23 JUNE 1832, Page 9

Int sfirtropolig.

THE DUKE Or WEI.I.INGTON.—The Duke of Wellington having occasion) to pay an early visit to the Mint on Monday "(the anniversary of Waterloo), proceeded thither on horseback, accompanied by a single servant. He was recognized by a parcel of ragamuffins on Tower Bill, who followed him, hooting at a great rate. On quitting the Mint, he was again followed up the Minories, and along Leadenball Street, Cornhill, and Cheapside, and as far as Chancery Lane, by a mob of several hundred persons, hooting and groaning. The Duke had busi- ness at Lincoln's lint, where he entered, and stopped for some time. The alarm had now reached the Police-offices ; and a party of Police immediately mustered in his Grace's defence, and conducted him through the Square and by Long Acre to St. Martin's Lane, where a second band of Police from Scotland Yard joined tl:e first, and enabled the Duke to reach Apsley House in safety. The Tory journals have, in the dearth of more interesting topics, made a great deal of this, but to little purpose—it is not vivacious enough. The Duke held his usual dinner in the evening, and, it is said, laughed very heartily while relating the adventures of the day. Indeed, disgraceful as it was to the City Police—for that stems the party to which the disgrace chiefly attaches—it was unaccompanied with even the show of danger; and we do not see how he could have treated it seriously, had he even been inclined,—although his solemn friend Sir Robert Peel, who is not quite so much accustomed to scenes of real danger as the Duke, was exceedingly desirous to do so. The mercan- tile people of the City, more from a feeling of shame that the Duke Was. assaulted within the walls, than from any wish to exaggerate the assault, have signed an address to him, at which, we suspect, be will in secret, if not publicly, laugh as heartily as he did at his miraculous escape from his ratpunuflin assailants.

A meeting of merchants, brokers, and others, was held at the Commercial Sale-rooms on Monday, on the subject of the rew Cus- toms-duties., Mr. T. Smith spoke of the injury that would be sus- tained front the reduction of the duty on alkanet-root. and on amain°, unless a drawback on the stock in hand were allowed. Ile spoke of many persons being thrown out of work by the reduction, but did not explain how. He also blamed the reduction of the duty on jalap, because no one would take a dose extra in consequence. Mr. Wil- kinson replied to this disjointed chat—that the alkanet-root imported did not pay above 16,0001. per annum altogether. It was the same with other items where reductions had been made. He thought they ought not to waste their strength on such subjects. Mr. Fowke thought Ministers should know how little the reductions would benefit the public. It WI s agreed that a deputation should wait on Mr. Poulett Thomson, to point out the many defects in the schedule. A resolution of some importance was afterwards agreed to, namely, that a Chamber of Commerce should be established in London, on the model of similar establishments at Liverpool, Manchester, and else- where. The meeting adjourned for a week, with a view to carry this resolution into execution, and also to learn Mr. Thomson's intentions.

A representation was made on Tuesday to the Lord Mayor, on the subject of the rejoicings which are to take place on account of the Re- form Bills. The parties, 200 in number, stated that they had reason to believe that the distribution of the sum which would be required to illuminate the metropolis, in the shape of beef and bread to the poor, would be much more acceptable. They had ascertained, that, in the circle in which they moved, 20,000/. was ready to be distributed, if, in- stead of the mummery and debauchery and mischief of an illumination, such a distribution of charity were to be sanctioned. The Lord Mayor

sail he did not think himself warranted in issuing any directions on the occasion. The deputation, who made the representation, intimated their design of petitioning the Common Council on the subject. On the same day, a deputation [who were they, and who deputed them?' of the electors of Westminster waited upon the Lord Mayorato con- sult on the propriety of recommending a day for public manifestation of feeling on the success of Reform. We don't know whether these self -

deputed gentlemen are for lighting candles or giving alms.

The passing of the Reform Bill has already been celebrated in a great number of places, in all with much zeal and unanimity.

Mr. O'Connell, on Saturday, addressed a meeting of operatives, at the Mechanics' Institution, on the defects of the Irish Reform Bill ; 'which he commented on in pretty nearly the same way that he had pre- viously done in his letters to the English Reformers, portions of which we have more than once quoted. On Tuesday, he spoke at length on the same subject, at a meeting of the National Union. On the latter occasion, Mr. O'Connell denounced Sir F. Burdett, Sir J. C. Hob- house, and Lord Ebrington, for not having supported his views in the Rouse of Commons; and declared, that there was a union of all par- ties against the interests of Ireland, with respect to Parliamentary Re- form. On the division of Monday (the 11th May), Mr. O'Connell observed, Lord J. Russell walked out of the House arm in arm with Captain Gordon, Lord Althorp joined Sergeant Lefroy, and Mr. Stan- ley Sir R. Peel. The following resolutions were carried unani- mously— "That in the opinion of this Union, England is greatly indebted to the People of Ire. land and their popular representatives, especially Mr. O'Connell,•for the passing of the Reform Act for England and Wales; and theretOre that, independent of all other con- siderations, we are bound in gratitude to see that a measure of reform is conceded to Ireland, proportion ly equal in extent to that secured to England.—That this meeting 7eflect with deep regret upon the long series or partial. unjust, and oppressive measures to which Ireland bas been subjected by a succession of English Governments; and that this regret has been changed into indignation by the fresh and galling insult olliTed to that patient and generous people in the provisions of what is called the Irish Relbrm devised by the present Administration, and urged forward against the repeated, fltt, and serious remonstrances of the universal people of Ireland, as well as the whole cd'her popular representatives in the British Parliament."

The parish of Lambeth is formi:ig a connuittec to distribute meat, bread, &c. to the necessitous poor in the parish, instead of having an illumination to celebrate the passing of the Ileform Bill.

A correspondent of the Globe says, it is the :ntention of Government to make a reduction of the number of Magistrates at the Poliee-oflices in the metropolis, and also to reduce their salaries to the old standard— MU per annum. There are at present three Magistrates to each office : it is in contemplation to reduce this number to two each. The amount received by the Magistrates at present is 21,600/. per annum : on the reduced scale it would be only 10,8001. The Magistrates have taken alarm at the intk:nded changes, and held a private meeting on Monday at Hatton Gatden Office.

A quarterly general meeting of the East India Company was hold on Wednesday; when the usual motion for a dividend of 5+ per cent. for the current half year was put and carried. Mr. Lowndes called the attention of the Court to the spirit of innovation abroad. He denied that any benefit would result from the Reform Bill ; hoped the Company would retain all their conquests up to 1793; and expressed lais fear lest the Directors did not get a renewal of their charter be- fore the expiring of the present Parliament. He alluded to the attack on the Duke of AVellington in the City on Monday; which be said had been promoted by foreigners, not Englishmen. Mr. Rigby concurred in the sentiments of Mr. Lowndes.

The Evening Lectureship of St. Clement Danes is again the subject of competition between the Reverend J. W. Worthington and the Reverend T. Watson. The numbers yesterday were for Worthington 670, for Watson 361.

The investigation into the late burglary and robbery at the Excise- office has ceased ; and there is now little chance, notwithstanding the large reward offered, of the offender being detected. The young man, Exford, has been discharged from custody, and the father, the watch- man, has been dismissed the Government service. The Luilding is now vigilantly guarded both day and night.

The Inquest Jury that sat on Saturday on the body of the woman Riley, found a verdict of" Wilful murder" against the husband.

On Monday afternoon, Mr. Stewart, a surgeon residing in Long Lane, Bermondsey, committed suicide. He was betwem .fifty and sixty, and had fLrutedy been in extensive practice ; but latterly he became reduced, and a few weeks since his goods were seized for rent. On Monday, his son, a youth, on rcturniug from school, found his father lying in his room, quite dead, the head being nearly separated from the body.