The Government has within the last week proposed three con-
siderable grants,--500/. a year to the widow of Sir JohnInglis, who defended Lucknow, and. who died too early to reap the profits of his consequent promotion, 1,000/. a year to Lady Elgin, and 20,0001. to Sir Rowland Hill. The second is only half the annuity really paid, the other half being granted by Sir Charles Wood. The vote for Lady Elgin was submitted to the House of Commons on Thursday, and passed unanimously, but not without reference to a curious constitutional question. Sir Charles Wood olaims the right to grant any pensions he likes without the interfetence of Par- liament, and might on his theory spend a million or two a year in political bribes without overstepping his power. Independent members should look to this, or they may find officers whose -claims they have rejected compensated out of Indian revenue. The whole service passes through that sieve- now, and a man who has distinguished himself, say by a Peterloo, may be paid for it on his arrival in Calcutta. As it is, Horse Guards favourites -once sheltered in India are very apt to get too many plums.
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