22 FEBRUARY 1840, Page 9

Large portions of the morning papers arc occupied with accounts

of a grand rote which occur:ea yesterday at the Freemason's Tavern. A meeting of the freeholders and electors of Middlesex had been sum- moned by the Sheriffs. to address the Crown or take other measures for the liberation of Mae:II:trill' Evans. The Morning Chronicle, for two or three days previous to the meeting. had been endeavouring to get up an opposition to the Sheriffs' friends ; recommending the same course to be followed as in Portsoken Ward, where, it seems, an amendment

in support of Privilege was carried. And measures had been arranged by an active political party for giving effect to this advice: the Free- in support of Privilege was carried. And measures had been arranged by an active political party for giving effect to this advice: the Free-

mason's Hall was well packed with the Privilege men even before twelve o'clock, the hour named in the advertisement for the time of meeting. " Twelve for one" was intended, according to a common London usage ; but, by an oversight, " twelve" only was named.

A few minutes before twelve, Messrs. Hume, Wakley, rigors, War- burton, O'Connell, Tuffnell, and Pryme, were seen on the platform. None of the City functionaries were present ; but Colonel Wood, Mr. T. Wood, and Captain Polhill appeared among a crowd of opponents. Mr. Coppock, Secretary of the Reform Association, was bustling about with several well-known " Reformers." At a quarter past twelve, the meeting showed symptoms of impatience ; and as no representative of the Sheriffs had arrived, Mr. Warburton moved that Mr. Hanle should take the chair. 1 proar commenced. Mr. Mann asserted the right of the Sheriff to preside at the meeting he had called: but a majority was declared by Sir. 'Warburton to be in favour of his motion, and Mr. Hume took the chair. Several persons protested against this proceed- ing. Mr. Hume attempted to speak : but was ineudible amidst the noise of cheers and hooting. Mr. Wakley presented himself. Mr. :Rickard Taylor rose to order—he said the requisitim should be read; but nobody had got the requisition. Mr. Warburton main put the motion that Mr. Hume should take the chair ; and he again pronounced. the tootien carried.

Mr. Wilkley proceeded to address the meeting, but met with con- stant interruption. One person s.C(1, he was wit an elector. "A pretty fedow you are,'" said Wakley, " to say the Coroner of Middlesex. is not an elector I" Mr. Mann endeavoured to stop him. " I wish," exclaimed the Coroner, " I bad a strait waistcoat for that old lunatic I Who is the old vagabond:" Mr. O'Connell, too, had a hit at Mann ; Ivho, he said, "was ugly enough to lie angry." Mr.Wakley was descant- ing on the necessity of supporting the privileges of the House, when Mr. Under-SherifFErance appeared on the platform, and claimed the chair as kis rig!: t. Mr. "Wakley said .hat he, as Coroner, had a right to take the chair in the iMsettee the S.teriils, and Mr. France innet act as his Undoe-Sileriff. The disteme wax:a warm, and presently the two pariLs comae to blows. The barrier in front of the 0:item:lavas torn down ; chairs and tables were upset ; Mr. Hume was pushed out of the chair, which was thrown into the middle of the room. The shouting, hissing, end various noises, were continued all the while. At length the Under-Sheriff caused the Riot Act to be read; and Mr. Hume and most of his friends left the room, as did also the great majority of the other party. Some persons remained, placed Sir John Scott Lillie in the chair ; and on the motion of Mr. O'Connell passed this resolution- ' ." That it is the duty of the House of Commons, which ouyht to 1., the re- presentative of all the people, to publish to the entire nation all the delin- quencie-t, oppressions, grievances, and other crimes crvnitt.1hy the 7167/ fize- 1;,,,, or .:Nor L«1 uses; and therecme we pledge ourselves to give all the pro- teethe: in our power to ev:nty such just and necessary pal:neat:6n " Mr. Under-Sheriff France, with about 250 persona, incindi»g Sir Francis Burdett, Captain Polhill, Mr. 0. F. Young. Si:' J. Gil'oon. Mr. Richard Taylor, and Coleeel Wood, went up-stairs. Several speeches were delivered, condemning the conduct of Mr. Hume, Mr. Wakley, and the other Members of Parliament—the " real culprits," as Mr. Taylor called them, who bal created disorder in the meeting. Thanks were voted to the Creler-Sheriffs; and it was rev deed to call another meeting to take the Sheriffs case into consideration.

Many persons complain of being robbed in the seafle. Hats, um- watches, and purses were missed by the ty.; beIS.