The Sun.
London, England, 1834-01-04 00:00:00

THE GEOGRAPHICAL ANNUAL, 1834.

Containing One Hundred Steel Engravings by Starling,
elegantly bound in morocco, One Guinea.
THE BIBLICAL ANNUAL, 1834.

Containinz beautifully coloured Engraviugs, by Star-
ling, of all the Tribes and Countries mentioned in Sacred
History, &c., One Guinea.

" These two beautiful and most useful volumes form a
family trea.ure."—Literary Gazette.
Bull and Churton Library, 26, Hulks-street, London;
and sold by every Bookseller in the Kingdom.

CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION
INQUIRY.

(Mr. Woodthorpe's examination continued from The Sun
of yesterday.)

In the different companies there are a Master, Prime
Warden, Assistants to the Wardens, Liverymen, and the
Yeomanry, commonly called Freemen of the Company, a
Clerk, or one or more Beadles. Tire Court uf Lord
Mayor and Aldermen has beets called the great Court of
Assistants of all London, and the Lord Mayor has been
&legated Master of all the Companies. In 1681 it was
considered a burden to take up the livery. and is still so
considered; but the Court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen
has the power of compelling persons to take up their
livery in the companies to which they belong. Mr. Wood-
thorpe quoted several cases, all of them tending to show
the power of the Court of Lord M.yor over the assistants,
and to prove that it was also a Court of Appeal. By an
order of 1697, it was established that no person should
take up the clothing of the twelve great companies unless
he had an estate of 10001.. nor of the inferior companies,
unless he were possessed of 5001. He mention-d a case
of the Plasterers' Company, In which their Warden was
discharged by the Court of Lord Mayor, and another
Warden ordered to be appointed in his stead. In 1742,
it was decided that it was not necessary that the Lord
Mayor shculd belong to any one of the twelve great
Companies.

Mr. Franks here stated, in answer to a question from a
G.mmissioner, th it the twelve great companies were ar-
ranged as follows :--The Mercers, Grocers, Drdpers,
Goldsmiths, Skinnerg, Merchant Tailors, Fishmongers,
Haberdashers, Ironmongers, Salters, Cloth Workers, and
Vlntrivrs.

Mr. Woodthorpe's examination resumed—Until the
case a Alderman Brown, Aldermen always took the
highest station in their respective Companies There was
no order to compel Companies to place Aldermen upon
their Court of Assistants, but it was the usual practice to
pl tce them upon the Court. By way of illustrating the
annoyance to which freemen are liable in being compelled
to take up their livery, Mr. Woodtitorpe mentioned th ,t
a citizen, whose name was Swinburne, and who was free
of the Wheelwright's Company, set up the trade of egg-
seller—eggs naturally led to the sale of poultry, and he
added the sale of sucking-pigs, pork, and bacon. The
Poulterers' Company called upon him to take up his
freedom among them, to which lie consented. The
butchers then came and asked him to take up his freedom in
their Company ; to this he also assented. Alter this the
Poulterers came upo❑ hint, and called upon him to take
up his livery in their company, he refused to comply with
the call, whereupon the Poulterers brought an action against
him in the Court of Common Pleas. The miter was
referred to the law officers of the Crown, but they have
not as yet given their opinion upon the case. In the
mean time Mr. Swinburne remains satisfied with being
simply free of the Wheelwright's Company. The follow-
ing list of the numbers of some of the livery companies
were then read ; with the dates of the first grants, and
the increase that has since taken place in their numbers :

The Felt-makers were first constituted a lively in the
year 1793 ; their numher not to exceed 60.
Toe Needle maker's Company was first constituted on
10th 1114rch, 1712, their numbers to be 50 ; which was
further increased to 75, on the 24th July, 1758.
The number of the Felt-makers Company was, on the
3d April, 1787, increased from 60 to 120.
The Silk-throwsters' Company was formed in Novem-
ber, 1792, and their number at first limited to 100.

The Card-makers were formed into a Company at the
same time, and their number not to txceed 100.
On the came day (27th Nov. 1792) the number of the
Wheelwrights' Company was increased from 100 to 150.
On the 20th June, 1809, the Tin-plate Workers' Com-
pany was increased from 60 to 120.
The Fanmakers' Company was constituted on the same
day ; their number not to exceed 60.
The Company of Comb-makers was constituted on the
Slat October, 1809 number limited to 60.

On the same day the Spectacle-makers were formed
into a company ; number not to exceed 60.
The Clock-makers obtained their first grant on the let
July, 1766 ; their number not to exceed 60.
The Tin Plate-workers' Company was first constituted
in the sear 1776; their number to be 60
The Wheelwrights' Company obtained their first grant
in 1777 ; their number not to exceed 100.

The Gun-makers' Company was first constituted in the
year 1778 ; their number to be fixed at 100.
The Gold and Silver \V re-drawers obtained their grant
in July, 1780; number not to exceed 100.
The Shipwrights' Company was f ,rined on the 8 b of
Ootober, 1782 ; number limited at 100: and the number
of their Livery was further increased, in April, 1830,
to 200.

In 1786 the number of the Clock-mikers' Company
was increas,d from 60 to 120.

On the 25th June, 1810, the Clock.makeri were
further increased, from 120 to 200.

The number of the Wmelmights' Company was, on
the 4th Nov., 1817, again inci-easAfrom 150 to 250.

Mr. Woodrhorpe here remarked that many Companies
increase their number as they please, without obtaining
any grant to authorise them to do so.
The Stationer: Company was first formed in February,
1544, by the 2d of Pitdip and Mary, on an application
tram one Keywood and other " sad" (grave) freemen of
the city of London, praying that they might be allowed
to wear a livery and hoods, and accompany the Lord
Mayor in such decent guise as the other Liveries did.
Their number w.s not limited.

Mr. Woudthorpe held that no Livery Con-,pany was
hunted as to its number of liverymen. Tll.- Fishmongers'
Livery was open to every freem .n of the Company.
In 1822 the number of the Spectacle-makers' Company
was loerea•e'l to 200. . .

The Glass-8 Hers' Company wasp in February, 1825,
increased io 120. . .

The Woolinen were constituted a Livery on the 29th of
March, 1825 ; their number not to exceed 60.

The Bt•ket Alakers' Company was tortned on the same
lay, a,ol their nuo.ber to 30.
In 1626 the Clock Mtkers' Comp toy increased to 250.
Mr. Woodthorpe then steed that there were man,
Companies who had no Livery: there were six who mate

The CHAIRMAN, who is a creditor to the amou
of 7.50/., observed, that sho,tly after the Tat
d'Hate was opened, several coff.e•house keepe
met at the Belle Sauvaee Inn, and came to ti
resolution, that any tradesman who supplied 11,1
Leech with goods, whether for cash or cred
should be deprived of their (the Coffee-house kee
ers') custom. A more disgraceful combination
never heard of, and he was sorry to observe th
such a paltry spirit prevailed among the citizens
London. The ruin of Me. Leech was the result
their combination, which appeared to have been ti
intention of those who engaged in it, but they di
not recollect that in crushing Mr. Leech, they al,
crushed many persons who had claims upon him.
A CREDITOR inquired if the names of the persoi
who attended that meeting were known? A mee
ing of that kind appeared so extraordinary that I
could scarcely believe it took place.

A CREDITOR knew a tradesman between Flee
street and Sr. Paul's, who had very reluctantly be
obliged to close his account with Mr. Leech, in cn
sequence of the resolution of the meeting at the B
Sauvage.
Another CREDITOR knew two tradesmen wl
had declned serving Mr. Leech under similar c!
cumstances.

The CHAIRMAN remarked, that the combinatil
had not only influenced tradesmen in the neig
bourhood, but two of the principal brewers, of whc
Mr. Leech was anxious to have beer and ale for
customers, refused to supply him, on the ground th
the licensed victuallers in the neighbourhood of
jetted to it. Mr. Leech was, therefore, compelll
to purchase ale and s►out at a high price,and retail
it aT scarcely any profit.
A CREDITOR squired if Mr. Leech had any pal
tiers in the concern ?

The CIIAIR3IAN said, that a promise of party(
ship had been made by an individual, whose co
duct had principally caused the difficulty and
which Mr. Leech laboured. The person to who
he alluded became acquainted with Mr. Leech wh
dining at the Tdble d'Hote. In the course of co
hwee doingt o
of
an
himmense
e quantity
upontit yhoi
mf, business,
the svht
versation he remarked that Mr. Leech appeale,l
and he advis
him, therefore, to take a partner. Mt. Leech sd
I,e was anxious to make such an arrangement will
person who could assist him. The individual th
said he would join in the partnership, and advan
about 4,0001. The arrangement having been age
upon by bo h parties, the partnership articles wc
prepared under the direction of the intend
I,aritier, who sent Mr. Leech wine to the ainou
of about 4001. and advanced him a sum of 35
Before the time arrived for executing t
partnership articles, he said to Mr. Lee(
"As life is so uncertain, you may as w
give me something as a security for the wine a
money; and he then
.proposed a bill of sale and
warrant of attorney for both guTainrs.,-W7177e111
Leech executed in full confidence the partners(
would be carried into effect. But witat was t
result ? The very next day judgment was enter
upoN the bill of sale, and a man placed in possess'
of the premises. These proceedings, he ne,
scarcely state to the meeting, had greatly injur
the business of the house.

Some of the creditors inqoired if Mr. Leech w
prepared to make any proposition to the credito
If it was DN. or 54. in the pound, they wou
cheerfully accept it.
The CHAIRMAN said that Mr. Leech had a 1
mily of eight children ; he knew Mr. L ech had 1
resources left to enable him to make any offer to t
creditors.

The Messenger in the Bankruptcy Court advise
that the hou-e should be kept open till the 11
instant, the day appointed for the first mee►in
when tenders for the premises should be advertise
for. He knew that many persons were anxious
obtain the business and the premises, and cons
quently would offer a high price for them.
The proposition was agreed to, and the meetit
separate('

TH PROJECTED ABATTOIR AT ISLINC
TON.—Mr. Perkins, of Bletchingly, Surrey, announc
his intention of applying for an Act to enable him to car
his well-known and important project into executit
with power to hold a market at the same place, for t
sale of cattle, hay, straw, corn, malt, and hops.
Early on the morning of Christmas-day I\l
Thomas Williamson, of Everton, near Retford, had ei,.;
horses taken dreadfully ill, and flora the symptoms it w
cony ctured that poison had been administered to tiler
A veterinary surgeon was sent for, but he had not be
long on the premises before his horse was taken ill al.
This additional circumstance led to a minute investigatio
The horses had eaten boiled linseed ; and it was sin
discovered that it bad been boiled in a pot in which
solution of arsenic bad been boiled two years ago,
making a preparation for dipping lambs. Every remet
that skill could suggest was administered, but witho
effect ; the whole eight died during the day, and the her
belonging to the veterinary surgeon soon afterwards._
Lincoln Mercury.

CORONER'S INQUEST.—Yesterday an it
quest was held at the Cherry Tree, Bromley, Midelese:
before Mr. Baker, Coroner, on the body of Mr. Thom
Studd, a middle aged man, who had for many years he:
a situation in the East India Compsny'a warehouse,
Somerset-street, Aldgate, who was found drowned in tl
New-cut, a branch of the river Lea. John Butcher, ,
Prospect-place, Bromley, has known the deceased eigl
years, and during the last six years had been employed i
toe same warehouse with him. In consequence of tl
late alteration in the Eist India Company's charier, tl
deceased expected to be pensioned off next April, and th
circumstance had preyed upon his mind and affected h
spirits. On Wednesday morning last witness was ill
ceeding along the bank of the New-cut, on his w,y to t!'.
Est India Docks, in company with one of Messr,
Taylor's brewers, and about midway between oulle3
lock and N wth-street-bridge saw a drab greatcoat, a ha
and an umbrella leaning against the bank. Tlrr hat wt
placed on the handle of the umbrella, and the coat was no,.
the hat, and covered the umbrella, and to the supertici
observer gave the appearance of some one sitting on th
bank. He looked about to se if there was any person
own the things, but not seeing any body, he immediate]
suspected that some one bad drowned him elf. He set
his companion tor the drags, and searched the pockets
the oat and found a letter, addressed r Mr. Thom
Studd, next the Back Swan, Bow," where he knew th
deceased lived, and he then thought his friend hid cute
nutted suicide. The drags were soon brought, sever:
other persons assembled, and in a few minutes a bodl
which he recogniz .d as that of the deceased, was brougi
out. He had his dress on except his hit. There were n
marks of violence ou the body, nor any appearance of
s ruggle on the bank, and his c.otties were No care .u,l
placed, that it pr-chided the Wert of his having been tore,
,nto the water. He had no doubt chit the deceased ha
drowned himself. The Jury returned a verdict that
deceased was loan I drowned in the river Lea, uut how b
was drowned there was no evidet.ne before them.