We question whether even the Leicester corporators had more weighty

private reasons for refusing to submit to the inquiries of the Commis- soners than those of Maidstone. The bribery at the election of cor- porate officers in Maidstone seems to have been carried on in fine style. The following evidence was given before the Commissioners by some knowing townspeople. There is a great deal of canvassing, a vast deal of exertion, and a vast deal of money expended. Tradition says that one gentleman spent 1,2001., and another 2,000/. on one election, and that the terms for each freeman was a 10/. note and a squeaker (a hog). Mr. Russell stated, that one of the gentlemen referred to was his brother, and be could state that he spent more than 1,200/.

Mr. Giles stated, that he remembered seeing a squeaker driven home on this occasion, decorated with purple ribands. By the Commissioner—" Is it known that any thing of the kind goes on now ?"

Mr. Russell—" It is as notorious as the pump at Aldgate." And again this Mr. Russell said-

" The elections are not restricted to time. I paid through my own hands up- wards wards of 1,700/. in the election of one Common-Councilman in the year 1795.

Mr. Commissioner Ellis—" Was this money paid by saying—'111 give you 10/. or 20/. to vote for that gentleman?'" Mr. Russell—" Exactly so. I have no hesitation in saying, that at that time there was in the whole upwards of 4,0001. expended in the election of one Com- mon-Councilman."

The motive for this lavish expenditure was to obtain influence in the licensing of alehouses. Thus it is that one part of a corrupt system bangs by another. We suppose that the successful candidate was no loser ; but contrived to repay himself in full, by the sale of his vote and influence in the corporation. What a damning document the forth- coming Corporation Report must be.

Proceedings have been instituted in the Court of Exchequer against the following individuals, to recover penalties incurred by alleged acts of bribery at the late election. From Mr. Oram, 5,000/. ; Mr. J. Tibbits, town.clerk, 3,5001. ; Mr. Ayres, 1,0001. ; Mr. William Tres- pass, 9,000/. ; Mr.„-Betts, 1,000/. ; and Mr. Buckley, 1,000/.- The act of Parliament on which these proceedings are founded was passed in the second year of George II., cap. 24.—Leamington Courier.

The county of Somerset is about to be divided for all judicial pur- poses, in the same manner as now divided by the Reform Act for the election of Representatives. Bath and Wells will be the places for holding the Sessions and Assizes for the Eastern, and Taunton and Bridgewater for the Western District.

In consequence of the report of Mr. C. Attwood's speech at Gates- bead, which appeared in the Newcastle Press, Mr. Harland, M. P., waited on Mr. Attwood, on behalf of the Earl of Durham, for the purpose of requiring an explanation of a passage in that speech, which seemed to reflect on Lord Durham's private character. Mr. harland received from Mr. Attwood the following statement, which (says the Morning Chronicle) we are authorized to publish.

" Mr. Attwood fully disclaims any intention of casting the slightest imputation on Lind Durham's personal courage, or on his character as a man of honour and a gentleman, in the expressions used by hire in his speech at Gateshead, with reference to his Lordship's observations regarding the Bishop of Exeter.

Whickham, Dec.9. (Signed) " ClIARLES Arrwoon."

The Gipsy, Captain Highat, sailed from Liverpool on Friday, fur Bombay, with a cargo selected for the Canton market. The East India Company's Charter will expire on the 2Zi April ; and this vessel is expected to arrive at Bombay, so as to clear at that port on the 2311 for Canton, which is the day on which the trade to China and India will be opened to the merchants of this country. The Gipsy belongs to Sir John Tobin, one of our most active and enterprising merchants ; and as she is a swift sailer, she will most likely be the first vessel which will reach this country with a cargo of tea from Canton.—Liverpool Times.

Messrs. Morrison and Weser), the Representatives of Ipswich, have presented to the Mechanics' Institution in that borough, 3001. towards the purchase of a more commodious building for the purposes of the society.

The city of York subscription for the Wilberforce Testimonial, amounts to nearly 1,100/. ; and the subscription at Halifax to 300/.

Lawrence's company of comedians having, a short time since, an- nounced their intention of opening the Devonport Theatre, their pro- ceedings were put a stop to by legal process, the house not being licensed. Determined, however, not to be put down, they tried their hand at a stratagem, and on Monday they set forth in the bills of the d ay as follows.

Theatre. Devonport. By permission.—Messrs. Lawrence beg most respectfully to awl, KM: their friends and the public in general, that the above theatre will be opened on Monday, December 2, as a confectioner's shop, with an excellent assortment of cakes, at different prices. Those who purchase them will be admitted to witness a theatrical productiot, which will be performed by professional persons, for neither hire, gab. ter reward. but for amusement. The seller of the cakes assures the inhabitants that they are of the first quality, and likewise the amusement first rate. The proprie- tor, this evening, will allow the purchaser of the cakes to witness his friends perlbrm tb favourite melodrama called Ella Rosenberg. After which. an entirely new farce, called the Barber Baron. Best cakes, 2s.; second, Is.; inferior 6d."

On Sunday week, the first publication of the bans of marriage of one hundred couples was made at the Collegiate Church, Manchester ; and the second and third publications amounted to one hundred and seventy more. By this calling over of five hundred and forty names, in the middle of the service, the congregation was detained upwards of twenty- Eve minutes.—Manchester Guardian.