THE legislature was this year occupied with many exciting subjects; especially the state of Ireland, then agitated by the proceedings on Mr. O’Connell’s trial; restrictions on labour in factories; and the Dissenters’ Chapel Bill. The financial measures of the year were likewise very important; including, as they did, the reduction of the Three-and-half per Cents., and the passing of the Bank Restriction Act—an act, the wisdom of which is yet to be determined. Mr. Villiers’s annual motion for repeal of the Corn Laws was negatived by 328 to 124. Consols in October reached 100⅞, and averaged throughout the year, 99; wheat averaged 51s. 3d. FEBRUARY 16—The OMBERSLEY LABOURERS’ FRIENDLY SOCIETY, for granting allotments in that parish, set on foot by the Hon. and Rev. W. W. C. Talbot. APRIL 12—The WORCESTERSHIRE LABOURERS’ FRIENDLY SOCIETY formed at an influential meeting of landowners and farmers at the Shire Hall, over which Lord Lyttelton presided. The object of the society was to ameliorate the condition and standing of the agricultural labourers, by giving them allotments. JULY 29—A silver tankard, weighing fifty ounces, presented to T. C. Hornyold, Esq., by his tenantry, at their audit dinner. OCTOBER 5—Great festivities at Eardiston, on Sir William Smith attaining his majority. DECEMBER 1—The Lord Bishop of the Diocese, in delivering an ordination charge, expressed very decidedly his disapproval of Tractarianism and the revival of obsolete customs in the Church, such as preaching in the surplice. DECEMBER 28—An illicit still, which had been for some time quietly at work in Worcester, discovered and seized by the police. LOCAL ACT—To alter and extend the provisions of the Severn Improvement Act. 1845. SPECULATION and wild schemes, such as England had not seen since the hey-day of South Sea projects, signalised the earlier part of the year. The railway mania, indeed, continued till November; and then came a sudden collapse, of which it is only to be wondered that its effects were not more serious and lasting. In Parliament, the most important measures were the re-imposition of the Income Tax, with an amended tariff, and the increase of the Maynooth Grant from £9,000 to £26,360 per annum, henceforth to be paid out of the Consolidated Fund, instead of being an annual Parliamentary grant. A large number of petitions were presented against the measure, but the second reading was carried by 323 to 176. Consols, which stood at 100⅝ in January, sunk in December to 94⅝; wheat averaged 50s. 10d. APRIL 19—In the division on the second reading of the Maynooth Grant Bill, when ministers had a majority in favour of the Bill of 147 in a House of 503, Mr. Barneby, Mr. Godson, Mr. J. S. Pakington, Sir Thomas Wilde, and Sir Thomas Winnington, voted with the majority; and Mr. F. W. Knight and Mr. J. A. Taylor with the minority. General Lygon, Lord Marcus Hill, Mr. Borthwick, and Mr. Benbow were absent.