Lit hatr5 rt0 /rorratugo iu fartiamtut.

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF THE WEEK.

Hones OF LORDS. Monday, July 31. Royal Assent to Registration of Bills Of Sale (Ireland) Bill, Jamaica Loan Bill, Poor-law Commission Continuance (Ireland) Bill, Public Libraries Bill, Cruelty to Animals Bill, and several others-Bribery Bin read a first time-Real Estate Charges Bill reported-Drainage of Lands Bill thrown out on going into Committee. Tuesday, August 1. Medical Graduates (University of London) Bill committed - Burials beyond the Metropolis Bill; Bishop of London's Statement ; Bill passed-Pa- rochial.' I Schoolmasters (Scotland) Bill passed-Valuation of Lands (Scotland) Bill passed-Youthful Offenders Bill passed-Spirits (Ireland) Bill passed. Thursday, August 3. Bribery Bill; Debate on Standing Orders; Bill read a se- cond time-Stamp-duties Bill read a second time-Medical Graduates (University of London) Bill reported-Standard of Gold and Silver Wares Bill passed. Friday, August 4. Tickets-of-leave • Lord St. Leonards's Remarks-Real Estate Charges Bill reported-National Education; Lord Brougham's Resolutions-Oxford University Bill ; Commons Amendments agreed to-Bribery Bill committed-M

cal Graduates (University of London) Bill passed.

noon OP COMMONS. Monday, July 31. Public Health ; Lord Palmerston's Bill thrown out-lush Manufactures ; Mr, Lucas's Statement-Stamp-duties Relx,d Bill read a second time - Crime and Outrage (Ireland) Bill read a second time. Tuesday, August L Common Law Procedure Bill committed-Metropolibui Sewers Bill read a third time and passed-Reformatory Schools (Scotland) Bill; Lords' Amendments agreed to-Sale of Beer Bill; Lords' Amendments agreed to- Russo-Dutch Loan ; Lord Dudley Stuart's Motion-Crime and Outrage (11'050'd) Bill committed-Militia (No. 2) Bill reported-Board of Health ; Sir William idol& worth's Bill read a first time. Wednesday, August 2. Russian Government Securities; Lord Dudley Shores Bill in Committee-Publie Revenue and Consolidated Fund Charges (No. 2) Bill read a second time-Sir Hew Ross; his Appointment noticed-Supply; Ord""' Estimates-Public Health ; Sir W. Molesworth's Bill read a second time. 17mrsday. August 3. Episcopal and Capitular Estates Management Bill relxg!4.d -Militia (No. 2) Bill passed- Crime and Outrage (Ireland) Bill passed-Malt (Ireland) Bill passed-Mr. Lawley's Appointment; Ministerial Explanations -31 tia (Scotland) Bill passed-Public Revenue and Consolidated Charges Fund (No.', Bill committed-Customs Acts Committee; Hop-duty. .Friday, August 4. Legislative Council Canada Bill read a second time-Public Revenue and Consolidated Fund Charges Bill read a third time and passed. priation Bill read a first time-Usury-Laws Repeal Bill committed-Public ne' Sir W. Molesworth's Bill committed-Bills of Exchange (No. 2) Bill withdrawh-

d

Bankruptcy Bill committed-Russian Government Securities Bill considered a

amended.

TIME- TABLE.

The Lore.

Hour of Hour of Meeting. Adjournment. Monday 8h 3um Toesday 611 8h Mtn Wednesday No sitting. Thursday 6h 8h 15m Friday Sh 20m

Sittlugs this Week, .43';'1-.21e0111r0:

The Commons.

Monday Hour:hoos.

of .(;;5 45 Tuesday MMeeting.i2nigh. Foss.- lii 0O

Sb 00' Son

Wednesday N 6h oon • •• • dh on,

Thursday Noon • • • • Friday

611 .(0) lb 0r5 12{h • • • •45300 oh .00 121, Sittings this TiMe, 6°.h, - this Session, 138; - 32" EtacromAL BRIBERY.

The Bribery Bill, passed by the Commons on Friday night, was intro- duced to the House of Peers on Monday. Lord REDESDALE observed that the bill had been read a first time out. of courtesy to the other House f parliament; but he now asked the Government to remove uncertainty to the course they would take with respect to the Lords' resolution of hiey last, that no bill be read a second time by their Lordships after the

25th of July.

There could be no doubt that this bill was not one of those which the re- solution in question excepted from its operation. The object of that resolu- 'on was, not only that their Lordships should have time to discuss the bills tsent up from the other House, and that there might be an adequate attend- ance of Peers for their consideration, but also out of regard to the privileges of the other House, that they might have time to entertain the amendments raade by the House of Lords in bills emanating from them. He believed, in fact, that the independence of both Houses of Parliament as legislative bodies would be materially advanced if that resolution were properly and fairly carried out, and that more respect would be entertained for their mei- sures if they did not pass acts to which they were utterly unable to give a full consideration. He had received from Earl Grey, who was unable to be present, a letter expressing his hope that the House would adhere to their resolution with respect to this measure, and refuse to consider it in a hurry. The bill had been committed and recommitted by the other House, and had been after all so materially altered on the third reading, that he believed many Members who had taken part in the discussions upon it hardly knew what were the contents of the bill as it quitted the House of Commons ; and so little confidence had that House in the bill even in its most improved state, that they only passed it after all by a majority of seven. He would, then, ask their Lordships whether they were now to proceed to consider a bill which was not yet printed ? It was impossible to touch a bill of this character without making amendments of the most important character ; and then they might have to send it down to the other House, perhaps on the last day of the session, to be hastily considered by the few Mem- bers who remain in town. He did not think that that was the way in which a subject of this importance should be dealt with; and he did there- fore entreat their Lordships to adhere to their resolution, which had already had an important effect in the present session, although he regretted that the attention of the Government had only been recently called to it. In fu- ture sessions of Parliament, there could be no doubt that it would tend very materially to enforce the early preparation of business for both Houses; and he therefore hoped they would not break through a resolution which had worked well hitherto, and was likely to work still more satisfactorily hereafter.

The Duke of NEWCASTLE could not deny that it is inconvenient that bills of such importance should come up from the other House so late in the session; but that is an old complaint. This bill was specially urgent, for the other House had passed a resolution, especially referring to this bill, to the effect that the writs of five boroughs should not be issued until some legislative measure likely to prevent bribery had passed. The issue of these writs ought not to be suspended longer than is necessary ; and he hoped the House would not insist upon applying the standing order to the bill.

The Earl of DERBY observed, that if the Government intended to inter- fere with the application of the resolution, it would have been better not to have passed it at all. The Bribery Bill is not a =titer of urgency. If the resolution were now set aside, it would in future be treated by the House of Commons as waste paper. The Earl of ABERDEEN contended that the measure is urgent, and that therefore the standing order ought to be relaxed.

As it was necessary to declare the measure one of" urgency," the Duke of NEWCASTLE moved, on Thursday, the following resolution— "That the suspension of the writs for five boroughs, by order of the House of Commons, until new legislative precautions shall have been taken to prevent the recurrence of the system of bribery, which was proved by Royal Commissioners to have prevailed in those boroughs, is (within the meaning of the resolution of this House of the 2d of May last) a circum- stance of such urgency as to render necessary the immediate consideration of a bill brought from the House of Commons on the 31st of July, entitled 'An Act to Consolidate and Amend the Laws relating to Bribery, Treating, and undue Influence at Elections of Members of Parliament' ; and that, ac- cordingly, it is reasonable that the said bill be allowed to be read a second time this day, if the House shall think fit so to order."

In arguing the question, the Duke said that the true construction to be put upon the resolution of the 2d of May was, that it contemplated two eases,—one, that some recent occurrence should render legislation neces- sary; the other, that a measure was urgent in itself. To show the ur- gency, he dwelt on the patient investigation to which the bill had been subjected by a Select Committee composed of the most eminent and com- petent Members of the House of Commons ; and on the fact that the writs for the five borough& were virtually suspended until the fate of the bill should be known. He also explained, the nature of the bill; and stated that he should propose to limit its duration to two years, in order that Parliament might be forced to reconsider the aubject.

The motion was opposed by Lord REDESDALE, the Earl of DERBY, and the Marquis of CLANRICARDE ; and supported by the Earl of ABERDEEN, the Marquis of LANSDOWNE, and Lord BROUGHAM. The ground of opposi- tion was mainly that relied on by Lord Itedesdale in his speech on Mon- day. But he started a new objection, which Lord Derby took up and enforced,—that the resolution before the House was inconsistent with the facts of the case; and that the House of Commons had not said that the writs should be suspended until measures were taken to prevent bribery. The Only resolution that stood on the books of the House of Commons rela- tive to the writs was, that no motion should be made for issuing these writs except after seven days' notice. Lord DERBY put forward several arguments for dissenting from the resolution of the Duke of Newcastle, and enforced the necessity of adhering to the resolution of the 2d May, especially as the bill had only passed by a majority of seven. The Earl of ABERDEEN admitted that the resolution of the 2d of May had produced salutary effects, and would still do so if it were treated as it deserved. But if it were enforced in an arbitrary manner—if the House of Commons were told that they should not introduce a measure after a certain day—then the harmony prevailing between the two Houses would be broken for the House of Commons would not consent to act under the ceellnilsion of the House of Peers. Lord Redesdale's reasons were Only reasons to influence the convenience of their Lordship; and not at all to limit the privileges of the House of Commons. The Marquis of I'L`TeDowNx argued the question of urgency : if any bill were to be ex- cepted from the resolution, it should surely be one affecting the consti- tution of the other House and the representation of the people. Lord

Haw:remelt showed that the Duke of Newcastle's resolution was not inconsistent with the facts : it did not affirm that the order of the other House was to suspend the writs until Parliament should have legislated. Why did the House suspend the writs, if they did not mean that some- thing should follow—namely, such an amendment of the bribery-laws as would make it safe to send writs to these corrupt boroughs ? The House divided, and the resolution moved by the Duke of New- castle was carried by 41 to 33.

Lord DERBY now declared his willingness to accept the bill as it stood, with the addition of the Duke of Newcastle's amendment limiting its operation to two years. Neither he nor his friends would interfere with the bill, but let it rest on the undivided responsibility of its framers : he even suggested that the standing orders might be suspended, so that the bill might go through all its stages at once ! The Duke of NEWCASTLE replied, that he could not avail himself of that kind offer ; but, on his mo- tion, the bill was read a second time.

APPOINTMENT OF MIL LAWLEY.

Sir John Pakington had given notice, that on the order of the day for going into Committee of Ways and Means on Thursday, he should call the attention of the House to the circumstances under which the Queen had appointed Mr. Lawley to be Governor of South Australia. On the order of the day, however, Sir GEORGE GREY rose, and said that facts which had come to his knowledge within the last few hours had induced him to anticipate Sir John's address, by making a statement of the cir- cumstances under which Mr. Lawley's appointment had been made. When the Duke of Newcastle was leaving the Colonial Office, he explained to Sir George the arrangements he had made respecting the government of Canada and New Brunswick, the termination of Sir Charles Fitzroy's ser- vices in New South Wales, the nomination of Sir William Denison to that colony, of Sir George Grey to the Cape of Good Hope, and of Sir Henry Young to New Zealand, leaving the colony of South Australia vacant. In the mean time, Mr. Lawley had been recommended to the Duke ; who, though he had only known him for about six months, approved of his position, cha- racter, and abilities, and was acquainted with but one adverse circum- stance,—which could, however, scarcely be regarded as an obstacle. Mr. Lawley had unfortunately been on the turf • but, instead of that being a drawback, Sir George thought that it might, under circumstances which he would state, be almost a recommendation. (Ironical cheers and laugh(er.) The followers of the late Lord George Bentinck might have spared that sneer. The Duke told him that Mr. Lawley was impressed with a conviction that the course could not be too soon abandoned, and that it was his desire to break away from habits with which he had been impli- cated early in life. When the matter was mentioned to him, Mr. Law- ley was inclined to accept the offer, but he asked for some time to com- municate with his family and friends; and in the interval the seals of the Colonial Office passed to Sir George Grey. Sir George held himself to be perfectly free : he thought, in fact, that Mr. Lawley had not accepted the office; but he found that a different impression prevailed with Mr. Lawley and his friends; and therefore he felt that, knowing nothing against Mr. Lawley, he ought to ratify the appointment, although he had not the slightest personal acquaintance with him, and had even thought of a dif- ferent person. When Sir John Pakington put a notice upon the paper, Sir George did not know at what the question was to point ; and on inquiring of Mr. Wortley, he understood that it pointed to Mr. Lawley'e con- nexion with the turf. Subsequently, however, the Duke of Newcastle was told, by a Peer and another person, that Mr. Lawley had not only become subject to heavy liabilities and debts, in consequence of trans- actions connected with the turf, but that he had availed himself of his official position as private secretary to the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer, to engage in extensive speculations in the Funds. On reference to Mr. Lawley, that gentleman gave what appeared to be a satisfactory denial of the imputation thus stated ; that denial was confirmed by the Re- corder of London, who also de.. ' that Mr. Lawley could be subject to any liability that should render him desirous of quitting the country. Within a few hours of that evening, however, Sir George received a note from the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer, which he read with the greatest grief and sorrow : it stated, on the avowal of Mr. Lawley, that that gentleman had been en- gaged in transactions in the Funds within the last few months. There was still no reason to believe that Mr. Lawley had used his information as secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in these transactions, which were in fact losing, not gaining speculations ; but Sir George had felt it to be his duty to advise the Queen to revoke the appointment. Having made that statement, Sir George said that the Government was in the hands of the House, and would willingly concur in any motion for further inquiry. Sir JOHN PAKINGTON expressed himself deeply sensible of the perfect candour with which Sir George Grey had addressed the House, and felt it due to the colony of South Australia that Mr. Lawley should not com- mence his career under the disadvantage of the rumours that would precede his arrival. He disclaimed the absurd idea that a taste for the turf is a disqualification for holding any appointment. He was anxious not to inflict any unnecessary pain on the gentleman or his friends, and he considered the subject to be now at an end. Mr. STUART WORTLEY made a personal explanation on behalf of Mr. Lawley, the greater part of which Sir George Grey had anticipated. Mr. Wortley added an assurance that Mr. Lawley had not in his speculations in the Funds availed himself of any official information. Mr. Wortley also gave testimonials in the form of letters from Mr. John Wood, Chairman of the Board of Inland Revenue, and Sir Thomas Fremantle, Chairman of the Board of Customs ; the latter addressed to Mr. Lawley on his appointment, and testifying to his striking ability in business. Speaking of the time during which he had been private secretary to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Wood said to Mr. Wortley— "Seldom has a day passed during that period in which I have not had communication with him, and this is by no means the first occasion on which I have expressed my admiration of his talents, his indefatigable industry, and his singular aptitude for business. These qualities are enhanced by a most amiable temper and an earnest sincerity, which are peculiarly valuable in official life. I am aware that he has long entertained a partiality for colo- nial government, and has been desirous to qualify himself for it ; and, much as I wish that he had remained in this country, I am in some degree recon- ciled to his going, believing that an honourable career of distinguished use- fulness is before him." Some other Members addressed the House—Lord DUDLEY S•ruAnr, Mr. DISRA.ELI, and Mr. BRIGHT ; the last touching upon the sacrifice of the Colonies to personal interests, alluding to other appointments likely to be made, and hoping that the painful scene which they had witnessed would be a warning to Ministers. Mr. ADDEB.LEY, also touching upon the sacrifice of Colonial interests to those of persons at home, regarded the appointment as most un- fortunate after the cognate appointment of Mr. Stonor. Those who think the loss of our Colonies would sink England in the scale of na- tions, regard such indiscretions on the part of Government as matter of most serious concern. Mr. Adderley touched upon a remark by Sir George Grey, that it is not easy to find men who are qualified willing to accept the post of Colonial Governor— What did the colonists say ? They said, "You give us constitutions, you want us to manage our own affairs, and if you want good governors and cannot find them at home we can supply them." The Colonies had fur- nished such men. Washington, as all knew, was one of the very first men in history. Mr. Wortley said he had told Mr. Lawley not to exile himself : it might certainly be a great condescension on the part of a young gentle- man to give up his prospects in this country and become an exile, although a Governor in the Colonies; but, if that was the feeling, why not let those who live on the spot rise to the honour of governing themselves ?

Mr. GLA.DSTONE, as one who still took a warm interest in Mr. Lawley, thanked the House for the way in which the subject had been treated ; and paid a tribute to the conduct of Sir John Pakington. He stated that he considered that the principal part of the responsibility of Mr. Lawlcy s appointment lay between the Duke of Newcastle and himself, one having proposed the appointment, and the other being the principal witness in favour of Mr. Lawley. He agreed with much that Mr. Adderley had said in respect to Colonial Governors. "I might even agree with him—although, perhaps, in this we should find few persons disposed to accompany us—in thinking that if the people of South Australia should desire to recommend their own Governors to the home Government, it would be a wise act to gratify their wishes. It is, however, enough for use to point out on this occasion, that the people of South Australia have expressed no such wish ; and indeed it is my belief— and I am bound to declare it—that at this moment it is the desire of the people of the Colonies to receive their Governors, selected as they best may be, at the discretion of the Ministers of the Crown from among qualified per- sons in this country." It had been said that Mr. Lawley was unknown in that House : why was he unknown ? So long as he held the office of private secretary to the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer' it was impossible that he could distinguish himself. The duties of his post were in a great degree official and departmental du- ties; for in the discharge of almost all the important functions of his office, in communicating with the Board of Inland Revenue, the Bank, the Customs' the Chancellor of the Exchequer uses his private secretary. " I do not scruple to tell the honourable Member for Manchester, that in my judgment, although my friend Mr. Lawley has not had an opportunity of acquiring distinction in this House, yet he has done more la- bour for the public during the last session and the present, and acquired more experience in public business of an important and difficult character, than most gentlemen, I do not say who have sat one or two, but who have eat five, six, or it may be ten sessions, in this House."

Mr. Bright complained of unknown men being made Colonial Governors ; but what was therein such appointments to tempt a known man to expatriate himself ? All the men who had distinguished themselves in such situations had been, as he showed, unknewn men. Mr. Gladstone did not, except with reference to the circumstances which had transpired within the last twenty-four hours, repent the testimony he bad borne to Mr. Lawley's character; and he expressed an earnest trust that, though Mr. Lawley had committed serious errors, but without being chargeable with.the smallest taint of pecuniary corruption, the door of hope would not be shut against him.

With a suggestion from Mr. VERNON SMITH, that it would be worth while to try whether good Colonial Governors could not be obtained by establishing a system of promotion, and raising Governors from small to important colonies, tho subject dropped ; and the House went into COM- mate°.

SIR JOHN BURGOYNE.

Availing himself of the opportunity of a Committee of Supply on the supplementary Ordnance Estimates, Captain VERNON referred to the ap- pointment of Sir Hew Ross to the post of Lieutenant-General of the Ord- nance, which placed him in command of his senior officer Sir John Bur- goyne, contrary to the Queen's regulations ; and asked for an explana- tion. He was moved to do so by a feeling of duty as a member of the corps over which Sir John presided. Mr. Moesese and Mr. GLADSTONE stated, that no slight was intended to Sir John Burgoyne : the arrange- ment was made by Lord Raglan before he left England,—although of course the Government were responsible for the appointment, which was an act of the prerogative of the Crown, Sir John Burgoyne filled an office, Inspector-General of Fortifications, in which he could not be ade- quately replaced.

Captain Lamar volunteered further explanations. He had obtained an interview with the Duke of Newcastle before making a notice of motion on the subject ; and the Duke told him that it had been intended to send Sir J ohn as second in command to the East, but his experience was found SO valuable in England that the Government could not think of sending him out at that moment. It was also impossible to say what the future wants of the service might be, and it was desirable to have military men of great ability and experience at the command of the Government.

THE RUSSO..DUTCH LOAN.

Lord DUDLEY STUART, reviving the subject of the payment of the Russian Dutch Loan, moved a set of resolutions, calling on the House of Commons to declare, that as Russia had, by obstructing the navigation of the Danube, violated the treaty of Vienna, and as Great Britain secured to Russia the payment of her -old Dutch debt is' consideration of the "general arrangements" of the treaty, of Vienna, which remain in full force, therefore "the payment from this country on account of the debt be henceforth suspended. Entering into a history of the claim, Lord Dudley endeavoured to show that it would be no breach of faith to sus- pend payment. In 1814, the quota of Holland towards the expenses of the war was fixed at 5,000,000/. In order to procure the assent of Russia to the treaty of Vienna, the Allied Powers waived their claims on Hol- land in her favour. Those claims were thus satisfied. By the conven- tion of 19th May 1814, Holland agreed to pay one-half of the quota to Russia; and at the same time, by the treaty ot 13th August 1814, Holland ceded to England her colonies of the Cape of Good Hope, Demerara, Es- sequibo, and Berbice, in consideratien of a sum not exceeding 3,000,0001., which England bound heiself to pay to Russia instead of Holland. There- fore the claims of Holland were satisfied.: With respect to Russia, Eng.. land undertook to make certain annuarpayments to her for one hundred years, equal to the interest on a proportion bf her old Dutch loan on con- siderat ion that Belgium remained in union with Holland. In 1830 Bel- gium separated from Holland; but because Rtissia had done nothing to help that change, and indeed was willing to send 60,000 men to maintain the union, a new convention for continuing the payments wason. But it was admitted, that had not the general arrangements of trettleaty of Vienna remained in force, England would have had grounds for with. holding the payments. But Russia had violated the treaty of Vienna with respect to Cracow, Poland, and the navigation of the Danube ; and now these payments ought no longer to be.

Mr. DIGBY SEYMOUR seconded the motion.

Sir Wittiest MOLESWORTH, describing the motion as an attempt to " repudiate" a debt, delivered an elaborate argument, embodying the mi. Bute details of the question, to show that we are more bound in honour to pay the debt than if we were at peace. The motion was an attempt to break the rule laid down in the case of the famous Silesian loan, " that public debts should be paid to an enemy during war." By a close state- ment of facts, Sir William showed that we purchased four Dutch colo- nies in 1814 from the King of the Netherlands, for 3,000,000/., on condi- tion that we made certain payments on account of the Netherlands in dis charge of certain pecuniary obligations of the Netherlands to Russia, by paying, through the agency of Russia, a debt due by Russia to certain Dutch subjects ; that we engaged to do this in every contingency except that of Russia ceasing to identify her policy with Great Britain on an questions concerning Belgium. By the convention of the 19th May 1815, we hound ourselves, and Russia was under a similar bond to her Dutch creditors, not to interrupt these payments even should war break out be- tween the contracting parties. The only contingency which would ei. title us to discontinue these payments, would be the separation of Holland and Belgium ; and that occurred in 1830. But as Russia was willing to prevent that separation, England concluded with Russia two engagements, on the 15th and 16th November 1831, the finstsof which related to the separation between Holland and Belgium ; the second, after referring to the convention of 19th May 1815, and binding ourselves to its stipula- tions except that relating to the separation of Belgium from Holland, simply bound us to continue our payments on account of the Russian Dutch loan, and bound Russia not to contract any new engagement re- specting Belgium without the formal assent of England. And as Russia has not broken those engagements, we are bound to continue our pay- ments, even during war. In 1831 we entered into a new engagement for a new consideration ; and, admitting for the sake of argument that the arrangement originally rested on the treaty of Vienna, it was removed from that basis by the treaty of 1831. By losing' our reputation for the scrupulous fulfilment of obligations, we should dearly purchase the pecu- niary benefit that would result from the repudiation of this claim.

There was little debate. Lord DUDLEY STUART, though pressed to withdraw his motion, persisted in dividing the House. For the motion, 5; against it, 57.

Tan RUSSIAN SecuarrrEs Btu.

The House went into Committee on this bill On Wednesday ; and after a great deal of debate upon its scope, it passed through Committee. The first clause of the original bill was entirely reconstructed. Lord PAL- MERSTON took up and moved the clause suggested by the Solicitor. General, which prohibits Britishsuhjects, under penalty of three months' imprisonnsent for misdemeanour, from dealing in any way with any kiwi of Russian securities created since the 29th March 1854, or which shall be created during the continuance of hostilities.

Provided that the provisions of the act shall not include "the case Of a

British subject claiming an interest in the estate or effects of any deceased per- son, or the case of any such person or subject taking the estate or effeete ofhis debtor in execution, or the ease of any such person or subject claiming 'in any country to be isiterested under any bankruptcy, insolvency, sequestra- tion, cessio bonorums or disposition of property in trust for creditors;- but that in every such ease the British subject may take and receive such stooks, funds, bonde, 4nd,debentures, or any share, legacy, dividend, debt, or sum of money due pt. belongisg to him, which may arise from or be produced by the sale or proceeds of any-sub Modes, funds, scrip, bonds, or 'debentures as aforesaid."

The chief opponents of the clause were Mr. Ileamer, Mr. Baum; Mr. Tiumees BARING, Mr. Waspose, and Mr. lElmsmsv; 'Before tIle clause was read a second time; Mr. MAsszr moved that the Chaim's!' should report progress : this motion was negatived by 88 to 30. Two clauses were added ; one providing that the act should not in any way alter or affect the law relating to high treason ; the other providing that the costs of prosecutions under the act shall he allowed as directed by the 7th George IV. e. 64 and the 14th and 15th Victoria c. 65.

The Government undertook the charge of the bill. •

During the debate, some sharp words passed 'between Mr. Bright, Mr. Thomas Baring, Lord John Russell, and Lord- Palmerston. Mr. T. BARING made merry with the history of the hill ; and hinted that Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell were animated by some- thing like a feeling of personal animosity towards -the Emperor of Russia. Lord doles Russ= asked, seeing that the Emperor of Russia had embroiled Europe, whether they were to be restrained from speak- ing as they thought on a bill of this kind, without being told that they were animated by private animosity. Mr. Bitione remarked, that the Home Secretary and the President of the Council were the only persons occupying high Government positions who had descended to personal vituperation against the Emperor of Russia. Lord PALMERSTON styled Mr. Bright'a attack as regular a diplomatic practice as "thrust over guard" in small-arm exercise ; and rebuked Mr. Thomas Baring, telling him that he, "the avowed agent of Idussia," ought to have ab- stained from making the charge he did. Mr. T. BARING denied the ageneY imputed : his firm had only been the agents of Russia in negotiating a loan. He denied also that he had intended to convey any other idea than that the language of the two Ministers was indecorous. Mr. Dis-aseis brought the skirmish to a close by affecting to sympathize with Lord John Russell's position. It was natoral he should be indignant at the impu- tation of personal motives : five years ago, a constant stream of calumny in that vein Was directed against himself by Lord Aberdeen.

_ THE PUBLIC Miura. At a morning sitting on Monday, Lord PALMERSTON moved the second reading of the Public Health Act Amendment Bill. After a rather long preface, dilating, inter alia, on the advantages Of arrangements for the protection of public health, especially to the humbler classes, to wham health is wealth, nay existence itself, he gave a sketch of the Board of Health, from its establishment in 1848, by Lord Carlisle, to the present time. The objects of the labours of the Board were the creation of local self-governing Boards with large powers, and the obtaining of local actS of Parliament at "five-sixths of the ordinary cost." Three hundred' toms hid applied for the creation of local boards, and in one hundred and eighty they were established. Parliament is bound, especially at this moment ageable of all epidemics; but the remedies require direction and combina- tasa y to the Board "You ought to do this," or to abstain from doing that." He proposed to limit.the duration of the Board to two years— indeed, he would not object to make it one year ; and next session there mig desired be an inquiry, if the House desed it. Great personal unpopular- ity, he was told, attached to one of the members of the Board; but on that head he would only say that all the members had placed their resigna- tions in his hands. He earnestly entreated the House to pass the bill. fit to the country. Ile described the Board as using its gloat powers of when the cholera is again beginning to show itself, to take care that ar- tion, and to forego the advantages of a central direction at this moment would be little worse than madness. Turning to the bill, Lord Palmerston eaplaed, that it was needful to alterthe arrangements made by Lord Car- lisle; to make the Board a branch of the Home Department ; to give the issue directions to them on his own responsibility, so that if complaints were made in Parliament he could explain and redress tho grievance. people were constantly writing to the Home Office, but he had no power months. In doing this, he declared that he was actuated by no antago- nism to the Government ; but he combated the arguments of Lord Palmer- ston, and showed that the Board had been a mischief rather than a bene- He -did not wish to create alarm: if taken its time; cholera is the moat man- lien eSecretary power to remove and appoint the Commissioners, and to

Lord Ssymoun moved that the bill be read a second time that day three gements for preserving the public health should not be permitted to drop.

interference without judgment or forbearance; neither acting satisfacto- rily in its character as adviser of the Government nor in administering the law. When in 1850 the Government of the day requested the ad- vice of the Board as to interments, they proposed to constitute themselves a permanent body having the monopoly of all the funerals of the Metropo- lis; so that no one should die but they were there to exact the burial-fee. When the Government wanted some scheme devised by which water might be supplied to the Metropolis, they again unluckily applied to the Board of Health for advice. The Board advised that they, or a corporate body, should regulate the whole water-supply of the Metropolis ; so that 2,000,000 of persons would be left dependent upon such supply as could be scraped out of the sand of the Surrey Hills. Two Governments re- jected the proposal. Where was the use of such advisers ? Lord Sey- mour mentioned other cases' with a similar purport ; and dwelt upon the great cost of the printing of the Board. Coming to consider the Board in its executive character, he humorously narrated some of his own expe- riences at the Board ; giving as a specimen their conduct with regard to the Interments Act of 1850.

He remained in town that autumn, at the request of Sir George Grey, to

see the act carried out. After Dr. Southwood Smith had been appointed about a fortnight, Lord Seymour went to the Board to hear what they pro- posed and were prepared to do. He said to them—" Well, gentlemen, have you got in order ? and if so, what are you going to do ? Have you made up your minds as to what shall be your first step ? " "Oh, yes," said these gentle- men, "we have made up our minds what we shall do." "What is that ?" "Well, we're going to Paris. We have had a Board here today, and we are determined to go to Paris." It appeared to him a strange board that thus began their work by going to Pans. He said to them, that it appeared to him they had quite sufficient information already whereon to proceed ; that Dr. Sutherland had already been travelling for them, at large public expense, in France and Germany, wherever a graveyard could be found. However, as they did not seem to relish his objections, and as he did not wish to com- mence working with them in a state of hostility, he did not insist further; and the Board accordingly did go to Paris, taking their Secretary with them, to write their letters and pay their bills. When they came back, he sent their bills to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The next he heard of them was that they had appointed Mr. now Sir Joseph Paxton to look after the decorative department of churchyards—a churchyard architect, and a gentle- man to look after the planting; • and had determined to buy up all the Metropolitan cemeteries. Against these things the Treasury remoustrated, and he recorded his objections.

In dealing with the provisions of the bill before the House, Lord Sey- mour said that its effect would be to throw the shield of Lord Palmerston's Peaularity over their unpopularity, and his adroitness over their blun- ders; and, admitting that the act must be continued for another year, he conteaded that the present members of the Board, who have lost the con- fidence of the House, must be removed. He hoped the House would re- ject the bill; so that the Government, in introducing another, might pro- pose one more satisfactorily constituted.

Mr..MONOKTON M/LNES defended the Board. Mr. HENLEY said there was a strong feeling in favour, of cleanliness ; but nothing would satisfy Mr. Milnes unless everybody were cleaned by Mr. Chadwick. The cleans- ing process proposed was so unsatisfactory that people doubted whether it would not be better to remain uneleaned than to be cleaned in the man- ner proposed by the Board. The fact that the Executive Government 'impose a change, instead of a continuance bill, is a condemnation of the Board.

Lord jouli RUSSELL did not discuss the points raised by Lord Sey-

mour, but enlarged upon the advantages conferred on the country by the Board of Health, passed a favourable criticism on Mr. Chadwick and Lord Shaftesbury, hinted at tho retirement of both, and urged the Rouse to adopt Lord Palmerston's plan.

REYWOOD stated that Mr. ChadNvick's medical adviser had recom- mended him to retire from the Board on the score of his health. The House divided, and negatived the motion for the second reading by 4 to 65. The bill was therefore lost.

,_On Tuesday, Sir WILLIAM Momswoirru obtained leave to bring in a to make better provision for the administration of the laws relating to the public health. The bill, he stated, was framed in strict conformity with the views expressed by the House in the debate on Monday. It as proposed to constitute the Board of Health in the same manner as e

th Poor-law Board is constituted ; to appoint a Board, consisting of a President, having a seat in that House, a Secretary, and an Under-Secre- ta7. The superintending Inspectors are to be salaried officers, not per- mitted to undertake private jobs. Provision will be made for compen- sating Mr. Chadwick for his long services ; granting him annually a suns not exceeding 1000/., to be determined by the Treasury.

SUBURBAN Ialrnalumrs. On the passing of the Burials beyond the Metropolis Bill, the Bishop of Leatnos made some personal explanations, and then proceeded to de-

scribe the evils that have resulted from the closing of burial-grounds in the Metropolis.

"The evils which now exist in consequence of the general closing of bu- rial-grounds are very serious : the increased expense of funerals has produced pauperism in many parishes, and has led to the greatest neglect of common decency. A very respectable clergyman in the North of London informs me, that at present there are sometimes as many as forty or fifty cabs and covered carriages, containing the corpses of deceased persona, waiting at the gates of unconsecrated cemeteries for burial ; and the corpses themselves are interred in a most hurried and indecent manner. Frequently one of the undertakers or labourers employed at the burial-ground puts on a surplice and reads such portion of the service as he thinks necessary." The Bishop only knew of ono effectual remedy—that Government should introduce a hill empowering the Secretary of State to compel all parishes whose burial-grounds have been closed to provide new cemeteries. He also thought some steps should be taken to l'await indecency and disorder at funerals. The Earl of ABERDEEN said that Government had the subject under their earnest consideration, and would do all they could to remove a state of things disgraceful to a civilized community. But he thought it would be scarcely sufficient to invest the Secretary of State with power to com- pel parishes to provide burial-grounds.

THE Punue REVENUE BILL.

The Public Revenue and Consolidated Fund Charges Bill has been in- troduced in the House of Commons as amended by the other House. It was read a second time on Wednesday, and considered in Committee on Thursday. Mr. SPOONER took the opportunity of reviving his motion to place the Maynooth grant in schedule B. Mr. 01.m:1m:a objected to the proposition in itself; the question should not he dealt with by a by-blow on a financial measure : but he also thought the House ought to vindicate its privileges in the face of the Lords, who had altered a financial bill. Mr. DISRAELI made a long speech ; in the course of which he described how he would have framed the measure ; demanded and urged the discussion of the Maynooth question ; and de- slared that the Government were bound to introduce a measure which should define what are the "functions, attributes, and privileges of the Protestant constitution," so that every man might know what arc the rights and privileges he enjoys under that constitu- tion. He repeated this in many ways, and pointed to Lord John Russell as the man to frame a measure which should put an end to the controversies so common in that House. Ile called upon Lord John, in whom he had great confidence on this subject, not to be turned aside by the smiles and whispers of Mr. Gladstone but to state, though not in the month of August, what he will do. Lord JOHN RUSSELL made a brief reply ; saying that he could not promise to undertake the gigantic task proposed to him ; and remarking, that the motion of Mr. Spooner ran counter to Mr. Disraeli's wishes, for if carried it would provide for an annual agitation of the Maynooth question.

The Committee declined Mr. Disraeli's invitation to discuss the question of Maynooth, and at once divided ; rejecting the motion by 108 to 43.

Mr. DISRAELI then proposed three amendments, without any success. The first was withdrawn without a division. The second referred to cer- tain acts of Parliament ; but, before arguing the question, Mr. GLAD- STONE requested him to point out the portions to which his clause referred, at the same time handing a volume. Mr. Disraeli turned over the pages, while Mr. Iltam:rox spoke, but could not find what he sought. Mr. GLADSTONE then explained, that certain warrants to which Mr. Disraeli's clause referred were totally different from the warrants mentioned in the bill. The other amendment referred to the preamble, and was also nega- tived without a division.

The bill was reported without amendment.

SPIRITS (IRELAND) BILL.

Lord MONTEAGLE raised a strong opposition to this bill at the last stage. The bill empowers the Lord-Lieutenant to employ the Constabulary in the collection of the revenue ; and Lord Monteagle urged that the Constabulary force had never been so employed before, but had been specially excepted ; that it would corrupt and disorganize them ; and in- stead of being respected by the people, they would no longer be regarded with good-will. Under clause 12, a sub-constable was empowered to enter a house by night or day : he moved the omission of that clause. Lord CANNING demurred to Lord Monteagle's description of the Lill. Sir Duncan Macgregor, the commander of the Constabulary—a man anxious to maintain the discipline of the force—had consented to undertake the duties, if they were laid upon him ; and it was proposed to try the bill. first in those counties where there is least illicit distillation. Lord MONT- EAGLE divided the House against the clause : it was carried by 17 to 11; and the bill passed.

Hop-Dirrv.

In Committee on the Customs Acts, Mr. FREIVE.N moved the omission of the word "hops" from the resolution fixing the duty on that product at 1/. until the let August 1855, and at 2/. 58. after that date. There was a brief debate; in which Mr. GLADSTONE explained, that a scarcity having been anticipated, Government did what was usual, and remitted for a time a portion of the duty. On a division, Mr. Frewen'a motion. was negatived by 61 to 21.