Several incorrect returns having been given of the result of
the poll on the Stepney church-rate, the Chairman of the Vestry meeting has sent to the Chronicle the following account of the affair. The question was, whether a rate for 5001. should be granted, or the consideration thereof adjourned for six months- The affairs of the British Legion are now in the most deplorable state. On the 1st instant, a quarter's pension became due to the wounded in the service ; for which no provision whatever is made. Three quarters' pensions are now due to the widows of those whose lives have been sacrificed in the cause. In Portsmouth, between NO and 300 men remain in the hulks undischarged, not having received their arrears of pay ; and the remnants of the new Legion may be daily expected, who will likewise be placed in the same predicatuest. The Commission that was so pompously announced, and which wai immediately to liquidate all claims, have declined to act in the business. Colonel Wetherell has been compelled to throw up all further inter. ference in the matter ; there being not even provision for the postage of letters, which after to.dny will consequently not be received from the Post-office. The Commandant's offices in Freeman's Court are filially closed ; and there is not a single person to satisfy even an inquiry as to the affairs of the claimants, the Spanish Ambassador declining to receive any one upon the subject himself, and no cite being now au. thorized to act in the case. —Cuurier, Sept. 5. At the Mansionhouse, on Tuesday, a pretty young Frenchwoman was charged with smuggling muslin collars and other French goods from Boulogne. It, appeared that she had packed them in her trunk, which bud a false bottom, " to oblige a friend," knowing nothing.of the laws of Englund. The Solicitor for the Customs said, the dung was systematically done ; and there was no doubt that she and her hus- band, who bad not been taken, were experienced smugglers. The woman pleaded extreme poverty. The Solicitor said, that he had no doubt a party behind the curtain would pay the penalty ; and Sir Chap- man Mnrshall, who wits on the bench, inflicted u penalty of 401. The value of the goods seized was 54/. [ Was any penalty inflicted on Count Sebastiani for smuggling goods of much greater value last week; or did his diplomatic rank protect him, while his poor countrywoman suffers as u criminal ?1 At the Union Hull Office, yesterday, two privates belonging to the Rifle Brigade were charged with committing a violent assault on a Mr. Haytor, in the Westminster Road. Mr. Baylor was walking with two ladies, whom the ruffians insulted ; and when 111r. Haytor remonstrated, one of them knocked him down, and, encouraged by the other, beat him violently : a crowd assembled, but the soldiers kept them off by threats of using their bayonets. One of the soldiers was fined forty shillings, and the other held to bail. The Sergeant-Major of their Reg'. " In consequence of the spirit manifested by the parochial authorities towards the supper ters of the adjournment, they considered it prudent to provide the ie cessary balloting-papers, conceiving it probable the Churchwardens would not supply them ; which turned out to be the case, as they had provided only papers ' for the rate' and against the rate,' but none for the adjournment of the rate.' It is therefore evident, in pursuing such a course, the Churchwarden; intended to frustrate the intention of the parishioners, by carrying the questiou against the rate, which never was contemplated by the supporters of the al. journment, who were only anxious for its postponement, to give her Majesty's Government an opportunity of carrying the wise and excellent measure ors. pounded by them in the last session of Parliament. On casting up the le,liot, there appeared—
For the adjournment 691 For the rate 566 Against the rate 60
Leaving a majority for the adjournment of 25, independently of the 60, who were deceived and voted in error against the rate."
By the printed accounts of the parish of Hackney, it appears that during the last three years the Churchwardens have received nod ex. pended 2,027/. Is. 2d. ; out of which only 253/. 13s. 7d. has been ap- plied to the legitimate object of a church-rate, viz. the repair of the church and churchyard; salaries, law charges, refreshment, and various " miscellaneous" items, swallowed up the remainder.—Chronicle. went said, they would both be punished at the I smacks fur tieing in the streets without leave.
An ugly accident happened yesterday to Lady Copthall, wife of Sir William Copthall? She was crossing Regent Street in a hurry, when her foot slipped ; and a cab, driven rapidly, passed over her chest, and bruised her very seriously.
The story of the robbery of Mr. Constable's house, near Battersea, copied into the Spectator last week from a morning paper, turns out to be the fabrication of a penny-a-liner.
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