21 MAY 1853, Page 3

14t Zttrafutio.

A deputation of electors from the City of London waited on Lord John Russell on Thursday, to learn what steps Government propose to take respecting the rejection of the Jewish Disabilities Bill by the House of Lords : Mr. Dillon was the spokesman. Lord John Russell said that the decision of the Lords had disappointed him; he did not anticipate that the bill would have been thrown out by such a large majority ; and he feared there was little hope that any other bill which they might bring in would pass in the present session. Some of the deputation called the attention of Lord John to the motion of which Lord Lyndhurst had given notice in respect to the oath of abjuration. Lord John Russell said, it was the first he had heard of it ; and as it might require some further con- sideration of their plans, it was agreed that the deputation should have another interview with Lord John this day. [By a question in the House of Commons, Mr. Milner Gibson drew forth Lord John Russell on the same evening. Lord John said, it was probable the question would be settled by a bill which should make a general alteration in the oaths to be taken by Members of Parliament ; but at what time such an alteration might be proposed, he could not at present undertake to say. A bill had been introduced into the other House of Parliament for an alteration of the oaths : he had not seen that bill, but it was possible that it might be sent down in a short time, and in such a shape as to remove the difficulty.]

A meeting was held on Tuesday, at the London Tavern, and attended by many influential gentlemen, to consider how far it is desirable and practicable to establish a Mercantile and Maritime College for London. The Earl of Horrowby filled the chair. He dwelt much on the import- ance of such an institution; showing how closely the United States are treading on our heels, and how in some matters they are surpassing us. For example, he stated that if a Liverpool agent had the choice of a Bri- tish and an American ship, he would select the latter, as being safer and -better-found. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Thomas Mulkey junior, Mr. Francis Russell M.P., Mr. Wigram Crawford, Mr. Oliveira M.P., Mr. Dillon, and others, supported the objects of the meeting, in moving and second- ing resolutions. A report was read, stating that it is necessary "to raise the standard of information, the tone, and the habits of seafaring men " ; urging the formation of a Trade Museum, suggested by the Com- missioners of the Great Exhibition of 1851, and also of a large library of reference. Some use is proposed to be made of the Gresham College now existing, if the trustees are willing to vary the operation of the trust. It was stated that Government has obtained a site for a new College at a small ground-rent ; and liberal assistance to carry out the project is called for. A committee was formed for that purpose.

By the death of Mr. Brown, the office of City Chamberlain has beco me vacant. The candidates in the field are Sir John Key, Mr. Alderman Farebrother, and Mr. Benjamin Scott. Mr. Scott has hitherto perform ed all the duties of the office as the deputy of the Chamberlain.

Some of the more exclusively "May meetings" have been conspicuous among the events of the week. Mrs. Beecher Stowe and her husband are the special attractions for the present season ; not forgotten in the adver- tisements, as a "feature."

The British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society held its annual meeting on Monday ; the Earl of Shaftesbury in the chair. Exeter Hall was crowded to excess; and the enthusiasm, always great, was heightened on this occasion

by the presence of Mn. Beecher Stowe, Professor Stowe, and Mr. Beecher. When the "Mother of Uncle Tom" entered and when she departed the cheers were uproarious. Mrs. Chisholm, Colonel Thompson, Mr. George Crulkshank, and Mr. Joseph Sturge were present Professor Stowe made a speech of course : he traced the great growth of slavery to the demand for cotton for English manufactures ; and considered that, as we are the best customers of the slave-owner, so we have thereby the right of inter- ference in what pertains to the slave. The price of cotton regulates the price of slaves : he recommended a little of that self-denial in the use of cotton which is preached to the slave-owners in the use of slaves. Among the other speakers were the Reverend S. Warde, a Black minister from Canada, Mr. Beecher, Mr. G. Alexander, Colonel Thompson, and Mr. George Cruiksbank. The resolutions were of the usual character ; de- nouncing slavery in Christian countries, and recommending a preference for the products of free labour as articles of use. The accounts of the Society do not appear very prosperous. It was stated that the balance in the treasurer's hands on the 1st of May amounted to 118/. 178. 7d., and the donations and subscriptions for the past year to 724/. is. 9d. The expenditure during the same period was 1071/. 1 ls. 24. ; so that the deficit due to the Treasurer was 2281. 11s. 10d.

The anniversary festival in aid of the funds of the Royal Highland So- ciety was held on Saturday, at the Freemasons Tavern. Sir Archibald Alison presided : among the other notables were Sir Charles Paaley, Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, General Delamotte, Captain Kelso, Major Adair, Lieutenant-General Jackmus, late Minister from the Germanic Diet, and Professor Stowe. Mrs. Beecher Stowe, with a select party of ladies, sat in the gallery, and was pointedly alluded to by the chairman. Her hus- band took the opportunity of making a speech in acknowledgment of the compliment. A large sum was subscribed.

The National Temperance Society held its annual meeting on Thurs- day, in Exeter Rail; Mr. Edward Baines of Leeds in the chair. Accord- ing to the report, the operations of the Society extend over the United States, Canada, New Brunswick, the Sandwich Islands, Australia, China, India, Continental Europe, Ireland, and Scotland. The income for the last year has been 7981., and the expenditure 770/. An express resolution welcoming Professor Stowe, who was present, drew a speech from that gentleman— He said, great Britain appeared to him as one large dry throat, for swal- lowing all sorts of filth under the name of "entire." He and his "better- half" always drink water, although wine is constantly offered them. The Maine Liquor Law has been very beneficial. In one town with which he is well acquainted, and where the dram-shops had all been closed, the pauper- tax has been reduced in one year from 1500 dollars to 300, and in the follow- ing year there was not a single pauper in the town, whilst the gaols were entirely empty. A few evenings ago he had the privilege of hearing a debate in the House of Lords, the subject being, what could be done with the cri- minals; and he felt that if he had been a Lord he should have said, shut up the dram-shops.

One of the resolutions recommended Government to interfere to pre- vent the use of intoxicating drinks in passenger-ships for emigrants.

The thirty-seventh annual meeting of the "Peace Society" was held on Tuesday, in Finsbury Chapel ; Mr. Henry Pees, of Darlington, in the chair. Among the speakers were the Reverend Charles Stowell, Profes- sor Stowe, Mr. Samuel Gurney, and the Reverend G. W. Condor of Leeds. The proceedings were quite of the ordinary character.

The sixteenth meeting of the Aborigines Protection Society was held on Wednesday, in the Friends Meetinghouse, Lombard Street ; Mr. James Bell presiding. The meeting expressed abhorrence of the opinion that extinction inevitably awaits native races ; and resolved, that in order to preserve peace at the Cape, the Caffres must be protected in their per- sonal rights and possessions (this was accompanied by an oral recom- mendation of the "Glenelg policy"); and that a clause ought to be in- serted in the Mercantile Marine Bill providing for the protection of na- tive New Zealand seamen. The finances are not in a flourishing state : the Society is 2001. in debt ; but a legacy of 100/. has just been left to it.

The tenth anniversary dinner of the Governesses Benevolent Institution took place on Thursday, at the London Tavern ; the Earl of Harrowby in the chair. The subscriptions of the evening amounted to 2001.

At the Central Criminal Court, Robert Pope, formerly butler to Lord ler- raps, pleaded guilty to uttering a forged bill of exchange for 1001., which purported to have been drawn by his master. He had got into pecuniary difficulties by becoming a cab-proprietor. On account of his ill health he was not transported, but sent to prison for two years.

Thomas Mockett, the man accused of murdering Eliza Lee 4' drowning her in the Regent's Canal, has been acquitted ; the Jury not considering the merely circumstantial evidence strong enough to warrant a conviction. It may be recollected that this man was put on his trial at the last Sessions, when the Jury could not agree, and were discharged on one of them be- coming seriously ill.

Humphrey, a youth of nineteen, was convicted of uttering a forged Bank of England note. He had passed a. number of forged notes on West-end tradesmen. Sentence, fifteen years' transportation.

William Nash, accused of uttering a forged check upon Messrs. Barnett and Co., was reExamined before the Lord Mayor on Saturday. A witness was produced whose evidence increased the interest of the case. It was not Nash, with his wig and false whiskers, who presented the check at Barnett's but a young man whose natural hair and whiskers resembled Nash's disguise. lffenry Verney advertised for a situation; Nash answered the advertisement, and Verney went to see him in Savage Gardens; Nash called himself " Mr._ South," and pretended that he wished to hire a clerk. Pending a communi- cation from the country respecting Verney's character, Mr. South intrusted him with a check on Barnetes for 8501. to get it cashed. Verney got the money, and received five shillings for his trouble. Then Nash, disguised with wig and false whiskers, hastened to the Bank of England to obtain gold for the notes; and there he was seized. The clever rogue was again re- manded, as other charges are to be brought against him.

Garret was re5xamined at the Mansionhouse on Monday. The Berlin case was then gone into. It seems that by means of the New York letter of credit altered from "2101." to "5210/." he obtained 500/. from Messrs. Shickler and Co. of Berlin; be gave them a bill of exchange on the Union Bank of London. The case seemed very clear against the prisoner, so far as the facts were concerned; but a question of jurisdiction arose—could a London ,Magistrate commit for an act done in Prussia ? Mr. Mullens contended that the crime was that of attempting, by false pretences, to obtain 5001. from the Union Bank of London ; Garret having drawn a hill upon the bank when he knew he had no effects there. Mr. Vontner, for the prisoner, argued that no offence had been committed in England. Alder- man Wire remanded the prisoner for a week, that the legal point might be further considered.

A female servant at Newington Crescent, sitting up for her master, heard a noise : armed with a poker, she went into the passage, and seeing a man there, at once knocked him down. Her courage saved her : the fellow got up, greatly cowed and hurt ; and after ineffectually striking the brave woman with a life-preserver, ran off.