Sir RICHARD BETHELL, in reply to a question, said he
should bring in a bill touching the Divorce Court, which he trusted would pass. The House adjourned after sitting a little more than two hours.
In the House of Peers the main discussion was raised by Lord Buoroaax. Referring to the state of Northern Italy he strongly con- demned the war now raging in that country, and expressed his belief that if there had been free government in France it would never have occurred. He wished to know if there was any truth in a report that the Navy Es- timates were about to be reduced.
The DUKE of SORESSET denied that the Estimates had been reduced, and said the Government were fully alive to the necessity of maintaining the navy in a thoroughly effective condition. The Earl of IIARDWICKE eulogised the late Government for the efforts they had made to increase the strength of the Navy, and gave various statistics to show that even yet it was not what it ought to be as compared with the French navy.
The Earl of ELLMIROROUGH fully recognized the necessity of placing the Navy in an effective state, but hoped that some attention would also be devoted to the Army.
Earlier in the evening, Lord LYNDHURST called attention to the com- ments of the press upon the appointment of Mr. Blackburn, as one of the
judges of the Court of Queen's Bench. He said Mr. Blackburn's legal attainments were of the highest character, and admirably fitted him for a seat upon the bench.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said he alone was responsible for the appoint- ment, and in making it he had been solely guided by the legal qualifica- tions of Mr. Blackburn, who was one of the ablest and soundest lawyers in Westminster Hall.
Lord WENSLEYDALE and Lord CRANWORTH also expressed their ap- proval of the appointment.
The Earl of Ripox, in reply to Lord Vivian, gave explanations respect- ing rifle volunteers, similar to those of Mr. Sidney Herbert in the Commons.
The House adjourned about half-past seven o'clock.
Previous page
