The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-28 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY MORNING, OCTOBER E 8 1844.

• •
"r"9 Grooms .11,? sivh rayrl,(.o, Two Grooms
walking. drawn by six blacks, walking.
Conveys,
Lady of the Bedchamber (Lady Portman),
blaid of Honour in Waiting (the Honourable Miss A.
Murray),
Lord Steward (the Earl of Liverpool),
ford Chamberlain (Earl Delawarr).

Ye.omen of the Guard.

Twelve Footmen, four and four.
Pour Grooms THE STATE COACH, Four Grooms
walking. Draws by eight cream- walking.
Attended by a Yeoman of the Guard at each wheel, and

two footmen at each door, conveying
THE QUEEN,
His Royal liighncss Prince Albert,
The Mistress of the Robes (the Duchess of Buccleuch),
The Master of the Horse (the Earl of Jersey).
Escort of Life Guards.
The carriages of the Ambassdors and Foreign Minis-
ters
are to asSemqe at the lower end of St. James's-
street, to be in readiness, at half-past ten o'clock, to fall
Into the line irurne:liately after the Queen's procession.
like
carriages of the Cabinet Ministers will form in
1. iKe manner, arid be ready at the same time, to fall into
the line inamedialelv after thus? of the Ambassadors and
oreir misters.
The general direction of the procession is under the
orders of
L')rd Charles Wellesley, Clerk Marshal ;
.I!l.n.ior-Gerierai Wemyss, Equerry to the Queen ; and
4Aut.-Colpm,l Bouverie, Equerry to Prince Albert.
On the arrival of the state procession at Temple-bar,
and after the due rt2ception of the Sovereign by the Lord
Mayor, the order of the procession will be altered by the
eaccession of the Civic cavalcade (the order of whichpro-
cessionwas inserted in our journal yesterday)
'2e Lord Mayor and the authorities of the city of
Ildels, with their officers, taking place in the royal
iirtege immediately after the sixth royal carriage, and
e Yeoman of the Guard, as seen in the above official
Prnr atnme.

The following is a list of the present Masters of the
twelve principal Companies of the city of London, in
thec, order of their precedency, invited by the Gresham
~,`,‘lnrnittee, at Mercer's Hall, to the opening of the
INthe ew2Blltl°l3Oaf October,lExchangleBb4y4 :Qleen Victoria, on Monday,
1. Mercer's Company, incorporated 1393, George Aston,
Esq., Master.
2. Grocers' Do., incorporated 1345, Cornelius Paine,
2s(l-, Do.
3. Drapers' Do., incorporated 1439, Thomas Walker,
A E„.,'(l, Do.
• -ctshmongers' Do., incorporated 1384, William Wan-
s.
char mE
Yiddi:sgisihl::.°.Do , incorporated 1327, Henry Blan-
Do.
6. Skinners' Do , incorporated 1327, John Locke,
Es(l, Do. *
d GMlarc ant
n. Tailors' Do., incorporated 1466, William
8. haberdasher' Do., incorporated 1447, James Law
tlies Esq., Do.
u. 40_0—mongers'
Salters' incorporate,l 1558, J. Fir,her, Esq.. Do.
I'"q•,-v'el" 1)°.
1 ,
i
..comoroted 1464, John Birkett,
1' • intners' Do , incorporated 1437, L. D. Jacquier,
lz Esql
Clotnworkers' Do., incorporated 1482, Edward
Gr.-gory, E,q., Do.
Inscriptions on the exterior of the Royal Exchange:—
The Earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof."
i
4nno Elizabethm R. XIII. Conditum—Anno Vietorim
ge
Nos IL VIII. Restauratumo
Ile ph
Fortun a My.
Prosperity to my House. Honor Deo.

LATEST AUTHENTIC PARTICULARS.

On S

iv 'aturdy a Court of Aldermen was held at Guild
1 /hen, after a good deal of discussion, the Court
greed to the following order of procession, which will
leave
41E Guildhall punctually at eleven o'clock:—
NI n or PROCESSION OF THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD
„„`"rort AND THE CORPORATION OP LONDON FRAM
.7ILDHALL TO TEMPLE-DAR. TO RECEIVE HER MA-
JESTY, ON MONDAY, THE 28TH OF OCT, 1844.
Police Officers to clear the way.
City Marshalman.
City Trumpeters.
Navigation Watermen, bearing colours.
The Captain of the Thames Navigation Barge.
The Principal Assistant Water Bailiff.
Water Bailiff's Watermen, with colours.
Junior City Marshal on horseback.
The Lord Mayor's Beadle,
Theity Watermen in state liveries, with colours.
e Lord Mayor'sßarge Master in his state dress.

Lord Mayor's Banner.
Senior City Marshal on horseback.
Right Hon. the LORI) MAYOR, in his state car-
'lap, drawn by six horses, attended by the
Armen who ha
and Common Crier.
who have passed the Chair, in their Scarlet
414 r Gowns, in their carriages.
tnen who have not passed the Chair, in Scarlet
Gowns, in their carriages.
hem The Sheriffs in their state carriages.
ors of the Court of Common Council in carriages.
1.10, Police Constables.
,7141m4t11e arrival of the procession at Temple Bar, the
""de in'Yor, Aldermen, and those Members who are to
ChfidN'ocessiou, will be received at the banking-house
414ty,8-7i and Co., where they will remain until her Ma-
Pproach.
,r ORDER OF PROCESSION
-EXPLE-BAR, ON RECEIVING HER MAJESTY IN
litit PROGRESS TO THE KEW EXCHANGE.
eaPriar olice-officers on horseback.
oe4. of Pthe Members of the Court of Common

Council.
The State-carriages of the Sheriffs.
Th Carriages of the Aldermen.
Zetaclie above pc-Ilion of the procession will prece3e the
4toyßitent of Life Guards conducting the members of the
and her Majesty's immediate attendants.
iletnik,rs The Junior City I,!Urshal on horseback.
of the Court of Conimon Council, in their
—azarine Gowns, on horseback, each with an
Betrr attendant.
Sark; 1-1-uggeridge, Esq. William Gresham, Eq.
asale%S. Edkini Esq' W. J. Frodesham, Esq.
„it 1101),--:1,YleY E James Anderton, Esq.
Esq. Wm. Collingwood, Esq.
"Qaon, Esq. Joshua G. Bedford, Esq.
A. Peacock, Esq. Richard Dixon, Esq.
eSheriffs, Senior City Marshal on horseback.
r 1., in their Scarlet Gowns and Chains, on
.116( n"-Itelc, each attended by a Sergeant and a Groom.
414,e as Sidney, Esq %Villiarn Ilunt.x, Esq.
Sid then Scarlet. Gr(twns (those rist the Chair

in their chains) on horseback,
'tho each attended by a Beadle and a Groom.
sir tax Farnconib, Esq. John A. Hooper, Esq.
i'lln t'arEte Carroll, Bart. John Johnson, Esq.
Sir ~aslail Wood, Esq. C. Farebrother, Esq.
ket r ete," Laurie, lint. Sir John Key, Bart.
-sattlaim
_Prime Lucas,. Esq. Sir C. S. Hunter, Bart.
Right Hon. MICHAEL GIBBS,
'4. (V Lord Mayor elect.
)101.' e;oninion Crier, on The Sword-bearer_ on_h.o.rse-
Eaeinbttek, S. Be back, back, Charles W, Hick,
-1., Carr% i -cr the Esq., with the
Cit ' 'A' .
Th Y Mace.
The BARD MAYOR,
Cap of Maintenance.
ree
Footmen
.(3'3ita,rt4eaell The Right -''' Win' Magnay,
•
t: on.
robe, and. in
Gate. in a crimson velvet
...-iNttiae.s a collar .SS., on horseback, bearing
the City Sword of State,
immediately before Liveries. Stat
State
TIER MAJESTY.
0,, The Royal Procession will here fall in. _
1)„1 " Qaturday the Gresham Committee sat from twelve
li,-,,Pek until a late hour, completing the necessary ptrhee-
-I,7itiaries for the recq.tion of her Majesty . and
anion Consort. Mr. Jones, the chairman,
Sir Chapman
m.,cmg the more active members we7e
I 1
.44rshall, more
Ilumpherv, and Mr. B. 'a•-s)A'll% ,c,d
losangements were finally and satisfactorily compie,...
ktiePutting the civic orders and the entire machinery of
for (,),aasion into active operation and correct execution
, e events of this day. 1
co "1 "
Friday letters were received by the Gresham
arkllll/I„!itee from Sir Robert Peel, Sir James Graham,
which nuke of Wellington, for tickets of admission,
g a we: re immediately sent to them, and this led to the
PuroP,, ~Il3'an of all further tickets being issued, so as to
bi .lue against any exigence in the event of other ca-
r Ministers making applications for the same.
'rait°r the last three or four days, the Gresham Com-
In lee have continued their sittings at Mercers' Hall
,M 3,1,0 three and four o'clock in the morning, and a very
,he 41131 discussion has taken place upon the question of
_ Paembers of the corporation appearing in court
s'es insteal of their ordinary robes. Letters were
4,_lit'ed from henhouses of Messrs. Baring, Hankey,
tvget; Others declg the invitations sent to them if they
qi, ato Oe compelled to wear court dresses. The stormy
'!e,,'eusk.'ion which followed the reading of these commu-
Toation.s ended in a resolution being agreed upon, that
o se whoti were anxious to appear in court dresses might
„,,,so, but that it should be left entirely to their own
Vi•,;(.l instead of laying down any regulation. . • '
derSaturday the Earl of Jersey, master of the horse,
"‘" up to the Exchange for the purpose of going
l'iter it.
ntlZltle
of banquettiug room appropriated to the entertain-
he— the Q
tesselated
pueen, was completed onmerch Satuantrday, e
areaienihasng.
N.,. -Uavement of the
t cleansed, and boards have been put down in front
,_ the grand entrance, which are to ba covered with
,earlet cloth.
til
`.lla_ e ringers practised at intervals on Saturday the
!s of " Rule Britannia" and the national anthem.
4411 e various workmen continued their labours
in ''llg hou,t Saturday night and Sunday, and the hoard-
R was
.•-etnoved shortly after midnight.
4't ,r-„,,„ )ItOU ItAMME OF POCEEDINGS
~, --.. o Yar, EXCHANGE UPON THE OPENING OF THE
"AlsIE IIY I/ER „MAJESTY ON MONDAY, THE 28TH OF
OCTOBER, 1844.
tlPn the arrival of her Majesty and Prince Albert at
~1 Lxchange, they are to be received at the western en-
A,.71. tee by the Lord Mayor, the Aldermen, -Recorder,
~7 the members of the Joint Gresham Coremitte.'.
I Sheriffs, and the emembraide, r, who will fore:
-41
iteu:ik wlves into a proves R i
,n, to .r, ci-d•• hey
,Mltj.,st.,.
tilt following order :-
4- Trumpeters.
t'--1 es Barnes, Esq., Gerk of the Gresham Committee.
j dliara
q . William Tee. I.: q., F.R.S., Architect.
1 spgi,. Pa.,:tn,r, Esq., \I I'. .iotta than Co a! es Prior,E-q.
Law rence, EN. itobet t Sutton, Esq.
atte,_°l3 George dope, Esq. James Sutton, Esq.
aaanaumphrey, Y.sq..Nl.P. George Palmer,jun., Esq.
% George
Watney. Esci• Sir Chapman Marshall.
'arge Aston, Esq., Richd. Lambert Jones, Esq.,
Master Chairman
c't the ILereers Company. of the Gresham Committee.
Utivard Tyrrell, Esci,, Aemembrancer.

Sheriffs.
Thomas Sidney, Esq. William Hunter, Esq.
The Members of the Court of Aldermen below the Chair.
Hon. Chas. Ewan Law, Q.C., Recorder,
The Members of the Court of Aldermen above the Chair.
The Right Hon. William Magnay, Lord Mayor.
Her Majesty the QUEEN and Prince ALBERT,
followed by her Majesty's Officers of State.

HISTORICAL NOTICE OF THE
ROYAL EXCHANGE.
A neat little volume, under the above title, has just
been published by Effingham Wilson, which appears very
opportunely to gratify public curiosity respecting the an-
nals of the palace of London merchants. It contains not
only ample descriptions of the three buildings which
have succeeded one another on the site purchased by the
munificence of Sir T. Gresham, but accounts of the vari-
ous institutions which time and circumstances have asso-
ciated with it, memoirs and anecdotes of Sir T. Gresham,
and the other distinguished men who took part in found-
ing them, and all such subsidiary information as can be
interesting. From this we have extracted the following
passages, which will furnish our readers with the mate-
rials of a comparison of the three buildings, which have
advanced in grandeur and magnificence pan passe with
the metropolis they have severally adorned. As the
second Temple was more glorious than the first, even so
has it been with the Exchanges of London :
" THE FIRST EXCHANGE.
" The first stone of the projected Burse was laid by its
projector, Sir T. Gresham. On this occasion there does
not appear to have been much ceremony. Ile was accom-
panied by some aldermen, and, says Stowe, every one of
them laid a piece of gold, which the workmen took up.'
The building was carried on with such rapidity that by
the month of November in the following year it was
covered in with slate, and shortly after that date com-
pletely finished. The cost of the ground has been already
mentioned, and 715 citizens contributed to the subscrip-
tion set on foot to meet it, and which opened in March,
1565, and closed in October, 1566. The timber used in
the construction of the Burse is believed to have been
conveyed to London from Battisford, in Suffolk, in which
neighbourhood, on the destruction of the monasteries,
the manor of St. John of Jerusalem had been granted
to Sir Richard Gresham, which comprehended a con-
siderable portion of the parish of Ringshell. On
Battisford 'rye, a spacious common between the two
places just named, five or six saw-pits may still be
traced, which were used to prepare the frame of the
first Royal Exchange. From Battisford the timber
was conveyed to London by water. The wainscoting
and the glass, or at least a portion of them, were
purchased for him by his indefatigable apprentice ser-
vant, factor, and friend, Richard Clough, at Amsterdam.
The slates were sent from Dort, and other portions of
the materials required were imported from Flanders,
whence many manufactured articles of comfort and
luxury seem to have been obtained at that period. When
finished, it was thought to resemble in an extraordinary
degree the Burse of Antwerp ; there is, however,
reason to believe, that the designer had more studiously
copied the Burse of Venice, which bad served for
the model of that of Antwerp. A Flemish architect,
named llsnryke, was employed by Gresham, who
seems to have laboured in his vocation with much
diligence, and to have given satisfaction to his em-
ployers ; but, unfortunately for his reputation,
it was found, before the close of the century, that the
structure was more showy than substantial, and great
repairs became necessary.
* * * * *
" The Burse, like the New River, though of vast im-
portance to a most opulent and important body, did not
at first answer to the sanguine expectations of its pro-
jector. From the lettings he had expected to derive
a considerable income ; but he was severely diap-
pointed, as for several years the shops remained com-
paratively empty. Gresham had triumphed over too
many difficulties to give himself up to dismay at
this mortifying failure, and the skill of the tacti-
ci in was admirably displayed on an intimation beins,
given, some two years after the completion of the
structure, that the Queen intended to honour it with
a visit and give it a name.' Aware of the importance
of the incident, we read in Stowe that on this occasion
Sir Thomas, in his own person, went twice in one day
round about the Upper Pawne,' and besought those few
shopkeepers then present, that they would furnish and
adorne with wares and wax-lights as many shoppes as
they either coulde or would ; and they should have all
those shoppes so furnished rent free that yeare.'
" It was a great day for the city and for him, when
the royal Elizabeth fulfilled her promise. That due im-
portance and eclat might be given to her progress even
from its commencement, we learn from the accounts of
the churchwardens of St. Margaret's, Westminster,
that 4d. was paid to the bell-ringers for ringing
when the Queen's Majesty went to the Burse and
back again.' Other parishes, this being regarded as
no every-day occurrence, were no doubt equally regard-
less of expense, and the whole of her progress was, in
all probability, rendered as triumphant as its commence-
ment. The trusty historian just named thus describes
it:—' The Queen's Majesty, attended with her nobility,
came from her house in the Strand, called Somerset-
house, and entered the City by Temple-bar, through
Fleet-street, Cheap, and so by the north side of the
Burse to Sir Thomas Gresham's house in Bishopsgate-
rate, where she dined. After dinner her Majesty, re-
turning through Cornhill, entered the Burse on the south
side, and after that she had viewed every part thereof
above the ground, especially the Pawn, which was richly
furnished with all sorts of the finest wares in the city,
she caused the Burse, by a herald and trumpet, to be
proclaimed the Royal Exchange,' and so to be called
from thenceforth, and not otherwise.' * * *
" Some of the rules which were then adopted to keep,
the Exchange free from annoyance appear rather sin-
gular to a reader of the present day. We find that no
fruit other than oranges and lemons might be sold in the
passages leading to it. 'Boys and young rogues' found it
as convenient for their play as grave citizens did for the
transacting of business, and on Sundays and holidays
the former created such an uproar that their seniors
could not hear themselves speak.' Rat-catchers, dog-
sellers, and apple-venders, were attracted to the spot,
and the cursing and swearing of the women, maidens,
and others in the green-grocery line, caused great
annoyance and grief to the passers by ;' while bears,
dogs, and bulls were paraded there in the morning, to an-
nounce with more effect the amusemements which
might be enjoyed at Bankside, perhaps at the very mo-
ment that Shakespeare, within the Globe Theatre, was
acting in one of his own plays, towards the close of the
afternoon.
" From this period the Royal Exchange continued to
increase in wealth and importance. Thither the nobi-
lity repaired to purchase the most costly articles, and the
treasures of merchandise thus collected were great
in value and superb" in appearance. It is des-
cribed in the most glowing terms by the writers
of the time. Its area constantly presented an ani-
mated and varied scene. The merchants from fo
reign parts, whose attire least resembled that of the
English, usually attended in their national costume.
While the English merchant appeared with his puffed-out
inexpressihles, long vest, short cloak and ruffs, and p)ra-
midic head covering, the Flemish trader came with his
fur-trimmed hat and coat and close-fitting pantaloons,
and the Venetian sported long robes and an elegant
bonnet, to represent the dignity of the proud republic to
which he belonged.
" On the death of Sir Thomas Gresham, in accor-
dance with the promise he had made, the whole of the
Royal Exchange was left to come jointly to the City of
London ai:d the Mercers' Company after the decease of
his lady. It was provided that the City, out of their
moiety, should pay salaries of 50/. yearly to four pro-
fessors, who were to give lectures gratuitously on
divinity, astronomy, geometry, and music, at his late
residence. They were also to pay annually 101. to
Newgate, Ludgate, Wood-street Compter, and the
King's Bench prison. The Mercers' Company were
to pay three annual salaries of 50/. each to professors,
who were to lecture on civil law, physic, and rhetoric.
Besides this, 100/. was to be yearly appropriated to four
quarterly dinners in their hall, for the entertainment of
the company; as also 101. in every year to Christ's
Hospital, and the like sum to the hospitals of St.
Thomas's, Bartholomew, Bethlehem, and the Spital and
the Poultry Compter.
THE SECOND EXCHANGE.
"Provision being made for the day by converting
Gresham College into a temporary Exchange, little time
was lost in preparing to erect a new one on the site of
that which had been so unexpectedly destroyed. Estimates
were called for, and the other preliminary steps neces
sary before proceeding with a work of such magnitude
were duly taken ; and that the citizens were in good
earnest may be concluded from the following naive reso-
lution, which is given as adopted at a Sub-Committee,
the 11th February, 1666,' (1666-1667 must of course
be understood) :
" ' Ordered, That the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor bee
desired forthwith to call the Grand Committee together,
to resolve what is to bee done for speedy raising of
muney, the only engine that can give vigorous motion
to that gent and needful worke' (the rebuilding of the
Royal Exchange).
"For the sake of' comparison and future reference, an
accurate description of the late Exchange may not be =-
acceptable. The ground plan, we read in Britton and
.0 In spite of every obstacle the structure rapidly ad-
vanced to completion, and on the 28th of September,
1669, the second Royal Exchange was opened in due
form. It was expected that on this interesting occasion
the King would be present ; but he was prevented from
attending, and in his absence the Lord Mayor, Sir Wil-
liam Turner, went through a planned ceremonial, walk-
ing twice round the building, and congratulating the
merchants and his fellow citizens on seeing them again
in an Exchange of their own. The cost of this edifice to
the City and the Mercers' Company is stated by Strype,
on the authority
of Mr. Thomas Blackmoor, according
to him ' a judicious citizen and mercer,' to have been
80,0001. Mr. Burgon, however, estimates the expenses
at no more than 69,9791 11s. Over the southern en-
trance a Latin inscription was placed, briefly recording
the destruction of the former Exchange in 1666, and the
erection of its more splendid successor in 1669.
" Pugin's Public Buildings,' presented nearly a regular
quadrangle, including a spacious open court with porti-
coes round it, and also on the north and south sides of
the building. The front towards Cornhill was 210 feet
in extent. The central part was composed of a lofty
archway, opening from the middle intercolumniation of
four Corinthian three-quarter columns, supporting a
bold entablature, over the centre of which were the
royal arms, and on eagh side a balustrade, &c., sur-
mounted by statues emblematical of the four quarters
of the globe. Within the lateral intercolllmnmtiens,
over the lesser entrance to the arcade, were riehvs
containing the statues of King Charles I. and IL,
in Roman licaiite, by Bushnell. The tower, which
rose from the centre of tha portico, consisted of
three stories. In front of the lower' stosy WaCi a
niche, containing a statute of Sir Thomas Gresham ;
and over
the cornice, facing each of the cardinal
point,;, a bust of
ueasQ lull ; at the angles were
colossal griffins, bearing shiejali of the pity arms,
Within the second story, which was of an octagon-AN:RI
with trusses at the angles, was an excellent clock with
four dials ; there were also four wind dials. The upper
story (whichcontained the bell) was circular, with eight
supporting an entablature, sur-
Ctlmnitlehdlalibrialilg
e, -b4 *bid*"Eyes a lofty vane cf
gilt brass, shaped like a gt asshopper, the crest otthe
Gresham family. The attic over the columns, in a liUe

with the basement of the tower, was sculptured with two
alto relievos, in panels, one representing Queen Eliza-
beth, with attendant figures and heralds, proclaiming
the original building ; and the other Britannia' seated
amidst the emblems of commerce, accompanied by the
polite arts, manufactures, and agriculture. The height
from the basement line to the top of the dome, was 123
feet and six inches.

" Within the quadrangle, there avas7a spacious area,
measuring 144 feet by 117 feet, surrounded by a wide
arcade, which, as well as the area itself, was, for the
general accommodation, arranged into several distinct
parts,called walks, where foreign and domestic merchants,
and other persons engaged in commercial pursuits, daily
met. The area was paved with real Turkey stones, of a
small size, the gift, as tradition reports, of a merchant
who traded to that country.
" In the centre, on a pedestal surrounded with an iron
railing, was a statue of Charles 11., in a Roman habit,
by Spitler. At the intersections of the groining was a
large ornamented shield, displaying either the City arms;
the arms of the Mercers' Company, viz, a maiden's head,
crowned, with dishevelled hair ; or those of Gresham,
namely, a chevron, ermine, between three mullets.
" On the centre of each cross-rib, also, in alternate
succession, was a maiden's-head, a grasshopper, and a
dragon. The piazza was formed by a series of semi-
circular arches, springing from columns. In the span-
drels were tablets, &c., surrounded by festoons, scrools,
and other enrichments. In the wall at the back of the
arcade were twenty-eight niches, only two of which
were occupied by statues, viz. that towards the north-
west, in which was Sir Thomas Gresham, by Cibber;
and that towards the south-west, in which was Sir John
Barnard, whose figure was placed here, whilst he was
yet living, at the expense of his fellow .citizens, in tea
timony o his merit as a merchant, a magistrate, and a
faithful representative of the City 11 Parliament.
" Over the arches of the portico of the piazza were
twenty-five large niches with enrichments, in which were
the statues of our sovereigns; many of these statues were
formerly gilt, but the whole were latterly of a plain stone
colour. Walpole says that the major part were sculp-
tured by Cibber.

" Such was the Royal Exchange, erected in the seven•
teenth century, on the site of the Burse of Sir Thomas
Gresham—the increase of the metropolis, and the grow-
ing importance of the merchants of London, demanding
that a more magnificent structure than that which rosy
in the time of Elizabeth should grace the reign of Charles
11. In this, as in the former instance, the expectations
of the projectors were not immediately made good, and
great loss and embarrassment was the consequence:"

able to the genius and liberality of the sculptor. The
tableau which he has formed, pleases by its masterly
grouping and intelligible representation. In the centre,
the principal figure, the key-note of the whole, is a co-
lossal impersonation of Commerce, ten feet in height,
living, of course, the prominent Point of reference for all
the others: COMmerce, in this classical personification,
wears a mural crown, and is accompanied by accesso-
ries allusive to wealth and enterprize—as a'cornucopia,
beehive, &c. ; in her left hand she holds the ciarter
of the Exchange, while her right is connected with
part of a ship ; and the supporting pedestal consists
of two dolphins and a shell. On the right hand of the
figure of Commerce stands a group of three British
merchants, habited in civic robes, as Lord Mayor,
Alderman, and Common Councilman. Next to them
are two Asiatics, natives of our Indian possessions, the
one a Hindoo, the other a Mahomedan, each readily
distinguishable in person as well as costume. Next is a
Greek, carrying a jar; he is associated with the others
by seeming to move towards them, while he is also in
relation with the remaining figures, by his attention
being turned towards them. The two remaining- im-
personations on this side are an Armenian and a Turk;
the former, the banker and the scholar of the East, is
occupied with a scroll; and the latter, the Osmanli mer-
chant, may be supposed to be busied with his daily ac-
counts. Ho closes the series of figures on the right, the
extreme angle of the tympanum being filled with an
anchor and other nautical emblems.

" The first group presented on the left of Commerce
shows two British merchants, robed similarly to those on
the right; and to whom a Persian is showing some woven
fabric. To him immediately succed a Chinese, a sailor
of the Levant, and a negro, followed by an unmistakable
British sailor, cording a bale of cotton. The remaining
figure is a supercargo or factory agent, or some other
commercial functionary; and this angle of the tympanum
is filled with jars, packages, &c.
" Having described the external appearance of the
new Exchange, it only romans to notice the interior.
Here we find an open court, something like the cortili
of the Italian palaces. The ground floor consists of Doric
columns and rusticated arches ; over them is a series of
lonic columns, with arches and windows surmounted by
a highly ornamented pierced parapet, The effect of
this court is very light, magnificent, and ornamental,
but still consistent with its uses and purposes. The
key-stones of the arches of the superior story are
decorated with the arms of all the nations of
the world, in the order determined at the Con-
gress of Vienna. The arms of England are in the
centre of the eastern side. This area is open, which is
the result of the determination, not of the architect, nor
of the Gresham Committee, but of the merchants of Lon-
don. In the first instance, and before any steps were
taken, the leading members of that body were applied to
on this subject, and the decision of a very large majority
was in favour of an uncovered area.

" The ambulatory, or merchants' walk, is very spacious
and well sheltered. The ceiling is divided by beams and
panelling, highly painted and decorated in encaustic. In
the centre of each panel, on the four sides, the arms of
the nations are repeated, emblazoned in their proper
colours; and in the four angles are the arms of Edward
the Confessor, Edward 111., Elizabeth, and Charles 11.
In the south-east angle is a statue of Queen Elizabeth,
by Watson; and in the south-west a marble statue of
Charles 11., which formerly stood in the centre of the
Old Exchange, and which escaped the fire unscathed.
" In explanation of the above, it will not be unim-
portant here to mention, that Edward the Confessor
granted the first and most important charters to the
City, and in Edward llL's time the City of London
began to assume its commercial importance. The arms
of both these kings occur constantly in the ancient de-
corations of Guildhall. Those of Elizabeth and Charles
11. are introduced with their statues, for reasons too
obvious to need explanation.
" In eight small circular panels in the ambulatory are
introduced the arms of the three Mayors, viz., Pirie,
Ilumphery, and Magnay ; and also the three Masters of
the Mercers' Company—Poole, Sutton, and Watney,
who have respectively held office during the erection of
the building. The arms of the Chairman of the Gresham
Committee, Mr. IL L. Jones ; and of the architect, Mr.
Tite, complete the heraldic embellishments. The ambu-
latory is paved with Yorkshire stone, marked out into
panels by margins and lines of black stone called Castle-
hill, with squares of red Aberdeen granite at the inter-
sections.

" The open area is paved with a tesselated pavement
of the most elegant and varied patterns, after the best
Roman examples. The tessene, of which this pave-
ment is composed, are burnt to a great hardness, and
having cast ircn channels to carry off the water, will
always yield a dry and clean surface.
" Such is the edifice now raised on the ruins of the
late Royal Exchange. As already mentioned, a building of
such magnitude was never carried up in stone within a
period so limited ; a building which, whether consi-
dered in reference to its obvious utility, or its beauty as
a piece of architecture, reflects infinite honour on the
talent and unwearing diligence which could begin and
carry to completion so worthy an ornament to the
greatest city in the world."

WATERFORD AND LIMERICK RAILWAY.—A rail-
way from Waterford to Limerick, via Carrick-on-Suir,
Clonmel, Caber, and Tipperary, has been brought for-
ward under most powerful patronage, and with a list of
local Directors more influential than we have seen for
a long time. The engineer is Mr. Vignoles, with whom
lies the honour of having been the first to construct a
railway in Ireland. The length is about 70 miles, and so
easy is the country, that it is believed the works will cost
only 10,0001. a mile, The capital is 750,000/., in 50L
hares, with a deposit of 2/. lOs. A return of at least
six per cent. is anticipated. The promoters in their
prospectus very properly repudiate the newly-revived
quackery of paying interest on calls.—Railway Record.
The forgery of Bank of England notes which we
mentioned on Friday is expected to create a great ex-
citement on the Continent. A fraud of the kind on so
large a scale has probably never been known in the Eu-
ropean cities ; and it is not unlikely that during the
panic a great many notes may be sent over here to be
cashed. _ _ _ _

It is asserted by those who had the privilege of
observing it, that the attachment which tho Royal chil-
dren evinced towards his Majesty Louis Philippe during
his late visit to Windsor was as remarkable as it was
crratifying. His Majesty exercised no less fascination
over their infant minds, than over those of the matured
individuals of all classes who had the honour of ap-
proaching him. His politeness to the ladies of the Court
will be long remembered, and will serve as a model for
all Kings and Princes who wish to conciliate esteem with-
out losing any portion of their dignity.—Court Journal.
The Wymondham and Dereham 'Railroad Company
has purchased the property of the late Thomas Smith,
Esq., and lately occupied by Colonel Oakes, at Dereham,
for their terminus, and certainly a most advantageous
situation for the purpose, being nearly in the centre of
the town. We understand the buildings are to be com-
menced immediately ; arrangements are being entered
into for the purchase of the land for the entire line, and
the Company anticipate having it nearly completed by
the time the Act is sanctioned. Surveyors arc actively
engaged in taking their levels and observations for
bringing their lines of rails into Dereham, from Lynn,
Wells, and other places ; if all the lines are carried out
now contemplated, Dereham must form a junction of
some importance.—Norwich Mercury.
A country Correspondent informs us that an ex-
press with dispatches from Sir Robert Peel arrived at
Powis Castle, the seat of Earl Powis, between two and
three o'clock on Tuesday morning ; that another express
from the same high quarter arrived at Powis Castle at
six o'clock on Wednesday evening ; and that a reply to
both expresses was immediately dispatched to London
by the Noble Earl. The quidnuncs in the country are
represented to be full of conjectures as to the subject-
matter of this correspondence ; but the general belief is
that the Lord-Lieutenantcy of Ireland has been offered to
Earl Powis.—Times.

CORONER'S INQUEST AT THE ETON UNION WORK-
HOUSE.—SLOUGH, FRIDAY.—The inquiry into the
cause of the death of an illegitimate male child, belong-
ing to Martha Hitch, before Mr. Charsley, one of the
Coroners for the county of Berks, which was adjourned
on Wednesday last, was resumed at two o'clock this
afternoon, in the board-room at the workhouse. Mr.
Rigby, the gentleman in whose house the mother of the
deceased lived as cook ; Mr. Rigby, solicitor ; Mr.
Maurice Swabey, one of the county magistrates ; the
chaplain of the union, Dr. Dodsworth ; and some of the
guardians, were present during the inquiry, which lasted
nearly four hours. The jury returned a verdict of
" Died from natural causes, and that no blame is to be
attached to any one."
The Berlin journals state that Lord Palmerston,
previous to leaving that capital for Dresden, paid a long
visit to M. de Cornelius, and conferred with him on the
subject of the fresco paintings with which it is intended
to adorn the new Parliament Houses, his Lordship being
one of the committee for directing the decoration of that
edifice. Lord Palmerston was to leave Dresden on the
sth for Vienna.

- -
THE RUMOURED ROYAL VISIT TO BURGIILEY.—
For these two years past it has been repeatedly stated
from Burghley that Queen Victoria was on the point of
visiting the Marquis of Exeter. This story is now
renewed ; and it is added that great preparations are
making at Burghley House for the reception of her
Majesty, who is expected on the 4th of next month. It
is even said that so large a retinue is expected with her
Majesty, that it is necessary to fit up the house of the
late Edward Brown, Esq., in Stamford (which, after his
death, was purchased by the Marquis of Exeter), in
order to accommodate some of the guests.—Stamford
Mercury.

We are happy to be enabled to state that, on the
occasion of the Queen's visit to the City, on Monday,
her Majesty will lay aside her mourning, and appear in
a full court dress of white. Full court dresses will also
be adopted by the ladies who have received invitations
to attend, and we learn that a great variety of gorgeous
costumes are already in preparation. At this dull
season of the year, her Majesty's determination on this
point is calculated to give an important impetus to trade.
—Court Journat

The boats employed in the herring fishery are doing
much better than they were last year. The quantity
of herrings shipped to the London market on one day
last week, from Yarmouth and Lowestoft, amounted to
the enormous quantity of 91 lasts.—S'idfoik Chropicle.
EXPLOSION AT Ti q W*STMINfiTER OAS WoßKs.
On Friday morning, about five o'clock, the workpeople
uiwtael;.lee
and others employed upon the
of a terrific eulo*ion which suddenly took
place in am)
of the principal rooms adjosning the gasometer. William
tGharoswncoirimtpo Company,
ato oorfsveofnerrsidye.crsoabpdire,7lWaisreincsstotT:nitttiiseteErcie
consequence
Godwin, who had charge of that department, was found
". har± !r, a state of insensibility, and his
ingse aansdatimeaod4sotqmdueeryh doii.efiLunceadtiwo.uit.h bitirenws
as prompyly
removed to Westminster 4osPittd,..and hopes are given
of Lila spredy recoveri.

GREAT ANTI-CORN-LAW
LEAGUE MEETING

AT

MANCHESTER.

MANCIIESTER, FRIDAY MORNING.—The League
opened their winter campaign of agitation in Manches-
ter by one of the most crowded meetings in the Great
Free Trade Hall which has ever yet been assembled in
that building. The admission was by ticket, and so
great was the number of applications, and the anxiety
manifestal to be present, that not a place was to be had,
except for the few seats reserved, after Wednesday
noon.

Among the principal persons present were—Richard
Cobden, Esq., M.P. for Stockport ; John Bright, Esq.,
M.P. fur Durham ; Thomas Bazley, jun., Esq.; William
Evans, Esq. ; Thomas Woolley, Esq.; Samuel Lee,
Esq. ; Peter Seville, Esq. (Oldham) ; Samuel Eveleigb,
Esq. ; Edward Shawcross, Esq.; Joseph Brotherton,
jun., Esq. ; J. Atkinson, Esq. ; R. Nicholson, Esq. ; J.
Whitlow, Esq.; D. Ainsworth, Esq.; C. J. S. Walker,
Esq,; W. R. Callender, Esq.; T. Chadwick, Esq.; Wil-
liam Morris, Esq.; J. Charlton, Esq.; William Shuttle -
worth, Esq.; Higgins, Esq.; T. Whitworth, Esq.;
William Lockett, Esq. (Mayor of Salford); J. T. Crook,
Esq. (of Liverpool); P. Walker, Esq. (Patricroft); W.
Walker, Esq. (London); Charles Cobden, Esq., W. Raw-
son, Esq., A. Prentice, Esq., Thomas Bright, Esq.,
Jacob Bright, Esq., jun., R. Maley, Esq. (Nlottram);
R. R. Moore, Esq., William Rowland, Esq., J. B. Scott,
Esq., T. Woodcock, Esq., John Shuttleworth, Esq., W.
Sale, Esq., John Shawcross, Esq. (Gorton) ; Alderman
Armitage, Esq., F. A. Atkinson, Esq.
Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright entered the hall, accom-
panied by the members of the Committee of the League,
who had arrived precisely at the time the meeting had
been advertised to commence (half-past seven o'clock),
and were received with great and prolonged cheering.
George Wilson, Esq., took the chair, and called upon
Mr. Hickin, secretary to the League, to read the minutes
of the last meeting in London; and these minutes were
then, on the motion of Alderman Callender, seconded
by Alderman C. J. S. Walker, approved by the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN then said—Ladies and Gentleman, if
there should happen to be any strong monopolist here
this evening, I would ask him if he believes the rumours
circulated by his party as to the death of the League.—
(Laughter and applause.) I would ask him to look at
this meeting, and judge for himself how far it is worth
his while to place any reliance on the veracity ofa party.
instrumental in circulating reports to which this immense
gathering gives such a triumphant and practical refute-
tion.—(Loud applause.) Ladies and gentlemen, after a
comparatively " still" public life of the League for some
ten weeks past, we resume our meetings here this even •
ing; and it will be my duty to give you some informa-
tion as to what has been the occupation of the League
during the last ten weeks, in order that you may inform
yourselves and judge for yourselves, whether, at this
particular season of the year, there could have been any
other business in which they could engage, so likely to
contribute to the success of the cause of free trade, as
that in which they have been occupied.—(Applause.)
Some months ago we made no secret of a resolution to
which the Council of the League had then come, to in-
stitute a searching inquiry into the condition of the re-
gister of nearly 140 boroughs of the country ; and we
were compelled to do this from the knowledge that some
one should do it, and that no other body existed, whose
funds, whose agents, whose correspondence, and informa-
tion in every other respect, entitled them to do this so
fully as the League.—(Hear, hear.) And although we
have heard that the League have undertaken to do
many things for which they have deserved the censure
of their opponents, I have never heard it said of them
that they had undertaken anything in which they have
manifested a deficiency of energy in the business, and
that energy, I will undertake to say, has never been
shown to greater advantage than in the present regis-
tration.—(Applause.) The moment we announced our
intention, a cry was set up as to the unconstitutional
proceedings of the League.—(Laughter). " Oh" it is
said, " Look here ! here is the League going to pry into
every one of those snug little properties that have escaped
schedule A. What business has the League to inquire into
those little family jointures of men, who, as Byron de-
scribes them, were only born to hunt, and vote, and
raise the price of corn!' "—(Applause and laughter.)
They were greatly offended at this interference; some
threatened to resign—some of them thought it was of no
use to have a Parliament if these things were not to be
put an end to, or to have an Attorney-General, or to have
law, or anything else.—(Laughter and applause.) Now,
what is this interference of the League atter all ? The
League is a great, a national body; it has its ramifica-
tions in every district of the country, and its registered
members in every district. It may have its head-quar-
ters in Manchester or London, or elsewhere, but still it
is the recognised organ of free trade in the country, and,
as such, it has its agents in every part of the country.
Well, what then? The members of the League are the
agents of the League for that district, and, as such, have
a right to interest themselves and interfere in the repre-
sentation of those districts; and we say that we interfere
by correspondence and otherwise in perfect good-will
and fairness in those districts, and upon these letters and
information we determine what steps we shall take in
that locality where we are requested to interfere; and
in no other case.—(Hear, hear.) What is the nature of
this interference? We want to make the honest voter
an independent and free voter.—(Hear, hear.) We in-
terfere, not to bribe or corrupt, but to enable the honest
voter to drive away the corruptor and briber from his
premises. We interfere to show him that the vote is his,
and to be given for the best interests of himself and
fellow-countryman, and not to be used by any man for
the advancement of his own purposes. Well, gentlemen,
we are here to-night to give some account of these last
ten weeks' work in the registration in different parts of
the country—not merely here, but in the country gene-
rally, though more especially in these districts, which
were the birth-place of the League.—(Applause.) And
first, as to the boroughs of South Lancashire. Well,
we all know the position of the boroughs in South Lan
cashire at the last general election. The boroughs re-
turned at that election twelve free traders and ten
monopolists. There were seven boroughs which re-
turned free traders (or a free trader), and five
which returned monopolists (or a monopolist).
There were two boroughs which returned one and
one ; and of the other boroughs there was one which re-
turned a free trader (who has become a monopolist),
and another which returned a free trader, who was un-
seated on petition ; but the Members for each side of
the question are 12 and 10, as I have already stated.
Well, over and above these we have four county Mem-
bers making fourteen monopolists to twelve free traders
for the county and boroughs together ; and I am sure
no man in this room, knowing the state of feeling, but
will say it is high time such a condition of things was
put an end to.—(Hear, hear.) Well, then, I hold in my
hand a list, showing the result of the attempts made to
purge the register in the boroughs ; and in the first
place I would draw your attention to this fact, that in
four of the boroughs returning seven free traders, the
monopolists have never shown their face in the registra-
tion courts—a pretty fair proof that the change of opi-
nion, and the attention of the free traders to the regis-
tration has induced them to look with no expectation to
the likelihood of altering the state of things in those bo-
roughs.—(Applause.) Now, those boroughs are—Man-
chester (returning two Members), Salford (returning
one Member), Preston (returning two Members), and
Oldham (returning two Members) ; in all these boroughs
on the recent revision, the alteration has been on the
side of the free traders, and the monopolists have not
shown their faces.—(Applause.) Then we have, in ad-
dition, three boroughs returning free traders at the last
election, in which the gain on the registration this time
has been so considerable as to place the Members of the
boroughs out of danger. These are Ashton, Bolton, and
Rochdale.—(Hear, hear.) You have, then, seven bo-
roughs in this county, returning ten Members to Parlia-
ment, in each of which there is not the slightest possi-
bility of a monopolist being returned to Parliament,
provided a general election took place upon the present
register.—(Loud applause.) Then we have two bo-
roughs which return one and one • and I blush to name
as the first that of Bolton, whichreturned at the last
election two free traders, but the only man who has
thought proper to change his opinions on this question
against us the town of Bolton has the misfortune to re-
turn to Parliament.—(Hear, and a laugh.) Well, the
gain there is 57. The register was fully as good last
year as at the last election, and there is no doubt that,
at another election the burgesses of that borough will
amply retrieve the mistake of the last election, and re-
turn two good free traders.—(Great applause.) The
next place is Wigan ; and this was the only loss we have
had ; we have gained, in 13 cases out of 14 ; we have
had a loss there of two votes, and we give them the full
benefit of it.—(Laughter and applause.) We have next
Clitheroe, which was represented at the last election by
a free trader, but who was unseated on petition. The
state of the borough on this revision is such as to render
the return of a free trader safe there=-at least our infor-
mation leads us to this belief, and we have the infornuts
don upon good authority. Then we have the borough
of Lancaster, which returns two monopolists ; the gain
on the revision there is greater than to cover the majo-
rity by which the highest of the monopolist candidates
was returned at the last election.—(Hear, hear.) The
borough of Lancaster may be considered, with exertion,
safe, should an election take place on this register.—
(Applause.) We next come to Blackburn, which re-
turns two monopolists to Parliament.
_T hecilLigtihoensthaodf
the monopolist candidates there at the lest
of more than not a majority half of what we have gained
e
this year, and the borough of of Blackburn. may be added..
this year to the gain. At Warrington toe gain ou the
revision is 32 votes. Our friend* there believe it quite
sufficient to change the representative for a free trader
eL,:cwan..—(Applause.) I have now shown
at the next
that we shall have a gain if an election takes place on
this register in the case of Bolton, two in the case t,f
Lancaster, two in the case of Blackburn, and one in the
case of Warrington ; and we come lastly to the borough
•of Liverpool. I wish I could report of the borough
of
Liverpool as of the ethers, but I am happy to say,
though suell is not the ease, that there has -b-e-e'n a 61;1 on behalf of the free traders of 452 over their Qp,po-
nents.—(Loud applause)—and. that that close repeated
will be sufficient to change tail representation
town.—(.l4ar. TIPIN'' we' come to theuntoyf. thatlye
knot!pesition of South Lancashire.. On the one
hand you have evidence of I g
Ly ,11(3 gigantic a,mo t ofJll4 TC4teat amount, I may
un , energy, of industry, of ea-
-1441i and wetilth ever seen and, on the other, Tou hay e