be 'Retro/DAM A number of parishioners of St. Pancras held
a meeting on Tues- day, to protest against paying rates for defraying the cost of their ex- pensive church. One of the speakers said— He was a stanch adherent of the Established Church, because he liked its firm of worship. But he had a strong objection to the rate, and he was not by any means disposed to pay his money for superfluous ornaments. Let those who wanted them pay for them. He did not like to see those who dissented from him called upon to contribute to the support of his church.
Another declared, that he had told the Magistrates before whom he bad been summoned, that he would never pay a farthing of the rates; for the parochial funds had been grossly misapplied— He also told him, be did not want an expensive edifice for the performance d his devotions ; and that it was unjust to oblige him to pay for the Corinthian pillars and other gingerbread decorations, which might be necessary to kindle the religious enthusiasm of the aristocracy, but which could have no such ex- citing effect on the humble aspirations of their less-favoured brethren. He put it to the meeting whether it was not a moustrous imposition to call upon the parish to pay several hundred pounds for the expenses of a person sent out to Athens to make a fanciful drawing of the Temple of the Winds—and only let them look at the happy attempt which had been made to rival the architecture of the ancients! Surely those vulgar figures, which were no doubt intended to ornament the exterior of the building, were much better calculated to adorn the statue of Achilles in Hyde Park, than a temple dedicated to the worship of the Supreme Being.
Resolutions against Church-rates were passed.
At a meeting of the Vestry of Christchurch, Spitalfields, on Thurs- day, it was resolved, by 27 to 23, to confirm the resolution of a former meeting, by which the imposition of a Church-rate of two shillings in the pound, for the building of a new spire and belfry, was post- poned.
The Tories have been declining, that at the recent rejection of a Church-rate by the Vestry of St. Paul's Covent Garden, they were taken by surprise, and that last night they would reverse that decision. Another meeting was accordingly held last night ; Mr. Bowers, the Rector, in the chair; when there appeared—for a penny rate 51, against it 83, majority 32. Is the Tory party in the parish satisfied now ?
At a special meeting or the Deputies from the several Dissenting Congregations of the Three Denominations, within twelve miles of London, held on Wednesday last, it was unanimously resolved, "That with regard to the compulsory payment of Church-rates, this deputation cordially concurs in the determination generally expressed by Protes- tant Dissenters in various parts of the kingdom, to resist, by all legal means, the further levying of that unjust impost."
Besides the resolution passed by the Deputies, concurring in the de- termination expressed by Dissenters in different parts to resist the levy- ing of Church-rates, the monthly meeting of ministers East of London, en Monday last resolved, "That they can accept no arrangement which does not embrace the utter extinction of Church-rates ; and that they seriously deprecate any attempt to attach them to theConsolidated Fund, as inflicting a greater injustice on themselves, and as likely to disturb the easy and cheerful collection of other parts of the revenue,', The London Court of Directors of the National Bank of Ireland have elected Mt. O'Connell Governor of the Bank.
A squadron of eight superannuated vessels of war was offered for sale at the Admiralty °Mee, Somerset Place, on Thursday. It con- sisted of two seventy-fours, three frigates, two brigs, and a lighter. The sale was after the Dutch fashion,—the auctioneer putting up a ship at a certain price, and then reducing his demand till he came within the mark of some purchaser. The Scarborough, a seventy-four, brought the most money-62201.; the sum asked being 7500/. Only five of the vessels were disposed of.
Bartholomew Fair commenced on Saturday. The Lord Mayor,. shortly after twelve o'clock, arrived at Smithfield in state, and opened the fair with the usual ceremonies. The space allotted to shows, booths, &c. is much curtailed from what was allowed in former years.
For some weeks past, differences have existed between some of the leading engineers and their men relative to the hours of work ; which led the latter to "strike," Concessions, however, have been made by I both masters and men, and the latter have consequently returned to their work. It appears that, during the strike, about 5001. weekly was received from different parts of the country, to enable them, as they themselves express it, to " stand out."
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