NEWS OF TIIE *WEEK.
NINE weeks of the session have passed. It cannot be said, in a literal sense, that nothing has been done. Ministers think that very satisfactory progress has been made in the business of Parlia- ment. The MutinyBills have reached the Lords ; large additions have been made to the Navy Estimates, and, in point of fact, to the numbers and cost of the Army ; for it appears, that her Ma- jesty is about to borrow troops from India, who must be paid even- tually by England, though m the first instance from the Indian treasury. Had Mr. MACAULAY plainly stated this fact, which Lord PALMERSTON subsequently admitted, and put down the ac-
tual cost of the Army, his military budget would have exhibited a considerable excess over the sum he called upon Parliament to vote.
This, however, by the way. We have given reasons enough why
the :Wasters must be of opinion that a great deal has been done since Parliament met. But the public, who pay little regard to
questions of expenditure, and substantial additions to the power and patronage of Government, keep a very different reckoning. To those who looked for great improvements by the aid of wise
legislation, the session has thus fitr been barren of benefit; and the prospect offers only a few discussions without expectation of practical results. 'Therefore, though Ministers may be satisfied and Members at ease, the people " o: of doors " are exclaiming, " Nothing has been done, and nothing will be- done." There was " no House " of Commons on Monday; but on Tues- day, busy, bustling Mr. WALLACE started a something about the
PEEL Club in Glasgow College. As we treat this " Glasgow-Boy question" in another place, we only mention here, that Mr. WAL- LACE withdrew his motion, with the menace of another on the same subject—also to be withdrawn probably, should it be made. Petitions for " Non-Intrusion " pour into both Houses, and Ministers are pestered with interrogatories as to their intentions : to which the cautious reply is still—" You shall know when we know ourselves ; it is a grave and difficult matter ; but the time approaches when Parliament will be informed whether Govern- ment has resolved to do any thing or nothing." Inquiring Members report this very satisfactory intelligence to their Scotch consti- tuents; who in the meanwhile have lashed themselves into a fury on the subject, and even where Whiggery has hitherto been in the ascendant, are in the highest degree enraged against Ministers for their trimming. The bill for increasing the value of poor benefices by despoiling the Deans and Chapters—the measure which excited the ire and
sarcasm of Mr. Canon Residentiary SYDNEY SMITH—has been laid
aside for the present ; as Lord JOHN Russma. wishes to consult his Archbishop on an important communication he has received, he did not say of what nature, or from whom. If the proposition comes from Combe Florey, we trust it will speedily be published for the public amusement.
The Lord Chancellor has introduced a bill to effect alterations in the Equity Courts. He proposes to make the Master of the Rolls Vice-President of the Privy Council and Presiding Judge of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council ; to transtbr the Equity
business of the Court of Exchequer to the Court of Chancery, to appoint two additional Vice-Chancellors, with salaries of 5,0001. a year each, and two new Registrars. We wait for the Chancellor's expose of his bill before forming an opinion on its merits. It may be necessary and salutary; it would certainly give valuable pa- tronage to the Government. Mr. Herr has used the only effectual means of compelling the Foreign Secretary's attention to the vexatious imposts levied by the king of Hanover on British trade in the Elbe, under the name of Stade-duties. The Member for Hull made a clear, compreheceive,
and tbreible statement of the ease of his constituents and clieti...4 to the House of Commons. At the same time, he displayed good taste in abstaining from attack upon the King of Hanover, which so many Liberals deem a true test of their faith. The present King, indeed, is not peculiarly obnoxious to blame : he merely follows the example of his two brothers and father, who, as Sove- reigns of Hanover, collected these duties. He must look upon the revenue derived front them as his undoubted right ; and if he sur- render a shilling without compensation, we shall be surprised. Lord PALMERSTON, as UMW, assured Mr. HUTT that he was making strenuous exertions to procure a satisfactory adjustment ; and Mr. HUTT was too good-natured to press his motion and put the Mi- nisters in a minority, which would probably have been the result of a division, as the Tories showed a disposition to support him. Of course Mr. HUTT, who must know that promptitude is not Lord PALMERSTON'S forte, whether the question relate to a disputed boundary line in America or a commercial embroilment in China, will not be satisfied with a verbal assurance of activity, but be pre- pared to repeat his motion if the Foreign Secretary's performance lags after his promise.
Ministers arc threatened with a formidable motion on Chinese affairs by Sir JAMES GRAHAM. The papers produced as a justifica- tion of their past proceedings and the warlike expedition now in course of preparation, furnish the materials of an attack, which it will task the Ministerial strength to repel. It is indeed time that the policy of Government towards China should be fully examined. We are not aware that a warlike enterprise of such magnitude, and the results of which may be of such incalculable importance, was ever before undertaken by a British Government without the formal sanction of Parliament. The responsibility assumed by Ministers is immense.
