rtinato nut( rutnkiq fitVarliantrut.

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF THE WEER.

HOUSE OP LORDS. Thursday, April 11. The -Lord Chancellor being absent from illness, Lord Campbell on the 'Woolsack as Speaker—The Convicts Bill postponed -by Earl Grey, to suit an absent Peer—Petitions, formal business, and adjournment. Friday, April 12. Special Pleading ; Bill to regulate brought in by Lord Campbell ,-.--Secondary ,Punishments: Convict Prisons' Bill .debated, read a third time and passed.

Horn OF COMMONS.. Monday, April 8. Mr. Dieraeli's Notice of Amendment on Lord John Russell's Motion on Public Salaries—Australian Constitution; Ques-

tion by Sir William Molesworth and Answer by Mr. Hawes concerning Mr. John 'Morphett's Resolutions—Assistant-Surgeons in the Navy ; Captain Boldero's Amendment carried against Ministers, by 48 to 40; his Resolution carried without division—Reprisals against Greece; Mr. Anstey's Legal Doubts, and Lord Palmer- ston's Reply—Supply : Mr. Anson's Statement of Ordnance Estimates ; Colonel Sib- thorp's Motion for reducing the Admiralty Salaries and Expenses, debated and ne- gatived—Judgments (Ireland) Bill considered in Committee—Stamp-duties read a second time "pro forma"—Public Health (Ireland) Bill, brought in by Sir William Somerville, and read a first time—Parochial Assessments Bill, brought in by Mr. Cornewall Lewis, and read a first time.

Tuesday, April 9. The Window-tax ; Lord Duncan's Motion for repeal debated, and negatived, by 80 to 77—Commerce in Irish Land ; Security for Advances (Ire-

land) Bill, read a first time—Supply Resolutions, reported—Brick-duties Bill, read a third time and passed—Administration of Small Charities ; Charitable Trusts Bill, read a second time and passed. Wednesday, April 10. County Courts Extension Bill; Petitions from about se- venty places in favour; second reading opposed by Ministers, but carried against them, by 144 to 67—Public Libraries and Museums Bill; second reading, earned, by 99 to 64—Parish -Constable's Bill, read a second time—Exchequer Bills (9,200,0000 Bill, read a third time and passed.

Thursday, April 11. Case of Mary Anne Parsons ; result of Government inqui- ries--Ecclesiastical Salaries—Royal Academy and Vernon Collection—Irish Suffrage: Parliamentary Voters, &c. (Ireland) Bill considered in Committee ; clauses debated, with divisions; bill reported as amended—Irish Belief: Distressed Unions Ad- vances and Repayment of Advances (Ireland) Bill ; second reading opposed, with divisions, but carried—Stamp-duties Bill, and Highways Bill, considered in Committee and reported—Estates Leasing (Ireland) Bill, considered as amended—Judgments (Ireland) Bill, read a third time and passed—Law Reform: Technical Objections Restraining Bill, brought in by Sir John Jervis and read a first time—Naval Prize Balance Bill, and Indemnity Bill, read a first time. Friday, April 12. Public Salaries : Lord John Russell's Motion for Committee— debated ; Mr. DisraelPs Amendment negatived, by 250 to 159; Mr. Horsman's Ad-

dition negatived, by 208 to 95 ; Committee agreed to—Public Health (Scotland) Bill, and -Police and Improvement (Scotland) Bill, read a second time—Estates Leasing (Ireland) Bill, read a third time, and passed—Indemnity Bill read a second time.

TIME- TABLE.

The Cormncns.

Hour of Hour of

Meeting. Adjournment.

Tuesday y fh (m) ih m . lib 45m Wednesday Noon 510 57m Thursday 411 . (nOTh 30m

Friday - . . 12h 30m Sittings this Week, ,2; Time, 410 at Sittings this Week, 5; Time, 40h 42m — this Session, 33; — 7312 59m this session,44; —334h 57m . ASSISTAbiT-SURGEONS IN THE NAVY.

On the motion for going into Committee of Supply to consider the Ord- nance Estimates, Captain BOLDERO brought under the attention of the House the grievance of the inadequate and insufficient accommodation provided for Assistant-Surgeons on board her Majesty's ships of war. These officers nominally rank as Lieutenants in the Army or First Lieu- tenants of Marines ; but they are excluded from the ward-room and from the society of their equal officers, and put into the cockpit with pertains inferior to them in age, rank, and educational acquirements-larking "middies," who may not be more than thirteen years of age. Many official recommendations are already before the House which support the claim of the As to the full rights of their rank and edu- cational position,-a resolution of the Lords in Council as far back as 1805; the recommendation of the Commission appointed on the subject in 1888, and that of the Committee on Army and Navy Expenditure ap- pointed in 1847. The Edinburgh College of Surgeons have refused to exercise patronage offered them by the Government so long as their licen- tiates are continued in their false position on board ship. Cousin Jona- than has set us an example, and in consequence the Ameriean navy can boast a better class of assistant-surgeons than ours. The sehoolmaster has lately secured his privileges of malt, and a proper seclusion for the prosecution of his studies ; likewise the engineer, and his assistant ; and even boatswains and carpenters have their separate room. Captain Boldero was not acquainted with a single Assistant-Surgeon ; and on public grounds alone he moved an amendment on the motion to go into Com- mittee, preparatory to moving a substantive resolution "That the accom- Modation provided for the Assistant-Surgeons on board her Majesty's ships of war is inadequate, and insufficient for securing the full benefit of their professional service."

The amendment was opposed by Admiral DUNDIS, with state- ments that there tare plenty of applicants for the place of Assistant- Surgeon in our Navy under the existing arrangement ; and that the proposed alteratiom is impracticable-the ward-room is already crammed to the full extent of its capacity, end it cannot admit three snore Assistant-Surgeons. Mr. Hymn said, the objection -of want of room was raised ten years ago, but three officers had since been admitted

to the ward-room. .

The House divided, and voted Captain Boldero's preparatory amend- ment by 48 to 40. - The embetantive mdttill being then put, Admiral BERKELEY, -with re-

The Lords.

Hour of Hour of Meeting. Adjournment. Monday No Sitting.

Tuesday No Sitting. Wednesday Na Sitting. Thatuday 5h 5h 25m Friday Sh 35m

grets that the amendment had been eassieil, -reneged the arguments which had been used against it; but Sir Fnedects Bantu° rose and said, he was nit iodinate &vide the-Rouse againc-ctillieugh the decision was arf unfainnate one. In fnett, the wishof the House was one thing and the practicability df the propel& another ; and as feared that the resolu- tioalotrold note carrieliont with advastaaelo the service.

Captain Boldero's motion "was carried without division. Tian WINDOW-TAX.

In support of his motion for the repeal of the Window-tax, Lord DUNCAN reviewed, as in past years, the abundant and convincing testi- mony to the deleterious affect , of the tax in a sanatory point of view. He effectively quoted the written opinions of gentlemen now or lately members of the Government,-the Marquis of Normanhy, the Earl of Carlisle, and Mr. Hawes,-hó as members of the Health of Towne Association reported that the Window-tax is " a tax more vicious in prin- ciple, more injurious in its practical consequences, than a tax on food" ; and he insisted on the futility of saying anything about sanatory mea- sures in the -Queen's Speech, unless they intended to moray the disease- encouraging Window tax On the financial bearing of the question he said, he hoped the people would understand that if the sum voted to the African squadron, 1,000,000L a year, were saved, there would be no necessity for taxing houses containing fewer than fourteen windows; for a sacrifice of only 100,0001. a year all houses with fewer than twelve windows might be exempted. Sir CHARLES Woon confined himself to stock objections. The tax is already as lightly pressing on the poor as possible. Out of 3,500,000 houses, it is only paid by 500,000 of the better class of houses ; and even in respect -of those it is a tax that is ultimately paid out of the capital of the landlord in a reduction of rent, rather than by the in- dustry of the tenant who primarily renders it The superiority of the dwellings .of the poor in England over those in Ireland, where the tax does not exist, refutes much ctf the sanatory argument The exemption of all houses having fewer than twelve windows would cost, not 100,0001. as stated, hut 250,000/.-the dutynow receivedfrom.suchhouses. The Go- vernment has shown its disposition to forward sanatory measures by removing the Brick-duty, and it cannot afford the loss of the 1,800,0001. it is now asked to forego. Sir GEORGE Psenina, recalled the fact, that since 1835, five Chancellori of the Exchequer have promised to eonaider" this subject, and not one has considered it in the way the publie -mine reqUires. Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR was obliged to tell the Government, that after the Commissions issued by them which without exception have recommended the abroga- tion of the tax, their refusal to mitigate or -moderate it is a great loss of character on their part. Lord DUDLEY STUART, Sir BENJAMIN HALL, and Mr. Hume, briefly supported the motion ; and the House divided. For the motion, 77 against it, 80; Ministerial majority, 3. The an- nouncement -of numbers drew hearty cheers from the minority.

ECONOMICAL AND EFFECITTE ADMINISTRATION OF SMALL CHARITIES. , The second reading of the Charitable Trusts Bill was not formally op- posed, but Mr. Gorniman and Mr. Tuewns made speeches against its machinery and practical tendencies : they especially objected to transfer- ring jurisdiction to the County Courts, as likely to introduce political motives into the judicial -administration of those tribunals, and to throw political power into the hands of the local attornies who are the clerks of the 'County Courts. They suggested that the local Commieeioners of Bankrupts would be fitter persons to receive the jurisdiction than' the Judges of the County Courts. Mr. ROUNDELL 13Airnnnt expressed the gratitude of the country for the establishment of the County Courts, but by implication enforced the criticisms of Mr. Goulburn and Mr. Turner ; suggesting improvements in the administrative departments of -Chancery, which would render the transfer of jurisdiction to the County Courts mu- necessary. Sir Josue ROMILLY stated, that the Commissioners of Bank- rupts are stationary officers, like the former Welsh Judges, and more liable for that reason to political bias than the Judges of County Courts, who reside mostly in London and go the circuit of their courts. He would not dispute the value of the remedy of a complete reform in Chan- cery, but we are not near to the accomplishment of the desired reform : the changes now proposed -will be experimental, and must be watched in their progress : when the Chancery -Court is completely reformed, the severed jurisdiction may be resumed.

The bill was read a second time.

Conyrr Comes EXTENSION.

The second reading of the County Courts Extension 13111 was opposed by Ministers, with Protectionist assistance. Sir GEORGE GREY felt it a duty, notwithstanding his former admission that a great desire exists in the country for some extension of the jurisdiction of the County Courts, to advise caution in adopting this bill. The limit of 201. was fixed after the most careful deliberation by three Governments ; and if no injurious results follow from the adoption of a 50/. limit, the House may next year be called on to extend the jurisdiction in- definitely. The maximum of the judges' salaries under the present bill is 1,2001., and experience has suggested the existing commutation at 1,0001.- the bill proposes a minimum of 1,200/. The maximum of the clerks' salaries is 600/., and the fifteen largest have been commuted at .500/., while the re- mainder of the three hundred and fifty clerks will probably lie fixed at con- siderably less-the bill proposes a minimum of 800/. The Police Magistrates are thought well paid at 1,000/. The bill also proposes to remove the limit- ation to counsel's fees ; which will detract from the present advantages of cheapness. To teat the opinion cif the House with respect to the bill, he moved that it be read a second time that-day six months. Mr. Jonat EVANS in astonishment.atBir George's Grey's objection that the House may be ;eked to go further if the bill be beneficial in its ope- ration, asked why not, indeed ? why deter the Legislature from con- tinuing in a course of utility ? The frequency of decisions on pitiful quibbles is 'SO great in the superior courts, that the judges will find it im- possible to go on much longer, from mere contempt and ridicule. Mr. Cniusrornen quoted the example of Scotland, where every county has a judge, the Sheriff-Depute, armed with far more extensive powers than those now proposed, who gives the utmost satisfaction to the country.

Mr. Samuel, Manias opposed the bill, as an attack on trial by jury; and because English law is really less costly than Dutch law as ad- ministered at the Cape, and French law as administered in Canada : he knew a case in France which would have been disposed of in Eng- land at half the expense and with e tenth of the pleadings. Mr. HEN- LEY joined /dr. Martin, undeithe apprehension that the bill will effec= tually destroy the County Courts, Which are working well, by over- whelming them. MT. COCKBURN backed his cordial support of the bill by weighty pro- fessional opinions and facts. Applauding Westminster and Guildhall juries for mercantile questions, he gave his experience against the efficiency of country juries, especially in cri- minal cases: a single judge of knowledge, education, aud experience, would be infinitely better. Admitting improvements and advances in simplicity, the law is still so voluminous and perpleaaug, that a lawyer's lifetime is too short to learn it, and even at last he cannot understand it; while to the sub- ject the law is a sealed book: a state of _thiegs.to be ashamed of, rather than to be eulogized. .The Arrousrev-Giama.u. opposed the bill with emphatic warmth and -earnest repetition of arguments—that Ito might wipe his hands of the con- sequenoes, and leave the responsibility on those who urged it forward. He imputed much of the popularity of the billto the clause in Italics ex- tending the minimum of salaries ; and sarcastically criticised a circular which had been sent by a county clerk to all mayors of towns, urging petitions favourable to the bill. Some of Sir john's arguments bore against tree County Courts as they exist,—for instance, his objections that the judges are unre- strained by the opinion of a professional bar ; that the admission of persons to be witnesses in their own cause promotes perjury, or hinders sensitive poe- tics from seeking justice. Mr. Atoztratos pointed out the remarkable inconsistency in the Minis- terial opposition, that on the previous evening they proposed in the Chari- table Trusts Bill to give the County Courts jurisdiction over perpetual revenues amounting to 30/. a year, which at the ordinary-rate of purchase are equivalent.to 600/. The other speakers were—Mr. Dmusox and Mr. HE/sILET for the Minis- terial amendment; 'Colonel Tacetrsotr, .Mr. CLAY, Mr. Ifirrcuera, 'Mr. Aoraceniv, and Mr. Hum; in support of the bill.

On a division, Sir George Grey's amendment was negatived, by 144 to 69; and the bill was read a second time.

Mr. Hume inquired whether, after this demonstration of feeling, the Government would persevere in opposing so -salutary a measure ? Sir GEORGE GREY said, he should object to increasing the salaries of he judges; but he could not undertake-to say whether any further opposition would be given to the measure by the Government.

CONLMERCE ia hose Laren.

• -Elle Securities ler Advances (Ireland) Bill, which Sir Jona ROEILLT explained, before Easter, but was precluded by a "count-out" from in- troducing, was brought in by-him on Tuesday, with explanations to to- move some of the opposition threatened 'by certain Irish Members. : The object of the bill is not to produce a doss of English purchasers-4 Irish land—Englishmen, indeed, like to see what they buy ; but to bring English capital to aid Irish capital in the shape of advances. The Encum- bered Estate Commission has 'operated so extensively that 658 offers of sale have been produced, and it is felt that Irish capital is not sufficient to pup. chase this extent of land _unless at an unduly depreciated price. The bill therefore proposes to give a Parliamentar3.etitle to the-owner of the loan the mortgagee) just as one has already been given to the owner of the land the purchaser) ; to tesstriet the amotutt loaned to one-half the value of the hind; and to make the transfer of that amount from hand to hand, with a con- tinuing reference to the land only as the security for it, almost as rosily and quite as simple as the transfer of a bill of exchange. Much weight is at- tached to an objection, that this measure will simply enable proprietors to re-, encumber theirland just freed from the-old eneutubrauoes. But if proprietors on the spot resolve to purchase, at the compulsory sales about to take place, to as large an extent as they can -manage, Parliament cannot prevent them from borrowing the money to do so : therefore it had better make the title so clear-that the transactions shall be as little injurious as possibleloth to them- selves and those of whom they borrow. Unfortunately, these nominal own- ers have an interest in depreciating the value of their property : they hope to get rid of personal liabihties 'by selling now, and to buy their estates back at less than their value with a Parliamentary title : these objects will be checked by the bill ; while the bona-fide purchasers, and the real capital of Ireland, which is very considerable, will be insured fair.play, and that as- distance from England to which it is properly entitled. The utmost that can be said against the bill is that it will fail and becomes% dead letter : in favour of it, there are the good intentions of those who support it in England, and the general approval of its principle, which both private letters and the pub- lic press show.to exist in Ireland-.

Some criticisms against the bill, and against the Encumbered Estates Act, were offered by Colonel Dmrice, Sir Lames O'BRIEN, and Mr. F. FeEsca ; a temperate acquiescence in the introduction of the bill fell from Mr. Neema—"as intelligent persons take both aides of the ques- tion" ; and its great and beneficial objects were acknowledged by Mr.

SADLEIR.

The bill was read a first time.

Thrall FRAN-CR:ISE.

The interest of the discussion in Committee upon the Parliamentary Voters, &c. (Ireland) Bill was confined to a-statement by Lord Jouar.Rus- SELL ; who explained the intention of Government in regard-to a sug- gestion made by Mr. Mousell before Easter, that boroughs in Ireland should be clustered togetherfor the purposes of representation.

That object might be accomplished by adding the large towns to the ex- isting,boroughs, and-so combining all the considerable towns of a county in the borough constituency, or by adding sonic towns to the smaller boroughs only, in order to provide -what is supposed to be a sufficient number of elec- tors. The former plan is very objectionable : very great advantage results from haying a certain number of towns in the county representation. The latter plan is safer, but would give rise to a serious conflict of opinion, and Government is not prepared to recommend it. Lord John stated that the feats; of those who think the .bill will ,diminish the Irish constituency ire groundless ; it will increase it considerably on the whole, though the con- stituencies of a few boroughs may be diminished. The firstregistration will deteridne the point, and then the attention of the legislature may be di-

recited to it. -

An amendment was moved by Colonel .Dirsrea, to omit-those words in clause .57 which pima the power of appeal from the Revising -Barrister-it the discretion of that officer ; a discretion which provokes general objec- tion, and also specific objection, namely, -that the Irish officer is not,. like the English, 'an annual one liable to correction by-the decisions of a successor, but a life officer, Who may persist in erroneous or partisan decisions. Sir FREDERICK TUBSIGEli would evade servilely copying the English bill. Mr.-Watrorse condemned the " dangerous,habit " WC are getting into of leaving to judges of-minor eourtethe power tograntor refuse an appeal.from their judgment, „Mr. Natalia rebutted the objection that appeals will grow vexatiously numerous, by tire contrary,experienee under the Irish Municipal Franehise Act; the unrestricted appeal under which has only given rise to ten eases. Mr. Monaix joule 0' oresrets. thought the power might be intrusted to the banisters, but there are evils on both sides. Mr.l.seiew, Mr. Sant, Mr. Harcnett, and Mr. AOLIONBT, supported the claae as it stood. The amendment was negatived, by 102 to 33.

The clauses of the bill being disposed of, Mr. HAEILTON attempted to insert an additional clause to prevent the cessation of the-non-occupation qualification, which.he dreads. Mr. Harenera. opposed the addition, as unnecessary ; and-on Mr. WALPOLE'S suggestion it was not premed.

The bill was re.ported as formally amended.

Limn RELIEF.

The seeond reading of the Distressed Unions Advances and Repayment of Advances (Ireland) Bill was moved by Lord JOHN RUSSELL very near midnight on Thursday. Colonel SIRTHORP objected to progress at so late an hour ; especially us certain returns, ordered on his motion in February, had not been furnished. Colonel Sibthorp was supported by several Irish Members ; and by Mr. BASKIN, Mr. STAFFORD, and Lord Joan MAN, oars. The bill, it was argued, was the proper occasion for discussing the whole question of the state of Ireland ; and it was the duty of Govern- ment to give a convenient opportunity for that discussion. Lord Joan RUSSELL assured Colonel Sibthorp, that his returns had been sent for' but they had not been received : there was no disposition to keep them back; they have noirnmediate reference to this bill. If the House desired a general discussion, he was ready to bring on the next stage of the bill at an early hour : but he could not say the evening of the discussion would bean early one. Colonel-Surriante moved the adjournment of the House. Negatived, by 131 to 23. Ininiediately afterwards, Lord Josue Russets, stated that the retunuf for which Colonel Sibthorp asked had already been laid on the table.- Mr. SPOONER observed, that the Government ought to have had them printed ; and he moved that the debate be adjourned till Members should get the papers, before further considering the bill. Mr. STAFFOIU), how- ever, withdrew his sanction to this attempt at delay, as the Ira Mem, hers seemed satisfied with Lord John Russell's promise of future op- portunity for full discussion. The antemiment was negatived, by 134 to 6.

Colonel SIETIIORP threatened a third division—on the question that the bill be read a second time—because the Speaker disregarded his cry of "No!" But the SPRAKER explained, that he had not heard any voice in the negative ; and Colonel Srarnone abandoned his demand. The bill was read a second time.

Subsequently, in the midst of the proceedings on the Stamp-duties Bill, -Colonel Stannous gave notice that he would oppose in Committee the bill which the Minister had attempted to smuggle through the House: Later still, when Mr. Harems introduced the Annual Indemnity BM, Colonel Siaramte complained of the discourtesy about the returns : "be ought to have been informed the returns were on the table—it was in-. rally ;impossible he could know it." - Mr. KANTER- explained, that he really diet-not know that the returns had been brought up, or ho would; have communicated the fact instantly.

Surety: ORDNANCE ESTLEXTES.

The Ordnance Estimates were proposed by Colonel ANSON with an troductory speech of some,longtle going in minute detail over the grounds for demanding each particular sum, and pointing out the considerable saving which has been made on their aggregate -for the present year. The whole amount required this year is -2,434,4171.; hist year it was. 2,632,601/.—so that a reduction of nearly 200,000/. has been made. The chief savings have been on Commissariat supplies, ',Ire, about27,0001. ; on Ordnance establishments, &c., about 19,0004 ; on Ordnance stores, aboufi 30,000/. ; and on works, building; &c., at home and abroad, about 78,0001.1 The _recommendations of the Committee - for reduction of establishments have already been carried out to some extent, and are further realized as rapidly as is consistent with the public advantage. The public accounts are investigation nvestigation with a view to improved forums of keeping them : double entry is reported to be impracticable, but much improvement is promised. Seine of our establishments in the Colonies and at home have been dis- pensed with,—as at Isle-auxeNoix, the Ottawa Canal, and Toronto, in Canada ; and at Marehwood in this country. Stores are kept almost to low ; partly on account of improvements in -the make of fire-arms, which may possibly fume Jo be adopted, but about which Colonel Anson is at pre- sent sceptical. The only considerably increased estimate is that for the. scientific department of the Ordnance-7,200/. more than it was last year. The Ordnanoe survey has outstripped the engravin,g.of maps, and it will be an important aid to sanatory improvements in towns, that the maps of the- towns whose sweep are finished should be quickly published. Colonel SIBTRORP raised a fight on the -vote of 137,536/. for Non- effective services; moving a reduction of salaries and expenses in the Admiralty Office. At present there are six Lords of the Admiralty. The First Lord has 4,5007. a year—a very comfortable salary—with coals and candles, and a. house reut-free in a dry and airy situation. He should propose to knock of 1,500/. a--ear; having the First Lord 3,000/., quite sufficient to enable him to maintain the dignity of his office. Then -there are three Lords at 1,000g.- each, and two at 42001. each.: of the former-three he proposed to get rid of twealtogetherrand to _reduce tile salary of the third 2001., leaving him 800/.

year.

Mr. Hum; Mx. COBDEN, Mr. AIIKWEIGET, and others, .supported Co- lonel Sibth.orp's retrenchment aims ; but eventually the motion was put in the Rem of -a proposition to . grant only 135,100k-4s sum leas by 10,01107. than the official demand. The amead.ment wee negatived by 110

to 33, and the larger _sum was voted. . An attempt by Mr. Hone to retrench the Vote f.689,971L -for Naval. establishmentsat home, by the 10,000/. respilted foredrilling.tho'doekYare artifie,ers, was similarly detheted, by a -dips= of 66 to 1$. . -

.COLONEL SIBTEMBP' 8 LAMENT AT EIS REPRENCREISET EAILURE.

On the bringing up of the Suppkv Resolutions, Colonel Sturneete be-! wailed the uselessness of so-smell a. man as he attempting any objeotion to the extravagant votes. He had flattered hirashif that he ahould have- the support of at least those gentlemen on his own side of the House ' who at :the hustings made such profeesions of intention -to support an ' coonoinkal principle : but they had all left him. To no man could the duty be =ore .painfal, fur no ma:Leonid be more attached to the two ser- vices. Those who had gime before him were in the Army; he had lost an amiable brother in the..Navy--etri -officer not undistinguished; he had another brother in the regular service ; and he has two sons now in the : service, one of whom has discharged his duty to his country at Moultan : and he professed the most unbounded respect for the First Lord of the Admiralty, and for his old friend Admiral Dundas : so that a sense of "duty alone prompted him ; and that duty will lead hint to continue his struggle though left with but one supporter. He had the greatest respect for Lord John Russell's personal declarations, but cleated about getting anything from his Salaries Committee : he should at all events watch its proceedings as closely as a cat watches a mouse.

THE AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUTION.

Sir Wrurest MoLeswoarn inquired of Mr. Hawes if he could explain how it came to pass that the Governor of South Australia has ordered the publication of certain resolutions which were to be submitted to the Le- gislative Council at its next meeting by Mr. John Morphett, and which include among them one recommending that the new Legislature for the colony should be composed of a Governor and two Chambers : altogether, indeed, Mr. Morphett's plan of a constitution for South Australia was nearly identical with Sir William's own. Mr. HAWES could only say that the Colonial Office had received copies of the resolutions enclosed in a de- spatch from the Governor, without any explanation. It should be dis- tinctly understood that the resolutions were those of a private member of Council, and that the Government was in no way responsible for them : he thought the official publication must have been by" inadvertence."

REPRISALS AGAINST GRF.ECE.

Mr. ANSTEY has called the attention of the House to the illegality of reprisals against Greece, by officers of her Majesty's Navy, without the authority of an order in Council. It seems that letters from Lord Palmerston, under date 30th November 1849, are the sole authority to Sir William Parker for his acts ; and that no

restriction is placed on lum but that of consulting with Mr. Wyse. Her Majesty has parted with her sole and exclusive prerogative of war or peace; and it has been left to a Secretary of State, by his own act, to plunge this cound7 into a war with the powers of Europe. Hitherto, before a pro- clamation of war could be issued, under the system prescribed by the con- stitution, the Privy Council must have been assembled and consulted. He absolved Lord Palmerston from being the first to substitute for the consti- tutional authority of the Privy Council the unauthorized interposition of the Secretary of State : Lord Aberdeen was alike guilty in reference to the transactions on the Parana. You look in vain for such practices beyond the last twenty years. As the old illustrious school of diplomatists have died out, diplomacy has become a forgotten and unknown science. The practice has more likely arisen in ignorance than design : not that Lord Palmerston can be suspected of such ignorance' but ignorance exists above, beneath, and around him, and he has been strongly tempted by bad example. Mr. Anstey dissociated himself from the objectors to the justice of our claims—never were claims more just ; and he attacked no particular Government, but only the informal practice.

Lord Peussinerox acknowledged the perfect fairness with which the strictly legal question had been mooted. Relying on the counsels of the legal advisers of the Crown, he maintained that what Ministers have done is quite correct.

They only detain the Greek 'vessels in pledge : it is admitted that if we

are disposed to confiscate or sell the vessels, we must have an order in Coun- cil, and a formal commission for condemnation and sale; but for detaining only, it is quite enough that the officer should have an order from a respon- sible adviser of the Crown, being a Secretary of State, signifying the plea- sure of the Sovereign. The case of Captain Denman shows that all officer!, naval and military., are bound to obey the orders they receive ; and if their acts be ordered beforehand, or sanctioned subsequently, they will be borne harmless for their obedience. Lord Palmerston must continue to act on .those legal opinions of the Crown officer by which he has hitherto guided himself.

Replying to a question by Mr. MIKE, Lord PALMERSTON said that Baron Gros has not yet arrived at any conclusion to his negotiations. Lord Palmerston added—

It had fallen to his lot to take part in those proceedings which led to the emancipation of the Greek nation, and to their being made an independent state ; and he could assure the House, that, upon every ground, it had been exceedingly painful to him to find it his duty to be the channel by which any measures were adopted that could in any way press upon the Greek na- tion. (Cheers.) It was not the fault of the Greek nation, but of the Greek Government, that the British Government had been obliged to have re- course to such measures.

Lew REFORM.

The ArronNsv-Gioilim obtained leave, on Thursday, to bring in a bill for amending the law relative to pleading and practice in the Superior Courts at Westminster ; but, on account of the late hour, he deferred ex- planation till the second reading. Subsequently, the Technical Objec- tions Restraining Bill was brought in, and read a first time.

ECCLESIASTICAL SALARIES.

In reply to Mr. Honsmex, it was stated by Lord JOHN Russina, that the salaries of the deaneries of Wells and Salisbury will certainly be raised from 1,0001. to 1,5001. by the bill before Parliament, so far as the actual interests are concerned; but in future the income of those deane- ries, as well as all other deaneries, will be limited to 1,0001. a year. The future Dean of Salisbury will receive the reduced amount of 1,000/.

Tim VERNON COLLECTION OF PICTURES.

Lord Jolts Russau. informed Mr. Hume., that the Government intends to act in conformity with the recommendation of the report by the Com- mittee appointed to consider the best mode of providing for the exhibition of Mr. Vernon's collection of paintings. It will probably cause less ex- pense to transfer the Vernon collection to Marlborough House than to fit that palace up for the Royal Academy for a few years to come : so the first course has been chosen ; but the 'Vernon collection will ultimately be placed in the National Gallery.

Pointe LnineniEs Joni Muszums IN Towxs.

On the order of the day for going into Committee on Mr Ewart's Public Libraries and Museums Bill, Colonel &onions redeemed his pledge of moving that the Committee be postponed till that day six months ; and Mr. NEWDEGATE, Mr. Lew, and Mr. Buex, repeated their objections to the bill. Mr. EWART stated, that in deference to suggestions at former stages, he has limited the operation of the bill to towns of 10,000 inhabit- ants and upwards, and has required the consent of two-thirds of a public meeting of ratepayers. Mr. BERNAL, Mr. PLOWDEN, and Mr. MIINTZ, acknowledged that the latter of these amendments removed their objec- tions to the bill. On a division, Colonel Sibtborp's amendment was nega- tived, by 99 to 64; and the House in Committee agreed to the clauses as amended.

CASE OF MARY ANNE PARSONS.

In reply to Mr. RUCK, it was stated by Mr. Berm and Lord Joan' Russiim, that Surman, the master of the 'Union Workhouse at Bideford, had already resigned his place when the Government instructions arrived there to investigate his conduct in relation to the poor girl Parsons, before and after her death. The inquiry therefore fell to the ground. But on the ensuing trial of the Birds upon fresh charges, there will be a full in- vestigation of Surman's conduct. A report from the Chaplain, Medical Officers, and Guardians of the union, states their approval of his previous conduct.