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A courplimentary entertainment, upon an unusually magnificent scale, was giveu, to Lord liardinge by•the East India Company, at the London Ta- vern, on Wednesday, as a welcome on his return from India. The Archbi- shop of Canterbury, the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Sir John Hobhouse, Sir Robert Peel, and Mr. Macaulay, all made speeches; and many other distinguished persons from every political party were present -:-Sir James Graham' Lord George Bentinek, Sir Robert Inglis, Lord Grey, lord Palmerston, Lord I mnan, and Sir Thomas Wilde; also a number of officers present at the 4i es on the Sutlej. Lord John Russell was kept away by indiipositiein..,_ he gallery was tilled by a, brilliant company of ladies, for whom a tasteful entertainment was provided in an adjoining robm. The speeches were eulogistic, but of an unusually cordial and ani- mated description. The Senior United Service Club entertained Lord Hardinge last night. Prince Albert, Lord Auckland, Sir James Graham, and Mr. Fox Mettle were present, and some two hundred officers.

" The Chartists" have been very busy during the week with prepara- tions for the monster 'meeting next Monday, and with arrangements for Perfecting the organization of a great central representative body. On Sunday, a meeting of delegates to "the National Convention," who were already in London, assembled at an inn in the Old Bailey. It was' stated that the returns raised an expectation that 500,000 persons would be pre- sent on 'Kennington Common and join in procession to the Parliament Rouses, with a petition tbr:the Charter, and thence proceed to Highbury Barn. Each man would &Wry a weapon, and the Police would not be al- lowed to interfere. [If this imaginary tallier marched in ranks of twenty abreast, and as close as one yard from lie& to heel, they would reach fourteen miles long. At a pace of three- and-a-half miles an hour, it would be four hours from the time of the first rank's starting before the last rank could quit the common.] On Tuesday, the Convention commenced its formal sittings, in the halt Of the Literary Institution, John Street, Fitzroy Square. It was originally intended that its numbers should not exceed forty-nine, from fear of transgressing the Convention Act; but the number was extended to fifty- • one, on an understanding that the law of that act has became obsolete. Mr. Philip Magrath was called on to preside, and Mr. Doyle to att.as secretary. The delegates gave oral reports of the state of their consti- tuencies. The degree of strength that opinion had reached in each constituency was indicated, so that the Convention might judge what quality of backing it would receive in a crisis. Mr. Matthew Stevenson, from Bolton, said— The working classes of Lancashire were sunk for ever, if a change, and a sweeping change, did not take place in the institutions of the country. There was no good in preaching patience to the starving masses. He wished to convey to Government, through the medium of the press, the assurance that the people of Lancashire would not quietly submit to die by thousands in a land glutted with wealth. Mr. Ernest Jones, of London note, but sent to the Convention by Hali- fax, stated that his constituents had urged upon him the desirableness, if possible, of conducting the movement on moral-force principles; but they warned him not to stoop to one act of unnecessary humility in urging their claims. To a man, they were ready to fight. They were eager to rush to the aid of their brother patriots in London. They enjoined him to enforce moral-force measures if those measures were consistent with common sense. They said, the Conven- tion should appeal to the House of Commons; and if treated with contumely, or put off with half-measures, they should petition the Queen to dissolve the Parlia- ment and dismiss her Ministers. In case her Majesty refused to obey that corn roand—he used the word " command" advisedly, for the Queen was but the ser- vant of the people—then they advised the Convention to resolve themselves into a permanent Parliament, and the struggle would commence between the two Par- liaments as to which should be the dominant authority.

The Convention sits daily, from nine till five, save about an hour for re- freshment at one.

At the Wednesday's sitting, Mr. Fetugus O'Connor' delegated from Leeds, addressed the Convention in a speech of an hour's length, and then went to his place in the House of Commons. He described the increase of Chartism since 1839, alluded to next Monday's demonstration, and gave some advice. In 1889, the Chartist Convention sat seven months, spent 30,0001,, and obtained hat 1,250,000 signatures to their petition. In 1841, when he was in York Cantle, and after the present Lord Campbell had assured Government that Chartism was for ever destroyed, above 2,000,000 of signaturea were obtained, at a cost of 1201. In 1843, the costs were 891. and the signatures 3,373,000. The petition next Monday would have appended to it 5,400,000 signatures. It was clear that a great change in the opinions of the masses had taken place before the events of the French revolution, though that had produced powerful effects in this country. However, nothing would be done by the British Governnient on the mere force of foreign example, unless the mind and action of the British nation compelled it. Though he would pledge himself on his 'honour as e Chartist leader, if he were questioned in his place in Parliament, that not a single pane of glass should be broken next Monday," or the least tumult be caused except by pickpockets, yet he was resolved to be no longer bamboozled. The'Government might rely on its army, officered by the aristocracy; but they would do well to remember that the privates have brother countrymen; and further, that the whole force they com- mand would be weak to suppress the 'efforts of millions of united -people. If the petition' were rejected, he advised the holding of SilnUltaneonet meetings on Good Friday or Easter Monday next, calling on the Queen to dissolve .the Parliament, ID dismiss her present Ministers, and oitake to her counsel men 'who would miry out the principles of the Charter. - Mr. Cuffy, a London-delegate, said the men Of London were up to the mark, and eager for thefray. A meeting had taken place with the Irish Confederates [of London], and they had agreed to join the procession on: Monday under the flag of Erin. ' On the reassembling of the Convention after a. mid.day adjournment, two gentlemen from Mr. Gurney's establishment appeared at the reporters' table, to take notes for Government. - They were received with cheers. Theyrincipal speakers seemed afterwards to be more measured in their jarge" -Brente-rrt'O'Briem felt botind to declare that a YearprOpOrtion of the population of London [for which he is- delegate] were not Chartists, and did not go with the Chartists— : " That knowledge he gained by actual experience at theatres, taverns, clubs, and coffeehouses,. and in the streets. (" Oh, oh! ") Re gave notice of a motion, that the Convention, as it represented only a small section of the imiestrions clashes, should confine itself to presenting its petition Afterwards a stronger National COUvocatian should be brought together for considering ulterior measures. No step should be taken against the law till it was sure the people were stronger than the law. ("Oh, oh!') Mr. Clark, of the Executive Council, said that their plan was, that the people should assume the responsibility of ulterior measures, and appoint a Convocation of 500 Members. If their petition was rejected by Parlia- ment with scorn, Irish aid would not be refused. A placard has been issued by the Convention, in which "hell-born des- potism" is denounced, and the people are urged, with-due emphasis of Italics and Roman capitals, to be "up and doing," "to array themselves under the banner of freedom," and against the damning sway that Mammon now holds over them, to "demolish oligarchic usurpation," and to strengthen the hands of those now devising -the courses necessary to " secure the en- actment of the People's Charter." At one of the numerous Chartist meetings held dnrink the past week in London, a Mr. Vernon was bold and explicit— On Monday next there must be knots- of men- or understanding each other, who

to

would not flinch, and who would be ready carry him oft' wounded dead. If Zen man were killed there, every other man might be tried for aiding in murder- and the man that was tried would certainly be hanged. Prepare, then, for the worst and to defend themselves. He hoped there would be a collision. Ifs few hundreds fell on each side, they would only be the casualties in a mighty move- ment. Let them prepare to have the Charter in a definite time of two or three weeks; and to have it by fighting if not by peace. Mi. Skelton arraigned the Chartist Executive for not stating directly whether physical force was to be used or not— He was ready for either; though he did admit that no' revolution had yet been much for the benefit of the workers. if the Chartist Executive trifled with the people, and led them into mischief, and then ran away, or if they shrank from their work, by the God that made him, though a peaceable man, thathour should be their lest. (Tremendous cheering.) However, if they thought the time was now come, let them put their hands to the plough and look not behind—let them say the ward, and the blow should be struck; for a power now exists which they themselves Balla created, which every day gains greater strength, and which must prevail. Mr. Graspy said, he was ready for any emergency— He would advise them not to give the Government too much time in answer- ing their petition; and if they refused to answer them at all, then let them walk to the Palace, and if they could not find admission let them make adini.sion. The Park was a pretty wide field, and there would be some soldiers there; but the soldiers were men like themselves, although their officers and commanders were aristocrats, amid therefore it was very likely that these officers would tell the

soldiers to fire on them. The field was wide, however; and all they had to do was to make a rush at their throats and crush them.

Mr. Handley, one of the delegates who sat at the Old Bailey, arrived. He fully expected a struggle would be necessary. He would go to the House of Commons, and thence to Highbury Barn; where he would wait till two o'clock in the morning, and not a moment longer. if the people had not made up their minds then, he would wish them good-bye: i1 however, they, were up to the mark, the leaders would quickly tell them what to do. [Next day, Mr. Arnett, secretary of the Committee appointed to carry Out Monday's demonstration, wrote to the morning papers" to repudiate in the strongest terms" the language held by Mr. Vernon; "and also to state most emphatically, that it is the firm determination of the Committee that the demonstration shall be a peaceable, orderly, and moral display of the uneufranchised and toiling masses."] At another meeting, held on Kennington Common, Mr. Ernest Jones said, if the Charter were denied, a Republic would be asked; and the men of London were as good as those of Paris, Milan, or Berlin. He could tell them, that the Chartists of England were eager to charge down from the hills of Yorkshire, Lancashire, and the vales of Northamptonshire, and plant the green flag of liberty in Downing Street. He lately told them that the men of London were ready to act; and the men of the Midlands, the manufactu- rers of Nottingham and Lancashire, and the agriculturists of the rural districts, replied, that whatever the result might be, they were prepared to aid the men of London. All they asked for was the signal. When the brilliant rocket shot star- like into the heavens, the bold and brave of their country would rise, and the cor- rupt of every class would sink.

The following placard was extensively posted throughout London on Thursday evening.

" :NOTICE.

"Whereas the assemblage of large numbers of people, accompanied with circum- stances tending to excite terror and alarm in the minds of her hisjestrs subjects, is criminal and unlawful ;

"And whereas not only these persons who take an active part in such assemblage, but those also who by their presence wilfully countenance it, are acting contrary to Taw, and are liable to punishment ; and whereas an act of Parliament, passed in the lath year of the reign of his late Majesty King Charles ff., entitled ' An act against tumults and disorders, upon pretence of preparing or presenting public petitions or other addresses to his Majesty in the Parliament,' it was enacted, that no person or persona whatsoever shall repair to his Majesty, or both or either of the Houses of Par- liament, upon pretence of presenting or delivering any petition, complaint, remon- strance, or declaration, or other addresses, accompanied with excessive numbers of people, nor at any one time with above the number of ten persons; "And whereas a meeting has been called to assemble on Monday next, the 10th Instant, at Kennington Common, and it is announced In the printed notices calling such meeting, that it is intended by certain persons to repair thence in procession to the House of Commons, accompanied with excessive numbers of the people, upon pre- tence of preprinting a petition to the Commons House of Parliament ; and whereas Information has been received that persons have been advised to procure arms and weapons, with the purpose of carrying the same in such procession; and whereas such proposed procession is calculated to excite terror and alarm in the minds of Her Ma- jesty's subjects-

" All persons are hereby cautioned and strictly enjoined not to attend or take part In or be present at any such assemblage or procession.

" And all well-dispo-ed persons are hereby called upon and required to aid in en- forcing the provisions of the law, and effectually to protect the public peace, and sup- press any attempt at the disturbance thereof.

" C. Bowan', "B. MAIMS,

" commisesonere of the Pollee of the Metropolis. "Metropolitan Pollee-office, Whitehall Place, April 6, 1548."

-A 'meeting of the Operative Bakers Society was held at Sussex Hall, Leadenhall Street, on Wednesday night, under the presidency of Mr. Under-Sheriff Wire. On the motion of Mr. Hindley, M.P., it was resolved, that the journeymen bakers are subject to great evils; that competition prevents the alleviation of these by mutual arrangement* between matters and men; and that a Legislative enactment should be obtained to effect the objects of the Society. A resolution was passed that night-work especially should be made illegal.

At the Central Criminal Court, on Wednesday, John William Thompson, master mariner, was charged, under three indictments, with steeling 1,600 ounces of gold-dust, which had been placed in his charge for conveyance from the Gold Coast to England. He pleaded guilty; and the Common Sergeant sentenced him to be transported for seven years on the first indictment, and for seven farther years on the second.

On Thursday, Henry Parker was tried for cutting and wounding Eliza Bur- gess with intent to murder her, and found guilty; but sentence was deferred till a point in connexion with another indictment pending against him should have been settled.

The bill against the Earl of Kingston, charging him with an infamous mistle- =amour, was returned by the Grand Jury "ignored."