A public meeting was held at Reading on Thursday evening,
to con- sider the establishment of a branch Freehold Land Society. A resolution was passed- " That inasmuch as the Westminster Freehold Land Society embraces within its operations the home counties—Berkshire being included—this meeting con- siders it worthy of being cordially supported by the people of Reading." Mr. George Thompson, M.P., who seconded the resolution, alluded to the rumour of there being a " split in the camp," and said that his only differ- ence was with those who wished to regard this movement as sufficient for the country, without an agitation for the civil and political rights which at present were denied the great masses of the people.
A public meeting was held yesterday, in the New Court of the Old Bailey, for considering measures "to secure an extension of the municipal franchise to all Parliamentary electors, an equalization of the representa- tive system in the various wards, and a thorough reform of the existing abuses and the administration of the corporate affairs of the city of Lon- don." Sir James Duke was in the chair. Mr. Smith entered into a long and elaborate discourse, going back to the earliest records of the Munici- pality, for the purpose of proving that a great number of their ancient rights and liberties have been broken down and fallen into neglect and dis- use, chiefly through the want of public spirit on the part of the citizens; who give their whole attention to their profits, and suffer their best institu- tions to fall into decay. He proposed the first resolution- " That the Corporation of the City of London embraces, according to law and ancient right, all the commonalty of the said city who have been occupiers in the city for the space of one year and a day. And it is the duty of the said commonalty to take part in all that relates to the welfare of the said city, and to discharge actively for themselves the functions which belong to them as mem- bers of the corporation." Alderman Sidney seconded the resolution; strongly advocating the cause of reform, and regretting the decrease of numbers which was gra- dually taking place among the freemen of the City, especially in their ward of Farringdon Without; which, instead of being, as formerly, the largest in the City, barely musters 690 freemen.; The resolution was carried unanimously. Five other resolutions remained; but the discussion having already occupied four hours and a half, the further debate was ad- journed till Monday evening.
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