ebe fkletroptaio.

A meeting of merchants, shipowners, and others having claims for property confiscated by the King of Denmark during the war of 1807, was held on Thursday, at the London Tavern. The meeting was held chiefly to promote the claims of British merchants and others who had had goods confiscated and sold by the Danish Government ; as the principle had been admitted by the English Government, that compen- sation for book debts ought to be allowed to those who had debts due to them from Danish subjects, but which were ordered by the Govern- ment of Denmark to be confiscated together with English goods. Se- veral resolutions tending to effect the above-named object were agreed to.

The return of the exportation of the precious metals for the last week from London, presents one entirely novel feature—namely, that of an exportation of gold to India having taken place. Such an occurrence has not happened for twelve or thirteen years ; though persons conversant with the monetary transactions between the two countries have for some months past been led to anticipate such a result. The first indication which fell under their notice, was a cessation of the supply from thence; which was followed by a rise in the exchange, and a notice from the East India Company of a higher rate for the rupee, in sterling value, for bills drawn on India. Much speculation is exercised on the pro- bable consequence of this change ; and it is generally anticipated, that Laving begun, it must go on to a considerable extent, and prove a new drain on the Bank, just relieved from the demand in the United States, at least equal to it in extent. At present the amount exported, as will be seen, is very trifling. With respect to Portugal, if, as was commonly believed yesterday, the supply of last week was the whole wanted for putting the circulation of that country into a healthy state, it must be allowed to be a very considerable one, the total value nut being less than 160,06(1/. The agents appear, therefore, not to have been seriously embarrassed by the difficulties thrown in their way at the Bank of England.— Times.

The poll upon the question of Church-rates in the parish of Clerkcn.

• well was closed on Monday; when the original motion, for granting

(SOU for the repairs of the churches, was agreed to, by a majority of .1315. There were ZI83 votes for the amendment, that the further con- sideration of the question should take place on the 14th March next, and 700 for the original motion.

The otliee of City Solicitor has become vacant, by the death of Mr. • Lewis Newman, who filled that situation for the last thirty-one years.

There was a meeting of master bricklayers, carpenters, and other persons connected with the building trade, at the Mechanics' Institute, Southampton Buildings, on Tuesday last ; Mr. Duncombe, M.P. in the chair. The business of the meeting was opened by a short address from the Chairman ; who remarked, . . . that there never was a per iod when the Metropolitan trailers and the operatives ought more seriously and dispassionately to consider their differ- ences, than at the present time, in order to preserve that preeminence and commercial prosperity upon which this country was mainly dependent. He bad recently had interviews both with the masteis and operatives ; and, having beard both, he was induced to preside on this occasion. lie felt sorry, however, to say that be saw no prospect of an accommodation taking place, iu cense- suence of the masters declining to withdraw a declaration which he considered was injurious to the best interests of the men. He bad told the masters, that if he were an operative, and not a Unionist, he would not sign the declaration, because he considered it involved the proper feeling of independence and British freedom—which every subject of this country inherited from his birth.

A nianber of resolutions were passed, after speeches by several per- sons who appeared to be all masters, but in a small way of business, and not contractors for the completion of any building entire. The spirit of these resolutions may be seen from the first and second moved by a Mr. Lovett and Mr. Roberts :

" That this meeting viewed with long and undiminished regret the employment if capital by monopolists, to the great injury of the middle and working classes. and to the injury of society in general. That the meeting do call on all noblemen, public boards, shopkeepers. and others, to support the workmen dismissed from employment in conse- quence of their refusal to sign the antisocial declaration required by the master. build ers." That it was thin opinion the meeting. that the carrying on of the several branches of the budding trade by one employer is an unjtutijiable morwpoly ; injurious to the best in- terests or the tradesmen and operatives, and that measures be adopted calculated to restore business to its original source."

It was stated by a person, whose name is not given, that an extensive contractor bad undertaken to paint and colour the buildings in the Re- gent's Park ; but, on insisting that his men should sign the declaration, the men had left their work. The Commissioners of Woods and Forests had in consequence pronounced the contract void, and employed several smaller tradesmen to do the work.

Mr. Hubert Owen said, the masters were not to blame, but the system. There was no small tradesman present but would be a monopo- list to:.merrow if he had it in his power.

These just remarks were unpalatable to the meeting ; which, after a vote of thanks to Mr. Duncombe, separated quietly.

The funeral of Mr. Telford, the engineer, took place on Wednesday, in Westminster Abbey ; where his remains were interred beside those of the well-known Major Rennel. In compliance with his own direction, the ceremony was performed in the plainest manner, and attended only by a few of his personal friends; amongst whom were the two Vice- Presidents of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and several of the non. resident engineers who had acted under Mr. Telford on the great public works under his charge, and had voluntarily come to London for the purpose of paying this last tribute of respect to his memory.

The steam. vessels, and particularly those running between Scotland and the Metropolis, are entirely superseding the Scotch smacks ; and no less than ten of these fine craft, which used to sail between Dundee and London, are now lying idle. Several smacks belonging to Aberdeen, Glasgow, and Leith, have been advertised for sale, their owners being unable to find any business for them.—Post.

Orders were issued a few days ago to floor some of the rooms of the new Palace, St. James's Park, with oak ; which will cause some delay in finishing the interior of the building.

Government have resolved to reduce the establishment of the Chatham Dock-yard to 1,000 men ; the reduction to be gradually ef- fected by superannuation, death, and removals to other dock-yards. The other dock-yards are also to be brought down to the lowest peace scale.—Globe.