Ube frictropoItd.
The Common Council met on Thursday, and after a discussion of some length, agreed to petition Parliament not to puss the bill for the amendment of the Poor-laws. Mr. Richard Taylor and some other members thought that parts of the bill were deserving of support, and were averse to condemn it altogether; but the great majority deemed it too bad for amendment.
A number of meetings have been held during the Aveck, at the Vestry-rooms of the various Metropolitan parishes, to take into con- sideration the Government plan for the amendment of the Poor-laws. In some instances strong disapprobation of the bill has been expressed ; in others it has been favourably received ; and several parishes have determined to watch the progress of the measure carefully, without making any positive declaration in favour of or against it. A very great meeting of Dissenters was held on Thursday morning, as early as seven o'clock, at the City of London Tavern. Upwards of four hundred Deputations attended from all parts of England, Wales and Scotland ; including the towns of Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Oxford, Cambridge, Canterbury, Lincoln, Boston, Notting- ham, Northampton, Leicester, Exeter, Bath, Ipswich, and Worcester. They were convened by the .Metropolitan United Committee of Dis- senters, and embraced every class of Nonconformists. Mr. Baines, M.P.., was in the chair. Resolutions were passed, with only three ills- sentient voices, to the effect that the separation of Church and State formed the only secure foundation of equal religious rights and civil liberty. A number of secondary resolutions were also passed, recom- mending the formation of Voluntary Church Associations, condemning the compulsory system, and directing Deputies to wait upon their town and country Members to request their support, and to advise them of their de:ermination to vote for no candidate at the next election who refused to puce it. The names of many supporters of Governmen were freely mentioned and condemned; and a deputation of eight gentlemen was ap- pointed to %vait on Lord Althorp, to represent the deep disappointment of the Dissenting body at the measures of Government, and their determination to persevere in their efforts to obtain equal, civil awl religious privileges with the members of the Establishment.
The arguments before the Privy Council for and against the grant- ing of a charter to the London University were brought to a close ow Saturday. The decision has not yet been given.
At a meeting of the proprietors of the National Provincial Bank of England, held at the London Tavern on Thursday, it was resolved, by a great majority, to establish local banks in connexion with the Metro- politan establishment ; the shareholders of which are to derive their profits or incur their losses solely from their separate concerns.
The Spring Festival of the Scottish Hospital was held on Wednes- day, at the Freemason's Tavern. The Duke of Gordon and Lord Saltoun were the only Scottish gentlemen of distinction present. The collection, however, amounted to 5001.
The nineteenth anniversary of the London Orphan Asylum was eclebnited on Wednesday, by a dinner at the City of London Tavern, Lit which the Duke of Wellington presided. In the course of the even- ing, upwards of 2a106/. WIN subscribed by the gentlemen present, ti..50 itt number.
On the same day, the supporters of the Jews Hospital dined to- gether, at the London Tavern, and raised 4501. for the support of the sustItation.
A meeting was held oti Saturday, at the Freemason's Tavern, to con-hler the means of relieving the distressed Poles, now in, England. Among the gentleman present, wore Lord Dudley Stuart, Lord Mor-
ro'', Lord Sandon, Ilinne, Mr. O'Connell, Mr. Shell, Mr. Beaumont, Mr. C. Fergusson, Colonel Stanhope, and Mr. E. llomilIy. It was resolve d to open a subscription ; which WIIS headed. with the mune of the Aiarquis of Lansdowne, for ad. Altogether, about 2it11. was subscribed at the mectirg, ; and considerable additions have since been made.
Colonel Torrens has unlertaken to deliver a course of lectures at
the London Al cellanies in upon the subject of' wages and profits. No man understands the subject better than Colonel Torrens; and the lectures cannot fail to he useful at the present time.
Mr. Jones, who was Marshal of the King's Bench prison for many years, died on Sunday. His successor is Mr. Thomas Chapman. The oilier. is in the gift of the Lord( luief Justice, and was formerly extremely lucrative : it is now worth :IWO/. It )ear.
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