The Sun. — London, England, 1846-07-18 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, July 17. The Earl of SHAFTESBURT took his seat on the Woolsack shortly before Five o'clock. Several railway Bills were brought up from the House of Commons and read a first time. SHEFFIELD AND LINCOLN RAILWAY. A NOBLE Loan presented two petitions in favour of this railway, one of which was from the mayor and corporation of Grimsby. His Lordship also expressed a hope that the Bill woukl receive the assent of their - Lordships. LUNATICS BILL. The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from Huntingdon against the Lunatics Bill of last session. UNION SETTLEMENTS. • The NoisLx Doxx also presented a petition praying that union settlements might not ake place. POST- t OFFICE. Lord BROUGHAM moved for a return of the revenue and expenses of the Post-office for the year ending the 18th of January, 1846, which was agreed to. SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS. The Bishop of LONDON presented a petition from the ehurchwardens and overseers of Bury, in Lancashire, praying their Lordships to pass a measure preventing the sale of spiri tuous liquors on the Sabbath. BATHS AND WASHHOUSES. The Right Rev. PRELATE also presented a petition from the churchwardens and overseers of St. Clements Danes, praying their Lordships to pass a measure to entitle parishes to borrow money for the purpose of erecting baths and wash houses for the poor. SIGNING PROTESTS. Lord REDESDALE called the attention oftheir Lordships to the signing of protests by Peers who were not present at the debates on the question to which their protests had reference. He was fully aware that there was an impression abroad, that unless Peers were present when questions were put that they were not in a position to sign protests with respect to them. He had referred to authorities, and found an instance of a Peer signing a pro test who was not present at the debate on the subject to which it had reference, in the person of the Duke of Somerset, in 1823, who signed a protest when an amendment was moved to an address to the Crown, he not having been in his place at the time it was put, but as he was present at the debate on the subject, leave was given to his Grace to sign the protest. That was the only instance he could find of recent date.. He had also referred to the first three volumes of " Grantham," in which he found three cases of Peers signing protest, who were not present at the debates on the questions to which they referred. The first occurred on the 3d of September, 1678, when Lord Clare signed a protest to a Supply Bill; the next in 1720, fifty years afterwards, by Lord Heytesbury, and the next by Lord Not tingham, who was not present. After referring to the stand ing order, he went on to say that there was nothing in it requiring that Peers should be present at the discussion on measures to enable them to sign protests with respect to them. He had given their Lordships three instances in which it so happened that there was a difference of fifty years between the giving of those protests ; those Peers signed protests al though they were not present during the debates. The sub ject, however, was well worth an inquiry and alteration. Lord CAMPBELL said that, in his opinion, those persons only who were present during a debate were entitled to enter a protest, because a protest was understood to come from a Peer whose arguments had been overruled. But how could a Peer who was never present at all during the debate be sup posed to be overruled in that sense ? Lord BROUGHAM said that the Noble Baron (Lord Redeadale) had, it appeared, given expression to the general impression on this subject, but he did not exactly agree with his Noble Friend's arguments as to the principles which he had laid down with respect to the eternity of proxies. Lord REDESDALE—Protests, not proxies. Lord BROUGHAM—However, he hoped that these prac tices might soon expire notwithstanding the prayer which had been offered by the Noble Marquis (the Marquis of Lans downe) for their immortality.—(Laughter.) Lord LANSDOWNE—I did say colloquially, " immortal may they be." Lord BROUGHAM—" May they be"—( Great Laughter.) Some conversation ensued on the subject, in which several Noble Lords took part. MESSAGE FROM THE COMMONS. Messengers from the Commons brought up several Bills. SHEFFIELD AND LINCOLN RAILWAY. Lord KINNAIRD presented a petition in favour of this railway, and moved the third reading of the Bill. The Earl of JERSEY opposed the third reading, and pro ceeded to allege residential injury in cases where compensation could not be given. It passed for a length of two miles over his property in a very objectionable manner—in such a manner as he did not think the House would sanction. The Noble Lord concluded by moving, that the order of the day for the third reading of this Bill be discharged, and suspended until February, 1847, in order that in the meantime the practicabi lity of forming a better and more direct line between Sheffield and Lincoln may be considered, less obnoxious to the interest of the landed proprietors, and more conducive to the public interests. Lord SOMERS replied to the remarks of the Noble Duke, and said. that the Bill was well worthy of adoption on the part of their Lordships. There were certainly some dissentients on the line, but they were by no means numerous. He hoped, in conclusion, that they would pass the Bill, and so act in ac cordance with the opinions of their own Committee which had been appointed to inquire into this subject. Lord HANBURY avowed his extreme distaste to all rail roads.—(Laughter.) Indeed he would, if he had the power, consign them to a certain locality, to which he would not more particularly allude.—(Great Laughter.) This line proposed to mutilate his property in a most objectionable manner. However he would not oppose, although he did not mean to support the Bill. He believed, in his conscience ' that the line would be as bene fi cial to the c o untry as moa t o f the lines with which they were threatened.—(Hear, hear.) Earl FITZ WILLIAM was not about to enter upon a general crusade against all railways,lafter the manner of his Noble Friend, but he must express his opinion that their Committees were not constituted on just foundations. He denied that they were free from the charge of impartiality and ignorance. In an earlier period of the session he had the good fortune to be a member of one of those Committees, and he knew that his duty was to perform his labours conscientiously and imparti ally.—( Hear, hear.) But he was called upon to pronounce upon a railway which would pass through a portion of the country on which he had never put his foot; and, there fore, he knew not whether his decision was just or not. It was a matter of notoriety that the Parliamentary agents took good care to bring forward what was called "good wit nesses" in favour of their case; that was to say, men who were not overscrupulous in what they said; and he was afraid that such men had been brought forward in support of this Bill. He objected to this Bill because it was not a proper line, inas much as it would not pass through the important district of Rotherham.—( Hear, hear.) He had reason to believe that the Committee on this Bill did not hear the engineer that would have given evidence in favour of the rival Bill. He would, therefore, gladly support the Noble Duke's very reasonable proposition. That proposition would have the effect of stopping the Bill this season, but it would be the most just way of proceeding. Lord BROUGHAM had no great opposition to offer to the proposition, but inasmuch as the, stopping of this Bill, the merits of which had been fully considered, would, in his opinion, create great mischief, because it would set the bad precedent of upsetting the decision of the Committees.— ( Hear, hear.) He had no wish to consign this or any other railway to that place where the iron would melt—(Laughter) —but he certainly did regret seeing the face of the country cut up for the purpose of railways, and the good old mode of English travelling superseded.—(Hear, hear.) If the railways were not seat to that place which had not been named, pe:haps the greater part of their promoters would —(Laughter.) He should always objet to cases like these being sent back to the Committee!. Lord VAUX, as a member of the Committee, replied to the observations of the Noble Duke, and contended that they were justified in coming to the decision that it was the best and most direct line. In fact the Noble Duke himself, he be lieved, was in favour of the line when it was projected. The Duke of NEWCAS CLE—When was that ? Lord VAUX—In 1645, he believed. He hoped their Lordships would uphold the decision of the Committee by al lowing the Bill to pass a third time. The Earl of RADNOR briefly supported the Bill. The towns of Sheffield and Lincoln, if the Bill were thrown out, would be deprived of a direct communication with London, and many other advantages which it would confer on them. The Duke of NEWCASTLE said he by no means wished to throw out this Bill. He also felt the mischief that would follow the overruling of the decisions of the Committee ;, but he really believed that the postponing of the Bill would be of great service to the public. After a few word from Lord KINNAIRD, in support of the Bill, The Duke of NEWCASTLE consented to withdraw his motion. . RATIFICATION OF THE OREGON TREATY. The Mare uia of L A NSDO WNE said that he had great sa tisfaction in laying upon the table of their Lordships' House, according to her Majesty's commands, the treaty concluded between her Majesty and the United States, for the settlement of the Oregon question, the ratifications of which had been ex changed this day.—.( Loud cheers.) CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE. The Marcpis of LANSDOWNE moved that. the Earl of Stafford be added to the Committee of Classification, in the room of Lord Beshorough. VISCOUNT HARDINGE'S AND LORD GOUGH'S ANNUITY BILLS. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved the third reading of these Bills. The Duke of It [CHMOND would not object at the present stage of the proceedings, after the decision which had been come to upon the subject. He thought, however, if passed, they would lead to the establishment of a dangerous precedent. He could not see why an officer of the army was not to be rewarded in the same manner as a civilian. Then there was one subject connected with India which had given him great regret. It was, that more notice had not been taken of the gallant officer Sir Charles Napier. He considered that he had been as brave an officer as any one who had commanded in that country. He not only conquered Scinde, he defeated the robber tribes, penetrated into their fastne sses with great military skill, and w i t h a great deal of hrdwor k ;end them, having endured many p r i vat i ons, he succeeded in t aking and showed himself an efficient civil governor. brou ght these tribes down, and made th em cu l t i vate the land ;t . h e e a y t had given up their predatory habit s , an d were now living ate of fieriest industry. H e h a d conc ili ated the affections i of * the soldiers under his command, and he was beloved by all the people whom he had conquered. He therefore thought that some mark of approbation, besides a mere vote of thank., should be bestowed upon him. He knew it was a very diffi cult subject to touch upon, connected as it was so closely with th e prerogatives of the Crown. Ile could not, howeeer,allow the present occasion to pass without expressing his regret that the gallant services of Sir Charles Napier had not been re warded in the manner they deserved. Lord BUOUGIIA AI quite concurred in the opinion just owpressed by the Noble Duke. He did not believe the history of war presented a more gallant soldier or a more able com mander. Ile thought, that even in the field of India, where so much gallant blood had been shed, and so much bravery eehibited, the battles in which the Gallant General Sir C. Napier had been triumphantly engaged would stand out gloriously prominent. The Noble Duke, who at one period of his military career had served with such talent and bravery in India, had alluded on a former occasion to the incomparable valour of Sir C. Napier. lie quite agreed with the Noble Doke who had just sat down as to the delicacy of dealing with this subject ; but he thought the present case was One so strong that it really seemed to furnish an excel tion sufficient to justify the exception to the general rule. After a few words from the Duke of GRAFTON, who said he thought sufficient thanks had not been given to Almighty God for their late successes in India, the Bills were read a third time and passed. SUNDAY TRADING. The Bishop of OXFORD presented a petition from a place, fhe name of which we were not able to catch, praying her Majesty's Government to pass as speedily as possible a general measure of a sinaila,r nature to that which had received the sanction of the Legislature a short time since; he meannthe. M e tropolitan Polices Act, which prevented public-houses and beer-shops from opehing their shops for the sale of intoxicating liquor4on the Lor9ll)y, He regretted the evils which arose boa druhliiureatimong the laVouring classes. He trusted that' the principle would be adopted, which was that the public houses in the country should be closed from twelve o'clock 011 Saturday night till one o'clock on Sunday. SCOTTISH SCHOOLMASTERS. The Marquis of BREADAL BANE presented a petition from the schoolmasters in Scotland attached to the Free Church, praying that they might enjoy the advantages now possessed by those engaged in the service of the Established Church of Scotland. It was known that not only were the schoolmasters in that country subjected to intellectual examina tion, but also to religious tests, and at the present time a great portion of those individuals were deprived of all the advantages of employment in their proper vocation because they could not, in their consciences accede to an establishment which wielded all the patronage of their profession. There was a calculation founded, he believed, in a correct knowledge of the country, that about one-third of the schoolmasters of Scotland were members of the establishment, one-third wet e members of the Free Church, and the other third belonged to other com munities. He saw no reason why the prayer of this petition should not be complied with, and he therefore moved that it should be laid on the table. LAW OF ENTAIL IN SCOTLAND. The Marquis of BREADALBANE also presented a petition from several landowners, praying that the law of entail might be so altered as to give a more equitable right to the descendant inheritors of land. THE GAUGE QUESTION. The Earl of DALHOUSIE, in bringing this subject before their Lordships, felt it necessary to expl a i n why,' after it had been announced, it had been so long delayed. He had been quite ready to bring it before the House at the time appointed, but their Lordships, owing to the change of Ministry, and the important discussions in which they had been engaged, were too much occupied to entertain it. But with the consent of her Majesty's Government he was now quite ready to bring it before their Lordships. From the present state of the House he observed that there was not much anxiety respecting the subject which he had to introduce, and he would, if they thought proper, most readily postpone it, although he would rather, if he now consulted his own inclination, refrain from doing so. The chief part of the matter had been so fully stated in the report of the Commissioners, that he had little left to do than to re mind their Lordships of what had there been most amply and perspicuously stated. The resolutions which he had to propose simply proffered the result of that report, which was chiefly filled by a consideration of the railway system. The object, therefore, of these resolutions was in the first place to regulate the gauge of railways already in existence, and further to establish an uniform gauge for all railways that may hereafter be formed. It would be necessary for him to revert a little in order to put the House in possession of the circumstances which had induced the inquiry of these Commissioners, and originated the resolutions which he was about to propose. It would be recollected that all the railways which had been first formed were constructed on what was called the narrow gauge ; but, contrary to the general belief, there did not appear to be any particular reason why they should be formed of that par ticular width. On the contrary it would rather seem that it was done without any definite cause, and arose more than any thing else out of the circumstance that the earlier railways were made to form communications with the tramways for the carriage of goods and ores when they were drawn by horse power. The usual width of the carriages drawn by these horses was 4 feet 81 inches, and that consequently became the common gauge of the more important railways that were at first formed. After some years a Bill passed through Parliament for the formation of a railway from London to Bristol. In that Bill there was no regulation respecting the gauge, and, as by an agreement with Mr. Brunel, the directors had decided upon taking the broad gauge, that line was formed with a width of seven feet between the rails. There was no doubt but that with the broad gauge there was the opportunity of getting greater power and more speed, but the majority of the lines in the country were constructed on the 4 feet 8i inch gauge. But even that was not uniform, for while these two gauges were used in some places, the Northern Railway was con strueted on a gauge of five feet, and the Dundee and Abroath, and the Abroath and Forfar Railways were constructed on the five feet six-inch gauge. This was the case until the com mencement of 1845, when an immense mass of railways were brought into Parliament, and the question of the break of gauge forced itself on the attention of the Legislature. At that time upwards of 1,900 miles of railway had been formed on the narrow gauge, and about 300 miles on the broad gauge, but then the several railways were not at that time in connexion with each other. The Great Western line was formed on the bread gauge, and the Eastern Counties, and those running to the north, were made on the narrow gauge, and as they did not join each other no inconvenience had been suffered. But in 1845, Bills were brought into Par liament which compelled the attention of the Legislature. In that session upwards of 150 Bills were brought under considera tion, and among them two on which the question of the gauge was seriously involved. They were respectively for the formation of lines from Oxford to Rugby, and the other from Rugby, by Oxford, to Wolverhampton. The termini of these lines would respectively meet with broad and narrow gauge lines. There was a department of the Government whose duty it was to consider the merits of the several lines about to be submitted to the legislature, and after much discussion the MemLers of that department had come to the decision that these two lines involved an undoubted and serious evil— namely, the break of gauge; and they recommended that in the construetion of all future railways, an uniform gauge should be adopted. But in the meantime, a question had arisen in con sequence of the presentation of a petition in the other House of Parliament, and a Commission was appointed to inquire into the merits of the different gauges, the Members of which sat for several months employed in the arduous and anxious investigation. Upon the merits of the several members of that Commission he was not dis posed to say anything. He was aware that they had, in con sequence of interested and garbled statements, been subjected to gross misrepresentations and attacks, but he must take leave to express an opinion that no men could have discharged their duties more efficiently. Their report was now laid upon their Lordships' table, and he should be saving their Lord ships' time by stating the conclusions at which they had ar rived. In their report they say that, atter much examination, they are induced to state that the break of gauge is a great and serious evil; that many mechanical means, such as expanding axles, the moving of bodies, and other contrivances, bad been submitted to them, but that none of them were effec tual for the purpose for which they were intended. They fully acknowledged that the difference of gauge was a serious evil, and that it was exceedingly desirable that a uniformity of gauge should be established. It would appear from that report that the narrow gauge was for the conveyance of pas sengers, the more compact for the transit of express trains, and for the conveyance of passengers and light goods. On this gauge there were upwards of 1,900 miles constructed, while there were only 274 miles made upon the broad gauge. They recommended that future lines should be constructed on the gauge of 4 feet si miles. They recommended, secondly, that the companies whose lines are made upon the broad gauge should not alter them without the express permission of Go vernment; thirdly, that some means should be devised for equalising the gauges, though they could not come to any conclusion as to the means which were to be used for meeting the expense ; and, fourthly, they ex pressed their opinion of the great commercial advantage of retaining the narrow gauge, and of instituting it where it did not already exist. It was certainly very desirable that some means should be adopted equitable to all parties, for effecting the change, and establishing an uniform gauge. For future railways there would be no difficulty, if the recommendation of the Commission were to be adopted, and the narrow gauge were to be used ; but the difficulty chiefly arose from the change from one gauge to another. From the estimates which had been laid before the Commissioners, it appeared that the ex pense of the alteration would be about 1,500,0001., including the alteration of the line, locomotives, and other things. It was not right to appeal to the Exchequer for this great outlay, for the country at large had little to do with the traqfie on these particular lines. Then again it was not right to call on the Great Western Company to make the change at their own ex pense, for they had made their works under the sanction and by the authority of Parliament, and it would therefore be a gross breach of principle to ask that great company to be at the expense of a million and a half, after they had provided the best accommodation for railway transit in the country—after they had not only introduced numerous and valuable improve ments, but had stimulated by their example all the other com panies to increased display of energy, and increased exertion. If it were not right t, come upon the Exchequer, still less was it right to lay a tax on the other lines • for what reason was there to impose a tax on the South-Western Company, who were in many cases the opponents of the Great Western Com pany? The Commission did not recommend any precise plan, that they left to Parliament ; but with respect toahe railways about to be constructed, the resolutions which he had to propose would in some degree prevent the evil. Hear, hear.) If the group of railways to the south of the Great Western line was joined, then they would get rid of the break of gauge which was at present com plained of. The greatest inconvenience would arise if the break of gauge was continued at Rugby and Gloucester, while the evils would be got rid of by the break made at Oxford and Gloucester. It was also proposed that with respect to the south-western district, the break should be at Barnstaple, instead of at Reading. Accord ing to the arrangement proposed, all railways south of the Lon don and Bristol line would be on the broad gauge, with the exception of that portion of narrow gauge railway which went from London to Southampton, with its branches. This was f proposed, not as a comproMise, but for the convenience of the public.—( Hear, hear.) There was h no compact atall to, nregaus lating the matter. Whatever decision ad been come w in order to provide for the public accommodation in the best possible manner. The railways south of the Great Western Railway were to be permitted y to be laid down on the broad gauge, but then not without showing special grounds before a Committee, as to such lines being required for the public. There had been three great lines sanc tioned last session of Parliament. One was through Wales by way of Gloucester. It would, perhaps, for local purposes, have been better had that line been laid down on the narrow gauge, but looking on it as a thoroughfare to Ireland, he thought it would be better for that purpose that it should re:nain on the broad gauge, for which the Bill had been passed. The other two lines were the Oxford and Rugby, and the Ox. ford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton lines. He regretted that these lines had been passed on the broad gauge principle, and it would have been well had the report of the Commission been known before these Bills had passed into a law; still, it having hieh been s th e re were clauses inserted inboth Bills, by w double tlhineeßsoooa;rrdaiolsf to Tradeu certaincou d eenxftoernete, soas t the layingo form an which the connexion with the various li nes on the two gauges north an(south. The extent to powers g i ven th em by th ose c l a uses appeared the Board of Trade thought it exped a i r e e n d t i t n o th ca e r r r e y so o lu u t t io th n e s he was about to submit to the House. The result of the whole recommendations of the Board of Trade would be that the south and south-west of England would be connected by means of the broad gauge, while the south-east would be connected by a narrow gauge line. To the north and the north-east, the whole of England, including the manufacturing districts, would be accommodated by the narrow gauge, and the latter would also be connected with Bristol and the west of England by a similar gauge. If the Manchester and Southampton line, which had passed the House of Commons, passed their Lordships' House, then their would be a continuous line of railway also on the narrow gauge from Manchester to Southampton. ale also proposed that when once those arrangements were carried out, that no directors of railways should be permitted to alter the gauge. He had now endea voured to give an imperfect idea of what he proposed to carry out by the resolutions. It might be said that he ought to have proposed the whole scheme as recommended by the Com missioners' Report ; but, on careful cons id erat i on, h e thought the present course the most practical and advisable one. He would not say any more at present, though he felt he had but inadequately performed the task imposed on him, and would sit down by moving the resolutions, which were as follow:- 1. That it is the opinion of this House that no line of rail way shall hereafter be formed other than four feet eight and a half inches gauge, excepting lines to'the south of the existing line from London to Bristol, and excepting small branches of four miles in length in immediate connexion with the Great Western and South Wales Railways, but that no such line as above excepteri should be sanctioned by Parliament, unless a special report shall have been made by the Committee on the Bill, setting forth the reasons which have led the Committee to advise than such a line should be formed on any other than the four feet eight and a half inches gauge. 2. That it is the opinion of this House that provision should be made by law to prevent the directors of any Railway Coro_ pany from altering the gauge of such railways. 3. That, in order to complete the general chain of narrow gauge-communication from the North of England to th 6 louthera coast, arid to the port of Bristol, soy stlitable.rnea- THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY sure be promoted to farm a narrow gauge link from Gloucester to Bristol, and also from Oxford to Basingstoke, or by any shorter route connecting the proposed Rugby and Oxford line with the South Western Railway, without preju d:ce, however, to the formation of any other line also connecting, upon one uniform gauge, and by a direct route, the north of England with the southern coast. 4. That it is the opinion of this House that it is expedient that the South and North Wales line, with its branches to Mon mouth and Hereford, should be formed on the broad guage. 5. That it is the opinion of this House that it is not expe dient to alter the provisions of the Acts for forming a line of railway from Rugby to Oxford, and for forming a line of railway from Oxford to Worcester and Wolverhampton, with respect to the gauge on which they may be formed, or with respect to the powers therein conferred on the Board of Trade. Lord REDESDALE said he did not intend to oppose the resolutions proposed by the Noble Lord, though he was not satisfied with them. Every one must feel that if a uniformity of gauge were established it would be of great service to the country.—(Hear, hear.) The narrow gauge was preferable f. r soms lines, but it was perfectly clear to the Commissioners, who had been appointed to inquire into this subject, that the broad gauge had a combination of advantages over the narrow. —(Hear hear.) For his own part, he believed that if a me dium gauge had been recommended it would have been met with very little opposition. There were now 1,503 miles in operation ; more than that were already granted, and still more than that were in the course of being granted in the present session of Parliament, and more would still be sought for in the course of the next three years, and he certainly thought if the Commissioners had at this most opportune time approved of a medium gauge, they would have done much to remedy the evils of the contest between the two gauges. The resolutions were objectionable, principally because they con templated the existence of two gauges. They were powerless fur good, whilst they would sanction much evil. He did not think that the two gauzes worked well together, notwithstand ing the opinions of interested engineers. Mr. Brunel did not say last session which gauge he was prepared to prefer —pro bably he had now arrived at some definite conclusion as to the merits of the two schemes—and yet it was at that very time that the Commissioners declared that it was perfectly easy to work the two gauges in conjunction. He was afraid that the working of the two gauges together was liable to great acci dents ; the Narrow and the broad gauge carriages going at dif ferent speeds, would be ,continually coming into collision. Although, as he had before said, he did not look upon the reso lutions with great favour, and at that late period of the session he was not prepared to offer a decided opposition to them, be cause they might probably be of some service to the public, still he must say that there was yet sufficient time for the Govern ment to inquire into the subject, and thus prove to the public that they meant to come to some conclusion on this point, and that they did contemplate favouring an uniformity of gauge. He hoped that they would do their best to rid this country of the evil of having two gauges.—(Hear, bear.) Lord KINNAIRD prefectly concurred in the remarks of the Noble Lord as to the evil of having two gauges, and he would take the opportunity on some future occasion of moving for the appointment of a Commission to take into consideration the whole of the subject, and the great desirableness of establishing a uniformity of gauge. Ile contended that the members of the late Commission had not considered the subject in the spirit intended by those who had supported their appointment. He was glad to find that he would be supported in his motion for such a Commission as he had alluded to. He had been informed on good authority that had a uniformity of gauge been insisted on this session the expenditure consequent on the alteration of the gauges on the part of the different railways in the kingdom, which would have recognised it, would only have been 800,0001. He objected, therefore, strongly to the resolutions. The Earl of GALLOWAY thought the country was in debted to the Noble Lord who introduced these resolutions. He thought there should be a resolution to suspend any farther railway business till the question of the comparative merits of the different gauges should be settled. The Earl of WARWICK thought it highly objectionable that any line should be laid down with both gauges, similar to the proposed line from Oxford to Rugby. Lord HAT HERTON regretted that a subject of so much importance should be brought forward in so thin a House. He believed that the inconvenience of the break of gauge had been purposely aggravated by the narrow gauge party for the purpose of getting up evidence against the broad gauge, and he believed if both the lines at that place were under the management of Mr. Brunel, Mr. Saunders, and Mr. Gooch, instead of Mr. Hudson, he thought there would have been comparatively little heard of the inconvenience of a break of gauge. He thought that the broad gauge must be extended northwards, for the people of Liverpool and Manchester would never be content to hear that the people of Exeter could travel with so much more speed, safety, and convenience than they could. He did not think there would be any inconveniences from working a railway on the broad and narrow gauge, and even if there were, the Board of Trade would have the power to interfere to prevent the inconvenience. The Earl of CLARENDON said that the able manner in which the Noble Lord had expounded his principles to-night, upon this impJrtant subject, gave hint some alarm ; he feared that he should not have the abilities to follow in his steps, or to discharge with the same abilities the duties of his office. It would, however, be his highest wish to emulate the Noble Lord in the discharge of those duties which devolved upon him as his successor in the office of the Board of Trade, and whatever information he might obtain in his office, he would use it to promote, to the best of his abilities, an un if orm ity o f gauge , and an efficient settlement of the question. The resolutions were then agreed to. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, Jury 17. The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. NEW MEMBERS. ➢lr. MACAULAY took the oaths and his seat for the city of Edinburgh. Mr. Rica also took the oaths andhis seatfor Richmond; and Mr. GIBSON CRAIG took the oaths and his seat fur the city of Edinburgh. Mr. B. BALDWIN moved that Cameron's Coalbroek Steam Coal and Swansea and Loughor Railway Bill be read the third time, notwithstanding the certificate required by the resolutions of the House, on the 23d day of August last, to be deposited in the Private Bill-office has not been deposited three clear days, such certificate having only been deposited upon Tuesday, the 14th day of this instant July.—Agreed to. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. STOCKPORT IMPROVEMENT BILL. Mr. BROTHERTON moved the third reading of this Bi, Mr. T. S. DUNCOMBE presented a petition, signed by 3,793 of the inhabitants of Stockport, against the proposed Bill. The petition stated " That the Bill had been introduced into the House against the consent of the inhabitants. They had always had the power of disposing of their own money, and this Bill would take away that power from them." The Hon. Member then said that the inhabitants of the borough re garded this Bill as a gross job. It was proposed to raise, provided this Act were passed, the sum of 100,0001. upon the security of the rates. When that money was in the possession of the town council they were to have the disposal of it without the control of the ratepayers, and the fact was, that a great part of it would go to benefit their own properties. The Member for Stockport was certainly between two fires. There was the liberal town council on the one hand, and the ratepayers on the other, and in this dilemma the Hon. Member entrusted the Bill to the Hon. Gentleman who had moved it. The House in all affairs of Railway Bills required that a majority of the share holders should guide the affairs of the Company, and in this ease he would promise, that if a general meeting of the rate payers were called within the week, and they supported the Bill, to withdraw all opposition. But they would not do that, for the Bill was not of a nature to bear the light, The effect of the Bill would be to remove all control from the hands of the ratepayers over the money raised on their rates. He would move that the Bill be read that day three months. The motion was then put. Mr. BROTHERTON said that the Hon. Member for Finsbury had characterised this Bill as a gross job, and spoke as if he (Mr. Brotherton) were connected with it. He begged to say that he only moved the third reading in the absence of the Hon. Member for Stockport, and whether it was carried or not it was a mat ter of great indifference to him. The objects of the Bill were to purchase the manorial rights, in order to save the people from oppression, to purchase the waterworks in order to supply the people with water, and to establish baths and washhouses in the town. There was no opposition to the Bill in Commit tee, except by one man, who came from the borough, very ill provided with money, in order to oppose one clause, which allowed the Chartists to ring bells through the streets, they being too poor to advertise or placard their meetings. Of the numerous names which appeared on the petition—of the whole 3,793, he would venture to say that not 100 were ratepayers. If the Hon. Member had ever been in Stockport, he roust have seen that there was not a town in England which required improvement more, and this Bill was hrought in for the purpose of enabling the Town Council to give that improvement at the moat economical rate. He said the Bill had received the unanimous assent of a re spectable Committee ; he had heard no valid objections against it ; no clause was in it but such as was sanctioned by one Act of Parliament or another, and he was amazed that the Hon. Member should lend himself to the party who opposed it. Mr. E SCOT T said he had received a petition from a rate- payer in Stockport, who mentioned that . he had opposed the Bill because several clauses in it were opposed to the statute law of the land ; but that a compromise had been entered into, which, however, had not been ful fi led. He (Mr. Escott), therefore, begged an ex planation of this from the lion. Member (Mr. Brothertor), or if he were not prepared, that he would consent to the third reading being postponed. Mr. BROT LIERTON did not feel himself prepared to enter into all the facts connected with the Bill. Mr. HUME suggested that at least time should he given to inquire into the facts, but he thought th.t on looking at the nature of the Bill, that it would be better to postpone it for one year, till they could pass one Police Bill and one Paving Bill, to affect all places alike as well as a Bill affecting the sana tory ccndition of towns. Sir It. INGLIS did not think a case was made out for pass in,g this Bill. He could not agree with the clauses of the Bill ; they were quite wrong, and he should vote with the Hon. Member for Finsbury on the subject. Mr. GREENE would oppose the further progress of the Bill; some of the clauses were highly objectionable. Mr. THORNELY approved of the principle of the Bill, and thought it would confer great advantages on the inhabit ants of the town if it were passed; and he should, therefore vote with his Hon. Friend in favour of the Bill. , Mr. WAK LEY said the clauses in this Bill (276 in number) were of the most unusual, oppressive, and restrictive e character, and he thought the better course would be to r e j ect the Bill at once. Such a course w oul d be better than post poi‘niinr.g the iiA e w on E si s de s r u a i t d ien he of k th o e ew sub u j o e t c h t i t u o g a futureof fthe B day. and thought it a great hardship to throw it out at once. Still there were clauses which had been referred to to which he ag of the Bill forbestree.Thea fe course days. h B he thought that step h would the postponementcouldnot a v b a l l e ua p h o l r e ti p o a o r s ts re o m f t o h v e ed ß . ill might be retained, and the objection melln to I t r.D a U d N iv C is O ion 3 , .lßE intimated that he would press his amend - The gallery was then cleared for a division. After rbeing for some time excluded, we were again admitted and found tho N u lr. ght Al t l L L e N th E ro rt win G g lß ou S t ON s of t p h e i a s kng w B i id , wo h u o ld stated prove t a hat he harsh measure. After a few words from Mr. WARBURTON it was agreed that the Bill should be read a third time this day fortnight. BISHOP OF JERUSALEM'S NATURALISATION BILL. Mr. HODSON moved the second reading of this Bill. Fie had stated the other evening that the party who was the object of this Bill was not resident in this country, nor was he likely to be so, but, nevertheless, from the contribution of the Queen to the fund for the support of the bishopric, he became entitled to the protection of the British authorities. Lord PALNIEBSTON thought it quite necessary, for the proper performance of his duties and as the representative of British interests, that he should be a naturalised English sub ject. It would be an anomaly to suppose him to represent the interests of this country were he not a naturalised member of that country. He hoped the House would not, therefore, reject the Bill, Dr. BOWRIN G stated that the Hon. Member was quite in error in supposing that the naturalisation cf this individual would protect him . from the puwer of the Ott oman F orte . He EVENING, JULY 18, 1846. certain of the lower branches of the public service, made avail able to them on the ground of merit. The SPEAKER then put the question. Lord SANDON said he did not agree in all the sentiments which had been exaressed, but he admitted the general prin ciples on which the motion was based. At the same time he recommended that the subject should be left over in the hands of the Noble Lord at the head of the Government. The great difficulty was, that in these endowed schools nobody but a lawyer could manage the funds.—( Hear, hear, and laughter.) The trusts for educational and other purposes, which were to be found all over the country, were in the hands of lawyers. He would not take up the time of the House longer, but hoped the Noble Lord would give the subject his most attentive con sideration. Sir R. INGLIS concurred with the Hon. Gentleman, that her Majesty's Government ought to have a fair and impartial trial with regard to this great question. He trusted that his Noble Friend at the Head of the Government would weigh well every suggestion made to him, before he adopted it. As this was not the time to go into the question fully, he would reserve his remarks till a future occasion. Mr. WARBURTON thought the Government ought not to lose sight of the last proposition of the Hon. Member for Dumfries. Let none be presented to places of the Treasury, or to any of the subordinate offices of Government, unless they were properly qualified to fill them. He would be sorry to take away Parliamentary patronage, but let no Member seek to procure a situation in the Customs or Excise for any individuals unless they were properly qualified. By the late Government the general registry office was so inadequately managed by the clerks who were appointed to it, that it was for a long time very inefficient. By the previous Government also the office of bankruptcy was filled by a number of clerks whose intolerable incompetency was a matter of notori , ty. The late Government, he understood, did away with the tests to a , certain the qualification of clerks for the Treasury, but, in his opinion, they did not act wisely in doing so, for he con sidered that their continuance would tend very much to pro cure a more efficient body of pers ins to fill those situations. Mr. WILLIAMS hoped the Noble Lord would take the matter into his early and fullest consideration. In Scotland the progress of education was most gratifying. The country looked up to the Noble Lord with the most hopeful feeling, and he (Mr. Williams) sincerly trusted it would not be disap pointed. In France, the vote passed in the Chamber of De puties this year was upwards of 700,0001. sterling. He hoped her Majesty's Government would give the question of educa tion their most deliberate ard early consideration. Mr. HUME considered that the moral state of the people was as important as their physical wants. He saw with regret that education was of late years more opposed by Dissenters than by the members of the Church of England. The state of education in this country rendered them the reproach of Europe. England had one in eleven educated; Belgium one in ten ; France one in ten ; Friesland, and other places in Germany, ono in six, on in fivo, and ono in four - su that in this country, as compared with some of the states of Germany there was twice as much ignorance.—( Cries of" Hear, hear.") England also was the only place where children of differ ent religions were not allowed to attend the same school. If they were at all in doubt how that united system operated he sl - ould say to them that they should be cautious how they proceeded, but they had the example of Ireland, and with that example all doubt as to the result was removed. The Irish system had been successful in Liverpool, and it was also attended with complete success in Holland, where children of all creeds were educated together. If, instead of expending large sums in the maintenance of criminals, they were to apply it to the education of children, there would not only result a considerable benefit, but even a saving of expenditure. The time was now come when the Government could attempt to introduce that means which had been so successful in Ireland, and he had not the smallest doubt that the country would aid them in their endeavours, and their efforts would be found of benefit to all classes. Mr. J. STEWART admitted the importance of the subject under consideration. He thought that the education of the people of this country was one which ought to deeply interest the Legislature. He did not, however, think that the subject had at all been fully explained or put forward by what had taken place that evening. Those who brought forward that motion, seemed to take the opportunity of attacking the Esta blished Church. The Noble Lord the Member for Liverpool had departed from the subject of education, and had spoken of the administration of justice in the courts of the law. The Noble Lord had spoken of the difference between a rich man and a poor man in a court of law, and had stated that the price of justice in an unopposed case was 701., and for an opposed case he did not know how much. The Noble Lord should spe cify the case which had occurred, and bring it forward for inves tigation, in justice to his own character and the character of the Court in which it was tried. The Court to which he belonged was very unpopular, and it was so because it was exclusively engaged in investigating those cases where breaches of trust had existed for a long series of years, and the persons who sm ar t e d under its influence abused it. He said there was no member of the professson to which he belonged would refuse their assist ance towards the amendment of the law. It was easy to cry out about abuses, but much more dif f icult to remedy them. Why, he held in his hand a Bill got up under the patronage of the society for the amendment of the law, and introduced into the upper branch of the Legislature—a Bill for facilitating conveyance of property—which showed what labour was neces sary for the amendment of the law. Yet that Bill, he said was a vast mass of ab.urdities, which, he was sure, no Member of that House would take in hand. This only ;flowed the diffi culty of the subject of which the Noble Lord had spoken with such levity. Mr. HORSMAN thought that no system of education would ever be successful, which was not accompanied by a system of close inspection; and hoped, the Noble Lord would recollect the remark of the late Minister, that no vote would be asked on the subject of education, without a statement concerning the state of it in this country. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said he would confine himself to a very few observations, as any lengthened statement at pre sent would rather impede than further the progress of the ques tion. The statement of the late first Minister of the Crown, in reference to the vote on education, had been referred to by the Hon. Gentleman who had just sat down. Such a statement, he thought, would be the means of furthering education, and it was, besides, due to the House, so as to enable the House to comprehend the real state of the country in that respect, and take such measures as would further their views. Ide ovrued, however, in reference to what had fallen from Hon. Members, that he did not think the same facilities were to be found in this country which existed in foreign countries for the establishing of a national system of education, One great impediment to it consisted in the voluntary efforts which had been made for conventional purposes.—(Hear, hear.) Laws might be promulgated in Russia, because there they had the power to make them absolute ; and those who sat in the Par liament of Scotland, in the year 1696, had the full confidence of that country, agreeing with them in a national religion. This remark was applicable in some degree to what had been done in Ireland some years ago, under Lord Grey's adminis tration, but in this country the question was in a very differ ent situation. Efforts had been made on the national system to supply schools,; the British school society had also established schools in various districts; various denominations of dissen ters, Wesleyan and congregational, had shown the greatest zeal in the establishment of schools. These bodies had got their own rules and their own systems which they had established in the schools they supported. They were proud, and justly so, of what they had done; they had admitted the light of the Gospel into the cottages of the poor, and had disseminated instruction in the manufacturing districts. It was not wonderful, therefore, that in their attempt to introduce a national system they should meet with opposition ; that such persons should dislike that which seemed to destroy their ewn benevolent labour. He said ha stated these things to show what any Government which interfered on this question would have to consider. Yet he said, after all that had been done by benevolent persons in the Church, by Dissenters, and by per sons in high stations and in low in this country, for the educa tion or the people, it was a lamentable fact that great ignorance still prevailed; he said it was a lamentable fact, because the disgrace to this country was light compared with the evil itself. But it was evident that, in this situation aLleast, great advan tage would follow from the establishment of additional day schools, and in having the condition of the schoelmasters raised in this country. Perhaps Parliament might fall short of what it would wish to accomplish, yet it was well that such as the Hon. Member fer Dumfries called the attention of the House to the subject, as he was certain it would have the effect of conferring additional influence on it. t was a matter of great importance to have a measure which would make large sums in endowed schools more available.— ( Hear, hear.) He could not agree with the scruples of the Hon. Member for Oxford, who thought that, in a case where Greek and Latin were to be taught, and no one learned Greek and Latin, yet Parliament was not to touch the funds because some one might rise up who would learn Greek and Latin. He did not expect the Hon. Member, with all his known reverence for things established and ancient, could have gone so far. He (Lord John Russell) assured the House that he would give the subject his best attention, and that when it came again before the House, that he would make a statement which might show that he had not altogether failed of his promise.—( Hear.) Mr. P. BORT HWICK said, they did not make a man a better member of society by teaching him to read or to write. They did not make his morals better by instructing him in chemistry.—(Hear, hear.) He called on the existent state of morals in universities to bear witness to the truth of his assertion.—(Hear, hear.) He hoped he would never see the ta'k of public education taken from the worthy hands in which it was at present vested, to those of a public Minister. The object of education was net to make good scholars, but good morals. However amiable the intentions of the Members for Montrose and Dumfries, the ob ject of their proposition would be to make men more clever criminals than they were at present.—<Hear, hear.) Lord JOHN MANNERS said, he could not imagine that any desire could be manifested to assimulate the education of this country with France or Prussia. If they observed the present opinions delivered from the chairs of the French College they could not for a moment wish for such an assimu lation ; whatever good had been achieved by the educational system which at present existed, was entirely in connexion with the church. Dr. BOWRING considered that the French and Prussian educational system was much misunderstood. He was sorry to say that religious tests had been applied to the candidates before admission into schools, and he would regret it extremely if there should be an attempt to meddle with the liberty of the subject under the pretence of introducing a national system of education. Mr. ESTCOURT joined completely in the opinion which had been expressed, that educatiou without reference to morals would be in itself a bad and dangerous system, and he did therefore consider that the duty of education should be transferred from the hands in which it was at present vested. After a few words from Mr. E WART in explanation, the motion was negatived without a division. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House then went into a Committee of Supply. Mr. HUME objected to the method in whiCh ihe sums of money granted for education was distributed. Poor districts did not receive the sums of money, whereas rich ones did, and this was because there were certain qualifications required be fore money would he granted. Sir JOHN PARKER said that the report upon education would show the distribution of the money. Mr. WILLIAMS considered that there shoule be a general inspection of the whole of England and Wales, and that such districts as shoved an unwillingness to comply with the reqiii site qualifications required by Government, should be com pelled to do so by a rate levied upon the inhabitants. The sum of 100,0001. was then agreed to for the purposes I of education. On the item of 85.0001. for education in Ireland, Sir ROBERT INt-11, ES said that he hoped they would permit the members of the Church in Ireland, as members of a united church, to apply for a portion of the money granted to the National Church, and that a fair proportion of the money would be accorded to them. This was a matter of mere justice. Mr. HUME said that the fund in Ireland was administered with great fairness and equity, and there could be no fault found with it. After a few words from Mr. P. BORTHWICK, Lord J. MANNERS rose, he said, simply to second the appeal of the Hon. Member for the University of Oxford. He hoped that what he had thrown out would be duly attended to by the Government. He could not see how they could make an exclusive grant to the so-called national system of education, and deny a similar grant to that system of education in connec tion with the Irish Church. Mr. HAMILTON quite agreed with the sentiments which had fallen from the previous speakers as to the grant in ques tion. Mr. HUME said the national system was established by Lord Stanley, and bad been found most useful in its working .- Mr. LABOUCHERE said no subject in connexion with Ireland gave him so much consolation as the fact, that the people of Ireland, under the national system of education, were enjoying a blessing which many more favoured countries did not possess. It was destroying prejudice, and gave him the best hopes as regarded the future. He rose merely to do away with any impression that the Government were in the least degree indifferent to the national system of education. Sir 11. H. INGLIS merely wished to impress on the mind of the Noble Lord that he ought, in justice to those connected with the Church of Ireland, to give them a grant for education in such a mode as they could receive it. Mr. HENLEY briefly supported the views of the Hon. Member for Oxford. The vote was then agreed to. The next item proposed was 5,3811., for the metropolitan and provincial schools of design. After a few observations from Mr. Ewart, Lord George Manners, and Mr. Hume, Dr. BOWRING thought there should be a more efficient system of registratl.m than at present, and that there ought tc be a tribunal to decide regarding the right of designs. Such a tribunal might be composed of manufacturers and workmen. Tribunals of this kind were found of great efficacy in France. Mr. P. BORTH WICK was opposed to any such tribunals as ?hose named. Mr. J. HEATHCOAT would like to know what those tribunals spoken of as being in France were, and what were the expel ses attending on them, before he supported such an institution. Something, however, ought to be done in regard to the regulation of designs. Mr. HENLEY said that he was astonished that, after the extraordinary powers which were granted three or four years ago to carry out the law about designs, they were com pelled, after all their beautiful new systems of legislation, to resort to the Court of Chancery. All their fine French courts and tribunals would turn out to be mere moonshine. The vote was then agreed to. On the item of 2,006/. to support certain professors at Cam bridge and Oxford, Sir. WILLIAMS briefly objected to the high salaries re ceived by the professors for very trifling duties. Sir R. H. INGLIS defended the vote. The sum was not one-fourth of what was annually granted to the University of London.— ( Hea , , hear.) The professors at the University of Glasgow and the College of Belfast were quite as liberally paid as those at Oxford or Cambridge. The Hoti. Gentleman (Mr. Williams) had admitted that he had no: very , trong ob jections to the grant, and he ( Sir R. H. Inglis) therefore hoped that the House would consent to the grant.—( Hear. ) Mr. DICKINSON opposed the grant, and said that the Universities received quite sufficient for their support from other sources, than grants from the public treasury. The vote was then agreed to. The following votes were then agreed to without ob servation :-4,526!. to the University of London, 7,41.50/. to the Scottish Universities, 300/. to the Royal Irish Academy, 30. V. to the Royal Hibernian Academy, 6,0821. to the Royal Dublin Society. On the vote of 2,601/. to the Royal Belfast Academy, Mr. HUME wished to know why there had been an increase of 5001. on the grant of last year. Sir J. GRAHAM explained the reason of the increase of the salaries and number of the professors. As the greater portion of the people of the north of Ireland professed the Presbyterian religion, which was supported by the State, it was thought but just that increased means should be given to the professors to instruct the young men of Ulster in the principles of religion and science. Lord J. MANNERS would be glad if the Right Hon. Baronet would inform the Committe whether there had been any correspondence between the Government and the synod of Ulster on the subject of the professors' salaries ? Sir J. GRAHAM said that there had been such a com munication, and it would probably be produced to-morro w , in pursuance of the motion of the Hon. Member for Montrose. Mr. LABOUCHERE thought that the Hon. Member for Montrose wGul not derive any advantage by postponing this vote till the production of the correspondence. Mr. HUME understood that the authorities of the college had not asked for the increase, and the Right Hon. Baronet ought not therefore to have made it, as it was the public money. The Right Hon. Baronet might give 5001. out of his own pocket if he pleased, but he had no right to give away the public money in that manner. The Right Hon. Gentleman had given no explanation whatever for giving the increase, and under all the circumstances he would oppose it. Sir J. GRAHAM said that he had stated the grounds why the increase was made. A deputation had been specially sent over from the synod of Ulster, consisting of the moderator and three of the principal Presbyterian clergymen of the north of Ireland, and it was upon their representations that the in crease was made. This, however, was a question of policy and equity, and it remained for the present Government to take whatever course they pleased on the matter, but he had stated the circumstances which induced the late Government to make the increase on the former allowance. Mr. WILLIAMS thought that the people of this country had enough to do with their money, besides giving it away to parties who had not asked for it. There were other institu tions in far greater need of Government assistance, and in the exercise of their generosity they shouid rather l oo k to them. Mr. LABOUCHERE had considerable difficulty to come to a decision in the case, as he did not know fully the circum stances under which it was made. It might be right to in crease the salary of the divinity professors of the institution, but he thought sufficient grounds should be shown for that pur pose. As the vote, however, had been brought forward by the late Government, who had examined the matter carefully, he would not change it; but next year, when the estimates came on, should he not consider it warranted by the circum stances of the case, he would withhold the increase. Mr. HENLEY thought that this was one of the fruits of the grant to Mayneoth. He did not mean to give any opinion on the justice of the case, but he thought it might be in structive to know whether the overture came from the Govern nent or the increase was applied for by the College. As no principle, however, was involved, he would not oppose the This Bill was read a third time and passed. NEW ZEALAND LOAN BILL. grant. Mr. HUME said after what had fallen from the Right Hon. Gentleman, the Secretary for Ireland, he would not press his amendment to a division. " BRITISH MUSEUM. On the sum of 45,4941., for the new building of the British Museum, Mr. HUME asked when it was likely that the alterations would be completed? Sir R. INGLIS thought that the whole of the buildings would be completed within three years. The vote was then agreed to. A vote of 3,390/. was proposed to defray the expenses of the National Gallery. Mr P. BORTH WICK objected to an item in the estimate of 6001. for the purchase of a portrait of Hans Holbein. The country should not he called upon to pay for the blunder of a public officer. He should divide the House upon the question. Colonel SIBTHORP said this was the first time he had en tered the House since the late Ministry had resigned, and he really did not know where he was--(Laughter)--he could not make out the position of the parties.--(Laughter.) With reference to the picture to which the Ho nourable Member for Evesham had alluded, he did not know who painted it, and he did not care. —(Renewed laughter.) He for one would be glad to give his vote to pull down the whole building, and sell the old ma terials for what they would fetch. Look at the building, and see the display of water works outside, with a lot of dead dogs and dead cats round it--(Laughter)—smelling most offensively, rendering the water-works at once the laughing-stock to the people of this country and foreigners, who were allowed to see them by the kind permission of the Metropolitan Police.— (Laughter.) He should like to see the vote stopped at once, and let them have a gallery worthy of the country, and not such a building as at present existed, fit only for a blackhole for the confinement of convicts.—(Laughter. ) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER must confess that the picture was not worth the money, and the purchase of it at that price was merely a blunder, to which public bodies were frequently subject. . . _ Sir J. GRAJIAM said that both the Right Honourable Member for Tanaworth and himself were trustees of the National Gallery, and were both responsible, in some measure, for the blunder whic., had been made. The picture was not, as the Hon. Member for Evesham had stated it to be, a very bad one. It was certainly a high price to pay for it; it was admitted by all that it was not a Holbein, but at the same time it was not considered to be a bad one, and the late Go vernment thought that they had better come to Parliament and ask for the money for the purchase, than to take an Hon. Member's advice, and go to law upon the subject.—( Laughter. ) Mr. HENLEY thought that they should not quarrel too much with the trustees of this institution because they had been taken in once. After a few words from Mr. PETER BORT HWICK, who said he was sent there to guard the public purse, and he would not be mealy-mouthed upon this question, Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that arrangements had been made to have the opinion of competent judges on future pur chases, which would prevent any such blunders in future. Sir DE LACY EVANS said he was aware Government had in hand many new buildings, and he would not at present propose a new gallery. But in taking into consideration the improvement of the metropolis, he thought they ought to put themselves in communication with eminent architects, with the view to providing something worthy of the country at a future time.—The vote was then agreed to. A vote of 10,911/., for the Museum of Economic Geology, and geological survey. Mr. HUMr. certainly wished to know what had been done in the last year. After a few words from Mr. HOPE, the vote was agreed to. A vote of 5,032., for scientific objects was also agreed to. A vote of 2,0001., for Botanical Gardens in Dublin, was agreed to. A vote of 3,0701., to defray the expenses of the eiyil estab lishment in Prince Edward's Island, was agreed to. and Ireland having been read, A vote of 4,0491., for a similar purpose in the island of Ber muda, was also agreed to. A vote of 400/., for the expenses of lighthouses on Sable Island, was agr ed to. A vote of 11,5001., for civil establishments in St. Helena, was agreed to. A vote of 7,2191., for civil establishments in Western Austra lia. was agreed to. A vote of 2,9651., for the charges and expenses of Port Es sington, was then proposed. 3,410/., Bahama Islands. 13,6801., Establishment Western Coast of Africa. After a few words from Mr. HOPE, Mr. HUME said that he cordially supported this vote, and begged to call the attention of the Government to the advantages of this port as a centre of communication by the overland route between this country and Australia, and hoped the Government would take some steps to carry out that project. The vote was agreed to. _ _ A vote of 4,7581. for the charges of the establishments on the Falkland Island was proposed and agreed to. A vote of 30,0001., to defray the charges of civil establish ments in New Zealand was proposed. After a few words from Mr. Wit.t.inats and Mr. Hope, Mr. HUME said he did not know whether this money was for military expenses or on account of paper credit issued by the Government. He wished to know if there was any thing like a correct stability when a man was appointed Governor, and whether Governor Fitzroy had arrived, and had rendered an account. He did not lay any blame to him, for he believed when he was appointed that he would make a good governor. Lord JOHN RUSSELL gave Governor Fitzroy all credit for having acted on good faith, and with the best intentions, but he had failed, arid had been recalled by the Government which had appointed him, and he (Lord J. Russell) thought that enough had been done in the matter.__( Hear, hear. ) After a short discussion on the general policy of General Fitzroy, the vo'e was agreed to. 1,t,23'. was then voted for the expenses of Heligoland, and also 18,394/. for the salaries of the governors and deputy-gover nors of the West Indian colonies. On 11,3531. being proposed for the expenses of the eccle siastical establishments of the North American colonies, Mr. WILLIAMS objected to the item of 3,0_00/. for mis sionaries th ere ; to what emntry did they belong ? Mr. HOPE having explained, calledl l l r. on the Government to withdraw \ H v U lL lNl L E lA a : l i s i o s orered some opposition to the vote. this vote altogether. was 'allowed wportion r P D . IC H K O E w N A S E O u N I s b a r id iefl o y a s t u a ip v )o e r r t y ed sm th al e l v s u o t m e . o t of thetb e pCoaptuhloultiicouß beingishop , the principal only allowed 751. per annum, whilst the Protestantbishop was allowed 2,00.01! He of Catholic; Ne he Newfoundland, was did not mean to advocate a lavish expenditure, but surely this was a case in which the Government ilvas called upon to act snore liberally to the Catholics of Newfoundland. The vote was hen agreed to. On 18,0001. being proposed for the expense of the Govern ment of the Indian department of Canada, Mr. HUME opposed the vote, but it was eventually agreed to. 10,3641. was then agreed to for the Emigration Board. On 43,4001. being proposed for the salaries of the Stipen diary 'Magistrates (Colcnies), Air. WILLIAMS said that the sum was far too large, and that the people did not require these magistrates. The people were living in a state of luxury as compared with the people of this country, and the crimes were but few. He therefore pro tested against the people of this county being taxed to so large an extent for the purpose of maintaining an unnecessary esta blishment. The vote was eventually agreed to. The sum of 48,800/. was voted to defray the expenses of the establishment at Hong-Kong. 1 VO,OOO/. was voted to defray the expenses of missions abroad. A vote of 20,0001. for the expense of supporting captive negroes under the provisions of the treaty for the suppression of the slave trade was proposed. Mr. HUME thought the expenditure altogether uncalled for, as all attempts to put down slave trade by this means had been ineffectual. Lord PALMERSTON thought the effect of the operations under the slave-trade tready had been of great benefit in the suppression of that nefarious trade. After a few words the vote was agreed to. The sum of 22,800/. was voted for the expenses of the Mixed Commission for suppressing traffic in slavea. The sum of . 12 6001. was, atter a short discussion, agreed to, in order to defray the expenses of the different British Con suls abroad. The House then resumed, and the Chairman reported the resolutions of the House. . _ REAL PROPERTY CONVEYANCE BILL. The second rYading of this Bill was postponed to a future day. COMMONS INCLOSURE (No. 2) BILL. After a few ..ords from Lord Worsiey, Sir J. Graham, Sir G. Grey, Colo , el Sibthorp, and Mr. B. Escott, the Bill was postpon3d till Monday next. ORDNANCE SURVEY BILL. The report on this Bill was brought up and agreed to. WESTERN AUSTRALIA BILL. This Bill was also read a third time and passed. • PRISONS (IRELAND) BILL. Arr. LABOUCHERE moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend an Act for consolidating and amending the laws relating to prisons in Ireland.--Agreed to. F Mr. LA jo I u S e H I R E r S m ( v R e E d L f o A r N I D e a)v bringeStloLL. in a Bill for the further amen d men t o f an A ct of the sixth • ear of her present Nlajesty's reign, for regulating the Irish Fisheries.—. Agree d to. DISTRICT LUNATIC ASYLUMS (IRELAND) BILL. Mr. LABOUCEIERE moved for leave to bring in a Bill, for amending the laws as to District Lunatic Asylums in Ire land; for providing for the expense of the maintenance of certain Lunatic Poor removed from the Richmond Lunatic Asylum, Dublin, for want of room therein; and for providing for the salaries and expenses incident to the office of Inspector of Lunatics in Ireland.—Agreed to. GRAND JURY CESS BONDS (IRELAND) BILL. Mr. PIGOT moved for leave to bring in a Bill to exempt from stamp duty bonds and warrants to confess judgment exe cuted by high constables or collectors of grand jury cess, or their sureties, in Ireland.—Agreed to. MANDAMUS (IRELAND) BILL. Mr. PIGOT moved for leave to bring in a Bill to improve the proceedings in prohibition and on writs of mandamus in Ireland.—Agreed to. LANDS CLAUSES CONSOLIDATION (IRELAND) BILL. Leave was also g i ven t o Mr. PIGOT to bring in a Bill for the amendment of so muc h of the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, 1845, as relates to the officer by whom the costs of in quiries holders under that Act, as to compensation for lauds,. shall be taxed in Ireland. ADVERSE CLAIMS (IRELAND) BILL. .4; Leave was also given to Mr. PIGOT, to bring in a Bill to i; enable courts of law in Ireland to give relief against adverse .' claims made upon persons having no interest in the subject matter of such claims. SUNDAY TRADING. Mr. HINDLEY gave notice that he would, on Mondays bring in a Bill for the better enforcing the law for the observ ance of Sunday. Prisons (Ireland) Bill, Fisheries (Ireland) Bill, Mandatnns (Ireland) Bill, Lands Clauses Consolidation (Ireland) Bill, Adverse Cl,ims (Ireland) Bill, District Lunatic Asylum (Ireland) Bill, Grand Jury Cess Bonds (Ireland) Bill, were read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on Monday next. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at One o'clock. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. BRISTOL, JuLY 17. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Bristol and Exeter, 82—D100, New, 914—Bristol and South Wales Junction, 7-16—Caledonian EX' tension, 1 5 / B —Great Western, Quarter Shares, 234—Mancheste r and Leeds Extension, 2 p.—Midlaud, New, 39 —North Stafford. shire, 3 1 ,6 p.—Taff Yale, 134. MANCHESTER, JULY 17. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Blackburn, Cborl e y, an d ~., Liverpool, 1 3-16-Blackburn and Preston, 4% P.-Boston, Newark' and Sheffield, % dis. - Clitheroe Junction, 7 dis.-Derby and crew . ... 3% p.-Direct Northern, I% dis.-Eastern Counties, York 9 . tension, I% p.- EastGLrianinscbaysh‘airned, 4Ziocpk.-ExGtreenastioEna,s2t!xrn (tIVILeSUd .. ; ern, 1% dis.-Great dersfl e 1 d and 0 3. 4. 1 k a (snihicsih.r-eos, diet Railwaye l r Nerotpioso._l, Loer nie a d i ss i t d ira n e k:i a na 1 , 1% dis.-Lancasno aTnhdi rs p k r e , s 6 t o d n i , s . London and YOrk, 1% -Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and nuri land, 11-16 p. - Manchester and Birmingham, Quarters (A), 10 ~1 , - ; and Northd fordY, c. p.-Ditto, Quarters (ii), 10 C. P. - Ditto, Quarters (C), 9% ',Lie -Manchester and .Southampton, % dis.-North British, Caro';; - Brinell 11. • , 43 P-North Eastern 24 dis.-North Staffordshire, 34 -. p -Oldham, Birkenhead, &e.,Birmingham % dis.-Oxford and Junction, 2% p. - Preston and Wyre, Halves (B), 5-16 p.-Shetn" and Lincolnshire Junction, % dis.-D l% No, So and Dover, Console, 14 - o, 3,5 ' • Extensi on, halves' -"°. % du 4, 11-16 P.-South Midland, Trent nth * •' . • Southport and Euxton, % dis. -Trent - vlii_ _Staffordsho dirt. -- °Y ...34]....4„ SO., i' West Biding Union, 2% p. LEEDS, JULY 17. STOCK EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Eastern Counties, York E 5: tension, 31s. p.-East Lancashire, 5 p.-Great Grimsby and Shn • . field, Quarter Shares, 20s. dis.-Huddersfield and Sheffield, 61. 10 ; p.-Leeds and Bradford, 3914 p.-Leeds and Dewsbury, Brancthet -1 teli6c..,,,evs.tAer 6s, p. - Manchester and Leeds, Fifth Shares, 8% p.-Ditto, EX . ,, s et sions, 2 1 i p -Newcastle and Darlington Junction ExtensionS, l_ u _, 2 7 . p.-North British, Carlisle Branch, 205. 6d. p.-Direct Nortb . e,f4 1% dis. -Grand Union, 16s. 6d. dis.-Great Eastern and Western, 31s. dis.-Lancashirc end North Yorkshire, 275. dis.-Leeds, Wa ke field and Midland, 18s. dis.-Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, '‘,.„'''„ 6d. p. -Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midland, 10s. p.- 31 1 4 :1, chester, Midland, and Great Grimsby, 1 dis.-Midland and Th - 1 „.7. Junction, 20s. dis.-Northumberland and Lancashire Junction, 1 7 1 ; dis.-North Staffordshlre,3/. 4s. p. - North Western, 6s. dis.-South Midland, Is. dis.-West Riding Union, 41. 9s. 6d.-York and Carte lisle, 2 dis.-Yorkshire and Glasgow Union, 2 dis. NEWCASTLE-UPO-TYNE, JULY 17. Srocn EXCHANGE.-The sales are-Caledonian Extension, .-- , 0 ,, -6d. dis.-East Lancashi re , 4% p.-Lancashire and North Yoritlll 4. ' .., 235. dis.-North Staffordshire, 3% p. HEFFILD, JUL!' 17. n- STOCK EXCHANGE.- S The sales are- Grimsby and Sheffield Eat--„ d sion, 295. dis.-Ditt o, Quarter Shares, 18s. dis.-Ditto, Railway 'l'4 Dock, 2% dis.-Clitheroe Junction, 19s. dis.-Leeds, Wakefield, f'', " Midland, 19s. dis.-M anchester and Lincoln Union and Canal, Ni dis.- Sheffield and Lincoln s hi re, 14s. dis.-South Yorkshire Ccs Railway, 15s. dis. HULL, J 17. STOCK EXCHANGE. —The sales are- Hull and Selby, Half Share, 39 —North British, Half Shares, 12--Ditto, Carlisle, 475. and North Mt nand, East nc and West Riding, 13 5 4,—Asholme, Hull and Barnsley Jution, 303 6d. —Leicester and Bedford, 128 ' London and York, 18s.•—London and Manchester (Rem.), 15s. Mallon and Driffield Junction, 48s.—North Western, 5 dis.—Nord Staffordshire, Si. Bs. 6d.—South Midland, 455. 6d. EDINBURGH, JULY 15. -. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are — Caledonian Extension, 316 ' 6d.—Caledonian and Northern Direct, 38 s. —Direct Northern, 22 : 6d.—Eastern Counties Extension, 35 5 . —Edi n b urgh and Batnga`cl 550. —Edinburgh and Northern, 81.—Ditt o , N ewport, ss.—Glas g „ and Belfast 'Union, 465. 6d.—Glasgow, Dumfries, an d Carlisle, „1 6cl. —North British, Extension to Carlisle, 475. 3d.—Scottish Central' 19 1 % —Ditto, New, 734—South 111idiand, 335. GLASGOW, Jura - 16. STOCK EXCHANGE. —The sales are—Aberdeen, Banff, and Elg' 23s.—British and Irish Union, 41s. 6d.—Caledonian Extension, 3 , l „ ° j —Caledonian and Dumbartonshire Extension, 225. 6d . — East Fife, 20s.—Edinburgh and Glasgow, New, 17y 2 —Edinburgh a nd Northern, —Glasgow General Terminus, 7%—Glasgow and B e '; fast Union, 465.—Glasgow, Kilm a r noc k, an d Ay r, 75—Ditt o , Quarte r Shares (5 per cent. guar.), 181. 12s.—Gl asgow , D um f r i es, a nd ~ lisle, 335. 9d.—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 35s.—Glasq Airdrie and Monkland Junction, 46s.—Glas g ow H ar b ou r Minor,,; 28s. —lnverness and Elgin, 21s. 6d. — Lcsmahagow , 55 5 . 6 ( 1.-SOl ll . Midland, 335. The Chairman of the Excise had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence, in Downing -street. THE PRESENT HOT WEATHER. —The most agreeabl e relief during this hot weather, is the use of Ross and So' Esprit de Lavande, as it is not only the most durable of pe r " fumes, but the most reviving and refreshing. It is made fro ° the finest lavender water, perfected with extracts from th e choicest flowers, woods and Oriental gums, and possible, more pleasant as it dries on the handkerchief, tha4; when first appli e d . I t h as taken the sole propriet ors2oyB2_l to bring it t o it s present state of perfection.. Address IT O and Sons, 119 an d 120 , Bi shopsgate-street, who importii: finest French pe r f umes, ma d e express l y for t h em i n the south of France, and whi c h are f our ti mes t h e s t reng th an d flavour of any to be obtained in Paris. Dl s t o d c ra H w E n sT o E u H t f ß t A h r o L o Nv o A n for Otnhee daf the works last I, ll v eAeVkEtshEeNlDv All a ter wa pur pose of examining the piles and other parts of Giles, the superintendent, with other officers, minutely of the line of railway under the tunnel. M also looked of timber to see if any worm had affectedsattached, an d looked to the longitudinals and iron work ins i p t e ; inspected e very found everything in first rate substantial order. Not a wain_ had touched a piece of the wood work, a n d everything was —) as firm as when first laid down.—Kentish Observer. EADTERTISEMENTI—LIVER, STOMACH, AND BOW EI° COMPLAINTS CURE) BY HOLLOWAY'S PILLS -1n close, hot, or stin l T, weather the food on th e s t omach frequently ferments and brings bowel complaints, which is at all times dangerous to weak and elderly „ p•rsons. When the liver is out of order, it induces heavy and drow".' sensations, the forerunner of direful diseases, as dropsy, apoPit': paralytic strokes, &c. Such and other baneful consequences are „'ile t ri i i , e e t. 3 l , lt s t p k e d e y di p l r y e a v i c i n d te s u d r b e y ly abanfei banish dosesdsa disease e f w th h e e s n e t s he ar s e y hing pills. under its direct influence. Persons at the turn of li s fe tem sho is ul a d ir a et l critical a period take Holloway's pills, which are sold by all drugg' s ' and at the Proprietor's Establishritent, 244, Strand, London. BIRTS. On the 23d ult., at Madeira, t h e wife of Thomas S. Lea coc k t Esq., of that i s l an d, of a daughter. On the 9th inst., at Cheltenham, the lady of James Neo l l Crawford, Esq., Bengal Civil Service, of a son. ,i of On the 12th inst., in Curzon-street, Mayfai r , th e Is , AY Robert Dickson, M.D., of a daughter. On the 12th inst., at Liss-place, Hants, the lady of G. Corvton, Esq., of a daughter. On the 13th inst., at York Villas, Brixton, Mrs. • Cummins. of a daughter. On the 13th inst., in Stanhope-street, Regent's-park, the wife of Charles Elder, Esq., of a daughter. On the 14th inst., at the Rectory, Hart-street, Mark-Jel ie ' the lady of the Rev. John Letts, of a son. MARRIED. h On the 11th inst., at St. Mary' s , I s li ng t on , M r. W. Tloug ton, of Verulam-buildings, G ray ' s I nn, to E mma , younger daughter of Mr. William Merv, of Canton. riel3, On the 14th init., at Alverstocke, Captain F. vv 1 R.N., to Ellen, youn ges t d aug h ter o f t h e late Vi ce -Adolua Garrett, of Anglesey. DIED. On the sth inst., at Coventry, Captain Robert Storey.„.. On the 10th inst., a t B roa d sta i rs , C ap t a i n M . C o le, On the 14th inst., at the Rectory, Whitwell, Ruthill Anne, relict of the Rev. C. W. Fonnereau. On the sth inst., at Broadstairs, Emily Jane, the only Sur‘ viving_daaghter of the late R. Morrell, Esq. On the 16th inst., at Camberwell, Mr. J. Steele. r, On the 14th inst., at the 'Vicarage, the Rev. Robert BUY ° Vicar of Acton, near Nantwieh. Ira, C Th f N Col, Itiep L011(011: rt lßeu nnu ruOitslleo by AXE)() YOUNCir, of 14- e 'clues Strand, Printer, t The Sun O ffi ce, N 0.112, St ran d, in the Er J u ly of the Savoy, in the County of Middlesex, SaturdaY• 18, 1846. n Cap Joh Ch a Xeit In, I 4x,, ..4c, A. 44n STI let 0 , i i ng to 1 -4 sta n t Der son , A fo; Sh en kee n , eh 4tot us . b the die, and E Tak en kat r tor'tist Oh 0 ] ere ! , for tib t I th e et tc 14t -reAt 4 .01 No the 14: ._, 4,...:.........5. thought the Bill should not be allowed to pass as a matter of course. _ _ Mr. HUTT considered that the right and privileges of British subjects should not be lightly disposed of to persons who did not intend to reside in this country, or render themselves amenable to British law. Passing the present Bill would, in his opinion, be establishing a dangerous precedent. He thought the Bill should be referred to a Select Committee up stairs. . Sir GEORGE GREY said he would support the Bill, and he considered that it would be a most ungracious act to refuse the privilege demanded. The Bill was then read a second time. Several reports were then brought up, and were considered. THE FLEETWOOD, PRESTON, AND WEST RIDING JUNCTION RAILWAY. The Lords' Amendments to this Bill were considered and agreed to. MATTHYSEN'S DIVORCE BILL. This Bill was read a second time. PEMBERTON'S (OR GERVIS) ESTATE BILL. This Bill was also read a second time. GUILDFORD, CHICHESTER, AND PORTSMOUTH RAILWAY (No. 2). The Lords' amendments to this Bill were considered and agreed to. HOWELL'S CHARITY ESTATE BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. NEWRY, WARRENPOINT , AND ROSTREVOR N rI7.I A tAi V mI( I e" G a A nd TI P O " N sed B . ILL. This A B N i I D w o a v s E also R C r e A a dNRaAAt CANAL The report upon this Bill was considered and agreed to. MORTALITY IN THE ARMY. Mr. WILLIAMS presented a petition from Coventry, stating that the petitioners had heard, w,th very deep regret, that a considerable mortality existed amoflg the British troops quartered in the colonies, and they prayed the House to take measures that no more troops be sent out until arrangements had been made for proper quarters for the men. The petition was ordered to lie upon the table. OREGON—RATIFICATION OF THE TREATY WITH THE UNITED STATES. Lord PALMERSTON—Sir, I have to lay upon the table of the House a copy of the treaty between this country and the Government of the United States respecting the Oregon territory, the ratifications of which were exchanged this day between myself and theaccledited agent of the United States, MILITARY FLOGGING. Dr. BOWRlNV;venotice that he would, en Monday next, ask a question of the Secretary for the Home Department respecting the alleged death of a private soldier in the 7th Hussars, stationed at Hounslow. It was reported th a t the poor roan had died in consequence of a military flogging for some breach of discipline. COMMONS INCLOSURE BILL. Lord CLI VE wished to know from the Right Hon. anntlp_ man the Secretary for the Home Department if he intended to bring forward any measure of this nature during the present session. Sir G. GREY said that the Commissioners had adopted the same course this year as they had done in former years, and an Act had been passed in the month of May, which applied to seven cases of enclosure. No subsequent report had been made since by the Commissioners to the Secretary of State, but from a conversation which he had with them, he understood that there were fifteen additional cases. On receiving a special report from the Commissioners in reference to these cases, stating the grounds en which they rested each, it would be his duty to consider the propriety of bringing in a Bill embracing them. He had some doubts, however, whether they could con sistently with the provisions of the Enclosure Act, introduce a Bill ; but if on inquiry he should find this to be the case, and if the Commissioners made a special report before the close of the session, he should consider the propriety of preparing a measure to carry their recommendation into effect. The Earl of LINCOLN said that, as the Right Hon. Gentleman had expressed some doubts whether he could bring in another Inclosure Bill during the present session, he begged to inform him that the same difficulty occurred to him when he held office ; and he assured the Right Hon. Baronet that no difficulty whatever existed, for there was nothing what ever in the Enclosure Act to prevent him from carrying the recommendation of the Commissioners into effect by the intro duction of another Bill during the present session. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. It was then agreed that the House, at its rising, do adjourn till Monday next. On the motion for reading the order of the day for going into Committee of Supply, After some conversation between Sir De Lacy Evans, Sir Howard Douglas, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the purport of which did not reach the gallery, EDUCATIONAL ESTIMATES. Mr. EWART moved, " That it is expedient that an annual statement on the state and prospects of education be made by a responsible Minister of the Crown, on going into Committee en the education estimates. 2. That it is expedient that the formation of additional training schools for schoolmasters be encouraged. 3. That it is expedient to encourage the forma tion of public libraries, freely open to the public, in large towns. 4. That it is expedient that appointments to the subordinate offices of Government be made, as far as possible, on the principle of open examination of the respective qualifi cations of the candidates." The Hon. Member said that he rose with some reluctance to trouble the House with this motion, but he thought that it was one of considerable importance, and one requiring the most serious attention of the House. He had spoken last year to the Right Hon. Baronet the First Lord of the Treasury, and requested him, as the first officer of the Crown, to allow a state ment of this nature to be made upon going into Committee. The Right Hon. Gentleman had at once assented to his re quest. There were statements made on the army estimates, on the navy estimates, and he did not see why a statement on this subject should not be made also. In foreign countries libraries were generally open to the people, but in the event of a foreigner coming over here he had no means of obtaining any entrance there, except under certain troublesome rules. Such a fact was a disgrace to the country, and one to which he would call the attention of the House at some future period. On the subject of education it was remarkable that this country was behind every other. It was now about twe.ity years since Lord Brougham had first brought this important subject before Parliament, and some time subsequently a Committee had been appointed, from which but little had re sulted. The maximum of the advantage was that 30,0001. a-year had been appropriated for the purposes of education, and he now saw that 100,0001. was proposed for this year. In Switzeraland, with a population of 2,300,000, he found that there were thirty normal schools, while in the popu lous counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, with a population of nearly three millions and a half, there were not more than five normal schools. In France there were thirty normal schools, all of which had been begun under Napoleon. It had been carried out in 1833, most efficiently, by M. Guizot. It was a disgrace to this country, in his estimation, that all the other countries of Europe had preceded this in their career of enlightened policy, and he trusted that the deficiencies which appeared in the reports of the inspectors of education would not be long before they were supplied. He had observed that the system followed in Switzerland was one which prevented that spirit of ambition which was so rife in that country. The primary schools are extended to all the provinces of France, and it was so arranged that if the communes could not meet the expense the difference was paid out of the Treasury. —( Hear, hear.) He found that they had the state ments of the different inspectors from their reports. He would state that there was a lami.ntable deficiency in the means of educasion for the poor, and far inferior to the rate of the United States and Switzerland; in the former of which it was one in four, and in the latter state it was one in five of the population who were receiving education. He was one of those who believed that the compulsory system was net a beneficial system. He must also call the attention of the House to the case of the schoolmasters of this country, a body of men who devoted themselves, with admirable principle to the services of the country, and whom he should like to see elevated in their condition before the public. He considered that there was not a more honourable profession than that of a school master.—( Hear, hear.) It was not estimated by many as it ought to be, but it was a high and honourable profession, and while he was upon this point he might refer to the celebrated letter of Monsieur Guizot to the schoolmasters of France, in which he had stated his feelings upon this subject in such just and elevated language that he would trespass upon the patience of the House by reading it.—( Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member then read a long extract from the letter, which desired the schoolmasters to remember in their loneliness and solitude the sacred duty which was committed to them, and that they then ought to gather hope and strength from their work. In the various countries of the Continent the eduea tion and moral condition of children, but especially of the poorer children, was carefully attended to, which he re gretted to say was not the case in this country. Many teachers in the schools devoted to the poor, were extremely ignorant both of grammar and spelling ; and a report by John Watson set forth, that not only was this the case, but that a kind of " scholastic slang" was prevalent amongst them; and they were continually committing a gross violation of the commonest principles of their native tongue, as they were in the habit of saying, " them books," " them houses," "them children," &c. Of course if there was this ignorance on the part of the teachers, the scholars entrusted to their care could not be otherwise than ignorant. He then referred to the pamphlet of Dr. Hook, and complimented the doctrines it contained with respect to education. Between five and seven millions a year, was annually derived from charity for the purpose of support ing charity schools, and upwards of 400,0001. annually for the support of grammar-schools, shoeing the great interest taken by the opulent in the education of the lower classes, and that the Government ought to aid those schools by grants. He then called the attention of the House to the state of edu cation in Scotland, and highly eulogised the system as the means of educating all, and of creating men of great eminence. From the introduction of the present system of educati on i n t o Scotland, ignorance had been driven from the country, thu s showing that the parochial system was superior to the one pur sued in this country. He must say, however, that the sys t em there required great reform. He thought that a better system might be adopted than leaving the appointment of the school masters to the heritors entirely. He came now to the system of education in Ireland. Now he w as happy to say that th e system suggested by the Hon. Member (Mr. Wyse) and adopted by Lord Stanley, had been productive of the best results. More than half a million of children were now receiving the benefit of a good education. He said Mr. Kay properly drew the attention of the House to the increase of poor-rates. The amount of our-door relief was perfectly as But, he asked, what they had been doing to remedy the evil. They certainly had not been using those means which would confer dignity of characer, under the influence of which they would shun crim e an d contr ib ute t o their own support by their labour, in or d er to avo id t h e di sgrac e of becoming pauper s . Of this he (Mr. Ewart) was certain that Parliamen t could introduce a national system of education, without at all in terfering with the religious opinions of any sect in the cou ntry; and there wa s this guar,' besides, that whatever might be country, adopted, th ere would always be, in this fre e countr y , an peal a ga i nst any abuse to Pariament. He thoug ht th e House was called on t o make such a provision f or the use of the po pular order s i n the state. Democrac y was prevailing i n the tt e nd to the and education nod of doubt übt The Hon. Member for the p eace and safety of the country , the y were bound to a concluded by making the mo ti o n of which he had given notice. twhoeupldeocpolen. c ontinue ; and, therefore, Mr. CHRISTIE rose to second the motio n, He said h e had at an early pa r t o f the session given notice of a motion for an inquiry into th e s t ate of education at C a mbridge and Oxfo r d, with a view to introducing improvement in the same, and to the admission of p ersons of all religious sentiments to the ad vantages of those Universities. He did not mean to bring for ward that motion d ur i ng the present se ssion, he would post pone it till next session, when he expected it would receive the attention of the House. He said they would soon be called on to give a vote for th e profes s ors at these two Universities. He had called for a re t urn, with a view to this, of the state of the lectures and the attendance on them in the Universities, and he found by that return that they were in a most deplorable state. That return showed that a professor of chemistry had an attendance of nine for 1843, four for 1844, thirteen for 1845, and sixteen for the present year. The P ro f essor of N atura l Philosophy, who, he ( Mr. Christie) reme m b ere d , use d t o have a large audience, had only ten or twelve p up il s l ast year . This state of things, he thought, ought not t o pass w i t h o ut notice. They would then be called on also to pass a vo t e of money to the Lond on University. He was so rry t h at t h at i nst itution was not mad e available to the utmost e x t ent , f or all the advantages which flowed out of it. Nor wa s th ere en couragement given to young persons in the schools an d .un i vers iti es , i w ho might best mulated in their education by the prospect of obtaining employment in