The Sun. — London, England, 1852-03-19 00:00:00

THE ZOLLVEREIN CONFERENCE AT BERLIN. The Commisssioners of the Zollverein are convoked for the 14th of April, at Berlin. A. circular, dated the 6th of March, has been addressed to the Prussian Legation, charged to isssue the respective invitations. The following is a translation of this circular_ : " CONFERENCES AT BERLIN—CONVOCATION FOR THE 14Ta APRIL. " About the middle of last year his Majesty's Go vernment had the honour to address to all the Govern-, meats which united with him to form the Z Alverein, the invitation to send in the early part of this year plenipotentiaries to Berlin, for the purpose of fol lowing up the negotiations which might be necessary for renewing and extending the treaties of the union, and undertaking other necessary arrangements. To this the Government added the re quest that all would express their views in regard to the time which appeered to them most suitable for the meet ing of the plenipotentiar ies, in order that he might , in conformity therewith, address a special invitation for the time appointed to all the Governments concerned. o The Government of the King has seen with sincere satisfaction that the replies returned not merely express the cordial poromise of sending plenipotentiaries, but even the unanimous desire that the negotiations should be o pened hero as promptly as possible, either in February or early in the spring. For this reason the Government of the King considers that it can no longer hesitate to propose respectfully the 14th April, this year, as the day upon which the deliberations shall commence. "The point of view in which the Government of the King considers itincambent to place itself in the approach ing negotiations is this, that:it is not the question of con cluding a new union based upon laws, organization, and principles entirely new, but rather to continue and pro visionally to extend the union in its present form upon the basis of the organization, the laws, and the prin ciples now existing, in such wise that the present state of things, rather than any change being proposed in them, shall be considered as having to continue to exist entirely and without modification. " In this point of view the Government of the King has decreed the following propositions, which it consi ders should be taken into discussion, and which it has the honour to present; they concern:— " Ist. The directions in the constituted treaties and organic laws of the Zollverein, as they result from the treaty of the 7th of September last year, for the union of the Steaerverein and the Zollverein. " It is to be observed in regard to that treaty, to which, as the Governments of the Zollverein have been informed, Schaumburg Lippe has acceded since the 25th September last,year, after the national representa tives of the two countries had given their approbation to it, the Government of his Majesty the King of Hanover made the following declaration by a note, dated the 23d of last month:— " While admitting that the execution of Article 11 was rendered possible by the adhesion of the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, the Government of his Majesty the King of Hanover would, on its part, consider the object of the reserve imposed by it, obtained on the conclusion of the treaty of the 7th September last year in regard to the concord of the assembly of the states at the moment in which the ratifications of the treaty relative to the railway under date of the 27th January this year should be exchanged. and when the re,arve laid down by the Government of his Majesty the King of Prussia concerning the aseent of the Prussian national repreeentstion, received its accomplishment. The acceptance of the Grand Duehy of Oldenburg of the treaty of the 7th September last year has taken p i ec e, and on this point we would refer to the special communication a hich has this very day been addressed to the members of the Zollverein. Steps have likewise been taken to elf•ct the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty above-mentioned, cuucluded between Prweia sad Hanover for the construction of railways from Em den to Munster, end trum the Cologne-Maiden line to the Netherlands frontier by Osiabruck; and the mi ce airy measures have I,kswi,e been taken to obtain the consent of the Prussian Chambers for the due carrying out of the convention. " Another point concerns "2. The chip ,airless relative to the adoption of the decisions obligatory between the. Governments of the uni n. Amon, others it is propos, d 3. The new arrangement Lu be adopted in regard to the commerce of corn, &e., in times or dearth, or scar city of provisions; and deadly, " 4. The establishment of conaulates of the Z alverein. A c cording to the opinion entertained by the Govern ment of the litng and the principle adopted in the first organic treatiee of the Z dtverein, the renewed duration of the union should, as in 1841, be agreed upon again for a term of twelve years, with the right of denuncia tion two years beforehand, and wit's the reserve that if in this interval a Customs union should lie formed be tween all the German states— " The constitutive treaty of the Zollverein; should cease to exist at the moment the new treaty comes into force. " The Government of the King reserves to itself to propound other propositions, if it should consider them necessary: " Settiog out won the principles indicated above, which have guided it in its propositions, and likewise with the view of fulfilling the engagements contracted by it, the Government of the King has likewise invited the Governments of his Majesty the King of Hanover and of his Serene Highness the Grand Duke of Olden burg to take part in the conferences. " It is scarcely necessary to ri-Aterate that in the course of these deliberations it is important to preserve in the regulations the estz.blishment of the most intimate rela tions with Atittria, the ground of material interests. The Government of the King abides firmly by the de clarations awl the :I , surorw's made by it in that rcevet; but after mature and careful examination it is of opinion that in this respect it is not pos,iible to advance except by gradual progress. It is 01 opinion that it is, above all, important to fauna the Z _liverein anew and tr,on solid bases is the most extended form which its reunion with the Steuervereir, in order finally to arrive at ulte rior transformations which may bit considered useful. " It should be well understood that it would be time to decide at the close of the common deliberations and of the epoch at which the negotiations in this sense should be opened, and of the extent to be given to them. " Finally, the Government of the King conceives that it is of accord with all the Governments of the Zallve• rein that it would be desirable to make use of the ap proaching deliberations for regulating at the same time the qeiestions which should form the object of the gene ral ordinary conferences of the Z ,llverein, useful propo sitions for this object will be subsequently communicated. " You will have the goodness to address, according to the preceding, a note to the Ministry of —, request ing as speedily a reply as possible in regard to the de signetion of the plPnipotentiarits, and thu propositions which the -- Government intends to present to the Conferences. (Signed) " Berlin, March 6, 1852 " "VON MANTEUFFEL. NOTE TO THE PRUSSIAN ENVOY AT VIENNA. " Yeir Exe-lb,enoy w It find etmeeed in cepy the cir cular try elveli the Gov , r• m. - nt ot, the Kirg has now bowed the Stat., is et tne Z llv-rein, in the eoef-rences which will soon teke p ace here, web t• e view et' renew ing and ext riding he treaties et the Z liverein (Z dive roe Vurttage) " The Government of thy: IVng considers that it CAL -1:10t buffer this p.:-riod to pars &Oaring e ne-e, and wil.h entire cAndour, to the Imperial Aus;riart Go vernment, what are iu this affair its attitude, its views, and its tendence,s. "The tnotirts which have governed us in denouncing the treaties of the Z .11vurein are known. This denun ciation has taken plsti , ' ' net for the purpose of dissolving the associatio n , which has been attended with such happy results, nor of setting up a new creation in the place of that whi c h h as stoo d the tr i a l and confirmed the experience of many ye ars . I. was founded solely u pon the necelrity of opening a tree way to the ulterior development and extension of that which was already in existence. The desire of an ulterior development was provoked by t h e experience which had been gained at various times by several of the former associated states. The idea of extension arose on the accession of the new members added 15 the treaty o f d byth e ive September, 1851. If accession i b on y mea nwhile, in consequenceresent o t t i v t e h s e , approbation a the two national rep a of Oldenburg and of Scomburg-Lippe to the same treaty, the opening o f conferences fo r the continu ation of the Zollverein be proceeded wi t h, it ja, nevertheless, not our intention to strike out new, untried paths; and it w ould be equally unfounded to conceive that there was any attempt at a un i on of the plenipotentiaries of the German states, having in view free conferences which should su bvert the basis hitherto established. The starting point, on the contrary, will be the Zollverein, with its principles, its institutions, and its laws, as now existing. It is pro posed to perfect all, which, after &liberations and deci sions adapted to the advantage of all the states interest, shall be considered susceptible of being so perfected. Everything that is not changed will subsist as hereto fore, and will be rendered applicable to the new members of the association. " The conferences which we are now about to hold, are conferences for the ulterior maintenance of the Zoll verein, bearing in mind the accession of new members. Already in our note of the sth December, we have made known that we are quite disposed, after the close of these deliberations, to talv4 part in other deliberations on the constitution of the commercial relations of the Zollverein with regard to Austria and other German states. " While ace,ain expressing not only this disposition but likewise the firm hope that these deliberations will tend to realise a union conformable td the interest of all presiding, for the present as well as for the future, in regard to the whole of the commercial interests between Austria and the Zillverein enlarged and reconstituted. " We believe that we may by these presents exclude all apprehension implying that the conferences, which are now on the eve of commencing might in any respect whatsoever provoke the occurrence of incidents which might render such en accord ditlicult. Our own interests would be opposed to such a reeult. Oar propositions, berries, off:, additional guarantee in this respect. " Your Excellency will be pleased to express yourself in this Strnbe without delay to the Fres:dent of the jrpporial Cabinet, Prince i:iclawatzinberg; and, if he should desire, to give him a copy of the present dia• pate), as wen as 0 1 the circular enclosed with it. " Berlin, March 6 . 1852. " .17%;N " To his Excelle(rSiniygriped)n t Von Arnim, p r ivy Coury:ilior and Envoy of his Majesty at Vienn a , &c.,, Worcester Ci Y Prison, sari a local paper, has not been so empty in the month 9f &larch as it now is for the last twenty years. SUN, tain any reluctance to enter it, and that thus the 5,000 seamen of the reserve repairing to their ports might lead with them 10,000 good sailors more. In short, the aim of the proposal has been so much to create a tempo rary force which might be disbanded with a change of feeling, as to dispose the great body of the seafaring population in such a manner that men in any numbi-rs might be obtai.Jable at any moment. Under these per suasions, indeed, we have seen even snort terms of com mission and the speedy dispersion of ships' cre frs inge niously advocatv d as promoting the object in view, Inas much as the more effectually the merot►ant service was leavened by importations from the royal navy, the more likely would the royal navy be to derive attain from the merchant service an abundance of desirable resources. It is urged, besides, that such a system being devoid of the offensive character assumed by positive augmenta tions of force, would call for no corresponding augmen tations on the part of foreign Governments, and would therefore be under no risk of defeating its own ends. Without attaching equal weight to all these arguments, we cannot deny that, in addition to much plausibility, they contain a substance of truth. Still, considering how very extensively our merchant service must have been already imbued with the elements referred to. we can hardly look upon the experiment as a new one, though, no doubt, the " reserve" seamen, being picked men and well affected to the service, may disseminate juster notions of its character than would be given by sailors actually dismissed or rudely discharged. It might be said, however, that if the principle of the naval reserve should really be found efficient, it will soon evince the inutility of any reserve at all, for if once the merchant service can be generally brought into the dis position thus contemplated, it will obviously furnish 'a " reserve" in itself, and there will be no necessity for maintaining one. Altogether, though the scheme is an attempt to remedy a serious deficiency at a small cost, and is certainly not without considerable promise, we do not think it should be allowed to supersede provisions more directly serviceable. It is confessedly an experi ment, and its operation must be a matter of time, not to mention that if, as is apparently the case, some doubt exists about procuring at once even these 5,000 seamen, as much uncertainty must at least hang about the ques tion of the influence they may exert on their messmates. In any case, however, it is wise to recognise the expe diency of preparation, and to devise, if possible, some regular and permanent measures which may obviate the [necessity for impressment for all times to come.— Times. THE ADOPTION OF THE BALLOT THE BEST MEANS FOR PERMANENTLY SECURING THE BLESSINGS OF FREE TRADE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sin,—Whilst the various political chiettans are macceavring co obtain power by securing the triumph of their own particular dogmas—at a time when we have a Protectionist Government actually in power, threaten ing to endanger the permanence of free trade, thereby reviving the excitement of the Anti-Correlaw League, and the antagonism of class interests,—and when from the pledges of the Protectionists doubts are engendered in the public mind as to what may be the future commercial policy of this country, it appears tolerably certain that the battle between Protectionist and Free-trade principles will for the present throw entirely into the shade all prospect of a reform in our representative system, and possibly retard for years the accomplishment of the peoples' natural desires, unless some decided steps be taken for uniting under one common banner the various sections of Free-traders and Reform-s s. Strange that such should be the position of the Reform party with a majority of professed Liberals in the Commons House of Parliament I It behoves, therefore, all sections of Reformers at a crisis like this to be united in purpose, and firm in the principles on which they are to take their stand. I re joiced to observe that an influential meeting took place on Thursday last at Lord John Russell's residence, as, from what transpired at that meetin g , hopes may be entertained of better things for the fature from the Whig party, should they again be called to take the helm of the State. Lord John has withdrawn his milk and-water measure of reform, and will probably see the necessity of making considerable amendments in it before again introducing it into the House ot Com mons, so as to make it more palatable to the great body of the people. Ere many weeks can elapse a dissolution of the present Parliament will take place, when the Reformers will have to fight the battle under disadvan tages to which they would not have been subjected had Lord John's late measure been better adapted to the exigencies of the times, and contained a clause for taking the votes of electors at all future elections by ballot, without which, I maintain, it will be almost impossible to arrive at a fair conclusion as to the feeling of the people generally, either under the present system, or even supposing the suffrage to be extended in the manner lately proposed by the Whig Govern ment. The course that now appears to me to be open to the various sections of the opposition party, comprising Peelites, Radicals, and Whigs, is to unite firmly on two grand points—" Reform and Free Trade," by which the blessings of cheap food may be permanently se cured to the people, the prosperity of the country at large maintained, and the cause of progress materially advanced. The policy of free trade was nobly carried out by the late Sir Robert Peel, to the sacrifice of his own personal interest, and it is but due to the memory of that distinguished statesman that his followers and the admirers of his policy should make a glorious struggle for the maintenance of the legacy tor which that patriot suffered so much abuse from former friends, besides loss of power. There are many able statesmen left of the Peel party, with Sir James Graham standing prominently forward as their leader; these statesmen are decided favourites with the great mass of the people, arid if they play their cards well, are certain very soon to be called upon to take a prominent share at least in the management of the affairs of the country. The Russell Retorm Bill being shelved for the pre sent session and Parlisment, let a demand be immedi ao ly made for the ballot; all sections ot Free-traders should now unite on this one subject, and let a measure be at once brought forward, before the present Parlia ment be dissolved, to secure " freedom of election arid protection to voters in the exercise of their franchise," and even under our present system of representation, free trade would be saved from all danger. If this course be not ad p.ed, it i 4 tar from improbable the landlords' and Government iefluence combined will secure a majority to the Protectionists at the ensuing election. and whether they could succeed or not in re-imposing a duty on corn. tLe couutry would be thrown into a state of o revulsion from no end to the other; trade and commerce would suffer to a great extent by the distrust thereby caused with regard to our commercial policy; and instead of progressing, we should be decidedly taking a retrograde sti p. The Whigs have ever been more zea lous Reformers in opposition than when in power. Now, then, should be the appointed time for the Liberals to urge upon the Whigs and Peelites the necessity of con ceding the ballot. This accomplished, the Protectionists would speedily be driven from office, and we should per haps see established in their place a really strong Admi nistration, comprising the most liberal and enlightened atetesmen of the age. I, for one, do not despair o f see i ng a popular Govern ment formed from the ranks of the three parties to which Peelites, Radicals, and Whigs. list i contains names deserving of I have Surely beforeth allud followinged, vii:,, respect and confidence, and far better qualified for safely guiding the vessel of State than the Protectionist Government:—Sir James Graham, for instance, as Pre mier, and to lead in the Commons; whilst Lord John Russell should succeed the Marquis of Lansdowne as President of the Council, and with a Peerage to lead in the Lords. The other more prominent offices of the Cabinet could easily be arranged, when we have such men as Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Cardwell, the Duke of New castle, Mr. Sidney Herbert, and others of the Peel party; Lord Clarendon, Lord Palmerston, Lord Granville, Lord Seymour, Mr. Fox Maule, and the more active and liberal of the late Whig Government (including the late Attorney and Solicitor-General); and from the Radical party the names of the veteran Hume Messrs. Charles Villiers, Milner Gibson, Sir B. Hall, Cobden, Mac gregor, and other favourites, might fairly be selected to take what is but their due, a share in a Liberal Govern ment. Such an Administration as the one I have hinted at would give confidence to the Reform party throughout the entire length and breadth of oar country, and would be enabled to bid defiance for ever to Proteclionist land lords, who have only their own self-aggrand:z:.meut in view in striving to re-impose a duty on corn. In conclusion, then, let me urge on all Free-traders and Reformers cordially to unite for the purpose of de feating the monopolists, and if it be not possible to carry the ballot during the existence of the present House of Commons, let the programme of a greatly amended Reform Bill be at once submitted to Parliament, that when the general election takes piace the people may feel they have something to expect trom a new Parliament, and something really worth making a struggle for. Let the watchword be—" Reform, Free Trade, and Vote by Ballot." I am. Sir, your ob. dient servant. Totnes, March 15. 1852. A LIBERAL-PEELITE THE NAVY RESERVE. It consists rather happily with the general views of the country that the single posi ire strp taken by the Elmse on Monday evening should have been tnat of granting the usual fupply for the naval service. Tne tint voze was a simple one, but it did indeed, as Mr. W. with obs Tved, amount in t &cc to passing the whole of the navy estimates. As we consider these esiinates, in general resp.cts, not objectionanly framed. aed as " seamen and marines" must needs be inctuded in every ptts,ible seheme of national defence, we are glad that at least so much ..dvaeee has been made in the " business of ,he country." Nearly half the means required for the effective service were thus provided by a tew minutes of general agreement. The vote proposed by the new Government is taken, Si we had cortjetureri, without alteration from the esti m-,t aor the late Adm nAration. The number of sea men, boys, arid marines " to be employed in her Majesty's flea" of necessity regulates the general cost of the effec tive branch of the service. This number, as proposed for the current year, is 39 000, being the same as for 1851. It includes 26,000 seamen, 2,000 boys, and 11 000 marines, of whom 5,000 are employed on shore. taut the votes of Monday evening went further than this. Though the total numbers proposed were only 39,000, yet the sum voted for wages, 1,469,0541., was computed for an aggregate of 44,000, inasmuch as it includes the cost of the proposed naval reserve. The scheme, therefore, although no discussion ensued upon the point, has thus far ontained the practical approval of the Legislature. The particular views expressed in its details we took occasion to elucidate some few weeks ago, but the subject is now invested with considerably more importance as a substantial reality. The " re rerve," as our readers may recollect, is to consist of 5,000 men, 1,000 of whom are to be petty officers, and they are to be selected with such regard to previous service and good conduct certificates as to warrant a presumption that they will be among the best of their class. They are to be raised by volun tary entry, to be borne on the books of Some ship in commission, and to be furnished, on certain conditions. with annual tickets of leave. They are then to be at liberty to take ser vice merchant ships on home trade voyages only, and they a te t o p resen t th emse l ves f or i ns p ec tion anct ay me . nt every three months at the most convenient of the p stations appointed for that purpose. The induce ments extended consi stgol. f wages year for the men, and to the amount of 61. a or 121. for the petty officers, equivalent expectancies —two tOne and of an undertaking o goes,s,ooorothsaetameheenedgogrnegoattecotistitutthe sourffidieniarnyt that they shall be placed on the an same footing with actual years e respect s service ipeeensi beingns o at sea. Such is the outline of the naval reserve. reckoned cin e a The objections obviously producible against this plan resolve themselves into the sole argument of its inade- No person denies that it will be 'advantageous as expenditure entailed inade quacy. by the vote, 38,600 t, will be well invested.- It is simply far as it alleged that reserve against such contingencies as suggested any re servedispersed as serve at all, and that these 5,000 will be s to be practically little more available hands in the event of emergency. These objecti ons , perhapi, are not easily answerable in themselves, al though 5,000 good seamen can hardly be considered en insignificant reserve when we rt ilct upon the time and trouble required to send even a single three-decker to sea; nor does it seem likely that these men though engaged on the h mie trade, could be so distant from one of the several stations appointed as to be long in re plying to a call, presuming, as we may safel y do, on their good faith and character. The exceptions to the plan, therefore, imply little more that the measure might have been made more eflective at a greater cost. Views, however, of a more extensive kind ha ve been en t e rtained, we believe, by the advocates of the scheme. It Las been c.tneeived that the inoculation, as it were, of our merchant marine with 5,000 picked men from the royal navy wou'd tend to place the Queen's service in a much more desirable light among h t-ose who may be any day called upon to reinforce it. It is said that if mer chant seamen, instead of being deluded by wilful mis representations, could be properly apprised of the true conditions of the royal Otztice, they would newer enter- THE LONDON, FRAN CE. According to the last accounts from Algeria the number of soldiers who perished in the terrible snow storm at Djemaa el Taouint, or who have not since appeared, is 144, viz., 97 of the Bth Regiment of the line, 24 of the 204 7 of the 31 bataillon d'Afrique, 16 of the chasseurs spahis and waggon train. Amongst them is only one officer. The tents, provisions,, &c., were destroyed, and an entire flock of sheep perished from the cold. The sufferings which the column endured were very terrible, and the obstacles they overcome would, under other circumstances, have almost been censidered insurmountable. Some of the soldiers got intoxicated, and they were frozen to death as they staggered along others perished from want of sufficient food. The conduct of the o ffi cers is spoken of in the highest terms ; the general (31. 13 kluet) placed himself the very la..t of the column, and prevented men from lagging behind ; and the other officers not only ex horted the troops to have courage, and set the m the example, but actually carried some of the victims in their arms. ITALY. A letter from Florence of the 10th, in the Opinion of Turin, states that the Austrian troops in that country are about to be diminished by 2,000 men. A letter from Rome of the 4th, in the Augs. burg Gazette, says that Dr. Fussell, a ph) si. c►an, who is settled at Paris, but has been some time at Rome, had been arrested, but Fet et liberty again is a few days after. The cause w as said to be, his having been found in possession of a slip of paper, containing a passage from Proudhoe' s last work upon French affairs, which slip had been given him but a few minutes before by a person who had entered into conversation with him while enjoy. ing, from a balcony on the Corso, the spectacle of the Carnival. THE POWDER MAGAZINE in HYDE-PARK. A correspondent of the Builder says---As your publi cation presents several matters of interest to ladies, and proposes a folio or part of a sheet for them, it occurs to me to say that many of our sex living even more remote from the dread mint, of danger called the powder maga tine in Hyde-park, may, at moments of nervous excitement, feel as poignantly the terrors of a dreadful explosion as myself, who am but 300 paces distant from the fulmi nating deposit. In the American explosion at Boston, it is said that only 150 barrels of gunpowder caused an eruption like Heels. It awes me to reflect whether there be not ten times that quantity sleeping in the mine, under the guard of two sentinels, at the corner of Ken sington.gardens, 500 paces from the Crystal Palace. If in America 150 barrels spread devastation three miles, how awful is it to contemplate the ruin effeeted by such a calamity in a population compacted within that radius from such a centre! Hyde-park-gardens, and the con comitant squares—Grosvenor, Belgravia May fair, and even Kensington, with her palace—are there no nervous spirits amongst you to sympathise with me in quailing under so dread a prognostic? Liverpool, with calcu lating precaution for the soul of commerce (her teeming stores, warehouses, and ships), has devised and insisted on the removal of powder-mdgazines from her precincts. DISTRESSING ACCIDENT TO A GRENADIER GUARD. A melancholy accideut occurred shortly after mid night on Tuesday to Frederick Parkes, of the Ist Gre nadier Guards, stationed at St. John's-wood Barracks. It appears that Mr. Howel Morgan, a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and lately connected with Uiv College Hospital, was passing along Baker street, Pertman-:quare, a little after twelve o'clock on Tuesday night, wh e n hi s a ttention was attracted by a gentleman's carriage, which was approaching him at a furious rate. Au the carriage passed him he turned for a moment or two to watch its progress, and then pro ceeded on his way. He had not advanced many steps before he saw a man lying in the middle of the road, and on approaching him found that he had been run over by the carriage which had just passed, and . was perfectly insensible. Mr. M irgan removed him on to pavement, and on examining him found that he was suff,-ring frem a dislocation of the foot, that his leg was tractured in two places, and that he had received other serious injuries. Mr. Morgan reduced the dislocation, and immediately afterwards removed the poor fellow to University College Hospital, where, in conjunction with Mr. Turle, the house surgeon, he proceeded with the ties-scary treatment. When Parkes regained his COO seiousnr ss he requested Mr. Morgan to acquaint Cap tain Ellison, or the regiment to which he bc-lunged, with the circumstances, as he had been by permission to le) Thea.re, and was to be at the barracks by titie o'cl•pck. With this request Mr. Morgan at once com plied, end aided that , he unfortunate man was perfectly sober at the time the accident bapp:ned. Hsd it not been fur Mr. Morgan'e humane iuterpsition. Parkes might have remained in the road, as the night was very cloudy, and other vehicles might have passed over him. He remains at present at University College. where be has received every attention from Mr. Erichsen, and the other medical gentlemen connected with the institution, but there appears same doubts whether he will ever again be fit for active service. MORTALITY in the METROPOLIS. NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM ALL CAUSES REGISTERED IN TUE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 1552. Epidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases ...*197 Diseases of Uncertain Seat ... ... 63 Tubercular Diseases ... ••• ••• ••• ••• 237 Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Senses... ... 129 Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels ... 59 Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of Respiration ... ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• 25 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other Organs of Digestion... ••• ••• •••• ••• Diseases of the Kidneys, &c. •• ..• Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. ••• Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles Diseases of the Skin, &o. ••• ••• ••• Malformations... ••• ••• ••• ••• Premature Birth •.• .•• ,•• ••• Atrophy ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• Old Age ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• Sudden ... ••• Violence, Privation, Cold, and Intemperance Causes not specified ... ... 14 ... 2 ... 26 •.• 58 83 DEATDS FROM ALL CAUSES ... ... 1,232 Population Deaths in corre- Deaths Enumerated, sponding week in the 1851. of 1851. Week. West Districts... 376,427 . . 220 ... 222 North Districts.. 490,396 ... 293 ... 222 Central Districts 393,256 ... 251 ... 237 East Districts ... 485,522 ... 281 ... 255 South Districts .. 616,635 ... 336 ... 296 Totals... 2,362,236 Males ... ... ... 1,401 ... 1,232 ... ... ... 636 Females ... ... 596 BIRTHS IN THE WEEK. Males ••• ••• ••• Females ... ... ." ... 841 ••• 806 Total ... ... 1,647 *ln this number are included 18 by Scarlatina, 47 by Typhus Fever, 11 by Diarrhoea, and 1 by Cholera. COD LIITrIt OIL.—Cod liver oil has recently come into great repute in England as a medicine in the relief ex perience of private practice, and cure of p u l m onary consumption; and the statistics of some of the lar g e i n stitutions for this disease, as well as the c ertainly tend to show that it is, at least, the most maul remedy that has yet been discovered for consumption. It has also proved beneficial in varittis other diseases in which what are called tonic and al terative medicines have been hitherto used, especially in the nese of children. The most recent observations, however. lead to the belief that these medicinal virtues are not con fined to oil extracted from the cod's liver, but are equally shared by all fish oils including whale oil. A number of medical office rs in India have reported most favourably up on the oil extracted f rom the liver of the seer fish, which con firms the opinion that all fish oils exert a salutary influence over several diseased conditions of the human economy. It is very remarkable that a popular medicine amongst the Sin ghalese for unhealthy children, is th e li ver a nd intestines of the kellawaa \- , 4mnas vidgar4) made into curry,—.Col"'49 Observer. • THE CITY POLICE YEAR 1851 The fdlowing communicalion from the Commisioner of the City Police has been ordered by the Corporation to be priuted as a document of importance and general iutere,t:— " My Lord and Gentlemen,—l have the honour to present the returns of the City police during the year 1851, in a greatly improved form, being mere minute in the description of off,nders, and mare o...mpre hensive in the objects of inquiry. These returns embrace the transactions of a year of surpassing interest, end reflect not only credit upon the efficiency of the City police force, but cffer many con siderations, of which our country may justly boast, and iu which the Corporation of London is entitled largely to participate. In anticipation of events which may require the service of a greater number of constables than our or dinary strength, the Court of Common Council unanimously voted an increase of 110 men to be engaged from the let of May to the Ist of No vember, to whom the sum of 20s. each per week was to be paid, and I forthwith proceeded to enlist that number upon the terms speeifi,d, and it is due to the men so appointed to state that they quickly a d a pted themselves to the rules and orders of the force, and for the most part acquitted themselves to my satis faction. It was estimated that the expenses of this in crease in the forc e wou ld amount to a sum not exceeding 3,000/., irrespective of any additional outlay which might be required for extraordinary services, the nature of which was to be communicated from time to time to the chairman of the police committee. "It will give your Honourable Court satisfaction to hear, as it does myself to state, that after allowing for the customary pay to the entire permanent forc e , th e excess of wages to the additional constables amounts to the sum of 1,8651. Bs. Bd. only; and it will be also gra tifying to your Honourable Court to learn that not one farthing was required to meet events which would be re garded as extraordinary, or, from their peculiar character, beyond the reach of ordinary vigilance. " The better to appreciate the extended influence of the police in the year which has just closed, greatly aided 'in its services by the peaceable disposition of the millions of persons who crowded our City, I have the honour to present a summary of the occurrences as of 'the preceding year, by which the following results in favour of the year 1851 are established. The number of offences of every description committed within the City in the year 1851 was 105 fewer; the excess of the number of drunken persons detained till sober was 7; the excess of actual loss of property was 3771. 14s. Bd., which excess, though small, is attribut able to rotberies at lodging-houses, in which the influx of visitors was too great to admit, in all cases, of minute ingtttrY—indeed a much larger sum than the excess might be so accounted for. The number of desti tutepersona taken in charge was only 321 ; the number i n 18 5 0 was 703. As evidence of the sound discretion exercised by the ' constables in charge of the m a i n stree t s , it may be here observed that toe number of summonses against drivers and conductors of carriages was 2,291; of this number 2,051 were con victed, and 81 withdrawn by order of the magistrates, on the parties promising not to offend again. But it is • ,not only to the police statistics for the year 1851 that I venture to invite the attention of your Honourable Court. The comparative statements from the Year 1840, when the City police came into full operation, to the year 1851 inclusive, pre sents ample evidence of the progressive improvement and e ffieblley of the force, o f which the diminished n um b ers of (ff aces an d o ff e nders is a sure index. In the two first y ears ( 1 840 an d 1841) the number of persons t a k en into cu s t o dy %RS 14,017; in the years 1 850 and 1851, th e cumber was 9,481. Tu e overage number of perso ns ta k en the into custody during the 1 2 ye ars ( 1840 to 1851 ) is 5,629, 'while the number in the latter year was only 4,688, etrn:nideciuearcey exc chief' i which, with the exception of one year, is the smallest, 70 only. n ,c b re e r s yy d os u ut e r r m i n I n t h s ri e td e; a t t d i r e o n pio he d, iit as a pad th ramont duty to bri ng s u "But, while such are the favourable re su l ts o f our p effiCe for the important business there transacted, as also the total want of suitable localities for traiuing the uffieers and constables, and concentrating the force in order to facilitate the enforcement ofdi~eipliue,and to ensure that effective combination without which, in cases of emergency, the best measures may prove abor ive; and I consider that it is the ur gent obligation of he authorities to make this the subject of immediate and services of our appreciated as to be attention. hsousgegreescteiopntioint iesspgercaitailfl7:gpotno be's' I t ni able to reference ist state. ttohattbethfier meritse t de tective force are now so generally resorted to almost daily by eminent bankers and heads of matters of confidentiala. nature, we have no appropriate commecial houses, but for w accommodation; every thing that passes is liable to be heard, and that not unfrequently by many constables who are in attendance, and by low characters, who re sort thither upon various matters in Which they are con cerned. Upon an average not fewer than from 70 to 100 persons are in attendance at the chief office. daily, amongst whom the respectable parties alluded to must submit to be introduced and await their turn. "From the delicate nature of the last-mentioned sub ject I deemed it my duty to communicate my views thereon in the first instance to the police committee, by whom I was informed ' the committee have no power to entertain the question.' "I have, So., (Signed) D. W. HARvET." The returns supply a number of particular details, to the principal of which the Commissioner alludes in the above communication, which is fully borne out by the statistics. FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 19, PRINCE'S THEATRE, GLASGOW. A bumper last night at the Prince's welcomed that prince of Yankee humourists, Jcsh Silsbee, who, thongh somewhat "long a•comin'," was not long in quite at home with his new friends. himselftraiiure of Yankeeism ir, no doubt, in some r spiced up, but it bears all the marks of careful transcription from the original, and the real natives must be a queer race of which Josh is 5, specimen. B e was we ll rece i ve d, an d the hearty bursts of l aug ht er w hi c h cc 13311;sis kpeincpgtosr, strongly cc casionally shook the house, must have shown him that his efforts were not unappreciated. Another great card produced by the manager of the Prince's last night was Benjamin Barnett, who in his personation ot Mon sieur Jacques, in the piece of that name, fairly took the audience by surprise. It is not often that such light dra m-atic talent is exhibited, as was displayed by Mr. Bar nett in his graphic and touching sketches of the poor old broken-hearted musician, struggling with his poverty, yet pr serving under i t a ll the fine and genial impulses of a ni , ble nature. His perfotrcanco ot the character throughout waa pervaded by exquisite taste and judg ment. —North British Daily Mail, Glasgow, March 16. INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. O c a hair) Tuesday (James s io turned M n .i L en ed 6 chiefly Live advaologes of the under-ground s ystem of connect ing t q., on the President, c o mpta in ra the. wires, us prseti-ed in Prussia, and the suspended ' system. in use in this ciuntry. On the first introduction of the Efrctrie Telegraph, it was not known to what ex tent it would be employ, d; and on that account the sus. p , nsion system was preferred, as enabling udditional wires to be fixed with bat little extra expense. At pre sent, a single line of telegraph wire in Prussia, insulated by gu , ta perch% covered with lead, laid at a depth of two feet under ground, cost 3Q/, per mile, inclusive of the instruments. The suspsnded system was shown to be not nearly so expensive, and when accidents occurred, they were more rapidly and easily repaired. The recent great improvements in Bsin's P r i n ti ng Telegraph were de scribed; and it Was shown, that by it three hundred words per minute had been sent through this instrument; that fifty-six thousand messages per month had been transmitted on the Eastern Counties Railway, for rail way purposes alone ; an d t h at suc h was its extended use for mercantile purp oses , that the content of a closely printed Bvo. volum e was stilt out in messages , per day , trom the Central T e l egrap h Offi ce a l one . Such was the facility afforded by the instruments now in use, that they were chieflyworked by boys taken from the Orphan Asylum, who fully understood how to work them after a fortnight's practice. Several very ingenious applications of the instruments were described, and s p ec i mens of the Submarine Tele graph wire, intended to b e l a id down between Dover and Ostend, were exhibited. The general advantages of the introduction of the Electric Telegraph were pointed out, and it was stated, ~that attention shouldbe directed chiefly to improvements in the mode of insulation of the wires, in both the under ground and the suspension systems, as the instruments were now comparatively perfect. The papers announced to be read at the meeting of Tuesday, March 23, were—" On the results of tho use of Tubular Boilers, or of Flue Boilers of Inadequate Sur fano, or Imperfect Absorption of Heat," by Admiral Lord Dundonald; ." On certain Points in the Construc tion of Marine Boilers," by Mi. J. Scott Russell, M. Inst. C. E. ; and ." Description of a Diaphragm Steam Boiler," by m.,B ot iti gu y (d'Evreux). SEABORNE MAILS. (N iigni that the mails are sent from the General Post-office by the night—and M by the morning--dispatch.) When made up in From what due. Brazil PLA.0348. GoneralPost-ofilce port d i, When ............—..........,..,.,—.—. London. patched. America (by Brit. pkt.)N March 19 .. .. Liverpool .. March 21 America (by U.S. pkt.) N March 21 .. .. Liverpool .. March 17 Ass. _erica (byllB.pkt.)lid March 31 .. .. Southampt. Africa (West coast).. N 14th of the month Plymouth April 3 Califbrala(viaChagret) luessuadria* ........ N 19th & 30th of mo. Dover .. March 29 nei gh= •• .. .. N Daily .. .. Dover .. Dail} Greece* .. .. .. .. M 9th of the month Southampt. April 16 Buenos Ayres •• .. M 9th of the month Southampt. April 16 M 1d Se 17th of month Sonthampt. Arrived Cape of Good Hope N 14th of month Plymouth.. April 3 Constantinople* .... N 7th 17th 27th of mo Dover .. March 20 Central America .. M2d & 17th of men. Bouthampt. Arrived Ireland Channel Isles .. .. N Mon., Wed., & Fri. Southampt. T. Th. Flat C 1 241 1., •• • • •• . M 17th of the month Southampt. March 20 "*""°° • .. .. Mls N Twice daily .. .. Dover Twieoda l e Ilaraburgh • .. .. N Tuesday & Friday London .. Taea*Thur Holland .• .. .. hi Wednes. & Satur. London .. 1"B c . 11 20 Honduras .. .. N 17th of the month Southampt. _M w er eedon , .. .. N 7 th 17th 27 th of mo Dover .. March 2 0 March 21 India via Southamp.) M 20th of the month SouthiusPt: Aprll2 India (via Marseilles) Ni 2 , that. 24th ef month Dover . . Moditerraneun (via month Southimpt. March 21 •• •• dia N Twice daily .. .. Holyhead .. '.O r Soutbsur , ron) . hillOth of the Mediten arrest (Via 1 110&24th. ofmonth Dover .. April 2 Marseilles) .. ~ N, Southampt. Arrived Mexico .. .. M2d of the m onth " t. A 116 Madeira • ** M 9th of the month Southazup pr 70,17th,190 1 , 27 th 1 Hover March 20 Malta* *• .. i &30th of month Naples* . .. -.; ,Es 6th 15th 25th ofmo Dover •• March 22 Peninsular.. .., M 7th 17th 27 t h ef MO Southampt. A p ril 16 Papal Stat e s* .. .. ' N sth 15 th 25thofmo Dover .. March 22 Peru .. .. ** ..' hi 17th of the month Southam e t . March 20 Tuscany* • • .. .. ' N stlllsth 25th of mo Dover .. March 22 West ladies ... .. M 17th of the month Southampt. March 20 West Indies (eicept aIMPt. Arrived e The mails to those o ountries thus marked (*) are ConVeyei by trench packet via Marseilles. California., Ravaena & Nassau) M 2d of the month .. South CarrromziA.-.-lilaile t 0 a n d f re ' 33 ~.. via the unito . Rigel Ove nOw darotctod 04 dletgr 'Ter' " mlIC * l4 P 4o * - - ' .. ... . , IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS, March 18. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his MIL 011 the Wool sack at Five o'clock. FREE TRADE. The Marquis of NORMANBY presented a petition iron Tivert,n in fav ur of free trade. _ _ COPY HOLD ENFRANCHISEMENT. Lord CRAN WORTllPr;;;aedseveral petitions in 'avour of c , pyhrld enfranchisement. The LOA') CHANCELLOR presented a petition from the solicitors of London to the same effect. His Lordship expressed himself in favour of the prayer of the petition, considering that some compulsory measure on the subject, framed with due regard to vested rights, would be of great service. Lord BROUGHAM also supported the petition, and expressed his satisfaction that a Bill had been introduced in the other House on the subject. Lord CRAN WORTH was also in favour of the com pulsory enfranchisement of cmpyholds, but he thought that great care ought to be taken not to injure the rights of the smaller eopyboldi. Lord REDESDA LE was opposed to compulsory en franchisement. He himself had introduced and curried a Bill which allowed enfranchisement under certain cir cumstances, the effects of which had been paralysed to some extent by the Bill which had been introduced in the other House. Petitions in favour of compulsory enfranchisement were presented by the Marquis of Lansdowne, Lord Brougham, and other Noble Lords. THE ARGENTINE CONFEDERATION. Lord BEAUMONT gave notice that he should on an early day ask her Majesty's Government whether they were prepared to lay on the table information relating to the state of the Argentine Republic, more particularly on certain points connected with the maritime and commer cial relations of that confederation with this country. He should also ask the Noble Earl the Foreign Secretary, whether he had received any information that another outrage had been offered to a British subject—a naval officer on shore, in the port of Leghorn, in his uniform. The Earl of MALMESBURY said that with regatd to the latter part of the notice, be could answer it now. The Noble Baron, however, had allowed himself to trust too implicitly to an exaggerated rumour. The facts were these:—A petty officer of the ship Firebrand, being on shore at Leghorn, had given some slight offence to the police authorities there, upon which they arrested him, carried him off to the station-house, treating him very roughly, and oven loading him with irons. Owing, however, to the exertions of Mr. Scarlett, the Secretary of Legation, the matter had been satisfactorily arranged, apologies had been made, and the chief of police at Leg horn had been placed in prison eight days for his in temperate conduct on the occasion. RIFLE CORPS. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH put a question to her Majesty's Government, whether they intended to adhere to the resolution of the late Government not to give aid to any volunteer corps? For his own part ho should look upon such a decision with great regret. The Earl of DERBY said that, upon the fullest consi deration, her Majesty's Government had come to ,the conclusion that the decision of the late Government not to give aid to volunteer rill) corps was just and wise, and they intended, therefore, to adhere to ir. He should not at present give any reason for that decision, but when the Militia Bill came under discussion their Lordships would see that it had not been arrived at without good 'foundation. CRIMINAL LUNATICS. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY, after presenting a petition from the county of Leicester on this subject, rose to move that a humble address be presented to her Majesty praying that her Majesty will be graciously pleased to take into her consideration the expediency of the establishment of a state asylum for the care and custody of those who are denominated " criminal luna tics." The Noble Earl proceeded to say that the sub ject he was about to introduce could not be novel to their Lordships. Thu care and custody of criminal lunatics had been a matter of great interest, and con siderable care and attention had been bestowed by ma gistrates in various parts of the country to the improve ment of their asylums. Their attention had been drawn to the fact that the presence of criminal lunatics was a very great bar to the improvement of asylums. The grievance had become intolerable; and he had been requested to bring the subject before their Lordships. He must, in the first place, exonerate the magis trates, because they had protested repeatedly against this practice. He must also exonerate the Com missioners of Lunacy, because they had reported at great length to the Lord Chancellor on the subject, and proposed a remedy for the evil. More over, they had corresponded with the Secretary of State, pointing out the great evils that had arisen from the present system. The term " criminal luna tics" perhaps seemed to involve something of a con tradiction; but it was the ordinary and received term, and it embraced every class and description of persons and crime from the miserable idiot who had perpetrated some enormous act of violence up to the case of the per sons who approached insanity, who simulated insanity, and were perhaps in possession of their senses at the time they committed the offence with which they had been charged. The criminal lunatics might be divided into four classes: the first consisted of those who bad actually become lunatic, at the time fixed for their trial. The second class was composed of those who, being sane at the time of their trial, were, by a special verdict, found to be insane at the time of committing the offence. The third cities were persons who had become lunatic after sentence had been passed upon them. Now, there was a fourth class of persons who were confined under summary conviction—vagrants, and persons convicted for want of sureties, and who had become insane. The laws whereby these parties a ere dealt with and their detention fixed, were contained in three statutes, viz., the 39th and 40th Geo, 111., the Ist and 2d of Vie , and the 3d and 4th of Vie. The Noble Earl ex plained the nature of those statutes, and proceeded to sty that there was another class of lunatics, which consisted of persons who might be in danger of committing some offence. Formerly any magis- Vat- might commit them to a gaol or a place of custody; but by a late Act it required that two justices mould com mit such person, and t h at h e s h ou ld be committed, not to a gaol, but sent to a lunatic asylum or a place of safe custody. None of these parties, except those com mitted by the magistrates, could be liberated without the authority of the Secretary of State. Now, he would state the number of crimin a l l unat i cs . The total number of criminal lunatics in England and Wales was 439,360 males, and 79 females. But their Lordships must observe, that when they came to look at the num bers, and exemined the offences with which the lunatics were charged, they would find that the offences were against life, and under that head they included, not only simple assaults, but everything that was directed at lif e —shooting, cutting, and maiming—their Lordships would find that, for those offences, the number was 138; for offences against property and against the person, some of the latter being of the grossest description, the num ber was 188, 163 males and 25 females. The number of persons convicted of misdemenour was 48; and of those committe-d for want of sureties, and who had otherwise become insane, 43. Their Lordships must not suppose that although those persons were committed for want of sureties, they were not dangerous persons, as he should show that many of them were most dangerous. Now, these criminal lu nat i cs were distri buted in various as} lutes, and were maintained by the Government. In Bethlem Hospital there were main tained at the Government expense 103 criminal lunatics. At an asylum near Salisbury there were 57. The ge neral treatment of these patients be would next refer to. The House might judge, in some measure, the evil effect produce d by the presence of these patients among the other lunatics. Let their Lordships consider the former life and habits of these parties, who were desig nated criminal lunatics. They had pursued a lung course of evil and profligacy, of theft and murder; and the House must recollect that the lunacy under which they laboured was often the effect of their own excesses; and their Lordships would imagine such patients being in troduced among the quiet, orderly, timid, and sensitive lunatics in an asylum, because many of the lunatics were well-conducted patients—very timid and sensitive, and the predominant feeling in all their minds was, that the place they were confined in was a prison, and that they were sent there for punishment. Upon being associated with notorious persons, who had committed crimes of that description, such a feeling was strengthened; their minds were worked upon; and the impression whioh was thus produced upon them alone tended to retard their recovery. But, that their Lordships might form some estimate of the characters of these persons who were confined in such places, he would state some of the offences which they had committed. In the asee lum at Manchester there was a violent man who had committed a murder. The next case was fur an assault —an attempt to shoot a clergyman; the next was a case of stabbing; and another party was described as treache rous, malignant, and revengeful; another hadstabbed would not , his brother, and so on. Their Lordahi then, wonder at the strong language of of se cri perintendents against the further detentionts in toldinary thP3omvwedical su mind. lunatics along with other patien . . asylum, and a asylums. He had an extract of the opinions of the medical superintendents of every pleubmleic, and they were great many of those of private the opinions of eminent associate persons branded and exupsyerienced men. Now, they said it was unjust that the conduct of ° lunatics; violent; that their with offences with other life, were injurious criminal lunatics was freci o u o eruenetlryseve7 habits, from their imother patients; that it was neces sary, pernicious to Lb ') o f their presence, to exercise sary, in v Vs e e n g and firmness; and that the whole greater and order of the asylum was interfered with disclipine Th e y said the effect was to expose the l unat i cs them „lves to taunts, and that they were irritated when they other persons liberated and they themselves de tained; chat they endeavoured to escape, and induce others ; others to assist them; and that these patients monopo lised an undue share of care. But they added this ia planatory sentence, which completely destroyed the other parts of the evidence—" We have always taken care to conceal from the other patients the fact that the persons they were confined with were criminal lunatics." Then, in the report of that admirable institution, the flan well asylum, it was stated that the prisoner in the gaol knew he could not escape, but the criminal lunatic thought he might escape from the asylum; and he, therefore, simulated insanity in order to get into the asylum. There was this peculiarity about insane per sons, that they were wholly unable to combine, but they would follow others. Now the remedy that he proposed for this state of things was that there should be a sate asylum for the separatei _ care and custody of those persons called criminal lunatics. This remedy, ho thought, was uni versally recommended by the medical superintendents. There There were many questions which it would be n ecessa y to discuss before such a measure could be brought beton their Lordships. In the first place, they _would have to consider whether it should be inaintgined by the 'tate 1852. or by local rates, and whether some di , cretionary power should not be give n to the Secretary of S:sste as to the , liberation of the prisoners. The law said, that no party confined as a criminal lunatic could be liberated mikes two medical men woeld certify that such party was of sound mind. Now, there were many persons whom they could certify might be liberated with pertt ct set:eye but whom they (teeth not eertdy to be of sound wird. ii•ey would have there ore to consider whet her each person* should he lioe.rwed. And, moreover, they would have to consider, sooner or later, how far the plea of insanity was to be admitted. 'Detre could be no doubt there was in the present day a great tendency, both with judges and juries, to admit that plea. There were, he befiew d, persona who openly avowed that they could do what they pleased. They felt that whatever offence they might commit, they had the plea of previoMa in sanity to save them from the consequences, and that all they had to fear was confinement for life. The Noble Lord concluded by moving the resolution, that a humble address be presented to her Majesty, to cause inquiries to be made as to the expediency of esta blishing a state asylum for the confinement of lunatic priseuent. Lord BERNERS said, reluctant as he was to trespass on their Lordships' time, he felt it his duty, as one of the chairmen of patter seatione, in the county of Leicester, to state that the petition was agreed to uncut mously, by one of the fullest benches he had ever seen in the county. The Earl of DERBY said the Noble Earl who had introduced this subject could have no necessity for making any apology for directing their Lordships' attune lion to a matter of considerable and deep importance, because for a long period he had devoted his unremitting attention to matters, some of them of the most repul sive character, with a view of ameliorating the condition ' of his fellow-creatures. Nor did he suppose that any of their Lordships would be disposed for a moment to undervalue the immense improvements which had of late years been introduced in the system of treating lunatics. He believed there had been no greater improvement within the last few years in any science than in that of alleviating the condition of insane per sons. He believed that the sufferings of such persons had been greatly diminished, and that there had been great gain in the proportion recovered, and therefore ho was quite sure that neither on his part nor on that of their Lordships, could there be any des re to interfere in the slightest degree with the humane system of treating lunatics. But he confessed he was at a loss to see the connexion which his Noble Friend appeared to find be tween the existence of that treatment, which was gene rally followed in lunatic asylums in this country, with the peculiar question that he had brought under the con eideration of the House. His Noble Friend adverted to that which was undoubtedly an anomaly; an expression which he might almost say was a contradiction in terms. To say that a man was a criminal, was to say that he was responsible for his actions; and to say that he was a lunatic, was to say that he was irresponsible; and, therefore, he saw some difficulty iu drawing a line which his Noble Friend seemed inclined to draw between criminal lunatics and other lunatics. Ho thought it would be necessary to apply the same prin ciple that ho applied to criminal lunatics to all those who were violent and dangerous, for the only difference was, that one of them had committed that which, if ho bad been in a sane state of mind, would have made him liable to punishment, and another was in the same condition of mind, but had not had the opportunity of doing that which would make him liable to punishment. He was at a loss to understand on what principle the law had been regulated as to the two classes—these who were dealt with by the 39th and 40th George 111., namely, persons who had been found not guilty of the offence. on which they were charged on the ground of insanity, and those who, under similar circumstances, bad Been similarly dealt, with under the Aet of the 3d and 4:h of the Queen, and persons who before trial had been found in fact to be lunatic, and thereupon, without being tried and without the necessity at the verdict of a jury, had been, by the authority of two magistrates, and with tee sanction ef two medical men, traneterred to a lunatic asylum. He was unable to account for the di s ti nc ti on w i th which theses two classes of persons were treate I. There were between 450 and 470 of all descriptions of cri minal lunatics, and et thee about 100 were maintained in the two wings of Bethlehem Hospital which were built specially tor the confinement of criminal lunatics, at the expense of the country, and these lunatic, confined there were maintained at the ex p ense of thecountry, and there wore a number maintained also at the expense of the Government at an asylum at Fisherham (as we b yth respectivee e u understood), near Sali sbur y . There we re others that country,were w distributed he we were 3 n asylums m o ai th n e ta r ined ties in which the asylum was, or by the parishes to which they belonged. There could be no ground for this distinction. He was clearly of opinion that the charge of criminal lunatics ought not to fall on the county or the parish, but ought to fell on the country genera lly. Therefore, ho did not pretend to say that he thought the existing law was in a satisfactory condition, or that it did not stand in need of some amendment. He thought the maintenance of these criminals was an ex pense that might justly and rightly fall on the public funds. But when they came to that point they ought also to consider how difficult it was to stop there, and how they could draw the lino between criminal lunatics and violent and dangerous lunatics. His Noble Friend said that the presence of these criminal lunatics among those who were merely la bouring under harmless delusions was injurious to both parties. He agreed with him—but where was the county lunatic asylum in which they were so mixed together? If they were, it was against all the rules governing lunatic asylums. The Noble Lord moved for an ad dress, because if he brought a Bill in teat House it would be an infringement of the privileges of the House of Commons, inasmuch as it would involve the application of a sum of money fur the maintenance of these esta blishments. Surely, if that were the case, an address to the Crown recommending such establishments was equally open to objection. The Earl of SH FESBURY—No; for an inquiry to consider the expediency. The Earl of DERBY proceeded. Going no further on that subject, he said that until they had fully consi dered all the consequences, all the difficulty of drawing the distinction between the two classes, while he quite agreed with the Noble Earl that it might be expedient and desirable to itiquire into the law relating to the oustony of lunatics, he thought it would be exceedingly undesirable to pledge their Lordships with regard to one portion, and not the most material portion of an alteration in the law. The expense of building the two wings at Bethlehem must have been considerable; the cost of the maintenance of the lunatics there was 34/ 103. a head per annum; at Fisherham it was 301.; aid its other institutions, he believed it was about 261. In addition to the increased expenditure of maintenance, which would, in all probability, be the consequence of a Government establishment, the cost of such a building as his Noble Friend contemplated would probably be more than 50,0001, and might be near 100,0001.; and he did not see why, in well regulated county asylums, they might not effect the object by classifying criminal luna tics, as well as they could effect it in any states asylum. The subj. ct had been considered by a former Govern ment, and would be considered by the present, and he hoped that his Noble Friend would be satisfied with the assurance, on the part of the Government, that this sub ject should not be lost sight of, and that he would not think it necessary to call on their Lordships to pledge the House on the subject. Lord ORA'S WOR EH said he hoped, after the assu rance of the Noble Earl who h .d just sat down, that his Noble Friend would not object to withdraw the motion. His Noble Friend stated some doubts whether the whole law on the subject of the plea of insanity was not alto gether on an unsatisfactory footing. His Noble Friend said it was the habit, both of judges and juries, to avoid responsibility by allowing this plea. Perhaps, as having had the honour, for a long number of years, of filling the station of ono of the judges administering criminal justice, he (Lord Cranworth) might be supposed to speak with some prejudice; but Ise must eenscientiously say that he thought his Noble Friend was quite wrong re ' supposing that there was the least bias of t t h h o e o l o ti n n t d rs r r e y, ' ferred to in the minds of the judges. On bound to it was the feeling of the judges that they wetreendency of stand as a sort of obstacle to the frequentddgar, hear.) juries to shirk their responsibilities. (LI t H h e at ha t d ha f t ou w n a d s this in now raised was on the bench. As the q ue f s u o ll ; brethren sure ren c onsideration, it about to be taken idle o to to i n u n h i i v s e o r h s eerd an opinion as practice,ie„i.i,ong oafndh hise might be worse than o _ the alteration of the law ought to what the character f studied the subject, he did not hessi to be; but, decided opinion that the question of ot to bo trusted to the decision of the hear.) ) nacy of a person being triedtoibe The evils arising from leaving ta te lunacyt o oughtex p express a s n a y juries.—(Bear. h the question of t question of guilty or not gritty were very great; and, as theivr,oLui)ds-dschoimpsprkonmeiws'e, mixed up with the simple it frequently happened that a jury their difficulty by acquitting a prisoner on the ground of i t n n s w a . n h i i t c y h . e as A ha t(hLisorbdaPePreannewdorilith)numbeless instances believed, there was no ground whatever for the conclusion as to the in sanity.—(llear, hear.) _His proposal to remedy this evil was this: Case s i n the criminal courts should be tried distinctly in reference to the fact, guilty or not guilty, of the offe r' • -3 an u man ln g e • grills to being permitted to the jury, on finding a to observe upen their be lief of th e i nsan i ty; this question would afterwar d s pro perly come to be inquired into before another tribunal which should be free from the prejudices which so doubt did operate upon ordinary juries. What this tribunal should be—whether composed of the Secretary of State, and some other high functionary, or of medical men—he would not now say, but that tribunal, he was convinced, ought not to be an ordinary jury.—(Hear, hear.) At present, because juries were permitted to de cide on the lunacy of a criminal. there were continual violations of oaths. And this ought to be stopped; for it defeated the ends of justice.—(Haar, hear.) What had been stated by his Noble Friend convinced him that nothing could be more mischievous than to mix criminal lunatics with other lunatics. There was not, perhaps a distinction in genus between criminal lunatics and other lunatics, except in this: that, lunacy being pre-eminently a malady of the mind and of the imagination, the ming ling of a lunatic who had committed no crime with per son,,, gu il t y of crones had a tendency to retied recovery. The Noble Lord opposite had said triat there was a con fusion in terms in speekitig of " criminal lunatics." No doubt there was; hut he (Lord Cran worth) should like to k n ew, in those classes, h ow many were cr i m i na l s an d how many were lunatics. —(Hear, hear, and laughter.) The error of expression was in using the word "lunatic," The Earl of SHAFTESBURY replied, expressing his satisfaction with the speeches of Lords Derby and Cranworth, and consenting to withdraw the motion. The motion was accordingly withdrawn, and their / Lordships adj ourned. HOUSE OF CWIMONS, March 18. The brzAratts took the Clutix if; kogr , NEW MEMBER. Mr. COG AN timk the oaths and his seat for Kildare, in tl . w room of Lord Naas. OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVERIIANIP TON RAILWAY. Mr. DU PRE moved the >ccotid reading of this B ill, and said the i..ehemo which it embraced was highly d by Ishdhoicier on the line. It bad, is tact, met with the univi-rsal assent of all elaises• The Bitt w read a second time and ordered to be committed. PETI PIONS. Colonel SIB:110RP prey:-rated a petition from the postmasters of Lotcoln, praying for the immediate re peal of ; be peat-horse duty. Mr. S. CR A IA FOR!) presented petitions from several Irish counties in favour of his Tenant Right Bill. Several petitions were present ed in favour of an au justnarnt of the burdens that press unduly upon t be agr Mr, iculturel i!.t,rest. BRIGHT itresentcd a petition from Manchester in favour of Parliamentary reform , and especially fro)" ing M for vote by 13111;:t. r. DIVETI' presented a similar petition from Exeter. Sir G. PECHELL presented a pet ition from Brighter' praying for the rep al of the taxes on knowledge• go l m ‘ e d r ar . p a g l ai ß n , U t Nl :. he .,E M S a p r u e o s o e i n h te g d ra a n . p e tition boDthir. in ‘f*Va.v:of the rli WILLIAMS. , Sr y pr e sented . a ll petition from L 5133. macy . Sir W I LLI ANI MOLES Vi RTH pr e sented a Petiti°ll from the Newfoundland National As!embly,Prg ing r th o a f [louse to pas tl a law to invest them wit h the fee lucsl self-government. t:I , n 1 Mr. M. GIBSON presented a pet iti o n from Pe r t - 11 - a n resident in Manchester having en income of le s4 o al 1501. a year, stating that as they had felt the 'idea t-ff,cts of cheap bread which free trade haben' d gl them, they hoped the House wou ld not scru lbe in extending the income-tax to th‘ rm der- Hon. Gentleman also presented a petition from Str P d , . land, praying for the repeal of the taxes on knowk dogs Mr. COWAN presented several petitions from 15 ti places in Scotland against the incom e-tax. ftfoiroorntsh the i r g e n p e e d al b o y f the the L m o a r y d n P o o r Provost grant.st ofG lesge w 1 I)6l°lYeiv e itiee 9 Mr. HUME presented a large numb er of re ( ' he m parishes in Suffolk, praying for t he rePc-- ° f t malt-tax. On the motion of MARBLE I L l „l A B R fa Cti o i tp, a ret of the marble arch, sass arn ordered of the moo expenses u attendant upon the r,..„,b50 Palace. and the alterations of 13016."-'0 miL N N O E T s ICES OF MOTIONS• f or tnig ht Mr. M. gave notice that ibis day cjr he should bring forward a resolution respecting tlle s eb• reepondence with iho Austrian Governm ent on toe ject of toreign rt fueeee, Mr. D'EYNCOURT gave notice that fortnight he should move for leave to bring lu shorten the duration of Parliament,. a s estlf Sir H. W. BARRON gave notice that W I ',l l e dis' day he would call the attention of the House t° ' tress d condition of theof people Ireland. , rtn iglit Mr. HEYWOOD gave notice that this day '°,-, . 9 0 1 he should move a resolution to the effect that the , -/ o r f ) . t he Palace be retained and devoted to the purposes instruction and amusement of the people. RETURNS. ref sea : On the motion of Mr. AN DERSON , 3 11 0 " sgreed to of the registered number of steam-17°6 to of allt_li!t stliDieurlietYo the Ist of January, 1852. On the motion of Mr. ANSTEY, a return W as s eg reeci permanently endowed out of the public reventre-• el a andit ree o d to otte rellgasEauaineaDdß,ur ioratelii:N,soisos), educational, ha d b e aa or c c fl u a t r d i toll e • On the motion OU ni T n i a TA ce d Colonel It Asti to UPON officer idAhß Government in nb I , BRITISH ll lss tle P aei P e i :1 1 f: ' i s tio c a r e t pFi t i ' ze o : . : 1 ; ;;L ow : oi or ii; m o e t t h it e ion t i-_ , d l t a h l ABROAD. , hic h quantityo of M . G o . f T , I- c l o O tti Al s fuSON, a re.htuciravoi t by the Austrian authorities. The letter w°, s be e to al s i e 'deted 4 Florence on the 111 h of this month. 1 10 w16 ;00 0i know whether the Government were in 00° 56 ' any in6)rmation respecting t h e transactioe? „ said he The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUr''' British believed it was quite incorrect that 6 „ f a bi officer in full uniform had been cut down at Lfg - ,,, - ,a to the Aus , rian authorities. Information had rea c " . brig Government that a petty officer in the Marine 9 ' w e 09 on leave at Leghorn, hid been extremely raa l "lsel th e the Tuscan police. The cep taic of her Majesty e T,e-„ilett, Firebrand immediately communicated with Mr. '''' - er ter the British Minister at Florence. Considerable nv d t he pondence had taken place between Mr. Scsrlett !ll,ltoese Austrian Government, and the head of the ' c i boo police, who was involved in the transaction! it°f•nrcao' imprisoned for eight days. That was all the ill - Lion that had reached the Government. ~ iOO2l/1, Lord PAL el ERSTON wished to put S Cl' e l t ,l roe .- some way connected with this affair. Some cous -e d e br time ego an unmanly outrage, of a very aggr ga T r e vos fi ri , ratter, was made upon a British subject• e o ei t een' attack by an armed officer at the head of acireTcjobed on en unarmed British subject at Floreece, tleeftieted to know whether the Tuse;an Government had leftists any punishment upon the officer who bad 5° ."" 00 - bad ducted himself, or whether any other reparatt been made to the British Crown? 011E 3 re f The CHANCELLOR of the ENCO - „ c t'ce °, minded the Noble L eel that he bad u ot eive n - 0 1 04' had insisted upon reparation from his question, but he had to reply that tb G a ° n le Go verf r went. The correspondence which had pas sed vv o i the belie e, prof,:ching to aEp e • ‘,' p and be ee y termila,lo , ri ___alearq , be result would bo saisf.ctory to the haAls e • soon ter . Lord J. RUSSELL a- ked whether reParalteirroveut? injury had let en promised by the Tosco O u ' l g iz sa id b° The CHANCELLOR of the ENCI IEQ r pIY if the should be able to give a more satisfactory re P ly Noble Lord would give notice of his erl esi°l3. the Two _ow. t° re ° INCOMEINCOME-TAN'X . need Mr. HUME wished to know if it was intended vee r? fit w the Income-tax Committee lequirY ~.,OfTTInEs o ld 13° The CHANCELLOR of the e.:CCUE`'4' ,hould have no ehjection to such a preceediner• IRISH VALUATIONS. In rply to Mr. SCULLY. tate atbs ll The e ATTORNEY. GENER AL for Irelan d a ~, i , 13 1 t was the intention of Government to introry Mr. HUME said the on the subject of the tax va,luatioi s in Irelan • t' THE ESTIMATES. A the t as House air' had' ads " te- $ .....,. c nett _.. and money for the navy in an extraordinary Di.;_ no i n r° ference to the income-tax, which would he wanted to know wt.nt was intended to b 0 " eor dy. I d ex piro su ,i d due The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQOEB s t o bte ll , notice would be given of any financial state o l, i o uglw should hereafter be made by the Government --('''. .8 IRISH SAVINGS BANNS. . go , Mr. REYNOLDS then rose to move that tbi6e..jogo!, do, on Tuesday, the 23d day of March,reselveitsel',o of, Committee, to consider of the losses sustained bY ,I. l ' e, eoa ferers in the late Cuffe-street Savings Bank, llab't, Abe to move that an humble address be presented to b'h„, li , Gracious Majesty, praying that her Majesty t oli d to pleased to teke into her Royal consideration% to es" grant them a componsa•ion for their losses, Bea 4 the sure her Majesty that this House will make go„,oece same. Ina former session he had the honour or ' it ee &letting her Majesty'e Ministers on this very sit 'Dee hut the defeat was not followed by a request froto d ,;s Mai sr) , that he should form a Ministry.—(Hear. 6,";et or. , I laugh.) He might as well confess at once that the 0 00. .. of this motion ht to recover the bal ance o f 50, tree t • Geverntnent of Ida ° erll:h9e7ldedmeaP:lit:orts aosfanthaectCouiff ceb'...rciiroi't and 1850; and eve were aware of the insolvency of the bank ion% - ater s pt from the dePuo"jads through motives of public policy, mr iliftle ttd b' t l‘3 l) 'uhat e Leakhs' crisis a:7nci'elucita't:mellre,oat(tioli u g t h i t t . wa l s 'he ke the Co:mmittee . whi ° _ 6 , 0 1) ,,1‘f: i w l ßb i s a , ) 4 f tao t s t. , s t ha i a e S t e 4 m9n meant t before b toehf kingdom. ad opmaa :is: egTane and !I. ll ac o ..dar,uteho :; iocodytirph: f i t Ici to : ::00 " . , plain 0 said, if the banks hn ter m cellor of the Ex h make out was a been disclosed to es - tors it might hove produced the had . m " public P ate dceall fraudulent ne 1 . he; the bank f;,.1 e Ch end tb° e ie° bed be e " el h I wyers and aymen had legally • n equer for the time hewg de poi l 1 liable for the payment o f the or/ re the defalcationswere known.--(flear.' enitit'),° that the depositorgiven - tof the Po ° s f ought to be paid ou . fact fit exchequer and an instalment of 30,0001. bad I n clo ° ' paid to so thern.—(Hear, hear.) There could be ,ed then, t then of the justice of this case, and he conteuu3o,ooo'; he time had arrived when the other es r ; i o ought to be made good by the State.--(Llenerli, At this bank the deficiency in the a mount ,piped "i was 56,229/ 16s. 4d. The number which dire ceibere' it as their erobec vidend of 10s. in the pound was 1,927, an d til t ,f; bll ; 'which was occasioned by the insolvency of c obir l i thou ght t u e osg o e would bo understood when ho stated tha t " .. v e g . 0 soufmthseofdempoosni(tlorsinwetrheedePo stt l y w el o f females, inetituiwonh,o' by preparing for a rainy day. However, bY 'b e 7 ' Old : 4 1 the authorities on this side of the Chaeu e : c 011, e „ 4 frauds committed on the other side, til e 7:Piled of the bank was suppressed, and the poor P e l e der", s 3, themselves victimized in 1848. It had boa o lv 00 that the insolvency of the bank was known fr ° b y t and that the fact had been sup ressed °lir,' P b ile P b ete Commissioners on the grounds of P u , ,ion t ia as they feared if it got into circeles eid bP" 0 would be a run upon all siwi lur o j o gi ct .g•l' Ireland. He had always treated the 30,00 00 isr ‘ , o the unfortunate depositors by the House 3 5 P o e went, not as is final s ettlement of their clai; grtnoe the Commissioners sacrificed their moneY '' n . t e to 11 0 of public policy the House ought in justl a cou la t ie given ample compensation. The Hotien rrbe pe ;,,i act on the principle of charity. ' re - sol' i fieel were either entitled to the whole or theY fin'Aitiel'ber if not entitled to the whole, the House w., 06 ~I t- itie l33 in voting them a single ehilting The Ll•' ) " . . o t '3, concluded by moving the resolution. Eft erl The CHANCELLOR, of the EX.CrIELe-tii b e Y i e tt this was one of th.,se distressing cases with oLiecrertoes Member sympa'hised. No doubt a cousiderau:er elf'o,3f Cl her M , )t,ty' subjects beleneinte to the pooc affe ,e ver had B'Si-red very much by the failure of the P I % ie Bank. He was surprised t, , ,at when 1.110 11.6trsti°i 111 e was so indignant with branches of the Adr ut °tees ° ov Ireland, he toad spared the mating , rs and tr , 9 l ,„ ! ra nt , e ll s bank, whose conduct was certainly as , i i 7., e 0r.) 0 0 infamous as could well be imagined.—(ll",-'it 014 01 3 did not think any one could contend tb 3° , s od Ill w eel duty of the Government .to come foro:aru or, tio o bail ,tO.- amends for the wait tit 8 illSt" ct etee I. of faith of the memigers of therr 0ter',1,00,." The only ground the Il o na, could Ino'e ' u • 00 4 - 'et . ... e tre 4 0 t ~i in the Cuff .. street Bank was the rctillar , r ,6 ' „ 0 0, , which distinguished it from other eo e , J ,', e ceo . f e o tilt 30,0001. was brought forward lo).: 1 1 ; -- 6e4biioOF and attoepted by din itiOoritY, DI r ape went of the %toil tioi. U e OA