The Sun. — London, England, 1849-05-15 00:00:00

T Ft! he founded bis stat ements were in the Right Llon. Gen hlue b rind he bve.fed to tell thel Mr: J. O'CONNELL said h- the: ne.: of any 11 , 1711. re t' -t vets enes •-• .any! • !:1 tater°, witlelsa that s xp:( tun, I.;:it , the )0. Ui:ii ticinln SpOlo: of persons themselves gentirtnc". „ e w.. should it right that a Member insult his Ir ish low. Members without some stop being p ut to it? The .11 "un. Member had made a comparison between the two countries, but he would ask were there any schools in lielaad in which thero were children who were ignorant of their Redeemer, and who knew nut the way of salvation ? Had they, in Ireland, auy professors of political economy who wrote for Public newspapers which were patro nised by the Government, and who held out the blasphemous doctrine that the people of Ireland should be starved down to what the diminutive capital of that country could allow fur them, and that they should not inter:eie with the will of God, who had visited upon them a great "amity, or to attempt to save them from death? Was .. !t net cruel that people who were perishing without having committed one single outrage, who went to the clergy and lifter receiving the sacrament, going back to linp,er in the agonies of famine, shoeld be crushed in such a harsh and reckless manner ? They had shown wonderful fortitude and had sub mitted with admirable resignation to the trials Which Providence had inflicted upon them, and was it just that they should be made the subject of any attack or slander in that House? It was Irish money as well as English money that had been given to them, and not, as stated by the Honourable Gentle man, English money alone. If the House gave them the management of their own affairs they would not ask for any money; but the House bad taken open itself the management of their affairs, and they would not now submit to meet the consequences of their own acts. He had not intended to take any part in this debate, but he had thought it necessary to say thus much in answer to what the Hon. Gentleman had said.—(Hear, hear.) The Government had acted niggardly towards Ireland, but at the same time he must do them the justice to say that had they proposed large grants, the House would not have supported them.—(Hear, hear.) It was too bad then to attack Ireland for her misdeeds, which the policy of the House and Government had goaded her people on to, and he trusted they should hear no more of these misdeeds, if misdeeds they could be called.—(Hear, hear.) Sir H. W. BARRON was surprised that any English Member should have evinced so bad a spirit towards Ireland; but the Honourable Gentleman the Member for Sheffield, in his opinion, had completely contradicted himself. The Honourable Gentleman, in his opening, said the landlords of Ireland ought to drain their estates with their own money, and in the next breath he said the land ought to be culti vated for the benefit of the people. Why, good God, this ceuld not be done without the aid of public grants. He denied that the money voted by the House went into the pockets of the landlords ; and as a proof of this he might mention that during the last year the landlords had subscribed 1,600,000 1 . for the relief of the Irish people.—(liear, hear.) These attacks, then, were most unjust, and he regretted them the more because they were likely to dry up the channels of charity in this country, and leave the, people of Ireland to die of abso lute starvation.—(Hear, hear.) Lord JOHN RUSSELL remarked that the Hon. Member for Sheffield having been absent from the House for some time had of course a much keener appe tite for Irish subjects than the majority of other Hon. Members.—(Liughter.) The House, however, had ' beard so much during the present session of Ireland that the Honourable Gentleman s speech was not so much relished as it might otherwise have been.—(Hear, hear.) lie would not attempt to defend t he Irish land• lords, he would leave that to themselves, but with regard to the labourers of Ireland, he thought the Hon. Gentleman was einjuse in his attacks on them.—(Hear.) lie thought it was an unjust reflection upon the Irish labourers to say that they were unwilling to work. He believed that, in many instances, the labourers in Ire land were willing to work only for their food. It was not, therefore, to be said that they wanted any lesson of the kind given by the Hon. Member for Sheffield. The Bill before the House was to establish a system of drainage, with other improvements in land, by aid from that House. The sums to be advanced were laid out, in the first place, on labour, and, in the second plaee,On the production of food by improvement of the land; and, in the third place, there was every .prospect that those sums would be fully repaid, principal and interest. — (Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member tor Waterford (Sir W. Barron) had truly said that many sums had been advanced for various purposes to English and Scotch proprietors, and these sums had been regularly repaid. He did not see any valid reason why that house should withhold from Irish proprietors who required it, that assistance which they had been in the habit of giving to the proprietors of this country.—(Hear.) Mr. HORSMAN ssid he did not believe that the sources of private charity in this country were yet dried up. If capital and labour were driven out of Ireland, they must in a great measure attribute it to past English legislation. Ho sympathised with many of the Irish landlords, who for years past had received no rent. — (Hear.) lie did not object to aid Ireland, but he ob jected to do it by a system that was pernicious in itself. They had already tried this system, and still they were told that nothing but immediate grants could save the lives of thousands. Grants of 5,000/, and 10,000/., and other sums were from time to time repeated; but had that system improved Ireland? No; on the contrary they were told, that upon the stoppage of these remit tances, the unfortunate people of Ireland must perish by thousands. Some of the Commissioners' remonstrances were very strong, and they desired, upon receiving no answer to their applications for money, to be relieved from all responsibility. They must assume, that from the conduct of the Government, in declining to send money, and the statements of the Commissioners, that the mortality was very great. In the face of Europe, that was a disgraceful state of things. He was surprised how those who were responsible could sleep in their beds. Sir G. GREY said that they had advanced the money given them for the purposes of relieving Irish distress, and when Government asked for 109,0001. more for that purpose the Hon. Gentleman voted against it.—(Hear, hear.) As for these grants, they were secured upon Irish property; but the observations made had no refer ence to the Bill before the House. Since the 50,0001. had been exhausted, 26,0001. more had been sent over to Ireland, and in expectation of the relief asked for by Government being granted, his Noble Friend (Lord J. Russell) had stated that he beer)t feel himself bound to refuse further aid.—(llear, Mr. KEOGH said that the Noble Lord (Lord J. Russell) had added to the sneer of the lion. Member for Sheffield when he spoke of an Irish debate as a thing to be censured, and had deprecated the observations of the Hon. Member for Sheffield. The tones of that Honourable Member's vo ice appeared to have been very unwelcome tones to the Noble Lord—" Thrice in these Irish debates had the Honourable Member (Mr Roebuck) spoken, and," the Noble Lord had added, " Thrice the brindled cat bad mewed." He (Mr. Keogh) thought that these remarks should not be in dulged in against Irish debates by the Noble Lord, or against Irish Members and the Irish nation by the Hon. Member for Sheffield. When next he indulged in his severity and satire on Irish Members, he hoped it would • be when those were present who were able to reply to them. lie was very far from thinking that the Hon. Gen tleman represented the feelings of his countrymen at large. H e would rather look to the acts of the English nation than to the bitter words of the Hon. Member for Sheffield. As, however, the Hon. Member had wound up without any motion, he thought it probable, after all, the Sheffield blade was not so dangerous a weapon.— (Laughter.) He hoped that the English people would distinguish between the patriotic statements of an Eng• lish senator and the bilious acerbity of a spiteful self-tor . mentor.—(H-ar. and laughter.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said be ' thought it was unjust to charge his Noble Friend (Lord J. Russell) with adding to the sneer of the Hon. Mem ber for Sheffield against Irish landlords, because ho de precated the renewal of an Irish debate, or rather the renewal of the personalities which result from the speech of the Hon. Member for Sheffield, He trusted that the time of the House would not be occupied with personal attacks. . Colonel DUNNE was understood to say that Irish Members should not be censured as asking for loans, when So out of them had voted against this measure, and only 19 for it. Mr. MOORE said that the speech of the Hon. Mem• ber for Sheffield amounted to an elaborate distillation of all the bad feelings and worst passions which prevailed amongst the worst men of their fellow-subjects. It had, been said that all the evils of Ireland had been attri buted to landlordism, especially in Connaught. Lie could only say, as a Connaught man, that no conclusion • could be more unjust or more untrue than that to which they had come on this subject. Tho peasantry were • far from being idle or improvident. Their indus try, integrity, thriftiness, and earnestness in seeking after work, wherever it could be found, were well known, and to apply such terms to them wa d s b one of the grossest perversions of language. It would _ e membered how they bad suffered froom famine, and yet in the spring of 1848, while sufferin rom dbstitutioo2 an living upon half rations, they sowed a greater breadth of land than at former periods. They might be said to have literally sow ed these lands w ith their own liv es.-- (Hear, hear.) With respect to the landlords, th ishard,e e to be the rule to act on the old proverb, " flit they have no friends." But whate ver mi g ht have been their faults they were only part passe with the legisla tion of this country. The evils of Connaught might be t traced as f a r back as the plantation of Connaught, for i had a plantation as well as Ulster, a plantation very much against it and in favour of Ulster, and while the whole policy of this country had been directed to de grade and debase the people of Ireland, it was not to bo wondered at that the landlords had not taken much pains to improve the country. He admitted that since that policy changed they had not done so much as they might have done, and h o n o w ca lled upon them ' to come forward and do their duty as owners of the soil. But it was not the landl or d s o f Connaught alone who were responsible. The landlords of Ulster and England were equally so. They had no right to say, "Aml my brothers keeper." who . had so long ruled the people in a selfish sectarian thepirlt'must not expect to Irish tbe landlords were thus abused by Hon. Members, we e re aware of the actual state in which many of them were y laced, and that they had paid away more money to mortgages) than . they had received from their estates. He ha f n ai o le ts i ire to excuse the landlords where they , had objected to the n their duty; but, at the same time, ho indiscriminate censure that was cast upon them. The SPEAKER having left the Chair, the House went into Committee. On the first and second clauses being read, Mr. HORSMAN said he wished to know whether the advances to be made by this Bill were to be for a limited time, and what security there was against their misap plication? With respect to the charge of ignorance made against him by the Right Hon. Gentleman (Sir Qrey), all be could say was that the facts upon which tenanee and employment of those around them.—(ilear.) He trusted that those who, during the lest three years, l hed doil3 eeeeeree [iii: iiiipcuscoitsui of Ilia: e.W.)te, , ,, would no lee shamed into exertion, end would -follow tho:es who set them a glorious example. However it might please Hon. Gentlemen in that House to lay the blame on the Government tied on the Imperial Parlia ment, his belief had been, was, and would be, that unless harmony was created among all classes in Ireland—un less religious animosity was assuaged between different sects—unless the enmity prevailing between the landlord and the tenant gave way to good understanding — unless all classes united in endeavouring to ele vate the country, it was useless fur Government to propose measures, or for the Parliament to adopt them, as they would turn out miserable failures. He believed that the commercial jealousy which so lung induced England to withhold from Ireland the means of prosperity vt as at an end. He believed that that politi cal ascendancy which, during the last century, had made. the governing masses in England look to the support of the minority only in Ireland, had becomeextiuguished— believing that those circumstances would in time, and by the operation of natural causes, finally have their effect , he trusted they should at length see, and that their chil dren would see more clearly than themselves, that the case of Ireland was not hopeless, and that the people of Ireland, who were reproached for their idleness and im providence, had been burdened by edverse circum stances, BEd that they were as willing to labour, and were as much endowed with those physical and moral attributes which led to success, as any people in the empire.—(Hear, hear.) Colonel DUNN E gave the Government credit for good intentions, but expressed his conviction that their mea sures were totally unsuited to Ireland. So long as the present poor-law was maintained in Ireland, they could not expect to improve the condition of the people. Mr. V. small hoped that the money advanced under the present Bill would be expended on immediate employment, and not s2read over a number of years like former loans. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that the amount intended for the improvement of the land would be expended within a given time, and that designed for arterial drainage within a year. Mr. HORS MAN expressed a hope that landed pro prietors who borrowed under the Act, would be com pelled to give employment at once, and not permitted to hold over the amount of their loan until they thought proper to make the improvements they considered ncc,2s lbOtt lion. Ga...l.:att that he wes to no, oelert,u by the terror of hie language. He knew his power in debate, which was ai great as his thfi.cts In adtnioistra tive Sir G. GREY declined to follow the Honourable Gen tleman into at: irregular di:Tuision. lle would merely say thlt he objected not to any fact;, but to the Hon. Member drawicg from his own imagination charges against the Government which were utterly unfounded. Ho undtrstoxl him to say that the Government were calling upon Parlhment to advance more money when they had some not yet divosecl of, and also that the grants had berm double in some cases what was asked. lie admitted that the Government bad advanced more money in some cases than was asked. The Govern ment felt themselves bound to do so under the circura stances, and would again, if the necessity for doing so MSC. Mr. HORSMAN briefly explained. Mr. ROEBUCK wished to make an explanation. The way in which Honourable Gentlemen had alluded to him was not of the gentlest kind, but if it was merely meant as a joke, he had no objection to it. It was no answer to his objections. These were that for three years they knew there had been great distress in Ire land. They knew the cause of it, and they were called upon to apply a remedy. They asked the Government to do so, and the Noble Lord, acting upon his sensibili ties, had pursued a policy which he, in that name, was justified in designating as unstatesmanlike. The Noble Lord had not met his charge, which was that he had had large sums of money entrusted to him for the improvement of Ireland, and had left the people worse than he had found them.—(Hear, hear.) Passing over the personal attacks upon his frail body and bilious temper by the Irish Gentlemen, he would repeat his charge again st them — that they had misa pp lied that money. Ile asked them why they could not keep their fingers out of the public grants.—(Hear, hear.) With respect to his charge against the Government, he would say that when it had ten or twelve millions placed in its hands as it were in one hour, that if it had been em ployed properly they might have set the people to work on their own soil, and replaced the lost potatoes. By the course they had taken, they had flung that immense sum away. They had spent it mischievously. That was his charge, and to that he adhered . Lord J. RUSSELL had objected to the former speech of the Hon. Member, that it had no reference to this Bill, but was rather an exposition of the Hon. Member's views on the policy of the last four years. He had de clined to follow him into these subjects, doubting the indulgence of the House; but his repetition of the attack would force him to go into details. The lion. Gentle man forgot the extent of the evil which the Government had to deal with, and the circumstances by which it was accompanied. As to its causes there was now no doubt. The mode in which the landlords let their farms, the payment by the farmers in plots of potato ground, in. stead of wages, and the acceptance by the peasantry of these grounds, in preference to wages, were at the root of the evil. There was no doubt about these things.— (Hear, hear.) They knew they had existed, and they knew they had been stopped by the calamity sent by Providence, which took away the potato, and was the cause of all these advances. Whether the sum was five millions, or any larger amount, which was r e q uired, no one could tell at the time, because no one knew exactly the amount of food which had been lost, and which re quired to be supplied. The landlords and farmers were unable to find the means to employ and support the people, because the same evil pressed upon them, and cut off their ordinary means • and the Government were bound to afford assistance either in one way or another. In the first instance the Right Hoo. Baronet (Sir R. Peel) repealed the corn laws, and he agreed with the Hon. Member for Sheffield, that measure had been of great benefit to the people; but it did not relieve the people of Ireland. Indeed, it was in some senses the contrary. It reduced the price of corn, and of course was not favourable to those who had corn to sell.— (Hear.) The Noble Lord proceeded to state the course the Government had adopted on coming into office—the organization of measures, and giving the baronies power to present public works for the approval of the Govern. ment, which were afterwards carried on by public ad vauces. These works had been injudiciously suggested in many instances, from the natural fears of the gentry, arising from the famine.—(Hear.) The Government found that this mode was subject to abuses, they then reduced largely at once, and gradually afterwards the persons employed on public works, substituting food depots for them. He did not say that other persons might not have devised plans of a different character, but he did say that no Government could tell, until the cir cumstances occurred, what amount of relief would be re quired, although he did not stand up to defend that sys tem of relief as one founded on provisions wbirh could not be controverted. He should say that he did not, many as were the suggestions made by Hon. Gentlemen on both sides of the House, hoar any that were likely to be accompanied with evils of a less magnitude than those which were to be found connected with the Go vernment measures. If they adopted the plan of the Honourable Member, namely, to employ the pro ductive labour of the country on the improve ment and cultivation of the soil, they would interfere with private capital and private enter prise, and in order to act effectively, not ten million but thirty million would be spent in that operation. It was quite true that every system of relief diverted persons from industrial pursuits. Every kind of poor law would be accompanied by that evil which tended to reduce the stimulus inducing men to support themselves and procure food. Such a want of industry and inde pendence would be tenfold increased if the State di rectly interfered in the employment of labour for the cultivation of the soil. With respect to the measures adopted in later years, Hon. Gentlemen seemed to sup. pose that the Government should have calculated the extent of the failure of the potato crops in 1846, 1847, and 1848; but no Government could have told, with anything approaching what would have been the result of the harvest of those years. They, of course, had to consider the calamity before them — but as to the exact nature of the harvest, or the quantity of the produce of potatoes, it was utterly impossible for any Government to form an opinion not having means or data sufficient before them. During the hat half year more than a mil lion of money had been raised in Ireland for the destitute poor of that country. When Hon. Gentlemen spoke of the unwillingness of the occupiers of the soil in Ireland to afford relief to the suffering Irish, be begged to state that with all their diminution of resources and limited means, they had contributed upwards of one million in half a year, and he said that while he thought they were justified in imposing the burden on Ireland, the mode in which the collection had been made—he could not say the willingness, but the obedience to the precepts of the law which induced men to pay for the support of their suffering fellow-countrymen, was highly creditable to those liable to the payment of the poor-rate, and cer tainly should diminish somewhat of the acerbity and bitterness of invective of those by whom it was at tempted to be contended that the Irish proprietors and occupiers of land were not willing to make any effort of their own for mitigating the sufferings of the distressed people. The Incumbered Estates Bill of last session bad not been found to confer the benefits and advantages it was intended, and the Government accordingly had has troduced during the present session a measure to invigo rate that Act, so as to facilitate the transfer of land to those who were able to lay out capital on its proper cul tivation. They had been taunted with taking up the suggestions of the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth respecting the subject. If it were any degra dation on the part of a Minister of the Crown to receive suggestions and the development of a plan of the highest importance from the Right Honourable Baronet, or any other Member, he was finite willing to submit to that degradati n, or humiliation, and prepared to hear any taunts that might be thrown on him for having in that great peril and crisis of Ireland taken up what others had devised. The Hon. Member for Sheffield and other Hon. Gentlemen seemed to think it was a sorry result of all their measures, that the people of Ireland still suf fered severe distress. Now he could not imagine those remed:o.—he had not heard those plans proposed oven by Gentlemen most intimately connected with Ire land powerful, so omnipotent ho might say, which would provide remedies for a people whose ordinary suffer ings and privations were materially increased during, four continuous years of famine. Notwith• standing, as he believed. the dispensation of Provi dence was intended for the good of Ireland. The social state of Ireland, as decribed by the Poor-law Commis sioners in their report of 1833, was one that could not be read without exciting feelings of pity and lamenta tion, and it was his firm conviction that in the end it would be improved by the calamity. If any measure in troduced by the Government tended to alleviate the sufferings of the people of Ireland, he certainly should be content with that conclusion ; but if, beyond that i — enegr it t ' ba b ir ! lby in y w e b a oi s tl u h r dt c h s fa c ete a l r s r n i n ed step, they could pave the way to a better order of society social n o s t t a i t n e c o o n n ed e b a e r, , i b m a p t r p o r y n e d c e he proud at the attainment of such a result. He wished that those who had influence on the . public mind in Irelend would not report that those who were in the councils of the Government—at present the Legislature of the country—manifested indif ference to the evils which desolated the Irish population. Dr. in an address published in the Dublin Freeman's Journal, acknowledging the receipt of various sums of money contributed from private sources for the relief of distress in the western district of Ireland, stated that the generous and timely conduct of those donors was a humiliating lesson to the Minister of the day, who, looked on with calm indiffer ence at the deplorable destitution of the subjects of that, portion of her Majesty's realm?. Now, on behalf of her Meje.sty's Ministers, he designated that state- Cabinet a source of tho m erit as a gross calumny. th The destitution of the Irish people had been to wer : well aware on the one greatest anxiety. T h ey g p ; oo a r n , d, f o o n r them it would emount aware, that if they afforded hand, that if they refutnsesdenatlelnereelnieff the other hand, they p to eris t h h i e n n that part of Ireland. The the apathy which existed to steer between these two and indiscriminately, the it would increase r G el o i v ef o l n a ln v while applying the itions They should endeavour, fiend,to meet the pot • with no niggard i t:n h t lY endeavo ure imperial resources• ht prove in future •nereased food, d condition, of years a source of improve eater welfare. They r calamities of Ireland, so that they.mis of hat:pits of industry, and of charged them with taunts and reproaches of those w o _ Other v and on the should endeavour, while bearing on the one band the lavishing the funds of this countr, , hand, the invectives of those who Irishpopulatio n indifferent to the sufferings of the fur then ra they should endeavour to lay the foundation told them they were England. His belief was that greater and improvedinter coursepletoUnited Kingdom with Ireland would tend much to that result. He thought, whatever might have been the reproaches cast Irish landed proprietors in f ormer y ears, the niajority of proprietors were no w wholl y anxious to ti means by which they could improve the condition of the country, and by which they could provide for the mal4- Sari. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that what the lion. Member for Cockerniouth thought ough to be done, had been already done. Mr. OSBORNE bore testimony to the good offee produced by former loans for land improvement and arterial drainage. Mr. BANKES asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer where was the money to come from which it was in tended to advance as a loan for land improvement in Ireland. He also wished the Right lion, Gentleman to inform the House when he proposed making his usual financial statement. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, in answer to the first question, that having in consequenc e of the demands upon the Treasury to make up the ex• penses of the Kafir war, been obliged to borrow two millions of money to replace the sums t..ken from it to pay those expenses, ho had been able, after making up these, to appropriate the balance of the sums so borrowed to the advances made on account of Ireland. These ad vances would therefore be made without being obliged to touch the Consolidated Fund, and the Hon. Member for Sheffield would not be troubled with the tax-gatherer coming to his door on account of those advances. As to the second question, ho had stated sometime ago, in an swer to the tion. Member fur Montrose, that be was anxious to make his financial statement at as early a period as possible, but that previous to doing so, he should be in possession of data, to enab:e him to snake it as accurate as possible. Lie conk ssed that had he done so at that time, he would have been able to make a more favourable statement than he would now, as the blockade of the northern ports had considerably injured the trade of the country.—(ilear, hear.) Ile would therefore have to request some further delay, but would assure the House that he would make his statement as early as cir cumstances would permit of him doing so. Mr. ROEBUCK said he had heard a good deal of late about " cooking" accounts in connexion with a certain railway, and he thought the Chancellor of the Exche quer in these advances to Ireland was adopting some what of the same system. The Right Hon. Gentleman had said the tax-gatherer would not come to hitu for money to pay those advances, but he had told the House that he had borrowed money for the purpose of pa) bg them, and as he believed, that like every honest man, he intended to pay his debt, though the tax-gatherer might not come to him this year for the purpose referred to, he would thencxt, as the money must be raised by means of ,axes. SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 15, 1849. there were three cla;ses of Christians admitted to that House. The Prbtestant took the oath of supremacy and tho oath of abjuretion. There were, howler;, a cies., of persons 'mown by the n :me of the Society of friends, who, in their affirmation, did not take that part of the oath , of abjuration "on the tree faith of a Christian," other words being substituted. The Roman Catholic Members took an oath in which the words, " on the true faith of a Christian," were also omitted. That oath was framed under the Act of 1829, which admitted their Roman Catholic countrymen into Parliament. Now it was proposed that for the three pa rties g y there should be a simple form of o ath. It was argued that the oath now taken did not app l y to the present time, and the Right Honourable Gentlemen (Mr. Vernon Smith) therefore proposed that there should be a short declaration, which would a nswer for Catholics enera as well as for Protestants. Now he (Lord J. Russell) thought it would not be wise to disturb an ar rib , ge ment which had been made in the Act of 1829 and with which he believed the Ronan Catholics were content.—(Hear, hear.) With reference to the oath proposed to be taken by members of the Jewish persuasion in the present B:11, he had framed it in ac cordance with the suggestions of the Commiesionere who meele their report to Lord Lyndhurst, then Lord Chan cellor, in May, 1815. With regard to the omission of the words " on the true faith of a Christian " they wore not introduced into the oath taken by the Roman Ca tholics, nor in the affirmation made by the Society of Friends.—(hear, hear.) With regard to the proposition of his Right.lion. Friend (Mr. V. Smith), that there should be one oath for all denominations, he would admit that it would be very desirable that such an oath could be framed, but he did not think the matter could be easily accomplished. He thought it would not be ad visable, for instance; to inte r f e r e with the form o' oath taken by Roman Catholi c s as in the Act of 1829 the oath was framed, and was ma d e the foundation o f the settlement of the Catholi c question.—(Hear , Mr. GOULBUItN agreed that it would not be advis iists was i on e r the s in i° 18 " 4 41 5 •of oath which was f ramed b y t th h e em eo that mm advis able to alter the Roman C at h o li c oa th. As to the oath proposed in the pr e se n t Bill, t h e N o ble Lord bad told but he had not exp lained to them why ho had changed his mind since the introduc tion of the Bill of last year. Mr. BOUVERIE said he was a t a loss to attach any definite meaning to that part of the oath by which they bound themselves to defend to the utmost of their power the settlement of property within the realm as established by the laws. Lord JOHN RUSSELL sail he believed that the words were introduced with reference to the Catholics, and to certain offices which they filled in Ireland, and they were introduced on the ground of , certain charges made against them, that they wished to disturb, not only religious property, but the settlement of civil property also. The Hon. Member, howev er , would observe that the words were " as established by law," whatever that law might be, which the Legislature had the power to alter as it might become necessary. Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL quite agreed in the defini tion which the Noble Lord had given of the Catholic oath. The doing away with all sorts of religious esta blishments he thought would be a benefit, although he had not advocated such a proposition, nor did he mean to do so. Mr. ANSTEY said he attached very little importance to these words, but if they were like the suggestion of the Commissioners in the report, they ought to go farther, and adopt the whole of the report of the Corn. missionera. lie did not agree in the view taken in re spect to the Church question by the Hon. Member for Limerick. For himself he would say that he would never consent to the spoliation of a single shilling of Church property.—(Hear.) Mr. W. J. FOX said the absurdity of attempting to bind men's views by the imposition of oaths was strongly illustrated by the contrary opinions expressed on the subject of the Catholic oath by the Honourable Member who spoke last. In passing, he must observe that he thought the constituents of the Honourable and Learned Member for Youghal would not be very well satisfied with the course which that Honourable Gen tleman intended to pursue in respect to questions re lating to the Established Church.—(llear, hear.) Now, he contended that the whole of the Members of that House were entitled to vote upon all vestionswhether they related to the Church or not —which came under their consideration. Was he, because he was not a member of the Church, to be re strained from giving his vote upon a class of questions which had relation to the Church? If he were so, he wou ld compromise the duty which he owed to his con stituents, till of whom—whether Churchmen or Dis senters—contribated to the support of the Church, and were, therefore, entitl •n e th d toa have their opiuions respecting House. He had no doubt the it given effect to . • oa ths taken at the t able were conscientiously subscribed to; but what was their value , if the person taking them (lid not feel the force of the words which they contained? It was staid that in 1829 a compact was come to by which certain poties were to be bound in . respect th to • likely come under the consconsideration of e ciestions ld be lad to know why they were House. But he s hould years ago? Since to be bound by a compact made t hen new leaders bad arise n in that House, and old leaders had changed their previous opinions. —(Hear, beer.) The evil of the matter was this—that the ambiguities of the oath in question were such, that it subjected many Honourable Members to taunts which it was painful for them to endure, and was equally painful to others to be auditors.—(Hear.) This fact was in itself sufficient to warrant the House in having the oath altered. Then with respe c t to the worth:, " On the truth faith of a Christian," what did they mean by them? They surely did not mean to im pose u particular creed on those who took the oath in which these words lippeared. Each person who took the oath was warranted in assuming that his own reli gious belief was the truth faith of a Christian. The oath included those who believed the most and those who believed the least. In a country where there was such a diversity of opinion on religious matters it was the duty of the Legislature, instead of fostering bigotry, to check its growth, and with this view he should vote for the amendment. Mr. ANSTEY, in explanation, s aid there was a per fect understanding between himself and his constituents ou the Church question. He had explained his views to them, and they assented to them.—(hear.) Mr. BRIGHT would vote for the Bill now under con sideration, because it did not increase the number of oaths, and because it was intended to let a class of his fellow .subjects into that House, which he was anxious to see as free as he was himself. If any stranger should have entered the House the other evening. he would have seen alloman Catholic, a Protestant, and a member of the sect to which he himself belonged, at the table, subscrib• ing to three different forms of declaration; and he would have supposed that these gentlemen represented classes that were antagonistic to each other, and that they were taking oaths against one another, when these forms were meant with the view of sustaining institutions, which, being worth preserving, did not require the aid of such declarations to uphold them. He thought the amend ment would simplify the oath, and he should, therefore, vote for it. He thought that all persons in that House ought to have the power of voting upon every question that came under their consideration. It was painful to see from forty to sixty Members leave the House when certain questions came before it. He was in favour of a declaration, and he thought that a regard for truth would be greater if the principle of taking oaths was given up. He would vote for the amendment. Mr. HENLEY wished an explanation of the words in the oath. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that the words were intended to bind Roman Catholics in respect to Church property. Mr. HENLEY—I am speaking of the Protestant oath. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said, these words were originally introduced to apply particularly to 't r a te all tholics, and subsequently were rondo to app Members generally. the expression, Mr. DISRAELI said, the first tini° Woburn the Pence of " settlement of property," was used, was Abbey. Orange, and it had then a reference to —(Laughter.) which the Noble That was a settlem ent Lord would not desire to alter. When they were called upon to alter the oath, they ought to be precise in the form of the terms. lie hoped the G o vernment would not press the clause us originally con structed. Mr. WOOD said he rejoiced that an oath should be abolished which had no definite meaning. Lord J. RUSSELL said that objections had been taken to all parts of the oath. With regard to the wording of the oath, he had adopted the terms proposed by the Commissioners, but, atter what had been stated in the House, he did not think it us - ceesary to retain the words with regard to the authority of the Pope; but he saw no reason to exclude the words, " on the true faith of a Christian." Mr. W ALPOLE said be thought they ought to con sider the objects for which the oath was imposed. First, it was proposed as a test of allegiance; a n d, secondly, to define and explain as well as could be what that alle giance was. Tho first part of the oath was a declara tion of allegiance to the person of the monarch, and that the Protestant religion should be maintained, and as the country wished it should be maintained they ought not to dispense with the religious sanction of the oath. This was effected by the oaths of allegiance, supremacy, and abjuration—the oath of allegiance to the person of the monarch, of supremacy as a declaration of undivided allegiance, and of abjuration as of allegiance to the fa mily of the Queen in succession. Sir R. ['EEL said he was glad the Noble Lord had consented to the omission of these words. They were introduced into the Acts for the first relaxation of the laws against Roman Catholics. The settlement of pro perty had reference to the declaration in 1660, by Charles 11., which was restored by him, and which was after wards ratified by the Act of 1662. The Act of Settlement ratified the royal declaratidn. The Catholics gave an assurance that they acquiesced in that settlement. Ia the Act of 1829 it was continued from the Acts of 1773 and 1775, and was to express the acquiescence of the Roman Catholics of the settlement of property in Ire land in 1745, The main object now was to admit the Jews to a participation of enlarged rights, and to ask now for any declaration with regard to the settlement of property its this country would be useless. He thought the Noble Lord had acted wisely in omitting the words which referred to the Pope. The object was to admit the Jews, and he would advise them with that view not to be too critical as to the terms, but to regard the great object they had in view, which was to admit to civil rights a highly respectable mass of persons. Mr. STEWAR r said he considered there was great force in the observations of the Member for Midhurst. All the words proposed he admitted would apply to the subject of education, w hich was spiritu a l, c i v il, a nd ec clesiastic, as exemplified in the interference of the Pope with regard to an Act passed by that House. He con tended that even before the Reformation the common law of England excluded the spiritual supremacy of the Pope, and he wished to know from the Right Hon. Baronet the Member for Tamworth, or the Noble Lord at the head of the Government, whether that law would be considered still in existence? Mr. k by his silence, to approve of it. He denied that the Pope had any spiritual or ecclesiastical authority in this country; that he had any j Jrisdiction in a court of law; but ho did nut deny that others recognised it. What he meant was, that he had no co active authority, and had no means of enforcing it. He conceived the authority of the Pope to be like the Dissenters in America, or Wesleyan Methodists, binding ou those alone who re cognised it, and not on him who rejected it. Lord JOEIN RUSSELL said he was perfectly satisfied with the interpretation of the oath, that the Pope had no authority to exercise his power within this king dem; bat others were not so, and among the rest two Noble Peers—Lord Clencarty and Lord Radnor—dif fend in opinion with him; they refused to take the oath; and he proposed to make tho alteration. He wrote to Lord Clancarty to ask it' his Lordship had any objec Lion to take the Catholic oath, to which he replied that he had not; and it was thus, therefore, the words " tem poral and civil" were introduced. He thought that the reasons given by the Hon. and Learned Gentleman as to the common law, were of no importance. The supre macy of the Pope not being allowed by common law; he (Lord J. Russell) would remind the Hon. and Learned Gentleman that that common law would exist whether there was an oath administered or not. Sir R. H. INGLIS contended that what they omitted from the oath would be taken as an amendment of it, and therefore the retention of the words " temporal or civil authority of the Pope" would be a recognition of those principles which placed the present Royal Family on the throne. He also spoke to the suddenness which the Govern ment evinced in omitting those words, and he therefore trusted the House would not consent to such a proposition. Mr. GREENE contended that if they omitted the words " bath or," and leave in merely " ought to have," it would answer all objections. Mr. V. SMITH was anxious that the Bill should not be lost, or any obstructions thrown in the way. He would, therefore, consent to that portion of the amend rant which the Noble Lord at the head of the Govern ment approved of—namely, " That no Pope, Potentate, or Prelate ought to hive temporal or civil jurisdiction, and that he would defend the settlement of property within the realm." He would have these words omitted from the oath, but should retain the words which fol lowed, and should now object to the manner in which the question was put to the House. The Right Hon. Gentleman did not withdraw the motion as originally proposed, and, therefore, by the rules of the House, the whole question must be either put or withdrawn, and no portion retained. Mr. SCOTT asked whether the Noble Lord intended to support the oath in the Bill, or as proposed in the amendment.—(Loud cries of " Oh, oh.") Would Hon. Members who interrupted him speak their sentiments upon it, or would they vote on a question which they did not understand ?—(Oh, oh.) Lord JOHN RUSSELL said he should consent to the omission of the words proposed by the Right Hon. Gentleman the Member for Northampton. , Mr. SPOONER moved that the Chairman report progress and ask leave to sit again. Lord JOHN RUSSELL hoped the Committee would proceed. They had discussed the question in excellent temper during tho evening, and many Hon. Members were heard, and he wished, therercre, the question to be decided. Mr. SPOONER said he really did not understand what the question before the House was. The amendment was then put as corrected by the Hon. Mover. Mr. PLUMPTRE complained of being taken quite by surprise, and he thought it was much too important a matter to decide it so suddenly. He heartily concurred with the motion of his Hon. Friend the Member for Warwickshire. Sir GEORGE GREY confessed he did not see how any one could understand why it was that the question could not be decided at once. The matter had been put in as clear a manner as possible. After a few words from Mr. John O'Connell, Lord John Russell, and Mr. Law, Sir W. JOLLIFFE said he was much indebted to the lion. Member (&tr. Roebuck) for his explanation. — (Laughter.) However, he should say that it was mere nonsense to leave out part of the oath and retain other parts, for neither the public nor the House would under stand the meaning of the oath. Mr. BROTIIERTON said that he wished to put the matter in its proper light—(Laughter)—and therefore the question to be put should be that the words " I be lieve not "—(Laughter)—should be omitted. Mr. MILES said that he considered that the question was put in a very intelligible light by the Chairman, but he considered that the question was of such importance that it should not be precipitately carried, particularly when such as alteration was made in the oath. He therefore thought that the amendment of the Honourable Member for Warwickshire (Mr. Spooner) should be agreed to, as no fewer than eight words were omitted out of twelve. He therefore thought that the sense of the country should be consulted, and that, as such alterations were made, the Government should withdraw this Bill, and introduce a more intelligible ono. Tho. Committee then divided, when there appeared— ' ; For progress being reported Against it Majority The Committee again divided on the amendment that the Chairman do leave the chair, when there appeared— For the amendment Against it Majority --114 Lord JOHN RUSSELL then agreed that progress be reported. The St. John's (Newfoundland) Rebuilding Bill was read a third time. The Grand Jury Cess (Ireland) Bill was read a second time. On the motion of Lord PALMERSTON leave was given to bring in a Bill to legalise marriages in the houses of British Consuls abroad. His Lordship said, the Bill which ho proposed was to legalise marriages in tbo house of a Consul, and to put those marriages upon the same footing as marriages celebrated in the house of an ambassador. The House then adjourned at ten minutes to One o'clock. Mr. FRENCH said, Hon. Members not connected with Ireland were too apt to think that everything dme for that country was an additional tax upon England, but the fact was, that Ireland bore a higher proportion of taxes than did Englai)cl. In reply to Mr. GROGAN, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that there was no intention on the part of the Govern ment of altering the system of distribution of the funds for the purposes of drainage in Ireland. Mr. ARK WRIGUT pressed the Right Hon. Gentle man to give the House some idea as to when his finan cial statement would be made. He had stated in reply to the Hon. Member for Dorsetshire, that he would do so as early as possible; but would it be six weeks or a month hence? The CHANCELLOR 'of the EXCHEQUER—Cer tainIy before six weeks; I hope within a month. Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL said as the Noble Lord at the head of the Government had alluded to a statement of the Archbishop of Team, he thought that it ought to be stated; that the censure the Noble Lord had alluded to, was as much levelled against those connected with the Roman Catholic Church as it was against others. The Archbishop of Tuam lived its a district where the distress was most severe, and had it not been for his ex ertions, all the assistance given by the Government wou ld have fallen far short of what was required. Ho thought it therefore but just to say that no one had exerted them selves more than Dr. Mllalo had done in alleviating that distress, and that hundreds had been saved from starvation by the exertions he had made. The Bill then passed through Committee, was re ported without amendment, and the House resumed. PARLIAMENTARY OATHS BILL. On Lord J. RUSSELL moving that the House go into Committee on the Bill, Mr. SPOONER, presented a Bill from the Lay Asso ciation of Birmingham against it. Sir R. PEEL had hoped that it was the intention of Government to place the Jew on the same footing in regard to civil and military matters, us well as in regard to Parliamentary privileges,__ as some other classes. With respect to Protestant Dissenters and other classes, an oath or declaration was taken previous to their being admitted to their offices, but which, containing as it did the words " on the true faith of a Christian," the Jew could not conscientiously take. The Noble Lord re lieved the Jew so far as his admission to a scat in Par liament was concerned, but he left him debarred from being admitted to any civil or military office, in conse quence of the prescribed declaration referred to. He would not embarrass the measure by introducing any new clause into it to carry out his intentions, but he hoped measures would bo taken to place the Jew in the possession of all the privileges, civil and parliamentary, enjoyed by other classes. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said by the Bill introduced by him last year, which was lost in the House of Lords, the jew was admitted to all the privileges, civil and perliamen s tary, which other classes were. The present Bill was framed on a different footing, having as its main object the revision of tho oaths taken by Mem bers of both Houses of Parliament, Jews as well as others, and he did not think such a clause: as the Right Hon. Gentleman referred to could be introduced into it. If, however, the measure passed, he conceived there would be no difficulty in carrying through a measure which would confer upon the Jew the means of admission to civil offices, and believing that they were entitled to that privilege, he should propose a measure nalferring it upon them after the passing of the present Bill, Mr. BANK ES had no objection to the first part of the inea , ure, namely, a revision of the oaths taken by Members of that llsuse other than Roman Catholics, but whoa in Committee ho would support the amend• ment of the Hon. Member for Surrey against allowing the Jews to have a vat in that House. As to allowing the Jews to sit as magistrates and hold civil offices he had no objection, and already they officiated as sheriffs and aldermen; but as to giving them a seat in Parlia ment he decidedly objected. Sir R. PEEL, in explanation, said that which he had stated was with reference to civil and military offices, and not municipal. In 1845 the Jews were released from certain disqualifications, and placed upon the same footing with other subjects as regarded ~municipal offices. Mr. GOULBURN thought the Noble Lord (Lord John Russell) might give them some explanation with reference to the course he proposed to be taken by the Jews in the present Bill. In the former Bill ho had proposed that the Jews should take the same oath us the Roman Catholics did, namely, that they would not do anything to injutelthe Protestant Church. In the coarse of twelve tinuths the Noble Lord had, however, changed his mind, and he did not now propo4e to exact those pledge; which were demanded of the Roman Catholics.' Atter a few words from Sir R. Howard, Mr. J 1 O'Connell, and Mr. Law, The House resolved itself into Committee. On the question being put that the first clause should stand part of the Bill. Mr. VERNON SMITH rose to move the amendment ofl the o which lln he wi t notice, hn first n namely,clause:—" s e : to " .0 d omission o that i following had given in In not believe that the Pope of Rome or any other foreign Prince, Prelate, Person, State, or Potentate, bath or ought to have any temporal or civil juriac tion, authority or power, within this realm, and that I will defend to the utmost of my power the settlement of property within this realm as established by the laws, and I do make this recognition, declaration, and pro mise, heartily, willingly, and truly upon the true faith of a Christian?' As to the first portion of the passage, which he wished to see omitted, he (Mr. Vernon Smith) could not understand why any Protestant or Jew should be called upon to subscribe to it.—(llear, hear.) As to the latter part, making it necessary to say " upon the true faith of a Christian, he could not see the slightest necessity for retaining the words at all, and lie would rather have them shogether omitted than retained for the Christian Members, anhen omitteie d in the oath pro- Jmeuweihshbpetetresruatn ibnydemed,it emberswnuolfd be sion. lia thought, Catholics, instead of retaining words offen testants and lominded Catholic.—(Hear, hear.) frame an oath that could . be taken by all classes of Pro hi sive to evsrY posed to be talon ooncat e by The Hon. Member . d moving his amendment. L w d ,j, RUSSELL said, as the law stood at present, THANK GOD FOR SUMMER. (From Eliza Cook's New Weekly Journal. I loved the Winter once with all my soul, And longed for snow-storms, hail, and mantled skies; And sang their praises in as gay a troll As Troubadours h ave p oured to Beauty's eyes. I deemed the hard, black frost a pleasant thing, For logs blavd high, and horses' hoofs rung out; And wild birds came with tame and gentle wing To eat the br ead my young hand fhing about. But I have walked into the world since then, And seen the bitter work that cold can do— Where the grim Ice King levels babes and men With bloodless spear, that pierces through and through I know new, there are those who sink and lie Upon a stone bed at the dead of night. I know the roofless and uufed must die, When even lips at Plenty's Feast turn white. And now when o'er I hear the cuckoo's song In budding woods, I bless the joyous comer; While my heart runs a caderce in a throng Of hopeful notes, that say—" Thank God for Summer!" I've learnt that sunshine bringeth more than flowers, And fruits, and forest leaves to cheer the earth; Fur I have seen sad spirits, like dark bowers, Light up beneath it with a grateful mirth. The aged limbs that quiver in their task Of dragging lite on, when the north wind goads— Taste once again contentment, as they bask In the straight beams that warm their churchyard road. And Childhood—poor, pinched Childhood, half forgets Tho starving pittance of our cottage homes, When be can leave the hearth, and chase the nets Of gossamer that cross him as he roams. The moping idiot seemeth less distraught When he can sit upon the grass all day, And laugh and clutch the blades, as though he thought The yellow sun-rays challenged him to play. Ab! dearly now I hail the nightingale, And greet the bee—that merry-going hummer— And when the lilies peep se sweet and pale, I kiss their cheeks, and say—" Thank God for Summer! Feet that limp, blue and bleeding, as they go For dainty cresses in Decembec's dawn; Can wade andabble in the brolklet's flow, And woo the gurgles on a July more. The tired pilgrim, who would shrink with dread If Winter's drowsy torpor hilted his brain; Is free to choose his mossy summer bed, And sleep his hour or two in some green lane. Oh! Ice•toothed King, I loved you once—but now I never see you come without a pang Of hopeless pity shadowing my brow, To think how naked flesh must feel your fang. My eyes watch now to see the elms unfold, And my ears listen to the callow rook, I hunt the palm - trees for their first rich gold, And pry for violets in the southern nook. And when fair Flora sends the butterfly Painted and spangled, as her herald mummer; " Now for warm holidays," my heart wilt cry, "The poor will suffer less! Thank God for Summer ELIZA COOK. Sir It. PEEL observed that the Hon. Gentleman I PRESENTATION TO DR. W. W. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. completely mistook his view of the oath. He had taken IFOiIt3ES. TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY. (..I , c 1)3.1h with a sae con,t;i , ile , ;he beliered that the The haul .erne silver vase, latAy mentioned Fr/ us Nearly all the Derby horses enumerated below were Pope had n 3 t,eipo:al or civil p0 , 7 , -r, ecol`26i istical or AS subscribed for by a numbcr of the electors r) . this backed; the principal outlay, however, was on Elthiron pirittial auLliority or j_utiklicti3n :it this coun• and Ch..tterer, the former rising from 16 to 10 to 1; and the latter from 25 to 18 to 1. The investments on. E l- tit if h 3 omitted the words "ecclesiastical meeting of the , Chiron Fi w y i e n r g e town, and gentlermn in the neighbourhood, .k.O 'nark their sense of his services in the Tosn Council, was Dutchman's very position with than n o t t h o e r e h i a n n fl g u e e influence on 2 or sp:ritu,d," aril inserted " temporal or civil," presented to Dr. Forbes, at a large h© would give rise to a notion that such t ta l k es e a rs: ha t n o 9 " t l o ay 4 e . "layers, " nhnyiskairdk ecclesiastical authority existed. lie recognised no sobscrib3rs, held in the Union Hotel, on Saturday, - m t° ir l er a ti g4 r i e l f s u t sin h g ina to f gron ‘‘ a such spiritual power; he believed it did not exist, nor was a shado worse, and no one would take less than 8 28th ult. ; A. T. F.. Fraser, Esq., of Abertarff, in the could it be lawfully exercised or recognised, and he chair. The list of subscribers contained 180 names, would theref o r e say h e wou ld muc h rather om it th e among whom, besides the cliairman, were those of to 1 about ladmor; The Knout also gave way. In the words a ltogeth e r, th an ca ll en hi m , f or th e n e st time, Mr. Forbes of Culloden , Mr . Duff of Muirtown, Oaks betting the only feature was an improvement in - - I\f" of Durnaglass, Mr. Chas. Fraser, Sister to Arltwright. The general prices at the doss stood as follow: _acgillivray ,alnain, Mr. Duncan :Forbes, Culloden ; togethr with professional gentlemen, clergymen, merchants, and others in tow a. Of the subscribers not a few took this opportunity in paying a compliment to the son, to record their feelings of regard for the memory of his father, a gentleman well known in his neigh bourhood for his medical talents, and whose whole family have ever shown much kindness to the poor. ABERTARFF, in presenting the testimonial, ob served that he had felt proud when they proposed to him that he should present to Dr. Forbes in their name this handsome testimonial of his services during eleven years as a member of the Town Council of In verness. lie regretted, however, that they had fixed upon him (Mr. F.), as these matters had not come much under his personal notice ; were the circumstances otherwise, he would have had unqualified pleasure in undertaking the duty; but it was of the less conse quence, as it must be well known to all present what Dr. Forbes had dune in this respect, and he had heard enough to satisfy him, that in Dr. Forbes they had a most energetic opponent of every species of abuse.—(Applause.) After referring to the inscrip tion on the piece of plate, and to the increased number of subscribers, Mr Fraser continued—lie was satis • fled that many, in joining the subscribers to this piece of plate, had another reason than simply the Doctor's services in the Town Council; for independent of his services at that board, Dr. Forbes had been generally useful in attending to oth-r local matters that arose from time to time. He might add much more to what he had already said, but he did not wish to make use of any panegryic in the Doctor's own pre sence, and he would only therefore, in name of the 180 subscribers, request Dr. Forbes's acceptance of the vase, and long may he be spared to enjoy its posses sion, and afterwards may it be handed down as an heirloom in his family.—(Applause.) Dr. FORBES returned his most sincere thanks for the high honour conferred upon him, and in a manner so flattering and kind, by so numerous and intelligent a body of electors and citiz2ns of all classes in his native town, and of gentlemen residing in its vicinity. Ile accepted the vase with feelings of gratitude and pride, and he would regard it as most precious to the last day of his life. It was most gratifying to him that his services in the town council, however humble, were honoured with their approbation. The Doctor then briefly alluded to a few of the more prominent matters with which he had been connected in the town council, especially to Dr. Belt's Educational Trust, and the Harbour and Police Bills. He was happy to tell them that the stand which he had made, in conjunction with Bailie A. Mackenzie, respecting the management of Bell's Trust, had already led to great improvement, and would soon result in the full benefit intended by the donor being secured to the humbler classes. The Harbour Bill, as amended in Parliament, was a good measure; but the Muni cipal Bill, which he had opposed , was most defective, and in some respects injurious in its enactments. It contained no provision for the town drainage, the bridges, markets, and many other important matters. Its promoters had incurred a great expense without securing the advantages which a local Act should confer. Had they waited until now they would have, without expense, the benefit of the Government Police and Health Bills. After adverting to the capabilities of Inverness for various manuf4etures and works, the Doctor then gave his hearty support to the scheme of sewerage suggested by Dr. Sutherland, and concluded by again expre3sing his sincere and grateful thanks, and assuring them that it always had been and would be his desire, in or out of the Town Council, to pro mote the prosperity of the town of Inverness. The Doctor's sentiments elicited much applause. After a service of wine and cake, and an additional bumper to the health of the chairman, the meetinc , se parated.—Froin the Inverness Courier of 10th May, '849. DERBY. 2 to 1 agst Lord Egliuton's The Fly ing Dutchman —take 9 to 4 9 to 2 agst Mr. A. Nichol's Nunnykirk-5 to 1 taken 7 to 1 agst Colonel Peel's Tadmor 10 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Elthiron—taken 10 to 1 agst Sir C. Monck's Vanguard—taken and after wards offored IS to 1 agst Mr. Watt;s Chatterer—taken 20 to 1 agst Sir J. Hawley's Vatican 25 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's The Knout 30 to 1 agst Mr. Pedley's Old Dan Tucker 30 to 1 agst Lord Clifden's Honeycomb 33 to 1 agst Mr. Disney's Montague 50 to 1 agst Mr. Farrance's The Old Fox 50 to I agst Lord Ches.erfield's Drakelowe ,000 to 10 agst Mr. Pedley's Langton-10,000 to 50 laid once - ,000 to 10 agst Sir C. Cockerell'a Thibault—taken 500 even on the field against the two favourites. ' Montague arrived at Epom on Sunday night. OAKS. 6 to 1 agst Mr. Wreford's Wadastra filly 7 to 1 agst Mr. Payn's Glauca—taken 8 to 1 agst Lord Chesterfield's Sister to Arkwright 10 to 1 agst Mr. F. Clarke's Lady Tryphena 15 to 1 agst Lotd Stanley's Caricature 15 to 1 agst Mr. Cuthbert's Emma Donna 20 to 1 agst Count althyany's Eva—taken RAILWAY SHAKE MARKETS. BRISTOL, MAY 14. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The Share Market is still dull and inactive. The only transaction wh!ch took place was in Great Western, Quarters, at 6% die. LIVERPOOL, MAT 14. STOCK EXCHANOS.—The Share market continues depressed, and prices arc lower, with a tendency downward. The sales are— Bolton, Chester, and West Yorkshire (B), guaranteed 6 per cent., 17%—Caledonlan, Preference, 11 -C i —East Lancashire, Preference, Quarters, —Lancashire and Yorkshire (M. and L.), 26 dis.—Ditto, ifths, 4% dis.—Ditto, Halves (L. and B.), 14 dis.—North Uniou (It), 154 —London and North-Western, 126—Ditto, New Quarters, 18s. od. p.—Ditto, Fifths, 5 p.—Midland, 65!4—Ditto, Halves, 12.4 dis.—South•Eastern and Dover (Ko. 4), 6%—York, Neweastk, and Berwick (Original N. and B.), G N. E. Purchase, guaranteed 6 per cent. till 1850, 3% dis. MANCHESTER, MAY 14. STOCK EXCHANGE.— The transactions to-day were as follows : Manchester and Birmingham (C), Quarters, 2% p.—East Lan cashire, Quarters, 4— Leeds , Freterence, 117(3—Ditto, Fifths, dis. sheilleld and Lincolnshire, 14d.—London and South- Western, Preference, % p. - 278 (No. 4), 6%—Wharfdales, dis BIRMINGHAM, MAY 14. Srocz Excnewol.—The following are to-day's transactions : Worth Staffordshire, 51. Bs. 9d dts.—Shrewsbury and Birmingham (11), 4% dis. PROTECTION OF LIFE FROM FIRE. Yesterday afternoon the annual meeting of the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire was held in the Council Chamber, Guildhall, the use of which had been granted by the Right Hun. the Lord Mayor, who pre sided. His Lord-hip having called the attention of the meeting to the paramount importance of the society, as illustrated by several frightful !Accidents too recent to require a particular detail, Mr. lierker, the toastmaster, read the report of the comulittee. At the close of the year, ending 31st March, 1849, the society had increased to 26 fire escape stations, and during the year their escapes had attended 223 fires, and saved 31 lives, ' making a total of 771 fires attended since the founda tion of the society in 1844, and 79 lives saved. The income for the year, including the annual donation of 101., from her Majesty; 1001. from the Corporation of London ;_ and the contributions of 71 parishes. amounted to 1,999/. Gs. 23., and the expenditure had fallen short of that amount by 751. is. 93., which sum remained as a balance. The official expenses of the society amounted to only 1981. 19s. 4d. The report then set forth at length the details of several very courageous actions of their conductors and others in saving several lives from fire, and the following persons were called forward by the Lord Mayor, and rewarded for their exertions as follows:—Fire-escape conductor Chapman, No. 6, in the service ; police-constable Smith, 240 G. and con.luctor Sunshine, No. 1, for exertions in saving several lives at the fire on Holborn-bill; Chapman, the society's silver medal (exceedingly well executed, and weighing nearly two ounces) and a sovereign; Smith, the silver medal; and Sunshine a framed testimonial and a sovereign; conductor G. Low, No. 17, a testimonial; City police-constable Russell, No. 69, a testimonial and half-a-sovereign; conductor Chapman, No. 6, called a second time and awarded a testimonial and half-a-sover eign for exertions at a fire in King-street, Blooms bury, in saving lives; and police-sergeant Fowler, E 5, for exertions at the same fire, a similar reward; con ductor Woad, No. 4, a testimonial and half-a-sovereign, for saving lives at a fire in Friar- street, Blackfriars road. The next case was that of a young woman, named Ann Cullen, who saved the lives of two children, at considerable personal risk, at a fire in the house No. 112, Gray's Inn-lane. Tho Lord Mayor presented to her the silver medal, expressing at the same time his sense of her humanity and courage. Mr. T. 11. Taylor said that no pecuniary reward was made in this case, as a separate subscription had been opened, by which the sum of 115/. had been realised towards the relief of those who suffered by the fire. Amongst the list of donors to this fund he saw the name of his late and lamented friend, Mr. Horace Twiss, whose humanity and benevolence were conspicuous on this occasion, as well as on many others where the widow and orphan were to be relieved. A handsome sum had been pre sented to Ann Cullen for clothing, and the sum of 38/. 7s. 101 was invested for her use in a savings' bank.—(Applause.) W. Trafford, police con stable 344, was then called forward, and awarded the silver medal for his exertions at a fire in Caege.place, Camden-town; and the medal was also awarded to con ductor Christianson, No. 9, now ill in a hospital. The medal is to be forwarded to him. Conductor Chapman, No. 6, was again called, and awarded a testimonial and a sovereign fora third instance of courage in saving lives from fire. Tho society's medal was given to conductor Wilson, No. 15; a testimonial and half-e-sovereign to conductor Clements, No. 30; and a similar award to con ductor Smith, No. 29, for prompt attendance and active exertions at several fires; and lastly, a testimonial and half a sovereign were awarded to police-sergeent W. Wood, 18 E., for exertions, in conjunction with conductor Chapman, at a 6re in Tottenham•couraroad. Resolu tions promotive of the object and extension of the society's operations were then put, end supported by observations from the Rev. Mr. P,zey, Mr. J. Lebouchere, Mr. Sheriff Finnis, Mr. H. Pownall, Mr. W. Barker, Mr. C. Young, and Mr. Deputy Obbard. Mr. Payne, ersid of having his ideas anticipated, had taken the trouble to vs rite some lines descriptive of a fire and the arrival of a fire escape, and with these few observations he secended one k: l i o n n d g i r tie of the resolutions, to the great amusement of the meet ing. After a cordial expression of thanks to the Chair man, the awe ing, which was unusually well attended, quitted the Council Chamber, several gentlemen leaving with Mr. S. Lowe, jun., the secretary, substantial marks of their approval of the society and its exertions. In the square outside of Guildhall were stationed several fire escapes, properly manned. The conductors( t w io e n n s t through some clever though rather dengerouanedvoowl: and —ascending and descending from t . hsl b ng .6 c .i on iderable roofs of the lofty buildings, steadiness of nerve as w A el e l o a p a ) s n , d de e t s h e o ri m itl e y ". ponderous apparatus. t Lions ai iui t , to frc. per s ona()t. expense, e p , r e:tise: of take fire may be oh _..1.••••••••••..:..... ....r..... application of any househicrom the secrPleurtaawcrtyoier, NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. COWES, ISLE OF WIGHT. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPOND,FiryI4. 1849. • DE4TIi (IF G ENE RAL. TILE HON. SIR E D w AR D PAGET, C1.C.8., GovEnNon or CHELSEA. HOSPITAL.— This veteran soldier br(athed his last at Oaktidd Lodge, East Cowes Park, on the 13:h inst., after a long and painful illness, in his 75th year. The Countess ot Or mond and Sir Edward's other children and his amiable lady were present. Drs. Hoffme.ister and C►si were in constant attendance, indeed for the last vvcck the former gentleman remained at the Lodge day and night. At Moor Green Cottage, West Cowes, in his 73d year, died James Alford, Esq. Arrived—The United States frigate, St. Lawrence. ---- CAUTION TO TRAVELLEfts.--In disembarking yes- terday (Sunday) fr om the Albion steam vessel, just ar ' rived from Boulogne, and at the moment of the exami nation of the baggage, a n individual, taking put advantage of the pressure , a nd aided by a companion, p his hd into the pocket of a gentleman from Paris, but was for tunately discovered by the gentleman when just in the act of seizing his purse, containing 700 or 800 francs in gold, which had probably been observed by the pick pocket when the gentleman paid his passage money. Having failed in his changed)ob . ect the fellow suddenly retired, and probably _some part of bis dress in order to aid his escape, for at the request of a spectator a po- Leeman had la:en sent for, and the vessel was searched in vain—he co uld not again be recognised. These men were first-class passengers, and a s t r angers to England, although ppeared to be no they conversed with each other in Italian. ROYAL NAVAL Scheer-,NEW CROSS.—NeiII Mal colm, Esq., has presented the munificent sum of 100/. for the purchase of four debentures qualifying him to nominate the sons of naval snd marine officers as pupils of the institution. We understand that several of the former pupils, following the example of other large public schools, have associated themselves together, with the view of testifying the estimation in which they hold their school, by attending the ensuing anniversary din ner, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor. - - - _ PORTSMOUTH, MONDAY.—The Arrogant, 46, auxi liary screw steam-frigate, Captain R. Fitzroy, which arrived on Friday night at Spithead, was to have come into the harbour on Saturday to be docked, for the'pur pose of examining the state of her main shaft, in which a flew had been discovered previous to her departure by the chief engineer, Mr. Andrew Murray. After more than two thirds of her powder had been got out on Saturday afternoon, and every other preparation made for her, a telegraphic message was received from the Admiralty, ordering the powder to be put aboard again, and the ship to rem tin at Spithead for the pre sent. This step was supposed to have reference to the present disturbed state of Europe. The political atmo sphere mutt, we presume, have brightened since Satur day, as to-day again she was ordered into harbour, and accordingly discharged powder, &c., and came in, and was docked. The Sphynx steam-sloop, Commander R. S. Hewlett (acting), is ordered to be ready for sailing on Tuesday morning. The Scourge steam-sloop, Commander Wingrove, was unmasted on Saturday, and will be paid off to-morrow. The ship I?ifeshire arrived this morning from the river and proceeded off Cowes to embark a draught of the 20th Foot on Wednesday, for Canada. Sho then proceeds to Cork to embark detachments of the 71st and 79th Regi ments for the same place. The St. Lawrence, 56, American frigate, Captain Paulding, arrived at an early hour this morningfrom the Tagus, and passed through Spithead on her way to Southampton. She anchored in Cowes-roads before - seven, Lae, to wait for the tide, and got under way again at two, P.m, proceeding direct to Southampton. The Columbia steam-surveying vessel, Commander P. F. Shortland, arrived here this evening from Chatham. Wind—W.S.W., moderate breezes and hazy weather. PLYMOUTH, MAY 13.—This morning, about twelve o'clock, her Majesty's ship Queen, 110, Captain Henry W. Bruce, rounded Penlee Point, with a fresh breeze hom south-west, under her three topgallant-sails, top sills, and courses. On approaching the harbour she lowered her topgallantsails, and when inside the break water saluted the flag of Port-Admiral Sir 'William Hall Gage with seventeen guns. She then shortened canvass, and anchored inside the breakwater to the west of the Camber. She sailed from Palermo on the evening of the 27th of March, when the Admiral, in the Hibernia, was leaving for Naples. The Queen arrived at Gibraltar on the 19th of April, and found there her Majesty's steam. r Janus, Lieutenant-Commander Richard A. Powell. On the 30th of April, at noon, the Queen left the Rock with twenty military invalids from the garrison at Gibraltar, and four naval invalids from the squadron at Palermo; two of these have died of consumption on the passage home. Wind, S.W.; stiff breeze. Wooawien, MAY 14 .—The Niger steam-sloop, when she went down the river to Greenhithe on Friday last, worked remarkat ly well with her engines, and the valves have been remedied and now make comparatively very little noise; the speed of the vessel was also greater than had been previously attained. Both the Niger and Basilisk were to leave Greenhithe this morning for Devonport, and after touching there will proceed to sea, and will be absent, it is said, on trial, fur about three weeks or a month, that the respective merits of the vessels may be fully tested. Mr. Laen, master-attendant at Pembroke dockya rd, has hoisted his pendant on the Gladiator steam frigate, but her departure from Woolwich has been deferred, and Friday mext is now named as the day on which she will leave for Devonport and Pembroke. Mr. M'Callum, boatswain of Woolwich dockyard, died yesterday after a short illness. He was a most active and zealous servant, and greatly respected by all classes. Woonwicn GARRISON, MAY 14.—The whole of the troops of the Royal Horse Artillery, under the com mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, with Captain and Adjutant Maude; the whole of the battalions under the command of Colonel Cruttenden, attended by Captain and Adjutant Doraville, and Captain and Adjutant 'Wil lett; the right division of the battalions under the com mand of Lieutenant. Colonel Bent, with Captain and Adjutant Cannon; the centre division under the com mand of Lieutenant Colonel Furneaux, with Captain and Adjutant Radcliffe; and the left division, under Lieutenant-Colonel Clarke, with Captain and Adjutant Devereux; the field batteries, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Anderson, with Captain and Adju taut Thompson; the battalion of pensioners, under the command of Major Forbes; and the whole of the Royal Marines formed into two battalions—the right, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Cory ton, with Lieutenant and Adjutant Foote; the left, under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel Gillespie, with Lieutenant and Adjutant Hambly — assembled on Wool wich common, at ten o'clock A.M. to-day, and about ton minutes past ten o'clock Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Downham, C. 8., K.C.H., arrived on the ground, accom panied by his staff: consisting of Colonel Brereton, C. 8., K. 11., Royal horse Artillery, Lieutenant Colonel Palmer, Lieutenant-Colonel Evans, Lieutenant-Colonel F. Warde. Lieutenant-Colonel Ingilby, Lieutenant-Colonel Story, Lieutenant-Colonel Palliser, Lieutenant-Colonel Mac bean, Lieutenant-Colonel Gar Ain, Brigade- Major Bingham, Captain Tylden, Deputy-Assistant Quarter muster.General, and all the adjutants off duty. The Commandant was received by the troops with the usual salute, and with his staff, rode down the front of the. line and up the rear. The whole of the troops then marched past at slow and quick time, the Royal Horse Artillery again at full gallop, and a second time at trot and full gallop. The troops afterwards formed in line across the coma:ion, tho Royal Horse Artillery on the right, and the field de bat: teries on the extreme left , the left wing being orred forward to allow of room to extend the line, tbe . ro howl; and saluted the Lieutcnont-General, the . b ands playing u w p h sv d ri e r ds bodyof 3 0 , fOOt troops otroopsassembled n advanced o in line the ii n e c'c ili c i a o s i l ) o e n n ' or T d h e e r whichalaonteheuempied A a:ou l t h t e w two ;O c u l r u s s , u) t n h eotfrothoepsibnroovkee imtnheteountiteionneolumn and matched to their barracks left in front. The Royal Marines were about 600 strong, and the colours and band of the corps were present. Tho pensioners were about 400 strong, sad the precision of the movements of the men was the theme of admiration amongst ull who witnessed them. The Royal Artillery mustered upwards of 2,000 men, and a finer body of able and efficient troops could not be found in any country. The whole of these troops will assemble again on Satur day next, at twelve o'eleck at noon, with the companies of Royal Sappers and Miners, to celebrate her Majesty's birthday. RUM'S PISTOL.—A man who gives us a real name and address, writes to us as follows:—" On Sunday last, May 6, passing through a field near Potash Farm, I found a largo double barrelled pistol bedded in the ground, with J. B. Rush engraved on the guard over the trigger, and a bunch of bk eh: ton keys. You can mentie n this circumstance in your papzr if you think proper." Of course wo cannot say whether the above is a hoax, or a seriuus matter of fact.; but we have put it in train for investigation.—Norfolk Chronicle. THE BomDAY STEAM-VE.',SEL.—The Lords of the Treasury have caused a communication to be made to the Commissioners of the Customs' Department' by Mr. Parker, ono of their Lordships' secretaries, acquainting them—with reference to their socrotarfs letter of the 5:11 instant, relative to th e release of the steam-Llip Bombay—that their Lor dshi p s have commun ic ated to t c h o e u s r o t l . ie t i h t tt or t s n t o o ftuhrethMerineilsitdeernec)fe thhaevTinwgobSeiecniliesattli furnished, ie their havesLordhips see no reason to alter the decision to wbich they come re specting the further detention of the vessel mentioned. MIDLAND RAILWAY.—S. Beale, Esq., late 'Mayor of Birmingham, has been elected deputy-chairman of the Midland Company, in the room of Mr. Ellis, M.P., 110 A chairman, vice Mr. Hudson, M.P., resigned.