POSTSCRIPT.
SATURDAY.
The House of Commons was crowded last night in every part to wit- ness the sequel of the Duffy- affair; personality always being more at- tractive than business. After some minor matters had been disposed of, the SPEARER formally, but kindly, called on Mr. fluffy to explain or re- tract his words.
Mr. DUFFY explained accordingly. He said that he should have ex- plained on the previous night, but that he was interrupted, first by Mr. Disraeli's declaration that it is not disorderly to bring a charge of corrupt practices against Ministers, and next by Lord John Russell, who challenged him to the proof of what he said. What he meant to say was, that in the time of Sir Robert Walpole and the Duke of Newcastle men had been induced to abandon solemn and circumstantial pledges, in order to accept place ; he charged certain Irish Members with doing so, and that be called political corruption. If he had broken the rules of the House, he regretted it.
Lord Jonas RUSSELL observed that this was a very different descrip- tion of charge from that implied on Thursday. It was not a charge of corruption by money, and therefore it was different from the corruption of Sir Robert Walpole's time. It was a matter of opinion ; and he did not think that the Irish Members in question or the Ministers need fear any amount of discussion on the subject. He did not think the House need proceed any farther. In reply to Mr. Joins Batas Mr. DUFFY said that he did not connect his statement of the previous night with the division on Monday. Mr. BALL was satisfied; and, amid considerable laughter, the House pro- ceeded to the orders of the day.
Shortly afterwards the House went into Committee ; and Mr. BOUYERIE, the Chairman, put the question on Mr. Lawless's amendment; which was negatived by 286 to 61. The progress of business was soon interrupted by more Irish disputes. The House was obliged to resume on a point of .order-to let Mr. Moons complain that the Chairman, before putting the question, did not call upon Mr. Duffy, who had possession of the Com- mittee. The SPEAKER decided, that, as Mr. Duffy did not rise in his place to speak, the Chairman was quite at liberty to put the question. Once more in Committee, Irish Members proved very unruly. Captain MAGAN and Mr. Lama:ass were the centre of a perfect uproar, in which Captain Ma- Iran uttered the words "guilty conscience," and Mr. Lawless moved that they should be "taken down." Mr. WAI.POLE and Lord Jour RUSSELL intervened to obtain order-for a long time without effect. At length Sir ROBERT Nous got the ear of the Committee, and, deprecating this waste of time on Irish personalities, discussed the question of the Income- tax. Excitement calmed down, and business proceeded. Amendments were moved-by Mr. Frrzoznams to exempt trades and professions in Ireland, and by Dr. MICHELL altering the rates of poundage on incomes derived from trade ; but the former was negatived without a division, and the latter withdrawn. After this the Chairman reported progress.
In the House of Lords when the CHANCELLOR moved the third reading of the Registration of Assurances Bill, Lord ST. LEONARDS raised this ob- jection among others-that the bill would admirably assist the Chancellor of the Exchequer to levy the tax on settlements. The House divided on the third reading, and the motion was carried by 57 to 29. On the ques- tion that the bill do pass, Lord CAMPBELL, Lord LYNDHURST, Lord BEAUMONT, and Lord Ovartsroxis, warmly praised the measure, The bill then passed,
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