Abstract of the Payments, Dr. Brady’s Interpretation of Communitatis.

The Chamber of London annually makes a return to parliament of the income and expenditure of the corporation. We subjoin an abstract of the receipts and expenditure of the city, as published by the auditors, Messrs. Williams and Barrett, for the year ending December 31st, 1828.

At page 455 we alluded to the interpretation given by Dr. Brady of the word “commonalty,” and the use made of that interpretation to deprive burgesses at large of their elective rights. So far as this matter is connected with the existing state of corporate bodies we do not attach much importance to it; for we think the merit of public institutions ought to be tried by their aptitude to present circumstances, without reference to antiquity or their derivative authority; and whether corporations claim the power they exercise from right or usurpation, is of comparative indifference. The real question is, can they be reformed and made more conducive to social utility? Other persons view these subjects in a different light, and it is for them we refer to Dr. Brady’s commentary. It was made the foundation of a sweeping measure of disfranchisement, and still continues the only legal defence of municipal oligarchies. The subject will be readily understood by the following quotations.