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A numerous meeting of Southwark electors was held at the Bridge HOMO Hotel, London Bridge, on Monday evening, to receive a statement, vied noes, of Sir William Molesworth's political views. About two hundred of the most influential electors were present. Mr. William 'Lewes was voted into the chair; and he strongly commended Sir William to the suffrages of the borough. Sir William Molesworth began his address by claiming the in- dulgence of the electors, as he was fatigued by travelling a day and night to attend the meeting. le was now and then interrupted by questions or remarks. He declared that he adhered to the principles which had goe verned his conduct for the nine years that he was in Parliament: lie was neither a Whig nor a Tory, but a Radical. He was in favour of an ex- tension of the franchise. An elector asking "How far? Sir William replied— "I shall be at all times ready to support the demand of the people for increasing and extending the suffrage; but I refuse now to say bow far I would carry it, for I know not, with the increasing knowledge and intelligence of the British people, how far it might not ultimately be extended."

His declaration for Free Trade was most emphatic-

" To any duty imposed to protect the commodities of this country, or any of her colonies, I am decidedly hostile. And my opinion is, that all such duties should be removed; for they are injurious to the great masses of the ainununity, inasmuch as they restrict commerce, and diminish the means of employing labour and capital. • • * But of all protective duties, that which is most injurious to the trade and commerce of this country is the Corn-law."

In answer to a question which had been asked of him, he said that had he been in Parliament, he should have supported the Maynooth College Bill: in favour of which he cited arguments derived from the compact of the Union, the pledge implied in the continued support of the grant by the Liberal party, and the policy of well-educating the priests at home. But he should have supported Mr. Ward's motion, to pay the grant out of the funds of that monster grievance the Irish Established Church. On the subject of Church establishments generally, he was in favour of the Volun- tary principle. He concluded by offering to answer any questions.

Several electors rose to put questions; but it was arranged that they should be regularly put through the Chairman. They were as follows-- Whether Sir William Molesworth was in favour of universal suffrage? 2d, whether he was an advocate of the system by which persons were liable to prose.. cution for expressing freely their opinions upon religion and theology ? 8d, whe- ther he would support a proposition were it made, for endowing the Roman Catholic Church? and 4th would he consent to any further advance to the Roman Catholic College of Iaynuoth?

Sir William Molesworth answered thus-

" In reply to the first question, I have already told you I am in favour of an extension of the suffrage; autl when I was asked by some gentleman what limit I would put upon it, answered—assign no limit, but that with the increasing edu- cation and increasing intelligence of the people a greater number would empire and ought to acquire electoral rights. But if the question is, would I at once sup.. port a proposal tor universal suffrage, I answer, I would not: not that I apprehend any extreme danger would arise from the change, but that I think the time has not yet arrived when that measure could be obtained, and because I know that more evil is done to the cause of the extension of the suffrage by demanding too much at once, than by waiting for that gradual progress which must rapidly follow from the increased knowledge and civilization of the people. The second question I do not so clearly understand: but if it be, whether I think that every man should have the right calmly and dispassionately to express his opinion in favour of any I—[An Elector—" Or against any religion."] Or against any religion— I answer, without doubt, provided in so doing he respects the feelings of others. With free, conscientious, and proper discussion, whether for or against religion, the law ought not to interfere: but no man has a right openly to wound the feel- ings of others by any public demonstration which might have that effect. The question as to Maynooth I believe I have already sufficiently answered; and with regard to time endowment of the Catholic Church, all I can say is, that I have said betbre, that I am as a general principle, in favour of the Voluntary principle, and am not now prepared to pledge myself to support a measure for endowing the Roman Catholic clergy; but if on any future occasion it should become a ques- tion of great national policy whether any of the funds of the Protestant Established Church of Ireland should be appropriated to the benefit of the Catholic clergy, I will not now express any opinion on the subject, but twill pledge myself to this—. that if you disapprove of may conduct on that question, I will at once resign my trust into your hands."

Asked How as to the Poor-laws?" Sir William said, that he never shrank from the responsibility of having supported the Poor-law Amend- ment Act: but he should at all times be found ready and willing to assist in removing all proved abuses in that law.

Mr. E. Cooper proposed a resolution, expressing regret at the death of Mr. Benjamin Wood, and pronouncing Sir William Molesworth a fit and proper person to succeed him in the representation of the borough. Mr. Maynard, advocating universal suffrage at seine length, declared that he would not vote for Sir William Molesworth, because that gentleman would not extend the suffrage to "every man of mature age, not tainted by crime." The resolution was carried with but nine dissentients; and after seine reciprocation of thanks, the meeting broke up.

Mr. Mall has met his friends daily. Ile did so on Monday evening, at the Literary Institution, in the Borough Road; Mr. J. J. Webb in the chair. The attendance was at first scanty; but gradually it increased to the number of about a hundred and fifty. Mr. Miall stated that he had accepted the invitation to stand principally that he might afford the Dia. senting electors an opportunity of declaring their sentiments on the subject of the Maynooth Endowment Bill; sentiments which he did net think Fre William Molesworth suited to speak. Alluding to that measure and the distracted state of Ireland, he described the people as in spirit evading the

law and yet in the letter obeying it, and thus undermining the free con- stitution of the realm; and Sir Robert Peel as therefore determined to meet moral influence with moral corruption. Mr. .Apsley Follett moved a reso-

lution, to the effect that it was desirable that the electors of Southwark should have an opportunity of recording their decided disapproval of the policy adopted by the Maynooth Endowment Act; and that, with a view to this end, the meeting recommended Mr. Miall, the editor of the 1Toncon- formist, as a fit and proper person to represent the borough in Parliament. It was carried unanimously.

Mr. Iffial.1 again met the electors on Tuesday, at the Lecture-room in Great Suffolk Street—with the same Chairman; and touched upon the chief political points at issue. He had been accused of "dividing the Liberal interest "—

Now, he would first wish to know what was meant by the "Liberal body"? Was the Liberal interest comprehended in the few gentlemen who, after a confer- ence with the Reform Club, determined on a candidate, without at all informing themselves of the views of the great body of the electors? He thought that the first point to be decided was' which was the candidate who really divided the in- terest, by ascertaining which would receive the greatest amount of support from the body of the constituency? He believed his sentiments to be more in accord- ance with the feelings of the electors than those of any other candidate. He could see no great harm that would result even if the Liberal interest was divided on the present occasion, and thus cause the return of a Conservative Member. He did not think that there was much difference in the Parliamentary votes, con- duct, and arguments of either Whig or Tory. It would be found that all the great Parliamentary parties, Whig, Tory, and Radical, united in fleecing the people. Let the people ask for more liberty, and they were all agreed that it was not the time. Speak of the extension of the franchise, and they would say that the people mast be more educated ere that could be granted. He could not see

in place of a -Radical or decided Conservative. The Government, during

what great intynirrigwa:uld result to a Radical constituencyby their returning him

the past session, brought forward and carried a measure deeply affecting the religious and political liberties of the whole empire. Instead of acting on the Voluntary principle they by the Maynooth Endowment Bill sought to hire the Boman Catholic clergy, so that they might no longer sympathize with their flocks; which they would naturally do when dependent on their self-made contri- butions. This Endowment Bill was suggested by Sir Robert Peel's colleague, (he weld call him nothing else,) Lord John Russell: it was but the point of the wedge, and the endowment of the whole of the Roman Catholic clergy would follow. By this means, three established religions would be made, and each be S U rted by the taxation of the whole state.

e avowed himself as explicitly for free trade as Sir William Moles- worth, and also as the advocate of Complete Suffrage. In reply to ques- tions, Mr. Mien said that he was qualified to take his seat in Parliament, and that he would support Mr. Villiers's motion. An elector wanted to know his views on the Poor-laws: on which he answered—

He believed the bad administration of the former Poor-law created great and spreading mischief; but he also thought that it was possible to have cured that mischief without subjecting the poor to any kind of suffermg. He thought that the man who would not work should not eat; but when a man gave evidence of a willingness to work, then no obstacle ought to be placed in his way to prevent the accomplishment of that object. Let them have a free and enlarged representa- tion, and there would be little difficulty in adjusting the Poor-law. Mr. Lee Stevens, a member of Sir William Molesworth's Committee, ad- dressed the meeting; recommending that Sir William Molesworth should be returned this time, and Mr. Miall at a future election. Eventually, re- solutions passed in favour of supporting Mr. Miall, and defraying the ex- penses of his election by &public subscription.

Sir William Molesworth again held a meeting with his friends on Thurs- day evening—Mr. Lee Stevens in the chair—when several of Mr. Miall's supporters attended. The Chairman took some pains to show that Sir William was not a Whig, and was not put forward by the Reform Club. Sir William Molesworth began his own speech by declaring, that if the ma- jority of the Liberals were disposed to support some other gentleman, no one would be more willing to retire than he. He repeated several of the declarations that he made at the previous meeting; and, though adhering to the opinion that the Maynooth College Bill was a political necessity in the critical state of Irish affairs, he said that, believing the grant now to be sufficient for its purpose, he should oppose any proposition for its further increase. After he had done, there was a good deal of noisy and disorderly disputation; Mr. Miall's supporters denouncing Sir William as a Whig, and trying to entrap him into unpopular avowals by troublesome questions. Eventually, however, a resolution in Sir William's favour was carried, by an overwhelming majority.

The friends of Mr. Pilcher received his first personal address on Tues- day. As reported, it amounted to nothing. Mr. Grisenthwaite advocated his claims on the score that Mr. Pilcher was "determined to support the Protestant religion," and to oppose the New Poor-law. The meeting ad- journed till Friday.

In the Court of Bankruptcy, on Wednesday, Mr. Commissioner Holroyd gave judgment on a point rsisef in the case of Chambers and Son. The question was, whether certain property which had come to the assignees of the bankrupts was to be administered under the bankruptcy as the joint estate of the two bank- rupts, or as the separate estate of A. H. Chambers the elder. There were four different properties upon which the question arose,—the Queen's Theatre or Opera-house, the Chettle estate, the Windsor estate, and the Northaw estate. The Commissioner decided, that the several properties in question were liable to be charged for the benefit of the joint creditors, to the amount of the sums which appeared to have been advanced for or on account of these different estates. This decision is expected to expedite the payment of a dividend on the bankrupts' estate; which was fixed for the 10th of November next, and is expected to be 10s. in the pound.

• At the Central Criminal Court, on Wednesday, one Peat, a young man, was tried for forging and uttering a bill of exchange for 1501., and defrauding Messrs. Roberts and Company, the bankers: the bill was discounted on his presenting a forged letter from Mr. Latham, a gentleman with whom he had lived as groom, and who kept an accouut at the bank. The bill purported to be drawn upon Mr. Latham by Mr. Smith, a friend of his. Peat was found guilty, and sentenced to be for life. ohn Taylor, a cabinetmaker, was tried for stealing a silver property of the Queen, from Buckingham Palace.

„,

efopiated in the Palace. The evidence was conclusive, and

*mos Aungier pleaded guilty to an indictment for forging the name of Nicholls to a check on the London and Westminster Bank, for -,tka- second indictment, Thomas Parker was charged with aiding anotherforged check, for 1801. But he was acquitted. Yesterday, Taylor was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment; Angier to transportation for life.

A flagrant case of surreptitiously obtaining an allotment of railway shares WU investigated at Clerkenwell Police-office on Saturday. Edmund Yeakall was h with forging the name of Colonel Howard Stanley, of Home Park, Wind- sor, to the subscription contract-deed of the South Midland (Northampton and Leicester) Railway Company, for the amount of 8001., fort/ shares of 201. each, with intent to defraud the Company. Messrs. Stevens and Fearon, of Gray's Inn, the solicitors to the Company' received a letter on the 28th May, purporting to be written by " Colonel Howard Stanley," of " Home Park, Windsor," requesting an allotment of one hundred shares in the railway. In consequence of this, forty shares were allotted; and notice was sent to the Colonel, on the 5th July; on the 15th, the deposit of 44/. was paid to the Company's bankers ; and on the 31st the prisoner signed the subscription-deed. The solicitors having received some information respecting the accused, inquiries were instituted; and it was found that Colonel Howard Stanley, residing in the Home Park at Windsor, was entirely a fictitious person. A few days since, Yeakall was apprehended in front of the Stock Exchange. The prisoner, who described himself as an artist residing in Union Street, Southwark, made no defence; merely requesting that if he was to be remanded it should be till an early day, as he was then engaged on architec- tural drawings, and wanted to go into the country for three months. He was re- mended for a week.

On the following day, another charge of attempting to defraud the Company was made against a Mr. Charles Lander, who described himself as a land- surveyor, and who resided in Webber Street, Blackfriars Road. The evidence adduced proved that the accused applied for fifty shares in the name of Ferdinand De Lisle, of "Russell House, Balham Hill": Mr. De Lisle being well known as a merchant and banker, twenty-five shares were allotted to the applicant; who paid the deposit and signed the subscription-deed. It was afterwards discovered that Mr. be Lisle had been personated, and that he did not live at Russell House: on inquiry there, it was found that the house was to be let; and an old woman who had charge of it stated, that a gentleman had called and induced her to receive letters addressed to Mr. Be Lisle, representing himself to be that person. At the prisoner's house, a large quantity of railway documents and a memorandum-book were found, which showed that he had largely dealt in shares. He was remanded.

Maynard, the person charged with negotiating the return of property stolen on the Great Western Railway, was brought up at the Guildhall Police-office for re- examination on Saturday. Mr. Clarkson applied for a remand of the prisoner, as he would have other charges to make against him. He should, he said, hereafter have to prefer a second charge in respect to receiving 1501. for the restoration of a writing-desk, containing railway shares of considerable value, and which was stolen from the Great Western Railway. in May last. The Company were deter- mined to punish the parties concerned in these robberies, if possible. He should also have to charge the prisoner with bigamy: only ten days before he was ap- prehended on the present oe,.don, he had married Miss Maxted, a lady of respect- able connexions he having a wife now living, whom he married in 1822. The prisoner had been convicted and sentenced to transportation in 1816; which term he served on board the hulks. Some papers which had been found at the pri- soner's house were read: they were notes for conversation, of a very suspicious kind, evidently referring to negotiations for the return of property. Papers were also found written in short-hand, and stenographic writers partially translated them. The accused was remanded to the 29th instant.

Bean, the man charged with killing his wife in Tower Street, has been set at liberty; a Coroner's Jury having returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

A boy named Arkden, the son of a Barking fisherman, has died from the effect; of hydrophobia, after suffering dreadful agonies. He had been bitten in the leg, about a month previously, by a mastiff puppy, but had taken no heed of the wound.

Strict search has been instituted into the official books in the several offices and de- partments of the Customs in connexion with the warehousing or bonding departments at the London Docks, respecting the lately-discovered discrepancies in the delivery of goods from the warehouses: through the instrumentality of a clerk supposed to be in collusion with others, a larger quantity has been delivered than was justified by virtue of the warrant or entry passed by the merchant in the Long Room, or by the amount of duty which had been paid. It is understood that proof of design in these discrepancies would inculpate several parties in connexion with the same department; but in the absence of any present proof to that effect, proceedings against them are suspended.

Major-General Pasley's report to the President of the Board of Trade on the late accident at the Camden station of the Birmingham Railway has been pub- lished. It recites the particulars of the occurrence as they have appeared in the journals. The General ascribes the disaster to the ill-conduct of the engine- driver; who has since been discharged by the Company. "lam of opinion that the chief cause of this accident was the neglect and want of judgment on the part of James Unsworth, the engineman of the Lancaster mail-tram, who knew that the goods-train bad not passed him, which it ought to have done several miles before he reached the tunnel; and therefore, considering the thick fog, he ought not on any account to have passed the bridge, on the other side of which the crossing from the goods siding is situate at the distance of only 44 yards beyond it."

A frightful accident accurred on board the Moonlight iron steamer, at Hun- gerford Tier, on Monday evening. The vessel had been attached by a rope to another steamer' and on the order being given to go on the rope was not cast off; it instantly became taut, and catching the leg of a passenger, a lad named Par sell, one foot was cut sheer off at the ankle-joint, and the thigh was also much shattered. The sufferer was conveyed to the Charing Cross Hospital, and on Tuesday the leg was amputated at the knee. It is said that the men connected with the steamer were squabbling with a rival boat, instead of attending to their duty.

A very destructive fire occurred on Monday night in the narrowest part of Aldennanbury, by which 'property to the value of upwards of 100,0001. is estimated to have been consumed. It broke out a little before eight o'clock, in the basement of the large warehouse of Messrs. Bradbury and Company, Manchester warehousemen; and in a few seconds after the smoke was first observed by some workmen on the ground-floor the lower part of the building was in flames. The premises extend back from Aldermanbury to the Guildhall Police-court ; and being full of inflamma- ble property, in an hour and a half they were completely gutted,,despite of the exertions of the firemen who had twenty engines at work. The neighbouring buildings and their contents were much injured by the fire and the water. From the narrowness of the street, the whole front of an opposite warehouse was more than once in flames. The blaze shortly after eight o'clock was tremendous, lighting up all the steeples in the neighbourhood, and exhibiting the outline of St. Paul's in a very striking manner to the spectators on the bridges Westward; and Eastward the glare could be seen as far as Epping. Thousands of people flocked from all parts of London; and the Police had mach difficulty in keeping a clear space for the firemen. The origin of the fire is not known.

Messrs. Bradbury and Company's yremises were completely filled with goods, and even on the evening of the fire 8,0001. worth had been received, forming the autumn stock. From the official report of the damage done it appears, that Messrs. Bmdbury's warehouse, contents, furniture, and a house adjoining, were completely consumed. The insurance amounts to 75,0001. Ten other warehouses have been more or leas injured; some damage has been done to the Comptroller's Moe in Guildhall Yard; tal the stained-glass window at the Western end of

the Guildhall has been injured. It is said that the damage done to the premises and goods of Messrs. Oliver, which adjoin Bradbury 's warehouse, amounts to 15,0001. An unusual investigation into the cause of the disaster took place on Thurs- day. Mr. Payne, the City Coroner, called together a Jury to make the inquiry; and in opening it he told them that there existed an old law, which for some time bad been almost in abeyance, and which gave him the power to inquire into the causes of fires as well as into those of deaths. He intended, as the present inquiry showed, to revive that old law; for he considered it of the greatest public importance to ascertain the cause of fires, to determine whether they resulted from accident, criminal neglect, or design. Evidence was given by a great many persons. It appears that the fire originated among some waste paper lying under a street-grating by which the basement of the premises was lighted: how the paper ignited is not known, but most probably it did so from a spark or piece of lighted substance falling through the grating. A verdict was given that the fire was the result of accident.

Mr. Green made a night-ascent in his balloon from Vauxhall Gardens on Wednesday ; and, from the boisterous wind which prevailed, he incurred much danger on his descent. He was rapidly carried from the Gardens in the direction of Gravesend, and when about six miles past that town he descended. His car touched the earth; but the wind was so strong that the balloon was dragged along the surface for three or four miles, and at last got into a dike. The aronaut attempted to get out, but he became entangled in the netting; and the balloon again started off, dragging him with it. At length the car fell into a deeper dike. Mr. Green now became alarmed for his life; and, having a knife in his pocket, he cut the cordage in which he was entangled, and thus got free. The balloon, car, and its contents, were carried far away from him by the wind.

The name of the Hungerford Suspension-bridge has been changed to that of Charing Cross.