The Sun.
London, England, 1846-09-17 00:00:00

SUN,_LoNpoN9 THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMI3'ER 17, 1846.

ELECTION OF LORD MAYOR.
On Tuesday, at the Swan-with-Two-Necks, Gresham
street, the friends of Mr. Alderman Wood held a meet-
ing, to consider what steps should be taken to secure his
election to the Mayoralty of London. The attendance
was numerous and respectable.
Mr. Deputy Muddell was called to the chair, and sug-
gested that Mr. AlderrnanYood, who was present by in-
vitation, should address the meeting.:
Alderman Wool) said that he must commence with an
apology for having been a little behind his time ; but he
had been detained at a sitting of the Court of Aldermen,
held with closed doors.—(Hear.) He was now before
the meeting to offer any explanation which might be de-
sired, to answer any questions, to invite the fullest and
most searching investigation into his conduct, in public
and in private life.—(Applause.) At the Court of Al-
dermen which he had just quitted, held, as he remarked,
with closed doors, Alderman Wilson had put a question
to him, which he noticed, because it appeared to involve
a new accusation. In 1832, he (Mr. Wood) was employed
by the Irish Society of London to defend them against
an action which had been brought by the twelve com-
panies of London, and which threatened to annihilate
the Irish Society. This action had gone on from court
to court, with successful decision in each case, until at
last it was brought, by appeal, before the House of
Lords, where a final decision was pronounced in the
session of 1845 in favour of the Irish Society. The
other parties in the suit had paid the costs last February,
and he (Alderman Wood) deducting the amount of his
own bill, had the next day paid over the balanee to his
clients. He had brought this important case to a suc-
cessful issue, after devoting years of unwearied labour
and research to it, and yet he had never got a vote of
thanks from his clients for that success.—(Hear.) He
had not yet got his bill settled.—(Great sensation.) An
obligation of secrecy was enforced upon the members of
the Irish Society, and yet it was a fact that what took place
with them invariably transpired, particularly if it should
involve any slander against himself. The question put
by Alderman Wilson was, whether he (Alderman Wood)
was not in debt to the Irish Society—whether he had
not retained moneys of theirs—and whether he had not
also retained in his hands moneys that should have been
paid over to counsel ? Now, every professional man
knew that what are called "marked fees," are paid when
briefs are delivered to counsel, while " running fees,"
for consultations and such matters, remained over on ac-
count, and were paid by the solicitor when his clients
settled with him. The account which some of the coun-
sel's clerks had:sent in to him had charged ten guineas
instead of the five usually allowed for consultation ;
but as it was a very heavy suit, he (Alderman Wood)
did not object to the higher charge. If he had paid it,
however, before his bill was settled, and it had been re-
duced on taxation, he should have had to pay the differ-
ence out of his own pocket. The account, therefore, ran
on and for this cause only. It was his right, as a
solicitor—and he spoke in the presence of eminent legal
gentlemen, and after forty years' professional experience
—to detain not only moneys, but all the papers in the
cause until his bill was settled. He had done neither.
(Applause.) One counsel's clerk applied to the Irish
Society for the amount of the running account. He
(Alderman Wood) had written and inquired if this had
been done by desire of the counsel, and the answer he
received was, that he was most angry such an applica-
tion should have been made, as the settlement between
them was matter of private arrangemeat. Alderman
Wilson had written on the subject, to the different
counsel employed in the suit, and the answer he received
was to the same effect. In point of fact, whenever the
Irish Society would settle with him, he (Alderman
Wood) would pay counsel. It was hard that the Irish
Society's obligation of secrecy should be used against
him.—(Hear.) They would not bring any substantive
charge against him—they did not call him before them
—but they allowed statements which were calculated, if
not intended to injure him, to be made. That day Sir
Peter Laurie had said he had always hitherto voted
against him, as, in the 'falacre case, the verdicts in Ire-
land had been against him. But he then informed Sir
Peter Laurie that when the case had been finally ar-
gued in Ireland, the Chief Justice said that the verdicts
had not been sustained by the evidence.—(Cheers.)
They had been given soley on the unsupported state-
ments of counsel made to Irish juries, and Sir P. Laurie
then acknowledged that, until now, he had never
heard that the verdicts had been reversed.—
(Hear, hear.) He believed others had never
heard of it. All that bore against him was duly trans-
mitted to members of the Court of Aldermen, but
whatever was exculpatory was carefully kept back.—
(Shame.) He never professed to be a man of large
fortune, and perhaps this was the chief objection to his
occupying the Civic chair.—(Cheers.) If none but
very opulent men were to be put into that chair, it
would endanger the citizens' freedom of election. It
would be dreadful if the man chosen by the wards should
be excluded by a secret court.—(Hear.) It would ever
be a reflection on the City that, because the allowance to
the Lord Mayor was insufficient, none but very wealthy
men, who could bear the additional outlay, should occupy
the chair.—(Cheers.) It was curious that the slanders
of which he had been the object were never directed
against those members of the Court of Aldermen who
possessed great property.—(Laughter.) lle did not
shrink from a comparison with any of that Court, and
confidently rested his case in the hand of his friends and
in the justice of the City.—(Cheers.)
The meeting was then addressed by Mr. Underwood,
Mr. Holt, Mr. Pitman, Mr. Wintour Harris, Mr. Yates,
and other gentlemen. Resolutions were passed assert-
ing Alderman Wood's high claims to the mayoralty on
cccount of his private worth, as well as the exemplary
manner in which he had performed his public duties as
sheriff and alderman ; expressing unabated confidence
in him ; pledging the meeting to use all exertions to
promote his election ; and authorising the chairman •to
transmit a copy of the resolutions to the Lord Mayor, in
order that they might be placed before the Court of
Aldermen.
After a vote of thanks to the chairman the meeting
teparated.

THE REGISTRATION.
TOWER HAMLETS.
D. C. Meylan, Esq., the barrister appointed to revise
the lists of voters for this borough, opened his Court
yesterday, at half-past nine o'clock, in the Court-house,
Wellclose-square. The overseers having handed in the
list of their respective parishes, it appeared that the
total number of claims was 107. There were no objec-
tions. The claims were from the following parishes:—
Poplar, 1; Christ Church, Spitalfields, 3; Mile-end, Old
Town, 22; Ratcliffe, 3; Limehouse, 4; St. George's, 3;
Hackney, 19; Shoreditch, 20; Bethnal-green, 29; Shad-
well, 1. After a short conversation it was arranged that
the lists of the parishes from which there were neither
claims nor objections should be disposed of before ca-
tering upon the consideration of the claims; this having
been done, the first claim entered upon was that of Win.
Forscutt,, of 31, Robin Hood-lane. The overseers ob-
jected on the ground that the claimant had not been a
sufficient time on the rate-book.
Mr. Forscutt, who defended his own claim, said that
this was owing to the overseers having refused to place
his name on the book, notwithstanding repeated notices
to that effect. He charged Mr. Nation, in particular,
with throwing every obstruction in the way of his ob•
tanking the privilege of a vote, and now, when he had at
last compelled the insertion of his name they had in-
creased the rating of his house 150 per cent., and even
increased the estimated value of the house itself from
141. to 13/. per annum, determined, apparently, to make
him pay for it. It was such conduct as this on the part
of parochial officers which narrowed the franchise, and
made the Reform Act a nullity to large classes. In sup-
port of his claim, Mr. Forscutt handed to the Court
duplicates of the claim to be rated, which he had served
upon the overseer's on the 11th December, 1845; sth
March, 1846; 25th June, 1846; and 22d August, 1846.
The rate-books were put in evidence at the request of
the claimant, and the Barrister decided that the claim
wasA a good one, inasmuch as the notices required by the
~et had been duly served. The first notice having been
served on the 11th December, 1845, previous to the pub-
lication and allowance of the Christmas rates, he did not
see any rate from the 20th July, 1845, which Mr. For-
scutt was not entitled to claim upon, and upon these
grounds it must be admitted.
IJr. Forscutt then requested that the Court would en-
force the penalties in the 51st and 46th clauses of the
Registration Act, and that the overseers should be fined
for wilfully neglecting to insert his name on the register,
and also for their frivolous and vexatious opposition in
the court to his claim.
The Barrister declined to exercise the power vested
in him by these clauses, inasmuch as there was a great
distinction between an innocent mistake as to the law,
and a wilful omission. He thought the first was the case
in this instance ; as to the penalties levied by the 46th
clause, they referred to individual ojectors, andnot
the overseers, who had appeared me brely to sustain their
own list.
Mr. Forscutt denied the overseers could object in their
official capacity, it must be as individual voters, and on
that ground he claimed the costs of his attendance, and
the infliction of the fine. Unless something was done to
restrain parochial officers from the abuse of the powers
vested in them, these abuses would increase, and the
franchise be practically denied to those entitled to it
through the obstacles they created.
The Barrister could not concur in the views of the
claimant as to the fine, but hoped the discussion which
had taken place would effect all that the claimant wished.
Claim allowed.
The next Christchurch, list was that of Spitalfields.
The claim of William Somervile was disallowed, on the
ground that he had made no claim between the Ist of
August, 1845, and the 10th of August, 1846. In the
interval four rates had been levied without his name being
put on the rate-book, and the Barrister held that not
having complied with the requisition of the Act, by
giving successive notices for each successive rate, the
claim must be disallowed. The overseers said, that
having ascertained the house claimed for, though one
which was compounded for (the landlord paying one
part of the rates and the tenant the other), was of the
required value, agreed to put the name on the rate-book
for the ensuing registration. The two remaining claims
on thin list were disallowed, in consequence of the non-
appearance of the claimants ; their claims, however,
stood upon the same grounds as the preceding, and
would, in any case, have been rejected.
The claims of Ratcliffe and Limehouse were admitted
without opposition, the requirement of the law having
been complied with in each case.
Mile end Old Town.—Twenty-two claims.—The claim
of Boon, tenant of a " compound house," was objected
to, on the ground that he only paid rates on 81., the
landlord being rated for the other Si. The overseers
admitted, however, that they had inserted Boon's name
on the rate-book, in compliance with a claim made by
him.

The Barrister said the insertion of a name was an
admission of the right to vote; the only question was
whether the premises were of sufficient value. It
appeared that the tenement cceiTied by Boon was one
ot three, the estimated value of which was 601.; there
could therefore be no doubt of its sutficiency, and the
claim must be allowed.
Two claims from tenants of the other tw3 bouses
were then admitted for the same reason, and the
remaining nineteen were disallowed on the ground of
non-appearance.
St. George.--Three claims.—Two were disallowed on
the ground of insufficient notice; the other claim was
admitted, the name having been put on the rate-book,
and the rates paid.
For the parish of Hackney there were nineteen claims;
of these four were disallowed in consequence of non-
appearance; the other fifteen being merely corrections
of a list of upwards of 2,000 names, were permitted to

stand.
The claims of Shadwell and Whitechapel were ad-
mitted.
Mr. Forscutt called the attention of the Court to the
necessity for a fuller description of streets than the lists
afforded. For instance, there might be twelve 'William-
streets with voters of the same name resident in each,
but for want of a more particular description it might be
requisite to go to each of them before finding the voter.
lie thought the overseers should be ordered to amend
this defect.
The Barrister admitted that this was an inconvenience
everywhere experienced, but its correction rested with a
higher power than the overseers, and he was not autho-
rised to make any order on the subject.
Of the twenty claims for St. Leonard, Shoreditch,
seven were disallowed on account of non-appearance,
the remainder, which were corrections of the overseers'
list of 4,200 names, were admitted.
On the Bethnal-green list being called, Messrs.
Manley and Benson appeared on the part of the Com
pound Householders' Registration Association of St.
Matthew's, to support the claim of fifteen of their mem-
bers whose names did not appear in the overseers' list.
Of these claims eleven were admitted, the majority of
them being part occupiers of houses, and paying a
weekly rent of ss. ; two claims were disallowed on the
ground that the rent and premises were not of sufficient
value to entitle to a vote ; and sixteen claims fell to the
ground on account of non-appearance, and the absence
of the names from the register.
The general result of the day's proceedings showed 50
claims out of 107 admitted.
The Court then closed at six o'clock, having disposed
of the various lists in one day.

HERTFORD.
The adjourned Court of Revision of voters for this
county was held yesterday, before Mr. J. Espinasse, at
the King's Arms, Watford.
E. R. Spence and J. F. Bontems, Esqs., attended as
the free.trade agents, and C. E. Grover, Esq., attended
as the Conservative agent.
Arthur John Moore, whose name appeared in the
Northchurch list of voters as follows:—Place of abode,
" 33, Queen Anne-street, Cavendish-square;" nature of
qualification, " fee-farm rent" "Augustus Smith,
owner," was objected to by the free-trade party.
A gentleman from London was called by the Conser-
vatives to prove the qualification, and gave the follow-
ing evidence:—l know Mr. Arthur John Moore—he is
possessed of a fee-farm rent in the parish of North-
church—it is of the value of 405. and upwards, and has
been in possession of it more than six months.
Cross-examined—Mr. Moore does not reside at 33,
Queen Anne street, but at 4, Upper Harley-street; he
did reside at Queen Anne-street, but has removed. The
property is situate at Northchurch, and is known by the
name of the " New Lodge."
Mr. Spence submitted that this was a good objection,
inasmuch as the voter had left Queen Anne•street.
The witness called upon the Barrister to award him
the utmost amount of costs he had the power to do.
Mr. Espinasse —I believe you are a solicitor?
Witness—l am.
Mr. Espinasse—Then in that case I shall award you
the sum of twenty shillings.
Mr. Spence here rose, and said he was perfectly sur-
prised that such a decision should be come to. Ile had
taken his objection because the voter was not residing
as described in the list, which under the provisions of
the Registration Act was a perfectly bond fide objection,
and one for which costs could not with justice be awarded
against him. He would further urge upon the barrister
the necessity of the full description of the situation of
the property being set forth in the list. It was proved
that the property was known by the name of " New
Lodge," and therefore called upon the Barrister to insert
the situation of the property under the provisions of the
Act, which enacted that in cases of rent charge, not
only the owner's name should be given, but also the
situation of the property.
Mr. Espinasse said he did not think it necessary to
state anything more in the fourth column than the
owner's name, as by that the objector could easily find

the property.
Mr. Stace said the owner resided at Scilly, and he
could not understand upon what hypothesis it could be
contended that the fact of a person residing in Scilly
was a sufficient identification of property in Hertford.
Mr. Espinasse was of opinion it did; had the objector
made inquiries, he would have ascertained whether the
claimant was entitled to the property.
Mr. Spence thought it a great hardship to be com-
pelled to go to Scilly to find Mr. Smith ; and then to
ascertain whether he had granted the rent-charge—the
heading of the list was perfectly clear upon the subject.
Mr. Espinasse—The Act says that the notice may be
given " to the like effect," and the description in this case
was to the like effect.
Mr. Spence submitted that it was the "notice," and
not the description of the situation of property that might
be given to the like effect. He would still submit he was
not liable to any costs on that ground, and also on ac-
count of the party having removed.
Mr. Espinasse—l think that no ground of objection,
nay, I think it is a frivolous and vexatious one, and shall
give the witness the utmost amount of costs I can.
Mr. Spence—Then, Sir, I must certainly ask for a case
of appeal.
Mr. Espinasse—Then I shall certainly not give it you.
The costs were paid, and the name retained.
Another case, similar to the above, was then taken—
namely, that of Mr. Charles Henry Moore. The ob-
jector said he did not intend, after the decision gives, to
proceed with that objection.
The witness in the last case again claimed costs.
It was then contended by the free-traders that there
was no case before the Court, as no objection had been
proved. The duty of the Barrister only commenced
after the notice had been proved, and not before. By
the 40th sec. of the 6 Vic., cap. 18, it was enacted, " that
any person objecting to any other person who shall ap-
pear in support of such objection, if he shall prove that he
gave the notice required by this Act, the Barrister shall
then require it to be proved that the claimant was en-
titled to vote." It was evident by the word " thee that
the Barrister could not decide that the objection was
frivolous, groundless, and vexatious, without having first
proved before him that the objector had given the no-
tices required.
Mr.Espinasse—l have the objection putinto my hand,
and the Act gives me power to award costs when it ap-
pears to me to be right—l shall therefore award
twenty shillings to the witness.
Mr. Spence hoped the Barrister would not adjudicate
upon the case without having first heard the objection;
the description in the list was on "fee-farm rent," with-
out stating upon what property it was charged, whether
houses or land, which he submitted was necessary.
Mr. Espinasse was of a contrary opinion, and awarded
20s. costs. Much disapprobation was manifested in
Court by both sides (excepting the witness) upon these
decisions.
William Brown was objected to, in the Wigginton list,
by the free-traders, on the ground of misdescription. His
name was entered in the list as residing at " Tring,"
nature of qualification, " freehold cottages," situation,
" next the common."
Mr. Brown was in attendance. The property for which
he claimed was next Wigginton-common, which was a
long and narrow meadow. There were many houses on
it besides his own. The cottages were not known by any
name, but they were let to various tenants.
Mr. Spence laid before the Court the judgment of the
late Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
in the case of Eckersley a. Barker, of which the follow-
ing is an extract:—" The direction at the head of the
form No. 2 (the notice of claim) appears to us to
intend that the house and premises are not in a street,
lane, or other like place, bat in a road, or on a com-
mon, or the like, then the name of the property should
be given, if known by any, or the name of the occupy-
ing tenant;" and he submitted to the Court that it
was necessary that the tenant's name should be in-
serted.
Mr. Espinasse said that however much he respected
the opinion of the late lamented and Learned Judge,
yet he thought his Lordship could not have contem-
plated all cases that might occur, and as the heading of
the fourth column stated that the " street, lane, or other
like place, should be given," he was clearly of opinion
that the voter had done so by giving the description
" next the common," which was a like place.
Mr. Spence submitted that it was " the street or lane "
that should be given, and not " next the coupon." It
might be at this end or at the other end, or at any part
of the common, from the whole two miles of road.
Mr. Espinasse thought it was an " other like place."
Mr. Spence—What a common like a street or lane?
Mr. Espinasse—Yes, it is an " other like place."
The Barrister then awarded twenty shillings costs,
which were paid, but fifteen shillings were afterwards
refunded owing to the claimant not being able to show
that he bad incurred any " costs" in attending, except
for the keep of his horse.
Mr Spence afterwards drew the attention of the Court
to the fact that Mr. Espinasse had been making the very
alterations in the description that he had been contend-
ing for, which produced quite a titter in Court. The
whole of the Conservative notices were again thrown
over, owing to their not having set forth the voters re-
sidence in the notices.
The following is the result of the day's revision:—
By Free-traders. By Conservatives.
Liberals struck off 4O 25
Conservatives struck off 26 16

,parai

66 41
Making a total majority, in favour of the free-traders,
on the two days' revision, of 81.

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE.—His Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales has been rated as midshipman on the
ship's books of the Victoria and Albert. Should the naval
precocity of his Royal Highness continue, it may be con-
fidently expected, that, in the year 1850, he will have
attained the rank of Admiral of the Very Blue; when,
in the event of war with France, he will take the copa-
-1 mand of the English fleet against the French admiral,
I Prince Joinville,—.Punch.

THE POOR MAN'S GUARDIAN

SOCIETY.
A general meeting of the members was held at the
rooms of the society, No. 40, Leicester-square, yester-
day, at three o'clock, for the purpose of adopting new
regulations and rules deemed necessary for the govern-
ment of this society.
Mr. COCHRANE., the President of the Society, took the
chair, and said it devolved on him to draw the atten-
tion of the meeting to the object for which they were
come together. As the advertisement set forth, it was
to adopt a modification of the constitutional laws of the
society. It had arisen out of the previous meeting of
the committee, who resolved to submit those modifi-
cations in these laws of the society which the change of
circumstances seemed to require. They thought it
better to call a public meeting for that purpose, that they
might have the benefit of public opinion on the laws
before they were adopted, and that whatever was done
might then appear more legal. He said they were in-
duced to think of these modifications by the very nume-
rous applications which had been made to the parent so-
ciety from the provinces, by persons desirous of forming
district societies, communications from whom had all
been most acceptable, especially as they enclosed money
for the objects of the society. It had been found that
under the old laws, which gave every member of the
society a voice in the election of the committee, the com-
mittee being limited, that as soon as the number of the
committee was filled up, all power to influence the pro-
ceedings of the parent society would be taken away from
those district auxiliaries which might afterwards be
formed. The committee, however, intended that these
auxiliaries should have a voice in conducting the affairs
and business of the parent society, and had thought it
right immediately to take measures to make it possible
to confer this power upon them. In doing so they had
not failed to profit by a careful investigation of the laws
on which the Anti-Corn-law League had been framed
and so successfully conducted for the attainment of the
object it had in view ; and they had had besides the
advice of gentlemen who had been concerned in the
working of that body. He hoped then that what they
had done would meet with their approval. Before
resuming his seat he was happy to say that already their
efforts had been followed with complete success, and
when the secretary of the society gave any poor person
applying a letter to the authorities, that letter had
always been most respectfully attended to.
The SECRETARY then read the new rules of the so-
ciety, out of which we excerpt the following:—
" That the objects of the Poor Man's Guardian
Society are, and are hereby declared to be, to aid the
poor in their applications for parochial relief, to secure
to them the legal and humane dispensation of the poor-
law, end by every constitutional means to effect such
improvements in the law itself as may be deemed
necessary."
" That the management of the affairs of the society
be vested in a council, to consist of a president, vice-
presidents, and chairman. The present members of the
metropolitan committee and the representatives from the
auxiliary diistrct societies."
" That the council shall elect out of its own body an
executive committee, to consist of not less than 30
members, who shall elect a chairman and one deputy-
chairman (three members to form a quorum), whose
duty it shall be to conduct the business of the society."
The CHAIRMAN, when the rules had been read, in-
vited the observations of the gentlemen present.
Mr. HEALD said, as he bad aided in drawing up the
new rules, he could not be expected to do other than
suggest them ; but he did so because he thought them
well adapted to attain their object. They had been
drawn up in order that the district societies, besides
their local committees, might be represented in the
grand council, so as to be concerned in all the doings
of the society ; which he thought the most likely means
of preventing collision, or party and factious feeling.
It was on a basis of laws similar to those just read that
its founders had instituted the Anti-Corn-law League,
of which he would say no more in that place than that
it worked well, and finally triumphed in its object.
B. B. CABBELL, Esq., M.P., moved that the code of
laws just read be adopted as the laws of the society.
Rev. Mr. BARBER seconded the motion.
Mr. STALLWOOD moved as an amendment to the ninth
rule of the society, which appoints that there be one
general meeting each year, to be convened by the com-
mittee, that a general meeting should be convened by
the council on the requisition of any fifty members of
the society.
Mr. AscoTT seconded the amendment.
Mr. HEALD hoped the gentleman meant that the fifty
requisitionists should bear the expense of the meeting
so called ; otherwise, when no object might be gained,
the society might be involved in heavy charges. For
the requisition to the council was formed, perhaps, of a
thousand members, scattered throughout England ; con-
sequently the travelling expenses of the council, &c.,
could not be imagined or limited.
elr. CABBELL said, before the amendment was put he
must observe that it proposed an impossibility. For to
whom did it appeal ? To the council. But where was
it ? It was a representative body ; whereas the com-
mittee was an executive body, elected out of that coun-
cil, to carry its will into effect—a will in which all the
auxiliary societies participated. There was no object
named for the meeting supposed—no place of assem-
bling ; for, as far as the amendment went, :it might be
convened in York, or anywhere else in England. The
power proposed would tend to no good object ; it would
embarrass the infant society, and might render their
efforts null. He hoped the amendment would be with-
drawn.
The amendment was accordingly withdrawn, and the
rules passed non. con.
The CHAIRMAN congratulated them on the unanimity
with which the business had been transacted ; ho hoped
it but prefigured the unison of the conduct of all the
branches of the Parent Society, in seeking to gain the
objects which they had set before them.
B. B. CABBELL, Esq., M.P., moved a vote of thanks
,o the Chairman, which was passed, and the meeting
.ted.

METROPOLITAN FREE
HOSPITAL.
The tenth annual dinner of the friends and supporters
of this institution was held yesterday at the Freemasons'
Tavern. The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor officiated as
chairman, and was supported by Sir George Carroll,
1). S. Ker, Esq., M.P.
J. Goding, Esq., R. M. Bates,
Esq., G. Mavrogani, Esq., J. C. Prior, Esq., J. Evans,
Esq., J. G. Fry, Esq., Joseph Fry, Esq., junior, Luke
Hansard, Esq., &c.
The CHAIRMAN, after the removal of the cloth, pro-
posed " The health of her Majesty the Queen and
Prince Albert, the Queen Dowager, the Prince of Wales
and the rest of the Royal Family." His Lordship then
gave " The Army and Navy." The health of the
" Hon. Member for Downpatrick " was afterwards given,
which afforded the Lord Mayor the opportunity of bear-
ing testimony to the loyalty and devotion of the inhabit-
ants of the sister isle, than whom, he felt assured, there
were none more loyal to their Sovereign, nor more
devoted to the interest and well-being of the empire.
Mr. KER returned thanks, and proposed the health of
" The Lord Mayor."
The LORD MAYOR said, that whether within the city
bounds or without them, he always felt much pleasure in
meeting his fellow-citizens, and more especially so when
engaged on a work of charity. He had had the pleasure
of meeting many of the gentlemen present on a former
occasion, and he trusted that he would meet them yet
many more times to the advancement of the institution
they were that day assembled to strengthen and promote.
He thought that if the same system of affording relief
to the poor were extended to Ireland, it would produce
a very great and beneficial influence on the Irish. His
Lordship said that he had travelled over a greater part
of that country, and he was obliged to confess that he
never experienced greater hospitality nor received a
more warm and welcome reception than in Ireland. If
such an institution were established, he should have no
objection to go over to be present at their first meeting.
His Lordship, in conclusion, returned thanks for the
honour which had been conferred upon him.
The health of Prince Albert, and the patrons of the
institution, having been drunk,
The LORD MAYOR proposed briefly the toast of the
evening, " Prosperity to the Metropolitan Free Hospi-
tal." He said that the immense value of the institution
was apparent to any one acquainted with its operations,
as also the vast amount of benefit it was the means of
distributing amongst the poor of the neighbourhood in
which it was situated. He was himself well acquainted
with the locality, and he could assert that, from the
very dense population of the district, the value of the
institution was day by day more dearly appreciated.
His Lordship complimented the medical officers on the
gratuitous yet valuable exertions they were making fcr
the benefit of the poor entrusted to their care, and con-
cluded by again proposing the above toast.
After the reading of the report, the Loan MAYOR pro-
posed "The health of Sir G. Carroll," who briefly re-
turned thanks for the compliment.
The health of Mr. Luke Hansard, Mr. Rogers, and
other gentlemen present, having been given and re-
sponded to, the proceedings of the evening terminated
very pleasantly, and from the fact of the subscriptions
having realised the amount of 5001., very satisfactorily
to the institution.
Tha following, extracted from the printed report, is
the number of patients admitted to the Metropolitan
Free Hospital, from the 7th of April, 1845, to the 7th of
Under the care of the Physicians
April, 1846:
Surgeons 3,396
Dentist 658

Total for the year ending 7th of April, 1846 9,989
Number of Patients admitted in the nine pre-
ceding years ........ . .......

Total since the opening of the Hospital on the
14th of May, 1836 80,538
The Metropolitan Free Hospital, notwithstanding its
great utility in alleviating the sufferings of our fellow-
creatures, is by no means in a flourishing condition; and
it therefore becomes the promoters of the charitable in-
stitutions of the country to step forward, and aid by
their purse and influence the objects of so excellent an
asylum for the poor and destitute.

PUBLIC DEPAFMENTS.—By a Parliamentary re-
turn, yesterday printed, it appears that there were 47
persons on the redundant list of the several public de-
partments at the commencement of the year 1845, of
whom 7 died or became incapable of service during the
year ; that 13 were added to the list during the year,
making 53 persons on the redundant list of the several
public departments at the close of the year—consisting
of 10 from the Paymaster-General's department ; 3,
Admiraltyand ; 7, Ordnance ; 7, Customs ; 12, Excise ; 3,
Stamps Taxes ;2, Woods and Forests ;7, Audit-
office ; 1, National Debt-office ; and 1, Exchequer,
Scotland.
Another, but very slight, shock of earthquake was
experienced at Pisa on the Ist inst.

IRELAND.
SPREAD OF DESTITUTION.
DUBLIN, SEPT. [s,—There is scarcely a district in
the entire country which does not already feel the
pressure of distress; and in many counties, chiefly in the
sonth and west, the peasantry are in a state of utter
destitution. Even in Ulster, where the people have been
comparatively comfortable, such scenes occur as the fol-
lowing, described by the Arniagh Guardian :
‘' DESTITUTION IN FERMANAGH. On Wednesday
about 1,000 of the labouring peasantry entered the vil-
lage of Newtownbutler, and having proceeded to the
police barrack, called for the constable in charge of that
station, to whom they stated that they and their fami-
lies were perishing for lack of food; that they had
hitherto waited patiently in hopes something would be
done for their relief by the neighbouring gentry; but
no measure having been adopted to give them employ-
ment, and thereby save them from starvation, their only
alternative was to take by force what they could not
otherwise obtain. The constable remonstrated with
them on the evil consequences that would attend a viola-
tion of the law, and told them that Lord Erne was on
that day gone to Enniskillen to hold a meeting for the
purpose of adopting immediate measures for their relief,
upon which they all returned peaceably to their respec-
tive places of abode."
The same journal gives the following as an illustration
of the new state of things in the ordinarily peaceable
county of Armagh
:
THREATENING NOTICE.—On the night of the 4th
instant the following notice was posted on several places
on the Powerscourt estate :

" Take notice, seeing the blight on the potato crop has
become so alarming, we think well to caution the occupy-
ing tenant particularly those who may be called Capital -
ists and also those who have been in the habit of tender-
ing their Rents at an early period from sinister motives,
not to let their motives or large purses induce them to do
so this season until there is an understanding between
the Representatives of Lord Powerscourt and the
tenantry ; we trust the lovers of humanity and agricul-
tural interest will take notice of any person will be so
low or truckling as to pull any of our Circulars down ;
Brand us not with Molly Maguireism but if you wish to
mention us you may use the following gilt characters
(the lovers of humanity). We confess we have got at
the present time a good gentleman to deal with,
Mr. Hore.
" Signed on behalf of our Supporters,
"-Captain FEARNOT.
" N.l3.—We hope our neighbouring estates will take
patron.
From the county of Donegal, the Evening Post gives
the following communication :—" Letterkenny, 11th
September. Distress and alarm still continue to prevail
here. The people do not see any of the resident gentry
taking any steps, or making any move, towards prepar-
ing for the evil day, although many works of great
utility could now be entered on—such as cleaning up
the river which passes by this town (Loughswilly), and
which would render this town, from its position, and so
far removed from any other town, one of the most im-
portant and flourishing in the north of Ireland. This
work would employ a great number of the labouring
class. If some prompt and very energetic measures
should not be adopted, God only look to our distresses.
It is a well-known fact, that many families in this town
and neighbourhood go to their wretched beds to drown
by sleep, if possible, their pangs of hunger."
Turning to the south-west, where distress is much
more general and urgent, we find the following in a
Conservative paper, the Clare Journal :
" THE IMPENDING FAMINE.—We feel it absolutely
necessary, from the present state of the country, to call
upon the Government to take immediate and decisive
steps to satisfy the clamours of a starving people. Pro-
visions are raising in price every day. As for potatoes,
there are very little indeed in market, and it is almost
dangerous to make use of those offered for sale. Not
one stone of potatoes can be obtained without some of
them being found tainted; and even those bring seven-
pence halfpenny. Indeed, we are strongly inclined to
believe that, for the sake of their health, the people
should not be any longer allowed to use this diseased
food. Indian corn meal is now is. Bd. a stone, an ad-
vance of twopence a stone within the last three days.
If other provisions, therefore, rise at this rate, we should
like to know what family could support themselves; we
speak not of the labouring classes alone. The oat crop
is not at all productive—the yield is not anything equal
to the past year, and therefore if the people are left
without a supply of Indian corn meal, as they had
last season, they will be totally unable to live. We
think it our duty to speak out thus early, for it is by
timely exertion on the part of the Government that
the privations can be met, and that outrages can be pre-
vented. If the Indian corn meal is freely sold at a shil -
ling a stone, and beyond this we consider it over its
value, the peace can be preserved, but if the country be
left to private trade or speculation we may dread the
worst consequences. The people are determined, if
such supply is not afforded them, not to allow the corn
of the country to be exported, and therefore nothing but
anarchy and confusion may be looked for. The potato
gardens are left in many places altogether undug by the
owners, and the population generally allowed to dig
them and take them away. In other places, too, we are
told the gardens are being ploughed up for wheat, as
they are not considered of sufficient value to dig them
out. This bears reference to every part of the country ;
it is not to any isolated part we refer. In fact, the en-
tire face of the country presents one universal failure of
the potato crop, and the great bulk of the people who
depend on that crop are without any means of sus-
tenance."
The following passage appears in a letter addressed
to the Dublin Evening Post, by Mr. T. E. O'Cavanagh:—
" Portumna, September 12.
" It is impossible to deny the existence of distress here.
The potatoes are all gone or usless. The fact is, that
the people are in the greatest apprehension of famine,
and unless ample employment as well as food be pro-
vided, we are on the eve of some great outbreak--men
assert openly they will not starve while there is food on
the land. On Friday several hundred men from different
parts of the country came in procession into this town in
order to ask the advice of the gentry about what they
were to do under existing circumstances. They called
at the Glebe, the resident of the venerable Archdeacon
Armstrong, who addressed them for a long time, and
promised to write to the authorities and try to get em-
ployment and food for them, which is all they require.
The very reverend gentleman then rode with them to
Portuma Castle, now the residence of the Countess Dow-
ager of Clanricarde, but the crowd failed in obtaining an
interview of her Ladyship, who is really very charitable,
and anxious to do all the good in her power. She hap-
pened to be out."
MEETING OF THE GENTRY OF MAYO.
The Freeman's Journal contains the following account
of the county meeting in Mayo, where the leading gentry
appear determined, if possible, to evade the Labour Rate
Act upon various grounds, including the embarrassments
and incumbrances of landlords, whose properties they
consider in danger almost of confiscation, and a deputa-
tion has been appointed to proceed to London in the hope
of inducing Lord John Russell to adopt measures more
extensive for relief, and less burdensome upon the
landlords:—
" CASTLEDAD, SEPT. 12.—A very numerous meeting
of the magistrates and deputy lieutenants of this county
was held here this day in the grand jury room of the
court-house, in pursuance of a circular addressed to them
for that purpose by the Earl of Lucan, Lieutenant of
Mayo. Amongst those who attended I observed the
Marquis of Sligo, Earl of Lucan, Colonel Knox Gore
(Lieutenant of Sligo county), Sir A. O'Donnell,
Bart., Sir William O'Malley, Knt., Valentine O'Conor
Blake, Andrew Crean Lynch, Geoffry Martyn, Michael
B. Bermingham, John Brown, Courtney Kenny, Colonel
John Browne, Walter J. Burke, Denis Bingham, Thomas
V. Clendenning, John Garveys, Esqrs., and about forty
other magistrates from all parts of the county.
" The meeting was held with closed doors, the reporters
of the public press and all other persons being refused
admittance; the object of the meeting (as stated in Lord
Lucan's circular) was to consider the distressed state of
the county, in consequence of the loss of the potato crop.
The magistrates continued in deliberation for nearly
three hours, and the subjects discussed, as well as I could
ascertain them from some of the magistrates who were
present, in casual conversations subsequent to the meet-
ing, were to the following effect:—
" First—That the landlord who might be disposed to
avail himself of the recent Drainage Act, by borrowing
money from Government, to employ. his tenantry and
improve his property, and thereby. increase its value,
would, under the subsequent Act, called the Labour
Rate Act, be placed in a worse position than the land-
lord who declined to avail himself of the Drainage Act,
and ofcourse gave no employment to his tenantry, because
the repayments to Government were, by and under
the Labour Rate Act, charged alike upon the lands of the
improving and unimproving landlords, thereby in effect
compelling the improving landlord to pay an increased
proportion of these repayments in consequence of the
increased value of his property, while he had at the same
time to repay Government the moneys advanced to
enable him to effect these improvements ; thus doubly
taxing him, as it were, as a penalty for giving employment
to his tenantry.
" Secondly—That the Labour Rate Act, if put in
execution to the extent which would be requisite to give
employment and food to the enormous number of families
who stand in need of it, would in its effect be an almost
confiscation of property, and be productive of disastrous
consequences to all landlords, but particularly so to
those whose properties are encumbered or embarrassed,
and it was added the tenant must suffer accordingly.
" Thirdly—That Government did not seem to be fully
aware of the extent of the existing and forthcoming des-
titution, and had not made sufficient provision to meet
the calamity.
" Fourthly—That in order to enlighten the Govern-
ment upon these several points, and to induce them to
grant additional relief in the shape of same great national
works, such as railways, &c., &c., a deputation should
proceed to London immediately, to wait upon Lord John
Russell and other members of the Government."
The Dublin Evening Post remarks as follows upon the
extraordinary course adopted by the gentry cf Mayo :
The resolutions, which were prepared by Lord Lucan,
object to the double burden inflicted by the Drainage
Act, and the Labour Rate or Extraordinary Present-
ment Sessions Act, the latter of which would bear
as heavily upon those landlords who should afford
employment by drainage, as upon proprietors
who totally neglected that salutary mode of at
once improving the soil and providing labour for
the peasantry. Why should not the large proprietors,
who attended this meeting, co-operate in seeking ad-
vances under the Drainage Act, for employment on a
large scale ? Even though there might be some few
landlords in a district so utterly neglectful of their inte-
rests, as well as their duties, as to refuse their co-opera-
tion, yet the amount of presentments required would be
comparatively small in districts where employment
should be provided under the Drainage Act. Further-
more, the landlords who avail themselves of the advances
or drainage would obtain the requisite amount upon

very advantageous terms, and they could not possibly
adopt a more secure and profitable mode of obtaining a
return for the outlay. It appears to us, then, that the
objections referring to the possible refusal of some land-
lords to co-operate have really no foundation.
" Another objection, made in the Mayo resolutions, is
of a totally different character, namely, that the Labour
Rate Act, if put into operation to the extent
required by the distress, would be tantamount
almost to a confiscation of the property of landlords,
especially of those who are deeply involved by in-
cumbrances, and that tenants as well as proprietors
must suffer from this cause. For landlords who are
so embarrassed that they can neither pay their portion
of a tax rendered inevitable by a terrible national ca-
lamity, nor avail themselves of loans to improve their
properties, and at the same time greatly lessen that
tax, we fear there is no remedy. The people must be
saved from starvation, and the land, no matter what
may be the circumstances of the owner, must bear its
proportion of the burden. As to the allegations of
ruin to the farmer who rents the land, we hold it be
mere childishness.

" We further learn that the meeting appointed a
deputation, consisting of Lords Lucan and Sligo, P. C.
Lynch, Esq., the high sheriff, Sir R. O'Donnell, and
Colonel Gore, to proceed to London, with a view of im-
pressing upon the Government the necessity of adopting
different and more extensive measures of relief and em-
ployment. As the meeting was not a public one we are
compelled to take at second hand the preceding version
of the resolutions. Another county meeting is to be held
on Thursday next, and as the deputation is not to pro-
ceed to London until after that day, we trust that some
more practical course may be determined upon by the
gentry of Mayo."
LORD HAWARDEN AND HIS TENANTRY.
The following explanatory letter appears in the
Dublin Evening Post, supplying an omission in the state-
ment which appeared in the Morning Chronicle of
Monday :

" Sept. 14, 1846.
" In the letter I addressed to you on the 10th instant,
regarding the case of the widow Crowe and Lord Ha-
warden's tenants, there is an omission, which I would
deem culpable, if it were intentional. In the eighth
sentence of the second paragraph, after the word only,'
I omitted the words about twelve barrels of barley.'
The sentence ought to run thus And she had only
about twelve barrels of barley, and one stack of wheat,
containing about five barrels,' &c.
" Since I wrote to you I have been informed that the
bailiff has offered to leave her the barley not then cut
down, if she would thrash the wheat and hand over the
price of it to the agent ; but she, I hear, considered both
wheat and barley insufficient to enable her to till and
sow her little farm, and feed herself and the eight or-
phans for the year."
EMIGRATION TO SOUTH AMERICA.

The following letter appears in the Cork Examiner,
addressed to J. F. Maguire, Esq., the proprietor of that
journal.

" Dear Sir,—As I know that you are always ready to
assist your countrymen in distress, I beg to inform you
that we shall be in want of many good labourers and
tradesmen as soon as the affairs of the River Plate will
be settled. I wish you would insert it in your paper,
and hope that some of the Repeal gentlemen will do
their utmost to encourage the Government to assist them
that have no money to pay their passage, and we have
heard here that many are willing to leave the country,
particularly from the west of Ireland, but they can't
raise the money. They can get from ten to twelve
shillings per day, and provisions are cheap here—meat
2d. per lb, and bread id. per lb. By giving this inform-
ation through your valuable paper, you would oblige
many of your countrymen. Three men to one woman
would do for the present.

"J. O'NEILL.

" Monte Video, June 25, 1846."
About eleven o'clock on Friday night as a car, laden
with corn, the property of Hugh Singleton, Esq., of
Hazlewood, accompanied by two caretakers, was pro-
ceeding to the market of Limerick, on reaching a place,
known by the name of Moll Ryan's Cross, situate be-
tween Knoppogue and Rachluba, the men were pelted
with stones from behind a wall. While they were run-
ning to the opposite side for shelter, a shot was fired
from the same direetion that the stones came from, and
the horse was wounded in the side by slugs. The men
immediately turned the horse and brought back the load
of corn.—Glare Journal.
The Chief Secretary, and Mrs. Labouchere, entertained
at dinner, on Friday, Sept. 12, Le Compte A. de Jobal,
Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Daly, the Dean of St. Patrick's, Sir
Thomas Esmonde, Dr. Hinds, Mrs. Williams, Colonel
and Mrs. APGregor, Colonel Jones, Mr. and Mrs.
George Roe, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Hatchell, Mr. Sausse,
Mr. Conellan, and Mr. Vignolles.
Luke Joseph Shea, Esq., of the Rennies, county Cork,
has been restored by the Lord Chancellor to the com-
mission of the peace for that county.
GREAT SOUTHERN* AND WESTERN RAILWAY, IRE-
LAND.—Open to Carlow, 561 miles. Return of traffic
for the week endinc, Saturday, Sept. 12, 18,16:—Pas-
sengers only, 1,4891. 2s. Bd.

HEREFORD MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
So far as the " receipts " go, the accounts of the
Hereford Musical Festival just closed have been made
up, and these show a very satisfactory state of things.
The collections made on behalf of the " charity for the
relief of the widows and orphans of clergymen," &c.,
reached a total of 8121. 18s. 2d., thus made out :—lte-
ceived on Wednesday morning, 2951. 15s. 6d. ; on
Thursday morning, 2961. 18s. Gd.; on Friday morning,
2201. 4s. 2d.—Total, 8121. 18s. 2d. In these sums are
included the several liberal donations forwarded by par-
ties who, from peculiar circumstances, were unable to
attend the festival. It is expected that the amount of
8121. 18s. 2d. will be further augmented before the ac-
counts of the festival are fully made up. The number
of persons who attended the morning performances at
the cathedral on the three days of last week were—
Raised Seats. Floor. Aisles.
Wednesday 2lO • 86
Thursday
Friday
This would make a total of 1,507 persons attending
the morning performances, so that each person must, on
the average, have contributed 10s. and upwards to the
charity fund, besides the cost of their admission ticket.
—Advertiser.

THE AMERICAN ALOE.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SIR, —A short time since a paragraph appeared in
your columns, stating that an American aloe was in
full flower in the East London Cemetery, Alfred-street,
Mile-end. As a great number of persons have been
induced to visit the cemetery in consequence, I should
feel obliged if you would inform your readers that the
plant mistaken by your informant for an aloe is the
Yucca Gloriosa, or splendid Adam's Needle, a native of
Texas, Mexico, 86c., and was first brought into this
country by Sir Walter Raleigh, in 1596.
The plant in the cemetery is twelve years old, and is
now in full bloom, and will probably continue so till the
frost comes.—l am your obedient servant,
D. FRANCIS, Superinteadent.
Office of the East London Cemetery, 6, White
Horse-lane, Mile End-road, Sept. 15, 1846.

EMPLOYMENT IN HER MAJESTY'S DOCKYARDS.—
Yesterday notices were issued at Deptford Dockyard
that sixty shipwrights were required at the Royal Dock-
yard, Sheerness, for three months certain, and a number
of carpenters for labour and case-making at Deptford
Dockyard.
WEST WHEAL JEWEL MINING COMPANY.—Yes-
terday a special meeting of this company was held at the
office in Old Broad-street. Mr. Heron took the chair.
The object of the meeting was for forfeiting a number of
shares on which the last call remained unpaid. After
some discussion it was agreed unanimously that all
shares on which the last call of 10s. remained unpaid
should not be forfeited till the end of October. In con-
sequence of some of the Cornish shareholders having
disapproved of this meeting, a resolution in its favour was
passed unanimously, so as to justify the directors in their
proceedings. As regards the mine, the chairman said
they had diminished the extent of the workings in the
northern part, which had reduced the expenditure from
800/. or 9001. to 400/. or 5001. From the last report it
would appear that they had about 9,0001. worth of cop-
per ore in prospect. The prospects of the tin lodes were
also favourable. A shareholder observed that • this was
the most favourable news they had received for the last
four pars. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the
meeting adjourned.
THE SOUTH LONDON FLORICULTURAL SOCIETY.—
The annual show of dahlias, and a collection of miscel-

laneous flowers and plants, under the arrangements o
this Society, took place yesterday, in the grounds of the
Surrey Zoological Gardens. The show itself was a
more than usually good one, the flowers being in shape
and colour very superb, and some of the specimens being
peculiarly line. The whole were arranged and classified
beneath large tents provided for the purpose. A great
number of prizes were awarded, consisting of gold and
silver medals. The gold Adelaide medal was won by
Mr. Weedon, for the best 24 dahlias, dissimilar blossoms;
and in class second a similar medal was won by Mr.
Cutter for 24 dahlias, dissimilar blossoms. The gardens
were crowded towards evening by the patrons of flori-
culture and by those who came to witness the fireworks
and the more general entertainments. The fireworks
were, on this occasion, particularly splendid ; Mr.
Southby exerted his pyrotechnic talent to a very good
purpose, and produced some grand effects. In addtti n
to the usual instrumental performers, a brass band was
in attendance, and a variety of entertainments kept the
visitors in the best humour, The gardens are in beauti-
ful order; in spite of the long drought, the verdure is
magnificent, and the trees and shrubs in fine condition.
Great praise is due to those who have the management
of the grounds.
THE WELLINGTON STATUE.--We have just suc-
ceeded, through the agency of one of our most sagacious
scouts, in making a curious discovery with respect to
this much-talked-of statue. The public may often have
felt surprised that the Duke of Wellington should re-
main passive and quiet under the threatened indignity
which seems to be in store for him. We have, however,
ascertained that an understanding has already been come
to with Sir F. Trench, that, if the statue should have an
absurd effect, the head of the illustrious duke is to be
removed from his bronze shoulders, and that of Sir F.
Trench will be substituted ; so that Sir F. instead of
F. M. will be the object of ridicule. Under this promise
the duke has consented to await with patience the result
of the experiment. It would have been impossible to
take down the entire statue when it is once soldered to-
gether, but the exchange of heads is easily made ; while
that of Sir F. Trench, being exceedingly light, will be
lifted without difficulty. There could not be a better
finish to the pile than that which it will probably re-
ceive ; and it is but fair that the only man who has
stuck up for the erection of the statue should be stuck
up with it, and be called upon, in fact, to give it his
countenance.—Punch,