POSTSCRIPT.

SATtrannr.

Early in the sitting of the House of Commons last night, Mr. LAYARD gave notice that, on "an early day," he should move a series of resolu- tions, to the effect that the House views with deep and increasing concern the actual state of the nation; that while at all times the best qualified men should be intrusted with the administration of public affairs, it is the more necessary at this moment ; that the manner in which merit and effi- ciency have been sacrificed to party and family influence, and to routine, in the appointments to posts in the offices of State, the Army, and Diplo- -macy, "is opposed to the best interests of the State, has already given viac to great misfortunes, threatens to bring discredit upon the national character, and to involve the country in serious disasters." And "That this House will give its best support to any Ministry which in the present emergency shall propose to itself as its main objects the efficiency of be public service and the vigorous prosecution of the war, as the only means of securing an honourable and lasting peace."

The House reteived this announcement in silence. Later in the even- ing, Mr. Layarcl's Liverpool speech and the correspondence arising out of it led to 'a long discussion.

Mr. WiLlasat EWART was the first speaker. He called the attention of Mr. Peel to the fact that Mr. Layard lipd stated that Major Ewart of

the Ninety-third was the only officer on TO Staff in the Crimea who had obtained a first-class certificate at Sandhurst, adding that "he did not know whether he owed his Promotion to any Parliamentary influence." The answer to this, supplied by Mr. PEEL and Mr. C. Ilsionnoz, was, that Major Ewart did not obtain a first but a third class certificate at Sandhurst ; that there were five officers on the Staff who obtained first- class certificates at Sandhurst; and that Major Ewart owed his promo- tion on the Staff, for the short time he held it, directly to Lord Raglan.

Mr. HENRY BARING drew attention to the fact that Mr. Layard, in a letter to the Times, had given a list of officers in the Guards promoted with and without purchase, and had described the services of some, but had placed the word " Staf" only opposite the names of Lord Burghersh and Colonel Hardinge. Now these officers had seen more service than those whose names appeared before them—Lord Burghersh in the cam- paign of the Punjaub and at the Alma ; Colonel Hardinge in the cam- paign of the Sutlej, at Alma, Balaklava, and Inkerman : did Mr. Lay- rad omit to mention them from ignorance, or because one was the son of an Ambassador and the other of the Commander-in-chief?

General PEEL came next. He entered fully into the details of the pro-

motion of Colonel Wilson and Colonel Hardinge; and clearly showed that the rule of the service had been strictly followed in the transactions that took place. He also read a correspondence between Lord Hardinge and Mr. Layard, in which the former calls upon Mr. Layard to "retract the unfounded charge" made in his speech ; and Mr. Layard declares he has "nothing to retract from the statement made at Liverpool."

Mr. PEEL, in making similar explanations, pointed out that Mr. Layard had been misled in his statement respecting Major Ewalt by taking only a " Supplementary Return," which supplied the omission of Major Ewart's name.

Mr. Lev.sEn, in his explanation, said he intended to make "no re- flection" on Major Ewart. The Government are to blame for the error into which he fell; the words "Supplementary Return" are on the back, but not on the sheet. [Here Mr. PEEL corrected him, by showing that the words were on the sheet.] "Well, I did not notice it ; I frankly admit I fell into error from not having seen the first return." But Govern- ment, which "cooks" returns, is to blame. " With regard to the subject referredto, what are the facts of the ease? In the first place, it involves matter of a painful nature, and with regard to which few persons in this House dare to get up and speak the truth. (" Oh, oh !" and derisive cheers.) There are very few officers who, when these questions are mooted, dare to speak the truth. (" Oh, oh !" and ironical laughter.) If honourable Members had seen the letters which I have re- ceived within the last few days, even in the last few hours.(Csie8 of " Ilea them !")—No, I shall notread them—("Nanse, name !")—nor shall I give the names of the officers who wrote them. (" Oh, oh !" and laugh(er.) To do so would be the ruin of those officers. (" Oh, oh !") I stand here prepared to take upon myself the responsibility of what has occurred, and I shrink not from incurring it. I have no knowledge of the various rules which guide promotion in the Army—(Ironical cheering)—but I see matters of fact, and form my opinion upon them."

Mr. Layard explained that he did not intend to cast any "reflection" on

-Colonel Hardinge or Lord Burghersh by using the word "Staff" to describe their services. "There is not a more meritorious officer in the Army'' than Colonel Hardinge. He further justified himself by instancing now cases of improper promotion without purchase. Mr. BYNG stated, that Lord Strafford held himself responsible for the promotions so much canvassed. Colonel LINDSAY and Colonel Norma furnished more information, and strongly condemned the conduct of Mr. Layarcl, Colonel Knox, called to "order" for applying to Mr. Layard the word "impudence," said he "could not find words strong enough" to characterize his conduct.

Lord Pitrtnanox expressed his regret that Mr. Layard should have placed himself in such a position ; applied to his "charges" the epithets "false and calumnious " ; and the SrEarcEE, being appealed to by Mr. °TWAY, declined to call upon the Premier to retract them.

After the "utter disproof" of those charges, said Lord PstmEasvow, it might have been expected that due respect for himself would have led Mr. Layard to acknowledge that he had been misled. Lord Pal- merston delivered an animated panegyric on Lord Harding°, as a true soldier, who had won every step of his advancement by hard service.

The second reading of the Lord Advocate's bill providing for the Edu- cation of the people of Scotland was carried, after considerable oppoai- tion. Mr. Br.s.enarrax moved that it be read a second time that day six months; and in this course he was supported by Mr. Benz's, Mr. Joan- STONE, Mr. WALl'OLE, and Mr. HADFIELD. Sir JOHN PAX-INC/TON gave the bill a qualified opposition. In support of it there were Mr. DUNLOP, Mr. BAXTER, Lord Duncxn, and the 'Loan AnvocavE. On a division, the second reading was carried by 210 to 171.

In the House of Lords, the Earl of ALBEMARLE presented a petition from the merchants of Bristol, praying that a strict blockade of the enemy's ports may be maintained. He drew attention to the false policy of the Government in regard to Russian trade, and earnestly urged them to adopt more stringent measures suggesting certificates of origin as a means of checking the enemy's measures; Their object should be to make the war unpalatable to the "soldier nobility" of Russia. Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY showed that the blockade of last year was not ineffectual ; half the foreign trade of Russia had been destroyed by the Allies.

The Earl of SsierrEsnunv made some remarks on the recent cases of "practical joking" in the Army. Lord HAIIDINGE lamented the exten- sive prevalence of the habit : he had taken strong measures, but they had failed ; and he should probably be obliged to recommend to her Majesty the necessity of adopting some speedier and better mode of dealing with these occurrences than exists at present.

The Sebastopol Inquiry was continued yesterday, by the examination of Captain Decree, of the Sanspareil, and Captain Milne, a Lord of the Admiralty, chiefly on matters relating to transport.