led to a desultory conversation 011 the merits of the
Bill itself. The Weld;
members, generally, intimated their disapprobation of it. Mr. JONES re- marked, that the Bill was but a tissue of blunders ; and that as the Courts of Westminster stood confessedly in need of reform, that reform might to be effected before the Welch Courts are assimilated to them. The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday next. INSOLVENT DEBTORS Acr.—In a conversation on the law respecting insolvent debtors, to which a petition, presented by Lord ALTHORPE from Mr. Dance gave rise, all the speakers agreed in condemning the present system ; and the ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he should support any propo- sition for the appointment of a Committee on the subject.
THE JEws.—The SOLICITOR-GENERAL, on presenting a petition from Lewis Levi praying that Jews might acquire and dispose of real property, having stated that neither the petitioner nor those Jews with whom he was acquainted, wished for the elective franchise, Mr. SPRING RICE observed, that in the bill for the emancipation of the Jews, a clause might be inserted to continue to the petitioner all-the benefits of his present disabilities, with which he seemed so contented.
LIBEL.—Mr. DOHERTY, MT. O'CONNELL, and Sir CHARLES WE- THERELL, indulged on Thursday in a scolding match as to the necessity or expediency of bringing forward some chaige which the member for Clare had promised to substantiate against the Irish Solicitor-General, but which Mr. O'Connell, finding his information inaccurate, had postponed. Mr. O'CONNELL said he would neither be gagged nor dictated to.
DISTILLERS.—The Earl of MALMESBURY having presented a petition against the proposed increase of duty on corn spirits, Lord GODERICH gave it as his opinion that the contemplated arrangements would do mischief, without proving of much advantage to the West Indians.
ETIQUET TE.—Lord DURHAM having thought fit to retain his seat while examining a witness on the East Retford case, Lord ELLENBOROUGII ob- jected to the practice, as leading to a conversational tone and manner. Lord DURHAM declared that he was at all events not anxious to copy the tone and manner of his noble censor ; and as he had seen other peers sit, he most cer- tainly should sit too. The LORD CHANCELLOR gave it as his opinion that the matter should be left to the discretion of noble lords.
CONVERTED CATHOLIC PRIESTS.—Lord MOUNTCASHEL, OR Tues- day, presented a petition from a converted Roman Catholic Priest, praying for the allowance of 30/. a-year, provided for such persons by an Act of Queen Anne. The claim was scouted, and the petition withdrawn.
REVENUES OF THE SEE OF LoNnosr.—On the motion in the House of Lords on Wednesday, for the second reading of the Bill for enabling the Bishop of London to grant leases, the Bishop of LONDON took occasion to advert to Mr. Baring's statements in the House of Commons on the amount of Church revenues. His own income had been alluded to as approaching to 100,000/. He begged to state that the fixed revenues of the See did not amount to one fourteenth, nor did it with all casualties and contingencies amount to one seventh of the sum in question.
EDUCATION FOR THE Aniuv.—In a Committee of Supply, last night, the Ordnance Estimates were, voted. Mr. HUME objected strongly to the expense of military colleges and contended that artillery officers should edu- cate themselves, as other officers are obliged to do. He did not indeed know that any education was necessary for the Army : the common impression was, that when a young man was fit for nothing else, he should be put into the Army or the Church. Mr. R. GORDON, on the other hand, thought the Army the high-road to political promotion, and likely to continue so, while our present Barrack Administration lasted. Lord MILTON protested in strong terms against our absurd military establishments.
SCOTCH COURTS—The Lord Advocate's Bill was read last night for the second time, and ordered to be committed on the 20th of May. Sir CHARLES FORBES intimated his intention of opposing the bill, unless pro- vision should be made for an increase of salary to the Scotch Judges. DivoacEs.—Dr. PHILLIMORE has given notice, that unless Ministers propose some substantive remedy for the present state of the law, he will on the 18th submit a motion to the House of Commons on that subject.
The House of Lords has not sat later than nine during the week.
The House of Commons sat on Monday till half-past one ; on Tuesday till one ; on Wednesday till four; on Thursday till past two ; on Friday till two.
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