The Express. — London, England, 1851-05-23 00:00:00

that the Brie should be read ? Had he not declared that ha was unwilling that a school should be established in which the Bibb was not road? (Rm. boar.) He said the bria. member for Oldham was not do rasa who would oh jest to that, mad he affectionately baud the shoulder of ohs hoe. member as if to ask h moot, but the Imeirablo mender he Oblong leeks& es be looked then, semonable. (A lingh.) Fran the karratledge whisk he hmd &bind of the no amber ballasesib to believed b wail rat emut le the mindea el the Bible from any asked me whisk he hid saff karma. Hs had atm bon a am philo siu m o r a mien pmennal opeseh, ens owe Saban ni dm b the* of the definer bausrel ; sad he the meement on having their views defended by inn an adosits. Ho (air IL yajlie s) had al l dosimed it to be his opinion that know without wee am taninixed evil. r. 8. H T r most say, in reference to an obser vers& of the has inambor far the West Riding. that in his Oh. & Herber* *roe, any peon veiled in the de form ef that hem Mon, if present that evening, well base esnevived Hot sae object 011ie Men washer fie Old- Mon was to abellathe mound shrub elths eseshis snit print against persona ar=r is ia gu tien nes te they were the emblems' ho rail; tested Anon Ilmt these who w did net at MOO adapt their worms ware onslng at betimes and vice. (Hear.) The =T r abbot ionismns Oft there must bc general and that of that edaeation religion must ,form es dement. TM bas. gentleman (Mr. Cobden) had sadists a wrong paws br a c a o d ntinually eontemslating Hs& andramets intend , and herring that a system wide/ was appirehle in the one reentry might Az, inap =in the esker. He said, however, that in the schools in meets the MI6 was errenaliy seed. TM, was con fer yr the eyeless Otto' bow winks flerOklham. Besides, if the bible were Mg deductions omit be drawn from it by the mullet.. He would defy any MO to read the bible without note Or osmaasnt ; they Taliht just so well put Greek or Hebrew hate a boy's hands and tell him to read that without note or reanser. He believed that a little mutual accommodation lei rht do a great deal, but the great mum bling block was the general relecemme existing in this country to take prercmptory instructions from • central board. It was contrary to our habits of self-government, and while people would gladly receive suggestions from competent persons, they would be reluctant to take any thing which assumed the shape of dictation. Something bed been said of the amount of heathenism in great towns, sad also of the number of Roman catholic, who were con greg. sting in those localities from the sister country. Ile confessed that attached as he was to the established church, he felt snore alarm at the advantages which that communion would have in consequent., of the absence of other /religious instruction for the people. He felt, therefore, that instnd of destroying, they must increase the amount of religious instruction, add lie could assure the hon. mem ber for Oldham, that in depriving his schools of religious instruction he would deprive them of all attraction for the working classes, or if not, would deprive the children of all chance of instruction in the very elements of Chri.tianity. finch a system was opposed to their very highest authority, who said, " Suffer the little children to come to me," and therefore he felt obliged to give his opposition to the motion. _____ Mr. 1.. IIEYWORTH would oppose the motion, as de structive of the voluntary principle, which had already' effected so much good. It was a farce to talk of giving the people a free education if a rate was to be levied for the purpose. Ile subscribed 2001. a year to education, and should be sorry if such streams of voluntary contribution were closed up by the substitute of a tax. Mr. Fox, in replying, briefly touched upon the chief ar guments offered in opposition to his plan, remarking that many of them touched only collaterally upon the education question, but turned upon the relationship between church and state. The hove then divided: For the motion AL'aing 135-90 THE HOP DUTY. Mr. HOMES then rose to move for leave to bring in a bill to reduce the excise duty on hops. As this subject had be.n so lately before the house he would not at that hour of the night trcspeas on their attention at any length. What he proposed was, that the duty should be reduced from 2d. to Id. a lb. after a certain date to be named in the act, and that the present amount of duty due to the government should be paid. The system of credit which the excise practised before they collected the tax, although it might have been an alleviation to the hop grower when it was first adopted, was an aggravation of the evil of the tax itself. ""%e commissioners The of excise had reported against the con tinuano. of escise credits, and the object he had in view was to carry out their recommendation. His hill consi,ted of one snacting clause, naming the duty from 2d. to Id. on the pound from and after the list of December next; and he ht keyed that his proposition, it carried, would be beneficial hoth to the comumer and the hop planter. Mr. 13. HOPE seconded the motion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER resisted the proposition. He believed that if the system of credits were abolished all parties would be benefited. The credit system, however, and the reduction of the duty were dis tinct questions, and he was willing to put an end to the 11 credits, if the hop planters were unanimous in asking for it. Ile found, on reference to the returns, that at the time when 48,000,0001b5. of home grin n hops paid duty, only 2.i0,0001b5. of foreign hops were imported. The reduction of duty, therefore, which had taken place was nut such as practically to admit foreign hops into the country ; on the contrary, the home grower had a conplete protection against the foreigner. If the present proposal were to place the home produce and the fo reigner ou the same footing, there might be something of fairness about it. The fact wss that the duty upon hops was paid by the consumer one yoar with another. (" No, no.") There were, to be sure, exceptional circumstances, in which the producer paid the duty; that was, when a larger quantity of land was brought into cultiva tion of hops than there was any necessity for. (Hear.) There was a system of agitation prevalent in the hop grow lag counties against the pay-meat of the hop duty that was anything bat creditable. Ile held in his hand the copy of a letter which appeared in a Sussex newspaper, and which bore the signature of a person who acted as land agent to many gentlemen in that locality, the object of which was to Indere the tenantry not to pay the hop duty. The letter bore the aiguature " Thomas Naive,' and went on to say "those who pay hop duty this year will be expected to pay their rents; but such as cannot pay both rent soil Imp duty, it is t o b e hop e d th e y w ill p a y their rents first." (" Hear," and Laughter.) He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) doubted not the writer of that letter was known to some Lou. gentlemen present. Mr. L. HOLKIES—I know him; he is my steward. (" Her hear," and laughter.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought the house should mark its sense of such proceedings b not encouraging further agitation ou the subject. (Hear.) Mr. B. HOPE said the Chancellor of the Exchequer might be assured that all things should come to an end. The hop growers might have been able heretofore to pay , the duty, but the smash would only be the greater when at came. Mr. BASS said he was anxious to state then, as on a former .-casion, that neither the hop duty nor the importa tion of foreign hope led to a iliminunun of cultivation as the main ground of distress amongst the hopgruwers. It was the extraordinary ductuation of the plant that led to that distress. In 1837 there were 58,000 acres under hops • in 1813 there were 43,000 acres ; in 1847, upwards of 52 ,000 acres ; and in 18.50, the number fell to 43,000 acres. Thera was no duty of which the producer paid so large • proportion as the hop duty ; and fur that, as well as the fluctuating nature of the crop, ho would support the propo sition of the hon. member for Kent. _ _ Sir E. FILMEIL, u member for West Kent, would feel *shamed if he did not support the motion before the house. The Chancellor of the Exchequer might laugh at their re presentations, but he defied the right hon. gentleman to Ind a tenant in all Kent who had not for the last two years paid his rent out of his capital. ((tear, hear.) Mr. EULLEII supported the motion. Colo el SIBTHORI' opposed the motion, stating as his reason for taking this course that he could not consent to take a partial and sectional ♦iew of the question of agricul tural distress. lirTE.IiiVEN considered that the cue of the growers of hops was peculiarly entitled to attention, sad should therefore support the motion. Mi. COBBBN maid not understeed the tactics of the Meads awl Mebane of the of baps. They appeand to idea to Me t e lame for everything which was that hey pat their ewe in a way which Mdset hose to vote for them who would be willing smash to vote for the removal of en excise tai. Properly pat, their case woe an excellent one. In order to collect the sum of 300,000 L we had to disperse a little army of tax pliNgolll over a few mastics. more preposterous sad barbarous could be conceited, each a spawn wM ti .sun eat of Turkey. But the biz growers could net ewes in sekinig the sheikhs of nuisance. These wee sone meths belied whisk seamed provost their offeeskr. la the domed. Those VIM woo great hoppowan - la ItY Lea who dill use want the hely off. The woe esedwr parry who oft wiewoil Iwif the duty otr. They with ethers. tine were Maids hers about a free trade is hos. Afti r • few wards from Mr. PIA Mr. 110110118 replied. With respect to the letter from Neon., Le had heard nothing of it until he had seen it in • newspaper. The house then divided— 27 Against it KENSINGTON GARDENS. Mr. Ilt - ME;;;;TWWallii-.ic;;01,;;i the order in council, or letter from the Treasury, sanctioning the altera tions lately made in Kensington-gardens by the First Com missioner of the Woods and Forests. And, also, copy or extract of any memorial or application made to the Lonts of the Treasury or to the Commissioners of the Woods and Forests for permission for horsemen to ride in Kensington gardens. Lord SEYMOUR having offered a brief explanation of the facts, Mr. HOME observed that the commissioners had it seemed aided illegally in opening the gardens to equestrians with out obtaining a proper order from the Privy Council. (Laughter.) Mr. COW/EN thought that if it had been known at the time the permission hail been given for equestrians to ride in Kensington-gardens how little the Exhibition would have interfered with them, such permission would never have been conceded to them. lie hoped, however, it would be only a temporary concession. (Hear.) The Exhibition had now realised the expectations of everyone—(cheers)— and he thought everybody would feel bound to give up some small portion of his personal convenienn topromote so great as object. (Hear, hear.) Ile hoped after this year the ride is the gardens would be discontinued. (Cheers.) Colonel SIBTHORP declared with ea unergy that ex cited musk aniimmisat that tho Exhibition bed not realised the eapeginligo gfiligepone. la them Wen, new times, itanslbi ts siltsrl a wns ss liesilman hit in making spot the intlibertiesofthe sub- Jost. Andily the ilrf tC l4 4:mi, lame& ! The Lord &Him ems i/0111 such Meads. (Loud lensltter.) Formerly It= r te s aht c . ifinpumend 'pug, might enj ey y the parks ad wises ; but that it io riZ eig hadi bees invaded, and he mlitt I For the sake if a Hale dirty popularity. ( I. titer.) He never et the building without dot it was a disgrace tolls gauntry. (Cheers.) It was • to them to en camp *reigns's to the disadvantage of the tax-paying POO* ef this emetry—(cheere)--sed they talked of the of th ree whoa thepest crowds that weft te IWt it t ! The peapis that did so were I demilted as (Laughter Mir a Mil a milk gild mats straw. .) Wily he Mil sees Mlle 'NUM to gage at a dead est 686. e new. (laraghter.) in a square After a few suede M. Lard C. limalles, Mr. Lobos there, sad Mr. Mahlon, the communion dropped. KAFFIR WAR. Mr. HUME moved for a copy or extract of the despatch for the Cape of Good Hope, stating the expenses already incurred in the Kafilr War, up to the latest date, and the estimate for the future, for which the vote for 300,0001. is to be proposed. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he estimated the expense at three or four hundred thousand pounds, hut that was a pmt.'s Mr. HUME thought it more likely it would cost the country a million. Motion withdrawn. WHITE HERRING FISHERY. On the motion of the Lona ADVUCATI, leave was given to bring in a bill to amend the acts relating to the British white herring fishery. INCOME TAX. Mr. HUME proceeded, in terms of notice, to nominate the select committee on the income tan, when Several members urged delay in the emanation of so im portant a committee. Mr. Ht:ME then, by consent, postponed the subject till this day (Friday). SALE OF ARSENIC REGULATION BILL. This bill as asseaded was amassed, sad the amend ments were agreed to. APPRENTICES TO AEA SERVICE (IRELAND NO. 2) BILL. This bill, as amended, was conaiderad, and ra-corn. misted. LODGING-HOUSES BILL. On the order of the day being read for the of thieAmended Mr. HENLEY moved that it be re-committed. Loral ASHLEY considered that the better course to adopt with this measure would be to re-commit it, with the view of referring it to a select committee. The bill was accordingly re-committed. STAMP DUTIES (IRELAND) CONTINUANCE BILL. This bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed this day (Friday). ADVERTISING 'VANS AND BARREL ORGANS. Colonel SIBTHORP gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he would move for leave to bring in a bill relating to the travelling vans and barrel-organ nuisances. (Laughter.) The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the house adjourned at a quarter-punt one o'clock. 'ARY COMMITTEES. SMITHFIELD MARKET REMOVAL BILL. Yester day the committee on the Smithfield Market Removal Bill, brought in by Sir George Grey and Mr. Cornewall Lewis, for appointing commissioners, and providing a Metropolitan market and conveniences, in lieu of Smithfield, met for the first time in committee room, No. 1, Mr. E. Cardwell Liverpool) in the chair. Present : Sir Gibson Craig Edinburgh), Sir J. Duke (London), Mr. Milnes Gaskell Wenlock), Mr. W. Miles (East Somerset), Mr. Burroughs Norfolk), Mr. Stafford (Northampton), Mr. Ifeneage (De vises), and Mr. Clifford (Hereford). The bill is brought in as a " public " or a government bill, but to give the oppos ing parties an opportunity of being present, it has been thought expedient to subject it to the ordinary course of pro. reeding adopted in connexion with private bills. Mr. Serjt. Wrangham,Q.C.; Mr. F. F.Ellis and Mr.A. Pulling appeared sem:masa and Messrs. Lyon, Barnes, and Ellis as agents for the bill. There was a crowd of counsel fur the various City interests against the bill. Mr. Talbot, Q.C., Mr. Hope, Q.C., Mr. Merewether, and Mr. Holy, appearing for the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and corporation of the City, for the Butchers Company, and salesmen of the metropolitan district. Mr. Burke and Mr. Magenic for the ratepayers and churchwardens of St. Sepulchre; Mr. Serjeant Wilkins and Mr. R. Kettle, oa behalf of the owners and occupiers of ! land in Smithfield, with counsel for other interests. Alto I gether there were 10 petitioners by mama against the bill, and a large number of petitiess teem the agricultural ' districts and elsewhere were upon the table. Although having no locus slondi before the omunittee, there were parties present] representing the Libigton Cattle Market and Metropolitan Cattle Market Campmates. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. HOUSE OF COMMONS. _ _ EDUCATION. Xerxes we sad Questk;;;C•ift;il; Y median to promote the siteestlas st thsporpliNta Warl seed Wain th. estblieb. amid Pm Nisi Ow ses Windham. Is les supported by Wel NON mespad by ssandsliss, SPAM specially for that by do ratepayers "—Mr. William Islam Fos.) —Tie gyp. gtsidsd—Ayea, 1 , Nam 130. AM. Aralle=ries B. lierier. T. I. Tamer* Ili= C. &am Airarge Il A rr i threl T. M 1711.44 IFINNIS Tte lr _ b s=llhems Darby, am ii. F. litneey, Mgr Teleraese. Ha V.I. Blake, liar J. Ha &Wier Itelsonsp.Jdo S. &mist bgerbi 1. Wdreea Mgr Mir Der C. ill= i there grerrio. Jo Mod, r. A. w or J. Mo ds War% .1. Wars. WOW Doer Mr Si. & IP. Par& Er O. & Wlllars. Jeis lehs. his Theme, Dr. &firm WWI= Ewer. Whim Irwra. Celerd Wfilnllaut im pery Nip. leis Ilimmi. L B. O. Weer Orr. Croft Mem It. Ha. T. S. =sli. W. TIMMS. Grow. O. D. J. Sir& kir & Foe. WWII= J. Orme. lob Sere J. Hume, hoer Nogg Aluandar M ie rH. ____ . .. MIL Adosol, Sir Timm Limilll6 C. ham Pubs; has Maw. Lard er501ii......w. ~.... AA A w. =lt. Bs. 11. T. (Ws, Ka. Kr G. Pabst. labia iihrord U. Om W. Er'. = OZSL u r Wamnas.o•KlS . Jana T.T. IlmOrs.L IL Jaw T. Dam Masa H. Hargirs. Lard C. pan. Hr I. Smart. nip Smrstah, Mr Aim Film. smog tratstry. Admiral ialhall. Bt. Baal. 1 , sea M:. S. Max" lirspais jaaftwr 1.. Brial. Jima Mrs" Mind Ms el lirdes. Jam* W. b" Mr Moist a. MEWL 111. Km L: i na mi a l. u; aretts =;:s. CeL f ersarese 111. p m. Wary L. amarm. Sr la m e Tre a r d D. Mrsa. Lard "igir biii. ma' 1 1. a. Met T. J. lielmair.C-W. 0. Amsllll, Alexander I Sam= H. N. Mr C. K. IRON Sabra U. srarees , waw d k motto,. afilaall" ibf Ala spina laiarriass, Wis. H. surard. A, 1 gams. sir a. LK. LaearreMsers IL lisdisik his F. Cada Ur W. O. WM, Rim 11. a. Slsslay. IL re. ilebrat B. C. Susia. Dedrag es eis K. egint. Neely Deli lirawy jsa oaL baba. Jim H. Dememsd. IL K. lad" Taut. C. S. IL o• ire. Mis L =p ima E. Drisks. YEW "Ik W , r a ta iss it hi s Dui. Claw his Oribia Dembiltt.lbaarD. ' I I Z. Trier. lb Darr. Cana MOM K. Taal. Bar news sueoirs. LZ. /Ssials Ift. Ma. T. Mem Thareat Swim. Willa J. lissarli Ma J. T. Weber JAE haw, MOM Mem Mr limy W is.. . F. a. Pain% Maud nesig, Chain S. W LP. S. IhrearnOlir bast Oarivii. Kimura. T. r TOrrar. Mr Mama Edw. K. ar edasee. lbraatsby. lar mai l d . =rtira m Llls.l. Redd lallies. knee Itsessin.lla. C.C.W. 3 :8 1 .2n. J. Wald. /IL lbs. SSC. Vim% Climbs Z. Mein, Sir LI Wesi dir William T. Tear. Aerrom IL O'Cresea, Jells Wyss. H. W. K. Odirer, Ws W. S. gib. Seale C. U. Cliedarae. lies.W.L Tooekr. lard lama Alfred Keyerr EW. Geoid. Wyman= =:librill Misr*" Sir Irks Cleraser: CA Lor d e Karma Otliat Paisaraa. abreast THE HOP DUTY. Manes sole rml Qerilitiat 7 .Lr. isigi be era to being is a MU Mt dr Mod= Ike mere duty ce bap lfr. law ilastrad—The haw SOW: 27; dm ; 22. ATM Wit. Edward U. IINSINI: Lord C. Slostard, Ms F. bro. MLA T. 11•1/2 „ : 06. 111ark N. TON. C. B. M. look PIO, Ms" 0 VWs ir ss.. lBl" lla w ks . Hz k V. S. ir=larjaL:h. r =T w an SEIO eljell.ville . i. 170•. Vigami llorlok F ri a. . DIM. Osseo mors.Orelis I. s. T Vo ollor. brerlso S. Co WM mum = Mdse. Low Ocoll. Wrodiss Sprim. rte. ft Sionid halm tad 0111 f. WS W. Pop.. Lire Canso Wm. is. Ws. M. Hamm Whim Memo, Viatooat lisfs& Ea. IS T. S. END% Alawahr Pettis. John EA Jrial lota Ilts.likis. J. ~ .Prattels Illisw.lliceard M. Wawa James Mir. Ilirlis J. Mrelos r i E. TrTenlebert Neb. Skis OIL Elyead. Jams ler" 800. Edward imam% Idessoi Itrall. l. C. i. rsit ea rgi a s s t itist/q. Medea Weer, Cellsort =OEM ft a. irltribLThrra ..,Dtr..., Law D. Whim Ming Rwralg a rrit Illmehr. 111. I. Oaskbais. Or A.J. IL 11•16. IL Tuber MA.S. \MEM u UN ii ill. A kiWAIR Mr W.S. Wiessibie%ltt. a.M. Moosselllk Mo. dIrW .1111Senl I. lassatia.km.. H. :=ln= J. Daum ass. T. T. levfay 10 . 1a.13.11by =ila '... Ta C idedl. illial Emmtma, ll.l7 oalsosi Daraft. LA% Junsgb Walbsell. M an S. Desk% Admiral lisdiledess. Cleft Thom, Demobs. asap Nook* Joon Wlllrisi• EdslAr7 Dead" PLIWISM. Mothosso. Calmed W I Porter, Jamas Mid% St. Ilea. F. WIN% a.w isllowor, Mast INEssr. W. M. Z. Wee{ it lie. air C. Fordyce, A. D. Mask Dora Week Or It Illlam P. Fre, William J. Wastie. Mom Edward Gallery, Sr W. P. tbstirsek Mart or ?MAIL 001104 etarle , 1016111. A Moo. 0. Eayter, W. 0. Orealell. Mules W. 0100,11orlIM, C. IL HA Lord Marcus 1 Grey. Rh. It.. 8m G. Paget. lord Allred The Rey. Dr. Rogerson had an interview with Earl Grey at the Colonial-office yesterday. Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-ofilce front the Governor of New South Wales. OFFICIAL CATALOGUXII;--ADVERTIBF MEM bladmil tr Ur, 103,900 0 . 41 es *bald be seat le s.Oaritradrel re ; Pdaia lliimen4 MI, lirldisalmet, mg 11,11wpark. Elie erortoo. TO CORRESPONDENTS. a Swat MN= et Nibs Zapreas," reemegaing — be rube awning's " pe palling every Tia sley lad Friday olikt. La time kr Advertrimelskinided for "The Lepreme," London iteestar per, meet at the Ogee, to, Boeverle-evest, by Tye o'dock on Ur day et pubtlestke. RIOR WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tin DAT —Voratac 7A. 70,... Aftenkca, BL 03. To•anbaacw — Naming. bk. 37 Atonascs. Sit. 16s. LONDON, FRIDAY, MAY 23. OXFORD is true to herself. While the rest of the world were dividing themselves between Epsom Downs and the Crystal Palace, the venerable Uni versity was employed in running a heat against the spirit of the age, and making an exhibition of bigotry on the banks of the lads, not less instructive in its way than the exhibition of industry on the banks of the Serpentine. On Wednesday last, by a majority of 249 against 105, convocation decided in favour of petitioning her MAJESTY to revoke the royal commission for impair ing into the studies and discipline of the University; or, should that modest application fail, then to allow counsel to be heard against its legality, before the QUEEN in Council. The only thing that sir prises us in this result is, that so large a number as one hundred and five graduates of the university should have had sufficient virtue and magnamity to appear in convocation for the purpose of recording their protest against this foregone con clusion of the Heads of Houses, and the great bulk of the resident masters. Surely there was an excel lent spirit in these men. A lawful holiday—the fresh air of the hills—the enlivening revelry or oua one great national festival—a day's free lounge in the world's bazaar—all these things they knowingly abandoned for certain defeat and unrelieved dulness; for the Latin prose of proctors, and the Ciceronian platitudes of public orators. Honour, we say, to these 105. In days when a "count out" seems fast becoming the normal fate of the most important 'questions, we arc learning to value the preference of serious duties to seductive pleasures. But what are we to say of the venerable mother herself, her 249 worthy sons, and her notable peti tion ? Let us consider for a moment the true state of the ease, not as it presents itself through the obscure medium of antiquarian precedent and special pleading chicanery, but by the broad daylight of common sense. Here is an institution founded for purposes purely educational, endowed with vast wealth, and pos sessing magnificent resources. To the more candid thinkers of all parties—even to men who, in other respects, are distinguished by a certain timidity of conservatism —it has long been apparent that the quality of the education supplied at this institution is not what the actual mind of this country requires ; that it is in many respects vastly inferior to that supplied elsewhere at immeasurably smaller cost. Ihe wealth of the colleges, so far from having increased the usefulness or extended the benefits of the University, is very generally supposed to have diminished the one, and confined the other. Oxford, it is commonly alleged, has sunk from a place of professorial education into a school of tutorial training. The mode in which college funds are administered, and college fellow ships regulated, is very generally stated, even by Oxford men themselves, to be singularly un favourable to the literary and scientific development both of the teachers and the taught; narrowing culture within the limited curriculum of common room attainments, and discouraging all that incon venient boldness and originality of research which might carry the independent student beyond the range of the college tutor. Again, who can have conversed on the subject of this university, with any Oxford man, not being a fellow of a college, or a member of the hebdomadal board, without having heard the freest admission of the necessity of making the most thorough-going change in the existing , mode of admission to the university, and residence in the colleges—in the regulation ot the studies, and the scale of the expenditure. Not to be tedious: Oxford as she exists has been given up in argument for years past as wholly inde fensible ; while no honest man of competent under standing and average information as to the real facts of the case can be found sincerely to affirm that there is any reasonable prospect of seeing Oxford reform herself. This being so, the crown selects seven Oxford men—one of them a bishop, another the head of a house, a third an university professor, the remaining four or the majority of them either actually or recently college tutors—and makes them commissioners "for inquiry into the state,' , discipline, studies, and revenues of our lini versity. of Oxford." To these commissioners power is given in the usual form to call before them such p ersons , and to examine such documents as may in their judgment be likely to afford the fullest in formation on the subjectinto which they are com missioned to inquire. These commissioners, as all the world knows, with their clever secretary, Mr. STANLEY, have been sit ting, do sit, and in all human probability, with pro voking indifference to petition or protest, will con tinue to sit, diligently and successfully prosecuting the business which her MAJESTY has confided to their care. It is generally understood, that in spite of the most cordial repugnance, and the most eager refusals on the part of heads of houses and other college magnates, to give the slightest information, they have in various ways contrived to become possessed of a mass of accurate and important information, so ample in extent, that the real diffi culty which now presses upon them is rather one of selection than of accumulation. In this state of things, and when nearly nine months have elapsed since the issuing of the commission, the university has thought fit to set her seal to the notable petition the adoption of which was carried last Wednesday. We have not space to criticise the tenor of this remarkable document, blending as it does in fine combination the sonorous cadences of a St. Msitv's sermon with the verbose accuracy of a bill in Chan cery. Its most amusing passages . are those in which the petitioners adopt a tone of injured virtue and out raged right; plead ignorance of the nature of the charge to be investigated; and, with singular good taste, accuse Queen Vitioats of "inviting secret ac cusations against them," a proceeding which they "humbly submit is not only contrary to your Ma jesty's love of justice, but also is calculated to create general distrust, to impede the course of improve ment, and to destroy , the confidence and stability which arc essential for the well-being of an uni versity-7 In the good taste and well-balanced pulpit tone of this portion of the petition we trace the heavy hand of the hebdomadal board: in the suggestion " that if there existed any cause of complaint against your petitioners, the same should have been openly preferred and decided in some one of your Ma jesty's established courts of justice," there is a touch of comic absurdity, which almost looks as though one of the eminent legal advisers had seduced his grave clients into the perpetration of an uncon scious joke. The arraignment which England is preparing to bring against this venerable institution is one which it would rather puzzle any oue of her MAJESTY'S established courts of justice to decide. Before the public opinion of England this cause must be tried; by the will of England, moulded into act by her legislature, the sentence must be pronounced. Meanwhile, what is to be done upon the petition? The law advisers of the crown are, it seems, clearly of opinion that the commission is of unimpeachable legality ; and, in the judgment of common sense, the question seems insusceptible of a doubt. How can it be illegal to empower one set of men to ask questions of another set of men, if you create in the former no power to enforce, and impose on the latter no legal obligation to give, an answer? Or why is it unconstitutional to per mit SAMUEL, Bishop of NORWICH, and his co.id jutors to call for the production of documents which those interested in them may, at their own free choice, either produce or withhold ? Who shall say , that her Majesty would be ill-advised were she to decline listening to the prayer of a petition founded lon $ grievance 60 imaginary, and dictated by motives so discreditable ? MR. BAINES is the opponent whom Mr. DISRAELI has really most need to fear, the rival whose matter of-fact rhetoric he has most cause to apprehend. While the honourable member for Bucks expatiates upon the abstract justice of voting an inquiry into the nature of the burdens upon land, the right honour able chief of the Poor-law Commission quietly pre pares and uno.tentatiously prints on a single page . of parliamentary foolscap the particulars of a posit ive relief from local taxation within the last twelve months to a very substantial amount. There is nothing vague or evasive about the statement in question. It does not talk of the contingent! but of the actual—not of possibilities in the event of a fu ture administration, but of performances by that which exists. The document before us is a return presented to the House of Commons, "Showing the amount of money expended fur in-maintenance and out-door relief in 607 unions and single parishes in England and Wales, during the half-years ended at Lady-day 1830 and 1831 respectively. There are, besides, 500 unions and single parishes under local acts and under Gunner's Act, which are not included in the return, as not being capable of the same elas tication ns those directly subject to the control of the Somerset House authorities, so that, in point of fact, the figures thus presented to us, embrace but a portion, and not the whole of the kingdom. They relate, however, to all parts of the country, and especially to the agricultural dis tricts. A glance at the names of the counties and their populations will suffice to satisfy the most sceptical that there is no respect of places or of employments in its compilation. What then do we fild? That the gross total of expenditure in poor relief in the last hnlf-year was 1,679,429/. ' against 1,819,272/. in the preceding year,being a decrease of 139,8431. Now here is a broad and palpable fact,—namely, the absolute diminution of local burdens affecting peculiarly and oppressively real property, if Mr. DISRAELI is to be believed, to the extent of upwards of seven per cent. within the spaoe of the last 12 months. In Buckinghamshire the reduction in the cost of poor relief in the parishes and unions included in the return has been 1,8231., or about wren per cent.; in Essex, 3,8471., or some what ovePsit per cent. ; in Bedfordshire, 1,2731., or siren per cent, and upwards; while in Hereford, Wilts, and Kent the reduction is stated at about the same proportion. But in other counties the dif ference is still more striking. In Derbyshire, Flint, Westmoreland, and Devonshire, the per tentage of decrease in half-yearly expenditure reaches eiyht per cent. ; in Leicestershire, and Staffordshire it amounts to more than ten: in Durham it exceeds eleven ; and in Cornwall it ex ceeds twelve. We do not quote still higher figures because they relate to districts which are more em phatically manufacturing or mercantile. The relief they have obviously enjoyed from similar pressure is not less a subject of just congratulation to all who wish well to the interests of their country. But wo desire to direct at present undivided attention to the circumstantial evidence here afforded of the distinct and direct compensation given by free trade to the localities and classes that some men would represent as having derived from its operation nothing but loss. Sometimes we are told that wages have fallen so low in consequence of free imports of food, that the labourer is daily forced to eke out existence by resort to the rates. Where is the evidence of any change of this kind here? At other times we are assured, that although the gene rosity of the gentry and the philanthropy of the farmers will not suffer them to reduce wages as much as the low price of produce demands, they are unable to employ halt as many hands as they other wise would, and, of course, that all the unemployed must live on the rates. How is this reconcileable with the facts above stated of diminished cost of ex penditure ? Which ever way we look at it, the irrcs sistible inference is the same. Whether we believe that wages are maintained, or that hands are re tained in work, the result to the agricultural in dustry of the country is undeniable—that its load of local taxation has been practically lightened by low prices to the extent of at least seven per cent, during the past twelve months. 11 hat is still more important in this view, is, that as the cause is not a casual but a permanent one, the effect is likely to be lasting likewise. Trade may , again and probably will suffer from the recurrence of seasons of depression : and, when it does, Lancashire and Warwickshire, Middlesex and the West Riding may be obliged to put their hands in their pockets oftener than they now are called upon to do for the maintenance of the able-bodied labourer out of em ployment. lint these busy hives of toil and thrift do not murmur against freedom of impor tations, nor did they in the bad times of 1848 and 1849. It is only from certain portions of the exclusively agricultural community that any I voice of reaction has come, and the case made by their self-appointed tribune and champion has been, that amid general prosperity the landed interest is the only one that suffers. In mitigation of this suf fering, Mr. DISRAELI has again and again proposed to the House of Commons to go into committee for the purpose of inquiring whether by shifting the in cidence of poor rates and other local charges, the weight upon rural shoulders should not be alleviated at the cost of the mercantile com munity. The House of Commons has uniformly refused this invidious invitation ; but while Protection in disguise has been talking vainly of what might, could, would or should be done, if it were but allowed to do its will—Free trade without pretension has actually wrought a great and lasting change in the same direction; which has in it this superior merit of not having been partial, or accom plished at the cost of the other portions of society. fhe return above quoted shows a still greater benefit derived from the cheapness of food by the commer cial communities. It may be more temporary, but certainly the agriculturist has no pretence to com plain. THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 23, 1851. tie court. Her Majesty and Prince Albert left Buckingham Palace at half-past nine o'clock yesterday morning, to con • tiaue their inspection of the works of industry of all nations at the Exhibition. The Queen and Prince were accompa nied by . the Prince and Princess of Prussia, with Prince Frederick William and the Princess Louisa ; the Duke and Duchess of Saxe Coburg Gotha, and the Duke Ernest of Wurtemberg. The august party was attended by the Hon. Eleanor Stanley, the Countess Oriolla, the Baroness de Wangenheim, Count Piikler, Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, Lieut.-Col. Francis Hugh Seymour, Count Golts, Colonel Fischer, and M. B. de Treskow. Her Majesty left the Exhibition at eleven o'clock , and returned to Bucking ham Palace. Prince Alfred, Prince Arthur, and the Princesses Alice, Helena, and Louisa, attended by Lady Caroline Barring ton and the Marquis of Ormonde, lett Buckingham Palace at 10 o'clock yestertai, morning for Osborne, Isle of Wight, travelling by a spec' 'train on the South-Western Railway from the Num-ElmsStation to Gosport. Her Majesty sad Prince Albert, with the Prince of Wales and the l'riaoess Royal, accompanied by the Prince and Princess of Pruie.ia, Prince Frederick William and the Princess Louisa of Prussia, the Duke and Duchess of Saxe Cobourg Gotha, and Duke Ernest of Wurtemberg, with a numerous suite, comprising the Viscountess Jocelyn, the Hon. Beatrice Byng, the Countess A. de Ilaeke, the Countess Orions, the Baroness de Wangenheim, Colonel the Hon. C. Grey, Lieut.-Col. F. H. Seymour, Count Piikler, Mr. Birch, Major Von Boyen, Count Golta, Colonel Fischer, M. B. de Treskow, and Lieut. von Heins, left Buckingham Palace at half-past 2 o'clock yesterday miter noon for Osborne, Isle of Wi g ht. H er Majesty and the royaicircle were conducted to their carriages by the Muter of the Horse, the Lord Steward, the Lord Chamberlain, the , Vice-Chamberlain, Lord George Lennox, Licut.-Cul. F. Seymour, and Lieut.-Col. the Hon. R. Boyle. The august party occupied seven carriage*, and was escorted by a de tachment of Lancers to the Rine Elms Station of the South Western Railway. Her Majesty, the Prince, and their illustrious visitors, took their departure by a special train for Gosport. The Duchess of Kent, attended by the Baroness de Speth, went to Froginore yesterday morning and returned to her residence, Clareucc-house, St. James's, in the after- noun. Her royal highness, accompanied by the Prince of Leiningen, and attended by Lady Fanny Howard, Sir Geo. Cooper, and Lord James Murray, honoured the Princess's Theatre with her presetice last evening. A deputation to urge the repeal of the present receipt stamp tax, or fur its reduction to an uniform rate of one penny, had an interview yesterday with the Chancellor of the Lachequer at his official residence in Downing-street The deputation consisted of Mr. Brotherton, M.P., Mr. Moffatt, M.l'., Dradbui y, Schofield, liackblock, .Sim, and Christy. The Right Hon. Fox Mottle gave a dinner to the cabinet' , ministers on Wednesday at his residence, Cheshant-plaoe. Mr. Tollemache, M.P., and a nunserou. deputation had an interview with Lord J. Russell yesterday at his nada residence in Downing -street. OF OXFORD. TO WIZ QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJZSTT IN COUNCIL. The humble petition of the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of die University of Oxford, showeth— That the University of Oxford has front time immemorial been en university or body corporate, which, since the pass ing of the statute made in the parliament holden in the 13th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth for the incorporation of both the universities, has been and Li known by the said name or style of the Chancellor, Masters, and Scholars of the University of Oxford, and yo ur petitioners have had and enjoyed, and still have and are justly entitled to, divers rights, franchises, and privileges, as well by prescription as by various charters and letters patent granted by divers of your Majesty's royal predecessors, and also by the aforesaid statute, by virtue of which your petitioners and their pre decessors have been and still are a civil corporation, justly entitled to the sole care, supervision, government, and cor rection of the same university, and of all members thereof, and to the sole regulation and direction of the state, disci pline' and studies of the sam e university and its members, and also to the sole care, management, and disposal of the property and revenues of or belonging to the same uni versity. That your'petitioners have used and exercised, and arc still using and exercising, their several rights and privileges in accordance with the principles of their constitution ter the maintenance of true religion, the advancement of litera ture and science, and the virtuous education of youth within their university. That your pe titioners humbly believe that in such use a n d exercise of their said rights and privileges they and their predecessors have greatly contributed towards the improve , ment, welfare, and happiness of your Majesty's subjects. to the supply of persons qualified to servo in church and state, and to the honour of this kingdom. That a commission under your Majesty's royal sign manual, and countersigned by one of your Majesty's principal Secre taries of State has been issu e d, b ea ri ng slate the 31st day of August, 1830, a printed copy of which was, on or about the 21st day of October, 1840, transmitted by the persons therein named as commissioners to the vice-chancellor of the said university, and was in the words and figures fol lowing—that is to say : VH:roni.t R. " Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, to the Right Rev. Father in God, Samuel, Bishop of Norwich; our trusty and well-beloved Archibald Camp bell Tait, D.C.L., Dean of Carlisle ; Francis Jenne, Clerk, D.C.L., Master of Pembroke College, in our University of Oxford; Henry George Liddell, Clerk, M.A., Head Master of St. Peter's College, Westminster ; J. Lucius Dampier, Esq., M.A„ Vice-Warden of the Stanna ries of Cornwall ; Haden Powell, Clerk, M.A., Savilian Professor of Geometry in our University of Oxford; and Geo. If. Sacheverell Johnson, Clerk, M.A., of Queen's College in our University of Oxford, greeting: Whereas, wo have deemed it evpiAlient, for divers good causes and considerations, that a commission should fortha-ith issue fur the purpose of inquiring into the state, discipline, studies, and revenues of our University of Oxford, and of all and singular the colleges in our University; now know ye, that we, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge, ability, and discretion, have authorised and appointed, and do by these presents authorise and ap point you, the mid Samuel Bishop of Norwich, Archibald Campbell Tait, Francis Jeune, Henry George Liddell, J ha Lucius Dampier, Baden Powell, and George Henry Sache verell Johnson, to be our commissioners for inquiring into the state, discipline, studies, and revenues of our university of Oxford, and of all and singular the colleges in our said university. And for the better enabling you to carry these our royal intentions into effect, we do by these presents authorise and empower you, or any tour or more of you, to call before you, or any four or more of you, such persons as you may judge necessary, by whom you may be better in formed on the matters herein submitted for your considera tion; also to call for and examine all such books, documents, papers, and records, as you shall judge likely to a ff ord you the fullest information on the subject of this our commis sion, and to inquire of and concerning the premises, by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever. And it is our further will and pleasure, that you, or any four or more of you, do report to us in writing under your hands and seals, within the space of two years from the date of these presents, or sooner if the same can reasonably be, your several proceedings by virtue of this our commis sion, together with your opinions touching the several matters hereby referred for your consideration. And we will and command, and by these presents ordain, that our commission shall continue in full Piece and virtue, and that you our said commissioners, or any four or more of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjourn. ment. And for your assistance in the due execution of these presents we have made choice of our trusty and well beloved Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, Clerk, M.A., to be secre tary to this our commission, nr.d to attend you; whose services and assistance we require you to avail yourselves of from time to time, as occasion may require. " Given at our court at St. James's, the 31st day of Au gust, MO, in the 14th year of our reign. " By her Majesty's command. "G. Gutty." That the said commission is not sealed by any seal or signet, and your petitioners believe there is no former in stance of such a commission having issued with respect to the said university. That your petitioners beg most humbly to represent to your Majesty that the said commission, and the powers therein expressed to be granted, are inconsistent wills the legal rights and privileges of your petitioners, and that in consequence thereof your petitioners are placed in the pain ful situation of being compelled either to give up their just legal rights and liberties, or to decline obedience to the commands of your Majesty. That your petitioners are advised, and humbly beg leave to submit to your Majesty that if there existed any cause of complaint against your petitioners, the same should have been openly preferred and decided in some one of your Ma jesty's established courts of justice, and according to the known laws of the land, but that the said connni,,sion has been issued by the advisers of your Majesty without your petitioners having had any opportunity of being heard respecting it, and without their having received any pre vious intimation of complaint ; and that .he so doing does in an undefined manner, and without assigning any charge, impute blame to your petitioners, and invite secret accusa tions against them, which your petitioners humbly submit is not only contrary to your Majesty's love of justice, but also is calculated to create general distrust, to impede the course of improvement, and to destroy that confidence and stability which are essential for the well-being of an university. That your petitioners, fcelingthe most loyal affection for your Majesty, and earnestly desiring to manifest their duty and obedience to your authority, did not venture to approach your Majesty with the language of complaint until they had ascertained by . careful investigation the true nature and extent of the rights, pris lieges, and franchises which have been granted to your petitioners by your Majesty's royal predecessors, and confirmed to them by statute ; nod also Lad been advised that the said commission was not in eon formity with the law, and must be taken to have been im providently issued. That your petitioners being thus advised, and believing that the said commission is unconstitutional and illegal, forthwith communicated the same to the commissioners acting under the said commission for their consideration. the said commissioners ; arc notwithstanding con tinuing to act under the said commission. Your petitioners therefore humbly beg leave to approach your Majesty with this their petition, and humbly pray that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to direct that the said commission be forthwith revolted and cancelled, or that, if necessary, your Majesty will be graciously pleased to direct this petition to be taken into consideration before your Majesty in Council, and that your petiti o n e r s may have your Majesty's permission to attend such Council, and full liberty to be heard before the same by their counsel learned in the law, and that on full investigation and dis cussion of the matters aforesaid, your Majesty will be pleased to direct the said commission to be annulled, or to make such other order respecting the same as to your Ma jesty in your grace and wisdom shall seem fit. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c. We approve of this draft petition. RICH•RD BCTITILL. J. It. KIINTUN. Lincoln's inn, May 7, 1E451. DIMINUTION OF PAUPERISM. - - A return made by the Poor-law Board to parliament of the cost of the in-door and out-door relief of the poor in 607 unions and parishes in England and Wales, for the halt year ended at Lady-day last, has just been printed. This return shows that the total cost of the relief of the poor for the last half-year amounted to 1,079,4291., being a decrease of 140,438(. or 7.7 per cent., as compared with the cost of relief for the corresponding half-year in 1849-50. SPAIN. ..cov-a:1‘.... KADRID, KAY 17. A mixed commission is to be appointed by the French and Spanish governments fur the settlement of the Pyrenean frontier. Several Carlist chiefs, old officers of Don Carlos, having paid a visit to the neighbourhood of Gerona, to be present at the festival of the patron saint, were surrounded by a party of gendarmes and shot. PORTUGAL. Letters from Lisbon, received by way of Madrid, announce that the King has applied to the Queen for leave to pay a visit of three months to Germany. BELGIUM. Yesterday no ministry had yet been formed. ENCUMBERED EsrATga.—We may state that it is not likely that any bill for extending the duration of the Encumbered Estates Commission will be introduced in the present session of parliament. Should such a measure be deemed hereafter expedient, there will be ample time for introducing it in the next session, as the right to present petition. for sales may be exercised up to July, 18.52. We may avail °unwires or the present opportunity to contra dict a report circulated, wo understand, r._ry generally amongst the legal pmfession in Ireland, that it is intend e d to transfer the commissioners' jurisdiction to the Irish Court of '61111.-;riT.:ZOT,7S.: FRANCE. PARIS, THURADAY EVENING. After the usual deposit of petitions for revision, the Assembly proceeded to discuss the proposition of M. Moulin, fur referring all motions for the recision of the constitution to a committee of 15 inumberl, elected in general Assembly, by the absolute majority of votes, eight days after the presentation of the iirst of such motions. M. Savatier-Larocho opposed the motion. The struggle in the coming discussion was to be betwii•nt monarchy and the republic, and he stood forth to declare that in answer to those who would vaunt tho benefits of monarchy, he would reply by enume rating its errors, ite defects, and its crimes. The speech of M. Savatier-Laroche was less important in its substance than as affording ground for continued flashes of mutual defiance from Right and Left, in the shape of interruptions, which signified un the part of the latter the resolute determination to op pose the most vigorous resistance to every enterprise for the restoration of monarchy, and on the part of the Right an equal perseverance in a course which they regarded us legal fur the re-establishment of the thrune. M. Moulin said that in compliance with the views of the committee on his motion, he consented to drop the principle of appointing the special committee in general assembly. 'l he house agreed, by a large majority, to take the motion into considerctiou. General Cavaignac and the moderate republicans abstained from voting. The Assembly then passed to the discussion of the proposition of M. Morin, for dispensing with the rules which forbid a rejected motion from biing re submitted before six months in favour of motions ou the revision. _ M. Lnclaudure opposed the proposition as useless. He stigmatised the intrigues of the party of the Elyse.° against the Assembly, and besought the latter to content itself with the procedure laid down in the 111th article of the constitution us rule enough upon the subject. M. Morin defended his proposition. M. Emile de Girardin was of opinion that M. Morin's motion was as important as M. Moulin's was a matter of indifference. ' The former meant to plant a masked battery, and as such he at once set his taco against it. It aimed at the subversion of the repub lic and the dissolution of the Assembly by au ex ternal treasonable pressure. Here M. de Curial ex claimed, " We have never descended into the arena." M. Girardin replied, " You did not when you ought to have done so." M. de Curial meant that he and his friends had never descended into the street to exercise a pressure on the national representation. M. de Girardin said that they would see him and his friends in the streets if they attacked the constitu tion. This announcement occasioned a tremendous uproar, during which M. de Girardin exchanged re marks of much sharpness with several members, mid particularly with M. de Montebello, and ;„nsticulated vehemently, while the noise drowned his speech. The president, M. Dupin, said to M. Girardin, " I cannot suffer the flag of civil war to be brandished at this tribune. You have occasioned a scene of tumult ; your words imply a provocation. 1 call you to order.' M. do Girardin, continuing with more calm, de clared that it was out of place to abuse rebels in a country where there had been three revolutions, and where the abusers owed what they were to those re volutions. Whatever might be the fate of such mo tions as the present, and whatever the opposition side of the house might do, the result would make no difference in the numbers of the vote. The only resource would be an 18 Fructidor. But who would dare to undertake it? M. Coddle, in answer to M. do Girardin, said: No; they ought not to abuse rebels, but to execrate them. The motion left the Assem bly flee to choose the moment at which it would consult the country, and no serious objection could be made to it. The motion was taken into consideration by a large majority. Both propositions will be examined to morrow in the bureaux, which will appoint a binglo committee to report on both. The Sugar 11111 was then resumed. Articles 6 and 7 were voted without debate. The sitting broke up without any further occurrence of interest. The division of 321 against 242, which took place Testerdayin favour of puttingthe proprositiou of MM. Moulin and Morin on the order of the day for to day has been the subject of much commentary. many contending that this is to be esteemed a just measure of the opposing forces on the revision question, while others hold that many were induced to vote on tho republican side, by wishing to finish the Sugar Bill as soon as possible. The Electoral Union has adopted the following form of petition: RvuItEKMNTATIVIS—The constitution itself has fixed tho period of its revision ; the moment is come far you to deli berate on this grave question. To the eyes oral the friends of order, without exception, the defects of the constitution are demonstrated. 'I 'o it are to be imputed the sufferings of the present and the dangers of the future. Representa• fives, we respectfully request you to decide that the consti tion be revised. The Conslitutionnel says, that, although this peti tion is not identical with that of the itue Neuve St. Augustin, yet the same spirit has dictated both, and signatures to the one may be regarded as adhesions to the other. In the departments the petitionary movement takes a more decided colour, and pronounces directly either in favour of the prolongation of the l'resident s powers, or the restoration of the legitimate monarchy. M. Vesin has presented a motion for appointing a special committee to examine and report upon peti tions relative to the revision of the constitution. Its first report must be presented three days before tho formation of the committee for examining motions fur the revision. The committee on the Municipal Bill decided yes terday that the councils-general should hold only 0110 ordinary session, of one month's duration; but that it should be competent to hold another extraortlinary session of fifteen days duration. Tue remarkable article of M. de faunartine is the universal object of criticism in the press of to-day. The moderate republicans have prepared a mani festo setting forth their reasons for opposing the re vision of the constitution, which will be published in the Sleek of to-morrow. Although little light can be thrown upon the state of public opinion by the indication of partial results gleaned from dubious sources respecting the number of petitioners in favour of revision, a vague term, I may announce, on the authority of the Bulletin de Parts that in the department of the C o t e d'Or 40,00(1 signatures have been obtained to such peti tions. WEST INDIA MAIL. By the arrival last night of the West India Mail Company's steamer Severn, Captain Vincent, Admi ralty agent, Lieut. Heathcoat, R.N., at Southampton, we have dates from Greytown, Mosquito, April 19 ; Chagres, 23 ; Carthttgena, 27; Santa Martha, 13 ; Havannah, 23 ; Belize, Honduras, 20; Jamaica, 28 ; Jacmel, Ilayti, 30; San Juan, Porto Rico, May 2; Demerara, April 27 • Trinidad, 29; Grenada, April 29; Cura9oa, 29; ilarbadoes, 30; St. Vincent, 29; St. Lucia, 29; Martinique, May 1 ; Guadaloupe, 1 ; Dominica, 1; Antigua, 2 ; Montserrat, 2; Nevis, 2; St. Kitts, 3; Tortola, 3; St. Thomas's, 4. The Severn also brings mails of the following dates, received at Panama by the Pacific Steam Naviga tion Company's ship New Grenada, which vessel landed treasure value 616,359 dollars for trans mission to England, via Valparaiso March 26 ; Coquimbo, 27; Iluasco, 2+4; Copiape, 28; Co bija, Bolivia, 30; Iquique, Peru, 31 ; Arica, April 1 ; Islay, 2; Biller', 4 ; Lima, 8 ; Callao, 9 ; 12; Guayaluil, Ecuador, 11; Buenaventura, New Granada, 1 ; Panama, 23. The Sever; brings 717,890 dollars on merchants' account, 1,977 ounces of gold dust, 311,494 dollars in gold, 2201. British coot, 17,600 ounces plating, 264 scrons indigo. There were one hundred and thirty-five passengers. The news by the Severn is not important. - • -- JAMAICA. The dates from this island have been anticipated by the brief notices brought by the Asia and Pacific from New York, the last-mentioned vessel having brought dates to May 1, as mentioned in Wednes day's Ecprestr. Regarding the cholera in the parishes of St. James, Hanover, &c., then referred to, the Cornwall Chronicle says: We are sorry, however, now to report that the pestilence still rages with great malignity ■t Iron Shore estate, about seven miles to windward of this town. Severs! cases have occurred there, and up to yesterday nine persons have died from the fatal effects of the distemper. How mysteriously