'Int _Metropolis.

Mr. David Salomans met a body of bfarylebone electors, on Monday, at Blagrove's Concert-room, in Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square. He de- clared himself favourable to an Irish poor-law—to the universal freedom of thought conceded at the Reformation—to education assisted by the State, which he regarded only as the people—to local government as op- posed to " centralization "—to the removal of all religions disabilities, &c. He could not, however, support universal and unlimited suffrage. Mr. Salomans spoke at some length on the supposed disabilities of the Jews. The disqualifying statutes were repealed last session: by the present act, Jews are placed on the same footing as Dissenters; and he was ready to take the oaths precisely as John Pease the Quaker did in 1832: he would take the oaths, as he had already taken the oaths of Sheriff and Magistrate, in his own'form—the form peculiar to his race. The meeting resolved, that Mr. Sat:insane is a fit and proper person to represent Marylebone. Mr. Salomans, however, has since issued an address to the electors, most reluctantly withdrawing his claim. The Sheriffs, acting under legal ad- vice, insist that they have no power to accept his resignation as Returning- officer for the borough, and that he must perforce continue to serve in that capacity.

Another meeting of the electors took place on Tuesday evening, at the Exmouth Arms Tavern, to hear from Lord Dudley Stuart a declaration of his political opinions. He avowed himself a Liberal in the strict sense of the-word. He felt bound to support the ballot, as well as a measure for shortening the duration of Parliament, and an extension of the franchise, though not universal suffrage; and he would repeal the rate-paying clauses of the Reform Act. Opposed to the principle of centralization, he was ad- verse to the New Poor-law. The Health of Towns Bill was an important measure; but he was not prepared to support a bill which deprived Eng- .lighmen of the right of self-government. The Government Education plan was good as far as it went, but might advantageously be extended. As an honest man, he could not object to the endowment of the Roman Catholic priesthood, nor to that of Independents, Wesleyan, and Baptists. He de- clined, however, to pledge himself.

After the meeting had voted their thanks for Lord Dudley Stuart's frank address, Mr. Sergeant Shee made a rival speech. He too was for the bal- lot, and was not afraid of an immediate advance to household suffrage. He w iliuld vote for Mr. Ward's motion on the Irish Church; but he would never consent that the hard-earned money of the Protestant Dissenters and the Jews of England should go to support the Roman Catholic Church of Ire- land. As to Lord Dudley Stuart, Mr. Shea observed, he had done much for the Poles, but what had he done for the people of England?

In an address to the electors of Marylebone, Sir Benjamin Hall intimates his intention of again seeking to represent the borough in Parliament.

Major-General-Fox has addres,sed the electors of 'the Tower Hamlets; contradicting a rumour that he intends to retire.

The gentlemen who are to be proposed for Sheriffs are Charles Hill, Esq., of the firm of Hill, Fawcett, and Hill, stock and share brokers, Thread- needle Street, and William Cubitt, Esq., the builder and engineer, of Gray's Inn Lane.— Globe.

A Court of Aldermen met on Tuesday, for the despatch of general business. The Sheriffs having made their report on the condition of the City Prisons, Alderman Wilson drew attention to the dreadful state of dis- order which prevailed in the Giltspur Street Compter. In consequence of the number of prisoners and the inadequate room, there are no means of classifying the inmates, and the prison is one constant scene of violence and outrageous misconduct. He wished to know what caused the delay in providing a new prison? Alderman and Sheriff Challis replied, that the Building Committee were getting on as fast as possible. Subsequently, the decision of the Court was announced on the question raised by Mr. Curtis's petition complaining of the double brokerage charged by Messrs. Goad and Rigg, the skin-brokers. The judgment, delivered by the Recorder in duo form, was, in effect, that the Court would no nothing more in the matter. On the motion of Alderman Hughes, Mr. Curtis's petition was dismissed.

A Court of Common Council was held on Thursday; and the expediency of agreeing to the alterations made by the Select Committee of the Com- mons in the Thames Conservancy Bill was discussed, but with closed doors. It was understood that the Court decided against assenting, or pro- ceeding with the bill this session, by 137 to 9. Mr. Bayliss was elected Collector of the City Dues on Wines.

The general Committee of the Health of Towns Association held a meet- ing on Thursday, to confer with Members of the Legislature on the best means of supporting Government in the effort to pass the Health of Towns Bill this session. The meeting was very numerously and influentially attended: the Marquis of Normanby presided; many members of both Houses were present, and many leading members of the society. The Marquis of Normanby made a good speech on the necessity of exertion.

He had learned from Dr. Southwood Smith that fever is increasing: it is already threefold above the average in some districts, and long-closed fever-wards of the hospitals are reopened and over-crowded. Without such a measure it is hopeless to effect improvement: the district of Bethnal Green, which he visited years ago with Dr. Southwood Smith, has been the scene of exertion to promote all the con- . veniences and improvements that attend on wealth; but that part of it which is the abode of the poor, Lamb's Fields, still exhibits the same pool of pestilent stagnant water and heaps of squalidity: nine years have elapsed, and no efforts to stimulate the Commissioners of Sewers have brought improvement. As to the bill before Parliament, it is hindered by a vexatious opposition, which attempts to fritter away its details; and the fact is, that Parliament has so much accumu- lated business to do that the machinery is insufficient for the purpose.

Speeches animated by a spirit of activity were also delivered by Mr. Mackinnon, Lord Ashley, Mr. Ewart, Lord Kinnaird, Dr. Gavin, Dr. Aldis, the Honourable F. Byng, Dr. Southwood Smith, Mr. Horsman, and Earl Fortescue. A resolution to help Government in carrying all of the bill that can be carried this session was adopted by acclamation. Dr. Lynch has again laid before the Lord Mayor the increase of disease in Farringdon Ward and in the crowded districts of the poor. His applica- tion included a request that the notice of motion, so frivolously put aside at the Court specially summoned for the purpose, might be so placed on the paper as to take precedence of all other business. The Lord Mayor de- plored the deficient power given to the Commissioner of Sewers; complained that the City of London should be called in the newspapers "a nasty, dirty, lying city "; but was sorry he could do no more than express a hope that Dr. Lynch's motion would appear on the paper in such a manner as would secure it an early consideration.

A demonstration against the New Poor-law took place on Tuesday even- ing, at the Crown and Anchor. Mr. Wakley was called to preside over the closely-packed assembly. The speakers were Mr. C. Cochrane, Mr. Richard Oastler, Mr. Ferrand, Mr. Feargus O'Connor, and Mr. E. Jones. The orations were of the usual heated character: for instance, Mr. Wakley talked of " that hateful, execrable, and odious measure "—" this abominable, this infernal and hellish device," &c. &a. Mr. Ferrand spoke of the con- duct of the Commissioners as deserving to be "branded with infamy and disgrace"—they ought to be "driven into exile." He threatened the sup- porters of the Poor-law with the general election. Resolutions were passed, denying that the labouring classes prefer living on charity to supporting themselves by industry, and laying down the provisions essential to a just poor-law—totally opposed to the present system, and to be maintained by s uniform rate throughout the kingdom. Mr. O'Connor made a Chartist speech; and carried an amendment, by way of addition, calling on electors so to use their franchise as " to secure to every working man a fair remu- neration for his free labour, and not leave the industrious classes dependent upon any system of poor-laws for their support." The meeting broke up with three cheers for the Charter.

A public meeting of the Law Amendment Society was held on Satur- day, at the Society's rooms in Regent Street. Lord Brougham, the Pre- sident, filled the chair; supported by the Duke of Richmond, the Duke of Cleveland, the Earl of Devon, the Earl of Radnor, Lord Ashburton, Via- count Ebrington, Mr. Hume, Mr. Ewart, Mr. Wyse, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Bethel of the Chancery bar, Mr. Sergeant D'Oyly, Mr. David Salomon, Mr. Commissioner Fane, Mr. Commissioner Fonblanque, Mr. Charles Phil- lips, and other gentlemen of eminence.

In opening the business, Lord Brougham glanced at the influence of the Society's past efforts— In consequence of the efforts of the Society, some important measures had been introduced into Parliament for the improvement and amendment of the law. Some of those measures had been completed, and others were in progress. He need hardly repeat what he had stated on a former occasion, that nothing could be more entirely without foundation than the charge made that the Society was rash and headlong. On the contrary, their whole design was deliberately; cau- tiously, and by way of trial—and in case trial should fail, by consideration end subsequent trial, to proceed safely—above all things safely—to amend the insti- tutions of the country, for the purpose of preserving them. He gave a few of the many instances of abuses that need reform. One most desirable alteration is that persons purchasing property should have their burdens diminished with respect to conveyancing. But the expense attending the trans- fer of property is not the only evil attending the present system. The difficulty of getting a good title was the greatest evil of all. It was a very great hardship on a man having 100i, who wished to buy a small property, that he should have to pay nearly the same sum for the transfer of that property as the man would have to pay who purchased an estate worth 150,0001. But the worst of the sys- tem was, that the longer, the more prolix and complex the proceedings were, the greater was the chance of blunder; of which he could not give a better instance than a case in which he had been engaged, where, through the prolixity of the proceedings, the heir-at-law was shut out from all inheritance. That case had been tried in two Law Courts, then in Chancery; it was then sent, by Lord Chan- cell& Lyndhurst, to the Court of Queen's Bench, end from that itpassed into the Court of Common Pleas: these two Courts gave opposite decisions: it after-. wards came before the House of Lords, and they confirmed the decision of the Court of Common Pleas. The title-deed said that the remainder was to go to the fifth, sixth, or seventh son ; it afterwards stated, "in the order of seniority." That, in the opinion of the Court of Common Pleas, let in the first son; but many people thought it a wrong decision, and among others the Court of Queen's Bench. This was a remarkable instance of the great evils of prolix deeds: every sheet added to a conveyance multiplied the chances of such pernicious errors in a short deed as well as a long one. The long deeds were sanctioned by no legislative authority, while they were liable to great dispute. In one case a country schoolmaster, who had acted as convey- ancer to the district in which he resided, put some words of his own into a con- veyance which he had drawn: those words subsequently occasioned much delay and expense, owing to the discussions which they gave rise to in the courts of law. she principle adopted by the Land Committee [in the House of Lords] of which his noble friend Lord Radnor was an active member as well as himself, and of which Lord Beaumont was chairman, was this: a certain short formula was agreed to, and those who chose to adopt that were guaranteed by an act of Parliament that that formula should do so and so--that it should have all the effect of those long deeds. That had been adopted in Ireland by his noble friend near him (Lord Devon). Last year it was proposed that the same principle should be extended to farm-leases, mortgages, wills, settlements, &c.; but the subject was postponed for further consideration, because great improvements had been suggested by his noble friend Lord Cottenham. He gave other instances of the useful labours of the Society. One of its good points was that it was al- ways ready to reconsider anything it had done, and to retrace its steps if it had erred.

Referring to the petitions against the act abolishing imprisonment for debt, Lord Brougham had carefully considered the reasons against it, and he still re- tained his own opinion: but after all, it was only an experiment—if the Legisla- ture proved to have been wrong in passing it, the step could be retraced, or amendments suggested by experience could be added. The evidence of evils under the old system made a change imperative. The last point to which he would direct attention was the great improve- ment which would be effected in the legislation of the country by having select boards of professional men appointed to prepare public acts of Parliament. Un'ess one and the same board prepared those acts, he defied the wit of man (even if forty instead of four judges sat in each court upon them, and perhaps forty would only make the matter worse) to understand them. Acts of Parliament were now drawn mechanically by steam—they were made

with the scissors. A man cuts out a clause from one act, and embodies it in another; and although it might be a goad clause in the act from which it was

taken, it might be a very bad ono in the act in which he embodies it. The clause, for example, might say, " so and so, as aforesaid." How could this clause be con- strued? It could not be done "as aforesaid," when there was nothing as aforesaid in the act. But this clause was taken out of an act in which there was some-

thing as aforesaid—they took out the consequent without the antecedent. If there were any rules more clear than others, they were—first, that in framing an act of Parliament you must always use the same word in the same sense; second, when you use a different word, take care that it is not in the same sense; third, to use the language so as to give to every word some force and effect; fourth, not to use more words than are necessary to express the meaning; fifth, not to use fewer words than are necessary. These rules are obvious to common sense; but almost every one of them has been neglected and broken through in almost every act of Parliament.

Several resolutions were moved, and adopted unanimously: we subjoin the whole; but, first, it is as well to note some points incidentally touched upon by the speakers. Lord Ebrington illustrated the effect of convey- ancing incumbrances in diminishing the value of landed property—

It appeared from the statements of Mr. Senior, that in France and Italy and other parts of the Continent, land was worth forty-five years' purchase, whereas in this country it was only deemed worth thirty years' purchase. The reason of the small value of land here was the vexatious and expensive process which had to be gone through before it could be transferred from one proprietor to another. The real property of England was rated at 60,000,0001. a year; which at thirty years' purchase would make its value 1,800,000,0001.; while the same extent of land on the Continent at forty-five years' purchase would bring 2,700,000,0001., making a difference against English land, from the vexatious and expensive con- ditions annexed to its transfer, of no less than 90,000,0001.

Mr. Hawes (brother to the Member for Lambeth) illustrated the bad working of the present law relating to debtor and creditor— It was ascertained that there were ten insolvents in the Metropolis of whom the public never heard for every one who went through the Bankruptcy Court. The meeting would be surprised to learn, that it had been ascertained that the yearly inrionnt of insolvency in England was no less than 50,000,0001. The reason why so few insolvents comparatively were proceeded against in the Bankruptcy Court, was the expensive and troublesome nature of the proceedings. Seconding the resolution touching delays in the Court of Chancery, Mr. Commissioner Fane relied on the eloquence of facts— A London banker had lately shown him a case, in which the bill was filed in 1828; and now, nineteen years having glided by, he was no nearer to justice: yet the banker was rich enough to pay for justice. Another London banker, equally rich, bad stated to him a case where the bill was filed in 1807; and he too, after forty years, was still waiting for justice: but this was an Irish court. To what was this attributable? To the system of tossing the suitor from Judge to the Master, and the Master to the Judge, again and again; a system of appeal absolutely endless. Mr. Fans read this passage from a letter addressed to Lord Cottenharn, by a most respectable solicitor—" In a suit which I had the misfor- tune to be obliged to institute in the Court of Chancery, about fourteen years ago, and just ended, assets were realized to the amount of more than 3,7001.; and the whole except about 3831- has been spent in litigation." Mr. Fane read another passage, from a pamphlet lately addressed to Lord Lyndhurst by a London soli- citor—" In our own practice, we were concerned for a specialty creditor in a suit where 2,5001. were got in, and after the payment of costs the sum of 351. only was left for division among the specialty creditors." He would trouble the meeting with only one more quotation; it was from a joint letter, signed by two solicitors, both of high standing, one of London, the other of Newcastle, and addressed to a Member of Parliament--" We have made extensive inquiries, and cannot learn that any litigated case of partnership account ever came out of the Master's office, though many such are sent in every year."

These are the resolutions-

" That this meeting fully appretiates the advantages likely to arise from an unpre- judiced and continued Investigation of the defects In our laws and legal Institutions, and of the best means of remedying them.

" That the encase and delay inseparable from the present method of Inquiring Into the title to land, and the present form of conveyance, impede the transfer of landed property, greatly depretiate its value, and operate 88 a social evil. This meeting has therefore observed with pleasure that her Majesty's Government has appointed Com- missioners to Inquire Into the subject, which it hopes will receive the searching and unbiassed investigation its importance demands.

" That this meeting has seen with pleasure the recent attempts to Improve the mode of conducting the private and local business of Parliament ; and that this meeting trusts that they will be persevered in until a complete remedy for the evils so long com- plained of be obtained.

" That the representation of the bankers, merchants, and traders of the city of Lon- don, on the operation of the recent laws respecting Imprisonment for debt, are de- serving of respectful attention ; and, without pronouncing any opinion thereupon, it is manifest that as the experience of the working of these important alterations in our system may have shown defects and suggested remedies, there can be no reason against taking the whole matter into further consideration, with the benefit of that experience.

"That the labours of the Committee appointed by the House of Lords to inquire into the Criminal Law have been of great public benefit, more especially in directing attention to the question whether the principal object of the law should not be the re- tbrmation of the criminal, and not be confined to the deterring from crime.

" That this meeting declares its entire adoption of the following sentiments, which Lord Lyndhurst, when Lord Chancellor, is reported to have addressed to the House of Lords—'As far as the great charities are concerned, the Court of Chancery is a tribunal without exception in some respects ; but even in regard to these it is impossible not to feel that enormous expenses are incurred : in the case of charities of moderate amount ruinous expenses are incurred, but with respect to the smaller charities the doors of the court are absolutely closed against them.' And the meeting expresses its earnest hope that this subject will receive the early attention of the Legislature."

The annual meeting of the Society of Arts for the distribution of prizes was held on Thursday, at the Society's house in the Adelphi; Prince Albert being at his post as President. The attendance was large. The report read by the Secretary represented a considerable increase in the active operations of the Society, in the number of meetings, and iu the yearly subscriptions. The President distributed the handsome and very numerous prizes. Among the inventions which obtained distinction were several for improvements in ornamental art connected with manufactures, and several of a purely useful character,—for seasoning wood, for silvering glass by a process not unhealthy, for enamelling glass, improving the deep blue for china-ware, for preventing the emission of noxious vapours from sewers, &c.

The eighth anniversary festival in aid of the funds of King's College Hospital took place on Wednesday. The dinner was intended to be eaten at the Albion Tavern; but as soon as it was known that Sir Robert Peel had consented to preside, the demand for tickets was so great as to render more room necessary than was available at the Albion. The place chosen was Stationers Hall; in which about three hundred gentlemen, comprising a number of influential persons, were accommodated. Sir Robert Peel was received on his entrance with the heartiest marks of esteem. After the usual toasts, the chairman delivered his " charity " speech. Sir Robert began by supposing it possible to recsl to life wine one who had lived a hundred years ago. Such a one would be impressed by the wonderful changes he would find. It was difficult to estimate what the population of Lon- don was a century ago. It must have been comparatively inconsiderable; for it was known that within the thirty years from 1800 to 1831 the increase of people was 70 per cent; in the environs of London the houses bad increased 95 per cent, sad the population 105 per cent. He would, however, take the present popula- tion of London within the Parliamentary divisions at 1,500,000. For this num- ber there were ten hospitals for general purposes. It would be a matter of sur- prise and regret to their imaginary ancestor to know that seven of these hospitals, and those the most richly endowed, had existence a hundred years ago. The three additional hospitals, those at Charing Cross, University College, and King's College, had been founded within the last eighteen years; and their resources were exceedingly limited. However, they do effect much good. King's College Hospital could only make up 120 beds; nevertheless, 1,276 patients were relieved within the walls during the lest year. The out-door relief included 16,547 cases; making a total of 17,823 persons relieved out of the limited means of this institution. Such is the amount of good effected—of _un- mixed good. There are cases of benevolence and charity where, however unques- tionable your motives, it is possible that you may be relaxing exertion and engen- dering habits of dependence on external assistance: there could be no possible ob- jection of this kind in the present case. if another motive were wanting, it waste be found in the consciousness that you were contributing to an institution which recognized the great truths of revealed religion. Sir Robert appealed to his hearers to mark their sense of the importance of the institution by their contribu- tions. Let not those who had made up their minds to give a particular sum be deterred from the fact that the stewards had already made the entry: there was a locus pmaitentios, and they were in no degree bound by the communications they had already made to those respectable gentlemen. lie called upon all to make a convivial meeting ancillary to the purposes of charity by doubling their subscriptions.

The effect of this appeal was very apparent: the contributions an- nounced were 1,7001.; towards which Sir Robert Peel himself gave 1001.

A select party of Mr. Wilderspin's friends met at breakfast on Monday, in Stratton Street, Piccadilly, for the purpose of presenting to him a time- piece, purchased with money raised by a penny subscription among teachers and children of various infant schools. The roll of subscriptions contained the names of nearly a thousand children, of all sects—Church-of-England, Wesleyan, Independent, Roman Catholic, Jews, and Friends. The gift was presented by Mr. Daniel Gaskell; who took the opportunity of report- ing the results of the effort, in which Mrs. Daniel Gaskell had taken the lead, to secure a provision for Mr. Wilderspin in his declining years. The total amount of subscriptions received up to that time amounted to 1,8001., and some further payments would probably drop in. One contribution to the fund was a portrait of Wilderspin, painted by Mr. Herbert—La very excellent painting]—which is to be engraved; the proceeds to go to the general fund. Government had also granted a pension of 1001. a year. Mr. Wilderspin returned thanks in terms of strongly-felt grati- tude; sketching his early career, and the difficulties he had drawn upon himself by devoting his services to all without distinction of religious sect. He mentioned that the first aid be received, at the time when he reached the lowest point of his fortunes, was a gift of 501. from Sir Robert Peel. Mr. Monckton Mines, starting from the point where education had been left by the labours of Mr. Wilderspin, surveyed the difficulties which served to impede its progress; but foresaw brighter days, from the fact of the general attention the subject now receives on all sides. Mr. Charles Dickens (whose power of speaking was restricted by a severe cold) touched happily upon the fact that the subscription to provide for the veteran teacher of infancy had originated with a woman. The speaking through- out was of a conversational character; and the party formed a very agree- able wind-up of the general proceedings in Mr. Wilderspin's behalf.

At Bow Street Police-office, on Tuesday, Elizabeth Cleveland and Hill alias Dolly, the persons charged with the murder of an infant, were hrought up for ex- amination. The woman is about forty years of age. The evidence against the man was not thought conclusive: he was taken to prison, however, on the Gore- ner'a warrant. The woman was committed for trial.

At Marylebone Police-office, on Tuesday, Mr. Rawlinson laid down the law is to the repulse of unwelcome sesiters from street-doors. Miss Ann Johnson changed Frederick Bates, porter to the Duke of Brunswick, with assaulting her. She presented a packet for the Duke at the door of-his mansion; the porter refused to take it, and closed the door so violently that Miss Johnson's right hand and foot were hurt. The man declared that he was ordered not to take packets from per- sons he did not know; and he was not aware that he had hurt the complainant. Mr. Rawlinson said he had forcibly closed the door in an improper way: the lady came for a lawful purpose, and he might have abut the door with mildness. The defendant was fined ten shillings.

Henry Jones Harrison, formerly a Policeman, has been committed by the Thames Police Magistrate, to be tried for the murder of Anne Ford, a woman with whom he lived.

The inquest on the six persons who were poisoned at Kensall Green was re- sumed on Wednesday. The evidence was clear and explicit. Hickman, one of the sufferers, was a glass-maker, and had used arsenic in experiments; a portion had been put aside in a flour-bag; on the Sunday morning, his sister-in-law, Caroline Bonamy, bad used the bag to light the fire, turning what was thought to be flour into a bag of flour; hence the poisoning. Post morals examinations, and other facts, proved that the sufferers died from arsenic. The occurrence was entirely accidental. The Jury returned a verdict accordingly.

Mrs. Hickman, her sou, and her sister, have recovered.

The Surrey Coal-hole, a tavern adjoining the Surrey Theatre, was partly de- stroyed by fire early on Monday morning. Several persons were much hurt by jumping from the windows.

It was originally reported that nearly the whole of Messrs. Maudslay and Field's establishment was destroyed by the fire last Saturday; but it turns out that only about a fifth of the premises was burned down. Still the loss is very large. The factory was insured for nearly 17,0001.; but as the buildings destroyed centained the patterns of the establishment, which had cost an enormous sum, the insurance will far from cover the damage. The greater number of the workmen resumed their labours on Monday.