16 FEBRUARY 1839, Page 2

Drbatu, anti 13roactincts Ilt Varliamtnt.

Loan prnitAli's It EPOLT.

YE1.1101:ItNE, 011 Monday, laid on the table of the Ilouse of papers he promised to produce last week, relative to Canada, eels-11u!,,' the Report of the Queen's High Commissioner. Ile stated Li tecoliviction of the absolute necessity of introducing, without any further delay, sonic measure to put an end to the existing state of th'elgs iii Canada. Ale hoped and trusted that, before Easter, Ministers would be enabled to bring forward a measure calculated to establisba constitutional form of government in Canada, and put an cud to the present system. Lord AVIMIINCLIFFE called the attention of the House to the pse. mature publication of a part of Lord Durham's Report in the Tim u. When that subject was mentioned before, both Lord Afelbounte and Lord Durham had expressed• the greatest surprise at the publication; but it' it were true that the papers on the table had been primed several days before is portion appeared in the Times, it was very extraordinary that either of the noble lords should have hem surprised. It' printed, they were sure to be distributed; and everybody who knew' the pairs taken by conductors of newspapers to obtain information, must have felt certain that they would be published in the newspapers. And Ile must say, that if ever there was a document which ought to have been kept from the pubfle, till those for whom it was expressly prepared had pi:Flu-ed it, the Report of the IRA Commissioner was that document. lie regretted that any thing should have been done to deprive -Ministers of the power of coml(lering the Report bethre it was printed. Ile called for some exhisention of the manner in which the publication had been made: fur it endangered the connexion between England and Cantab. and was calculated to involve this country in the greatest pot• sible difficulty. elpremlued that Lord Wharncliffe's observations were (linseed :iet:iest himself. if that were the case, he would tell Ili,: little lard, with the ereatest respect, with the greatest courtesy, but with the ;Iteatest il„.terminittion, that his remarks Nvere utterly dcsiittre of' thuntiation. Lord Durham linew of no reason which entitled Lord Wherneliffe to make them: for he had totally misrepresented what pass,i1 oe a f inner day. Regret, not surprise, that a portion 1p of the teport had teen published, was what he then expressed. lime did the flatter stand? De had been repeatedly urged by :Ministers to comp6 his Report by the °peeing of Parliament ; and he had done so, at the expense of very coesiderable labour and anxiety. With his limited means of copying, it w;ts utterly impossible to furnish manuscript copies; and to prevent exerts of labour and cost, the Report was sent, as it Iva; prepared, in proof-sheets, to her Majesty's :Ministers, a copy for each member of time Cabinet. By this means, all had been completed on Saturday seunight, and the s.soWed Report was laid betbre the Queen en the fallowims Monday. He had been informed, at the Colonial Office that the papers would be laid betbre the House onptrl.ilethfi(ri.st dltliyikt.ftlee se:sion, and that two tliolkauil copies had been ; found that the papers were ?rid t,1 be presented on the first day of the RlsSitiii. air lilt; a question to Lord 'Melbourne ; which, with the answer, must be in the recollection of the House. On his return home that

n night, i: f u

ond the foilowing letter frontthe late' Colonial Seeretstr,

wideli he would venture to read to the House.

" Downing Strovi, 5th February 1839. " :+ty there...Th.:1'n, out y,.• ilmit as hiT on IL. An, li,:1,;1.,:“011.1.1n,ri,:t. ■■. i:• istitm this Report before thv•Qtteett, I am commathld ■■;ii 1 t f rrat y robnliuu atho at 1.1111,111‘,1110.1 w,t.1 11:1AV ■1:•,,,1001, 01, 11111 11101 COVIIrrellenSilAr Vice W11101 pqm.11:/yr WW1

011110 \ ir.

• . this Report Will reeeive mosl oarecal;a.,1 ;at-soli M:.,,sly• Govallniollt. tilt lit ttt,•r or such veer ill ;b.' Al:WI:ill,: to your Wynn. whi..!, 1,0 0,1, Volti -0, IiS I I■■ eXprc,s ;my 0111114111 till 1110 1%•Viq,,m011,1;0j.li whia ; s Gw,vcinaent will not fail to it into ionnoli:ce 111!)•• Ittoll, 111:0 11., 11,111 of you laloours may lay it, 1: aud•dtunoit pr • •n.• th invnisen in the commis:M.11 which Ivas rualiad to " lime, &C.

yu.I I' ;W

" TIPS" Eall of Durham, &e. &e. Sze."

It was not until after this formal communication on the termination of his labours that lie confidentially gave copies of the Report to afar mi. his friends. This was all lie knew of the transaction ; and he re- pelled the insinuation that he was in any degree aeee,sory to or respon- siltle for the publication of the Report. He was, however, obliged to Lem V.:harm:Me for making the insinuations, as it had afforded hint the o.:latrt.,.:tity of directly repelling them. Lord IV e.l nNc1.1511•:--- 1 Made no insinuation against the noble Earl. lie ex pre., surprise at the publication," T he Earl of Driotam rise to order. I have already said, anal am astonished the noble Lord does not attach any weight to the tion. tint I did not say I was serprised. I said I deeply regatiof the publie:ition ; but 1 did not say, 1 was t surprised.'" Lord IINc•mi,FE n h.ated, that lie had made no insinuations: but when Lord Durham had distributed several copies of his Report to his private friends, he was serprised that Lord Durham should Imame ex- pressed surprise at the publication. He gave Loid Durham credit for the assurance Bea he had nothing to do with the peblieatioe leak repeated, in tine hat of t!te House and the country, that as ill igh Com- missioner he ouslit to ha;: used every means to prevent ntry one seeing the Report till Ministers had had the opportunity of well considering and deliberating upon every line of it.

Lord Delman said, he had obtained the permission of a Cabinet Minister to communieate the eport to a few of his friends.

Lord Wnsaxemset: said, that only shifted the offence from Lord Durham to Ministers.

Tlw Duke of Wmestsavros asked for the date of the Colonial Secre. to'y's letter. Lord Di."1111:131 Said it VaS elated the 5th of February.

The Earl of' A mem:es; thought that the Report ought to leave been presented in manuscript. It appeariat that Ministers sZINe it in print thus surrendering the discretionary power as to publientien, to lord Durham. There might be many things very necessary tbr :Ministers to know, which were it the. same time unfit to be laid before the public.

(signed) Gr.Exr.to.

necessary for Ministers was unfit for,publication in this country and in Canada. He was surprised at the publication in the Times; though he knew very well that printed copies would very propably get into the hands of those who would use every opportunity to obtain them. Ile had frequently known papers of equal or greater interest and import- ance, printed in a similar manner with this document, get into the bands of parties; but this was the first time that the fact had transpired. Ile knew nothing whatever of the permission given to Lord Durham to distribute copies among his friends.

The Earl of DErox remarked, that inconvenience was likely to arise from the manner in which the Lords' papers were printed. The printing of papers for that House was a patent office ; and the practice was for different officers to give employment to favourite printers.

The Marquis of \WESTMEATH said, that as it was evident the discus- sten on Canada was to be postponed tam: (be. In, was anxious to make a few oltservittions respecting it. Lord Ithrleno had told the House that he bad a claim upon the country for ten limas:1nd pounds. Ile did not like that any of her Majesty's subjects should say that money teas to hint ffir services; awl hat therefore proposed, that 'before any

wes done about Canada, the stmt due to Lord Durhaus should be paid to

Lord Ilnorninsi differed entirely from Lord Westmeath in the notion that the discussion on the affitirs of Canada would be postponed .cite ;fie, On the contrary, he believed that there would he no dui' without a dis- (union upon Canada.

Lord WEsTm KATI! did not wish to go further -with the subject : for aught he knew, the 11 eport mightbe cheap at ten thousand pounds.

Lord lit-Rim:it wished to set the noble Marquis right, if the noble 3Iorquis (thnee to be set right- 11.1,1 never stated that lie had a claim ngainst the country fin' ten thoweind pounds ; he had never stated that lie had a (lain, for t.:11 pence rgainst it As to his personal expens,:s, whiell he had rerared to, he I ti ;male no tbarise fire thew, ha% ing formed the determination to defray then out of his

0:v:, pocket. Ile did not, and had not said that was a eliwge nyinst the

coaniry. but that his determination nut to her ;;•,... lAth•it:•:,:. He .lid tl: C. • • hwinrr. d 1.1.(iseif, did to a sum ri (.1. 1. , sand poiedifs. /(•u•, b,,tr !") 1,, •1 ,e.!:

th, mil, it was int,:whql that this sohjeet sliw:li; by

Pri,oiriiiihs; Was this the mode in tvhiell their discos-hit', and thcir Is:Hip:I to (':iglu were to he carried on. (» //me, hear If noble lent, midpedlq pt.r...oitalhie, or 1,:a hio,4 tw them h, pursue the

that t:i thvi.1 to he the Let ,ay him what they plea-rd; let a,: much os :I; but then let

1,1 ;-!,..11 come at last to tI,,, z;n1I i:opor'ult

ot,,1 t;,:: i;ivolved in it, •....ithout any whoixture (if her. petty, and i•ersonal feeling&

Marquis of withdrew a motion Of Whiell 1!..• had riven not.ies: respecting the military festival at Quebec, at which Sir Janus .:ditedonnell pre..ided.

In the lIolise of Coulon-ins, the notice of the intentions of the Government as to Canwh was given by Lord Jolts ii rsraa,r,.

On Thursday, Lord \VII .1 I:NCI:WEE said, he Inel observed that herd OurInno. itt a despatch dated lt■eptember 25(11, to precious com- munications : was thene any objection to lay those previous comteassi,..e.- lions On the table?

Lord 1111.11,0nnns 0 replied, that "those despatches had beer{ pro- duced whiell it deelDed ll'Opel* to produce. and those which it was thought not proper to produce had been withheld."

In reply to the Duke of WELLINt;•PIN, Lord Th.-.;•.431.tnNE said, he NV0111,1E01' pro'h1.-,T: Sir Fr.mcis the 1.71,,,,r Canada hi.m4.11'.1m., it' rate Dab:, moved :would he lni:1 on the table, 'rho hake of Wt:m.,!Nwrox 3lotic... that 11., slennld mare for those papers on Friday.

Tun CORN-LAWS.

Petitions against the Corn-laws have been pervete,led front 7 *.t.,1- elet-ler. Looll,t, Devonport, Brentford, Paisley, Captot, I-:itth- able, and other place:;; and in support of the existing laws. frtnn p!..tees in Northamptonshire. Essex, Cambridgeshire, and Cttruwall.

7tiontlatt, Mr. G. W. Wool) moved for retnga•; of the Flees of

corn published in the Casette for every week of the ye-n' Mr. Woo:l took the of explaining, that his slat on tit, first night of ;In, se...don wit',' matle with the view of infmttning tin, as to the av:1;ii! of the CODIDIeree of the country. :eel were me intended to leive any 1, :icing. in favour or or again-4 the Corn-law,. Ile, was per.,;11:1..d that of the COr1-1:MS would give 2 f.ti-- Meht; to 1112!1;11•11C111thh't interest which Nrettill he felt in epta).!..!l prosperity or di,. empire. He had not been treated with ( ate!, tor

Si' Robert Peel, who had represented hint as sites:king in support oe the ('rum-laws.

Sir Ronmer Pent, said, it was very natural that Mr. 1Voad should attempt to remove the impression, not created Oil his mind abut.', but (et that of every person who heard him, and of every person who read the speech which he delivered on the lirst day ()I' the sess1on, awl in whieh he 111.0le statements—no doubt unintentionally—erearially Itaariae on the important question of the Corn-laws, and tending to kilo:lid-1i the force of one or the arguments directed a;_raiest then:. namely. that our commercial and manufficturing iutere,ts were in a ee deetty. lint \lr. Wood's efinn would he entirely unsuceesst'ul. Si)) Pobert then read. e \tracts front Mr. Wood's speech, to pro\ 0 that

Mr. Creky admitted, that it was a fair presumption that that business was profitable which constantly attracted fresh capital ; but it would tippear that the exports of articles roloiring much manual labour had not increased in proportion to the population of the country.

Mr. IIINDLEY remarked, that the new factories were almost all erected before the year IS36, when manufactures were 'prosperous.

Sir 1'. Ti. FLEETWOOD confirmed this statement with. respect to the mills erected in and near Preston. There lea been no new erections during the last year.

Mr. Woo) repeated, that thoegh the information lie had Oven had been quoted by both sides—Icy tlne ns provitm- the prosperity, by the other denum.,tr.tting the (1,,:n.....tt•tels state tti• :be 1.t..tittfactoring inte- rest—he still thought Ilia.; im in mal...in•e st,.tt.nttents to the House.

:Mr. IV, nap's ttsatiett r•:tt1171, W2:3 a...retttd to.

Lori ,b.:tN• 11.,•1,..v., un "r!mr......ty, Mr. to state pre-

;be enee of iii, umti The v.01,1.5"i• the ic, eve's -•• 1:,r T.!•,u,,,.?,

• • - • ,

graitt.•' It sittut:,1 s ,..t,t,ez,e he t•Ilst.• on ..Itt 11 :1 '..it • • :it..., did not nm,n1 the -;:tm

Mr. VI t..t.p.:m. v a, sorry ti:• 1%. 1..,.::.1 ,•, this

e. 1 I 1, .• '*.ice iti That 1 ,hall pre,ne. a en,

el that !louse oe the snlja e!•sk... t'a;tn-ket P. • k. •

I 'hall an 1.':1,..neav eiat....11a1: 1. o!'. • tti . t t!,.• f Ite sup-

ported by ev:.1 nay it the 1..tr the 1 leten.."

J.w'd.ioh' Res-am1,s11, :,;.; -ea .1 • st to, ::•*0 motion only refernel ! et) ite;itit", :ta Cl, ".0.1 ■-•.::;!; be did not is l'air to Mr. \'i!'i.. r•-;:• it,' intended 0., ,e1.1.11e. to see.). Mutt • 'eon... Goverolecnt «-:.::Id take 'before it eame , fe.n•,• .„, ..!/*/!):: //nn,)..) !)1ir Enw tat, 1,1 tnytten -tera. cont1;ler.:1. Ilan Lord dole, 11enn:11. had 1,21,ut, !:it'll de.

t! ...ply unfair. Mr. 1.:111)-1:- i; •; (11-t1• • ' sene 1 e-11 motion I ,!,.1 alt.;. f„,

..• 'ha !,t !' • t' tIse 1,:a...: enfeirly.

:.%L. t -tee

or.•

inn. 1.1:).-.; • tit the a! • S1* ll.,•••.:11 • t. (1.tvern-

Lord :eated

L. ti''i his

to lent

■ •••ttl.(1 to . at the the Corn- c.i -1117 that

• 1 I, • • of Ta'rd tube I I ft' 0111

pro • tan it lot a,1tople

• ed.tly • :it' • , their

,and '.:end

• kt ;

a vote for building a Model Prison, on the Separate system, which he still considered the best. [Lord John Russell gave a very imperfect explanation of these measures to a noisy and inattentive House.]

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN SCOTLAND.

In moving on Tuesday, for a Select Committee to inquire into this Subject, Mr. WALLACE delivered a long speech, stating many facts in roof of his position, that the manner in which justice is administered Is expensive, dilatory, and unsatisfactory to the people of -Scotland. He laid particular stress upon the facts that there are more appeals from the decision of the Scotch Courts than from English and Irish to- gether; that the mode of receiving testimony being by written docu- ments, not viva meet is unfavourable to ascertaining the truth ; that the Judges of the Supreme Court devote but a small portion of their time to the performance of their duties ; that four of those Judges are inca- pacitated for the proper discharge of their functions, by physical or mental infirmity: that the trial by jury is denied in cases where Englishmen have the benefit of it ; and that the arrangement of business in the Sheriffs' Courts caused great delay and expense. Former in- quiries have produced little benefit and it is necessary that the sub- ject should be again thoroughly examined, and remedies to the evils stated be applied by Parliament.

Lord Advocate Mt-nnsy resisted the motion ; on the ground, that in point of filet the people of Scotland are well satisfied with the Manner in which justice is administered; that if they were dissatisfied, Mr. Wallace's mode of proceeding would lead to no practical benefit —he Ought to have twelve committees instead of one to examine the various parts of the subject. That improvements might he made, Mr. Murray did not deny ; but on the main points to which Mr. Wallace had re- ferred, there was no dissatisfaction, or cause for it. The indisposition of the Judges of the Supreme Court had been exaggerated by Mr. Vallee : one of those alluded to was universally allowed to be a most distinguished and able person. With regard to the cost of the system, from 54,0001. to 08,000/. per annum had already been saved by new arrangements ; and on the first of January another alteration came into effect, by which 14,0001. more would be saved to Scottish suitors. [Mr. Murray seems to have touched upon only a few of the points mentioned by Mr. Wallace.] A desultory conversation ensued, chiefly on the capacities of the Judges of the Supreme Court to fulfil their duties, and the propriety of allowing them to retire on foil salaries ; which several Members ad- vocated. The result was, that Mr. Wam.acia receiving little or no support, withdrew his motion.

EDUCATION.

A considerable portion of Tuesday evening was devoted to a discus- sion in the Connuons on National Education. Lord JOHN Russsm, laid papers, consisting chiefly of statistical returns, upon the table ; and proceeded to explain the course which Government intended to take on this subject. lie was the more desirous to make an early exposition of the views of Ministers, as he foresaw that much misrepresentation would be the consequence of delay ; that schemes would be imputed to them which were never thought of; and that, upon imaginary grounds, they should be condemned by those who professed to be the especial friends of the Church Establishment. . Lord John descanted for some time on the difficulties which religious prejudices interposed in the way of a general system of education in England. In Ireland, Lord Stanley's plan had suet with success beyond his expectation: yet in Ireland the difficulties were perhaps greater than in England, because the Catholics refused to allow the Bible to be taught without comment or explanation ; whereas in England only two sects, the Catholics and Unitarians, had any objection to the use of the authorized translation, and these sects were both small in number. Nevertheless, experience had proved that it was quite hopeless to induce the Church party and the Dissenters to concur in any one united plan. Coder these circumstances, and feeling that the time had arrived when the Government must do something to supply the deplorable deficiency in the means of education, it had liven resolved to constitute a Board of Education,—to consist of five Privy Councillors, over whom the Lord President of the Council (the Marquis of Lansdowne) would preside. The members of the Board, as such, would receive no salary ; but they would be persons holding other offices to which salaries were attached. To this Board would be con- fided the money annually voted by Parliament for the purposes of edu- cation; which Lord John hoped would be 30,0001. instead of 20,0004 It was proposed that the attention of the Board would first be directed to the establishment of Normal Schools, which might be carried on at the expense to the country. of 400/. or bard. a year. It would appear that what was called education in this country—reading and writing, and some elementary religious instruction—was susceptible of great improve- ment. Lord John thought there was much truth in this observation of the late Mr. Cobbett—" What is the use of teaching a young boy, the son of a labourer, his letters? If he wish to mount a cart-horse, and he Sees a gate near him, he will get on the gate, and then on the horse ; and that's the education of an agricultural laboarer "—

" Now this observation was not without the sense which belonged to Mr. Cobbett ; because you do want not only to teach reading and writing, but to inculcate habits of industry and moral dispositions; and you diat mint merely that a boy should at eight or nine know how to read, and at fifteen or sixteen entirely fiwaret how to do so, but you do want to instruct him in the duties of his situation—those duties which he has to perform both to God and man, and likewise in the skill that is necessary to enable him to obtain that competency

which can tilone carry him through life. I think, therefore, in this respect, that a good Normal School would be found the best and most approved system

yet suggested ; and that it would he of very great advantage to the whole of this country, even though it should be carried on at an expense of 4001, or 500/. a year. I believe that a school of that kind would he found useful in this way,

that it would be so superior to the ordinary methods of education, that those who visited it might afterwards introduce into their Own neighbourhoods the frame rules and practice which had been there found established."

It was also proposed to establish Infant Schools, where children from three to seven years old might be brought up ; and he really thought that the most simple lessons of religion might be taught to such infants without involving questions of theological difference—the various doc- trines of Episcopalians, Independents, or Presbyterians. Before any vote of money was asked, Lord John said he should be prepared to state

with more precision the rules on which the Board would proceed in the execution of the duties confided to them, especially the mode of dis. tributing the money that Parliament might grant: but some time would elapse, before any bill would be introduced, or any step taken to carry into operation the plan he had sketched. The proceedings at meetings lately held for the praiseworthy purpose of extending education iu con. flexion with the Church, had rendered it necessary for him to state as clearly as he could the intentions of Government-

" I have stated this plan, not as the best which could be pursued—not as a faultless scheme of education, but that which, on consideration, we think to be most practical in the•present state of the country. I think that, seeing the manner in which education has been promoted in all foreign countries, and the indefatigable exertions which have been made to extend it on the other side of the Atlantic, the time is come when we ought no longer to remain with our arms folded, and suffer this great question to be entirely neglected. I think a plan of combined union in all education is impossible : I think that a system which should be confined solely to the Church would be regarded as exclusive and intolerable by a great proportion of the population : but I do feel that it is necessary to propose sonic plan, and that while I bring forward, as I did yesterday, a niensure prescribing different modes of punishment and different methods of trial, that the guilty may be more quickly visited with the penalty of their offences, it is incumheut on us not to leave untitled the great waste field of instruction and education, but to give at least an opportunity to the youth of this country, and especially to that portion which forms the seeds of the criminal population, of learning what religion and moral duties are, that, if they should afterwards fall into the ways of vice and crime, we may be satisfied that we are justified in putting in foree the harsh provisions of the law, and have not to charge ourselves with neglect or omission in punishing the untaught and uninstructed for the commission of crime, without having afITrld „ed them the means of acquiring a knowledge of their duties to God and roan:

A long and desultory conversation followed ; in the course of which Lord Joux Bossard, repeated, in answer to questions, several of the statements given in the above sketch of his speech.

Sir ROSERT INGLIS expressed himself as, on the whole, not displeased with Lord John's statement. The plan was less mischievous than he had expected, when lie considered the views of the persons with whom his " noble friend" acted.

Mr. Wysa congratutated the House, that at length a Board of Educa- tion was about to be established. Ile was convinced that a system of joint education was the best that could be framed; and denied that re- ligious differences would prevent its success in England. any more than on the Continent, where children of all religions were educated together.

Lord AntrAn- thought, that Lord John Russell's scheme, with its Privy Councillors, Normal Schools, books, and teachers, was full of tint most alarming mischiefs.

Mr. GLADSTONE feared, from the approbation the plan-receive ' ;rpm Mr. Wyse, that no description of religious instruction would ha com- municated in the proposed schools.

Mr. Small ifliurox only regretted that the stint proposed was so ridiculously inadequate to the great purpose in view. Instead of 30,0001., the sum should be annually 200,000/.

Sir ROBERT Pam, had listened with the greatest attention to Lord John Russell's speech ; and he feared the plan must be open to much greater objection than appeared from any thing contained in that state- ment, since it received the ready approbation of gentlemen who were known to hold opinions very different from his own on the subject of it. It appeared that Lord John Russell entertained the suspicion that Sir Robert's party had formed the design of engrossing the education of the people—of making an attack on the liberty of education. Sir Ro- bert could only say, that at the meeting he had attended, no such de- sire or intention was expressed ; and for his own part, he would offer strenuous opposition to any plan that would violate the perfect liberty of education. The Church only exercised the right which the Catho- lics and Dissenters exercised, of forming societies for the education of the people on principles in strict conformity with the doctrines of the Established Church. Before :my money was voted, the House should be infbrmed distinctly on what principle education was to be conducted in the Normal Schools. He doubted very much the advantage of in- struction in the mechanical arts at schools. Proficiency in any art could only be attained by constant and exclusive attention to it. With regard to the Infant Schools, which he supposed would be supported by parochial assessineuts, he must say, that he doubted whether it would be easy to procure a compulsory rate fur that purpose. He believed that there was no intention to interfere with the established schools. So flu-, so good. lint he should retain the right of negativing any grant that might be proposed, and of giving the most mature consideration to that part of the plan which conferred upon Govermuent the indirect control over the education of the people- " I, for one, am deeply convinced of' the absolute necessity and of the moral obligation (if providing far the education of the people. But I am, at the same time, perfectly convinced that that can only lie effectually done in this country, where so much religious Dissent prevails,—and that it is infinitely more likely to be done without disturbing the good understanding and the existing harmony between the profis4!ors of different faiths by leaving it to the voluntary exer- tions of the parties themselves, and by permitting each to educate his children, as he at present is at liberty to do, in those principles of faith in which they were born. (Great (divert/if') 1 cannot help expressing my confident belief that the Church of England is now awakened—( Cheers from both sides of the Honse)—to the absolute necessity—not by torte, not by compulsion, not by in- terfering in the slightest degree with the principles of perfect religious freedom— but awakened to the absolute necessity of assuming that position which she ought to assume, in constant and cordial coilperation with the landed proprie- tors and others of this country ; and that the only satisfactory way of having a system of education—which ought to be founded upon the basis of religion— in this country is, for each party to act for themselves; imposing no restrictions upon others; but, above all, that the members of the Establishment, whether lay or clerical, shall not lie ashamed of insisting that, in their education, the doctrines and principles alike faith which they profess shall be an indispensable condition to any voluntary system of education introduced among them." (Great cheering.) Lord JOIIN ussma, referred, in his reply to Sir Robert Peel's re- mark that the Church was " awakened"— rejoice that there is now so much zeal shown upon the subject of educa- tion, 1 may doubt, perhaps, whether so much zeal upon this subject would have been shown if there had not been from tither quarters—("Ilear,hear 1")-4 do not say from the Government only, but from other portions of the com- munity—a disposition evinced to forward this subject of education. I must certainly be permitted to doubt whether, if there had been no such changes as we have seen of late years, there would have been any further exertion on the subject of education than we saw during the very long period of years when those who assumed to themselves to be exclusively the friends of the Church bad the almost unopposed management of public affairs. (Great cheering.) While seeing with very great pleasure the exertions that have been recently made, and learning with equal pleasure that there is an awakening upon this subject on the part of those who certainly have been slumbering a long time, atilt I do entertain—groundless as the right honourable baronet may think them —some apprehensions with regent to the manner in which this newly-awakened seal would he exercised, if there were no suspicions timely aroused as to the possibility of its being abused and perverted to ends very mischievous; because in common with others, have seen theories propounded and have seen doc- trines advanced iu respect to the state of the Church—("Hear, hear !")—which I certainly think, if pushed out to their full consequences, would in the end establish that which the right honourable baronet says he should oppose, namely, a system by which the whole education of the people would be placed in the hands of the Church, and by which none but members of that Church would have the right of partaking of that education. I do not indeed believe that, even if it had not been the fact that a great portion of the people were alive upon the subject of education, founded upon the principles of religious freedom, any such consequences were likely to have happened ; but I du think, if public attention had not been called to it, there might have been reason to apprehend some very considerable innovation upon a subject width seemed to have been settled both by law and by the general grants of this House, which have taken place of late years. I certainly do entertain in sonic degree these apprehen- sions ; and having them upon my mind, I suppose I stated them. But I do trust that the general feeling of the (louse, whether the plan of the Govern- ment be approved of or not, will be decidedly in favour of freedom of educa- tion." (Great cheering.) Sir ROBERT PEEL said, that as want of zeal had been insinuated against the Church, he hoped the noble Lord would lay upon the table papers to show in what proportion applications for grants from the education fund had been made by members of the Church and by Dissenters.

The papers were ordered to be printed.

TRIAL OF CONTROVERTED ELECTIONS.

Lord Maslow brought this subject before the House of Commons on Thursday. He moved a resolution—

"That in the trial of controverted elections, the objects of justice, uniformity, and despatch, would be best attained by a tribunal not consisting of Members of Parbameut."

In support of his motion, Lord Mahon delivered a long and elaborate speech. He quoted precedents to show that the jurisdiction of election petitions had not always belonged to the House of Commons. Even so late as the period of the Revolution, it was the practice to appoint nice:: - of the Upper House triers ; and these triers were generally is their :loeisi.lre by the opinion of the Law Lords. Sometimes, to give an air of tvetner solemnity to the proceedings, the decisions were announced in the presence of the whole House. Thus it appeared, that the watchful jealousy of their privileges, attributed to our ancestors, did not prevent them from referring decisions of the most important questions to the most objectionable tribunal. Subsequently the House of Connnons decided by a vote, without inquiry, the right of disputing parties to seats. The elections were decided in favour of the candi- dates attached to the majority in the House. The proceedings in the time of Sir Robert Walpole showed that votes on disputed elections were 'twee party votes. Sir Robert himself resigned, when defeated on the Chippenham election petition ; for that decision was the result of a regular trial of strength between his supporters and opponents. Per- ceiving that the continuance of this practice would endanger public liberty, Mr. Grenville introduced the law by which, with little varia- tion, the trial of controverted elections was now regulated. And this plan had worked well up to the passing of the Reform Bill ; because, before that change in the constitution of Parliament, there were some 150 Members for close boroughs, who were perfectly independent, and attached themselves to no party. They had their bias, undoubtedly, but were ready to vote with or against the Minister according to their honest opinion of his measures. In striking Election Committees, the practice formerly was to leave those on the Committee who were supposed to be the most independent of party considerations or connexion. But since the Reform Act, a contrary principle was acted on. The rule was to remove from the list of 03, experienced and independent men, and retain those who were young and possessed little knowledge of the law, or who were afflicted with mental or bodily infirmity. Decided parti- sans were always retained, if possible, by both sides. Sir Robert Peel had endeavoured to tbrm an impartial tribunal out of the materials the present House afforded ; but his bill, though prepared with so much care, skill, and talent, had not given satisfaction. Why was this ?—

Because he attempted what was impossible ; because he attempted to apply th e rules and feelings which prevailed in the old House to the new ; because he had attempted to stake a clean thing out of an unclean ; (Chec.rs and laughter ;) because lie had endeavoured to find the elements of a court of justice in an assembly of decided partisans. What was the practical grievance of width the Members complained ? Every Member felt that he was a party man, and that he was so disebled. Every Menther felt, and he had a right to feel, strongly on party questions; and he was therethre incompetent as a judge. Ile was stating the grievance, and he was stating it fairly ; and how were they to re- medy the grievance by keeping the jurisdiction in that House ? Would the diminution of the numbers from eleven to seven allay time discontent ? Did they believe that a Committee of six would be able to nominate another Com- mittee which would give satisfaction ? The present was not an objection to the machinery, but to the details ; and this brazen image which they had set up to worship under the name of " Privilege," let them melt it or mould it as they would, would be brazen still—it would never become gold. Unless they could plunge into the recesses of the human heart, and pluck out the hidden feelings and subdue them—unless they did that which no human being bad yet effected—unless they could with a magic wand draw forth the living waters of good-will—he was satisfied that any measure which should continue in that House jurisdiction in matters of controverted elections, would only be saved from being mischievous by remaining ineffectual.

Circumstances had arisen which might make a privilege worthless now which was very valuable in the time of Elizabeth—.

Had there been no change in the circumstances of the House since time time of Elizabeth ? Was it not indicative of a long interval, and of sonic alteration,

that a seat in that House, which was now an object of not unbecoming rivalry, was so little esteemed in the time of Elizabeth that several of the smaller boroughs sent petitions to the Queen complaining of the burden and praying to be disfranchised. Did any danger press now ? Was there any possibility that the same danger from the Crown as existed in the days of Elizabeth, and which then gave so much trouble, would he apprehended now ? He would ask whether there was any poseibibility of a recurrence to a time when a Monarch could enter that House to seize three of its Members, and when the House saw the Speaker's predecessor, Mr. Speaker Lenthall, on the door of the house on his knees? Was it likely that there would be in the present or after times

a recurrence to such a state of things? He would put it to his right hmour- able friend the Member for Moetgomery, (Mr. C. W. Wynn,) whether there was the same need of the privilege now, and why they should cling to the

bulwark when the danger against which that bulwark was erected had utterly passed away ? In his view, Mr. Wynn was like one who turned his face to the east in the morning, to worship the sun, but now, when the meridian sun had

attained its mid-day altitude, was still turning his face eastward, supposing the sun to be yet there. (Cheers and laughter.) Lord Mahon proceeded to explain his own plan. He proposes that the Speaker shall nominate a Committee of six Members, one to be a Minister of the Crown ; that these six shall be equally divided into two classes—A and B ; that in class A, there should be the Minister and two Members from his side of the House; in class B, three Members from the Opposition : that the Minister should propose a person for Assessor ; and if five out of the six Members concurred, that person should be appointed; if not, the Minister should propose three other persons, to be referred to class 13, and that class should be empowered

to select one of then: the Opposition class should then return three names to the Ministerial class, out of which the latter would choose

the second Assessor; and the Speaker should name the third. Ile also proposed that the Speaker should act under the solemnity of an oath. The three Assessors then chosen should be barristers of a certain number of years standing, hold their offices for life, and receive ample salaries. They should have the power of making final decisions on all questions relative to disputed returns. In case of a press of business after a general election, the parties who nominated the original Assessors should be empowered to name six others, forming nine altogether ; to be divided into three Courts, each court to be presided over by an original Assessor.

Mr. WRIGHTSON expressed. decided disapprobation of this plan. It would cast an indelible stigma on the House. It was much better that they should handle the question firmly, and work the reform in them- selves, than go elsewhere.

Mr. Ps:mm:111'0x supported Lord Mahon's proposition ; chiefly on the ground that it was impossible to obtain impartial decisions from a tri- bunal composed of Members of the )louse; whereas there were abundance of professional men who cared not for either side, and it was highly improbable that, acting as judges before a regularly arranged bar, they would make decisions not dictated by the merits of the case.

Sir ROBERT PEEL referred to resolutions of the Ilome and historical records, to prove the high antiquity of and the great value set upon the privilege of the House of Commons to decide upon the validity of elec- tions. He wished that Lord Mahon had introduced a bill instead of proposing a resolution, to that his plan might be examined in detaiL There were many objections to it : one of the most important was the difficulty of procuring men to whom such large powers could be dis- creetly confided. He believed that materials fir an impartial tribunal might be found in the House ; and that much of the dissatisfaction which prevailed arose from the sunnnoning of Members to the ballot, and other practices connected with the present mode of proceeding, but not essential to the seleci:,71 61.;, tribunal from among the Members of the House. Ile would mitt go at length into the subject ; but on the introduction of Isis own bill, it would be fimud that every clause of it might be fr:uned so as to carry out tic purpose of his noble friend. But if the 1 lons;? should titbit: lit to adout Lord Maleefs proposition, he had framed what he thought wmild he a fitting preamble for the bill which

Lord would then bring forward-

" Whereas this Iion4e frn:. r times colishlATil the power of deciding in all matters ratting to the ef its -AI a privilege essential to the maintenance of its indep,anienco. a 1 lit■s uoif,.‘ruily resisted all attempts at enenmehment upon this right at is lint whores it bath become no- torious that the liou,e of !: it h. particularly since the passing of the HAIN') Act, so grossly alats,d '0:it-liege. that it 1.: no longer worthy to be intrusted %%dill it "—(ieentned and cries ■!7* Gh !")—Do you shrink from such an inference ?—be caul;Loa then in exciting it. But to proceed- " And it hereit, tic fluttv lath lit,eity penitently tit:knowledge its unfitness and uneheeiness; and &Tail litIlifIt'ati011, (loth consent, from a due sense of it,. tumors hioess, to reliavlsli this ancient privilege, and place it in some tribunal more loo,ourable, wore ilopor:ial, and more worthy of the public confidence: be it Oen:fore enacted."

Ile called upon the House to emend the tribunal as it stood, and earnestly eentioned them not tan sanetien the eorelusion that they could not perform one of their Most important duti....s. In opposing Lord Mahon's motion, he only adhered to that Conservative line of policy which he had ever been anxious to maintain.

The speeches that followed do not require especial notice. Mr. RETINAL, Sir ROBERT INGLIS, and NI'. For/. tee,- Iitan,r,y supported Lord Iklahon's resolution. Mr. \C1-r:` and Lord .1ofiN li E'SSI,LL opposed it. All said that an alteration of t!o• present praeice was required. Lord Joni; Itusstau. agreed with Sir it ert Pct.], that the House ought not

to abandon one of its important privileges till every attempt had been made to form a satisfactory tribunal from the materials the House itself afforded.

The House divided—

For the resolution 63 Against it 177 Majority 114

Sir Rome= PEEL, after time division, obtained leave to bring in a bill to "amend the jurisdiction ?lir the trial of Election Petitions."

busts CoaPORATIONS.

The paragraph in the Queen's Speech relative to the Municipal Cor- porations of Ireland was read WI Thursday. After which, Lord Mon- PETIt moved for leave to bring in a bill " for the Regulation of Muni- cipal Corporations in Ireland ;" and proceeded to explain the chief

points of difference between the present and previous measures intro- duced for the sat re purpose. It appeared from his Lordship's state- ment, that the eight-pound qualitleatom for Municipal voters is retained in the bill, but that after the Poor-law has been three years in opera- tion, the Eto4;lisli 'Municipal franchise will be extended to Ireland; that is to say, pers,ms rated to any amount, and resident Iiirthree years, will be allowed the privilege of voting tier Municipal officers. The mode of appointing Sheritrs is the same its in former bills :—the Town-Councils to send in a list of three persons to the Lori-Lieutenant, who may select one °tithe three; if he disapprove of all, another list to be sent to him ; and in case of his refusal to nomilette a person out of the second list, he may

oluke the appointment seliedttle A, emit:tieing the towns in which l'orporoilous are to Is• etztlilislos!, is the same as in the last bilk With re,puct to sche.bh! l■ - pl,t,..cs to whielt in tits inns rilaY bvPrz.t•LtA on the ret'itbn tbe i,111;:bitants---it is proposed that, withrot the 1; a1• ttio:t• trite, the Croton (tine establish Corpormitms pl.,. 4, eel, ;slier t(wa three

thott.•tn:,1 ;•r • : :'■11:eic:o. 111:011:LT of ersems, occupy , at 001 t/. ■,;ir, In:11.e a cote,ti- tuency. Afire 1h:es ■ tors, the femellio: to be extcaded to these pieces. 'I hese .are do. rineipel pr....-'ems of the new biro

Mr. Si! 1W ;110,010;■••'; 1!■, 01.i3O!-.0 the pito L hien for ex- :O.:linnet the Flitgiish frele. wee. ; li>r that would place the Mu-

elections in tits pew of dm slam. persons who now elected

Poor-Ly Linkers ; tied re:tent itree.e di tees in Limerick showed that re-

ligicu feeliotto weelti sw.e. constituency.

3I•. '1/!.■21.1101'N Sp,:ke to Oil:: same effect.

Mr. NVY:,i: 10111 31r. S.%111:11 0.131:11iN 1.11”.lie briefly in support of the bill.

Lord JooN that in Limerick the de m I'm of Poor- haw uardians had been made a political straggle ; but in onother town, men of all part:, s had been ehesen without r,rereoce to their polities or Seroem., J.:LcKsos, 31.r. 1 1.:Literx, Mr. If R 1.11.10N, 0.t.'0NN1.1.1., 1001 Mr. Rt.i.i.iNt.T0N SI/LAVIelltly ad- dressed the I louse. The subjects touched on were the Precursor aeita- lion, tl.e Londuet of the Dublin Corperatim iu Lite intrattoement of its funds, anti the opposition to the Pew:-law by some Mein! Los who had supported it iii Perliaineet.

Leave was Lk en te 'leo hi the hill.

3.1.1seEmatsmo.:s.

i.1,■sitts. The Committee of lest session was reappointed, Utl 3,Ion.1tiy, on Mr. Vimicos: S.7,ITTB'S 11101100.

_NIC1 Pi.f.e • Mr. Fox with the entire concur-

reuett iZont:tcr obtained leave to bring in a bill to exott,,1 r. ei iitittor.., ill.: Police of the Metropolis.

Sir Frei. s,tid, that this country WIIS 11111ell illatibted to 31r. ';01' t■ie"cry lies lint he Lail paid to this subjeet.

Br, 11. 11,01: !(.1' ,!, 311% 011 T102■.13y, prOpOS.:1 resolfc.o) th.0 re-I .ctl;Ig the torte of the country should 1.e

intro,bee 1 MO.-. e T. Mr. Netter r Toonsox, t:;ir eouitt: ('mote, and 31r. See :Nit lion: opposed the notion; and Mr, lIAJACE with- drew it.

111: a1,:., Toe.: • • . re t:ion Mr. 11mi:eerie:ie.:, that n'i nest; Leslie, so likely to cre,,to (leht,te, 1,eou2,1tt on after twalve

n'eltoht, itto, : tivslt r.its negmived, by a betjti- ri!L: et; to 1o.

sc,,tit, oiti.„,,e 11, , y•ti; 4.` 1.r1:::4 in as hill,•

which ss.:ilon, fur tits! 1,-ltd. ,:ts tehteal.

%iv. 1,01,1 'Mott:ea ohttailted leave to letime in tt Hill

!: Peer et. l'revi, itto hail been made i,t that bill

in,., a leti.tti, :.or in tae (tides or I nihren ;eel ; ;he Veil tints therellire iiiiipttratiN.e with T111 0..ec or tw.) otlr..tr defeets, which it

to :t. Tv meiveo to Inuit- tie. ale clue fl law of Copy- 11:o l'or leave. Mr. \VAL:- • 'et, 11:1 tontitti: e•ly the measure.

Went, 'e t,. rt,i i•ti file Cttriow, in the annul of Mr. Moule, create." one rt' Lim ',roe . to' the f'ue'l ui Exchequer; and for Leitrim, iu it,. 0' 1.10.11 !1..,1•Iiiti. (1/ •,•41,01.

Oil ("A V. ,,:ii uaYi1''a 1.1,1, I )eV1,111/1/tt, in the rocint of Sir /lees l'1,,• se: Ceneral.

host: to meet .1 d .• !..i itnitime --I•

Cork tie,- • refined 1,o to it wits ;ls..

iiteet 11

,e,, _at. were made ; for Ile was persuaded that the commerce of Austria and of Turkey would derive more benefit from those treaties than England herself'. lie thought the country was much indebted to the zeal and ability with which our two Ambassadors at Vienna and at Constantinople had conducted the very long and difficult negotiations which led to these treaties.

in reply to a question from Sir ROBERT PEEL, Lord PALMERSTON stated, that, in has opinion, the concurrence of Turkey was not neces- sary to give effect to that part of the Austrian treaty which admitted British ships to the ports on the Danube; for it was an important part of the treaty with Austria, that either an Austrian or a British vessel coming from a port' in the Turkish Danube should be admitted into the port of the other country as if it had come from a port of its own country ; that is to say, a British ship coming from a Turkish port in the Danube would be received under this treaty in an Austrian port, and vim versa an Anstrian ship coming from such a port :would, under the treaty, be received in a British port. Sir Robert would see Run this was an engagement solely between Austria and England, as to admitting ship.; into the ports of either country coining front that part of the Danube in Which were Turkish ports; no agreement therefore with Turhey respecting this arrangement was necessary.

In the House of Lords, on Tuesday, Lord Att000s:Ex stated his opinion. that -without anotheletreaty with Turkey, England could derive no benefit from the stipulation with Austria by which English vessel; were allowed to enter the ports of the Danube; and he reminded Lord 31 Et.ta that such was his opinion when the subject was alluded to It few- nights before, though Lord Palmerston had declared in the house of Commons that no new treaty was required.

Lord 31Emoonixt: entered into an explanation of his view of the treaty ; but said oothing precise oat the point to which Lord Aberdeen referred.

juices Is PARLIAMENT. Lord BROUGHAM, on Tuesday, called the Lot Os' ettention to the election of Dr. Lushington, Judge of the Court of Admiralty, to a seat in the House of Commons. De dwelt on the impropriety oreenOtining the office of It Judge with that of a Represen- tative of the Poiple ; and pointed out the peculiar mischiefs which might arise in the ePse of an Admiralty Judge, in whose decisions questions of otteee and war, told others on which the public mind might be strongly welted, were involved. He instanced the decision of Sir William Soto On Coe question of slavery. During the last war, scarcely a week elapsed in which political questions did not come befbre Sir William Scott. The mode of paying the Admiralty Judge was very objeetionable ; his emos lumenis were derived from fees,—xv filch during a war might mount to o year; thus giving him an interest in involving the country in Lord Momiornsatt admitted that the mode of paying ..the Admiralty Judge ought lobe changed; but thought that the same I.! jection applied to Judges sitting in the ilouse of Lords as in the House of Commons. Lord Boom: imm reminded Lord Melbourne, that every member of the House of Lords Was 'a Judge; and that they were no,t subject to the control of constitueneies—not liable to be called upon at any Lime to give an account of their conduct to five thousand electors.

Eln7CAT10N IN THE .NANY was the subject of a long conversation in the House of Lords, on Tuesday, between Lords Ms ItDWIC KE, rultsTo, and Cohenestroo. Lord UAW/W.1CM: DARIO SillteilleOtti With view to 11111t the discontinuance of the Nasal College was itju-

dielom. and that no sollivient substitute for that seminary had lawn provided. This L:rd 31into denied. The discontimutuce of the Col- lege had Leen resolved upon bdore lie came into office, because it had entirely lhiled. A laxger proportion of candidates front the College were rejected on their examination for Midshiptiten, then of those oho had not been e,lm:tilted there. Insrucmitn an superior description was now given on gourd the lixeelkra. .\ ttempts had been made to improve the course of r Lineation, by raisin;; the condition of the inasotre,—who Were 110W alboved. t.i nwss with time ()incurs, were provithql with t..1,t1.-

rate cabins, and vn:Itic!I to small retiring allowances. Fifteen or six-

teen gem lehi eo, etuittates of can:1)1114TC, Were /10W eMpleyed as tutors. Another point 11 the converstition latiitted to !anal architee- tore. It was stated a:, au undoubted fact, hush by Lord Minio and Lord flardwicke„ that the French ships It.:Lre better Lulls than the English—their erchiti, cis having superior scientific aequirements; though Lord .pinto still it was 11111Vemilly allowed by French mud Rus- sian officer.; that the \Mo.:nerd was the finest ship that ever sailed the sea. Some ri.msY:s were made on the comparative merits, as ship. buiitlitrs, of Prefesser Inman and Captain Symonds. The discussion led to 110 re=el:, Tuusil 1'111-sits. The Marquis of SALM:111v asked Lord Mel- bourne, im Thursday, lin. some returns relative to turnpike trusts moved for last session, but me produced. Lord Melbourne promised to make some inquiry respecting the returns. Lord BnotAamm hoped that 31inisters would pay some attention to this subject--

Lt

cos ournee changes, then.. were now scarcely any hunt 011 the roads,

nml st ;lively ant r. ; ;toll unless one chose to travel at the rate of three or tbur hundred ol!es day, he could not travel at all. lie hoped the House would go into the cen,i,:eratimi of this subject, with a view to this as well as to the eight milliens 4,!' i,.u:..', hnv, stud ht this description of property, and the many widows :mil mid: 11w; di piduh'il upon it. I le knew .ante very cruel cases

that had alrenc.i.. ocem ; be knew one instance in which an income of 2001. had beet (Hun to 40/. Ile hoped that some ease itcuila he given, as far as the.v could without viol:dim: any minciple; and he thought that they would not be violating any minihple they took off the post-horse duty, which would enabli. the pos; ionst erS 1111 certaih roads to keep their heads ;Move water. If he thought Ililit Li: t could reach to the commons distance at which the