at a Quarter past
Four, and in the evenings at a Quarter-past Nine.
LECTURES by Dr. BACROFFNER on WILKINS'S NEW PATENT
UNIVER-AL ELECTRIC TELEGsAPE
LECTURE by J. 11. PEPPER, Esq., on SPONTANEOUS COMBUS-
TION, with Brilliant Experiments.
Open Mornings and Evenings. Admission, Is.; Schools and
Children under Ten years of age, Half-price.

CONVEYANCE OF HER MAJESTY'S MAILS BETWEEN
SCRABSTEII PIER (THURSO) AND THE ORKNEY ISLANDS.
Department of the Comptroller for Victualling and Transport
Services, Somerset-place, 13th Jan., 1854.
THE Commissioners for executing the Office of
Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, DO HEREBY GIVE NOTICE, that on TUESDkY,
the 14th Starch next, at One o'clock, they will be ready to treat
for the Conveyance of her Majesty's MA LS between
SCRARSTER PIER, THURSO, and
STROMNESS, in the ORKNEY ISLANDS.
- - -

All Tenders to be made in the Printed Form provided for the pur-
pose. which, with the Conditions of the Contract, may be obtained
at the said 01lice. - Tender will be received after One o'clock on
the day of treaty, nor any noticed unless the party attends, or an
agent for him duly authorised in writing.
Every tender must be addressed to the Secretary of the Admiralty,
and bear in the left-hand corner the words " Tender for Mails,"
and must also be delivered at Somerset-place, accompanied by
a Letter signed by two responsible persons, engaging to become bound
with the person tendering, in the sum of 5001. for the due perform-
ance of the Contract.

CUMBERLAND HEMATITE IRON] ORE
COMPANY.

50,000/. Shares of it. each.—No deed to sign.

NOTICE.—The Scrip Certificates of Shares to " Bearer" in this Com-
pany will be ready to be exchanged for the Banker's Receipts on
and after the 21st day of January, 1854.
_ _

This Company is not formed for the purpose of manufacturing Bar
Iron under the "Joint Stock Act," but for the express purpose of
working and selling the ore in its primitive state ; and is to be carried
on under the Cost-Book System, limiting the liability of the share-
holders to the amount of their shares taken and paid upon.
The ore is of the finest quality ; is absolutely necessary for making
the best sorts of iron ; and can be produced and shipped free on board
at the port, .vshitehaven, at 7s. 6d. per ton. The selling price is now
13s. per ton. Contracts for the whole of the ore may be made at
this rate. An application is to be made by the Whitehaven and
Egremont Railway Company, next Session of Parliament, for an Act
to make that line of railway, and also a branch line of railway from
their main line to this Company's property, and when made will re
duce the present charge for carriage of ore Is. 6d. per ton.
The remainder of the shares not already subscribed for, are hereby
offered to the public at par. Applications, up to the 21st day f
January, 1854, may be addressed to the Committee of Management,
or Secretary, at the offices of the Company, where prospectuses and
reports may be obtained, and samples of the ore inspected.
By order,

Offices, 9, Austin-friars,
(Removed from 18, Cannon-street.)
December 21st, 1853.

H. HUNTER.

QUBURBAN VILLA. and VILLAGE ASSO-
L 3 CIATION. Shares 251. each, payable in full, or in five years,
by equal monthly or other payments. Entrance fee, Is. per share.
Under distinguished patronage.
Consulting Counsel—S. F. T. Wilde, Esq., Inner Temple ; J. W.
Williamson, Esq , Lincoln's-inn.
Architect and Surveyor—W. B. Moffatt, Esq., 2, Adelaide-place,
London-bi idge.
Bankers—London and County Bank, Lombard-street.
Solicitor —James M. Dale, 9, Warnford-court, Throgmorton-street.
Secretary (pro tem.)—Mr. John Green, 60, Murray-street, Horton.

Offices at Mr. Dale's, 9, Warnford-court.
Established to erect for its members freehold and leasehold villas,
and cottage residences, of various sizes, with garden, &c., near the
Crystal Palace. at a wholesale cost, to be allotted at cost price, by
ballot, and seniority to the members, as tenants, for letting or occu-
pation, at a low rent, for about five years, and thenceforth as abso
lute owners ; and to afford a safe investment for largeor small sums,
paid at convenience, at 51. per cent. and upwards. Four shares will
secure a seven-roomed villa, with garden and every convenience,
well worth 3501., but costing the Society only about 2501., which will
be conveyed absolutely to the member wheei his four shares are paid
up, and the balace of the cost defrayed by the payment of a few
years' rental. •
Two, three, and four share houses, and upwards, will be erected.
At the first public meeting, held on Wednesday, the llth January
inst., at Exeter-hall, Edward Augustus Lamb, Esq., J.P., in the
chair, a public Ballot, for rights to choose sites and dwellings on the
Society's estates, took place, when the following sh •res were drawn:
52, 87, 51, 80, 14, 94, 39, 24, 63, 26, 165, 149, 150, 175, 13 , 134, 125,
185, 152, 165, 214, 237, 235, 221, 253, 2,2, 04, 274, 254, ',85, 310,
375, 382, 320, 314, 308, 3,3, 368, 353, 315, 437, 485, 413, 412, 48,,
459, 440,414, 479, 466, 515, 549, 513, 574, 565, 561, 586,580, 561, 504,
(,54, 633, 618, 615, 636, • 4s, 834, 623 613, 655, 611, 20, 2, 75, 12, 9,
46, 32, 41, ?8, 86, 117, 152, 121, 157, 139, 164, 102, 129,116, 186, 2 7,
2sB, 203, 258, 262, 248, 217, 290, 259, 20, 385, 321, 3118, 3 379,
300, 357, 311, 37', 327, 493, 429, 44i‘, 404, 463, 486, 476, 408, 450,
457, 590, 591, 572, 517, 523, 573, 583, 5.7, 544, 534.
The second public meeting, to enrol members and ballot for 100
rights to choose sites and houses, will be held at Crosby-hall, on
Wednesday, the Bth Ferruary next, at 7 o'clock p.m. In the mean-
time shares may be immediately taken up, so as to secure an early
right of choice by seniority, on application to the Solicitor or Secre.
tary.

JOHN GREEN, Secretary.

MORISON and HYGEISM.
From our own knowledge of patent medicines, we rosy
safely assert that the consumption of them has increased tenfold in
this counsry since Mr. Morlq)n promulgated his system. Pills, under
new names are starting day after day. Can there be a stronger
proof of the, truth of the Morisonian system than this fact and like-
wise that the vendors, in order to popularise their pills, describe them
as being of a purgative quality, and embody in their advertisements
(with which the public press is now teeming) scraps from the " Mo.
risoniana !" A question then arises for the serious consideration of
the public, whether the vendors strictly adhere to the Morisonian
system in its integrity, and whether they are in possession of a me-
dicine which will effectually answer the main purpose, that of cleans-
ing the blood ?—BRITISH COLLEGE OF HEALTH, New•road,
London.

CITY OF• LONDON COMAISSION.

The commissioners met again on Thursday in the
Privy Council-chamber, Downing-street; Mr. Labou-
chere in the chair. The inquiry was resumed by the
re-examination of
Mr. Benjamin Scott, the Chamberlaidsiehief clerk, who
stated—There was one point on which Ilelt some diffi-
culty yesterday in giving the fullest information to the
commissioners. I felt that I had in setae respect been
confidentially employed by the committee, and that per-
haps I could not answer the commissioners in the fullest
manner without first communicating with the committee,
and ascertaining whether I was at liberty to do so. I
refer to the questions which were put to me relating to
a secret service fund, and I stated that there was no
such fund, but that there had been an expenditure of a
conditional nature for the purpose of opposing bills in
Parliament where the City interests were materially.
concerned. The reason why I felt any difficulty in an-
swering fully the questions that were put to me was in
consequence of my having been employed confidentially
in the matter of opposing the Government bill for the re-
moval of Smithfield Market, and of prorioting the City's
measure for an improved and central market. On that
occasion the markets improvernentcommittee of the cor-
poration, to forward the views of the corporation, con-
fided to me the trust of checking the expenditure of
the Parliamentary officer in this matter. I was, there-
fore, confidentially aware of this expenditure, and con-
sequently did not know whether I was at liberty to state
what was entrusted to me, not officially, but confiden-
tially. As chief clerk to the Chamberlain, I had nothing
to do with this matter, and simply aead as an indivi-
dual who possessed the confidence of, those who em-
ployed me. The expenditure to which I referred
amounted altogether to the sum of 27,750/., which ap-
pears in the City accounts for 1850 and 1851 as having
been paid to the Remembrancer for disbursements of
the markets improvement committee. it The committee
instructed the Remembrancer in these words—they au-
thorised him to take measures for obtaiiipig opinions and
expressions of public opinion which vrisuld be against the
Government measure to deprive the Cityof its market and
of its tolls, and in favour of a central market with im-
provements such as the corporation submitted to Par-
liament. In consequence of these directions the Re-
membrancer took steps and reported them to the com-
mittee. The committee having heard his report the
money was drawn by warrants in the usual form, signed
by seven members of the committee, and was paid in the
usual manner in the chamber. The only difference was
this, that instead of the expenditure coming before the
committee in detail, they directed me to check it, and it
was treated as a confidential matter. The sum of
2,7501. was the whole amount, and it was expended in
this manner —viz., for canvassing, agency in procuring
numerous petitions from all parts of the country, and
printers' and law stationers' charges. Mr. Adam!, who
at that time was secretary of what was called the Central
Markets Association, consisting of butchers and dealers
at Smithfield Market, and other parties interested, was
employed by the Remembraucer upon that occasion,
Mr. Acland being fully conversant with the scheme and
well qualified to get up petitions of this kind.
The Chairman--You mean on behalf of the corpora-
tion ?

Mr. Scott—Yes, and a large portion of the money
was paid to him. These expenses covered 2,6501. of the
whole 2,750, and were incurred exclusively, for pro-
moting petitions and getting up a memorial from 7,000
inhabitants of London to the City members, and for
ascertaining the validity of the signatures ; for there are
frauds committed in the signing of petitions, and the
whole of the names appended had, therefore, to be
tested by agents who waited on the parties. These ex-
penses absorbed !the whole 2,650/. within a pound or
two, and the remaining 1001. was paid to gentlemen at
the bar for literary services.
The Chairman—What do you mean by literary ser-
vices ?

Mr. Scott—They had placed before them the reports
of committees of the House of Commons and other
Parliamentary documents, and they drew up papers
with the Remambrancer, and assisted him in a literary
way.
The Chairman—Do you mean that they wrote articles
for the newspapers ?
Mr. Scott—l am not aware that they wrote articles
for the newspapers, but I dare say some of them found
their way to the newspapers, although they were not
originally written with that view. These members were
retained, but it was not considered that their names
ought to be made public. The whole amount so ex-
pended did not exceed 1001. _

Mr. Lewis— Were not the charges of the Remem-
brancer included in either of these amounts ?

Mr. Scott—No ; all the regular charges of the Re-
membrancer appear in the usual accounts. lam speak-
ing entirely of that expenditure which was considered
confidential. It was considered that petitions to be
presented to Parliament and measures for eliciting pub-
lic opinion would be regarded as being more powerful i f
the hand which moved in the matter was not made pub-
lic. This is the information which I have to give, and
the committee do not wish me to disguise anything.
The opponents of the corporation in regard to Smithfield
Market made exertions to procure lietitions likewise.
These opponents had a committee, and employed Mr.
Brown as their Parliamentary agent, and they adver-
tised a subscription list to defray their expenses.
The Chairman—Was the oppositicn as you term it,
conducted by individuals, or by the Government?
Mr. Scott-1 am not speaking of individuals. The
coporation thought that as their market was to be
removed, and their tolls taken away without compensa-
tion, they were justified in making use of every means
in their power to prevent the passing of such an act of
Parliament.

The Chairman—When the accounts came to be
audited, did the auditors take no notice of this sum thus
lumped together ?
Mr. Scott—It was not lumped together in the ac-
counts laid before the auditors. The blue-book before
the commissioners contained an abstract ; but the audi-
tors had the warrants of the markets committee, autho-
rising the payments, before them.
The Chairman—Do not you think that the auditors
ought to take care that the accounts are distinctly ren.
dered, and that the expenditure is made completely in-
telligible ?
Mr. Scott—As the law now stands, the auditors are
required to see that there is a competent authority for
drawing in the chamber on the face of every order, and
that the order is such as the committee has the power
to draw, but they have not the power to control the
expenditure.
The Chairman—Admitting that the auditor ought not
to have the power of determining whether the expendi-
ture is a proper expenditure or not, yet in the perfor-
mance of his duty, which is to take care that the ac-
counts are intelligible and afford the means of testing
the expenditure, do not you think he should have the
power of pulling such sums as these to pieces, and put-
ting each item under its proper head ?
Mr. Scott—lt might be advisable to increase the
power of the auditor in this respect. I merely speak of
the system now existing, under which an auditor has no
power to question the propriety of the expenditure of
the corporation.
The Chairman—I do not speak of the right to ques-
tion the propriety of the expenditure, but simply of a
matter of account. Ought not the auditor to take care
that the accounts are published in such a form as will
enable the public to judge exactly of how the money has
been spent?
Mr. Scott—l think it very desirable that the fullest
information should be given on the face of the accounts,
provided that the auditor is not made the controller of
the expenditure made by the large body who are elected
by the citizens.
The Chairman—But if so large a sum can be wrapped
up under one head, does it not open a door to abuse ?
Mr. Scott—l believe that it may open a door to
abuse, but I do not think that there has been abuse.
Mr. Scott then withdrew.
Mr. Sergeant Merewether, town-clerk of the City
corporation, was next examined. He said that he had
held his present office for eleven years, having before
that period occasionally acted as counsel for the corpo-
ration. The town-clerk's duty was to attend to the
whole business of the corporation, and be present at the
meetings of both courts, to see that the proceedings are
conducted with regularity. He had also to attend the
Lord Mayor when required, in order to give information
and advice. He attends every Court of Common Coun-
cil and every Court of Aldermen that is held. He has
to see that the minutes of the Common Council are pro-
perly entered and printed for immediate circulation. He
has to attend courts of conservancy, and also, when ne-
cessary, has to be present a. t the sittings of the naviga-
tion committee. His duties occupy the whole of his
time, and all that of the clerks in his office. Since I
have been in office I don't think I have done any pri-
vate professional duties except in one ur two cases. I
devote myself exclusively to the corporation. The salary
has never exceeded 2,000/. a year, except on one occa-
sion. 9001. a year of this sum comes out of the City
cash, and the rest from other sources. The Common
Council are of opinion that the town clerk should have
a fixed salary in lieu of fees, and they have referred
that subject to a committee. The Lord Mayor's Court
is not open to all members of the bar, but the question
is now under consideration. lam nominally registrar
of the Lord Mayor's Court, but the duty is discharged
by a deputy, who is thoroughly acquainted with the
business. The fees for that office fluctuate consi-
derably. As far as lam personally concerned, I should
prefer a fixed money payment instead of fees. The
business of the Lord Mayor's Court has much increased
of late years, in consequence of arrangements carried
out under the direction of the Recorder ; but I have de-
y portion of the increased fees in
clined to accept an
excess of the salary which I was led to expect on taking
the office of town clerk. When I entered upon the
office I determined that it should not be a money matter
with me. I believe that the corporation are most willing
to throw open the Mayor's Court to the members of the
bar, and also to solicitors ; and the only remaining im-
pediment is the question of compensation to those who
can establish a right to it. In point of fact, the court is
now open ; but an action has been brought by one of
the privileged attorneys against a solicitor who had
attended the court, and the suit is still pending. The
Sheriffs' courts pre also privileged courts ; but when the
1 entity court system was introduced a new court for the

city of London was obtained by act of Parliament, and
it is still called the Sheriffs' Court, and in it some of the
officers of the old court are employed. Ido not inter-
fere with the legal business of the corporation, or with
the duties of the City Solicitor or th• City Remem-
brancer ; and I am not responsible for the conduct fof
the legal business, but both of the officers abovenamed
at times consult me, on matters connected with their
duties. The charters of the City are in my custody.
They are about 120 in number, and are not all translated.
I hold in my hand a volume containing all the charters
down to the reign of Edward 111. I have also the
charter of Charles, which includes almost all the other
charters. The charters have been published in print by
Luffman, but never under the authority of the City.
The book which I hold in my hand contains the sub-
stance of all the charters of the City, and all it wants to
render it quite authentic is the official seal of the corpo-
ration. The complaint that persons cannot see the
charters of the City, in the event of litigation, is, in my
opinion, frivolous and unfounded. At the same time I
would not allow any person litigating with the City,
who is not a freeman, to inspect the charters.
The Chairman—ls a corporation like the city of Lon-
don, with a public trust committed to it, justified-in
acting with regard to its charters in the same way as a
private proprietor of an. estate with his title deeds ?
Mr. Merewether—l can see no difference ; and other
corporations, when they have been attacked, have shut
the doors of their muniment rooms against their as-
sailants.

Sir J. Patteson—But supposing the case to be that
the action is not brought against the corporation, but
that the corporation brings the action against the other
parties, such as occurred in the case of Combo and De-
lafield, and that the defendants challenge the production
of the documents on which the City grounds its claim
against them—would you refuse to produce the charters
in that case likewise ?
Mr. Merewether—l know of no difference in law be-
tween the two cases. I have had nothing to do with
the suit with Messrs. Combo and Delafield.
The Chairman—But if the substance of the charters
is already published, what objection can there be to
their production by the corporation ?
Mr. Merewether—That is entirely a dry question of
law, and would depend on the course which the suit
may take. But lam confident that no step of this kind
is taken without the impartial and unprejudiced advice
and opinion of the first lawyers of the land being taken.
The 120 charters went as far back as the reign of Wil-
liam the Conqueror. I do not think there is any charter
containing anything material which is not in print.
There is a book published by Mr. Norton containing
about 50 charters: More than half the 120 charters are
in print, and those that have not been published are
unimportant. The officers of the corporation are pre-
cluded from exhibiting or exposing the City records and
charters to any person not a member of the corporation
without the license of the court. I now produce these
charters under the sanction of the corporation, who de-
sire all the officers to afford the commissioners every
information, oral and documentary, in its power.

'Mr. C. Lewis—lf an action like that against Messrs.
Combe and Delafield for metage is brought by the City,
is it not reasonable that the defendants should be allowed
to see the charters or muniments upon which the City
bases its claim against them ?
Mr. Merewether—lf any public right of the corpora-
tion is in question, I do not consider myself competent
to answer ; but if it is a private right that is involved, I
think it would not be right to show its charters. With
regard to the case of Combe and Delafield, as a member
of legal profession I would rather refrain from giving
an opinion on a case which is still pending. As I have
said, all the proceedings in that case on the part of the
City were taken under the highest professional advice.
If the defendants wish to know the contents of the char-
ters, they have the little book I hold in my hand to
refer to ; but how far it would be advisable to give them
copies from the archieves of the corporation, I must be
excused from expressing an opinion. What has been
demanded of the Messrs. Combe and Company has been
demanded of everybody else on the river Thames, from
a time as far back as there is any trace of. There is no
general charter describing the general constitution of the
city of London. The customs of the city of London are
constantly referred to in the charters. The corporation
is empowered to alter any customs which requires it,
and to make such provisions as shall be "good for the
king and the public." No plan has been attempted to
be framed for codifying the by-laws and charters of the
City. No confusion arises to the public from the charters
of the City remaining as they now exist, and they gave
rise to no litigation ; at least the only cases are those
of Combe and Delafield with regard to the metage, and
the action involving the right to the soil of the river.
There is no charter constituting the governing body
of the city of London, and specifying the number
of aldermen and common councilmen, the ward divi-
sions, &c. The boundaries of the City are the City pro-
per, and the liberties without the walls. For a long
time the city of London was co-extensive with the me-
tropolis. The corpus of the City, if he might s• speak,
was, in early times, the whole of the metropolis. There
are no liberties where the City terminates at or abuts
upon the river, as the river was considered sufficient
protection. The total area of the City is about a mile.
The present boundaries appear to have been unaltered
since the earliest times, and I know of no attempt hav-
ing been made to extend the limits of the City in propor-
tion to the growth and extension of the metropolis, ex-
cept in the case of the borough of Southwark. The
present position of Southwark is very unsatisfactory. It
is not quite certain that the borough of Southwark is
legally a part of the county of Surrey ; because, on one
occasion, the officers of the corporation litigated a ques-
tion involving the jurisdiction of the sheriff of the county
of Surrey to issue writs in Southwark, and were suc-
cessful in their resistance. The City had abstained from
incorporating Southwark with itself, because the diffi-
culties in the way of such a measure were found to
render'it impracticable. From what has passed in the
corporation, I think the incorporation of Southwark
with the City would not be distasteful to the corpora-
tion ; but beyond that I cannot speak. The meeting
recently held in Southwark was very small, and could
not be considered as a sufficient exponent of the feeling
of the inhabitants of that borough. The corporation of
the City had regard to the interests of the rest of the
metropolis in its administration, and did not confine
itself to the interests of the City proper alone. Its im-
provements were effected for the benefit of the other
part of London. It did not,' however, presume to act in
a representative capacity for the whole metropolis—it
only interposed for the public good, and in the distribu-
tion of its charities the corporation went beyond its own
boundaries ? •
Mr. C. Lewis—The document yesterday speaks of the
Lord Mayor as the first magistrate of the first city in
the world—does not that imply a kind of representative
capacity for the whole metropolis ?
Mr. Merewether—The document was drawn up in a
great hurry.
Mr. C. Lewis— Do you object to this expression ?
Mr. Merewether—No, I do not.
The witness was then examined with regard to the du-
ties and emoluments of the Lord Mayor. He said the
duties were very numerous and heavy ; and he had
known lord mayors to sink under the weight of their
labours. The expenses of the office pass through the
Chamberlain's-office. The Lord Mayor receives 500/. as
compensation for the loss of fees on coal metage. fie
has also an allowance of 5,9971. Bs. Od., also 3001. for
conservancy expenses ; allowance for wear and tear of
furniture, 1001.; income tax (paid for him), 228/. 7s. 6d.;
gown, 181.; cocket dues, 1,0001.; "benevolence," 501. ;
fees from the Old Bailey, 401. ; other fees, M. 2s. 4(1.,
making together 8,3191. 18s. 2d. On the demise of the
Crown the Lord Mayor has been usually summoned to
the Privy Council by the Secretary of State.
Mr. C. Lewis—What do you think of the hospitality
of the Lord Mayor ?
Mr. Merewether—l have only to say that all the
officers of State, the judges, the Archbishop of Canter-
bury, and in fact almost all the higher ranks of English
society usually practice similar hospitality—it seems to
pervade the higher ranks.
The Chairman—The document read yesterday says
that the annual cost of the Lord Mayor's procession is
only 2001.—is that accurate
Mr. Merewether—l believe it is. The practice of
foreign attachment, which prevails in the City, is an
almost necessary consequence in a great commercial
town. But for this power there might be great difficulty
in giving or obtaining credit. It is desirable to retain
the custom as a beneficial one for all parties.
Mr. C. Lewis -But if it is good in Fleet-street, would
it not be equally good for the Strand ?
Mr. Merewether—lt would be a good practice, in my
opinion, to extend all over the metropolis. The nature
of foreign trade has much altered since there was a law
in the City prohibiting a foreign merchant from residing
in it for more than 40 days, or" from taking a house
there ; but I think it desirable to retain the custom of
attachment, as being a prompt and satisfactory mode of
recovering a debt. It enables a creditor to seize the
money of debtor in the hands of a banker, and the
custom is frequently exercised.
Mr. C. Lewis—Then your opinion is favourable to
foreign attachment, and rather than abolish it you would
extend it to the rest of the metropolis, and even over the
whole of the country?
Mr. Merewether—lf it is proved to be a good system
in the City I do not see why it should not be extended
to the rest of the metropolis ; but of course the foreign
transactions in the City are more numerous than they
are anywhere else. The witness then stated that the
elections of the aldermen were conducted with great
fairness, and there was a cordial feeling between the
aldermen and their wards. The size of the wards
was
unequal ; and this matter had often been considered_ by
the corporation. The aldermen were elected for life, but
they could be removed for a reasonable cause. Tiley
could be removed by quo warrant°, or by order of the
Court of Common Council, of which there was a case
on record. If there was one privilege which was more
dear than another to the citizens, it was the power of
electing their own magistrates. It was one of their
favourite rights, and they would generally regard its
abolition with great disfavour. The aldermen were con-
sidered to be better acquainted with the transactions and
customs of the citizens than a mere stranger would be.
They were assisted by a paid clerk, who did not exactly
, act like an assessor to them, but who advised them on
points of law ; but they followed their own judgment on

[I)R10E SD.

the facts, and justice was therefore substantially admi
nistered by them.
Mr. C. Lewis— Then the aldermen are like a petty
jury who are assisted by the judge ?
Mr. Merewether—The assistance I would rather say
is like that which a judge receives from the clerk at Nisi
Prins, or from the clerk of the arraigns. The Court of
Aldermen consists of the Lord Mayor and aldermen,
and the two sheriffs. The sheriffs cannot vote as sheriffs,
but one of the two is frequently an alderman as well as
sheriff. The Court of Aldermen sits about twice a
month, and their duties are various and important. The
aldermen have the management of the prisons, and they
consider all presentments made by the wardmotes. The
Court of Aldermen meet usually on Tuesdays, and the
Court of Common Council on Thursdays. Sometimes
business is initiated in the one court, and sometimes in
the other; but the feeling of each court is not to inter-
fere with the business of the other. Both courts have
the power of drawing upon the City cash, but the alder-
men practically confine their control over the City cash
to matters connected with the prisons, the (magistracy,
the police, and the conservancy. They also grant pen-
sions, but very rarely, and with' full notice, to decayed
members of their own body, or their widows and chil-
dren. Both courts have unlimited power of drawing
money for objects within their own jurisdiction, but the
general feeling is in favour of a proper economy. With
regard to the proceedings of the Court of Common
Council, every subject is watched with the greatest
jealousy ; and although in the discussions there was an
occasional warmth of feeling displayed, as would some
times happen in all popular bodies, the result generally
arrived at was one in accordance with good sense and
propriety. The Court of Common Council was the
supreme representative body of the commonality ; and
the division between the functions of the two bodies
could not be legally disturbed by either, being, as they
are, fixed by law. The present system of the corpora-
tion works exceedingly well, and I could not suggest
anything likely to make it work better. I have consi-
dered the matter fully, and asked myself what is the evil,
but I could detect none. The manner in which the
business of the committees of the corporation is con-
ducted is highly satisfactory. Indeed, I cannot imagine
the possibility of its being conducted better. The com-
mittees carry their feeling against every thing like job-
bing to the most scrupulous extent, and to an extent
even which is often prejudicial to individuals.
At the close of the sitting, the Commissioners ad-
journed the inquiry till the next day.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.

DEATH OF REAR ADMIRAL FALCON.

This gallant officer died on the 11th inst., at his re-
sidence. Westbourne-terrace, Hyde-park. By the
admiral's decease Captain the Right Hon. Earl of Hard-
wicke (1825) attains his flag rank ; but his lordship, not
having served his full sea time within four months, he
will, therefore, be placed on the reserved half-pay list.
Captain Chads, C.B. (1825), of the Excellent, the next
qualified on the active list, will, therefore become rear
admiral of the blue. Retired Captains John Shekel and
George 0. Lempriere, being seniors to Lord Hardwicke
and Captain Chads, also obtain their promotion to flag
rank, but without increase of pay. Rear Admiral Falcon
has served on full pay for 82 years. He entered the
navy in 1794, as A. 8., on board the Sheerness, Captain
Wm. George - Fairfax, flag-ship, in the Channel, of
Rear Admiral Henry Harvey, but soon attained the
rating of midshipman, and accompanied the former qfficer
into the Repulse and Venerable, 74's, the latter
bearing the flag of Admiral Duncan, whom, after par-
ticipating in the battle off Camperdown, Oct. 11, 1797,
he followed into the Kent, 74 ; during his attachment to
which ship, he appears to have been lent, for three
months, in 1798, as acting lieutenant to the Champion,
20, Captain Henry Raper. In May and September,
1799, he successfully joined, in the same capacity, the
Busy, .18, and Hymna, frigate, Captains John Acworth
Ommaney and David Lloyd ; and on May 15, 1800, he
was confirmed into the Wright, armed-ship, Captain
Thomas Campbell. His subsequent appointments as
lieutenant were on the West India, North America,
and Lisbon stations-August 23, 1800, to the Andro-
meda, 32, Captain James Bradby and Edw. Durnford
King ; June 9, 1802, and July 21, 1803, to the Cam-
brian, 40, and Leander, 50, flag-ships lof Sir An-
drew .Mitchell • and in 1806-8-9, to the Leopard,
50, Barfleur, 98,, Ganges, 78, and Barfleur again, bear-
ing each the flag of Hon. George Cranfield Berkeley.
While in the Leander Mr. Falcon assisted, under Cap-
tain john Talbot, at the capture, .Feb. 23,1805; of-La
Ville de Milan, French frigate of 46 guns, and the si-
multaneous re-capture of her prize, the Cleopatra, 32 ;
and when with Captain Salusbury Pryce Humphreys,
in the. Leopard, he was one of the officers sent to search
the United States frigate Chesapeake for deserters, after
that vessel had struck her colours, March 22, 1807. On
March 8, 1811, while acting as captain of the Macedo
nian, 38, he was made commander into the Meloomene,-
troop-ship.- Attaining post rank, October 29, 1813, he
soon afterwards joined the Leander, 50, and on March
14, 1814, obtained command of the Cyane, of 32 guns
and 171 men. After a furious action off Madeira, in
which, besides being much cut to pieces, she sustained a
loss of 6 men killed and 13 wounded, -the latter vessel,
together with her consort, the Levant, of 20 guns and
131 men, was unfortunately captured by the American
ship Constitution, of 54 guns and 469 men, Feb. 20,
1815. Captain Falcon subsequently became a prisoner
of war, but, peace soon restoring him to liberty, he re-
turned home, and was afterwards appointed, June 24,
1817, to the Tyne, 26, in which vessel, in October, 1820,
he brought from South America to England specie to
the amout of nearly 700,0001. ; March 1, 1823, to the
Isis, 50, lying at Chatham ; June 23, 1823, and August
21, 1825, to the Spartiate, 76, and Wellesley, 75, flag-
ships of Sir George Eyre, on the South American sta-
tion ; and May 1, 1833, and Sept. 5, 1835, to the San
Josef, 110, and Royal Adelaide, 104, bearing each the
flag of Sir Wm. Hargood, commander-in-Chief at Ply-
mouth, where he continued until paid off, April 30,
1836. On Feb.'l7, 1845, he was employed as captain
of the Royal Sovereign yacht, and superintendent of the
dockyard at Pembroke. Captain Falcon married, Oct.
7, 1834, Louisa, widow of the late Captain Cursham,
and daughter of the late Richard Meyrick, Esq., of
Runkton, county of Sussex, by whom he had issue.

PORTSMOUTH, JAN. 13.

The Vulcan steam troop frigate, Commander Von
Donop, arrived at Spithead this morning from the West
India and North American station. She sailed from
Halifax on the 14th ult. and Bermuda on the 25th,
from which latter place she has brought a mail. Four-
teen officers, six ladies, 232 rank and file of the Royal
Artillery, 59 women, and 129 children, have come home
in the Vulcan.; also Lieutenant M'Donnald, of the 36th
Regiment, on sick leave. Among the party are Mr.
Inglis, Assistant-Surgeon, from Bermuda ; Dr. and
Mrs. Hall and daughter ; Mrs. Callam ; Captains Tur-
ner and Dixon, R.A., in command of companies, &c.
The Vulcan is ordered to Woolwich.

The Sprightly, steam-vessel, Master-Commander
Allen, proceeded to-day to the eastward with supernu-
meraries.

The Manceuvrer navy lighter was got off the Woolsnei
shoal this morning, and towed into the harbour by the
Pigmy tug, having apparently sustained no damage
beyond losing her rudder and false keel.

WOOLWICH, JAN 13.
APPOINTMENTS.

Lieutenants----Thomas Davies (b) (1844), to the Hogue,
60, screw steam guard-ship at Devonport, vice Stevens,
promoted ; Charles T. Dench (1844), to the Dauntless,
24, screw steam-frigate, at Portsmouth ; Charles M.
Luckraft (1845), to the Euryalus, 50, screw steam-frigate
at Chatham ; Charles F. F. Boughey (1846), to the
Trafalgar, 120, flag-ship of Vice-Admiral J. W. D.
Dundas, C. 8., on the Mediterranean station, and at
present in the Black Sea, vice Mends, promoted ; Frank
K. Hawkins (1845), from the Impregnable. flagship at
Devonport, to the Leander, 50, on the Mediterranean
station, vice May, promoted ; William T. F. Jackson
(1846), to the Impregnable, flag-ship at Devonport.
Chaplain—The Rev. Joseph W. Dickson (1843), to
the Euryalus, 50, screw steam-frigate, at Chatham.
Clerks-in-Charge—H. E. L. P. Bailey (1846), to the
Caradoe mail steam-packet, on the Mediterranean sta-
tion, vice Tucker, promoted ; Charles William nuke
(1848), serving as clerk of the Plumper steam-sloop, on
the West Coast of Africa station, to be clerk-in-charge
of the Antelope steam-sloop, on the same station, vice
Bowman, promoted.
Master's-Assistant George H. Downing, to the Race-
, horse, 14, sloop, at Devonport.

PROMOTIONS.
Mates—Richard Peachey Gresham (1850), serving in
the Tartarus paddle-wheel steam-vessel, on particular
service ;
James Hennessy Coxon (1850), serving in the
Furious, 16, paddle-wheel steam-frigate, on the Medi-
terranean William Clark (1850), First Mate of
the Vixen, station ;
6, paddle-wheel steam-sloop, on the south-
east coast of Ainer!ca station ; Hamilton Edward George
servingin the Sharpshooter, 8, iron screw
Earle (1850),
steam gun vessel, on the south-east coast of America sta-
tion ; Walter Lidney de liantzow (1850), First Mate of
the Electra, 14, sloop, the Australian station ; Edward
Bond Harrison Franklin (1850), Acting Lieutenant in
the Amphitrite, on the Pacific station ; Wm. Dawson
(1850), First Mate of the Excellent gunnery ship, at
Portsmouth ; William Fred. Blunt Edwardes (1851),
First Mate of the Slalom iron screw steam troop-ship, at
Portsmouth ; Claude Augustus Champion de Crespigny
(1851), First Mate of the St. Jean D'Acre, 101, screw
steam-ship on the Mediterranean station ;Wm .Weymouth
(1851), First Mate of the Sampareil, 70, screw steam-ship,
on the Mediterranean station ; Thomas Sherlock Gooch
(1851), Acting Lieutenant in the Fox, 42, on the East
India station ; • James Blair Grove (1851), serving in the
Assistance discovery ship in the Arctic Seas ; Cecil
William Buckley (1851), First Mate of the Royal George,
120, screw steam-ship, at Devonport ; William George
Hope. Johnstone (1851), First Mate ,of the Arrogant,
47, screw steam-frigate,- Rear-Admiral Corry's western
squadron ; Charles George Grey Perceval (1851), serving
in the Fury, 6, paddle-wheel steam-sloop, on the Medi-
terranean station ; Charles Edward Somerville Wood-
man (1851), serving in the Princess Royal, 90, screw
steam-ship, at Portsmouth ; Edward Thomas Nott
(1851), First Mate of the Queen, 116, on the Medite!-
ranean station ; James Bower Balfour (1851), serving in

the Sidon, 22, paddle-wheel steamtgate, on the Medi-
terranean station ' • Henry LewiiPound (1851), Actin
Lieutenant of the Fox, 42, on tke East India station ;
James Saumarez (1851), serving in the Trincomalee, 42,
on the Pacific station • John Hobhouse Inglis Alexa,n-
,cler (1852), Acting 'Lieutenant in the 'Furious, 16,
paddle-wheel steam-frigate, on the Mediterranean sta-
"don ; William Frederick Irwin (1852), First Mate of
the Wasp screw steam-sloop, on the Mediterranean,
station ; and Lord Francis N. Conygham (1852), serv-
ing the Cumberland, 70, flagship, on the North
America and West India station, to the rank of
Lieutenants.

SUBURBAN VILLA AND VILLAGE
ASSOCIATION.

On Wednesday night a very fully attended meeting
was held at Exeter-ball, to heas an explanation of the
objects of this association.
The chair was taken shortly after 7 o'cloek by E. A.
Lemb, Esq., .J.P., of Iden Rye, Sussex.
The object of this association which is to be entirely
self-supporting, is of enabling its members to obtain
healthy residences out of town, of various sizes, adapted
to their several wants, combining all the advantages of
modern domestic architecture, ventilation, drainage, and
with alarge garden, at a less rent, including railway
expenses, than they now pay for unhealthy dwellings or
lodgings in the confined localities of the metropolis, and
at the same time, of becoming owners of the property
in about seven years. It is proposed that the members
shall have the option of acquiring the freehold of their
respective residences. To effect these objects, commo-
dious dwellings will be erected in appropriate sites se-
cured for the purpose near to railway stations, and at
such distances from London as will enable the mem-
bers of the association to procure an annual ticket
for 51. The following plan is the method by which the
objects of this institution will be accomplished. The
offer of eligible sites having been secured for the purpose
near the Crystal Palace, in the healthiest of the suburban
districts, according to the Registrar-Generals returns,
upon very favourable terms. Public meetings will be
held fOr ballots for priority of right to choose sites and
dwellings, amongst all the members holding one share
and upwards, provided their payments are not in .arrear.
Those who obtain such rights, whether in the ballot or
by seniority, or by purchase from those who thus obtain
them; or otherwise, will, in the order of their rights, be
entitled to choose sites and houses on taking up shares,
according to the size of house selected. The various
dwellings will then be erected by the society out of the
funds subscribed, at the wholesale price or cost ; and,
from the saying of expenditure thus effected, combined
with that of the builder's ordinary profits, of a large
amount of legal expenses, and the difference between
cash.and credit prices for material, it is ascertained that
the cost to the members of their dwellings will be at
least one-third less than their market price, and there-
fore than the sum which the members would have to pay
in order to purchase them. The dwellings, when built,
will be allotted amongst the members who have chosen
them or their transferees, to be held by them, in the first
instance, as tenants of the association, for letting or
or occupation for about five years, at a very moderate
rental, and thenceforth as absolute owners for a long
term of upwards of 90 years, at a trifling ground-rent,
with the option, when desired, of putchasing the free-
hold. Each estate to be allotted will be divided into
three portions, namely, one to be allotted to those mem-
bers who have paid up the full amount of their shares ;
a second to those members who have not paid up their
shares in full, whose priority of choice will be decided by
ballot amongst all the members whose subscriptions are
not in arrear at the time of the ballot ; and a third to
members according to seniority of membership, provided
their subscriptions are not in arrear.

The CHAIRMAN, in opening the proceedings, said free-
hold land societies, and building societies, had now be-
come a social fact. Some years ago it was proposed to ".
construct a grand railway street ; it was thought a
matter easy to be performed, but it turned.ont other-
wise. The Dean and Chapter of Westminster,
on being applied to for their sanction at once to
their honours refused it, and stated as the ground of
their refusal that by sanctioning the- proposed railway
street a great Mimber of the poorer class would be itn-
housed. This circumstance first gave rise to the present
idea, and it propoied by this society to enable the poor
man as well as the rich to enjoy the pleasures of a resi-
dence out of London. Railway directors had no objec-
tion to grant first and second class periodical tickets at
a reduced price, but now their minds were expanding,
and the third-class passengers were about to participate
in the benefit. The third-Class ticket being the chief
difficulty, and that being got over, the success of the
scheme was placed beyond the possibility of doubt. The
carrying out of the proposed scheme of thiS society had
been long delayed, and if that delay was suffered to exist
much longer, land would so increase. in value that it
would soon be found impossible to obtain it. The asso-
ciation was unconnected with party spirit—their was no
religious test or party fetter, and there was no charity,
for every man would have as good a right to his land
as the peer when once he had paid up his share. He
would notfurther detain them, but once call upon Mr.
Dale to address them.

Mr. DALE then rose and said he would address them
with as much as brevity as was consistent with per-
spicuity, as the schoolmaster would say. The resolution
which he held in his hand had in a great measure been
anticipated by the large number of shares taken up.
Mr. Dale then entered at some length into the state-
ment of the plans and objects of the society, which we
have given above, adding, as an illustration of the ac-
quisitioh of a residence the following :—"A member
holding (say) four shares of 251. each will pay, either at
once, or by instalments, at his convenience, the sum of
1001., and also, upon a residence being allotted to him,
a rental of 301. per annum for five years, exclusive of
ground rent, making together a payment to the society
of 2501., which it is estimated will be the total cost of
the house to the society ; and for this sum, in conse-
quence of all the arrangements and purchases being
'made at wholesale prices, the member will obtain a
residence containing seven rooms, with all necessary
conveniences' worth, at least, 3501., and with a
certainty of a rapid and considerable increase in
value before the end of his five years' tenancy."
It was laid down in the rules that, should a member un-
fortunately through sickness, want of employment, or
temporary depression, time should be allowed for the
payment of the monthly subscription by smaller sums
for a longer period, or in such a way as was best suited
to the interests of the members. The society was formed
upon the best and surest principles known ; and he had
not the least doubt but that it would be most extensively.
embraced. He concluded, by moving the following reso-
lution :—" That the principle adopted by the various
freehold land societies in the wholesale purchase and the
distribution to their members at the cost price of freehold
land—and which has been productive of so much com-
mercial and social benefit may be offered with equal, if
not with greater advantage to the wholesale erection of
dwellings ; and that it is desirable that a society with
this object, should be forthwith formed."
Mr. CAMPBELL briefly seconded the resolution.
A desultory discussion here took place, in which some
gentlemen in the body of the meeting took part.
The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution to the meet-
ing, and declared it carried.
Mr. MURRELL moved the second resolution, as fol-
lows :—"That the Suburban Villa and Village Associa-

tion which is established for the wholesale erection of

freehold and leasehold dwellings for its members, is both
from the simplicity, safety, and soundness, and the
principles on which its intended operations are based,
and the peculiar advantages which it offers to its mem-
bers, from the easy acquisition of suburban residences
at the lowest possible outlay, eminently entitled to the
support of this meeting.
Dr. HATFIELD begged to second the resolution.
Mr. CAMPBELL, secretary to the Church of England
Freehold Land Society, begged to offer a few observa-
tions to the meeting with respect to this association.
Since the proceedings of the evening had commenced,
he had_ obtained a copy of the rules. He found they
carefully avoided the pitfalls of all societies with similar
oitjects to their own. He also learned, by those same
rules, that their direction was to consist of fifteen gentle-
men, five to form the executive ; the whole of their pro-
perty was to be invested in trustees ; all money paid in
to be immediately lodged with the bankers of the asso-
ciation ; and the auditors to be selected from amongst
the general members. Thus it would be the duty of
every shareholder to sift every partsand everything con-
nected with the society, and if any parties were appointed
to offices which they were unable to fill, there would be
rr nobodyhn tocli Abilßa3mfAe bmiulatvtihnegmpsnetives.
the
resolution to the meet-
ing, dselicllaurEeudnitpcmarLiedAruenp.mneinim
heuereslytt.llowed to withdraw
A
with loss ?
Alt_
liberty to withdEravewr
ywhmember of this association is at
withdrawal should takee
place
er
withinhe t
society's operations, he would thinksproper.receivehethfierstn et year a mlofofuthhniest
paid in, after the first year, in addition to the sum he
had paid in, he would receive 4 per cent.
Mr. MURRELL then moved a vote of thanks to the
chairman.

The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, said he felt highly
pleased at the proceedings of the evening. He had the
pleasure of stating that upwards of G5O shares had been
taken representing a subscribed capital of 45,0001.
The balloting for 130 rights of priority to choose sites
and residences then commenced, and, at its conclusion,
the proceedingi terminated. .

THE LATE ACCIDENT ON THE EASTERN COUNTIES
RAlLWAY.—Yesterday the inquest upon the bodies of
Hanton, Hipperson, and Smith, three workmen em-
ployed by the company, who were killed by the collision
which took near the Harling station on Thursday week
was resumed and concluded. There was no additional
evidence of importance. The coroner (Mr. E. Press)
in his address to the jury, remarked that the wit-
nesses who had been examined were servants of the
company, and, although they had given their evi-
dence fairly, they naturally had a leaning towards
their employers. He thought the jury also should
have the same feeling towards the company,
as they
blic in
were acting in perfect good faith towards the pu
endeavouringemleavourin to clear the line of the obstruction when
the accident occurred. The fact of the train having been
brought from Thetford upon the wrong line of rails at a
rate of something like 20 miles an hour, in contraven-
tion of the company's regulations, formed a subject for
grave consideration. The jury, after deliberating for an
hour, returned a verdict of manslaughter against Mr.
Ashcroft and Mr. Latham. The jury added to their
verdict a suggestion that the directors should in future
enforce a rigid observance of the rules of the company,
and also that they should discontinue the running of all
passenger trains after a heavy fall of snow until the line
was cleared from every obstruction calculated to endanger
the safety of the public.