22 JANUARY 1831, Page 4

Tim - won si —A meetiug of the inhabitants of Bedford was

held on Sir Peter Laurie said, the issuing of the proclamation was the act of Monday. The Mayor, Mr. Elgar, was in the chair ; the two members, the Lord Mayor alone. lie had not acted with the knowledge of the Messrs. Whitbread and Polhill, the Marquis of Tavistock, Sir Peter City Magistracy, which, perhaps, would have taken a different view. Payne, and several other persons of rank, were present. Resolutions were Sir Peter's opinion certainly would have been, that the meeting should proposed and carried, canto- for reduction of taxation, the abolition of be permitted ; but he would have had a strong police force in readiness sinecures and pensions, and reformof the representation. Mr. nankin, to prevent disorder. It showed a kindness of heart to petition for mercy.at n atorney, expressed his surprise that tbe ballot had not been noticed,

nd. offered a resolution against it. As a specimen of anti-ballot rea- The Lord Mayor has been accused before of acting without magisterial

soners, we give Mr. Hankie's argument. " He appealed to this meeting advice, and he accordingly considered Sir Peter's charge in the present if voting by ballot was indigenous to the English soil ; it was an instance as the more imperatively calling fur answer. The report bar- American custom—it wasa French one. Let every Englishman vote in sing been shown to his Lordship while on the bench at the Mansionlionse the open daylight, and let him be protected in giving his honest vote. He on Wednesday morning, he said—As the attack had been made upon begged to quote a case, where an election took place in this town for a him by Sir Peter from the Magistrate's chair, he should return the coin- trustee, in which voting by ballot had been abused ; the proprietor of a pliment from a corresponding eminence. He should have felt exceed.

Was contrary to the fact, inasmuch as the course adopted by the Lord

rivate p, of all the City Magistrates, with the exception of Sir Peter THE CITY Cna of Parliamentary Reform, or of the neglect of the interests of the p 'ogle by public men, if, when the opportunity came, the Livery di I not support the public men who had done their duty [cheers]. Could any man, who, on such an occasion as the present, did not give him his gratitude, come forward afterwards and ash why he had not given in the Rouse of Commons this or that particular vote.? Could the ship-owners, who did not then support him,. expect his assistance when their cause might be under discussion ? Could the shopkeeper expect it ?" Cer- tainly not if they won't give money so Alderman Waithman, why should he give words to them? Do they deem an Alderman's wind worth nothing ? The show of hands not being satisfactory, a poll was demanded. At the close, the numbers were—for Shaw, 150; Waithman, 127. Dis- count on gratitude, 23.

At twelve o'clock today, the odds against the Orator had augmented fearfully—Shaw, G98 ; Waithman, I.

Bism,roereWaito.—A meeting of the inhabitants of the Ward of Bishopsgate was:held on Monday at the School-house, to discuss the pro- priety of a reform in Parliament, and also to consider the Assessed Taxes and the Duties on Coals. Alderman Copeland having taken the Chair, M r. Depute Weston proposed some-resolutions, couched in forcible terms, recommending Reform in Parliament and vote by ballot. The resolutions having been seconded by Mr. William Rawlins, Mr. Charles Pearson expressed his approbation of them, and insisted upon the ne- cessity of a reduction of taxation, and the diminution of the standing army, in order to remedy existing evils. After a few other observations from other gentlemen, the resolutions were carried unanimously, with one exception, and but two hands held up against the ballot. Tun LONDON Mismo.—Sir Claudius Hunter has replied to the charges of Mr. Pearson against this formidable band. Sir Claudius de- nies that it consists of sneaks or vagabonds, or that it costs the City so much as is alleged. He gave this explanation yesterday, from the Lord Mayor's chair, which he occupied as locum tenens. The wit of the City people seems to kindle, like wood, by hard rubbing. Even Sir Claudius says good things._" fobserve," remarked the Knight yesterday, " that some elderly gentleman took the liberty of saying that the London Militia used to jump down the areas to steal victuals, and that many of them had New:sate for a town residence. Now I can tell Mr. Pearson, that the very day he was calumniating the London Militia, as was riding along the street, not on my white but on my black long-tailed charger, I saw an elderly gentleman, such as seconded Mr. Pearson, stealing a piece of beef. I don't mean to say that Mr. Pearson was with him, but I rode after the elderly gentleman, who, however, cut doWn an alley with his prize." MIDDLESEX PAUPER LUNATIC ASYLUM.—The County Asylum for Lunatics at Hanwell is now completed, and will be opened for the reception of lunatics on the 25th of March next ; the number in the first instance to be limited to 75 male and GO female patients. Dr. Ellis of Wakefield has been appointed Superintendent, and his wife Matron; the former at a salary of 5001. per annum, and the latter at a salary of 1001. with the servants and garden, and also coals, candles, and provisions.

MR. HORHOUSE'S VESTRY BILL.A meeting took place on Thursday evening, in the Freemason's Tavern, to consider of the amended Vestry Bill. Major Revell was in the chair; Colonel Jones, Mr. Wakley, and about forty more, were present. The clause which gave double and treble votes to the seise individual has been withdrawn, and many of the rest are altered. lVe ctobhouse, who was very warmly greeted by the meeting, said he thought it but fair to observe, that in the present state of the House of Commons, the bill had nut the slightest chance of passing. He would, however, move it on the 3rd of February ; and if it were thrown out,

he hoped the meeting would stand by him in his defeat. When all the clauses of the bill had been carefully examined, thanks were voted to the Chairman and Mr. Hobhouse, and-the meeting separated.

Tine Banoams.—The Bank Directors have given instructions to the clerks in the Consols Office to lay before them returns of all transfers of stock of a nominal nature, or, as the phrase is, made without a valuable consideration. The more obvious motive is, that the Directors seek to ascertain what amount of stock is pledged, or held on speculation, com- pared with that which is held, ostensibly at least, for investment. What purpose such an inquiry can answer, so far as the Directors are con- cerned, must still remain a mystery.—Times.