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A Common Hall was held on Tuesday, to receive the resignation of Sir James Shaw, the City Chamberlain, and to nominate candidates for the office. The resignation was received ; and, on the motion of Sir Matthew Wood, seconded by Alderman Lucas, thanks were unanimously voted to Sir James. Sir Matthew Wood proposed Sir William Heygate; a political opponent, to whose qualities and conduct throughout life he Raid the highest compliments. Mr. J. B. Heath seconded the nomina- tion ; and said that he had heard Sir William, at a public meeting, con- demn the present mode of remunerating the Chamberlain, and declare that he ought to be paid by salary. Alderman Thompson proposed Sir John Pine; condemning some of the electioneering proceedings on the other side. Deputy Stevens seconded the nomination. He said that Sir William Heygate had paid no resolute attention to his duties in the Corporation, until within two years, when he had something to ask for ; and he lauded the liberality of Sir John Pirie, who had spent during his Mayoralty 5,8411. over and above the official allowance, in acts of hospitality and charity. Mr. Richard Taylor called to mind the more splendid hospitality of Sir William Heygate's Mayoralty ; and remarked that it was not usual for Aldermen who had passed the chair to be so active in the duties of the Corporation as their juniors. Mr. Ashurst came forward as the partisan of neither candidate ; his object being to put a stop to the disadvantageous method of remunerating the Chamber- lain, and to obtain from the candidates a pledge that they would aid in the reform of this office. Instead of paying an officer 4,0001. or 5,000/. a year for lending the different branches of the Corporation their own money, they might deposit the funds in the hands of some eminent banker, who would he glad to pay them, instead of receiving from them an enormous amount of interest. Mr. Ashurst moved a resolution requiring the pledge alluded to from each of the candidates ; which was agreed to. The two candidates addressed the electors, both promising to assist in reforming the office of Chamberlain : Sir Willium Heygate said it was he that suggested the idea. After twice putting the names, the Sheriff declared the show of hands to be in favour of Sir John Pixie. A poll was then demanded for his opponent, and opened at once.
At the close of the poll, on Thursday, the numbers were—for Hey- gate, 2,324; Pirie, 1,882. In this state of matters, rather than prolong a vexatious contest, Sir John Pirie handsomely resigned. The poll, however, mast be kept open pro forma for eight days ; and Sir William Heygate's election will not be declared till Thursday next.
By his appointment to the office of Chamberlain, Sir William vacates a seat in the Court of Aldermen, for Coleman Street Ward.
Deputies from all parts of the kingdom met on Tuesday, at Her- bert's Hotel, in Palace Yard, as an " Anti-Corn-law Conference " to watch the debate on Mr. Villiers's motion in the House of Commons. Resolutions were passed and an Executive Committee was appointed. It was determined that no deputation should wait upon Ministers. The Council of the Anti-Corn-law League held a public meeting on Monday at the Hall of Commerce in Threadneedle Street, to which they invited the bankers, merchants, and traders. Few of such per- sons attended, though the hall was completely filled with a most re- spectable assemblage. Among those on the platform, besides many of the usual leaders on such occasions, were, Mr. J. Pennon, Mr. R. Walker, M.P., Mr. M. Forster, SIP., Mr. W. Leaf, Mr. R. Ricardo, Mr. W. Parnell, Mr. R. Cunliffe, Mr. Hutchinson. Mr. John Bright and Mr. Cobden expounded the views of the League. A Mr. Chitty presented himsclf as a Free-trader, but one opposed in some respects to the League : his hesitating delivery, however, made the meeting laugh, and he retired. The Chairman desired all who were in favour of total, immediate, and unconditional repeal of the Corn-laws, to stand up ; which was responded to by every one present. Thanks were voted to the Deputation ; and the meeting was dissolved.
A numerous meeting of millowners, and others interested in factories, and several Parliamentary Representatives of the manufacturing dis- tricts, assembled at the British Coffeehouse in Cockapur Street, on Tuesday, to consider the Factories Bill and its probable operation. Mr. Stuart Wortley took the chair. After some discussion, the meeting adjourned till next day ; when the discussion was renewed, and the meeting ultimately recorded its sentiments in these resolutions-
" That the Factory Bill now before the House of Commons proposes for all children, from eight to thirteen years of age, enactments which have a direct tendency to prevent their obtaining employment. That no valuable moral re- results ran be obtained or domestic duties properly performed where the labour in factories is twelve hours daily exclusive of meals. That the labour in fac- tories be uniform, and reduced to within reasonable limits, so as to accomplish this desirable object."
The educational clauses of the bill have been condemned at other meetings in the Metropolis.
The British and Foreign School Society held its annual meeting on Monday, in Exeter Hall. Lord John Russell was Chairman ; and in opening the business of the day, be paid a tribute to the memory of the Duke of Sussex, a supporter of the Society. The report read by the Secretary gave an encouraging account of the Society's schools. The educational clauses of the Factories Bill were condemned by the re- port, and were the subject of much discussion. Earl Fitswilliam, who moved the adoption of the report, remarked that public opinion was not yet made up as to whether or not there should be compulsory edu- cation by the state ; and he exhorted the various religious sects not to strive for triumph over each other, but to strive who should confer the greatest benefits on the community. The Reverend Dr. Reid declared the whole bill illiberal and unjust, especially in the appointment of Church-of-England teachers, in the levy of rates, and in the compulsory clauses : he denounced all compulsion. (Great cheering.) And he called upon Lord John Russell to say in his place in Parliament, that they would not have this bilL The Reverend Baptist Noel and other speakers condemned the measure. Mr. John Barton, of Chichester, felt grateful to the Ministers for having taken the first step in the matter ; and having made some disparaging allusion to the millowners of Man- chester for neglecting education, he was in turn assailed by two gentle- men from that quarter. Lord John Russell declined to discuss a mea- sure pending before Parliament. He vindicated the motives of Ministers, (at which there was some disafprobation ;) he admitted that the bill was open to objection in some parts—(Cries of " In all parts !")—and be undertook at the proper time to discuss those points to which his resolutions were directed, and other points equally objectionable. The meeting passed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, and dispersed.
More annual religious and charitable meetings have been held this week. The Naval and Military Bible Society assembled at the Han- over Square Rooms on Tuesday ; the Marquis of Cholmondely in the chair. The Society had distributed 11,472 Bibles and Testaments in the year ; the receipts, including a bequest of 5001. from Mr. T. Walker, were 3,251/. ; the expenditure, 3,2201. The Merchant Seaman's Or- phan Asylum dined at the London Tavern on the same day ; the Earl of Haddington presiding. The subscriptions of the day amounted to 932/. The Protestant Association met at Exeter Hall, on Wednesday ; Mr. Plumptre chairman. The report detailed the presentation of be- tween two and three hundred petitions to Parliament, and the distribu- tion of 167,952 tracts and 2,300 volumes. The receipts for the year were 1,5001., the debt of the Society 3001. The foundation of the Magdalen Hospital was celebrated on the same day, at the Albion Tavern in Aldersgate Street ; Lord Skelmersdale occupying the chair. The St. Ann's School Society dined at the London Tavern, with Lord Morpeth at the head of the table : the donations of the evening, headed by the Queen and Queen Dowager, amounted to more than 1,000/. The London Missionary Society met at Exeter Hall on Thursday : they report an income of 78,000/., and activity all over the world. The anniversary festival of the Sons of the Clergy took place at St. Paul's Cathedral, on Thursday.
The fifty-fourth anniversary of the Literary Fund was celebrated on Wednesday, at Freemason's Tavern. Several handsome donations were announced ; among them, the Queen, 100 guineas ; the Emperor of Russia, 1,000 silver roubles (1551. 18s. 6d,) and Baron Brunow, 10 guineas ; the American Minister, 10 guineas; the Duke of Sutherland, 100/. ; the Archbishop of Dublin, 10 per cent on his works, 8/. 18s. 6d. ; total, 8001.
The report of Mr. Alfred Austin, the Assistant Poor-law Commis- sioner appointed to investigate the complaint of John Jones, the Creole pauper, against the authorities of St. Pancras parish, was transmitted by the Poor-law Commissioners to Sir James Graham on Saturday. Mr. Austin altogether exonerates those authorities from blame.
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