8 APRIL 1876, Page 3

Yesterday week, Sir T. Chambers moved for an inquiry as

to "the number, rate of increase, character, and present position, in relation to the law, of monastic and conventual institutions in Great Britain." As regards the monastics institutions no inquiry is needed ; they are certainly illegal, though no one enforces the law against them. As regards convents, they are not illegal, but the House of Commons justly dislikes extremely raising an issue on any bitter religious controversy, without the proof of the exist- ence of great evils. This proof Sir T. Chambers certainly did not give. And consequently his succession to Mr. Newdegate's political property in this matter brought no éclat with it. Lord John Manners resisted the motion on the part of the Govern- ment, and after the usual length of straggling debate, Sir T. Chambers was beaten by 127 votes against 87. It was not a very equal debate, all the ability being on one side, and all the panic on the 'other.