TIE Aittropolis.

A meeting was held at the Thatched-house Tavern on Saturday, to concert proper arrangements for the erection of a monument to Sir David Wilkie's memory. The meeting was marked by the attendance of the two leaders of the House of Commons, Lord John Russell and Sir Robert Peel. Among those who were also present were, the Duke of Sutherland, Viscount Mahon, Lord Burghcrsh, Lord Charles Town- shend, Count D'Orsav, the Honourable Leslie Melville, Sir Augustus Calicott, Sir James Macgregor, Sir Charles Forbes, Sir Peter Laurie, Sir John Hare, Mr. Charles Dickens, Mr. Allan Cunningham, Mr. Macready, Mr. Cockerel!, Mr. W. A. Landon, Mr. George Stoddart, M.P., Mr. P. M. Stewart, ALP., Mr. John Murray, Mr. D. Maclise, R.A., Mr. E. Antrobus, M.P., and Mr. George Rennie, M.P. The chair was taken by Sir Robert Peel, in compliance with the invitation of the Committee. Sir Robert said that he had enjoyed the personal friendship of the man whom they had met to honour— Sir David Wilkie's loss had been so recent, his name stood so preeminently high, the productions of his genius were so familiar, nut only to his own countrymen, not only to Europe iu general, but to the whole world, that it would be out of harmony with his character—unbecoming the simplicity of that character—were he to attempt to pronounce any studied and elaborate eulogium upon it. That simplicity of character had secured Sir David • Wilkie the love of every cne with whom he had held familiar intercourse.

The Duke of Sutherland moved that some public tribute to Sir David Wilkie's genius would be deservingly rendered. On the second- ing of Sir James Macgregor, this resolution was carried by acclamation. Lord John Russell said-

" I believe there is not one who knew the late Sir David Wilkie who is not ready and eager to testify to his worth as a man. Among his near relations be inspired the strongest affection; among his friends he was universally received with the warmest regard and the most profound esteem. To brother artists of all descriptions he was a friend, a protector, and an assistant. There was no- thing in his nature of envy, or bitterness to any, be they whom they might. With regard to the merits of Sir David Wilkie as an artist, it is still le,s necessary for me to speak. His works testify that he must take his place among men of original genius, among those who have added lustre to their countries. The productions of his pencil are celebrated now, and they will be still more so when the mellowing hand of time has added to their beauties. * * I trust that those in whom nature has implanted genius sufficient to pro- duce works worthy of following Wilkie's, will make it their study to imitate his gentleness and kindness of disposition, which have so endeared him to all who knew him. With these few words, I beg leave to read a resolution, 'fhat this memorial should he a permanent and characteristic testin ,vial of his worth as a nian and his great excellence as a British artist.'"

The resolution was seconded by Mr. Phillips, R.A., and was carried unanimously.

Viscount Mahon alluded to a tour which he had made through Spain with Sir David, in company with Mr. Washington Irving. He quoted an incident of their travel- " I well remember at Toledo a little passing scene—a muleteer lighting his cigar from that of a monk—which gate rise first to a hasty sketch, and after-

wards to that magnificent painting many of you must have seen at Somerset H :use."

Lord Mahon moved a resolution, that a statue would be the most ap- propriate testimonial. Mr. B. B. Cabbell seconded this resolution ; but Mr. Rennie begged to offer a suggestion as an amendment : he was himself an artist for twenty years, and he should speak the opinion of many brother artists in the hint he would give. Did not the true mo- numents of artists exist in their own works ? What were the monu- ments remaining to the memories of the illustrious of antiquity ? what building, indeed, could have been reared that should have increased their fame ? He would hint that the money collected be partly expended on a bust instead of a statue, and partly lodged in the hands of trustees to form a Wilkie premium for the encouragement of that branch of the art in which he most excelled. Mr. Rennie's views were advocated by the Reverend Dr. Dibdin, and by Mr. Cockerell, R.A. Sir Peter Laurie said that the plan had been already die ussed by the Committee : nothing

had been thought, however, so suitable as a monument. The Committee had already contributed 9001. to that end. Mr. Foggo spoke energeti- cally in support of Mr. Rennie's suggestion. It was at last put to the meeting in the shape of an amendment ; when it was supported by only five voices : Lord Mahon's resolution was therefore carried.

Lord Charles Towushend moved, that a position in the National Gallery should be accorded to the statue ; and that the permission of the Trustees should be requested. This resolution was seconded by Sir Augustus Callcott, and carried unanimously.

Lord Burghersh proposed " That a Committee be appointed to carry the resolutions into effect. That Sir Peter Laurie and Peter Laurie, Esq., be requested to act as joint treasurers ; and that Allan Cunning- ham, Esq., be requested to act as secretary ; and Peter Cunningham, Esq., as assistant secretary." Mr. P. Stewart, in seconding this motion, which was adopted by the meeting, observed that he did not lament the discussion which had been raised. But although the original re- solution had been carried, another opportunity might arrive for con- sidering, and then also perhaps for adopting, the suggestions which had been made.

Thanks to Sir Robert Peel for his behaviour in the chair were then voted, and acknowledged in form ; and the meeting broke up. The Committee have already received 1,0001. in subscriptions.

The first annual distribution of prizes to the pupils of the Spitalfields School of Design took place on Tuesday, at All Saints' National School- house, Spicer Street, Mile End New Town. Lord Robert Grosvenor was in the chair. This school hr.s been founded for the purpose of enabling the workmen employed in the silk-trade to acquire a know- ledge of the arts of drawing and designing. Masters attend three evenings a week. Pupils are admitted to the benefit of their instruc- tion on the payment of a triflinl. sum. In the report of the Committee, it was stated that the school, which had been only open for six months, had already met with a success which gave every hope of its permanent utility. Eight prizes were given, and ten persons received testimonials for general good conduct al,cl proficiency.

The Westminster Reform Society assembled on Wednesday, at Stan- nard's Hotel, Charles Street, C Nent Garden, to hear the report of the Election Committee. The loss of the late election is ascribed to the over-confidence and unpreparedness of the Liberals. It appears that 666 more voters voted for Captain Rous than for Sir James Murray iu 1837, while 500 less voted in support of General Evans and Mr. Leader. Indeed, if the plumpers given to Mr. Leader (99) and General Evans (59) had been split and given to each, there would have been a majority over Captain Rous of 19 for the G( ieral, and of 2 for Mr. Leader. This year 2,000 Liberal claims have been served, but only 158 for the Tories. The Liberal objections to Tories are 716.

A large party of the London friends of Irish Repeal gave a dinner to Mr. O'Connell on Monday, at Highbury Tavern. Not fewer than seven hundred persons, it is said, sat down to dinner. Mr. M. Blake, Mr. Dillon Browne, M.P.. Mr. H. Bridgman, M.P., the Reverend Dr. Magee, and Mr. W. J. O'Conne'l, were among the company. Mr. O'Connell himself took the chair. Over it, among other devices, waved a large banner on which was inscribed the word " Sympathy," encircled by a wreath of laurel, and underneath the words " To our American friends." In the speaking after dinner, Mr. O'Connell Suckled himself to the fight in opposition, auguring ultimate good from the late change in the state of parties, both to England and Ireland- " I am invigorated for the struggle. The great battle of the country is be- gun. We have come to a period s, hen there can be no submission to friends upon the one part, nor compromise with enemies on the other. We have got rid of the trammels of party. We fear not now the Tories lest they should damage the Whigs ; and the day has gone by in which we can apprehend that the Whigs will, as they always did, do more miscuief to themselves. A new sera has arisen. England has nothing for the future to look forward to but Reform—substantial Reform, Radical Reform, Reform to the extent of general suffrage. I would use the words ' universal suffrage,' but that it is an accurate expression, for even the Chartist who uses it noes not mean what he says. No one intends that the entire corn, mnitv should have votes. The half—and by far the better half—have no vote at all, nor is it proposed to give it to them. I do nut deny but that they would have influence. Universal suffrage would include them, and nobody intends to include them."

Mr. O'Connell went on to expliia the universal suffrage would in- clude minors, idiots, convicts, and other objectionable parties. England required Reform, Ireland Repeal of the Union-

" For my own part, I feel as if I were about to enter on a new contest, be- cause the ground on which it is to be fought is so completely changed. I feel as if a new element of political liberty was about to be impartea to me. I am now only forty years a Repealer, and yet it seems to myself as if I were only hust beginning to enter upon that career; and I feel ton, in doing so, that I ave much reason for gratification and for pleasure. I have certainly no an- tipathy to England or to Englishmen. God forbid I should. And yet England has inflicted more evil upon my country than one nation ever yet perpetrated towards another. There never was so much of tyranny—there never was so much of oppression—never so much of treachery—never so much of plunder— never so much of massacres—never so much of wholesale spoliation and deliberate confiscation, as those perpetrated by the English Government upon Ireland. There is no crime in the black catalogue of iniquity that does not stand revealed in English misconduct, that is not exposed in Irish suffering." But he would harbour no resentment, for he beheved there were many disinterested men among the middle classes in this country who would wish to make rcstitution for the crimes of their forefathers by joining the people of Ireland in endeavoaring to obtain their just rights. But he was afraid these were in a sad minority, and the " tottle of the whole," as Joe Hume would say, was on the other side : therefore, he repeated, he did feel a malicious pleasure in thinking that England was so degraded in her present political position, and that she had got into such a ludicrously laughable strait by her response to the Queen's Speech. Why had the people of England chosen the Tories? When did they ever diminish the public burdens, or refuse to augment them ?— Had they not made the people of England owe 800,000,0001. of money ? The Tories were economists when they thought it could be offensive to the Queen. They had, in that spirit, taken off 20,000/. from the income proposed for Prince Albert. He liked economy very well ; but, he would ask, why did the Tories not begin by striking off the 18,000/. the King of Hanover ? This was the sort of economypractised by the Tories, coupled with indignity to their Sove- reign.

Enumerating the misdeeds of the party, their opposition to general suffrage, ballot, and so forth, going as far back as Peterloo and the days of the bloodmen, Castles, Oliver, and Edwards, Mr. O'Connell said that they supported despotism and destroyed freedom in every part of Europe. And England had adopted these men-

" The Tories came forward with their bands full, and they emptied the con- tents of their bands into the pockets of the electors. It is by the most dis- graceful means that the worst of parties is elevated to favour—Tiflis monstrum d nulla virtvte redemptum—a monster redeemed from its vices by no one virtue. And this they did from the worst of all possible motives. Thus did proud England ! Oh, Ireland ! my country, you are revenged I Your brave, your virtuous, your disinterested, your manly electors are revenged ! I saw myself a man take seventy-five pounds out before the man who gave it to him for his vote, and I heard him say these words—' I never in the whole course of my life had half the money that I have now. I scarcely believed that there could be so large a sum collected together. I have been, and I am a very poor, an exceedingly poor man. I owe my rent, and my landlord has threatened to distrain me for it. I could with this pay it ten times over. The money that I have in my hand I got from you, Sir, and—I'll vote for Maurice O'Con- nell!' Yes, Ireland is revenged. Her high reputation stands emblazoned in the annals of virtue, and by its side is contrasted the viciousness of the pro- ceediturs in England." Other speakers addressed the meeting. At the close, Mr. O'Connell warned his hearers agaibst joining secret societies : he had heard of one in London called the Rechabites—a society which no man could join without being guilty of a transportable offence.

The usual proclamation of Bartholomew Fair was made yesterday, by the Lord Mayor ; but not till four o'clock, instead of noon. In spite of the miserable weather, there was a large concourse of people.

The Gresham Committee met on Wednesday to receive tenders for the foundation of the new Royal Exchange. Fourteen of the principal builders of London had been applied to ; and it was declared that each tender should contain two prices—the higher one being the charge for executing the mason-work with the best Portland stone ; the lower for using magnesian limestone, similar to that employed for the Houses of Parliament. The amount of the highest tender was 135,0001. for the Portland stone, and 138,5001. for the magnesian limestone ; the lowest tender, which was accepted, was from Mr. Thomas Jackson, and it amounted to 115,9001. and 124,700/. The works are to be completed by Midsummer 1844. The foundations, according to the present prac- tice in such cases, are to be of the most solid kind—the concrete in some places 18 feet thick, and the walls and piers tied together by arches in all directions, the piers being further strengthened by the in- troduction of large quantities of wrought iron hooping laid in alternate beds.