13thntts nuh Vturttitiugs iu Varliamtut.

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF THE WEEK.

1100138 or Loans. Monday, April 3. Queen's Answer to the Address—Church- Building Acts Amendment; Lord Harrowby's Bill read a second time, and referred to a Select Committee—Testamentary Jurisdiction; Lord Chancellor's Bill committed. Tuesday, April 4. Bills of Exchange ; Lord Brougham's Bill read a second time —Chimney-Sweepers; Lord Shaftesbury', Bill referred to a Select Committee— Soldiers' Wives; Lord St. Leonards' Statement. Thursday, April 6. The Black Sea Fleet; Lord Afahnesbury's Question—Arbi- tration Law Amendment; Lord Brougham's Bill read a second time—Scottish Rights; Lord Eglinton's Motion. Friday, April 7. Unauthorized Nerrotiations with Foreign Powers; Lord Camp- bell's Bill read a first time— Army Administration ; Lord Grey's Motion—Testa- mentary Jurisdiction ; Lord Chancellor's Bill read a third time, by 7 to 5—Day of Prayer; Lord Aberdeen's Statement.

House OF COMMONS. Monday, April 3. Coals for the Black Sea Fleet; Question and Answer—Bribery ; Lord John Russell's Bill in Committee. Asesday, April 4. Hay Contract; Mr. Osborne's Statement—Dublin University; Mr. Fagan's Bill, leave refused—Criminal Conversation; Mr. Bowyer's Bill, leave given—olave.trade; Sir G. Pechell's Motion for returns—Sir John Franklin; Sir James Graham's Statement.

Widuesday, April 5. Middlesex Industrial School; Lord R. Grosvenor's Bill read a Second time—Public Libraries; Mr. Ewart's Bill, leave refused—Property Dis- posal; Mr. Whiteside's Bill, debated on second reading, and adjourned.

Thatraday, April 6. Greece and Turkey ; Questions—Reformatory Establish- ments; Lord Palmerston's Answer—Mr. Stonor'e Case ; Mr. Moore's Motion— Scotch Registration; Lord Elcho's Bill—Irish Emigration Depot; Mr. Butt's Motion —Railway Management ; Mr. Cardwell's Bill, leave given.

Friday, April 7. Consolidation of the Statutes ; Lord John Russell's Reply— Oxford University; Lord John Russell's Bill read a second time.

TIME- TABLE.

The Lords.

The COMMGrid.

Hour of Hour of

How of Row of

Meeting. Adjournment.

Meeting. Adjournment.

Monday 5h . 811 201n Monday 6411 . (m) 121, 30m Tuesday 51/ 135 40m Tuesday 411 .(m) 111 15ra Wednesday No sitting. Wednesday Noon 55 50in Thursday 511 . . 813 10m Thursday 4h .(m) 121, 30m Friday 5/1 . lOh Om Friday 41, .(irm th Om Sittings this Week, 4; Time, 13h 10m Sittings this Week, 5; Tinie.40h 35m this Semlon, 39; — 89h 15m this Session. 45; — 303h 44m THE ADDRESS TO THE QUEEN.

Both Houses met about two o'clock on Monday, the Lords a little earlier than the Commons, to carry up the address voted on Friday in reply to her Majesty's message announcing war with Russia. Twenty- eight Peers, in civil and military uniforms, with four Prelates, and headed by the Lord Chancellor, went in their carriages to Buckingham Palace. When the Peers reassembled at five o'clock, the Loan Quail-- enuon acquainted the House that her Majesty had returned the following answer to the address-

" My Lords, I thank you for your loyal and dutiful address. It is highly gratifying to me to receive the assurance of your cooperation in giving effect to the measures which I consider necessary for the honour of the crown and for the welfare of my people."

The gathering in the House of Commons was much more numerous. At least three hundred Members followed the Speaker to the Palace. Many of them wore official uniforms, and a few court costume ; but three- fourths were in ordinary morning dress. Among the members of the late Administration who were present, there were Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Walpole, and Sir John Pakington ; and these availed themselves of a privilege ac- corded to those who have been high in the public service, of wearing Ministerial uniform.

The Commons did not meet again until half-past five ; when the SPEAKER reported that her Majesty had replied to the address in these words-

" I thank you for your loyal and dutiful address. The declaration of your sentiments on this occasion affords me great satisfaction ; and I rely with confidence on your cooperation in the measures which I consider necessary for the honour of my crown and the welfare'of my people."

GREECE: TURKEY.

In reply to Mr. MONCETON Mikeze., Lord JOHN RUSSELL Stated that the Turkish Government had broken off diplomatic relations with Greece. He believed that " Turkey had good reason to complain of Greece " ; that the subjects of Greece had not acted "spontaneously," but that "the whole insurrection had been a contrivance of the Court of Greece, for the purpose of weakening the authority of the Sultan," then in alliance with Greece ; that there are "numerous proofs" of the undisguised and "repeated" encouragement given to the insurrection by the King and Queen of Greece; and that, without expressing any opinion on the de- mands made by Turkey, he "regarded the Court of Greece as answer- able for this insurrection."

He added, in reply to Mr. BRIGII; that there is no convention, either signed or proposed, between this country and Turkey with relation to the internel government of the Ottoman dominions.

THE BLA.CX. SEA FLKET : SUPPLY OF COALS, In reply to Captain SCOBELL, Sir Yenss Gaansm stated that he had received a letter from Admiral Dundee, dated io late as the 19th March: up to that time there had been sent to Constantinople since the 1st of January 10,000 tons of cords ; and 6000 tons were in store at Malta, to be transmitted to the Bosphorus whenever necessary. A telegraphic ac- count received that morning stated that the fleet was in the neighbour- hood of Varna.

The Earl of MALMESBURY, founding on a report that the Russian fleet had left Sebastopol and had conveyed troops to the mouth of the Danube and the coast of Circassia, asked whether Lord Clarendon could confirm these reports; and also state why the allied fleets lay inactive in Beicos Bay, while the Russians kept the sea ? The Earl of CLARENDON replied, that Government had no information of any ship having left Sebastopol. The source from which these reports were derived was a Bremen oaptain; and Admiral Dundee had ascertained that he had not been in a position to see the operation he described. The fleet was in Sebastopol on the 22d; on the 24th the whole of the com- bined fleet went into the Black Sea. They had remained at Beicos be- cause if they had blockaded Sebastopol through the winter, the ships would have been rendered ineffective. But steamers had «wised con- stantly in the Black Sea, SOLDIERS' Wives AND Farettres.

Lord Sr. LEONARDS, in moving for returns, called the attention of Go- vernment to the condition of the wives of soldiers sent to the East. He had no desire to interfere with the regulations of the Horse Guards, but he thought that something should be done to provide for the women and children left behind. One mode might be by Government aid ; but he hoped that would not be resorted to if it could be avoided. Another mode was the usual one : families were forwarded by Government to their parish and relieved by the union. But, except the idea of dishonour before the enemy, nothing weighs so heavily on the mind of a soldier as the thought that those nearest and dearest to him receive parish-relief in a workhouse. The third mode was flirt of private benevolence. A considerable sum has already been subscribed ; but the doling out of small sums would only afford temporary relief, and lead the recipients to look to that kind of assistance for support. He suggested that the parishes to which the women belong should take upon themselves to provide maintenance and education for two or three children each, so that in- dustrious women might be able to provide for the remainder of their off- spring by work. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH objected to any plan that would induce women more freely to marry soldiers. It would be the most unkind thing that could be done. If the wives of soldiers sent to Turkey ob- tain assistance, it ought to be extended to all soldiers on foreign ser- vice.

The Duke of NEWCASTLE agreed that soldiers ought not to be en- couraged to marry. Lord St. Leonards was only following out a system he had, very greatly to his credit, begun in his private capacity. The Duke thanked him for bringing it forward, and assured him that Minis- ters had not neglected the subject. They would afford eve7 facility and assistance in their power to render private benevolence efficient.

THE HAY CONTRACT.

Questions were put to the Secretary of the Admiralty, on Tuesday, re- specting the fraudulent supply of hay for the cavalry-horses ordered to the East. Early in the evening, in reply to Mr. Seaman, Mr. OSBORNE said that it had been found that there was no ground for charging Messrs. Sturgeon with any deliberate fraud ; and that the hay in which the dead lamb had been discovered was not sent in by Messrs. Sturgeon at alL

Towards the close of the sitting, Sir W. Sim= renewed the subject, by moving for copies of all correspondence between the Government de- partments and the hay-contractors during the last two months. He said he was glad Mr. Osborne had saved him the trouble of proving the inno- cence of one of the parties for the Messrs. Sturgeon had that evening been completely exonerated. [Mr. Osborne—" I said, so far as fraud was concerned.' So far as fraud was concerned ! Either the Messrs. Sturgeon were innocent or guilty. The House ought to know what foundation there was for the letter that had been made public—whether the Duke of Newcastle spoke in entire ignorance of the matter, and whe- ther Mr. Osborne was justified in naming Messrs. Sturgeon. Character is everything to a person in trade. If Messrs. Sturgeon had not been above suspicion, and in affluence, they would have been ruined. He held in his hand a testimonial from fifty shipowners of the port of Lon- don giving them the highest character. Mr. Osborne ought to consider how they could be compensated for the injury done them. Sir W. Smijth intimated that he had "proofs" if not of great mismanagement, at least of very questionable management, on the part of the Victualling Depart- ment, the Admiralty, and perhaps the Ordnance, but he would not go into them now.

Mr. OSBORNE said, Government would not object to produce the cor- respondence • but Sir W. Smijth would have exercised a sounder discre- tion had he geen content with the qualified answer given earlier in the evening : though the Messrs. Sturgeon had not been guilty of fraud, they had been blameable in the highest degree. It was not a question of contract at alL Advertisements for contracts for 750 loads of hay had been ',glued on the 17th February, but only one tender had been received. Eight salesmen were next applied to for "prime upland hay, of the very best quality." The Messrs. Sturgeon answered that they had ready some of the sort asked for, "admirably suited for horses." It VMS sent in between the 21st of February and the 26th of March. In the mean time, a paragraph appeared in the United Service Gaulle stating that the hay sent in was of the most infamous description; and that a dead lamb had been found in one of the trusses. In another place, a formal complaint was made, and the Duke of Newcastle waa asked to name the person who had sent in this filthy hay. Mr. Osborne was at the bar of the Rouse of Lords at the time, and the Duke asked who had sent in the worst hay. He was told the Meows. Sturgeon. That would be borne out by the re- ports, for it was found "very musty and foul," and had been every bit re- jected. But the dead lamb was discovered in the very best hay sent in. The hay sent in by the Messrs. Sturgeon did not even come under the denomina- tion of what is called "cow's hay." Mr. MASTERS SMITH defended the Messrs. Sturgeon, and cast censure on the Secretary of the Admiralty.

Colonel Dunne, testifying to the unfitness of the hay, started another topic. Was it true that troops at Malta were in waut ; aad were they on landing in Turkey to be supplied by the Turkish Commissariat?

Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT said, that two or three days ago he had received a letter from General Ferguson, speaking of the troops at Malta as re- markably healthy, and stating that the preparations for their reception had been perfectly successful. With respect to the commis' sariat in Turkey, seareral officers had been upon the spat, and due preparations in the way of forage and provisions bad been made.

Motion agreed to.

RAILWAY LEGISLATION.

Mr. CARDWELL has obtained leave to bring in a bill for the better re- gulation of the traffic on railways and canals. He stated the provisions of the measure hut partially. There are 232 incorporated railway com- panies, authorized to construct 12,688 miles of railways, of which 7686 are open; the number of passengers in one year had been 95,000;000, and the persons employed 80,01)0; that the capital authorized to be raised was 356;000,0001., the capital actually raised 264,01)0,0001.; and that the receipts for the last year were 16,700,0001. These great interests under separate management require the attention of Parliament. The Committee of last session recommended that there should be a greater uniformity of system in Parliamentary procedure with respect to railway companies ; that the more complete fusion of capital into one eon:marry ought not to be sanctioned, but that sort of combination known as work- ing arrangements should be encouraged ; and that the concession of run- ning clauses should be discontinued, and means provided for settling dis- putes by arbitration. Mr. Cardwell described how the conflicting regu- lations of companies interrupt the continuous course of transit both for traffic and passengers. He proposed to give railway companies power to enter into combinations and to make agreements with one another, for the purpose of bringing the whole of the railway system into harmony and union. The bill would also contain a power of arbitration, in be con- ducted under the Board of Trade, on the appeal of persons aggrieved by infraction of the bill, in order to protect the public, and with an appeal to the superior courts, and power in them to enforce their decrees. It was not intended to take power to vary and alter the tariffs of charges es- tablished by railway companies. The object of the Committee had been to establish uniformity of arrangement, and so to carry out the law that the railways might become what the common roads were, the Queen's highway ; and that in the kingdom there should be but one system of railway communication, all companies being placed under the mgis of the law, but the fullest benefit being given to the public in regard to traffic both of passengers and of goods. And he believed it -would also be for the benefit of the companies.

BRIBERY.

On the motion for going into Committee on Lord John Russell's Bri- bery Bill, Mr. VERNON Santa moved that the bill be referred to a Select Committee. There are several bills before the House relating to bribery, and it would be better that they should all be considered to- gether. He took exception to the severity of the punishment for bribery— perpetual disqualification for a seat in Parliament ; and he warned the House against violent legislation while they are not backed by a strong public opinion. Mr. DEEDES seconded the amendment.

Lord Joins Rosser:1. expressed his disappointment at the course taken by Mr. Smith, as it was equivalent to a postponement of the whole ques- tion to another session. If the bills went before a Select Committee, they would not come again before the House until May or June ; and then they could not be sent up to the House of Lords until a period so late that they could not be passed.

There was great difference of opinion. Mr. WALPOLE and Mr. NA- PIER preferred that the bills should go before a Select Committee ; but they would not act in opposition to the expressed wish of Lord John Russell. Mr. PHINN, Mr. L BUTT, Sir HENRY WILL017GHEY, MT. PA.CKE, and Lord HomArs, supported the amendment; while Mr. Proorr and Mr. CROSSLEY opposed it. On a division, the amendment was ne- gatived by 146 to 76, and the House went into Committee.

Clause 1, repealing several acts, was agreed to ; clauses 2, 3, and 4, relating to the voter's bribery oath, were postponed; clause 5, defining what persons should be deemed guilty of bribery, was after much minute criticism adopted ; and at clause 6, further defining bribery, the Chair- man reported progress.

TESTAMENTARY JURISDICTION.

In Committee on the Testamentary Jurisdiction Bill, Lord WYNPORD moved, as an amendment on clause 6, that the jurisdiction should be re- ferred to a Court of Probate stead of to the Court of Chancery. The Loan CnAtecarmon Probate, to the amendment, that it would com- pletely change the character of the bill. The business would not be divided between the three Vice-Chancellors and the Mrs. ter of the Rolls, but would be delegated to one branch only of the Court.—Amendment withdrawn.

On clause A there was a division. Lord Sr. LEONARDS moved that the "Contentious business" should be confined to one branch of the Court of Chancery only, and that the Judge of the Prerogative Court should sit there.—Amendment negatived by 14 to 10.

The bill passed through Committee.

THE Non QUESTION.

Mr. Warm:sine moved the second reading of the Property Disposal Bill, affecting the disposal of property by nuns.

Mr. Pntror stated some objections, and offered suggestions. He thought that an exaggerated case had been presented to the House with regard to the undue control alleged to be exercised over persons in nunneries, but that the case had not at all been exaggerated as regarded the necessity for the Protecting their property ; and that if a fair measure could be introduced, it would obviate some very rancorous discussions. He suggested that nuns should be treated in the same way as married women are treated ; that no alienation of property should be allowed to be made by a woman who has taken a religious vow, without those safeguards placed around a married woman; that no disposition of property should be executed in a Convent; but that the person should leave the convent, and be examined by a judge as to whether the disposal of her property ,was by her own free will. The bill before the House went a great deal too far; for it as- sumed that every disposition of property had been fraudulently made, and Put on parties who have property the onus to prove a negative. As the bill was now worded, no woman in a convent would hive the power of transferring property. Mr. PAGAN objected to proceeding with the bill; because it was under- stood that it should not be proceeded with until the Committee on Con- Ventual Establishments had made their report. Lord Perm-Barron took the same objection. He also objected to the preamble, which, true or not, was offensive ; and to the enacting part of the bill, because it would do too much or too little, and would not accom- plish its object. The bill assumed that an extraordinary moral force WAS brought to bear upon nuns to make them transfer them property to con- vents : if that were true, the same influence would defeat the bill, and in ninety-nine cases out of a hundredprevent it from being proved that they had not acted of their own free will.

Mr. WHITESIDE, expressing surprise at the course taken by the Govern- ment, denied that any understanding had been come to that the bill should be delayed until the Convent Committee had reported. It was a mere mockery to make the progress of the bill depend on a Committee which might never be appointed. Mr. Whiteside asked the Government, if they meant the defeat of the bill, to let their opposition be of an open and manly character.

Mr. KEOGH vindicated Lord Palmerston from the attack of Mr. White- side ; and asked whether the first clause of the bill would not render in- valid a deed of gift to a brother or sister, as well as to a convent, unless it could be proved that the deed was not executed under undue influence?

Mr. NAPIER said that a gift from a nun to her brother was contrary to her vow of poverty, and that was the very thing of which he complained. Those vows of poverty and obedience are contrary to the spirit of the constitution, and to English law. With regard to the preamble, he be- lieved it was neoessary, and that every word was strictly true. The bill did not go far enough, but as far as it went it remedied a great evil.

Mr. R. PHILLIMORE said he did not believe the question would be set at rest until the Legislature recognized de jure the existence of convent- ual establishments, and treated those who went into them as civilly dead. He further objected to the bill because it invidiously pointed to the un- due influence of a class. It left untouched the influence which medical men exercise over their patients on their deathbeds. That influence, constantly exercised, calls more loudly for interference than any that has been proved against a Roman Catholic priest. If the measure were passed at all, it should be based on broader principles.

Mr. MALINS was speaking in behalf of the bill, when the SPEAKER put an end to the debate, by reminding the House that by one of the standing orders any business under discussion at a quarter before six on Wednes- days stood adjourned until the next Wednesday.

CHURCH REMOVAL.

The Earl of HARROWBY moved the second reading of the Church- Building Acts Amendment Bill. This is "a bill to amend the Church- Building Acts, and the law respecting the union of benefices in cities and market-towns, for the purpose of building and endowing new churches in places where required, and to facilitate the transfer of church patronage." Church-accommodation is, in many places, incommensurate with increas- ing population ; and while in the city of London only a few persons at- tend divine service in some parishes, in other parishes there is a paucity of churches. Parliament is asked to transfer the churches ti the popula- tion, since the population cannot be brought back to the churches. The provisions of the bill are not confined to the city of London. In Nor- wich, York, and Chester, the population has similarly deserted the crowded habitations in the centre of those towns for the suburbs. The parties intrusted with carrying the bill into effect are, in the first place, the bishop of the diocese, who, if a case be made out in favour of a union of benefices, is to give notice to the archbishop, who is to direct inquiry to be made, and to certify the same to her Majesty in Council. The bishop of the diocese, consequently upon such union of benefices being ordered by her Majesty in Council, is authorized to order any church within such union as might appear to him to be unnecessary, to be pulled down ; but this is subject to the previous consent of the Commissioners for Building New Churches, under their common seal. Lord Harrowby pro- posed to refer the bill to a Select Committee after the second reading. The Earl of Ponos criticized the details of the bill ; but he did not object to the second reading. The Bishop of LONDON supported the bill ; which he described as " a bill to take down churches where they are not wanted, and to place them where they are wanted."

The bill was read a second time, and ordered to be referred to a Select Committee.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS.

Mr. EWART moved the second reading of the Public Libraries and Museums Bill. tinder the former act, free libraries or museums had been established in thirteen towns; and the question was, should the operation of the act be further extended? He proposed to give power to adapt the provisions of the bill to towns governed by an improvement act, or by a vestry ; to permit parishes to unite together for the purpose of forming a library ; to extend the bill to Scotland and Ireland ; and to enable Town-Councils to levy a rate of one penny in the pound for the establishment of libraries.

Mr. HENLEY passed some strictures on the bill, which, he said, wouM throw a burden on the poor-rates. Mr. Henn defended the bill. Mr. SPOONER, objecting to the bill, moved the adjournment of the debate, as none of her Majesty's Ministers were present, and the previous act had been so much altered. Mr. BROTHERTON explained, that the alterations had been made on the precedent of the public baths and washhouscs. Mr. Mum remarked, that everybody could use the baths and wash- houses, while only the educated could use a library. He remarked on the absence of Cabinet Ministers.

Mr. Frrzoor explained, that Ministers were engaged in official duties ; but Lord John Russell had informed him of the views of the Cabinet They were, that the present act had not been in force long enough to test its working; and that the power of objecting to the rates, given by the previous act to the ratepayers, should not be taken away without good reasons shown.

Shortly afterwards, Mr. Spooner's motion for adjourning the debate was put, and negatived by 134 to 4. Mr. Frrzaor moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr. HUME inquired whether Government meant to bring in a better measure ? Mr. MILERS thought Government were going further than they meant to go by preventing the bill from going before a Committee. Lord STANLEY said, he had intended to support the bill ; but he objected so strongly to the fourth clause, which took all power out of the hands of the ratepayers, that he was compelled to oppose it. Sir CHARLES WOOD repeated Mr. Fitzroy's explanation ; adding, that Government did not ask •, for time to consider the measure, but objected to the fourth claur(o. Mr. BR/GHT could not understand why there should be such remarkable de- '

nosey about giving this additional power to Town-Councils, which al- ready enjoy such extensive powers of levying and spending large sums of money.

The debate was continued by Mr. CRAWFORD, Mr. DUNCAN, Mr. W. BROWN, and Lord DUDLEY STUART, who supported the bill ; and by Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT, who opposed it.

On a division, the motion for the second reading was negatived by 88 to 85.

DUBLIN UnivEnsrrr.

Mr. PAGAN moved for leave to bring in a bill to make provision for the better government of the University of Dublin ; for the establishment and maintenance of a second College therein, with coordinate authority, and, as near as might be, equivalent income with Trinity College, to be called, in pursuance of the act of 14th and 15th Charles II, chap. 2, "The Queen's College " ; and further, for the extension, in pursuance of the act of 33d George III, chap. 21, to students of all religious denominations, of the honours, degrees, benefits, emoluments, and offices in the said Queen's College. Mr. Fagan described the large emoluments at present enjoyed by the Provost, Fellows, and Professors of Trinity College-48,000l. out of 64,0001. a year. He complained that no rewards for eminence are offered to Roman Catholics or Dissenters. Ile contended that the Uni- versity was founded by Queen Elizabeth for all religions ; and that the Roman Catholics, on that understanding, largely supported it. lie pro- posed to erect another College, which with Trinity College should be the University, governed by a Council elected by Convocation.

He also proposed that the present Provost of Trinity should be Provost of

both Colleges, but that after his death each college should be under the con- trol of a separate Provost; that four senior Fellows should continue Fel- lows of Trinity, and that three should become Fellows of Queen's College, and that at the avoidance of one of those senior fellowships two junior fellowships should be established by an equal division of the endowments; that the vacant fellowships should be filled up after examination in Queen's College, conducted by laymen, and in Trinity by clergymen, and that the Professors should be of both Colleges. He also proposed that there should be three resident Deans—one a Protestant, one a Roman Catholic, and the third a Dissenter ; and that they should report as to the religious and moral conduct of the students under their charge. He also proposed that the 'Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin should be one of the Visitors of the new College, and that one Visitor should be a Dissenter.

The motion was opposed by Mr. HAMILTON, Sir JOHN YOUNG, Mr. WHITESIDE, Mr. NAPIER, Mr. I. Burr, and Mr. GEORGE; and sup- ported by Mr. HEYWOOD, Mr. Hum; Mr. J. D. Frrzainiaso, and Mr. P. 0' BRIER. It was strenuously denied that the University was founded for any other than Protestant purposes. In the end, Mr. FA.GAN gave way, and the motion was withdrawn.

CRIMINAL CONVERSATION.

Mr. BOWYER obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend the law regard- ing actions for criminal conversation, and for the protection of women in such actions. The law of England differs from that of all other countries; from the law of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, and even from the old Jewish law. It might seem incredible that matters of this sort should be settled by pecuniary compensation ; that the reputation of a matron and the peace of a family should rest on a mere question of pounds, shil- lings, and pence. Under the present law, husband and wife often collude for the sake of getting a divorce ; and unprincipled men, availing them- selves of the indiscretion of their wives, bring actions against those most likely to pay abundant damages or make a lucrative compromise. What he proposed was, that on a verdict being found for the plaintiff, the court should impose a fine on the defendant, and that no damages should in future be given to the plaintiff. He thought that to make the offence a misdemeanour would be proper; but Parliament might be unwilling to sanction so great a change. In these actions, though the wife is on her trial, she is not heard. With the husband and defendant, it is a question of money ; with the woman, ruin and destruction. Apart from that grievance, it is a principle that no one ought to be condemned unheard. Ile therefore proposed that the wife should have notice of trial; that she might appear by counsel, and produce witnesses, and have power to enforce their attendance.

AMENDMENT OF ARBITRATION LAW.

In moving the second reading of the Arbitration Law Amendment Bill, Lord BROUGHAM revived the explanation of its general purpose, and ex- ,plained some changes which he had made in it since it first appeared. The English law courts have gone out of their way to discourage arbitra- tion. It was not until twenty years ago that the defect in the Arbitration Act of William's reign was supplied, and that the power left with either party of revoking consent just at the close of an arbitration was taken away. It is still a doubt whether in a case of partnership a bill in equity can be effectual to compel specific performance of an arbitration award, and the chief object of his till was to make arbitration effectual. He also added clauses enabling a judge at chambers to examine a case and decide whether it was fit for arbitration without occasioning the preliminary ex- pense of a trial ; a party choosing to proceed to trial, nevertheless, having permission to do so, but at the risk of costs.

Replying to two classes of Law-reformers, who severally accuse him of not introducing measures or going fast enough, and of introducing too many and proceeding too fast, Lord Brougham showed that the majority of his measures have passed into laws. Of nine bills which he had intro- duced in one year, five have become law, and the solicitor of a noble Duke has told him that under one of those acts his client had saved nearly 50001.; so practical had been the improvement. Lord Cemennim testified to the value of Lord Brougham's services in law-reform, which posterity as well as his contemporaries would recog- -nize. He suggested that the bill should be referred to a Select Commit- tee. To this Lord BROUGHAM assented ; and the bill was read a second time.

MIDDLESEX INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS BILL.

Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR, in moving the second reading of this bill. said it had the cordial concurrence of Lord Palmerston.

Lord DUDLEY Swear moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months. It would enable the county Magistrates, over whom the ratepayers had no control, to send young criminals, at the expense of the "ndustrial schools. If the persons who exercised this the ratepayers, there would be no objection to the general measure should be adopted with regard le criminals.

e amendment; mainly on account of the reli-

gious provisions of the bill, which were at variance with the promise of Lord Palmerston that salaried chaplains should be appointed to attend prisoners who do not belong to the Established Church.

The motion was supported by Mr. GEORGE Burr, Mr. ADDERLET, Mr. ROEBUCK, Mr. HENLEY, Sir GEORGE GREY, Mr. LIDDELL, and Sir WILLIAM CLAY.. It was remarked, that although a general measure is desirable, that fact furnishes no reason for delaying this bill, which would reach one-third of the juvenile criminals of the kingdom. Mr. MALL objected to disposing of a question of this importance incidentally in a private bill. Sir GEORGE GREY said, that objection certainly had weight, but it was not of such force as to deter him from supporting the measure. It could be subjected to close revision in Committee.

Mr. Hums said that only five parishes in Middlesex did not concur in the bill : what they objected to was the means of carrying it out, by keep- log expenditure independent of representation. He recommended that the bill should be read a second time pro forma, and postponed until Go- vernment redeemed its pledge to bring in a general measure.

Mr. BIGHT' SEYMOUR and Mr. O'Coistinut supported the amendment. But, finding that the House was against him, Lord DUDLEY Swear withdrew it, and the bill was read a second time.

REFORMATORY ESTABLISHMENTS.

In reply to Sir JOHN PAKINGTON, Lord PALMERSTON said, it was not his intention to propose a measure on this subject during the present session. He was inclined to think that the more effectual course for the Government would be to lend such assistance as might be required to voluntary and independent establishments of this kind, rather than to have an establishment under the immediate control of the Government.

SCOTCH REGISTRATION.

Lord ELcito obtained leave to bring in a bill to provide for the better registration of births, deaths, and marriages, in Scotland. He minutely described the machinery of the bill; which consists of a general registry. office at Edinburgh, under the Deputy Clerk Registrar, as Registrar. General, and Registrars throughout the country, under the superintend- ence of the Sheriffs of counties. No attempt would be made to alter the marriage law. The act will be compulsory. He estimated the cost at 10,000/. a year.

CHIMNEY-SWEEPERS.

On the motion of the Earl of SHAFTESBURYl the Chimney-Sweepers Bill, extending to the provinces the provisions of the act relating to the metropolis, was referred to a Select Committee. In the course of his speech, he said that no fewer than four thousand children are still con- signed to this disgusting and unnecessary employment, and are treated with great cruelty. Out of 482 boys, in 170 places, only twenty-one were acquainted with the common rudiments of reading, and only two with the common rudiments of writing. The testimony of the master sweepers is against the system. In London, with its 2,500,000 of popu- lation, the whole of the chimnies are swept by machinery ; and he did not see why the law could not be carried out everywhere.

JUSTICE TO SCOTLAND.

The Earl of EGLINTON presented a petition from the National Asso- ciation for the Vindication of Scottish Rights, and preferred the claims put forward by that body. He abandoned, as of secondary importance, the heraldic grievances, and the dress question. The Act of Union had been repeatedly violated. It declared that there should be a Mint, a Court of Admiralty, and a Court of Exchequer; but none now exist in Scotland. Then the University Act of last session, by repealing the test, was a daring viola- tion of the Act of Union. During twenty years 1,500,000/. had been spent on parks and palacee in England, but only 16,000/. in Scotland. Up- wards of 1,500,000/. had been spent on the British Museum alone; only 15,000/. for a similar purpose in Scotland. For harbours of refuge, in England, more than 2,000,0001.; for the same purpose in Scotland, not a sixpence. After stating several other grievances, Lord Eglinton limited his demands for redress to three points—a Secretary of State, instead of leaving the affairs of Scotland in the hands of the Lord-Ad- vocate, a subordinate officer, whose time is taken up with professional business; a larger number of representatives, (he claimed 75 as the just proportion,) the present number being totally inadequate to the popula- tion, revenue, energy, and commerce of the country ; and the repair of Holyrood Palace. Lord Eglinton moved an address to the Queen, praying that her Majeaty would take these three demands into considera-

tion. .

The Earl of .Annannart observed, that hitherto the cry had been for "justice to Ireland," but now a goodly list of Scotch grievances had been made out. It was not wise to represent Scotland as labouring under any real grievances. She enjoys her share of the advantages of the consti- tution. It is no longer a crime to be a Scotehman. Even he, assailed as he had been by every species of abuse and outrage by the Derbyite organs, had never been upbraided as being a Scotchman. Lord Aberdeen showed that a Secretary of State would be useless ; as the Lord-Advocate would still have to be referred to, in consequence of the difference between Scotch and English law. The Lord-Advocate was not a subordinate officer, but a great officer of state. With respect to the alterations of the Act of Union, they had been made in the interest of the Scotch people. If the number of Scotch representatives were increased, the seats must be taken from England : that was not a modest request. On the whole, the relative position of Scotland and England remains pretty much the same. The condition of Holyrood was scarcely a proper subject to bring before Parliament : it is not necessary for the enjoyment or the state of royalty, and something has been done to put it in a less dilapidated condi- tion. As to harbours of refuge, they were not made on local but on na- tional grounds. He opposed the motion. The Duke of Mortraosn, alone, supported Lord Eglinton. He was opposed by the Duke of Anoxia, Lord PANKURB, and Lord CesirsELL ; and the motion was withdrawn.

MR. STONOR'S CASE.

Mr. GEORGE HENRY Moonn moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the appointment of Henry Stoner to the office of a Judge in Victoria, the said Henry Stoner having, in 1853, been reported to the House of Commons as guilty of bribery. In support of his motion, Mr. Moore said he was not striking at Mr. Stoner personally ; he was aiming at the high and not at the low. Mr. Stoner has been hardly used ; and if, in- stead of sacrificing Mr. Stoner, the Duke of Newcastle or even Mr. Frederick Peel, had resigned, he would have been satisfied! Mr. Moore then made an elaborate attempt to prove that Mr. Stoner was "steeped to the lips in the corrupt practices for which Sligo is notorious" ; citing imprinted Election Committee reports ; and affirming that Mr. Stoner bad been appointed, not "in spite of" but "In consequence of" the acts of bribery he had committed. In fact, the appointment wee conferred on him because he had transferred his influence to a Junior Lord of the Treasury. Mr. Moore brought accusations against Mr. Bowyer for urging him to be silent about Mr. Stoner; and Mr. Gore Jones, who had obtained the post of Income-tax collector by betraying his employer. Mr. Frederick Peel had condescended to be the mouthpiece, and the Duke of Newcastle the instrument, of a certain party. He did not believe the story of Mr. Peel, that Mr. Stonor's testimonials had not been examined : be must have had higher influence with the Duke of Newcastle than his packet of testimonials.

Mr. GLADE:Term seconded the motion; but severely rebuked Mr. Moore for the wanton insults he had heaped upon Mr. Stoner and others, the affected compassion he bad shown and his departure from the general rule of sedulously avoiding the introduction of recriminatory matter in a motion for inquiry. He had brought forward a charge which, if he did not prove it, would recoil upon himself. The sole responsibility of the distribution of patronage rests upon the Executive Government ; and the Colonial Secretary earnestly hoped the House would make no difficulty in granting the Committee. The Duke of Newcastle had appointed Mr. Stoner in total ignorance of his connexion with political corruption, and on no ground of political recommendation; and Mr. Qladstone gave the charge of Mr. Moore the unqualified denial of an English gentleman whose word was never doubted. On the part of the Government, he had only to request that the Committee might be granted ; and that, to divest the nomination of the suspicion of political partisanship, it should be named by the General Committee of Selection. Mr. DRUMMOND hoped the House would reject the motion altogether. It was an attempt to bring down into the body of the House the scenes that have occurred in the Irish Corruption Committee up-stairs.

A warm debate ensued, in which several Members took part ; and in the course of which Mr. J' D. FITZGERALD proposed to limit the inquiry to the appointment of Mr. Stoner. Mr. HENRY HERBERT and Mr. THOMAS DUNCOMBE supported MT. DTUMMOTA. Mr. STUART WORTLEY,

Mr. PEEL, and Mr. SIDNEY EY HEBERT, urged the House to agree to the motion.

Mr. Fitzgerald having withdrawn his amendment, the original motion was carried by 115 to 37. THE ARCTIC SEARCH.

Late on Tuesday night, Sir Tuouss AerAien moved for copies of instructions issued or to be issued to the commanders of ships engaged in the Arctic expedition.

Sir JAMES GRAHAM said, that although it was unusual, Government would lay the instructions on the table. Their general purport was, that all the ships should at once leave the ice. The commanders had a dis- cretionary power to prolong the search as long as they thought necessary. If any circumstances occur that may excite a lingering hope of giving assistance to Sir John Franklin, then the stay of the ships will be pro- longed for one year. Tax SLAVE-TRADE AND CUBA.

Sir GEORGE PECHELL moved for certain returns relating to the slave- trade. The Committee of last session had unanimously resolved that Spain ought to be required faithfully to carry out the treaties for sup- pressing the slave-trade. That nefarious traffic is now concentrated at Cuba, and he trusted that the war-ships on that station would not be withdrawn. Mr. HUME and Mr. HENRY Berr.rim, in supporting the motion, said that the Committee had unanimously expressed their decided conviction that Cuba was the only place where the slave-trade now requires to be put down. Unless Spain fulffis her engagements, she cannot fairly com- plain if England should take no measures to prevent Cuba from falling into the hands of the Americans. Sir hams GRAHAM said, that the great efforts made to suppress the slave-trade had not been in the least degree relaxed. No doubt, the honest cooperation of Spain would be more efficient than a large squa- dron ; but he could not agree in the collateral argument that we were to hand over Cuba to the United States. . Mr. COBDILNT, correcting Sir James, said that Mr. Baillie had only sug- gested, that if Spain despite her engagements, persisted in allowing Cuba to be the focus of the slave-trade, she could not call upon us to interfere between her and the United States. England would be guilty of great inconsistency, attaching as she does such importance to the suppression of the slave-trade, if she offered to defend by arms the right of Spain to Cuba. Expressing no opinion about giving Cuba to the United States, be thought it would be greatly to the interest of humanity if the United States or any other power that would discountenance the slave-trade, should possess Cuba. Motion agreed to. ELECTION CoiszurrEz.

The Committee appointed to inquire into the Dungarvan election in 1853 have found that Mr. John Francis Maguire was duly elected. In- stances of treating were proved against the agents of Mr. Maguire at his election in 1852, without his knowledge or consent ; but the Committee think that the disability created by the 5th and 6th Victoria was intended to be imposed in eases where the candidate was a party or privy to the act of corrupt treating.