Ziortilautun

Since Saturday there have been four Cabinet Councils : otie on Saturday, at the Foreign Office; a second—which sat for several hours— on Sunday, at Lord Clarendo'a ; a third and fourth, at the Foreign Office, on Tueaday and Wednesday.

The National Reform Assoication issued a spirited circular on Thurs- day, stating the views of that body upon the new Reform Bill. Their estimate of the measure may be gathered from the following extracts.

They find, "that the proposed measure continues the right of voting to every man who now possesses it ; and that it gives the right of voting to at least an additional million of men. To recommend such a measure seems but a wanton waste of words. To cavil at such a measure seems an act of madness Stripped to nakedness, its sterling worth is clear ; but en- tangled in the trammels of minor detail, much of its goodness is hidden from the view. We entreat you then to explain to all around you the grand features of the-measure; to caution your friends and neighbours against be- ing entrapped by the opponents of all reform into dissatisfaction with the mere technical matters, and to reply to every insinuation which is put forth, The measure gives the franchise to an additional million of our fellow countrymen.' . . . . If the measure did no more, it is a splendid addition to the present electoral system. But it does mere; it takes from some twenty or thirty borough proprietors the power to nullify the votes of tens of thousands of electors What the public will gain by this beneficent measure, a few political monopolists will necessarily lose. It is not to be expected that the whole of these are so replete with patriotism as to yield up with pleasure their unjust possessions. They will resist to the death. But their resistance will not be open. They are too few in numbers for open success. They will have recourse to stratagem. They did so before ; they will do so again. To sow dissension amongst B.eforniers—to mystify the measure—to dwell upon its deficiencies and discredit its advantages--will be their sets. Their surest helps will be the pretended friends of reform. Theseemissaries will tell those who are not to be enfranchised by the pre- sent bill, that those who are will be the opponents of those who are not, af- ter the measure is carried. These underground workers will incessantly harp upon the nice and apparently invidious distinctions • by which many on the very verge of enfranchisement will be excluded. They are already running about, and exclaiming against electoral changes whilst the nation is at war. But whilst many are the professed objections to the measure, the whole of these objectors have but one real objection—a hatred of all reform. . . . . The minority clause,' as it has been nicknamed, seems, however, to be the greatest good luck to the opponents of Parliamentary reform. It is a plan which is quite new to the public, and for its novelty it is especially denounced by our secret enemies. such an objection, however, will conic

with ill grace from a Reformer. We shall content ourselves with stating that some of the oldest and soundest Reformers are of an opinion that the minority clause is a valuable feature in the proposed measure The Ministry have nobly done their duty. They have fully redeemed their pledge. They have offered all that can be carried. It is now for the peo- ple to show themselves worthy of the boon. The Reformers of 1832 called for the Bill, the whole Bill, and nothing but the By that unanimity they defeated every insidious attempt of their secret enemies. They coun- teracted the dangerous improvements of indiscreet friends. Let us show the same practical wisdom as did the men of 1832. Let us demand 'the measure without alteration.'"

An interesting letter in the Belfast Hereury, by Mr. G. L. Craik, Professor of History in the Queen's College at Belfast, not only records some historical incidents relating to the representation of minorities,—a discussion in which Mr. Craik has a share that deserves to be known,— but works out some curious tendencies of the present schemes and some remarkable qualifications in the probable operation of that suggestion. Mr. Craik has been well known to the English public as connected with some of the standard works published by Mr. Charles Knight, and espe- cially in the historical portion of those works; and he is remembered as among the most consistent of reformers who have united genuine earnest- ness with a temperate and cool judgment. The plan selected by Lord John Russell for obtaining some representation for minorities is identical, it appears, with a plan suggested by Mr. Craik himself in 1831, for the same object. Let each constituency, said Mr. Craik, return three Members, but let each' elector have only two votes. Mr. Craik's suggestion was submitted to several public men in that year ; but by various accidents, although printed, it was not published until 1834, and then not fully ; but he had the opportunity of setting it out completely in the Companion to the Newspaper iu 1836, and again in Lowe's Edinburgh Magazine. Soon after he had made the suggestion, Mr. Craik learned from Mr. Coleridge, that a similar idea had been thrown out by Mr. Praed. In the paper for Lowe's Edinburgh Magazine, (September 1847,) Mr. Craik illustrated the unscientific cha- racter of the actual system as follows— "If, in the whole country, the one party had only the slightest excess of numbers over the other, so distributed that it told by no matter how few votes in every constituency,Aliat party might nominate the entire House of Com- mons. There are 401 constituencies in the empire ; it is theoretically pos- sible that 401 individuals might determine the returns of all the 668 Mem- bers. Supposing the entire body of electors throughout the United Kingdom to be 1,000,401, and to be divided into two parties of 500,401 and 500,000, the former, though exceeding the latter in num- ber by only about one individual in every 2500, might monopolize the representation. Nay, even this is not the height of the possible ab- surdity. It is quite conceivable that under this system nearly the entire representation might be secured by the actual minority of the constituent body. Let the one party have a majority of one in each of 400 consti- tuencies, and the other a majority of 401 or any larger number in the re- maining constituency, and of the 658 Members all but one may be returned by the minority. Or, if in any given number of constituencies the electors forming the majority in the aggregate shall be so distributed as that they are nevertheless in the minority in more than half the constituencies,— which may very easily be, and, indeed, is what happens every day,—the mi- nority may return more of the entire number of Members than the majority. If, for example, there are five small towns in each of which the Conserva- tive party has atrifling majority, and one large constituency where the excess in the numbers of the Liberals is, it may be, ten times greater than that on the other side in all the remaining constituencies taken together, the Liberal party (supposing each place to return two Members) will be obliged to be satisfied with two only, and to let its opponents have the other ten." Practieolly, the theoretical absurdity is not realized to its full extent ; one part of the rude and unscientific system jostling and counterbalan- cing another, sometimes by very unworthy contrivances. Mr. Craik also showed, that under the proposed arrangement, certainly not too much of the representation would be given to the minority ; in the actual work- ing, it would not always get its full share— 'Suppose the total number of voters to be 3000; and, Snit, let the minor- ity be only 1000, or a third of the whole. In that case any candidate the minority might put forward could command at the most only 1000 votes. But the majority could distribute their 4000 votes so as to give 1334 votes to one of the three candidates, and 1333 to each of two others : 667 of them would vote for A and B, other 667 for A and C, and the remaining 666 for B and C. Next, let the minority amount to exactly two-thirds of the majority ; lat the majority be 1800 and the minority 1200. In this case the majority will still have 3600 votes to divide among three candidates, making 1200 for each, or as many as can be given to any candidate put forward by the minority. If the minority should start two candidates, all that would be necessary would be to have it enacted that the officer authorized to give the casting- vote should not give it to more than one of the two. Or it might be made the rule, that, in such a case of five candidates all standing equal on the poll, the two of them whose voters were the same should be rejected, and the three others returned. This would be still to give the entire represent- ation to the majority. Only in the case of the minority amounting to more than two-thirds of the majority would the former have the power of return- ing one of the three Members. In this case, the plan for the majority would be to put forward two candidates only. Let us suppose the majority to be 1600, and the minority 1400. The minority is here within an eighth of half the constituency ; and yet it could not secure more than a third of the representation. But it could secure that third."

The public were admitted, on Tuesday, to the adjourned sitting of the Committee appointed to inquire into the alleged corrupt conduct of certain Irish representatives. Mr. John Ennis of Merrion Square, chairman of the Midland Railway Company, saidle had used his influence to preserve Mr. Howley (the Stipendiary Magistrate accused of buying his post) in that situation, but not by corrupt means. Mr. Howley appeared for examination, and made a voluntary statement, strongly denying that he had ever been concerned in any such base transaction as that with which his name had been coupled. In 1837 and 1838, Mr. Dillon Browne, Sir William Brabazon, and Mr. Somers, promised to use their influence to obtain for Mr. Howley the post of Stipendiary Magistrate, and forty- eight magistrates, men of all parties, signed a memorial in his favour to the Lord-Lieutenant. Mr. Howley, however, considers he owes his appointment to the late Mr. O'Connell, by whom he was introduced to Lord Morpeth. He was appointed on the 13th of February 1841. When Lord De Grey came to Ireland, he determined to dispense with certain Magistrates, Mr. Howley among the number ; but, in consequence of representations made to the Lord-Lieutenant, Mr. Howley was retained in his office. Categorically questioned, he distinctly denied that he had

given for his offioe, directly or indirectly, any whatever. When he was appointed he realised stock ; that sum he intrusted to his solicitor to solicitor lent to Mr. Custis and Mr. Somers 4001. each,ik#. Mr. Howley was quite unconnected with Mr. Soments411n- not received an_y interest. The estates of Mr. Somers are now iel the En- cumbered Estates Court, and Mr. Howley believes he shall recover his money. Dr. Gray was examined. He repeated the Tuam story, giving some names when hard pressed. He stated that a young man, Fair, appren- tice to a solicitor at Dublin, told him that he was in negotiation for the purchase of a paid guardianship for 3001. The solicitor through whom the negotiation was conducted was Mr. O'Hara, Wellington Street, Dub- lin, and the Member of Parliament who was to procure the situation was Mr. Somers. Dr. Gray being asked whether upon such evidence he thought himself justified in making the sweeping charge he did at Ttutm, said that he had been misreported, and had not really made so general a charge.

Reexamined, Dr. Gray seemed to fence with the questions put to him, in such a manner that it is difficult to convey his meaning. The gist of his evidence was, that be gave in his Tuam speech an isolated instance within his own knowledge of an Irish Member selling his patronage for money ; but he did not make a general imputation against all Irish Mem- bers. He had the authority of Members of Parliament—meaning Mr. Keogh and Mr. G. H. Moore—for his general statements. Pressed, how- ever, he said that there was no statement in a speech of Mr. Keogh's that Irish Members sold places, but there was in Mr. Moore's. After repeated questions Dr. Gray admitted that he had not any impression on his mind, as regards the selling of places, against any Member now sit- ting in the House of Commons. Mr. Keogh had told him, in conversa- tion, that Dr. Power got his appointment in consequence of a bargain that he would not vote against the Government. Finally, Dr. Gray was ordered to furnish, by Monday next, the names of the persons likely to be able to substantiate his general statements.

Mr. John Duncan and a friend, travelling from Tuscany into the Papal States, with passports signed by the Papal Nuncio at Florence, were seized at Cittit della Pieve on the 31st January ; put in prison; and car- ried next day, against their will, to Perugia. Their books, including two Italian Bibles, were seized ; they were not allowed to write to their friends; they saw no authorities until they had been confined some hours in a common gaol at Perugia. At length they were set at liberty ; but the offending Bibles were not restored.

The underwriters at Lloyd's have become fairly aroused to the abuses that have crept into their branch of City business. Their complaints are, that ships are so hastily packed that they run the risk of sinking ; that ships are so crammed with cargo and passengers as to be scarcely in sea- worthy trim ; that questionable certificates are given by ignorant per- eons; that goods alleged to be so damaged are landed on wet quays, and allowed to get worse damaged ; and that ship-insurances generally are effected in a loose manner. The remedy of these evils cannot be effected at once ; but they will be removed by degrees.

The mortality of London increased last week by 100. The number of deaths was 1334, the calculated average 1243. The number of births is remarkable : there were born 1795 infants ; the average of the same week in nine preceding years is 1477.

Lord John Russell had a Parliamentary dinner-party on Saturday. The Viscountess Palmerston held a "reception," at which the Diplomatic Corps attended. Among the Members of the Commons who could not accept the Speaker's hospitality on Saturday on account of "indisposition," one regrets to see the name of Mr. Macaulay.

Lord John Russell had a Parliamentary dinner-party on Wednesday evening.

The members of Brooks's give a grand dinner to the Duke of Cambridge this evening.

The Duchess d'Aumale and the Princess de Salerno visited the Duchess of Kent on Saturday. On Monday the Duke and Duchess de Nemours visited her Royal Highness.

The Duke of Portland is suffering from illness at 1Velbeek Abbey.

The Duchess of Sutherland and the Marchioness of Kildare visited the Crystal Palace on Thursday.

The Bishop of Salisbury is suffering from a severe bilious attack. The latest accounts say that he is better.

Dr. Loscombe Richards, Rector of Exeter College, Oxford, died on Theo- day, at Boncburch, Isle of Wight.

The Duke of Saxe Coburg Gotha has lately visited King Leopold. It was understood that he would go from Brussels to Paris.

Sir Hamilton Seymour and his family arrived at Berlin on Wednesday, from St. Petersburg.

Prince Massimo gave a ball at Rome on the 30th of January, at which the hereditary Prince of Prussia, the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, and the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland, with nearly the whole of the Italian nobility, including several Admirals, were present. The scene of the fes- tivities was the Sala del Discobolo.

Miss Sherrington, a young English vocalist, attached to the Conservatoire at Brussels, has met with a warm reception at a concert in Rotterdam.

The cost of the Metropolitan Police in 1862—the force consisting of 5492 men and officers—was 390,662/.

The Police of Liverpool in 1852 numbered 886; Manchester had 4,54; Glasgow 601; Edinburgh 315; and Birmingham 327. The numbers of the Police force in different great towns are by no means in proportion re- latively to their population.

The Louis the Fourteenth, a ship of 120 guns, was launched at Rochefort, on Tuesday.

The recent fall in the price of grain in France has been followed, as in this country, by a slight reaction : flour rose last week one franc a seek at Paris. Butcher 'ii meat has also risen in price in the capital, and it is now so dear as to be out of the reach of many of the operative class.

A Society for Improving the Dwellings of the Working Classes has been formed in .Paris on a large scale, in oonnexien with a committee in London. Its capital is to be 480,000/. ; of which 120,0001. is to be raised in the first instance by an isinie6140,000 shares of 41. each, the company,sin Considera- tion of that expenditure; receiving a subvention from the Government of 60,0001. The first buildings aresto consist of lodgings for single men, to contain 1800 beds, and of dwellings for Omit 600 families. Ultimately it is contemplated to extend the system to some of the principal provincial towns.

By an Imperial decree, a fresh donation of 2,000,000 francs has been granted towards the relief of the indigent in the poorer communes of France. A former grant of 6,000,000 had been augmented by local subscriptions to 24,000,000.

The shipments of wheat from the Russian ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azoff lad year 'amounted to no less than 4,200,000 quarters. There were 1,500.000 quarters -still at the ports on the let of January. Adding the grain sent to Northern ports, it is computed that Russia had 7,000,000 quarters available for export last year.

The Mauritius exported 100,046,399 pounds of sugar in 1853—an increase of 22,678,286 pounds over 1852. .

The Rateen States ire to be invaded by railways. A line from Rome to Civita Vecchia is in course of construction. Another to join the Neapolitan railways, and a. tbin1,0 proceed to Ancona and thence run into the Tuscan Juice, are projected. Several companies are :competing for the Ancona line —a long and expensive one, passing through the Appennines.

A Bristol correspolident of the Shipping Gazette states that, there are a Russian and 'Turkish ship lying loaded in Penarth Roads; bid the Turks are afraid to sail, as the Russians have nine .guns ready to attack them as soon as they are at sea.

News has arrived of the loss of the Staffordshire a Liverpool and Boston

packet-ship, off the Southern extremity of Nova Staffordshire, witla.a• lamentable sacrifice Of human life, She left Liverpool in November, with a cargo valued at 20,0001., and 198 passengers, mostly emigrants, including several ladies. At the end.of December -she encountered dreadful weather; the master was blown off the foremast,- broke his ankle-joint, and was obliged to resign the command to the mate. The weather moderated) and the ship neared. Nova, Scotia. One night, after eleven o'clock, the ship struck on the Blomi-Rocke of Seal Islands. Two boats broke adrift ; the remaining two put off with the four mates, twenty-one seamen, and twenty-five passengers, including one lady. They had hardly got clear of the ship when she went down, carrying with her 175 persons, including the master. The people in the boategained Seal Islands next day, where they suffered much from hunger and cold. The loss of the vessel is attributed to the rapid current running

into the Bay of Fundy. .

.A.Naval Court-martial, held at Portsmouth, and presided over by Sir Charles Napier, have tried Mr. Wilkinson, second master of the troop-ship Resistance, for being drunk and asleep during his watch one evening atSierra Leone. Mr. Wilkinson offered no defence ; he was found guilty, and sen- tenced to be dismissed the service.

The clergyman of Cockfield in Durham luta giVen great offence to some of his congregation by wearing his beard.

The following is an extract from the Lenten pastoral of Archbishop Cul- len, which was read at all the chapels in Dublin on Sunday last—"Never engage in those improper dances imported from other countries, and retain- ing-foreign names such as polkas- and waltzes, which are so repugnant to thecnotions of strict Christian morality, are condemned by many of the highest and most respectable members of society, and are at direct variance with that purity and roodeatrot the female, character- fer.yrbich Ireland has been ever distinguished."

The proprietor of a wood at Evreux, in France, set a trap to catch wolves, but caught a brace of lovers, The damsel trod on the trap while waiting for her sweetheart, and was caught by the leg ; when the gentleman arrived he endeavoured to release her, bat was himself caught by the -arm. For- tunately,, the proprietor came up shortly after, and released the hapless couple,