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A Court of Common Council was held on Thursday, to consider the report of the Committee recommending the introduction of a bill into Parliament to amend the Act of the 11th George L—in other words, to consider Mr. Wire's scheme of Corporation Reform. Mr. Wire advo- cated his measure at great length, and concluded by moving that the title of the bill be "A Bill to Amend an Act," &c. Here a discussion arose on the point of order, whether the bill could be discussed before the report on which it was founded : and the Court decided on discuss- ing the report. Alderman Brown then defended the rights of the free- men against the attempt to swamp them ; and moved a resolution, that it was the bounden duty of the Court to protect the citizens of London in the full enjoyment of the franchise. When he concluded, the debate was adjourned.

At a meeting on Monday, the Ward of Cripplegate Within adopted a resolution, declaring that any measure of reform, to be useful, should comprise the discontinuance of fines on retail-dealers coming to reside within the City, and a periodical return of the Alderman ; objecting to the scheme inasmuch as it did not include those points, but approving of the scheme in other respects.

Broad Street Ward met on Wednesday, and unanimously passed a resolution, that the plan was an invasion of the ancient rights of the freemen.

Mr. Thomas Baring has met the electors of London, and plied them with an exhortation to meet their opponents with a bolder front. The occasion was a meeting of the Conservatives of the Ward of Farring- don Without, at the Sussex Hotel in Bonverie Street, on Wednesday evening. He made a long speech, urging union ; pointing to the energy and unscrupulousness of the Anti-Corn-law League ; passing strictures on the "mere Whigs," for consorting with " Destructives '; and ac- cusing Earl Spencer of inconsistency in advocating repeal of the Corn- laws because, as Lord Althorp, in 1834, he assured Mr. Handley that he should support the Corn-law then existing. Mr. Baring enumerated a list of " grievances" chargeable against Sir Robert Peel's Government, beginning with improved trade, and ending with a surplus revenue. He looked forward to the next election in the City with confidence.

A strange exhibition is going on in the City. Some attadis having been made in the Westminster Review on Mr. Charles Pearson, the City Solicitor, and on the Corporation generally, Mr. Pearson chal- lenged Mr. W. E. Hickson, the editor of the Review, to a public dis- cussion. Mr. Hickson appears to have declined that kind of contest, but professed his willingness to carry on the dispute on paper. How- ever, Mr. Pearson persevered in his original intention, and a meeting was fixed for Monday last, at the City of London Tavern. The public were admitted gratuitously, but by ticket. Mr. John Travers was ap- pointed Chairman or "Moderator." Mr. Pearson spoke for four hours, and again at great length on Tuesday. His objects he stated to be threefold,—to prove that he was sincere in his devotion to the public cause when a young man ; that he had not been an apostate from the principles that he then professed ; and that he was not himself an " enormonsly-paid " officer of the Corporation. While vindi- cating himself, he said a good word also for the Corporation. He began with his earliest entrance into public life, his election to the Common Council for Bishopsgate Ward in 1817; traced his whole subsequent career, describing the abuses that he had corrected, among the chief of which were the practice of packing Juries within the City,

and_the sale of certain offices ; and represented the Corporation— which at one time drew its revenue from the most oppressive sources, was lavish, and in debt—as now having its finances in a flourishing state, employing its wealth with economy, and promoting charity. His speech was illustrated by a numerous array of figures. When Mr. Pearson ceased, on Tuesday, the meeting was adjourned to Monday next.

The Conference of Congregational Churches on the subject of Gene- ral Education began its sittings, at the Congregational Library, on Toes • day ; Mr. Charles Hindley, M.P., in the chair. The list of contribu- tions amounted to 12,0001.; and it is expected that a sum of 100,000/. will be raised.

Several meetings have been held at London House in the course of the last few days, for the purpose of maturing some comprehensive plan for relieving the destitute poor of the Metropolis, and at the same time improving their moral and social condition. Those meetings have been attended by several noblemen and gentlemen and incumbents of Metro- politan parishes ; and, after much deliberation, it has been resolved to form an "association for the relief of destitution and the improvement of the condition of the poor in the Metropolis by means of parochial and district visiting." The Lord Bishop of London will be President of the Association ; and it is settled that the whole of the funds shall be directly applied to the relief of the indigent, after all proper inquiry has been made by gratuitous visiters. The rules and regulations will shortly be announced to the public.— Times.

The Committee appointed at a public meeting in Leicester Square, on the 20th November, to consider the best means of providing for the relief of the destitute and houseless poor, have resolved to join the City Society ; who are desirous of extending their operations to the West-end. An addition will be made to the Committee of the City Society, of gentlemen connected with the West-end ; who will give their personal superintendence more particularly to the asylums opened in their own districts.

The annual show of the Smithfield Cattle Club, at Baker Street Bazaar, closed on Saturday ; when Prince Albert was among the many visiters—attended by Major-General Wemyss, the superintendent of his Royal Highness's farm, and Colonel Bouverie, his Equerry. The Prince was received by Earl Spencer, Mr. Hillyard, and Mr. Gibbs, who conducted him round the rooms. He spent nearly two hours in the Bazaar, manifesting the greatest interest in the stock and the principal mechanical inventions; especially a gigantic cart- horse, nineteen bands high and of proportionate bulk, bred by Mr. J. Bayes, of Draughton in Northamptonshire, and now the property of Mr. T. Hibbert, of Hillingdon ; and a machine for making draining- pipes and tiles, the invention of Mr. Etheridge.

The annual general meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society of England took place on Saturday, at the Society's house in Hanover

Square. Earl Spencer was in the chair ; and among the leading agri- culturists present were, the Duke of Richmond, Sir R. P. Joddrell, Mr. Philip Pusey, M.P., Mr. S. R. Sully, and Dr. Homell, Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Society of St. Petersburg. The report was read by Mr. Hudson, the Secretary— It stated a rapid increase in the amount of stock exhibited at the successive shows of the society, in Oxford, Cambridge, and Derby; the show-yard at Derby last year having occupied twice the space of those at either Oxford or Cambridge, contained nearly four times the number of animals, more than seven times the number of implements, than at Oxford ; and exceeded even the successful exhibition at Bristol by 165 animals and 251 implements. 'the arrangements made for the next year's meeting at Southampton were fully detailed : it is fixed for the fourth week in July, the 25th being the great show. day. The balance-sheet of accounts of the Derby meeting showed that the receipts were 3,3901., while the expenditure had been 5,075/.; being a deficit of 1,685/. chargeable to the funds of the society. From another statement pre- sented by the Finance Committee, it appeared that the arrears of subscriptions in December 1842 were 3,7051., which in December 1843 were reduced to 1,614/.; so that 2,091/. of arrears had been paid during the present year. The census of members gave the following results : life-governors, 108; governors, 193; life-members, 434; members by annual subscription, 6,115; honorary members, 13—total, 6,863. The Journal Committee had adjudicated the Society's gold medal, with Mr. Slaney's addition of 10/., for the best essay on the construction of cottages, to the Reverend Copinger Hill, of Bushell near Stow Market. The Council had elected as members of that body, Mr. Compton, ?'LP., Mr. Etwall, M.P., and Mr. J. Hudson, in the room of Mr. Woods Page, Mr. Webb Hall, and the Reverend L. Rharn, deceased. The thanks of the Council were awarded to Professor Brande for two lectures on the chemical pro- perties of lime and clay, deliveied before the Society at their annual meeting.

The report was unanimously adopted, and thanks were awarded to the President and other officers.

At Pentonville Model Prison, on Friday, an inquest was held, before Mr. Wakley and a Jury of seventeen persons, on the body of John Bremner. The case possesses very great interest in its bearing on the general subject of prison discipline. On the 27th April 1843, Bremner, aged twenty-four years, was tried at Aberdeen for stealing a cow, and sentenced to seven years' transportation ; but his sentence was com- muted to imprisonment at Pentonville; where he arrived on the 30th May. On the 29th June, he complained that he did not feel very well ; and he was at once visited by Dr. G. 0. Rees, physician to the prison ; who found him labouring under dyspepsia, and prescribed accordingly. Afterwards, he was attacked with obstinate vomiting. At the com- mencement of November, Dr. Rees suspected his lungs to be diseased ; on the 22d of that month he was removed to a warmer cell ; after the 23d Dr. Rees had no hopes of him ; on the 28th he took to his bed, and kept it till his death, on the 7th instant ; which was caused by common pulmonary consumption. Dr. Rees stated to the Jury, that the otdin causes of consumption are, hereditary predisposition, exposure to cold and damp, deficient nourishment, and other things that depress and debilitate. Dr. Rees did not recommend an application to the Secretary of State after the 23d, for Bremner's release ; as it would have been nu- to the man himself, since he was too unwell to be removed. Another Prisoner, whom Dr. Rees reported to be suffering from fatal scrofulous disease of the mesenteric glands, received a free pardop : he went into the country, and got better. When removed to the warmer cell, Brem- ner was ordered an extra allowance of diet : he had tea for breakfast ; for dinner, a boiled sole, half-a-pint of jelly, and two ounces of port wine ; for supper, a pint of arrow-root and two ounces of port wine ; and after the 27th, he had another half-pint of jelly during the day. He was offered any thing that be should like as food. The ordinary temperature of the cells varies from 58 to 62 degrees. Bremner was taught shoemaking ; and he never complained of solitude.

Coroner—. You have mentioned depression of the mind with reference to consumption : had the deceased more society after you suspected phthisis ?

n "— Dr. Rees—" The Warden saw him oftener. He had no other society. He was naturally cheerful ; in fact, full of humour, and joked up to the last. He had a nurse night and day latterly." " Is it a fact, as has been stated in the papers, that two prisoners have been removed for insanity ? "—" It is a fact." " Do prisoners waste here ? "—" Several have gained flesh, others have lost it. If the average were struck, the health would be found improved. As re- gards exertion, they often ask to pump water for a change. Five hundred per- sons are kept here ; only two have died in the twelve months."

" The mortality is very small; but h will be much higher in a series of years ?"—" That appears probable, from what we know of confinement."

When I was last here, the diet was stated in evidence to be far better than at St. Marylebone Workhouse ; but still it wanted improvement."—" The prisoners now have meat every day, and a pound of potatoes instead of half a pound ; which increase was found more suitable than additional bread."

The following was put in as the diet-table for every day in the week-

" Breakfast—Three quarters of an ounce of cocoa nibs, made, with two ounces of milk and six drachms of molasses, into three-quarters of a pint of liquid cocoa.

"Dinner—Four ounces of meat, weighed when cooked, without bone, and half a pint of soup made with meat of the same day, strengthened by three ox- heads to 100 pints; barley, pepper, and carrots added, and a seasoning of onions, and a pound of potatoes weighed when boiled. " Supper—A pint of gruel, made ssith an ounce and a half of meal, sweet- ened with six drachms of molasses. Bread, one pound per diem. A liberal allowance of salt."

Some of the prisoners were examined as to the treatment in the prison ; and in order that there might be no selection, the men numbered 1 to 5 were called. They were examined separately, and in the absence of officers of the gaol— They all concurred in bearing testimony to the uniform kindness of the Governor, Physician, Warden, Teachers, and other officers of the prison. They also spoke of the sufficiency of food, and of their comfortable location in the cells ; but two complained that the cells were too close (one of the two, it was stated, had a difficulty of breathing). They all appeared very grateful for having been taught trades, by which they could support themselvea when set at liberty. Some complained of the solitude and silent system ; and one added, that his annoyance in this respect arose chiefly "from his inability to tell people how grateful he was for the kindness shown to him." From the statement of an- other prisoner, it appeared that they were allowed to see their wives only once in three months.

After the examination of the prisoners, the Coroner requested the attendance of Mr. Hosking, the Governor, and Dr. Rees; and pointed out some matters for attention in what the prisoners had stated. One complained that rope-dust hurt his lungs. The Governor said, that the complaint was not common in the prison ; but the man should be a basket-maker. The Coroner then referred to one of the prisoners who had acquired a passion for reading the Bible. The man had spoken with tears of gratitude of his treatment, but said he felt fagged and weakened ; and it was evident, from his description and appear- ance, that his brain threatened to become soft—probably by constantly dwelling on what he could not understand. He would advise the Governor to stop that tendency, or the portals of Bethlehem would soon be open to the man. The Governor and Dr. Rees promised to give attention to these suggestions.

The Jury returned a verdict, that "John Bremner died a natural death, from pulmonary consumption "; accompanying their verdict with expressions of gratification at the kindness and attention with which the prisoners were treated..

A correspondent of the Morning Chronicle makes a statement which throws some further light on the case-

" Among the prisoners transmitted to this gaol, some months ago, was a i

young man n the prime of life, from one of the wildest and most remote dis- tricts of the Highlands of Scotland, who was totally ignorant of the English

language. He was placed in one of the secluded cells, similar to those occu-

pied by the other prisoners ; which contained a copy of the regulations, which he could not understand, and in due time furnished with hooks which he was

unable to read. The ministrations of the chaplains were, of course, equally use- less. The result of this state of things, before long, was great melancholy, and a determination manifested by the unfortunate prisoner to commit suicide. These facts were made known, we believe, by Dr. Rees, the humane physician of the establishment, to the Gaelic minister in London, (the Reverend John Lees, of the Caledonian Asylum,) who without loss of time paid him a visit. No sooner did he hear the first accents of the Gaelic, than he manifested the most intense delight. In reply to inquiries he mentioned his name and native place. He stated that he had fallen into had company, and was convicted for having assisted in 'lifting' a cow. How he came to be sent to the Model Pri- son in London, he did not explain. He was unable to read, being ignorant of

the alphabet ; and acknowledged to the reverend gentleman that he had re- solved to put a period to his sufferings on the first favourable opportunity. The heinous nature of the crime he meditated was urged to him, and a portion

of the Scripture read to him in his native tongue. The effect was most whole- some. The prisoner's thoughts were diverted into a new channel, and his mind

soon showed symptoms of returning convalescence. In the course of subse-

quent visits he was taught the Lord's Prayer, and desired to repeat it to him- self aloud, and was put in the way of learning to read. After a time he missed

his benevolent instructer, who was suddenly called to Scotland. He used be- fore this to count the hours for his expected visit, and has been known to go on his knees to be excused from attending Divine service in the chapel with

the other prisoners, lest the reverend gentleman should happen to call in at the time, and he might be prevented from seeing him : but as weeks rolled on, time became more irksome than ever. Whether the cause of the reverend gentle- man's absence was ever explained to the unfortunate man, is not known ; but it is reported that after some weeks he relapsed into his previous state of de- spondency; and the officers of the prison again becoming alarmed, paid him every possible attention. He was watched night and day ; but, notwithstanding all their kindness, be expired on Thursday last."

In the Court of Queen's Bench, yesterday, Mr. Blake, formerly a landing-waiter, was found guilty, under a criminal information which accused him of conspiring with Mr. Tye, a Customhouse-agent, to de- fraud the Customs-revenue. The goods were imported in the ship City of Boulogne, in 1840, on account of Messrs. Vidil and Co. Tye was abroad, beyond the jurisdiction of the Court, and did not appear. Sen- tence was not pronounced.