The Express. — London, England, 1851-07-29 00:00:00

PERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORIM—MeNDAY, JUT 28. The Lflau Cl ET IT lONS lANCELLOtt took PRESENTED. his seat at 5 o'clock. P TOE COMA!. I'AtACII.—B7 Lord BEAI:IONT, from Westminster; the Marquis of WESTMINSTER, from Brompton ; Earl FORTESCUE, from Sidmouth and other place.; the Earl of CARLISLE, from about twenty places; Lord KINNAIRD, from a place not heard; and the Duke of AROYLL, from three places; in favour of the retention of the Crystal Palace. MERCHANT SEAMEN'S BILL. On the motion of Earl GILANYiu.o, this bill was road a ascend time. PUBLIC WORKS (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion of Earl Owertu.s, this bill was It'd a third time and pared. MILITIA PAY BILL. On the motion of Earl ORANVILLII this ',,nl was read a second time. SOAP DUTIES BILL, On the motion of Lail OILANYILLPy this bill was read • wood time. EI'ISCOVAL AND CANTU:LAB ESTATES MA NAGEMENT fcio. 2) BILL. On the motion of the Earl of Csiatsun this bill went through committee. COFAHOLD INLOS . .:II.F. AND TITHE COMMIS SIONS BILL.— C CGMMONS INCLOSURE (No. 2) BILL. On the motion of the Esrl of CataiSLE, these bills se- Verally went then mph committee. ITPELLATE, JURISDICTION OF TILE 110 USE. The Earl of ABERDEEN Raid he understood there had been tome communication between the government and the faculty of advocates in Scotland as to the possibility of ob taining the assistance of an assersor in hearing Scotch op peals in that house. Ile wished now to know whether soy such communication as he had before referred to had taken place; awl if so, whether any decision had been arrived at on the subject ? The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that the members of the Scotch bar had suggested the expediency of some such mode, and a communication on that subject had been made, but the government had not come to any determina tion upon it. SMITHFIELD MARKET REMOVAL BILL. Earl GICANVILLE filtered some strictures upon the clause introduced into the bill by the select committee, by which range:motion was granted to the City of London torpor:item Mr the loss of privilege consequent upon the abolition of the market of Smithfield, and movellan amend ment by which the compensation clauae was expunged from the measure. Esti POW IS said that the clauses in question had been Considerably discussed in committer—the judges had been tall d in wail consulted on the subject, and if their lord ship+ now reversed tln decision of the committee, of what value would committees of their lordships' house be ? It had been shown Shot in 17111 the City of London had re• (g i ve .' a n income of .1,110011. I,oSOSlllithhUhl, and it woo hut fair that they should be compensated fur the loss of such a roc care. The Iti.hop of OSSOItY supported the rompenaation, on the ground that the public ought not to receive benefit at the a sense of the eorpocati'm. The Earl of LONSDA LE said that the removal of Smith field Wel hucti 1404(.1 relir store he entered parliament, awl the rase fur its removal had strengthened every day. Instead of the corporation receiving a compensation of o,lliest a 'ear, he thought they should be lined in that amount so long we Ch.y kept the market up. The hart of ELLENIIOItOUG II said he hail been told by the late Loral Littered many years ago never Si. have anything to do with the City of London, as they were the greatest johlwri in t'.e world. (Laughter.) Acting on this maga, awl having no particular information as to the bill, be should ambits to tote 011 it. Lori Malishary, Lord Marreally, Lard Colchester, and lowsi hte.k oleic defended the recommendations of the vim mane, awl urged the right of the corporation of the City to compensation; while Lord firauville's motion was sup ported 1 1 Lord Sydney mil Lord Beaumont. Lord I' RAN WOR' ll said, if lo• thought this kill inter fent' with any toroperty, he would sage tor the compensa tion ; I.ut lie did Hot think there was any interference with prop, rty at all. 11.4 this been a chart. r granting the chin ns the exclusive privikee of a markt t, they were hound to provide adequate mull complete facili te. to all the panic. rtwortins to it. Now it was solocium that this was nut the tow with Smith but that that which had been granted for a public sonveni, nit hail become au intolerable nuisance. (11cwr, hear ) II it had been an ordinary charter, it might have Iw en aka at HMIs hy . 1,11 - IYII. Mill in that case the corporation would have hail no right to compensation at all. It hat la ear said that th;s was a popular cry, faiol no lin oluithiedly it was, in the H• 11.4. thRT './9 persons out of 100 would I unrUr in thinking that the market had become what In• laid ile.erilu .1. (Iliac, hear.) The corporation, bail, he repeated, uo strut right to compensation, but they hail pother. an equitable right to be placi.l in the same po sition as they held before' the introduction of the bill. (Ileac, hear.) After n 6.11 word- from Earl BATHURST, Karl OIIANVII.I.E replied. After the oheervations of the, noble long (Lord Cranworth), he hoped their lord ships would dismiss from their minds any fear of dealing injuriously with tested interests. The bows lidded Conti lit. Is Nuasa.nt. le.writy ogsinq the eueoponsition to.eo —D The n•msinin{t amendment• wen, then conoidend, and the report was adopted. GUNPOWDER SPORES (LIVERPOOL) EXENIP- TtoN REPEAL BILL. The amendments wen: considered, and the report was agreed to. TIIE LAND TAX. The Marqui. tif !Z.ii.lBlll.*ltY 'moved for copies of any torrokrolitlcitve tw•tra•m the COMMiIWiOIIOIII of Land Tai and the Itosani ni lirvcnue an the butijoct of land tax, from the year 1s1•i to the prvaeut time. Agrae.l to. NIEIteIIANT SEAMENS FUND BILL. Earl 1.1. AN ILLE moved the order of the day for the reading of t h i. bill. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH had hoped that the ob servatio n. he had made on • former °minion would have induced the government to have made some alteration in the 1011 ; and he medial that the ministers would not pro eyed further with the measure until the Howe of Com mom, which at present W. completely in the dark on the subject, had bail an opportunity of recouvidering their decision, bee..., it was one that would scrimialy affect the public revenue. Alter a Sew word. :rum Earl GIKINVILLE and from the Earl of liworN4lll,llll4ll in reply, The bill was real a second time CIVIL BILLS (IRELAND) BILL. This hill went through committee. ritAtirrAßLE INSTITUTIONS BILL. This bill passed throu4h committee. LEAsilfou) TEsuia: OF LAND (IRELAND) BILL. Ths 1.01t1) I'II.INCELLOR said the object of this bill was to Ore compensation calculated upon the value of the lee tams rent. The bill was then read a second tine. F.\lolll o .ll.s' ris . r.vrt: soctETY mut.. Lord MOO I'EAOLE moved the second reading of this Lill, observing, however, that there were several provisions in it which would require alteration in committee. Lord REDESDALE 1.3111 he agreed with his noble friend that this bill was not in a fit state to pas" the house. The bill WWI then read a second time. llItAIN.101.: WORKS IN IRELAND. On the motion of the Earl of ILu,oR returns; were ordered 01 all the works which have been commenced in Inland under the sets for promoting arterial drainage, together with the amounts granted in carh Tlu•ir lon4bip. then Ualialllllll.4l at ten minutes past eight lit )IS) OF COMMONS.—MoNnAT, irLY 2M. The tin; tkEit took the chair at 12 o'clock. BLIC BUSINESS. PETITIONS PRESENTED. Tor ( . 14Ve•TAL I'uACF.-13y Mr. IIEALD, from the mayor and inhabitants of Stockport; Mr. G. DUNCAN, from Dundee ; Mr. 0. RICARDO, from Worcester ; Mr. HENLEY, from a place in Oxfordshire, praying fur the retention of the Crystal rabies. as a winter garden. NAME i'ItINCVS, Sir J. WALMSLEY, from certain rthinhers of the East India Company, and others interested in India, praying fur a select committee to inquire into the right of adoption by native princes in East- VIII of succession. TIIIII4I, READINCIL—The following bills were read • third time and wawa :—Lands Clauses Consolidation (Ire land) 11, ll ; Sheep, ic.. Contagious Iliscuals I'reve•tion Bill ; Poor lle•lier Act Continuanc. , Bill ; Battersea Park Anomilniint and Extension Dill ; P.migration Advances, Distressed Districts (Scotland) ; and Commissiontrs of Railways Act liewal Bill. MEDICAL CHARITIES (lIIEL.AND) BILL. The house• having ifOtle into committee on this bill, Sir W. SOMERVILLE. adverting to the small prospect be had of carrying it through in its present state during this session, announced his intention of confining it to dis pensaries. Clauses 10 to 19 inclusive were then struck our. Sir C. D. NOKHEYS complained that infirmaries were sat included in tlw bill as well as dispensaries. Sir W. SOMEIIVILLE said he WAS anxious that in armories should be included in the bill; but from the oppeo aitioa which the bill bad previously experienced, he was wish!, to Melnik these inbrmarics. However, it was his acumination to resume the subject in tho next session of The rsawini•g clauses were then ;ivied to, with some verbal lain.whnouta. The CiIAISIMAN then repotted peeves., and the house resumed. I , ALI ATION (I ILE LAND) BILL. Oa the artier of the day fur going into etnatunWe on this bill, Sir W. SOMERVILLE said that in consequence of the opposition with which thin bill was threatened, 1w could nut thick of pressing it at pretwat. He should, therefore, mow !hat it be committed that day three months, and in the iaterint , he would conaitler the :water. h r Then (three o'clock) suspended its Pitting until Ntc o'iletk. rbc srrAves feeunitil the chair in the new House or COl2lllOOl at u o'clock. .A.RT OATHS. Mt. V. 84711 Val mile that eatly belt seri= he would more that the home do resolve itself into c , tasa it atat to consider the question of parliamentary was:4 w i t h a view of abolishing all oaths except the oath ot a st egg i aata .. THE PARK FOR FINSBIA%:. In reply to Mr. WAILLET, who isishejt haaw wh i i k et , measuris were in progress with a t` -e ve to comply with the. wishes of the inhabitants of FiArm y and the City of Lou don, for the formation of a l ark at the north-eist end of London, Lord 3. uussEv,,,, understood to say that he enter tained a lope tho. those wishes might be complied with, I but he was not able to say when. IRISII BUSINESS. ID Irso l y to Sir H. W. Sis W. SOMERVILLE said that it wu his intention to Istocced with all the Irish bills on the per except the fi rst. DAMAGE TO HOUSES IN WHITEHALL-PLACE. In reply to Col. Ltvosav, Lord SEYMOUR said that, though contrary to the wouldpr, the report of the architect on this matter be laid on the table of the house. ENFRANCHISEMENT OF COPYHOLDS. Mr. AOLIONBY gave notice that next session he would move for leave to bring in a bill for the compulsory enfran chisement of copyholde. PETTY SESSIONS FEES. Mr. AGLIONBY gave notice that he would next session move for leave to bring in a bill to enable justices in petty sessions to take pleas of guilty in the cue of persons charged with petty larcen y. SIR J. FRANKLIN'S EXPEDITION. Mr. ANSTEY wished to know from the hon. gentleman the secretary to the Admiralty whether, from any report which had been received at the Admiralty, he could say whether the report which appeared in the newspapers re specting the expedition of Sir J. Franklin was a fabrication or not, and, if it was, whether it was the intention of the government to put in force the laws regarding those who circulated false news ? Mr. I'AHKF.It said the only report which he had seen was that which appeared in the newspapers. Whether it was a fabrication or not he had no mean' of knowing. CASE OF MR. ALDERMAN SALOMONS. On the motion for considering the petitions from Green wich, The SPEAKER said that before proceeding with the seder of the day he had better read to the house the follow lag letter which he had received from Mr. Salmons : boat Cumheriaati Place, Friday, July 23, 1851. Itia,—l am sols:•M twit It Is my duty rsepecifsily to inform you and the house, that two actions; at lee Warr the statute, have been maim need against me, lee penaltits slimed to be iticurresl by me for h oe ', g . A ,,,..41, on MOIN!Ay tad, the right of witting and voting in the lieu. of 0 misson• a. undid, r for Greenwich, and that at the trial of three action. any era du' inns or proceeding which the house may .lost ran be given la evidence in that action.—With the 'Telenet reatcA. I have the hor.nur to he, sir, your most obedient servant, To the Hight Hon. the Speaker. Davis SALMONS. 1 Sir li. HALL, in rising In bring the matter of the peti -1 lion from the electors of Greenwich before the house, begged to thank the noble lord at the head of the governs meat for enabling him to bring forward the motion at 1111 early a period of the evening, and also fur enabling him to being it on as a suhatiuitiie motion. lie also begged te tender to the noble lord the thanks of those whore advocate be was on the present occasion. Should any objection be made to that within, he certainly should take the sense oil the house upon it. (Hear, hear.) Ills proposition was of so simple and plain a character, so based on Justice and founded in equity, that he hoped the house would readily convent to the prayer of the petitions which he presented from the electors of Greenwich—to he heard by coun sel at the bar. Mr. Salomon' having been elected, presented himself at the table of the house, and be took the oath on the Old Testament, thereby acknowledging that he was a Jew—(hear, hear) —but when leg cant to the last weeds the hour deli rained that he should he a Christian, and he was ordered to withdraw. (Mar.) Now, this was an absurd and leilicrous, as well as painful, isceition for the house to be placed in; and these were tam. in which the INOM could not afford to appear ludicrous before the eyee of the public. If they did Mi they would very quickly hareme contemptible in public ere timation. (Ileac.) Mr. Salomon voted three times its the house, for which he was now threatened with actions; he ado, addressed the house, tad all who heard him mass admire both the determination he showed to retain his seat, and the respect with which he addressed that asaembly. (Hear, hear.) But that 'Pelee having passed a I, soluticsi on a former oceasion, which revolution was made a prece dent of in the present instance—that because the oath hail , not leen taken worsting to law, the law being quite indefinite, and the hest leaver , holding different opinions with regent to it, he was to be ejected and ilierniesed from that amembly. (Hear, bear.) That was as efouril position to be placed in. Ito considered that the resolution of last year was most hastily concocted, and most unadvisedly passed. (Hear, hear.) And whether the noble lord determinist to oppose or support the present I motion, he hoped he would nut put another motion on the paper similar to the one of last year, for it was so absurd that the time must come when it must lie rescinded. (Cheers.) There was a precedent for rescinding such a resolution in the case of Mr. Wilkes, who having pub lieheit what was called un outrageous libel un the King, and " An Faeoy on Woman" of a meet licentious character, was expelled the house in 17Gi1. lie was redlecteil by the electors of Middlesex ; hut, notwithstanding that, the house seated Col. lioutledge, by resolution, in his place. But on the 14th April, 1751. that resolution was ordered to be expunged from the journals, as being subversive of the rights of the whole electoral laxly of the kingdom. (Hear.) So in thin ease, if they passed ouch a resolution, it would, a. the petition mated, "he subversive of the rights of the whole body of elector, of this kingdom." It would be stultifying their proceeilimes to pane one resolution one day and a different one the neat. (Load cheers.) When he (Sir H. Hall) mime-steel the possibility of such a petition, the noble lord said lie could give no opinion, but that he would I meek tee prectidente. Now he (Sir H. Hall) hail searched fir proreden , s, and he was satisfied that there WAS uo peeve ', eat for the course which had limn pursued in this case. The lion. member concluded by moving that the electors of Greenwich should be heard at the bar of the house. Mr. ANSTEY seconded the motion. The ATTOItNEY-GENIeItAL said he thought this station ought not to he acceded to. (Hear, heir.) Ile put it to the house whether any new light could he thrown on a subject which had been discussed in two sex aims of parliament, and on which the house hail come to a solemn resolution. With respect to the position of the electors of Greenwich, it mire be remembered that they elected Mr. Alderman Salomon with a full knowledge of the former resolution of the house. Mr. ANSTEY said it might be inferred from the speech of the lion. and learned gentleman, that he had not heard the letter in which Mr. Alderman salomons told the house that actions against him for penalties were, not threatened, but actually CIMMVOCCII, and remarked that any resolution of that house might influence the decision of the court. If the house persisted it would place itself in collision with the courts of law, and lie (Mr. Anstey) believed the result would be that they would have, in the most abject manner, to retrace their steps. Wishing to save the house from this mortifying dilemma, lie entreated them to hear before they condemned. Sir F. TIiESIGEIL observed that, although a sufßcient , reason had been Resigned by the Attorney-General against 1 agreeing to a motion for hearing a one-aided orpiment at the bee, there woo soother obj. ction on the face of the peti tion, which prayed that the petitioners might be heard in defence of their undoubted right to be represented by the I representative they had chosen. 'f his right hail never been disputed; the question wes, whether the representative they hail chosen hail qualified himself by law to sit in that house. Mr. C. VILLIEItS spoke in favour of the motion; Mr. Newdereite, Sir J. Helmer, and Sir R. Inglis against it. Mr. AtiLIONIIY, who supported the motion, wished to hear the opinion of a member of the government upon the question. lie thought delay woo desirable, cousidering that the house was acting in a judicial capecity, and that its re solution would be evidence in a court of law. Lord J. lit SSELL---A• his hon. and learned friend was desirous that some member of the government ahould speak upon the question besides the Attorney-General, he would in a few words state his opinion to the house. It appeared to him that the electors of Greenwich had rie locus atainli in the case. In their petition they said they regretted to know that the house contemplate,' some measure by which their rights would be interfered with ; but the house contemplated no inceiture of the kind. (Hear, bear.) The house was simply pursuing its duty. (Hear, bear.) It was incumbent on theca when a member pre sented himself at the table to see that he was sworn accord- , lag to what they believed to be the law. (Hear, hear.) le hither they were right in their interpretation of the law was another question, but it was their duty to see that the ' oaths , were taken according to the law as they understood it. Ile could not, however, agree with the hon. gentleman the member for Oxford University that the election of a perein who refused to take the oaths was like the election of a woman, a lunatic, a minor, or an alien, because to be either of three as. a positive legal disqualification to sitting in that house. (Hear, hear.) But the present case was perfectly similar to that of a pereou coming to the table and refusing to take the oath of allegiance. It was obvious that they, could not say that a person so refusing because he had Wei% chosen by the electors must be allowed to sit without taking the oath of allegiance, and that to prevent him would be to Whaler* with the rights and privileges of the cousti traent body. (Hear, hear.) Yet the Argument of the hon. baronet (Sir IL Hall), and those who followed him, was worth uothiug if it did not go to that extent. (Cheers.) His lion. friend who last spoke had asked what was the use of the electors haring the power to elect if they had not OW rill'AUS of securing to their representative the right of sitting in that hoe« , ? That was true in the abstract, but, still to entitle the member to sit, he most comply with what the law molted of him as the preliminary to his taking his scat. The hon. member for Greenwich hied nut done so; and, In mainenuing the law in this respect, the house was not interfering with the rights of the electors of Greenwich, bat we. upholding the rights of the electoral body through out the kingdom. With regard to the question of law, every one knew that a resolution of the House of Commons was not law—all they could do was to interpret the law. Mr. Alderman SIDNEY supported the motion Mr. MACGREGOR, who spoke amid impatient calls for a dis idea, considered this a question of civil and religious liberty. and that the gos eminent were now tAkine a course in direct violation of the principles they professed. The house divided— For tee modes 7l Against it .. . The lotion was oomsespaently lost. THE CASE OF BARON It0T11: 4 CIIILD. Mr. It. CU RRIE said tluit after the decision w which the house had just arrived in the caw of Mr. Alderman ttalomons, he would forbear from moving than the prnyer of the petition adopted at a meeting of Baron Uothsehild s constituents, over which he had the honour to preside, should be complied with—namely, that e se in the baton's cane be alto Marti at THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY ri(ENING, JULY 29, 1851. efforts. He regretted the delay that bad already taken place, hut there was this consolation, that when this mica s‘u.rhaeswbales than if, u m ea ni rri ed ed in it th wo c ul fi d n be,itwould b instance, and be would m effect a triumph by promoting the cause of civil an d reli gious liberty, not only in this country, but throughout the world. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. EVANS said that the House of Lords, in rejecting the measure upon this subject which had been adopted by the House of Commons, had only done so in the exercise of w th u eir m u o n re don au ltelmi ti lle Jews sit in that house ; but he (Mr. Evans) did not think "' the . noble "' lord " (P fi lit1811111 "1 t rtO n se e e m t e h n e that that result would be in the least promoted by the dis cussions which recently taken place here. The house then divided: For the amendment BO Against it -38 uently Mr. Anstry's amendment was conseq lost. Mr. BETHELL, in opposing the resolution, reproached Lord J. Russell with fighting the battle of his adver saries by yielding to a technical objection, perverting mere formal words to • purpose alien from the in tention of Parliament. He cautioned the noble lord, not suicidally to persist in his present course. His resolution expressed no more than the question itself ; it reiterated the question in the shape of an affirmativ propo sition, and in very bad English, which he trusted the noble lord would himself propose to amend, it declared that Da vid Salomon', Esq., was not entitled to take his seat in that house until he took the oath in the form appointed by law. That was no more than reiterating the question, what was the form appointed by law ? (Hear, hear.) Let the house observe in what manner the question would have been dealt with had it come on for aecision in the House of Lords. The Rouse of Lords had the 'sower of calling in the assistance of the judges, and would have had recourse to those learned persons fOr their opinions as to the construction of the statutes. When a law was made, the duty of the legislature was at an end; the interpretation of the law i belonged to the proper tribunals. (Hear, hear.) As that house could not commit the judges, the noble lord should have said, "I will refer this matter to the decision of the tribu nals to whom the country has committed the interpretation of the statutes" (Hear, hear.) But the noble lord refused to permit any further discussion, and if he (Mr. Bethel') understood him rightly, was now prepared to contend that the matter should not be put in course of trial before the proper tribunals of the country. Whatever the house might do, however, to prevent a trial in a court of law, a trial iu a court of law would be had, the opinion of a court ! of law would be pronouseed ; and what would he the reputation of the house if, after they had evaded any further discussion by a resolution of this kind, after they had arrogated to themselves the right of legally inter preting the statute, their decision should he found utterly at variance with the right interpretation. (Hear, hear.) They must, in that case, do what they had been coinpelled to do on other occasion,' when they had placed themselves in conflict with the people, instead of being the exponent of their wishes. The house might depend upon it that they were in a false position. As rewarded precedents, he most 'deserve, that that of Hoene Tooke had not yet been referred to. Rome Tooke, being a clergyman in priest's orders, was elected a member of that house. He was per mitted to take his seat, but on his doings° a question arose, and there was on that occasion a difference of opinion with regard to the legally of the election. There were conflict ing opinions amongst the members; and what did the house resolve ? In consequence of these difficulties it re solved that a bill should he brought in to alter the state of the law, or rather to declare what it should h,, in future; hut, in the meantime, Home Tooke re tained his seat, and be continued to sit and vote during the whole of the session. He adverted to this case fur the purpose of pointing out in how different a manner their preelecessoni acted front that in which they were acting. (Hear, hear.) They Komar(' not to adjudi cate t-. the exclusion of the elected member, but permitted the member to retain his scat until after the passing of' • declaratin y law. Now he entreated the noble lord (Lord J. Russell) to withdraw his proposition, and not to tarnish his reputation by persisting in his present course. (Bear.) Ho entreated ham to consider what sort of an account he would have to give of his conduct in this matter if he should have persevered with the resolution, when he might, unquen tionably if he had chosen to avail himself of his strength, have given the lion. member fur Greenwich an opportunity of trying the question in a court of law, Pllspendiug all pro cedings in the matter until that course had been taken. He did not ask the house to surrender any of it, undoubted privilege., but simply to take steps for ascertaining what was the true construction of the statute. It became the house to adopt that course so the nearest approach to that which would he taken under similar circumstances in another place. Witlt an earnest regard for the noble lord's future credit, he requested him to n consider the matter, and to let it rest undetermined further than it was by the cone:olio:1 arrived at het session. ((Tear, hear.) Lord J. RUSSELL said although he should not attempt to cope with the hon, and learned gentleman with regard to the legal part of the argument ; he isn't observe that being WI he was a very eminent lawyer, having all the resources which his knowledge of tt e law placed at his disposal, he had carefully abstained front arguing the question of low. (Hear, hear.) The hon. and learned gentleman had appeaLel to him (Lord J. Russell) through his regard for religente liberty. But this being a legal question, and nothing else, whatever might he his regard fur religious liberty, he could not act upon it if the law was against him. (Hear, hear.) If the hon. and learned gentlemen had shown him that it was quite clear that, according to law, they might admit Al,!. Salomons to take his seat in that house, and had then added, by way "(recommendation, that he would thus obtain, what he wished to see, the repeal of religious disqualifications, he could then understand the hon. and learned gentleman's urging this ground of reli gious liberty. But it was remarkable that the hon. and learned gentleman, who was so good an authority, did not rush on those topics which those alto were less acquainted with the law were apt to do. (Hear, hear.) Ile must say, too, that the hon. and learned gel-Item', on that night, as on former nights, had very much evaded the history of the present ease. Ile hail spoken as if he (Lord J. Russell) were for the first time bring ing forward a question which he had concocted in bud English, as the hon. and learned gentleman was pleased to say, and was endeavouring, for the first time, to induce the house to adopt a resolution which was unfit to be sanc tioned by the house. This was not an original resolution of his (Lord J. Hussein.). It was not the first time the question hail come before the house. Last year his hon. and learned friend the Solicitor-General obtained a select committee on this subject ; and although that committee Was not authorised or desired to report opinions, yet in the course of the discussion it was not difficult to discolor what were the opinions of the members. And out of that committee of 20 members, his hon. and learned friend, the member for Oxford, had one member with him, on the question whether Baron Rothschild could not take his seat. It waft quite evident what was the opi• niun of law members and others having long experience in ' the house ; they were not prepared to defend the view Iwhich hie hon. and learned friend took. The question , having been thus eimken of in that committee, it was not I new to him or any member of the committee that Baron Rothschild proposed to take his scat. What occurred upon that question ? The Master of the Rolle proposed two re solutions, one of which was the very resolution now before the house—(hear, hear) ; and after a great deal of discus sion, and an amendment proposed by the hon. member fur Montrose, the house divided by a majority of 166 to 92 in favour of the resolution which now stood on their journals. (blear, hear.) So that, so far from adopting and Iplacing it on their records fur the first time, they would only be re-affirming what they bad already affirmed. This being the case, it was hardly necessary to adduce reasons in support of such a resolution. Mr. Alderman Salomons having taken a course similar to that taken by Baron Rothschild, if the house came to any resolution on the subject, the one to which they could most fitly come was that they had already come to, and which was now placed on their journals. It was said —why not take the °pillion of a court of law ? Re had no objectiou to the opinion of a court of law being taken on questions which properly belonged to it; and they had been informed that day, on the authority of Alderman SAOIIIOII4 himself, that the opinion of a court of law was about to be taken as to whether he had incurred the penalties imposed by the act of parliament. That question would properly come before a court of law ; but not the question whether a member of that house hail properly taken the oaths. It was impossible for the house to wait on that question till a court of law haul given its opinion. The only question before them was, whether they were right in their Interpretation of the act of parliament . The hon. and learned gentleman (Mr. Bethel)) hail sunken as though this was entirely a matter of fancy or discretion with the govern ment ; but, until late years certainly, it was supposed that the interpretation of toe law could not he other than that they had now put upon it. (Ikar, hear.) Au act which he had the honour to introduce (that repealing the Test and Corporation Acts) required that persons admitted to municipal offices should make a certain declaration, and to that declaration was added, by the House of Lords and afterwards assented to by that house, the words "On the true faith of a Christian." In 1845 a bill was intro duced by Lord Lyndhurst—no inconsiderable authority on matters of that kind—declariug in its preamble that persons of the Jewish persuasion could not conscientiously take the declaration contained in the act of George IV. But, ac cording to the view now laid down, that preamble should have declared that Jews were not obliged to use these words at all ; instead of which, the act released them front the obligation, not in every ease, but in respect to the hold ing of municipal offices, and provided a form of declaration in other words. That was an additional proof that, up to talk such had been the sense entertained by the legislature of the nature of: this, declaration. The house could not do otherwise than persist in attaching the same sense to those words. If any new light were thrown upon the subject by the question coining before a court of law, there was no reason why the house should not avail itself of that new light. Hitherto all the information they had would induce view while p n oatrrd ti aheosnd r :t r ci en tir ety. legal ame dns h ktt yeei allowncp t soon el de c isi o ncont e nded uiilhetllidear oath Lien rto given taken, inyn ,saidfa, exceptothu that in t al ision of an nd them to think they were going wrong in permitting the o t3 e o tgi givenaotwdtt,:h. allowed to ottnnhod:;, inquiry, d o io r rt, d yh i o; elec tion petition, the sitting member was allowed to vote it tier against whom us petition had been presented was not court of law into the operation of an obsolete act of parlia ment. Such a course was utterly unworthy the high and noble career of the noble lord. ( Rear, hear.) Let him withdraw his resolution. and bring forward the subject again neat session, %elan !1•.• would Lave the additional light that would be thrown on it during the recess by the courts of law. Mr. J. A. SMITH protested against the conclusion of however. anowne the noble lord, that the resolution passed last year in the ease of Baron Rothschild should be now adopted in the ease of Alderman Salomon. That resolution was unskilfully drawn up, and went far beyond the necessities of the case. Assuming that the noble lord, by his position as first minister and leader of the house, was bound to protect its privileges, that re solution had gone far beyond what was necessary. He knew that many shared the regret he felt at seeing the noble lord take a part so unnecessarily harsh ; for he (the noble lord) seemed to forget what was done to himself, his party, and the great cause with which he was identified. 'henoble lord might be assured that though they might be defeated that night, the hour of their ultimate triumph was not far distant. (Cheers, and cries of " Divide.") The house accordingly divided on Lord John Russell's resolution. _yesA MOM 6B —55 CONVEYANCE OF MAILS BY RAILWAY BILL. The house went into committee on this bill. On the let clause, Mr. B. DENISON complained that it gams greater ad vantages to the Post-office not only than was enjoyed by any other customer of the railways, but even than it enjoyed under any previous act. He considered that the Post .ottiee ought not to be allowed to fix its own terms, but that the remuneration should be settled by arbitration. Mr. C. LEWIS could not admit that the demand of the government was at all unreasonable. The bill in truth would not make any substantial difference to the company. Its only object was to define more clearly a clause in the 7 and S Vie., which the act proceeded to repeal. Mr. COWAN said the railways objected to the bill, be cause it was unjust for the government to exact the maxi mum of service for the minimum of remuneration. (Hear.) lie stated that there was a very general complaint is the north of Scotland respecting the delay 7 of the mails. After a few words from Mr. O. A. lisstir.rosr ' The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER always un derstood it to be the duty of the government to amend a de fective law ; and it was with the view of amending a law of this description that the present bill had been proposed. Ile believed the measure would be beneficial to the rail ways, and that it would afford considerable accommodation to the public at a diminished expense. After some discussion, Lord PALMERSTON said the house seemed to have lost sight of the principle on which these railways were founded. They were all founded on acts of parliament, which were based on the principle that pri vate rights were to be over-ridden in consideration of the railways being for public purposes. Ile thought, then, that in principle railways should bo required to perform this service. It was admitted that as the law now stood they were liable to perform this duty, and it was said they were willing to perform it, but then it was said "give us a fair remuneration." The main question seemed to be, not whether the guard was to go as a passenger, not whether he might not get out and amuse him self on the platform, but whether the guard was to pay for every bag that he took up as a fresh parcel. Now he thought it was very arbitrary that every passenger should be made to pay for every parcel he took in without exceeding the weight that was allowed him. Really he did not see why the public should be compelled to conform to that regulation, provided, as was provided by this bill, that the railway should not be put to additional expense by car rying additional weight. This bill did not impose any obligation with regent to stoppages or delay, or with regard to additional weight. It simply provided that they should perform a public service for a remuneration. After a brief conversation, The committee divided : For the clause Against it clause - The stood). The house resumed. NEW ZEALAND SETTLEMENTS DILL. On the order of the day fur the second reading of this bill, Mr. ADDERLEY suggested that at that hour (quarter past one) it would be prudent to postpone the bill. Mr. IIAWES hoped that the house would read the bill a second time that night, because such objections as hail been otf•rcd could be very well taken in committee. Mr. BROTHERTON . (seconded by Sir J. WALstsurY) moved the adjournment of the house. It was understood that opposed orders were not to be taken after one o'clock in the morning. Mr. GLADSTONE did not think it unreasonable in the hon. gentleman to desire to take the second reading that evening. But the objection to the first two clauses was an objection to principle. These clauses proposed to give unbounded powers to the local officers in New Zealand; and the lion. gentleman had not attempted to show any grounds for passing such a bill without, in the meantime, having communicated with the settlers whose interests were to be affected. Mr. V. SNIITII considered that the hon. gentleman (Mr. Hawes) had shown no cogent reason whatever for bringing on so important a bill at so late a period of the session. Ile was opposed altogether to this bit by bit legislation fur New Zealand, seeing that next session they would have to take large meagre, for that colony into consideration. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought the objections of the right hon. gentleman (Mr. Gladstone) to the two clauses were not unfair. Ile would, theretbre, propose to postpone these clauses. Atter a ti.w words from Mr. ADDEULEY and Mr. Ao- MOSBY, The house divided— For the adjournment 3 Against 51-48 Mr. ADDERLEY then moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr. HAWES hoped the hon. gentleman would not per sist in an opposition to the second reading. The goverment hail no intcicst in the matter whether the clauses were struck nut or not. Mr. GLADSTONE was not aware of any special neces sity for pressing forward these clauses. Some reason at least should be given for them, for the subject was of serious was consequently struck out (as we under- importance. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said if hon. gentlemen would allow the hill to he read a second time, he would communicate with his noble friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies curly in the morning, and state his views respecting these clauses to-morrow. It would be a pity if that part of the bill to which there was no objection were retarded. Mr. ADI)ERLEY observed that the proper time for the right hon. gentleman to make any such statement was on the motion tor the second reading. The house divided — For the adjournment of the debate Against it The bill was then read a second time. LUNATICS (INDIA) BILL. On the order of the day thr the second reading of this bill, The SOLICITOR-GENERAL explained the object of the measure to be to give power to the East India Company at their own expense, to send hums to this country persons in the service who might be afflicted with insanity. It was a humane measure. Mr. WAKLEY said it was the most extraordinary bill e had ever heard of. We had an enormous number of luna tics of our own, and did not want any more from India. (Laughter.) Surely there was ample accommodation for the insane in that country. The bill was read a second time, and the committee ap pointed for that day week. The Cauada and New Brunswick Boundary Bill passed through committee and was reported. The Attornies and Solicitor,' Regulation Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, after a few words from Mr. MVI.LINGA, and the committee was appointed fur Wed nesday. THE GREAT EXHIBITION. Mr. N nwi)EG.tTE, pursuant to notice, moved that an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that she would be graciously pleased to give directions that there be forthwith furnished to this house, a return of all the articles imported from abroad, and exhibited in Hyde-park, giving the description, quantities, and official or assessed value of such articles ; east also, of the arrangements that I had been or would be adopted fir taking an account of any of these article' which might be sold, in this country, as distinguished from any of those articles which might be re shipped, so as to secure the revenue, and provide for the correct entry of all such articles in the official accounts for the year. Mr. C. LEWIS said that the return would be very volu minous, and afford no satisfactory information to the house. Ito had mid° inquiries, and found that everything had been done with the utmost regularity. Mr. NEWDEUATE was about to make some remarks, when Mr. BROTILERTON said there wcrc not forty members present. Strangers were ordered to withdraw, and only fourteen members being counted present, the house stood adjourned at about twenty-five minutes past two o'clock. The first night sitting of the Commons in the new honee yesterday evening furnished a further test of the qualities of the chamber, as altered and amended, for the purposes of legislation. In respect of hearing and sight the result is , sufficiently successful, hos. members appearing to find no difficulty in rendering themselves audible loth in the body 1 of the house and the gallery. The lighting arrangements have been recently and hastily put up, and the quantity of , illumination, at all events in the gallery, requires some , increase. We trust, however, that no change will be made in the system adopted, which presents many eminent advantages over the apparatus in use in either of the former houses of legislation. Four pendant gas tubes 1 affixed to the ceiling support as many circles of burners, 1 ' whose jets of flame are intended to make up by their num- Ler the smallness of their individual power. These circles of flame, again, are girt with a gauzy veil of green, through which the light glances in soft and harmonious tints over the house, and affords a relief that is positively delicious to eyes that have been subjected to the remorseless glare that I pervades the present houses of Lords and Commons. 1 Though nearly complete in its internal fittings, much rc mains to be done with the corridor and a'proaches of the `new House of Commons. It is, perhaps, owing to this in- I completeness that the upper regions of the chamber are haunted by atmospheric currents, which, disagreeably in trusive, even in July, would be highly dangerous in February. PAlRS.—Colonel Chatterton paired off on Monday night with Mr. Roche. Mr. Humphrey Brown, M.P., has paired off for the remainder of the session, haring left town for Madrid on a special mission. ADMIT:ALLY, JULY 28.—APPODTTMENTi.—Acting- Assistant-Surgeon W. A. Turner, to Styr. Gunner 11. Davidson, confirmed in Waterwitch. CLASS TiII.—NA VAL I ARCIIITEC max. OUNS.LIFE SCOTS LOATABLE te. 370, L IFE BUOYS, FLOATS, SWIMMING BELTS. Sc.—El/WASP SPENCE,: and Co. amply every variety of tbe mot approve 1 taioestit enplb ant. for the PItESSRTATIoN and Sap!: (F ,r the PliltSON to the MATER. Their intent 801an...4 Watertight Ten* lets:clown In Clam Is. No. 37.1. at Es bitntloni is especially milted for shine 'spent, letter. cod all valuables transmitted hy sea, which. "Ws it pretence the contest 'M' &Menage from variation of climate, damp, or Insect, is an effectual UN Buoy is gem of r i cer . geacy. preserving both life and pr.werty. They incite attention to the Improved !instable Mattresses. Cushions, he. ..Ukelele) available in the same extremity,. and con e, other lone and gnats. It. S. and Co. have mile emet Improvement. In the Waner fie& shirts they slimily et a greatly reduced price. and let out on tore. Air 1:.,1e, gse. Waterpmof Warehouse, Fon. dumb-Amt. °Melte Mark'laaes l e the bar of house. (Hess, bear.) He yielded the more noddy to line Ot proNdure, bemuse le was free to maw qmi prey& of the petition was not one in the epedien 6f Pitiieh lie coincided. Having, however, pre • aided at the melting in titi City, he felt that he should ileareely dokatice to the strong feelings there exhibited if he did nelmeke a melt respectful and earnest appeal to the noble bed at the head of the government, urging him to prevent any more of that disappointment with which the electors of the City had witnessed the course he had felt it his duty to pursue on the Jewish question. Mr. ANSTEY (amid loud cries of " Oh, oh ") rose to move that the prayer of the petition of the electors of the City be takes sate eossideratien—in other words, that the house would hear counsel at the bar in pursuance of its prayer. lie thought the City electors had much cause to complain of the hon. memberwho had just spoken, and who, though he had presided at the meeting, had taken it upon himself to dissent from the prayer of the petition. /is (Mr. Anstey) should press . his motion to a division, and hoped none of his timid friends would ask him to pnr ----- ----- - . sue a contrary coarse. I Mr. AGLIONBY would advise the hon. member not to divide ; but at the same time h e felt it his duty to give his vote for the motion ; and he trusted that the Speaker would see nothing disrespectful to his authority, and nothing un constitutional, in asking the house to reverse the decision of last session, which was only declaratory of a construction of the law. Mr. R. CURRIE threw himself on the indulgence of the house while he made a few remarks in reply to the observa tions in respect to his conduct on this question. 'At the meeting, while considering the rules and the order which it would be his duty to impose, he had ' bean somewhat surprised and alarmed by the apparition near him of that hon. and learned gentleman, the member for Youghal, of whom and whose career in that house it was and would be so frequently recorded "left speaking." (Laughter.) The honourable and learned gentleman presented himself in all his pristine vigour, eager for the fray, and anxious for the manifesta tion of that energetic rhetoric in which he excelled. He (Mr. Currie) had scarcely recovered from his astonishment at the sight of the hon. and learned gentleman when ho perceived, on the other side of him, the hon. member for Cockermouth who, it was notorious, also carried large oratorical guns, of extensive range and not inconsiderable bore. (Great laughter.) The two hon. gentlemen regarded the assembly with the joy which warriors are supposed to feel at sight of focmen worthy of their steel. (Much laugh ter.) lie (Mr. Currie) had felt certain that there would be a collision with the meeting, and he was gratified when he found the hon. member for Cockermuuth, the unexpected "Dens ex nsachina," resorting to diplomacy to calm down the hon. and learned member for 1 oughah and announcing that great political panacea, a compromise. (Renewed laughter.) Under the circumstances that compromise had been adopted by the meeting; and he put it Many practical man whether such a meeting, at such a time, would be very careful in its verbal criticism? (Hear, hear.) The petition, as amended, had been adopted unanimously ; but the ad dition made by the hon. and learned member for Youghal had not been altogether approved of. The addition had been begutten (to us , the strict law and Latin phrase) upon the corpus of the petition by the liOnouruble and learned member for Youghal, in ' conjunction with the hon. member for Cockermouth. (Great laughter.) The first prayer of the petition pro . ceeded legitimately from the resolutions; but the latter prayer did not flow legitimately from them: lie (Mr. Currie), therefore, thought he was not to be charged with having deserted his duty as chairman of the meeting, be ' cause he refused to join in the extraneous prayer. (Hear, hear.) Mr. NEWDEGATE thought it was perfectly clear that the meeting in the city of London had but a very imperfect idea of what it was about. (Ilear, hear.) Which was the amendment, and which was the resolution, nobody could say. Mr. It. CURILIE.—There was no amendment. Mr. ANSTEY.-1 beg pardon; there was an amend ment. (Much laughter.) Mr. NEWDEGATE thought this contradiction only confirmed what he had said ufthe confusion. (Hear, hear.) But the meeting of the city of London was not to decide this question. (Hear, hear.) Whatever might be the opinions popular ist the city of London, or in the borough of Greenwich, hon. gentlemen opposite must be good enough to remember that this question had nut yet been sub mitted to the people of England at a general election. (Cheers.) Mr. U. OSBORNE protested against the language used by his honourable friend the member for Northamp ton. His hon. friend wield be a very good chairman of a meeting, hut he took leave to say that his hon. friend was a very bad advocate of a cause like this. (Cheers.) When his lion. friend attempted to throw odium upon an hon. and learned gentleman who, however he might excite the risible faculties of that house, he (Mr. Osborne) believed to lie ~ superior to very many in that house in learning and in moral courage, and who had done good service on this question—(laughter, cries of " Oh, oh," and load cheers). — his hoe. and learned friend must see that he was not advo cating the cause which he as well as the lion. and learned gentleman had at heart. (('heers and laughter.) He (Mr. Osborne) would venture to tell those hon. gentlemen on the opposite side, who confined their oratorical powers to yells of "hear, hear," and "oh, oh!" and who delivered them selves of noises more fit for a poultry yard than for a de corous assembly—(interruption, laughter, and cheers) — that had it out been fur the hon. and learned gentleman this question would not have occupied the position in which it was placed at that moment. (Cheers.) lie (Mr. Osborne) begged to tender his thanks to th at 1 honourable mud learned gentleman for the able, manly, and independent stand which he had taken 'in these discussions. (Loud cries of " Hear, hear," and : ironical cheers.) lie (Mr. Osborne) hoped the no'ile lord at the head of the government would bring iu ' a bill to abolish all religious tests whatever. Ile hoped ; that this farce would not go on session after stssiou, and I that they were not to get for next year a mere " promise to pay," which was neser to be honoured. (Hear, hear.) After a few words from Sir J. Tyrell, Mr. llobhouse, and Mr. Anatey, the house divided : For the motion Against it ADJOURNED DEBATE. Mr. ANSTEY having recapitulated the course he had taken of moving tan amendment in the earlier part of the evening, and then moving an adjournment, because he saw ' the house were too impatient to give him an impartial hear ing, said that if the house agreed to the resolution, he should propose that it be with a salvo, contained in certain words, which he would mote in addition to the words moved by the noble lord. The amendment would be in these words— That this house, having regard to the religious scruples of the hon. gentleman the member for Greenwich, would use ' its undoubted privilege, and make such an amendmeat by resolution in the form of the oath of abjuration, as would enable the hon. member to take and subscribe to it. That would not be altogether satisfactory to him, but he would rather take it than that the seat of his lion. friend in parlia ment should be szquestrated, and the addition was intended to give effect to the words of the noble lord. The pro posals that buil been male had one by one been rejected, and could nut be renewed, and the resolution of the noble lord must therefore be aces pied, but some resolution ought to be adopted expressing that the house had regard to religious scruples. sty this amendment he only called upon them to do that which parliament had already dune in the ease of Mr. Pease. Suppose Mr. S.domons had taken the abjura tion oath in the form " upon the faith," not of " a Chris tian," but of " a Jew," what objection could there then be made to him ? Now on the argument of the hon. and learned Attorney-General, who said he would not object to the change of one word fur another, in that case the hon. member for Greenwich would obtain his seat upon the pro fission of his renunciation of Christianity. He referred to the conduct of Lord Stanley as a Privy Councillor, who sanctioned the removal of the disabilities of the Jews in Canada. To show this he quoted is letter of Lord Stanley (now Earl of Derby), dated the 28th of August, 1833. The noble earl was right in 1833, and wrong in 1831. It was because he did not wish to reduce the question to such a fearful contingency as that of a collision between a branch of the legislature and a court of law, that he asked the house to pause, and if it would not desist from prejudging the questsua, at least to do something to mitigate the blow by adopting his amendment. He felt, however, that to address any further argument to it worse than %odes. in the present disposition of the house. He had done his dot , and should press his amendment to a division. (" Hear." and " Divide." Mr. HEADLAM thought that it was not possible to exaggerate the inconsistencies which existed under ' the present law, and that the oath of abjuration was unsuitable to the present times, and that it was not for any reason desirable that it should be continued. It was quite true, as had been observed that evening, that the oath had served its purpose, and that the necessity fur it had ceased; and it could not be viewed otherwise than as detracting from the importance and the solemnity of an oath to compel members, on entering the house, to swear a form of words which hail been enacted to meet the peculiar circumstances of by-gone times. It appeared most inconsistent to allow a person to ' be sworn on the Old Testament, thereby recognising his I denial of Christianity, and then afterwards to call upon i him to pronounce the words "on the true faith of a ' Christian." (Hear, hear.) It was most unfair and on ' generous to retain an obsolete formality, not fur the put.. pose for which it had been created, but to make it the means of precluding a portion of our fillow.subjecte from the exercise of their just rights and privileges. (Hear, bear.) For his part, however, although the evils and in consistencies connected with the present state of matters were ten times as great as they were, he did not think they would be justified in so far violating the constitution as to take upon themselves the power of deciding the question without reference to the other branch of the legisla ' tare. When the statute enacted that the oath I should be taken, it did not prescribe whether it 'should b.:. taken on the old or the new testament, but left that to be decided according to the common law. When they referred to the common law they found i that it was quite as much a portion of that law that the Jew ' should be sworn on the old testament as that the Christian should be sworn on the new testament. (Hear.) This had been decidedly the view taken and acted on by Lord Hard ! wicke. He was of opinion that the oath should be taken in the ! form presented bey the act of parliament, although he ad -Itedmit that it led to an absurdity. (Hear, hear.) Then the question arose whether they were to submit, and to issue a new writ for the city of London, after the question having been five times decided in favour of the admission of the Jew*. lie was not prepared to adopt any such course. The electors of the city of London had exhibited a 1 steady perseverance in this question, and they would not ' be doing their duty towards them or toward, themselves ii they submitted any longer. (Loud cheers.) He believed that if the government took up the question next year in as masa and shame spirit success would attend their glte TO CORRESPONDENTS. telond Edition of " Tbo Expreva," containing the annul evrainea "Garotte," G poblitthed every Tuesday and Friday night, id Wile for post Adverusetnenta intended for " The Exprear," London Evening p.per, must be at the Office, 10, &ovine-wort, by Two o'clock ca tie day of publication. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE This NT—M c ornia 2h. Mt Afternoon. 2h. Vv. To.nonsole—Morntar, 3h. 4m. Afternoon. J. 27m. LONDON, TUEsDAY, JULY 29. MAT we advocate a further reform of our electoral system is not owing to any impression that it is a popular theme for the moment. The truth is, indeed, that the public gives forth but few sym ptoms of caring about it : and this may be ac counted for without assuming that the public regards it either with indifference or apprehension. Neither do we advocate reform in parliament, as some do, from any idea that it will redress the ba lance of parties in the state, and strengthen the one to which we most incline. To alter, or even greatly ' modify, the framework of a government, simply to bring a party into power, or keep it there, is a po licy almost as extravagant as to set your own house in fire to roast eggs. But we advocate a new reform bill from a rooted conviction that the present system i cannot be made to work well, and that so much of it has ceased to have vitality in it that crc long it must of itself break down about our cars if not timely re modelled. To begin with minor matters : within the last few weeks we have had more than one point of parlia mentary law given up as obsolete, absurd, and im practicable, by men who are certainly no revolution -113•s. The decision of an election committee on the property qualification of Mr. Plussm , led to an attempt to render the law on that point a little less unreasonable ; and this to a pretty explicit declara tion of opinion, by leading whigs and moderate re formers, that any property qualification at all is, for all useful purposes, a rank humbug, a mere source of captious and cavilling litigation. Again, the dis cussion of the claims of Baron ROTHSPIII.I) and Alderman SALOMONS to take the oath of abjuration in their own way has led to the discovery that ju dicial decisions have engrafted on this oath a pur pose and effect not contemplated by the law-givers who first enacted it; and to a pretty general con viction that it is as useless as it is vexatious. Mr. VEuxosi SMITH has given notice that lie will next session attempt to cut the Gordian knot of the controversy respecting the expediency and justice of allowing Jews to take the oath of ab juration iu their own way, by introducing a bill to dispense with members of parliament taking any oaths whatever but the simple oath of allegiance. On the more important question of those small constituencies which inevitably become venal or no mination boroughs, public opinion, though not quite so unequivocally pronounced as on the two points already adverted to, begins to be pretty plainly spoken. Not a session passes without an attempt to place one or more of these receptacles of corruption and servility in the same predicament as Sudbury. If a goodly list of small boroughs have not been already sent to keep company with Sudbury in its state of suspended animation, it is from no doubts as to their deserving to be so. Even the noble and wealthy owners of close boroughs have been taught on recent occasions that they are fragile reeds to lean upon. l'ublic opinion is pretty well reconciled to the advent of a new of Schedule A of considerable length. . Lastly, there are symptoms abroad thSt classes, not avowedly received, by the concession of tho elective franchise, within the pale of the constitu tion, have attained a degree of political influence that enables them to sway and bias in many in stances the decisions of the legislature. We aro quite willing to do our contemporaries the justice to admit that, if not exactly more humane and kindly than their ancestors, they are more considerate— more sharp-sighted to discover opportunities of doing benevolent actions. But this improvement is of itself inadequate to account for the marked increase of benevolent attention paid to the wants and wishes of the poorer classes. 1 here is a good deal of fear mixed with the humanity that takes such delight to rear model lodging-houses, establish baths and wash-houses for the poor, and pass short time bills. At the time of the whip Reform Bill, the weight of the unenfranchised masses was made pretty apparent throughout the country ; since it became law, their influence has been felt more or less in all the great manufacturing constituencies. Thu tune in which the non-electors arc spoken of by all parties, in the discussion of all important political questions, be. trays the consciousmss even of tories that the un enfranchised possess u power that is not to be wan tonly provoked. Even without votes the non-electors do modify and to a certain extent guide the decisions of the legislature. Now there can be nothing more dangerous to the peace of a country, and the stability of its institutions, than habitual appeals to a class who are assumed by a fiction of the constitution to possess no political power. It is a standing protest against the constitution as unreal or unjust—an ever recurring declaration that its prescripts may and ought to be set aside whenever they are felt to bo inconvenient. If the intelligent, honest, and steadily industrious among the uneufranchised classes are entitled to a voice is the political deliberations of the nation, let them utter it avowedly, and in constitutional form. That is safe; but there is danger in keeping them us a carps de reserve, to be denied the right of expressing their sentiments when the party in power is strong enough to bid them defiance., but invited to interfere when parties are so nicely balanced that they can turn the scale. This is to establish a chronic anarchy. If these observations are consistent with facts, and we do not expect that any intelligent and close ob server of the actual state of affairs in this country will call their correctness in question, it follows that os political constitution de jiwt , r has come to vary considerably from the theory of our political consti tution. Now such divergence and discrepancy, when allowed to exist, has always been productive of trou bles and calamities in England. The English con stitution has never been a logically reasoned out, theoretically defensible constitution; its strength, its utility has consisted in its adaptation to tho actual circumstances of the country fur the tiros being. The constitution of one century has, in despite often of earnest struggles, been made to conform to the opinions and distribution of pro perty in society in the next. The Reform Act of 1+,31 stopped short of the changes actually re quired ; the public of the day wisely resolved to take l I • ha a loaf rather than no bread. The changes - ; which have taken place in the last eventful twenty ' years have made what was from the first not exactly adequate to the wants of the country still less so. Sooner or later new changes must come; and it is the part of wise men to make them easy by setting to work to accomplish them before imperious neces sity compels them to be made in hot haste and in a scrambling, unsatisfactory fashion. THERE is now a bill before parliament relative to the conveyance of mails on railways, about which a good deal of misunderstanding appears to prevail, and on which some little opposition seems likely to be thrown away ; for the measure is a very proper one ; such as railway companies ought nut to object to. It is simply to remove doubts which have arisen in the acts now regulating that service, to reconcile conflicting judicial decisions, and to assimilate the practice in Scotch and Irish lines to that which has long existed, without dispute or litigation, on English railways. There are two acts on the subject; one the I 2 Vic., c. 98, the other the 7 tv 8 Vic., c. 65, s. 11. It is under the former that the ordinary night and day mail services arc established and carried on, the latter having reference only to what may be termed 1