The Sun. — London, England, 1865-06-14 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS—LAsT EVE.NING. - - _ The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. Lord ST. LEONARDS presented a bill forbidding rail way companies to confine passengers to the carriages by locking the doors on both sides. It was proper, ho thought, that carriages should be locked on one side that passengers might not improperly leave them. After some short discussion, the bill was read a first time. THE BIRTH OF A PRINCE. Earl GRANVILLE moved that an humble address be presented to her Majesty, congratulating her upon the fact that a prince had been born by her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, and assuring her Majesty of the loyal attachment of their lordships. The Earl of MALMESBURY thought some expression should come from that side of the house to show how deeply they sympathised with the sentiments expressed by the noble earl, and in the absence of the Earl of Derby he offered such sentiments to their lordships. The motion was then agreed to. ABYSSINIA. Lord CHELMESFORD said that on a former evening the noble earl at the head of the Foreign-office had stated that Sir W. Coglan was of opinion that it was not desirable to send a mission to Abyssinia with presents until the pri soners had been released from captivity. Thinking that opinion a rather extraordinary one, he had got a relative of Capt. Cameron to write to Sir W. Coglan on the subject. In reply to that letter, Sir W. Coglan stated that what he in tended to convey was, that a mission should be sent with presents, and an answer to the King of Abyssinia's letter ; but that that answer should contain no reference to the de tention of the prisoners ; that the ambassador should appear to discover this for himself on his arrival in the country, and should then employ his best efforts to obtain their re lease, withholding for that purpose the delivery of the Queen's letter and of the presents until the Englishmen in captivity were liberated. But Sir W. Coglan stated that the position of things had now been greatly changed in conse quence of the disagreements that had taken place, and that he thought the Queen's letter should now refer distinctly to the detention of her subjects. Sir William's opinion was that the efforts of Mr. Rassam had failed, and that it would be requisite to send out a mission from England, adding that he would be willing to undertake the duty of envoy. Earl RUSSELL said that he had communicated with Sir W. Coglan through Mr. Layard, and it was probably in this way that the misunderstanding had arisen. The Earl of MALMESBURY asked whether it was true that the fatal mistake of detaining the King of Abyssinia's letter for some months did not originate in the Indian office. It seemed to him that both the Government and a., country had displaypd etim,aly with regard to the treatment of our countrymen in Abyssinia. Earl RUSSELL replied to the noble earl's question, but in so low a tone as to be inaudible in the gallery. lie also pointed out that it was utterly impossible to bring force to bear upon the King of Abyssinia, because, in order to do so, it would be requisite to march 5,000 men for 200 miles through a very hot and unhealthy climate. The subject then dropped. PUBLIC-HOUSE CLOSING ACT (1864) AMEND- MENT BILL. On the order of the day for going into committee on this bill, Lord KINNAIRD said that he thought to permit certain licensed victuallers' houses to remain open within the pro hibited hours would do great injustice to the houses that were compelled to close. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said that the act of last year was found to work great harm, and it was abso lutely necessary to relieve the cases of hardship which had arisen under it. Earl GRANVILLE thought that the act of 1864 was a very useful one, but it had undoubtedly inflicted great in justice upon particular classes, and for that reason it was necessary to amend it in the way proposed to be done by this bill. He objected, however, to give the power of grant ing exceptional licenses to the magistrates, preferring that it should be vested in the hands of the police. Lord REDESDALE said that he did not think that this bill was either necessary or would work satisfactorily. He thought the. means might readily be found to remedy all the inconveniences complained of in the working of the act of last session, without passing a bill of this kind. The Earl of DONOUGIIMORE asked how noble lords would like to have the same measure meted out to them that the act of 1864 meted out to the industrial classes who were compelled to work during the night? (Hear, hear.) What would they say if they were told, after leaving the house after a late division, at 2 o'clock in the morning, that they should have refreshment at their clubs ? (Hear, hear.) Besides, even if they could not get refreshment at their clubs they could get it from their own cellars ; but the compositors and the people attending the markets could not do this, and it was therefore all the more necessary that public-houses should be open for their accommodation. He thought it was most unjust to deprive of all refreshment men who were compelled to pursue their avocations during the night. He complained strongly of the conduct of Earl Granville, who had, at the last moment, intimated his in tention to move amendments of which he had not given notice. He thought that the bill should be allowed to pass through committee in its present form, and that then amendments should be moved, after due notice given, on the third reading. Earl de GREY and RIPON was quite willing to take this course. Lord REDESDALE that it would be better to postpone the committee. Earl GREY concurred with the chairman of committees on this point. After a few words from Lord CHELMSFORD and Lord BEDESDALE, The House went into committee on the bill. On clause 1, Lord DENMAN expressed a strong objection to entrust ing the power of granting licences. Clauses up to 5 were agreed to. On clause 5, Earl DE GREY and RIPON proposed to amend it by taking from the magistrates and giving to the police the power of granting licences to keep houses open during the prohibited hours. The Marquis of CLANRICARDF apposed the amend ment. After a brief discussion the amendment was agreed to, Tho Marquis of CLANRICARDE intimated his inten tion to move the restoration of the clause to its original form on a future stage of the bill. The clause as amended was then agreed to. The bill passed through committee, and was reported. PARTNERSHIP AMENDMENT BILL. Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY presented a petition in favour of the bill from the Law Amendment Society ; and he then moved the second reading of the measure. Its object was simply to enable one person to lend money to another on the terms of receiving a share of the profits without thereby rendering himself liable as a partner. The bill might be considered as a compliment to the Limited Liability Acts, and he thought that it should be passed as an act of justice to the private trader. It would also enable a child or widow to take by bequest a share in the trade of their deceased father or husband without thereby being made a partner, while the remaining provi sion would give employers the power to pay their servants by a share in the profits without making them partners. Lord ST. LEONARDS believed that no more important bill had ever been brought under their lordships' atten tion. By the law of England it was established that those who shared in the profits should also share in the losses of a business. He believed that the prosperity of the country had mainly arisen from this state of the and from the stimulus which it had given to industry and commerce. If this bill passed men would be encouraged to abstain from work, and to invest their money in other men's businesses, of which they would take a large share of the profits. A great and mischievous encouragement would thus be given to idleness. This bill was an attempt to introduce a great change in our social system, and a change too not in favour of any ono who deserved consi deration. No man deserved consideration who would not work, but sought to live by lending his money on terms which would enable him to share the profits without being liable to the losses of a business. Lord CRANWORTH said that all the bill dill was to leave borrowers and lenders to contract on the terms which they might deem most advantageous to their interests. The security of the creditors of a firm would not be im perilled by passing this bill ; and he hoped therefore that the nouse would not refuse their assent to it. Lord WENSLEYDALE, who was perfectly inaudible in the gallery, was understood to state a number of objec tions to th e provisions of the bill The LORD CHANCELLOR * said that the bill would relieve the law fronrithoeu mischievousconsequences of an injurious d ec i s i on ponr d Those long t im e since, and since followed by oth er d ecision decisions had had most injurious results. There w as no reasonable ground for saying that a person became p art ner with another merely mon e y on because he lent him of a shays condition that he should bo paid interest in the shap e of the profit s . This was most unjust, and it would have a been iastonishing pr to it notnishin b , ,n gt e he people should have so long it,subreittedpotooi had was eceo-lent the . for the reverence of the English o p The doctrine upon which he was com ment i ng c hild of the old prejudice against usury, and now that the la ws against usury had been got rid of, it was time that this offshoot from them should follow. The noble and learned lord then discussed at some length the case of " Waugh v. Carver," and t he decisions b y wh ich it had been . followed ; pointing out at some length the ab sur d conclusions to which they had been led, and the subtle and refined distinctions they bad introduced into the law of partnership. This bill had been introduced to establish the simple principlethat men should be allowed to contract en the terms they chose, and that no consequences should be given to such contract but those which naturally re sultei from it. He believed that this principle was sound in itself, and that its establishment would be of great ad vantage to the trading community. He believed that many of the difficulties which arose between employers and em ployed might be removed by the operation of this measure, which would enable a master to give his men an interest in his business without making them partners. The bill was then read a second thno. The house went into committee on the Mortgage De benture bill, but aftersome conversation the house resumed, and the measure was referred to a select coilimittee. The Land Debenture Bill was read a second time and The Sewage Utilisation Bill was read a third time and passed. The Militia Ballots Suspension Bill and the Militia Pay Bill were read a second time. The Local Govemment Supplemental (No. 3) Bill passed through committee, and the Local Government Supple mental (No. 4) bill was read a second time. Their lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING. The SPEARED. took the chair at half-past 12 o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following bills were read a third time and passed:— Bromley tas ; Enniskillen, Rundoran, and Sligo Railway; Furness and Lancaster and Carlisle Union Railway ; Old ham Borough Improvement; Sirhowy Railway ; South Eastern Railway ; Stapenhill and Burton-upon-Trent Bridge ; Wigtownshire Roads ; and Worcester, Dean Forest, and Monmouth Railway. PRISONS BILL. Sir G. GREY moved the third reading of this bill. Mr. NEATE opposed the bill as ono of undue severity. The continental Governments were doing all in their power to improve the prison discipline, while we were, on the contrary, acting in entirely the opposite direction. The bill was read a third time. RECORD OF TITLES (IRELAND.) In committee of the whole house, a resolution was agreed to for making provision for the payment of the stamp duty in connection with the records of titles in Ireland. GREENWICH HOSPITAL BILL. The house went into committee on this bill. Clauses up to 14 were agreed to. On clause 15, Mr. AYRTON moved the insertion of certain words to extend the benefits of the hospital to merchant seamen as well as those of the royal navy. After a few words from Mr. CHumr..us and Admiral WALCOT, the amendment was withdrawn, and the clause agreed,to. Clause 21 to 43 were agreed to without discussion. On clause 44, Mr. LIDDELL took occasion to correct a misunder standing which had attached to some words which had fallen from him. He never meant to cast any imputation on the manner in which the naval chaplains were ap pointed. The clause was agreed to, as were the several clauses following. nn clause 51, Mr. LIDDELL moved an amendment which amounted to an entire remodelling of the clause. Mr. CHILDERS defended the clause, remarking that it was the object of the bill to induce pensioners to leave the hospital. Sir L. PALK did not think it was right on the part of the Government to use the funds of the hospital as they proposed. The captains of the hospital had presented a petition praying that they might not be deprived of their position on the active list,which they would have occupied had they not accepted the appointments they had in the hospital, and hoped their wishes would not be disre garded. Mr. CORRY said he thought the present governor of the hospital ought to be restored to the list, in order that he might be enabled to fulfil the office of Admiral of the Fleet, if appointed. Mr. CHILDERS said the Governor and Deputy-Gover nor of the Hospital, after the passing of the bill, retain their titles and the full pay appertaining to them, and also their residence, if they felt so disposed. The clause was then agreed to, as were the remaining clauses in the bill. Mr. CHILDERS said he had now to move the insertion of an additional clause. There had been discussion on a former occasion, and the Government had felt it incumbent on them not altogether to disregard it By the clause he now proposed the present governor would be retained in his office, but on his death the Government proposed to take power to appoint an officer who would be termed a visitor. The office would be worth £l,OOO per annum, and would be conferred when vacant as a reward for meritorious services. (Hear, hear.) A short discussion ensued, during which some members expressed their approval of the course of the Government, and Mr. Henley, on the contrary, thought it highly objec tionable that such a clause should have been brought for ward and carried at a morning sitting, without the slightest notice. The clause was then agreed to, the house resumed, and the chairman reported progress. NAVY AND MARINE BILLS. These two bills for amending the law with respect to wills and the property of deceased members of the two services, passed through committee. NAVAL AND MARINE PAY AND PENSIONS BILL. This bill passed through committee without amend ment. COLONIAL LAWS VALIDITY BILL. The house went into committee on this bill ; the whole of the clauses were agreed to without amendment, and the bill was reported. COLONIAL MARRIAGES VALIDITY BILL. This bill also passed through committee. The sitting of the house was then suspended. The house resumed at 6 o'clock. RAILWAY ACCIDENTS. Sir L. PALK gave notice that in going into committee of supply on Friday he should put a question to the Pre sident of the Board of Trade relative to the power pos sessed by that department to enforce precautions for the safety of railway travellers. THE POLICE AT PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Lord R. MONTAGU asked the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department whether third-class pay, as well as an extra sum of is. a wog; was received by the police on duty at Somerset House, the Tower, the Gun Factory, the clothing stores, South Kensington Museum, Chelsea, Hospital, and Greenwich Hospit a l. _ _ Mr. BARING said the noble lord had not been correctly informed. The police in question did receive third-class pay, but they did not receive 7s. a week, or any other extra payment whatever. THE CASE OF MRS. GRAY. Colonel SYKES asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any and what progress had been made in obtaining compensation for Mrs. Gray, whose husband was murdered by Lieutenant Donovan, of the United States Navy, near the Cape of Good Hope. Mr. LAYARD said several representations had been made to the United States Government on behalf of Mrs. Gray, and a memorial drawn up by her was sent to the secretary of that Government ; but they had declined to make compensation, and her Majesty's Government had been informed that after the trial and verdict - which had taken place in the United States they could not press for compensation. THE CHARITY BOARD COMMISSIONERS. Mr. FERRAND asked the right hon. the First Unpaid Commissioner of the Charity Board, whether it was in tended to fill up the office of Charity inspector vacant by the death of Mr. John Simon; junior. . _ Mr. BRUCE said he only received the intelligence of Mr. Simons's death yesterday afternoon, and therefore he was not prepared to give a definite answer to the question of the right hon. gentleman. Mr. FERR,AND—When will the right hon. gentleman say ho will give it ? Mr. BRUCE requested that the question might be re peated a few days hence. Mr. FERRAND begged leave to give notice that if ho did not get a distinct answer by Thursday next ho would move for a select committee to inquire into all the circum stances connected with the appointment of Mr. John Simons, jun. THE PAPER TRADE. Mr. A. TURNER asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government did not recently institute an inquiry, through the collectors of excise, as to the con dition of the paper trade ; and, if so, whether ho had any objection to lay a copy of the correspondence before the house. Mr. M. GIBSON said the Government had not instituted any inquiry through the collectors of excise into the con dition of the paper trade ; and there was no official notes on the subject. DOCKS AT BERMUDA. Sir J. PAKINGTON asked whether the Admiralty was taking steps with a view to the construction of docks at Bermuda. Lord C. PAGET proposed to have a careful inquiry into the subject, with a view to placing before the house an estimate next year. METROPOLITAN PAVING. Sir W. FRASER moved an address to the Queen, pray her to appoint a commission to inquire into the operation of the act 18th and 19th Vic., cap. 120, so far as the same relates to the paving, lighting, and cleansing of the metro polis. The hon. member complained that the streets of London in these respects were disgraceful. So far as paving was concerned, ho had never seen a provincial borough that was not in a better condition than that ria sacra of the West-end, St. James's-street, Pall-mall, and Piccadilly. The lighting, moreover, was bad, and the streets were shamefully dirty, being supplied with gutters through which the water would not run, and which wore neglected in the grossest manner. The question was whether the local boards or vestries had done their duty, and he was not prepared to say that they had not ; but the fact was that the act under which they were constituted gave them powers which they found it impossible to carry out. With the view of providing a remedy ho suggested that it would be well to appoint a Royal commission com posed of scientific men to inquire into and report upon the ' subject. The motion was seconded by Lord GALWAY, and sup portedThediscussion continued by Mr. TITE an d L or d by Mr. n ANK was. EY FERMOY. Sir G. GREY admitted that tho present system w as not a very satisfactdry one, but what was wanted was better and more efficient superintendence. • TI-IE SUN, LONIJON, WEDNESDAY EViriNiN.6-, JUNE 14, 1866. With regard to the motion for a Royal commission, he hardly knew what, if appointed,it would have to do ; for the facts were patent and the state of the law was wellknown. In his opinion the real remedy lay in the transfer of power from the local vestries to the central body, the Metropoli tan Board of Works. Sir W. FRASER having expressed himself content with the admissions of the Home Secretary, the motion was withdrawn. THE BELFAST RIOTS. Mr. O'REILLY moved a resolution to the effect that the evidence taken by the commissioners appointed to inquire into the Belfast riots contained statements so seriously im pugning the official conduct of certain magistrates, that equity to the magistrates accused, and a due regard to the vindication of the impartiality of the administration of jus tice, required that a full inquiry into the truth of these charges should be instituted by the authorities entrusted with the supervision of the magistracy in Ireland. Sir R. PEEL granted that the magistrates of Belfast had exhibited a great want of judgment during the late un happy riots. In fact, they seem to have lost their heads on the occasion. Upon submitting to the Lord Chancellor the question whether any action should be taken against them, the learned lord expressed an opinion that, although the evidence was sufficient to show that they had not acted with prudence, it would be unwise and even dangerous to reopen an inquiry into their conduct after the investiga tions of the commissioners. To that view the Government had given their adhesion, and they did not think that further action should be taken beyond the Irish Constabu lary Bill which was now before Parliament, and which he hoped would suffice to prevent a recurrence of events that all must deplore. True, that measure would not be in operation when next fresh disturbances might be appre hended, but Government would take steps to have an ade quate force in the neighbourhood for the protection of life and property on the occasion. Sir H. CAIRNS replied at considerable length to the animadversions of Mr. O'Reilly upon the local magistracy, who, although the commissioners said some of them might have committed s.':rious errors in judgment, were not chargeable with any neglect of duty. He hoped the Con stabulary Bill would prove useful on future occasions, but he confessed he did not auguk so much from it as the Chief Secretary did, and was rather disposed to trust to the good sense of the people themselves, who must now see that these riotous proceedings not only brought great discredit on their town but inflicted injury upon the trade and com merce of the place. After observations irom the O'Connor Don, Mr. M‘Ma hon, Mr. Verner, Mr. Whalley, Mr. Torrens, and Mr. Maguire, Sir G. GREY expressed a hope that Mr. O'Reilly would be satisfied with the discussion that had taken place, and not press his motion to a division, as no practical benefit could accrue therefrom. Mr. O'REILLY declining to accede to the request, the house divided, and the motion was negatived by 132 to 39. HARBOURS OF REFUGE. Sir F. SMITH moved the following resolution :—" That, in the opinion of this house, her Majesty's Ministers should now adopt measures for the construction of some of the harbours of refuge on the coast of Great Britain and Ire land recommended by a committee of this house in 1857, and by a royal commission in 1859." The hon. and gallant member observed that the public money was being spent on necessary and unnecessary things in all directions, and he thought the time had arrived when an outlay might be made with advantage in the interests of humanity. Whilst the mercantile marine of the country had gone on increas ing in an ever-augmented ratio, and the losses sustained in coasting vessels continued in proportion, the recommenda tions of successive commissions and committees of inquiry remained practically a dead letter, although an expenditure of £1,340,000, spread over a period of 13 years, would be adequate to meet the present requirements of the case. Mr. BLAKE seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr. GRANT DUFF, who censured the Government for the apathy they had displayed in reference to this important subject. Mr. GIBSON opposed the motion on the ground, inter alia, that the shipping interest objected to the recommen dation of the commission that they should contribute a tax towards the construction of harbours of refuge. All the commission had been appointed to do was to indicate the sites best adapted for such harbours, and they exceeded their powers when they treated the question from a finan cial point. Since he had been at the Board of Trade he had never received a single representation from shipowners on the subject, and in his communications with thorn he had always found that they were either opposed to or regarded with utter indifference these harbours of refuge. More over, he denied that there was any evidence to show that if the expenditure mentioned were incurred it would pro duce any perceptible effect upon the loss of life and pro perty which annually took place on our coasts or in the adjacent seas. To save life from shipwreck the best means, in his opinion, were to establish lifeboats and good rocket apparatus in positions where casualties most frequently oc curred, and to assist voluntary efforts in improving the en trances to existing harbours ; and this was being done to a considerable extent under the Harbours Act by advances of public money at a low rate of interest. The motion was supported by Mr. Kendall, Mr. Liddell, and Sir J. Hay. A brief reply from Sir F. SMITH closed the debate, and upon a division the motion was rejected by 111 to 99. Much amusement was created by the fact that two or three members of the Government, including the Solicitor-Gene ral, voted with the minority. Amid cries of "Withdraw," "Go on," and "Move," shouts of laughter, and a variety of noises, Mr. 11. BER KELEY, who had given notice of a motion in favour of the vote by ballot, then rose and said that, at that hour of the night—twenty minutes past twelve—ho felt he should not be doing justice to the "great question " by submitting his resolution to the house. He therefore postponed it to a future day. This announcement was followed by a deep, sepulchral groan from a member on the Radical benches, which was echoed from the opposite side by a diminutive squeak—at which the house roared, so accurately did it seem to represent the importance of the "great question" that had literally been " talked out." The house was speedily cleared of about 150 of the 200 gentlemen who had previously thronged its benches, and Mr. Locke was left quietly to proceed with his Theatres Bill. The remaining business on the paper having been gone through, the house adjourned at twenty minutes past one o'clock. HEALTH OF LONDON, (From the Registrar-General's Weekly Report.) In the week that ended on Saturday, June 10, the birtks registered in London and ten other large towns of the United Kingdom were 3,876 ; the deaths registered, 2,637. The annual rate of mortality was 21 per 1,000 per sons living. In London the births of 1,008 boys and 948 girls, in all 1,956 children, were registered in the week. In the corre sponding weeks of ten years, 1855-64, the average number, corrected for increase of population, was 1,920. The deaths registered in London during the week were 1,289. The average number for the twenty-third week, viz., the corresponding week in ten years 1855-64 is, with a correction for increase of population, 1,174. The present return exhibits an excess of 115 deaths over the estimated number. Tho deaths show an increase on thoso of the two pre vious weeks, in which the numbers were successively 1,249 and 1,187. Diarrhoea increases, but by slow degrees; the cases returned as fatal in the last three weeks having been 27, 38, and 44. A man, aged 34 years, was fatally wounded on the head by the spur of a gamecock. A young man died of hydro phobia in Westminster Hospital from haying been bitten by a dog about nino weeks previously. The following fatal carriage accidents were registered in the week ; they were seven :—On the 6th June, in the Royal Free Hospital, a railway porter, aged 22 years, died from injury by a van ; on the 6th Juno, in the same hospi tal, the wife of a house painter, aged 35 years, by a cart ; on the 31st ult., tho daughter of a costermonger, aged 3 years, by a dray in York-street, Walworth ; on the 7th June, the son of a butcher, aged 5 years, by a van in White chapel-road ; on the 31st ult., in King's College Hospital, the daughter of a labourer aged 2 years, by a cart in Little Wyld-street ; on the 3d June, in St. Bartholomew's Hospi tal, alabouror, aged 63 years, by a cart at Lambeth; on the sth Juno, in the same hospital, a brewer's servant, aged 45 years, by a dray at the Poultry. The rate of mortality last week was 22 per 1,000 in Lon don, 28 in Edinburgh, and 25 in Dublin; 34 in Liverpool, 25 in Manchester, 26 in Salford, 15 in Birmingham, 24 in Leeds, 21 in Bristol, 23 in Hull, and 31 in Glasgow. The rate in Vienna was 40 per 1,000 during the week ending the 27th ult., when the temperature was 4.1 deg. higher than in the same week in London, where the rate was 22 per 1,000. In Liverpool the births were 383, the deaths 314 ; in Manchester the births 180, the deaths 173; in Salford the births 55, the deaths 55; in Birmingham the births 242, the deaths 94; in Leeds the births 190, the deaths 103; in Bristol the births 104, the deaths 64; in Hull the births 84, the deaths 45; in Edinburgh the births 143, the deaths 95 ; in Glasgow the births 387, the deaths 250; and in Dublin the births 152, the deal hs 155. There were 425 deaths in Vienna during the week ending the 27th ult. At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean height of the barometer in the week was 30.167 in. The mean daily reading was above 30irt. on the first six days. The reading of the barometer was 22.90 in. on Sunday morning, and rose to 30.36 in. on Thursday. The mean temperature of the air in the week was 63.6 dog., which is 6.3 deg. above the ave rage of the same week in 50 years (as determined by Mr. Glaisher). The mean daily temperature was above the ave rage throughout the week; excess was greatest on Tuesday and Friday. The wind was variable, but south-west and north-west were the prevailing directions. There was no rain. Tho lowest night temperature occurred on Monday, and was 50.9 deg. The highest day tempora!are was 82 deg., and occurred on Friday. The range in the week was there fore 314 deg. Tho mean daily range was 23.5 deg. The highest reading of a thermometer in the sun was 136.2 deg. on Thursday. The mean degree of humidity of the air was 71, complete saturation being represented by 100. ELECTION INTELLIGENCE. WESTMINSTER. A meeting of the electors of Westminster favour able to the claims of Mr. William Henry Smith was held last evening at Willis's Rooms, to meet the honourable candidate, and hear from him an ex position of his political views. The meeting was held in the Lower Room, which was crowded. Mr. J. L. Elliot, in the absence of Earl Percy, presided; and there were present on the platform the Hon. Admiral Duncombe, M.P., Col. Brownlow Knox, M.P., Sir J. Heron Maxwell, Mr. J. Taverner Miller, M.P., Colonel Bagot, Mr. Twining, Mr. Pratt Barlow, Mr. Murdock, Mr. Carter Wood, Hon. R. Grimston, Colonel Rowley, Mr. G. A. Miller, Mr. Beckwith, Mr. J. G Talbot, Mr. J. Wood, Mr. Hartley, Mr. Golding, Mr. Cribb, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Granville Ryder, Dr. Witt, Dr. Duncan, Mr. Low, Mr. Spencer Perceval, Mr. Tuxford, Mr. Mason, &c. Mr. Smith was loudly cheered on entering the room, and was hailed with repeated shouts and hurrahs. The CHAIRMAN briefly stated that the object of the meeting was to afford to the Conservative can didate for Westminster an opportunity of meeting a large number of those whom he hoped soon to call his constituents, to explain his political views, and to answer any questions they might desire to put. Mr. Smith had already avowed moderate conserva tive:principles, and his determination to resist all innovations which under the spurious name of Re form threatened to undermine our glorious consti tution. Mr. W. H. S3lllll then came forward, and of ter the cheering by which he was again greeted had sub sided, and he had claimed the indulgence of his audience on the ground of his want of practice in public speaking, said he desired honestly and openly to state the opinions by which, whatever the result, he resolved to be guided. It had been said that he came before them as a Tory ; one of that good old and respectable political party. He had not the honour to be a Tory. Then it had been said he was a milk-and-water politician. He did not come before them as a party man, but one who was determined to maintain his independence. (Cheers.) There was no leader at present to whom he was disposed to give in his undivided allegiance. He had great respect for our old and glorious constitution, and he hesitated in acquiescing in any measures which he thought would in the slightest degree impair it. Speaking of Mr. Baines's bill, which proposed to ad mit the upper stratum of the working classes to the franchise, they were all the working classes. He held the franchise, and had done so for 20 years, but he had not been admitted as one of any parti cular class. He did not think the £lO household franchise at all too high a qualification, nor was it one that any working man who chose to be indus trious and steady could not obtain. He was not pre pared therefore to vote for a£6 franchise. (Hear.) Then who was to decide where the line of the upper stratum of the working classes was to begin ? The qualification for the franchise should be some test that the party exercising it had something like a stake in the country, or would exercise it for the good of the country at large. During the seven years of the present Parliament the country had been prosperous and content, and if it had not been the Parliament would have been dissolved before. What was the object of the present appeal to the consti tuencies ? It was to ascertain whether the people were prepared for a great constitutional change. They were told if the country desired in answer to that appeal to demand reform it would be granted. He wished it to be distinctly understood that he did not come before them as the advocate of any radical change in the constitution. On the contrary, he was opposed to it. He was desirous to remedy all abuses that existed, but he denied that all reform was centred in a lowering of the franchise. There were reforms of a more practical character. There was such a thing as administrative reform. It had been said the other day that it was difficult to check the national accounts so as to promote economy. He believed in this way reform was necessary, and that in this direction the executive required to be strengthened. Then there were social reforms— reforms in our streets and in the education of the people, and, if he might be allowed to say so, he would educate the people before he admitted them to the franchise. It was the case in this and other large towns, and in the agricultural parishes as well, in which the overcrowding of families ren dered it impossible to train up children in the know ledge and practice of moral principles and the social virtues. He thought that persons and the heads of families who lived in this way were not fitted for the franchise. (A Voice : "It was class legislation that made it so.") He did not give pledges ; brit there was one matter upon - which he would give a pro mise, and that was to give his best attention to the local interests of Westminster if returned. (Cheers.) The issue put to the electors was, would they send him to Parliament or send gentlemen who would admit all and any to Parliament--who would give the franchise to whoever asked it, and who having once committed themselves to this slippery path would slide down it to the very bottom. Some persons whom he had canvassed said, " There is really no difference between your vie ws an d m i ne , but having a l w ays voted for a Lib era l I must con tinue to do so." But he warned those who voted on that principle to remember that the present Par liament had existed for six years on unfulfilled pro mises, and that if they returned their membe r s on that principle they might find an o th er P ar li amen t disappointing them in the same way. (Hear, hear.) Admiral DuNco3lBE, M.P., moved a resolution approving of Mr. Smith's political principles, and pledging the meeting to use its best endeavours to secure his return. Mr. J. C. WOOD seconded this, observing that although Mr. Smith might not have the ability of a Gladstone, he had at least the honesty. (Cheers, and cries of " Gladstone for ever.") Mr. MARSHALL cordially accepted Mr. Smith as a candidate for the City of Westminster, for it was of the highest importance that the el ec to rs s h ou ld send to parliament a practical an d b us i ness man, and he thought no one who had heard Mr. Smith's statement could doubt that he was such a man. Mr. NEWBURY, an elector, who met with consi derable interruption, advocated the claims of Capt. Grosvenor. An ELECTOR inquired as to the hon. candidate's views in reference to the Maynooth grant. Mr. LEWIS addressed the meeting in support of the resolution, and deprecated the electors being dictated to by some nine gentlemen who selected themselves from the select vestries to dictate as to who should represent them. Mr. Smith represented to a tittle that moderate conservative sentiment which he believed pervaded the whole of the middle class of the electors of Westminster. (Hear, hear.) He advised the friends of Mr. Smith not to split their votes, but to plump for that gentleman, whose success in that case was certain. Mr. MILLER, M.P., also supported the motion, which was put a n d carr i e d w ith great cheering, three or four hands only being held up against it. Mr. W. H. SMITH moved a vote of thanks to the chairman (but without replying to the question about Maynooth) which was seconded by Col. Knox, M.P., and carried by acclamation ; and the chairman's brief acknowledgment closed the proceedings. A public meeting of the parishioners of St. Anne's and St. Martin's, Westminster, favourable to the re turn of Mr. John Stuart Mill at the forthcoming election, was held last evening in the Polygraphic Hall, King William -street ; Dr. Rogers in the chair. The CIIAIRMAN having expressed the pleasure he felt at presiding on such an occasion, said the elec tors met for the purpose of advancing the unequalled claims of Mr. Mill to their suffrage. He regretted to say that Engla,nd seemed to be the only country in which intellectual capacity did not meet with a pro per recognition, and there was no doubt the sarcasm that was directed towards us was to a considerable extent deserved. The distinguished gentleman who appeared as a candidate had lifted himself from the people to the foremost position amongst the people, and the City of Westminster would be honoured by having such a luau in the House of Commons to attend to their interests. He (the chairman) felt sincere sorrow at the retirement of Sir J. Shelley, who while he represented them never proved a re creant to the principles for which he was selected, and it was to be hoped for the public good that his services would not be lost to the country. Mr. T. HARE proposed a resolution recommend ing the election of Mr. Mill, and which was sub substantially the same as was adopted at other meet ings connected with the representation of West minster. Mr. M. CHAMBERS, in seconding the resolution, expressed a hope that what he called " money ocracy" would cease to command the influence which it exercised among constituencies, and that the electors of England would hasten to appreciate the independence which would be only secured by a determination to obtain the return of men of integ rity and talent. The resolution, which was duly supported, was then put to the meeting and carried amid acclamation. BEVERLEY. On Saturday Mr. D. Keane, Q.C., the Liberal candidate for the representation of this borough, addressed the electors for the first time. He met with a most enthusiastic reception. He considered it of great importance to secure freedom of election, and said that he would vote for any reduction of the franchise that he could get. If they approved his principles and sent him a proper requisition he would fight their battles to the last. CORNWALL (EAST). It is now certain that Mr. Robartes will yield to the expressed wish of the Liberals and come forward for re-election on the dissolution of Parliament. Mr. Kendall also will again solicit the suffrages of the constituency. There is no probability of a contest. DUNGARVAN. The announcement that Mr. Bernal Osborne will be put in nomination for this borough is, at least, premature. DURHAM (NORTH). Canvassing commenced in North Durham on Monday on behalf of the sitting members, Sir H. Williamson and Mr. D. Shafto. The two Liberal candidates are making common cause against the Conservative. The Liberals of South Shields met on Monday night, and arrangements were made for a thorough canvass on behalf of the two present Liberal county members. The Hon. G. W. Bar rington, the Conservative candidate, was expected in Sunderland yesterday. DURHAM (SOUTH). The Conservatives of South Durham are engaged in obtaining signatures to a requisition to Capt. C. F. Surtees, of Mainsforth, asking that gentleman to contest the division. The requisition to Mr. J. W. Pease, prpmoted by the Liberals, has already received upwards of 1,000 signatures. There is now a prospect of a warm contest in this division_of the county of Durham. GREAT GRIMSBY. The candidates for the representation of this borough, Mr. Chapman (Conservative) and Mr. Fildes (Liberal), are proceeding actively with their canvas. Mr. Fildes professes himself a Liberal who has " ever supported measures conducive to the ele vation and improvement of the condition of the people." Mr. Chapman in his address abstains from any expression of opinion. He says, however, "It has been a source of sincere gratification to me that during the time I have been your representative there has been a continuous advance in the com mercial prosperity of your town and port." HULL. It is stated that should any other gentlemen than the sitting members attempt to represent this borough, Mr. C. M. Norwood, shipowner of Lon don and Hull, will at once be brought forward. Mr. Norwood is unwilling to provoke a contest. KNARESBOROUGH. The present members for this borough, both of whom are Conservatives—Mr. T. Collins, jun., and Mr. B. T. Wood—have each issued a short printed address to the electors, soliciting re-election after the approaching dissolution of Parliament. The address of the Liberal candidate, Mr. Isaac Holden, of Oak worth-house, Kcighley, has previously been referred to in The Sun. NORTH RIDING OF YORKSHIRE. Mr. F. A. Milbanke, the Liberal candidate for the representation of the North Riding, delivered an address from the King's Head Inn, Darlington, on Monday. On the subject of Reform he avowed himself an advocate for the £6 franchise in boroughs, and the £lO franchise in counties. In conclusion he stated that he was there as an independent member, and would fight the battle to the death. - SOUTHAMPTON. The contest in this borough promises to be severe. Messrs. G. Moffatt and T. M. Mackay addressed a large meeting of their friends and supporters at the Victoria-rooms on Monday evening; Mr. Arthur Anderson, chairman of the Peninsular and Oriental and Union Steamship Companies, also urged their claims upon the constituency, as eminently quali fied by their extensive commercial experience to re present so important a port as Southampton. The meeting was presided over by Col. S. Tryon, J.P., and a resolution of confidence in Messrs. Moffatt and Mackay was proposed by Mr. G. S. Brinton, J.P., late mayor of the borough, seconded by Mr. W. C. Westlake, and unanimously adopted. On the same evening the Conservatives met in the Carlton-hall, under the presidency of Mr. J. R. Stebbing, J.P., to hear addresses from Mr. Alder man Rose and Mr. Russell Gurney, and a resolution pledging their support was carried on the motion of Mr. C. A. Day, J.P., seconded by Mr. W. J. Le Feuvre, J.P. Mr. Digby Seymour, Q.C., has an nounced his intention to address an open-air meet ing on Wednesday evening. ST. IVES (CORNWALL.) A second candidate for this scat, in the person of Mr. Edward Vivian, of Torquay, issued an address to the constituents on Monday last. He professes " political independence," and asks the votes of members of both political parties. At the same time he expresses his belief that the country has every reason to be satisfied with Lord Palmerston's Administration. STROUD. Mr. Poulett Scrope yesterday issued his address to the electors. After stating that he has represented the borough for the third of a century, he says : " I need scarcely 'make any new professions of political faith. The success which has attended Lord Palmerston's Administration, in preserving this country from foreign perils and fostering its material interests, has won for it almost universal approval, and will surely justify in your eyes my continuing to give it an earnest support." SUNDERLAND. Mr. H. W. Fenwick, M.P., met a large number of his supporters in the Central-hall on Monday ; Mr. Stobart occupied the chair, and after Mr. Fen wick had briefly addressed the meeting he and a large committee immediately proceeded to canvass the borough. Mr. Alderman Candish and his com mittee, and Mr. Alderman Hartley and his commit tee, are also making a diligent canvass. At a meet ing of the supporters of Mr. S. Lindsay, held at Sunderland yesterday, it was resolved that in the present state of that gentleman's health it would not be expedient to put him in nomination at the ensuing election. The contest runs between two Liberals and a Conservative. [ADVERTISEMENT.' - Holloway's Pills.—lmportant to the Sick.—Though the mind be downcast, and the body enfeebled by continued indisposition, the sufferer should at this season make a last effort to regain health by taking Holloway's purifying pills, which, by cleansing the blood, will search out the hidden cause of mischief and expel the seeds of most diseases. No invalid is too much reduced to undergo this very gentle treatment with safety and advan tage. Neither youth nor old age need fear any injury to the system from a regulated course of these pills. They are infallible in stomach complaints, bilious affections, sick ness, want of appetite, disordered bowels, constipation, and the annoyances which spring from derangement of the digestive and assimilating organs. SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. TIMES.—It is not surp r i s i ng th a t t h e pu b l i c m i nd should be still disturbed by the terrible railway acci dents of last week. Two-and-twenty deaths in four days are enough to frighten the most reckless tra veller, and to shake the f a ith even o f those easy going optimists who think it on l y won d erful that accidents do not happen more frequently. We also think that fact wonderful, f or every actual disaster is sure to bring us informati on o f a d ozen other occasions on which similar di sas t ers were on l y j ust escaped. This time, howe ver , th e a l arm h as b een more serious and enduring than usual, for the dis closures at the inquests have revealed a new and most formidable source of danger. We have been accustomed to hear of overworked guards, wearied pointsmen, mistaken signals, defective engines, and rapid succession of trains, but the " platelaying" department has hitherto been kept out of sight. Yet on that department depends everything else. The Folkestone train on Friday last was capable of run ning at 50 mil es an hour w ith per f ect sa f ety over any railway in the kingdom, but the " platelayers" had so managed matters that at a certain point of the line between Folkestone and London there was no railway at all. That w as literally the state of things. On the bridge at Staplehurst " a portion of the metal rail along w hi c h th e t ra i ns run was not in its place." In other words, for that distance there - was no railway, and so far as consequences were concerned it mattered nothing whether the break in the line was half a dozen yards long or half a dozen miles. Nothing could carry a train over that gap. The Folkestone train was made up in the most ap proved manner. There were seven first-class car riages to one second, two break vans, five breaks independent of the tender, and three guards. The breaks were put on, and the speed of the train actually reduced from 45 to 15 miles an hour ; but nothing short of actual stoppage could have averted the acci dent, and even then the facts would have been dis creditable in the extreme to the company's manage ment. The most fortunate event that could have happened would have been this—that at Head corn station notice should have been given that between that point and London some rails had to be laid down, and that the passengers must wait till that portion of the South-Eastern Railway had been opened afresh after being closed for repairs. As it was the bridge might have been broken down, and the train left to jump into the river, with about equal prudence. We observe that the South-Eastern Com pany have discreetly resolved not to dispute "their legal liability ; but their solicitor is mistaken in think ing that their acceptance of blame in this matter dis penses with the necessity of inquiry. There is not the least occasion to " save time," but, on the contrary, every reason for searching the case to the very bot tom. The accident at Staplehurst was by far the worse of the two. At Rednal, though the rails had been meddled with and the line disturbed at a most unsuitable period, there was still a railway, and if the engine had been a better one, 'and the train some what lighter, and the speed somewhat less, and the signalssomewhat better ordered, there mightpossibly have been no accident at all. But at Staplehurst there was a point at which the railway absolutely ceased. A " plate" or two had been taken up, and the line had become a mere gravel walk for the oc casion. We see it questioned with some minuteness whether a " signal" was or was not sufficiently dis played, but the point is of comparatively small im portance to themain issue. The only sufficient signal would have been a notice given at Folkestone that the South-Eastern line for that day was only open as far as Headcorn. The true question at issue concerns the whole system and practice of " platelaying." We must know how this work is done, under what arrangements, and, above all, under what superin tendence. As far as the evidence taken at the inquest goes, nothing can be more alarming than the revela tions. There seems to be no sufficient code of rules for the regulation of these most dangerous proceed ings, still less any effective supervision. 4 few " la bourers" work under the orders of a " ganger," and. the " ganger," as we presume, makes his own arrange ments for the work. At Rednal the representative of the Great Western Company said that " in ordi nary platelaying the platelayer would not require written instructions," but that directions would be extemporised by the " local engineer" and the " foreman of that portion of the line." He further explained that platelayers ought to show a caution signal when doing " slight repairs," and a danger signal when doing " heavy repairs." He did not, how ever, inform us who was to discriminate between slight and heavy, but we obtain from the evidence some insight into the practice actually prevailing. " If," said the last-mentioned witness, " there was no ballast under the sleepers, so that a train could not pass over it in safety, it would undoubtedly be the duty of a platelayer to send a man back with a proper signal." So we should think, but now see how the whole case was stated. " I believe," says Captain Tyler, the Government Inspector, " the accident has been caused by the want of properly packing up some of the sleepers after the lifting of the line." Very good. But John Crump, a " labourer," who worked under the " ganger," had explained all about the lifting and packing before hand. He said that on the day of the accident he and others had been engaged in " lifting" the line— that is to say, in raising the rails where they had become loose and depressed, end then packing them up again. About 1 o'clock in the afternoon the men had " raised two middles a little," and then " con tinued opening up the ballast till the excursion train came." They " did not take away more than the usual quantity of ballast." He considered that the line was "safe and packed sufficiently for a train to go over," but " it was not fully ballasted." Now, under these circumstances was it not "undoubtedly the duty" of somebody to send a man back with a proper signal —i.e., a signal of danger? Yet all that was done was to stick a pole in the bank about half a mile off, with a standing signal, not of danger, but of caution ; and it was not until the train was seen to be coming up, and coming up very fast, that the " ganger" sent the" platelayer" to warn the driver. It was then too late, for the• speed was high and the break-power small, so on the train came to its destruction. But we should like to ask another question, more comprehensive than any of these. These repairs of the permanent way of a railroad, render ing all traffic more or less dangerous or impossible, are found to be going on in one case at 1 o'clock in the afternoon and in the other at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on certain days in Whitsun week. Now, who selected such a time for such a work ? At this period of the year the work might just as well have been performed at 3 o'clock in the morning, when it would have been broad daylight, and no train would have been near. Who chose about the busiest time of one of the busiest days in the year for breaking upthe South-Eastern Railway at Staple hurst ? Was it a " ganger ?" If so, who are these " gangers" who are thus intrusted with duties re quiring the highest efforts of organization and fore thought ? What education have they received, and what salaries do they command ? We will put the platelayers out of the question, and assume that they are moderately-skilled labourers, answerable only to their immediate director. But who is this director ? ' We know what he ought to be. He ought to be a man of high intelligence, great powers of mind and special training. Upon him, as we have now learnt to our cost, depends the safety of every train started on its journey. It rests with him whether a railway shall be really a railway or only partially so, with bits of broken ro a d a t i n t erva l s . W e wai t with some interest for the revelation of the truth on this point, for it concerns the public more deeply and closely than many of the questions directly raised. HERALD.—There has just . been issued a Parlia mentaty blue book which contains a most extraordi nary series of statements. It is the Twenty-sixth Annual Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records. In this officially-tinted volume the duties of the department are declared as those of keeping safely and arranging the national archives, of mak ing calendars, inventories, and catalogues of the public muniments, and of producing documents for the service of legal, personal, historical, and govern ment inquiry. We observe a very large increase in the region of historical research, and the ground traversed is wonderfully wide. It would be impos sible, in fact, to enumerate within reasonable coin pass the points upon which book-compilers seem in doubt, and which they would have settled for them by the manuscripts in the Imperial collection. Did a particular event take place in the parish of Woodland, in the county of Dorset, exactly six centuries ago ? Who was the first rector of Kirk- Heaton, in Yorkshire ? What unclaimed property was left in the island of Tobago in the year 1794 ? Can the autograph of John Knox be absolutely verified ? Who were the original Pomeroys of Berry Pomeroy? To what did " the early Earls of Len nox" owe their social promotion? What was the real pedigree of Mr. Maudslay, the engineer ? And who did, as a plain matter of fact, copy the letter of Simon Bustall to his wife ? These arc a few o f the queries amid which the students in our Public Record-office are busying themselves; but the para graph of the report in which the nation at large is interested refers to Domesday Book. It is almost incredible that this classic among our national . an tiquities should have remained neglected and liter ally fading out of legibility. Last year we were told from the Ordnance Survey-office that copies of it had been multiplied by the process of photozinco graphy, and were on sale; but where was the origi nal—where was, we may say, the priceless volume ? It had been down at Southampton for three years in charge of an assistant keeper ; its covers had been removed, its leaves had been detached, it was - in deed unbound and brought to the condition of rub bish, when the Master of the Rolls interfered. Domesday Book, he affirmed, was deserving of bet ter treatment ; it should be rebound with a strength • • - _ and splendour worthy of its national importance and so the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury set themselves to work. They applied to the De' partment of Science and Art ; they invited a com petition of designs ; they appointed the Lord Pre' sident of the Council as arbiter, and Mr. G. Sy k ^ gf decorative artist of the S ou th Kensington Museum/ has been engaged to institute " the necessary inCe t ries about enamelling and other processes which may be expedient to adopt, and which will necessa, rily influence the, character of the d es ign. It is hoped7 a ' continues the report, " the work will be put in 113 , 1 % . in the course of . the year 1865." We have no', - word to say about the choice of this genn man ; but in what other country of Europe WO t Domesday Book have been a heap of manusc ri k rags in our generation ? It has actually been mud' • up with piperolls, household, and wardr obe accounts, ever since the middle ages, and, thol e often quoted, we are just beginning to apprec ia its value. The photo-zincography process, however' which has been applied to so many old charters an did not help to improve the condition of the origin vellum, so that all who interest themselves in n safety of our national archives, containing as they do the essence of our history, must be glad that Domesday Book—a document more interesting the even the Roll of Battle Abbey—is at length to ' 0 properly conserved. The ordinary reader loc/ w s little of it ; he will not puzzle himself with its curio is and motley language, its technical signs, or l to o mysterious contractions. But it is the sour, r which the historian goes. It is a great rerainued and almost a perpetual memory for England ; a n no matter what the inaccuracies of its surveY lll3 ,, o J have been, the result of the vast undertaking w a s invaluable. Modern compilers are in the habit .0_ ridiculing our Domesday Book, now ordered to 01't clothed in a new attire, with an Imperial Parliame to satisfy the tailor; but such are the rude founda tionsa of our national history. Surveying Iv o then an unknown science ; manors were reduced geometrical forms ; general outlines were ally% either stilly guessed or loosely irregular. Imm o ?' spaces of the land were unappropriated and un llll , proved, and the state of husb an d r y wa s deplorab le ' Still, if there be any advantage to be derived fro m „ the annals of our country and people, Domesd a y • is almost our earliest instructor. It tel by` ~," " " of our ancestors' clumsy ploughs, each drawn eight half-fed oxen ;of our wild wood pastures; of our timber which the very cattle cropped 6100; and of our stunted brushwood which 0 ....: v er 0 ; spread the natural pasture soil. Antiqu es ' • instinct, tear each other's hair over the b oo _ with a learned unction. We may leave them r e their discussions, while keeping the venere vellum to ourselves. They may decide as 'W e ft choose la3tween the Saxon and Norman styles, A n o f be as positive as they like about little edifl etSl great strength, with square piers, which ri r ' , have been built—if they must have it so--be' ° ' r the battle of Hastings. Domesday Book, hove° n is the property of E ng la n d f or all time, and we e . 3 e . only hope that Mr. G o df re y Syk e s w ill do it justieby Not, however, that it is ever likely to be read the general public, who might as well be call e r upon to gather yesterday's news from a P a r„ s t printed in short-hand. But every Englishman 111 k feel like an antiquary when he thinks of Domes nt Book. It is scarcely less than the commeneer ae o f of his written annals. It measured all the linesn property in the kingdom. It atoned for mall e a st of conquest and confiscation. It gave an in ter of to all ranks in the safe possession and desce nt vs the soil ; it created permanent classes, whi cu i wars or revolutions have been mischievous eno to annihilate ' • and in it we mark many traces 01 l ay line by which England advanced towards a fact, and solid civilisation. To the old Missi, " es ; who collected and compiled the materials of Pc l ; :a he day Book, we owe the earliest definition 01 , 0 0 limits of estates, the rights of ownership, and, 3 : t he all, an estimate of the number and condition 01 o f cultivating population. They were instrument°oi the Carlovingian Kings ; yet Mr. Godfrey i 5 , 13 „ 11 t binding their autograph reports in a magnii",t; volume. There may be economists who obJ e cs g but Mr. Hallam was right when he said that aill.„" to all treasures which a great nation should hold be precious are the original and authentic mat erl i i s t of its own history. Voltaire ridiculed a 8 7 03 , idea, ventured by a man less erudite than gra and less dull ; but all his subtle criticism coul d ° r or fix upon a doubt whether William the Conq ue w , created or improved the New Forest. That , 111:3 0 re ever, is a topic for general discussion. It is of M os immediate interest to learn that since the adroi ss f o r of inquirers to consult our public records, ,c3i literary, historical, antiquarian , and gene o . l° g l ber purposes, without payment of fees, their null'', y o has largely increased ; their investigations l' s „a ' been, on the average, of longer continuance A i - s r their usefulness in literature has been admitted all competent critics. But a great source of 0 101° "d; ante remains in the constant transfer of reO r pr , from one public office to another. When,. if ,e lt9 is this nuisance to be abated ? The Adrau - the sends a part of its papers in one direction, and who Home Department a puzzling batch in another , , l e d colonies want to get rid of all archives assoo l3 „ sc l with our mismanagement of the lonian Isl es, ;I L I the War Department wants to know why it sho cier keep itself informed concerning the troops 111i s j.. Lord Moira and the Duke of York, or thew c i a o cheren expedition. As to the Chancery' volumes, they had better be where Don (2 11 ,.' ). „ - e ba library was after the good scholar of La 3'"l,4ati had condemned its chivalrous enthusiasm. "d er e all events, whatever may become of this I l lg oo k, verbosity, we have a claim upon Domesday A' 1,0 and are not less delighted to learn that it is' t ° s e encased within solid and gorgeous covers, 8. 1 0 0 heirloom among our archives than to kin/L- 4 0 the same authority that the Lincoln copy of 1 1; Charta " is as clear and distinct as on the 1 1 . 0 14 was written." The Department of Public ite. c , o is really a valuable branch of the national servi" COUNTRY MARKETS LIVERPOOL—ESDAY. „„a At to-day's market there was Tau thin attend ee ' very limited demand was experienced for wheat " vro od!, the prices of Tuesday. Flour slow of sale, and 1)0P rather lower. Oats and oatmeal unchanged in val . ' l7O O the demand for each was quite in retail. Beans s mith neglected at our quotations. Indian corn met only o t irlsi! limited inquiry, but prices fully supported ; prinl e Q 6d t"' being held at 29s to 29s 3d, mixed American a 2° 5 295. per 480 lb. • SHEFFIELD—TUESDAY. d for .1 MO At There was a good attendance. and an active 03— te a IP - 4 wheats of good quality. Farmers and dealers a ccep il 0 ,0 week's prices, and 'a good business was done. pa r other grain sold moderately well at late rates. •6s pd Red wheat, per load of 3 imp. bushels-15s Od to ' , Od White do d d o o ... .. ... l l 6 7 ss Od 00d 1 : Ifs 6 . c0 s i New red do do ~ 6s d l o New white do 0 ,1 Beans do do ...Ass Od 00 Peas, per qr. Grinding barley, per qr 308 Od 3ss u`; Malting barley, 6o 32s Od o is . Oats, do 238 Od * F10ur....1s 6d to le 9d per 141 b. LEEDS—TUESDAY. nai ll°l ! The arrivals of grain to-day are small ; still lesso igl,P;i act on the reserve, and there is only a small uths_...f lli P ing at the rates of Tuesday last. Oats and heal"' " ii '. dear. 0 were 4 ., The average prices for the week ending June 1 - A &- Wheat, 43s 104 d per qr. , barley,Od ; e3l - —s / 24s 6d. MELTON MOWBRAY.—TtrEsDA I • a g White wheat, 41s to 46s ; red, 38s to 4 3 s Per ' o ''3oB P 1 e " Barley for malting, 32s to —s per qr ; feed, 260 t 00 1 30 stone. Oats, 18s to 255. Beans, old, 410 to 46' '36s to 43s per qr. MONMOUTHSHIRE—MoNDAY. t, 4° 1$ The following are the average quotations 08 9d to 5s 4d per bushel ; barley, 2s 11d to Bo 10d to 2s sd. Births. No r e lk, t" CRAWSHAY.—On the 11th inst., at Hingham , ,-- ° wife of Charles Crawshay, Esq., of a Son. ow , 11 ' MACHELL.—On the 11th inst., at the Vicarafiej3r.ol c )f Humber, the Hon. Mrs. Richard Beverley' P- 3 e ' c onl iti O'Bursx.—On the 10th inst, at Mount Trenchart-A of ~ - of Limerick, the wife of Edward W. O'Brien, Cahirmoyle, of a son and heir. • Marriages n 000111 Amos—CowNEY.—On the 10th inst., atßeddingtesr—ataitbi oil Thomas Adolphus Amos, Esq., of 119 A nnie sci'l Annie, youngest daughter of Charles Covino9l u 1 Coleman-street, city. nogg ° SAVILLE—DAVIES.—On the 12th inst., at St' - e rs P I Hanover-square, William Savile, Lieu t. 9th lial / au ghtf, of the Hon. Henry Alexander Savile, to Brailla Os` of Captain Delme Seymour Davies, df Iligh n°- - ganshire. t T — On t the 10th i D iI ii HN P Ga F st . Louisa Duff, widow of the late Gordon Duu , inspt.,eaattAhuse.liintoul gotise2, Ite,qll.,°olli We ft ' aged L Esq.' M.P" inst., at 11, ou , f A On the 9th - 13 ills Fitzroy aged 73. square, Mr. Charles KiLlOOll, late o J. LESLEY On the . 11th inst., Caroline, wife a r,i11'41,1:14,"1 Lesley, of 23 a_stre e ' Luxnrx.—On the 11th inst., at 3, Little Chesterfiel Mrs. Sarah Ann Lunclin, aged 94. Princes-gardens, iliue-' t ofSTANSFELD.—On the 9th inst., at Dkley, Hamer P....,- -- & A Esq., of Highfiold, Windermere, formerly of .' aged 69. iffarl e i SouTHEy.—On the 13th inst., at his residence, 11 - . ~ street, Cavendish -square, Henry Herbert outheY,.qaps, Fas.,D.C.L., Fellow of the Royal College of Pl l 3r 6l ' &c., aged 82. ----- - - - --- Ai n gig °. London : Printed and Published by VVIL LIAO A.- - fi o i!2 , of No. 112, Strand, Punter, at THZ SUN Oie e, ti Oi Strand, in the Precinct of the Sa;ov, in the COO" bliddlesex.—Wednesday, June 14, 1865. iun n This "°vern i Coon Oth er it p / Takei oZoi 'Asift " Il derta Ito I liaB' 11014 k... s T R] ..strt ion the 14 1113011 SU] 111 1? an ll] J o h„ It o W illi A ,d eri 'aPtait Th e 4.. J 01, 4 4 3,R r oh, 1.; Th e A • I j,93eir The ],s trel The Chei , s ____ 4 lldi L o n - ,___T, 1 ea l l ital 04 . 6 Tic Vekt At°c'g G e 11 4 4 td y le it C fli,ti,