gbt Stleiropolis.

The new Ministerial scheme underwent the consideration of the Central Protection Society on Thursday, at a special meeting; the Duke of Rich- mond presiding. Resolutions expressing the utmost alarm, and anticipat- ing certain ruin to all the "productive" classes from the proposed changes, were adopted; also the following recommendation-

" It is recommended to the country and local Protection Societies, that they do immediately form Committees, of not more than twelve gentlemen, to wait upon the Members in their several districts who were elected on Protective principles, and press them either to reject the proposal of Sir Robert Peel, or at once to re- sign their seats, and appeal to their different constituencies for a sanction of the change in their political opinions."

A requisition from the members of the Common Council to the Lord Mayor, requesting him to call an early Court to consider the propriety of petitioning Parliament for the total and immediate repeal of the Corn-laws, is in course of signature.

The London Peace Society held a public meeting at Finsbury Chape4 Moorfields, on Tuesday evening. The proposal to call out the Militia sup- plied Mr. Joseph Sturge, Mr. John Scoble, and the other speakers, with an object of attack; and resolutions objecting to the enrolment, on Peace principles, and enjoining a kind of passive resistance, were adopted.

Another public meeting of the parishioners of Marylebone was held this week, at the Workhouse-yard; and resolutions deprecating the intention of the Poor-law Commissioners to unite the parish with seven others into district for the maintenance and support of the houseless poor were passed. Energetic speeches were delivered by Sir J. Hamilton, Mr. George Perry, Mr. William Williams, Mr. Daniell, Mr. Hume, Sir De Lacy Evans, Sir Charles Napier, and others. Sir Benjamin Hall referred to his votes as showing that on several occasions he had opposed the bill which conferred the objectionable power on the Commissioners. Mr. Potter jocularly re- ferred to a letter which the Baronet had written on one occasion expressing a hope that the Vestry would not require him to give up his hunting to attend a particular meeting, but promising that if greatly wanted he would forego the sport and attend. Upon this Sir Benjamin remarked, that if the Vestry knew the pleasure of hunting during the recess, they would forgive him for enjoying it.

In the Court of Common Pleas, on Thursday, judgment was given in the case of Alexander, appellant, versus Newman, respondent, involving an important prin- ciple in election-law. The case came before the Court on an appeal from the de- cision of the Revising Barrister for Yorkshire • which raised the distinct question whether a conveyance to a bona fide purcha;er, as tenant in common, was void under the third section ot 7th and 8th Will. IIL chap. 25; or whether such con- veyance, being made on the part of the vendor and vendee for the avowed and only object ofmultiplying voices at an election, should in effect be at the same time bonafuk conveyance on a contract of sale ? This position was affirmed by the Revising Barrister, and was now sustained by the Court. The same principle was applied to five other appeals, which lay over till judgment was given in the case mentioned.

The Postmaster-General has abandoned the prosecution of Mr. J. Bowers Gray, the chemist who was accused of stealing a letter containing a post-office order for 20s., and forging a signature to the order. Steam warfare rages on the River. The cams belli is a dispute between the Navigation Committee and the Watennen's Steam-packet Company, as to the right of the latter to provide themselves with a pier at Blackfriars Bridge. The Watermen's Company believing that they were entitled to do this, and having

been deprived by the Navigation Committee of the use of the um Blaoldriars

The Registrar-General's return of mortality in the Metropolis for the week end- ing on Saturday last shows the following general results.

Number of 'Winter Annual - deaths. average. average.

Zymotie (or Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious) Diseases Dropsy, Cancer,and other diseases of uncertain or variable seat Diseases of the Drain. Spinal Marrow, Nerves, and Senses Diseases of the Longs, and of the other Organs of Respiration Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion Diseases of the Kidneys, ite Childbirth, diseases of the Uterus, &c Rheumatism, diseases of the Bones, Joints, lic Diseases of the Skin, Cellular Tissue, &c.

Old Age Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance Total (including unspecitied causes)

The temperature of the thermometer ranged from 54.1° in the sun to 37.8° in the shade; the mean temperature by day being warmer than the average mean temperature by 11.7°. The mean direction of the wind for the week was South- west.

175 ...

82 ... 183 ...

113 ... 188 101 128 ... 169 ... 157 325 ... 363 . . 294 32 ... 20 ... 27 60 ... 69 ... 72 10

4 13 ... 10 10

2 2 . . 2 49 ,.. 00 ... 67 26 27 ... 28 — — — 906 ... 1,080 ... 968

free pier, made arrangements for erecting a pier as near the site of the old one as passible. The object was accomplished; the pier being so constructed as to draw in and out with the rise of the tide. The City authorities deeming this an invasioa of their privilegesi resolved to destroy the erection, by "cutting out" some of the barges which lay in front and about the pier; but the Watermen's Company were uutde aware of the intention, and placed steamer No. 5 on the outside. Before daybreak on the morning of the 22d, the St. Michael steam-tug, carrying a party of the City Police, a number of dredgermen, fishermen, and others, under the command of Water Bailiffs Saunders and Pearce, commenced the action by attempting to remove a barge which occupied an important position: ' but steamer No. 5 lay in the way, and the effort failed. The City party succeeded better with another barge, which they forcibly bore away, snapping the chains like cords. A second barge was seized in like manner; and both barges were taken in tow by the St. Michael; the intention being to land them at Rotherhithe. Steamer No. 5 was now brought into action: she was steered stem-on with great violence between the tug and the barges, and they were broken adrift. The tug attempted to recover her prizes; but was ouhnameuvered by No. 5. Ultimately the tug succeeded; but No.5 placed herself athwart-hawse of her opponent, going round and round, amidst the shouts of the people who bad by this time assembled on both shores. In consequence of this manceuvre, the tug was held prisoner, and Water Bailiff Pearce gave the order to board. This was done by the Police and some Bankside drcdgermen; who took forcible possession of the steamer, belabour- ing such of the crew as resisted; and the conquerors moored her to the coal- barges on the South shore. Here a party of volunteers undertook to dislodge the enemy; and achieved the task amidst the cheers and shouts of the spectators. The crew, on regaining possession gave chase to the tug; overtook her in one of the arches of London Bridge; and;dashing between the tug and the barges, drove them towards Billingsgate. To prevent recapture the City people towed the barges into the roadstead off the Customhouse; where they were cut out on the following morning; the men in charge running away. The Watermen's pier has again been formed. During the day, two steamers stand guard; and no fewer than seven hold ward and watch during the night. Parties are stationed on Lon- don and Southwark Bridges to fire signals should the enemy approach. The Watermen's Company have memorialized Sir James Graham onthe subject of their grievances; they also intend to petition Parliament for redress, and to suggest that the Government should take the conservancy of the River out of the hands of the Corporation. Meanwhile, some of their party have been held to bail on a charge of rioting.

A man in the service of the St. George Steam-packet Company was killed in the Pool on Tuesday night. While be stood on a barge, another barge ran against it, and knocked him into the water: two men instantly caught hold of him; but as they were drawing him out, the outer barge swung round, and his head was crashed between the two vessels. •