73tbatts. anit Virntetbings in glarlfanunt.

THE BUDGET.

The House of Commons went into Committee of Ways and Means on Monday, in order to the financial statement. Sir Cnanr..ne Wool) began by claiming indulgence, not only on account of the severe indisposition which made him feel not very able to make the effort, but also on account of the unusually heavy demand which he had to prefer.

There never was a time, it is true, when the finances of the country were so well able to bear an extraordinary pressure. At the beginning of January there was a balance in the treasury of more than 9,000,00014 and, for the first time within the memory of any person conversant with financial affairs, there had been no occasion to have any recourse to such things as Deficiency Bills. Mr. Goul- burn's estimate of the revenue for the current financial year has been exceeded in every branch: the Customs show an increase for the nine months over the cor- responding period of last year in every item except the reduced duties; the Ex- cise in every article, down even to post-horse duties, except soap, which had been interfered with by some accidental circumstances, This increase is still going on : for the six weeks of the current quarter already completed there is an increase of half a million. It is not to be expected, however, that the country will escape oae of those reactions which appear to be periodical, as in 1825 and 1836. The high price of food presses upon the lives of many and upon the comforts of all classes, and it must tend to check consumption and the increase of the revenue. The total produce of the Customs and Excise duties for last year, ending on the 5th of January, was 34,557,0001. Of this gross son; articles of food contributed 5,530,0001.; liquids, each as wine spirits, tea, coffee, and beer, 21,787,000/4 to- bacco, 4,336,0001.; making the total amount of revenue produced by the duties on articles of food, solid and liquid, 31,653,0001., out of 34,557,0001. Nothing like the violent revulsion of 1825 and 1.836 is to be feared. The experience of former reactions has not been lost on merchants and traders. Sir Robert Peel's recent Banking Bill has saved us from a great amount of wild speculation and distress; and many opponents of the measure have become converts to it from witnessing its operation. Capital has been applied principally to the construction of great lines of communication throughout the country, affording employment to large bodies of the people, and benefiting the exchequer to a considerable extent. Contemporaneously with the high price of food has been the high price of cot- ton, and a consequent depression of manufactures. In Manchester on the 3d of February, out of 175 mills, 58 were working short time, 13 were stopped; out of 39,389 hands, 13,806 were working short time, and 2,638 were out of work. The scarcity of food on the Continent has contributed to the demand for bullion' and the difficulty of obtaining money has limited commercial enterprise. Still it, is satisfactory to observe, that the amount of bullion in the coffers of the Bank of England at present is only 1,177,0001. less than it was at this time last year. "On the 14th of February 1846, the amount of bullion in the Bank coffers was 18,476,0001.; and on the 13th of February 1847 it was 12,299,0001. I am al-

most surprised at the small amount of bullion sent out of the importa- tion and the

circumstance is satisfactory inasmuch as it proves that the enormous of corn and other food for the people, which has been going on for some time past, has contributed to the prosperity of manufactures by creating a great de- mand for manufactured goods, which have been sent to America and elsewhere in payment for grain. I am happy to find, that by the most recent accounts there is not the same demand for gold that has heretofore prevailed. It likewise affords me mach gratification to be able to state, that the great banking estab- lishment of France is better able to meet the demands upon it than it was some time ago. I say that it gives me pleasure to state that, because it is impossible for any misfortune to attend the currency and commercial interests of Prance which would not tell and react upon us. Mr. Goulbum had anticipated a surplus revenue of 776,0001. on the 5th of April next: the actual surplus on the 5th of January last, amounted to 2,846,0001.; and, as Sir Charles lied already stated, the progress of the revenue during the current quarter has exceeded all expectation. Several circumstances justify the expectation that the receipts for the next year will not be less. For example, if the Corn-duty be less, the produce of the Sugar-duty is likely to be greater. "But, more than that: there are three items, and only three, upon which the Customs-duties fell off in the course of the last nine months—articles upon which the ditties were reduced, but the import of which has considerably increased; they are butter, cheese' and silk manufactures. I find that in the nine months from April to December, the butter imported in 1845 was 201,000 hun- dredweight; in 1846 it was 217,000 hundredweight. Of cheese the quantity imported was in 1845, 202,000 hundredweight; in 1846, 265,000 hundredweight. Of silk manufactures, 218,000 pounds in 1845; 297,000 pounds in 1846. Here again is an instance in which a reduction of duty tends to promote an increased consumption of the article; affording a prospect that, at any rate before long, the amount of duty received may by an increased importation be equal to the duty originally obtained." With a little variation, therefore, Sir Charles assumed that therevenue for 1847-8 would be the same as that for the current year—

Customs £20,000,000 Excise 13,700,000 Stamps 7,500,000 Taxes (Land and Assessed) ,270,0°0 000

Property-tax 54300

845,000 Post-office Crown Lands 120,000 311seellaneons 380,000

Total ordinary, income 52,065,000 In like manner, he could not assume that the expenditure would be less. The Estimates for the last two years have been below the actual expenditure, and the present Estimates are swelled by deferred votes; moreover, 1,500 men have been added to the Marine force. These are the items of estimated expenditure—

National Debt £28,045,000 Consolidated Feud Charges 2,700,000 30,745,000 Army 6,840,074 Navy 7,561,876 Ordnance 2,679.127 Miscellaneous 3,750,000 Total ordinary Expenditure £51,576,077

From these Estimates he had purposely omitted all consideration of the Irish distress; and the question now arose, what would be required on that bead? Hitherto all the money for public works has been advanced by the Treasury; the property of Ireland has as yet repaid nothing. It has no doubt paid the poor rate for 1846, (390,0001.,) and local subscriptions to relief-funds have been paid. It is difficult to estimate the needful amount of expenditure very nicely; for it de- rinds upon a number of facts over which Ministers have no control. The number of persons relieved on public works has been increasing with frightful rapidity: at the end of September it was 30,000; at the end of January, 671,000. The expense for the permanent staff of the Board of Works-for January was 20,5001. Government has expended in the purchase of grain 295,0001. The issues from the Exchequer under the Labour-rate Act, to the 20th of Feb- rnary, were. 2,400,0001.; and of that 2,000,0001. has actually been paid. In fact, the gross expenditure will not fall very far below a million each month. He believed that the administration of relief by means of Relief Committees. and soup-kitchens would be much cheaper than it is by means of pablic works. On the other hand, though he was sanguine in the hope that.the measure for the improvement of estates would work well, and might tend to re- lieve the pressure onthe public works, it would,not in the first instance diminish the charge on the public. He could not estimate the probable demands on the. Treasury for the year ending with August next at less than 10,000,0001.; whereof about two millions has been actually paid, leaving 8,000,0001. to be provided in fature. Under these circumstances, the House would not be surprised at his having resisted Lord George Bentinck's demand for 16,000,0001. Now came the question, haw to raise the money: It is clear that no practicable amount of taxation would provide for the increased demand off-band. Should he, then, borrow the whole, or a part? To borrow a part, would involve a great drain upon the balances in the-Exchequer; and, considering- the state of the money-marketwith the extent to which the finances stood pledged for advances, he was very unwilling to adopt that course. No one can tell how the next har- vest may turn out. Last year there was imported for home consumption, in grain mad &Mr of all kinds, 5,318,000 quarters, chiefly the produce of 1845, By, August next, preceding harvests will be to a great extent exhausted. With such uncertainty, it would be very unwise not to maintain in the Exchequer those large balances-which have afforded the means of making advances. And as another reason for borrowing, Sir Charles observed, that he was not making a permanent addition to the Public Debt of the whole amount borrowed, because a considerable portion of it is-nitimately to be repaid by the Irish, proprietors. (Laughter.) The next question is, should the borrowing.be accompanied by increased taxa- tion? He thought not- This would-be a most unfortunate time to alter the taxation of the country. Should. the harvest fail, and should there be no crop of potatoes, it might be neeaar.aly next season to make a further demand on the public resources. Next session it will be necessary to dealwith the Income-tax— perhaps in a new Parliament; and it was therefore better to leave the question of taxation opem He made no doubt that he could-borrow the 8,000,0001. at the rate of 3i per cent; which -would entail an annual charge of 280,0001. That would not be the only demand for interest. In order to keep Exchequer Bills above par, it will be necessary to increase the interest from lid-. a day to 2& a day; the annual increased cost being 142,0001.; and making with the previous- sum an increase in the charge for the Debt of 422,0001. The total expenditure of the country, therefore, for 1847-8, he estimated at 51,998,0001.; leaving a surplus of only 67,000/. He expected 450,0001. from China; but against that must be set an excess of naval expenditure for the cur- rent financial year, of 185,0001. The final result would be as follows—

Total Income £52,515,000 Total Expenditure 52,183,000 Surplus £332,000

This state of the finances must be his answer to gentlemen on either side of the House, who had on various occasions pressed him to reduce the duty on tea, to- bacco, paper, copper, or any articles which produce a considerable amount of duty. Sir Charles also stated that he did not mean to propose this session an annual duty in lien of the Sugar-duties; especially as two votes about to be proposed would give the full advantage of annual dutiesi—namely, the motion with which he was about conclude for this year, and the revision of the Income-tax for next ye, ar. Sir Charles admitted that he had opposed the Income-tax to meet a deficiency of 2,500,0001.; but it had enabled the House to adopt beneficial changes in our. commercial system, proposed. by Sir Robert Peel; and, without approving of all the details, Sir Charles fully concurred in the policy of those measures. To show their working, he read a statement respecting the quantities of articles entered for consumption during the last four years. "Of coffee, it appears there were entered for home consumption in the year, 1843, 30,031,422 pounds; in 1844, 31,391,297 pounds; in 1845, 34,318,095 pounds; and in1846, 36,781,391 pounds. The next article is butter. The quantity entered in 1843 was 148,295 hundred- weight; in 1844, 180,965 hundredweight; in 1845, 240,118 hundredweight; and in 1846, 255,130 hundredweight. I next come to cheese. Of that article in 1843 there were entered for home consumption 166,563 hundredweight; in 1844, 212,206 hundredweight; in 1845, 258,246 -hundredweight; and in 1846, 327,490 hundredweight. I may observe that I have not yet heard of any complaints from the Cheshire farmers on this subject. I find that the quantity of currents entered in 1843 was 254,727 hundredweight; in 1844, 286,116 hundredweight; in 1846, 309,799 hundredweight; and in 1846, 359,315 hundredweight. The quantity of sugar entered in 1818 was 4,037,921 hundredweight; in 1844, 4,139,983 hundredweight; in 1846, 4,880,606 hundredweight; and in 1846, 5,231,848 hundredweight. Now, upon all the articles I have mentioned the duty has been reduced; and I have reserved till the last the great article of tea, for the reduetion of the duty upon which so much interest has been evinced. It is,how- ever, only fair.to state, that though the duty upon tea has not been reduced, from various circumstances, well known to the commercial world, the price of tea has been considerably reduced. There were entered for home consumption in 1843, 40,304,407 pounds of tea; in 1844, 41,369,351 pounds; in 1846, 44,183,135 pounds; and in 1846, 46,728,208 pounds. All theme articles are largely con- sumed by the great body of the people; and it must certainly be satisfactory to the House and to the country to find to whatan enormous extent the consump- tion of such articles has increased. This consumption could not be confined to the higher and more wealthy classes; but it is perfectly evident from its extent that it has been spread over the great body of the people."

Sir Charles concluded by moving "that a sum of 8,000,0001. be granted out of the Consolidated Fund for the supply of her Majesty."

A long and discursive debate followed. All the speakers expressed ap- proval of the manner in which the financial statement had been laid before them. • , Mr. Hu az objected to granting 10,000,0001. for Ireland without some guarantee that remedial measures would be carried into effect. The policy of the Government seemed limited entirely to Ireland. He would have had them meet the extraordinary expenditure there by extraordinary means, and devote the surplus revenue to great commercial objects.

Mr. WILLIAMS objected to the large expenditure: the present Estimates show an excess of 7,793,0001. over the Estimates of 1835, prepared by Sir Robert Peel and accepted by his successors.

Mr. ROEBUCK, before voting 10,000,0001. for Ireland, demanded to know what was the intention of Government with respect to other Irish mea- sures, particularly with regard to the Poor-law: it was understood that seventy of the largest-proprietors were against the bill. He insisted that the Chancellor of.the Exchequer ought to meet the expenditure of the year by the taxation of the year; and for that purpose, he ought to impose a pro- perty and income tax on Ireland. It ought not to be forgotten that great distress existed, in England. A.committee of gentlemen at Mallow had discovered 'the startling fact,. that a large portion of people in that dis- trict had been habitually in want orfood, living on half a meal a day. Unusual, attention has recently been drawn to Ireland: those who were accustomed to England fancied that these scenes must be unexampled, and they attempted to relieve the distress: but they only added to it; they dried up the usual sources of charity, withdrew the people from the ord. tivation of the land, converted Government into corn-chandlers and millers, and demoralized the people. There was a rush of misery; the assistance given last year made the people abandon all exertion and depend upon Go.. vernment for subsistence this year: the news of this- loan would excite the same cry for food next. year—the same cry of Give, give." All private benevolence would be exhausted. under such a mass of misery; and they must take care that Ireland did not drag.Englanddown in a common ruini Lord Jona RUSSELL replied to Mr. Roebuck, that the time when the landlords have lost large portions of their incense, and in some oases the whole, is not the time for imposing new tame He cited evider tbat the ordinary scarcity in England, or even in Ireland, is a toti..„ Terent thing from the mortal starvation which now prevails. With respect to a. poor-law, although there might be much variety of opinion on the detailsf he did not think there would-be any objection to the general principleir Lord GEORGE BErirrarcu denied. that the prosperity described by.Sin Charles Wood was due to free trade: increased consumption had taken plaoe in many articles, such as butter and malt, in which there had been no re- duction. He imputed the prosperity to railway enterprise. If free trade had caused any increase it was in slave-grown sugar, and in foreign silk; the silk-weavers of Spitields suffering a further increase of their misery. Lord George read an address from the Spitalfields weavers to himself, clo- sing in these terms- " We entertain the idea that had your Lordship possessed the reins of Govern- ment—(" Hear, hear!")—the people of that country would not have perished to the extent they have, because we conceive that your Lordship would have re- garded not the fashionable principles of political eco.i‘Any; Whereby the prop* might have been saved." That letter, added Lord George, expressed the feabere of the working classes respecting these doctrines of political economy; and is agreecLwith them. Mr. SHAW promised the cooperation of the Irish proprietors with' Government, especially in a candid consideration of-the Poor-law.

Mr. Gomm:raw criticized the financial proposal in a spirit of general op" proval ; and replied to Lord George Bentinck. In the increased con- snmption of sugar there has been so small a proportion of slave-labour, sugar, that no account can be made of it. If the imports of silk have in-. creased, so have the exports. If the consumption of untaxed articles has increased, it has been through the relief of industry by reduction in articles of prime necessity, which has increased the consuming power. As to rail- way enterprise, large speculations have formerly been coincident with de- ficient revenue: in 1841, notwithstanding the deficiency of that time,. 47,729,000/. had been invested by fourteen companies.

Mr. VERNON SMITE( recommended Terminable Annuities instead of Three-and-a-half per Cent Stock. Alderman TnomrsoN commended the. practice of keeping large balances in the Exchequer. Mr.liorrerr wished for further information on the Annual Duties Bill. Mr. FRANCIS BARING argued against the necessity of annul duties: he did not see the use of ex- posing a particular trade to a yearly "botheration." He took rather a gloomy view of financial affairs, and tried to stimulate Mr. Hume not to rest so much on his laurels, but to exert himself for the future. Mr. Hume —" It is perfectly hopeless to do it." Mr. MUNTZ would rather increase taxation at once than put off the evil day. Mr. Brouoire Escorr ob- jected to increased taxation by an effete Parliament; and rather blamed Government for keeping up taxes on articles of needful consumption, while taking a loan on account of distress. Mr. EWART concurred in that view: the timeis at hand for a courageous revision of the whole financial system. Mr. BANICES advocated the scheme of his noble friend Lord George Bentinck. Mr. MORGAN Jour; O'CONNELL said a few words Ibr Ministers-and Irish necessities. Mr. nava was anxious for a revision of the currency; but heartily approved of Sit Charles Wood's course, as the beet under the circumstances.

The formal vote of 8,000,0001. was agreed to; and the House resumed.

IRISH RELIEF.

In the House of Lords, on Tuesday, the Destitute Persons (Ireland) Bill was read a third time, and passed; Lord _BROUGHAM pointing out some verbal defects, which were amended.

LOANS TO IRIS/I LANDLOItDS.

In Committee of the whole House, on Monday, to consider the Landed Property (Ireland) Advances Bill a resolution was agreed to, author- izing the Treasury to advance sums not exceeding 1,500,0001. for the pur- poses of that bill.

IRISH TENANT RIGHT.

On Thursday, Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD moved for leave to bring in a bill to secure the rights of occupying tenants in Ireland, and thereby ,to promote the improvement of the soil and the employment of the labouring classes. Having discussed the subject very fully on a recent occasion, he now treated it very briefly. He calculated that the measure would put tin active circulation 6,000,0004 and give increased employment to 1,911,000 people. It is known that in this time of distress the deposits of the fanners in the savings-banks are doubled: lacking security for improvements, the farmers put their money _by; but give right of tenure, and the money would be employed upon the land.

Mr. LABOUCHERE observed, that as Government intended to introduce a bill on the same subject, any observations he might have to make had better be deferred to that occasion. Meanwhile, he willingly assented to the introduction of Mr. Crawford's bill.—Leave granted; Pooa-sAms IN IRELAND.

On the same day, Mr. CRAWFORD moved the second reading of his Poor- rates (Ireland) Bill; the object of which is to enforce payment of rates. It relieved the tenant from obligation to pay the landlord's rates; and if the landlord did not pay, a receiver ,would be appointed to collect the rents and deduct the rates.

Colonel CONOLLY and Captain Jorms suggested difficulties in the work- ing of such a measure: but Sir GEORGE GREY said, that the principle-- the division of landlords' and tenants' rates—was BO good, that the a. justment of the details had better be discussed at a future stage. The ball was also supported by Mr. Pour..nrr Sonora and Mr. Browser& Escari- Read a.second time. DISTRESS IN SCOTLAND: COLONEL WLEOD.

On Monday, Mr. ELLicz called attention to the distress in Scotland He quoted some particulars of the destitution from a report made by Mr.

Fraser, who had visited the Western Highlands at the request of the Edin- burgh Relief Committee: the details were similar to those already men- tioned. Mr. Ellice then adverted to the praiseworthy conduct of Colonel • M'Leod of M'Leod, and read the following passage from a letter written by Mrs. M'Leod-

"Mr. Ellice is perhaps aware of the great exertions her son M'Leod has al- ready made. The pressure upon him has become so great that he is now com-

pelled to throw all his nnentailed property into the market. About Christmas, he thought by means of the Drainage Act he might get through this terrible year without ruinous loss; but now he sees more into the extent of the evil, and he states that for the two next months the whole population must be supported gratis, while the men are employed in preparing their ground for seed; and seed must be given, or the consequence will be awful. The quantity required for Skye alone will be very large; and M'Leod at all events cannot, however willing he may be, raise the sum necessary for his part of the island. His own expression is= Unless some means are speedily taken to supply these wants, the people must starve: there is no help for it, for the proprietors cannot support them any longer without assistance.'" These facts were corroborated by Mr. HENRY BAILLIE; who stated that on Saturday last he received a letter from M'Leod of M'Leod, in- forming him that the population on his estate, amounting to 8,000 persons, were wholly dependent upon him for support.

Sir GEORGE GREY admitted the existence of severe distress, and the noble conduct of the great majority of the proprietors. There were ex- ceptions, however; and Government had caused inquiry to be made into every case of neglect which had become known to them. Inquiry was also directed into the proper carrying out of the Poor-law. Captain Pole had visited some of the distressed districts and supplied them with meal. Sir George trusted that the exertions of the Scotch proprietors, aided by Government, would be able to preserve Scotland from the extremity of destitution which had befallen Ireland.

THE RATE-PAYING CLAUSES.

On Tuesday, Mr. THOMAS BUNCOMBE moved for leave to introduce a bill to repeal the rate-paying clauses of the Reform Act. Those clauses are in contravention of Lord John Russell's own words in introducing the

'Reform Bill; when he said that "the constitution of the country declared that no man should be taxed for the support of the state who had not con- sented, by himself or by his representative, to the imposition of such tax." The rate-paying clauses reverse that principle, declaring that a man shall pay the tax before he exercises the power. When Lord John Russell in- troduced the measure, he calculated that it would give the franchise to nearly 500,000 persons; in the new Metropolitan boroughs, to 95,000 persons. In practice, the constituencies fall far short of the calculation. In the Metropolitan boroughs, there are few more than 45,000 voters; and the duplicates are a fifth of the whole number. In the City, in Westmin- Ster, and in Southwark, the number of electors has actually decreased. In Southwark there are, on the same register, 16,213 houses, 5,047 voters; in Liverpool, 42,924 houses, 14,970 voters; in Manchester, 42,059 houses, 12,150 voters; in Birmingham, 36,121 houses, 4,619 voters. Last year, 1,200 electors were disfranchised in Marylebone, because there was no col- lector within seven days of the 20th of July. Mr. Duncombe read farther documents illustrating the operation of the clause in disfranchising electors; and pointed to the proper mode of compelling the payment of rates, by the ordinary process of distress-warrants.

Mr. ROEBUCK seconded the motion.

Lord Jonrs RUSSELL contended that the clauses introduced no new principle at the time of the Reform Bill. The ancient right of voting for counties was derived from the possession of freehold property to the value of 40s. annually; for boroughs, from the holding house and paying "scot and lot," that is parish-rates. In the case of county voters, security was teken that electors should be possessed of property; in the case of bo- roughs, the electors were not to be mere holders, but persons who by the payment of rates gave security to the state that they were fit persons to be iutrusted with a vote. "Therefore this principle is not a new principle which has been introduced into the Reform Bill." In introducing that measure, the calculations were of course extremely vague, and he might be excused if the estimate had not been fully borne out. Mr. Dunconthe had shown that a great extension of the franchise had taken place, for that a constituency of 45,000 had been created in the Metropolis; and there was an extension of the franchise to a great many other towns; only es- tablishing a property qualification analogous to the ancient kind- " I own this was a wise and constitutional provision, and in conformity with the ancient laws of this country; and I think, in intrusting the franchise, it was only wise to ascertain that the people to whom we gave it were people of some amount of property,—not but there may be some people without property who might make as good voters,—and must believe that when we intrust the fran- chise to people of a certain amount of property, we are generally likely to have better elections than when we make the suffrage universal. Yet, I think, if we lay down the qualification to be the possession of a certain amount of property, we should test it in some manner or another, and have some particular proof that the people claiming to be qualified to vote are people possessing property. "1 own and think, that if we take away the obligation to pay rates and taxes, and allow the mere residence of an individual in a ten-pound house to qualify him to vote, it would be difficult to distinguish between the actual occupier of the house and the mere lodger; but when we see that such people are solvent and regular in their payments of taxes and rates, then we have that security which the State demands; and they have a feeling common with the interests of the State in the maintenance of the laws and constitution of the country." By the 6th and 7th Victoria cap. 18,6ec. 11, it is provided that ample notice of

the rates claimed shall be posted up. "I consider that the man who lives in a 101. house, and saw stuck up such an express notice to pay, is quite inexcusable for not paying. If he be a sorvent man, he ought to pay his rates; but, on the other hand, if he is a man who finds himself incapacitated from paying, then he has no right to claim a vote for a ten-pound house, and is likely to be entrapped bi- the _payment of his rates by others; or, if he be not paying rates for a ten- pound house, he ought to be contented to forego his vote. I cannot therefore think that the bill of my honourable friend is a bill in point of principle at all de- fensible."

The debate was continued at some length, though without much novelty

in the way of argument. The motion was supported by Mr. GISBORNE, Mr. Hews, Sir BENJAMIN Hsu., Mr. TENNYSON D'Erwcounr, Captain PECHELL, • Mr. WAKLEY, Sir CHARLES NAPIER, Mr. WILLIAMS, and Mr. DICK/1AM ESCOTT. It VMS opposed by Mr. PHILIP HOWARD, Sir GEORGE GREY, Lord GEORGE BENTINCK, and Colonel THOMAS Wool). After Sir

George Grey had spoken, late in the debate, Sir CHARLES NAPIER declared his satisfaction that the mouth of one more Minister had been unsealed ; and he called for declarations of opinion from other Metropolitan Members in the Government,—Admiral Dundas, the Member for Greenwich, Mr. Hawes, and Colonel Fox. [No response.] On a division, the motion for leave was negatived, by 58 to 38.

ROMAN CATHOLIC DIEAMILITIES.

On Monday, Mr. WATSON moved the second reading of the Roman Catholic Relief BilL Its principle was, that no man should be subject to penal laws for the exercise of his religion; and it proposed to remove those traces of the penal enactments against Roman Catholics which had been left by the Catholic Emancipation Act in 1829, and which have been strangely. called " the safeguards of the Established Church." With the assistance of Sir Robert Peel, some further clearance was effected in 1844. Mr. Wat- son mentioned some cases of penal enactments still unrepealed. Under the 1st Elizabeth, cap. 1, to deny the supremacy of the Sovereign subjects the offender for the first offence to forfeiture, for the second to the penalty of prremunire, for the third to death. About ten years after the act was passed, a man was condemned to death at Winchester, by Chief Baron Manwood, for praising an old doctrinal book of the Roman Catholic Church. Now this enactment is quite needless, because the supremacy of the Sove- reign rests on the common law of England. Another surviving enactment forbids a bull to be sent over to a Roman Catholic Bishop. Such he pro- posed to repeal: also, those enactments prohibiting processions in the pub- lic street, and imposing the obsolete penalty of banishment on persons ob- serving the duties of the regular clergy; but he should not object to their being modified in Committee. He did not ask the bill as a concession to Roman Catholics, but as a concession to Protestants, who are disgraced while such enactments remain on the statute-book.

Sir ROBERT IsnaLts opposed the motion' as tending to destroy the se- curities reserved to the Protestant Church by the bill of 1829. He denied that the Roman Catholics sustain any practical inconvenience; for although the power is retained the penalties are not enforced, and Mr. Watson was obliged to go back to the Winchester case for an instance. At the time of the Emancipation Act, Mr. Fraukland Lewis, then first Commissioner of Education, said that ample security was taken to prevent the increase of Jesuits in this country. It is notorious that they have increased. As to the processions, would it be endurable that the host should be paraded about the streets? He called upon the House to confirm its decision of last year; and moved as an amendment that the bill be read a second time that day six months.

The original motion was supported by Mr. BiCKHAM Escorr, Mr. MAC- AULAY, Mr. SMITH O'BRIEN, Mr. JOHN O'Coterier.s., Lord GEORGE BEW- TINCK, and the Earl of ARUNDEL and SURREY. The amendment was supported by Colonel BIBTHORP, Mr. FINCH, Mr. SPOONER, Mr. NEWDE- GATE, Mr. LAW, and Mr. GOULBURN.

A few of the more telling points in the speeches may be noted. Mr. Escorr declared that the pains and penalties effect no useful purpose whatever. They bring in no funds for the support of the Established Church; do not prevent conversions to the Roman Catholic Church. Instead of looking to the times of Queen Mary, Sir Robert Inglis should look to the individual now sitting in St. Peter's chair, who is teaching a lesson to the sovereigns of Europe in ; the exercise of government.

Mr. MACAULAY asked whether it was really the intention of the House that every Ro:nan Catholic in England should be subject to fine and imprisonment for being a Roman Catholic? "Suppose Dr. Wiseman were to preach a sermon on the text 'Thou art Peter,' treating it in the sense in which it is understood by the whole Roman Catholic Church : is it seriously meant that the Attorney-General should be obliged to prosecute Dr. Wiseman for teaching and enforcing this doc- trine? And if Dr. Wiseman were sent to Newgate for preaching that sermon, is there one man in this House who could say that it would be justifiable? I ven- ture to say there is not. Here, then, you have an enactment which this bill pro- poses to repeal." • The act against the importation of balls, writings, or instruments, or other superstitious things, was repealed, 'so far only as the same imposes the penalties or punishments therein mentioned': but it was also expressly declared that there was nothing in the act to 'authorize, or render it lawful, for any person or persons to import, bring in, or put in execution within this realm, any such bulls, writings, or instruments; and that in all respects, save as to the said penalties or punish- ments, the law shall continue the same as if this enactment bad not been made.' The effect of this is to leave the bringing in a bull, a rescripSt or an Agnes Dei into this kingdom, subject to fine and imprisonment, as for a misdemeanour." In one of the debates on the subject, Hr. Spooner declared that he could not recon- cile to his conscience the repeal of a law which made those who brought in bulls- from Rome liable to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. "Is it really meant to continue legislating for the Roman Catholics so as to prevent their importing a crucifix from Rome without being liable to pains and penalties? Is it really meant to maintain that law?"

Mr. Macaulay was opposed, however, to repealing the prohibition against pro- cessions, because it would lead to violations of decency, and disturbances of the public peace. "I am convinced that no procession could pass through the streets without something dcenrring that must be offensive to thefeelings of every Roman Catholic. I think few processions could take place without leading to disturbance or breach of the peace. Religions processions are not allowed in India; though, if there is a tolerant Government on the face of the earth, I think it is the Go- vernment of India: yet they constantly prohibit the processions of the Mahome- tans, when such processions would be dangerous to the public peace from the risk of collision with the followers of Ali and Omar: and I must say that I have no objection to any law that prevents the celebration in public of Roman Ca- tholic rites which when celebrated in public are likely to be celebrated amidst circumstances of indecency or outrage. As to religious societies,. he saw no objection to a system of registration. "I cannot think that the religious orders of the Church of Rome could object to that. My objection is to enacting a punishment against a man for being a Franciscan; but it is not punishing a man for being a Franciscan, to oblige him to tell the country that he is one. Sir, with respect to the Jesuits, I am far from giving credit to all the idle scandal that may be wandering over England or France about them, but I say, that if a person who is a Jesuit is found mingling in society,. and disguising the fact that he is so, such a person would be a just object of suspicion to the heads of families with whom he associates, that he is there for the purposes of conversion. Therefore, I think that it is desirable there should be some ternof registration, under which it shall be known who are and who are not members of religious orders in this country." Mr. &HMI 0 Blum mentioned a practical grievance: Sir Michael O'Loghlen ought to have been the Lord Chancellor of Ireland; but he was deprived of that honour because he was 's Roman Catholic.

Mr. Fusel]. felt bound to resist what would establish an imperiwn in imperio. He would give the right of toleration to every other church in existence except the Roman Catholic Church. ("Hear!" atte/ laughter.) He would except them,

because they were opposed to the Royal prerogative, and opposed to the independ- ence of every other church in existence; and that was the reason why he would make that distinction.

Mr. SPOONER insisted, at great length, that Mr. Macaulay had misrepresented him; but without establishing his case very clearly. The Protestant principle is the true principle of the constitution. "We are daily losing our Protestant cha- racter; and I believe, in my conscience, that is one of the causes which have brought down on this afflicted nation the judgment of Almighty God." (Cries of " Oh ! oh !") He did not wish to press his opinion upon the House.

Mr. NEWDEGATE observed that it had been necessary to exclude the Jesuits from all other countries.

Lord GEORGE BENTINCR mentioned examples of practical grievance. In 18371 a cause was tried before Lord Langdale in which a rent-charge upon an estate at Stone Croft, in Northumberland, enjoyed by a Roman Catholic priest and certain Roman Catholic poor, was decided to contrary to the penal statutes' and was forfeited to the Crown. So great was that grievance, that, he believed, the late Government of Sir Robert Peel felt obliged to make a new grant of the rent-charge. Funeral service cannot be performed over Roman Catholics buried in churchyards —that is, in the open air. When Mr. O'Connell went to chapel in Dublin as Lord Mayor, he was obliged to strip off his robes at the chapel-door. As a member of the order of St. Francis, Father Mathew is liable to banishment. Sir ROBERT PEEL would vote for the second reading, and would support part of the bill; but he could not assent to other parts. He would cordially support those which went to abolish statutes that are practically obso- lete; but he was not prepared to interfere with the settlement of 1829. He would not bind himself to a literal adherence to every portion of that mea- sure, but he would substantially maintain its principles: for instance, he would not permit Roman Catholic Prelates to assume the titles of Protest- ant sees. He would not repeal the enactment against processions. Mr. Macaulay said that he would retain it for the purpose of satisfying the public mind: upon the same ground Sir Robert contended for the im- portance of the other provisions of the act of 1829; they were introduced to satisfy the Protestant mind, and for that reason they ought to be con- tinued.

On a division, the amendment was negatived, by 102 to 99; and the bill was read a second time.

JIIVENILR OFFENDERS.

On Tuesday, Sir JOHN PAHINGTON moved for leave to introduce a bin for the more speedy trial and punishment of juvenile offenders. The entire subject of discipline for youthful delinquents is divisible into three great branches,—the education of youth, trial of offenders, and treatment of young convicts: he confined himself to the second branch. He cited a few instances of children committed to prison on the most trifling charges—some twopenny cases of stealing—and exposed to all the contamination of prison, which the Prison Inspectors declared, in their Report of 1836, to be worse in its effects on young prisoners than "absolute impunity." He cited se- veral authorities favourable to summary treatment of juvenile offenders,— namely, the numerous Committee of the Commons in 1834, of which Sir Robert Peel was chairman; Sir Robert Peel individually—and he hoped lie might count upon Sir Robert's support now?—(" Hear, hear! "from Sir Robert Peel)—Lord John Russell, Sir Edward Ryan, the Criminal Law Commissioners, and Mr. M. D. Hill. By his bill he proposed to enact, that all parties of not more than fifteen years of age, committing larcenies on property not exceeding 408. in value should be tried at Petty-Sessions be- fore two Magistrates; who on conviction should have the power to imprison for a period not exceeding two months. He gave to all such parties whose guilt or innocence was involved in circumstances of great doubt the power of claiming to be tried by a Jury at the Quarter-Sessions. He also thought that in certain cases of felony the Magistrates should have the alternative after conviction of imposing a fine instead of imprisonment on the culprit: and his reason for proposing this novel enactment was, that the law would thus be enabled to touch the parents of the child, who in four cases out of five were the really guilty parties.

Sir GEORGE GREY consented to the introduction of the bill, without pledging himself to unqualified support at future stages.

It was supported by Mr. HUME, Mr. SHAw, and Colonel THomas WOOD. Leave was given to bring in the bill.

CONTROL OF RAILWAY ENTERPRISE.

On Tuesday, Mr. ELLICE proposed a resolution directing that all Rail- way Bills in the present session be referred to the Railway Commissioners for their report upon the amount of capital, the mode and purposes of raising it in each case, and on the special powers sought or possessed by each railway company. The necessity of such report was evident from the magnitude of railway transactions. He had received information from

which he gathered these facts. It had been calculated that the capital required for the schemes before the House would amount to 40,000,0001.; but in fact it would amount to 80,000,0001. on subscribed capital and 40,000,0001. in borrowed money. He mentioned the engagements into which a few of the railways had entered: North-western, 28,000,0001.; Great Western, 30,000,0001.; Eastern Counties, 7,600,000/.; Midland Counties, 30,000,0001. Numberless bills are on the table, taking powers for objects and in modes almost as many as there are bills: some pledge the capital of the concern for ulterior objects before the original plan is completed; others guarantee a stated amount of interest; some pay inte- rest before the line produces any returns. Other considerations arise out of the dispute of the gauges, which has been revived. The proposed report would save enormous expenses: he remembered one bill which cost the promoters, in the Commons 150,0001., their opponents probably spend- ing as much; and it was afterwards thrown out in the Lords. Mr. Munson did not oppose the motion; but he stated some particulars in correction. Last year the capital raised under railway bills was 350,000,0001.: he had conjectured that this year it would not require more than 100,000,0001.; and in fact it is not more than 90,000,0001. Mr. Ellice had been led away by misstatements. The engagements of the Midland Company are 14,000,0001., instead of 30,000,000/. Mr. Hudson stated that never since he had had the management of such undertakings had the calls been so promptly paid up: in 1841, he could scarcely induce a person to take a railway share even with a guarantee of six percent; within the last two or three months, he had called for 2,000,0001., and had expe- rienced no difficulty. He deprecated interference with the investment of capital. The motion was supported by Mr. HUME, Sir ROBERT INGLIS, and Lord JOHN RUSSELL. It WIIS carried.

THE ROYAL ASSENT was given by Commission, on Tuesday, to the Brewing from Sugar Bill, the Distilling from Sugar Bill, the Buck-wheat Importation Bill, and the Chelsea Pensioners' Bill. TENANT RIGHT. Mr. POSEY carried the second reading of his Agricultural Tenant Right Bill, on Monday; the bill to be referred to a Committee up stairs.. MARRIAGFA1 &C. DT SCOTLAND. On Monday, Mr. RUTHERFORD (the Lora Advocate) obtained leave to bring in a bill "for registering births, deaths, and marriages in Scotland "; intimating at the same time, that it was a bill very similar to the one now in force in England. On the same day, Mr. RUTHERFURD obtained leave to introduce "a bill to amend the law of Scotland affecting the constitution of marriage." He said that he did not intend to touch the pnnciples of the law of Scotland in relation to marriage, but to narrow the evidence by which a compact so important should be proved, and not to allow it to rest upon such a vague uncertain, and indefinite foundation. Marriage had often been held to be constituted where he really be- lieved parties did not intend it.

LAW OF MORTMAIN. On Tuesday, Lord JOHN MANNERS obtained leave to bring in "a bill to alter and amend the laws relating to the disposition of proper* for pious and charitable purposes." To his bill of last Tear it was objected, that the measure did not sufficiently. guard against the solicitations that might be urged land stmhdintgerarsowsnisz relaxed: %a:intsot mtheeetexttetceteodbieenctriease

he had introduced two new provisions in the present bill; they required that all or deeds containing bequests or grants of land for charitable purposes should

be signed by the testator three months before his death; also, that the property so bequeathed or granted—except small pieces as mere sites for buildings--should not pass in land, but should be sold, and that the proceeds of the sale should be handed over to the charity.

TIM NEW BISHOPRICS. In reply to Mr. Jorm Com.Err and Mr. ROEBUCK, on Tuesday, Lord Jolts RUSSELL stated the intentions of Government respecting the new Bishoprics. It would be impossible to carry out the arrangements without an act of Parliament; which would be introduced as soon as the Com- missioners had come to a decision. It was proposed to maintain the two Bishoprics of St. Asaph and Bangor, and to found a Bishopric of Manchester and likewise three additional Bishoprics. These new sees would be supported from episcopal funds; so that sufficient revenues would be found for additional Bishops without applying ta other sources. It was not intended by her Majesty to sum- mon the new Bishops to sit in Parliament: but it was intended that those holding

i

these sees should sit n Parliament when other Bishoprics, at present giving seats, fell vacant; and that the successors of these should not have a seat until it fell to them in the ordinary course of succession.

WESTMINSTER BRIDGE. On Monday, Sir DE LACY EVANS called for a statement of Ministerial intentions respecting Westminster Bridge. Lord MOR- PETH said, that, looking to the state of the finances, and to the project now before Parliament for a bridge over the river from the Horseferry Read, the Government was not at present prepared to bring forward any plan for rebuild- ing Westminster Bridge. This he had communicated to the Metropolitan Im- provement Commissioners. Since the completion of the repairs, there has been a greater width of roadway than heretofore; and the stability of the structure would be constantly watched.

PRIVATE BUSINESS. On Tuesday, Mr. Hums obtained the appointment of a Select Committee "to continue the inquiry into the Private Business of the House; the expenses attending the obtaining of all Private Bills, including all the expels-. sea of the opponents as well as the promoters of bills, and the taxing of expenses thereto."

PROGRESS OF RAILWAY BILLS IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

BILLS READ A Plan TIME. Monday, Feb. 22.—Caledonian (extension of Mother- well branch of Clydesdale Junction to Auchinheath Mineral Field, with branches to the Wishaw-and-Coltness Railway, Canderside, and Hamilton). Caledonian (branches from the Clydesdale Junction to the Douglas and Lesmahago Mineral Fields and to Strathavon). Caledonian (purchase or lease of Wishaw-and-Coltness). Wilsontown- Morningside-and-Coltness (branches to Benhar coidworks and Edinburgh and Glasgow turnpike-road). Strathtay-and-Breadalbane Extension. Caledonian-and-Dunbarton- shire Junction. Taw-Vale Railway and Dock (deviations and Bideford and South Molten branches). Colcbester-Stour-Valley-Sudbury-and-Halstead (extension to Mel- ford. Lavenhara..and Clara). Colchester-Stour-Valley-Sudbury-and-Halstead (exten- sion from Lavenham to Bury St. Edmund's). Ipswich-and-Bury-St.-Edmunde (exten- sion to East Dereham and to Aylsham). Colchester-Stoor-Valley-Sudbury-and-Hal•

stead (Stour Navigation purchase). Ayisham-and-North-Walsham. Eastern-Union- and-Hadleigh Junction (sale to the Eastern-Union Railway Company). Dublin-and- Drogheda (purchase of Navan branch, &e.) Guildford-Extensfon-and-Portsmonth-tuid- Fareham. Ipswich-and-Bury-St.-Edmund's (branch from Ipswich to Woodbridge). Newry-and-Enniskillen. Great Western (amendment and extensions). Cork-Black-

rock-and-Passage. Cork-and-Bandon. Newmarket-and-Chesterfield (extension to Bury St. Edmund's with a branch to Ely). Royston-and-Hitchin (extension from Royston to Cambridge). Royston-and-Ilitchin (sale or lease). East-Lothian Central- Duffryn-Llynvi-and-Port-Cawl and Llynvi-Valley. Shrewsbury-and Chester. Tuesday, Feb. 23.—London-and-North-western (Birmingham-and-Lichlield line, do). Birmingham-and-Oxford Junction (Warwick-and-Stratford line). Birmingham-and- Oxford-Junction (deviation of line, &c.) Birmingham-Wolverhampton-and Dudley

(Stourbridge and West Bromwich). Midland (extension of the Nottingham-and- Lincoln branch at Lincoln). Newmarket-and-Chesterneld (repeal of provision author, laing the company to use the line of the Eastern-Counties). Eastem-Counties (Lynn- and-Ely and Ely and-Huntingdon, and Dereham Railways lease). Eastern-Counties (Maldon-Witham-and-Braintree purchase). Eastern-Counties (purchase of the North-

Woolwich, &c). Eastern-Counties (Somersham to Ramsay). Edinburgh-Letth-and- Granton (Leith and Granton junction). Manchester-Buxton-mattock-and-midland Junction (deviations). tesvrica-and-Bury-St.-Edmund's (No. 3) (extension from Bury St. Edmund's to Thetford).

Wednesday, Feb. 24. Great-Northern (deviation between London and Grantham). Eastern-Counties (enlargement of London and Stratford stations, and amendment of acts). Direct-London-and-Portsmouth, Brighton-and-Chichester, London-Brighton- and-South-Coast, and London-and-South-western. Leeds-and-Thirsk ((or supplying water to Leeds, &c.) York-and-Newcastle (Hartlepool dock and railway, and Great-

North-of-England, Clarence-and-Hartlepool Junction, lease and purchase). York-and-

Newcastle (Wearmouth dock enlargement). York-and-Newcastle, Newcastle-and- Berwick, and North-British Amalgamation. Coventry-Nunenton-Binningham-and- Leicester. London-and-North-western (Kenilworth to Berkswell, branches and exten- sions, &e.) London-and-North-western (Coventry and Nuneaton branches). London- aod.North.western (Atherstone-and-Whitacre branch.)

Thursday, Feb. 25. East-Lancashire (Clitheroe, Milton, and Padiham branches). Waterford-and Limerick. Great-Northern. London-and-North-western (Portobello-

and-Wolverhampton branch). Edinburgh-and-Northern, St.-Andrews-and-Newburgh

harbour, branches and road-crossings (Newport Railway extension). York-and- North-Midland (Hun station and branches). York-and-North-Midland (Harrogate branch, extension, and terminus). Newcastie-and-Berwick (East-Coast line, Blythe Lesion Sluice, and other branches). Taw-Vale Railway and Dock. Great-North-of-- India. Friday, Feb. 26.—cambridge-St.-Neocs-and-Bedford Junction. London-and-North- western (Lime Street, Liverpool, station extension, Ste.) Vale-of-Neath. South-Wales.

Swansea-Valley. Blandford and-Burton. Edinburgb-Glasgow.Monkland-and.KIrkin- tilloch, Ballochney-and-Slamanuan Amalgamation. Ilarwich-and-Eastem-Counties Junction and Pier (from Harwich to the Eastern Union Railway at A:Weigh). Ipswich- and Bury-St. Edmund's, No. 4, (branch from Stowmarket to Sudbury). Dablin-Dun- drum-and-Rathfarnharn (extension to Stephen's Green). Swansea-and-Amman Junc- tion. Midland (Cheltenham-Warwick-and-Leamington line). Midland (Gloucester- and-Stonehouse Junction).

BILLS READ • SECOND TIES AND coxiirrnro. Monday, Feb. 22.—Caledonla3 (branches to Canoble, 84c.) Caledonian (lease of part of Glasgow-Dumfries-and-(arilsle Railway). Caledonian (branch across Clyde, and Glasgow station). Witham-sod- Coltness (branches to Anchinheath Mineral Field and Canderside). Great Northern (branch to King's Lynn). Ayrshire-and-Galloway (Southstown to Indmellington). Lynn and-Ely (Lynn and Wormegay Navigation). Lynn-and-Ely (deviation and Lynn Docks). Newport-Abergavenny-and-Heretord deviations. Newport,thenpa- venny-and-Hereford (extension to Taff Vale). Northern-Counties-Union deviation. Portadown-and-Dungannon.

Tuesday, Feb. 23.—South-Yeekatire-Doneaster.and Goole (PenIstone, &e. and the perchaseef Sheffield-Rotherham-Bamsley:-Wakefleld-Hadderefield-and-Goole Railway, Silent Navigation, and Beams and Dove Canal).

-Wednesday, Feb. 24.—Eastern-Union and Ipswich-and-Bnry-St.-FAmund's Amalga- mation. Great-Northern (Hertford-Hattield-and-St.-Alban's branch). Great-Northern lideviattons between Grantham and York). Great Northern (deviations between Pe- terborough, Boston, and Doncaster). Sheflield,Rotherham-Barnslay-Wakefield-Had- dersifeld-and-Goole (partial alteration of levels, &c.) Eastem-Counties (Hertford to .Httcbin). Edinhurgh-and-Northern, and Edinburgh-Lelth-and-Granton Amalgamation. ,Zdhiburgh-and-Northern (Bumtialand Pier, Er.c.) Boston-Stamford.and-Bizraingham (Wisbeeti to Sutton Bridge, &c.) Boston-Stamford-and-Birmingham (branch to Wis- bech harbour and Wisbech harbour improvement).

Thursday, Feb. 25.—Dublin-and-Belfast Junction and Haven branch. Dublin-and- 'Drogheda (branch from Haven to Rails). St. 'Helen's Canal and Railway (Warrington and Biackbrook branches). Cornwall. Oldham Alliance. Eastern-Counties (Ilford to Tilbstry Fort and Southend, with a branch from Yange to 'Battle Bridge). East-of-Fife rdarkinch deviation). Ainbie-and-Batligate Junction (amendment and deviation). Oreat-Northern (extension to Leeds and Wakefield, deviation of lliethley branch of Wakefield.) Pontefract-and-Goole. Great-Northern (purchase of Ambergate-Notting- Item-and-Roston and East-Junction, ie.) Birmingham-Wolverhampton-and-Stour- Valley (No. 2) branches. Paisley-and•Renfrew (sale and improvement).

Friday, Feb. 26. York-and-North-311diand (East Riding Canals purchase). York- and-North-Midland (Harrogate branch, Boroughbridge and Knaresborough extension). -York-and-North-Midland (Knottingley branch). York-and-Newcastle (Pelaw Tyne 'Dock, &c., brandies.) York-and-Newcastle and Newcastle-and-Berwick Amalgams- Won. Sheffield- Rotherham-and Doncaster Junction (31asbrough to Doncaster). North- ampton-and-Banbury.