The Sun. — London, England, 1865-05-06 00:00:00

'ERIAL P HOUSE OF LORDS-LAST EVENING. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. IRISH OFFICERS REKUNE'RATION BILL. Lord ;DONOTJOHMORE presented a petition from certain persons residing in Clonmel against this bill• ALLEGED MISCONDUCT OF THE IRISH CONSTABULARY• The Earl of LEITRIM presented a petition from the in habitants of Galway, complaining of the conduct of the Irish police force in that neighbourhood. PRIVATE BUSINESS. • The following bills were read a second time :—The Finchley Road Estate, London and Brighton and South Coast Railway (St. Leonards and Deviations) Coventry Central Station and Southern Junction Railway, Little borough Gas, Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway, Sunderland Docks Corporation, Bristol Docks, Redhill Gas, Maryport and Carlisle Railway. The following bills were read a third time and passed : —The Dublin Trunk Connecting Railway (Deviation, &c.), Somersall Gas, Leicester Lunatic Asylum and Improve ment, and Liverpool Improvement (Amendments). THE EDMUNDS COMMITTEE REPORT. The Earl of DERBY called the attention of the house to a mistake which had appeared in the report, which had been laid on their lordships' table last Tuesday. In the report the Clerk had inserted two amendments which had been consolidated into one and carried as a joint para graph in the report. It was a mere matter of form, but he trusted that the irregularity would be rectified before the report in its complete state was laid before the house, considering the interest that was attached to the proceedings of this committee. As the report stood at present it would appear that a minority on the committee objected to the amend ment acquitting the noble and learned lord on the woolsack of improper motives. The minority thought that the Lord Chancellor had been guilty of an error of judg ment, but both the majority and minority were agreed that the noble lord should be free from all charge of improper motives. He repeated his hope that the matter would be set right before the report was again laid before the house. Earl GRANVILLE said that he felt grateful to the noble Earl for having brought this matter before their lordships. lie had observed the mistake referred to, but it was only that morning. The mistake was one of those which naturally arose on the part of the clerk, but from the tenour of the document it was evident that the committee intended to relieve the Lord Chancellor from any imputation of improper conduct in reference to this matter. • Tho error alluded to would be corrected in the full report that would be laid before their lordships on Monday next. _ CANADA. The Earl of AIRLIE asked whether negotiations were still pending between her Majesty's Government and the Government of Canada on the subject of the defence of that colony ; and if so, whether, after these negotiations were concluded, the papers relating to them would be laid before Parliament. He alluded to articles which had appeared in the American press in reference to the subject of an invasion of Canada. They were aware that a strong party existed in America who entertained very hostile feelings to this country, and were in favour of an attempt to wrest Canada from this country. Earl DE GREY and RIPON quite agreed with the noble earl as to the importance of the question put by his lord ship. For that very reason, however, he could not reply in any detail to the speech to which they had just listened. All that he could then say was, that four members of the Canadian Government had come over to this country to communicate with her Majesty's Government on this sub ject. The communications between those gentlemen and the Government were now going on. The Canadian re presentatives appeared fully impressed with the magnitude of the question they had come to discuss, and with the duties that lay on Canada with respect to them. When those communications ware closed, the Government would take an early opportunity of informing Parliament of their nature, and of the result which had been arrived at. PRIVATE COMMITTEES. Earl STANHOPE mold that, with regard to select committees of this house other than those on private bills, notice of any motion for naming any lord or lords to serve on such committee, or for adding any lord to such com mittee, or for substituting any other lord for any lord named on such committee, should be given and entered among the printed notices on or before the day previous to the day on which such motion should be made. The motion was agreed to. THE CONDUCT OF COLONEL JOHNSON. Earl VANE called the attention of the house to the charges brought against Colonel Johnson, a magistrate of the county of Durham, and a friend of his own. In doing so ho expressed his regret that the Earl of Malmesbury, by whom those charges were made, was not then in his place. He did not deny that Colonel Johnson was guilty of an informality in signing the warrant on which the late unfortunate Mr. Docknall, of Sedgefield, in the county of Durham, was committed to a lunatic asylum. No ono was more sorry for that informality than Colonel Johnson himself, who had promptly offered to pay £BO by way of amends. But it was said that Colonel Johnson had committed to a lunatic asylum a man who was perfectly sane, and that he had done this without seeing the patient. The fact, however, was that Mr. Docknall lived close to the colonel's residence, and was perfectly well known to him. The unsound state of Mr. Docknall's mind was also well known in the neigh bourhood. The next charge was that Colonel Johnson had entered into a conspiracy with the man's wife, who was a bad woman, to imprison her husband. But any one who was acquainted with Colonel Johnson knew that he was quite incapable of such conduct, and was perfectly con vinced that in what he had done he had been actuated by the best and kindest motives. The LORD CHANCELLOR explained that he bad hitherto taken no notice of the conduct of Colonel John son, because an action was pending against him in respect of his conduct in this case. Lord RAVENSWORTH could bear testimony, from an acquaintance of 40 years, to the high character and humane disposition of Colonel Johnson. After a few words from Lord CHELMSFORD and the Lola:, CHANCELLOR, the subject dropped. The Common Law Courts (Fees) Bill was read a third time and passed. PUBLIC SCHOOLS BILL. On the motion of the Earl of CLARENDON, the name of Lord Wrottesley was added to the select committee on this bill. The Land Drainage Supplemental Bill, the Local Go vernment Supplemental Bill, and the Local Government Supplemental (No. 2) Bill passed through committee. The Enclosure Bill and the Herring Fisheries (Scotland) Bill were read a third time and passed. The house adjourned at a quarter past six o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS—LAsT EVENING. The SPEAHMR took the chair at four o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following bills were read a third time and passed : Imperial Gas; Ipswich and Felixstow Railway; North British Railway (Lasswade, &c. Branches) ; and South wark Bridge Transfer. PUBLIC HOUSE CLOSING ACT (1864) AMEND- RENT BILL. Mr. BUTLER moved an address for copy of memorial addressed to the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment, by licensed victuallers, on the subject of the Public House Closing Act (1864) Amendment Bill. The motion was agreed to. THE NATIONAL GALLERY. Lord J. MANNERS asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it was his intention to submit an estimate for enlarging and improving the National Gallery in Tra falgar-square this session, and if so, when ? Mr. COWPER said it was his intention to submit an estimate for enlarging the National Gallery in the rear of the south side. He would take care that the estimates were laid on the table in time for the fullest consideration before the proposal was made to the house. COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION. Lord STANLEY asked the Secretary of State for India whether it was his intention to bring in a bill during the present session for the transfer of Singapore, Malacca, and Penang, from the Indian to the colonial administration ? Sir C. WOOD said, as far as the Indian Government were concerned, they were quite ready to meet the wishes of the People of Singapore. He, however, had not yet re ceived the decision of the Colonial-office in the matter. WORKHOUSES. Mr. A- MILLS asked the President of the Poor-law Board whether it was the intention of the Government to adopt t he the suggestions contained in the evidence given befo re select committee on poor relief re specting th e employmentworkhouses of trained and co m p e t en t • whether it was intended to ca rr y out the recomme ndatio quinine and other n sive embodied in the report, th a t expensive medicines should b e p rov id e d when required by the guardiansn ; and wheth er th e ar ti c l es of the consolidated order nomi por force respecting the volun tary visitation of the sick presented any practical obstacle to those who desired to visit the inmates of the union workhouses. Mr. VILLIERS said the evidence referredteen to was th a t given by Miss Twining, but an inquir had y instituted and he found the matter had been overstated, The poor-law inspectors always urged on the guardians th e employment of competent persons as nurses, and he believed that amongst the principal workhouses only eight had remained without such assistance. In consequence of a comm e m en _ tion from Miss Nightingale, who stated that there were plenty of persons of the description required if the guardians wished to employ them, a circular had been issued asking the guardians , to avail themselves of such assistance, but he must in form the hon. gentleman that it was entirely in their discretion whether they chose to do so or not. With respect to the medicines supplied to the in mates of workhouses, a circular had also been issued urging the guardians to make new arrangements with their medical officers. As far as visiting was concerned, there was nothing in the rules and regula tions of the Poor-law Board which present obstructions to persons visiting workhouses. It could always have been done, under certain condition; with the consent of the master of the establishment. CUPOLA SHIPS. Mr. LAIRD asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the ironclad ship Hercules, ordered to be laid clown in her Majesty's dockyard, Chatham, was to be fitted with two cupolas in addition to her broadside armament ; and, if so, whether the cupolas would be constructed on Capt. Cowper P. Colas's plan. Lord C. PAGET said the question of arming the bow and stern of her Majesty's ship Hercules was now under consideration. Various modes had been suggested, and were now under the notice of the Admiralty, and the matter would not be decided until the report of a com mittee of naval officers, now sitting on the subject, had been made. COMMANDERS AND MASTERS IN THE NAVY, Sir L. PALK asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he would state what measures were to be taken by the Lords of the Admiralty to relieve the complaints of infe riority of pay and rank of the Staff Commanders and Masters of her Majesty's Navy. Lord C. PAGET said that the position, rank, and pay of the officers referred to were under the consideration of the Board of Admiralty, and it was premature at the present time to make any statement on the subject. THE INDIAN BUDGET. Mr. A. MILLS asked the Secretary for India whether he could state when it was likely he would be enabled to make his financial statement on the finances of India ? Sir C. WOOD said he had not yet received any of the papers from India, and therefore he could not say when he should be enabled to do so. EDUCATION. Mr. BRUCE having laid a minute relating to education on the table, was about to explain the nature of the docu ment, when Mr. A. SMITH rose to order. He did not think it was competent to the hon. gentleman to proceed without giving notice. The SPEAKER said the hon. gentleman was quite in order. He had moved that the Speaker do leave the chair to enable him to proceed. Sir J. PAKINGTON thought the utter absence of any word in the votes as to the intention of the hon. gentleman was a good reason for not proceeding at that time. Mr. BRUCE then proceeded. He said the object of the minute was to extend to all schools those concessions made in March, 1864, with respect to rural schools alone. Sir L. PALK rose to order. He wished to ask, if in stating the objects of the minute the hon. gentleman made observations which called for a reply, it would be compe tent for him to raise a debate. The SPEAKER said this matter did open the question for debate. • • Mr. BRUCE said, as he did not wish to take such a step, he should refrain from making the statement at that SUPPLY-THE BRITISH MUSEUM. ,ime. On the motion for the house going into committee of supply, Mr. GREGORY rose to call the attention of the house to the condition of the British Museum, the National Gallery, and the Kensington Museum. He commenced his observa tions by remarking that notwithstanding the annual visits of the great connoisseurs in painting connected with the National Gallery to the continent, this country managed to lose the majority of the valuable paintings that were gladly secured by other countries. The arrangements of the National Gallery he considered altogether bad, and he was of opinion that instead of the scattered state of the national pictures, a fitting and proper place should be con structed, so as to unite the whole collection. At present the most valuable pictures were put in the wrong place, and he could not better illustrate his observations than by remark ing upon the bad taste of removing the cartoons of Raphael from Hampton Court Palace to Kensington, instead of placing them in the National Gallery. The whole thing called for a reorganisation, and he hoped such a step would soon be taken. With respect to the British Museum, speaking generally, the whole arrangement, in his opinion, was a complete jumble. There was no order, arrange ment, or anything else. Sizo seemed to be the great consideration, and thus we had the most hetreogeneous collection under one roof in any country in the world. Nothing could be more faulty than the management of the British Museum ; no doubt there were gentlemen of high position and standing, as trustees ; yet the business was, in fact, left to the secretary, and however energetic that gentleman might be, he thought it totally impossible . . for him to do his work in a satisfactory manner. Govern- ment, in his opinion, were responsible for the state of things that existed, and he thought it would be of the greatest public benefit if they at once set about in earnest to provide better accommodation for the national collection. He should postpone his observations respect ing the Kensington Museum till a future day. Mr. COWPER said he had listened with much satisfac tion to what had fallen from his hon. friend, and was glad he had taken a survey of the collections of art and natural history in a spirit which encouraged him to hope that the question would now meet with better consideration on the part of the house, and that, laying aside the ten dency to criticism and levity, it would be dealt with prac tically. The people of this country had shown that they thoroughly appreciated and enjoyed the collections in the National Gallery, British Museum, and South Kensington Museum. When they had instances of 11,000 persons visiting the Museum in a single day, and 10,000 passing through the, National Gallery, one could not but see that those institutions were thoroughly popular I with all parties, and were conducting to the cultivati on of the knowledge of art. His hon. friend had described the deplorable state to which the collections were reduced for want of space. He quite agreed in the praise which his hon. friend had bestowed upon them, and thought with him that they were worthy of an expenditure which might be necessary to provide suitable accommodation for them. It should not be forgotten that England possessed the two greatest series of works that existed in the world in sculp ture and painting. The Elgin Marbles and the Cartoons of Raphael were considered the greatest works in each de partment of art. The great difficulty in the way of any satisfactory arrangement was, that two alternatives were before the Government and the country. It was obvious that the present National Gallery was a very inferior building, and one that no architect in the present day would think of constructing. At the time it was built the proper mode of arranging pictures was not known, and anybody who had seen the modern galleries and exhibi tions would at once perceive the inferiority of the building in Trafalgar-square. But, on the other side, people were accustomed to the National Gallery, and could not bear the idea of its removal ; and perhaps more than this, there was a desire that the National Gallery should remain upon the most prominent site in the metropolis. There was some suspicion too that the Royal Academy should derive some advantage from the change. The only large, great, and cheap exhibition of modern paintings *as that of the Royal Academy, and he had no doubt in the new building which they intended to erect their pictures would be exhibited to greater advantage than in the National Gallery. He en- entirely denied that there was any binding engagement in 1860 never to remove the National Gallery. He quite agreed that it would be desirable to have the Cartoons of Raphael placed in the National Gallery ; and as regarded the British Museum, the resolution of the trustees in 1852 would be taken as the groundwork of the plans which would be considered in his department. Mr. WALPOLE admitted that the collections of the British Museum were in a state discreditable to the country, but when his hon. friend (Mr. Gregory) attributed it to want of management, he cast a censure on the trustees which they did not deserve. He knew the difficulties which the Government had to deal with, but the sooner that they took the matter in hand the better would they settle it, and he did not believe that they could find a session better suited for the purpose than the present. What he would suggest was that they should purchase the buildings which surrounded the Museum, and apply them as the necessity arose to the requirements of the institution. The expense would no doubt amount to a considerable sum, but it would be spread ever a number of years. If they did not do that, they should divide the collections into two parts, and place the art collection in one place and the natural history col lectien in another. These were the courses which were open to the House, and they should at once choose be tween them. Sir G. BOWYER disapproved of the system of tempo rary buildings, and suggested that the height, both of the Museum and ,the National Gallery, might be increased with effect. Mr. TITE concurred with the hon. gentleman who had spoken that the collection of the British Museum was the finest, but worst arranged, in the world, and urged that they should at once determine either to. make adequate provision for it, or to divide it into two. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER denied that the Government had been slow in meeting the expressed wishes of the House of Commons in this matter. When the noble lord at the head of the Government was at the head of his former administration, he made a proposal to transfer the National Gallery to Kensington, founded upon the re commendation of a committee of that:house. The vote of the house subsequently showed their disinclination to adopt this course, and the noble lord at once abandoned his scheme. Her Majesty's Government then purchased a building and land at Kensington, with a view to the most speedy and ample accommodation for the natural history collection from the British Museum ; but the house rejected that plan, and her Majesty's Government abandoned it. When a com prehensive plan for providing for the national collection of pictures upon the site of Burlington House was proposed by the Government, the House of Commons differed from them, and the Government at once deferred to that expres sion of opinion, and abandoned the plan. The hon. member for Galway, Mr. Gregory, said that the Government had not deterred to the wishes of the house, because they had not extended the British Museum on its present site. But that wish had never been expressed by the house. Every wish that had been expressed by the house had been frankly ac cepted by the Government. In 1863 land was proposed to be purchased at South Kensington, with a view to apply it principally to the accommodation of the natural history collection of the British Museum. The vote proposed by the Government for that purpose was accepted by the house, and the land was purchased, but the proposal to erect a building was rejected by an overwhelming majority. With regard to the extension of the Museum on its present site, the Government had consulted Prof. Owen, who stated that the least amount of accommodation for the natural history collection would be eight acres. The trustees found that the land round the Museum could not be ac quired for less than £50,000 an acre. The Government had now a site which cost only £7,000 an acre, and if it was not bought to put the natural history collection upon it. he should like to know for what purpose it was bought. With regard to what was at present in progress with regard to the British Museum, her Majesty's Government were pro ceeding in concert with the trustees. It was impossible to lay a vote on the table until they were able to say that they had a plan on which they proposed to build. That plan they had not yet obtained, for one plan had been selected by those appointed to pronounce on the comparative merits of the different competitors, while another had been chosen by the trustees on account of its superior internal accom modation. An attempt was now being made to combine the merits of those two plans; but till that was done, and the correspondence between her Majesty's Government and the trustees were brought to a close, he should not be in a position to make any proposal to the house. Mr. AYRTON said that the proposal of the right hon. member for Bucks (Mr. Disraeli), when Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that the National Gallery would be devoted to its original purpose, and some other arrange ment made for the Royal Academy. The announcement had been received with acclamation. The noble lord (Pal merston) in 1860 stated that he had come to the same conclusion, because it was on the faith of that statement that the house had voted some money for altering the National Gallery. The Government, therefore, was alone responsible for the vacillation which had since taken place. With respect to the British Museum, the Go vernment were equally open to the remarks of the hon. member for Galway ; for the notion of eight acres of stuffed whales and other animals had been reported against by a committee of that house, who stated that a typical natural history collection would be much better. In spite of the opinion of that committee, the Government persisted until their plan was rejected by an overwhelming majority. He denied that because the house had agreed to the pur chase of the seven acres at South Kensington they were bound to the eight acres of natural history. He contended that the enlargement of the Museum was entirely an open question, and that the purchase of land round the present building might, on investigation, prove to be the most practical and economical scheme of extension. Mr. H. SEYMOUR was of opinion that the Government had been at direct issue with the house ever since 1852. The Government had been trying to drag the national collections of all kinds down to Kensington, while the house had been endeavouring to keep them where they were. The Government plan of separating the collec tions was diametrically opposed to Col. Muir's committee in 1852. Ever since 1851, the year of the first Exhibi tion, he had been in favour of concentrating the national art and science collections on some site between St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey ; and to that end no more eli gible site offered than Trafalgar-square. The truth was, however, that instead of hankering after the site at Ken sington, the Government ought to have carried out the magnificent plan of Inigo Jones, and erected upon the site of Whitehall splendid palaces, fitted for the reception of the national collections. With respect to the National Gallery, he could not under stand why the Commissioner of Works had merely proposed to take the ground up to Hem ming's-row, when a plan might have been formed by the Government, in conjunction with a great company, for the purchase and improvement of the whole site as far back as Leicester-square, and the opening up of the communications between Regent-street and the Strand. THE CURRAGH OF KILDARE. Lord NAAS asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether any steps had been, or were about to be, taken by the Government for leasing the Curragh of Kildare to the War Department, and whether it was intended to propose any legislation on the subject during the present session. Mr. F. PEEL said no bill was necessary to authorise the granting the rights away of the Crown over the Curragh; but inasmuch as the War Department might find it neces sary to erect buildings of considerable value during the currency of any lease which might be granted to them, they had asked for rights to purchase, and a bill would be intro duced to give effect to their request. A lease would be given by the Crown to the War Department of 21 years, • extending over the whole of the Curragh, but reserving the rights of the commoners as well as those of the Irish Turf Club. At present the office of Woods received from the War Department a payment of £l7O a year, and they paid besides a sum of £350 to the Ranger. It was now proposed that the Ranger should retire upon a pension, and the office should remain in abeyance during the pendency of the lease to the War Department. Col. DUNNE asserted that the Crown had no right to authorise any encroachments upon the Curragh. A more atrocious invasion of public property had never been heard of than that contemplated by the proposal just announced. Formerly 30,000 speep, the property of the people of Ire land, grazed upon the Curragh. For his part, he would do all he could to get up a subscription to oppose this atrocious robbery on the part of the Crown, and to obtain the deci sion of the Court of Queen's Bench as to the legality of the title of the Crown to this laud. Lord DUNKELLIN, said though he was not so anxious as his hon friend to go to law about this matter, yet:he was very glad it had been brought under the notice of the house. A worse state of affairs had been disclosed than he had believed to - have existed. The camp of the Curragh was the greatest nuisance ever erected in any spot in the world. It was a matter of notoriety that for years past the title of the Government to the land had been a faulty one. He hoped the authorities at the War-office would seriously take the matter into consideration. Col. FRENCH thought that sufficient had been said on both sides of the house to show the Government the neces sity of having some inquiry held respecting the illegal course they were pursuing. Mr. A. SMITH said this was another instance of the great inconvenience which had arisen since the passing of the Act of 14 and 15 Vic., between public lands and Crown lands. He only regretted that the noble lord had not moved for a committee of inquiry. WAYS AND MEANS. The report on the Budget resolutions was brought up and agreed to, and leave was given to introduce a bill thereupon. The house then went into committee. Mr. PEEL moved the following- resolutions :—" That, towards making good the supply granted to her Majesty, the Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury be authorised to raise any sum of money, not exceeding one million pounds sterling, by an issue of Exchequer Bonds." " That the principal of all Exchequer Bonds which may be so issued shall be paid off at par, at any period not exceeding five years from the date of such bonds." " That the interest of such Exchequer Bonds shall be payable half-yearly, and shall be charged upon and issued out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, or the growing produce thereof." The resolutions were agreed to, and the house resumed. COLONIAL GOVERNORS (RETIRING PENSIONS). The report of the resolution respecting the pensions of colonial governors was brought up and agreed to, and leave given to introduce a bill thereupon. POLICE SUPERANNUATION BILL. This bill passed through committee on recommittal, a new clause being added respecting the superannuation of constables who were formerly watchmen of Brighton. WRITS REGISTRATION (SCOTLAND) BILL. On the order for the adjourned debate on the amend ment to the second reading of this bill, Mr. CARNEGIE said it was not the intention of the hon. and learned member for the Ayr burghs (Mr. E. Craufurd) to press his amendment, as an understanding had been come to between him and tho Lord Advocate that the second reading should be agreed to, and that a meeting of the Scotch members should afterwards be called to consider the bill. After a few word 4 from Colonel SYKES, Sir J. FERGITSSON thought that the meeting to which reference had been made ought to have under its consideration not only this bill, but also the rival scheme which had been proposed. The LORD ADVOCATE said the understanding come to between the hon. and learned member who moved the amendment was that no division should be taken on the se- cond reading, on condition that a meeting of Scotch mem bers should be called to consider the measure. Beyond that no understanding had been come to. He might mention that ho intended to press the bill, and carry it this session if he could. After some further discussion the amendment was with. drawn, and the bill was read a second time. FORFEITURE FOR TREASON AND FELONY. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL obtained leave to bring in a bill to abolish forfeiture for treason and felony, and to make other provisions in relation thereto. DUBLIN EXHIBITION. Mr. HENNESSY was calling attention to the pro gramme of musicfor the opening of the Dublin Exhibition, from which all Irish music had been excluded, when An HoN. MEMBER moved that the house be counted. and 46 members not being present, The house stood adjourned at a quarter past eight o'clock. Too CLEVER BY HALF.—A Russian soldier, recently, whilst enjoying himself at a rustic ball in one of the Polish villages, boasted that he could put a bullet through a man's hat at a hundred paces without touching his head. A peasant accepted the wager, but in order to foil the marksman squeezed his hat so low down over his eyes that the ball went through hat and head both, and left him a corpse on the ground. The soldier was sen tenced to a month's imprisonment for homicide by impru dence, but he appealed against his sentence, alleging that the fault lay with the peasant,and offering at the same time to repeat the experiment with the judge, providing the latter did not " bonnet " himself so completely. Le Moni tear de l'Armee, from which we extract the story, does not inform us whether the learned functionary accepted the soldier's very liberal•offer. The Earl of Harrowby has arrived at his man sion in Grosvenor-square, from Sandon Hall, Staffordshire. The Metropolitan Board of Works. The usual meeting of the Metropolitan Board of Works was held yesterday at the office in Spring-gardens—Mr. J. Thwaites in the chair. FINANCE. The financial statement was presented, which showed the following cash balances in the hands of the Treasurer:— Current accounts, £213,153 18s. 3d ; deposit accounts, £293,300; total, £505,453 Bs. 3d. Government securities, £51,371 10s. 10d. Payments were ordered to be made to the amount of £44,201 14s. 11d. PRESERVATION OF COMMONS AND OPEN SPACES FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC. The Board proceeded further to consider the report from the streets committee as to the steps to be taken by the Board with reference to the question of commons and open spaces for the use and recreation of the public. Mr. BOTTLTON, M.P., moved the following resolution : " That it is highly desirable to reserve the open commons and spaces near the metropolis for public recreation and en joyment, such open spaces to remain unenclosed ; and that the Board should compensate the lords of the manors and the commoners for any rights of which they may be de prived. That towards meeting the expenditure to be in curred power should be given to this Board to sell certain portions of such open spaces for building or other purposes." Mr. BIDGOOD said it was most desirable that these open spaces should be preserved, as no greater benefit could be conferred upon the inhabitants of the metropolis, if they could be secured at anythinglike areasonable price. There fore he most fervently hoped that no obstacles would be thrown in the way of passing this resolution. Mr. RICHARDSON thought the words, "that the Board should compensate the lords of the manors and commoners for any rights of which they may be deprived," were very large, and might include all right of inclosure to which they were entitled. Mr. MILLER, M.P., said the resolution contemplated only dealing with those rights which were proved, and not those that were merely asserted, and in taking charge of any of these open spaces they would sell sufficient to pay the cost, so that the ratepayers might not be called upon to pay heavy rates for them. Mr. SAMIIDA said it appeared to him that the board should look rather to the question of the public being deprived of the use of open spaces which they had hitherto enjoyed than to the money part of the question. He thought they should at once apply to Parliament to provide the funds to enable the board to carry out this great object, for it was an object that must be carried out. Mr. LE BRETON did not believe that the money question was so formidable as some persons appeared to think. He had lately attended the committee of the House of Com mons appointed to consider this question of open spaces, in which the question of the preservation of Blackheath to the public was brought forward, and it was stated that the Earl of Dartmouth, one of the owners of the heath, was inclined to act in the most liberal manner towards the public. The other part of Blackheath belonged to the Crown, and he regretted to say that Mr. Gore, the Commissioner of Woods and Forests, acted in anything but a liberal manner to the public, for he allowed a lease to persons to dig gravel over this part of it to any extent for the paltry sum of £7O a year. Therefore he said the possession of Blackheath was not a formidable right to be acquired. On those grounds he did not think that any one need be alarmed at any money con sideration, but that they should preserve these other spaces not only for the benefit of the ratepayer, but those poor persons who were below them. He earnestly trusted thst the board would strengthen the hands of the chairman, and that they would have the preservation of those places in trusted to them for the public. Mr. CAIiPMAFI, said while they were willing to compen sate all legal owners they should take care of the rights of the public to recreate themselves on commons and open spaces, and therefore he hoped the board would strengthen the hands of the committee of the House of Commons by petitioning the House of Lords and the House of Commons to repeal the Statute of Merton. He had already moved a similar motion in the vestry of Wandsworth, for if they could get rid of that statute commons and open spaces would then stand free of local claims. Mr. PHILLIPS said the question had now become one of economy to get a number of open spaces for the recreation of the public, and if they neglected the present opportunity of securing those which already existed they would have to form other parks than those that were now required. If they allowed these open spaces to be enclosed they would have to find other open spaces and make other parks, and therefore, he said, it would be true economy to secure those Commons and open spaces whibh already existed. He hoped the Board would send this question to the committee, so that they might come to a unanimous decision upon it. Mr. DOULTON, M.P., said on Monday last the committee of the House of Commons had been called upon to consider the question of Epsom Downs, and he was happy to say that the Lord of the Manor of Banstead Downs had proposed, without any money consideration whatever, to place that large tract of land at the use of the public. As regarded Blackheath, the. Earl of Dartmouth in no way interfered with it, and did not dig gravel from it, but the Crown per sisted to the present day in allowing persons to do so, and granted leases for the paltry sum of £7O a-year to aman who could do all over the common what he pleased. If this Board was given power over Blackheath, they could prevent it from being altogether ruined from the want of proper control, and put a stop to the donkey racing and other things which were there carried on. The motion was then put and unanimously agreed to. Mr. CARPMAEL then moved " That the Board do petitioi the Houses of Lords and Commons to repeal the Statute o Merton." Mr. LE BRETON said the hon. member in making his motion proposed to repeal a statute, which was something like repealing the common law of England, and if the hon. member had "Coke upon Littleton" in his library he hoped he would look into it before moving this question. After a few words from Mr. CARPMAEL the motion was withdrawn. GRANITE FOR THE THAMES EMBANKMENT. A report was brought up from the Thames Embankment recommending that as a saving of only £16,000 would be effected in the use of lime stone, that granite should be used for facing the Southern Thames Embankment. Another report was brought up from the Thames Embank ment Committee in reference to a proposition made to ex tend the Thames Embankment from Battersea-bridge to Pimlico, stating that they were not prepared to recommend the board to execute the work. Mr. LAMING hoped, as this was a work of so much im portance in having a promenade all the way from Black friars-bridge to Battersea-bridge, that the matter would be referred back to the committee. Mr. TITS, M.P., also supported the reference back to the committee, but the report was agreed to. PROPOSED REMUNERATION TO THE ENGINEERS ON ACCOUNT OF THE MAIN DRAINAGE WORKS. Mr. Mir,r,Tlß, M.P., moved the following resolution : " That in consequence of the near completion of the main drainage works, it be referred to the Main Drainage Com mittee to consider the propriety of granting a special remu neration to the engineer and assistant-ongineers, and that they report their recommendation thereon to this board."— In doing so he said that the main drainage works had reached so near a completion that it was time that they should take into consideration the extra services of their chief engineer and his assistants in this work. They must all admit that this was the greatest work of the time, and that it would be considered so by generaiions to come. It had been acknow- • • - 'edged so by both branches of the Legislature, and even Royalty itself, in the person of the Prince of Wales, had recognised the fact. He would not propose any sum, but would simply move that the subject be referred to the Main Drainage Committee. The salary of Mr. Bazalgette was only £1,500 a year,with £2OO a year for travelling expenses, and when they considered what the amount of only 1 per cent. on such gigantic work would come to they would feel that the salary of the engineer was not an adequate compensation for the labour and responsibility thrown upon him. It had been suggested that they should wait until the works were completed, but he thought that, if their officers were entitled to any extra remuneration, they ought to have it at once and not in the course of two years' time. Mr. I'm, M.P., seconded the motion, and said that he agreed with Mr. Miller in the main as to what he had said, but there were points on which he differed. Nevertheless it was a fact that their work had been done as well as any work in the world had been done, and at a very low price. He thought the subject was one which ought to be fully in quired into, and therefore felt the greatest pleasure in voting that the question be fully inquired into by a committee. Mr. LEGGE supported the motion. Mr. H. L. TAYLOR admitted the admirable manner in which Mr. Bazalgette and his three coadjutors had done their work, but he thought as business men they ought to wait till the works were complete and worked successfully before they gave their officers gratuities. He denied that there was any implied promise on the part of the Beard to give their officers gratuities, for they had been receiving their salaries, and whatever was given them beyond them would be entirely voluntary. His friend had said that he would not propose any sum, but leave that to the committee ; but the sum has been named, and he (Mr. Taylor) was alarmed at the amount. Ho suggested that the question should be postponed until the works'wero completed. He considered that when it was contemplated to propose to give the engineer a sum of £lo,ooo (Oh, oh!)—they ought to pause before they proposed. to let the matter go to a committee. He admitted the ability and labour which had been dis played in carrying out the works, but at the same time ho thought the time was not appropriate for taking such a step. He movedas an amendment--" That on the completion and development of the main drainage works, it be referred to the Main Drainage Committee to consider the , propriety of granting a special remuneration to the engineer and assist ant engineers, and that they report their recommendation to the board." Mr. BROOKER seconded the amendment. Mr. COLLINSON supported the original motion. Mr. DOULTON, M.P., was surprised that any opposition should be made to the motion. They had invited the Prince of Wales to open the main drainage works, and he thought that the works-were near enough to completion to justify them in considering the services of the engineers. Mr. FREEMAN approved the matter going before the com mittee, but at the same time thought they had better wait. until the costs were wound up, because then the Board would be in a position to vote a much larger and substan- '•al gratuity than at the present moment. Mr. SAMUDA supported the motion, and considered that if carried it would be:with:the intention of its being carried out at once. Mr. MTEryn replied, and the amendment.was negatived. The original motion was then carried by a majority of 23 to 8. The routine business was then disposed of, and the Board adjourned. The Charge of Conspiracy to Defraud Insurance Offices, Yesterday Mr. John George Barry and Mr. Alfred'Barry, brothers, wharfingers at Meriton's Wharf, Bermondsey, and three of their foremen, Thorne, Arnett, and Sedgwick, again surrendered to their recognisances before Mr. Alderman Stone, at the justice-room of the Mansion-house, on the charge in effect of conspiring together to defraud the Royal Exchange and other insurance offices in the city of London of large sums of money by, as is alleged, falsely representing that certain commodities, but principally jute, in consider able quantities, had been destroyed at the fires which oc curred at their wharf in June and November last. Mr. Giffard, Q.C., and Mr. Poland, instructed by Messrs. Humphreys and Morgan, solicitors, Newgate-street, again conducted therprosecution ; Mr. Sergeant Ballantine, in structed by Messrs. Tilleard, Golden, and Holmes, Old Jewry, defended the brothers Barry, Mr. Sergeant Tindal Atkinson the defendant Thorne, and Mr. Moss, solicitor, of Gracechurch-street, the two other defendants. The evidence taken atthe previous examination, and now reduced to the form of depositions, was read over to the various witnesses by Mr. Oke, the chief clerk, and signed by them, a process which occupied an hour. The evidence in all its material parts has already been reported. Mr. Giffard, Q.C., upon the whole of the evidence, as being now complete, asked to have the defendants com mitted for trial on the charges of larceny, conspiracy, and the statutable offence of obtaining money by false pretences, as applicable to both the June and the November fires. Mr. Sergeant Ballantine, for the Messrs. Barry, said he did not propose to offer - any observations to the Bench against those gentlemen being committed tor trial. An enormous amount of purely technical evidence would have to be given at the trial, and he made no objection to the formal manner of stating the charges on which it was pro posed to commit his clients. With reference to the element of fraud, a grave question would arise hereafter as to the intention with which the Messrs. Barry acted in the man agement of their business after the vast amount of confusion consequent upon a great fire, and it would be the duty of those who represented them as counsel upon their trial to sift the evidence from which intention might be inferred to the bottom. In the enormous pressure of business con sequent upon the fires there might have been and were irregularities; but what he should have to contend on the trial was that there was no fraudulent intention on the part of any of the persons charged, and he hoped, in com mon with every gentleman who had known the Messrs. Barry for many years, to be able to convince the jury who would have to try them of their complete innocence of any intention to deceive. Mr. Sergeant Tindal Atkinson submitted that, as re spected the defendant Thorne, whom he represented, there was not a shred of evidence to justify his being sent for trial, and that unless the Alderman was satisfied that the evidence as respected him was likely to find credence with a jury it would be cruel to expose him to the ordeal of a trial. He was a man with 30 years' good character, and whatever he might have done in the matters under consi deration he had simply obeyed the orders of his principals and acted in the ordinary way of his duty. Mr. Alderman STONE said, in his opinion, having gone through the matter with Mr. Oke, the chief clerk, and having carefully considered the evidence, there was suffi cient to justify him in sending all the defendants for trial. Mr. Oke, the chief clerk, at the request of the Alderman, told the defendants that as to tho June fire they would be charged with feloniously stealing 164 bales of jute belong ing to Mr. Theodore Baxter or to Messrs. Henry Clark and others. They would also be charged, under the 24th and 25th of Victoria, cap. 96, with causing and procuring, by false pretences, to be paid by the London and Lanca shire Fire Insurance Company to Mr. Baxter a check for £313 ss. 4d., with intent to defraud. There would be a like charge of procuring a check for £1,275 ss. 10d. to be paid by the North British and Mercantile Insurance Com pany to Messrs. Laing and Merridew, with intent to de fraud ; and a similar charge in respect to a check for £1,594 2s. 3d. paid by the London Assurance Corporation to Messrs. Laing and Merridew. They would likewise be charged with conspiring to falsely represent that large quantities of goods of Mr. Baxter, Messrs. Clark, Messrs. Laing and Merridew, and others at Meriton's Wharf, were burnt and destroyed, with intent to defraud the London. and Lancashire, the North British and Mercantile, the London Assurance, and divers other insurance companies. They would further be charged with conspiring to steal a large number of bales of jute and a large quantity of seed belonging to Mr. Baxter, Messrs. Clark, Messrs. Laing and Merridew, and others ; and generally with conspiring to cheat and defraud the same persons of their goods. They would also be charged with conspiring to obtain from the North British and Mercantile, the London Assurance, the London and Lancashire and other companies, divers checks and sums of money, with intent to defraud them. As to the November fire, they would be charged with feloniously stealing 175 bales of jute, the goods of Mr. Baxter or of Messrs. Clark ; and 500 bales of jute, belonging to Messrs. Trueman and Rouse. They would also be accused of con spiring to falsely represent that large quantities of goods of Messrs. Perry and Waaggen, the City Bank, Messrs. Rose, Graham, and Wilson, Messrs. Trueman and Rouse, Messrs. Scheilizzi and Co., and other persons at Meriton's Wharf, were burnt and destroyed, with intent to defraud the Royal Insurance Company, Lambert Pole and others, Charles Richard Pole, the London Assurance, the Liverpool and London, and Globe, Sir John Musgrove and others, the North British and Mercantile, the Manchester, the Royal Exchange, the Northern, and divers othei insurance com panies. They would be accused of conspiring to publish false lists of the goods which were burnt and destroyed and of the goods saved from the November fire, and so to de ceive and defraud the same insurance companies ; of con spiring to steal a large number of bales of jute and large quantities of seed and rice belonging to Mr. Baxter, Messrs. Clark, Messrs. Perry and Waaggen, the City Bank, Messrs. Trueman and Rouse, Messrs. Scheilizzi and Co., Messrs. Rose, Graham, and Wilson, and other persons ; and to ob tain from certain insurance companies named divers checks and sums of money with intent to defraud them. They would further be charged with causing and procuring by false pretences to be paid checks for the following amounts : To Messrs. Rose, Graham, and. Wilson, £1,343 odd by the North British and Mercantile; £1,107 odd by the Queen ; and £513 10s. 10d. by the Manchester, with intent to defraud. They would also be accused, under the same Act, with causing and pro curing, by false pretences, to be paid cheques to Messrs. Scheilizzi and Co.—namely, £6,310 odd by the:Northern, £6,310 odd by the Royal Exchange, £2,103 odd by the Royal, and £4,206 14s. odd by the North British and Mer cantile, with intent to defraud. Mr. Alderman Stone then committed the defendants for trial at the Central Criminal Court, but admitted them to bail in the meantime—the Messrs. Barry, with their sure ties, in £ll,OOO in all; the defendant Thorne in two sure ties in £1,000; and each of the defendants Arnett and Sedg wick, with two sureties, in £5OO. The whole bail given amounted to £13,000. The sureties for Mr. John George Barry, described as of Sydenham lodge, Foot's Cray, Kent, wore Mr. James Morley, of Green street-house, East Ham, Essex, gentleman, and Mr. Fran cis Tress Barry, of the Clock-house, Beckenham, merchant. Those for Mr. Alfred Barry, described as of Elmstone-houso, Beckenham, were Mr. Alexander Rose, of Stamford-hill, broker, and Mr. Charles Delmar, wine merchant, of Dart moor-terrace, Blackheath. MR. HENRY RUSSELL.—The Musical World says: We are given, on good authority, to understand that among the candidates named for the knighthood which, it is said, is intended to be conferred on a member of the musical profession, is Mr. Henry Russell, and that his chances of receiving the honour are among the best. On the ground of the numerous popular and national melo dies, hearth-songs and heart-songs, with which that com poser has endowed the people of this country, the choice is one plainly justified by special and distinct claims, no less than by a name of widespread popularity. Men who, like Dibdin, have helped by their songs to awaken and keep alive in the hearts of the people wholesome and patriotic sentiments, confer a national benefit which deserves an emphatic recognition." We may add that the composer of such world-wide melodies as "Cheer, Boys, Cheer," "A Life on the Ocean Wave," "I'm Afloat," "Woodman, Spare that Tree," "The Ivy Green," "There's a Good Time Coming, Boys," " The Maniac," " The Gambler's Wife," "The Ship on Fire," "The Newfoundland Dog," " Far, far upon the sea," " To tho West," " Tho Old Arm Chair," and, we believe, 600 other popular airs, is entitled to some national mark of honour ; and we are sure the people, who have been so greatly charmed, and not unfre quently so beneficially moved, by Mr. Russell's composi- • _ tions, would rejoice that honour was done to a man whose compositions and whose singing have delighted the inha bitants of all parts of the world where our native tongue is spoken. THE CHARGE AGAINST THE EARL OF SHAFTES , BURY'S STEWARD.—Mr. Waters appeared before the Sherborne magistrates on Thursday to answer the charge of misapplying the moneys of the Earl of Shaftesbury whilst acting in the capacity of steward. On account of the death of Mrs. Lewis, the wife of Mr. Waters's solicitor, the case was postponed till the 30th inst., the recognisances of the alleged defaulter being enlarged. Al C ADVERTISEMENT.I-110110Way'S Oi n t men t an d Pill s .— varieties of ulcerations, bad legs, sores, wounds, and eruptions can be cured by the diligent use of this cooling, soothing, and healing unguent. The old and often failing fashion of strapping the edges of ulcers together with plasters has entirely given way before the more reasonable treatment by Holloway's ointment, which builds up from the bottom of the :wound with sound and healthy granula tions ; these gradually grow till they reach the level of the surface, then contract, harden, and immediately become covered with a new and wholesome skin. The proper ap plication of this ointment diminishes the inflammation, causes the unhealthy discharge first to grow thick, then to cease. The pills should be taken so as to act in unison with the ojßtment. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. TlMES.—There is a good deal to be learnt from the case of Mr. Edmunds, if any one were disposed fairly and impartially to consider it. It discloses a gross abuse of patronage, and though it acquits Lord Brougham of any blame, the transactions between Mr. Edmunds and James and William Brougham really amounted to the sale of an office under cir cumstances as discreditable as could well be imagined. It is bad enough when an office is sold for a sum of money paid down at the time, but it is a great deal worse when an office is sold for an annuity, and thus the demands of the creditor upon his debtor are perpetuated during its whole tenure. The evils of such a transaction are not to be measured by the betrayal of public trust which it involves ; they go much further, and lead to the creation of fresh and even more hateful offences. The man who obtains his office ty means of a violation of public trust on the part of the person conferring it, or his friends, feels disposed to indemnify himself for the plunder he has suffered by plundering the public in his turn ; the dishonesty of his superiors is contagious, and he considers that he has purchased, not so much the right to exercise the public office as to levy contri butions on all who come within his power. Thus, corruption begets corruption, and iniquity is the parent of iniquity. llad Mr. Edmunds obtained his appointment under ordinary conditions, he would probably have acted under it with ordinary fairness and integrity, but the mind naturally revolts against such extortion, and the transition is an easy one from indignation at the loss to a determination to recover it. Again, the case well illustrates the enor mous evils which may flow from a lax administration of Government offices. Certainly we, in common with most of our readers, believed that all moneys received on behalf of the public were protected from embezzlement by every contrivance which the wit of man could suggest, and that if our taxes were heavy, at any rate every possible precaution was taken to prevent their miscarry mg in the hands of those who received them. On this point the report of the committee is very instructive. The committee, it seems, were at a loss to understood how Mr. Edmunds should suddenly discontinue payments he had been in the habit of making on behalf of the public, and for twelve years afterwards neither have paid over nor even accounted for the public money in his hands, and that yet no notice whatever should have been taken of the default. They received evidence from Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Arbuthnott, from the Treasury. These gentlemen stated that there was no check whatever upon Mr. Edmunds in his Office of Clerk of the Patents. Mr. Gladstone said that no audit was provided by the Act, and that there would be no check beyond the oath of the Clerk of the Patents, which nobody seems to ,have been bound to administer. It is, the Chancellor of the Exchequer says, the " t r ue description of the Clerk of the Patents, that he may hold in his hands just as much public money as he thinks fit, and if he pays nothing at all there are no means of calling him to account for such non-payment." The Chan cellor of the Exchequer also stated that " as regards the custody of money and accounting for money the present state of the law is very deficient indeed, not with respect to the great branches of revenue, but with respect to the miscellaneous heads of receipt relating to a great variety of funds which come into the hands of public officers without belonging to the public." Nobody can accuse the officers of the Treasury of want of candour in the statements they have made, but we certainly should be glad to hear how it has come to pass that such a state of things has been allowed to continue. That it will be amended henceforth with all speed we take for granted ; but that it should have been allowed to remain hitherto without amendment seems to us, in the absence of evidence, a thing inexplicable. Perhaps, when we come to see the evidence we shall find some satisfactory reason why the Treasury has neglected to enforce the same rules for the protection of the revenue against the frauds of persons receiving money on behalf of the public as are practised with so much success in the case of the collection of the ordinary revenue. We can only say that we have never heard a statement more startling or more unwel come. We had been weak enough to suppose that we might sleep secure under the wing of Mr. Glad stone, and that though he could not be supposed to pry into every detail of management, or be answer able for the pecuniary honesty of every clerk, we might feel the utmost confidence that all which the most untiring vigilance and the most skilful or ganisation could effect would be done in order to protect us from the least risk of plunder or pecula tion. Misled, probably, by the immense activity which Mr. Gladstone has shown in investigating all the hidden and untrodden paths of finance, we pre sumed that with the open ones he would be at least equally familiar. We have been lulled to sleep, and awake at last to the conclusion that though con fidence is a plant of slow growth it is one of easy decay. How unfortunate the negligence has been for the public service a very few words will suffice to show. Had Mr. Edmunds been subjected to the proper control and supervision to which all public officers ought to be submitted, he could never have been guilty of the embezzlement which has been re cently the subject of investigation. We cannot, in= deed, sympathise with him when he complains of the want of audit as a personal grievance to him self. We think that it is not unreasonable to ask that a public officer should be honest without the compulsion of law, or that, if he is not, he should rather take the blame to himself than impute it to the carelessness of the Legislature. But how much evil would have been spared had the simple pre cautions which are found so effective in the other Revenue Offices been applied here ! Had there been no peculation, there would have been no resigna tion under an understanding ; no question as to the propriety of suspending legal proceedings ; no con cealment for the purpose of procuring Mr. Edmunds a pension ; and the country would have escaped the pain of seeing the first judge of the land censured by a tribunal consisting partly of his colleagues and political friends. A number of causes have com bined to create this great mischief—the cupidity of some members of the Brougham family; the low moral standard upon which Mr. Edmunds seems to have acted; and the want of any check on a person so covetous and so unscrupulous, such as the public had a right to expect. POST.—The much-looked-for report on the Ed munds committee suggests two distinct lines of con sideration. On the one hand it exhibits the delin quency of Mr. Edmunds, the exoneration of Lord Brougham, and the grievous mistake of Lord West bury. On the other it discloses defects in the control and supervision of the public accounts which reflect the greatest possible discredit upon the heads of the particular department to which Mr. Edmunds late office belongs. The report itself has already been summarised in this journal, so that we need not here recapitulate the facts. Our duty is that of comment rather than of analysis. The investigation of the committee seems to have been thorough and fair, and the report is drawn up with great candour and ability. Considering how large a number of cabinet and ex-cabinet ministers were on the committee, it must be acknowledged that all parties concerned — that is to say, the public, the Lord Chancellor, and Mr. Edmunds—had every possible chance of fair consideration. The men concerned in the inquiry were of the highest public station, of great respon sibility, and of practical acquaintance with the de tails of official business. Their report is therefore entitled to public confidence ; and whatever be the consequences to which it may lead, the culpable parties have only themselves to blame. The faults of Mr. Edmunds are the most serious that can be laid to the charge of a public servant. He was en trusted with several distinct offices, and he drew from them a large aggregate income. A vast amount of public money passed through his hands every year, and his duty was to keep the accounts with scrupulous accuracy, and to accept no advantage from his position but that openly awarded to him in the shape of salary. In all this he failed. He not only did not account for all the moneys which passed through his hands, but he applied a considerable portion to his private use, and further trafficked in various unlawful profits on stamps, and combined with one of his subordi nates in carrying on an ingenious system of mal versation. These misdoings at last come to light, and Mr. Edmunds is shown to be a debtor to the public to the extent of 117,000. In defending himself against the charges of the able gentlemen who investigated his accounts, Mr. Edmunds thought proper to bring in the name of Lord Brougham in a manner which led the public to suppose that that illustrious nobleman had given him the office of Clerk of the Patents on an understanding that his lordship was to acquire thereby a beneficial interest for himself. When the statement was first made public it was generally distrusted. People were un willing to believe that so popular a name could be tarnished by transactions so unworthy. And they were right. A published affidavit by Lord Brougham shows that throughout he acted in the most disin terested way ; that he abolished a sinecure of £4,000 a year, and reduced it to a working position of £6OO ; that he never had, and never could have, any advantage in any arrangement made by Mr. Edmunds with anybody for the appropriation of any part of that gentleman's salary. The report of the committee confirms all this, and leaves the repu tation of the noble lord without spot or blemish of any kind in relation to this matter. Not the least of the duties of the select committee was that of expressing, for the guidance of the public, some opinion on the conduct of the Lord Chancellor. It was known that when Lord Westbury proposed to refer the question of Mr. Edmunds' retiring pension to the usual quarter for consideration, he was perfectly aware of that person's defal cations. And the questions naturally arose, WV should Mr. Edmunds' delinquencies be passed over sub silentio? Is not a pension an acknowledgment of faithful service ? By what process can gr. Edmunds have been proved faithful ? And what sre the grounds of his pension ? The public would have been in doubt to this day on these questions had not one of the Chancellor's own sons been gazetted to the post which Mr. Edmunds vacated. Suspicion thereupon arose that the delinquen. clerk had been allowed to back out quietly in order to make a desirable vacancy for Aft' Slingsby Bethell. How far this is correct there. are no adequate means of judging. The comnutte? wisely makes no report of probable motives. But emphatically says that it does not concur in the vlel which the Chancellor took of his duty. In fal l ' I conveys a severe censure on the Chancellor. tu e , most indulgent construction of language cannot make less of it. But the terms in which the commit" tee speak are obscure and almost contradict or y First, a passage is proposed in the draft report which reflects in severe language upon Lord Westbury But that is put aside by a majority of one in favour of an amendment moved by Lord Taunton. This amendment is so stated by the gentleman entr usted with the drawing up of the report as to leave the. censure substantially as the o r i g i na l draft had sta ted it. Misled either by the ambiguity or exaggerati on of the passage, most of ou r con temporaries livo. t _ yesterday as if a heavy practical censure had so . 1 . 5 credited the Chancellor's co n d uc t as to leave him no longer in possession of the public confidence' Lord Derbytook the earliest opportunity of corr ect f ing that misimpression, and stated, in the House of Lords last night, that the report was not inten d to express more than that the noble lord had c ow ' witted an error of judgment, and had taken a wrl view of his duty ; and he assured the house both the minority and the majority were perfee.q, prepared to acquit him of being actuated by 113 ,, proper or unworthy motives. This ex planation be received with great satisfaction, and will disP.° s the public to receive with greater consideratwnd whatever•statement Lord Westbury may feel boun blin to make upon the subject. That he owes it to : self to take some notice of it is universally felt ; b i n" there can be no disposition on the part of the pe l f to construe harshly a mistaken line of duty. whatever may be the consequences of this incl. to the several parties concerned, one thing is certa';' that there must immediately be some amended sYl r tern of auditing the Treasury accounts. If a Prni e u. check on the accounts of the Patent-office had be maintained, Mr. Edmunds' frauds would have bee n impossible. The worst of it is that we do not kio ci ; that the same carelessness and want of proper 01 ;the do not prevail in many other departments public accounts. Some assurance of greater vin d lance in future the public have a right to expect , Its it is to be hoped that it may n ot be long before shock to public confidence is abated by an imPrn le system of audit. COUNTRY MARKETS ~...........-..-, LIVERPOOL.—FRIDAY. i 6 Though prices are rather higher than last week, t he get less animation in the corn market. To-day's rua t of showed further depression, and a decline to the 0 1 0 , ld per cental on wheat, 3d per barrel on flour, and 6 ,4911 Indian corn ; the transactions reported are quite of °— character. • WAKEFIELD.—FRIDAY. r ice 6 The wheat trade shows increased firmness, CO' rfesl l must be noted is dearer, but the demand is chiefly fo r , e . red. Barley slow of sale. In beans and oats no c l l ll lO . - Averages, May 1 :—Wheat, 6,599 qrs, at 41s 84d; ley, 208, at 30s 04d ; oats, 92, at 23s 6d. LINCOLN.—FRIDAY. per 36 New white wheat, 41s to 46s ; new red, 38s to 410 .ding, stone. Barley for malting, 33s to 35s per qr ; g t ,6g to 26s to 28s per 30 stone. Oats, 20s to 245. Beans, 54s per qr. DERBY-FRIDAY, • r New white wheat, 41s to 47s ; new red, 38s to 435 Pteva, stone. Barley for malting, 32s to 34s per qr. ;5s to 26s to 28s per 30 stone. Oats, new, 21s to 25s ; 41S 28s per 24 stone. Beans, old, 43s to 455; new, 3815 to per qr. S TAMP OR—FAY. Barley was in small supply, D. andßealised quite as such money as last week. Oats and beans a shade dearer. r 36 New white wheat, 41s to 445; new red, 36s to 39s P e 30$ stone. Barley, malting, 31s to 33s ; grinding, 2854 5 100. per qr. Oats, new, 22s to 26s ; old, —s to —spa 2 Beans, 36s to 40s per 38 stone. Peas as heretofore. BRISTOL SUGAR—FRIDAY. b r ices There is rather less activity in the market, all', s ia pet are slightly lower. Refined sugars are quiet, aut , cwt. lower. COAL MARKET. Price per ton at the close of the market. t i. s. d. if 0 Hetton ... 17 6 Hartlepool ..... 0 W Br a a l d ls dy E e n ll d 's H H a e s t w to e n ll ....... 1 17 6 6 0 Ca kr rw al a t y ing an . ... ........................ 1,42 Tunstall Byass's Bebsido West South Hetton ......... 17 0 Hartley l6 6 East Hartlepool ....... 1 5 9 Kelloe Ships at market, 29 ; sold, 28. STEAM SHIPBUILDING ON THE CLYDE.- 1111C i Ya li cl: don and Glasgow Engineering and Iron Sh i P"`; ing Company have launched, at Govan, a new screw; in for the Iron Screw Collier Company, of London, 0-31' tended for the African Trade. She was named the ; well. Her dimensions are as follows :—Length. 18°, breadth of beam, 28ft. Gin. ; depth of hold, 17ft ; 700 tons, builder's measurement. Her engines aro horse power. Messrs. A. and J. Inglis, of Pointhouse,ll_3;t, launched an iron paddle, of 1,350 t o ns, old ineasuroT' for the North British Railw a y Company's ferry t ridi r c i e ° o the Frith of Forth. She will be fitted up by t he buil with two pairs of diagonal engines of 260-horse power mina/. Messrs. A. St e ph en an d S o ns, of Kelvinhaugh, 113.,„ launched an iron sc rew name d the Hibernia, for gesSir; Handyside and He n d erson 's anchor line of screwstetlni:oo trading to America. The burden of the steamer is 1, 0 . tons, and she will be the largest vessel in the new she is being engined by the. Finnieston Steam ShipWo r ro Company. Messrs. Stephen are building two other stesol l, for Messrs. Handyside and H enderson's Mediterranean 11 Messrs. Kirkpatrick, W lnt y re, and Co., of Port Gltise have launched an auxiliary screw for the African trade. The principal dimensions of this stool . , — lift. L en gth, 1151 t. ; breadth, 18 ft. ; depth (moul de "f L e ith She is the property of Messrs. W. Taylor and Col /rho and Glasgow, and was named the William Madras, a screw of 347 tons, built by Messrs. ife' o - f 50- and Co., Govan, and fitted with a pair of eog illes ., run , horse power by Messrs. J ames H ow d en an d Co., ° f the lights" betwe en Cl oc h an d C b rae at the rate fin. knots per hour, being one knot per hour above the 6 11 teed speed. Foreign Mail Packet List. ky 19. Australia and New Zealand, via Southampton.• • • • gaY 13. Ditto, via Marseilles .......................... 31,4 Brazil and Cape Verde. by British pao .et . . ........ Jan e 2. Ditto, by French packet 2 s Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St . .. ....................... China, Penang, and Singapore, via Sou.hampton.•o'",,,' 11.3 Ditto, via Marseilles ........................... 51N Falkland Islands .............. 13. flay India a S ) o , u a t n h a a m c p e Indi D a i ( t ß to om , v b l it a y M ), a v r i s a e s il o le u s t yt . ••••-,, 19 .3.lsY Southampton........ ton. ............. ;, A taY 313 Y • a • n, via 50utha,mpt.0n......., t- ,, 133: P ' ... Ditto, via Marseilles Mauritius, via Southampton ...................... MAY - 6. Ditto, via Marseit e 4. ...................... •• • joy 1 • 31527 0 • Newfoundland .......... juue Portugal OOOOOOOOO ••• 000000 •••••.._ Ditto, by private ship to Lisbon... .......... i. United states and British North'America, bTO r g a y 1 0 tish packet ....... • • Ditto, by United States packet, via Southaulr ton Ditto, via Ccrk ..........................•••.. 5 Ditto, by Canadian packet, via Lon d on derrY• •:; a ;, West Coast of Africa, Madeira, and Tcneriffe ...... West Indies and Pacific (except Bahamas, Cub a .f a 15. and Mexico .......... ................. Alini e Bahamas, via New lork. ........................... ; j gr a y I° ' Bermuda, ditto .................................... 29. Cuba and Mexico ............................... Births. FORBES.—On the 2d inst ,at Bruges, Belgium , v- it c3 &e ll' 41, vvrif e Of Lieut.-Colonel Forbes, C.B. of Inver/ta w, --ber shire, of a son. KE Kw r i. p fce EL .B . o. — ,fo O fv n ai t ed h ea- e uAg 4 dh th mteir i r n .a s l t., th a e t H4oo,nC.ori Ighenrystlire_Pr.il'll°' LITTLE.- -On the 3d inst..,_ a it 47 ttiun_ ~ _ :ire:. t. of Colonel Little, C. 8., of a daug'hterft.te-terrj'eej 111° , neon s-g H--ROCAS —o lll n ar th ri e ag 3 e d S' illSt., PAL Ch L u is r E ch, Edward Palliser, Esq , at Strickland, c G h e u n reer Church, l , m Si r Esq Jane, widow of B. Broc s Ea . an d d gh ter °f t Johnßose, of Holmo,-Inverness s •or t Tr uli STANHOPE—STRICKLAND On the 2d 'St t " Sto r arylobone, Lieuf.-General P. SP3n •cl 1- - al hope, to Mary Catherine, widow of the late Eds% usvrsurorie:tiog Deaths. BATEMAN.—On the 29th ult , su dd e nly, at 3 ° , lu a terrace, Clapham-road, Major-General R o bert 1 39-- aged 79. 0 01 CIIR 11 ISTY.—On the 4th inst. at at La Paliss e, France/ r• Christy, Esq., of 103, V iC tor i a - s t re et, Westin: ° " • 1 ? COMBER.—On the 3d inst., at Myddloton / 19111 ." Vic" Edward , Esq., 54. COIGNY.—On the Comber 2d inst., aged at Paris, the Due do C° C r as i . .ii r • HYNE.—On the 3d inst., at Paignton, Torquol Hyne, Esq., aged 76. --- London : Printed and Published by SilL LTA% AN ll l ,to 11 4 ,' of No. 112, Strand, Pliner, at THE SUN °inc e, 0 1 • in the C esum Strand, in the' Precinct t of the Savoy , Middlesex,— Saturday, May 6, 1865. rHE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVEINING, MAY 6, 18&.