The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-06 00:00:00

Tilt 81"12‘L _LONDON, PRIDAV Moll,NtNal tMCENITIER 6, 1844..

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.
Yesterday a Court of Common Council was held
for the dispatch of business.

THE COMMON SERGEANT.
The LORD MAYOR, on taking the chair, called
the attention of the Court to a letter which he had
received from the Common Sergeant, stating that, in
compliance with the expressed opinion of some of the
members of the Court, that his appearing as counsel
at the London Sessions was inconsistent with his ju-
dicial functions at the Central Criminal Court, he
had latterly abstained from attending the London
Sessions, and that from henceforth he should relin-
quish all the briefs heretofore held by him at those
sessions.
Mr. Alderman HUGHES HUGHES, in moving that
the letter be entered upon the minutes of the Court,
said he could not refrain, as a member of the same
profession, from expressing his admiration of this act
of liberality on the part of the Learned Common Ser-
geant—(Hear, hear)—whereby he had entitled him-
self to the gratitude of the Corporation.
The Town Clerk read a letter, which he he had re-
ceived from Lieutenant-Colonel Cox, of the Hon. Ar-
tillery Company, acknowledging the vote of thanks
passed by the Court to the officers and gentlemen of
that ancient corps, for their services as a guard of
honour to the Queen on the occasion of her Majesty's
visit to open the New Royal Exchange. The letter
was ordered to be entered on the minutes, as was
also a letter from another Society, conveying the
thanks of the Board of Directors for the very
liberal donation, by the Corporation, of 2001. in aid of
its funds.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE
TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY.
The Derby betting yesterday afternoon, without being
at all heavy, was at least as lively as it usually is at this
period ; the chief outlay was on Idas, who was backed
for about 3001. ; about half that sum was put on Young
Eclipse, and a smaller amount on Pam, the odds in each
22 to 1. Anti-Repealer was backed at 25 to 1 for sixty
or seventy pounds (the taker willing to go on) ; Con-
naught Ranger far 601., at 40 to 1 ; Miss Whip colt at
2,000 to 45 ; and two other outsiders for small sums.
The odds quoted against Alarm and the Cobweb colt are
nominal. Latest prices :
CHESTER CUP (NAME OR NOT).
400 to 10 was laid agst Foig-a-ballagh ; 1,000 to 15
agst The Dean ; and 500 to 10 agst each of the following,
in one bet :—Ratan, Alice Hawthorn, Foig a.ballagh,
Extempore, Croton Oil, Pastoral, Agriculturist, colt by
Gladiator, dam by Capsicum, Morpeth, and Portobello.
DERBY.
15 to 1 agst Forth's lot
11 to 1 agst Mr. Greville's Alarm
17 to 1 agst Col. Peel's Cobweb colt
18 to 1 agst Colonel Anson's Kedger—taken
22 to 1 agst Mr. Coleman's Young Eclipse—taken
22 to 1 agst Lord Stradbroke's Idas—taken freely
22 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Pam—taken
23 to 1 agst Mr. Jaques's Anti-Repealer—t. 25 to 1
30 to 1 agst Mr. A. Johnstone's Rebecca colt
40 to 1 agst Mr: Irwin's Connaught Ranger—taken
45 to 1 agst Lord Glasgow's Miss Whip colt—taken
50 to 1 agst Mr. Forth's Lady Berners colt—taken
66 to 1 sgst Mr. St. Paul's colt—Calypso's dam—t.
1000 even between Anti-Repealer and Idas
1000 even between Young Eclipse and Idas
1000 to 10 agst the Cobweb colt winning the 2,000
Guinea Stakes and Derby, and Lancashire
Witch the Oaks.
THE LATE MR. CROCKFORD'S ACCOUNT.
We are desired to state that the guarantee required
by the Jockey Club will be forthcoming on Monday
next, and that the gentleman giving it will be prepared
on the following Monday to settle the account.
NEWMARKET CHAMPION COURSING MEET-
ING.—WXDNESDAY.
Chippenham Field (First Ties for Puppy Stakes)—
Elixir beat Trip—Golden Crocus beat Black Eagle—
Knabella ran a bye—Queen of the West drawn—Flash
beat Sherwood—German Cloak beat Veronica—
Maiden beat Beau Brummell—Kestrel beat Black-
smith's Daughter—Machine beat Au Fait.
First Ties for the All-aged Stakes—Farmer beat Be
nevolence—Captain beat Muscat—Brocade beat Celia's
Garter —Kizzie beat Laura—Miracle beat Cora—War
rior boat Cruiskeen—Nell beat Shepherdess—Key beat
the Winner.
The Chippenham Stakes, for All-aged Dogs—Mr.
Moody's Railroad beat Lord Stradbroke's Magog—Mr.
Gunning's Fancy beat Mr. Bennet's Wildrake—Sir G.
Quentin's Gem beat Captain Wyndham's Wave—Mr. B.
Smyth's Sweetheart beat Mr. IL Hash's Cotherstone—
Mr. Morant's Miriam beat Mr. Etwall's Witchery--Mr.
Morant's Mussulma.n beat Mr, Sloper's Spitfire—Mr. Gil-
lett's Gamester beat Sir G. Quentin's Proserpme—Mr.
Nosh's Colonel beat Drinkald's
The Allington-hilt Stakes for Puppies—Mr. Fryer a
Rocket beat Mr. Morant's Mustapha—Mr. Meyrick's
Hibernia beat Mr. Fyson's Fancy—Mr. Etwall's Entre
Nous beat Mr. Dobede's Dispatch—Mr. Etwall's West-
end best Capt. Daintree's Kathleen Mavourneen—Capt.
Daintree's Flora beat Capt. Wyndham's Wivanhoe—
Mr. Fyson's Full-sail ran a bye—Mr. Laurence's Linch •
pin drawn.

GAME.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
Sia,—The game preserving and the law authorising
the sale of game, are a matter of pounds, shillings, and
pence with landholders. The game is preserved (and at
the exper.se of farmers too) for the principal purpose of
the landholders' pockets; they have a ready market for
the " surplus" game; the Act legalising the sale of it
was passed by the landlords' Parliament for their con-
venience and advantage. The public were led to believe,
when the Act was passed, that it was for their accom-
modation; they now knew differently.
The game preserving and the game-laws are a dis-
grace to the country, and the subject ought to be agitated
as much as possible. ANTI-GAME-LAW.
Dec. 4.

THE NORTHERN LIGHTS.—On Monday night,
about eight o'clock, the aurora borealis, or the northern
lights, which are looked upon as the prognostics of a severe
winter, were visible for a considerable time in the neigh-
bourhood of Islington, Kingsland, Hackney, &c. In the
Upper-road, Islington, and at Highbury, the inhabitants
came out of their houses and inquired of each other where
the fire was, the state of the atmosphere apparently show-
ing that there was an extensive conflagration at some dis-
tance. A deep red glare was first observed at the west
of the horizon, and then slowly moved towards the east.
The meteorological appearance, after remaining there
above a quarter of an iiour, disappeared in the south.
THE PILCHARD FISHERY.—Several shoals of pil-
chards passed through St. Ives Bay on Sunday, but none
have been seen since. The
adrift boats
are bringing in
very fine herrings, but the catches are not great, in con-
sequence of the brightness of the moon —Falmouth
Pocket.
THE LATE Mas. HASSALL.—The grand jury havt
not returned a bill against Mr. Hassall up to the time of
our going to press. We understand that Mr. Godson.
Q C., has received a special retainer ef 100 guineas tc
defend LiamislL—Worcetter Chronick of yesterdsy.

THE STEAM-BOAT PIERS.
Mr. Deputy Ilicas moved the Court to agree to
the report made by the Navigation Committee on the
subject of the existing steam-boat piers between Lon-
don-bridge and Chelsea. The report stated that the
Committee had directed a survey to be made by Mr.
Walker, the Civil Engineer, by 111 r. Leech, Clerk of
the City Works, and by the Water Bailiff, and that
those gentlemen had certified that these piers were in
general unsafe, and impeded the navigation of the
river. They were, for the most part, as unsafe as had
been that at Blackfriars-bridge at the time the recent
fatal accident happened. The Committee also stated
that they had been furnished with a plan in which
these piers ought to be constructed, the expense of
erecting each of which would be about 1,750/. The
Committee added that they had caused notices to be
served upon the owners and proprietors of the present
piers, calling upon them to construct them on the plan
furnished, and according to the regulations of the
Committee, or that they would be removed. If the
notice were not complied with, the licenses granted to
private individuals to erect piers wouldbe withdrawn.
After some discussion,
Mr. D. W. WIRE moved as an amendment that the
report be referred back to the Navigation Committee
for re-consideration, and that so much of the report as
related to the erection of future piers be adopted.
The amendment having been seconded,
A desultory conversation ensued, in which Mr. Law-
rence, Mr. Anderton, and other members of the Court
took part, the amendment was put to a show of
hands, and only three hands were held up in its fa-
vour, and the original motion (that the report be
agreed to) was carried by a large majority.
PUBLIC BATHS AND WASHING-HOUSES.
Mr. Alderman JOHNSON presented a petition from
Mr. W. Cotton, the Chairman of the Committee for
Establishing Public Baths and Washing-houses for
the Labouring Classes in and near the Metropolis,
praying the Court to be pleased to aid the subscrip-
tions set on foot for that purpose to such an amount as
to the Court might seem fit.
Mr. Alderman JOHNSON and Mr. D. W. WIRE
seconded the motion, that the petition be referred to
the Finance Committee.
SURGEON TO THE CITY POLICE FORCE.
Mr. Herrera. presented a petition from Messrs.
Abraham, Elwin, and J. It. Lynch, late candidates
for the office of surgeon to the City police force, com-
plaining of the appointment to that office of Mr.
Childs, who, the petition stated, was not duly quali-
fied by law to treat medical and surgical diseases, in-
asmuch as he had not been licensed by the Royal
College of Physicians, or the Apothecaries' Company.
The petition prayed inquiry, and the removal of Mr.
Childs from the office.
Mr. IIEPPELL moved that the petition be referred
to the Police Committee.
Mr. OBBARD opposed the motion, and moved, as
an amendment, that the petition do lie upon the table.
On the motion of Mr. HerpeLL, the Court divided,
when the numbers appeared—
For the amendment 22
Against it ...
Majority
FREE CHURCHES—PUSEYISM
The report of the Finance Committee, to whom
had been referred the petition of the Rev. James
Tyler, 8.D., rector of the parish of St. Giles's-in-the-
Fields, praying for pecuniary aid towards the erec-
tion of the new free church in that district, was next
brought up and read. It recommended a grant of 2001.
in aid of the undertaking. On the motion that the
Court agree with the Committee in their report
being put,
Sir PETER LAURIE said he felt it his duty to oppose
the motion. lie regretted that he could not concur
with the Committee in their report, the consideration
of which, he submitted, ought to be adjourned. He
was of opinion that the liberality of the Court ought
to be dispensed with care and judgment, and that a
strong case ought to be made out before so large a
grant as that recommended was agreed to in sup-
port of a church situate without the City.
Some years ago he had supported, with great
pleasure, the grant, out of the City funds, of
1,0001., and from those of the Company to which
he belonged, of 5001., in aid of the then proposed
new churches in Bethnal-green, but he regretted that
the benefit arising from those new churches had not
been as great as might have been anticipated, had a
more judicious selection of ministers been made. The
main reason for the grant to Bethnal-green was, that
the poverty of that district was increasing with its
population, while, in the present instance, the reverse
was the case, for the mass of the pauper population of
St. Giles's, in the neighbourhood of this new church,
had been swept away to make space for new streets,
which would be constructed of dwellings suitable for
a respectable class of tradesmen—a class which would
cheerfully contribute to the support of a church
where the clergy did their duty. Although he (Sir
P. Laurie) was sorry to vote against a parish which
had for its rector so exemplary a character as the
pious and conciliatory man, Mr. Tyler, still he
thought that the present state of the Church was such
that the Court ought to know something as to the
spirit in which this church was to governed. At
present, throughout the diocese of London, discord
and disunion prevailed in the Church. It was hardly
possible to find two adjoining parishes in which the
same discipline and forms were observed, and yet each
THE TEN HOURS' BILL. minister could justify his conduct from the charges of
lasaicxEsrmt, WEDNEsnalt MonNlNG.—Last evening his bishop. Offensive as was the arrogance and
a meeting of the Lancashire Central Short-time Corn. turbulence of Bishop Phillpotts, it was infinitely less
mittee was held in this town on the subject of the Fac- destructive to the best interests of the Church than
tory Bill. The operatives appear to be as determined as
they ever were to prosecute their favourite measure, and .
the undecided, trimming, and Canl-wa-split-the-
to leave no stone unturned to bring it to a successful difference system of the Bishop of London and
termination. At the meeting last night the subjoined until such information was received, he. (Sir.
letters were read by the Secretary : Laurie) wished the Court to pause before it assisted
Manchester, Nov. 25, 1844. in the erection of a building which, instead of being
"My Lord,—At a meeting of the Lancashire Central a blessing to a parish, might only be the seat of dis-
Short-time Committee, held this day, several letters cord and ill-feeling. The clergy began this disturb-
were read from the District Committee, inquiring ante, and he trusted that the laity would,
by
a
what steps were to be taken to promote the passing of and
firm
temperate course, teach them, from the humblest
the Ten Hours' Bill in the next session of Parliament. 1 to the highest, that if they wished to retain the affec-
The operatives of Lancashire appear to be as deter- tion of the laity, it must be by a continuance in that
mined as they ever were to prosecute their object,
course which first gained their respect and regard,
and to leave no means untried to bring their labours
to a successful issue. In Manchester they are etuallyarrogating to themselves powers to which
and not by _ _ _
resolved. May I therefore respectfully request, on they had no claim, and which, if conceded,
behalf of this Committee, that your Lordship will be good they had not the discretion to guide.—(Hear,
enough to inform us, at your earliest convenience, what hear.) Let the Court, therefore, follow the
course you intend to adopt on the opening of Parliament, precedent set by the Bishop of London at Tottenham,
as we cannot satisfactorily answer the inquiries of our and, like him, adjourn the consideration of the matter
constituents until we have had your Lordship's advice, for twelve months. This church was called a free
and are made acquainted with the course you intend to church ; but suppose a minister to be appointed who,
pursue ? regardless of the wishes of his congregation, deter-
"We fully rely on your Lordship's judgment and zeal mined to enforce the offertory on the plea of the po-
in this good cause, and having placed our entire confi-
erty of the neighbourhood, no other result could
dente in your wisdom and determination, we shall be
be expected than that the congregation would be
guided in our line of action by the course you intend to
driven away ; or suppose that the minister had a par-
pursue in Parliament.—I am, my Lord, your most obe-
" HENRY GREEN, Secretary, tiality for crosses, candlesticks, and the frivolous
dient servant,
" man-millinery which prevailed in some churches to
The Right Hon. Lord Ashley, M.P.
" London, Nov. 27, 1844. the offence of all true Protestants—would the Court
" Sir,—ln answer to your letter, in which you desired, be ready to vote away its funds in aid of such an ob-
on the part of the operatives of Lancashire, to learn what
jest ? lie hoped not. He trusted that, until the
course I should think advisable if' the ensuing session of
Church became again pure and rational, divested of
t
Parliament, I must reply that I see no reason why the
the ceremonials of turning, and bowing, and scraping,
question of the Ten Hours' Bill should not be renewed
the Court would not contribute to it one shillincs of
at the earliest possible period. its funds. With these views, he moved,oved, as an amend-
" I will endeavour on the first night of our meeting to
ment, that the question be adjourned for twelve
fix a day for bringing the subject again under the con-
months, until the Bishop of London had given his
sideratiou of the House.—l am, Sir, your very obedient
" ASHLEY. decision upon the application made to him by the pa-
servant,
Mr. Henry Green, Secretary." rishioners of Tottenham.
Mr. Deputy CORNET seconded the amendment.
In consequence of the adoption of the Puseyite prin-
ciples in the Bethnal-green churches, they were only
attended by less than half the congregations they
were capable of accommodating. This was a start-
ling fact, which ought to induce the heads of the
Church to establish an uniform system in the per-
formance of its services.
Mr. H. PHILLIPS opposed the amendment, and
expressed his regret that religious differences should
have been introduced into such an assembly.
Mr. PEWTRESS said the Court ought to be informed
that the sum prayed was not to go to the erection of
the new church, for it was actually built, but to its
endowments. Now, he thought the revenues of the
Church, fairly applied and divided, were amply
suffi-
cient, without the aid now sought.
The LORD MAYOR, after referring to the original
petition and to the terms of the report, and conferring
upon them with the Recorder, stated that the report
not being in accordance with the reference, the report
must fall to the ground, as the question could not
be put.

A stormy scene here ensued, in which it was con=
tended by Mr. WIRE and several others, that it was
for the Court to judge of the fact whether or not
the report accorded with the terms of the reference,
and that the Court would surrender its privileges if
it submitted in such a matter to the dictum of the
Lord Mayor. A scene of great confusion pre-
vailed ; but,
The LORD MAYOR, persisted in his decision, and
called for the next order on the paper to be taken;
upon which
Mr. DE JERSEY moved that the Court do now
adlairn.
On this motion a division took place; when there
appeared,
For the adjournment 3B
Against it ....... .....
Majority ..• —7
The Lord Mayor then retired with the other au-
thorities ; but
Mr. W. H. ASHURST called upon the members to
remain, as he maintained the privileges of the Court
has been invaded by the decision at which the Lord
Mayor had arrived.
A large body of the members of the Court re-
mained, and eventually
Mr. ASIIURST was called to the chair, and on tak-
ing it, said it was important, after the course which
the Lord Mayor had pursued, that they should come
to some decision for the assertion of their privileges;
for if the decision of the Lord Mayor was right, there
was an end to all their right of free discussion, and to
their privileges as a deliberative assembly. If the
Lord Mayor was wrong, it was proper that their
privileges should be asserted.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. It. TAYLOR concurred in the opinion that the
deliberative character of the Court would be destroyed
if the rule laid down by the Lord Mayor were to
hold good.
Mr. Sheriff SIDNEY could not think this was a
question of privilege. It was unquestionably the pri-
vilege of the presiding authority of any court to de-
cide whether a particular question could or could not
be put, and he respectfully submitted to the Common
Council that their privileges would be far more en-
dangered by the resistance of the proper authority of
their chairman than by any accidental error of that
functionary. It was important, first, to ascertain whe-
ther the report of the Committee was in strict accord-
ance with the reference.
Mr. Alderman HumrnEity said that would have
been fully ascertained if the Lord Mayor had freely
allowed the discussion to have proceeded. He con-
ceived the report and the reference to be in strict ac-
t cordance with each other. _ _

Mr. DE JERSEY contended that the report was not
made to the Lord Mayor but to the Court, and it was
for the Court to judge of the matter. By this pro-
ceeding on the part of his Lordship, the go-bye was
given to the subject. The fitting course would have
been, if there really existed a variance, to have re-
ferred the report back to the Committee.
Mr. STACEY urged that the Court was bound to
decide the question for itself, and not to surrender to
the dictum of the Lord Mayor.
Mr. D. W. WIRE was sure the Lord Mayor had
an anxious desire to do his duty, but if the power
he had exercised to-day became a rule, it would be in
the power of any Lord Mayor to stop all discussion.
He begged to propose a resolution, to the effect that
" It is the opinion of this meeting that the ruling of
the Lord Mayor, on the discussion of the report of
the Finance Committee touching the grant of 2001. to
the new free church in St. Giles-in- the-Fields, is
subversive of the right of free discussion, and inter-
feres with the privileges of the Court of Common
Council."
After a lengthened discussion, in which Mr. Stacey,
Mr. King, Mr. Prior, Mr. Alderman Humphrey, Mr.
Deputy Peacock, Mr. R. Taylor, and Mr. Gresham
took part, the resolution was agreed to.
A deputation, consisting of Mr. Wire, Mr. Ashurst,
and Mr. Deputy Finnes, was then appointed (after
some consideration) to wait upon the Lord Mayor, to
communicate to him the resolution adopted by the
meeting.
Thanks having been voted to the Chairman, the
meeting separated at half-past five o'clock.
THE POLISH BALL COMMITTEE.
A numerous meeting of the Polish Ball Committee
was held on Saturday, to audit the accounts and settle
the tradesmen's bills. Deputy Peacock in the chair.
Mr. CARE, the Honorary Secretary, reported to the
meeting that 1,157 persons had attended the ball and
concert, the amount received for tickets sold being
583/. 145., and in donations 164/. 25., and that the ex-
penses incurred were 3921. 145., leaving a clear ba-
lance of 3551. 2s. to be carried to the fund for the re•
lief of the unfortunate Polish refugees.
Lord DUDLEY STUART expressed the highest grat

fication at the result, and in the name of the COunci
of the Literary Association of the Friends of Poland,
presented their thanks to the Chairman, to Mr.
Eagleton' the Treasurer, and to the Committee, in
acknowledgment of the great interest they had taken
in getting up and conducting the entertainment, and
also to Mr. Carr for his unwearied exertions in
the various arrangements and duties devolving
on him as their Honorary Secretary. His Lord-
ship observed, that although the amount of
the proceeds was less than the amount of
those of last year, it was most satisfactory
to witness the demonstrations of delight so univer-
sally exhibited by the visitors in their enjoyment
of the evening's amusements, the magnificence of the
Hall, and the splendour of the company, graced as it
was by the presence of several of the nobility and
other persons of rank. His Lordship hoped that as
the Hall was so admirably adapted for such purposes,
it would on each succeeding Lord Mayor's day be
made available for some useful charitable institution,
and whether it should be granted for the Poles, or
any other charitable undertaking, he (Lord Dudley
Stuart), as well as those acting with him on behalf
of the Poles, would be happy to join in promoting
the success of any object that might be considered
worthy of such support.—(Hear, hear.)
The CHAIRMAN, in the name of the Committee,
thanked the Noble Lord for the kindness and cour-
tesy evinced by him to every one of its members, and
begged to assure his Lordship that they would be
most happy to have the honour of acting with him
upon future occasions.
The Chairman and Committee cordially agreed on
expressing their thanks for the powerful support given
by the press, to which they were deeply indebted for
the success of the undertaking.
The Committee was then dissolved, well pleased
with so gratifying a conclusion to their labours.

THE INDIAN ARMT.—We are enabled by the
lowing facts to contradict a statement quoted by us on
Tuesday from a weekly Contemporary, respecting the
appropriation of Indian military appointments. During
a period of seven years, 128 direct cadetships have been
given to the sons of officers of the Company's army, of
and below the rank of captain and surgeon ; 143 to the
sons of those of the ranks of major, lieutenant colonel,
and superintending surgeon ; 77 to the sons of full colo-
nels and major-generals ; total, 348. During the same
period 380 cadetships have been given to the sons of
officers of the Queen's army and navy ; 205 ditto to
those of clergymen, including Indian chaplains.—Times.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has replied to the
memorial addressed to him recently, urging upon his
Grace the expediency of convening a meeting of the
Bishops to consult upon the proper steps to be taken in
the present divided state of the Church. The memorial
was signed by the Dean and Chapter of Exeter, and was
inserted in The Sun a few days since. The Archbishop's
reply consists of a simple acknowledgment of the receipt
of the memorial, and is couched in those terms of cour-
tesy and kindness which always mark his Grace's inter-
course with his clergy.
TESTIMONIAL TO SIR HENRY POTTINGER.—A
very influential and numerous meeting of the principal
merchants and manufacturers interested in the India and
China trades, convened by circular, was held in the
council chamber, Town-hall, on Monday last, to consider
the best means of testifying to Sir Henry Pottinger " their
high opinion and personal approval of his firm, judi-
cious, and conciliatory conduct during his negotiations
with the Chinese Government, and their acknowledg-
ment of the great advantages lie has secured to the world
at large, and especially to this town and neighbourhood
by the liberal and beneficial treaty which he concluded
with China." Alexander Kay, Esq., the Mayor, pre-
sided ; and the feeling in favour of some appropriate
testimonial of the sense entertained by the leading inha-
bitants of Manchester of Sit Henry Pottinger's services
was quite unanimous, and very warmly expressed. It
was determined to invite Sir Henry to a dinner, which,
we understand, is likely to take place about tke 20th inst.
It was also resolved that a subscription should be en-
tered into, for the purpose of purchasing a piece
of plate, or some other suitable testimonial ; and it
will be seen that the call has been most cordially and
handsomely responded to by the public, for the sub-
scription already amoants to 2,0441. ss.—Manchester
Guardian.
BATHS AND WASHHOUSES FOR THE LABOURING
CLASSES.—Wednesday a meeting of the inhabitants of the
parish of St. Pancras took place at the vestry-rooms in
Gordon-square, for the purpose of concerting measures
to establish baths and washhouses in that district of the
metropolis for the accommodation of the labouring
classes. Mr. Harris was in the chair. Mr. Douglas,
who acted as honorary secretary, proceeded to state
that the meeting had been convened in consequence of
a communication received by the vestry from the parent
institution, calling upon the parish to aid the Society
as much as possible in the establishment of a bath and
washhouse for the labouring classes in that populous
I locality, and the vestry deeming the principle a good
one, although they had no power to place the
chial funds to such a purpose, felt it their duty to form
1 amongst themselves a Committee, and call upon the
parishioners generally to aid in so beneficial an object
for the poor. Mr. T. H. Smith moved a resolution in
support of the object in view. which, after some dis •
cussion, was unanimously agreed to. Mr. James Ho-
warth, one of the churchwardens, was then unani-
mously elected treasurer, and a numerous Committee
were subsequently appointed to carry out the objects of
the meeting. Subscriptions were then entered into, the
Chairman heading the list with 51, and a considerable
i sum having been collected, thanks were voted to the
I Chairman, and the meeting separated.

EDINBURGH TOWN COUNCIL. 1 MAGAZIN
SCOTCH BANKING SYSTEM.

POLYTECHNIC MAGAZINE.
At the meeting of the Council on Tuesday, the 1 The periodical before us is a literary as well as
Lord Provost (Mr. Adam Black) brought forward a scientific publication, and the present Number, be-
the notice on the Scotch banking system, of which he sides containing an intelligent treatise on " The
had given notice. He said, "If it were necessary to ' Connexion between the Geological Structure of a
apologise for troubling the Council with the motion Country and its Natural Scenery," has also several
which I have now to submit for your consideration, I j well-digested and apparently impartial notices of new
have only to remind you of the proceedings in Par- I works, among which we find a brief favourable review
liament last May, when the renewal of the Bank I of Mr. Neale's tale of " Shepperton Manor."
Charter was under discussion. On that occasion Sir
Robert Peel, while he proposed and carried important
changes and regulations affecting the system of bank-
ing and currency, at the same time declared that he re-
served for future legislation the system of banking in
Scotland and Ireland, and that he purposely abstained
from saying anything about the issue of small notes at
that time, as it might raise a storm which he might not
be able to allay. The regulations which he then pro-
posed were generally allowed to be founded on just
principles, and I concur in the general opinion that
their tendency will be to keep the currency in a
healthy state, and to prevent those sudden fluctua-
tions from excessive issues in times of prosperity, to
excessive contractions in times of panic, which have
from time to time been so disastrous to the country.
It will be well to notice here that one of the regula-
tions proposed by Sir Robert Peel is to prevent the
establishment of any new bank of issue, and that if any
of the existing banks shall cease to issue paper, it shall
not be in its power to resume such issues, and that none
of the existing banks of issue shall at any future time
keep in circulation a greater amount of paper than the
average of the last twelve weeks. Thus we have a se-
curity, that however great the temptation, it will not be
in the power of the banks to increase the amount of
paper money in circulation to an injurious extent,
but, on the contrary, whatever change is made, it
must be in the direction of diminution, as every bank
of issue which gives up, or which ceases to circulate
notes, will so far contract the circulation of the
country. Some have said that Sir Robert Peel will
not propose to interfere with the circulation of small
notes in Scotland; others that he ought, and that he
will. Any one who carefully considers the principles
which he has adopted, and which he has enunciated,
may see that they lead to the suppression of all small
notes ; but it does not follow that he will press the
adoption of his measures, if we can prove from ex-
perience that the Scottish system of banking has been
beneficial to the country, and that his views are in
direct opposition to the wishes and views of the people
of Scotland, generally and decidedly expressed. It is,
therefore, the more necessary that the sentiments of
the people of Scotland should be made known as
early as possible, to prevent the adoption of mea-
sures prejudicial to the interests of the country.
He then adverted to the objections raised against the
Scotch banking system, the issue particularly of
small notes, and the alleged injury which Scotland
caused to England by being exempted from the same
monetary regulations, and, after answering these ob-
jections, thus concluded
"If you are satisfied that the charges against our
notes, especially our small notes, are not well-
founded, but that, on the contrary, from the discreet
and judicious manner in which they have been issued
by the Scotch banks, they have tended greatly to pro-
mote the prosperity of the country, and that their sup-
pression would be attended with disastrous conse-
quences to the trade, manufactures, and agriculture
of Scotland, and would occasion great distress
among all classes of the community, you will adopt
the resolutions I have now to propose. In throw-
ing my thoughts together, I was under the impres-
sion, from reading Sir Robert Peel's speech, that the
restriction of the issues of paper money to the average
of the previous two years was applicable to the Scotch
as well as the English ears,
; but on looking at the
Act since I entered the Council, I perceive that this
regulation applies only to the English banks. I am,
however, of opinion that it is but fair and right that
the Scotch banks should be placed on the same footing
as to the restriction of the amount of their issues as
the English. This would give a perfect security
against any excessive issue of paper money in Scot-
land as well as in England. Some have brought for-
ward and supported resolutions that the system of
Scotch banking should not be interfered with in any
particular whatever. I consider this as taking too
high ground, for it can hardly be maintained, that
however excellent the Scotch system of banking is, ,
that it is absolute perfection ; all I propose is, to
object to any interference with the essential principles
of Scotch banking. His Lordship moved the adoption
of the following resolutions :
" That the prosperity of Scotland has been greatly
promoted by the well-regulated system of banking
which has existed in it for nearly 150 years.
" That the public confidence in the stability of the
Scottish banks is fully justified by the ample security
afforded by their ability to answer all the demands
that can be made upon them, inasmuch as to meet
their paper currency in circulation, amounting to less
than three millions, they have a paid-up capital of
about twelve millions, with nearly a million of Ex-
chequer bills, and gold or Bank of England paper,
and the responsibility of numerous and wealthy indi-
vidual partners.
" That the present system is intimately incorpo-
rated with the trade of the country, has grown with
its growth and strengthened with its strength, and is
so accommodated to the habits and feelings of the
Scottish people, that any interference with its essen-
tial principles, if it did not immediately and directly
disturb and embarrass the trading and manufacturing
and agricultural interests, would at least spread such
general distrust and alarm as would be widely disas-
trous to the community.
" That while the Scottish system of banking has
been of great advantage to Scotland, it has, at the
same time, been beneficial to the empire generally, by
supplying to a certain extent a safe, economical, and
well-regulated currency, by furnishing a capital to
the Scottish tradesmen and agriculturists, by means
of which they have been enabled to encourage the
trade and manufactures of England.
" That the great objection which has been brought
against the circulation of paper money, that of occa-
sioning disastrous fluctuations in the mercantile world
by excessive issues in times of prosperity, and sudden
contractions in times of depression, cannot be brought
against the Scottish banks, the issues of which having
been prudently accommodated to the wants of the
public.
" That on these grounds, if it should be deemed
necessary, petitions should be sent to both Houses of
Parliament, and that it be left to the Provost's Com-
mittee to decide on the propriety of petitioning, and
of the time at which this should be done."
Baillie MACK 15econded the resolutions.
Mr. LINDSAY said he was sorry he could not agree
with his Lordship in reference to this subject. In
fact, he was against a paper currency entirely ; he
saw no one that was benefited by it but the
bankers. He would suggest that the bankers should
be made to pay to Government so much per cent. for
the use of the notes, and then the public at large
would reap some benefit from them—but at present
he did not see that the public derived any adVantage
from them. He thought also that the present agita-
tion was premature. They should wait to see what
measure the Government had in contemplation.
Dean of Guild DlCK...supported the resolutions of
the Lord Provost.
Mr. RUSSELL confessed that he had only recently
given his attention to this subject, but he must say
that the result of his examination of it had led him to
doubt the efficiency of the Scottish system of banking.
The reasons which had led him to this conclusion are
embodied in the following amendment, which he pro-
posed :
" Whereas it appears from authentic documents
that the average circulating medium of exchange
in Scotland has not increased, but diminished,
in the course of the last twenty years, while
the population and productive industry of the
country have been, during the same period,
greatly augmented; it is therefore doubtful whether
the present state of the currency, is capable of
extension corresponding to the business wants of
the country. In these circumstances, it is inexpe-
dient for the Council to come to any resolution appro.
batory of the Scottish system of banking until further
inquiry be instituted, more especially when it is kept
in view that the currency ngland, which con-
sists of gold to nearly one-hin
alf oEf
its entire amount,
has gradually increased, and now amounts to fifty -
four-millions, being at the rate of fully 3/. for every
man, woman, and child, in the country •, while that of
Scotland, amounting as it does to less than three mil-
lions, averages about 1/. for every inhabitant."
After the speeches from different members for and
against the resolutions, among whom Treasurer
Thomson distinguished himself by his opposition to
some of the resolutions, especially those relating to
the necessity for security being required of the
bankers for the amount issued, the discussion was ad-
lourned for a fortnight.

BRITISH MAGAZINE.
Until lately, this Magazine was an advocate, though
a moderate one, of the fractarian tenets, but it has
now discovered the injurious character of this heresy,
and in the Number before us makes the amende hono-
rable, in an article headed " Modern liageology,"
which exposes the fallacies of the Tractarians, and
shows how close a connexion exists between them and
the Church of Rome.

BANKERS' MAGAZINE.
As its title implies, this Magazine is exclusively
devoted to the discussion of monetary matters, in
which much knowledge of business is exhibited.
The best article in the present Number is one on
Savings' Banks.