The Sun. — London, England, 1852-05-11 00:00:00

LA W INTELLIGENCE. VICE , !CHANCELLOR'S COURT, May 10. (Before Vice-Caancallor PARKER.) THE RIVAL OPERA HOUSES. LUMLEY C. WAGNER. (Continued feem our Aftcruoon Edition of yeeterday.) Mr. BETHEL!, proceeded to say—With regard to to the law of the case, it must be remembered that the interference of the Court would only be to prevent any thing being done in violation of the engagement, and not to enforce specific performance. Now the judg ments and opinions of the Court on this subject must be take* into consideration along with the particular cit.- cumetancea attending them. Now none of the cases relied upon exactly coincided wick thia.case, and he con tended that when there was an agreement, the specific performance of which was only enforceable in a court of law, and to the nonfulfillment of which the common law had attached penalties in the shape of damages only, it was not competent for the Court to take a part of the agreement and interfere to prevent the violation of that part, and leave the whole to take its chance. He would conclude by making an offer, which would show the sincerity of the parties whom he represented. The offer which he had to make was this, that the in junction should be dissolved; and on the part of Mr. Gve he was willing to offer that Mr. Gyo would per sonally answer any amount of damn.% which Mr. Lumley might be able to recover ie any action for breach of the agreement which he might think fit to commence. He trusted, in conclusion, that his Honour would able to decide this case fully and fairly upon its merits!. His HONOUR then proceeded to give judgment. The case, he said, had been very anxiously considered by him, and in its consideration he had been unable to con ceal from himself that from the manner in which the case had been got up the whole particulars and circum - stances had not been laid before him. The Court, how ever, would have to give judgment on the materials be fore it, The article upon which the jurisdiction cf the Court was founded was the prohibitory clause of the agreement, and the first question for the Court to con sider was, whether that clause was or was not a part of the agreement between the parties. It appeared that Dr. Becher was a mutual friend of both parties, and in October, 1851, was e ngaged in procuring engagements fcr Wagner in London and Paris. He was pro vided, in his proceedings on the part of Mr. Lumley, with a pro tern form of his usual agreements, in which was contained the clause of prohibition which had formed the subject of so much comment. Objection was taken to this form of contract by the Wagners, and the remelt was that Lumley 's form of contract was thrown aside, and a new one drawn up, which, being signed by both parties, was carried by Becher to Lumley, at Paris. It was, however, objected at once by Mr. Lumley that the contract did not contain the prohibition, whereupon it was added by Dr. Becher, and signed by him as authorised by Stolle. Johanna Wagner. There was RO doubt that up to this time the Wagners were not bound by what Dr. Becher had done. There was nothing to show that Becher had authority to add this clause, and had it not proceeded further he should have had no hesitation in dismissing this clause as not bind ing upon them. But an agency might be created by subsequent adoption as well as by precedent authority. Dr. Bather stated that having added the clause, he forwarded it to the Wagners, and as he said was acknowledged by Madlie. Johanna in the letter of the 17th of November, 1851. Madlle. Johanna how ever, stated that this letter referred to the contract of M. Roqueplan. It was, however, pretty apparent that from this time they treated this as a contract, and they could not have treated it as a contract and yet re pudiated this clause. It must be remembered, too, that Mr. Lumley had not, signed any contract not containing this clause. Both Madile. Johanna Wagner and M. Albert Wagner, in their correspondence throughout, always considered thatethere was a contract betwera them and Mr. Lumley, and as there had been no contract signed without this clause, it appeared to him therefore that they adopted the clause, and confirmed the agency of Dr. Becher on their beatilit Oa this part of the case, therefore, he had no doubt in deciding in the affirmative, that the clause was adopted ey them. The nest point was the unfair manner in which this contract had been obtained, and it must be remembered that all the allegations of unfairness were limited to the introduc tion of this clause. Now, he did not thick it was a matter of dispute between the parties that some clause of this kind was what might be called a clause, of course, in such contracts perfectly fair and justifiable on the part of Mr. Lumley. It appeared that on the first commencement of negotiations, and on the discussion which took place on this clause, the objections made by the Wagners were not so much against a clause of this nature, as against this particular clause as being too far and too genera?. It must be ob served that Madlle. Wagner in her first affidavit stated that she hail objected to signing any engagement con taining a clause prohibiting her from singing at private contorts, and Mr. Gye's affidavit was to the effect that in the engagements at the Royal Italian Opera there was no clause prohibiting the artistes singing at private concerts. It, therefore, appeared to him that both parties considered some clause of this nature as a matter of course. On the contract, therefore, being sent back to the Weguers they saw the clause, and as they say objected to it, and were only quieted by the as surance of Becher that it should all be set right when they got to London. That was denied by Becher, that it must be observed, however, that might be, that in their correspondence with Mr. Lumley they never alluded to the ciente, but in their communication with Becher they spoke of it more directly, but not in the way of proteet, but only complaining of it as pert of a bargain which they considered bard, but yet by which they were then bound. It appeared to him, there fore, that they received tnis as a bargain by which they were bound, and they were inclined with them eyes open to leave it to Mr. Lumley to allow them any relaxation of it. Ile did not e therefore, think that the clause could be sad to have been unfairly introduced. The next paint to be considered was the payment of the money. Now be considered that clause to be an inde pendent and not a c onditional stipulation, and ho did not think the simple non-performance of it would of itself take away all right of action. Though, however, he did not consider it as a dependent condition, it was, he flatlet, say of essential importance in the contract, and if thde had been shown on the part of Mr. Lumley want of taillingnees or good faith to comply with the stipula tion, he thought that gentleman would have come in vain into that Court to ask it to exorcise that very stringent power which it possessed by way of einjecction. It would be incumbent, therefore, on that gentleman not having paid the money, as it was allowed he had not done, at the time stipu heed, to show under what circumstances the non-pay meet tack place, to answer the charge which was brought against him of non-performance of the contract. Ittc requisite, therefore, carefaily to examine what -45',°'tc Place with reference to the payment of the 300/. nthe Bth o f F e b ruary t h e y found Madlle. Wagner ap plying to Mr. Lumley for an extension of t ime for the commencement of her engagement, and Mr. Lumley at once ga hi ve s consent to that request, but it did not ap pear that Mr. Lumley coupled with it a request for the postponement of th propo sition came f _ payment of the 3001. That propo rota M. Wagner• • the 9th of March, himself, in the latter of to Berlin, to u3.l;3 zhen he re it to be sent, if not the article des , and as ()n (as Mr. Bethell trensleted April. N"-.7 he (Ith.hlry. Etaeon acquiesced) the 2d of er e thee originally ean'diti ice -Chancellor) did not think n onal, and he could not there fore think that the letter;l. see trod ed eced anything conditional into the arrangement. Ali-Lumley him that the direction was no more than inley information where the wagners would he at that w hi c h they wished the money jlalobee, and the manner in Mr. Lumley swore that Dr. Bacher id. At that time had 4001. of his in his bandit, and he did not think that in the case, a s had been contended by there was anything Mr. Bothell which required MreLumley to prove that that money remained in Dr. Bachera; hand whole time.• d Dr. Becher writing (ln the 10th of March they found asked Maul ma a letter to the Waivers, in which he which le'lle. Wagner where money h ad • he should pay the The ____ in his hands Wagnere ready for her' acknowledged of that letter, but denied the receipt -now as that it contained anything to the pay ment No w that letter was n„ of the money. et pro duced, and all he would say . as to that was, that M. Wagner by produe,init it, winch . _h h is d done, would at once have been oleic, if i 1 were true, had been made. T to prove that no such offer h o this I 'n h letter they found Madlie. Wagner rep_aa g o 0: t_e.l2th o f March, telling Becher that she should bk atnehwerin up-to the commencement of Passion Wee , d durin g the whole of that week tat Hamburgh. On the 18th March they found the Wagners receiving a letter from Mr. Luml e y, consenting to an eelargement of the time from the commencement of her engage nent, and informing there that Dr. Becher had un dertaken to forward to them a bill of Exchange for 3001. Now it did not appear on what day the Wagners arrived at Hamburgh, and he could have wished very much that it had appeared, for the next fact that they found in the case was, that on the sth of April, the first day in Passion Week, and the very day on which Madlle. Wagner had informed Dr. Becher that she should reach Hamburgh, and would meet him there for the parlx" of being conducted by him him to England—they found M. Wagner entering into an engagement with Mr- Gye on behalf of his daughter, treating the contract with Mr. Lumley as at an end, and entering into an en tirely new one. If he were asked to consider whether they were justified in so doing by the non-payment of the money, ho really felt obliged to say that the non payment of the money was sufficiently excused by the circumstances which took place. The limits given to Mr. Lumley were the arrival of the Wagners at Hamburgh, and yet here they found them ; Contracting a new engagement on the first day Vil.a,Which Dr. Becher had been informed that the t h e reef Wagners would be at Hamburgh. He thought Were not that, nr.dor these cirmainstence.s, the defendants a no a coti i4stitied ,en the sth alerch in entering into notarial pre ae t,, t t with Mr. Gym or in entering into a existed tette m r. liattin CO to that which already not think thee an-CT -I'l'2Y. If that were the case, he did of any anas ,,, aueu f , _ , l . 7 which took place afterwards was and ,t, mstap cas =' ,l b•e, fact., the whole contract tit t th„a:iarneinet its fulfilment or nen was tendered cu the tem of 'a end. The money wits excused by the e i tatialstz ‘ a pril, and an earlier tender the contract was broken. which took place after he bad the 3001. with him at Hamburgh, had sworn that na reasoa to doubt but that he argil, and there was had that as a means of performing the comma sum with him -t Lumley.: The non-payment of thera°a the part of time extending between the 15 th of Marcr duri the oft April wail sufficiently excused and the lath of the 9th o f March, and also b the by the lett er co mmunication which had t a k en pl ace with Bacher. e ---Lea " °n really could not doubt that th ere wa s a right of action tract on this , and as to what had been urged uponhim with re- r~~ I ~ ~~~ gard to the mis-statements in the bill, he thought that there were certainly inaccuracies, but nut of such gravity as to pu!,. Mr. Lumley in the po sition of losing that right of action. Upon the whole, therefore, he really thought that this was a case in which, following the view taken by Lord Cot tenham, in Dietrichen v. Cabbet, and following, too, the view previously taken by Lord Eldon, the Court was called upon to interfere by;means of an injunction. The Court would regret if the vi.w which it took should be found to be erroneous, and injury should be sustained in consequence by the parties; but he could only say that ho was bound to act in the matter upon the view which he took of the law. As to the arguments which had been based on the view taken by the common law, he did not think that they were material. If the contract was a valid contract, and Madlle Wagner was bound not to act in contravention of it, any reference to the law of the place where that contract was entered into, or the mode of proceeding there, was not necessary. The court found a contract, and was bound to prevent any violation of it so far as it could. He, therefore, was of opinion that its plain duty was to continue the injunction. Mr. BACON asked that the motion for the dissolution might be refused with costs. His HONOUR said he thought he must follow the usual course in these cases, and make the costs, costs in the cause. _ _ The court was crowded during the day's proceedings even more densely than it had been on the two former days. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. THAMES. John Bailey, a corn porter, aged 32, who appeared in a very dejected state, was brought before Mr. Yardley charged with the wilful murder of Caroline Harris, a woman with whom he cohabited. The investigation of this charge, which created a good deal of interest in a crowded court, was abruptly termi nated by the sudden illness of the prisoner, and we give the facts as they have been elicited upon inquiries made in the neighbourhood where the fatal occurrence hap pened. The prisoner, a man of violent diepotition, had cohabited with the woman, who was of dissipated habits, for several years, and he had frequently beaten her. On one occasion ho was fined for an assault upon her, and in default of payment committed to prison for month. On Saturday evening, at five o'clock, the pri soner came home after a hard day's work, and found the woman had gone out some time previous. He went in search of her, and found her at the Dolphin public house, in Cannon-street-road, St. George's-in-the-East, in company with two other women. She was partially in toxicated, and her paramour remonstrated with her and said her acquaintances would remain by her as long as she had any money, and when it was all gone she would come home to him. On their way home to their dwelling in Devonshire-street, Commercial road, they were quarrelling, and Bailey made use of some threats towards her. On reaching home they entered the house together, and directly afterwards a blow, supposed to have been inflicted by the prisoner, was heard, and it was followed by some person falling heavily in the passage. At the time the blow was given the prisoner was heard to exclaim, " Take- that." The parties en tered their room directly afterwards, the door was closed, and the woman was heard to fall several times and to repeatedly call out, " Oh dear ! John ; oh dear." Everything was quiet for a quarter of an hour, when Bailey left his room and called to a Mrs. Knight residing in the same house. Mrs. Knight asked him what he wanted, and he said, " For God's sake come down stairs." Mrs. Knight asked him what he had done, and he said, "My wile is dead." He then ran out of the house and called upon his next door neighbour, a Mrs. Rogers, and begged of her to hasten into his dwelling directly, adding, " I am afraid my old woman is dead." Mrs. Rogers said, " I hope you have not been beating her," to which the prisoner replied, " No; I have only given her a slap of the face." Mrs. Rogers made an observation that perhaps the woman was only in a fit, and hastened into the room where she was lying, and found the deceased with her head against the wall. Mrs. Rogers lifted her from the floor and ex claimed, "Good God! she is dead," and sect for Mr. Rygate, a surgeon, who found considerable marks of violence on her person, which appeared to have been recently inflicted. Mr. Rygate said she had been dead for some time. Police-sergeant Willoughby, 32 K, and Collongridge, a constable, 280 K, soon afterwards took the prisoner into custody, and he said to the officers that when he came home he found the deceased cut, and sought for her and found her in a public-house intoxicated, that he brought her home, and that she fell about the room and hurt herself. Mr. Rygate conducted a post mortem examination of the body yesterday. and forwarded the stomach and its con tents, about which there was something very peculiar, to Dr. Letheby, of the London Hospital, for analy xation. The first witness called before the magistrate was a young woman named Emma Baker, who stated that she was living at No. 44, Devonshire -street, Commercial road, and that the prisoner and the deceased had been cohabiting together for some time at the adjoining house, No. 43. On Saturday evening witness was coming out of her own house, and saw the prisoner and Caroline Harris entering their own dwelling. The woman was crying, and directly she entered the passage witness heard her knocked down. The prisoner said, " Take that. If any man or woman interferes with me I'll serve them in the same way." boon aftewards she saw Caroline llarris dead. The prisoner, who became greatly agitated, here said in a low tone, "I never struck her at all." Mr. John James Rygate, surgeon and M. 8., of Colet place, Commercial-road, said, ho was called into the house No. 43, Devonshire-street, on Saturday evening, and found Caroline Harris lying dead on the door. The left eye was blackened and swollen, and it appeared to have been recently done. There was another bruise on the forehead, one on the right side of the cheek, and one on the chin. All these marks appeared to have been caused by recent violence. He opeced the body that morning, and f oun d a ver y large quantity of extrava sated blood on the base of the brain. Ia answer to questions by the Magistrate, Mr. Rygate said he understood the woman was found with her head bent against the wall. Blows, or falls, or habitual in toxication might have produced congestion of the brain. At this stage of tho proceedings the prisoner turned pale and trembled excessively. He appeared to be in fir, and the officers in attendance caught him as he was falling, and were directed by Mr. Rygate to remove him from the dock to a cooler place and lay him on his back. He soon recovered, but did not appear well enough to be placed in the dock again, and Mr. Yard ley remanded him till Wednesday. THE RAGGED SCHOOLS. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUX. SIR,—Of all the numerous benevolent and valuable institutions, of which this country, and this metropolis in particular, can boast, there are few, if any, that have stronger elaims to the support of the affluent than those designated by the words at the head of this letter. But excellent as the plan i s , an d hi g hl y as it redounds to the credit of its author, the amiable and indefatigable Earl of Shaftesbury, there are i n di v id ua l s w h o scru pl e to contrieute toward the funds of these schools—not that they object to the nature or o bj ect of the plan i tse lf , but to the name it bears. I certainly thi n k t h at a more appropriate appellation might be found, and one also more correct; for the boys, as soon as they are admitted into the schools, however they might have been pre viously clothed in rags, are cleanly and decently cl a d, and afforded the means of becoming industrious and useful members of society. So far as I can judge fro m my ossn personal experience, they are honest, well behaved, and deserving; and last, not least, grateful to their noble benefactor. But my immediate object for thus trespassing cn your attention is, to state that lam acquainted with a charitable and wealthy lady,. who would readily subscribe to the funds of the schools if the title of them were changed. lam ha rdl y , at this mo ment, prepared myself to suggest any other denomina tion; but doubtless some of your numerous readers will be able to supply that deficiency. Thinking these hints may be of some service, I am induced to forward them to you, for the purpose of giving them publicity through journal. Since, medium of your extensively circulated Since, however, the foregoing was in draft, it has oc curred to me that one of the following alterations might be suitable, viz,: " The Destitute Boys' Schools," or " The Destitute Juvenile Schools."—l am, Sir, &c., 38, Castle -street, Holborn. JOHN LLOYD. KING'S COLLEGE HOSPITAL. The task of removing the old buildings in Carey street and Grange-court from the site of the proposed new hospitalproceeds rapidly. The first stone of the new building_ will be laid by the Earl of Ellesmere, the Pnerewsideefthe institution, on the 6th of June. The Portu ga l c le tnenc-es.tiraeheet hospital will occupy the extensive site, bounded by , Carey-street, arey-street, Grange-court, and Sc. groundt'a_lane, of St, eie o which site the now disused burial new corporation tnelat'' parish will form a part. The to purchase have powers under their Act of Parlia mentstreet, which will b the houses at the end of Houghton pulled down, so as to open out a direct communicatieen with King's College, and to create a new thorou ghfarele!itween the Strand and Lincoln's inn-fields, thusa great public improvement. The portion of the effectingh first erected will constitute about a third part of t u h ll „ ding and will comprise the ou'i-pationt department, w w ho it l h e ' the operating theatre and chapel above, several forlarge and handsome ward s , an d everything nece ssary the convenient accom modation of the medical school. b e completed in two portions, consisting ool.The building will of a centre to wards Portugal - street, with theeoffices on the ground fl oo r, and the medical wards above, andll consist chiefly of of the remainder of the Ca re y -street front, which ofw i surgical wards. The south front Grane-court will abut on the new street building facing et formed to conn ect Lon g -ac re with st t r h e e about to be thoroughfare will laces the Record-dß,e City, which now build . , on the Rolls' estate. When these improvements are out the m new hospit al will occu py a v ery convenient carried en corn:l: ai /3 g pesitien , at the c onfluence of several lead- tleadand 1 ing thoroughfar es. The new hospital will acco mmodae t 200 patients, and will have a separate cut- patient de- prurient on a scale commensurate with the lar g e nu mber of petienta of this class which it relievee. The ward-, which will contain fr om 6 to 13 beds, are all g rou ped ' around the grand stairceie, which will be of very noble dimensions. Tho wards will he unusually spacious, the allowance of air to each patient being from 1 , 80 0 to 2,500 cubic feet, and the beds are to be so placed a s to obtain perfect symmetry of arrang ement, and th e ut most convenience for the visits of the physicians and surgeons and of the pupils of the hospital Every group of wards is to be furnished with a light and airy days room for convalescent patients. The heating will be by ,open fireplaces in all the rooms, and in the hall and staircase; and the ventilation will be secured by the op posite arrangement of the windows, which will be made to open above and below. The temperature will be guN l economized to the utmost by glazing the windows with thick glass. In rough weatker, when the windows of the wards cannot be conveniently opened, the great stair case will be a valuable reservoir of fresh air for admis sion into the wards from the passages. The hospital will receive air and light from two spacious courts, sur rounded partially by low buildings. Great unity of purpose and uniformity of plan will prevail throughout the building, both externally and internally, the character of an hospital being completely preserved, ornament being sparingly used, and the desired effect being obtained by variety of outline and happy disposition of the masses of the building. The out-patient department, with the great theatre and chapel above, which will form a very con spicuous object from the new thoroughfare, shows some novel treatment, and promises to be highly effective. The interior arrangements are deserving of the highest corn. mendation, and have evidently received the most care ful study. The fault, if any, is certainly on the side of extreme liberality of space; and it is obvious that, though built for two hundred patients, it would be quite possible, without endangering in any degree the health of the inmate 3, to accommodate twice the number. The soil is gravel, and the facilities for drainage good. The new building, therefore, promises to be a very creditable addition to the many noble buildings devoted to pur poses of charity, and to the archite3tural structures which already adorn the central part of the great metronolis • THE FIRE IN SOUTHWARK. The ground that has been cleared by the destructive element extends in one direction nearly 200 feet. and from 90 to 100 feet in width. The factory of Mr. Hay man, besides containing a most valuable stock of seeds of nearly every description, was fitted up with costly steam machinery and kilns. Such was the rapid progress of the flames, that they speedily communicated to a number of cart-lodes and a spacious timber building be longing to Mr. Reddin, the contractor. When the last named premises took fire a number of waggons, water carts, and timber-trucks were in the buildings, and it was only by extraordinary exertion that any of them could be saved. The following is a copy of the official report of the damage done:—" Monday, May 10, 1852. Called at a quarter past 1 AM. to a large fire in Farn ham-place, Gravel-lane, and the Grove, Southwark. Upon arriving, found the fire in the premises of Mr. Hayman, seed-factor, and Mr. Reddin, contractor. The fire was extinguished by firemen, with 4 D, 3 A, 3 B, and 1 C engines of the London Establishment, one of the West of England office, and one of the parish. The cause of fire not known. The contents of the factory were not insured, but the machinery and buildings were insured in the Atlas Fire-uffiee. The premises, of timber construc tion, used as a seed factory, together with the stock in trade, &c., all but destroyed. Mr. E. Reddin, the con tractor—Buildings and contents insured in the Phoenix Fire-office. Some cart sheds destroyed, and about two thirds of a building of timber construction burnt down. Mr. R. Hale, patent manure factor—Contents not in sured; building in the Phoenix. Side front of factory burnt, and stock damaged by water. Mr. Fletcher, en gineer—Building and contents insured in the West of England-cffice. Side fronts damaged by fire, and con tents by water. Mr. Austin, ironfounder—Contents in sured in the Sun; the building in the Phoenix. Roof damaged by breakage, and contents by water. Mr. C. Hambleton, bedstead maker—Contents and buildings insured in the Phoenix-office. Side front of workshops burnt, and furniture damaged by hasty removal. THE SHOP-BLIND NUISANCE. As will be seen by reference to the very useful "Guide to the Proper Regulation of Buildings," by Mr. liosking, pp. 13, 14, the London Commissioners of Pavements are authorized, but unfortunately not required, by the statute (57 Geo. 3, c. 29), commonly called Michaelangelo Taylor's Act, to regulate or remove all such things as are "inconvenient or incommodious to any passengers along the carriage or foot ways of any of the streets," &c. It so happens, however, that many of these commis sioners of pavements are the very men who commit the nuisance in question: hinc ilia lachrynice. Thirty years' continuance of it in the face of such authorizement shows pretty clearly that however excellently well com missioners of pavements may be able to carry out the principle of self government, they require some central stimulus to move them where their own self-interest or convenience induces them not to move. As remarked by Mr. Hosking, they are sharp in vision where poor hucksters stop the public way, while interfering with their shopkeeping interests. Something really must be dose to get rid of the abominable nuisance of shop sun blinds. This is a nuisance which prevails in towns throughout the whole country. The Act, however, which we lately quoted, namely, 10 & 11 Vict., c. 89, applies to such towns, &c., as have or shail have ah Act incorporating this one, and in it, therefore, some towns have, or may have, their remedy; but it appears that Michaelangelo Taylor's Act is that on which Lon don in the meentime can alone rely—an Act which in this respect has for thirty years remained a dead letter. It is for the London public to say, then, whether they will "require" their pavement commissioners to do what that Act only " authorises" them to do—namely, to insist on the abatement of the shop sun-blind nuisance.— Builder. SEABORNE MAILS. [N signlffes that the mails are sent from the General Post-office by the night—and M by the morning---klispatch.) When made up in ! From what When PLACES. !General Poet-offices port die- due. Loudon: I patched. --- America (by Brit. pkt.)N May 11 .. Liverpool .. May 17 America (by U.S. pkt.) N May is Liverpool .. May 12 America (by U.S. pht.)M Southampt. May 21 Africa (West was*. 1 , !fl lath of the month Plymouth Aloe 3 Alexandria* ........ N,l9th ea 30th of me. Dover .. May 18 Belgium .. N, Daily ......Dover .. Daily Brazil .. 9th of the month Southampt. May 16 Buenos Ayras Be9th of the month Southampt. May 16 codf orn i a ( v i a cha,,,Tres)M,2d & 17th of month Southampt. May 20 Cape of Good 'Hope N.l4th of month Plymouth.. June 3 Constantinople* • N 7th 17th 27th of mo !Dover May 20 Central America .. 2d & 17th of coon.!Southampt. ,May 20 Cha nn el Liles N Mon., Wed., &Fri.'Southampt. To. Th. Sat Chili Mll7th of the month iSouthampt. May 20 Franca &R Twice daily !Dover Twiced aLly Greeco* N 7thl7th27th of mo !Dover Mav 20 Hamburgh N l Tuesday & Friday !London .. Tues. Sat. Holland .. • • MiWednes. & Satur.lLondon Mea.Thur Honduras . N 17th of the mouthjSouthampt. May 20 Ireland _ M&N Twice daily .. ,Holyhead.. Twicedally India (via Southarnia.) M 20th of the month'Southanapt. May 20 India (via Marseilles) 1.1.8 th& 24th efmonthiDover .. May 16 Mediterranean (via ! s,outh a ir, , ,ton) • • M 20th of the month Sonthampt. May 20 mediten ...clean (via Marseilles) N fith& 24th ofmonth Dover May 16 Mexico M Id of the month.. Southampt. June 5 Madeira .. • • M 9th of the month Southampt. May 16 7th,17th,19th,27th Malta* Dover May 18 & 30th of month Naples* .. • • • . N sth 15th 25th ofme Dover •• 'May 12 Papal States* N sth 15th 25th of me Dover .. May 12 Peninsular.. • • .. M 7th 17th 27th of mo Southampt.lMay 16 Peru M r l7th of the month ISouthampt. May 20 Tuscany , *sth 15th 25th of mo Dover .. May 12 West Indies Mll7th of the month Southampt. 'May 20 West Indies (except Havanna & Nassau) M2d of the month i3outhampt.lJune 5 * The mails to those c ountries thus marked (*) are conveyed by French packet via Marseilles. I Southampt. 'June 5 zed (*) are conveyed by INAUGURATION OF THE STATUE OF SIR ROBERT PEEL AT SALFORD.—On Saturday afternoon the ceremony of the inauguration of the statue erected to the memory of the deceased statesman, in Peel Park, Salford, took place. There were present Mr. Joseph Brotherton, M.P. for Salford, the Mayors of Salford and Manchester, Sir John Potter, late Mayor, Sir E. Armytage, Aldermen Langworthy and Agnew, and the whol3 of the councillors of the various wards. Mr. Brotherton, M.P., delivered a warm eulogium on the late Sir It. Peel to the assembled thousands, and at the conclusion of his address, handed over to the Mayors the various docu ments connected with the statue. The assembly was also addressed by the Mayor of Manchester (F. Ashton, Esq.), who remarked on the appropriate period chosen for the in auguration—a time when, he said, the opponents of the late Sir It. Peel were almost routed from the field. Sir John Potter proposed three cheers for the Mayor and corporation of Salford, which was heartily responded to; and after cheers for Mr. Brutherton and Sir John Potter, the company separated. Colonel Maberly has appointed Mr. Allan E. Chambre to be his private secretary at the Post-office, in place of Mr. John Hall, resigned. FEMALE SERVANTS' HOME SOCIETY. - The six teenth annual meeting of this society took place in Exeter halt on Friday night. Charles J. Bevan, Esq., presided, and in an interesting speech opened the business of the meet ing. The Rev. Jos. Brown then read the report, from which it appeared that more than 22, 00 servants had regis tered in the homes, free of expense, and that above 4,000 in mates had been received. There were upwards of 100,000 domestic servants employed in London, and generally above 10,000 out of place. The report stated that the efforts made by Roman Catholics to draw these into houses of mercy had induced the committee to resolve upon increasing the homes, at an expense of 200/., towards which the assistance of the public was earnestly sought. There would then be accom modation for eighty servants at one time, and an average of one thousand in the year. It was also intended to receive two orphans, to be trained as servants. The annual sermon of the society was preached last Sunday evening, by the Rev. W. S. Rowe, chaplain of Horsemonger-lane gaol, who also advocated the cause on the platform with con siderable power. The Revs. W. Izard, Samuel Jones, W. Carr, James I'roctor, and Jos. Payne, Esq., took part in the proceedings. In the course of the evening seventeen servants, who had lived three years in their situations, received the society's reward of a handsomely-bound l3ible and a sove reign, the chairman, with his accustomed liberality, pre senting the sovereigns. Previous to the meeting, 120 ser vants took tea in the hall, including a party of young women about to emigrate under the auspices of the Female Emigra tion Society. Among other ladies and gentlemen. there were present— the lions. Mrs. Sidney Herbert and Mr. Acourt. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Mr. Bevan, who responded in a manner which elicited much applause from the audience. NEW PARLIAMENTARY BOROUGH FOR WEST LON- DoN.—On Thursday afternoon a numerous deputation from the parishes of Chelsea, Kensington, Hammersmith, and Fulham had an interview with the Earl of Derby, by ap pointment, at the Treasury. The deputation was accom panied and introduced by Lord R. Grosvenor, M.P. for the csunty. Mr. W. Simpson, of Hammersmith, said that at the passing of the Reform Bill the several districts round London were formed into boroughs, with the exception of this, the western district, which now possessed equal, if not superior, claims to most of the others, from its important interests, population, intelligence, and wealth. Greenwich with a population of 65,000 returned members, whereas the West London district, now containing a population of 130,000, was not a constituency. After other gentlemen had briefly addressed his Lordship, Lord Derby said that it was most natural at such a time when the vacant seats were to be disposed of, so important a district should urge its claims to have representatives. He, of course, as an individual member of the Government, could not then give a decision upon the case, but promised that he would communicate the views of the deputation to his colleagues, who would give every consideration to the claims of this district as com pbearfeudrnwisithhedthwaittoh the e ers • and he (Lord Derby) req uested to various statistics given by the sever al gentlemen. ROYAL ASYLUM OF ST. ANN'S SOCIETT.—The Earl of Yarborough will preside at the anniversary at the London Tavern, on Wednesday next, supported by a nu merous body of noblemen, awl gentlemen, especially of the masonic craft. .s 1 ‘ L i 0 N PITEBDAY IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS, May 10. The LORD CHANCELLOR to,lt his eeat on the Wool sack at Five o'clock. MASTERS IN CHANCERY ABOLITION BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading of this Bill. Having already explained the ob- jects of this Bill, his Lordship said that he did not think it necessary to go into its details on the present Occasion. Lord CRAN WORTH said he did not mean to op pose the Bill altogether, although he doubted somewhat of its successful working, inasmuch as he thought suitors would not always be inclined to rest satisfied with an inquisition into their affairs carried on by an official bear ing no higher rank than that of a judge's clerk. He thought some measures might be devised by which the master's duties should be devolved on the registrars. The LORD CHANCELLOR said that this was the first time that he had heard such a proposition made, but at first sight it appeared to him that the registrars were at present too much occupied by their own duties to be able to bear an additional burden. Lord LYNDHURST advised their Lordships to ad here to the recommendation of the Commission as embodied in the present Bill. After a few words from Lord CAMPBELL, The Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be referred to a Select Committee. FURTHER CHANCERY REFORMS. The LORD CHANCELLOR then moved the first reading of a Bill, the second Bill on the subject of Chancery Reform, which he said contained the whole of the remaining recommendations of the Commission. He would not now go into the details of the measure, but he proposed after the second reading, to refer it to a Select Committee, and ho hoped to get both the Bills through the Select Committee pari pass, and send them both down to the other House, in full time for them to pass into law this session. After a few words from Lords LYNDHURST and CRANWORTEI, the Bill was read a first time. LUNACY. The LORD CHANCELLOR also laid on the table, a Bill to improve the system of the administration of the affairs of lunatics, who had not been declared so by Com mission, but who had resided a certain time in the lunatic asylum. The Bill was read a first time. CONVOCATION OF THE CLERGY OF YORK. Lord REDESDALE then rose to bring forward a motion, of which he had given notice, for copies of the writs summoning convocation in the province of York. He said their Lordships would recollect that last session he had called their attention to the subject of convoca tion, and certainly since then the subject had lost none of its interest. He believed there was a steady and pro gressive desire on the part of those interested in the Church, that her members should have the same means of governing her affairs as were enjoyed by the Church of Scotland and by every other religious community. It was well known that great exertions were making, on the part of the Church of Rome, to have synodical action; and it was of course more important that the Church of England should possess that power. It was necessary that some tribunal shuuld exist, before which questions relating either to doctrine or discipline might be referred; and all persons must feel that neither House of Parliament was a fitting body for that pur pose, to which petitions or inquiries could be properly addressed relative to subjects connected with the Church.—(Hear, hear.) It could not be denied that the Church of England was deficient in some tribunal of this kind, to which could be submitted the control of her internal regulations.—(Hear, hear.) Leaving now, with these remarks, tho general question, he would refer to the particular matter which formed the subject cf his motion. It was known to their Lordships, probably, that the Convocation of Canterbury, though it did not proceed to discussion, was regularly constituted, and, to some extent, even might be said to transact business; for it presented an address to the Crown though not permitted to enter upon any other matter. The convocation of the province of York, however, though it was a body more popularly constituted—a e., having more elected members—had not so regular a character, and bad ceased for a long period to discuss any business. It never assembled, for instance, in two houses, but the prelates sat in the same chamber with the minor clergy—partly, no doubt, from the limited number of bishops in the province, and partly from the fact that, as there was no business to draw them together at York on the assemblingaof Parliament (the occasion when con vocation was summoned), t h e y usually sent proxies. There had, therefore, been a limited attendance and but little business. It would be desirable to revive the power of exercising the proper functions of convocation as they had of old been exercised ever since the Reformation. Thus the canons of 1603 had been considered and sanctioned by the clergy of the archdiocese of York i n 1704, in convocation, summoned by Archbishop H utton ; but in which , owing to that prelate's death, the dean, by royal commission, had presided. So, after the Restoration, there was an assembly and convocation (as we under stood) on Church affairs. So, in Queen Anne's reign there was an address to her Majesty with regard to Queen Anne's Bounty. Even during the reign of her present Majesty, in 1847, the clergy of the province of York desired to address the Crown, and the late Primate concurred in that wish; but dying, his successor did not like to disturb a long-standing system, and so the mat ter dropped, and from that time till the present year no convocation had been summoned. In this year, however, they were summoned in the usual form. They had ad journed to the chapter-house, and stated that it was their intention to present a petition to the Queen, to which a courteous reply was seat by his Grace that in the ab sence of any licence from the Crown he could only direct the petition to be sent into the registrar. Under these circumstances, and supposing that everything had been regular, they had thought it right to make this state meat; but he was sure that he would not be conveying the wishes of the parties, if be reflected in any way upon the conduct of the Right Rev, Prelate upon that occa sion. Everyone must appreciate the unwillingness of the Right Rev. Prelate to take any steps except those which had been sanctioned by former precedent. At the same time be was sure it would be felt that it was open to all to canvass the question of whether the not opening the session annually was one which ought to be perse vered in, or a course which was justified by precedent. Hitherto the question had stood thus—that where at tendance wa s giyen, the sessi on was opene d ; an d it was a feeling shared in by himself and others, that the clergy of one province should en joy the same privileges as were enjoyed by the other. He hoped and trusted that in calling the attention of their Lordships, he had not done one, and he wo u ld suggest that the example i v: l h Y ic t h o w an e ) ; about to be set by the Right Rev. Prelate's lamented predecessor might be more grateful to the clergy, and with these remarks he begged to sub mit the motion, which was merely of a formal nature, to their Lordships. Th e Archbishop of YORK thanked the Noble Lord for the temperate manner in which he had alluded to the matteraand to the Right Rev. Prelate his predecessor and himself. True, his lamented predecessor had given a most unwilling assent to it. In 1837, on the acces sion of the present Sovereign, when it was proposed to meet and forward an address of hold a convocat ion, and congratulation to her Majesty, it had been forbidden by his predecessor, because it had not been done for the last 180 years. At his very advanced age, and imme diately before his death, at the solicitation of certain parties, he had given a reluctant assent to present a petition. When the writ came down to York, he bad transferred it as quickly as possible to the registrar, with orders that whatever had been aforetime done should in that case be done also. He was not an inex perienced man, but had held the office from the earliest part of the century, and had succeeded his father, who had held the office - fur fifty years, commencing in 1779, so that it had been in the family for nearly 100 years. He concluded, therefore, that whatever had been the practice would be done. It appeared that no archbishop had attended in any instance since the time of Henry VIII., except twice —once after the revolution in 1688, and again in 1708. There was no single instance ex cept those two. There were always some Commissioners who represented the archbishop, who were gene rall y the dean and chapter, and who attended the convocation. It was true that the convocation met on the 4th of Feb., and that one of the members sent to him to say that be had one or more petitions to present to the convocation. He presumed that it was the duty of the proper officer to receive them. On the sth, a f te r they had me t—how many were prese n t h e did not know, but he had a letter stating that they chapter-house, and that they foun d nobody in attend ance, and adjourned. H e had written to the deputy registrar, who had stated that all had been done which was usual and customary. He had never heard anything mor e of the matter until it had been brought forward be the Noble Earl, but he had satisfied himself that what bad been done was according to the us ua l practice. He had rece ived a letter from his secretary on " with r es p ect to writs e m the Crown , y our Grace has the subject, in which he stated that since your translation to the see, done all that was ne cessary in such cases." That was in answer to a letter directing him to make inquiries into former precedents. He also h a d a letter from a canon residentia r y of York, of twenty- s i x chapl a i n to the late Archbishop, and who stated that years' standing, wh o had been domestic the former Archbisho h a d never been present , nor was , any archbi s h op preset:a p t in the chapter - house since the year 1720 when it was opened by Archbishop Sharpe; and that the prorogation of the writ on the 4th of Februa r y was strictly in accordance with precedent. Now the writer, Mr. Dixon, was an accomplished anti quarian, and he had assured him that there had not been the slightest departure from ancient custom. He could not pledge himself to do so on any future occa sion, at the same time the address of the Noble Earl should have his best consideration. Lord LYTTLETON would be extremely sorry to see the convocations of either province brought into ex istence for business in their present constitution, and in an irregular taannpr, as if by surprise. Still he thought that the convocation should be allowed to petition and memorialize the Crown, as was done frequently in the dioc ese of Canterbury. It would appear that the Right Reverend Prelate relied entirely upon the information he had received from others, and contended that what ho had done was serietly in accordance with precedent. But he w as i n f ormed t h at on th e 19th of November, . 1847, the qu es ti on o f t h e e l ec tion of the Archbishop of York was taken into consideration, as a ppeared by the records of the court. Oa the occasion referred to by the Noble Earl, notice had been given to the Noble Earl that a petition would be presented, and that was the grievance of which those parties complained. The Earl of REDESDALE replied, observing that he was sure the address of the Right Rev. Prelate would be received with as much satisfaction by their Lordships as himself. The motion was then agreed to. COURT OF APPEAL IN MATTERS OF - DOC TRINE. The Bishop of L01%1.6 - 01'1 Paid that it would be iu tho :El V _EI W I NI 14, MA V 1 i t recollection of their Lordships that in 1850 he bad in troduced a Bill into the House for the purpose of regu lating the court of last appeal, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, in all cases where the question of doctrine should come before them. The important pro vision of the Bill was ►that the Bishops should deliberate thereupon, and communicate the result to the Privy Council ; that the Privy Council should be bound by that opinion to decide whether the doctrine was true doctrine and consistent with the doctrines of the Church of England. The Bill had not been favourably received by their Lordships, and he had suffered last year to pass, contenting himself with only giving an intimation that he did not altogether let the subject cease. It was one of such a nature that it ought not to be suffered to I rest much longer undetermined. All he intended to say on the present occasion was only that early next session, if it pleased God to spare him, he intended to introduce a Bill, different ,in one important point from the former one, because it did away with the objection that had been made, still con tending that the question of doctrine should be referred to the Bishops or to the Upper House of Convocation; that their opinions should be communicated to the Judi cial Committee of the Privy Council, but that it should not be binding upon them, but merely communicated to them in the way of advice. That was obviously a very important alteration, because it was objected that the former Bill was an invasion of the jurisdiction of the Court. He mentioned the matter now that the Govern ment might have time to consider the question, and make up their minds how far they would sanction the prin ciple. He did not think it right to put a question di rectly to the Noble Earl at the head of the Government. Ile wished merely to express an anxious hope, which was shared with him by many others, that the proposition would receive the favourable consideration of those with whom, after all, the decision must rest. The matter had been incorrectly placed upon the minutes of their Lord ships' House, for he certainly had not intended to put a direct question to the Noble Lord at the head of the I Government. The Earl of DERBY thanked the Right Rev. Prelate for not having brought forward the subject as a direct question, which it might have been inconvenient to ex press an opinion upon, with regard to the course which her Majesty's Government might think it right to adopt upon a Bill not then before the House. Such a course would lead to a❑ inconvenient precedent, and, in the po sition he was at present placed in, he was certainly un able to express an opinion with regard to the course the Government might take, without consulting his col leagues upon both the principle and details of toe Bill. If he rightly understood the Right Rev. Prelate, he pro posed to leave the jurisdiction in the same hands us it was at present, and did not propose to interfere in any way with the opinion and decision of the Privy Council, but he proposed that the Bishops—as their Lordships sometimes acted i❑ calling in the Judges to direct their opinions and judgment—should be called upon to give their opinion, when the question arose upon matters of doctrine, to say what was essentially doctrine, or heresy, or error. Although he certainly could not pledge him self as to the course he would pursue ; yet, if he was not mistaken, he recollected a proposition of some such intermediate step between the Bill of the Right Rev. Prelate of 1850 and the total rejection of the mea sure having been made to their Lordships. Still he was of opinion that where a question arose of what was false doctrine or heresy, the opinion of the Bishops upon such points—although they might not he entitled to decide what was doctrine—yet their opinion and judgment must be most valuable upon such questions, as they must have long and deeply studied it, in directing the judg ment of the Privy Council to a final decision. Further than that he did not think the Right Rev. Prelate would wish him at present to go.—(Hear, hear.) ECCLESIASTICAL MUNIMENTS. On the motion of the Bishop of SALISBURY, the House went into Committee on the Ecclesiastical Muni ments Bill, After a brief conversation it was agreed to send the Bill to a Select Committee. BURGHS IN SCOTLAND BILL. On the motion of the Earl of MINTO this Bill was read a second time. INDIA. Lord MONTE AGLE gave notice that to-morrow (this day) hu would present a petition concerning the position and political rights of the natives of India under the last Act for the renewal of the charter. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 10. The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four o'clock. NEW MEMBER. Mr. BUTT, Q.C., took the oaths and his seat for Harwich. The Hon. and Learned Gentleman was in troduced by Sir R. H. INGLis and Mr. HAMILTON. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Lords' amendments to the Ilkley Waterworks Bill were considered and agreed to. The following Bills were read a third time and passed; Aberdeen Boys' and Girls' Hospital. Dumfries and Maxwelltown Waterworks. Eastern Counties Railway. Haw Bridge and Roads. London Gas Light Company. Portrush Harbour. Runcorn Improvement. St. Helen's Gas. The following Bills were considered and agreed to, and ordered to be read a third time':— Abbey Tintern and Bigswear Roads. Claussen's Patent Flax Company. Lancashire and Yorkshire and York and North Mid. land Railways. Leek and Hassop and Middleshills and Buxton Road. London (City) Improvements. Manchester, Buxton, Matlock, and Midlands Junction Railway. Railway Passengers' Assurance Company. Sharples and Hoghton Road. Shields and Morpeth Roads. Macclesfield and Buxton Road. Yeovil and Ilclaester Turnpike Trusts. West Middlesex Waterworks. PETITIONS. Mr. DUNCAN presented s everal petitions from vari ous parts of Scotland against the Maynooth grant. The Marquis of GRANBY presented a petition from the guardians of Stamford, praying for the repeal of the Vestries Act. Mr. BAILLIE presented a petition from Inverness against the bias nooth grant. Mr. ELLIOT prevented a petition from Roxburgh against the Militia Bisenll. Mr. GROG AN presented a petition from the Corpo ration of Dublin, praying the House to make grants to their local charities• resented a petition from the Colonel FREES TUN p attorney - a and solicit of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis against the certificate duty. Sir B. HALL presented a petition from Marylebone, praying for the repeal of all taxes on knowledge; also a petition from the University of Loudon, praying to be allowed to return a Member to Parliament. Mr. SPOONER presented several petitions from va rious parts of the country against the Maynooth grant. Mr. REYNOLDS presented a petition from the /O man Catholic inhabitants of Morpeth against the Cha ritable Trusts Bill. Colonel THOMPSON presented a petition from Hartlepool against the Extradition of Deserters Bill. me. HILDYARD p resented a petition from White haven n againstzyw the ()R TMEjay•nooth grant.presented a petition from Derby r ag ainst tho Mili tia Bill. Mr. COWAN p resented a n umber of petitions from different parts of Scotland against the Maynooth grant. Sir G. PECHELL presented a petition from Brighton praying for the abolition of church rates. Sir J. PAKINGTON presented two petitions, one f r om Jamaica and the other from British Guinea, corn• plsining.of distress and praying for relief. The MASTER of the ROLLS presented a petition from Southwark, praying that hospitals may not be exempted from the Charitable Trusts Bill. JAMAICA. Sir B. IL INGLIS presented a petition from the mi nisters of religion in Jamaica, complaining of the ex isting distress of that island, and praying the House to take measures to enable the inhabitants to remove it ; also a petition from the chief justice, the other judges, barristers, solicitors, and others practising in the law in the same island containing the same complaint, and praying for protec tion against the states where slaves prevail. He asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in reference to the prayer of the foregoing petitions, whether the attention of her Majesty's Government would be directed, in the course of the next session, if not in the present session of Parlia ment, to the distress in the island of Jamaica, and in other colonial dependencies of the Crown, with a view to relieving the same, either by continuance of the differential duties on slave-grown sugar, or by a reduction of the duties on free labour sugar, or by any other mode which they may recommend to the wisdom of Parliament, regarding such a subject as an excep tion, on moral grounds, to the general question of free trade. Sir J. PAKINGTON said it would be in the recol lection of the House that on a previous occasion he had that although he was deeply se nsible of the distress that answer©d a similar question t o this. He stated then c existed in the West Ind ia islands, yet, under present i rcums t an ces, it was not the intention of Government to deal with the subject this session.—(Elear.) He must repeat that answer no w, while with regard to the second branch of the question he was sure the House would see impossible eforeference for hriemteoncseay what course to this matt e r next Go vernmentthat it was s ession, though he could assure the Hon. Baronet th at this was a subject wh ich would have the constant atten woimulpdos pursue in atten tion of Government.—(Hear.) THE PASHA OF EGYPT. Mr. ANDERSON gave notice that to-morrow he should ask the Government whether they had received an y official information of the termination of the dis putes between the Porte and the Pasha of Egypt. LONDON UNIVERSITY. An LION. MEMBER gave notice that in the event of the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Bill for appropriating the seats tiken for Sudbury and St. Albans reaching Committee he should move that two of the seats be appropriated to the London University. THE REFRESHMENTS STAND IN THE HALL. In reply to Mr. ROEBUCK, Mr. Alderman HUMPHERY, the chairman of the Refreshment Committee, stated that the Lord Chamber lain had di rec t e d t h e refreshment stand in the hall, pro vided for the use of Members serving on Committees, be removed. from the Mr. ROEBUCK wished then to know the Government Chancellor of the Exchequ'r whether nt interference to were disposed to tolerate this impertinet,ers?—(ilear.) with the convenience and comfort of Mein The CHANCELLOR of the this was the first he had heard o aware whether the etsuce—(4 laugh)—and be eras not EfXtChilis Va l v j e E c l i t r c us said act of the Chamberlain was a breach of privilege,' Sir, I certainly did not expect ever to hear the claims of but ho would make inquiries into the matter.—(flear, ! this constituency derided by Liberal Members.—(Hear, hear.) It certainly was for the convenience of hear.) Her Majesty's Govern .meut propose to raceme Members that the stand should be restored, and he would mend to the House that two of those seats shall be ap see if some arrangement could not he made which should pertioned to the West Riding of Yorkshire.—(Cheer s. ) be agreeable to all parties. The constituency of the West Riding of Yorkshire is, as - MINIE RIFLE. lion. Gentlemen are aware, about 37,000. Generally In reply to Mr. W. 0. STANLEY, speaking, the representation of the county has been, as Colonel DUNNE said the Minio rifle had not clearly far as the great material interests are concerned, neu been proved to be the best; its advantage consisted in the tralised, in the opinions of its Members, in this House. amount of ammunition it required, and the Master of The agricultural or manufacturing interests have gene the. Ordnance had directed some experiments to be rally sent Members into the House of Commons ot such made with it.—(Hear.) The order which bad been opposite political opinions in reference to these great in given for a quantity to a Birmingham house was authe- terests, that they have sustained a nicely-balanced power rised by the late Government, and not by her Majesty's upon the important subjects connected with these inte present advisers.—(Hear.) rests.—(Hear.) But on remarkable occasions, when po - PAYMASTER'i ANT) PURSERS. pular feeling has been much excited, that has happened Sir GEORGE PECHELL wished to inquire of the which has generally happened under such circumstance s Secretary of the Admiralty what progress has been made —namely, although the parties in this great district are towards the arrangement for a new mode of keeping nicely balanced, popular opinion has just given the decid the accounts of the paymasters and pursers, and whether ing impulse to the election, and two Members ot the the report of the Committee would be laid before the same opinion have been sent here as representative s, House. as in 1811, for example; and a moiety of this Mr. STAFFORD said the report had been received, great constituency has been practically disfranchised. and the practice recommended would be speedily adopted. —(Hear, hear.) Sir, under these circumstances, it the There would be no objection to lay the report upon the two Members were to be given without providing for table.—(flear.) these difficulties, it is very probable that the same result BOARD OF HEALTH. would frequently occur under similar circumstances, and Mr. VIVIAN wished to ask the Commissioner of you would have four Members returned fir the county Works whether her Majesty') Government had in pre- by a similar casting majority, and of the same opinions paration any measure for empowering local boards of as those returned in 1841. You have had two lalembers health to provide means of burial in their districts where in the House profesaing Conservative opinions, who have the existing burial accommodation was insufficient; and been returned by a small majority. Fur instance, the whether they had any intention of introiucing any mea- constituency being 37,000, I think the two Conservative sure for that purpose? Members elected in 1841 were returned by a majority Lord JOHN MANNERS said a Bill was in prepare- barely exceeding 1,000. Under such circumstances her tion, but there was little chance of legislating on the Majesty's Government think the best curse to recoua subject this session, mend is that the West Riding of Yorkshire should be di- BETTING LISTS. vided.—(Hear, hear.) And if the House will permit Mr. STANFORD wished to ts,le the Secretary for me to lay before them the reasons which have induced the Home Department if his a tt en ti on h a d b een d raw n to us to recommend that course, and the method by which the rapid increase of a s p ec i es o f l ow gam bli ng h ouses i n we propose to carry out this division in order to effect all parts of the metropolis, styled "betting houses," with that object, I will at on ce p rocee d to d o so .—(Hear, a view to any legislative remedy ? hear.) Sir, when we had arrived at this conclusion of Mr. WALPOLE said his attention had been called recommending to the House the division of the West to the subject, but ho was not prepared to state yet Riding of Yorkshire into two, e:leh of which can be whether Government was disposed to interfere in the represented by two Members, we naturally supposed matter.—(Hear. hear.) that that division could be effected by availing our- THE UNIVERSITY COMMISSION. selves of what I may call the natural and leading Lord J. RUSSELL wished to know when the report of the University Commission would be laid on the table? divisions of the hundreds, or as they are called in the West Riding, the wapentakes. There are ten wspen" takes, and by a division of these we naturally think that Mr. WALPOLE said it was in the hands of the prin ter, and it would be kid bafore the House immediately. ASSIGNMENT OF THE FORFEITED SEATS OF ST. ALBANS AND SUDBURY. The orders of the day having been gone through pro forma, our o►,ject can be effected. Bat when we examine the divisions of them we find that they present difficulties that are insurmountable. For example, one wapentuke or hundred oat of the ten possesses at this moment more than one-third of the whole consti:nency. It was, there fore, found impossible that we could recommend such division. There are other reasons to prevent such tt division, which at the present moment I do not thinls it necessary to trouble the House by detailing. We find it impossible under such circumstances to effect a proper division by availing ourselves of the natural districts of the county. That being the case, we thought the diffi culties might be overcome by establishing a division of the west siding by means of the polling-places. But 0 it is in the power of the justices in their court of quarter sessions to change these districts at their will, the House will see that we are again baffled in effecting such all arrangement, for a division of this character would not afford us any permanent boundary. We, therefore+ think it impossible to effect our object by th e present system of Electoral divisions. A suggest ( e s ° has, however, been made to us to meet the dim" culty; it is one which I observe has transpired --- Ido not regret it; but it has led to some of the most unfounded and ludicrous representations that have ever been circulated. It was represented to us that the county megistrates of the West Riding, for county Pu," p ,ses, at this very time and for some period back, fit: l w ing the necessity of dividing the West Riding, have con structed a division of the riding; and we were recom mended to consider that division. It appears that they have not yet formally adopted this arrangement, buC they have frequently discussed it amongst themselves, and it has been received with great favour by gentlemen of different opinions in the county. I have this plan nor/ before me. It proposes to take the simple and intent gible boundary of the Midland Railway, which I thin" I can show to the House is one entitled to their eonsi deration.—(Cheers.) The Midland Railway would enter the West Riding from the county of Derby, it would then lead to Skipton; then turning towards Cole, it proceed s until it meets the t own o f M anc h es t er . This division would thus effect the constituency. All that part of the country lying south and west of the line, we shall pro: pose to call the southern division of the county; and all that part lying north and east, we propose to call the northern division of the west riding. Wherever a towns ship intersects this line, we propose that it shall belong to the northern division, in order that no such township should be divided or overlooked in this ar rangement. The effect of the constituency in each Of these divisions as to numbers will then be this—the con stituency of the northern division will amount to 17,96 5 . and that of the southern division 18,785.—(Cheeri n k ) Now I have considered, with some attention, a criticism that has met my eye, and which, I confess, in the li V e _ l ; ness of its remarks, reminded me of some observe:lm which I have heard elsewhere. I find the great genu s brought against this project is founded upon tbisobjeetion —that the n or th ern di v i s i on we h ave t h us merite d Oot composed of an agricult ura l const i tuency . Now , °°u n say for myself—and I o ff er t hi s as a remar k rather th a as an argument—if th e 17,00 0 or 18,000 o f the consti tuency in this division b e compose d o f persons most in: tern sted in agriculture, I see no reason why they shou ld not be represented in this House as well as any other constituency within the kingdom.—(Hear, bear.) NO more, I cannot understand why an objection should be made to 17,900 persons forming a constituency in thi s northern division being represented by a person con' connected with the agricultural interest, any more than the 18,900 in the southern division being represented by a person intimately connected with manufacture. I really think that 17,000 or 18,000 independent electors in rh,e county have a right to choose those Members they s hil l most entitled to their confidence.—(Hear, hear.) 1311 f it should be observed if the division have the effect i ' 9 ,„ making one portion of the West Riding almost Plir e v i l e agricultural—it that were true, in the same way leave the other division, the southern division, e ntir o eij manufacturing; and therefore it might be equa ll y g be ues jected to us that we take a contracted view of this Lion in reference to this latter division, for it lip i g " for said that by such an arrangement the Hon. Tel to e the West Riding (Mr. Cobden) will be its repr ess b a t tive for life, for we are giving him a constituency that is entirely devoted to him—(He ar . h e ar) —in I.ll°t ' ee the Hon. Member for the West Riding will presentative of a constituency in which no element of_ opposition exists.—(Hear, hear.) Well, if the resu_esf this arrangement be that the Hon. Member for the W Riding shall have a permanent seat in this House. , I be the re' cannot say that I shall regret it. I confess that I show" be sorry to see him absent from this House. Where a man has the po wer o f i n fl uenc i ng public opinion it is, in my mind, much better that be should be resPon: sible for his cond uct i n an assem bly like this than that he should ex erc i se hi s great ta l en t s in other scenes, T o dependently of hi s res ponsibility as a Member of t" British House of Commons.—(Hear, hear.) In the Ina( of the county magistrates which expresses their plan.... perceive that the division therein marked out is ma de connexion with a simple and intelligible line of r efloat' although a manufacturi ng t o wn. 7 by which Leeds , 0 throwinto the northern division. We propose to fo e , low that intelligib le line of r ailway, and to leave L ee ': in its natural position—the northern division. Suc h en ; division may , no doubt, prevent Leeds e xerc i s ing its due au thority in connexion with th e i nterests of the so uthern division. The southern division is entirely Inel itit a il ea c' i turing; it, therefore, w ants no assistance whatever re — Leeds, and by allowing it to remain in the nortberd division we shall be promoting the enterprise 811 . energy of a great manufacturing town working to northern as i t ough division i t v o i s i b o e n , large agricultural district. We propose that Leeds' as ewleectisohnal to Wakefield, its former t he election tog° rive, to be for the southern division.--(Hear, hear.) I mentiosl 11 these details because I wish to show that we have real . no selfish nor sinister design in making this recomeee il . i dation.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, we thought it but respect; to Parliament and the country that we should exerli? ge d florleatho into and consider well all the plans that could bed ert;go to effect the object which we have in view. We 119 0 e ssi" it due to this House to bring forward our plan s, e for tuned that we could confidently recommend that P us to your adoption which we consider more advantege°,,oes the community at large. But this, after all, is B e si ,hall tion for the Committee of this House. Although an d endeavour to support the views of the Governme nt ' en although I shall be prepared to express to the 1 -I " us ' e nd another occasion, the minute details of this Pls e n s ' r t he all those reasons which I think can be urged we adoption of this line of demarcation—(Hear)o sne ettr , have no other object in view but that there sha ll be the tied into effect that plan which is most agreeable Notry. House, as well as most advantageous to the °°u ere And if any gentleman can show t o th e House t hat tbe can be a line of demarcation more advantageous t ° f a ir c ommunity—more just in its conception—ono m°r e e s alto: , in its application, and more b ene fi c i a l in its ' P ell her ]]Majesty's Government will be but too si os pleased to support it.—(C r i es o f " H ear , hear.") L yhich re mains for me to exp ress to the House t h e views- a to her Majesty's Government have adopted in reg sr to the two other seats that aro vacant. With reg lered the two other seats that are vacant, we have cons see s that on the whole we cannot he guided in the Pr ° a t• instance by a better principle than that I have tempted to express. I would remind Hon. Go 2 "` t t he that the question we have to consider now is not 0" large question of Parliamentary reform —it i S t he rof portent question of completing the proper num': 0 11 Members in this House, with a due deference b ° We existing arrangements in respect to the franchise. _A to must, then, app or ti on t h ese seats with a due regsrtmot our existing P ar li amentar y arrangements. h°P iv ith when this subject is discussed it will be viewed may conviction of the truth of that observation. There „,sectl be gentlem en w h o di sa pprove of the present ;Lased. upon which th e cons tituencies of the country ar Tegitis Different opinions upon such a question may be at thes e mately maintained and powerfully advocated. ce ar ises questions do not enter into this discussion, schtesiv_,eet from the necessity of having to apportion thos to the seats with due regard to all existing arrangementstd 11 " ee the franchise, and with a due rege e r se specs to of co. _ number of voters throughout the country, which w heri must form a most material clement in our inquieoev___,,et called upon to decide upon the a pporti t est we are these as a of those coats ,—(Hear, hear.) Taking . w oe° of the relative claims of the different places to i r et c _ esee , representation —taking as a test the degree 0f the ir Lion which they at present possess —taking', I e rn relative claims, and making such claims depeel s eche th e ir present relative representation, I fi nd among aideruble number of constituencie s of counties au n Of fabtitaerwi roughs the city of Westalinoter, with CO The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER then moved for leave to bring in a Bill to assign the seats forfeited by the disfranchisement of the boroughs of Sudbury and St. Albans. He said that when he as sumed his seat, after his election, he stated to the House, in reply to the Honourable Member for Wolverhampton, the general policy of the Government, and the course they intended to pursue for the dispatch of the business before the House. He stated then that though it was the intention of the Government to counsel her Majesty to dissolve the present Parlia ment, they were not prepared to give that advice until those measures were passed which the exigency of the public service required, or which the Government considered of paramount importance. He did not men tion all the necessary measures which would be brought in, but he stated there were three of paramount importance : tat—one with reference to the internal defence of the country; second, another to carry into effect the recommendations fora reform in Chancery; and lastly, he added that the Government intended, when the Bill for the disfranchisement of St. Albans passed, they would ask the House to com plete the constitutional number which formed the aggregate of the House of Commons. He confessed he was surprised and individually pained to hear it in sinuated that in proposing this Bill he had taken the House by surprise, and committed, he would not say a breach of trust, thougn that accusation had met his eye, but tampered with that honourable understanding which ex isted between the Government and the House. He was not conscious of having acted in any other than a perfectly straightforward manner. He trusted this explanation would acquit him of any charge inconsistent with his position, as a Minister.—(Hear, hear.) The Government thought it was highly expedient that the seats vacated should be filled up before the dissolution. Honourable Members opposite might ask what particular magic there was in the number of 658 Members? He confessed he would be somewhat perplexed to defend the cabalistic charge as to that fixed number. The foundation of all arrangements, however, consisted in prescription created by experience and sanctioned by custom. Prescription was the most im portant element of liberty and progress; and though he did not yield to any principle of superstition, he was of opinion that the time had not arrived when prescription could be lightly treated by the House of Commons. The violation of prescription was an element of disturbance—it led to discontent, offered a premium to extravagant prejudices, and invited men to hazardous objects and scheme., and were it for no other reason than these he would warn the House against that which was becoming a continuous and systematic deficiency in the aggregate number of the Members of the House. If the Government followed their own inclinations, he hardly knew a subject which they might not more pro perly evade than the present, which was essentially in vidious. They did no; propose this measure to lengthen the duration of Parliament, but because they consi dered it of great importance that the constitutional number of Members should be completed before the dissolution.—(Hear, hear.) The impending dissolution, instead of being a reason against the Bill, was the strongest argument in favour of making some ars rangement. That unfortunate jealousy existing be tween town and country gave rise to a tendency to consider whether other elements for forming a consti tuency might not be devised than those which had hitherto formed the elements of the electoral body. Many plans for that purpose had been suggested, which were en titled to very great respect. the Hon. Member fur Malden had given notice of a motion for apportioning two to ats to the University of London. That pro position would not give rise to any prejudice in his mind, but on the contrary excited his interest and sympathy. He could not but admire the idea of permitting science and learning to exercise the popular suffrage, but when the question was examined, the diffi culties in the way were not inconsiderable. The plan, however, was so plausa,ble to the reason and ceptivating to the imagination, that he could easily understand its exciting the public interest and receiving the public ap probation. The Royal Society, for instance, wes a very ancient institution; it was founded by a king, and had been composed of some of the greatest men England have ever produced, and of whom their fellow-subjects were moat proud. Though he ad mitted the great attainments of this eminent body, he thought the elements of which it was composed would not be conducive to a proper representation. —(Hear.) If such a principle were carried out there was no reason why it should not be extended to the zoological, geological, ethnological, and other similar societies.—(Leughter.) In fact, they would place it in the power of any body of men who gave themselves a scientific name to claim the franchise.—(Hear, hear.) The difficulties were too great to be contended against. He did not wish to impugn or to trench on the privileges of those societies, but it they looked at their constitution they would find that they were generally self-elected bodies. They had also considered the claim of the London Uni versity, and they did not find that circumstances pre vailedot there to entitle it to the concession. It wassv to not yet yet fully developed, nor was it sufficiently ex justify the claim, and it must therefore be passed by. ss Another proposition which had been made to them was to concede one Member; to the four is • lof court wouldnns of court. No doubt the Members of the four nn make up a considerable constituency. Their members occupied a conspicuous position in history, and many of them had often found their way into Parliament where they had rendered the country great service; but there was a prejudice, which he did not share, against the too considerable appearance of lawyers in the House of Commons.—(Hear, hear and a laugh.) The Right Hon. Gentleman then contd ' nued—l . beg to say, Sir,. that I do not share it, because I remember how much of our liberty is owing to our law, and is founded upon our law, and that lawyers have been the greatest champions of the rights of the people of England. I confess I am surprised, therefore, at the existence of a prejudice such as this.—(Hear.) When I recollect that the lawyers have been, not only the great assertors of English liberties, but also the greatest ornaments of the House of Commons; when I recollect that Sir Edward Coke and Lord Bacon both sat in this House; when I recollect the revered age of Mr. gulden and Lot d Somers, and in after days the golden eloquence of Mansfield and the majestic virtues of Romilly; when I recollect that the descendants of many of these eminent men it is still our pride and boast to remember are sitting in this as sembly, I cannot, I confess, agree in a prejudice which I think is totally unwarranted by facts.—(Cheers.) It would not do, I am perfectly aware, for her Majesty's Government to propose, unless the proposition were at tended by some identical or analagous projects, to allot one or more of the four vacant seats to the inns of court; therefore, on the part of her Majesty's Government, after the most p a i n f u l cons id e ration, and with the most ample desire to introduce constituencies.g founded noled upon these elements, and believing that they might con tribute to the increased reputation of this lemlely, I must renounce at present any attemptf to forma 's consti tuency out of those interesting, but, I elements.—(Hear, hear.) Under these circumstances, impracticable c ircumstances, Sir, I have now to place before the House the results of the next step in the investiga tions by the Government which, upon this subject, and the couto on the whole, they think it best for t he House r to tollow, in or,'er to accomplish that which they deem one of the highest duties of the House—namely,ey, to complete its constitu tional numbers previous to to s the impending dissolution. Wear, hear.) W first to consider where we should seek for the elements of a new constituercy, to whose trust we could confide the possession of the nc blest privileges which freemen can exercise. W e h ave con sidered that the relative claims of different portions of the community very much depend upon the relative degree of r e presentation that they now possess; and that that relative degree of representation could not, on t h e whole, be more fairly tested than by ascertaining the number of the existing consti tuencies, and the numbers of the population by whom those existing constituencies are, as it were, fed, supplied, and maintained. And in looking over the different constituencies of this country, guided by this principle, there is one constituency, the claims of which seem to her Majesty's Government to be paramount, and that is the constituency of the West Riding of Yorkshire.—(oh, oh, and laughter from the Oppeaition, and hear, hear from the bliniaterial benches.) I