The Sun. — London, England, 1848-07-25 00:00:00

BANK OF FRANCE. The follewing is the return of the state of the Bank of Franco and its branches to the 20th July, 1848: CREDITOR. Cash in coin and ingots . • ... f. 87,618,778 16 Ditto in branch banks ... 75,129,283 00 Bills past due ... 2,058,693 19 Bills not yet falling due in Paris ... 103,419,515 28 Bills in the branch banks ... ... 147,435,126 19 Advances on coins and ingots... ... 14,086,700 00 Ditto on French public securities ... 38,132,082 90 Ditto by branch banks... ••• 3,677,998 00 Ditto to the State on Bons du Tr6sor ... 50,000,000 00 ... 10,000,000 00 11,248,767 56 of the Republic Reserve Rentes ••• Rentes, disposable funds ... Investments of the new branch banks in the public funds ... ... 12,806,741 39 Hotel and furniture of the bank ... 4,000,000 00 Real property and branch banks 2,523,241 00 Interest in the branch bank at Algiers... 1,000,000 00 Interest in National Discount Bank 200,000 00 :Ditto branch banks 230,000 00 Fills Protested at Paris ... 24,283,015 17 Ditto in the branches ... 11,817,209 00 Exp , enses of administration of the bank 500 00 Ditto at branches ... 43,718 00 Sundries ••• ••• ••• ••• 1,150,731 36 Advance to the State on the loan of 150,000,000 f. ... 25,000,000 00 f. 625,862,100 20 LIABILITIES. Capital ... •••• ••• Ditto of the new Branch Banks ... 67,900,000 00 ... 23,350,000 00 Reserve fund ... •.. 10,000,000 00 Ditto of the branch banks ... ... 2,980,650 14 Reserve-immobiliere 4,000,000 00 Notes to bearer, in circulation ... 314,980,100 00 Do. of the branch banks 70,695,875 00 Do. to order (post-bills) ... 670,114 51 Account-current with Treasury ... 14,157,192 71 Various accounts current ... 79,338,901 04 Ditto at branches ... 22,448,439 00 Bills payable at sight 2,341,000 00 Ditto in branches ... 1,311,517 00 Bills of the branch banks payable by . _ _ the Bank ... ... - ... ... 4,105,248 72 Ditto of the Bank payable by branches. 2,103,332 00 Dividends payable . • ••• Branch Bank of Algiers, sum not /et employed in Treasury Bonds Discounts, diverse interests, &c. Ditto branch bank ••• ••• Re-discounts of the last six months ... Ditto branch banks Miscellanies ... 1,428,837 75 ... 1,108,388 19 713,718 25 650,885 00 422,932 27 642,133 00 602,834 92 625,862,100 20 It will be seen from the above returns that the Government has received a first payment of 25 mil lions out of the loan of 150 millions lately agreed to. Of that instalment of 25 millions, only four teen now remain in the Bank, to the credit ac count of the Treasury, so that out of that money alone the expenditure of the week has been 11 mil lions. The metallic reserve of the Bank has increased about 3f millions, of -which one has been in Paris, and 2f in the branch banks. The bills becoming due in Paris have declined about two millions, and in the branch banks have increased a liitle more than three. The bills protested in Paris have diminished one million, and in the branch banks about half a mil liOn. On the aide of the liabilities the amount of notes issued has increased 10f millions, whilst in the branch banks it has fallen off about one million. The whole of the metallic reserve is now 162 millions to 385 millions of notes in circulation. THE RIVER PLATE. The following is an extract from the Diario de Per. nambuco of the 15th of June, 1848 : " MONTE VIDEO, MAY 19.—General Oribe forwarded to General Rosas a copy of the conditions that had been proposed to him by Captain Gore and Baron Gros. This communication was sent by her Majesty's steamer Harpy, in charge of M. Itturiaga. Oribe's Private Secre tary, who was instructed to give every explanation. The Harpy was expected back immediately, but did not re turn for seventeen days. "The reply of Rosas, received by Oribe, is said to occupy 27 sheets of paper, and to have greatly disap pointed every one, and particularly those who, though they were prepared to hear of alterations and condi tions in the proposals, still hoped that they would not be rejected altogether. It now appears that General Roses denies the right of Oribe to euter into any negotiations, and accuses him of having broken through the existing agreements by which ho (Rosas) is the principal belligerent and the only one authorised to make peace or war. Roses adds, that if, after these observations, Oribe persists in his intentions, he will cer tainly be returning with the basest ingratitude the fa vours received, and concludes by declaring that he will not consent to the withdrawal of the Argentine forces, and that the carrying out of the conditions proposed will put an end to the good understanding between the Ar gentine Government, and General Oribe. t; This is more or less, as we aro assured by a letter before us, the substance of Rosas's dispatch, the contents of which he desires General Oribe to communicate word by word to the Ministers, that they may understand that he will listen to no conditions but those proposed by Mr. Hood, with the modifications and additions he (Rosas) made, and which were refused by the French and English Governments. " This note appears to have placed Oribe in a fix, for up to the 15th of May he had not returned any answer to the many applications made to him by the mediators after the return of the Harpy. " The financial position of the Monte Videan Go vernment had experienced some little improvement. On the 14th of May the French Ministers resolved to take upon themselves to provide for the families of the Foreign L"gion, which circumstance very much de creases the daily expense incurred by the Government for these troops. " When the packet Kestrel sailed from Buenos Ayres it was currently reported that Rosas had ordered General Urquiza to march with his forces to the Banda Oriental. "Tho Spanish naval squadron in La Plata had received orders to return to Europe. " On the 19th of May a conference took place between the Ministers and Oribe, and it was reported that the negotiation had been abandoned." HOP INTELLIGENCE. MAIDSTONE.—The past week has been favourable to the hop plantations; they are getting forward. A few licr are to be found, but on the whole they look as well as ever was known. If they were worth 200,0001. duty last week, they certainly are worth 210,000/. this, being now beyond the reach of injury from fly. The districts are estimated as follows: Rochester Canterbury Sussex Worcester Farnham Kingdom ... 75,000 ... 45,000 ... 60,000 ... 20,000 ... 8,000 ... 2,000 Total ••• ••• ... 210,000 BOXLEY, AYLESFOIID, BllllllA.3l.—Generally good, but not the prospect of growing so many hops as a few weeks back. The duty must be over -rated. YALDING, FAILFIGY , CHART. —The bine is free from any disease, but is not strong and vigorous as last year. From this cause the planters do not expect so large a growth. Most think we shall fall short two bags per acre. Much, however, depends on t h e weather. The burr is showing itself, and the plant is forward ; we therefore hope for good quality —P/0 wish we could say remuneration for our labour; that, h owever, is out of the question, as regards the unfortunate and oppressed farmer. MEnEwoßm — The weather of late being favourable for the hops, they are looking very well in our parish and neighbourhood. The bine grows very fast, and they are coming into bu rr. EAST PECKIIA3L — Going on very well ; not very full of bine. STAPLEECURST,—FavourabIy progressing, the Goldings slightly affected by t he cold ni g hts. CRANDROOK.—The cold nights and wind have checked the growth of the bine the last fortnight; in consequence they have made but little pr ell soe very ba c k ward, others have not been doing we of 1 ata. m GOUDHURST.—Our b ine is luxuriant and strong, and displays a brightness of colour far beyond that which was at one time anticipated. ROLVENDEN.—We are free from vermin, and most of b our grounds are doing well, but some of the o ld planta tions have.symptoms of fire-blast. SEVENOAKS, AND ADJOINING PARISIIEL—Bing very good; every appearance of growing . a moderate crop. The mould has made its appearance in the hedges, but not at present in the hops.. CANTERBURY.—The weather of the nights and morn ings of the past week has been unfavourable for the hops, has and mould has appeared in some grounds. Damage likewise been inflicted by the high, winds. From the low prices at present . prevailing it is considered that it would not be wholly disadvantageous if the growers do not get a great crop.—Muidstpne Journal. HOW TO - GET REFORM. TO .THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. ,petition Parliament is vain. Tho Parlia ment does not represent the people. Why then waste ink and paper in petitioning the " Honourable House?" Reform is entreated, and Reform is denied; the pre mier asserting that the people of England do not want rail And thi s at a time when the mind s o f men gene t' are determined upon certain great principles; when ness Tories, Wh v ig! ? and R a di cals are agreed, and the mad- of paris a matt er o f b ygone absurdity. Who does not vote the Income-tax an " abominable thing which the soul hateth?" Who does no t deno unc e the payment of i n i qu i tous pensions? Who d oes notudee mand the , reduction of State salaries? Is an aristocrat necessarily the best of legislators, and have att aristocratic salary?m ust he necessarily Are t here no t ori l:undreds of talenteo men who would g l adly do th edo it in a less shwenly manner---for one-thi r d th e work —do ? 1/ ow then is Reform to be obtained? s p ossibleN-otTling i o s o e n a o s e i r e o r L e t ! the people be agreed as nearly a i n g what they want.—Retrenchment, Income-tax aboli *lt, Vote by Ballot, Extension f the Suffrage ; one two, three, or all of these. Concerning the t wo first , ail will be agreed, and if a few unbelieving loiterers on the road kick at the two last, no matter—they mu s t "creep before they gang." Let the electors of every town and county send a me morial to their present "Representatives," saying , " Sirs, such and such are our opinion I, and we h ere b y give you notice, and bind ourselves that, whenever an election shall occur, we will vote for no candidate unless he shall pledge himself to represent and to support our views." I need not tell you, Sir, that the majority of electors, of three-fourths of the constituency of this country, would sign a memorial of this character, and would obstinately and honestly stand by their determination. As a natu ral consequence, the very next Parliament, would be a Parliament representing the will of the people. Your obedient servant, Boston, Lincolnshire. A NON-CONTENT, THE SUN, LONDON, TITESDA Y EVENING-, JULY 25, 1648. THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS. Harvest operations have already commenced in this neighbourhood. Several fields of winter-sown barley have been cut and carried in prime condition, and the fine warm weather which we have had without interruption for the last ten days, is ra pidly ripening all hinds of grain. The wheat harvest may be expected to begin within a fortnight, and, should we be favoured with a continuance of this glorious sunshine, we may confidently anticipate an average though not an extraordinary yield. Circum stances were unfavourable to the crop during the spring, but these are being rapidly counterbalanced by the present auspous season. There can be no doubt that indications of the potato disease have appeared in several places, but the best information we have been able to procure induces us to believe that the tubers are not affected to any extent that need excite alarm.— Western Luminary. The weather throughout the past week has been highly favourable for hay-making and a large quantity of grass has been cut and secured in prime condition. Another week of fine weather would enable the farmers in this part of the country to place the chief part, if not the whole, of their hay under cover. Cumberland Pasqua. The weather still continues propitious. The hay har vest is almost over, and good supplies will be laid in for the winter. Wheat looks healthy and strong, the heads being large and full, and the reeds tall and firm. Barley and oats have sprung up amazingly, and look very heavy. The turnip crops are expected to be fine in proportion as they were bad last year. The potato plant, we are happy to say, looks healthy, and large crops are expected. The accounts throughout the country are very promising. —Derby Mersury. PERTH, JULY 15.—During the week now nearly con cluded, the weather has been most splendid, warm,:and genial, and in every way fitted to bring the crops to maturity. The crop of grain in this quarter promises generally to he . good, and in particular the oats will be one of the heaviest crops we have had for many years, should the season continue favourable. There was a slight appearance of rain last night, but to-day the clouds have been almost entirely dispersed, and there is every appearance at present of a continuance of warm, settled weather. The sudden change :which has taken place in the weather during the last week has been of the most ex tensive benefit to the agriculturist, and enabled him to proceed with carrying his hay in tolerable condition. The wheat is fast ripening under such favourable aus pices, and tile increased value a week of such brilliant sunshine adds' to the Crop, and consequently to the wealth of the_ country, is almost incalculable, besides its advantage in bringing harvest time forward. There are as usual very conflicting accounts as to the pro bable yield, and even the best authorities differ; some pronounce it to be far below, others a fair average one. We are inclined to believe that it will be a fair crop, and, if the present weather holds, of ex cellent quality. There are few complaints of sum mer corn, but the crop of barley is not equal to that of last year. Reaping is expected to commence on the forward land in this neighbourhood en M on d a y week, but this must of course depend upon the weather which may intervene. We hear various reports about the potato disease, and there can be no doubt of its existence, bat not in many cases. A letter in the Times, by Mr. Hewitt Davis, and which had an alarming ten dency, has called forth many replies, the majority of which deny that there are any grounds for apprehension. —Berkshire Chronicle. SUSPENSION OF THE HABEAS CORPUS ACT. (FROM THE MORNING PAPERS OF MONDAY. POST.—The measure of the suspension of thn abeas Corpus Act in Ireland will confide to the Lord• Lieut enant, or Lords Justices in his absence, the power to arrest, and detain in imprisonment, till the Ist of March, 1849, all persons suspected of disaffection to the Queen's person and Government. So urgent did the Minister consider the situation of Ireland, that he proposed the suspension of the standing orders pro hac , vice, and the Bill went through all its stages, and was finally passed by the House Commons, before the sitting was con cluded. It is to be brought under the consideration of the House of Lords this day, when the same dispatch will no doubt be used, and we may reasonably expect that to-morrow's post will convey to Dublin the infor mation that the Bill has become a portion of the law of the land. An opposition, so insignificant as by its weakness to strengthen the hands of the Government, was offered to the measure on Saturday. Eight Mem bers of th© House of Commons were happily all that could be found arrayed against the cause of order. The debate on this important subject will be read with deep interest, on account of the gratifying alacrity displayed to support the Crown against the machinations of traitors, who have not even .the commonplace plea of traitors to urge in their defence. It was as truly as tersely observed by Mr. Disraeli, " that this was not an agrarian, nor a religious, movement, nor one arising from a sentiment of perverted nationality; it was an external, a continental, a Jacobin movement." That the general condition of Ireland calls for earnest consideration we have on very many occasions expressed our firm con viction; but treason must first be put down. Legisla tion cannot take place in presence of an armed insurrec tion. ADVERTISER—The proceedings of the House of Commons, on Saturday, in reference to the Ministerial measure, will be read with profound interest on both sides of the Channel. They will produce a powerful moral effect in Ireland. Out of a House consisting of 215, only 8 could be found to vote against the Govern ment motion. And,not only so, but no opposition was offered to the Ministerial proposal, that the standing or ders of the House should be susp ended , in order that the Bill might pass that day. This is a most significant cir cumstance. It will appal the traitors in Ireland. It will strike terror into the minds of the rebel leaders. They will stand aghast at the unanimity of the House of Commons, in dooming them so speedily to durance vile. They never dreamt of being dealt with after this fashion. Those who last week were playing the braggart, and with an unparalleled audacity defying the Government, will, in scores of cases, find themselves, before the close of this week, safely enclosed within the walls of the felon's cell. Before many weeks have elapsed, we expect to witness the complete restoration of tranquillity in Ireland. The vigour and energy which Ministers are now displaying, in their determination to crush the incipient insurrection which prevails in Ireland, almost reconciles us to the past forbearance of the Lord-Lieutenant of that country. THE SOUTH I! ORELAND LIGHTHOUSES.—These new edifices are now completed, and from their beauty and unique appearance reflect the greatest credit on all par ties concerned. There are two—the one called the Upper, and the other the Lower South Foreland Light house. The headland on which they stand is the nearest point in England to the coast of France, being barely a distance of 21 miles across the Channel. 'rho upper lighthouse consists of a massive tower (externally octa gon, internally circular), the lantern of which is about 375 feet above high-water mark, leaving a perpendicular height of the cliff on which it is situated of about 290 feet. The lantern is constructed on a novel principle. It is furnished with 264 mirrors, which are enclosed on the side opposite the sea by six lenses. These mirrors, casting a multitudinous reflection on each other, afford a strong and brilliant light, being clearly visible on the opposite coast, throughout the Downs, Ramsgate, and even Margate and the greatest portion of the Isle of Thanet. The lamp, which is in the centre of the lan tern, consists of one large socket, containing four burners; and it supplies itself with oil by means of a kind of clock work machinery, which, while it pumps up the oil to the wick, also returns the surplus quantity to the reservoir; and in case of any defect, or want of supply, by a small hydraulic balance, strikes a sharp tinkling bell, as a warning to the keeper. The machinery is very simple, at the same time curious. The lantern consists of a cupola, the roof and sides of which aro composed of neatly wrought iron frames, apparently light, but suf ficiently strong to stand against the most ordinarily violent tempest. It is enclosed by 48 oblong panes of plate glass, from two and a half feet to four feet long. Around the cupola, on the exterior, is a balcony, rendered safe by a castellated parapet, from which, in clear weather, one of the most splendid views is to be obtained; giving scope to the eye a considerable distance beyond the bare out line.of the opposite coast, and far both up and down the Channel. Passing from the upper lighthouse, about a quarter of a mile easterly, is the lower one, standing on the verge of the cliff. The tower is not so high as the former, neither is it lighted on the same principle. Within the lantern are suspended from copper branches l Argand lamps, each having a burner of rather large dimensions, with a concave reflector of the greatest brilliancy, and about 20 inches in diameter. It appears that it is yet a matter of doubt which system of lighting is preferable, the honourable Corporation of Trinity are giving each a fair trial. The framework and exterior of the lantern aro about the same as at the upper light, this also having a balcony from which an extensive view is obtained.—Canterbury Journal. MILITARY ItaTELLIGENCE.—The 62d Regiment in garrison at Portsmouth received orders on Thursday last to hold themselves in readiness to leave those quarters at a moment's notice; and a similar order was issued on Friday to the 17th Regiment in the same garrison. The 62d were inspected on Friday by the Major-General commanding the district (Lord Frederick Fitzclarence), and on Saturday morning, at half-past four o'clock, four companies of that regiment took their departure. from Portsmouth for London by the South-Western Railway, and on arriving at the Waterloo Station, marched thence to the terminus of the London and North-Western Rails way, by which they proceeded to Bury, in Lancashire, (and not to Ireland, as was stated on Saturday), to relieve the 60th Regiment ordered to Ireland. The remainder of the 62d arrived in town and followed the head-quar ters to Bury, this morning. The 77th Regiment, in quarters at Winchester, will take the place of the 62d in Portsmouth. THE SUBTERRANEAN FIRE NEAR SHEFEIELD.— Some account of this fire appeared in our paper lately. A correspondent of the Sheffield kadependent gives some further particulars. He says, " Old people whom I have known well, remembered a fire which was burning under the Red Hill and adjacent fields near a century since. Some of them, who were living since the modern outbreak, fully believed this ire to be nothing but a continuation of the former one. Be this as it may, it is certain that for about 80 years past the fire has been undermining the ground on which many of the habitations stand. Some times, for the space of a year or more, various indi vidual houses have been so dreadfully filled with black or choke damp, that it has been impos s ible to breathe unless the door was kept wide open. Many of the cellars have been closed • for years. About twenty years since a portion of the streets sunk imineaiately after a loaded waggon had passed over the spot, exposing the hollow on which the people walked and dwelt. During one considerable period the water drawn from the principal' well of the village came up, not warm merely, but positively hot. From 15 to 25 years ago, both in winter and. summer, as soon as the evening closed in, flame was seen to issue from various fissures in particular fields and gardens. A few years since an old farm-house and outbuildings had suffered so much by being undermined, that it was deemed advisable to take them quite down, and the ma terials were made use of in the building of two neat cottages. These were erected on ground where it was thought the fire had long done its worst, and where the new buildings would stand safely. Though not more than six or eight years since the cottages are tumbling down, one of them having been already prudently aban doned by its inhabitants: Some of your readers may recollect that during the recent prevalence of typhus fever, Nether Haugh was more than once named in your paper, in connexion with that dreadful scourge. There was not, perhaps, one village in the whole country which, for the number of its idles a ugh chief w a cause the b of ad a bitants, suffered more. Id o not recollect to have seen e opinion expressed in print, but I never doubted that the s t the air preval prevalence of tfever houses in Nether b y the engenderedHc in subterranean ire."' AU EXTRAORDINARY SEtENE.—A most extraordi nary scene occurred at Nat turn 1 Ll e lt. - b ae, near an gefni, on Frid ay , the 30th ult. On that day Hylton's collection of wild beasts, •in caravans drawn by several horses, came from Llangefni to the turnp • ike-gate and 6d for each collar was demanded as tWh e n thi s * on. collection go through. unless 2d. more for each t° col l ar paid, upon the ground that only 4cl. had beenpadwfoas each when they passed on their way to Llanerch meddr. The person in custody alleged that whatever had b demanded had been paid at that time, and that if a fur would charge had been then made it 'would have been paid ; but that the property had si ne , that time changed hands by being sold to another party when at Llanerchymedd. The gate-keeper was determined not to open the gate, and the keeper of the wild beasts was fully as determined to pa ss onward; and each party loudly insisted upon the cor. rectness of his own view of the case. A respectable farmer who happened to be in the adjoining field was referred to us to the respective rights of the parties. The clause in the Turnpike Act was clear as to 6d. a collar being chargeable where the carriage drawn was upon springs, but the wild beast man insisted there was nothing in the Act to compel him to pay toll for another man's property or beasts.. The pikeman called to his assistance the lime-burners and carters from the adjoin ing quarries, and the caravan man summoned his trusty keepers. Words grew louder and blows fell faster, until at length the battle became general ; bloody hands and broken heads were seen and felt ; staves and butt ends of the carter's whips were met with long poles and short truncheons. The issue of the battle was for a considerable time doubtful. The , pikeman's wife and children were crying and roaring in the house, whilst the wild beasts in their respective dens were sending forth terrific yells. The elephant, after removing the gate, was unchained, came to the rescue, decided the day, and caused the discomfited Monaitea to fly in great disorder towards GI Y nhwrfa, leaving the pikeman and hi s gat © a t the mercy of the evictors, who subsequently passed onwards with lighted pipes and flying colours,'Qotir Courant.- THE LAW OF MARRIAGE. It will be remembered by our readers that on the 28th of June, 1847, her Majesty was pleased to appoint a Special Commission " to inquire into the state and opera tion of the law of marriage, as relating to the prohibited degrees of affinity, and to marriages solemnized abroad, and in the British colonies." The Commissioners so appointed consisted of the Lord Bishop of Lichfield, the Hon. James Stuart Wortley, M.P., Sir Stephen Lush ington, D.C.L., Mr. Anthony Richard Blake, Sir Edward Vaughan Williams, and Mr. Andrew Rutherford. The first report to the Queen's most excellent Ma jesty is embodied in the shape of a blue book, including the evidence of the witnesses examined, the appendices, &c. The report itself occupies a space of 10 pages. The Commissioners first directed their attention to the question of marriages within the prohibited degrees of affinity, and to the law affecting such marriages, princi pally confining themselves to the case of marriage with the sister of a deceased wife. The legality of such mar riage is notoriously the essence of the question at issue. The Commissioffers find, from their minute investiga tion of the laws of foreign countries, that marriages of this kind are permitted, by " dispensation" or otherwise, in nearly all the continental states of Europe. It appears that in the Romiah Church they are pro hibited as matters of discipline, but that such prohibition may be, and frequently is, dispensed with by the Pope, or by others acting under his authority; the principle of this dispensation being that the prohibition has been im posed by the church, and not by the law of God; and that, consequently, the church is as free to remove as it was to ordain the prohibition. In Protestant countries such marriages are likewiso permitted, and solemnized by dispensation or license, under ecclesiastical or civil authority. In the United States of America alliances between a man and the sister of a former wife are not only deemed lawful, in a civil sense, but also in a moral, religious, and Christian sense ; and, moreover, as ex ceedingly praiseworthy. A great judicial authority in that country—we allude to Judge Story—declares, " Nothing is more common in all the states of America than second marriages of this sort, and, so far from being doubtful as to their moral tendency, they are, amongst us, deemed the very best sort of marriages. In my whole life I have never heard the slightest sug gestion against them, founded on moral or domestic considerations." Turning to the Greek Church, we find these mar riages stigmatized as incestuous, and of course disal lowed as utterly unlawful. It seems, however, that such marriages are not illegal in Russia, if the con tracting parties be without the pale of the Greek Church. The opinion prevalent amongst the Jews is favourable to these unions, and, so far from condemning such con nexions, the usual time prescribed for remaining in a state of widowhood is abbreviated in cases where there are children. The various bodies of English Dissenters do not ap pear to hold any opinion based on the assumption that these marriages are interdicted by Holy Writ, the sole authority which these respectable classes of the Christian community admit. The Commissioners were naturally anxious to ascer tain the opinions of the clergy of the Established Church in England on the two questions of principle and expe diency-1. Whether the marriage with the sister of a 'deceased wife is prohibited by the Divine law ; or, 2, if not, whether it ought to be interdicted on any other ground ? The result of this inquiry was unsatisfactory. The clergy are so divided in opinion on both questions that it is impossible to put forth any judicial dictum as the expression of the sentiments entertained by so numerous, important, and authoritative a body. The majority, especially in Ireland, appear to object to the marriages in question, but on various grounds; and in Scotland the opinion of the Presbyterian ministers is decidedly ad verse to them. It may be remembered that the Act of sth and 6th of William IV. had ;a twofold bearing—the one retro spective, the other prospective. The effect of the former was to legalise the marriages already contracted, as faits accomplis, whereas the latter provision declared all such marriages for the future to be null and void, thus giving ample notice of the illegality and the attendant consequences to all parties interested. The Commissioners regret the utter failure of this prospective enactment. It has not prevented numerous marriages with the sisters or nieces of deceased wives. " On a low computation," says the report, " such mar riages must amount to thousands, although, from the nature of the connexion and the secrecy observed, their number cannot be accurately ascertained. The evil is great, and it appears to be increasing." The Commissioners proceed to analyze the cause of the failure of the statute to prevent these marriages. Some of those who object to them rely less upon Scriptural or ecclesiastical authority (which would at once decide the question at issue) than upon certain arguments of expe diency very commonly urged in familiar arguments on the subject. 'These refer to the delicate relations which exist between the sister of the wife and her brother-in law, considered tantamount by some to a tie of consanguinity, and, consequently, branding any future conjugal con nexion as incestuous. Others, again, with less delicacy, suggest that " if a possibility exist that hereafter the husband and the sister-in-law might become husband and wife, room would bo allowed for the excitement of carnal passions tending to criminal intercourse." The supporters of such marriages, on the other hand; contend that the marriage with a wife's sister, so far from being prohibited, is inferentially and analogically permitted by the law of God (vide xviii. Leviticus, lii; xxv. Deuteronomy, 5), and, on the ground of expediency, they urge that such marriages ought to be permitted for the advantage of the motherless children, whose maternal aunt is naturally more adapted to fill the part of an affectionate stepmother than a stranger. The Commissioners, however, as philosophers and meri of the world, reject these arguments as the cause of the production or prevention of the marriages in question. The common foundation of such alliance is stated to be the familiar intercourse necessarily prevailing between a man and his sister-in-law, when, on the decease of hii wife, she assumes her sister's place as the guardian of her bereaved children. And here the grand argument of natural impulse urges itself upon our notice. Upon this interesting question the Commissioners offer the following observations and opinions, with which they conclude their report :-- "It may be advisable to consider this part of the subject with reference to the community, as divided into three classes—the most elevated in rank and fortune ; the next class ; and the rest of the community. " Few of these marriages are found to have taken place among persons of a high station. But we do not attribute this to any stronger sense of religious or moral obligation than in other classes. On the contrary, the evidence shows that where circumstances have placed persons of elevated rank in situations likely to create such attachments, connexions of this kind do take place, as among other ranks. Probably the true reason why such marriages are rare in the highest class are,-1, that the numbers of suc h c l ass are small; 2, that in such class a sister less often occupies the place of a deceased wife. Wealth pro. vides otherwise for the management of domestic affairs; governesses take the charge of children where considerations of expense do not intervene; relations have much greater facility of seeing the children, and superintending their education, without actual resi dence under the father's roof. Even under the roof the society is less closely domestic and private, and the desire of not offending the opinions or scruples of the world, be they right or wrong, is stronger. These con siderations, we think, account for the small number of marriages of this kind in high life, without supposing that the feelings would be different, or differently go verned, if the circumstances were the same. " In the next rank of life, the evidence shows that these attachments and marriages are frequent ; and we believe frequent in proportion to the occur!. rence of the circumstance which would naturally give rise to them ; that is, in proportion to the number of cases where the sister of a deceased wife takes up her residence under the husband's roof, the parties not having passed the middle age. We find that the relations and friends of both parties have in some cases readily assented to the contraction of such mar riages ; and in other eases, where a contrary feeling may have originally existed, they have not hesitated, upon a consideration of the subject, to sanction, with their approval the connexion already formed. " Wo do not find that the persons who contract these marriages, and the relations and friends who approve them, have a less strong sense than others of religious and moral obligation, or are marked by laxity of conduct. " Among the poorer chyme of society, w e b e li eve th at in a great majority of cases where the sister of the deceased wife becomes an inmate of the house, and the parties are not advanced in age, the end of such a state of things is marriage or concu binage. The constant and familiar intercourse, the want of separate accommodation, and the entire privacy, give rise to feelings which, in the ordinary course of things, naturally will produce the conse quences which we have stated. When a poor man with a family has the misfortune to lose his wife, some assistance for his domestic concerns becomes indispensable; assistance, too, for which he cannot afford to pay, and which must be rendered im mediately. All circumstances and all feelings point to the sister of the deceased wife ; and when once sbe be comes a permanent inmate, the result, in this class, is almost inevitable ; cohabitation with, or without, the form of marrige. " On a review of the subject, in all these its different bearings, and effects, we are constrained, not only to express our belief that th e s t a t u t e 5 a nd 6 William IV. has failed to attain its object, but also to express our doubt whether any measure of a prohibitory character would be effectual. These marriages will take place when a concur rence o f c i rcumstances g i ve rise to mu tual attachment; they are not dependent on legislation. "We are not inclined to think that such attachments and marriages would be extensively increased in number were the law t o perm i t them ; because , as we have said, it i s not the s t a t e o f the law, prohibito ' ry or permissive, which has governed, or, as we think, ever will effectually govern them. " We have en deavoured, faithfully and impartially, to set forth the rea ult of our investigation ; but whether any or what measury should be introduced for a change of the law, either on the side of relaxation, or stricter prohibi tion, we must leave to the wisdom of the Legislature." Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Saxe Weimar accompanied by her two daughters and son, Prince Ed ward, attended by a numerous suite, embarked on Satur day morning at Blackwall-pier on board the General Steam Navigation Company's steam-ship Ocean, J. C. Hast, for Rotterdam en route to the lingu.2. GAME CEirriricATEs.—The Collectors of Assessed Taxes hare received official notices not to issue a receipt for game certificates for any party whose residence is not in the parish where the collector resides This is quite right, fer obviQU? feaiNme, SICILY. The following is the decree of the Sicilian Parlia ment, nominating the Duke of GENOA King of Sicily "Art. 1. The Duke of Genoa, second son of the pre sent King of Sardinia, and his posterity, are called to reign in Sicily, according to the constitutional statutes of the 10th July, 1848. Art. 2. He will assume the name and title of Albert Amedee 1., King of Sicily, in virtue of the constitution of the' kingdom. Art. 3. He shall be invited to ac cept and take the oath required by the 40th article of the statutes. Done and delivered at Palermo on the 11th July, 1848. (Signed) The President of the House of Commons, the Marquis de Torrearsa ; the President of the House of Peers, the Duke de Serra di Falco." RAILWAY COMMITTEES. (YESTERDAY.) HOUSE OF LORDS. LORD SHAFTESBURY'S CO M.MITTEE.—DuN DEE AND ARBROATH RAILWAY (Dundee Junction). — This Bill was re-committed to introduce certain amended clauses relating to the capital. ROYSTON. AND HITCHIN EXTENSION RAILWAY.— Clauses further considered, and Bill ordered to bo re ported. GROUP . No. B.—NORTH AND SOUTH-WESTERN RAILWAY (Harrow to Brentford).—Case for the pro moters and opposition of the Great Western Company further considered. GROUP * No. -9.— SCOTTISH MIDLAND JUNCTION RAILWAY (Amendment of Acts, and Branch to Law rencekirk).—The case for the promoters and the oppo sition of the Aberdeen Company being closed, the room was cleared, and the Committee, after a short delibera tion, decided that the preamble was not proved. PAISLEY, BAItRHEAD, AND HURLET RAILWAT.—The object of this Bill is to authorise the construction of a line of railway to open up the mineral field in the imme diate vicinity of Glasgow. The case was opened to-day, and evidence taken in its favour. GROUP No. 10.— LIVERPOOL, MANCHESTER, AND NEWCASTLE-UPON- TYNE JUNCTION RAILWAY. The object of this Bill is to authorise the abandonment of the line and the dissolution of the company. It is op posed by several landholders along the route of the proposed railway , wh o i ns i st t h at the d i ssolution of the concern is sought for stock-jobbing purposes, and that the public ought not to be deprived of the benefit of the line to enable the shareholders to pocket large sums, and a competing line to monopolise the whole traffic of the district. The case was opened to day, and evidence taken in its favour. ELECTION COMMITTEES. DUBLIN. The scrutiny into the validity of Mr. Reynolds' majority was resumed yesterday, and in the course of the day the petitioners succeeded in striking off one addi tional vote. NORTH CHESHIRE. The North Cheshire Election Committee met again yesterds,4nd proceeded with the case of treating against Mi. - Leigh, the sitting Member. The evidence went to show that each voter was supplied with a voting card, which was, exchanged for a refreshment ticket after he had polled. The refreshments supplied to the voters consisted of cold meats, beer, and brandy and water. One of the witnesses stated that he had promised to support Mr. Leigh's Opponent, but the prospect of a good dinner, which Mr. Leigh's friends held out to various electors, induced him to vote for that gentleman. The evidence had not closed when the Committee ad rn ed. The charges of bribery contained in the petitio❑ are abandoned. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS, LIVERPOOL, JULY 24. STOCK EXCHANGE.-Our market to-day is dull, little business doing, and prices lower. The sales are—East Lancashire, Preference, A p.—Lancashire and Yorkshire, 32/. Shares, 7 dis.—Ditto, ltd. Shares, Preference, % p.— London and North-Western, 126—Ditto, Fifths, 5 3 / 4 p. Ditto, New Quarters, Ire p.—Midland Stock, New Halves, 534 p. —South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4, Thirds, 2% York, Newcastle, and Berwick (G. N. E. Purhase), p. _ MANCHESTER, JULY 24. STOCK ExmArrais.—The sales are—Caledonian, Pre ference, % p.—Great Northern, B%—Lancashire and York shire (late West Riding Union) Fifths, 3% n. dis.—Ditto, 10/. Preference, 6 per cent., % p.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire, Eighths, 5 c. dis.—Ditto (Grimsby), 20/. Shares, PA dis.—North Staffordshire, 2 9-16 dis.—North Union (A), 202 1 4—South-Eastern and Dover, No. 4, 2 11-16 dis. BIRMINGHAM, JULY 24. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—North Staffordshire, 2% —Shrewsbury and Birmingham (A), 51A. A FELua t E SAlLop„—Yesterday a good-looking sailor youth (as all in court took the prisoner to be), attired is a blue jacket, striped blue shirt, &c., was placed at the bar of the police - court, charged by a stout whiskered seaman, named James Kitson, with having robbed him in a lodging-house of 8/. Mr. Parkinson, the Bridewell-keeper, intimated before the case was gone into, that the prisoner turned out to be a young woman. The complainant then said that prisoner had accosted him on Saturday in the street, asking his assistance, as he was in distress, and wanted, a ship. Witness took him and gave him his breakfast, and afterwards his dinner, at Mr. Parker's cookshop, Wapping. It appeared that complainant had afterwards introduced prisoner to some of his ship mates, and that the whole had been drinking together rather cheerfully during the day. At night Jack in vited his young companion to accept of part of his bed, and they slept together. He had previously given the prisoner a jacket, so as to appear more tidy than before. In the morning, the sailor somehow suspected the sex of his partner, and missing his money went down stairs to the landlord, and told him there was, he believed, a woman in his room, who bad robbed him. The land lord laughed, and said he must be mistaken, and had perhaps had " the horrors." The prisoner was not, it appears, really discovered to be a female until taken into custody. Seven shillin g s were foun d on s h e co mplainant, and she had found the the prisoner, and she said t he j acket w as given to her by money in it. Mr. Parkinson said he had learned that prisoner's mother had gone from Manchester by a packet ship from this port to New York, that they had some. how missed each other in coming here, and that the pri soner bad come in disguise, in hopes of working her way out as a sailor. Mr. Rushton remanded her. She gave her name as Mary Ann Martin.—Liverpool Standard. DUTCH CATTLE.—The steamers from the Dutch ports are now bringing some lambs on each occasion, in addition to Qther live stock, the produce of Holland. The importation of this description of young stock having hitherto been of a remarkably limited character, during the present season. Three vessels, which have just arrived on one day from Rotterdam, have each brought a considerable number of lambs, as a portion of their cargoes. TUB CHOLERA.—On Monday a letter was received by the owners of the Marion, of Leith, dated Elsinore, stating that the master, Captain Beal, had died of cho lera, on the voyage home from St. Petersburgh, and that one of the crew was labouring under the disease,—Edin burgh Pot. ••• • • IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, July 24. Their Lordships met at Five o'clock. The Earl of DARNLEY took the oaths and his seat. The Earl of liAItROWBY presented a petition from the journeymen bakers, praying for a diminution of the hours of labour; also from the Shrewsbury Waterworks Company against the Healths of Towns Bill. ECCLESIASTIC AL PATRONAGE (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion of Earl FORTESCUE, this Bill was read a second time. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE BILL. On the motion of Lord CAMPBELL, this Bill was read a third time and passed. ' ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE BILL (No. 2). ' On the motion of Lord CAMPBELL, this Bill was read a third time and passed. VEXATIOUS ACTIONS BILL. Lord CAMPBELL moved that this Bill be read a second time. The Earl of WICKLOW hoped a similar Bill would be introduced for Ireland. The motion was then agreed to. IRISH CONSPIRATORS DETENTION BILL. This Bill having been brought up from the Commons, The Marquis of LANSDOWNE moved that it be read a first time.--Agreed to. The NOBLE MARQUIS then said he was about to pro pose to their Lordships to adopt an unusual, but not an unprecedented, course. He had in the first instance to state to their Lordships, that only three days having elapsed since this matter had been discussed in that House, additional and overwhelming proof had been furnished of the existence of the exi ' gency under the pressure of which their Lordships were called upon to act. He held in his hand a short report on the state of Ireland, which contained a state ment of facts relating to that country up to Saturday. It stated that the system of clubs for organizing rebel lion was advancing at an accelerated pace, and that in Cork, Waterford, Meath, and Kilkenny, those clubs were endeavouring to gain possession of the country. Since the Lord-Lieutenant had proclaimed Dublin, Cork, and Waterford, the leaders of the conspiracy had been moving from county to county to review their forces. These measures had been adopted without disguise, and it would seem as if the leaders had endeavoured to prove the necessity of passing this measure. But, without allud ing to the sedition and treason with which numerous Irish papers had come laden to this country, he would allude to a few significant paragraphs which clearly showed the objects which those parties had in view. In one of these papers he found .a paper signed by a leader, named Brennan, declaring that they were now in a state of war, from which they could not recede, and urging the young men of Ireland, as very rash and rather inclined to be fiery, to proceed at once, and to let their watchword be " Now or never." Then there was another article, signed by Mr. J. F. Lalor, urging the Irish to destroy the 40,000 English soldiers in Ireland, to kill and capture them in the best and swiftest manner possible. There was another paper which, after sneering at the Earl of Clarendon's prac tical instructions in Ireland, headed a column as their own practical instructions, instructing the people in every means of destroying life and property that the most hellish ingenuity could imagine. He, therefore had turned to those precedents which showed to what means their Lordships had recourse to pass measures in times of emergency to proceed in one day to carry a Bill of this importanee through all its stages. He found that in 1803, without any previous notice, two Bills for the suppression of rebellion iR Ire land, and enabling the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland to arrest suspected persons, were passed through the House in one sitting, that the standing orders were sus pended, and a resolution passed enabling the Lord Chancellor to put the question upon every stage on the same day. He had no hesitation in pro posing to their Lordships to act upon that precedent.— (Hear.) He had no doubt but the persons who were engaged in organizing rebellion, who had proclaimed war without subjecting themselves to the dangers of war, were not entitled to the benefit of those regulations which were never intended for rebellious subjects. One of those writers had asked who would strike the first blow for Ireland—who would shed the first blood ? and if no one should be found to strike the first blow or to shed the first blood, it would be mainly owing to their Lordships passing this Bill without delay, and which would at once receive the Royal assent. He concluded by moving the second reading of the Bill, and the sus pension of the standing orders. Lord BROUGHAM was aware that it was a most dangerous power with which it was now proposed to invest the Lord-Lieutenant, but it was an absolutely ne cessary one. Without detaining their Lordships, he would at once say that ho gave his cordial consent to his Noble Friend's proposition; but when he saw the exultation which those events had produced in France, he must protest against it being understood that we wanted this measure or any measure to protect the integrity of the empire or to retain for us Ireland. The integrity of the empire was never in jeopardy. This measure was not wanted to prevent the severance of the empire, but to prevent attempts at that severance, which would produce bloodshed and civil war, which civil war would end in the destruction of those rebellious persons who excited it.—(Hear, hear.) One of those proclamations which his Noble Friend had read had been issued by a man who was in prison for his crimes. He trusted, that there was some prison discipline in Ireland as there was in England, to prevent prisoners, when committed to prison, from com mitting a repetition of their crimes. If such were not the law of Ireland, it ought to be the law of Ireland ; and if it were, he trusted it would be carried out. As to the leaders of these people, he believed they would not; be very sorry to see this Bill passed.—(Hear.) They had in Ireland leaders of two sorts—the first who preached up repeal but took care not to commit them selves, and warned the people to do nothing unlawful— these were sordid, cautious, crafty, money-getting men, who thought they did enough to absolve their con sciences—if any they had—or to save themselves from prosecution, if they said pray do not break the law, as if they had taken gunpowder and placed it near a fire and said pray do not explode. Of late had arisen an other set of leaders who wished to make a noise, to make speeches to become notorious. He believed that rebellion was the last object they had in view; and then they were hatching a rebellion which they wished never to come into existence, but which would come into existence if the persons of those leaders were not secured, and it was to secure the safety of the country from those who wished to rebel, viz , the followers, and from those who did not wish, but who would be forced to break it, viz., the leaders, that he voted for this Bill. The Earl of WICKLOW asked for some assurance that measures should be adopted for preventing pri soners in gaols from writing and publishing seditious letters? The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said there was every reason to believe that although these letters bore the initials of the prisoners, they were not written by them, although they might have been written by their au thority. The' Earl of ELLENBOROUGH believed that this measure, if introduced some months ago, might have pre vented the organization of the clubs, but he believed thst now it would be too late to prevent rebellion. Writings as exciting had been published three months since by that parson who have now been transported for his crimes, and no steps had been taken in consequence. Three months since. he (Lord Ellenborough) had urged the necessity of proclaiming Dublin. Were they to be told that it was not till the 18th July that the Lord-Lieu tenant for the first time saw the necessity for applying to Parliament for fresh powers? That rebellion had been e owing up with the knowledge of the Government, -bor taken,t h I ed by the Government. He had not been organ''sen6rpotoandthaitn titeel,antod,pauntdityedtownon.steTphsehaccloubneteryn be lieved the measure would not prevent, but precipitate, the rebellion, and. the Government ought to be prepared for such a contingency. When they had rebellion in the south, they ought to arm and organize the north. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE assured the House and the Noble Lord that the Government had well weighed the course they had to pursue before they came ti s G hs o s e e r u n r eytßdl Gen tl emen, 1 n o md eeacnni say,tr h e e d daythe however, Catholic clergy to Parliament for additional powers; and, on a fitting was at first very in opportunity, when the motion of the Noble Earl came s rfi t leo rebellion. cw s t s a o say : t. theha t HA t eh Roman R e we ac countsays.on for discussion, he would be prepared to satisfy the House that, with respect to the time whoso.necniau,mnadanotdiuotbnhtseedwmode in which they applied to Parliament, they had acted time had come for striking the gdwyiisnitthiTheenrnnc Catholict o h Ei w yd e a h e o h rh o r i l a u ae d e vvr at gifreroydeGrn' were urging L e wu b i Eevur saidrg i e Nt ae d f a n G i respectinglhgegsteAreohtntLhawwheetLerai generally recent ey hw o fi ckp ah e r t lns pm n o h eue p t e t n w y t i po e v s w aaerrune aanudt.hHereity(thefe t E he ar ir l of Glen gall) the names of several young Roman Catholic cler htihsaht u r m ov b o le lu v ti o o i n ce in to death blowcountry nele) t rwoyfouhßritishladd respectfullybeepnofwa e ta r l in tollitfrhet the every The Marquis of LANSDOWNE h • aving moved that the standing orders be suspended, the Bill was read a second time, the Co • mmittee was negatived, and the Bill was then read a third time and passed. HEALTH OF TOWNS BILL. Lord CAMPBELL moved the Committee on this Bill. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH thought it bad been greatly improved in the Select Committee. Lord REDESDALE considered that the proviso which excluded somany works from the operation of the smoke prevention clause in the Bill was unnecessary. He had, however, been obliged to accede to it. The Bill then passed through Committee, and was re ported to the House. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 24. The SPEAKER took the Chair et Four o'clock. LORDS' AMENDMENTS. The Lords' amendments to Payne's Patents (Improve ments .in Preserving Vegetable Matters) Bill was agreed to. THIRD READINGS. The following Bills were read a third time : Newton's Estate Bill. North Wales Railway (Dissolution of Company) Bill. SECOND READING. The Regent's Quadrant Colonnade Bill was read a second time. POOR-LAW. Mr. WARD presented a petition from the guardians of Greenwich and other parishes in its neighbourhood against the Bill for altering the charges for the relief of the poor. . Mr, MILES presented a petition to the $61419 effect, THE RIVER DEE COMPANY. Sir ROBERT PEEL presented a petition, numerously signed, from the inhabitants of the city at Chester, com plaining of the state of the river Dee, and alleging that the provisions of the Act of Par:iament had not been complied with by the Dee Company. The allega tions of the petition were :—" That the said river and port afford a striking example of the danger to which the interests of navigation may he exposed by placing the power over the river in the hands of a joint-stock company, whose principal interest consisted in the suc cessful reclaiming of land. That the area of the estuary of the Dee between Chester and Kelstra was formerly about 12,000 acres, covered at every spring tide ; of this space 8,000 acres have been enclosed, or as it is termed reclaimed, and the tidal water excluded. That about 5,000 acres of the land thus obtained on the Cheshire side now form the Dee Company's estate ; and nearly 3,000 acres on the Flintshire shore are the property of the adjoining landed proprietors. That the Act of Par liament that sanctioned this extensive encroachment required that a depth of 15 feet at ordinary spring tides should be maintained up to Chester, in default of which the rental of the company was liable to be seized and applied to the improvement of the navigation. That it appears in evidence that this condition had not been complied with, and that the river was in so bad a state in December, 1844, that a vessel drawing only 8f feet of water could not go up to Chester on a spring tide. That the said report goes on to state that a rubble-stone dyke or embankment extends seven miles along, the Cheshire side of the river on a line most injudiciously laid out with regard to navigation ; that this dyke, a portion of which is covered at half-tide, is only marked by insigni ficant perches or beacons; that several vessels have struck on it, some of which have been entirely lost; that the river from Flint upwards, is neither lighted nor buoyed ; that a weir or milldam, rising eleven feet above the bed of the river, exists just above the city, dams the water up for several miles, and prevents the upward liked ; that loads of stones are thrown into the river to secure the foot of the jetties ; and that at Park gate, twelve miles below Chester, which formerly was one of the principal mail-packet stations between Eng land and Ireland, a dry sandbank now extends almost across the estuary. The petitioners most earnestly sub mit to the House the propriety of carrying out the mea sure propounded by the Tidal Harbour Commissioners, by the enactment of a general Conservancy Bill." The' Right Hon. Baronet said he thought this was a matter of great importance, and he suggested that the Hon. and Learned Member for Chester (the Attorney- General) should move that the petition be printed, in order that a Committee might be appointed to inquire into the matter. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL presented a petition to the same effect from the town• council of Chester. The Hon. Gentleman said he should to-morrow move that both the petitions be printed. EMIGRATION. Lord R. GROSVENOR presented a petition from the board, of guardians of the Hanwell Union, praying for greater facilities for emigration, DUBLIN ELECTION. Lord R. GROSVENOR moved to discharge Mr. Baines from further attendance on the Dublin Election Committee, on account of the serious indisposition of a near relation.—Agreed to. THE IRISH AND THE PORT OF LIVERPOOL. Mr. CARDWELL presented a petition from Liver: pool, signed by the Mayor and by persons of all classes and opinions in that place, stating that they viewed with the greatest satisfaction the introduction of a measure into Parliament for the suppression of rebellion in Ireland, and praying that as Liverpool was so near Ireland, and as so many persons connected with that country came over to the port of Liverpool, among whom were many of the disaffected, that the provisions of the Bill might be extended to Liverpool, or that a Bill might be introduced, with similar provisions, ex tending to that town. POOR-LAWS. In reply to a question from Mr. URQUHART, Mr. C. BULLER stated that he intended to proceed with the four Bills for amending the poor-laws, and he proposed to-morrow, at twelve o'clock, to bring the union charges under the consideration of the Haase. PRIVILEGE. Mr. C. ANSTEY wished to explain a mistake which had crept into the report of Friday night's debate. He was reported to have charged the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Department with having selected passages from a speech of his Hon. and Learned Friend the Member for Athlone, and sup pressing others which would have materially qualified his Hon. and Learned Friend's opinion. He wished it to be understood that be had made no such charge. OVERLOADING STEAM-BOATS. Mr. LUSHING TON wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary for the Home Department a ques tion of some importance to the metropolis. It would no doubt be in the recollection of the House that the attention of the Lord Mayor had been directed to the circumstance of overloading steam-packets plying on the river Thames, and his Lordship had given it as his opi nion that no real remedy would be applied to the evil until between 400 and 500 had been drowned. He therefore wished to ask whether, under this state of things, Government were prepared to propose any regu lations for the purpose of reforming the system? Sir G. GREY said the question came more imme• diately under the cognizance of the department of his Right Hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, and he would be glad if the Hon. Gentleman would re peat his question on another occasion. DISTURBANCES IN EDINBURGH. Mr. IIUME, seeing the Lord Advocate in his place, wished to ask him a question connected with an occurrence that took place in Edinburgh on the 3d, of July. It would be remembered that a disturbance arose there relative to a sale of the goods of a defaulter in payment of the minister's rate, and the military were called out to protect the auctioneer who conducted the sale in the execution of his duty. The qucstio❑ hp wished to ask was, why the civil power ayes not used instead of the military to quell the disturbance ? . The LORD ADVOCATE was understood to state that the occurrence referred to by the Hon. Member took place on the occasion of a sale in Edinburgh. The mob which had collected became so unruly that the police were not sufficiently numerous to disperse it, and the consequence was that the military were called out, and h e had been assured by many perso ns o f great judgment and experience that it would have been utterly impossible, without their assistance, to have put down the disturbance. lie observed that the police force of Edinburgh was entirely inadequate in numbers, and was besides badly paid, and had it been sufficiently numerous he was ct opinion there would have been no necessity to have called in any part of the military. He hoped that the Commissioners of the Edinburgh Police would turn their attention to this matter, and see that the police force was increased. IRELAND. In reply to a question from Mr. S. CRAWFORD, Lord J. RUSSELL said the lion. Member's motion with respect to the state of Ireland might be taken on Friday next. STOCK IN TRADE EXEMPTION BILL. Sir R. H. INGLIS inquired if it was the intention of the Government to bring in a general measure on this subject? Sir G. GREY said the subject was one surrounded with difficulties, and that he could not give a pledge to that effect. SUPPLY.—IRISH JURIES. On the motion for going into a Committee of Supply, Mr. FAGAN rose to resume the adjourned debate on Mr. Keogh's motion with respect to the constitution of Irish juries. He said the time had at length arrived when they must look the evils under which Ireland laboured sternly in the face, and not delay the remedial measures which she required longer. He did not think it would be fair to allow the observations of the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir G. Grey) with respect to that Hon. Gen tleman's address to pass unnoticed. Though he differed with the political opinions of the lion. Member as widely as the poles were asunder, yet he must be permitted to say of him that he was not the first to introduce a spirit of acrimony into the debate. It was true he introduced some party feeling into the debate; but his observations were directed against the Government and not against individuals. Personalities were first intro duced into the debate by the Right Hon. Baronet, who charged the Hon. Member for Athlone with having praised the Whig Government of 1840, and of having become a Conservative in 1848. If he had done so— and really that was not the matter at issue before the House—he had simply done that of which the Cannings and Pitts of former days were not ashamed. In his opinion the Hon. Gentleman was an able statesman, and might rank amongst the best politicians of his coun try. He regretted the Hon. Member for Dublin had joined in the personal attack upon the Hon. Member. The rule that had been carried out and adopted was a perpetual and total exclusion of the Roman Catholics from the jury lists in Ireland, without any regard to their political opinions. The truth of the matter was, and d t m in r. co m n e se a q g u h e e n r, ce l of the t good d dealrials of o e f x iNr c l ite . m Sm en it t h p O'B reva r il ie ed n trialbo i b n y D j u n b r y l i a a n n d d i t n h i t a h i e s x e e ci i t u e n n r e 3; t u p n o a n t a h l e l y s u e bj pe e r c a t t e o d f h i ear.) r s 4 t r k r i T. n g e - r t e h e j c ury d t u o pon try the m m r. ine m i j o te f he th t e —( s H he e r a i r il , ; a lr overy C s a e t l h e c o t l e i e el s , andbe anopredr preference wasoeurebntthat which had led to t g h thi e vee e n r j e tu a o t r i l'ro on l o vte f a ' sst a miu g tn o s od deal of dis content in Ireland upon the subject of Mr. Mitchel's trial. Ho sincerely hoped that - the discussion ill that House would have the effect of securing fair and impartial juries for those prisoners who were now ou the eve of trial, and justice to the people of Ireland. He would give his cordial support to the motion of his lion. Friend. Mr. H. GRATTAN likewise supported the motion, taking the same view of the duty of the Government officers respecting the religious and political sentiments of those placed upon the lists, from neither of which did he think they ought to be rejected as jurors. He would advise the Government not to irritate the people further. The people were reduced to such a state now that it was impossible to live in the country without running the risk of losing one's life. The Government would flatter themselves, indeed, if they fancied that fever or famine were at an end. The people were living at, in many case, ld, a day from week to week. He objected to the manner in which the Bill for the suspen sion of the Habeas Corpus Act was pas, , e(l. The Go vernment had no right to come down to the House and take away the liberties of the Irish people, their representatives being almost wholly absent from the House, and solely on account of a few madmen having gone about the country trying to exeite the people, and writing some violent articles in a couple of newspapers. He was lately in the county of Monaghan, which was stated to be a disturbed county, but in his opinion the people there had no arms, and had not the slightest Ldea of a disturbance.—(Hear, hear.) It seemed to him that the connexion between Ireland and this coun try was only to be, maintained at the expense of the liberties of the Irish people.--(Hear, hear.) The Go- Tevainent, for the-purpose- of vawiliatioglhe people of Ireland, ought to send back to them the Irish aristocracy, the absentee proprietors, and the rents ,shich they bad taken away. The proceedings in that House had 016- appointed the country from year to year. When, then, the Noble Lord foun'il that the people of Ireland where discontented, he came down to the House with a Bill to deprive them of their liberties, and designated men as traitors who were no more traitors than the Noble Lord himself. The Noble Lord also stated that the Bill was intended to put down a set of men whose object was plunder. He repudiated the assertion that their object was plunder. He was sure that was not the object of Mr. S. O'Brien. He would assure the House that the minds of the Irish people were poisoned by the London journals as well as Irish papers. Referring to the measures for Ireland which were before the House, he said that th ere was one w hi c h could not pass, anotler too late, and a third (the Incumbered Estates Bill)-- a Bill to enable' pauper landlords to sell their over , burthened acres—and which would be of no benefit to the people of Ireland. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by stating that there was an attempt made to sow civil and religious discord in the northern part of Ireland, in asmuch as one of the employes of, the Dublin Castle watt known to have said that if the repealers of that part of Ireland did not abandon the repeal cry they would be given up to the Northern Orangemen. [llere the debate was for a short time interrupted bye message from the Hou se o f Lords, to the effect th a t their Lordships had passed several Bills, amongst which was the Habeas Corpus Suspension (Ireland) Bill, which an nouncement produced much cheering.] Lord J. RUSSELL said that he would not follow the Hon. Gentleman who last spoke in alluding to his obser vations on the Bill which passed the House last Saturday. If anybody doubted the necessity which existed for such a measure he had only to read the intelligence which bad arrived that day from Ireland to arrive at the conclusion that the House was fully justified in passing it. With regard to what fell from the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Keogh) who brought forward this amendment in reference to the motives which had induced him to leave the House on Friday night, he should say that he left the House not through any disrespect to the Hon. Gentleman nt the motion which he brought forward, but because be himself had a motion of great importance to bring before the House on the following morning, and because be had to read several documents, and to consider well the grounds which he should put forward for the introdur tion of so important a measure. He knew it would WO some time to inspect those documents, and he thoughtbe had better leave the House for that purpose than to st• tend during the remainder of the debate on the Hop' Gentleman's motion.--(Cheers.) With regard to WI motion which the Hon. Gentleman brought forward, he: did not think that, in alluding to the case of MP! Mitchel, he was justified in a statement that he made, tel the effect that the sheriff was an officer appointed bl l the Crown. Technically, it might be said that he wssll but, in fact, he was selected out of three persons! named by the Chief Justice. Evidently, that was te'i tally different from his being an officer selected by tbel Crown. With regard to the conduct of the sheriffs his (Lord J. Russell's) belief, the sheriff performed bP} duty conscientiously. But the Hon. Gentleman 110 1 1! that it was owing to leaving out of the list the names 0 a great number of Catholics, and to challenging . Sb i l names of certain persons who were placed on the jt4 list, It was asked also whether it was intended to vent Catholics and repealers from acting as jurymen. kg e would answer —neither one nor the other was intended' to be omitted. Catholics were equally. qualified Protestants to act as jurors on general questions, and !, man's being a repealer did not disqualify him ; but the, question was with regard to the offence of a person wbel declared openly that Ireland ought to be separated fross England ; that sh e s h ou ld b e a separate republic ; thle, , the Queen ought to b e d epose d from her authority eel title ; and that su c h a measure should be accomplishe d immediately. The question was with regard to the sons to be selected to act as jurors in such a case, whet!e! or not they were persons who would do their duty it` trying it—in fact whether they were likely to give a rev' diet according to the evidence. If the Attorney-GO!: ral thought th a t t h ere were any persons on the jury lel" were not likely to g i ve a ver di ct according to the caw deuce, and who were likely to give a verdict against tis: evidence, he wa s p er f ect l y warranted in challenging stet persons. As to the question whether that discretiee was properly used, that was a matter which neither Ii nor the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland could enter into. It they could not form any judgment as to the charactsd of particular individuals; but it was clear that tboal who published opinions in favour of the offender 'Weil not fit persons to try his ease.—(Hear, hear.) Sue' was the case with regard to those who were left out _,, that jury. The sh er iff was responsible for his condo . ' but, with respect to the Attorney-General, ho wan hire; self a Roman Catholic, and he did not think that was to be inferred that he would by any act of his die:, qualify himself from a c ti ng as a juror under sim il t circumstances. These were the observations which had to make with regard to what the Hon. Gentlaul said in reference to M r . Mit c h e l' s tr i al. He did hear him state anything particular with regard to the other trials. He had on ly th en fi na ll y to say that could not agree, in the p resent s i tuat i on of public affair' to the motion of th e H on . G ent l eman. He did not thind that the House would b e di spose d to t hi nk that it won", be advantageo us t o en t er i nto an i nqu i ry on this aub j e!: but, in conclusion, he would state generally, that al was the utm os t d es i re on the part of the Governmt the Lord-Lieutena n t, an d t h e Attorney-General to gin fair trials. The motion was then put and negatived without division. The House then went into a Committee of SuPP I I on the ARMY ESTIMATES. Mr. F. MAULE said, that having so fully on a MO occasion stated the particulars of the votes for the ail; he should no w d o no more,t h an s i mply place in the Wino of the Chairman th e li st o f t h e votes _required for i' department. A vote of 1,336,8801. was then asked for to defray ti lle expenses of her Majesty's land forces of Great Britain n Ireland, being part of a sum o f 3,836,8801., 2,500,01 v of which had been already voted. Sir D. L. EVANS called attention to a petition whil, he had recently presented, compl a i n i ng o f some d i sr vantage under which retired officers laboured, in Cel queue:: of their not being allow e d t o a d vance in rank t same as those on active service. Mr. F. MAULE said this had always been the. 0196 d and he had heard no p rev i ous complaint on the metlri, It might be a questi on h ow far it was advisable to s it vance these officers in th e way pointed out, though,., might be done with out any additional expense. To the officers thems e l ves h e t h ought it mattered little. Oflr subject of the dockyard battalions, to which the 1 3 4 . and Gallant G ent l eman had also alluded, he remark that they w ere a most efficient branch of the service,,vo the office rs wou l d not take rank as officers of the 101; but only as volunteer officers, and after officers of ; same rank. Hence he thought there would be n o di culty in the two corps acting together. Sir D. L. EV A N S said the Peninsular medals weribo not yet issued. He hoped that some order would made by Government which should permanently res late th e i ssue of medals to the army. The East In. if Company h ar i ng i ssued medals to the officers in th e , service, it became desirable that the same should be d 0 in the army generally. of Mr. B. OSBORNE considered that the treatment, o the whole army , espec i a ll y t h e o ffi cers of the line, ;,,i regard to decorations, bad been most infansous. . 1 ;1 reason was, neith er th e G overnment nor the House b o any control over the Commander-in-Chief of the 14 01 0 Guards. The latter required thoroughly cleansing 0 ,,, and he would submit a motion on the subject. At r sent a merit or i ous of fi cer had not the slightest ch,gfifes of notice f rom t h e Horse Guards. The recent 101,1,0 war had bee n carr i e d wholly through, so far as yes brunt of the contest was concerned, by three , k , four officers, w h o were thanked in every dispo.ls, and that was all. Tho names of Colonel Sorne l 74 Captain Hogg, and Captain Bissett, occurred i n Op dispatch ; but th e y h a d received no promotion. Uttio the present system the Under. Secretary of the C010h,,, was actually S ecre t ary - at -W ar, as far as the colovoi were concerned, for ho h a d th e di sposal of the whole d the forces there. Col. Somerset had received et,l, flattering testimonial of grat i tu d e f rom Major-uo Smith, the Governo r o f th e C ape; an d that was shot, had ever received ; w hil e suc h men as Sir H. Bule.til Mr. Trevellyan, and Mr. Chadwick, men of great M t no doubt, were made C.B.'s, and one of them was in I '" e recent of 2,5001. a year.—(Hear, hear.) Capt. 110,1, with his native levies of Hottentots, levied at great f;; vate expenses of his own, bad been mainly instrumee; in concluding the war. This w as s t ate d i n dispatch p he was thanked by Sir H. P o t t i nger and Sir P. 111_5, land, and yet, when he came h ome to the Horse Gus he was told there was neither promotion nor decon for him.—(Hear.) Capt Bissett was thrown a side i s the same way; the reason being that the manne r d which that war was originally carried on was not / e g o convenient for the Horse Guards to recollect. '1 men ought at least to be made unattached majors, 'i t 0 receive the de corat i on of C.B. In the Chinese Iftirs'S services of C a pt. B rereton and Gen. D'Aguilar had 1,,0f similarly neglected. H e k new t h e S ecretarpet ' ti had no power in this case, but he hoped these retail' would be listened to in the proper quarter. Mr. F. MA ULE said that, so far as he had se en of I r. Horse Guards, he believed that great fairness was e a tal bited in their management. I n th i s Kafir war the Poi person said to be neglected was Colonel Somersett o il , intimate conn ex i on o f t h e per s on w h o was said to be powerful at the Horse Guards.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. OSBORNE—I don't believe he is. Mr. F. MAULE s a id th a t an y apparent neg l ec t of e t i b r ° officers in the Kafir war mi g ht ar i se f rom t h e whole Al cumstances not yet being taken into consideration: 10 , all events, it appe a r e d th e neg l ec t, if neg l ect there "ots was not confined to those of l ow ran k. A s to CePhice Hogg, he did not hold the rank which brought t he within the scope of the decorations alluded to. Cf be question of the general man ag e men t o f t h e er';' / be would not enter into detail s , as i t was now under consideration of a Committee. '0 t " Mr. HUME said that not one o f th e re f or ms I e ars army recommended by a Commission that sat nil le i Lioot ago had been carried out, although that CoaTl . ,i n et, which comprised four members of the present vl on s amongst others, th,letntheorHofrosuerGteuenardrsecsohnioumbeinbcleepis%de , had made thine , on the same footing as the navy. This had b een _ldier 5 case, although the Duke of Wellington, the s r. one friend, filled the office of Commander-in-Cbie ne re great defect of our system was that there wer' ne I nv e to wards for civilians for distinguished service!, derstood the Committee on the estimates had r ef the duty make any recommendation as to the army 1. ca rryin4 would therefore devolve on the Governineht.: ly out the reforms so long needed. He entt ra e sk wa s of with the Secretary -at-War in thinking till" little consequence to military men. '3 ineligib • • WY Mr. OSBORNE said that Captain Hogg e d by maki y g to decoration might easily have been retne:. , . 13► although a him a _major, In the ease of . Major Pears ._ „ wo o , MO Or, no deuorativa was Oyez Xte 10 " r " (/‘ differed ',•.,