The Sun. — London, England, 1849-06-22 00:00:00

REPORTED LOSS OF THE BULLDOG. MALTA, JUNE 12.—8 y the arrival yesterday of the French steamer Independente, news reached the island of the loss of her Majesty's steamer Bulldog, en route from Qivita Vecchia to Leghorn. Although no official iq9'...mation of the disaster has been received, the place of tier loss, off Point Piombino, near Elba, is given with ouch precision as to cause considerable anxiety in the minds of the relatives of the officers and men residing in Malta. On the 2cl, the day on which the last advices were re ceived from Civita Vecchia, she was lying there, and Captain Kay was watching the movements of the French against the Romans with much anxiety. Indeed every thing leads to the belief that the Bulldog could not quit her station, except for the Tiber, until Rome had fallen, and then she would be dispatched to Malta with the news. MEMORANDA OF A MUSICIAN. BY GEORGE J. 0. ALLMANN. " Notes, notes, tbrsooth, and noting!" SHAKSPERE. No. XIV. ZING AR ELIA On one of Rossini's visits to the Conscrvatorio at Naples, the seminary of the world's greatest musicians, he is said to have rather abruptly demanded of Zin,garelli thut master's opinion of his music. "Sir,"replied the director, with his accustomed frankness, which did honour to him, "your music may please at the theatre, but it will never do f , r our schools: I have therefore considered it my duty to forbid your scores being placed in the hands of my pupils!" Rossini carried this rebuke off with a laugh, but be was evidently mortified. HANDEL. There are many records extant of Handel's charity and kindness of heart. At the time when thousands flocked to witness the performances of his glorious and immortal work, the Messiah, he determined, with his characteristic benevolence, to have it performed annually for the benefit of the funds of the Foundling Hospital, and this as long as he lived he continued to do. The organ in their chapel was presented by him to their hospital, and he also sent as a gift a manuscript copy of the Messiah. The directors, with either a real misapprehension, or a simulated one, supposing from the nature of the gift that it conveyed to them an exclusive right to the per formance of the work, were so foolish as to resolve to apply to the Houses of Parliament for an Act to confirm it. The first thing, however, to be done previously to taking such a step was to apply to Handel, as being a necessary party to their application, for his concurrence, and a deputation accordingly waited upon him for that purpose. But the moment after they had explained, and Handel comprehended the object of their mission, the latter's rage exceeded all bound:, and they were saluted with " Der teufel I for vast salt de Foundling put mein oratorio in de Partments? Der dormer! mein moosic sail not go to de Partments." And the discomfited mes sengers were compelled to make a hasty retreat, not the least Incitements to which were the tithing eyes and brawny arms of our modern Timotheus. HENRY PURCELL, If there bs any name beyond tVat of all others which merits to be treasured up with th,> most affectionate remembrance and with the holiest veneration in the hearts—in the heart's most sacred shrine—of his country men, as the foremost among English musicians, it is the name of HENRY PURCELL! Occupying, conventionally, with other illustrious masters, the first rank in this country, but, in the truest and most extended sense of the term, rising and towering above all, he stands un• approachable!—alone! —to none is the "Divine Art" under so heavy an obligation as to his individual exer tions. No naucian ever started into life with a larger endowment of the ethereal fire to support and improve that art than Henry Purcell. He was one whose memory will endure and works exist " for all time!" Belonging to no era, he created en epoch, which in his own times he raised to the most memorable men!ion. Notwithstand ing his own profound comprehension of the science, his deep lore of its fundamental rules, in quoting the sonorous words of Bacon we may say of him, " Ilis understanding beat upon his heart," and there is always to be discovered, amid all its won derful strength and power, and sublimity, and amid his rich and massive colourings and beauty, a simplegrandeur of cu tline, a delicate and exquisitt ly pathetic refinement, a fanciful and graceful form of idea as inexhaustible and varied as were the subjects on whi c h h e exer t e d his genius. Judge him by tho very highest standard, and in every way will he be found to be more than worthy of his undying fame. His life was like the flash of a meteor, short but dazzling in its brilliancy. Cut off by the Destroy ing Angel in the flower of his age and in the loftiest vigour of his intellect, he was a man who, if he had been spared a longer life, would alone have possessed suffi. cient power to bestow on his country the first rank in the scale of musical nations—a man gifted with so mighty a genius that what he might have achieved can only be resolved by futile conjecture. In him we lost one who would have been able to define and characterise the English School of Music—now lost—and perhaps for ever. Well may we exclaim in the language of .zUaeas: " Ostendent terris hunt tantum fata, neque ultra Ease sinent !" CIMAROSA When he wished to compose rapidly would invite a number of friends to pass the evening with him. Con versing with one, laughing with a second, drinking with a third, and joking with a fourth, he would in one night - write the outline of eight or ten charming melodies, in some instanc,l even scoring them, and this surrounded by all the noise which rarely fails to be attendant on the conviviality of a few " choice spirits" collected together. MOZART. During the period tlie immortal Mozart was engaged at Vienna superintending the produc , i tn of his opera which was rendered int., the Italian—la bells lingua—by Da Ponte from the celebrated Marriage de Figaro of Beaumarchais, two other composers were preparing operas for representation, one named Regini, the other Salieri, whose work was called La Giotta di Trophonio. The struggle between these two inferior composers was that they should complete their scores about the same time as Mos s rt, in o r d er to o b ta i n a pr i or representation. They did contrive to complete their respective works a few days before Mozart finished his opera. Each mu sician claimed the right of producing his opera before the others. The contest excited much discord, and a species of partizanship was formed which espoused the cause of one or the other of the rivals. The characters of the three composers were singularly unlike. Mozart, as touchy and dangerous as Professor Sclikbein's guncotton, vowed that if his work were not produced Arst, he would throw the score into the flames—his claim was advocated by a very strong party. But, while Regini who, posse ss i ng b ut l i ttle interest, was secretly working to undermin e th e enemy ' s strength, Salieri, Capellmeister to the Court, and withal a shrewd, clever man, possessed of "crooked wisdom," as Bacon calls it, was backed by three of the principal artists, who formed a cabal, to extinguish which in those days, even as now, was no easy task. EvEry one took side in this important feud till his Imperial I , lajesty put an end to the mighty contest, which might almost have merited the pen of Hosier or the pm, whose aid he invoked to narrate, by issuing a mandate that Mozar,.'s Le Nozze di Figaro should take precedence, and it was accordingly put in rehearsal forthwith. At the first dress rehearsal, with complete orchestra, the immortal composer jumped about the stage in an ecstacy—or an agony—which?— of excitement, now giving the tempo to the orchestra and then snatching the book from some singer's hand, en deavouring to sing his part to show the effect he intended. While Beaucci, who was the Figaro, was singing the " Non piu andrai farfallona amoroso," Mozart repeatedly cried out " Bravo, bravo! Benucci," as that singer rendered the world 'famous aria with the greatest anima tion and tours de force; but when Benucci arrived at the passage, " Cherubi no ! a ll a v itt or i a ! a il s g l or i a mihtar!" which he sang with all the wonderful power of voice be possessed, the effect was electrical, for the whole of the performers on the stage and in the orchestra, besides the audience admitted to witness the rehearsal, as if actuated by one simultaneous feeling of rapture, vociferated " Bravo, bravo! Maestro! Viva, viva! grande Mozart!" And the little body with the great soul acknowledged, by repeated obeisances, its thanks for these enthusiastic signs of applause with which they distinguished him. At the finale to the first act the same meed of their de light was bestowed on him; and so was it at the ter mination of the first public performance of the opera, for the auditory appeared as if they would never cease applaudin g and calling for its composer—almost every piece was yedernanded, which prolonged it to the length o f well nigh two operas, and induced the Emperor to issue a command on the sec on d representation that no part should be encored. Never were success and triumph more complete or more striking than on the occasion of 31ozIrt's cpera, and the uumgrons and overflowin g audiences which have since that time hailed its .per formance amply prove how greatly they held in estuna• tion Le Nozze di Figaro. ROSSINI. There is a great deal of with a strange .jumble of gold nature and bonhommie pertaining to the character of the gran maestro. In the letters which he wrote to his mother at Bologna (he was a good son and a most punctual correspondent) he was accustomed to draw a smaller or larger figure of a flask (fiasco) at the side of the account of any of the myriad operas he pro duced, thereby to indicate the degree of failure which the work had experienced. The reader should be apprised that fare fiasco is the cant phrase with the Italians for a faiiure. LEOPOLD MOZART. Of the father of the " Great Mozart" very little is known, his name having been eclipsed by that of his wondrously-gifted son. He was born at Aug s b urg i n the year 1719. It i s su ppo s ed his early studies in the art of music were pursued at Salzburg, at which place he aft.rwards domesticated, end in 1748 his name a p pears on ths list of m us i c i ans of the Archbishop's Court and .11e was a very excellent performer on the violin and was Consitterelia contrapuntist of more than ordinary ski]. He was the author of a work printed in 1758, ca!Ld " Versuch ewer Griindlichen Violin Schuh:" (E ss ay on a Fundamental Violin School), which was much quoted at the time, and which from tae testimony of competent judges, possessed very considerable merit, ir.s.mia:ti as to be used throughout Germany towards the midsize of the eighteenth century in many schools. 14 , , ,,, p01d Mozart Was also the composer of some oratorios and church music, as . well as a n um b er of dramatic pieces. He.was appotntedCarellnieuiter to the A rc h. . bishopric of S lzbur4 in 62, and died universally re grttted and yospected. ROYAL MUSICIANS. It is a fact no 1-• as singular than true that the favourite mu! , icians of three Queens fell a sacrifice to their position and the vengeance which the suspicion that attached to it entsikd, and this within the space of half a century. Mark Smeaton, lutenist to Anne Boleyn, was executed in 1536; Thomur Abel, musician to Queen Mlthuine of Arragon, was hanged and quartered in 1540, and David Rizzio, the favorite of Mary, Queen of Scots, was butchered in 1566. The first named entertained a deep but hopeless passion for his Queen, but that was not sufficient to avert the doom which overtook him. Anne was wont to treat him at times so haughtily and at others with such a palpable tenderness of manner, that if it did not prove she suspected his secret, it was the mode by which' it was revealed to others. Well had it been for Smeaton had he sung to his lute— Tell her no more, ye fairy-footed airs, Whose pinions oft have swiftly borne away— Like viewless lightning on a summer's day— The sigh? that 'scape my bosom unawares! Tell her no more who heedeth not nor cares For him whose Passion ne'er bath known decay, That still I love her;—Bear not to her feet Despairing worship that I fain would hide From her who its affection would deride, Though 't must endure while my poor heart doth beat. Winds! soft and gentle—by these smothered tears, The accmts which my depth of love reveal From their fair Cause! oh haply still conceal, Nor waft my secret to my queenly Mistress' ear! (G. a. o. A.) STATE OF LONDON. (From Punch.) (Translated from a French Paper.) LEICESTER- SQUARE, TEtuasnalr.- 7 Matters are fast drawing to a head here. If anything, the aspect of affairs is more threatening. Yesterday the authorities being informed of an intended rising in the Rue de. Fleet, the most extraordinary precautions were taken to prepare for, and to crush it. No less than three patrols of gendarmes, numbering at least half-a-dczen men in each, perambulated the Place de Trafalgar, and the Pont Vaterlieu. The " beadles" of the " Arcade Burlington" and the Colonnade d'Opera" were sup plied with sandwiches to last twenty-four hours. The splendid corps of " Street Orderlies" were furnished with new brooms, and lay under arms all night, ready, at a moment's notice, to sweep the streets. Several serious emeutes took place. The first was a desperate engagement between two gamins about a pegge-toppe. In this reconnaissance, according to the Poste du tllatin, one received a bloody nose, but this fact is disbelieved in the best informed circles. I applied at the Bureau d'Home Office upon the subject, but could obtain no accurate information. Many of the shops in the Rue Regent were illuminated in the evening. The reactionists would have us believe that this was merely for the pur pose of lighting their rooms and selling their wares. Small groups were seen round the sentries at the gates of the Gardes de Horse, in their mairie at " Whitehall," but although many suspicious looking nursery-maids lingered about the place, no further attempt appears to have been made to dismount the sentries. In justice to these noble fellows, I must add that they endured the conti nue d gaze o f t h e popu l ace w i t h ad mirable sang froid, although one of them is reported to have been detected in winking at a female democrat. Marshal Blazeaway is charged by the Government to institute a searching inquiry into this mysterious affair. I may mention that there is no truth in the report that Sergeant-Major Bushy (lately elected deputy for the department of Lower Pimliceau) intends to impeach Ministers. The clubs were, as usual, frequented throughout the day by many idle loungers—all persons not members were rigidly excluded. Matters assumed a very serious aspect about mid night. Bands of young men—many of them dressed "a la gent," marched in threes and fours along the streets, surrounding the Cellare Cidere and the Palace d'Evans, chanting seditious songs, especially that begin ning " Ne go home pay till morning." Several of the CJnducteurs d'Omnibus were heard to call out loudly during the day, " Bank! Bank! City! Bank!" a sure corroboration of my information, that an attack on these places has been organized. The Queen is still most popular, but the Post office authorities report that the number of Queen's heads (many of a blood-rod colour) affixed to the letters is as great as ever. A mutiny in the fleet will no doubt be hastened by the late order of the Ministre de Marine prohibiting sailors from wearing top-boots when at sea. I myself heard the fifteenth mate of the war-steamer Citizen Z grossly insulted and covered with opprobrious epithets by two of the class denominated bargees (they wore red worsted nightcaps). It is too true that London is on the eve of an insur rection. The first symptom of disturbance breaking the peaceful repose of Europe will bo the signal for a bloody nass,ucre here. All foreign news is completely excluded by the Go vernment. The condition of Central Europe is known only from fragments of newspapers smuggled in German sausages. The interest felt in Italian affairs continues unabated, and the number of Roman candles used at Vauxhall is immense. The foregoing facts are sufficient to show that a crisis is at hand r especially if we keep in mind that Ragged Schools are being established everywhere, several model lodging-houses erected, and the baths for democrats thronged daily; that new hospitals are building, and ehurches endowed, and that every week witnesses a loud demand for sanitary reform. I have hurried to close my dispatch, I am compelled to * ' LATEST INTELLIGENCE.—BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH. —" M. Smith is pronounced out of danger." M. Crispe has notified his ability to remove timid persons to secure quartere. Many have i n consequence gone to Paris. HANWELL COLLEGE FE TE CHAMPETUE. We were highly gratified on Friday by a visit to this delightful spot, and had certainly no idea that there was a possibility of so :completely turning a school into a large family circle as we witnessed on this occasion. Most of our readers are probably aware that the village of Hanwell is charmingly situated, about seven miles from the metropolis, and is a station on the Great Western Railway. The first feeling of a stranger on arriving at the station is one of admiration as he surveys the beautiful church. The next feature in the prospect is the Collegiate School, finely situated in its own grounds of fifty acres in extent. On our ap proach we were most agreeably struck with the ex hilarating sounild of music from a band placed upon the lawn, to which a most interesting group of young ladies (sisters and friends of the pupils of the college) were listening, whilst the parents were promenading with their children around. Another group were surrounding the natural philo sophy professor, who was just raising a balloon for their amusement, which went up in the midst of cheers happy schoolboys only know how to give. We were most cordially welcomed by the Principal, who conducted us round the establishment; and if we had been gratified by the exterior, we were not less so by that which we saw within. There seemed co be everything united to infuse a sound literary and scientific education. A series of extensive collections in natural history, tending to lead the mind from a study of the works of nature to that of the great intelligence whence all originates; whilst a large assort ment of philosophical apparatus enables the students to carry out a knowledge of every branch of experimental science. But we confess we were most of all interested in the exhibition of the pupils' own industry which surrounded the walls of the school-rooms. Military plans, archi tectural designs, painting in water colours, proved that this department was under careful superintendence ; whilst the beautiful specimens of writing were highly creditable to all parties interested. The piles of books, in which the mathematical and classical exercises were entered, showed us very clearly that, although there was every desire to make the young people happy, industry was deemed one of the most efficient means of pro ducing this effect. The playground, the gymnasium, &c., &c., are all ex cellently adapted for their purpose; and we were much pleased with the neatness and order of the dormitories, and the domestic arrangements generally. The festivities were kept up by the younger party in music and dancing until a late hour; and we never remem ber to have seen a greater number of happy young faces than were assembled on this occasion. It was the six teenth anniversary of the arrival of the Principal at Hanwell; and we can assure him that, whilst we wish him long life, and prosperity and success to his zealous exertions in the cause of the rising generation, the gala day of the glorious Ist of June will long be remembered by us with pleasure.—Lady's Newspaper of Jane 9. THE WEATHER. — THUNDER -STORM.—For the last few days the weather has been extremely changeable in its character, and in this district a considerable quantity of rain has fallen. On Saturday the atmosphere was very heavily charged with electricity, and in the after , neor we had a th un d er - s to rm i mme di ately over the y said neighbourhood. The storm, however, was of brief duration, and was accompanied by very little rain, but flashs oligluni each other in rapid a g and,, peals of thunder followed g tra o . aktu l o au tEr ri d n in g en th e e te s e t e o , rm a storm, few electric fluid struck a lomr appear o to miles to the south, shatterin g so instantaneous does the work oftdseuaotnfrituthetiotu:' and have been, that the bark and par .ree seem to have been scattered about before the ttho; (which was very large) had time to reach the ground. Large portions of the trunk have been carried to dis tances varying from forty to fifty yards. Mr. Wauchope has given orders to have no part of the shattered wreck removed, and we understand that any one anxious to V 6 itness the wonderful effects of the lightning in this in stance may have an opportunity of doing so for a few days, by applying to the gardener at Mmonstone. We observe that, on the same day, thunder, accompanied by vivid lightning, was heard pealing amongst the Ochils, and that rain descended in torrents. In the evening we had several showers, while throughout the night a con siderable quantity of rain fell. Sunday was bright, and warm, but yesterday, although the wind still continued from the south-west, the air was cold, and the sky lower ing. The moisture was very much needed by the hay crop and the young oats, and, with genial weather, will be productive of much benefit. The other crops gene rally have a promising appearance, though potatoes, especially in the west, have suffered, considerably from the late night-frosts. A success i on of warm days is now anxiously looked for by the agriculturists.— Edinburgh Advertiser of Tuesday. UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.—The council of this University have given notice that the annual matricula tion examination will commence on Tuesday, July 3, and terminate on Friday, July 6. For the "pass" exa mination the subjects will be mathematics, English his tory, Greek eassies and history, chemistry, natural phi losophy, 11 , man classics and history, the English lan guage. The examination for honours will commence on Tuesday, July 17, and terminate on Thursday, July 26, ' the subjects being the higher branches of mathematics ' and natural philosophy, chemistry, natural history, and ' classics. Rich men. have commonly more need to be taught coutientutektt than the poor,—.6'l4a Cook 4 Jounaa; HOLLAND. THE HAGUE, JUNE 9.--ANNIVERSARY OF THE BAT TLE or WATERLOO.—The grand parade which was held yesterday on the Maliebaan, in celebration of the glorious victory, was a splendid sight. The day was uncommonly fine, and there was a large concourse of spectators, among whom were many strangers. The bearing of the troops, and the precision with which they performed their various military manoeuvres was admirable ; the rapidity of the artil lery and cavalry excited universal applause. In the afternoon an entertainment was given to the soldiers in the square in front of the barracks. The place was tastefully decorated with flags, and the bands of the Grenadiers and Jagers, which played throughout the day, added much to the animation of the scene. The Staff and other officers of rank were present at the entertainment, and a very numerous assembly of spectators manifested their satisfaction at the pro ceedings. The 18th of June will long be remem bered with heartfelt gratitude. In the sitting of the Second Chamber a Royal resolution was read, honourably dismissing Mr. G. L. Band from his functions as Colonial Minister, and appointing in his room Rear-Admiral Von den Bosch. —Staats Courant, June 20. According to intelligence from Leyden, his Ma jesty has been graciously pleased to issue an order for the release of a number of prisoners, both military and burghers, now in various parts of ? the kingdom, from the further term of their imprisonment. The agricultural reports from the various provinces are most satisfactory. The hay is good and abun dant, and vegetables and summer fruits. The pros pect of the harvest is most encouraging. THE CHOLERA.—In Rotterdam, where the cholera had lately greatly increased, it has for some days past been so decidedly on the decline that the medical officers have pronounced that it is now going off. At the Cholera Hospital at Dordrecht the total number admitted has been 147, of whom 91 died, 26 recovered, and 30 remain under treatment. THE HAGUE.—According to intelligence received here from Constantinople, the Turkish Government having been informed that for some time past pirates had been seen in the Archipelago, and especially in the waters of Samos, Medelino, Stanchio, and Scio, had adopted measures for putting a stop to these pirates. A frigate and three men of war are to sail immediately from the harbour of Constantinople.-- Dutch Papers. CRICKET. KENT V. ENGLAND. This match was commenced at the Bat and Ball Ground, Gravesend, yesterday morning. There were, we should suppose, about two thousand spectators present. England, it will be seen, lost their wickets for 112, when dinner was announced, and our account left. The following is the score : ENGLAND.-FIRST INNINGS. Chatterton—c Felix b Hillyer Dean—b Hillyer ... Pair-0 Hillyer, b Mynn Wisden—c Martin, b Mynn Box—c Clifford, b Hillyer Guy—c Hinkly, b lE4er Claike—c Itinkly, b Hillyer • • H. W. Lindow, Esq.—b Martingell Hodson—c liiLkly, b Hillyer Butler—run out ... Lilly white—not out b 4 , w 3, n b 0 ... 16 ... 25 ... 7 ... 2 ... 4 ... 16 ... 17 ... 5 ... 12 .. 0 ... 7 Total . . 112 UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD V. UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, This annual contest commenced at " Lords" yesterday morning, in the presence of a large gathering of specta tors. It will be remarked, when the reader looks at the score, that there were some long hands made. Our limits will not allow us to enter into any details of the play. When " time" was called the score stood as follows: OXFORD. Mr. 0. Hanbury—b Blore Mr. J. Aitken—c King, b Blore Mr. C. Coleridge—c King, b King Mr. J. C. Pattison—b Potter Mr. C. Ridding—not out ... Mr. J. Chitty-1 bw b King Mr. W. Ridding—c and b Potter Mr. A. Ridding—run out ... Mr. A. Wilson—b Blore Mr. C. Willis—b Blore Mr. M. Jones—b Blore Byes, 18; wide, 13 ... ... 36 ... 34 ... 25 ... 27 ••• 2 ... 0 ... 31 THE SUN; LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, JUNE 22, 80, CAMBRIDGE. Mr. C. Blayds—b Jones ... Mr. W. Barnett—c Willis, b Jones ... Mr. S. Deacon—b Willis ... Mr. R. T. King—c C. Ridding, b Willis ... Mr. T. Jenyns—b Haubury Mr. J. Walker—not out ... Byes, 7; wide, 5; no balL 1 ... 43 ... 27 ... 13 116 The game will be resumed at ten o'clock this morning. HOP INTELLIGENCE. MAIDSTONE.—SeveraI very severe frosts have been experienced in the mornings of the past week, which have in some instances turned the tips of ash planks black. Opinions differ as to whether these frosts have been most inimical to the insect vermin or to the plants. The effects on the former, if any, must have been transient, as in most grounds they seem as vigorous, and, perhaps, more numerous than ever, although in some other grounds, in places, they seem to have diminished. Tho frosts must have affected the bine, but it cannot yet be known to what extent. WATERINGBURY, TESTON, NETTLESTEAD, AND ME REWORTH.—There has not been a great increase of vermin, except in the low situations, and the bine, not withstanding the cold nights, has grown freely, which gives many of the grounds a healthy appearance. The vermin attack the weak bine and the young shoots more than they do the strong bine, which is a bad omen. MALLING.—The bine grows free at places, considering the cold winds, and the foul state they are in, having an increase of fly and lice making their appearance. HORSMONDEN.—FIy and lice prevail to such an extent in our plantations, that a severe blight is inevitable, un less we are shortly rid of these destructive vermin. Honey-dew is spreading rapidly. Present appearances are exceedingly unfavourable fur the growth of a crop of hops. i_louDrtußsT.—The fly and lice still continue very abundant, which, together with the frosty nights, have retarded the growth of the bine during the past week, they having made little progress; in fact the complica tion of diseases appear too much for them in general, unless upon very superior pieces of land, on which, how ever, they have not progressed so favourably as might have been expected. IGHTnam AND SEAL.—Since the last report the fly has increased, and now presents a formidable appearance. In many grounds honey-dew is seen. WROTHAM.—The hops in and about Wrotham appear in the same growing state, but the black fly and lice still very much increasing. BRENCIILEY.—The bines continue very full of fly and lice, and the honey-dew is spreading to a great extent. Having had an opportunity of seeing the principal plantations in Sussex during the past week, I cannot report favourably of the hops generally. A. blight is anticipated. The late cold nights have retarded their progress, and they are turning close to the poles, which indicates disease in the plant. ORPINGTON.—We have as much fly and lice as ever, with honeydew; ssill the bine looks well. EDENBRIDGE.—The bine is in a growing state; the fly and lice very much decreased. The nigger has made its appearance. Duty, 100,0001. to 120,000 k LINGFIELD.- The . well cultivated gardens present a very different appearance to the others; but the fly and lice are numerous everywhere. TICEHITHST.—We have no decrease in the quantity of vermin, and the bine is not looking so healthy as it did a fortnight since. FARNHAM, ALTON, AND COUNTRY DISTRICTS, JUNE 18.—We have a great deal of fly and vermin, and we believe the plants to be generally in a very precarious state.—Maidstone Gazette. INSTITUTION OF CIVIL EN- GINEERS. 198 TUESDAY, JUNE 19.—Joshua Field, Esq., President, in the chair. In the course of the evening, the Earl of Rosse, Pre sident of the Royal Society, was presented by Mr. Ben niereadwas to the President o f th e I ns tit ut i on , on hi s e l ect i on as an Hon " On the Employment of Hi g h- Pressure Steam, working expansively, in Marine En gines," by Mr. John Seaward, M. Inst. C.E. ,of a reply, by commun icati on was described to be to several t he eminen a t otho r , to some questions addressed This , engineering firms, by the Hon. the substance was wh en Secretary of the Admi- H. L. Corry, ma. found to furnish so much e st o ea f m using high pressure steam, This reply . and so or disaNvatr:tiZ to open the ques tionu sef useful f i information , m advantageati on steam, and of cutting off th e portions of the stroke, that it was conceived itatvvvoautobles advantageously produced at the institution, in order that the subject should be fully discussed. Unfortunately, the absence of the principal members at the floating of the first tube of the Britannia Bridge frustrated the lat- ter expectation, but the substance of the paper appeared to be fully appreciated. The argument was so continuous that it would be diffi cult to attempt to do more than to give a faint idea of it, as the limits of this account would not suffice for an abstract of it. It first reviewed the mode of working marine en gines for some years past, and noticed the gradual change that had occurred, particularly the tendency to use high-pressure steam, instead of that of a pressure of alyart four pounds above the atmosphere. It then examined the system of cutting off the steam at various parts of the stroke; and as, at the same time, a remarkable augmentation had occurred in the speed of the vessels, which was naturally attributed to that cause, it inq u i re d minutely into these several causes and effects, as well as the considerable reduction in the consumption of fuel which took place, enabling the ves sels, consequently, to make longer voyages, or to carry less fuel for given distances. In this examination, all the arguments for and against the use of high steam, and the presumed gain or lois of mechanical power in the use of the expansion principle in the cylinder, were canvassed at length; and the paper wound up with the replies of the author to the three questions from the Admiralty, to this effect:— " The highest pressure of steam that we have, in any case, put upon a marine boiler of our own construction, was about 16 pounds to the square inch; but we are not inclined to repeat the experiment, as we feel assured that wo can obtain equally good results with steam of a lower pressure—from 10 to 12 lbs. is the usual pressure we employ in the merchant service for engines and boilers of comparative small power. "The steam pressure at present employed in the ser vice is about 8 lb:. per square inch. We consider steam of this pressure to be well adapted for the exigencies of the service; we believe it calculated to secure all the important advantages of power, economy of weight and space, in a very eminent degree; these advantages will in some respects be slightly increased by augmenting the steam pressure to 10 or 121bs. to the square inch. " We strongly recommend that the steam employed in the navy should not be of greater pressure than 101bs. per square inch, or in extreme cases 121bs. to the square inch; any material increase to the latter pressure will be attended with considerable risk, without any adequate advantage." In the discussion which ensued, these propositions were to a certain extent concurred with, but with limi tations as to the introduction of other forms of boilers ; and it was explained that the arguments of the paper were only applicable to condensing engines working ex pansively, !and therefore left the question of the intro duction of the use of high-pressure non-condensino. en gines quite untouched and free for discussion at a future period. It was announced that the paper to be read at the meeting of Tuesday, June 26th, was "On the Ratio be tween the Strength of Rails and the Weight and Speed of Locomotive Engines," by Mr. G. W. Buck, M. Inst. C. E., when also, being the last of the session, the ballot for mem bers would take place. CARRIAGE OF PARCELS BY RAILWAY. On Wednesday the following memorial from the mer. chants of Liverpool was presented to the Railway Com. missioners at the Board of Trade:—" That the whole sale houses of London and large towns and the carriers have for some time been accustomed to pack together small parcels going from one town into one package or covering called smalls,' or packed parcels; that such practice has tended to the increase and convenience of trade, especially in books, drapery, &c., which trade would not exist if each parcel had to be sent st parately, with a separate charge for the carriage of each. Wholesale houses have alsi been in the habit of collecting small parcels for their customers, and many thousands of packages sent by wholesale houses are made up of small parcels going from one house to different traders in one town. Such packages are sent to the coach office and paid for on their total weight, without reference to their contents. The practice was never objected to by stage-coach proprietors, &c., under the old mode of conveyance. It was continued on the railways until recently, aid on objections raised by the railway companies it was decided by a court of law to be legally and morally justifiable. The railway companies have established a fixed rate for small parcels, and endeavoured—first, to get all small parcels sent through their hands exclusively, and consequently to destroy all competition. 2. To get each small parcel sent separately, whereby the full carriage of each, instead of one charge on the total weight, is realised; the effect of which on commerce has already been to lessen the trading transactions between different towns and between wholesale houses and dealers, as well as to destroy the small trade. 3. They charge as high for carrying a packed hamper as if each small parcel therein was sent separately by their railway ; thus endeavouring to get on six small parcels of one pound each, packed into one cover, 24 same weight. It a times as much as upon an or di nary h amper of the packed parcel, containing one dozen parcels, under the carriers' and traders' system, was con veyed by railway to Birmingham for 25., the public would and did get their parcels for 6d. each, instead of Is. 6d., which the railway company would charge them, if sent separately. But if several small parcels are put into one parcel, the pretence for charging each separately is destroyed, and the hampers be come liable to pay only the weight of one parcel. Not satisfied with these endeavours to impose, the North- Western, in connexion with the Midland and other companies, came to a resolution in 1848 to adopt -. tl general system of heavy and excessive charges on those parcels which, though illegal, would, owing to the delay in obtaining a legal decision, stop the packing trade and ruin competitors, and that, notwithstanding the scale of charges in their train-bills, of so much per mile per pound for all parcels, whether transmitted by or to a carrier or other person, yet, treating them as packed parcels, they charged at the rate of 41 per pound per 100 miles, instead of Id., an excess over the regu lar published charge of 300 par cent, as regards Bir mingham, 6d. per pound as regards Sheffield, Bd. per pound as regards Liverpool, and ls. per pound as regards Ediaburgh, being at the respective rates of 221. Bs., 331. 12a., 44/. 165., and 56/. per ton. Packed parcels by luggage trains were also increased. to the ordinary rates of passenger-trains, viz., Id. per lb. to Birmingham, 91. 6s. Bd. per ton, or 10s. 4d. per cwt., in stead of a half-farthing per lb., or ls. 3d. per cwt., the or dinary rates for luggage goods. Wholesale houses and traders must either contend against this system of exces sive overcharge and improper conduct, or must abandon trade. Your memorialists complain that the railway com panies have established vexatious and unequal rates, as against their competitors, the carriers of parcels; have concealed their luggage-train bills, refused to publish or make known their scale of charges for goods, and charged carriers differently from other persons. They are continually varying their rates of charge, so that there is no check or test of their accuracy. They refuse to carry parcels for the public unless a written statement of the aames and addresses of the parcels enclosed and of their contents be de livered to them. You are the re f ore requested to inquiry to be m a d e i nto the circum and into the con d uct and proceedings of s c t a a u n s c e es, an railway companies regarding the c arr i age an d charge that a revision m a y b e ma d e of of railway com p an i es , an d a vigi ltfahonretgposupervisionpc ah established in respect of the same, in order that better protection may be afforded to wholesale traders and carriers sending parcels by railway, and to competition, with a view to the prevention of monopuly, the safety of parcel s and g th o e od p s.T tection of traders, and UNIVERSITY COLLEGE i HOSPITAL.—On Wednesday lat the L on d on T avern, w h ere ed on th e occas i on. The party the anniversary . dinner n aid of t h e f unds of this valu ablesiedprrageladebe, and among t h ose present were was highly res p ec t a bl e . Si r Jamesta hb oo uug i t n h s Go t noi Graham oa u gth t a o lem, e n s rt took pys raessl —Sir Edward Ryan, Lord Brougham, Baron de Golds mid,, Honourable R. Den man, thMer.SolE. Gold id, Right Hon. E. Strutt, J. Hayward, M.P., Cornewall Lewis, M.P., Professors Arnott, Quain, Murphy, and Walsh; Mr. Wood, M r . H. Warburton, My. J. E. Blunt, Mr. Bagshaw, Mr. Gilbert, and Mr. Bishop. The Ch a i rman , i n proposing p e r c o e s n p t it and to th e rap id progress which it had made in fifteen years , having durin g t h at t i me rel i eved reroryigitno the University Hospital, ad ver t e d to i ts no less than 250,000 pour pati e nt s . Th e expense incurred in administering that relief,amounted to 75,0001. half of which had been contributed by the professors from the fees of medical students. The building was capable of containing 20 0 beds ; b u t f rom want of funds no more than 130 had b een put up, and that number had, owing to th e same cause, been re duced to 10 0 . He quoted, as an in s t ance o f t h e benefits which the hospital had conferred, th e case o f General Beni, who some time ago selected it for the performance on him of a serious operation, rendered necessary by the effect of a gun-shot woun d f rom which he was then suffer ing. From the success which attended that operation, General Bem had since been enabled to take a very distinguished part in the affairs of Europe. The Chairman commended highly the method adopted in the election of the officers of the institution, which was free from favouritism, and which made the result of each election to depend on merit alone. Lord Brougham, who proposed the Chairman's health, in doing so drew a comparison between the mode of electing officers to charities generally, and that of canvassing for directorships in the East India Company. His Lordship went into a long and rather amusing digression on that point, and returning at length to the subject which had induced him to rise, spoke of his Right Hon. Friend the Chairman in highly eulogistic terms. Sir James Graham having acknowledged the toast, proposed the health of Lord Brougham as President of the London University. To this his Lordship responded, and the usual routine of toasts on similar occasions closed the proceedings. Dur ing the evening th e s e c r e t a ry announc e d subscriptions to the amount of 1,4021., a sum which it is hoped will help the institution over the interval till October next, when he fees of students again become payable. i The dinner, and all the arrangements connected with t were unex ceptionable. Mr. Higgs was toastmaster. REGISTRATION OF VOTERS FOR THE CITY OF LON DON, &c.—The following notice has been issued by the overseers of the different parishes in the city of London and Westminster, the metropolitan boroughs of the Tower Hamlets, Finsbury, Marylebone, Lambeth, Southwark, Greenwich, and the counties of Middlesex, in the ye dlesex, Kent, Surrey, Essex, &c., respecting the registration of voters turn of Members to Parliament—" We hereby give notice that no person will be entitled to have his name inserted in any list of voters for this city or borough now about to be made, in respect of the occupation of premises of the c l ear annua l value of 101, whether situate wholly or i n part w ithin the parish of —, unless he shall 'pay on or before the 20th day of July next all the poor-rates and assessed taxes (schedule B, No. 2) w h ic h h ave b ecome paya b le from him in respect of such premises during the twelve calendar months next before the sth day of January List past, and will be inc a p a bl e o f b eing upon the next register of voters for this city or borough." (Signed by the overseers.) "Notice is hereby given that all persons entitled to vote in the election of knight or knights of the shire for the county of —, &e., in respect of an y property s i tuate wholly or in part within the parish of —, who are not upon the register of voters now in force, and who are desirous of having their names inserted in tho register of voters about to be made of the said county of —, are also requested to send in their names on or before the 20th day of July with their name and surnam e i n f a ll , t h eir place o f a b o d e, and the par ticulars of their qualification, which must be legibly written according to the form set forth. Any person who is upon the p resent reg i s t er ma y a l so make his claim if he thinks fit, but it is not necessary he should do so if ho has the s ame qua lifi ca tion and pl ace o f a b ode now described in the register." Mr. Macready w ill commence an engagement at the Theatre Royal, in this town, on, Monday week.— Liverpool Courier, IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LuRDS, June 21. Their Lorthhips asspmbltA ar, (wk. GRAND JURY CEizi (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion of the Marquis of CLANRIOARDE, this Bill was passed through Committee. HIGHWAYS RETURNS BILL. The Earl of ST. GERMANS request, d tho postpone of the third reading of thin Bill for a fow days. The Earl of GRANVILLE consented to postpone it for a wea k. OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS. Lord DENMAN presented several petitions in favour of the substitutiOn of affirmations for oaths in judicial proceedings. Among others, was a petition from Mrs. Watson, a member of the Church of England, who, having, at the Exeter Assizes, refused, from conscien tious objections, to take an oath, had been committed by the j udge. - SHEEP-STEALING (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion of the Earl of GLENGALL this Bil (with amendments) passed through Committee. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (IRELAND BILL The Earl of GLENGALL brought in a Bill for the better administration of justice in Uourts of Equity in Ireland. ITALY. The Earl of ABERDEEN asked when the papers re lating to the war in the north of Italy would be pre. sented? Lord EDDISBURY could not fix a day. The Earl of ABERDEEN said that the Noble Mar. quis had three months ago promised them. There would have been no difficulty in producing them months ago. — After a few words from the Marquis of LANS DOWNE, the subject dropped. ROMAN CATHOLIC HOLIDAYS. Lord STANLEY presented a petition from certain guardian 3 of the poor in Ireland, complaining of the ex emption of the Roman Catholic paupers in the work houses from work on the numerous Roman Catholic holidays. - PARLIAMENTARY OATHS BILL. The Bishop of EXETER presented several petitions from the clergy and others against this Bill. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 21. The %MAKER. took the Chair at Four o'clock. THIRD READINGS. The following Bills were read a third time and passed Bilibrooke St. Gabriel and Binbrooke St. Mary In: closure (Amendment and Extension of Acts, Alteration of Awards, settling Titles to Lands, &c., and defining Parish Boundaries) Bill. East Indian Railway Company (For making and main taining one or more Railways in the East Indies) Incor poration Bill. Taunton Town and Market Improvement Bill. REPORT. The report upon the TO Vale Railway (Extension in Merthyr Tydfil) Bill was considered and agreed to. PETITIONS. Mr. HAMILTON presented two petitions, one signed by 1,587 clergymen of the Established Church in Ireland, and the other signed by 64,000 laymen of the same church, praying for some alteration of the present na tional system of education in Ireland. Mr. Li. BROWN presented a petition from Solici. tors at Tewkesbury praying for the abolition of the cer , tificate duty. Mr. PLUMP ME presented several petiti ons f rom the metropolis and from places in the provinces, praying for an alteration in the,lnattonal system of education in Ireland. Mr. COWAN presented a petition from Edinburgh against the Public Health Bill tor Scotland, and also one against the Marriage Bill. Mr. CARD WELL presented a petition from Liver pool, signed by 4,500 persons, praying for an uniform system of rating for the support of the poor. Sir F. THESIGER presented a petition from the counsel and officers of the Pabce Court, stating that the 13i11 before the House would take away their whole busi ness and means of remuneration, without giving them any compensation, and praying that they might be heard by counsel at the bar of the House. Mr. S. CRAWFORD presented a petition from mer chants and traders at Rochdale, in favour of the Bill for the Amendment and Consolidation of the Bankrupt Laws. Lord DUDLEY STUART presented a petition from the letter-press printers in London, pray ing for the abolition of the duty upon paper, and the advertisement and stamp duty. Lord BERNARD presented a petition, signed by 91 Roman Catholic heads of families in four parishes of the county of Cork, praying the House to take means to allow the Church Education Society in Ireland to ex tend its beneficial operations. VIENNA. Mr. HUME said he would postpone until the 10th July the question respecting Vienna, which stood third on the list. THE PALACE COURT. • Sir F. THESIGER said that when the Attorney- General moved the second reading of the Bill relative to the Palace Court he (Sir F. Thesiger) should move that the counsel and attorneys of the court be heard at the bar of the House against the provisions of the Bill. THE IRISH CHURCH. Mr. B. OSBORNE said, on the 10. h of July he should renew his motion relt.ti ve to tho Irish Church. STATE OF IRELAND. Mr. HORS/LAN gave notice that on the .sth of July he should call the attention of the House to the state of Ireland. SUPPLY. Mr. H. DRUMMOND said he should move the reso lution which stood in his name on the first day of the report of Supply. FRENCH INTERVENTION WITH ROME. Mr. ROEBUCK said on an early day he should put a question to the Noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, for the purpose of bringing under the notice of the House the state of our diplomatic relations with France respecting Rome. STATE OF THE NATION. Mr. DISRAELI said he had been requested to give some definite intimation as to the time when he would call the attention of the House to the state of the nation, of which he had given notice. Inasmuch as the Noble Lord at the head of the Government was equally in terested in the question with himself; he would be glad if he could induce the Noble Lord to assist him in the matter, so far as to fix some day for bringing it on. Mr. OSBORNE said before the Noble Lord answered that question, he (Mr. Osborne) begged leave to appeal to the generosity of the Noble Lord.—(Laughter) He thought the state of the Irish Church was of infinitely more importance than the state of the nation.—(Re newed laughter.) He (Mr. Osborne) had a motion to bring forward respecting the Irish Church, and he would ask the Noble Lord to assist him in fixing a day for that. MLord JOHN RUSSELL said, if the state of the nation was to be brought forward it was desirable that it should not be brought forward at a very late period of the session; if it was to be discussed it ought to be discussed forthwith. If the Hon. Gentleman would 'ake Monday, the 2d of July, he should have no objection to his taking that day. Mr. DISRAELI assented to that proposal. CAPITAL PUNISH MEN FS. Mr. E WART moved that an humble address be pre sented to her Majesty, praying that a return may be made, showing how tar crimes, for which capital punish ments have been abolished in this country, are still capi tally punishable in the colonies and dependencies of Great Britain.—Agreed to. PALACE COURT. Lord DUDLEY STUART said an order of the House was made on the 25th of May for certain returns relative to the Palace Court, on his motion. Those returns had not yet been furnished, and he begged to ask the Secretary for the Home Department the cause of the delay. Sir GEORGE GREY was not aware of the cause of the delay; but in consequence of a communication he had received from Lord Dudley Stuart, notice bad been sent to the parties charged with preparing those returns Ito furnish them forthwith. Colonel DUNNE rose to ask the Right Honourable the Secretary for Ireland whether, in the cases of evic tions in the Kilrush Electoral Division in Ireland, mea tioned in Captain Kennedy's report, the notices pre scribed by law were served, and, if they were, why the vice-guardians did not (as was their duty) provide efficient relief for the persons so ejected ; and, if the notices were not served, whether the vice-guardians have instituted any prosecution against the persons who have neglected to serve these notices previous to eviction. Sir GEORGE GREY said all he could state in the absence of his Hon. Friend the Secretary fur Ireland was, that to the best ofhis belief in all the evictions that had recently taken place the law, with l respeFt to giving notice to the guardiacs, hadbeenconp d with. REWARDS TO MEDICAL OFFICER,. Sir DE LACY EVANS rose to bring under the consideration of the House the claims of the medical officers of the army and navy to military rewards and distinctions. He said, unfortunately, this question was divested of all party interest, nevertheless upwards of two thousand deserving public servants —men of education, and who had rendered essential service to their country —were interested in the matter. He sub mitted to the House that the nature of their services— the great hardships they were constantly called upon to suffer, the great dangers to which they were ex posed, and the great saving of lives of troops they were enabled to effect by wise precautions, entitled them to be placed in the same class as those who had received rewards. It was said that they were civil officers, and not entitled to these rewards. He did not see the force of the objection. Take, for instance, the case of the engi neers who had received these rewards; they were seldom called into actual conflict, being engaged in storming . parties, whilst th e medical officers were invariably called upon to peril their lives. He thought the civil and military services should be duly considered, and that those men !Alio had served their country had a great source of grievance when they saw men who had not been half their time in the service promoted over their heads. Complaints of this kind were well deserving the consideration of the House and the Government. Amongst these men he might instance the names of Sir John Macgregor, Mr. Fraties, Mr. Gurney. Mr. Howland, and Mr. Guthrie, who had rendered great service to their country in the medical department of the army. He did not claim pecuniary compensa tion, but only that they should be entitled to the same dis tinctions that were conferred on other officers of the army. Mr. Guthrie was himself twice wounded during the Peninsular war, and scar ce ly an i m p or tant engageme nt took place at which he was not pr e sent. He could men tion many instances in which surgeons had been wounded and killed, but he was not on that oc casion willing to trespass further upon i th e e mbe ati, tenti94 of ;he 119115% The G411§ 1 1; i then concluded by moving a resolution to the effect that as the efficie .cy arid economy of the army and navy de psnded upon the ability, energy, and zeal of the na. diced officers, and that, as they -hared the dangers to which those services were exposed, it was neither ex— - client nor just that they should be excluded from a share of honorary distinctions and rewards in pro portion to their relative rank, or the relative importance of their respective duties. Mr. HUME seconded the motion, for the reason asserted by Napoleon, that every man forming a part of the army ought to be considered a public servant, and was entitled to such reward as his services required. In former days, owing to the want of a proper commissariat, a much greater proportion of the army was destroyed by disease than by the sword or the bayonet. He was prepared to show, if the time would admit, that in consequence of the superior attainments of the medical officers, the mortality of the army had been greatly reduced within the last twenty years. As, therefore, the success of engagements de pended so much upon the skill shown by the commis sariat and by the medical officers, he thought the House would pass a stigma upon the profession if they were backward in acceding to the motion of his Gallent Friend. The motion having b-en read, Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, the Secretary at War being unavoidably absent, he should reply to the Gallant General's question to the best of his ability. In the first place, he entirely concurred with the Gal lant General, as to the merit of the medical officers of the army, and the Hon. Member for Mon trose had also borne no more than just testimony to the valuable services of those officers. He had stated most truly that the mortality of late years had been materially lessen ed in consequence of the valuablebature of the information supplied to the medical board, upon which they had acted ; and therotore he (Lord J. Russell) should be sorry, on that occasion, to say anything in disparage ment of those services. Though, as the Gallant General had said, they were non-combatants, yet they were every day called upon to exercise steadiness of nerve ; and they were indebted to them for saving the lives of many gall int men, who wou d otherwise have died from wounds received on the field of battle.—( Hear.) But he could not agree with him that the officers of the engineers were also non-combatants, for when they were commanded to mount a breach, they were exposed to the same imminent peril as other officers ; but the House could hardly say that the medical officers were excluded from all rewards, because it was well known that when medals were dis tributed they received them in common with the other officers. Nor were civil rewards withheld from them, since Sir James Macgregor, Sir Charles Forbes, and others had received the civil honour of knighthood. With respect to admitting them to the Order of the Bath, he dui not see that there was any possible objection—(Hear, hear)—but he would not pledge himself that this should b 3 so; be would much rather consult the Commander in-Chief and the Secretary at War before he could state in what manner this should be done.—(Hear, hear.) It was, he thought, rather a matter for the considera tion of the Executive than of the Legislature.—(Hear, hear.) If, therefore, the Gallant General persisted in his motion, he should move the previous question. Colonel DUNNE considered that the Gallant Ge neral had done a great service by bringing the matter before the House. He saw no reason why these officers should not be rewarded in the same way as other officers. When poor-law inspectors and others had received the honour of knighthood, he saw no reason why these medical officers should not be similarly rewarded. lie should not add one word of testimony to the value of the medical officers' services after what had fallen from his Hon. and Gallant Friend. During the Peninsular war there were seven actions for which, by an accident almost, rewards were given. There were men then serving in Spain who had not the good fortune to be in those actions, aid who had not received the slightest reward.—(Hear, hear.) fie was therefore anxious to call the attention of the House to tne ser vices of those men, who, though not engaged in those actions, had distinguished themselves in the service of their country in the Peninsula and elsewhere. Sir DE LACY EVANS said, with reference to what had fallen from the Noble Lord at the head of the Government respecting engineers, ho (Sir De Lacy Evans) had merely adverted to engineers, as they were also a scientific branch, and perhaps the highest scientific branch of the service. He had nut the slightest objection to the Noble Lord's suggestion as to that distinguished corps. He (Sir De Lacy Evans) knew engineers in the civil departmeut who had already received Companionships of the Bath for their services in India, but the services for which that- honour had been conferred upon them were of a civil character. Colonel THOMPSON said the Members on his side of the House with whom he usually acted were so en tirely satisfied' with what had fallen from the Noble Lord, that they had hoped he would have dispensed with putting the previous question. Sir C. BURRELL bore testimony to the great improve ment in medical science in the army, and referred to his experience on the coast of Africa in proof of it. After a few words from Captain PECtiELL, Sir DE LACY EVANS thought he had done no in justice to any department of the service, and he hoped the Noble Lord would not oppose the motion. Lord J. RUSSELL thought some injustice had been done, and he hoped his Hon. and Gallant Friend would withdraw his motion. Sir DE LACY EVANS said if injustice had been done he would withdraw him .notion. The motion was accordingly withdrawn. EQUALIZATION OF POOR-RATES. Mr. PACKE and Lord NUGENT presented several pe- Lions in favour of the equalization of poor rates. Lord NUGENT then rose, pursuant to notice, to move for a Committee to inquire into the practicability of better providing for the maintenance of the indigent poor of Enelsnd and Wales, by an equal and general apportion ment of the burthen of the 8 awe. He was pertectly aware that this was not a most inviting subject for the consideration of the House ; at the same time, as it was a question of the utmost importance, he asked the indulgence of the House while he stated the prin cipal points connected with the subject. He felt that he should have no right to ask tor any favourable consideration of his motion if he contented himself with laying before the House the inequality of the mode of rating, and the grievous hardship upon the rate-payers. He would have no right to ask for an inquiry upon the subject, did he not think he could lay before the House the means by which those hardships might be avoided.—(Hear.) He need not dwell upon the grievances which result from the present mode of rating, because he believed he should be justified in dealing with those as acknow ledged evils. There could be no doubt that the present system of rating was most unjust and anomalous, its inequalities were universally admitted. He could not go the length of saying that they were increased by the amended law of 1834, but there was no doubt of this, that it had had the effect of placing the guardians in antago nism to the rate-payers and both to the poor. The pre sent system of rating was most unequal; it was most in jurious, it not absolute spoliation to many of the rate payers; and, above all, it was most injurious to the ob jects of parochial relief.—(Hear.) In many instances the rate had been twenty-five shillings in the pound, or, more properly speakii g, five shillings above the pound. From a return it appeared that the annual charge up to Lady -day,1847, for the in-dour maintenance of the poor in all the unions was 769 6901; and to Lady day 1848, 955,700/.; and the establishments and salaries for 1847, were 762,4204 and for 1848, 970,985/. This showed that the cost of keeping up the estebtishments and paying salaries amounted to 15 000/. more than was required for the maintenance of all the poor. The total pooterates expended in England and Wales during the year ending 25th March, 1848, was 3,C47,4851. Ot this sum there was expended in law charges, expenses of proceedings before magistrates, payments under the Parochial Assessments Act, and e• fur other pur poses," no less than 1,856,7201. There was thus nearly 2,000,0001. expended annually in the mere machinery of the poor-laws, and of that sum there was an item of 214,7111. for " other expenses." He thought that even official gentlemen would think that that was an enormous sum to be put down under such a head. It would be found, both in town and country, that the poorer parishes were rated enormously higher, and the richer parishes enormously lower, than they ought to be. The representative system in the board of guardians had been likened to the system of representation which pre vailed in that House. No two things, however, could be more different or opposed in their nature; because whilst in Parliament all classes were represented, in boards of guardians one only was represented, being the contribu tors to the pool-irate. He would now point out the ine qualities of the poor-rate in different localities, then the principal difficulties to be overcome in equalising it; and thereby he would suggest a means, as it appeared to him, whereby the equalisation might be safely made. With regard to the inequality of the rate, he might state generally, that it ranged indefinitely from one farthing to fourteen shillings. From a paper presented to Parlia went on the 21st of March,lB4B, itappeared that the total sum expended during that year, ending on the 12th of March, 1848, was, under the poor-law, 8.047.485/., of which only 6.108 7651. was spent in relieving the poor; the balance of 1,938.720/. being expended in the follow ing manner:—viz., 70,3801. in law charges, 58,0001. in proceedings before magistrates; 14,1584 for parochial assessments, surveys, and valuation; 11,539/. for ex penses of parish property; and an extraordinary item of 214,711/. for " other purposes." Tnere was a large item, also, for " petty cash." Expenses under the Re gistration Act, 56,9821.; county, borough, and police rates, 1,391,376/. These charges amounting together nearly to the sum of 2,000,0001, were expended entirely in moving the cumbrous machinery of the poor-law. The system of rating the several parishes in the country was so unequal and unjust, that it demanded the serious at tention of the House. U n d er t hi s system the poorest er parishes were r a t e d enormous l y hi g h er , enormously lower, than in the medium. Noticeen _ arid the richer metro politan parishes, th e r ich e r ones a t the westo ones we d re paid very little, while the poorer suburban u _ nein, the pressed unbearably. Notice East Londonn parishes were rated at 2s. 6d. and 3s. 4d. ; that was the in Saint James's, Westminster, e a r n e d in St. George' s , i n rate in Bethnal-green ; which was not One . Westminster, it was ls. 1847, 9d. Now it was only 734 d-, parish . , it. might have be en fifth of the rate paid in Bermondsey. In proportion t o i o n ul a d have bet n erad uat , d. The the vale of the property supposed that the rate w as w reverse of this was the case , as suffieU ntly mu d_ fested in the cases of the parishes of the Exchange anu of one in Leadenhall-street. There wese 3 327 • pa riches, rated at from 6d. to 838 at from Is to 4s. ; and 383 at from 4 s. to 14s. In extra parochial districts 17,585 i n h a bi ted houses were rated at nil, and all this was owing to the operation of that most unnatural and pernicious law, the law . of srt tlement. That law set was in absolute te antagonism with every good and generous sentimben prejudicially to the countr and oyerate i d th mo h s e t circulation of labour, W hig' a iL v in e te a r l i ter t t h n i g ngs w . it was most essential torromote. / 1,4 9 n, h o e ith regard to local super "' aye thflt entirely to the ciisoreo94 a Como - Imre Of that House, bu .hott s .hc it must appear clearly to all that an equalization of the r. , le shoo d b made. The supervision be proposed was this —the number of unions in England and Wales was 592 under the Poor-law Amendment Act, and adding wale which had beers created under a subsequent Act, the number of uni!tns he would take to be 616. To every eight of these he lin‘uld appoint a superiniendent, with sslary of 6001. per annum, of wh ch it shooed be under" stood 1004 was to go for travelling expenses.. To each stiverintendi nt he would allow two clerks, at a salary of 1001., and he was confident that the' nork of the pour' law could be satisfactorily discharged by this staff, a ged that, too, upon more justand poliiic principles. A saving of 30,5601. for supervision we uld arise at once from this arrangement. The abolition of the law of settlement and the heavy law expenses, which it was the means of entailing on parishes, would render this system not only easy of application, but highly satisfactory in its results, because free circulation would then be given to labour, lands hitherto uncultivated would at once be brought into cultivation, and the poor of the country, from being a burden to it, would eventually become Is real benefit to it, by being pro'luctively employed. Ile felt himself called upon to speak to the great sufferings and great wrongs inflicted on the poor. The poor man out of work goes to the officer and asks for relief, and the first question put to him is, " Have you applied for labour ?" But there was a great fallacy in that. Th e , man who, perhaps, had a wife and family in a state el want, was subjected to the greatest hardship before re lief was given to him, under the operation of this sys• tern. He applies, for instance, for relief, and is informed that he must appear again before the board, before any relief can be given to him. The board adjourns and meets again jn a fortnight, meanwhile the poor man, requiring relief and unable to obtain support, goes and breaks 3 window, is taken into custody by the police, committed by the magistrate for the offence, and after a certain time in confinement, comes out better fed and in better condition. He bad no hesitation in saying that a system fraught with so much ev il was most vicious, a nd be therefore implored the House to grant a Committee. The pressure of the system was most unjust, a nd be begged the House. if the Government were not disposed to oo au) thing to cure so great an evil, to take the matter into its own hands, and to give, at least, an an' sorer to the destitute poor, that it desired to see estab lished a system more tqual, more just,and more humane. The Noble Lord c included by reading , his motion. Mr. Alderman SIONEY said, in rising to seconi the motion, tie did so o n grounds o f j ustice, humanity, and sound policy. He was enabled to chow, from the Par liamentary returns published last year, that there had been, in 28 of the metropolitan parishes, an average in crease of 36 per cant, in the year 1848, over the eight preceding years; and he found by the same returns that the average increase of the rates of 28 manufacturing towns in England, in the last year, was 84 per cent. over the average of the eight preceding years. So, in like manner, in the agricultural counties, twelve of which paid 2s. 2d. and 3s. in the pound. He might give another instance of the unequal operation of it it in the parishes of St. Bride, and St. George, Hanover-squar e. In St. Bride the assessment was 3s. in the pound, an d in the wealthy parish of St. George, Hanover square, it was only 711. in the pound. Then several of their rich establishments escaped the payment of Poo r : rates, from the circumstance of their being what was termtd " extra p_arochial," while the poor and the industrious in the vicinity were not so fortu nate. The Bank of England and the Royal Exchange were cases or this sort, and came off ‘• scot free,' The country w as not sat i s fi ed why the people should r one parish be subject to sin a:sessment of as. o r 49. in the pound, and find their neighbours were not assessed et all. He regretted that the Right Hon. Baronet (Sir It Peel) was not in the House, as the ease to which he W 9 now about to direct attention, concerned him. While th, a borough of Tansworth, for ins tance , was fairly assessed' its rateable v a lu e b eing 8001 . a year, another par t of 03 : Right Hon. Baronet' s p roperty, on wh i ch he b u ilt a 63 . , house, and which was turne d to agr i cu l tura l purpose' was only assessed at 18s. 9d. Now, if justice was den:: Sir Robert Peel, inst ea d o f pay i ng 18s. 9 , 1. i n t he )ear' would have to p a y 2001. H ow it was that a tax, "la was a national tax, cou ld b e assesse d on suc h unecl u terms appeared io him and to the country most stra li g e d The sphere in which he (Mr. Alderman Sidney) o : l°Ye gave him m uc h o pp ortunity o f being iniormed as to the unequal operation of thi s tax. The shopkeepers, and operative class e s, i n l arge towns, f e l t t h e uneq ual 9i if, severe pressure of th e rates , an d comp l a i ne d bi t terly o the burden falling with peculiar hardship on them. So, in like manner, in the agricultural districts; in some parishes, where ther e were wea l t h y propr i etors and l poor, those prop r i etors scarcely paid any ra t e s. a, had that day heard a case wherein a poor Yeoman who had a husba n d an d f our sons engaged in the glass Ina ? ti facture, but who, owing to th e i m p orta t io ns of foreig n glass, were thrown out of work, and she was, in cons©• queue, unable to pay her rates, three. quarters of which she was in arrear of, an d wou ld g l a dly p a y under_ othe r circumstances. In addition to the cases which be bad e at directed attention to, th ere were s i x p oo r th p a rishes in City, which were a ssesse d, some at 2 s . sd. and some e 3s. 4d. in the p oun d. H e t h oug h t , is circumstances, th a t h e h a d ma l e ou t a case for invest those l oo king at all gation. The Hon. Member then dirt c - ed the attention of the House to the circumstance of a great number of manufacturers engaged in the camlet trade in Norwich, being thrown out or employment by that trade having fatten off ; and while such was the condition of the in; da-trioo. operative. the poor rate in Norwich was 5s and 6a. Bd. in the pound. In Leeds the poor-rates were Si• milar in their oppressive amount. Be would not•cletain the House longer than to say that the question was not confined to trading, manufacturing., or agricultura l interests; and that the poor ought to be considered in relation to it with feelings of humanity. He considered it was the duty of the Li gislsture to see that so great a burthern should not fall unequally, and with those feel ings he begged leave to second the motion of the Noble Lord. Mr. BAINES hoped his Honourable Friend who had just sat dawn would not suppose him to be guilty of any disre.pect towards him, i+ he declined to follow him ins long reply to all that he had stated. The questions Of the law Of settlement and removal would of themselves raise discus ion. Neither did he propose to follow the Noble Lord into the whole question of the opera don of th e poor -l aw enactment, or the misconduct of the poor-law officers. Those were questions which of th ee : selves for me d i n each case, a very important subj ect. The proposal made by the Noble Lord on that occa sion was not that of which he had previously given notice. The former notice of motion was, that the charge for tho poo r s h ou ld b e p l ace d on th e revenue of the country. S u b sequent l y t h e mo ti o n of the_ Noble Lord was to char g e th e su pp or t o f the poor urn_ the income o f th e country, an d on t h e 7th June that motion wars again changed, and it suss only on M o nd a y last that the motion of the Noble .L ord had assumed the shape it now presented. But utl e ° doubt( dly t h e o bj eet of the Noble Lord was to place th , permanent charge of th e p oor on t h e rev enue of toe o country.—(He ar , h ear .) N ow, if t h e H ouse we re to 4, into a Commi ttee o f I nqu i ry on this subject, it woelu cast a doubt as respected the present mode by which the, poor of the cou n t r y cou ld b e supported, b e i ng t h e best that could be devised far that purpose, and as he could net assent to any such doctrine. and as he believed the country was opposed to any alteration of the existing system by which the poor of the country were 'p ai tallied, he must meet the present proposition witt a di rect negative. The Noble Lord must recollect that two years ago a Committee sat to inquire into the very matters which he now p ro p ose d s hould be investigated —that they had re p orte d, an d t h a t the whole question had been canvas se d i n t h e f u ll est and most complete manner. This being so, wh ere , he asked, was the ne of a similar i n q u i ry b e ing instituted now? If the Noble Lord h a d c om e f orwar d with a specific ro position, founded on the facts elicited nn the occasion to which he alluded. the matter would his different —they would then know what they had to deal with, and they' could decide resis cting it upon its merits. He looked upon the proposition of the Noble Lord, to place the charge Of supporting the poor upon the general revenue of the community, as being dangerous in the highest degree to the interests of the country, and as tending to prejtv dice both ratepayers and paupers. When the Noble Lord proposed, as one of his means to carry out his object, to get rid of all local self•government, he_fer. nished one very strong and conclusive argument against his own proposition. Nothing had a more salutary effect upon the national character than this habit of the people-to interest themselves in matters connected with the concerns of the several districts iu which they re sided. If the proposal of the Noble Lord were to suc ceed, one of two things must arise ; either that the funds of the country, intended for the support of the poor, should be administered by local boards, or by the Go vernment itself. What would be the cons , quence of these funds being administered by local boards ? If the boards were honest, they would not dispense these funds with a due regard to their nature. The pressure of producing the money for the maintenance of the poor not being di rectly upon them, they wsuld dispose of it in a manner regardless of results, and there would be no means of pre venting an undue expenditure of the public money. But in the event of these local boards being eon:m(1 0 o of dis how st persons, it would be very easy for them to practice the most monstrous system of jobbing pnstble. Then what was poor in i g the la the alternative of thi s ? Why, that you were to get rid of sel f- government, and the place the whole of ma intenance of th e hands of the Governmente.antt Now, character the uhieo n against a whole. ein. thought there were objections of -ar rangement. the first place it eff ected a general chang e i n t h e system under which th e p oor we re maintained ; an d secondly, it L a o v o e h r . y then, aog plucke d u p by the roots the valuable principleof lf se -go vernment. From the earliest period in the histor of this country down to the present day the charge y • of main taining the poor had been which the poor existed. Believingplaced upon the locality in that any charge of that system would have a dangerous effect upon the country, he would meet gative —(Hear.) the motion by a direct ne-• Mr. MACKINNON deprecated the proposition of the Noble Lord, and said if it were fully carried it would place the Noble Lord, who prided himself as being de scended from the Plantagenets, in the position of teirg nothing more than a humble follower of Ledru Rollin and M. Proudhon. The present system of supporting the poor in their respective localities, induced those who were obliged to find the means for that support to keep down the rates, and to limit the number of the poor. If this chuck did not exist, the result would be that this country would be overrun by paupers. Population was only kept down by morality, or by vice and misery. He regretted to be obliged to feel that if it were not for the misery that ex- isted in many parts of this country, the population would be so great that it would be impossible to supply the wants of those who would require support as paupers. He admizt ,, d the disci , parley be ween the e , It roe s i o many tie m• troi;olitali parishes as Fore I. l, refl with those charged in the pariah of Sr. George's, Hanover square. But this could not be helped, and the only way to keep down a pauper populoticli no tp JAM p pot