A party of Southwark Liberals, about three hundred in number,
as- sembled on Wednesday evening at the Bridge-house Hotel, to celebrate the return of Mr. Benjamin Wood for the Borough. Alderman Sir Matthew Wood was in the chair ; and in proposing his brother's health, eulogized him " as a man of business, in every particular active and zealous, and persevering both in private and in the service of his friends in public."
Mr. Benjamin Wood pledged himself to pursue an independent course iin Perlinneut. On some questions he should be foundin direct oppo-
sition to Government ; and he regretted that Ministers should during the present session have 0! lied lain to vote against them on the gum- lion of Church-rates, so interesting to many of his constituents.
Alderman Humphery congratulated the meeting on Mr. Waiter's defeat. Mr. Walter was his personal friend ; but he must not present himself, with the Times in his hand, to one of the must independent con- stituencies in the country.
Mr. Byng, M.P., thanked the electors of Southwark for the noble stand they had made Ibr their country. Mr. O'Connell avowed it " as his solemn opinion that Southwark had saved the country." Mr. Hume declared himself in favour of the principles of the Charter,—an avowal which drew down hisses as well as cheers ; when Mr.•Hume said that he disapproved of the means by which the Chartists sought to obtain their ends,—and good humour was restored. Mr. Hodges, M.P., said that without the Ballot no increase of Liberal Members in the House of Commons could be expected. The party did not separate till a late hour. The Liberal electors of Middlesex are making preparations for a public dinner to celebrate the completion of Mr. Byng s fiftieth year as Member for the County. It is also intended to present Mr. Byng with a piece of plate in .commemoration of his services.
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