The Sun. — London, England, 1859-02-16 00:00:00

from all that ho i n Jan• ess in the lira some )37' passed received the com lumerous g of the James's idon. ted with rs are the ter-street , unt Com ae Metro !, Arthur aught the pt would. ; 1 to refer ;hat when A not get imith had When the ►lace there art a fresh • circulars, e ngraved Tavistoel ;ock-place, wed, oners Were what she from the fe then re ing to the not hear. L d g ot the i ere he had called the the pvt May, 180, sulphate of .e of a,bollt latlock, 1 1 1 12 months iers. _ at some g respective - - is no case milted the owever, re' t he should ist Thonip- iurnt Iris?" ) Australia , onday, waa Le of taking with ref was hirL:a East Ind that ? for taking adia Dook o l hours and rank a good Lye him an 4 was -willivs i obliged t° my monet Leh left tb , and hale T-sheet 1 that is . 0 P 3 someth lug ng to da so, ce relclf,'? , for Dub Jill abman, [ country I Zt il ,: o ruing, but ' l3 _` A 7s were forel atal on wilr! s , to obtain Ol t w as little d C fi d lie. Oats all, gy.ptianb(qw" grun•ed for. in poar le dry sanig l 2 DSS transac t :; is rather ra :ls 6id 15s 4d As 2d 4s. 8d :2s 6d :2s Od 29 qrs. [2. ,„e lay, consist l f, des were 'IT. L remained 1 1, 4s 6d ; slo i r stone of 1 4 1 0 at 7s 6d to s 93 per stone• Ld. Fat porl'' 1--Ches t . et o I—Lanca sh : terns, 96 51 it ai l.> stern, 561 22 5-16 and, 7 8 1I's• —North , 0 106--Pl" Leeds, 1 31.94 ,:t 11-161Gre prices ratt_.„l.lo runties, 11 2 .1 % - e , h, t [s, as follows 1 mingham rth Westero, • • • Or errace, Le , , of Tilstolo ishop, Dev°l3' ry, Orchest °ll of a son. , s-road, °- sq., of a 80' blaze r icutta, me, dauel'", o f Goverog' artholeaur g .L ß taut c hap l4 7,,, El ean or, tui mbigh-stree r. John Co lt' nee, Susse d ' ter Davids°"P wallingor d ' tce, the 1 1 2 r Alex. LI ' ras,DaP lo ,; t so younges t o, New-ro r. N. Sac'let est surviv i t Sketty - 0 1. D YO V 9 ice, 14 %! 1 1 coun t y ° ~, „n~,. V.R.-TOWER.-SALE OF STORES, BY Order of th e SECRETARY OF STATE for WAR—TO BE SOLD BY PUBLIC AUCTION, in the TOWER, on WEDNESDAY, the 23d of February, 1859, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, precisely, the following. Stores, viz. :—Great Coats and Gregos ; Clothing (various) ;. Gold and Silver Epaulettes, &c. ; Beds and Beddin, ,o• • Water proof C apes, &c. ; Boots (Ancle) ; Saddlery ; - Dubbing ; -Brushes (various); Tools (various) ; Accoutrements • Rags (woollen, &c.) ; Bed s t ea d s (i ron ) ; Grates, ( Soldiers') Fire ticles; Old Copper, Iron, Steel, and Miscellaneous Ar . May be viewed at the Tower, from 10 to 4 o'clock, on the three days previous to the sale, and Catalogues had at the War-office, pau":mall ; the Tower ; and Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. - :SALE OF PROVISIONS, &e., AT PLYMOUTH. Admiralty, Somerset-place, 14th Feb.,18.59. THE COMMISSIONERS for EXECUTING the „ OFFICE of LORD HIGH ADMIRAL of the UNITED LINGDOM of GREAT BRITAIN and IRELAND, DO HEREBY GIVE NOTICE. That on THURSDAY, the 3d llarch, next, a t 11 o'Clock in the forenoon, the Captain I ; ,Perintendent will put up to sale in her Maiesty's Victual- Yard"ug at Plymouth, several Lots of Victuallin g and Trans port Stores, c ons i s ti ng o f S a lt B ee f an d P or k, Biscuit and Biscuit Dust, Cooks' Fat, Suet Casks and Staves, Paymas ters' Implements, Seamens' Clothing, Wrappers, Bedding, ' C . , &C., &C., all lying in the said yard. Persons wishing to view the lots must apply to tho Super intendent for notes of Admission for that purpose. Catalogues and co n diti on s o f sale may be had here and at the yard. p ÜBLIC READINGS SOCIETY. COMMITTEE. , I tev. W. 11. Brookfield. I W. Charles• Kent, Esq. R. P. D. Maurice. S. C. Hall, Esq. Rev. J. M. Bellew. Wm. Howitt, Esq. It ey. J. G. Lonsdale. I Geo. Harris, Esq. Rev. Alex. W a t son. E. Powell, Esq. Rev. 0. F. Owen. gro. &c. The object o f thi s Society is to establish Public Readings rot the Entertainment and Instruction of the Working Its plans a re t o procure P u bli c H a ll s , S c h oo l- r ooms, and other co nven i ent places, at a small cost, and to supply Evening Readin g ' s from English Literature adapted to interest and Scott, a general audience ; such as the works of Shakspere, "wtt, Goldsmith, Dickens, Macaulay, &c., &c. Some seats will be reserved for those who can afford to payfor the accom inodation at the uniform charge of one shilling, which will be their contribution towards the cost of providing for the Poor. With this exception the Rooms will be opened to any Per 45,c'n , c 'non payment of One Penny ; and no more will be admitted 'flan can be comfortably seated. As soon as the room is full, the doors will be closed. The Readings will begin at Eight o'clock precisely, and close at Half-past Nine. N.B.—The aid of Subscriptions will be required to defray the expenses of the Society, and those who approve the object are requested to put down their names for some Annual Con tribution, however small. Public Institutions, Clergymen, and Parish Authorities, would much promot e th e objects of the Society, by lending the use of Rooms convenient for _he purpose. Competent Readers are invited to gilt - 0.04r aiesiatanoe, aommanicatious, subscriptions, offbrs or" Ydoms far - the iteadings, &e. are to be addressed to the Acting Secretary, Mr. JOHN COLLETT, at our Chambers, 1, iissex-court, Temple, or to EDWARD. W, COX, or CHARLES J. PLUMPTRE I Honorary Secre ' taries. • NOTICE. The Next Reading' of the Society will be as follows : Wednesday, Feb. 16—At Wylde's Reading - Rooms, Leicester • square. Thursday, Feb. s 17—At the National School-room, in Theo bald' -road. Friday, Feb. 18—At Wylde's Reading Rooms, Leicester square. READERS,—Rev. Alexand e r W a t son ; R ev . 0. F. Owen ; _ Esq W. Cox, Esq. ; C. J. Plumptre, Esq. ; W Charles Kent, ; U. Lawrence, Esq., &c. wßielaldibneggii The doors will op en a t h a lf- pas t S even, ,an d th e R ea di n g niaspbreceguisnel.y at Eight. No admittance after the Admission, One Penny. Front Seats, Sixpence. Reserved Seats, One Shilling. • *** Schools admitted free' of any charge whatever. ORIENTAL INLAND STEAM COMPANY (Limited) for the NAVIGATION of the RIVERS of INDIA. (Under Subsidy from the Indian Government.) Capital—£2so,ooo, in 25,000 Shares of £lO each. - 1 Now proposed to be increased to £500,000. TRUSTEE. James Allan, Esq., Managing Director of the Peninsular and 1 Oriental Steam Navigation Company. Chair DIRECTORS. inan---Colonel Grimes, Indian Service, Norwood, and Ampthill Lodge, Southampton. John Bourne, Esq., 9, Billiter-street. F.aptain F. V ere C o tt on , RN., Alpert House, Whitchurch. "Vain W. H. Hall, R.N., C. 8., Director of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. Captain J. C. Hoseason, R.N., Hip.tbeech, Essex. J ames Kennedy, Esq., late of Bury, Curtis, and Kennedy. 'biz' John Spencer Logan, Indian Civil Service, Director of the . Oude Railway Company, Kew. MANAGING DIRECTOR. John Bourne, Esq. • ENGINEER. Edward Cooper, Esq. SUPERINTENDENT IN INDIA. Lieutenant Wood, Indian Navy. RESIDENT ENGINEER IN INDIA. Robert Leys, Esq. AUDITORS. John Glenny, Esq., Strand. George May, Esq., Gresham House. LICITO RS. Messrs. H. It. Hillan d Son, Throgmorton-street. Messrs. BANKERS IN ENGLAND. Williams, Deacon, and Co., Birchin-lane. BANKERS IN INDIA. The Oriental Bank Corporation. SECRETARY. John Mathewson, Esq. Offices : 9, Billiter-street, London. The Directors give notice that, in consequence of the great and undiminished demand for Steam Vessels upon the Indian rivers, and the wide field presenting itself for their profitable employment, they have resolved to double the capital of the Company. The Directors have the satisfaction of announcing that the steamers and barges, consisting of twelve vessels in all, which they forwarded from this country in August last, have now arrived safely in India, and will commence plying upon the rivers without delay. An equal number of vessels of still greater power is at present in preparation, and will be sent ' out as soon as possible. Before embarking in the present undertaking the Directors had not only satisfied themselves of its eminently profitable nature, but they had secured for it the marked co-operation of the Indian Government, by the acquisition of a subsidy; and the Government, both by the gift of land for stations, Workshops, and depots, of wood for fuel, and in every other Way, has rendered every possible aid to the present under taking. At the same time the Directors have insured com plete exemption from Government control and interference ; and this is the only Company so distinguished which pos sesses any Government support. The Directors have the satisfaction of finding that not only the Reports of the Company's servants in India, but the whole concurrent testimony of the advices received from that country, through whatever channel, Completely confirms the fa vourable anticipations they long since formed of the profit able character of the present undertaking. It would be im possible, however, within the limits of an advertisement, to recapitulate the numerous evidences of this truth which the Directors are constantly receiving ; and they content them selves, therefore, with giving the following quotation from a e cent leading article in the "Times," which shows that simi lar information h a d been reaching that paper through its Indian correspondents. the 'Times,' Jan. 29, 1859. It is not only From Government but the whole nation that seems remiss Any day during the last year we might have filled our columns with the complaints of shipbuilders at the de- Vine of thei r t ra d e, ow i ng i n a grea t me asure to the happy from of the Russian War. But what do we now hear ' r .om India ? They wonder there what our shipbuilders are a bout. Month after month they are expecting the steamers that are to com e. The Indian General Steam Navigation Company declare this month,' says our correspondent, a dividend of 100 and upwards per cent. The Home Government had ueen requested to send out would river steamers, and it had sent out only one, which, it said,be enough." Next month,' Continues our informant, 'the Indian Government had to en- Pge all the freight of six for two trips at a price which would "re bought the new vessels wanted twice over. There is room , and work, we are told, for 300 steamers on the Ganges Voile, flowing, as it does, through a territory with a popula- Pn_of 350 to .the square mile, with an export trade of -F", ,u 'ak oo oo, and an internal trade beyond human calculation. the prime this vast opening before us, there arc found men in Prime of life, neither schoolboys nor dotards, who can Waste their time in holding meetings and memorialising Go vernment to find them customers for their shipping. Many a time ere this has war ministered to peace, infusing a quicker element into its idle, dreamy soul. To this Mutiny, perhaps, w e owe the real opening of the Indian navigation to British enterprise, and the railways which are certain to follow. But verbum sat ; we have said enough to start our shipbuilders and ship owners, if they are Englishmen." The Directors have all along felt that neither the vessels which they have already sent to India, nor those which they have at present in preparation, could do much to satisfy the great want of Inland Steam Navigation which exists in that country. But they have also all along felt that the only safe • Way of entering upon such an undertaking was not to rush into it with sanguine precipitation, but to advance with gra dual and cautious steps, and without being dazzled by the large Prospect of profits it holds out. The first steps, how- ever, having been successfully taken, the whole of the exist ing Shares In the Company having been allotted, and being at a premium in the market, and the field being so large as to require a large capital to work it in an efficient manner, the Directors are of opinion that the time is come when the capi tal of the Company may be advantageously increased, and they have, therefore, resolved to raise the capital to half a million sterling without delay. • Applications for the ne w Sh ares mus t be forwarded to the Directors, at the offices of the Company, 9, Billiter-street, London, on or b e f ore the 28th day of February next. A deposit of t wo shillings per Share to be made on appli cation, and the tankers' receipt for that amount to be for warded with the application for Shares. The New Shar e h o ld ers will stand on precisely the same terms as the O r i g i nal Shareholders, the dividend as soo n as i t is payable. and will participate in Calls will not be more frequent than once every three months nor for more than £2 per share, at any one time. Five per cent, will be paid upon all calls until the dividend is de clared, and upon all payments in advance of calls. FORM OF APPLICATION FOR SHARES , To the Directors of the Oriental Inland Steam COmpany (Limited). Gentlemen,—l request that you will allot to me of the Company ; and I hereby Dew Woe of Shares in this under take to accept the same or any less number that may . be allotted to me, to pay the calls thereon when due, and to sign the Articles of Association when required. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, ON MEDICAL GALVANISM IN THE TREATMENT OF NERVOUS DEBILITY, ORGANIC WEAKNESS, &c. Just published, price is., post free, 13 stamps, _ SELF-PRESERVATION : A Medical Treatise on NERVOUS DEBILITY an d FUNCTIONAL " EAKNESS, more particularly in reference to the INFIR MITIES and DISORDERS of the GENER ATIVE SYSTEM; tracing— the Origin of these distressing . afflictions to causes which vitiate the very fountains of Life and prematurely de stroy the vigour of Manhood. With Practical Observations on the Cure of these Diseases, and on the extraordinary re storative power of LOCAL GALVANISM in Sperm atorrbcea, Impotence, and Sterility, in which cases it is applied without pain or danger, and i s frequently successful without the aid of medicine. BY SAMUEL LA'MERT, M.D., 37,, BEDFORD SQUARE, LONDON, Registered Licentiate of the London Society of Apothecaries, Doctor of Medicine of the University of Erlangen, Honorary Member of the London Hospital Medical Society. &C. An erroneous impres s i on ex i sts that public announcements on these disorders emanate only from unqualified persons, but as the new Medical Act provides that none but registered practitioners shall assume any medical title, those that are legally qualified can readily be distinguished —a point of great importance in cases where secrecy, confid ence, and sk i ll are equally requisite. In the new edition of Self - Preservation,' facts of para mount utility are brought together —facts appealing to the prudence of all who are suffering from affections which in volve the enfeeblement and ultimate loss of th ose powers without which man forfeits the dignity of nature, and sinks to the most pitiable depths of physical and moral degradation. In cases where the vital essences haveben weakened by the influences of tropical climates, by pernicious habits, indiscri minate excesses, improper diet, "hardship, or by iniudicious treatment, the means of cure adopted by the author, in con junction with the application of Local Galvanism, have gene rally been found successful, even in cases where recovery had been pronounced impossible. Published by the Author, prioe is., or free by post for thir teen stamps, and may be had of Allen. Warwick-lane, Pater noster-row, London • Westmacott, chemist, Market-street, Manchester ; d, Guest, Bull-street, Birmingham; Baraclough, Fugate, Sheffield • Rayner, High-street, Southampton ; W. Love, Enoch-square,-square,Glasgow ; H. Powell, Westmoreland street, Dubli n , or from the Au th or , who may be consulted daily, from Eleven till Two, and from Six till Eight, at his residence, 37, Bedford-square, London. NEW AND IMPORTANT DISCOVERY IN THE SCIENCE OF MEDICINE. Patent Office Seal of Great Britain. Diplome d'Ecole de Pharmacie Pharmacjen de Paris. Imperial College of Me dicine. Vienna. TRIESEMAR Nos. 1,2, and I, prepared in the form of a lozenge, devoid of taste or smell, and can be carried in the waistcoat pocket. Sold in tin cases, divided into separate doses, as administered by Valpeau, Lallemand, Roux, Ricord, &c , adapted for both sexes. TRIESEMAR No. 1 is a Remedy for RELAXA TION, SPERMATORRIRCEA, and all the distressing consequences arising from early abuse, indiscriminate excesses, or too long residence in hot climates. It has restored bodily and sexual strength and vigour to thousands of debilitated individuals who are now in the enjoyment of health and the Functions of Manhood : and whatever may be the cause for DISQUALIFICATIONS for MARRIAGE, they are effectu ally subdued by this Wonderful Discovery. TRIESEMAR NO. 11. effectually, in the short space of three days, completely and entirely eradicates all traces of Gonorrhoea, both in its mild and aggravated forms, Meets, Strictures, Irritation of the Bladder, Non-retention of Urine, Pains of the Loins and Kidneys, and those disorders which Copaivi and Cubebs have so long been thought an antidote for, to the ruin of the health of a vast portion of the population. TRIESEMAR NO. 111. I d cure lls for Scurvy. and Secon dary thesygrmepattoinCosn. InteanlstaoleoßnesmtiteudiesfoarceSrtyp-a initsScrofula, coursean all alI c o rru p tions Cutaneous Er Eruptions, o n impuritiess , stream, as altogether to eradicate the virus of Cils w ease expel it with the insensible perspiration, through tl of the pores of the skin and urine, and is a neverTfeadiiunT remedy for that class of disorders which unfortunately the Eng li s h Physician treats wit h Mercur y , to the inevitable de struction of the patient's constitution, and which all the sar saparilla in the world cannot restore Price Is., free by post, Is. Bd.extra to any part of the kingdom ; or four cases m one for 3.35., by post 3s. 24. extra, which saves Ils., and in £5 cases, whereby there is a saving of £1 125. Sold by Daniel Church, 78, Gracechurch-street, from Bartlett Hooper, 43, King Wil liam-street (four doors London -bridge); Watts, 17, Strand ; Front, 229, Strand; Hannay, 63, Oxford-street ; Sanger, 150, Oxford-street; Butler, 4, Cheapside ; Edwards, St. Paul's Churchyard _ _ HUMAN FRAILTY ; a Medical Work, price ls. post free, illustrated with 100 engravings, thecontainin opinions of Valpeau, Lallemand, Roux, Ricor d, &c. It gives instructions for the perfect restoration of those who are pre vented by impediments from entering into the married state, also showing the dreadful results from early abuse, gonorrhoea and syphilis, and the benefits arising from the chemical tests and the examination of the spermatoza by the newly-con structed microscope, with powerful lenses. The Author may be consulted daily according to the rules in the Book. 20, Warwick-lane, Paternoster-rOW, and of " trgSgditubyegJe. A hta ll f e o n, r the de Triesemar." No. 20 I PUBLICATIONS. THE NEW NOVEL. Now ready at all the Libraries, in 2 vols., 215., rr HE - THREE• PATH S, By HERBERT GREY, M.A., Hurst and Blackett, Publishers, successors to Henry Col burn, 13, Great Marlborough-street. In One Vol., 10s. 6d., bound, AWOMAN'S THOUGHTS about WOMEN, By the Author of " John Halifax, Gentleman." " A book of sound counsel. It is one of the most sensible works of its kind, well written, true-hearted, and altogether practical."—Examiner. Hurst and Mackett, 13, Great Marlborough-street. , Just ready, in Bvo, cloth, CHRISTIANITY in INDIA; An Historical Sketch. By J. W. KAYE, Esq., Author of "Life and Correspondence of Lord Metcalfe," &o. London : Smith, Elder, and Co., 65, Cornhill. Tbis nay, Octavo, is. 6d., THOUGHTS ON PARLIAMENTARY REFORM.. Ey JOHN STUART MILL. London : John W. Parker and Son, West Strand. This day, Sm MAN AND HIS DT Essay toivaidis the INTRODUCTION. all Octavo, 95., VELLING-PLACE. An iterpretation of Nature. BOOK lII.—OF RELIGION. „ IV.—OF ETHICS. „ V.—DIALOGUES. BOOK 1.-OF SCIENCE. ~ IL-OF PHILOSO PHY. London : John - W. Par] :er and Son, West Strand. This Day, Post Octavo, 7s. 6d., ON LIBERTY. By JOHN STUART MILL. By the same Author, SYSTEM OF LOGIC. Fourth Edition, 255. PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. Fourth . Edition, 30s. _ .ESSAYS ON SOME UNSETTLED QUESTIONS OF POLITICAL ECONOMY. 6s. 6d. - • London : John W. Parker and Son, West Strand. SH - AREHOMERS.— On Saturday next will be presented to the readers of THE LEADER, an ANALYSIS of the POSITION of the JOINT-STOCK BANKS of LONDON on the 30th June and 31st December, 1858,.together with a comparison of their progress and re spective amounts of profit, increase of capital, &c., compiled and arranged expressly for this paper from the best authori ties, with original remarks on the rise, progress, and tendency of this system of banking. " The Leader," literary, political, commercial, and family weekly newspaper. Stamped, 6d. ; unstamped, 6(1.- Office, 18, Catherine-street, Strand, W.C. Order of any newsvendor. NEW WORK ON STRICTURE. Just aublished, Bvo, in cloth, price 55., by post free, ss. 6d., THE TREATMENT of STRICTURES of the URETHRA. With the Reasons why they so often ppear Incurable. By F. B. COURTENAY, M.B C.S.E., And formerly Surgeon to the Metropolitan Infirmary for the Cur s e of Strictures of tile Urethra , " This work is the production of a surgeon \those special attention has been directed, through a long professional life, to the treatment of strictures of the urethra. The cases which Mr. Courtenay has given supply ample evidence of his great discriminative power in the diagnosis of the various kinds of stricture, and of the scientific principles upon which their management is founded, demonstrating, his success and explaining the cause of it. By his systematic management an Immense mitigation of pain to the unhappy sufferers is attained, and future mischief prevented. The work we can most unreservedly and confidently recommend as a valuable contribution, both to the general and professional reader, and ought to be found in the private study of all who are subject to stricture."—Medical Circular, Dec. Ist, 1858. London: H. Bailliere, 219, Regent-street. PURSUANT to a Decree of the High. Court of Chancery, made in a cause " Simpson against Lister and others," the Creditors of JAMES BROWN SIMPSON, late of Richmond, in the county of York, solicitor, who died in or about the month of June, 1855, are, by their .solicitors, on or before the 25th day of March, 1859, to come in and prove their claims at the Chambers of the Vice-Chancellor Sir Richard Torin Kinderaley, at No. 3, Stone-buildings, Lin coln's-inn, Middlesex, or in default thereof they will be peremptorily excluded from the benefit of the said Decree. Tuesday, the 29th day of March, 1859, at 12 o'Clock at noon, at the said. Chambers, is appointed for hearing and adjudi cating upon the claims. Dated this 15th day of February, 1859. CHAS. PUGH, Chief Clerk. WESTMACOTT and F. W. BLAKE, 28, John-street, Bedford-row, Middlesex, Agents for GEORGE SANDFORD HARRISON, of Richmond, York shire, Plaintiff's solicitor. OINOPOLION TAVERN AND HOTEL FOR GENTLEMEN, Nes. 1, and 2, Brownlow-street, High-Holborn. The Best Served Dinner in London for ls. 6d. A Succession of Joints, &c., from One till Seven o'Clock. IJenekeys, Abbott,• and Co.'s Wines and Spirits. Private and Smoking Rooms. WHO WILL PAY THE CHINESE INDEMNITY ? Why, theEng-lish themselves. An export duty is to be levied, and then not even the East India Tea Company will be able, as they now are, to sell nlb. of Black, Green, or Mixed Tea, at Is. 10d. per lb., and Coffee, in the Berry, at 10d.—Warehouse, 9, Great St. Helen's-church yard, City. THORLEY'S FOOD FOR CATTLE.—Every person having an interest in domestic or farm animals should obtain a supply of this celebrated and economical food, which will prove invaluable during the approaching season. For keeping horses in good condition it is unequal led. Pigs fatten with surprising rapidity upon it, and their flesh increases in flavour and value. Cowkeepers will find great advantage in the increased quantity and improved qua lity of the milk during its use. All animals are benefitted by it. A pamphlet on this interesting subject, accompanied by Testimonials from the principal Nobility . , Gentry, and Agri culturists, forwarded on application. In casks containing 448 feeds (measures enclosed), price 505., carriage paid to any Railway Station in the United Kingdom. Post-office orders payable to Joseph Thorley, 77, Newgate-street, London. N.B.—The public arecautioned against being imposed upon by worthless imitations. GLENFIELD PATENT STARCH, USED IN THE ROYAL LAUNDRY, AND PRONOUNCED BY HER MAJESTY'S LAUNDRESS to be THE FINEST STARCH SHE EVER USED. WHEN YOU ASK FOR • GLENFIELD P ATENT STARCH, SEE THAT YOU GET IT, As inferior kinds are often substituted. Sold by all Chandlers, Grocers, &c., &c. WOTHERSPOON & CO., GLASGOW AND LONDON. fIOCKS'S CELEBRATED READING SAUCE, which is so highly esteemed with Fish, Game, Steaks, Soups, Grills, Gravies, Hot and Cold Meats, and unrivalled for general use, is sold by the most respectable dealers in Fish Sauces.—J. and C. COCKS, Reading, bole Manufacturers. 3, GREAT MARLBOROUGH-STREET, W. DR, M. R. CULVERWELL and SON, Mem ber of the Royal College of Surgeons, Licentiate of Midwifery, and Apothecaries' Hall, London. Dr. C. was originally apprenticed to his brother, and assisted him until his death in 1852, when he was appointed (through his brother's will) by the present executors, SOLE SUCCES SOR TO THE PRACTICE, which be carried on in Argyll place live years, and has now removed to 3, Great Marl borough-street, W., London. Vide WILL, Somerset House. Just published, price ls. ; by post, 13 stamps, 18 sealed, No. 1. HEALTH, HAPPINESS, and LONGEVITY ; on Debility, Nervousness, Dyspepsia, and Indigestion, with Dietaries for both Sexes, an N d o. Analyses of all Food. 2. LOVE AND MARRIAGE : their Obligations, Happiness, and Disappointmes ; Love and other Matches. Removal of Sterility, and Healthy Offspring secured. No. 3. CASE BOOK: .00 Cases of Spermatorrhcea, Causes, Symptoms, and Treat ' moat, Cauterisation, and Galvanism. On March Ist, 1859, will be Published, with Plates, No. 4,. An entire new and oridual Work, entitled OURSELVES. Synopsis : The Physiology and Anatomy of our veneration —Tile Origin of Disease in both Sexes ; their gymptoms, Treatment, and Cure. Also, an Exposition of , an d Remedy for, all Urinary derangements and - Marital disqualifications, To be had of Mann, Cornhill ; and the Author. Consultations daily, 11 till 5 ; Evening, 7 till 9. Sundays Wil t To the Working Classes only, Morning and Evening. 9 till 10. Advice and Medicine, Half-a-G uinea. ' `" 4 ,' 1! '^•- 't r v." i , -ir v --. • • . rr i ., _ :1-6‘°‘ . 9: --e'lvee:. 7trus:, )/ theref7re, th7:----;this being a inattb' 1 4 --' l4 or att S ' 1 . • • ••t ick .....4. , 2 - f' v\ ER .„ . „..:- r --- - f..s. . '4'7 ' ,:-•ilis i . WTI • ,4f ' -,-- Al 4 41 _ ____ __ _ - ~.1 : , -•-: r. -.•-. p ....r 4 •. • . Seri us coneorn.to - JaII, classes of the bta -•- ,J-'A EI FI T . , / , •s; t.. , . " 1 , - 1- .:4•_,, ~,,-...._, : 4 111•4 ~ ""'''• , • ' t V•rie "/ z• ,•, .: 1_ ,, . t ....-,- :i.. 4--- -, f r . 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Apt( a, sr : , p'/? ..„.... ,,e tief/ 4 ' i ,, , ,, ,::' 4,:ril ~......OIT. s, Ce ~,i, \::::::._._,,.- merits. (Hear, tear.) The noble lohl m i i x•ratol i i - A/ ' r4 ‘ ,,,, ing• for leave to bring in the bill. -4, • • A4--k F-J- .... , 1 , 4 .,' ~ ., E \ L s'aid th • I T •••0 17 " ." .............. -. • - S bringing so :,., - , 1 a ---' - '‘ -ivr WEDNE 4 : , EKING, FEB 3 P D D The ATTORNEY-GENERA. needed from the noble lord for matter as the laws of bankruptcy before the house ; nor was it necessary for so experienced a reformer as the noble lord ,to quote the authority even of those eminent mercantile bodies by whose advice and counsel ho said he had been aided in favour of any measure which he might introduce. He had listened with great attention to the statement of the noble lord, to collect from it whether this bill were in all respects identical with the bill brought in by the noble lord List session, with the main previSions of which he had made him Self 'acquainted ; but - he had not been ableto as certaine creditors , he whether various important principles which the noble lord p ro p os ed to legislate last _session were likewise comprehended in this bill. With regard to the very impur tl4t provision for diminishing the expense of the proceed ings in bankruptcy, edi he to r s doubted power, y r much u thought llwhether fit,to giving the majority of place the whol e affairs o f an es t a t e i n th e h iu id s o f a s i ng l e as signee of their oWn choosing would eventually lead to any diminution of cost:' !There was this evil, too, attendant upon the proposeicilftit for an official - assignee appointed by the Court, from whom ample securitY was required, and who exercised the duties of his office under heavy responsi bility, a single assignee would be substituted, nominated by . the creditors,'who might bein narrow circumstances, and who must necessarily have no business of his own to attend properly to the business of the bankruptcy. But if, when the bill were printed, it-were seen .that it contained provi sions which would really lead to the diminution of expense, her Majesty's Government and the house generally would be glad to adopt them. He rejoiced to find that the noble lord gave his sanction to the abolition of the distinction be tween traders and -non-traders, and he agreed in the enco mium which the noble lord had passed on the Bankruptcy Law of Scotland. This same abolition was contemplated by the bill which had been introduced in the other house by the Lord Chancellor. A measure embracing the entire law of bankruptcy, and the amendments of which it wait thought to be capable at the present time, had been laid before the other house by his noble _friend opposite, and ha suggested, therefore, that the noble lord opposite should not press forward the future stages of this bill until amp le time had been given to Parliament and the country to compare the two bills together, so that the whole subject might be treated in a comprehensive spirit. (Hear.) With regard to the proposal to give jurisdiction in bankruptcy to the County Courts, although it might be -very plausible to say that whatever the creditors might agree to should be done, as they were the persons chiefly concerned, it must not be forgotten that to give entire con trol to the County . Courts over the whole proceedings in a bankruptcy case, where - questions of great difficulty-might arise, without any appealto a superior Court, might -lead to very inconvenient consequences. He should have thought it better to give a co-ordinate jurisdiction in bankruptcy to those County Courts in matters not very largo in amount, with an appeal to the groat Bankruptcy Courts established in London. The next question treated of by the noble lord was ono of the utmost importance. It was as to whether the creditors of a bankrupt might not, if they thought fit, adopt in all cases a voluntary system of liquidation, totally apart from the Bankruptcy Court. The principle of the law of bankruptcy, in all countries, was that where a trader became insolvent his whole property should at once be placed in the hands and under the control of the creditors in the cheapest and most expeditious mode which the law could define, and that the honest debtor should then be freely and for ever ac quitted and discharged of all claims against him, while the dishonest debtor should be adequately punished according to the amount of his delinquency. But when we came to apply that principle to any measure of liquidation the greatest practical difficulties were found to exist, and he had been unable to gather from the statement of the noble lord what provision he proposed to meet those difficulties. When the noble lord's bill was before the house last session ho consi dered it with great attention, and it appeared to him at that time that the clauses relating to liquidation were utterly in adequate to effect the desired purpose. Probably, in the meantime, the noble lord might have reconsidered and changed those clauses. However, that might be, ho shOulil give his best attention to all the provisions bearing upon this important part of the subject, and, should they appear to him to be well suited for the purpose in view, he would do his utmost to give effect to them. (Hear, hear.) Another important point, involving difficulties - of a constitutional character, related to the extent to which a fraudulent debtor should be punished. He knew not in what way the noble lord proposed to deal with that part of the subject ; but the difficulty at the very 'outsetwas this—. that a great many acts might be done by a debtor which, though of such a nature that it would be highly inexpedi ent, if not impracticable, to bring them within the opera tion of the criminal statutes of the country, were yet such • drat it would be impossible to allow them to pass, when proved in the Court of Bankruptcy, without some punish ment being inflicted on the debtor. Such, for example, was the contracting of a debt when the debtor knew that ho had no means of paying it. On the other hand, when offences of such a character were committed that it became just and expedient to punish the debtor for having offended against the criminal law of the country, this great difficulty arose : If he were tried before a judge and a jury, no bankrupt'. estate would be able to bear-the expense of these prosecits tions ; while, if the jury were dispensed with, it would be said that the constitution of the country was violated.affa disregarded. Under these circumstances he should look with great anxiety to the bill cf the noble lord to see how these many and great difficulties were met, and he was not without hopes that before the session terminated they might succeed in perfecting a measure-which should give satisfaction on this important subject to the great mercan tile and trading interests of the country. (Hoar, hear.) With regard to consolidation, he might be excused for stating to the house that for many years he had given his most earnest attention to that great question. It was now under the consideration of Government, and he proposed within a few days to bring before the house the entire sub• jest of consolidation, and it would be to hint matter of great satisfaction if in the improvement of any branch of the statute law of England they could coin bine consolidation with improvement. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord, however, seemed almost to have forgotten that the law of bankruptcy had been completely consolidated within the last few years, and he thought that SDAY E , RUARY 16, 1859. 'RICE 4 STAMPED, 5 . a bill ; at ulater period they drew that bill in a proper form, and requested me to undertake the introduction of it Into. Parliament. As have the honour of representing the City of London—a great body of traders—l thought I could not decline that task, and accordingly, last year—but at a period when the matter could-not be sufficiently considered—l in trodupCd_ the bill which they had Placed in my hands, and the pi ovis:ons of which met with My full approval. (Heat', hear.) In again bringing forward this subject I think it is trader and non-trader. This state of things has given rise to a great deal of difficult discussion, and to distinctions that hardly 'seem valid, and which often have no foundation. For instance, while an apothecary, who sells drugs, miglyt he made at any time a bankrupt, the physician, who trades in his skill, cannot be subject to the same law. According th an exception mad in one of the :jets of Parliament, farmers and innkeepers are not liable to the bankrupt laws. The •farrier, who converts a bar of iron into a horseshoe, may be Made a bankrupt; but the farmer, who changes milk into buttei and cheese, is not liabk to the same laws. There arise ' ei-evy day questions respecting the capacity and character of a person who is in debt, as to whether tw ought or ought not to be reckoned a bankrupt or insolvent. What I propose on this subject is, to abolish the distinction altogether. (Hear, hear.) We propose that persons in debt should all come under the same law, that there should be a law applicable to bankrupt and insolvent alike in one court, which should make the dis tincticin which the particular character of the transactions might warrant. Of course, there is a great difference be tween the case of an insolvent who has had nothing to do with trade, but has incurred debts wantonly and extrava gantly, and the case of a trader who, by some failure in a well-grounded speculation, has become a bankrupt. But it is better that the distinction should be made by the Court, and that each transaction should be treated according to its merits and character, than that an attempt should be made by law to persevere in maintaining the present distinction. (Hear, hear.) Another benefit would arise from this — namely, there being only one court, much greater economy, simplicity, and uniformity would be found in the proceed ings. (Hear.). That one court being called by the name of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency - Court, or by whatever other name, would be empowered to deal with all these matters, and the persons at the head of it would be persons of high standing, fully equal to deal with all questions of bankruptcy and insolvency that might come before them. A matter which is much complained of by traders is the distance of the present courts from their place of residence and business. There are seven courts in the country, be sides the Courts of Bankruptcy and Insolvency in London. A trader living, for instance, in the western part- of Corn wall would be put to great expense to go to Exeter in order to proceed against a person owing him a debt, and in that manner justice is frequently defeated. On this subject Lord Brougham proposed some years ago that County Courts should have jurisdiction. That proposal was objected to by the commissioners to whom I have referred, and who gave reasons why, in their opinion, the County Courts should not administer these affairs. Nevertheless, censider ing how much has come within the jurisdiction of the County Courts—how much every day their business car ries them into matters of considerable difficulty in point of law, and considering the very great convenience which traders would have in resorting to a tribunal within an easy distance of-their own residence, I think it perfectly right that the proposal should be made in this bill, that if the creditors ou meeting think fit by a certain majority in number and value to carry the case before the County Court, they shall be empowered to.do so. It is not proposed to abolish the jurisdiction of the present Bankruptcy Courts in the country. In many instances creditors may think that their cases will have a more satisfactory decision in those courts. But wherever they are of opinion that they would best 'find their remedy in the County Courts it is proposed to allow them to do so. Although it has taken a quarter of a century with all parties concurring and no party opposition to make the change, I believe that of late Years no change has been so beneficial among our amend ments of law as that which established local courts and enabled those who are aggrieved to resort to a court within an easy distance in order to procure a remedy for the evils under which they suffered. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) The next proposal of the bill refers to another evil which is much complained of—namely, the power of making voluntary settlements. It is quite true that these volun-. tary settlements or arrangements have been very much resorted to. It is quite true that the Courts of Bank ruptcy, as the commissioners stated, have had their quantity of business relieved by the number of voluntary arrangements. It is quite true that the evils which I have ' mentioned have prevented ninny traders going into the Court of Bankruptcy ; but, while this has been the case, there has been no sufficient authority or sanction given tB' the mode in which voluntary arrangement.; have been car ried out. In Scotland there is such a mode, but in this coun try a minority of credkc-rs—a very small minority—have it in their power to . defeat any such arrangement. It has been stated, and by a person of long experience and autho rity upon this subject, that it is desirable that even if one creditor should stand out voluntary arrangement should not take place—that even if one creditor should propose that the matter should be carried into court it is not right to allow of any such arrangement. But that opinion is founded on the supposition that in every case the great ma jority of creditors wish to make some unfair arrangement which should be unknown to the public, and that tho ono creditor is a patriotic and public-spirited man, who wishes justice to be done, and is not contented with such a con cealed and secret proceeding. But facts do not agree with this supposition. It is very often the case that these one or two creditors who stand out are men who wish to indulge their spite, are unreasonably obstinate, or are opposed from some caprice or other to voluntary settlements. We propose that in cases where a majority of creditors in number, and four-fifths in value, shall agree to one of these private ar rangements, then with due precautions and with sufficient sanction it shall bo lawful to settle the affairs out of court. Another complaint which has been made is with regard to the uncertainty in the punishment of fraud. Traders in the country generally complain very much—l will not say with how much reason, but they:complain—that in cases where they consider the conduct of the debtor has been fraudulent undue lenity is shown on the part of the commissioner. I believe, on very high authority, that the best way will be that whenever there appears to be a prima facie case of fraud means shall be taken to send such a case before a jury; that only upon conviction by a jury shall any punishment be awarded ; and that the punishment awarded by the Court or judge shall be sufficient to doter persons from entering into trade and carrying on trade in a most fraudulent man ner, thereby not only cheating their creditors, not only de frauding all those with whom they are brought into contact, but inflicting a stigma and disgrace upon the commercial character of the country. (Cheers.) With regard to what I have just stated as to voluntary arrangements, it is proposed that a memorandum shall be signed by a majority in num ber of the creditors and four-fifths in value ; that such deed or memorandum, shall bo registered in the Bankruptcy or County Court district ; that its provisions shall be enforce able by summary application to such court ; and that to pre vent fraudulent arrangements the judge of the court shall have power to call the debtor before him and to examine him as to his conduct. The last proceeding which takes place in bankruptcy is the certificate. According to the old state of the law the certificate was either granted or refused. In certain cases, where no adequate grounds for granting a cer tificate could be found, it was refused; but in every case when it was thought that the debtor had given a fair account of his transactions, that he had entered with honesty into his trade, and that he had been onlydestroyed by thoie revo lutions in commerce which overthrow oven those who carry on business with the greatest integrity—in all such cases the certificate should be granted. It was thought to be an im provement on the law in this respect that there should be three classes of certificates—one class for those who had got into debt byunavoidable misfortunes, another class for those who might have got into debt b y unavoidable misfortunes or not, and a third class for those who had not fallen in debt through unavoidable misfortunes. But these distinctions are somewhat too nice for human reasoning. (Hear, hear.) In the first place, the words " unavoidable mis fortune," although wo apply them in charity to men who have failed in trade, to a very critical eye seem inapplicable to most cases in which, though the misfortune may not have been easily avoidable, it might have been avoided by a greater degree of prudence and sagacity. And on the other hand, with regard to the third-class certificate, saying that the debt was not owing to unavoidable misfor tune, it affixed a stigma to a man for the rest of his life, which perhaps in ninny cases was unjust. We think it better to recur to the old distinction of granting a certifi cate, or refusing it. (Hear.) On the whole, it makes a distinction between the fair trader and the fraudulent spe culator, and therefore I propose in this bill to abolish alto gether the difference of certificates. I do not wish at the present time to go into the various details Of this bill ; I will only say that it is proposed in this bill to consolidate, as well as to amend, the law of Bankruptcy ; and it appears to me that those who have desi re d th a t th e bill shallbe in troduced in this shape have judged rightly in desiring that it shouldcontain consolidation as well as amendment. With regard to amendment, I think there are very few points on which there is any difference of opinion. When I intro duced the bill last year there were many provisions of that bill upon which there appeared to be on the part of the Go vernment and on the part of professional gentlemen who considered it great objections. But many of those provi sions, as I understand, are now to be adopted. If that be the case, it is better that we should attempt at the same time to consolidate the law. Of course, the few points of difference which remain and the language of consolidation must be carefully considered, and perhaps will be better considered by members of both houses than in committee of the whole house. All I wish is to lay the bill on the table of the house, in order to have it fairly considered, and hereafter, when the house has time and leisure to consider such a subject, that all its provisions shall be considered with, care and deliberation. There is no person in this country who has shown more desire for law reform than the present Attorney-General and the • present Solicitor.. General. (near) The law officers of the Crown, I zun s ure, will be willing to adop t an y measure which they think w ill be an improvement of the law, and at th e same time raise the character of those who oarry on the trade awl conunvroo of the couutiy, (Cheers.) necessary, as the matter will, I trust, receive full considera tion in the course of the present year, whether by this house or by the 'Government, to state both what is the law Which the .bill affects, and 'what are the. cbatges which it proposes to introdUce. The question of debt is one which, of course, has received the attention of the Legislatures of all countries. The law of England, as stated by . Sir W. Blackstone, gives no less than five diffe rent writs or remedies - for a creditor against his debtor. Somd of these writs affect the person, others the chattels, others the land of the debtor, and some touch all these different objects. It seems, whatever these provisions'may be, whether merciful or harsh, that there can be nothing more just, nothing more due by society towards its metn bar's, than to give a remedy for those to whom any property is owing by others, But when the Legislature of England began to consider the relations of traders to their creditors, there arose other questions upon which our banktcy laws are founded. There was not merely the question of whether a debtor was able to pay his creditors, whether be Might at any future time have property sufficient for that purpose, but there were other questions relating to his future course and position. On, the one haul it was found that traders, by collusion, by fraud, by combination with certain of their creditors, concealed or did away with their property, thereby injuring the great body of their credi tors ; and it was discovered, on the other, that the trader who by unavoidable misfortune was unable to satisfY the claims of his creditors, remaining liable to their aebts during the whole of the rest of his life, was unable err to regain his position and to carry on his trade in a credtable and industriousmanner as he might otherwise have done. The Roman law had provided for such cases. In a similar spirit laws passed in the reign of Henry VIII., in the reign of Elizabeth, and in the reign of James I. proidded for the same class of eases. The anode 'of providing for them was in principle that after a certain period, either by the act of the creditors demanding payment,: and thereby forcing the debtor into bankruptcy, or by the act of the debtor himself, placing himself • in a position of bankruptcy, all his property was at once given over to certain persons—call them as you please — and that those persons assumed from that time the power of distributing his effects among the credi tors. But then, when that operation was performed, When the whole property had been fairly distributed, there came the second part of the process in favour of the debtor. If it was found that the debtor was not guilty of, fraud, if his debts were owing to unavoidable misfortunes, if he had made a clean breast in regard to all his affairs, and stated unreservedly the entire amount of his property and his ob.; ligations, the law then stepped in to declare that hew free from debts which he had incurred previous to his bank ruptcy. Although he might have paid only 108., only 55., or even only 2s. in the pound, the law declared he was there after free, able to undertake any other matter of tradj or of commerce, and. could not be liable for the debts which he hadformerly contracted. This provision is, I believe, greatly to the benefit of commerce, greatly to the benefit of the cre ditor, greatly also to the advantage of the honest debtor, and tends very much to the promotion of the best interests of society. The mode in which the law in this respect was carried out may be described in a few words. When either the creditors or the debtor wished to constitute an act of bankruptcy, application was made to the Lord Chancellor, who issued a commission to certain commissioners. These commissioners appointed an assignee or trustee, in whom the whole of the property was vested, and who made, after full inquiry, a distribution of the effects of the debtor, and granted a certificate, by which the bankrupt was set free, whether from imprisonment or from the liability to hepri sonment, and thereby enabled to regain his former poSition. The laws which were made in the reigns I have mentioned, afterwards altered by an Act of George 11., contimied in operation till the time of Lord Chancellor Brougham. Their defects were brought under the notice of that eminent man. The chief defect was that the commissioners appointed in the way I have described were not a fixed Court ; were not persons by whom the whole of so difficult a branch 4f law could safely be administered. They consisted of some 70 gen- tleuaen, who were paid at first at the rate of 20s. a-daywhile employed in the duties of their office, but afterwards by, fixed salaries, thoughvery small ones. Many of them were persons just come to the bar, who had very little experience, and the whole of whose proceedings, therefore, were irregular and unsatisfactory. Lord._ Chancellor Brougham, with that spirit fur the improvement of the law for which he wlll over be memorable, and which has placed his name with; those of Remilly and Mackintosh among the groat legal reformers of our country, constituted by act a Court of Ba.nkr4ptcy, and proscribed its mode of proceeding. In 1849 a gpneral , act was passed with respect to bankruptcy. But tills law occasioned very great complaints, and in 1852, I think, a commission was appointed, which made its report in 1853. That commission, of which the present Home Secretary was a distinguished member, made a most elaborate report pointing out the defects of the law, and offering mant sug gestions of the highest value and importance, with a view to its amendment. Many of these suggestions mat have been introduced into bills, but I do not think that the greater part of them have yet been productive of the benefit they might effect. They are most of them contained,in the bill which I hope to have the honour to introduce to-night ; and they will, I trust, if Parliament agrees to the measure, make a very great amendment in the law. (Hear.) I will now state what aro the general complaints respecting the present state of the bankruptcy law. The first complaint is the very great expense of the court. The matter is gone into in great detail by the commissioners to whom I have referred. I have stated that under the law before it was amended there were very great defects, very irregular modes of proceeding, and abuses, which were inseparable from the then state of the law ; but the number of officers, and the delay and difficulty in the mode of proceeding have been such as greatly to destroy the remedy which the Legislature meant to give. • The house, no doubt, will agree with me in the statement I have made as to the prin ciple of these laws—namely, that the object is to obtain as quickly and as cheaply as possible a full explanation and revelation of the affairs of a bankrupt, and, having ascer tained what is the amount of property he possesses, to divide that property among his creditors. That has been done in such a way under the existing state of the kw that on an average no less than 30 per cent., and sometimes much more, aro consumed in the expenses of the court. Therefore for every £lOO of actual assets that may come into the possession of the assignee, the creditors receive no more than £7O net for the payment of their debts. I have here a statement which I copied from one of the tables given in the appendix of the report of the commissioners; it is the statement of Mr. Edwards, official assignee, with respect to a certain sum that came into his possession in 1847. The net amount of the assets was £23,029. On that amount the Court fees were 9 per cent. ; the broker's and auc tioneer's charge was 5i per cent. ; the messenger's, 5i per cent. ; the official assignee's, 51 per cent. ; but the great charge of all was the solicitor's for law costs, which amounted to 161- per cent., making altogether, without the solicitor's charge, 261 per cent., and with the solicitor's charge, 43 per cent, of the amount of the assets. (Hear.) I find that the same assignee gives the amount divided in a , it would be inexpedient to interfere with the provisions of that measure until the sense of one or of both houses of Parliament should be taken upon the general scheme of con solidation. (Hear, hear ) Mr. HEADLAM said that, speaking generally, the bill of the noble lord had this very great advantage, that it em bodied in it all those provisions which the delegates from most of the great trading communities of the country be lievod to be essential to their interests,. and that it really did contain a complete consolidation of the law of bank ruptcy. (Hear, hear.) With respect to the jurisdiction given to the County Courts, he hadfound generally through out the north of England a very strong opinion in favour of such jurisdiction, and in that opinion he concurred. ..Ike thought, however, that there should be an appeal to aii'itp pellant court in bankruptcy, and he was happy to find that that was given in the bill. The great difficulty which they had to overcome obviously was the expense attendant upon o r b eg l tfr o i toen :a l t e x t i l boeemf t n h te a fi t tr the liquidation of a bankrupt's estate. It was almost im possible to estimate the magnitude of this evil at present. Generally speaking, the expense but of course if the average were over 30 per cent, the cost in particular cases must be infinitely greater, and he believed averaged 30 per cont., that sometimes it amounted to as much as 80 per cent. It given by able and l earned was an important feature of the o b tnh i l l .e‘ l countyof the gentlemen h n y it would very materially lessen this expense. (Hear, hear.) of bankrupt estates • and he could not agree with tho M. ghriechatthdeefeercetdiintotrhsenopwrehseandtosiyesrtetihnewadasintihneistlaracktimot control t ru Anothere y-sav of diminishing expense. He believed . the opinion of t i t , commercial world was contrary to that of the Attorney. assignee by the creditors themselves would not be a means had a right to anticipate that a similar ad - • eneral in 'thinking that the appo4atmen* o f an for Carlisle and the President of the Board of Trade, and vantage would be now derived to the cause of bankru (Hear, hear.) ptcy reform. INNC G :a) e_ ur n sm e det ra enrio, l f‘ o ,ied n ncch t lf h uarn i do s imili p tir: o t i h ,n et t wh . aaesss ( ri H sibgtea e ifi e not r er . : : they Mr. MOFFATT said all the consolidations that bad taken place in the laws of bankruptcy and insolvency had proved practically a failure. A cumbersome and expensive machinery had been provided to preServe the property of the creditors, and but few creditors were willing to avail themselves of it. (Hear.) He had expected, after the note of preparation which had been sounded, that some large and clearly-defined reform of these laws would have been brought before them that night. (Hear.) He expected that the noble lord would have brought forward some broad and effective plan by which the expense and delay now expe rienced would have been greatly lessened; but no such measure had been laid before them. (Hear.) It was the general complaint of creditors that they could not get at the assets of a debtor ; that the debtor either set them et de . - fiance, or drove th em i nto a comprom i se, leaving on their minds the convicti on th a t th ey h ave not got ho ld o f a _ assets. (Hear.) He had hoped, therefore, that so . i t ue doi r rs gent measure would have been proposed by h 0 would be summarily compelled to surrenderm their entire but he was cum property into the hands of their creditors ; point one clause pelled to say that he did not find on t d ha b t i.ing relief to the in the bill of the noble lord that w A referred to the Scotch latter. (Hear, hear.) Indeed, most of the old defects were retained in the bill. The noble 10 1 l ule asures laid down in law ; and had he adopted the strong the bankrupt estates he would the Scotch law with regard to w asvaluable. As regarded have conferred something that ehuidnot believe there was any the person of the debtor, h 't to oppress or harass him unduly, but there Wa desire in the connenTy a strong desire, when a per. son was unable to meet his debts, that (as the lied expressed it) the whole of his property shouldAttAttorney-Generall pass entirely and promptly to th e creditors. ( hear.) The noble lord did not. prop ose to give the on (Bear, ussiOners power to punish fraud, but pr o . vided that c. tmight be proceeded against by an action at was to bring this action at law W ou ld the 1 " v • Who the trouble and expense of an. action to creditors be a individual guilty of fraud ? (Hear, hear.) His conviction an ththat, g speaking, creditors I were sn outconviction was 3., b t how to get the tto everything u t most they could d ifferen tate of a bankrupt. (14 of the es k-.ear.) In conclusion, ho do ubted very much whether th e bi ll of the noble lord would provide any material- amendment of the law as it now stood. (Hear.) Leave was then given to bring in the bill, which was brought up and read a first time. TURNPIKE TOLLS AND BRIDGES. ALCO . CIC moved that a humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying that she will be graciously pleased to issue a royal commission to inquire into and report as to the best means of abolishing the tolls on the turnpike roads and bridges in England and Wales. He said there had been no tolls in Ireland since April, and they were abolished by means of a commission. The difficulty in this -country was the mortgage debt, which amounted to £5,566,000, and the annual interest was about 1209,000. Now, the amount of real property assessed to the property tax under schedule A was X103,0D0000, and a rate of 2d. in the would yield £BOO,OOO, which would be sufficient to repair the turnpikes and pay the interest. Mr. Alcock was proceeding with some further remarks, when t An Hon. MEmsEulnoved that the house b e counted, and _, 10 there being only 38 present, the hou se adjounwa a saute* past 6 V9IQCI4 period of six years, and the percentage for those six years is 331 on the amount. (Hear.) Now, when w•e are told that in Scotland all this business is done, and done effectually to the satisfaction of the people and to the satisfaction of those engaged in trade in that commercial country at no more than 12 per cent., I think the house will agree that the present state of the law here is capable of amendment. I will now explain the mode in which we propose to amend that part of the law. In the first place, we do away with the absolute necessity of resorting to the official assignee. In the former state of the law, to which I have adverted► the creditors on their meeting appointed their own assignee. The persons engaged in trade in this country are of opinion that the appointment of an official assignee, however much that might give regularity to the proceedings, is a cause of very great expense, and that the official as signee, as might be expected, is hardly so diligent and so rapid in his operations as the persons appoir tod by the creditors themselves. We propose, therefore, in the first instance, that the creditors should place the whole of the sum belonging to the bankrupt in the hands either of the official assignee, or of an assignee chosen by themselves. At all events, supposing that they place in the hands of the official assignee the whole of the proceeds in the first in stance, they would afterwards have full power to name an assignee of their own, and thereby be enabled to get rid of the delay and expense of the official assignee. I have, how ever, alluded to other officers, whose expense is very great, and who, at every step of these proceedings, diminish the estate of the bankrupt. I have mentioned the broker and messenger. It is thought that the broker and messenger might be entirely dispensed with, and that the assignee might employ persons to have the custody of the property, which is all that is required in these cases. Besides this, it is proposed, with respect to some of the expenses I have mentioned, which consist of compensation—of payments, not for duties now performed, but for duties which were performed a long time ago by other persons then having offices in the Court, that some part of those expenses should be placed on the Consolidated fund. It is thought—and I think reasonably—that, while other courts in this country which administer justice are placed on the Consolidated Fund, the court which is to administer judicially with re spect to the affairs of a bankrupt—not commercially, but judicially—should also be maintained at the public charge. (Rear.) I come next to the distinction, which has existed front} the sallied of the ACta I have mentioned ; between r 4a t ;•',i THE SUN, LONDON, WE R. KAHN'S ANATOMICAL MUSEUM, D 3, TICHBOURNE-STREET (Opposite the Hay market). Open daily (for Gentlemen only). LECTURES at Four and Eight o'clock, on important and Interesting topics in connection with ANATOAIY, PHY SIOLC VrY, and PATHOLOGY (vide Programmes). Admission ONE SHILLING. DR. -KAHN'S NINE LECTURES ON THE PHILO SOPHY OF MARRIAGE; sent post free, direct from the Author, on the receipt .of twelye stamps. THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ROOMS, High Holborn, formerly Casino de Venise.—This establish ment, pre-eminently distinguished for the elegance and matchless beauty of its dee.orations, combined with the per-. fection of its management, is OPEN every EVENING. The celebrated band, under the direction of Mr, W. M. Packer, plays a nightly varied_ selection of the most approved classical and modern music. Doors open at half-past 8; overture at 9 ; closing at 12 punctually. Admission Is. N.B.—Mr. W. M. Packer's grand Annual Benefit Bal Masque is fixed for Thursday, 17th March. ARGYLL -ROOMS, Windmill-street, Piccadilly. These popular and celebrated rooms are open every evening, with R. It. Bignell's Grand Orchestra, conducted by that great composer, Mons. Antony Lamotte, of Paris. Leader, Charles Hall. Mons. Boulcourt, the celebrated cornet a-piston player, performs nightly, with other talented artistes. Selections from Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, La Traviata, Huguenots, Robert le Diable, and the new opera Martha. Manager, R. R. Big - nell. Doors open at half-past 8, close ten minutes before 12. Admission, is. to Promenade. N.B.—All applications for the above band for Concerts and Balls, to be made to Mr. William Price, treasurer, at the Rooms. H OWES AND CUSHING'S GREAT UNITED STATES CIRCUS.—The ALHAMBRA PALACE, Lelocker-square. The Morning Performances are particularly recommended, as the Pantomime can be seen with the same effect as at night. Sprites of the Silver Shower each performance—The cele brated horse "Cruiser" will be exhibited, as tamed by Mr. Rarey.—" Black Eagle," the horse of beauty.—The educated mules, " Pete " and " Barney." Pit, Is. ; Boxes, 2s. ; Reserved Seats, 35.; Stalls, 55.; Prriate Boxes, .£2 2s. Children under Nine years of age, half-price. Gallery, 6d. Two Performances Daily at two and half-past seven p.m. pcoNomy.—A TEN GAL-LON CASK (equal to . Five Dozens) of the finest SOUTH AFRICAN SHERRY, for Four Guineas, or 20s. per Dozen ; best PORT, 245. per Dozen. Cask or Bottles and Case included. Three Dozens Carriage Free. HENEKEYS', ABBOTT, and Co., Importers, 22 and 23, High Holborn, London, W.C. Esta blished 1831. TTENEKEYS' COGNAC, 'a pure FRENCH -LX BRANDY, Pale or Brown, 20s. per Gallon ; 425. per Dozen. HENEKEYS' LONDON BRANDY, Pale or Brown, 14s. per Gallon ; 30s. per Dozen. HENEKEYS' LONDON GIN, as from the Still and the Strongest allowed, sweet or dry, 12s. per Gallon ; 265. per Dozen. Packages to be returned within Three Months, or charged ls. per Gallon. Six Gallons, the cask included, and carriage paid. Country orders must contain a remittance. HENEKEYS, ABBOTT, AND CO., Gray's Inn Distillery, 22 and 23, High Holborn, London, W.C. Established 1831. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS—(YESTERDAY). The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. - PASSING TOLLS. Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY asked her Majesty's Government, whether it was their intention to introduce any measure in the present session of Parliament to relieve the shipping interest from passing tolls and other burthens The noble lord complained of the manner in which the memorials and petitions agreed to at many influential meetings of shipowners had been treated by the Govern. ment. The Earl of DONOUGHMORE said the Government were not prepared to introduce any measure on the subject referred to by the noble lord, because they could not see that it would lead to any satisfactory results. Ho thought their lordships would agree that the Government had acted wisely in not taking up an ill digested and hasty measure, which had been under the consideration of the late Govern ment. THE SLAVE TRADE. Lord BROUGHAM, in the early part of the evening, postponed the presentation of a petition which he had been entrusted with from Jamaica, in consequence of the absence, of the Bishop of Oxford. Shortly before six the rev. pre late entered the house, and the noble and learned lord rose t• present the petition. It was intimated to his lordship that the standing orders of the house prevented him pursuing such a course, but after referring to the par ticular order, it was agreed that the noble lord should pro ceed. His lordship said the petition he held in his hand had been agreed to at a meeting held at Spanish-town, which was chiefly attended by tree negroes, and they prayed that immediate steps might be taken to put a stop to the Cuban slave trade. Their lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY. The SPEAKER took tho chair at four o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following private bills were read a second time and ordered to be committed :—Burton-upon-Trent .Rail- way ; Cowes and Newport (Isle of-Wight) Railway ; Hooton and Neston Railway ; London and North Wes tern Railway (Arrangements) ' • Malden and Sheen Valley . Drainage; North Eastern and Bedale and Leyburn Rail way Companies Amalgamation ; Ringwood, Christchurch, and Bournemouth Railway ; Sevenoaks Railway ; Stock ton and Darlington Railway • Tyne Improvement ; Wans beck Railway ; Bridport Rahway ; and Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway ; Hertford, Luton, and Dunstable Rail way ; Isle of Wight Ferry ; Leominster and Kington Railway ; Lymington. Railway ; Red Sea and Indian Tele graph Company; and Richmond Improvement. CITY OF LONDON UNION BILL. Mr. CRAWFORD moved the second reading of this bill, the object of which, he stated, was to make the 89 parishes of the City of London supply the defalcations that had taken place in certain city parishes instead of those being borne by a few parishes. Alderman COPELAND moved the second reading of the bill that day six months. He considered that if there were any legislation on the subject, it should be by a general measure, and not one limited to London. He was of opinion also that the collectors and tradesmen in the neigh bourhood were equally responsible for the defalcations of the officers. The house divided, and the numbers were— For the second reading Against it B9 Majority —32 The motion was accordingly negatived. MERSEY DOCK AND HARBOUR BILL. On the motion for the second reading of this bill, an amendment was moved that it be read a second time this day week. After some discussion, the house divided, and the num bers were— For the motion lBl Against it Majority The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to bo committed. vernment had been directed to the subject of the charge ability of poor rate on -Government property ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that it was the - opinion of the Government that some legislation was required on that important subject, and his right hon. friend the President of the Poor-law Board would take an early opportunity of introducing a bill with that view. - TREATMENT OF LUNATICS. Mr./FITE moved the appointment- of aulectcommitted to iminira info the operation ofthe lawS regulating the care and treatment of lunatics, especially of 'those found' to .be lunatics by He stated that there were now 23,000 lunatics of . one kind or another in England. There were the pauper lunatics, the number of whom was stated. in the la.st -year's repo;t of the Commissioners at 17,572, having in one year increased to that number from 16,637; and there were about 5,000 lunatics of other kinds. They were subject to three jurisdictions—firstly, the Commis sioners of Lunacy had the charge of the pauper lunatics and of private asylums ; secondly, the • Chancery lunatics were under the charge of a board of visitors, with a distinct juris diction ; and the third class was that of the criminal lima tics. The laws relating to this subject were conflicting. In 1828 the first law of an extensive scope was passed ; it was amended in 1832, again in 1835, and in 1838, 1841, 1842, and lastly in 1845 it was entirely remodelled: In 1853 the act re gulating the Chancery lunatics, or those found so by inqui sition, was passed, an act drawn up by Lord St. Leonardo.. Last session he (Mr. Tite) drew attention to the operation of that act, which he behaved to be inconvenient and oppressive., The number of lunatics under the care of the Court of Chan cery was 1,600, and the total amount of their property under the control of the court was upwards of £200,000. The act of Parliament drawn up by Lord St. Leonardo did not repeal preViou.s acts, but referred to them, and the pro visions relating to lunacy were to be found in five or six separate acts. With regard to criminal lunatics also, it ap peared that some provision was necessary. There were now six or seven hundred of them. He thought, as a criminal lunatic was not regarded as morally responsible for the act he had committed, when he was restored to health he should be restored to society. At present there was no power to do tWs, except by the judgment :of the Home Secretary, and ifia was very seldom exercised in the matter. Another .large :class of lunatics consisted of those who were just above the condition of paupers. In Scotland, in every large town, there was an asylum for them ; in London there were two'great foundations, St. Luke's, which only took their for one year, and Bethlehem, which took them only under particular circumstances. He hoped the committee would consider whether it was not possible to do something for that large class, who suffered extremely, as well as their families, whenever that distressing disorder overtook them. What was wanted was a more complete supervision ; and the measure now required was one for the consolidation of he law, defining the functions of the several boards, which had now a distinct and divided action. Mr. WALPOLE said it was true the hon. member had got a kind of pledge from the Government that they would not oppose the inquiry, if it were so conducted as to lead to a practical result. There were four classes of lunatics, namely, the criminal lunatics, the lunatics who had been found so by inquisition under the Court cf Chancery, the lunatics con fined in private asylums, and those in county or borough asylums. As to the criminal lunatics, he thought there 'could not well be any material interference; but with regard to the second class, he did think some amendment might be made in the law in two respects. With reference to the manner in Which inquisitions were held, and inquiries conducted, ex tending- over long periods of time at a great expense, and to the great affliction of many people concerned in them, a great improvement might be made. He also thought that with reference to the inspection and personal superintendence of the treatment of those lunatics, it might be provided for in a more careful and consistent manner than at present. The other two classes were those in county or borough asylums, and those in private asylums. Since . the notice of motion was given last summer, he had made some inquiries on the subject, and he would now state the results. He found, upon comparing the number of lunatics in 1852 with those in 1857, that in the former year the total number was 17,412, exclusive of the pauper lunatics in the union workhouses. There were 4 ,430 in private asylums, of whom 2,336 were males and 2,099 females. In the county and borough asy lums there were 12,982. In 1857 the total number had increased to 22,310; and of these, there were in private asy lums 4,732, being 2,502 males and 2,230 females. There was a great increase in this period of five years—an increase of more than 5,000. This increase, however, was in the county and borough asylums; the increase in private asy lums was hardly perceptible. He believed that increase was owing partly to the legislation by which so mush better pro vision was made for the pauper lunatics and those in public asylums, the result being that greater care was taken of them, and their lives were prolonged. The most important distinc- tion, however, was between the curable and the incurable. There were, out of 21,311 patients in 1857, only 3,327 curable, and 17,984 stated to be incurable. Of those in private asylums one-fourth were curable, whilst in county and borough asy lums there 'were but one-tenth curable. This was a most painful state of things. It was a serious thing to reflect that we had now one in 836 of the population of unsound mind, and that this proportion was increasing at a great rate. He had given notice of two bills on the subject, which he pro posed to read for the first time that night. One of them re lated to county and borough asylums, and the other to private houses. He proposed now, with an alteration of the terms of the reference to this committee to accede to its ap pointment, and lay the two bills before it, in order that the. committee might have something practical and tangible to deal with. It had been said that there ought to be public asylums for all classes of patients, that they should be registered, and not confined without a public inquiry. But if that were attempted, great evils would inevitably follow. Many of those afflicted with this painful malady would, in order to avoid this publicity, be sent to some private recep tion houses, where there would be no superintendence over them. It should be considered that this distressing malady was often caused by accidental circumstances. It was very often not hereditary in its character, and did not recur when once it had been cured. Suppose the case of a person in business, who had been thus afflicted in consequence of great mental anxiety or exertion, or of some physical ailment ; he might be cured within a few months, and the world need not know that he had been so afflicted ; but if a public inquiry were to take place, the patient would be looked at with suspicion and uneasiness when he went back to his home and business, and the consciousness of this would tend to prevent his cure. The objects now to be aimed at by legislation were these. Firstly, there should be a proper guarantee, previous to the confinement of any person, that this did not take place without due cause ; secondly, the houses of reception should be suitable for their accommodation; thirdly, they should not be confined there longer than was necessary; and fourthly, their treatment, w h e th er curable or incurable, should be the best that could be obtained. The bill which he proposed, with regard to private asylums, would have these four objects in view. In the first instance, he proposed that no person should be put in confinement without a notice being sent to the commis sionen within twenty-four hours. The justices of each county should appoint medical examiners in particular dis tricts, and when the commissioners received notice of any person having been put under constraint or in confinement, they would send down to the medical examiners to visit the person, and inquire into the case. The commissioners should have power thereupon to report to the justices of the county, and call on the proprietor or superintendent of the house to giVe further explanations. With regard to the house itself, the plans and estimates for it were to be laid before the commissioners who might report upon them to the ma • gistrates, so that central superintendence and scientific knowledge would be combined with local experience. He was bound to say that the condition of private asylums was not 'always satisfactory, and the accommodation provided in them was incommensurate with the payment required. He proposed that in addition to the four regular inspections now made each year, the commissioners should, either by them selves or by some authorised person, pay three visits to the house, and that they should have power to call on the pro prietors of the house to show their accounts for each patient, proving that the allowance was properly applied for his benefit. With regard to the fourth point, some provisions were necessary to secure that the patients who recovered should not be confined a day beyond the time when they ought to he discharged. He proposed that in every instance a commissioner should go and visit the patient within three months of the time when he was placed in confinement, and report specifically upon the progress of his case. The keeper of one asylum should not be allowed to certify that a person was of unsound mind in order that the person might be transferred, with that certificate, to another house of con finement. It was, moreover, provided that notice of the pa tient's recovery should be immediately sent not only to the friends ' but to the commissioners, in order that they might take action upon it. He hoped that these provisions would surround the unfortunate persons thus afflicted with every check and guarantee that could he provided. Power would also be vested in the commissioners to allow patients to be out -Upon trial, in some cases with a view to ascertain whether their restorationto liberty. under proper restrictions, would be salutary. He now proposed, as an amendment on the hon. member's motion, that a select committee should be appointed to inquire into the operation of the acts of par liament for the regulation of the care and treatment of lunatics, and their recovery. He intended to refer the two bills to this committee, and the Solicitor-General had an other bill in preparation relating to those found of unsound mind by inquisition. If the result of this inquiry were to improve the condition of those afflicted people, ho should be highly gratified. (Cheers.) After a few words from Mr. DRUMMOND, Mr. TITE agreed to accept the amendment of the govern ment for the epointment of the- select committee in the terms suggested. Mr. PACKE expressed his opinion that the deliberations of the select committee should also be extended to criminal lunatics who wore confined in the public asylums. After a few words from Sir G. GREY, expressive of his approval of the course suggested, Mr. TITE withdrew his motion, and a committee was appointed in accordance with the suggestion of Mr. Wal pole. INDIAN AND AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAPH COMPANY. Mr. C. FORSTER moved that the order for the second reading of the Indian and Australian Telegraph Company Bill be read, and discharged ; and that the bill be withdrawn. Also, that leave be given to bring in a bill " for incorporat ing and regulating the India, Australia, and China Tele graph Company, and other purposes :"—that Sir James Duke and Captain Mangles do prepare and bring in the bill.—Agreed to. RED SEA AND INDIA TELEGRAPH COMPANY BILL. Mr. C. FORSTER moved that the order for the second reading of this bill be read and discharged,. and that the bill be withdrawn ; also, that leave be given to bring in a bill "to incorporate the Red Sea and India Telegraph Company, and to enable the company to establish and work telegraphs between Great Britain and India and other countries ; and for other purposes connected there with." That Mr. Kinnaird and Mr. Gregson do prepare and bring in the bill. Agreed to. Several private bills were read a first time. THE CURRENCY, Mr. GREER gave notice that this day fortnight he would ask whether there had been any depreciation in the value of gold, or whether such was likely to take place ; and also whether any means had been adopted to prevent a depreciation in the value of the current coin of the realm. COMMUNICATION WITH IRELAND. Mr. 0. GORE gave notice that to-morrow he would move for returns of any arrangements that had been adopted for improving the postal communication with Ire land. ARMY ESTIMATES. General PEEL laid the army estimates on the table. THE DESPATCH OF LORD CANNING TO THE COURT OF DIRECTORS. Sir DE LACY EVANS asked the Secretary of State for India whether he would lay on the table of the house a copy of this despatch dated the 6th July, 1858, on the subject of certain assertions publicly made in this country, injurious to the character of the members of Lord Can ning's Council in India. Lord STANLEY said ho had no objection to produce the documents in question. BLOWING MUTINEERS FROM GUNS. Mr. RICHARDSON asked the Secretary of State for India whether orders had been given fur the discontinuance in the British service of the practice of blowing human beings from guns ? Lord STANLEY said that he hoped the time had arrived for the cessation of these punishments, but there were no orders at present on the subject. MR. HIGGINS, THE MASTER IN LUNACY Mr. CLIVE, in repeating the question which he put to the Chancellor of the Exchequer last night, said that he had not an opportunity of seeing the Secretary of State this day. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he had received a communication from the Lord Chancellor on this subject. He said he would not have appointed Mr. Higgins to the office unless he was convinced of his being fully qualified for the office. (Oh, oh.) It was quite un necessary to enter into any enquiry into the merits of that gentleman, who had instantly and spontane ously resigned the office as soon as he heard what had occurred last night in the House of Commons, not because he did not feel himself qualified to discharge its duties, but because, after an expr ess i on o f pu bli c o pi n i on it was not desirable that he should retain the office. From what he had heard respecting that gentleman from those who had known him for years, he believed that in tender ing his resignation ho was acting only consistently with his character. RATING OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY. Mr. WILSON asked whether the attention of the Go- BANKRUPTCY AND INSOLVENCY. Lord J. RUSSELL then rose to move for leave to intro duce a bill to amend and consolidate the laws relating to bankruptcy and insolvency. He said--I think it is due to the house that I should in the first place explain the reasons which have induced me to introduce to its notice a subject so difficult, so intricate, and so important. It happened to be my fortune, at a meeting last year at Birmingham for the purpose of considering questions of social science, to be placed in the chair of a section devoted to jurisprudence, and the amendment of the law. That section was attended by the present learned Attorney-General, by several gentle men of the profession of the law, and also by many traders and persons engaged in commerce. I found there a general complaint of the present state of the law in relation to bank ruptcy. I suggested that the various Chambers of Com merce and Trade Protection Societies should meet with cer tain gentlemen at Birmingham who had studied this sun ject, and that they should endeavour to come to some agree ment before any proposal was submitted to Parliament. They adopted that suggestion. They met accordingly in the early part of last year. They agreed upon the heads of