&hairs net Vrnuttaugn iu Vattiamtat.

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF THE WEEK.

House or Loans. Monday, April 19. Patriotic Fund Commission ; the Duke of Norfolk's Motion—Customs Bill committed.

Tuesday, April SO. No business of importance. Thursday, April 22. Oaths ; Lord John Russell's Bill read a second time. Friday, Apnl 23. Spiritual Destitution; the Bishop of Exeter's Motion— Telegraphs ; Questions and Answers.

lionsE or COMMONS. Monday, April 19. Ways and Means ; Mr. Disraeli's Financial Statement-3upply ; Navy Estimates. Tuesday, April 20. Dublin Port-dues ; Mr. vance's Motion—Triennial Parlia- ments ; Mr. Cox's Motion—East Indian Railways ; Mr. Liddell's Motion—Galway Freemen Disfranchisement; Mr. Clive's Bill; Debate on going into Committee.

Wednesday, April 21. Church-rates Abolition ; Sir J. Trelawny's Bill in Com- mittee.

Thursday, April 22. Case of Dr. Bernard ; Questions and Answers—Diplomatic Salaries and Pensions ; Mr. Wise's Motion—Destitution in Donegal ; Mr. Bagwell's Motion—Property Qualification Bill read a first time—Scottish Universities Bill read a first time—Registration of Partnerships Bill read a first time—Public Health Act Amendment Bill read a first time.

Friday, April 23. Public Business; Questions and Answers—Policy in Oude; Sir E. Perry's Question—Ways and Means; Bankers' Cheques—Militia; Colonel Smyth's Complaints—supply; Navy Estimates—Government of India No.2 Bill; order for second readirvg discharged.

TIME-TABLE.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Thursday

Friday Sittings this

The Lords.

Hour of Hour of Meeting. Adjournment.

bh 6h 30m

Oh Oh Sam

No sitting.

Sh bh 55m

Oh 811 ant

The Commons.

Hour of Hour of Meeting.Adrurnment.

Monday 4h .(in 12k 30za Tuesday 4h .(s, 1k sosi

Wednesday Noon bh 57m

Thursday 4h (.0121130m Friday 4h . (,n) lib 20m

Week, 4 ; Time, 6h Om Session, 33; — 67k 50in

Sittings this Week, this Session

0; Time, soh 47m 45; — 281h 4iin

this

THE Banosr. - The House went into Committee of Ways and Means on Monday, in order that the Chancellor of the Exchequer might make the annual financial statement.

Mr. DISRAELI began by describing the effect of the commercial distur- bance and distress of 1857 upon the revenue, and quoted many figures to show that in the first three quarters of the year the receipts fell short. of the estimates, while in the fourth quarter, the period of restored confi- dence, the revenue derived from Customs, Excise, and Stamps exceeded the estimate by 1,500,000/. There are at this moment many circum- stances that conduce to the increased prosperity of the country. Interest is low ; capital abounds ; the cost of the necessaries of life is less than in either of the preceding years.

" I should not, however, be doing my duty to the Committee if I con- cealed from them my own conviction, founded upon information which has been at my command, that, although the general condition of the country is at this moment sound, and although there has been a restoration of con- fidence and there are numerous indications of improvement, that we are not justified in indulging the belief that there will be a rapid recurrence of that spirit of speculative enterprise which has prevailed of late years, and which has undoubtedly furnished very beneficial contributions to the Ex-

cliViuer's; The estimated expenditure for the year 1858-'9 is 67,110;0001., a sum total thus made up. The charge for the Funded and Unfunded Debt is 28,400,000/. The permanent charge on the Consolidated Fund is 1,900000/., an increase of 200,0001., in consequence of the compensation which, in a moment of almost reckless liberality, the House last year awarded to proctors and others. The charge for the Army is 11,750,0001.; for idle Navy 9860,0001. ; for the Miscellaneous Civil Services 7,000,000/. ; this in- cludes the vote of nearly 1,000,000/. for education. This vote is advancing at a giant's pace. A system is now rapidly developing itself in this de- partment which in a-very few years will arrive at an amount. of at least three or four millionsaterling. The House should at all events comprehend the liability they are incurring. The expenditure for the Revenue de- partments is 4;700,000/. ; making a total expenditure for the departmentsaf 63,810,000/. There is a liability for the War Sinking-fund ,of 1,500;0001. and 2,000,0001. of Exchequer Bonds, making the total charge 67,110,0040. The resources with which we are to meet these liabilities are the following. Customs, which last year yielded 23,398,0001., estimated this year 23,400,0001. The favourable prospects of 'the tea and sugar trade, clomp money, cheap bread, justify this increased estimate. What has mainly sustained our revenue has been the action of that 9,000,0001. of remitted taxes which were brought into the pockets of the people at the end of the financial year. The Excise duties brought in last year 17,825,0001. ; Mr. Disraeli estimates them at 18,100,0001. Stamps produced 7.416,0001•; they are put at 7,550,0001. Land and assessed taxes produced 3,152,0001. ; they are placed at 3,200,0001. The Post-office yielded 2,920,0001. ; it is estimated at 3,200,000/. The produce of the Miscellaneous was 1,800,0001. ; it is estimated at 1,300,0001. This brings the total revenue to 83,120,000/., leaving a deficiency of 3,990,000/. Now this deficit has not been occasioned by any falling-off In our resources. If the Income-tax remained at 74/., and the debt of 3,500,0001. were tdc- ,deoted, we should have a surplus of 600,000/. The deficit is oc- casioned lay• our engagement to pay off debt : .2,1000,0001. of Ex-. chequer Bonds, and 1.500,0001. War Sinking-fund. There are two sinking- unds in operation—the Oeneral, and the War sinking-funds. The House thoaght.fitto recur to the old eystem.of allotting a fixed sum to the liquida- tion of debt without reference to the state of the revenue ; but by a strange in- consistency they did not repeal the previous general act, founded on a differ-

ent principle, allotting the application of surplus revenue to the redemption of debt. Last year we paid off two millions and a quarter of debt, not out of surplus revenue, but out of the balances-at the Exchequer. If past and

present burdens are brought to act simultaneously on the revenue; the eon- sequenoe will bet that we must have war taxation in time of peace. This

oat= of artificial sinking-funds is in principle highly fallacious and erro- neous. We have to pay off 3,500,000/. of debt. We have no surplus. The House would not sanction the raising of a loan to meet a debt ; that is the last resource of an individual in distress; it is a most blundering means of squaring accounts. To raise 3,500,000/. by taxes is a perplexing question, and if that sum were so raised there would remain a deficit of 600,0001. He

therefore proposed that the War Sinking-fund Act should be repealed, or at least suspended until the Exchequer Bonds are provided for ; and he pro- posed to postpone until 1862 and 1863-the payment of these bonds. (Cries of " Hear P and " Oh !")

One large section of Mr. Disraeli's speech -was occupied with the Income- tax. He described it as an unjust, unequal, inquisitorial tax ; one that

ought not to be permanent. In 1SL53 .an eminent Member of that House submitted a great financial scheme to secure its diminution and final extinc- tion at the end of a certain term of years; and that scheme was cordially

embraced and sanctioned by the country. A great national emergency in- terposed; the tax was made the source from which the power of England flowed forth to support the honour and interests of the country ; it was not until peace was secured that a voice was raised for the remission of war taxa-

tion. But the increased liabilities arising from the war do not furnish rea- SOW strong enough to make us regard the scheme of 1853 as visionary and

fantastic. The Income-tax is one that is paid without a murmur in time of war, but it excites public dissatisfaction in time of pence. The Govern- ment, therefore, think that the deficit ought not to be supplied by pro- posing an increase of the Income-tax. It must be supplied by new taxes. Some Members might say that the expenditure could be reduced ; but reduction depends on policy, and it

cannot be effected with haste and heat. " The establishments of the coun- try are adapted to the policy which the country pursues, and if you pursue a policy, and sanctiou a policy, which leads to invasion, to costly arma-

ments, and, consequently, to expenditure, you cannot expect because there is a change of Ministers that you can deal that expenditure, unless you deal with that policy. Really sound reduction is the effect of fine and thoughtful management, and is not in a few hasty weeks to be concocted in

order to obtain popularapplause. I say, therefore, that it was utterly im- possible for us to deal with the expenditure of the country during the period

in which we have had the responsible position of Ministers. We have suc- ceeded to arrangements, difficult arrangements, which we must manage as best we can; and therefore, now that there is a deficit in the revenue, you must not, unmindful of the not inconsiderable reduction safely and honour- ably effected by us, say that we ought to have made reductions. When we have opportunity and time we can submit the establishments of this coun- try to such severe revision as they may require, and, with favourable cir- cumstances, effect considerable retrenchments in those establishments. But it would be worse than mookery to pretend that we are able to do so all of a moment."

The new taxes he proposed were, first to equalize the duty on spirits— here he made an especial appeal to the Irish Members, pointing out how beneficial to Scotland the equalization of the duties had been ' - from this source he hoped to obtain 500,0001. But as he wants a surplus, he proposes to get it by imposing a penny stamp-duty upon bankers' cheeks. This will give him 300,000/.

"Now let us see, if the arrangements which I have proposed are agreed to by the Committee, what will be our prospects in the year following this. You will have again a loss on the Income-tax, as compared with your pre- sent revenue, of 1,000,000/. ; and assuming that all things remain the same, and that your revenue and expenditure are exactly what they are

now, you will have a loss in 1859-'60 of 1,000,000/. in-your Income-tax,

while 2,000,000/. of Exchequer Bonds will become due. You will have this 3,090,000/. reduced by the amount of surplus which I may obtain this year ; but say that you have to meet 3,000,0001. of deficit. Now, I put it to the Committee—is that a prospect which ought to alarm us ? Can we entertain a doubt but that with fair commercial ...prosperity, with a fair re- vival of trade in this country, the resources of our revenue, aided by well-

considered and wise retrenchments, will be sufficient under these circum- stances to meet our engagements, to pay these Bonds, and to encounter that

diminution of income? Well, if you do'that,—and I feel.confident that you will be able should no disaster against which human provision is unavailing overtake the country,—iu what position shall we stand in that famous 1860 which has been the pivottof modern finance ? There are certainly 2,000,000/. of Bonds due in that year ; but you will have annuities to the amount of something like 2.150,000/. per annum expiring at a time when I hope and believe you will.possess a.large, abounding surplus of revenue ; and you will be able, if not to the letter, at least in spirit, to accomplish the plan of the right -honourable gentleman. It is for that reason—in order that we may act fairly, candidly, and sincerely towards the country on this question,

in order that the wise .arrangements of the right honourable gentleman may be assented to, and that that great policy—for a great policy with regard to the Income-tax I believe it to be—should be accomplished, that I

shall propose not to-encumber 1860 or 1861 with the Bonds which at present we cannot meet, but I shall propose that in 1862 and 18631,000,0001. should be apportioned to each year. When that is-clone I have no doubt the policy of 1853 will be carried into effect." He moved eertain resolutions ; the first being that the dutiee on Irish spirits should be assimilated to the duties on Scotch and E nglish. spirite. The conversation that ensued was generally favourable to Mr. Dis-

- proposals. Several Irish Members, however, objected to the reso- lution affecting the spirit-duties. Sir GEORGE CORNEWALL LEWIS con-

tended that there was nothing fallacious in the redemption of debt last

year, and he specified a number of Items—Sound Dues, Persian ex- pedition, Militia vote, lre.—paid out of -the revenue of the year. Mr. GLYN, and-other bankers, objected to the duty on eheoks. Mr. DODSON

said the hop-duty had been passed over in contemptuous silence. Mr. Guanarorrn expressed general approval, accompanied by a warning note

against excessive expenditure. Mr. Gannwxra. would have suspended the fall of the Income-tax for a year. Lord Joart RUSSELL thought the expenditure was reduced as much as possible.; but he thought it would have been a good example if the country had been called upon to pay off this year some. of the debt incurred by the last war.

THE OATHS BILL.

The Oaths Bill was read a second time in the House of Lords on Thursday without opposition. Lord LYNDHURST moved the second reading and explained the well-known provisions of the measure ; sug- gesting that the debate be taken in Committee, on the clause relating to Jews. The Earl of DERBY said that he did not object to the alteration that the bill proposed to make in the oath. As regards the provision the bill contains permitting Jews to omit the words " on the true faith of a Christian," he wished he could sip that he had changed his opinion. Not having done so, however, he must say that he could not take a course different from that he had pursued on other occasions, and he should, in Committee, support the motion for omitting that clause which exempts persons of the Jewish persuasion from taking the oath which by the bill is imposed upon the rest of her Majesty's subjects. Earl GREY made a powerful appeal to the House to pass the bill irre- spectively of its merits. More than a quarter of a century ago the un- reformed House of Commons declared its opinion that the Jewish dis- abilities ought to cease. From that time to the present the House has never departed from the judgment it originally pronounced. The clause in the bill before them had been carried by a majority of 153. If they amended that clause, the amendment would be rejected by an over- whelming majority in the other House. The wiser Members would not be able to restrain the House from endeavouring without the concur- rence of the House of Lords to accomplish the object, which it has made up its mind to accomplish. That will bring confusion and a conflict with the courts of law. He recommended them to act as the Duke of Wellington acted in regard to the repeal of the Test Acts, a measure to which he was opposed, and to pass this bill. The Earl of Wicisiow was in favour of admitting the Jews, but de- sired to see that done by a bill expressly framed for the purpose.

CHURCH-RATES.

The House of Commons was occupied on Wednesday with a debate on the Church-rates Abolition Bill.

When Sir JOHN TRELAWNY moved that the House should go intg Committee, Mr. PACKE moved as an amendment that the House should go into Committee that day six months, and proceeded at great length to reopen the argument on the principle of the measure already affirmed by a large majority on the second reading. He was followed by Mr. Kees SEYMER on the same side. Sir GEORGE GREY interposed, and— insinuating a memento of his own proposed compromise,—he represented that the House was bound by its previous vote to go into Committee. But Lord JOHN MANNERS contested this view. There should be further argument on the principle ; and thereupon he revived the whole ques- tion and repeated the oft-reiterated "arguments" against the proposal. Mr. DISRAELI, however, could not resist the conviction that it would be better to go into Committee and discuss practical measures for the solu- tion of the question ; particularly mentioning an amendment proposed by Mr. Puller. [This amendment proposed to substitute for church-rates an annual rent-charge upon all lands now legally liable for church-rates.] But as Mr. Puller's amendment could not be moved in Committee, he recommended Mr. Parke to withdraw his amendment and thus to make way for Mr. Puller's. Lord JOHN RUSSELL concurred in this recom- mendation. If the House could come to • an agreement respecting Mr. Puller's amendment that would be the wisest course they could adopt. Mr. PACKE agreed to withdraw his amendment. But here Mr. BRIGHT rose. The time already Consumed in discussing would be wasted if no division were taken. Gentlemen did not wish to have their names re- corded in a division. Mr. Puller's amendment was very like imposing a new tax, and he thought it could not be moved at all. Lord John Rus- sell as one of those who are half-way between the wrong and the right of the question, and who forget that those who contend for the abolition of church-rates understand their own case a great deal better than the noble lord and those who act with him.

Mr. Bright and those who support the bill before the House have studied this question all their lives. They have submitted much too long to the impediments which have been thrown iu the way of its settlement, and have seen themselves constantly treated with injustice and humiliation. They have not taken up this question for the purpose of getting up a debate on two or three Wednesdays in a session. They are determined to get rid of church-rates; and if any one thought that by proposing to make the owners pay towards the repair of churches instead of the occupiers, or by calling on them to make humiliating declarations of their religious opinions, he would settle this question, he was very much mistaken. [Lord John had referred to the probable defeat of the bill in the House of Lords.] With regard to what might be done in "another place," the noble lord the Member for the City of-London well knew that the gentlemen who sat in that "other place" did not always take as much notice of the resolutions of the House of Commons as the noble lord would wish them to do. Those gentlemen in "another place" had been the people in the drawingroom, while they in the Commons had been the people in the kitchen. (Laugh- ter.) That was about the way in which Mr. Bright should characterize the treatment they had received in " another place." He would remind the noble lord the Member for the City that there were many more persons zeal- ous about this question of church-rates than there were about the Oaths Bil ; and although it might happen that those in " another place " might reject this bill once, twice, or thrice, it was desirable to bear in mind that they would never have an opportunity of rejecting it unless it passed the House of Commons; In the interest of the Church itself he asked them to pass the measure.

The Speaker, put the question—that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question. The " Ayes " were numerous, and not a "No" was heard. So the House went at once into Committee, much to its surprise, and Mr. Puller's amendment could not be moved.

On clause 1 abolishing church-rates from and after the passing of the act, Sir ARTHUR ELTON moved that the operation of the bill should be de- ferred for three years in order that time might be given to prepare for the change. The amendment was supported by Mr. GLADSTONE, but it was opposed by Sir JOHN TRELAWNY, Mr. HENLEY, and Sir GEORGE. GREY, and was negatived without a division.

Lord ROBERT CECIL then moved an amendment intended to confine the abolition of Church-rates to towns and cities. The principle of the amendment met with the support of Sir COILNEWALL awls, Mr. HEN- LEY, Sir GEORGE GREY, and Mr. GLADSTONE, but they held that its form rendered it inadmissible. The terms used would not effect the object in view. Sir Jinni. TRELAWNY and Mr. Barone declined to.en- tertain the proposition for a moment. It was withdrawn.

-But when the clause was put, Mr. LYGON moved that the Chairman should report progress. Lord JOHN RUSSELL and Mr. DISRAELI agreed that it would be only fair to divide on clause 1 that day. The limit of the sitting was fast approaching. The Committee had first to dispose of Mr. Lygon's motion. They accordingly divided, and it was negatived by 346 to 104.

The clock stopped further proceedings ; it was ten minutes to six ; and the Chairman was compelled to report progress.

THE GALWAY FREEMEN.

On the motion for going into Committee on the Galway Freemen Dis- franchisement Bill, Mr. WeLroLE said that the bill must be dealt with upon strict principles of equity. As it stood the bribed but not the bribers, and the innocent with the guilty, were disfranchised. He therefore moved an instruction to the Committee giving power to the Committee to make provision for the disfranchisement of those who had given money or other valuable consideration to purchase, or for the pur- pose of purchasing, votes. The House ought either to reject the bill or consent to pass this instruction. The Attorney-General had drawn up lists of the bribers and the bribed, and if all those who obtained certifi- cates of indemnity from the Commissioners were exempt from punishment, they would all escape except two. He could not consent to disfranchise Galway altogether, following the precedents of Sudbury and St. Albans, because some 500 ten-pound voters and 250 freemen were not proved to be venal. It was, however, a question whether the certificate of in- demnity did not extend beyond an indemnity from penal consequences inflicted by a court of law to the ex post facto legislation of Parliament.

Mr. CLIVE and Lord LoverNE stood up for the bill. Mr. Sergeant DEASY said that if the instruction were passed it would be impossible to proceed with the bill, because it would make the bill a measure of pains and penalties against individuals. The witnesses gave the information required on the ground that they should be protected from the conse- quences. But if the freemen were to be abolished it should be done in some general measure, like a Reform Bill. Mr. MAGUIRE opposed, and Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD supported the bill. Lord PALMERSTON said that he should vote for going into Committee. If no proceedings were taken it would produce a bad effect on the public mind. The indemnity can only be regarded as a security against a legal prosecution, and Mr. Wal- pole's motion tends to violate that indemnity because it aims at an indi- vidual selection. Mr. WHITESIDE said the course Lord Palmerston sug- gested would confer political privileges on the guilty parties. Mr. ROE- BUCK took a similar view.

Upon the one side, in the case of Galway, are the bribed—the poor, the many, and the unfortunate. They are to be punished wholesale under the operation of the bill which the noble lord had announced it to be his in- tention to support. Upon the other side there are a set of men by whom those poor people had been bribed, and in their behalf the noble lord is . ready to come forward and to say, " Do you not recollect we have given those men indemnity ?" That indemnity ought to be extended to the poor bribed ; but, exclaimed the noble lord, " We punish them wholesale. That is no punishment at all." ("Hear!" and a laugh.) He should wish to know what is the meaning of a principle such as that ? Why, it is as plain as the sun at noonday, when there was no cloud. The fact is that the poor, the many, and the unfortunate, are to be disfranchised for the purpose of placing the borough in the hands of the bribers. Now, to take that course would be to commit an act of injustice, not only against the parties concern- ed. but against the county. itself. By a solemn act the Legislature has given these parties indemnity, not simply from punishment, but from dis- ability, and he should like to know what is the meaning of the word "dis- ability " if it is not to take away from a man the right of voting fora repre- sentative in Parliament ?

On a division the instruction was agreed to by 152 to 121.

Colonel FRENCH moved that the bill should be committed that day six months. Negatived by 226 to 51.

The House went into Committee ; but it was late, and the Chairman was ordered to report progress.

DIPLOMATIC SALARIES AND PENSIONS.

Mr. WISE, on Thursday, moved the following resolution- " That it is the opinion of this House that the diplomatic salaries and pensions now charged upon the Consolidated Fund should be brought under the more immediate view and control of Parliament, and be paid out of a vote ".,:wally provided by the House of Commons for the purpose." He supported it, first by vindicating his motives ; next by showing that the tendency in the Foreign Office of late has been more to secret and confidential ways, whereas publicity in public affairs is the best guarantee of tranquillity and order ; then he made a detailed financial statement of the sums paid for diplomatic services—last year it was 211,3321. ; went over the expenses and described the duties of many missions, cen- suring the keeping of ministers at small German courts, in Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, where Charges d'Affaires could transact the business. Finally he complained of the selection of persons of aristocratic connex- ions for these posts, condemned the practice of appointing unpaid at- taches, and argued that if the expenditure on all these matters were an- nually submitted to a vote of the House, it would lead to revision, re- ?Inn, and reorganization.

Mr. KINNAIIM seconded the motion.

Mr. SEYMOUR FITZGERALD opposed it, and defended the existing sys- What Mr. Wise called the extravagant expenditure was that part which came exclusively under annual Parliamentary control. He ob- jected also that an annual canvassing of their merits would lower the position and impair the efficiency of our envoys. Mr. WRITE, amid impatient cries of " Divide]" supported the m.ation.

Mr. ITORSMAN said that it would be difficult to resist the motion by sound argument. It proposed that the same principle of annual revision should be extended to the foreign expenditure of the country as was ap- plied to the home expenditure. It would be no more a degradation to the diplomatic servants of the Crown to have their salaries voted an- nually than it is for the Ministers of the Crown. He confessed that he agreed entirely with his honourable friend who made the motion in the views ho expressed as to the great distrust and injury which arose from the secrecy in which our foreign transactions were in- volved. Everybody would be ready to admit that while diplomatic arrange- ments were being carried on great injury might result to the public interest from publicity being given to them ; but still, under the present system, all persons in the country were kept in a state of ignorance about foreign affairs utterly inconsistent with the principles of constitutional government. They had diplomatic arrangements carried on for years respecting which they knew nothing, and the arguments in favour of this system of secrecy were provisely such as might have been advanced thirty or forty years ago. In

this respect, of late years, they had made no progress or improvement, though in other matters they had been progressing and reforming. trusted the House would concur in the motion.

Lord PetininsTois defended the existing system at some length. To bring diplomatic transactions under the constant supervision of the House would be a most unconstitutional course, and one at variance with the interests of the country. Parliament must either place confi- dence in the Ministers of the Crown, or appoint a standing committee of diplomatic relations. The latter course would lead to inevitable diffieej. ties and disputes. He also objected to the transfer of these charges to annual votes because the discussion that would ensue would be sure to affect injuriously the characters of our envoys at the courts where they were serving, and lower them in the estimation of society. Mr. KINNAIIID tried to speak, but the House was impatient. Lord Josh RUSSELL briefly stated that he must vote against the motion, but he believed that the system of having unpaid attaches was bad ; that there should be a revision of the diplomatic service ; and that if diplo- matic papers were more frequently submitted to the House of Commons, that, instead of being injurious would be useful to the public service, because very often false rumours are current which might be removed by the production of those papers.

The motion was negatived on a division by 142 to 114.

TRIMTNIAL Paitusmnbrrs —Mr. Cox moved for leave to bring in a bill to repeal the Septennial Act and to limit the duration of Parliament to three years. By references to history he endeavoured to show that by the ancient constitution of the country the duration of Parliaments ought to be short. Mr. HADFEELD seconded the motion.

Mr. W.aixout proved, however, that Mr. Cox's history was very inaccu- rate ; that the acts he cited referred to the frequent sittings of Parliament, not to frequent elections of Parliament; that in Henry VIII's reign a Par- liament sat for six years, in Elizabeth's reign one sat eleven years; and that

one of the longest Parliaments we know of sat in the reign of Charles Experience shows that the Septennial Act affords the wisest solution of the question of the duration of Parliaments. When the triennial act was in force one year was spent in election business; a second in undoing the work of previous Parliaments ; the third in preparing for the general election. Under the Septennial Act the Commons have risen to power, and common- ers, with few exceptions, have been Prime Ministers. The House should pause before it reverted to a substitute which has failed. On a division the motion was negatived by 254 to 57.

REFORMATORY SCHOOLS.—On the motion of Mr. Sergeant DEASY, a bill " to Promote and Regulate Reformatory Schools for Juvenile Offenders in Ireland" was read a first time. The bill enables judges and magistrates to send juvenile offenders under sixteen years of age to reformatory schools, The schools must be under the management of persons of the same religious persuasion as the parents of the child. Inspectors will be appointed. Grand juries and town-councils may raise money in aid of voluntary sub- scriptions for schools. The money spent upon the young delinquents may be recovered from their parents. The Treasury will be empowered to allow 5s. per head per week.

MISCELLANEOUS.—A number of new bills were introduced on Thursday evening, and read a first time. By Mr. LOCKE KING, a bill to abolish the Property Qualification of Members of the House of Commons.

By the LORD ADVOCATE, u bill to make provision for the better govern- ment and discipline of the Universities of Scotland, and improving and regulating the course of study therein ; and for the union of the two Uni- versities and Colleges of Aberdeen. [The Lord Advocate spoke in so low a tone that neither the Members nor the reporters could catch one-half of the explanation of its provisions.] By Lord GODERICH, a bill to provide for the general Registration of Partnerships. By Mr. ADDERLEY, a bill to amend the Public Health Act of 1848, by decentralizing the system now in existence.

THE PATRIOTIC FUND.—A short conversation on the administration of the Patriotic Fund took place in the House of Lords on Monday; it arose out of a motion for returns by the Duke of Norfolk, who made no speech. Lord COLCHESTER consented to produce nearly all the papers asked for, but in regard to one set he objected that their production would involve great trouble and expense. If information were wanted upon any particular case every facility should be afforded him to obtain it. The Duke of NORFOLK consented not to press for these papers. In the course of the con- versation, Lord St. LEONA.RDS and the Duke of NEWCASTLE testified that the fund had been administered free from all sectarian bias. The Duke of NORFOLK said that if he found that the Commissioners had been impartial he should apologize for having raised the question. Lem) HOWDEN.—On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Sir DE Leer EVANS called attention to the recall of Lord Howden from Madrid, and asked an explanation. The Spanish Government were not dissatisfied with him ; there was no rivalry between him and the French Minister ; he was not recalled because he was a Whig, seeing that Lord Malmesbury had refused to accept his resignation in 1852. Under these circumstances it was not to be wondered at if an opinion prevailed that Lord Howden's originated in the exigencies of a foreign Government about to resort to the old Bourbon policy in Spain. Mr. SEYMOUR FITZGERALD assured the House that Lord Howden had been recalled because Lord Malmesbnu thought the interests of the country would be beat served by appointing some one else in his place, and not because any foreign Government had suggested that recall. iord PALMRRSTON said the explanation was not satisfactory. He bore a high testimony to the able manner in which Lord Howden had represented the British Government at Madrid. " Both per- sonally and on public grounds, for reasons of which they were the best judges, the late Government thought it right to place the interests of the country at Madrid in no other hand."

DR. BERNARD'S TRIAL.—Several questions were put to the Attorney- General, by Mr. ROEBUCK, Sir RICHARD BETHBLL, and Sergeant Kozo- LAKE in regard to the case of Dr. Bernard. Sir Frrinor KELLY said the Government did not intend to go on with the indictment for conspiracy, be- cause to do so would infringe the rule " Nemo debet bis veined pro adore causa." Sir RICHARD Biernium said that the late Government had decided that there was no reasonable ground for supposing that the charge of being accessary to the crime of murder could be maintained successfully. Did Mr. Bodkin, in altering the charge from one of conspiracy intosone of murder, act under the direction of the Government ? Sir FITZROY /C Y in reply did not give a direct answer, but simply described the change in the indictment, and asserted that no Law-officer would have done his duty had he hesitated for one moment to proceed on the capital charge. Mr. WALPOLE, m reply to Sergeant KLEGLAKE, said that not one step had been taken without the sanction and advice of the Attorney-General. EAST INDIAN RAILWAYS.—Mr. LIDDELL moved for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the causes of the delay in the construction of railways in India. The question of railways for India was brought under the notice of the Government in 1841. It is now 1858, and yet only about 300 miles of railway have been constructed in India : 121 miles in Bengali 87 in Bombay, and 91 in Madras. Mr. Liddell imputed the delays to the interference of the Indian Government with the companies. The civil engineer is controlled by a military engineer appointed by the Govern- ment. The railway company cannot select its own staff of servants without the sanction of the Government; neither can it enter into any contracts, nor buy timber, nor obtain stores from England. This has led to months of de- lay, in one case to a delay of a year and a half. Mr. Liddell asked for a Committee in order that the causes of these delays may be ascertained and remedies provided. Mr. CRAWFORD seconded the motion, and cited further instances of ob- struction. [During his speech an attempt was made to count out the House.] Mr. Banzte objected to the appointment of the Committee as unneces- sary. He declared himself astonished at the progress of Indian railways, and insisted that the supervision was necessary. Mr. AYRTON and Mr. ManaLes supported the motion. The House was cleared for a division, but at the last moment the Govern- ment withdrew its opposition, and the motion was agreed to. - Dualist PORT-DUTIES.—On the motion of Mr. VANCE, a Select Commit- tee was on Tuesday appointed to inquire into the mode of levying duties on shipping in the port of Dublin, and what equivalent can be supplied by that Port for the sum now paid into the Consolidated Fund. The duties were originally imposed to enable the Dublin Corporation to erect a pier at Kingston, but when Kingston was made a harbour of refuge the duties were not abolished. A vessel bound for Dublin but making no use of Kingston harbour pays the tax, while vessels using Kingston harbour do not pay. But the dues are security for a debt to the Consolidated Fund. The CHAN- =AR of the EXCHEQUER said he could not consent to any arrangement thst would diminish the amount paid to that fund. He, however, was willing there should be an inquiry.

Dann:non IN DONEGAL.—Mr. BAOWELL moved for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into the destitution in Donegal. The Question whether there is destitution in Donegal was much disputed ; the allegation originally proceeded from ten Roman Catholic priests. A Poor- law Inspector visited the district, and made quite a contrary report of the existing state of things. The question was warmly debated, chiefly by the Irish Members, and was carried to a division, when the motion was affirmed by 147 to 111.

THE INDIAN RnsoLunows.—The following resolutions were laid upon the table of the House of Commons on Monday night—

Monday, April 26. Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer,—Government of India,—to move that this House will upon Friday, the 30th day of this instant April, resolve itself into a Committee to consider the Act of the 16th and 17th of Victoria, cap. 95, " to provide for the government of India."

" Resolutions to be Proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 30th of April.

"1. That, as the territories under the government of the East India Company are by law to remain under such government only until Parlia- ment shall otherwise provide, this House is of opinion that it is expedient that the transfer of such government to the Crown should now take place, in order that the direct superintendence of the whole empire may be placed under one executive authority.

" 2. That for this purpose it is expedient to provide that her Majesty, by one of her Principal Secretaries of State, shall have and perform all the powers and duties relating to the government and revenues of India which are or may be now exercised and performed by the East India Com- pany, or by the Court of Directors or Court of Propnetors of the said Com- pany, either alone or with the approbation of the Commissioners for the Affairs of India.

"3. That such Secretary of State shall be responsible for the government of India and the transaction of business in the United Kingdom relating thereto in the same manner and to the same extent as any of her Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State are responsible in the several departments over which they preside. " 4. That, in order to assist such Secretary of State in the discharge of his duties, it is expedient that a Council be appointed of not less than twelve nor more than eighteen members. "5. That, in order to secure the greatest amount of knowledge and ex- perience in the management of the affairs of India, it is advisable that the principal portion of the members of the Council shall have served in India for a term of years to be limited by statute. "6. That, with a view to the efficiency and independence of the Council, it is expedient that it should be partly nominated and partly elected. " 7. That the members of the nominated portion of the Council shall be selected by her Majesty, subject, as a general rule, to the qualification above expressed, and one-half at the least of the elected members shall possess the like qualification. " 8. That the members of the elected portion of the Council shall be chosen by a constituency composed of persons who have previously held military commissions or civil appointments in India, in her Majesty's ser- vice or in that of the Government of India, or who may possess a direct in- terest, to an amount to be specified, in some property charged or secured on the revenues or territories of India.

"9. That the Council shall be presided over by the Secretary of State, or by some member of the Council to be nominated by him as Vice-Presi- dent.

"10. That arrangements shall be made from time to time by the Secre- tary of State and the Council for the meetings of the Council, for the mode of procedure at such meetings, and for the distribution and transaction of business.

" 11. That all despatches; letters, orders, and communications shall be addressed to the Secretary of State, and shall be open to the inspection of every member of the Council, except such as are now by law addressed to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors.

" 12. That the recommendation of persons for first appointments shall be made to her Majesty by the Secretary of State, with the concurrence of the Council ; and the same rules shall be observed in the making of such recommendations as have been followed by the Court of Directors in the making of such appointments.

" 13. That, for the purpose of ascertaining the fitness of persons for the several appointments for which they may be so recommended, the same rules for the examination of cadets and of clerks shall be adhered to which are now followed by the Court of Directors of the East India Company, until the same be altered by the Secretary of State and Council of India.

" 14: That provision shall be made for transferring to the Crown all the real and personal property of the Company, except their capital stock, and the dividend thereon, so as to vest the same in her Majesty, for the purposes of the government of India ; for continuing the charge on the revenues of India alone of the dividend on the capital stock of the ;said Company until the redemption thereof, and of all the territorial and other debts and en- gagements which are payable by the Company out of the revenues of In- dia ; for auditing the accounts of the home Government of India, under the direction of her Majesty's Treasury ; for laying such accounts annually before Parliament ; and for securing the preference given by the 3d and 4th of William IV to the dividends on the capital stock of the said Company and the right of the said Company to demand the redemption of such dividends,. and their right on the Security Fund undiminished and unaffected by the transfer to the Crown of the direct government of her Majesty's Indian pos- sessions."