The Express. — London, England, 1853-04-28 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAT, APRIL 27. The Si EAkil took the chair at a few rainutee after 12 •'clock. PRIVATFBUSINESS. On the motion of Mr. BROTUER7ON the following resolutions were agreed to:—That th: order referring the Rochdale Improvement Bill to the committee of selection be read, and discharged : That the bill be withdrawn. That leave be given to bring in a bill for the improvement of the town of Rochdale, and for providing a cemetery there, and for other parpoees, and of which the short title is" The Rochdale Improvement Act, 1853;" and that Mr. Bright and Mr. Miall de prepare and bring in the same. That the Londonderry, Enniskillen, and Sligo Railway Bill be to. comnitted to the committee to whom it was originany re ferred ; and that the committee have leave to sit and pro. reed to-morrow, at 12 o'clrick. That the minutes of evi dence taken before the committees on the Glugow ater work'. Bill in session lb 16, and the Glasgow Waterworlu Acts Amendment Bill in session 1 4 48, he relernil to the committee nn the Glasgow Waterworks Bill of the present session. That the Sidney Susses College Eitate Bill be orderedto be read asecond time. . . -.- The Reading Market and Wi.ston Vira'„ggeroeks bale wet. severally read a third time. The 1: lit Anglian Railway Bill we-, r ea d a seemt d time. interested in stock as trustees. C.msi•lerir a the doutte that had been expressed by many members es to the provisions of this bill, he thought longer notice oug'4 to have bean given of that stage when the bill would irrevocably pus 'Ghat brae. The CHANCELLOR of the ucHEQuErt saidihe Solicitor General had heePe , 4 a an addition fur the purpose of • tion to the 11th .steting the views of the hon. and learned gentleman, 0;1 perhaps the most convenient eeee'e would be that she new clause should be taken Gest, and if it did not iv diet the views of the learned gentleman he might P re P e '.4 an amendment upon it. Sir F. KF,,j • .LY said this was another reason against undue "-vc;;Atancy. He was now told the government had Prtiotivl a clause to give effect to his views ; but he must 4 V.essaity propose his clause now, or not at all ; fur he lriew nothing whatevefof tho government clause. Had that clause been printedand placed in the bands of mein ben it might have prevented a discussion. He hoped the right hon. gentleman would state the precise terms of the government amendment. After some conversation Sir F. KELLY proposed his clause relating to trustees. The CHANCELLOR f the EXCHEOU E R said the clause introduced new matter which had not before been touche d on. The government had consented to place the procer dings of trustees under the control of a judge of Chancery ; and he understood that was considered sufficient on the other side. He had not thought it necessary to print the clause ; but it differed from that of the learned gentleman. which was not conformable to the course adopted in bills of this kind. It had not been usual to require the consent of all the parties interested in trust funds to their conversion. The necessity for some special provision arose from the fact that one alternative offered by this bill gave a greater advantage to parties having a present interest, and another gave a greater advantage to those having a future one. They had placed the discretion of the trustees, in the compulsory conversion, under the control of a judge in Chancery; and it was proposed by this proviso (which he read) to do the same with regard to that conversion which was voluntary. Sir F. KELLY objected to this proviso, because it un necessarily exposed trustees and families to the expense of an application to Chancery. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER suggested that the discussion on this clause should be postponed till tho Solicitor-General was in the house. ItETUtiNiORWARED. On the motion of Mr. V. ili-i.llYlßeturns et the names of the several towns in %eland for which town com missioner' arc now appointed, ender the act 9 Oeo. IV., e. 82. Uf the present number of commisstoncrs for each of those towns. Of the nute,,oer of householders in each of those towns now registerwl under the said art, or the act of & 7 Vic., e. 93, as grAlified to be tleetcd town commis sioner in respect or t..nements rated to the annual value of 201 or upward.; and of the number in each town eo regi d as qualified to vote in respect of tenements rated to the 'usual vale.' of W. or upwards. Of the number of householders in eseb of those towns rated at the respective manual voltos of 4/. or upward'. Mi. or upwards, 10/. or up wards, 121. or upwards. and 131. or upwards. And, of the number of inhabitants in each of those towns, according to the government census of March, 18-51. Ott the motion of Mr. BEN ET. the minutes of evi dence taken before the Huddersfield election committee were laid before the house. On the motion of Mr. T. CHAMBERS, Mr. Monte was added to the select committee as Assurance Associations. PUBLIC BUSINESS. PETITIONS P] Nt vottittes.—By Sir E. FILMER, from two places in Kent, for government surveillance of nunneries. Snit renranarrtze.—By Mr. JOHNSTONE, from sting in Scotland, in favour of the abelition of tests riTZ Universities. Arro a aaa Clurnrreare DeTT.—By Mr. A. DUN COMBE„ from East Retford ; Mr. PINNEY, from Lymo Beni, ; for the remission of. Perate-norsea ix SCOTLA:CD BILL.—By Mr. BAIRD, from a place in Scotland, in favour of this bill. Ana ESTISEXENT DCTT.—By Mr. FITZGERALD, from Ennis, for the repeal of this duty. MakCIIAXT SUPPING BILL.—By Captain SCOBELL, from Hartlepool, against certain clauses •f this bill LAW or Serrermemr.—Sir H. HALFORD, from Tar Sangton, Leicestershire, for alteration of law of settlement, and removal end exemption of local funds from expenses over which the guardians have no control. ATTORNEYS AND SOLICITORS CERTIFICATE DUTY BILL. Oa the motion for the second reading of this bill. Lord It. GROSVENOR said that since this bill was in troduced, the Chancellor of the Exchequer had declared his intention of dealing with the subject. On Saturday last be had accompanied a deputation to the right hon. gentleman ; they stated the reasons why they were dissatisfied with the reduction proposed; and he hoped that when the resolution came before the house, the nght bon. gentleman would tither accede to the wishes of the deputation, or give a promise of a further redaction and ultimate extinction of the tax. If neither of those alterations were adopted by the right hon. gentleman, it would be his duty to propose an amendment, pledging the house to the total remission of the tax. Under those circumstances, with the leave of the house, he should postpone the second reading of this bill till tt eilnesday, the Ist of J Que. Mr. BASS said he hail hitherto opposed this proposition, seeing no reason why attorneys should be the first relieved from a tax pressing on them in common with others. Since then the Chancellor of the Exchequer had consented to a reduction of the attorneys certificate duty, and had proposed alterations in the licenses of seven other classes. By calcu lation he found that Messrs. Barclay, Perkins, and Co. would hare to pay 2,5501. under the new system, and brewers and melteters generally near 100,0001. This was in effect an additional milt tax ; but he understood the Chancellor of the Exchequer feeling the difficulties of the ease, meant to modify his proposition. It was .something like socialism, to levy these capitation taxes on certain classes, while others, as cotton-spinners, iron -masters, rte., were exempt. He s houldl not object to pay them in com mon with others. After a few words from Capt. Sconsan, The motion was agreed to. AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS BILL. On the further consideration of this bill, Mr. FITZROY moved the following amendments: " And whereas, by reason of the establishment of a Court of Criminal Appeal, the removal of indictments by writ of certiorari is ne longer necessary for the decision of ques tions of law, but is nevertheless often resorted to for pur poses of expense and delay : Be it enacted, that no indict ment, except indictments against bodies corporate not authorised to appear by attorney in the court in which the indictment is preferred, shall be removed into the Court of Queen's Bench, or into the Central Criminal Court, by writ of certiorari, either at the instance of the prosecutor (other than the Attorney General acting on behalf of the crown) or of the defendant, unless it be made to appear to the court from which the writ is to issue, by the party applying for the same, that a fair and impartial trial of the case cannot be had in the court below, or that some question of law of more than usual diffisulty and importance will arise upon the trial. (No certiorari to issue to remove indictment, unless recognisance given for costs.) " And whereas it is expedient to make further provision for preventing the vexatious removal of indictments into the Wert of Queen's Bench : Be it therefore enacted, that whenever any writ of certiorari to remove an indictment into the said court, shall be awarded at the instance of a defendant or defendants, the recognisance now by law require,: to be entered into before the allowance of such writ, shall contain the further provision following ; that is to say, that the defendant or defendants, in case he or they shall be convicted, shall pay to the prosecutor his costs occasioned by the removal of such indictment; and whenever any such wnt of certiorari shall be awarded at the instance of the prosecutor, the said prosecutor shall enter into a re- cognisance (to be acknowledged in like mutate as is now required in cases of writs of certiorari awarded at the in stance of a defendant) with the condition following, that is to say, that the said prosecutor shall pay to the defendant or defining/a, Mums he or they shall be acquitted, his or their costs eseeelesed by such removal. "The coots heireinbefore respec'ively mentioned shall be taxed according to the course of the Court of Queen's Bench ; and for the recovery thereof, the persons entitled thereto shall, at the expiration of ten days after demand made of the person or persons at whose instance the writ of certiorari was awarded, and on oath made of such demand and refusal of payment, have a writ of attachment granted against him or them by the Court of Queen's Bench for such contempt ; and the said court shall and may_ also order the said recognisance to be estreated into the Exchequer. (If no recognisance given, court to try as if no certiorari awarded.) " If the person or persons at whose instance any writ of certiorari shall be awarded shall not, before the allowance thereof, enter into such recognisance as iv hereinbefore pro vided, the court to which such writ may be directed shall and may proceed to the trial of the indictment, as if such writ of certiorari had not been awarded (Not to apply to certioraris at the instance of the Attorney-General.) " This act shall not extend to any writ of certiorari awarded at the instance of her Majesty's Attorney General." Mr. WORTLEY said he +mill take the opportunity of throwing out a suggestion that the law of reeognisanees generally required amendment. Nothing was so difficult as to 'street a recognieance. It was also desirable that coroaers should have power to take bail is eases of parties, against whom a verdict of manslaughter was returned. He knew a recent case of that kind where a verdict of man slaughter was returned against an engineer without the slightest evidence. The amendments were agreed to, and the following clause was added to the bill .—" No person committed to prison under any warrant or order of one justice of the peace, for or on account of not entering into recognisances, or finding sureties to keep the peace, or to ho of good behaviour,) shall be detained under such warrant or order for more than 12 calendar months from the time of such commit meat." The third reading was appointed for Friday. JUDGES EXCLUSION BILL _ The bill, as assesded, was eossidered, and ordered to be read a third time es Wednesday next. COUNTY RATES AND EXPENDITURE BILL. The consetittes on this bill was postponed tall Wednesday asst. SOUTH SEA AND OTHER ANNUITIES COMMU TATION BILL. On the further proceeding on the third reading of this bill. Sir F. KELLY complained that the bill had been brought oa at an early hour th it morning, when he was not in his place. Ile took the entire blame of this, but owing to a variety of engagements he was prevented from attending the house at all ; and it was only on seeing the papers that he learnt what had been done on the bill. The Chancellor of the Exchequer was in error in stating that he had been in the house in the early part of the evening. As he had consented to the bill being brought on at any Lour of the night cr morning provided due notice I were given; but if that notice was only given in the votes if the day on which the bid was to be brought on, it was tot sufficient, 111 the votes were not delivered sometimes till I noon. lie regretted that no m em b er o f t h e governmeo t was now present, as he had clauses of importance to move. . He must, however, dis.lisrye hie duty, lest he should be deemed a participator in further delay; and it was moat important that no time should be lost with a Lill of this Kind, by which the money market wan necessarily affected. /kill be mast conteni that the bill had not been prepared with due consideration. He had two clauses to propose, no. to limit the creation of 21 per cent. stock to ten mil was mad 140 other to provide for the protection of "ono Sir F. KELLY concurred, and postponed the clause affecting trustees. Ho then proposed a clause limiting the creation of the New Two-and-a-Half per Cents. to eleven millions. He warned that the whole of the holders of Smth•Sea Stock would accept the New Two-and-a-Half per Cent. Stock, and it was therefore necessary to make the amount eleven millions instead of ten, as he had at first proposed. The effect of all these operations was substan tially to create about 100 millions of new stock, including the Exch. quer Bonds; and though no actual addition might be made to the national debt, a new loan or contrast between the state and the country would •be made for 100 millions. In such a case, the invariable course was to submit to public competition the bargain he wished to make, to invite tenders, and to accept the most favourable term,. There had been an in stance of sun a loan being effected where the terms wen dictated by the minister of the day. The operation of Mr. Gonlburn in 1542 was not a case in point, as he was them paying off debt, and stocks which had cost 1001. were than at 1021. Instead of inviting tenders from capitalists, some of whom might have offered to take 21. 10s. for 20 or 30, years only, the Chancellor of the Exchequer himself fixed the interest at 21. 155., and offered a guarantee for 40 years. If these terms were thought disadvantageous to the eapi taint they would not be accepted ; hut if they were toe high the country would he paying a greater amount than there was any necessity to pay. If the Chancellor of the Exche quer knew beforehand what would be the result of in= tenders, and knew that not a sin g l e t en d er wou ld b e at a less rate than 655. per cent. and for a shorter gnmenmene than 40 years, there was an end of the objection ; but am he had made no each statement, it was manifest he had net that knowledge; and the probability was that an injury would be done to the state. The course taken by the go vernment was altogether unprecedented. The bill was a trap, and a bad bargain for the public. Ho concluded by moving a clause limiting the New Two-and-a-Half per Cent. Stock to Illmillions. The CIiANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he was surprised that his hon. and learned friend had entered his amendment in the form of a new clause, and not in the form of au amendment to an existing clause; because if the clause was agreed to, the effect would be that there would be two clauses in the bill, the once contradicting the other; fir there would be one clause allowing 30,000,0001. stock to be created, and another providing that 11,000,000/ only should be created. (Hear.) The hon. and learned gentle man said the whole course of proceedings which the govern ment adopted was strange, unusual and impracticable; sad that there was another course which was the usual, the may and the invariable course, and which the government ought to follow—and that was, that they should borrow sassy in the market. The hon. and learned gentleman did not say what should be done with th e money after it bad ben borrowed; but he presumed that his bon. sad learned friend would apply it to the extinction of ens isting stock. The honourable and learned gentle. man said he stated this without fear of contra diction. Ile (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) did not know what his hen. and learned friend's fear of contradic tion might be, but as long as he (the Chancellor of the Ex chequer) had a scat in that house he should feel it to be hie duty to give the most unqualified contradiction to his ver sion of the course of former proceedings. He (the Chan cellor of the Exchequer) had pursued the course which had been invariably pursued. In no case did the Chancellor a the Exchequer g i into the market to borrow money and ap ply it to the extinction of stock. He granted that with re gard to the creating of Exchequer Bonds the cue was dif ferent. That was a new stock, and they proposed, as far as they were to be used, to raise money upon them, not at a fixed rate, bat according to what they could obtain for them in the market. The value of these bonds would be tested by the feeling of the public. But he heard of such a thing as raising money in the market for the pur pose of extinguishing stook. But, waiving the ques tion of precedent, would it be reasonable to take this course ? Could his hon. and learned friend seriously supposephat any Chancellor of the Exchequer or any House Int Commons would ever enter upon such a course of proceeding, which ho must call au excessively irrational one. (Hear, hear.) For what would be the effect of it ? I n t h e first plies by a purely artificial and unnecessary operation they would create a scarcity of money by borrowing, and then by pay ing back they would create an artificial gl u t. (H ear , h ear .) They applied an artificial stimulus first in one way and then they applied an equally artificial stimulus in the oppo site way. (Hear, hear.) The reason was conclusive against such a plan, and the house could never dream of adopting it. But the motion of his hon and learned friend had a narrower scope. It was to limit the creation of stock to 11,000,0001., which would completely cover th e amount of minor stocks whi c h wou ld be subject to. compulsory conversion under the bill. His ote• jeetion to that was this .—ln the first place the house had adopted au arrangement by which there would be no increase of the capital o f th e debt whatever, in conse quence of the creation of this Two-and•a-Half per Cent. stock. .When it became liable to redemption there would be no increase of the capital of the debt whatever in conse quence of the redemption. The fund provided by the has.. would reduce the debt in a greater degree than this addi tional capital on paper would go to increase it. In the next place, he objected to the limitation to 1 1, 0 00,0001., because it was too small in amount to test fairly the experi meet they wished to make. (Hear, hear) It would not come enough into public view thus limited. It was for this very reason that the hon. member for Huntingdon (Mr. Baring), who supported the proposition of the hon. and learned gentleman the other evening, objected to the 30,000,0001, for he said that it was too small a sum to test fairly the value of the stock. The house had determined on the creation of the stock. Triers was no longer any dig. piste on that point, but the hon. and learned gentleman culled on them to create it under conditions which would deprive the government of the benefit of the experiment they proposed to make. (Hear.) Mr. HUME thought that the mode of proceeding adopted by the Chancellor of the Exchequer was the best. Mr. [SPOONER said he did not go with his hon. and learned friend as to the mode of raising the money, but he could not help thinking that the government were making • bad bargain fur the state, and one too much in favour of the capitalists. He had the opinion of two actuaries in ems finnation of that view. One of them estimated that the value of 821. les. at 3 per cent. was WI. ls., and that a 1101. was 971. Si. The other estimated their values at 92/. 3s. and 961. 161. 6d. respectively, thus making a dif ference of 7d. per cent, on the 110/. stock &mann the state. The doctrine of equivalents, therefore, could not be main tained. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUEIt—That was on the assumption that it would be redeemed at the end of forty years. Mr. SPOONER—What else could they do? If it was to be dealt with as a mere annuity, what benefit would be received ? What would be; gained at the end of forty years ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—That they would have to pay but 2/. 10s. instead of 3'. per cent. Mr. SPOONER—But they were paying (or that now, because they were paying on 961. 161. Another objection he felt was, that they ought not to tie up the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer for forty years, on account of a saving of 2.. 3d. ' • Mr. 'WILKINSON said that if the hon. end learned gentleman divided the house, he would unaillingly divide with him on the question of the limitation of the stock. Mr. WILLIAMS said the hon. and learned gentleman I overlooked the difficulty which the Chancellor of the Exchequer had to contend with in effecting the reduction of a debt of 500,000,000/. lie did not exnect that any Chen. . , cellor of the Exchequer would fee the time when he could deal with it u a whole, and give the 12 months' notice which we. required for the operation. If the Chancellor of the Exchequer could effect even an impression on the debt he would do go.xl. (Hear, hear.) The clause, after a few words from Sir P. Kitty, was withdrawn. Sir F. KELLY then proposed the addition of words for the purpose of preventing the acceptance of this new stock without the consent in writing of the e,01.11 quit trust, or in eases of legal inability, without the consent of the Court of ' Chancery. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL thought the ill/Mite of the clause with the words proposed by Lis hon. and learned r friend would be somewhat arobluous, and in order that r the might be no mistake, he had framed a clau s e whi c h he 6:ought would substantially meet the view of his hon. an d 'wi l ed friend. The hon. and learned gentleman then rend the clause, which required the consent of the trustees, . executors, or 'adminiseraters, and in cases of legal disability of the Court of Chancery ; but providing that where tho parties interested did not agree, the interposition of the ~r'~t 56: • ."‘ THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, APRIL 28, 1883. Clan OMAN", sista be requested to" the ilenuaatitien) et Al steak. eta F. KELLY said that his object 'WU that the hoiden Its treat should not have the power of exchanging or con verting the stock without the eonsent of all the parties in terested. • Bat in the Cal. of lunatics, infanta, and peewee under coverture, he proposed that the stacks might be com muted under the authority of the Court of Chadeery. If the clause proposed by the hon. and leased Solicitor. General provided for both these objects he was satisfied. He objected, however, to that part of the clause which pro vided that where the parties differed they might go to the Court of Chanc:ry. He thought that would lead to great exiles, and inconvenience. He would take that oppor tunity of expressing his satisfaction at the mode which the Hr use of Commons pursued in dealing with important clauses ; where millions of money depended on the words used. (Hear, hear.) He suggested that the clause should be postponed and submitted to (either consideration. Mr. MICHELL objected to any clause which would force trustees into the Court of Chancery. (Hear.) The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said the Court of Chan cery had been much altered of late. (" Hear, hear," and laughter.) An application of this kind could be now made to a judge sitting in chambers, and the cost would not be more than a few shillings. Mr. WORTLEY thought tho house should be cautious in this matter, and should be careful not to adopt words more extensive than it intended. He believed that the trust funds amounted to half or more than half of the stock, and if the consent of all the parties was necessary before coeval sion could be made it would be impossible for any large pot , Don of trust property to be converted. The house might adopt the plan which had been adopted in the bill for mat ting off entails in Scotland, which require the consent of • certain number only. (Hear Mr. MtiLLINGS said he did not object to the clause pro. posed by the Solicitor-General, but he doubted if it would have a good effect. Ile had been 30 years conversant with the practice of Chancery, and he had no doubt that if the parties were obliged to come before that court it would lead to a great deal of expense. Sir J. GRAHAM said he would recommend the post ponement of the clause if the parties on both sides of the house were agreed in the principle. But there was a great difference of opinion as to the principle. Gentlemen on the opposite aide contended for the common consent of all the parties interested in the trust. If the home gave effect to that principle, and objected to the int tion of a judicial tribunal, practically that would bar the operation of the bill. (Hear, hear.) He could not be so sanguine as to ex pect that the recent reformsof the Court of Chancery would do away with all expense, but one of the great objects of these reforms was to put an end to the expenses in the Masters' offices, and for this purpose a summary power was given to a judge in chambers. (Hear.) He thought that no greater slur could be cast on the judicature of the country than to say that if it was necessary ha eases of this kind to come before the Court of Chancery it would entail a ruinous expenditure. (Hear. hear.) If that were so the attempted reforms of the Court of Chancery were nugatory. He did not believe that it was so ; but if the fact was as the hon. member (Mr. Mailings) stated, further reforms of the Court of Chancery became absolutely indispensable. (Hear, bear.) It appeared to him that nothing could be more just than that, in the absence of a common consent, there should be an appeal to the Court of Chancery. Much might be said in favour of the suggestion of the hon. and learned member for Bate (Mr. Wortley); but at present he was decidedly of opinion that no other course was open to them than that proposed by the Solicitor-General. (Hear, hear.) Mr. HENLEY thought it would be unwise, where five parties were interested in a common food, that one of them should have the power of dragging the other four before even the amended tribunal of the Court of Chancery, and exposing and ripping up all the circumstances of the trust. He pretested against parties being dragged into a Court of Chancery without their consent. This was a departure from all known and recognised principles of law. He con fessed that there was in this proposal a prospect of doing more harm than good ; and he did not see why they should net leave patties when there was no necessity of doing any thing alone. Mr. CARDWELL said they were going to offer the inducement of self interest to certain persons to accept their terms. If it were not their interest to accept them the whole of the operation would fail. According to the pro position of the right hon. gentleman who had just sat down, if there were five persons under trust, whose trustee considered it for their interest to accept the trust, but there was some d nibt in the mind of one of the cestui que trusta, that it would not be for their interest, the trustee could not accept the terms unless they all consented. If the trustee could not accept they would he in a worse position, because they would be left to .be paid off at a more disad vantageous time. Then, there being a majority of the oestui que trusts, who were desirous to take advantage of the terms, and:the trustee being also desirous of taking advantage of them, hon. gentlemen opposite objected to the =on of a court of equity, through which the common might be adjusted. and thus they would frustrate the apandloa of t h e act. Were they to leave it to those whose paparty was not under settlement to accept terms which was beneficial, and leave those whose property was under trot to operations whichtwould he more injurious to them selves? If it were to the interest of those who were not wader trust to accept the terms offered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, it followed that thou who were under host should be in a condition to accept also. ne. NEWDEGATE said the right hon. gentleman had rlgthe whole question. The sum to be dealt with was el, and they could not apply the same reasoning to it u if they were dealing with the whole amount of the funds and were offering propositions which the parties mast accept or decline. The proceedings were here interrupted by the appear ance of Lord Drumlanrig at the bar with the ANSWER OF HER MAJESTY TO THE ADDRESS. Lord DRUMLANRIG read her Majesty's answer to the address recently presented to her on the birth of a prince, and which was as follows:—" I have to thank you for your loyal and dutiful address. The interest you have ex pressed in my domestic happiness is very grateful to me." NEW MEMBER. Captain BUNBURT, the newly-elected member for Carlow, took the oaths and his seat. The house then divided : For Sir F. Kelly's clause Against it Oa our re-admission to the gallery, The SOLICITOR-GENERAL was moving a proviso, to the effect that where any difference of opinion should exist among trustees or the cestui qui trusts, such commu tation shall only take place under the authority of the Court of Chancery in England, o: the Court of Session in Scot land ; the discretion of the court being exercised on sum mary application. Sir F. KELLY said, supposing a person entitled to the dividends for life, it would be his interest to change into the proposed Three-and-a-Half per Cent. stock, while it would be to the Interest of the person entitled to the reversion that the stock should be commuted irto the Two-and-a-Half per Cents. These two parties would go before the court, and be represented by counsel, and it would be quite impossible that the controversy could take place without putting the parties to great expense. Be sides, by the wording of the clause, it might extend to the whole Three per Cents. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, to prevent any ambiguity as to the extent of the operation, he proposed that, instead of " any part of the Consolidated Annuities," the words "proposed by this act" should be inserted. Mr. HUME suggested that provision should be made to enable the parties to go before the judges without expense. (Laughter.) Mr. HENLEY observed that that was a novel proposi tion, and he did not see how the hon. gentleman could in duce the practitioners of the Court of Chancery to act with out being paid. Mr. HUME said the parties might themselves go before a judge at chambers, aad state the case, no counsel being allowed. Sir F. KELLY then proposed , to omit the words "agree, or if any of the parties shall. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the effect of that was to put to the house once more the ques tion they bad alread decided. The S OLICITOR -GENERAL said the effect of the amendment would be that in case one of the parties inte rested dissented the trustees would be deprived of the power of accepting the terms. If they wished to strangle the bill they could not do better than adopt the amendment. Mr. WALPOLE remarked that the effect of the clause as it stood would be that when there was a dispute the court would hear each of the partieqend direct the costs to come, not out of the pockets of those it decided agairist but out of the fund, and the result would bs that the fund would be diminished and the tenant in remainder would suffer. He thought, therefore, government would do well to consider the effect of the clause before they finally decided on it. Then it should be remembered that this wee a money bill, and if the Lords made any amendments in it this house would of course not agree to those amendments, but they would have to begin again with a fresh bill. The house then divided : For the amendment 67 Against it The chose was then agreed to. Some other amendments were introduced, one being to apportion the time over which the Exchequer Bills could fall in to six years, in order to prevent a large mass of the securities becoming redeemable at the same time; and an other to limit the issue of the Three-and-a-Half per Cent. Stock to the same emour,t as the Two-and-a-Half per Cent. Stock,—vis , 30,000,0001. The bill then passed. CLONMEL ELECTION. The SPEAKER. intimated that the petition against the return for the borough of Clonnsel had been abandoned. ENCUMBERED WATER (IRELAND). Mr. WIiITESIDB moved for leave to bring in 'a bill to facilitate the sale, partition, and exchange of lands by the Court of Chancery in Ireland, and the recovery of monies secured by recognisance in the said court. Ile explained that his object was to afford additional facilities for the sale and distribution of the proceeds of encumbered estates. Under the Encumbered Estates Act it was intended that the proceeds of the sales should be paid into the Bank of Ireland in the name of the commissioners and be divided amongst the parties entitled without delay. But in consequence of the enormous number of estates with which the court had to deal and the accumulation of business being en far beyond what had been capcc-ted, it was found that the machinery proviaeil was not sufficient to carry out 1: e objects of the act, and there were at this moment, notwithstanding the vast amount of business which had been already gone through, some thousands of estates writing for sale through the medium of the court, besides which there was an emir- Tour amount of money located up, and waiting for diatribit- Ben. Up to the alat of March, thy result of the sales effected I by the smart in money was 8,667,683 f., of which there had been paid out to the parties entitled 4,926,1911., leaving un distributed and locked spin the Bank to the serious injury and loss of :the claimants and of the country 1731,4911. So far therefore the object of Sir J. Romilly's bill had failed, not for want of (attention on the part of the officers of the court, for no functionaries could be more attentive, more energetic, and more zealous in their du- ties, but frim the defects of the act itself. One cause of the prom.'" rl ti.vittess in true coat was a rule which bad been laid down, under which the attorney who the petition, though he represented Only the 30th or 40th, and perhaps the least important of all the encumbrances, obtained the management of the estate until the final setttlement, and was secured for his costs ; and the result of this was, that where a sharp prac tising attorney happened to represent a creditor upon any property, he lodged a petition and forced the estate to sale. paniamentary title which that court gave to the pur chaser, and the speedy and cheap adjudication which it was intended to give to the various parties interested in the estate, he admitted to be matters of great importance. But practically the effect of this new jurisdiction was, that there were two processes by which real property was dealt' with in Ireland; the long process of the ordinary tribunals, and the short process of the Encumbered Estates Courts, and it had come to pass that no proprietor could borrow money on the security of his estate, or sell his estate at the market able value, except by means of that court. This evil had also arisen, that in consequence of the vast amount of busi Beinlhat flocked to that court, and the accumulation of Mew, it bad become a practice when a party desired to t the sale of en e,tate, or to interpose delay, he a petition in the Encumbered Estates Court, where hly it would be years before the ease could be adjudi- Gated upon, while he remained in receipt of the rents, and avoided the ordinary proem of the Court of Chancery, wader which a receiver was appointed to take the mess for the benefit of the creditors generally. He in the present bill to adopt the main prin- Ver ed of the Encumbered Estates Act, and to engraft upon it some of the provisions of Sir John Romilly's bill for facilitatieg the proceedings in Chancery— the Equity Jurisdiction Bill. He proposed to continue the short, quick, and cheap process provided by the Encum bered Estates Court, and to extend it to the Court of Chan cery, combining with it those facilities which the measure he had referred to gave. Under the act for the sale of en cumbered estates, the estate could not he brought into the court unless the rental was swallowed up to the extent of one-half by the incumbranees, nor could the owner go into the court himself to sell, though he might be forced there by a hostile creditor. He proposed to remove these restrict bon., and to enable the owner to file his petition for the purpose of selling any portion of his estate, in order to save the rest. The restriction as to the sale of leaseholds under GO years also he proposed to abolish, and further, that when an estate was sold under the Court of Chancery, the pur chaser should have the benefit of a parliamentary title, which experience proved, always enhanced the value of the land in the market. He proposed to carry out the provi. sinus of this bill by means of the masters in Chancery. There were five of these functionaries who, under the re cent Chancery reforms ' would be relieved from the duties which belonged to the office they held, and whose services might be advantageously employed in dealing with these estates—and as they would constitute five separate courts, they would be enabled to sell five properties while the In cumbered Estates Court was selling one. He proposed also to give the court a summary jurisdiction in the case of recog nisances, and to sweep away the cumbrous machinery of scire facies, demurrers, and all those other tedious proceedings. He anticipated that the effect of this new law would be to get rid of the 1,000 estates, and relieve the 4,000,0001. now locked up in the encumbered estates, because if the bill passed the parties interested in them would have pewer to transfer their petitions to the Court of Chancery. He trusted that no difficulties would be thrown in the way of the introduction of the bill. So. J. YOUNG stated on the part of the government, that there was no objection to the introduction of the bill, but it was right he should add, that they had themselves a similar measure under consideration, and therefore he could hold out no hope that the hon. and learned gentleman's measure would either be supported or facilitated by them. Mr. FITZGERALD, u au Irish lawyer, bore his testi mony to the usefulness of the Encumbered Estates Court. If the legislature gave full scope to its machinery, he saw no reason why land in Ireland should not become just as much a marketable commodity as goods, manufactures, or agri cultural produce. He took exception to the figures which had been stated by the hon. and learned gentleman, and announced his intention to oppose any proposal for the ab sorption of the functions of the Incumbered Estates Court by the Court of Chancery. Still there was much good in this bill, and so far as its practical reforms were consigned. he would give it hi. hearty support. Lord BERNARD hoped the government in dealing with this subject would take into their consideration the fact that under the present law the proprietors of estates that were not encumbered were placed in a worse position than the proprietors of those that were. He suggested that the proprietors of unencumbered estates should have faci lities of disposing of their pronerty with the benefit of a parliamentary title, and thus obtaining the market value, which at present, in consequence of the operations of the nosambered Estates Courts, they could not do. Mr. NAPIER said the object of this species of legit's- Oft ought to be to give the public what they really wanted, momely, facilities of sale and security for title. That end, lee believed, would be attained by this bill, and he should have no hesitation in awarding it his support. Mr. V. SCULLY would offer no opposition to the motion for bringing in the bill, but must resist any proposal for vesting the sale of encumbered estates in the Court of Chancery. Be fore the establishment of tho Encumbered Estates Court, the Court of Chancery enjoyed jurisdiction ever encumbered estates, and the ercised its functions in that respect showed that it was in eompetent to the task. The mischief of the present system was that the jurisdiction of the Encumbered Estates Court was too much restricted. He had given notice of a bill to enlarge tbe jurisdiction of that court, which he should bring under the notice of the house on the 10th of May. Mr. GEORGE considered that the time had come when the extraordinary powers of the Encumbered Estate Court ought to be transferred to the ordinary tribunals of the lead. He was glad, therefore, to hear that the government offered no opposition to the introduction of the bill. The motion was then agreed to, and the bill was subse quently brought in and read a fi rst time. The house adjourned at six Velook. NEW COMMITTEES. Yesterday the General Committee 7i Elections, Sir J. Trollope in the chair, met, and nominated the following committees : Bovrosr.—Lord Robert Grosvenor (chairman), Hon. Charles Hardinge, Mr. Milner, Mr. Williams, and Mr. F. Pigott. TOTNEB.—Hon. Mr. Lawelles (chairman), Mr. M. T. Smith, Captain Rushont, Sir T. Winnington, and Mr. Whitmore. HARWICN.—Mr. Headlam (chairman), Lord J. Manners, Mr. J. Locke, Lord C. Clinton, and Colonel Ferguson. The committee have also struck the following committee to try the allegations contained in the Clonmel petition : Mr. M. Gaskell (chairman), Hon. L. Maule, Mr. J. Nedd, Mr. J. Walter, and Mr. Sandars. PAIRS ON MR. HAMILTON*/ MOTION.-Bir E. Fanner for with Mr. Hutchings against; Mr. Hart:tun for with Lord R. Grosvenor against; Mr. Ald. Thompson for with Mr. A. Pellatt against; Hon. S. Knox for with Captain Laffan against; Mr. Packe for with Colonel Freestun against. GALE IN THE DO WNS.-FATAL SHIPWRECKS. IfAMSOATI, APRIL 27. During the last forty-eight hours a succession of gales from the north-west have been blowing in this vici nity of coast, occasioning a serious loss of life and property. On the much dreaded Goodwin Sands two fatal losses oc curred. Other wrecks took place in the neighbeurhood of the Downs, while several large homeward bounders, some Indiamen, had a very narrow escape, having lost their anchors and cables, and left to the mercy, as it were, for the time, of the elements. While the gale was at its height, about one o'clock yesterday morning, rockets were fired, u if from a vessel which had got on the Goodwin, and at daybreak, the remains of a large vessel, appa rently, were discovered on the sands. Nothing could be learned of the crew ; and from the tem pestuous character of the night and the chsnees of escaping from a wreck on that formidable shoal, with the sea breaking over her, there is little doubt as to the fate of the crew. Another fatal catastrophe took place on the Goodwin early this morning. Between 1 and 2 o'clock, the brig Harriet, of Hartlepool, was carried on to the sand, and, melancholy to relate, every soul belonging to her perished ; the vessel fast settling down and disappearing. On the adjacent Long Sand a third fatal shipwreck happened during the continuance of the gale. A Swedish barque, named the Carl Johann, bound to the Thames from Dautzie and Gothenburgh, took the shoal in the course of yesterday afternoon, where she remained bumping, with the surf breaking over her, despite the most spirited exertions of the crew to get her off. Her total loss then appeared inevitable, and the posi tion of the poor fellows on b oard became the most trying. They took to the rioginer, and doubtless all the unfortunate creatures would have perished but for being perceived by the ship City of Carlisle, Mr. Storey, master, from Newcastle. As it was, four poor fellows were drowned, the remaiuder of the crew, including the captain and mates, being preserved by the City of Carlisle, which took them off the wreck. A serious loss happened near or on the Kentish Knock, the foundering of a London and Antwerp trader raked the James and Emma. It ',mean that in shaping a course fer the entrance of the Theme., the violent state of the weather much trying her, ehe caught the Knock and sustained much injury. However, the crew managed to get her off, only, however, to find that she had made an extensive leakage and was fast filling. No time was lost in preparing the boat fur the escape of those on board, and they just had time to leave her, when she foundered. They were afterwards picked up, and landed near Margate. The accounts Irons the eastern coast also describe the gale to hstr, , been severely felt in that district. several wrecks occurred between Orfurdneas and Yar mouth Roads, but were happily free from loss of life. THE 1100 D MONIMENT.—The proposal to erect a "Monument to Thome. Ilood " ha', we are glad to find, met with ample support. At a meeting held lag night, at the Whittington Club, it was announced that the Kerman ' green Cemetery will soon contain a colossal red granite pedestal, surmounted by a bronze bust, and b ear i ng t h e suggestive and sutticleht inscription (which the poet him self prayed at his death-bed should be his simple epitaph), " Bo wrote the Bong of the Shirt." eke Orvrtf-ifs. TO CORRESPONDENTS. A tieedui Edition •1" The I , x; oottataing tW came es " Gazette,. ts published every Tuesday and friday .444 is time be poet. mutt Wet the (Wine, W, Bouvar*itriet; by Two u'.gsw.i on tM Say of publiation. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tan DAV—Monier. 3e. 12 a . ,Afternoon, Sa. Vn. to-seamy—Morning. 6is. 1a Afternoon. 6b. 28ut. LONDON, THURSDAY, APRIL 28. Tile prospects of the Budget are " looking up." The Bill for dealing with the National Debt may, after the ordeal of yesterday, be regarded as settled, and it is stated that on one or two disputed items of his Financial Scheme Mr. GLADSTONE is ready to adopt amendments likely to remove serious opposi tion. On the question of Licenses, for instance, we may expect alterations to be made ; the whole of the Advertisement Tax, instead of.the proposed two thirds, may be conceded; whilst the "huge gift to the Times," involved in the abolition of Supplement Stamps, cannot take effect under the faulty Resolu tion by which that gift was at first intended to be made. Whether it will be settled that newspapers shell be permitted to issue larger or smaller sheets, as they themselves please, under the penny stamp; or whether the size of a paper is to be still limited to 1,530 square inches,—extra duty to be paid for extra size,—remains to be seen. But it seems tolerably cer tain that the concession of the whole advertisement tax may come within the range of Mr. GLADSTONE'S amended scheme. All this will be known in due time, but meanwhile those who, whilst helping the Budget forward, wish to make it as good as possible, should not lose sight of points of detail needing amendment. It would not suit the Government to be beaten again is a division on the advertisement tax, and such de feat seems inevitable if the question goes to a divi sion encumbered by the barefaced and brokendown proposition about supplement stamps. Verb. Sap. I'he Tories who before voted against ministers on this subject are not likely to let slip any other chance of hitting at one blow the Peelite CIIANCELLOR of the EXCIIEQUER and the Peelite Times. We feel it useful to look back occasionally, as well as forward—torevive our sense of what has b. en achieved, not only to gather fresh spirit for further efforts, but for the innocent luxury of present rejoicing. Many are probably doing so now—this very week, as a natural consequence of the promise and the stimulus yielded by the new Budget. When PEEL strove to animate us to the great effort of arresting our annual deficit, and recovering our ground in finance, ho reminded us of the days of gloom and horror when our fathers, with a mutiny at the Nore, a rebellion in Ireland, and disaster abroad, and the funds as low as 52, gallantly agreed to an Income Tax of 10 per cent. We need not now, to be sensible of our rising prosperity and growing harvests of blessings, go back to such times as these—touching and instructive as is the thought of them. There have been later times than those when our statesmen insisted that " the country should be forced to feed its own population ;" when the Poor Law was pronounced by foreign economists " the great political gangrene of the country," which must be fatal in either its continuance or its extirpa tion; when the tradesman found the expenses of living fivefold what they had been in his day ; and the artisan gave up the struggle, and went to the workhouse with all his family. Strange contrasts with the present day might be set forth if we were to offer a series of dissolving views of cottage in teriors, from the opening of the century till now. But our progress is more truly striking if we set aside the consequences of the war, and take a much shorter period for the compa rison. Let the horrors of 1798, and the exhaustion of 1816, be regarded as incidents of another state of political existence, of which the first NAPOLEON was the potentate, and the Prrrs, CASTLEREAGIIS, VANSITTARTS, and SIDMOI/TllB were the ministering genii. We will go back no further than ten years ; and we shall see abundant reason, looking at the small facts of the labourer's daily life, to see what a sin it would be, in striving to obtain much more in the ten years to come, to be thankless for what has been done. A dozen years ago, a country gentleman induced a labourer in Yorkshire to furnish him with an account of his household expenditure for a year. The cot tager must have been of a respectable class, to be able to keep such an account. Coming under our eyes at the same time with the resolutions about the Budget, the items awaken a curious sort of interest ; and the first thing that strikes the reader is the incessant recurrence of the charge for " sope." This man paid 18s. a year for this one article of soap, of which he would doubtless not pretend that lie had as much as he could wish, for cleanliness of person, house and clothes. He paid for soap nearly a fourth part as much as for rent. It will be so no more. After the duty is off, there will be such a further reduction from the freedom and improvement of the manufacture, that we may congratulate him on the reduction of this charge by, probably, one-half— especially if his general condition improves so far, by the whole reduction of taxation, as that he can buy his soap in larger quantities, and lay it up to dry— in which case it will go at least one-third further than if bought in small pieces. " Flower," we see, was then 2s. Bd.; and it seems to be rising to that point again; but wages were then very low ; whereas, they are now rising, and likely to rise. He bought his tea, we observe, in quantities of one and two ounces, paying 4s. and upwards per pound ; paying for the waste, time, paper, string, &c., which might have been saved if the article had been cheap enough for him to buy it by the pound. Ten years hence he may sit by his fireside drinking much bet ter tea at 2s. or 2s. 6d. per lb. His sugar is already a good deal cheaper ; he paid 7d. for what he now gets for Id. After next year there will be a further cheapening, with no loss, but gain to everybody; so that, ten years hence, he may sweeten his cup at the rate of 4d. per lb., or less. We observe that he paid very high for eggs, milk, butter, and cheese. Considering the large increase of that kind of pro duce among his neighbours since the importation of cattle began, the further increase to be expected as farmers come to understand their own interest better, and the importation to be anticipated from the new repeal of duties on eggs, cheese, &c., there is every reason to hope that the go od man's board will show a much greater abund ance of this wholesome food for the money. He has already, no doubt, effected a great saving as to bacon, by means of the large importations of late years. lie does not specify the quantities; but there are means of comparison, by which we judge that he paid nearly double for bacon what is now paid in our towns for what is equally good. For coffee he paid one-third more than at present. For clothing much the same, apparently, with the odd exception of half-a-crown for calico for one shirt. Now, here are literally pounds set free for other pur chases in one labourer's cottage. Considering the tens of thousands of labourers' cottages in our island, what a change is here. And the saving, and conse quent reinforcement of the purchasing fund, in creases in the class above ; and again, in the class above that; so that the amount of new com fort, and of stimulus to production and commerce, are far beyond calculation. Some of us might have preferred other remissions, beyond the soap and tea, about which all aro agreed; and others arc more impressed by what remains to be done than struck with what is done; but there surely is no one with a mind to understand and a heart to feel who will say that times past were better than time present. Dr. CIIANNING was, for some years before his death, in possession of great influence over a consider able number of the working classes of England and Scotland ; and no one was more surprised than him self at the fact that a foreign divine should have that' sort of power ; but he published a doctrine which was so new and so acceptable to that class thit it abundantly accounts for the fact. He did not preach contentment to the poor, or to anybody, in the sense in which it is usually inculcated. He exhorted the poor man, as every other man, not to be content till he had obtained the conditions necessary I I to his becoming what man ought to he. lie, the I ' uorking man, being willing to work for every good he sought, should, while working, incessantly de mand that good—means of life—means of health— means of education—means of improvement of all his faculties, Following such teaching, political and social raormers have much to ask yet, at.d will be very right not to be content. The London working man has not yet a choice of a healthy abo‘lc ; and a provision of purer soft water would be to him, even as to his soap and his tea, a greater saving than the remission of the duties. The country labourer cannot be content till the oppression and i t .„,ntation of the !att..., j aws fir remnved, ought to be content under our deficiency of accessi ble education: and, as to the ravages of juvenile crime, they arc a growing grief and shame, which cannot be compensated for by any ameliorations that come through the purse. Of these things we must and shall go on to complain, as long as they exist ; and no sense of obligation for past and present bene fits will silence our protest against these abuses and negligences, which it rests with government to remedy. But we shall reject the imputation of in gratitude and ungraciousness, if such should be cast upon us for our future ctfirts. We were grateful to PEEL before we lost him, and shall be graceful to all who follow in his best steps for the emancipation of industry, and the gradual, but sure, elevation of the condition of the whole people. FRANCE. RAMS, WEDNESDAY EVENINU. The Courrier du Harre, of yesterday, suss: We have already mentioned the measures adopted on the arrival of the French vessel the Ertapereut du Brad, from Rio Janeiro. According to a version which is very current, and which we publish under all reserve, two large cases have been seized, containing an infernal machine, completely mounted. A lock smith, who manufactured the machine, and who has been established for seven years at Rio, and h:s wife, who came passengers by the vessel, have been arrested and lodged in prison. All the baggage belonging t•i these two passengers has been taken to the police-office, and a very strict examination took place of the other passengers and their effects, under the superintendence of two superior officers of police who came from Paris. The Emperor has been pleased to accept front Mr. Henry Charles Sirr his work upon China, entitled, " China and the Chinese." The returns just published of imports and exports during the first quarter of 1853 show but a slight difference in the commercial situation of the country since the publication of the last monthly statement. The diminution in the imports as compared with last year continues in nearly the same proportion. There is a notable diminution in several articles of primary manufacturing importance. In cotton, for example, only 187,733 metrical quintals have been purchased for consumption against 203,64 , 5 at the same period last year. In linen thread, cochi neal, pewter, lead, zinc, oil, wool, coffee, and sugar, both foreign and colonial, there is also u consider able falling off. On the other hand, in mahogany, wood, coal, cast iron, copper, oleaginous grains, nitrate of potass, thrown silk, and made-up linens, there are remarkable augmentations. The general result of the customs receipts is, however, a diminu tion of two millions and a half upon the quarter, the total being 29,910,796 fr., against 32,325,6 17 last year. The Conalituliwinel explains this decreaso by observing that towards the close of 1831 the want of confidence was so great that manufacturers did not dare to purchase raw materials, and com pletely worked up all their old stocks. The purchases made on the revival of trade in the beginning of 1832 were therefore exceptional, and a tailing off from that standard ought not to be considered cvi deuce of decreasing commercial activity. The re mark is to a certain extent just, and it has already been made several times by those who think this feature has been overlooked in the sanguine estimates of the budget. It is to be noted as a favourable symptom that the returns for the month of March are decidedly better than those for January and February. The exports of French produce and ma nufactures offer results similar to those of the imports; the three months together give a certain diminution, whilst the mouth of March gives an improvement. The Moniteur publishes the convention which has been just signed between the French, Belgian, and Prussian governments for the transmission of de spatches by electric telegraph to and from their res pective territories. The tariff is fixed as follows :- In France and Belgium, from 1 to 7.5 kilometres, 2fr. 30e. for from 1 to 20 words ; 3fr. from 21 to 30; 7fr. 50e. from .51 to 100.-From 75 to 100 kilom., sfr., 10fr.,and 13fr. for the number of words respectively.- From 190 to 340 kilom., 7fr. 30c.,15fr. and 221 r. 30c.- From 340 to 323 kilom., 10fr., 20fr., 301r.-From as to 730 kilom., 12fr. 30c., 23fr., and 37fr..50e.-From 750 to 1,015 kilom., 13fr. 301 r., and 43fr. In Prussia, from 1 to 10 German miles, for from 1 to 20 words, 20 gros ; from 21 to .50, 1 thaler 10 gros ; from .50 to 100, 2 thalers.-From 10 to 23 miles, Ith. lOgr., 2th. 20gr., and 4th.-From 23 to 45, 2th., 4th., and 6th.-From 43 to 70, 2th. 20gr., 3th. lOgr. and Bth. From 70 to 100, 3th. lOgr., 6th. 20gr., and 10th.- From 100 to 133, 4th., Bth., and 12th. The German mile is reckoned at 7,300 metres, the thaler at 3f. 73c., and the gros at 121-5 centimes. The Second Chamber of the States-General of the Netherlands was dissolved this day by royal decree. At the Bourse this day the quotations of yesterday have been maintained, with an increase of 10c. in the Three per Cents. for cash. In the concluding price of the Four-and-a-Half per Cents. there is no change to report. The final quotations are :-For cash, Three per Cents., 80f. 40c.; Four-and-a-Half per Cents., 103 f. 50c. In the Railway Share Market to-day there was considerable activity, with an advance in the quota tions of the shares in most of the principal lines; in Paris and Rouens to the extent of 17f., and of 3f. in those of Paris and Strasbourg. In the remaining lines there was a general improvement of from 2f. to 3f., excepting Northerns, which remained unchanged, and Western of Franco shares, in which a decline took place of 3f. Closing prices :-Northerns, 9151; Orleans, 1,053 f. ; Paris and Strasbourg, 880 f.; Paris and Lyons, 9.50 f.; Paris and Rouen, 1,1521.; Western of France, 782 f. ; Bordeaux and Cette, 632 f. HOLLAND. THE HAGUE, WEDNESDAY, ArltlL 7. The elections are fixed for May 17, and the open ing of the session for June 18. Tho programme of the government announces that there will be no change in the constitution. Public worship will continue to be free, but subject to severe surveillance. Centralization will be duni- nished, and the provinces and more free in their action. The programme announces changes in the organic laws. The executive power is to be vested in the King in reality, and not in semblance only. It ter minates by an appeal to the nation. A telegraphic despatch from the Hague, dated the 2lith, announces that a royal decree has dissolved the second Chamber of the States-General. SWITZERLAND, FREIBURG, Aram 23. To-day M. Perrier was brought before a court•tnar tisl. Ou the table of the court had been placed a xis. barrel re voles r, with the carbine, the sabre, and the cartoueh box which belonged to him. Ile appeared quite unconcerned. The wound which he received on the head is very slight. Major Gerber saved his life by warding off a thrust of a bayonet which was directed against him. His brother-in law, Captain Landeract, who commanded the artillery, against the insurgents, conducted the defence. The public prosecutor demanded the application of the punishment of thirty years in irons. The civic guard unanimously de manded that he should he condemned to death. The court adopted the application of the public prosecutor, and has thereby caused great excitement among the civic guard, as they say that in a few months he will have obtained his pardon, and will make a fresh attempt at revolt. Carrart, one of the leading insurgents, was only amnestied in 1830, when he swore never more to take up arms against the government. Colonel Perrier bas not given any information as to who were his accomplices. He pretended in his defence that hi had no intention of shedding blood. Nevertheless it was he who distributed the powder, and he was himself fully armed. The fanatical cure of Torny and Louis Week have been arrested. The director of the college and all the pupils were made prisoners by the insurgents, and Cured proposed that they should all be put to death, as they had imbibed bad principles; but he was killed at the moment that he was leaving the church of the Jesuits. The civie guard fought very well; they were placed in a very diffi cult position, having had in order to reach the College to ascend two flights of et, pa and to pass through a narrow street. The Carabineers soon dislodged the peasants, woo were stationed at the windows. A number took refuge in I the church, where they were tired on with grape. The go ! veroment has made many arrests. The state of siege has just been raised. The town is tranquil, and the market to-day has been:numerously attended. Among the pri soners taken are several cures, two former mayors, and a high bailiff. A flag was captured having on it the effigy of the Blessed Vire&