Guildhall has been the scene this year of a rather
discredit- able controversy. Alderman Knill, a wharfinger, but a man of culture formerly unusual in the City, stood next for the Lord Mayor's chair. He is, however, not only a Catholic, but rather a bigoted one, and announced in advance that although he was favourable to Established Churches, and to the public acknowledgment by the City of its relation to the Church, his conscience would not allow him to attend ceremonial services in St. Paul's. He must send a substitute. The declaration gave some offence ; and on nomination-day, Thursday, Mr. Beaufoy Moore, in a speech reeking with bigotry of the most antique type—" I see the fires of Smithfield rekindled," &c.— proposed Sir William Lawrence. When the names of qualified candidates were read out, the show of hands by the Livery was, according to the Times, largely in favour of Mr. Phillips, the next in rotation to Mr. Knill ; but the Court of Aldermen, of course, elected the latter. Any other result would have been absurdly inconsistent with modern opinion and modern laws. The rule is to strain no man's conscience in matters of religion by either bribes or threats. We do not know why Mr. Knill's conscience felt the strain, and Sir Polydore de Keyser's did not; but as he felt it, and honestly adhered to his own view, the City was bound to respect it. What is the use of Emanci- pation Acts if belief is to be a qualification or disqualifica- tion for non-ecclesiastical office ?
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