POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY NIGHT.
Parliament had a fit of indolence last night : for the Commons did not muster forty Members, and therefore could not" make a house"; and the Peers were brief._ Lord BROUGHAM descanted on the expe- diency of improving the already-improved Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ; promising a bill founded on the measure of 1834. Lord CAMPBELL introduced a bill to amend the libel law, by permitting the truth to be put in evidence for the defence in prosecutions for sedi- tious or public libel ; a change effected by the bill of last session in the case of private defamatory libel.
Having failed last night, the House of Commons had a short sitting today.
Sir JAmEs GRAHAM introduced a bill to amend the Poor-law. Its chief provision is an alteration of the bastardy-law, enabling Magis- trates, on proof of the paternity by corroborative evidence, to make an order on the father for the maintenance of a bastard. The bill would also provide for houses of refuge for "casual poor." He stated that he should be willing to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the ope- ration of Gilbert Unions.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM introduced another bill, empowering Judges at Assizes to try charges of offences committed on the high seas ; which are now all brought to the Central Criminal Court for trial.
The Railways Committee was appointed.
Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD gave notice, that on going into Committee of Supply, on Friday, he should move that the consideration of the Estimates be postponed. Sir JAMES GRAHAM pressed Lord John Russell to postpone his motion respecting Ireland, fixed for Tuesday next ; as the Irish Attorney- General could not be present. Lord Join; RUSSELL declined to do so ; and observed, that if the House went into Committee, he should move resolutions strongly inculpating Ministers. Sir JAMES GRAHAM re- joined, that if the House did go into Committee, it would not be as a Minister of the Crown that he should oppose the resolutions.
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