ebe gretropolis.

The writ for the election of a Member to serve in Parliament for the borough of Southwark, in the place of the late Mr. Benjamin Wood, was received by the High Bailiff on Thursday: he has appointed Wednesday next for the nomination of candidates, and Thursday for the poll.

- The almost daily meetings of those who support the Liberal candidates have continued, with scarcely any variation, except some increase of bitter- ness, especially on the side of Mr. Miall. At a meeting on Monday, Sir William Molesworth replied to a charge from Mr. Mialr, that he was in- sincere in holding the Voluntary principle, because he happened to he pos- sessed of the presentations to certain livings in the Church of England— He inherited that property from his father, and no one could blame him for retaining it. Being in possession of that propeity, his personal interests might in some degree be said to be opposed to the Voluntary system; but never- theless, he declared solemnly that he was in favour of the Voluntary system. (Great cheering and uproar.) But could not the Reverend Mr. Mall conceive that a man might be influenced by higher motives than mere self-interest ? Did he suppose that there was no love of truth or of principle in the world ; but that everything centred in self, self, self? Did the reverend gentleman suppose that a man could not hold an opinion which was contrary to his own personal littered? If Mr. Hall did entertain an opinion so derogatory to human nature, he could only say that he was sorry for it. -Whenever lie had been asked to give ground for a Dissenting chapel on his property in Devonshire or Cornwall, he had acceded to the request; he had contributed out of his own funds to their erection; and at that moment lie was part-proprietor of a Dissenting chapel. Such conduct on the part of a professed advocate of religious liberty and equality he digi not expect: conduct more bigoted and intolerant than this could not be found in the annals of the Church of Rome; and it evinced a spirit which lacked only the oppor- tunity and the power to persecute and to slay. What did the Revemel Mr. Miall mean by his notions of religious liberty and equality? Was it to allow people the power of differing front every person but the reverend gentleman himself?

At a meeting on Tuesday, Mr. Miall (stung, it would seem, as a Par- liamentary candidate, by the epithet "Reverend,") fiercely assailed his rival— Sir William Molesworth had been pleased to go back, in order to throw a pre judice over his cause, to the earlier history of his life. Perhaps it was not a worse preparation for the business of law-making, to have been engaged for some i years n preaching the gospel of truth and peace than to have been occupied in editing the works of the infidel Hobbes. Without reproaching Sir William for his religious sentiments, it must be said, that if lie entertained views respecting, civil and religious liberty at all in unison with those of Hobbes of Malmesbury, then he had not acted a fair and open and manly part in appealing to Protestant Dissenters for their support, without frankly and explicitly declaring as much, Regardless of the sneers of philosophical Radicals, he would say boldly, that his own political views and principles were based upon the New Testament; winch he took not only as his religion, but as his philosophy. Let Sir Williani Moles- worth, as a manly antagonist, declare whence he derived his views and principles: Be turned from Sir William to the school of politicians with which ho was associated—

It was quite time that their sham and their pretence should be pnt an end to. The country had had enough of their everlasting clatter about civil and religious liberty, when almost every act of theirs proclaimed their deadly hostility to reli- gion in every shape. Let them come no more before Protestant Dissenters for their support: their conduct in the last session had sufficiently revealed them; and, whatever might come of it, and however the Spectator might sneer at his friends as "humbugs,"* at all events they would be humbugged by the Radical philosophers no longer. They came with bland countenances and pretences of sympathy with the principles of Protestant Dissenters; and almost every one of em would go away to his club and heap contempt and stern upon the "Saints" and the "Methodists" who had supported him. of Hobbes as an original thinker and classic writer in English literature; and of his own conduct in editing the philosopher's works.

Hobbes, the pupil of Galileo, the friend of Bacon and Gassendi, the not un- worthy antagonist of Descartes—patronized by the Cavendishes of Devonshire— attained in his lifetime an European fame. His works, fitted not for popular perusal but for the patient study of the closet, treat of logic, metaphysics, and of the moral and political sciences: they were models of the English language, and are remarkable for the originality of their views, the clearness of their logic, and the boldness of their conclusions. Hobbes was the first great political writer this country produced: he commenced a revolution in the social sciences analogous to that which Bacon, Galileo, and Descartes effected in the physical sciences. He discovered much truth, and fell into much error. His productions are classical works, and ought to be found in the library of every gentleman, and of every institution, and every college, which professes to possess a collection of the best English authors. During his lifetime, Hobbes was persecuted by church- men and bigots; and why? First, because he contended that the church should not be supreme, but subordinate to the state; secondly, because he affirmed that ministers of religion ought not to interfere in politics; thirdly, because he attacked the Bishops, and defeated many of them in argument; and lastly, because he was suspected of partiality towards the great Cromwell. For these reasons churchmen and bigots denounced him, and, if they could have done so, would have burnt him, as an infidel. Mr. Miall had denounced the works of Hobbes as infidel productions. (A voice—"So they are.") He would ask that most learned Theban whether he had ever read the works of Hobbes? ("Hear!" and laughter.) He would like to know whether Mr. Miall had ever read those works. (Cheers and some interruption.) He called upon Mr. Mull to produce one infidel passage from the works of Hobbes—he challenged, he dared Mr. Miall to point out such a passage. (Cheers.) He had read those works, and he declared that not one passage derogatory to Christianity could be found in them. He did not accuse Mr. Miall of gross and wilful falsehood; but he did charge that would-be and pretended advocate of civil and religious liberty with ignorance, and with worse negligence, in accusing him, for electioneering purposes, of editing an infidel work. It was impossible for him to answer for every one of the opinions of Hobbes, or any other writer who lived two centuries and a half ago: he had not become the editor of Hobbes's works because he agreed in every one of his opinions—far from it; but lie did think that lie was rendering a service to the studious among his countrymen by enabling them to peruse the writings of one of the greatest thinkers England ever produced.

The South-London and Southwark Operative Protestant Associations met at the National Parochial School-room, in the Borough Road, on Tuesday, for the purpose of considering how far the views of Mr. Pilcher with regard to the Maynooth Endowment Bill, and to Protestantism in general, entitled him to their support at the ensuing election. The admission was by ticket, the bearer of which pledged himself not to disturb the meeting. Mr. Pilcher attended; was profuse in his assurances of supporting Protestantism and endeavouring to rescind the Maynooth grant; and equally profuse in his attacks on Jesuitism, Puseyism, &c. Mr. Parr, said to be one of Sir Wil- liam Molesworth's Committee, asked Mr. Pilcher whether he would vote for any motion that might be brought forward to abolish Church-rates? The Chairman said that the question was too wide: several persons cried "Turn him out!" and there was so threatening a move towards Mr. Parr that he was conducted to the platform for safety. He tried to address the meeting, but was effectually silenced. Mr. Pilcher, however, vouchsafed this answer— With regard to the question whether he would support Church-rates, he thought that was a question which branched out into so many matters that it ought not to be put to any candidate. (" No, no!" and" Yes! ") The Church of England was the poor man's church; and if he could support it in a less ob- jectionable manner than by a church-rate, he should do so.

A resolution in Mr. Pilcher's favour was moved by the Reverend Mr. Curling, Secretary to the Protestant Operative Association; seconded by Mr. Lord, Secretary to the Anti-Maynooth Conference; and carried una- nimously.

Mr. Pilcher met a body of his friends on Thursday evening. Mr. Shaw, the Chairman of the meeting, made a long speech for Mr. Pilcher; and Mr Pilcher made a short one for himself. Mr. Shaw quoted a paper issued by Mr. Miall's Committee, alluding to Hobbes, in support of his asser- tion that Sir William Molesworth was an " infidel "; and he would say to the electors, Poll early for Miall, in preference to Sir William Molesworth. Mr. Pilcher promised to support the local interests of Southwark— His object, if sent to Parliament, would be to serve the borough immediately; to cleanse it of everything filthy; to increase the means of employing its inha- bitants by the building of steam-docks for the use of the steam-vessels that crowded the river, and by such-like improvements, which would tend to the im- mediate welfare and social comfort of the people.

At all these meetings respectively, although there were occasional inter- ruptions, resolutions in favour of the several candidates were carried with- out opposition.

The election of a Judge for the Westminster Court of Requests took place on Monday, by ballot. The number of Commissioners was 288, but only 152 had einalified; which number was further reduced by death and removals to 127. At the termination of the contest, the numbers were—for

Mr. D. C. Moylan 44 Mr. P. II. Le Breton 26 Mr. A'Beckett 23 Mr. Keane 20 Mr. Campbell 14 Messrs Thomas, Horry, Morton, Bebb, Langslow, Austin, } Haworth

These numbers caused some surprise; and it VMS considered evident that such A conclusion could only have been arrived at by a coalition of some of the can- didates.

Mr. J. C. Symons, a candidate for one of the new local judgeships, wrote to Lord Denman expressing doubts as to the propriety of canvassing for such an office; which some of the candidates had done: it was even said that Lord Denman had once canvassed for the office of Common-Sergeant. In his reply, Lord Denman confirms Mr. Symons's doubts, and denies that he ever canvassed for the office of Common-Sergeant. On the contrary, his opponent, Mr. Sergeant Bolland, having announced his intention of doing so, Lord Denman publicly de- clared that he should not take that course; and Mr. Holland at once withdrew his announcement.

Besides the order of the Poor-law Commissioners for the formation of a "North- western Metropolitan Asylum District," which has produced so much disgust in the parish of St. Marylebone, a second order has just been issued by the Com- missioners for the formation also of "the Western Metropolitan Asylum District," to consist of the Brentford and Fulham Unions, in the county of Middlesex, and of the Richmond Union, in the county of Surrey; which will comprise the parishes of Fulham, Hammersmith, Chiswick, Acton, Ealing, Hanwell, Greenford, Heston, Ialeworth, Twickenham, New Brentford, (in Middlesex), Mortlake, Kew, Richmond, Ham, and Petersham. The Board of Management is to consist of nine Guardians, e..saamely, four for the Bre,ntford Union, three for the Fulham Union, and two for the Richmond Union; the election by the Board of Guardians of each of those .1/4 Unions to take place on the 9th instant.

At a special meeting of the St. Marylebone Board of Directors and Guardians, on Tuesday, the following resolution against the establishment of the proposed North-western Metropolitan District was carried unanimously-

" That this Board do in the strongest terms protest against the parish of Marylebone being combined with other parishes in the formation of an asylum district, as subver- sive of the unity and independence of the parish, destructive of the rights and privi- leges of the ratepayers, and foreign to the general spirit of the local act, by Which the self-government of the parish has been hitherto preserved.

"That a communication be made to the Vestry-Clerk to call a special meeting of the Vestry to cooperate with the Directors and Guardians In preserving the independence of the parish."

The Directors and Guardians present successively and individually declared that they would not act on the proposed Board of Management.

The Chelsea Board of Guardians have likewise protested against the Union.

At a meeting of the St. Pancras Directors and Guardians also, opposition to the Union was declared, though less strongly: the following resolution passed-

" That considering the extent of the parish, the amount of its rental, and the conse- quent sum of money it will have to contribute to the Central Metropolitan Asylum District, as compared with those of the other parishes in union comprised in the dis- trict, this Board is of opinion that the parish is justly entitled to be represented by live Instead of three Guardians, as provided by the order of the Poor-law Commissioners, dated 2Ist August 1845."

Bartholomew Fair was opened on Wednesday, by the Lord Mayor, with the diminished ceremony adopted of late years. Scarcely a vestige of the fair, however, appeared, except a few gingerbread stalls and some donkey-racing "New Bartholomew," at Islington new market, a rising rival, drains the resourcas of the superannuated festival in Smithfield.

At the Mansionhouse, on Monday, Mr. Peter Gordon, an East India proprietor preferred a charge of assault against Sir Henry Willock, the Chairman of the East India Company, and Edward Wilson, one of its officers. It will be remem- bered, that on the 23d August, Mr. Gordon took possession of the Chairman's seat in the Court of Proprietors before the Directors entered: when they arrived Sir Henry Willock ordered Mr. Gordon to leave the chair; and on the proprietor's making some demur, Sir Henry directed Wilson to remove the intruder by force; which was done. The evidence represented the proceeding precisely as it was de scribed in our last week's paper. The Lord Mayor and Alderman Moon considered that Mr. Gordon had been the aggressor, and they dismissed the charge. In the course of the proceedings, Mr. Gordon admitted that he had had a thousand copies of a very strange handbill printed (without a printer's name) and dis tributed. It was as follows-

" Corruption, Perjury, Treason—We all row in the same boat. The public are most earnestly invited to attend in their own gallery in the India House, at noon on Friday the 220 of August 1845, and there freely to express their opinion of the proceedings of the General Court, which is an open Democratic Court, without rules or chairman—a Court in which every proprietor of India Stock, even under 5001., has by the charter a right to speak freely. There is nothing to prevent the Court from listening to any non-proprietor in the gallery ; it is, in fact, the Exchange of India. It cannot commit any one for contempt. The Directors provide refreshments for all their approvers.

" Rungoo Bapogee will reopen the case of the 'Undoes.

"George Thompson will again Impeach the British Ambassador.

"The Secretary will again place in the chair and prompt his Highness the Prince Of the most noble order of the Lion and the Sun.

"His Highness's lip will again quiver—his teeth will again chatter.

"Mr. Deputy will again declare—' We all row in the same boat.'

"Corruption, Perjury, Treason.—The father of the Direction will again reproach the State prisoners of the Company with their ingratitude.

"He demands gratitude from Shugshotte, and for the red-hot wire torture.

"The young Banker—What will he do ?—Fight, or order tea at the expense of tb4 liyots for himself and friend."

[Handbills of a similar nature have been issued at intervals for some time past.] Styles, the man accused of forging the acceptances of Messrs. Gunt3r and Company and other persons to bills of exchange, has been committed fo: trial from the Bow Street Police-office.

Charles Maynard, the estate-agent who is charged with negotiating the return of property stolen on the Great Western Railway, and other offences was brought up for reexamination at the Guildhall Police-office yesterday week. The charge of bigamy was partially gone into: it was proved that the prisoner had entered into two marriages, and that the first wife is now living. It was asserted by Mr. Prance, the gentleman who was robbed on the Great Western Railway, that a second case of negotiating the return of property stolen on the Birmingham Railway had been in some way compromised, in order that a firm of solicitors who had had dealings with Maynard might not be annoyed by unpleasant dis- closures. The prisoner was remanded till the 12th instant.

The inquest on the body of Purcell, the boy who died from injuries received on board the Moonlight steamer at Hungerford Pier, was concluded on Monday. The evidence then adduced was just as contradictory as that given before. By some witnesses, all the blame of the disaster was attached to the people of the Moonlight; by others, to those of the Prince of Wales; one declared that both vessels were in motion at the time, another that only one was, and a third that neither was moving except by the action of the tide. The foreman announced that the verdict of the Jury was—" Accidental Death; a deodand of 401. being imposed upon the Moonlight steam-boat." He also stated, that his brother jury- men and himself had experienced great difficulty in arriving at a conclusion, in consequence of the extremely contradictory nature of the evidence submitted. to them by parties whose respectability entitled them equally to credit. They had, however, come to the unanimous opinion that the Hangerford Market Company were in duty bound to provide more pier-men, for the better protection of the public.