The Sun. — London, England, 1849-05-11 00:00:00

ALARMING STATE of GERMANY. EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY. The German journals represent that the public lIALF-YEARLY ADJOURNED MEETING. agitation is increasing in nearly all parts of Ger- The CHAIRMAN (in continuation from our Afternoon many. At Frankfort the excitement on the 6th was Edition of yesterday) said—The committee were 100,000/. so great that the authorities had to take military out of their reckoning with respect to the amount of precautions. At Darmstadt the democratic asso- their liabilities.—(lnterruption.) He was there to do himself and them He was no p justicep artizan.ciations resolved on the 6th to form a free corps and if the would hear him he should prove to defend the Constitution, and a great number his case. .hey could not if they interrupted of the inhabitants had published an earnest him thus. What were these assets and liabili appeal to the soldiers not to oppose the people. ties ? The interest due to the 4th of July was The Constitutional Associations of the Rhenish and 82,1201. ; due from works performed, 108,334/. pur- Westphalian provinces at a meeting, held at Cologne chases made, 63,8371.—t0ta1, 254,311/. The available on the 6th, resolved that the German Constitution assets, money at bankers, and due from the Post-office, could only be legally modified by the National As- amounted to 66,4201. ; a ta arrears premium in thecent, sembly, and declared that th e p resen t P russ i an Mi n i s - 24,3481. (this Easter (this stn Union, balance ocl was of award, 11,6001.; try ought to be dismissed. At Hoffenback, Hesse, market); Blackwell Railway, 45U—total, 102,8101.; leaving the and Brunswick, popular meetings had declared that balance of liabilities, 151,5011., and not 500,0001., as the National Guard ought to defend the Constitution was stated by the committee.—(Cheers.) Then, against the attacks of the princes. In the Grand with respect to the dividends, arrangements had Duchy of Baden, meetings of nineteen different been made to get the money.—(Noise, and towns were convoked to make the like declaration. cries of " How ?") Those who cried " How ?" At Linden, Osterode, Burgdorff, and other towns of were much mistaken if they thought that undertakings Hanover, demonstrations in favour of the Constitution of this kind could be carried on if their credit was de had taken place. The National Guard of Alfeld and strojed; it was necessary to borrow money. lie then Weisbaden had declared themselves ready to defend proceeded to deal with the stat emen t o f M r . M ee k, t h at the Constitution. At Carlsruhe, the Badener officers the dividend was held out as a b a it. H e utter l y had declared that they would defend the Constitution , denied the charge and repell e d th e i ns i nua ti on . I t was further said that they could not pay the dividend because at all risks, and had invited their brothers in arms of all of the depreciation of their stock; that the relaying of Germany to do so likewise. In all parts of Bavaria, the sleepers would cost 150/. a mile. The engineer who and especially the Palatinate, the agitation was very had made the calculation was, ho understood, inisin great, and the Central Governments had considered formed—they would not cost more than 1 00/.—(Cheers.) it necessary to send off troops. The Bavarian Govern- According to the account of the current half-year it meat had published a proclamation stating that it would be shown that the expenditure for depreciation intended seriously to take part in terminating the would be 125/. per mile. He was prepared to produce Constitution, but with modifications; and adding responsible contractors who would take the lino for the that it would maintain the laws by all means in its next seven years for 170/. p er m il e. — (oh, oh— " We power. have had enough of the m .") B ut they must not overlook the old materials, which, when disposed of, would greatly reduce the liabilities. The 105,906/. referred to in the directors' report, was over and above depreciation, and after paying out of that a dividend of 4s. there would still be 38,0001. to carry to the next half-year for depreciation.—(Hear, hear.) He vas free to admit that at the Cambridge, the Ely, wed the Peterborough stations there had been an expenditure which he was not prepared to justify, but it must be remembered that much of this expenditure was incurred in the hope of keeping out of Cambridge another line, and ex tending the Peterborough line to York.—(hear, hear.) Besides, there was the Newmarket and Chesterford line, which also had to be accommodated. So far then for the Cambridge. Now, as to Ely, he was bound to admit that the expenditure was most appalling—(" Why did you consent to it then ?") It a ti,t be remembered, however, that they were receiving a large rent for the E y station, and the same might be said of the Peterborough station, from which they were receiing u very fair return.—(llear, hear.) He now came to a matter personal to himself; but before he entered upon it, he must be allowed to thank Mr. Cash for the tone of his opening address, and to question the good taste which had induced his seconder to select this meeting as an opportunity of running down any man, be he chairman or director.—(Cheers, Oh ! and groans.) Probably this would bo the last time he should address them in the capacity of chairman.—(Tre mendous cheering) Now, he joined the board in October, 1815, when the goods traffic was 91. per mile. The present returns would show that the goods traffic yielded 22/. par mile, co that the traffic had not suffered throu4h his connexion with the line.—(Hear, hear.) A good deal had been said about his receiving 2,000/. (Oh, oh !) Hear him before they condemned him. He received the money in 1847, when the committee sat at Westminster on the subject, in his absence and the absence of the secretary, and all that he knew of the matter was, that a resolu tion was passed a.vaiding him 2,0001, and he received the money.—(Yells, hisses, groans, and renewed con fusion.) With regard to the Wisbeach shares, upon that subject Mr. Hudson thought es ho thought— (Roars of laughter)—and when a Parliamentary Committee was appointed to inquire into his con duct he should be prepared to justify all he had done.—(" Oh, oh," and cries of "No doubt.") He had some cause to complain of the treatment he had met with at the hands of the committee. They had charged him with giving free passes to the Maldon electors, but the charge was never proved. He never granted a single pass. —(" Others did though.") He was not aware of it then. The principle 'upon which he voted was that of " doing to others as he would be done by."—(" Oh, oh," and roars of laughter.) He had now dune with the personal matter, and he would leave it with simply advising the meeting to ap point a committee to inquire into his own and his col leagues' conduct.—(Hear, hear.) Having now touched upon all topics which seemed to him to require explana tion, he would entreat them toput an end to these internal squabbles. His advice was, elect a board in whom they could place confidence, and don't let them be harassed by committees out of doors.—(lronical cheers.) It was madness to go on in the present course, as it was proving destructive to their property.—(lronical cheers.) It was annihilating their credit, and unless some change took place, the shareholders would soon see their pro perty quickly melt away.—(Renewed cheers.) A. PROPRIETOR here asked a number of questions, but owing to the noise we could not catch the import. Mr. HART rose to propose that legal steps be taken to obtain the repayment of the 2,0001. and 7,000/.; but not proposing it as an amendment, he postponed it until the original motion was carried. Mr. MeLAREN proposed an amendment to the effect that a dividend of 4;. per share be declared.—(Much noise, and cries of " No, no.") He proposed this because he considered such a dividend warranted by the 103,000/. they had earned. He was ready to stake his reputation as an accountant that this could be done. Mr. MARGRAVE seconded the amendment. An indescribable scene of contusion and tumult here ensued, which lasted for some minutes. Mr. MsLAREN complained that the committee had made a one-sided statement, and warned the share holders that the adoption of the original motion would commit them to the amalgamation with the Norfolk line. He opposed that amalgamation, because it would prove inimical to this company, and complained that the committee had not justified the course they recommended by figures. Dr. Duster said he had come a distance of 500 miles to attend the meeting, and representing the widow and the orphan, many of whom had a great stake in the concern, and believing the amendment based in justice, he felt it his duty to support it. Mr. HUMPHREY BROWN, M.P., thought the meeting owed a deep debt of gratitude to the committee who bad investigated their affairs; but he regretted that their deductions, and those of the directors were so much at variance with each other.—(Hear, hear.) He had heard with surprise the statement of the Chairman, that they were in a position to pay the dividend, for during the last forty-eight hours he had gone fully into the ac counts, and he would stake his reputation upon it that the line since it opening had never earned as much as 30,0001.—(Hear, hear.) The Chairman had stated that the engineers had made an estimate of the depreciations of the rolling stock, and he should be glad to know whether the estimate was made at the request of the board?—(Hear, hear.) The CHAIRMAN made a statement which would lead to the impression that the estimate was made by Messrs. Hunter and Samuel, at the request of the traffic com mittee, and it was afterwards forwarded"to Mr. Hudson. Mr. H. BRowN wished to know, then, why the di rectors could propose to divide 4e. per share wken they knew that a depreciation fund ought to be provided for. It was perfectly ridiculous to tell him that there could only be a depreciation of 14,0001. in a rolling stock valued at 260,000/.—(Hear, bear.) It was clear that the rock the shareholders had split upon was not to secure mere individual responsibility on the Board ; but he was glad that the errors which had resulted from that omission were errors of the mind and not of the heart.— (Oh, oh !) Had the accounts been properly kept, and the line safely managed, a depre ciation amounting to 509,780/., which was now debited to capital, would have been placed to revenue account ; and then, instead of their being now in the position of having paid 345,780/. in the shape of dividends, they would only have paid 35,935/., or Bd. per share as dividend.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. FANS rose to recal the attention of the meeting to the real question before them. It was not a question of detail, but of principle. The question was, had they confidence in the direc tion?—(Cries of " No, no.") Had they confidence in the Chairman?—(No, no.) Then turn him out.— (Tremendous cheers, and cries of " Move it, move it.") His stake in the concern was too small to justify his doing so.—(Oh, oh.) Mr. Howse—Then I'll do it, gentlemen, listen to me. —(Cries of " Kick him out.") Oh, but I will be heard. And certainly he was heard, for amidst a storm of "Oh, oh's," and achorus of yells which certainly must have created some wonder amongst the inhabitants of Bishops gate-street, he proceeded to use his mouth and arms in a frightly manner; the one putting you in mind of the working of a windmill, and the other emitting sounds that very much resembled the bellowing of a bull. When the storm had somewhat subsided, seemingly from pure exhaustion on the part of the meeting, the Chairman be came aware that two or three gentlemen were &peaking at once, and, therefore, he called upon Mr. FRYER, who had no objection to the amalgama tion with the Norfolk Iteilway if made on equitable terms ; but believing that it was not, and that there was something behind tho scenes, he was opposed to it. Lowestoft Harbour would swallow up all their money. He concluded by moving a direct negative to the portion of the report of the committee with respect to the amalgamation. He com plained that he had been told that the Bill for the amal gamation was before the House when it was not. Had he been informed correctly he should have moved at the last meeting that the shareholders be called to con eider it. PRUSSIA. On the Bth May, at Cologne, upwards of 500 members of all cliffirent municipal corporations throughout Rhenish Prussia met in private sitting at the Casino, where the following resolutions were carried by acciamatior. A copy of them was for warded to Frankfort by express, and likewise official notifications to the authorities at Berlin. Mr. Zell and Mr. Werner, who presided, are both members of the Left Centre in the Frankfort Assembly : The Prussian Government having dissolved the second chamber after that chamber had voted the unconditional acceptance, of the German Constitution of the 28th March inst., and the said Government, having by that measure d,prived the said Prussian people of its repre sentation and voice in the present decisive moment, the undersigned delegates of the cities and districts of the Rhenish provinces have assembled to consult about the steps to be taken to the salvation of the country. This Assembly hss this day considered the following motion, and adopted the same as their resolutions, vlz.:- 1. This said Assembly snakes declaration and pro tests that the Constitution of the German empire such as the Parliament proclaimed the same on the 28th of March inst., i 3 to the said Assembly binding and con clusive, and that the slid Assembly takes the part of the said Constitution in the conflict which the Prussian Government has comnasticed with the Parliament. 2. And this Assembly calls upon the whole population of-the Rhenish countries, and especially upon all men that are fit and f.rsper to carry arms, to assemble in their respective districts, and thence to issue-joint decla rations, testifying their res.dution to stand by the Ger man Parliament, and to yield implicit obedience to its decrees. 3. This Assembly humbly petitions the German Parliament, praying that the said Parliament will speedily adopt more energetic measures, so as to consoli date the INTO:1r opposition in the individu 11 German States, aild especially in the Rheinish countries, and to impart to that opposition that strength and singleness of purpose, which alone can prevail against the attempts of the organised counter-revolution. 4. And - this Assemb!y furthermore humbly petitions the Cabinet of his highness the Regent, praying the aid Cabinet to cause the German troops to be sworn on the Constitution, and to provide a concentration of the said troops. 5: The undersTgned take the solemn engagement to use all legal means in their power to promote the effec tuation or the German Constitution in their respective districts. 6. The said Assembly is of opinion that the dismiss& of the Cabinet of M.M. Brandenburg and Manteuffel, and the issuing of writs fie- a general election, without any change or alteration of the electoral law, is an impe rative necessity. 7. This Assembly considers the late partial sum moning of the Land wehr as a measure which is not warranted by the circumstances of the country, but which cannot but endanger the country. The Assembly expects the immediate revocation of that measure. 8. In conclusion the undersigned express their convic tion that the non consideration of the contents of this declaration must be fraught with the greatest dangers for the country, and that by it, even the existence of Prussia in her present composition, would be placed in jeopardy. Resolved at_Cologne, May 8. Signed by the delegates of the cities and districts of the Rhenish countries. The above resolutions were immediately followed by the following proclamation of the Chief President of Rhenania " The declarations made by a certain meeting which on this day was held in the Casino Saloon, makes it incum bent on me again to point out to the inhabitants of the Rhenish countries that this meeting has no claim whatever to any representative or official character, and that the said declarations onght to be considered as merely ex pressing the private opinion of those that signed them. At the end of these declarations I see, to my great sor row, a threat of a vio!ent secession of the Rhenish pro vinces from the Prussian monarchy, or, to speak more plainly, a threat of civil war and rebellion. I find comfort in my confidence in the loyalty of the inhabitants of the Rhenish provinces, and trust that they will turn with hor ror from such resolutions, that they will not stray from the path of legality, the glory of the Rhine Province, and that they will not place the Government into the lamentable necessity of making use of those means of force which are at the disposal of the Government. "The Chief President of the Rhenish Provinces, "Cologne, May 8." EICHMANN. Mr. WADDINGTON said the solicitor, Mr. Duncan, had misinformed him on the matter. Mr. MEEK said the committee had been accused of not supporting the amalgamation which they recom , mended. The earnings of the Eastern Counties had been 235. a mile; those of the Norfolk 50s. 6d. This showed the advantage of the amalgamation. Mr. FKYELI inquired if any agreement had been made with the Norfolk Company? The CHAIIINAN called upon the solicitor to explain. Mr. DUNCAN rose, but was received with such a volley of hisses and execrations, that he resumed his seat. Mr. CASH said the solicitor was the proper person to give the required reply. Mr. Fryer was entitled to a reply, and he hoped they would hear Mr. Duncan. Mr. DuNcAN then replied that the Bill referred to had passed the Standing Orders' Committee, and ho be lieved it had been read a first time.—(Cheers.) It was in the same position as if it had been read a first or se cond time. He had stated that a lease had been pre pared, bay he did not say it had been agreed to. - , THE SUN, AUSTRIA. The Emperor unexpectedly arrived at the Palace of t4chombrunn, near Vienna, on the sth. In the evening he set off to join the army at Peesburg. FOREIGN FUNDS. AMSTERDAM, MAY 7.—lnland funds, after an upward tendency, closed as yesterday. Spanish Debt in both kinds of stock offered at reduced exchanges. Austrian and Rassian without variation. French funds closed full I lower than at the opening of the Bourse, without any assignable cause. Of South American, the Peru vians kept up. Greek Debt in demand. DUTCH FUNDS.—AXSTERDAN, MAY 7. Money. Bills Actual Debt, 23 per Cent.— •.• • 49 X 49w a Ditto, 3 per Cent •••••••••• • • • • • . •• 58 58' Ditto, 4 per Cent. •• • • • • •••• • • • • 77 77 X Amort Syndic, 3% per Cent.. Commercial Company, 4% per Cent .. Spanish New 5 per Cents. • • .......... Ditto, 3 per Cents... • • • • . East India Loan, 4 per Cent .• —.— Exchangeon London, at sight •- • • • 11 97 Two months.— • ••• • • • 11 92 On Hamburgh, at sight .. • • 35 Two months. •• • • • ••• • • • 34 87 On Paris, at sight—. „. Twomouths. ••••••••• • • • •. BELGIAN FUNDS.—BatasELs, MAT 8. Actual Debt, 2% per Cent .......... Rothschild's Loan, Five per Cent ........ Loan of Thirty Millions, Four per Cent.... Ditto Three per Cent • Ditto Thirty-seyen 3lillions, ditto • Ditto,ditto,lB46 •••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • 9134 Ditto,ditto,lB42 ••••••••••• • • • • • • • • • 91 , 4 Ditto, 1844••• •••••••••• • • • • • • • • • • •• • 82% Ditto, 1838 .. •• •••••••• • • • • • • • •• .. 58 Ditto of the City, 1832 ••• • .• • • Ditto, 1843 • • ••••••• • • •• •• 89 Bank of Gelgium...... •••• • • .. 70% Issue of 1341 ............ ..... • •..... 102 Exchange on London, 25.42;4. PRUSSIAN FUNDS.—Bxxx.4I3, MAY 7. Bills. Money. St.Schuld Sch., 331 per Cent Prussian 5 per Cent ••• • • • .• • • •• • • Foreign Exchanges— On London, three months • •. •• • . 6 21% On Hambargh, two months , .. ••• • .. 150 1 4 150 On Paris, two months... ... ...• • • .... 814 lIA3IBBRGII FUNDS, 3.lAy 5. Money, Hanoverian New Loan, S per Went: •• • • 104 Ditto, 334 per Cent. „ Bank 5hare5........., .......... Prussian 5 per Cent. •• ••.. • • • ••• • .. 16134 Russian Certificate Anglo-Russian Loan • • • • • • ••• • • • • • • • 101% 11ambargh Certificate, 5 per Cent .... 953 Russian 4 per Cent... and 4th Series, Hope and CO. •• • • DI Ditto Stieglitz .• ........ ......... 82 Belgian Loan, 2 36 per Cent ••••.•• • • • • • 46 Anglo-Danish Loan, 3 per Cent ••• • • • 64 Ditto, in 1001. shares .... ••..•• • • • • 61 Anglo•Swodish Loan ................ 96% Ditto, Transport Loan .. Norwegian I .oan, 1848 •••• • • . • ... 9731 Spanish New 5 per Cent.... ..... •••• 104 Ditto 3 per Cent., Inland. •••••• • • • • 224 22;1 1 Ditto, 1816 . .••• • • • ..... ••• • • • Anglo-Portuguese Loan, 231 per Cent.. Dutch Actual Debt, 231 per Cent • • • • Ditto 3 per Cent. National Bank Shares ••.••••• •• •• American, 6 per Cent. •••••••• •• •• • . 104% 1044 RAI LW AYS. _ _ 100% Ditto, Priority Shares ... .. ••• • • • 1004 Berlin and Hamburg ....•••••• ••••• • 52 ,‘ 51X Ditto, Priority Shares .. .. ..... .. 91% Cologne and Minden . • .. . 75% 75 Ditto, Priority Shares ...... ••• • .. 93 Mecklenburg .•• • .. ...... .. .. .... .. .. 30% 30 x Altona and Kiel • .. Glnekstadt .. ••••••••••.• • • • • • • •• '• Rendaburg.. Hanseatic Steam Company ...... •• •• The crops in the neighbourhood of Wells present a very healthy appearance. The frosts have disappeared, and their effects havo not been so serious as many par ties imagined they would be. They have tended to check the too forward state vegct Won generally was in. Very sanguine expectations are entertained of the potato crop; indeed, at present, there are sufficient grounds for anti cipating at least an average.— Taunton Courur, FIATIILA INFIRMARY.—The annual dinner of this charity took place on Wednesday attheLondonTavern,and was well attended; the Lord Mayor presided, and about 120 friends and patrons of the infirmary were present. Daring the evening subscriptions were announced to the amount of more than 1,0001, and it was stated that ar rangements had been made for the erection of a hospital in the parish of Se. Andrew's, Holborn, the site of which had been obtained through the lib:rality of Mr. Benja min Bond Cabbell. • LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 11, 1849. A short, but still confused and stormy, disemision then took place upon the course to be adopted for the future management of the company, and eventually it was" agreed that at the next tweeting a committee be selected to nominate directors as fcd'ows:—Six share holders holding shards to the extent of 10,000/. and up wards, six holding .5,0001. and upwards, six holding 3,000/. and upwards, six holding 2,000/ and upwards, and six 1,0001. and upwardi, with power to add the eight members of the committee of investigation. Three lusty cheers were then given for the committee, and the meeting broke up at half• past five o'clock. THE COUNTESS OF BLESSINGTON'S SALE.—WedGeS• day (the third day) this sale was as fully and fashionably attended as at the commencement, in spite of thesabsance of many of the most valuable an: interesting lots, which figured in :he tNo previous days' sale. The furniture, ornamental objects, bijouterie, &c., of the Countess's dressing-room and bed-chamber, constituted the prin cipal portion of the day's sale. Lot 353. A model of the hands of the Countess, a single hand, and two small busts, sold for 21. Two medallian miniatures in wax, one in black, and two in ormolu of Napoleon and Jr?se• phine, sold for 193. Lot 361. A small but beautiful battle piece, carved in agate, by Michael Angelo, sold for 255. A state chair and stool, the last ever used by the Stedtholders of the Netherlands, sold for 13/. 15s. 6d. A most beautiful carved state bedstead, in white and gold, sold for 191. 83. 6.1. This bedstead former 4 be longed to the Empress Josephine, and on the bri *king up of Malmaison, was purchased by Lady I3lessisagton at that sale. A basso relievo in terracotta. made by Clodron, as a model fur the monument of the Countesse D'Orsay, Princess de Croye, grand mother to the present Count, sold for 2/. 52- A very costly and elegant manuscript case of crimson velvet, mounted in enamelled silver, gilt, sold at 6/. This case was sent to the Countess of Blse,ington by the late Duke D'Ossuna, and contained the MS. of a play, written and signed by Lopez de Vega, the Spanish contemporary of our own Shekspere, and one of the most celebrated dra matists of Spain. A portfeuille, set with precious stones, and mounted in enamelled gold, sold fur 391. 18s. A set of three beautifully chased ancient silver gilt vases, with flowers in relief, formerly belonging to Queen A nne, sold at 28s. per oz. Among the porcelain was an old Sevres eculle, cover, and stand, torquoiee ground, dotted with white stars, and pastoral medallions, which sold for 121 guiceas,ancra blue Sevres sceaux sold for 4 guineas. The Countess's toilet-glass, in an elaborately-chased silver gilt frame, sold at 11s. an ounce. This has also been the property of Queen Anne. Two ancient silver-guilt boxes, enamelled on the top, sold for 12/. 12s. The day's sale concluded with a curious antique watch, which, to use the still more curious words of the catalogue, " When wound up plays on the forehead of Madame de Pompadour," sold for 2/. 10s. The proceeds of the day amounted to 9721. 4s. SERIOUS A CCIDENT.—A melancholy accident hap pened on Saturday last to Lady Whichcote, at her seat, Aswarby park, near Falkingbam. She was returning from a drive, having driven herself), and was just enter ing the park, when the horse, a spirited oue, shied, and ran away. 'the coachman reached over from the back of the carriage, and caught the reins, but was unable to check the horse's speed. Lady Whichcote jumped out, and fell upon her head, receiving a violent concussion of the brain. She has remained ever since in a state of in sensibility, and great fears are entertained for the result. A Fox's LARDEL—The keepers and labourers of Mr. Leigh, of Adtington, suspecting that there was a brood of foxes in the park, set about to dig them out on Saturday week, when they found six cubs ; and in the course of their digging in the hole they found the follow ing ample stores provided by their parent, in a greater or less state of preservation : the remains of one barn door fowl, of four pheasants, one wild duck, two leverets, 80 rabbits, one jackdaw, one thrush, five rats, two mice, and one lamb. Some of these were nearly whole and fresh ; others in a state of decomposition.—Chester Courant. AN IMPRISONED CAT. -- On Thursday last Mr. Amos Williams, of the White Hart Inn, at Alsisemore, heard the cry of a cat, apparently from underneath the fluor of a room which had been recently built. The floor was of board and somewhat elevated, and an open ing between it and the ground was soon obtained by re moving a stone step at the entrance of the room. Im mediately upon the removal of the step out jumped a fine tortoiseshell cat, with a sleek coat, and in excellent condition; and far from being affrighted at the company of strangers, commenced frisking about the feet of her liberator. It appears that the room was erected exactly a month prior to puss's liberation, and that after the flooring had been laid down, and before the step had been placed at the entrance door, puss must have got beneath the boards. To account for her extraordinary good condition, it is supposed that she must have kit tened during her imprisonment, and have saved her own life by eating her offspring. IRON WAREHOUSE.—One of these structures has been erected at Manchester, and is now ready tor ship ment to California. The erection is 60 feet long by 24 feet wide; it is 10 feet in height to the under side of the eaves, and is covered by a roof with strongly-trussed principals of iron of a 'l' section. To these principals, and to the uprights at the sides and ends of the struc ture, are bolted the plates, which average 5 feet long by 2 feet 6 inches, and the eighth of an inch in thickness. The joints of these plates aro made to lap over each other and fasten with bolts. The foundation consists of a strong frame-work of timber, on which are screwed cast iron moulded bases about six inches (I.2ep, running all rour d the exterior. The window sashes, ventilators, skylights and gutters, aro of cast iron, and the doors and shutters hu fei s p areut together of wrought with ito u n i t s, u s trongly such framed.a way that , can be taken to pieces and packed in small compass for Thu h w e it ehipment, and it will require little trouble in the re erection at San Francisco, every piece being marked to show its place. We are informed that the iron was only received from the maker a fortnight before the structure was completely fitted and fixed.—Manchester Courier. CLERICAL DELINQUENCY.—The other day we met with a paragraph in a newspaper, headed " Alleged murder for the sake of burial fees." The case turned out to be that of a woman supposed to have poisoned her husband and children, in order to obtain funeral money from a benefit club. We expected to find the murder for the sake of burial fees was the wholesale destruction of human life which is caused by intramural interment.—Punch. CHARITABLE TRUSTS.—A Bill, under the manage ment of the Government and its law officers, is now before the House of Commons for facilitating and better securing the dueadministration of" charitable trusts;" it contains 38 clauses. The Bill enacts that in the event of any neglect, breach of trust, fraud, abuse, or misconduct „ in:the management of any charity of which the clear unnual income exceeds 301., and does not exceed 1001., persons (authorized by the Act so to do), may petition the Lord High Chancellor or the Master of the Rolls for redress, and for such relief in the iwenise; as the nature of the else may re quire. This petition will be referred to the Masters in rotation, who, on proof of the statement that the in come of the charity is between 301. and 100/., may proceed to make such orders as may now be made by the Court of Chancery. These orders will be valid without confirmation, and enforced like orders of Court. Judges of county courts will have jurisdiction in cases where the incomes of the charities do not exceed 301., from whose judgment an appeal will lie to the Court of Chancery. RESTORATIONS BY THE LATE RESIDENT ARCHITECT AT CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL.—The most difficult work of Mr. Austin was perhaps the north-western tower. By a combination of mechanical power, after separating the nave walls from the falling tower, be raised the crippled groining, and strained the walls into their upright condition, fixing them there until the new tower might be built and be sufficiently set to withstand the lateral pressure. The old Norman tower was then taken down, and the present tower erected, for which the foundation required care, the site having been once a bog or marsh, which was c!sarly proved by the remains of plants, &c., there found; and lower down, sixteen feet from the surface, were discovered the entire skeletons of a man and an ox, in such positions as to render it almo,. ( , certain they had been smothered by sinking in the soft soil. In the interior of the cathedral many restorations were executed by Mr. Austin.—Builder. LARGE PlKE.—Last week a man who was quietly working a boat on the canal at Gregory's mill, near this city, was favoured with the presence of a very unlooked• for visitor in the shape of a large pike. The fish, which weighed 121 b., leaped from the water on to the cabin of the boat, and lay on the dick sufficiently long to allow the man fairly to kick it down the hatchway, by which moans, though not without a stout resistance, the prize was secured. In the same week a pike, weighing about 81b., was killed in the pound between the Blockhouse and Sidbury lucks, by the kelikeeper at the former place. Poor jack's gambols, which had been observed in the canal for some days previous, were at last put a stop to by the un-Waltonlike application of powder and shot,_ Worcester Chronicle. Mr. HAWES said the real question was whether the Proprietors would be governed by one party or the other. He moved that is the opinion of this meeting the Board of Directors are unworthy of their con fidence.—(Prolonged cheering.) The Hon. Mr. GRIMSTONE seconded the motion. Mr. B x rose to move a vote of censure on the so licitor, as he had deceived them, as was shown by the committee of investigation, and was, therefore, utterly unworthy of their confidence.—(lmmense cheering.) The committee of investigation were entitled to their warmest thanks for the labour they had performed. He did not agree with them wi,h respect to the amalga mation, and a petition to Parliament, seeking that it he rescinded, was in the course of signature. The CHAIRMAN then put Mr. Fryer's amendment, opposing the amalgamation. The amendment was lost by a large majerity. The result was cheered, Mr. FRYER demanded a poll. The CHAIRMAN then put Mr. M`Laren's amendment, proposing that a dividend of 4i. per share be paid to the shareholders on the books on the Ist of June next. But about half a•dozen bands were held up in favour of it, it wee therefore lost by an immense majority. The CHAIRMAN then put Mr. Cash's resolution, and it was carrit d, there being only two or three dissentients. The CHAIRMAN then announced that the poll had been fixed thus :—To-night, from 9 till 10 ; to-morrow, from 10 till 4 ; and on Saturday from 10 till 4, when the poll would close. Having redefined the pledge given at the last meeting, that he would Le present to-day, he find now to state that this morning the board of directors came to the unanimous resolution to resign, and they would, therefore, only retain office until such time as their successors could be appointed. This announcement was received with a frenzied shout of applause, and cries of "A vote of censure," during which the directors retired from the meeting, as they entered, amidst the yells and execrations of their en raged constituents. IrtIPERIAL PARLIAMENT, HOUSE OF LORDS, May 10. Their Lordships met at Five o'clock. The Bi3hop of EXETER presented a petition from some parish in Devonshire, praying for an additional gratit to Church schools. The Earl of RODEN presented several petitions against the Rite in Aid Bill. The Earl of EG LINTON presented several petitions in favour of the Bill for the better protection of women. INDICTABLE OFFENCES (IRELAND) BILL. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE moved the second reading of this Bill. After a short conversation the motion was agreed to. SUMMARY CONVICTIONS (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion of the Marquis of CLANRICARDE, this Bill as read a sec end time. BEER ACT. The Earl of HARROWBY presented several peti tions against the Beer Act. EXCHEQUER-BILLS BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. BANKRUPTCY LAWS CONSOLIDATION BILL. On the motion of Lord BROUGHAM, this Bill was ordered to be reecommitted and referred to the Select Committee on the Bankruptcy Laws. DESERTERS (PORTUGAL) BILL. On the motion of Lord EDDISBURY, this Bill was read a second time. STANDING ORDERS—REPORTING TIIE PRO CEEDINGS OF THE ROUSE. Lord BEAUMONT, in moving the consideration of the standing order No. 30, said that undoubtedly the origin of the custom of excluding strangers was to secure freedom of speech to their Lordships, but latterly the attempts to enforce the order had been pro ductive of the most ludicrous scenes, and therefore of late years no attempts have bet n made to enforce it, and tie public had been admitted. lie went the full length of the opinion that their delibera tions should be public, both for the benefit of the public and for the dignity of their Lordships' House, and if their Lordships did not go the full length with him, they must admit that it was very inconsistent in them to connive at a breach of privilege by the publica tion of reports of the proceedings. But, howsoever they mtlit decide eh that point, there could not be a doubt but that it was desircable that the reports should be correct and impartial.—(Hear.) Ile could plot many eases in which reports had been neither correct nor impartial, in which the arguments on o,toielesrid;einhaNsd.hhiceh qu en given and had b e en su pp resse d on th e c estions put to Ministers had been correctly given, while the answers had been incor rectly given. In the reports of some of the speakers on the navigation laws he found in some instances a skeleton , a mere sketch of some of the most impo r t ant speeches. It was there fore desirable th a t t h ose engaged in reporting their speeches should be placed in such a position as to have no excuse for incorrect reporting. If their Lordships should rcftue to reconside r the standing order, still he should propose to plaee the reporters in such a situation as ho had described, and in order to do that it would he nEcessary to move for Scdect C omm i ttee who might examine witnesses, some of whom would be architects. If the standing order were considered, that must be done in a Com-• mittee of Privilege, otherwise this question might be referred to a Si,leet Committee, and to one of them he proposed to refer this question. The Noble Lord con cluded by moving that the House do take into consider the standing order No. 30. The Mitt quis of LANSDOWNE must say that he felt an icsup-rable objection to the abrogation of the standing order ; but while he objected to the repeal of that standing order, he f It that so long as persons were in the habit of reporting their debates, that standing order gave them the power of preserving their privileges ; and he was bound to s.iy that although he might sometimes have sufLred from being misuuderstotA, he believed that on every occasion those employed in reporting their debates did so conscientiously, and without being actuated by any motives but those of discharging their duty correctly ; indeed, he was surprised at the accuracy and the correctness with which those duties were performed, considering the ertilculties under which those so engaged laboured in consequence of the confusion prevailing at times in their Lordships' House. He thought every facility ought to be given to them, and he had no objection to the appointment of the Committee. Lord BROUGHAM was opposed to the abrogation of the standing order. They connived at the publication of their debates. He should be very sorry if they did not so connive —the public would suffer, their Lord ships themselves would suffer, legislation would suffer, if their debates s ere not pu bli s h e d ; but still it would be desirable that suc h pu bli ca tion should take place by connivance rat h er than by direct p.ermis sion.—(llear hear.) H e entirely concurred in the _ panegyric which hi s Noble Friend had pronounced on those engaged in gi v i ng their debates to t difficult, and task oreporting their debates was most h and it was perform e d a d m irably, and ingeneral in the spirit of the strictest i m p ar tiality, and those difficulties had of late been greatly increased by the construction the magnificent hall in which they were assemble d. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY thought it of de sirable that the reporters should be so located as to be able to hear distinctly all that passed. Lord REDESDALE said the only remedy would be to bring the centre gallery more forward into the House, when the parties in that gallery would not be annoyed by the buzz of conversation below the bar. The Earl of GALLOWAY denied the accuracy of the reports. When an humble individual like himself was forced to addri ss the House they generally well considered what they said, and it had been his unhappy fate to find that words were put into his mouth, and that not one word of what he said had been reported. Earl GREY thought it would ho well if the old cus tom were revived, of enforcing silence on strangers by icstructing the officers of the House to enforce it. The Earl of MALMESBURY said that he consi dered that there should be an official reporter belonging to their Lordships, such as was the case in Committees, and that by such a course their Lordships would not be apprehensive of any erroneous reports in the public papers. Lord MONTEAGLE said that he should dissent from that course, because if an official reporter were appointed, their Lordships would be bound by his re ports, and he was fully persuaded there would be as much, if not more, inaccuracy than at present; and he also believed that the exertions of the reporters deserved a general commendation. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that he did not wish to confer any more privileges on the Lord Chan cellor than he at present possessed. He had the greatest faith in the opinion of the distinguished architect to whom their Lordships were indebted for so beautiful a building, and he believed that it was through the buzz below the bar that the report ers cou l d not hear. eArelitosaid, that if th e most e l oquen t o f see his words r e p or t e d as de ould find that ma n y o f , hi s speec h es ltihve L eirr o c r . dij d ,o ß rtdh ß sah O ti U phse G ysw H , were not remarkable for purity or accuracy of diction, and that much credit was due to the reporters. The Marquis of SALISBURY said, that he perfectly agreed with the Noble Earl (Earl Grey) that the officers of the House should attend to prevent noise below the bar, and at the other end of the House. Lord BEAUMONT said, that he had not heard any thing from their Lordships t o i nduce him to alter his opinion, for he looked upo n t h at standing order as use lietostsrdtsep ' tisa .hliiil'eta e to Weis make such arrangements as they should think necessary for the accommodation of strangers, that they might better hear the debates in that House. The motion was then agreed to. BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that it was the Intention of her Majesty's Government that their Lord ships go into Committe e on the navigation-la ws on next and that if any am en d ments were to be introduced, that ht' they would bo gi ven not i ce o f and written Monday a s s as possible, as he hoped th a t th a t mea sure would pass through Committee on that night. Lord STANLEY said that several amendments would be given not i ce o f, and that he hoped the Bill would go through Committee in one night. Lord WHARNCLIFFE said that he hoped that the papers relating to the rate in aid would be furnished to their Lordships as early as possible to-morrow. Lord LANSDOWNE said he would attend to tha request. l'he Earl of WICKLOW said that he had seen some of those papers, and that they did not give the least in formation relative to the income-tax on the rent of pro perty derivable from Ireland. Lord STANLEY wished to know whether her Ma jcsty's Gove rnment intended to introduce any amend ments n the navigation-laws ? The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said Government would not make any a l terat i on w h atever i n the B i ll, b ut that it would be passed as it at present stood. The Bishop of OXFORD presented a petition, signed by 700 of the Bachelors of Arts and Under Graduates of Oxford College against a clause in the Criminal Con solidation Bill, relating to certain punishments on Chap ters, should they oppose the election of any Bishop re commended by the Crown. Lord BROUGHAM said that he would consider that matter as the opi n i ons of such persons, as the pet i t i oners were worthy of attention and respect. The Bishop of OXFORD said that he would postpone the Seduction Bill to another fortnight, at the instance of his Noble Friend, but hoped that it would not be put off any longer. Lord MOUNTCASHEL and the Marquis of WESTMIN STER presented several petitions from the Wesleyan Methodists in favour of that Bill. Lord MONTEAG LE moved a resolution to the effect that no railway Bill now pending b efore the i r L ordships should be read a t hi rd time before the 18th i nst. The motion was agreed to. Lord COLCHESTER, presented a petition from the tenant farmers of various places in Sussex, praying their Lordships to take immediate steps for the removal of the heavy turdens at present weighing on the agricultural classes. Lord MONTEAGLE gave notice ti at cn Monday next ho should move for certain a3ccuots rekting, to the Caledonian Railway. Their Lordships then adjourred. HOUSE OF COMMONS, May 10. The SPEAKER toil the Chair at Four o'clock. THIRD READINGS. The following Bills were read a third time and pissed: Ash ton•un-2er• L 3 no Police, Markets, and Improve ment Acts Extension and A mendm:nt, and Transferenc e of Gas and Waterworks and other Property to th e Corporation. River I)un Natigation Company (Pardue of Stain forth and Keadby Canal). REPORTS. The reports upon the following Biqa were coasidercd and agreed W;— NATIONAL EDUCATION. Mr. HEYWOOD gave notice of his intention at an early day to move for a Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Dublin, with a view to the improvement of national education. BOMBAY STEAM-VESSEL. Mr. URQUIIART rose to put a question to the First Lord of the Treasury resp:cting the detention of the Bombay steam-vessel of war. He would beg to ask whether the First Lord of the Treasury would lay on the table of the Hou se th e base submitted to couesel, and their opinion thereupon? The CHANCELLOR, of the EXCHEQUER said the affidavits on both sides had been submitted to the law officers of the Crown, who had given their decision on the case. It was not usual to lay a case and opinion of counsel before the House in such cases, and he de clined to do so in the present instance ; but he might say (as we understood) that the opinion of counsel was against the detention of the vessel. ENTRY OF THE RUSSIANS INTO HUNGARY. Mr. OSBORNE gave notice that to-morrow he would put a question to the First Lord of the Treasury rela tive to the advance of the Russian troops into Hungary, and ask whether the Government intended to offer the mediation of this country in favour of the Hungarians, GREEK LOAN. In reply to Mr. COCHRANE, Lord PALMERSTON said that communications bad passed with the Greek Government, in which the Go vernment of this country pressed upon them to make good their engagement, which they were bound to do by treaty ; and they had promised to apply the first funds at their command for that purpose. In reply to Mr. "URQUHRT, Lord PALMERSTON stated that the whole of the Sicilian papers would be laid before the House when the existing negotiations had terminated. INTRAMURAL BURIALS. Mr. MACKINNON stated, in reply to Mr. Henry Berkeley, that after the promises which had been made by the Government, it was not his intention to bring in a ny Bill on the subject of intramural interments. MOLDAVIA AND WALLACHIA. Lord PALMERSTON, in reply to Mr. Anstey, said that he had received no official information of fortifica tions being erected in the provinces of Moldavia and Wallachia by the Russians, although he had heard, but not officially, that barracks bad been erected. ADULTERATION OF COFFEE WITH CHICORY. Mr. ANSTEY rose to move the following resolutions: —" That this House views with serious; concern and disapprobation the great and growing increase of the consumption of the p!ant chicory in the adulteration of coffee, contrary to Act of Parliament; such increase having been, in the opinion of this House, chiefly owing to the orders given by the Administration to the officers of Excise not to enforce the said Act. That the direct results of such orders have been the fraudulent sale of ground chicory, under the name and at the current prices of ground coffee; a corresponding depreciation of the value and decrease in the con sumption-of coffee; increased depression and distress in Ceylon and other coffee growing colonies; a perma nent loss of revenue to the actual amount of some hundreds of thousands of pounds annually, and which loss in the last year was augmented by the addition of about forty thousand pounds more ; the prejudice of the fair dealer ; discontent and disaffection in the colo nies ; and th© encouregement of the evil-disposed, both at home and abroad, to disobey laws which must appear to them to depend upon the arbitrary pleasure of Admi nistration for sanction and enrorcement." He proceedsd to state that there we re cer t a i n A cts of Parliament, of no ancient date, passed for the double purpose of protecting revenue and the trade of the colonies, and also of preventing the frauds of individuals. Those Acts had in view the prevention of mixing certain dele terious ingredients with tea and coffee, and particularly the adulteration of co ff ee w i t h ch i cory powder. By the 3d George IV., cap. 53, there was a recital, that it was expedient to allow the manufacture and sale of scorched and roasted vegetable substances by persons not being dealers in coffee and cocoa ; and then it enacted that persons, not being dealers in coffee, might roast and sell such substances: and there was a clause which for bid the Excise to grant any licenses for that purpose to any person being a dealer in coffee or cocoa. The ob ject of the enactment was not to deprive the poor of the right to manufacture there substances for themselves if they chose, and it had in view the prevention of grocers making money at the expense of the public by selling cheap substances roasted and ground in that manner under the name and at the selling price of coffee. The Lords of the Treasury, he said, had, in a minute, allowed the sale of chicory, and by doing so, had taken a most extraordinary view, which was opposed not only to Acts of Parliament, but also to the principles of finnace and to public moralty. After that minute there were no more prosecutions with regard to the use of chicory ; an d the consequence was that ground chicory was sold under the name and at the current prices of ground coffee, thus producing a great depression in the coffee market. That, however, was not tho only evil, for a great loss resulted to the rove • nue; and supposing that one pound of chicory was sold for every pound of coffee, the difference annually in the re venue would be 600,0001. He did not complain of the growth of chicory: the Legislature sanctioned it; but the Legislature, whilst it did not forbid, regulated the sale of chicory; and he called upon the house to enforce its own laws on this subject. The amount of coffee brought into our market in 1848 was greater than in any former year, and the price was much less ; and yet the con sumption of coffee had been gradually declining for years. Down to the 21st April, 1848, the amount of coffee entered for consumption in the port of London, and five of the principal outports of the United Kingdom was 9,721,618 lbs.; whereas at the same ports the amount entered fur consumption down to the same day in 1849 was 9,224,879, showing a decrease for that short period of 496 7391b5., or in round numbers about 221 tons below the already depreciated amount of last year. If that were so, why was not the law imme diately enforced against those frauds which were carried on in direct violation of an act of the Legislature? The properties of chicory were not of a nature to make a wholesome bey( rage, much less to justify its being safely used as a substitute for coffee, for it was nothing more than the cultivated root of the dandelion. It ap peared from a memorial which was presented to the House that the dealers in it were in the habit of mixing at least one-third, and, in many instances, a half with the coffee which they sold. So profitable had this public nuisance become, that parties bad already begun to adul terate it, and dealers were now selling to the poor of this country, burnt and ground biscuits, burnt and ground clay, burnt and ground rags, and burnt and ground rope yarn, for chicory.-- (A laugh.) The amount of coffee imported being greater than in any preceding year, and the amount consumed in 1848 being so much less, was not affected by any statement made up to the end of last year, much less by any statement made up to the period of the last returns; because the result would simply be, that at coffee prices that coffee scarcely bad any sale at all ; and what sales had been effected had been at the expense of the unfortunate party who was permitted to sell by the chicory laws. Now, he put it to the House whether any statement of the Right Hon. Baronet founded on the apparent increase during the peat year in the consumption of one or two descriptions of colonial coffee could outbalance the fact that the supposed increase bore no proportion to the in crease in the import, ar.d the fact that there had been a decrease in the amount of colonial coffee cunsucnd in that period ? The most obvious course which could be taken to avoid all these *nib was to ascertaiu whether the Caledonian Railway (Burchase or Lease of Wishaw and Coltness Railway). Shrewsbury and Chester Railway (for Branches to the River Dee ; Agreement for Joint Station at Shrews bury ; Power to subscribe towards the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway). York and North Midland Railway (Deviation and Abandonment of Part of the authorised Lines of Rail way between Market Weighton and Beverley and Ceii munthorpe and Tadcaster). York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway, and Maryport and Carlisle Railway (Lease and Amalgamation). York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway (Newcastle upon-Tyne and Carlisle Railway Lease and Arcaigaina tion). PETITIONS. Mr. E. DENISON presented a petition from the Mahon UniGn in favour of superannuation allowances. Admiral DUNDAS presented a petition from Wool wich in favour of the Clergy Relief Bill. Mr. WILCOX presented a petition from Southampton praying for the extension of the suffrage to all house holders. Mr. OSBORNE presented a petition from Longford, praying that no 'bora money might be giren to Irish people until the resources of the Church in trelind were appropriated to their proper uses ; also a petition from Cheltenham, in favour of international arbitration; also several petitions from officers connected with the poor law in certain districts in Middlesex, praying for super annuation allowance. Lord HARRY VANE presented a petition from De.r fington, praying that measures might be taken to pre vent the importation of the produce of Cuba and Brazils to this country. Mr. COBDEN presented several petitions form York shire praying for the liberation of the Rev. Mr. Store, and for the establishment of financial county board Mr. G. THOMPSON presented a petition from Bath praying for the liberation of Mr. Shore ; for the aboli tion of all ecclesiastical courts, and for the entire refor mation of the Established Church. Mr. C. BRUCE presented a petition from Scotland against the Scotch Registration Bill. Mr. FULLER presented a petition from Eisex praying for protection to agriculture. Mr. CHRISTOPHER presented a petition from Lin coln in favour of sore measure to prevent trading in seduction. The Marquis of GRANBY presented a petition corn plai dng of the crowded state of churchyards, and pray. ing that some measures might be taken to prevent in. torments in towns. THORNELY complained of certain irregularities connected with the practice of presenting petitions to the House. As Chairman of Petitions, he knew that petitions were presented to the House without one signature being appended to them, and particularly re ferred to a petition from the Archdele, - ,nry of Dublin. Sir R. INGLIS thought it was very desirable that the public should know that there were many petitions presented to the House, the greater number of names attached to which were illegible. Mr. AGLIO`TBY thought under the present system there was no means of knowing the genuine signatures from those that were signed by the authority of parties whose names are appended to petitions. Mr. HINDLEY asked from whence the petition came which was the subject-matter of complaint? Mr. THORNELY said it came from the Archeleaconry of Dublin. ...M.... • . ' .. • existing law, the 3d of Gee. IV , which was found suf. Mare smith said ti .at our colonies had always been an ei!:, ficient in 1832, was not sufficient now. B u t as pence to this count ry. Now he thought that we should the Right Hoaeurable Gentleman (the Chancellor act towards them as ; kind parents acted towards their offh of the Exchequer) d;cl not seem disposed to spring. When an 3 of them were old enough, prepares: adopt that course, there were three otl - n , rs openlo him; for it, and d es i rau aof establishing in an independen first, to prohibit the growth of chicory altogether in this positi, nin life, however anxious the arent ght tt) country; sec end, to tak e o ff t h e custom's duty of 4d. which ret;:as them at horn e, he aided them to p s might in the wo be rld: now operated to discourage the consumption of colonial ,irid, cn the other band, they cherished and support"' coffee ; and, thirdly, to impose an e xc i se d u ty upon the weakly ones. So it s h ou ld b e with our colon i es Bihish-grown chico r y, equivalent to the custom's duty which were capable of becoming independent; no petty upon coffee. The Hon. Gentl, man, after stating that, in jealousy should tit iduce us to oppose their becoming so, his opinion, the later course was the most advisable one because they would be much more advantageous to us to adept, concluded by moving the resolution which is in that capacity than they ever had been. If they given at the commencement of his speech. would give the colonies a constant supply of young Mr. BAILLIE seconded the resolution. persons educated in the unions, and give them The CHANoELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said grants of land, a constant supply labour he could not agree to t h e resolution, and as to what had would be secured ,to them. He did not see of the lice' been said about the Treasury having a diepensing power Member for Berveicihshire present, who took an interest to supersede the law, the power was given them by the in emigration, on b ehalf of a particular society formed law itself, in order that they should exer- for the purpose of encouraging it. But the fault he cis° a discretion, when they thought proper had to find with that and other societies was that in matters connected with the revenue. It was ;hey asked too mu eh from the emigrants. The only well known that in many parts of the Continent qualifications for ewe emigrant, in his opinicn, were an chicory was used as a substitu'e for coffee, and in all empty mouth and all empty stomach.—(A laugh) One C3Seli rnixEd with it. Ile himself had that very day an thing was certain, that oar colonies must give up the interview with a gentleman engaged in the trade, who idea of maintairiding themselves as sugar inanufaes assured him that a mixture of chicory was of great ad- turcrs. The cane could be grown in a greater number vantage to th e consumer, an d promoted the use of coffee of places than was once believed—andin them s ugar to a very great degree. He had had a communication cultivation could on ly exist under protection. But if with the Board of Excise on the subject, and their the labourers went out there and applied themselves answer was, that if the plan of the Hon. Gentleman to the cultivation of the land, they would bet• were adopted, it would be necessary to institute ter their own condition, and supply us with an abun' a very expensive and inquisitorial survey into the con- dance of provisions- He believed it was impossible to cerns of all the coffee dealers in England. That was a re,tore the bread tax again.—(Loud cheers.) He hal no course he did not feel it his duty to pursue. It was not patience with those impostors who run about the coun done by the Right Hon. Gentleman the Member for the try and promised the tenant-farmers that if they were University of Cambridge, who preceded him (the Chan- restored to power they would give them back celfor of the Exchequer) in the office he had then the protection.—(Hear, hear.) Ha had never taken any honour to hold; it was not done by his Right Hon, part in the movernmit for the repeal of the corn-laws, Friend the Member for Portsmouth, when he was Chau- because he saw, or at least thought he saw, the selfish cellor of the Exchequer ; by Lord Monteagle, or the late ness of the landlord as well as the selfishness of the Lord Althorp. As t o th e f a lli ng off in the consumption cottonocracy—(A l aug h)— and, consequently never took of coffee, no such thing h a d h appene d , f or he found that any part with either of them. There was, however, while in 1841 only fourteen milli ons of pounds were this difference between them—that, whereas the gout in consumed, it had risen in 1848 to thirty millions. Under the toe was painful, the gout in the stomach was destruc all the circumstances of the case, and believing the pre- t i ne —(L aughter)—and, therefore, he deprecated all tax sent system w as o f great benefit, particularly to the ation on food.—(Hear.) The evil of monopoly wan working classes of society, and that the alteration pro- that in point of fact, it took something out of every posed would prove most inquisitorial, he should resist body's pocket, to put it into the pocket of the monopo the motion. list Now, as he said before, it was the constant ten- Sir J. TYRELL said that chicory was a most profit- dency of masters to combine against their workmen.-- able crop for the agriculturists to grow, for in his own (" Hear, hear," from Mr. O'Connor, and laughter.) neighbourh oo d h e k new a f armer w h o realised 141. to Labour was no match for capital; the capitalist could 15/. an acre by it. He was, therefore, most anxious that command any market he pleased, but the labourer it should be understood no int er f erence wou ld t a k e place could find no market but one—Meer, hear) —that that might injure tho se w h o h a d b een a l ready so much the ground on which the Goveinment should alwa y sy injured by f ree t ra d e measures. stretch out its hand to protect the labourer against capi- Mr. URQUHART said is bat they wanted vvas, an en- tal:sts of every kind; in other words, they must by means force merit of the existing law by the Government, which, of custom duties protect the home market.—(Protece by their orders, was suspended. They had an admitted tionist cheers.) Ay, but he was not taking their view case of decrease of revenue and infraction of the law. of the matters—(Laughter.) The benefit of the home Mr. MACGREGOR said, that he knew from official market was, that it set in beneficial operation two capie experience at the Board of Trade, that it was perfectly tale.— (Renewed Protectionist cheers.) Another point impossible to prevent the sale of chicory, or any article he wood also submit to the Committee —namely, the in a pulverised state. The only way to prevent it, was inexpediency of giving up productive taxes, which fell to reduce the duties upon foreign and colonial coffees, upon the richer classes. Take the Post-office, for in so as to offer no great temptation to adulteration. stance, where was the utility of giving up the revenue it Ceptein PHILLIP BENNET said a few words, which formerly yielded? The only parties who had benefited were inaudible in the gallery, by it were the merchants end bankers. He would not Mr. C. ANSTEY replisd. say one word against such reductions, if ta le were jSir CHARLES BURRELL said, it would be an in- overflown), with wealth; but looking at the state of the ustice to the agricultural interest to impose a duty on country, Ice said that as it was improree is an individual chicory. It was a complete contravention of the pullet- who was in difficulties to lavish his means, so it was pies of free trade, equally improper in a Government to do so.—(Hear.) The CHANCELLOR of t h e EXCHEQUER seid that Ile was a l most a f ra id to mention the word Ireland, lest he only contemplated a duty on roasted chicory, if at all, it should give rise to innumerable eec sphes, t Strangers were ord ere d to w i t hd raw, and the House he could not ease it w i t h out nonce, because he believed divided, when there appeared— that if it was properly treated a great reduction of the For the motion Against i t Majority REDUC TION OF TAXATION. the military and by cow ts-mertial, and thus save the Mr. H. DRUMMOND brought forward the motion list of judges, juries, and learned counsel, who cr u'd of which he had given notice—" That this House do not even find men guilty who honestly said they were resolve itself into a Committee, to consid e r the public guilty, asd whom ev er b o d y e l se believed to b e so . Oa expendit ure an d t h e ex i st i ng sn stem of taxation, and hew the other head, let the Lord , -Lieutenants of counties far both may be revised with a view to relieve the pees- and the owners of the soil be left to perform the duties sure upon the industry of the country." Last year he which they did in Eneland, Wales, and Scotland, and expressed his surprise that her Majesty's Ministers had withdraw a large portion of the military force, and in not proposed any sufficient plan themselves, or if they this way effect a saving.—(Hear.) When all this was could not, they might have at least moved for a Com- done, however, they would still have done but little to mittee of that House to aid them. At the close of the wards lightening the springs of irulu,try, if they did not session he expressed his regret that th e y gave no intima- come to the charges upon the public debt.—(Elear, hear.) tion of such a plan, and said that if they did not they It was all very well to speak of shifting the burdens would compel some independent Member to devise a plan from one class of the community to others. Such reduc for them. He now undertook the titbit with the object tions might have a beneficial moral Effect, but its peal of drawing from Government some plain declaration, niary results would be temporary. But were they afraid that the country might see what they had to ex- to look at the eight hundred millions of public debt, or pest at their hands. His b e lief was that there the twenty-eight millions of annual interest?—(Hear, never was a successful opposition to the rul h ear.) That debt began at the same time as the miseries ing po wers i n any coun t ry exce pt when there of Fiance—it went on accumulating through the whole was an oppression of the hireling. When that was of the reigns of the three Georges —perhaps it was a the case rulers had taken from them that power which punishment fur throwing offour lawful King—(A laugh) they had abused. The extravagant wars carried on by —till at last it had come to be a burden greater than any • Louis XIV. and the waste of public money upon the people ever endured before. He knew that it was said puerilities of the Palace of Versailles, caused those con- this burden could be lightened in two ways, by increas vulsions which broke out in France in the days of his ingrand the capital and th e p ro d uct i ve power of the country; gson. From that same period over taxation had but there was this fallacy in that position, that value and gone on in this country till it would appear fabulous to increase of wealth did not go together; the farmer had those who originally imposed the national debt. Now, in now to pay four sheep instead of one, ten fleeces instead quiet times it was right to take up the question of reduc- of one, and the three loads of wheat instead of one, to pay tion of the taxation of the country, to prevent the outbreaks the same amount of taxation that he did a few years ago. and misery which invariably followed over -taxation. If The value of capital was diminished in order to pay the they would be content that the present state of things taxes. All the Ministers who imposed these taxes and should last during their official enistenee,with their hands contracted these debts said that unless something was and feet bound in red tape, then another wave of that de- dune to reduce the burden in future, it must ulti luge of Democracy which had latterly overwhelmed every mately lead to the ruin of the country. One of the most Government of Europe would sweep over them. lie common sayings of Mr. Pitt, when he was running up did not say that any measure which ho could pro- debts, was that we should obtain indemnity for the past pose could save them, but he did say, that if they and security for the future. Now ho admitted, with the would be just and fear not, if they would be de- gentlemen of the Birmingham school, that the burden of termined to relieve the poor, it might be, ueder God's the debt had been immensely increased by the Act of blessing, a means to lengthen their tranquillity. But 1819; but at the same time he disagreed with them on they must lay hold upon the question honestly. They some points, and especially as to their mode of measure mutt not take up so me thi ng to de l ude the people, for ing the depreciation of value. The great evil of the that only occasioned reiterated mortification. They must public debt was that it locked up capital. There were be honest in their measures. They must revise every only two ways of really benefiting the country. One part of their taxable system.—(Hear, hear.) They must was to make new capital, the other to let free that be prepared to part with many of their favourite asso- which already existed. By that means they would ciations, with many of their prejudices and long che- enable the merchant and manufacturer to increase their fished habits. The motio n was t o get i n t o Committee enterprises and give additional employment. The question to move certain resolutions. The language of that peti was, how this capital ' was to be liberated? Everybody tion which had been laid on the table, was that all said something should be done, but when any one came classes of productive industry were labouring under forward with a plan a host of objectors started up. It pressure arising from excessive local and national taxa- might be asked where the money was to come from to tion. He held it to be a principle that they ought to pay off the public debt? He knew of only two classes in pay for the protection of property to the value of that the country, rich and poor; the latter could not pay, and which was to be protected, and also in proportion he supposed the former must. He would ask, did they b to the social condition of the people. Accord- ever mean to pay the debt?—(Hear.) They certainly ing to a calculation which he had made on a former went on as if they never did. What he should propose o casion, upon the supposition that there were 30,000,000 was to give the Chancellor of the Exchequer power to of idiabitants in these countries, and estimating the buy up annuities as they were offered in the markets number of families at 5,000,000, there was 1,000 000 of It would not require at once a very great sum to do that, families in the greatest misery and distress. There was and he would raise the requisite funds partly by a tax another million of families consuming twice as much— on real property and partl an equalization of the another three times as much—a third million four times land tax, the proceeds fromwhich should be exclusively as much, and a fourth million five times as much as all applied to this purpose. In this way they would pre the rest, Their taxation ought to proceed upon the vent a glut of capital in the market, and all feverish principle of letting the lowest class go free altogether, speculation consequent upon it—the Government would and laying on the whole of their taxation in the same have the operation under their own control, and they way that the assessed taxes were laid on, making them would naturally take care never to throw more capital mount up progressively, not that by any system the poor into the market than coed.' find profitable employment. would altogether escape taxation, for they could not lay on He called upon all who took an interest in these taxes in any way that would not indirectly questions to vote for going into Committee ; what press upon the labourer. They ought also to ever differences might exist between those who advo make men pay in proportion to their station in society. mated financial reform and those who supported the It was of very little consequence to a labourer w ho sat views of tae then. Member for Buckinghamshire, they upon the thro ne or occup i e d t h e upper places of society. were equally bound to support his [notion. He asked all He thought it was Mr. Macaulay who said that who elegised the title of statesmen to unite with him in to a man who. could nut get his supper, it was no an inquiry into this subject, and he conjured the House consolation to know that we could not go to war without to take up a subject which was mostdeeply and intimately the consent of Parliament.—(A laugh.) These things connected with the contentment of the people, and the might be of great importance to those who were in power, tranquillity of the couutry.—(Cheers ) The Hon, Mem or so placed that they might anticipate a. direct snare ber concluded by movinhis motien. in its benefits; but to the vast mass of the people that hlr. URQUHART s coeded the motion. mattered very, little. He did not agree with a statement The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER op he had often heard, that the majority of the taxation posed the motion. If the Hon. Gentleman really sup had been intentionally made to bear upon the poorer posed that they should go into Committee on the mani classes, and to exempt the rich. The very contrary of fold subjects which he stated his intention of moving, that had been proved by his Hon. Friend the Member they would have marked out not the work of an ordi for Buckinghamshire. But ho believed that as there nary Committee, but of two or three sessions. There was always an indirect tendency on the part of masters was hardly any discussable subject that the Hon. Gen to combine against their men, so there was also an in- tleman did not mean to make the subject -matter of reso direct tendency on the part of Governments to make lutions. In the first place he proposed to substitute taxation bear unequally.—(Hear.) In a certain sense, a new system of taxation. ght It mi t indeed, it was a l most i mposs ib le to avoid this inequality, graduated property-tax for aught he be a House If they took one p oun d f rom a man who had only knew to the contrary, for the Honourable Gen -101., they in reality took more than when they took tlernan had left them in the dark wi regard either 10/. from 100/, 100/. from 1,000/ . or 1,000/. from the principle or the details of that system.-- to (Hear.) 10,0001.; and, in order to counterbalance thi s natura l T hen the Hon. Gentleman, after ridiculing a motion of and reainequality, there ought always to be a direct in- Lord Ashburton's respecting the mode of e tention on the part cot the Legi s l a t ure to t h row the direct ing the country, came to the conclusion that uitabl it would tax be burden of taxation on the highest classes. The feeling impossible to impose any taxation which did not press of the working classes was, that this could never be done on the millions. The next proposition which the Hon. until they themselves returned Members to Parliament; Gentleman announced his intention of moving, was the but if the House agreed to this Committee, with the reduction of all salaries of public officers to the scale of view of applying a practical measure, it would render 1794, previous to the wa r . Th e H on. Member for Mon that reason at le as t nugatory. Another resolution he trose had given notice ea similar motion; but he (the should propose, if they went into Committee, would be Chancellor of the Exchequer) should certainly resist to reduce the salaries of civil officers, in orde r th a t the it.—(Hear, hear.) He would them why,—Because might be enabled t o re d uce the amount of taxation levied such an alteration would be a tell most extravagant thing on stamps and assessed taxes. The whole tendency of to do.—(Laughter.) H onoura bl e Gentleman laughed. their recent l eg i s l at i on was to reduce prices to the con- Nevertheless his statement was quite true. If such a tinentel level. He did not believe that could be helped. resolution were carried, the salary of his Right Hon -(lleat-, hear.) Even independent of legislation, ho Friend the Secretary of State would be increased did not believe that it was possible, in a time of peace, to from 5,000/. to 6,000/. per annum, and of the President keep up prices beyond the general level; but that of the Council from 2,000/ to 4,000/. per annum, being the case, the tax-payers must have continental so that instead of a decrease being effected, there wou l d prices when also ; 179 they m us t h ave back the prices of be an increase in those particular departments. They 4, the whole of these salaries were talked of the resolution as an economical measure, but raised on the express plea of the enhanced price of coin- it was not an economical proposal to return to the scale modities, when, to his own knowledge, 50/. was paid for fixed in 1794. The Hon. Gentleman proposed to put what could now be purchased for 10 1.—(Ilear.) They an end to all civil services connected with the military would have free trad e in salaries—(Cheers.) He heard department, but that subject was already fully dis it sometimes said, oftener out of doors than in that cussed when the various estimates were considered. House, that there seemed as if there existed an inten- The Hon. Gentleman held out the 4ipeotation that he tion to fine officials, and treat them as persons who had would spare us the trouble of retailing our colonies. committed a misdemeanour. Now he took no pleasure Now, on the subject of governing oar colonial pas' in prop os i ng the reduction of any man's income, or sessions, n o l ess t h an t h ree other notice's of motion bad any man's comfort s . But ther e was no discretion in this been placed on the books of the House of Commons, case. Reduction was an act of necessity. The distre s s one by the Hon. Member for Inverness, a second by the of the peopl e was great, their burdens were heavy, and Hon. Memb er f or Berwicke' and a third by the Hon. they were i m p erat i vely called upon to lessen them.— Member f or Sheffield. NOiet,", seeing that those notices (Hear.) They must cut down the civil service cf the were certain to lead to aniAdiscussion of the colonial army and navy. He alluded especially to the extraor- question, he did not thinkrit 'desirable that they should dinary expenses for building steam-vessels, and the get into a fourth discussion, of a general nature, building of ships on t r i a l , and of course he should on the desirabhity of retaining their colonial possessions, have a similar resolution to offer with respect t o The Hon. Gentl emanfurther,expressed himself in favour the salaries iu that department. It was necessary the of it large se stern of einigidtiehn' the payment of pas" House should take the initiative in these measures. The senger money, and the rare `e to emigrants by the Noble Lord at the head of the Government, who was Government. Those things might be all very right and pretty determined himself, when once resolved, would proper, b u t th ey certainly wore not economic. The, not reduce salari es un l ess t h ey forced him—unless they sixth reso l ut i on which the Hon. Gentleman intimate d gave him the power of saying that he had no alternative an intention of proposing was on the subject of the but to obey the resolution of that House, and on that bread-tax. What the nature of that proposition would ground they ought to arm him with that power. With be the Hon. Member did not say, but he scouted - the respect to colonial expenses, they had had so many de- notion of keeping up a duty on foreign - Cohn - ` kn y bates of late that he was almost art aid of teuching upon reselutien conil , eted and ti,e bread-tax would.M*3l u ti that sulnect. be long. ego as 1823 ..; petition 1,s:I been wit;,.- fivlci for discicii, at 0 he cornidered ib 1 1 ; 1 1 1 1 5 v presented by a Colanial Governor, setting forth reasons means advisable that they should enter on it, esl*.en" ofr why the colonies should be governed by a Board, but when they found it connected with a multiplicity bince that time nothing had been dyne na the mater, other co m pli cate d subjects. Who lam Gentlemaa'°b.