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Great preparations were made to guard against any mischief from the Chartist demonstration on Monday. The inhabitants generally along the lines of thoroughfare converging to Kennington Common kept close houses —doors and windows shut, and in some instanees barricaded for stout de- fence. The measures of Government, devised and personally worked by the Duke of Wellington, were on a large and complete scale, though so ar- ranged as not to obtrude themselves needlessly on the view. The Thames Bridges were the main points of concentration; bodies of foot and horse police, and assistant masses of special ,constables, being posted at their ap- proaches on either side. In the immediate neighbourhood of each of them, within call, a strong foree of military was kept ready for instant movement —at Blackfriars Bridge, Chelsea Pensioners, &c., at Waterloo Bridge, Horse Guards, Marines, &c., at Westminster Bridge, horse, foot, and artillery. Two regiments of the line were kept in hautrat Milbank Penitentiary; 1,200 infantry at Deptford Dockyards, and thirty pieces of heavy field-ordnance at the Tower, all ready for transport by hired steamers, to any spot where serious business might threaten. At other places also bodies of troops were posted, out of sight, but within sudden command,—as in the great area of the untenanted Rose Inn Yard at the end of Farringdon Street, in ithe enclosure of Brideveell Prison, and in several points of 'vantage imme- diately round Kennington Common itself.

The public offices-at the West-end, at Somerset House, and in the City, were profusely furnished with arms; and such places as the Bank of Eng- land were packed with troops and artillery, and strengthened with sand- bag parapets on their walls and timber barricadings of their windows, each pierced with loopholes for the fire of defensive musketry.

In addition to the regular civil and military force, it is credibly estimated that at least 170,000 special constables were sworn and organized through- out the Metropolis, for the stationary defence of their own districts, or as moveable bodies to cooperate with the soldiery and police.

" The Chartists," or those intending to figure in that character, assem- bled at various points—Russell Square, Finsbury Square, Clerkenwell Green, Whitechapel, &e., at about nine o'clock, and so timed their move- ments that the whole body passed successively over Blackfriars and Lon- don Bridges in very good order. The most numerous single body was one of about 6,000, which passed over London Bridge from the Eastern dis- tricts; but the most attractive was that of about 1,700 which accompanied "the National Convention," from its hall in John Street, Fitzroy Square.

" The Convention" held a sitting before starting. The Police Com- missioners had intimated to the Secretary, in writing, that though the pre- sentation of the petition to Parliament would not be interfered with, no procession through the streets would be permitted by the authorities. Mr. O'Connor belied a current ramoar that he would avoid being present at the extreme pinch—he presented himself, and boasted not a little of his Courage, his devotion, and his sacrifices. He said that a hundred letters had come to him warning him that his life would be attempted if he appeared on the Common. A policeman, for whom he got his place in 1834, besought him for God's sake to stay away; for "he was to be shot --such were the 'orders." He would go, however, to the meeting, at the peril of his own life, to preserve the lives of others, whom he saw ran into jeopardy by the folly of many out of the Convention and of some in it. The people should not come into collision with the troops while he was the protector of their lives.

A discussion arose, in which opinion seemed to waver; some siding with Mr. O'Connor, and others urging violent counsels. When the pro- posed moment of starting arrived, the body still wavered. Mr. Ernest Jones, in a few energetic words, reminded them that collision was perhaps already begun at some points—if so, the Convention's place was at the head of the people. This was final: the whole body rose, and hastened to their places in the great car prepared to convey them to the Common; Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Ernest Jones in the front rank. The car was so spa- Cious that the whole Convention, and all the reporters who attended it,

found easy accommodation: it was drawn by six fine horses, said to be from the Chartist Land Company's Gloucestershire estate. Another oar, drawn by four horses, contained the monster petition to Parliament for the enactment of the People's Charter. Banners with appropriate Chartist sentences and devioes were abundant; one, of a singular character, bearing these words only—" And Gnizot laughed immoderately." The Conven- tion passed down Holborn, over Blackfriars Bridge, and arrived without any incident to Kennington Common. The great mass of their adherents were already assembled.

At first view, the Common appeared covered with human beings; after drawing into their station, however, and the concentration of the scattered people, the meeting must have seemed even to the delegates themselves a numerical failure. The accounts of the numbers present take the usual licence of variation, from 15,000 to 150,000. The opinions of military men who specifically estimated the meeting on behalf of Government give as an extreme estimate, for those who in any way joined the meeting on the Common, at 23,000; the additional persons on every point within sight of the Common, at some seven to ten thousand more.

The two cars having taken position, a Police Inspector of gigantic stature and goodnatured aspect was seen pressing through the crowd towards Mr. O'Connor's vehicle: arrived there, he delivered a message, that the Com- missioners of Police desired Mr. O'Connor's attendance for a little, near the Horns Tavern. Mr. O'Connor alighted immediately with Mr. M'Grath, and passed through the crowd; the Inspector swaying through the mass* as if merely striding through corn in a field. As they went, a cry was raised by some that the leader was deserting; others imagined that he was arrested; and a desperate rush was made at Mr. O'Connor and Mr. M`Gmth, apparently with very fierce intentions: both the gentlemen's faces blanched visibly, and at one moment they seemed nigh to fainting. They were protected, however, by those near them, and got safely to Mr. Com- missioner Mayne. It was intimated by Mr. Mayne, that the meeting had been intentionally allowed to assemble on the Common, and that it would not be interfered with if Mr. O'Connor would engage for its peaceable cha- racter; but that a return in procession would be stopped at all hazards, and by adequate means. Mr. O'Connor engaged for the peace of the meet- ing, giving his hand to Mr. Mayne in pledge, and then returned to his place in the car.

Mr. Doyle, Secretary to the Convention' was elected Chairman of the meeting; and the proceedings commenced by an address from Mr. O'Con- nor, commencing thus- " My children, you were industriously told that I would not be amongst you today. Well, I am here. (Great cheering.) I sat, on my way here, on the front seat of this car; and although my life was threatened if I appeared as I now appear, my hand does not tremble." He besought them not to injure their cause by momentary indiscretion. He was entitled, in the name of the great God who bad blessed that day with the glorious sunshine then flooding upon them, to counsel and enjoin them—nay, if necessary be would go on his knees to beseech them—not to paralyze for ever the cause which he had struggled through his fife to gain for them. How should he sleep that night, if through his fault one wile should become widowed or one child be made an orphan? What would be their feelings if they were to become parties to his death? The petition should be taken to the House of Commons; but not a man of them should go in procession with it, so as to give the Government a handle against them; and he would be there to receive it, to make the voices of 5,706,000 of his countrymen heard through the land, and to die in the service of carrying their rights. How increased would be his power, when he rose and asked the House that night, Where is the shop- lifting? where the danger to property? where the bloodthirsty Chartists now? So, steadily, peacefully, and eesolutely, he would go on. Mr. O'Connor ended by calli,pg on the assembly to uncover, and vow be Heaven that no violent -language that might be heard should urge them into an act of violence. The adjuration was responded to gravely by all the mass within hearing of his voice. He then sank back in an exhausted state, and it was understood that he was ill.

Mr. Ernest Jones followed, and enforced Mr. O'Connor's advice; though himself a Physical-force man, and one who, if any preparation had been made, would with joy have rushed in the first ranks to the storm of either of the armed bridges which now cut off their return. Mr. Clarke, Mr. Kydd, and Mr. G. W. M. Reynolds, then spoke in sup- port of a petition proposed by the first, praying Parliament to throw out the " infamous bill " introduced by Sir George Grey. As the last speaker was concluding, one Spurr from the crowd began to agitate against the re- linquishment of the return procession, and to declaim on the cowardice of "the Executive" in yielding to the Government. There was division also among the delegates themselves; and Mr. Carey, one of the London delegates, a man of fiery note, sympathized with Spurr, and urged the people at least to march on till they were stopped. There was a moment- ary scene—bandying of epithets, and nearly a resort to violence. Mr. Doyle, the Chairman, interfered with detision, and silenced Spurr by a threat to give him into custody for his incitements to illegal violence. Mr. Ctrffay descended from the ear in disgust. Mr. Doyle dissolved the meet- ing suddenly, and dismissed the crowd; giving special injunctions to thb " marshals " and leaders to prevent any sort of procession or marching in order. The banners and other insignia were furled and packed away; the cars drove off; and in an hour's time the Common had not a hundred per- sons within its enclosure.

Before quite dispersing, however, a brief interest was maintained at 'a separate assembly on another part of the Common, by the body of Irish " Confederates" who joined in the demonstration. The speaking was of a more Irish and excited stamp than anywhere else; but even the most em- phatic of the orators—Mr. Julian Harney, of the Northern Star—who con- demned the Convention for bringing the people out unarmed, and vowed he would never join another assembly on the South side of the Thames Bridges—concluded by enjoining the people to depart peaceably, and with- out any regular order of procession. When the delegates left the Common, the great detached rolls of the monster petition were transferred to the roofs of several cabs, and taken in that way to Westminster. On the return of the general Chartist crowd towards town, they found the police drawn up on the bridges and approaches, in deep ranks, and all passage denied. The bridges were closed for a considerable time, and there was much struggling and violent endeavour to force a crossing. Some slight combating ensued, and in a few instances heads were broken. After a time, however, the crowd were turned back, and manceuvered into detached masses; and then small parties of not more than ten each were allowed to pass. Soon after three o'clock, all violence had subsided, and the great mass of processionists and spectators passed away. Before dusk

the crowd had almost disappeared, and the police were withdrawn from their posts. There were rumours of intended disturbances in the evening; but the authorities had proceeded on accurate information in dismissing the military and disbanding the special constables; for not the least sign of turbulence anywhere appeared.

The Chartist Convention has sat daily; and steps have been taken to- wards the election of a " National Convention," to meet in London on the 24th instant.

At the meeting on Tuesday, a resolution was passed for a petition to Parliament demanding the impeachment of Ministers, on the charge of provoking a collision between the people and the troops: but, after much sharp discussion, this was rescinded on the following day.

In the course of these meetings, bitter complaints against the conduct of the authorities on Monday and on subsequent days were uttered. Mr. Er- nest Jones ascribed to official influence that he had been arrested for a debt which he did not owe; another complained, that on Monday his hat was knocked over his eyes by a special constable; another, who had charge of the petition, that a Magistrate called him a " damned ass." It was re- ported that a Lambeth association of Chartists had resolved to practise a system of exclusive dealing against the special constables; to which some members of the Convention objected. Mr. Cuffay vindicated the ex- pedient- He had been some time out of work, and in consequence he had allowed Mrs. Cuffay to go out for a few days' washing. (Loud laughter.) At one of the places she had been in the habit of Charing, she was asked the other day whether she was not the wife of Mr. Cuffay of the Convention; and when she replied in the affirmative, she was told her services would not be required after that week. ("Shame, shame!') Various threats of retaliation were thrown out. The member whose hat was driven over his eyes threatened, that next time he should have some- thing in his bands to defend himself with. Mr. Leach of Manchester warned Government, that if the sword were drawn on the people in any part of the country, " one universal conflagration and blood would be the order of the day." (Tremendous cheering.) The Convention has respectfully declined Mr. O'Connor's offer of de- voting the profits of the Northern Star to the expenses of the assemblage.

At a meeting held in the South Chartist Hall of Lambeth, on Sunday, Mr. Bronterre O'Brien resigned his post as a delegate to the National Con- vention, to which be had been appointed, he could not tell by what con- stituency. Although a Physical-force.Chartist, be could not concur in the policy of braving the power of the State before the people were prepared for doing so. This statemeut was received with execrations and rage.

A meeting of Irish Peers and Members of Parliament was held on Satur- day, in a Committee-room of the House of Commons, to make a declaration in support of the institutions of the country against the anarchical spirit and traitorous attempts to subvert the laws in Ireland. The meeting was attended by persons of every shade in politics except that of the Irish Confederates: the Marquis of Downshire presided; and among those pre- sent were the Earl of Charlemont, the Earl of Devon, Lord Jocelyn, Mr. Monsell, Sir William Verner, Mr. John O'Connell, Mr. John Reynolds, and Mr. Augustus Stafford—names, selected from many others, which show the varied politics represented. Two attempts were made to alter the resolutions proposed; Mr. Napier wishing a condemnatory allusion to Repeal of the Union, as a pretext for the disorderly spirit; and Mr. Reynolds objecting to some phrases in the resolutions, as calculated to prejudice the gentlemen who are to be put upon their trial in Dublin. It was resolved that the resolutions should not be essentially altered; and they were passed, with the single dissent of Mr. Reynolds.

A Court of Aldermen was held on Tuesday. The Lord Mayor produced a report on the preparations to preserve the peace of the City on Monday, winding up with congratulations; and the Court responded with resolu- tions of thanks to the Lord Mayor, the Artillery Company, the Police Commissioner and Police, the special constables, and all generally who had aided in vindicating order.

A Court of Common Council was held on Thursday. The principal business was the presentation of the freedom of the City to Lord Hardinge; which attracted a considerable crowd of spectators, and was duly acknow- ledged by the recipient. The proceedings of Tuesday in the Court of Aldermen were then repeated in duplicate. Mr. Wire made an attempt to set aside the last clause in the string of resolutions of thanks, as implying a reflection on the right of public meeting by the overstrained loyalty of its tenour; and he reminded the Court, that it had always been the advo- cate of popular claims. But the resolutions were adopted, with one sug- gesting to the citizens a general demonstration of attachment to the Throne.

Afterwards, Lord Hardinge was entertained at a banquet in the Man- sionhouse.

At the East India House, on Wednesday, the following gentlemen— Henry Alexander, Esq., the Honourable William Henry Leslie Melville, Major James Oliphant, John Shepherd, Esq., Francis Warden, Esq., and Major-General James Caulfield, C.B.—were elected Directors, in the room of Sir R. Campbell, W. J. Eastwiai, Esq., Sir J. W. Hogg, M.P., Lieute- nant-Colonel W. H. Sykes, J. C. Whiteman, Esq., and Sir H. Willock, K.L.S., who went out by rotation. At a Court of Directors, on Thursday, Lieutenant-General Sir James Law Lushington, G.C.B., was chosen Chair- man, and Major-General Archibald Galloway, C.B., Deputy-Chairman, for the year ensuing.

At the Central Criminal Court, on Saturday, John Dobbin, formerly a Lieu- tenant in the Royal Navy, was tried for complicity in forging the will of William Musgrove Bowen. It was alleged that he had written a name to the fraudulent will which Lieutenant Bowen attempted to pass off as the true testament of his brother. He was acquitted.

Fifteen persons, mostly youths, were indicted for breaking into the house of Thomas Gray, in Southampton Street, Camberwell, and stealing watches, rings, and other articles, to the value of some 5001. The outrage was perpetrated by a mob which started from Kennington Common on the occasion of the Chartist meeting, on the 13th March; most of the prisoners were the ringleaders in the outrage. Four of the accused were acquitted; the others found guilty. Two of these who were known as old offenders were sentenced to be transported for four- teen years; the rest, for seven years each. On Monday, James Mayhew was convicted of forging the acceptance of kir. Cuthbert Collingwood Hall to a bill of exchange. Mr. Hall, the son of a la, dlesex Magistrate, had got involved; his father paid his debts; it was afterwards found that bills purporting to be accepted by the prosecutor were in circulation. and they were traced to Mayhew, a person with whom Mr. Hall had had dealing,: Mayhew was sentenced to be transported for seven years.

At Marylebone Police-office, on Wednesday, Mr. Thomas Buxton Baines, a sue_ geon of Thaxted in Essex, was charged with the abduction of Marian Frances Jane Harvey, a girl under the age of sixteen, against the will of her father, the Reve- rend Thomas Harvey. Mr. Harvey, who is now residing at Bayswater, bad re. cently been curate of Thaxted; there Mr. Baines had attended Miss Harvey pre. fessionally, became a general visiter to the family, and one day he eloped with her, after dinner. The couple were married at St. Margaret's, Westminster; the bridegroom making false statements about the lady's age and the consent of her parents. On the 4th, Mr. Harvey, accompanied by Inspector Tedman, forcibly recovered his daughter. Mr. Harvey bad never given any sanction to his duel_ ter's marriage—he would rather have "seen ber in her grave" than that she should have acted as she did. Mrs. Harvey, however, seems to have been cogni, zant of Mr. Baines 's "courting " her daughter: she allowed the young lady's por- trait to be taken for that gentleman. After legal arguments by the counsel era_ ployed, Mr. Broughton held the accused to bail-1,000l. in all—to meet the charge at the Sessions.