For several years there have been hard struggles in the
parish of Lambeth to get rid of the Church-rate ; but on Monday evening the Churchwardens gave up the point, and announced their intention of not applying this year for a rate ; " relying upon the justice and liberality of the congregation to support the parent church."
At a meeting of the Committee for managing the Refuge for the Houseless Poor, on Wednesday, some discussion arose as to the propriety of reopening it. Dr. Conquest and others thought it did more harm than good. It was resolved to postpone decision on the point till next month, when a general meeting of subscribers might be called. [In the meanwhile, how many wretched creatures will be driven to commit crimes, or perish in the streets, for want of the cheap assistance afforded them last year at the Refuge I] Some fuss has been made about the exclusion of Irishmen from the Police of the City ; but there appears to be no fair ground for supposing that any candidate is refused admission to that body as a punishment for the sin of Irish birth. Mr. Whithair, the Superintendent, positively de- nies that he makes any such exception.
There are now about 250 persons confined in Whitecross Street Prison, including those on Court of Requests executions ; the number has reached as high as 450. In the Marshalsea, only 55, which is con- sidered a very small amount. In Horsemonger Lane Gaol, 110. In the Fleet and Queen's Bench, comparatively few, considering the extent
of the two prisons—about a fourth or a fifth of the number that have been confined.
In most of the public thoroughfares, placards are posted in trades- men's windows announcing that after a certain date (in most instances from the 1st January next) their shops and warehouses will be closed at eight o'clock. Some few, however, stated that they had adopted nine as the hour for closing.
Captain Young, owner of the Eliza, trading from Newcastle to Lon- don, waited on the Lord Mayor on Thursday, to complain of recent regulations of the Navigation Committee, which prevented him from un- loading his cargo at places on the river convenient to his customers. He said that he was opposed to the combination of coal-owners, and re- fused to comply with their rules : nevertheless he found no difficulty in procuring excellent coal, which he supplied at reduced prices. Ile Lord Mayor encouraged him to persevere in his attempt to break down the combination ; gave him an order for the Mansionhouse ; and said that he thought permission should be given him to go directly to the most convenient places to deliver a cargo already sold, and not waiting for a customer.
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