Ethan ne rnruhiug in Varliantrut.

TEE CLOSE or ran SEssiox.

The House of Commons met on Saturday at twenty minutes to one 'o'clock, having a little unpleasant business to transact, touching the Pontefract election, and the Hull writ.

The report of the Committee on the Pontefract election recited the facts, remarking that some were still in dispute, and refraining from giving any opinion on the personal matters, the Committee express the opinion that the petitioner, Mr. Childers, should be placed in the position in which he stood before the petition was -withdrawn. Mr. WEsrassn, in the absence of Mr. Bright, drew attention to the report. He was much interrupted during his speech, which ended by a suggestion that Mr. Overend should accept the Chiltern Hundreds, and concluded with the formal motion that the report should be read. Cuauwernn seconded the motion. Mr. SELWYN said that., as it wrui evident the agreement between the agents of the parties did not re- present the minds, of both, the Committee thought it should be con- sidered a nullity. In order to .do substantial justice he moved that the order discharging the reference of the Pontefract election petition to the General Committee of Elections should be rescinded, so that the ease might be regularly tried by a committee. Sir GEORGE Gitzv differed from Mr. Selwyn. The House had no power to rescind the order. The petition once withdrawn, it could not be brought back, nor could the petitioner he restored to hi* original position. Mr. Overend alone could effeet that 'object, either by referri* the whole question to an arbitrator, or 'by accepting the Chiltern Mundreds. Mr. Ca.4131171th agreed with Sir George ferrey. Mr. HALLNS objeeteill to /Er. Westhead's motion as useless, and moved the sajournmsnt of the debate. Sir dons PARLNOTON did not agree with Sir George Grey. The House alone could determine whether it had power to rescind the order and replace Mr. Overend in his former petition. Mr. OVEREND cut the matter short by stating his unwillingness that Mr. Childers should be prejudiced by a misconception ; and expressing his desire, if the House thought fit, to allow Sir George Grey and Sir John Pakington to say what was best to be done.

Thereupon Mr. Westhead and Mr. Malins withdrew the original mo- tions and one amendment, and thus the amendment of Mr. Selwyn became a substantive motion.

Mr. WALPOLE then emphatically expressed his opinion that the House had no power to restore Mr. Childers to his original position, by re- scinding the order as proposed by Mr. Selwyn. He approved of the step taken by Mr. Overend, as a man of honour and a gentleman, but the House would be no party to it. Lord Toms Resszin took the same view.

It was generally admitted that Mr. Overend had behaved honourably; Mr. Selwyn's motion was withdrawn ; Sir George Grey and Sir John Pakington undertook the office of arbitrators on the understanding that they should appoint a person to make the requisite inquiry and go into the whole case.

[It is understood that Sir J. Coleridge will be requested to act as umpire.]

The new writ for Hull was ordered to be issued after a brief debate.

One more conversation of some interest occurred. Lord ELCHO, re- marking that Lord Palmerston was supposed to have ridiculed the rifle

volunteer movement, inquired whether the Government believe these corps would be of advantage as a permanent institution, and whether they are really anxious that such a force should be established. He moved for copies of reports relative to the instruction of volunteers in the Mus- ketry School at Hythe.

Afr. SIDNEY HERBERT said he could only tell Lord Elcho that Lord Palmerston had been the first to -sanction the formation of these corps. So far from discouraging their formation the Government have given them every encouragement, and ninety corps are in course of formation. They will soon be numerous ; and great advantages will _result from them if they are not regarded as a substitute for the regular 'army. He read an interesting report from Major 'General Hay. "I have the honour to forward, for the information of his Royal High- ness the General Commander-in-Chief, the inclosed return of the results of the performance in shooting of the noblemen and gentlemen of the rifle vo- lunteer corps, who have just completed a course of instruction at this esta- blishment, and to report, in reference to the method pursued, that the morning was devoted to carrying out a detail of daily work, as per annexed statement, so modified as to meet the requirements of a volunteer com- pany, the members of which it is presumed will not be able to devote more than two hours and a-half daily to the musketry drill and practice. The desire, however, on the part of these volunteers to become fully acquainted with every detail connected with the system and the method of working it was so great that the whole day was spent in acquiring this information. Proficiency in the several practices being always measured by a figure, I am enabled to draw a comparison of the shooting of these volunteers with that of parties of officers (averaging from forty to forty-five) in the last three courses. The result is in favour of the volunteers, the highest figure of the former being 46-94, of the latter 47-07 points. I have confined the comparison to the shooting of the officers, as from their superior 'intelligence they always (when subjected to the same amount of preliminary drill) beat the men. 1% hen it is considered that these volunteers were composed of noblemen and gentlemen most of whom had never fired with a rifle before, and not any at a longer distance than about 200 or 300 yards, and when the short period of six days allotted to the performance of the preliminary drills is taken into account, it not only affords the most convinoing proof of the energy and intelligence brought to bear on the work in which these volunteers were engaged, but at the same time it points clearly to the great benefit the country will derive-from enlisting the services of the educated classes of the population in the movement which is now in progress for the enrolment of volunteerslor rifle companies and corps. I do not hesitate to say that if the training of these volunteers is regulated by a well detailed system which will insure a preliminary preparation before practice is al- lowed to take place, that in a few years a -most important reserve (com- prising as it will a class of persons who never enter the regular army or militia, but who from their education and intelligence are eminently quali- fied to make the very best 'marksmen') will be at all times available, and afford a most valuable and permanent addition to our national defences. The interest taken by the noblemen and gentlemen herein referred to in the practice convinces me that rifle shooting, if properly conducted, cannot fail to prove henceforth one of the most interesting of our national amusements. I feel it right to observe, however, that unless rifle training is conduCted on a proper (and I would venture to recommend a uniform) system, utter failure will ensue. We. shall have rifle corps in name, but not in reality." He thought the warning of the gallant officer was not without its value, but he could only say that the Government were glad to have an oppor- tunity of expressing their gratitude for the exertions .which were being made on this subject, and he was satisfied, from communications he had had from many gentlemen who were engaged in the formation of these corps, that there was no intention on their part of merely .playing at soldiering, but that they were willing, by drill and practice, to render themselves effi- cient for the defence of the country in case of need. Lord Etcrio and Mr. H.TIERRELEY having' expressed their satisfaction with this answer, Lord PArueaccros said he had never intended to dis- parage these corps. He is sensible of the importance of a serious move- ment on the subject. And if the country was impressed, as it ought to be, with the real importance of having some organization of that kind for our permanent national defence, not in 'substitution of, but in addition to, our other forces, and if those who entered would enter with.a 'full determination to remain and be available when any emergency unfortu- nately occurred, he would say that her Majesty's Government would give them every encouragement.

In the House of Lords there was nothing-to do but read the speech. The House met at half-past two, and the Lords Commissioners—the Lord Chancellor, Earl OnmAle, the Duke of Somerset, Earl St. Ger- mans, and Lord Sidney—having taken their seats, the Commons were summoned. When they arrived, 'headed by the Speaker, several bills

received the Royal assent, and then the Lord Chancellor read the following speech- " My Lords and Gentlemen—We are commanded by her Majesty to release you from further attendance in Parliament, and at the same time to convey to you her Majesty's acknowledgment for the zeal and assiduity with winch you have applied yourselves to the performance of your duties during the session of Parliament now about to close. "Various circumstances which occasioned interruptions in the usual course of business prevented the completion of important matters which her Majesty pointed out to the attention of her Parliament in the beginniug of the present year ; but her Majesty trusts that those matters will be taken into your earnest consideration at an early period of the next session. "The war which had broken out in Northern Italy having been brought to a close by the peace of Villefranca, various overtures have been made to her Majesty with a view to ascertain whether, if conferences should be held by the great Powers of Europe, for the purpose of settling arrangements connected with the present state and future condition of Italy, a plenipo- tentiary would be sent by her Majesty -to assist at such conferences, but her Majesty has not yet received the information necessary to enable her Majesty to deoide whether she may think lit to take part in any such nego- tiations.

"Her Majesty -would rejoice to find herself able to contribute to the establishment of arrangements calculated to place the general peace on a satisfactory and lasting foundation. " Her Majesty, in accordance with the stipulations of the treaty of Tien-sing, has instructed her Plenipotentiary in China to repair to the Im- perial Court at Pekin, and -her Majesty trusts that suoh direct communi- cation with the Imperial Government will have a beneficial effect upon the relations between the two countries.

"Her Majesty commands us to inform you that she looks forward with confidence to the continued maintenance of those friendly relations which so happily subsist between her Majesty and all foreign Powers and States. " Her Majesty is glad to be able to congratulate you on the complete restoration of tranquillity in her Indian dommions. It will be her earnest endeavour to promote their internal improvement, and to obliterate the traces of those conflicts which her Majesty witnessed with such deep concern. "The financial arrangements of that portion of her Majesty's empire will continue to engage her Majesty's serious attention. "Her Majesty has had much satisfaction in giving her assent to the bills which you presented to her for the formation of a naval and military re- serve force. A complete and permanent system of national defences must at all times be an object of paramount importance. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons—Her Majesty commands us to convey to you her cordial thanks for the readiness and zeal with which you have provided the necessary supplies for the service of the year. "My Lords and Gentlemen—Her Majesty commands us to express to you her heartfelt gratification at witnessing the general well-being and content- ment which prevail throughout her dominions. The happiness of her Majesty's people is the object dearest to her heart. " In returning to your respective counties you will have duties to per- form intimately connected with the attainment of -this groat end, and-her Majesty fervently prays that the blessing of Almighty God may attend your exertions in the performance of those duties for the common good of all classes of her Majesty's subjects." Parliament is prorogued until the 22d of September.

The House of Commons broke up as soon as they returned to their ehamber, Lord Palmerston leading the way in shaking hands with the :Speaker.

ROYAL AssENT. The following bills received the -Royal assent on-Satur- day. The Inceme-tax Bill, the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill, the.Stamp Duties Bill, the Military Savings Banks Bill, the Universities Incorporation Act Amendment Bill, the Queen's Remembrancer Bill, the –County ,Cess (Ireland) Ants Continuance Bill, the University (Scotland) Bill, the Constabulary Force (Ireland) Continuance Bill, the Cambridge Knivereity Commission Continuance Bill, the Law of Property and Trustees Relief Amendment Bill, the North-Western Territories (British America) Bill, the ,Coinage Bill, the Probates and Letters of Admimstration (Ireland) Bill, the Railway Companies' Arbitration Bill, the Imprisonment for Small :Debts Pill, the Militia Laws Amendment Bill, the Pankruptey and Insol- vency (Ireland) Act Amendment Bill, the Customs (No. 2) Bill, the Bast India Loan Bill, the Militia Pay Bill, the Reserve Volunteer Force of Seamen lilll, the Governinent of India Act Amendment Bill, the-Stocksiri- Trade Exemption Bill, the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction ,Continuance Bill, -the Rpisoopal and ,Qapitular Estates 41.et Continuance Bill, the Corrept Practices Proveetion Act USK Continuance All, the Weights and Mea- sures Aot Amendment Bill, the Dublin Felice Bill, the Charitable and Pro-

vident Societies the Puropean Troops (India) Bill, the Divorce Court Bill, the Sele of,Gas Pill, the Charitable Trusts Aots,Coetinuauce Bill, the Law Ascertainment Facilities Bill, the Pollee (Counties-and Boroughs) Bill, the Iteserve Force Bill, the Poor Law Beard (Payment ed .Delits) Bill, and

numberef railway andsother private

ELECTION Pescrrnass. The following is a list of the petitions to be tried in-the next scission :— Weymouth and Meloembe Regis.—Joseph Slade and others, Robert

James -Roy Campbell, and,Colonel William Lockyer Freestun.

Carlisle.—John Park Arthur and John Graham.

Barnstaple.—fiir William Augustus Fraser, Sir William Augustus Primer.

Roscommon.—Denis O'Connor and Patrick Graham. Great Yarmouth.—Joseph•Bayly and Robert Pilgrim. Newry.—R. Dempster and T. Cardwell. King's County.—D. lilume and John F. Cassidy. Chatham—George Wilstead and George Pattison. Dover.—Sir William Russell, Bart. Oarlow.—Henry Cary and Thomas H. Carroll and Henry Cary and Thomas H. Carroll.

Dundalk.—Patrick Bowden and Matthew M. Graham.

Clare.—Nicholas Butler and John B. Islaenamara.

Lyme Regis.—J. G. S. M. Moore and G. N. Shore.

Peterborough.—William.Vergette and ethane 'Thomas Seeley and Henry

Freeman.

Athlone.—Robert Preston Bayley, James William Fair, Lawrence Kelly, and Thomas Gill.

-Norwich.—Josiah 'Fletcher and others, J. Godwin Johnson, and Roger

Kerrieon, and 'Philip Back and Gardiner C. Stevens.

Aelect Committees have reported on the following: Ashburton.—Mr. Astell seated.

Aylesbury.—Mr. T. T. Bernaed.and,Me. S. G. Smith seated; Mr. Went- worth unseated.

.Beverley.—Major Edwards seatedsind Ifs. Welters unseated. Bury.—Mr. Peel seated. Cheltenham—Colonel Berkeley seated. Dartmouth.—Mr. Schenley unseated; void election. Gloucester.—Mr. Price and Mr. Monk unseated ; void election. Huddersfield.—Mr. E. A. Leathern seated. Kingston-upon-Hull.—Mr. Hoare unseated ; void election. North Leicestershire.—Lord John Manama and Mr. Hartopp seated. Limerick City.—Major Gavin seated. Maidstone.—Mr. Buxton and Mr. Lee seated.

Norwich.—Lord Bury *Intl Mr. Schneider unseated; void election. Preaton.—Mr. Grenfell seated.

Wakefield.—Mr. W. H. Leathern unseated ; void election.

The election petitions from the following places were withdrawn. Athlone.—William Wallace. Berwick-upon-Tweed.—Thomas Bogue and others. Bodmin.—William Button and John Barnicot. Bridgewater.—Henry Clement Heard and Reuben Bond. Prem.—Donald Nicoll. West lieut.—Charles Wykeham Martin and James Whatman. Kidderminster.—John.hres and others. Kinston-upon-Hull.—William Jones and Richard Mitchell. Merionethshire.—Owen Richards and Hugh Richard Pugh. Pontefract.—Hugh Culling Eardley Childers. Sandwich.—John Ralph and Henry Langley. New Windsor.—William Henry I3anks and henry Thompson. Great Yarmouth.—John Clowes and Henry Denby Palmer.