The Sun. — London, England, 1849-07-17 00:00:00

THE ORDNANCE ESTIMATES The second report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on Army and Ordnance expenditure was issued on Saturday. The minutes of evidence, and the appendix attaehed, will not be issued for six weeks or two months. in consequence of their being very voluminous. Tl;e report itself is of great length, and of a very extraordinary character, but it is far too long to print in our columns. This document concludes with the following recommendations of the Committee:— "In concluding their report upon the Ordnance esti mates, your committee desire to follow the course taken in the former report upon the navy, and to bring dis tinctly under the notice of the House of Commons those principles which will afford the most efficient means of controlling the future expenditure of this department. " The whole amount to he voted in the Ordnance esti mates cannot, however, be brought under a few general principles. " The numbers of the Ordnance corps regulate the charge under the first vote; but do not in any great degree influence the amount required under other votes. " It has been shown that a large portion of the Ord nance expenditure depends upon circumstances over which the Ordnance exercises no direct control. The functions of this department are in many cases strictly executive; it meets the demands made upon it for the services of the army and navy, consequently the esti mates of the Ordnance must be, to a great extent, go verned by decisions in those offices to which are confided the details of our naval and military organization. " For these expenses the Ordnance cannot be held re sponsible, and any reduction of the estimates, as far as regards this portion of their whole amount, can only be effected by the exercise of vigilant economy in other departments, by a more restricted consumption of Ord nance stores, and by a revision of the regulations under which these stores are now supplied and maintained. Your committee have called attention to this increased consumption in their notice of barrack supplies under Vote No. 2; and, again, more particularly in their re marks on the manufacturing departments, under Votes No. 4 and 5. " 'Under Vote No. I.—The Ordnance Military Corps. —Your committee recommend that the system practised in regard to the army should be applied to the Ordnance military corps ; namely, that any change in the strength of this corps should be officially communicated to the Master-General by the Secretary of State, and that the amount of force should be separately brought under the notice of the House of Commons in a distinct vote sub mitted for its approval. " Under Vote No. 2.—Commissariat and Barrack Supplies.—Your committee have noticed the increased chirge to the public arising from the system recently adopted by the Treasury in regard to the troops in Ire land, although this does not appear in the Ordnance estimates, and they have suggested the expediency of reverting to the mode of supplying the troops previously in use. " Tinder Vote No. 3. Ordnance-office.—Your com mittee have not been able to examine into the depart ments which the Commission of 1837 proposed to con solidate. They have stated the causes which have pre vented them from entering upon the consideration of this extensive field of inquiry during the present session. " They have, however, examined into the constitution of the Ordnance-office. They are of opinion that the constitution of the office, the division of the subordi nate departments, and the mode of transacting business, are capable of considerable improvements, and ought to be revised by the Government; but they have abstained from proposing any scheme for the future constitution of the Ordnance, because they be lieve that any improvement in the practical working of the office can only be effected by the Executive Go vernment, and by the co-operation of persons familiar with the details of business now transacted by the Ordnance. • " Your Committee also recommend that the warrant of 182.5 should be revised, and that the control of the Treasury over all salaries and new appointments should be rendered complete. " Vote No. 4.—Ordnance and Barrack Establishments —Your committee recommend that the number of arti ficers and workmen in the manufacturing departments, at Woolwich and elsewhere, should be fixed according to the wants of the service in time of peace, and that no addition should be mado without the written sanction of the Treasury. " Your committee recommend that some of the es tablishments in the smaller colonies in the West Indies and Canada should be dispensed with ; and they are of opinion that in Canada, with the present improved means of communication by steam and railroads, the concentration of stores at a smaller number of stations might be sufficient for the supply of the force to be main tained there. " Vote No. 6.—Ordnance Stores.—Your committee direct the attention of the House to the large sums ex pended for these stores. The value of Ordnance stores at present in the custody of the department (exclusive of barrack stores) amounts to 6,420,000/. Your committee cannot pretend to regulate the quantity of any articles which should be kept in store; but they recommend that the stores should be made to approximate more nearly to the wants of the service in time of peace. The large sums at various times expended for the purchase of stores, which are now obsolete, prove the expediency of maintaining a small stock of the more durable as well as of the perishable articles. The facilities which this country possesses of obtaining a large supply in the event of an emergency, might, in the opinion of your committee, relieve the Ordnance from the necessity of keeping so large a stock ; and the more rapid means of conveyance, both by sea and land, which has enabled mercantile establishments to reduce their stock, might in a similar manner be rendered con ducive to public economy. " Your committee recommend an inquiry into the pre sent system of keeping the store accounts, in reference to which they have received some valuable evidence, a sum mary of which is to be found under Vote No. 3. " The items under Vote No. 6 should be further sub divided; and it is desirable that the amount annually re quired for the purchase of timber, of iron ordnance, and of gunpowder, should be separately stated. Vote No. 7.—Works, Buildings, and Repairs.— Your committee are of opinion that for the future more direct responsibility should be enforced in regard to new works, especially works of defence ; for this purpose they recommend that the written order of the Secretary of State should be obtained before any sum for a new fortification be inserted in the esti- mates. The responsibility of the Treasury is not hereby intended to be removed, but an additional and prelimi nary check introduced. They recommend also that any sum expended on unforeseen services, or urgent works, and of which Parliament has now cognizance, according to present arrangements, should be hereafter stated in the estimates of the ensuing year, and that the sanction of the Treasury should he annexed to this statement. " Under Vote No. 8, the Scientific Vote, your Com• mittee suggest the expediency of accelerating the survey of the large towns, which they are informed would facilitate those measures of improvement required for the health of the inhabitants. " July 12, 1849." ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The following gentlemen having undergone the necessary examinations for the diploma were admitted members of the college at the meeting of the Court of Examiners on the 13th inst.:—Messrs. Henry John Phillips, Kensington; Tho mas Ellis, Balbriggan, county of Dublin; William Frederick Bassett, London; George King, Melksham, Wilts; Sail Assaid, Syria; Charles James Morris, Gloucester-terrace, Hyde-park; George Brown Turner, Horton, Gloucestershire; William Squire, Silsoe, Bed fordshire; George Hodson, Chester; William Har greaves Manifold, Liverpool; George Anthony Kirsopp Lake, Teignmouth, Devon; Charles Henry Sinnock, Eastbourne, Sussex; and Henry William Hughes, Gawchmai, Anglesea. CITY IMPROVEMENTS.—For some days past work men have been busily employed in removing a very large portion of the how es lying between Queen-street, St. Thomas-the-Apostle, and Cloak-lane. These wholesale operations are only preparatory to the formation of a broad and continous thoroughfare extending from Earl street, Bleckfriare to London-bridge. The formation of this line of street will materially relieve Cheapside, Ludgate-hill, and St. Paul's Churchyard from the pre sent inconvenient amount of carriage traffic, without doing any injury to the trade of the locality, and, in addition to this advantage, it will be the means of re moving a great many close streets and thoroughfares which, in their present state, are neither convenient nor healthy. The operations have been commenced from Queen-street with the intention of completing the line to London-bridge before commencing to work from the same point towards Blackfriars. The new street will in tersect Bow-lane and Bennett's-hill, avoiding the parish church of St. Bennett. This course will also prevent its interfering with the parish church of St. Ann, Black friars. It will be necessary to interfere with the grave yard of St. John Zachary and St. John the Baptist, and that, perhaps, is the only serious interference to be made. This alteration may be looked upon as a sanitary improvement quite as much as an improvement of eotn• merce. BATHS AND WASEMOUSES FOR Tili - CITY.—On Saturday night a meeting was held at the house of Mr. Ross, surgeon, in Farringdon -street, for the purpose of taking preliminary steps toward the establishment of baths and washhouses in the heart of the city. The meeting was respectably attended, and the following re solution was passed:—" Resolved, that this meeting is of opinion that the establishment of public baths and washhouses in the city of London would be highly be neficial to the health, and conducive to the comfort and well-being of all classes of the community, but especially of the industrial populetion, and that the institution of such means for the improvement of the habits and social condition of the people is of peculiar and paramount importance in this locality, where the mortality fro m and preventible disease, ari s i ng out of local domesti c pollutions, has obtained a very large excess above th e mean standard of the metropolis; and that it is the bounden duty of the inhabit ants to exert themselves, to use all the influence they po ssess to secure the acC and one plishment of this highly nec essary and benevolent ob: feet." The resolution was passed unanimously, as were also others pledging the gentlemen present to use their utmost exertions with the deputies and Common Council connected with the ward, in order that a meeting of the inhabitants —under the presidency of the Right lion. the Lord Mayor—may be called, without delay, t o ta k e t h e opinion of such meeting with reference to this important sanitary movement. The meeting then adjourned until Thursday evening next. Tnuaso, JULY 10..---HERRING FISHING.--We are happy to state that those pursuing the fishing on this coast, both in large and small boats, had good success last week. It is several years past, we believe, since they were so fortunate here. The consequence has been, that scarce a boat is now to be seen on the river after sunset— all are engaged in the pursuit of herrings.—Ross-shireAd vertirer. The Right lion. Henry Labouchere has returned to town from Osborne, Isle of Wight. LAW INTELLIGENCE HOUSE OF LORDS, July 16. BURNES V. PEN'NELL AND OTHERS. This was an appeal against a decree of the Court of Session in Scotland, by which judgment had been given in two conjoined actions against the appellant. A per son named M'Kenzie, the clerk of the appellant, bad bought sat --. shares in the Forth Marine Assurance Complaff. The concerns of the company had not been prosperous, and a call was made, which M•lienzie was unable to answer. The appellant, at M‘liensie's de sire, saw a Mr. Gilmour, the law agent of the company, and heard from him a statement of the concerns of the company. The appellant returned home and bought M'Kenzie's shares. Heavy losses still continued to occur, and fresh and large calls were made by the direc tors. The appellant set up, in answer to these calls, and also in support of on action to be relieved from his shares, that he had been induced to make the purchases by the representations made to him by Gilmour of the state of the company when he called on that person re specting the money due from M'Keszie. 'The Court of Session had decided against him and hence this appeal. The Attorney-General and Mr. Anderson appeared for the appellant, and Mr. Rolt and Mr. Inglis (of the Scotch bar), for the respondent. The House had taken time to consider the case. Lord CAMPBELL now moved the judgment of the HOll2O, which affirmed that of the Court below, with costs. VICE•CHANCERY COURT, July 16. (Before Sir J. WIGRAIL) BROADEN V. SOUTH•EASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY-THE THE SUN, NORTH RENT LINE. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL and Mr. A. J. LEWIS again mentioned this motion for an injunction, the plaintiff being the contractor for completing about ten miles of the line of railway, and desiring protection against the re moval of his plant, engines, &c., by the company, who, having endeavoured by an offer of 5,000/. for expedition, to induce the plaintiff to complete the work early this month, or, at all events, in time for opening for the visitors to the siege operations at Chatham, and who had not succeeded in so doing, were desirous of completing it themselves, alleging that it could be finished in four days. The plaintiff was not bound by his contract to complete it before November next. On the opening of the case Sir F. Kelly, Mr. Malins, and Mr. J. Bailey app eare d f or th e company, an d o ff ere d certain terms to the plaintiff, for the purpose of obtain ing immediate possession of the railway. The counsel for both parties having entered into a conference, which occupied some time, at length con sented that an order by cons ent should be made to the m fo a ll t o e w ri i a n l g e t e ia company t i undertaking to addition m t a o k e the sw or ffe ° B t u : t T a n h o r n tak th in e g e° to ns c tru om: e lion orders rs of already th e un sannedd theby the plaintiff la nt engineer iff u undertaking i d e plete the double line of rails, fit for public traffic, to th e satisfaction of the Government inspector, at or before midnight on Friday next, the company un dertake, on Saturday next, to pay him 5,0001. for such e xpedition, and to pay within a fortnight the balance of all sums certified by the engineer to be due to the plaintiff in respect of work done ; and that the engineer shall certify what was due to the plaintiff in respect of works done and to be done by him, within one week after the same are completed, and that the company will pay for the same within fourteen days after the same are certified. But if the plaintiff fail in doing this by the above time he is to deliver the line up on Saturday at noon, in whatever state it is, subject to the adjudica tion of his rights under the contract by the court. It was stated that in consequence of the differences between the contractor and the company a large body of 140 constables bad been ordered to be ready for attendance, in the event of any disputes between the workmen of the contractor and those of the com POLL CE INTELLIGENCE. MANSION-HOUSE. William Speck, who was remanded on Saturday by Sir John Pirie, on suspicion of having been concerned inn forging a bill for 981. 125., made payable at Barclay and Co's. banking-house, was brought before Alderman Moon for the purpose of being discharged, no prosecutor having appeared to substantiate the charge. Mr. Wontner appeared for the prisoner, and said that his client was a distant indorser of the bill, which was f ound to have, by some means or other, a fictitious name upon it ; that having learned that fact, the prisoner, who never had any idea of committing fraud, hastened to take up the bill before the dangerous discovery could be made, and thus, in the honest endeavour to prevent the exposure of the offence, became a temporary •ictim. Alderman Moox—Does any one appear against the prisoner? No answer having been returned, the Alder man said, the prisoner is discharged. CLERKENWELL. Frederick William Pentaloe was fully committed for trial, by Mr. Coombe, charged by Mr. Stephen Lancaster Luscina, solicitor, of No. 54, Hatton-garden, with forgery mei extensive embezzlement Mr. IVI3HAIT'S TELEGRAPH.—On Saturday after noon Mr. Wishaw, whose name is well known as the author of various inventions of great practical utility as well as scientific interest, exhibited his system of electric telegraphs in the Music Hall, Store-street. Among the gentlemen present we observed General Sir Charles Pas ley, Count Eyre, Sir James Hogg, Bart., M.P., Colonel Sykes, Major Stone, Major Harris, Captain Farness, G. R. Robinson, Esq., M.P., Charles Cochrane, Esq., Doc tors Paget, Pettigrew, and Major; Messrs. John Taylor, 1.R.5., Ashton Yates, F.R.S., J. Glyn, 1.R.5., Sully, F.R.S., J. E. Grey, F.R.S., Hyde Clarke, Eeq., W. carding, Esq. The exhibition, accom p an i e d as it was by practical illustrations on the principles on which Mr. Wishaw's system of electric telegraph works, excited very great interest. By the present system the wires are dependent on perishable wooden posts, and are liable not only to be injured by mischievous persons, but to be damaged by snow storms and lightning, or railway trains running off the lines. Mr. Wishaw's system en tirely obviates these evils. He places the wires entirely under ground, either in his multitubular pipes if under streets, or in a coating of gutta percha if under railways, turnpike, and public roads, towing paths, or footpaths. For wet tunnels he insulates and protects the wires, so as to prevent the injurious action of alternations of air and water; for it is believed that the gutta percha, if protected from the air, will last an indefinite time. This is done by enclosing the gutta percha in a casting formed by braiding or serving with yarn, properly satu rated with tar, and coated externally with marine glue. The instruments which may be used in this system are those which require only one wire both to give the sig. nals and ring the bell, hence great economy is effected. Mr. Wishaw engages to lay down his system of tele graphs at a rate of little more than a third of the amount charged for laying down the electric telegraph according to the existing system. FRIGHTFUL OCCURRENCE IN WHITECHAPEL.— On Sunday, about eleven o'clock, the house, No. 17, Gul ston-street, Whiteebapel, fell in with a tremendous crash, smashing every portion of furniture to pieces. A person named Brown, who lived on the second floor, on feeling the house shake, sent his wife and child down stairs, and whilst he was attempting to remove some of his furniture the walls parted asunder, and to escape being buried alive he jumped out of the window, when the interior of the next house also fell. As soon as the dust had in some measure cleared away, a pitiable scene presented itself, for on the ground floor, embedded in the rubbish, were to be seen Mrs. Brown and her child, they having been carried along with the first floor when it fell. They were extricated as soon as possible, when it was found that both were severely injured. Another of the lodgers, named Lewis, and her child, were also hurt by the fall ing of the walls upon them. The shock had barely sub sided when it was found that the whole of the other houses on that aide of the street were in an equally dan gerous condition. The occupants were, therefore, ordered to leave immediately, and were not even allowed to re move their furniture. The accident, it is supposed, was occasioned by the existence of a cesspool under some of the houses, the walls of which, in all probability, had given way and weakened the foundations of the houses. Some time back another house, at the extreme end of the present clump, fell down, on which occasion several persons nearly lost their lives. IRONMASTEBS' QUARTERLY MEETINGS.—BIRMING HAM, SATURDAY.—The final quarterly meeting of the ironmasters of South Staffordshire was held at the Hotel, Dudley, this evening. The depression of the trade and the reduction of prices have been already mentioned in previous reports during the present week. The principal houses in the trade—and these constitute the influential portion of the ironmasters' meetings—still maintain the reduced price as agreed upon at Hands worth. It is not to be denied that there are parties not bound by the resolutions of ironmasters' meetings, who sell at lower rates. The article, however, will be found to be of an inferior quality, and not such as pur chased by first-rate merchants for first-rate purposes. An investigation respecting the terms upon which Mr. Thorneycroft, a most extensive and influential iron master, and director of the Birmingham and Shrews bury Railway, has contracted to supply that company with a large quantity of iron has been a general topic of conversation during the late meetings. The charge is made by Mr. Geach, the ex-Mayor of Birmingham, himself engaged in the iron trade, and a shareholder in the company. A committee of investigation bas been sitting for some time, and from what has transpired it is expected that the report will be decidedly in favour of the accused. Ho? INTELLIGENCE. —Th e warm weather of the past week has had a little favourable influence on the hops, though on Tuesday night again the cold was some what detrimental. The hops are in almost as bad a con dition as they can be. 13?rne down by all sorts of ver min, with honey-dew dripping from the branches, a w presented. Fireblast is also appearin g in some prospect rsoeunt is grounds. It is true the " nigger" has arrived to clear off some of the vermin, but we apprehend too late. The midsummer shoots are now putti ng forth—a last effort is baing made, which the next halt-dozen days will determine for success or otherwise. And besides warmer nights, the only thing that would be of service would be a good thunder storm. The burr is com ing . out, but as yet m a k es littl e p rogress . Those despairing of a revival lay the duty as low as 60,0001., and even lower. O t h ers, however, more sanguine, with full reli ance on improvi ng weat h er f or t h e next week, run i t up as high as 90 ,0001. . and 100,0001. G enera l accounts speak of a decided retrogression. In the parishes of Maidstone, Bosley, Allington, Bearsted Otham, Leeds, Linton, Blain , Mailing, Wateringbury, ' East and West Farleigh, Mereworth, Yalding, Chart, Lenhara Offhaw, Headcorn, Brenchley, G ou d hurst, Otford drpington Ulcomb, Bromfield, Ditto n , Sevenoaks, 'Staplehurst' Tunbridge, Cranbrook, the W ea ld for the most part, ' Ticehurst, Worcester, and East Retf or d , the hops are stated to be in a much worse position than they were last week; while in Loose, Aylesford, Mereworth, Hunton, East Peckham, Hawkhurst, Horsemonden, Edenbridge, Wrotham, Ightham, Seal, Farnham, Wad burst, Rye, Mayfield, Battle, and Sussex generally, they are said to be improving, and giving indications 0 a orop. —lrtntish Observer. LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 17, 1849. PRUSSIA The Cologne Gazette gives the following as the conditions of the armistice between Prussia and Den mark. The armistice is to continue to the Ist of January, 1850, but even then it can be renewed for separate terms of six weeks. The Prussian troops are to withdraw behind a line of demar c ati on to b e d rawn ( from Flendsburg to Tondern; the blockade is to cease, and Denmark is to restore the captured German ves sels. A Regency is to be appointed for the Duchy of Schleswig. The present Regency of the two. Duchies will continue its functions for Holstein. The Schleswig Regency is to consist of three mem bers, to be appointed by England, Prussia, and Den mark. Alsen and YEroe are to remain in the hands of the Danes. It is stated that the following points are contained in the preliminaries for the peace :- 1. Holstein and Lauenburg are to continue in their present relations, and to receive a constitution. 2. Schleswig is to have legislative and administra tive independence, and a constitution. The political union between Schleswig and Denmark is to con tinue, but it shall be limited to the identity of the sovereign. The special regulation of the succession is to be left to future negotiations, but in such a manner that, 3. Denmark endeavours before the definitive con. clusion of a peace, to regulate the succession. BADEN. Letters from Freiburg, Stokacb, and Constanz, of the 1 Ith inst., in the South German papers, announce the evacuation by the insurgents of the Badish Lake districts. Their last forces evacuated Constanz on the 1 1 th, and crossed the Swiss frontier under the leadership of Mr. Stephani, who implored the protection of the Swiss soldiers that were drawn up along the frontier. Protection being granted, the insurgents to the number of 1,000 men, with ten pieces of artillery and an equal number of ammunition waggons, proceeded to the Convent of Kreuzlingew, in the Swiss canton of Thurgau, where they deposited their arms. Previous to their leaving Constanz, the leaders had distributed among them part of the contributions which they had wrung from the inhabitants. Each of the private insurgents was presented with five florins (95.), and each of the corporals had six. No mention is made of the share of the officers and leaders. DENMARK AND THE DUCHIES. Fredericia is surrounded to within a league and a half. The left wing is formed by the Saxon and Bavarian ; the centre by the Schleswig-Holsteiners ; the right by Wyneckne's Hanoverian Brigade. The general advance on that fortress will take place on the 11th. HADEESLEBEN, JULY 11.—The Danes have stationed their outposts partly on the main road to Vicle, and partly towards Gudsoe. The avant guard of the combined troops of Schleswig-Holstein and the Empire, have already advanced to meet them, and it was expected that the attack upon Fredericia would be made yesterday. We may, therefore, look daily for a decided result. The loss of the Germans at the recent engagement at Fredericia, which was at first estimated at 2,800 men, is now proved to be 1,794 soldiers, 103 subal terns, and 7 surgeons, of whom, perhaps, a third part may have fallen ; the rest are wounded and taken pri soners. About 1,000 who had been scattered have returned. It is asserted that among the Danes there were several thousand Norwegian and Swedish. FRIESCHARLER.—Letters from the Danes to their friends in Jutland give the loss sustained by the Danish army at above 3,000 men, among whom 800 were killed. About 100 of their officers are said to have been made unfit for service.—Extraordinary Supplement to Hamburgh Borsenhalle, July 11. HADERSLEBEN, JULY 12.—General_Prittwitz has now the command in chief of the whole army opera ting against Fredericia, and which is composed of the Schleswig-Holstein and Imperial troops. General Bonin commands the left wing, the first and several brigades of which are standing in and near Kol ding, and the avant guard of which has ad vanced their outposts to Gudsoe and Erritsoe. The left wing is under the command of that valiant leader Staff-General Von Tarm. The aim and object of the:Danes remains to be proved; so much is certain that yesterday fourteen or fifteen ships of the line, and several steamers, were seen in the direction of Alsen. FLENSBURG, JULY 11.—We have just received the following intelligence from the cantonments behind Aarhuus : " Skeibyr, near Aarhuus, July 7. " Yesterday there was a grand reconnoitre of the troops at Salo Vig ; to-day the different bodies bad returned. The Bavarians have already begun to fall back, and to-morrow the Prussians will also commence a retrograde movement. The Danes are said to have landed in the south, and to have concentrated their entire force between Veile and Kolding, in order to cut off the Imperial troops from the duchies. The Weser Zeitung asserts that the armistice be tween Denmark and Germany is concluded for the term of six months. It does not appear that a treaty of peace, but merely an armistice, with preliminaries of peace, is under negotiation. An unfavourable armistice would, at the worst, be better than an unfavourable peace.—Hamburgh Papers. ITALY. The private correspondent of the Opinione of Turin writes on the sth from Rome as follows : " Yesterday the state of siege was proclaimed, and the Triumvirate and Assembly were dissolved. A strong French force occupies the Capitol. Every night the inhabitants must retire to their homes at nine o'clock. Hostile demonstrations continue. When aFrench man enters a coffee-room, all the Italians withdraw. Several innkeepers, being afraid to lose their native customers, have refused to lodge the invaders. If in the street, a Frenchman applies for information, no reply is returned to him. Such is the situation of Rome. Tho English and American Consuls are our sole pro tectors. They deliver passports to those who demand them, and are always ready to extend their protection to the patriots who claim it. General Oudinot endea voured by fine promises to prevail on Garibaldi to give up the French who fought under his orders, but the brave Italian left the French Cossack all the shame attending ,his proposition, and replied, that in order to arrive at his soldiers he should pass over his body. Thus, as you may perceive, from beginning to end, dig nity and honour were certainly not on the side of the French. At Civita Vecchia, where the flag of the Roman Republic lately floated, the French flag is alone to be seen. A vessel, coming from Ancona, was obliged to strike the papal colours which she had hoisted. " Mazaini quietly remains at Rome, protected by two passports." The Risorgimento of the 11 th inst., contains the following decree : " Victor Emmanuel 11., King of Sardinia, &c., on the proposition of our Minister Secretary of State of In ternal Affairs, decrees the following:— " Art. 1. The state of Siege proclaimed in the city of Genoa shall cease after the 11th inst. " Art. 2. The powers given to our Extraordinary Commisbioners, M. Alfonso della Marmora, by a decree of the Ist of April last, are contirmed to him, as also the power of re-establishing the state of siege, should im perious circumstances render that measure necessary." CRICKET. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WEEK. This DAY. At Lord's—North v. South, (continued). At Blackheath—Paragon v. Streatham. ht Derbv—Burton•on-Trent v. Ilkeston. At the Oval—South London v.•Chatham (continued). At Leicester Leicestershire v. Southwell (conti- nued). At Romford—Romford v. Epping Juniors. At Hatfield Park—Hatfield v. Luton. At City Ground—Single Wicket (Clayden v. Finch). TO-MORROW. At Lord's—North v. South (concluded). At Woolwich—l Zingari v. Royal Artillery. At West Wickham—W. Wickham v. Blackheath (Montpelier). At Banstead—The B. Yeoman v. Islington Alliance. At Birmingham —Birmingham Victoria v. Nuneaton. At Erdington—Erdington v. Birmingham Albion. At Colney Hatch—Eleven Gentlemen of the Hamp stead C. C. against Eleven Gentlemen of Colney Hatch. THURSDAY. At Stoke, near Slough—The Hampstead Club against the Stoke Club. At Petworth—Surrey v. Sussex (return match). At Hull—Eleven of England v. Twenty-two of Hull. At Vincent-square—Marylebone Club and Ground v. Present Westminsters. At Clapham —Clapham v. Dulwich. At City Grouud—Post-office Alliance v. Green Man Club. At Copenhagen Ground—Alliance v. Windsor and Eton. Y. At Petworth—Surrey v. FRIDA Sussex (continued). At Hull—Eleven of England v. Twenty-two of Hull (continued), At the Oval—Surrey Union v. Blackheath (Dart mouth). At - Graresend—Gravesend v. Town Mailing (with illyer). SATURDAY. At Petworth—Surrey v. Sussex (concluded). At Hull—Eleven of England v. Twenty-two of Hull (concluded). At Harrow—M. C. C. and Ground v. Present Harm /101S. THE WEATHER AND CHOPS.—We have had another week of glorious weather. Indeed, the last two days remind us of summers of yore for great warmth. The crops are accordingly making rapid advances. In this neighbourhood the corn is nearly all in oar, and several fields of grass have been cut down. The potatoes are luxuriant, and no taint as yet appeared. The turnips are also in a very forward state, the thinning and hoeing having in many places commenced.—Ross-shire Aduer. Dispatches from the Governors of the North Ameri can Colonies were received yesterday at the Colonial- Ogee, IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT, HOUSE OF LORDS, July 16. Their Lordships met at Ftve o'cick. The Pupil 3 Protectio❑ (Scotland) Bill passed through Committee. The Turnpike Roads (Ireland) Bill was read a second time. Lord STANLEY presented a petition from some place in Lincolnshire against any additional endowment to Roman Catholics. The Duke of RICHMOND presented a petition from landowners in Somersetshire complaining of distress. THE EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN. The NOBLE Duals also gave notice that he should on Monday put a question to the Government with respect to the distribution of medals to those who had served under Sir Ralph Abercromby, in Egypt. He also pre sented a petition, from an old soldier in the 11th Foot, praying that medals might be awarded to those who had served in the Egyptian campaign. Earl GREY thought there must be some mistake in the petition. CORN RETURNS. The Duke of RICHMOND complained of the inac cury of the returns of the corn inspectors, as to the price at which corn was sold. Many farmers did not make returns of the corn which they sold to their labourers and others; and if they made these returns the average price of corn would not appear so high as it appeared at present. The Earl of GRANVILLE thought the attention of the Board of Trade had been directed to the subject. TYNE RIVER CONSERVANCY BILL. Lord BEAITMO NT moved the second reading of this Bill, in order that it might be referred to a Select Com mittee. Lord BROUGHAM denied that it was usual to give a second reading to a Bill of this sort, which transferred the duties of one trust to another trust. It was not usual to transfer the duties of one trust to another trust. The proper remedy for a breach of trust was not a Bill, but a suit. Non-performance of duty on the part of a trustee was a good ground for eompelling him to perform his duty, but not for trans ferring the trust and depriving the trustee of the revenue of the trust. But then it was said that the trust was in debt, and the new commissioners would take upon them selves the debts if they were permitted to receive the revenues. Why, he himself would do the same by his Noble Friend the Marquis of Westminster, and be three or four hundred thousand a year the better for it.--(Renewed laughter.) He had never had any connexion with the Corporation of Newcastle, except having been once counsel against them; he knew none of them but denied that it was a matter of course that every private Bill thould be read a second time, and this was a question of the rights of property, and he was opposed to every measure which could be consi dered an outrage on de rights of property, w h e th er t h ose rights were the rights of a private individual or of a corpo ration. Lord CAMPBELL said that this was not a party measure. The Committee of the House of Commons, consisting of five Liberals and five Conservatives, had reported unanimously in its favour; and, therefore, he thought their Lordships should read it a second time in order to refer it to a Select Committee. He considered that a legislative remedy ought to be applied to the abuse complained of, and that those who com plained of it ought not to be left to the dilatory remedy of a Chancery suit. Lord IN HARNCLIFFE said that the Corporation of Newcastle had exercised these rights fur 100 years, and ho thought a Committee of either House of Parliament was a most improper tribunal to decide how they had performed their duties. He considered that it would be the lesser evil of the two to reject the Bill. The Earl of ST. GERMANS objected to discussing private Bills in the House. He thought this Bill would be much better considered before a Select Committee. This could scarcely be considered as ,inter fering with the rights of private property, inasmuch as the funds administered by the Corporation consisted of tolls to the amount of 26.0001. a year, levied for the improvement of the River Tyne, of which not more than 6,0001. a year was expended in improving the navigation of the river. He supported the second read ing of the Bill. Lord REDESDALE opposed the second reading of the Bill. Earl GREY had been strongly urged to oppose this Bill, but he could not consistently with his sense of jus tice consent to do so. It was clear on the statement of the opponents of this Bill that this was a measure that could only be properly considered in a Select Committee, and therefore be should support the motion for the second reading. The Earl of HARROWBY opposed the motion. The first thing the Committee would have to do would be to try a legal issue. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE supported the second reading of the Bill. From the manner in which the Bill came recommended to the House he did not think their Lordships would be justified in re jecting it. Lord BEAUMONT having replied, the House di vided, when there appeared : For the second reading ... 42 Against it , ... SO Majority .. —l2 The Bill wa s th en read a second time, and referred to a Select Committee. The Sites for Schools Bill was read a third time and passed, and the Commons' amendments to the Turnpike Trusts Bill were agreed to. The Marquis of LANDSDOWNE laid on the table the correspondence between the Poor-law Commis missioners and the Board of Guardians in Ireland for the last six months. POOR RELIEF (IRELAND) BILL. On the motion that the House go into Committee on this Bill, Lord STANLEYsaid that he did not mean to enter into any discussion on this Bill, but at the same time he felt it to be his duty to make a few observations on some omis• sions in the Bill, which should have been introduced to the notice of their Lordships by the Government, and which omissions tended very much to neutralise the good that was included in some of its clauses. He thought it was the duty of the Government, to give all the in formation requisite respecting this measure, and regret ted that he felt bound to say that that information was not given to the Committee. He should also express his astonishment that the rate in aid that had been so strongly disapproved of by their Lordship? Committee should have been introduced in this Bill, and, therefore, hoped that the opinions that then prevailed would be sustained, and that no such clause would be acceded to, as they had already decided that it would be impracti cable and injudicious, particularly as every one of their Lordships, with the exception of two or three belonging to the Government, were opposed to such a clause. It might be said that the Committee could not wait for the re • port, but to that he should say, why should they go on with a measure of which most of their Lordships were ignorant; and why not confine themselves to legislate only on what they knew ? He should next refer to the quarter acre clause, and say that nothing could be more unjust than that persons holding ten acres or more should be allowed out-door relief while they neglected the cultiva tion of those ten acres. This was a question which he considered the Government were called upon to settle, and should therefore oppose the Bill, until he got more satisfactory explanations than had as yet been given; for he felt fully convinced that such a clause would tend to spread pauperism throughout the whole of Ireland. He therefore hoped that the Government would consider the question, and not cause the peeple of that country to emigrate in thousands, as they were doing at present. This rate in aid was most unjust, because it brought on the industrious farmer the onus of supporting others who were negligent of their duty in society, because they resided in a different electoral division. He looked upon such a plan as a premium for idleness and apathy, and as a source of resistance to the just payment of their rates. Such a line of proceeding would involve many of the landlords in Ireland, and he, for his own part, felt its unjust influence already. He hoped that those omissions to which he had alluded would be considered by their Lordships, and that the present Bill would be rejected. This was an obligation, too, which might endure for ever, and he was perfectly confident that Ireland could not bear up against the load of taxa tion which they were enacting. They must diminish this oppressive taxation, or otherwise expect to find the number of insolvent unions greatly increase. He con fessed that in this Bill he felt great disappointment, for let them amend it as they might, and amend it he hoped 'hey would, or let them reject such of its obnoxious pro visions as they chose, and some of them he hoped they would reject, he could not look forward with any degree of hope taat it would ever prove a remedy for that great canker of Ireland, the poor-law, which was eating into the very substance of the people. After a short speech from Lord KINGSTOWN, which was altogether inaudible in the gallery, The Marquis of LA.NSDOWNE rose to answer some of the observations of the Noble Lord opposite (Lord Stanley). He wished to remind the Noble Lord, that whatever his opinion might be, there was only one opi nion in Parliament at the commencement of the session, that a Committee of Inquiry was the proper mode of pro ceeding, as a first step towards legislation on this subject. If the Government had not taken that step the Noble Lord and his political friends would have been the first to blame them for not having taken the opinion of a Com mittee, and of Irish Members acquainted with the work ing of the Irish poor-law, The Government, however, had not incurred this blame, and lost no time in procur ing a Committee to investigate and report upon the sub ject. The Government then took upon itself the respon sibility of adopting some of the recommendations of the Committee, and of rejecting others, and he believed that, in the opinion of a majority of the House, it would be considered that they had acted in the manner which the circumstances of the time suggested, as being the most conducive to the accomplishment of the end in view. With regard to the quarter-acre clause, upon which the Noble Lord had laid so much stress, he felt convinced that the distinction which it made was necessary to be observed, though every one, of course, must regret that its operation in some cases should be attended with hardship to the poor cultivator. The Bill, he appre hended, would not be found upon a fair examination to be open to the charge which the Noble Lord had brought against it, that it contained no provision of a permanently beneficial character, because there were two clauses addressed expressly to the erection of tem porary workhouses until permanent ones could be built. He hoped their Lordships would give these, and all the other provisions of the Bill, a fair consideration, recollecting always that its object was not at once to remove the complication of distress which Ireland now laboured under, but to meet, as well as legislation could, the recommendations of the Committee taken in con nexion with the evidence before them. In conclusion, he would submit to their Lordships the expediency of proceeding at once to a Committee on the Bill, when be would most willingly entertain any proposition which might appear to him calculated to improve the present form of the measure, —(Heir,) The Earl of ROSSE said there was a general belief that the Pour-law Commissioners were favoursoie to a system of out-door rt lief. lie rose to state as much to the House, as the Noble Marquis opposite hsd inti mated, that at a cerLiu period the out-door relief system would be suspended. L REDESDALE considered that the principle now proposed was more and more a departure from the principle and spirit of the English poor law. This Bill proposed the very worst principle, a principle which, with regard to Ireland, but rendered the case more hope less, and involved the country more and more in difficul ties.—(Hear.) He felt that if the Bill were carried as proposed, it would greatly increase the difficulty in relation to the purchase of land, and that with such a Bill it would be utterly impossible to redeem the country from its oppressed condition. Lord MONTEAGLE, in pursuance of the notice which he had given, rose to propose an amendment. With respect to a maximum rate, it must depend upon the uniformity of the valuation. His Noble Friend (Lord Fortescue) had proposed a resolution on that sub ject, and the witnesses whom he had called in to his aid had failed to make out his case; yet he now sought to press the principle on their Lordships' House. He (Lord Monteagie) felt that the law as now propos?d was at va riance with the English poor-law. The maximum which was now proposed was no maximum at all—it was 55., for instance, in one place, 10s. in another, and 2s. 61 in another. How, then, could that be said to be a maxi mum which operated so unequally? On the ground that the maximum, as proposed, was contrary to the English law—that it was delusive, fallacious, and unjust; he called upon their Lordship s t o re j ec t th e proposition, and to do the same justice to Ireland that they would to England. The Noble Lord concltided by moving, as his amendment, the omission of the first clause, establishing a maximum. Earl FORTESCUE admitted, with respect to the re solution referred to by the-Noble Lord, that there were many in Committee opposed to it, and he withdrew it on that ground; but he certainly did not think with the Noble Lord that every member of the Committee was opposed to the clause. The Earl of WICKLOW said that his great objection to the resolution in Committee was, that it appeared to him to be utterly absurd to agree to a resolution where there was no fund to meet its object. He felt, however, that the objection in Committee was to a great extent obviated by the matter having come in the shape of a Bill from the House of Commons. It was said, in sup port of the Bill, that it would greatly facilitate the pur chase of land; but in his opinion, instead of acting as an inducement to purchasers, it would have quite a con trary effect. He, for one, would not become a purchaser of landed property, which he found subject to, and bur dened with rates of almost every description—and on which he found it was now proposed to levy an additional rate of 7s. 6d. in the pound. They had latterly heard much about the city of London coming forward as purchasers of property in the west of Ireland. Now he happened to know something of the property purchased by " ab sentee" companies in the north of Ireland, and he must say, in reference to the benefits alleged to have been conferred on the country by those absentee companies, that he thought that they were greatly exaggerated.— (Hear, hear.) What was the state of the question with regard to the purchaser of land in Ireland? Why, in addition to Crown and quit rents, he would:find that land in that country was subject to tithe charge, that it was subject to a rate of 2a. 6d. in the poundjfor building new workhouses for the poor, that it was subject to a liability for past debts, that it was subject to a rate for emigration, and that it was now proposed to make it subject to the additional tax of 7s. 6d., comprising ss. and 2s. as a maximum rate, and a sixpenny rate as the rate in aid. Why, with such an accumulation of rates, he did not hesitate to say that landed property in Ireland would not be worth five years' purchase—(Hear, hear) — and it was on those grounds that he felt he ought to give his vote against the clause, considering the principle a most vicious one, a circumstance which he regretted, as he was desirous to see the measure rendered a useful one. Lord STRADBROOKE considered the principle pro posed to be unjust, and so long as that principle was maintained on a large area of taxation, so long would Ireland continue to be oppressed. He wished they would endeavour to assimilate the law to that of England, for the more they did that the better he felt it would be for Ireland. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE agreed in the opi nion of the Committee, that a maximum rate would be likely to raise the marketable value of landed property in Ireland, and that it would at the same time, as im posed for a poor-law, be a vicious principle. But, upon the principle on which the maximum was proposed in the Bill now before the House, he felt that he was ca ll e d upon to support it. He hoped that the objections which had been urged against the clause were not of sufficient force to induce their Lordships to oppose it. He had never seen a person connected with Ireland who did not admit that a maximum clause would be of the greatest advantage to those who had land to dispo se o f, an d th a t it would greatly facilitate the transfer of property. He, therefore, considered that portion of the Bill would be of the greatest advantage to Ireland; at all events its introduction could not make matters worse, and he had every reason to believe it would make them better. Earl FITZ WILLIAM said he could conceive certain cases where a maximum rate might be established, but this was not one of them. His Noble Friend who had last addressed the House, spoke as if the present was a measure simply relating to the land of Ireland—(Hear) —a measure for facilitating the transfer ut n v ni by in that country. But it was no such thing. It was a measure to make provision for the poor of Ireland ; and while they might have a maximum as regarded some rates, he did not believe that it was possible, in the circumstances of Ireland, to have a maximum poor rate. He would ask those who contended for such, were the people of Ireland to starve should this ss. or 7s. maximum rate not prove sufficent for their relief?— (Hear, hear.) Should the House of Commons declare that they were prepared to make up such a deficiency from the Exchequer, should such deficiency occur, then he would be prepared to support a maximum rate; but, until he had that declaration, he must give his support to the amendment which had been proposed. Earl ST. GERMANS agreed that the enactment of this maximum rate would have the effect of facilitating the transfer of land in Ireland, and it would operate in that respect most beneficially, by transferring the land from persons who had no capital to those who had.— (Hear, hear.) He did not think it fair to say that the maximum would not suffice for the necessities of the unions in Ireland, for in 1848, when the distress was very severe, they would find that not more than 24 of the unions in Ireland exceeded a 51. rate. While, therefore, it was not with any great satisfaction he voted for the olause, he would do so rather than hazard the passing of the measure. Lord REDESDALE objected to the clause. It was true that after the expiry of twelve months, the two shil ling clause for the raising a rate in aid could be brought into operation, but during the year, should the five shil ling maximum rate be insufficient for the maintenance of the poor, the affairs of the unions must be at a stand-still. At the same time, on referring to the clause itself, it turned out an absurdity, for it authorised the levying of a ss. rate in aid within the year, therefore contradicting the inten tions of those who supported it. Lord %VHARNCLIFFE said, from all the informa tion be had gathered, he had come to the conclusion to oppose the imposition of a maximum rate. He could not conceive how a maximum rate in the circumstances of Ireland could have a real existence. He could under stand establishing a maximum, and expending the over plus funds created by it in carrying out - the objects fur which such maximum was established, but in the pre sent case, while there was no evidence that such maxi mum would suffice, he would not support it unless guarantee was given that the deficiency would be made up from the common treasury. They were told that by fixing a maximum of ss. beyond which no rates could be levied, they would give facility to the sale of land; but while that might be true, they at the same time greatly diminished the value of such property.—(Hear.) He did not think any such step as this would put a stop to the unfortunate state of things which prevailed in Ireland. A taxation, such as that proposed, would nut operate; and, therefore, Government ought to have had recourse to some other system. The great objection to the system he had was, that it was not a temporary arrangement; for if they by such means induced parties to invest their money in land in Ireland, they could not, with a good grace, afterwards turn round and say that they found it necessary to alter the law, and that the tenure on which they entered upon the possession of their properties would be altered also. He would be sa tisfied to allow this clause to be inserted in the Bill, if it were of a temporary nature, but when it was introduced as a permanent measure, he considered that it was the duty of Parliament to oppose it by every possible means, as nothing could be more injurious to the interests of the Irish farmer and the Irish landlord than such a clause. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said, that before their Lordships came to a vote on this clause, he wished to remind their Lordships that he had, in connexion with the Government, fully and maturely considered the necessity of this clause, and that all were perfectly satisfied that there was an urgent necessity of amending the poor-law, and of en grafting on it a maximum rate, beyond which the poor-law could not extend. He was the more desirous that their Lordships should agree to this clause, because it had already met the approbation of the House of Commons, and that because they saw the necessity of such a clause for the present state of Ireland, as both the landlord and the tenant would benefit much by such a clause. He also wished to remind their Lordships that, of the 1,923 electoral divisions in Ireland, there were only 328 where this question was agitated ; and that of the 131 unions there were only 61 in arrears, and that more than one-half of those were liable to only Is. in the pound ; and that the highest rate, in the most distressed unions, did not amount to more than 6s. in the pound, which was less than one. third of the income of the property. He hoped that they would a l so re collect that the majority of the evidence given before the Committee concurred in deciding that this maxi mum rate would tend to improve the interest of Ire land, by causing more capital to be expended in that country. He therefore considered both these clauses essentially requisite for the improvement of that com l . try, and hoped that their Lordships would agree with him. Their Lordships divided upon the question that the clause do stand part of the Bill, when there appe.ared— Contents ••• ••• ••• ... 26 Non-contents ... ••• ••• ... 33 Majority against the clause —9 During the absence of reporters, the Marquis of LANSDOWNE, as we were intormed, announced that he would not trouble their Lordships to divide upon clause 2 (for a 2s. rate in aid). Clauses 1 and 2 were accordingly omitted from the Bill. Clauses from 3 to 15 were then agreed to. On clause 16, Lord D.IONTEACiIiE laid that this and the 170 18th, eid 19th, whieh hiecr,l neon it. we7e the frost ela:lses as luoti6 of ratiog is Ireland, and extliblng as they did a totally opposite principle to that in operation in the English poor law, while their principle was at variance. The summery pow4'which the 8,11 gave to obtain a debt duo by process before the as,ietant barrister, and the course which it proposed of carrying the decision of that functionary before the Judges of the Su perior Courts in Dublin, in order to give to it, by regis tration, the same effect as a judgment debt obtained in those superior courts, was, he considered, most objec tionable. But it was peculiarly oppressive when the debt for which this course was proposed as a remedy was not that of the actual tenant in possession, but of a defaulting and absconded tenant. He considered a case of that sort one of great hardship, great injustice, and great oppression; and he should therefore propose the omis,ion of the clauses altogether. Lord CAMPBELL explained that the Noble Lord was mistaken in supposing that one man was to be made liable under this Bill for the debt of another. Lord STANLEY was at a loss to know how the Noble and Learned Lord could defend those clauses, which exposed a party not owing a debt to have his land taken from him and confiscated for a debt due by another. Earl ST. GERMANS thought there must be some misapprehension about the clauses, which, if they were to have the effect described by his Noble Friend (Lord Monteagle) ought certainly not to be aliowed to remain. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said the question before the Committee was, as to the best mode of re covering those debts for which the landlord was really liable, and he th ,, ught the mode proposed by the mea sure before the House better than that proposed by the Noble Lord. The Earl of LUCAN supported the amendment, and went further even than it did, for he was of opinion that no personal liability should attach to the landlord at all for arrears due by the tenant. Lord BEAUMONT also supported the amendment, as he conceived it unjust to make a landlord pay rates for which he was not primarily liable; and as the law made him so liable, as it at present stood, he thought it should be altered, but in the meantime that the bimplest mode of recovery should be adopted. The Marquis of SALISBURY considered the law at present most stringent and unjust, and that an alter ation should be made. He would support the amend ment. After a few words from the Marquis of LANS DOWNE, the House divided, when there appeared Contents Non-contents Majority ... The clause was consequently lost. On clause 20 being proposed, Lord STANLEY intimated that he had an amend meat to propose in reference to the giving the poor-law guardians power to associate with them a paid officer, instead of the vice•guardian. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE, as was understood, stated that Government would consider the propriety of introducing such a clause. Lord STANLEY said that he would leave this mea• sure, but he would suggest that there should be one paid guardian, instead of having the vice guardian ma nage the business. ... 32 ... -13 The Marquis of LANSDOWNE perfectly concurred with the Noble Lord (Lord Stanley) that every precau tion should be taken against the possibility of abuse, and for that reason he would use every exertion to ar range that matter. The clause was then agreed to. Lord MON fEAGLE said that the next clause was to enable the tenant. even if reduced to a state of pauper ism, to claim compensation for any improvement he might make on his farm. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that he would therefore postpone the report till Monday next. The House then adjourned. HOUSE OF CO - 1 MONS, July 16. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) SMALL DEBTS AMENDAENT ACT. The House went into Committee on the second read ing of this Bill. Mr. CARDWELL hoped that he should succeed in persuadiug his Hon. and Learned Friend the Attorney- General to postpone any further proceedings on this Bill. He objected to some of the changes attempted in it. A party might go and reside at Birmingham and con tract a debt there; as soon as he had ex h aus t e d hi s credit at Birmingham ho might remove to Liverpool. He (Mr. Cardwell) was entirely in favour of the dimi nution of costs in the county courts ; but would the costs of the case he had put be diminished if a man was compelled to follow his debtor to Liverpool? in such a case it appeared to him a defeat of justice would be likely to ensue. He had received several communica tions front gentlemen of the legal profession residing in Liverpool, stating the practical mischiefs which would result from the operation of such a Bill as that before the House. He had also received similar communications from the gentlemen who represent the Tradesmen's Guardian Society in that town. Believing it would be a considerable departure from the wisdom of the common law, and would rather tend to increase than diminish expense, he hoped his Honourable and Learned Friend (the Attorney-General) would not press the clauses in question. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said his sole object was to make the Act more efficient for the recovery of debts: but if he found it was the general opinion of the members of the Cummittee representing mercan tile communities that those clauses had better be omitted, he was ready to abandon them. Mr. MUNTZ could quite corroborate the statement of the Hon. and Learned Member for Liverpool as to the objections to this Bill among mercantile gentlemen. He had received a great number of communications on the subject, not from gentlemen of the legal profession, but from tradesmen, to all of whom it was objectionable. Ho therefore hoped the Hon. and Learned Attorney- General would withdraw the objectionable clauses. Mr. BROTHER TON was very glad to find the Attorney-General was disposed to withdraw the objec tionable clauses. In Manchester (so we understood) an Act was obtained for a Small Debts Court, at an ex pense of twelve hundred pounds, which expense had not since been defrayed. That court had been of great utility; its jurisdiction extended to about 100 townships, including a population of not less than 1,000,000. A preference was often given to the court in question over the county court. Within the last two years 3,700 cases had been entered in it, and more than 2,000 of them were for sums under 101. . Lord DUDLEY STUART said the clause as it stood did not abolish the court referred to by the Honourable Member for Salford; but if such courts would improve their practice they would still retain plenty of business. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said it seemed to be the feeling of the Committee that he should withdraw the first five clauses, and he would do so. He would then begin at the sixth clause. The Learned Gen tleman then went on to explain that debtors were now committed to the House of Correction, and had their hair cut, and were treated as misdemeanants, of which, as a matter of course, much complaint was made, for parties who moved in a respectable sphere of life were treated contrary to the Si irit in which the Act was passe e He had introduced a clause into this Bill by which those persons would be treated as debtors, and that where the gaols were too crowded and at too great a distance that provision should be made for their nearer reception. Mr. B. COCHRANE wished that what was specifiea as " contempt of court" in the 7th clause were clearly set forth, as the clause said that a person might be com mitted for contempt of court it he used abusive language to a bailiff going to or from the court. Now, who was to decide what was contempt of court in such a case?— (Hear.) Again, if a poor man could not pay, was he to be committed for contempt? The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the contempt, consisted of insulting a judge, ajuror, or ;bailiff, and fur non-payment. The 113th section, which made contempt committable to the House of Correction, was repealed in this Bill, and altered to the debtors' prison, Mr. MULLINGS suggested that other places than the county debtors' gaol should be provided for the recep tion of persons committed under the County Courts Act. For instance, the county gaol of Gloucestershire might be fifty miles from the spot where a man was committed. Now there were four houses of correction in the county. Could not some_ arrangement be made, by which parties might be placed in those gaols anti treated as debtors? Clauses 6 and 7 were then agreed to. On clause 8 being proposed, Mr. W. PATTEN drew attention to the fact, that it. had been held that a sheriff's writ ran in preference to one of the County Court, and that it had been decideo that the claim of a landlord should be prior to that of any other creditor. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said a difference of opinion prevailed upon the point among the judges, and that it was just one of those matters that should be con sidered by the judges appointed by the Lord Chan cellor. After some observations from Mr. W. PATTEN and Mr. MULLINGS, the clause was agreed to. On clause 9 being proposed, the M followingnotice, clause:—" And where as i t is expedient to extend the provisions of the said Act of the tenth year of the reign of her Majesty to all debts, damages, and demands not exceeding fifty pounds. Be it therefore enacted, that the jurisdiction of the several courts holden or to be holden under the said Act of the tenth year of the reign of her Majesty, shall ex , tend to the recovery of any debt, damage, or demand not exceeding the sum of fifty pounds, with and subject to the several powers and provisions of the said Act, ex cept so far as the same are hereafter altered or repealed." He could not see on what grounds the Attorney-General could oppose this proposition ; and with respect to the 50/. clause, if it was thought not advisable, he had no objection to its not being compulsory. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said, although he coincided in what had been said by the Hon. and Gal lant Gentleman as to the utility of these courts, he did not think it would be prudent at present to extend the jurisdiction from 201. to 501. Before such a change could be made in the law some power of review must be established. Mr. W. PATTEN regretted to hear that it was the intention of the Hon. and Learned Attorney-General to oppose the clause. It would be of great service to the manufacturing districts, t;nd he thought the alteration might be agreed to after some slight modification. Captain PECHELL should undoubtedly support the proposal ; but he was not surprised at the Learned Attorney- General opposing it, as in 1835 he rt slated a simil a r suggestion to ext, nd the jurisdiction from 201. to 501. The great opponents to proposals of this nature were the lawyers, who were afraid of busines being taken out of Westminster Hall, and disposed of iu the country, and until that selfish feelit,g were got rid of, the public would not reap the full advantage of these courts. Sir GEORGE GREY quite admitted that these courts had acted most efficiently, gild he was not at all pre• 'o qp7 c r 7 1- 4 !• , -r u):! ~! ;• t ho'v . ever, he em.thf net can ant to this proposal. Mr. SPOONER suggest= d that the county courts should have jurisdiction in ticions for 50/, where both parties were disposed to consent to it. He was how ever, opp;:eil to the moti on . , Mr. MULLINGS was in favour of extending their jurisdiction to large r amounts, and should support the motion before the House. After a few words from Mr. Ellis, Mr. Brotherton, and Mr. Charles Lushington, Lord DUDLEY S WART said as the county courts had worked well, he was glad to see that the general opinion of the House was in favour of extending their jurisdiction. If the clause of the lion. Member for Lowell was carried, he was sure that it would give great Baas' faction. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said, as there was pe appeal from these courts, he thought it would be unwise, to extend their ju r i s di ct i on. I t they did they wou l d have to reconstitute the whole of them, and he therefore should recommend the House not to consent to the me' Lion of the Hon. Member. Captain PECHELL said his opinion had been much lortified by the information given by the Hon. Member' for Salford. that the court there worked well. Mr. FITZROY had heard nothing which could change his opinion as to the expediency of the extension to 501. After a few words from Mr. EVANS, Mr. SPOONER rose to ask whether the words pro posed by the Hon. Member for Lewes were necessary ? The ATTORNEY- GENERAL said they were not. Sir J. GRAHAM said that the question of the extol' sion of jurisdiction was one of such importance that be thought it should not be incidentally raised upon a point which did not involve it. He should advise that the Hon. Member should withdraw his clause. The House then divided, when there appear e d — For the clause .. ..• ... 34 Against it ... ••• ... 62 Majority against the clause . . The remaining clauses of the Bill were agreed to with' out discussion. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY said, with reference to the compensation clause, he begged to ask the Attorney` General upon what principle the compensation was to be made. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he took the principle simply of four years' purchase; and the cony' pensation would be awarded by the Lords of the Treasury. Lord DUDLEY STUART objected strongly to the Treasury having anything to do with the m atter of compensation. In the four years preceding the passing of the 7 and 8 Victoria, in 1844, the aggregate amount of the fees w as greater by 10,0001. than in the four previous years; and yet the Treasury awarded upwards of 7,0001. to the officer,. He could not Oa . ceive a more shameful way of dealing with the pubis; money. He thought the compensation, if any, s hoal be awarded by the House, and not by the Treasury. The CHAIRMAN then reported progress, and 0 13. tained leave to sit again to-morrow. Mr. C. LEWIS moved the second reading of the Stook' in-Trade Bill, which was agreed to, the discussion to be taken upon it to-morrow. The third reading of the Inland Ports (Colonies) Bil l was postponed till to-morrow at twelve. The Commons Inclosure (No. 2) Bill was read a third time and passed. The County Rates, &c., Bill was read a third time and passed. The adjourned debate on the Palace Court (Welt' minster) Bill was postponed till to morrow. The House then adjourned,till five o'clock. The SPEAKER resumed the Chair at Five o'clock. Mr. AGLION BY b roug h t up t h e report on the Delia; Improvement. Bill. SCHOLEFIELD presented a petition fro; Sydney, pra)iog for an extension of the elective frarl" chise in that colony. Mr. SPOONER presented a petition from Eirrairr ham against the Bill for the prevention of intermentsi is towns. Mr. AGLIONBY presented a petition from the Ne ll ' Zealand Company in favour of steam communicatio rs between New Zealand and England. Mr. DISRAELI present , - d a petition from Windsofr praying for protection to agriculture. NATIONAL EDUCATION. Mr. MILES had i n t en d e d to ca ll the attention of t he House to the question of national educatiotT. but he regretted to say that , he had life yet had an o pp ortun i ty of doing so. In til.,„ event, therefore, o f hi s not b eing able to do so the close of the session, he begged to give notice 0 ,7 early next sessi on h e s h ould call the attention of wr House to the re str i ct i ons i mposed upon the founders Church Schools by the Committee of Council on Ecit les° tion. PLURALITY BENEFICES. Mr. FREWEN askt.cl the Right Hon. Baronet ,° 13 ,1 Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he,lit examined a return moved for by Mr. Hume, cr,. nr , clergymen holding two or more benefices and pre; g : mews in the Church, and appointed since the pas e '". of the Act called " The Pluralities Act ;" was aware that by this return five hundred and e l g, t h nine clergymen bad been appointed to benefi ces plurality since the passing of this Act about eleven J. - a - g a s,' ago, it having become law on the 14th of August, Lusli, whether being an average of fifty-three and a half in eV' year; whether he app rove d o f so many clergyine!. monopolizing Church prop er ty t o themselves, and if was the wish of h er M a j esty ' s Government that fifti i clergymen should b e a p po i nted i n each year to benefice°, in plurality; also, it he was aware that some of the ben t " : flees included in the above return are stated to be of value and smaller population than they are stated to' in the clergy list? Sir GEORGE GREY had been unable to give °n i l, attention to the return, but h e h a d no doubt the r e s ult stated by the Honourable Gentl eman were correct. ot regard to the latter portion of the question, be was 11 ,7 n, in possession of sufficient information t o enable him'- speak on the subject. PUBLIC RECORDS. ' Mr. HENRY DRUMMO ND wished to know from th e ; • Right Hon. Baronet when the long -promised and I ° y in e; expected report in re f erence to the state of the pui , " records was likely to he laid on the table? Sir GEORGE GREY had communicated with th e Master of the Rolls ora the subject, and he was hopPYla say Lord Lan g d a l e h oped and believed the report vv -0 "" be ready in the course of the present session. AUSTRALIAN COLONIES BILL. Mr. ADDERLY wished to know from the N °17 , 18 Lord at tho h ea d o f t h e Government, whether be ~ tended that the Bill for framing a new constitution " , rho five A ustra li an colonies should be read second time on Thursday morning, after tba Irish Judgments Bill had been disposed of. The Noble Lord was aware th at t h e H ouse was appointe d meet at 12 o'clock on Thu rs d ay f or t h e purpose, an d n° tad reason to believe that it the discussion on the Jecig' ments Ireland Bill ca me on at t h at h our i t would exten d considerably beyond two o'clock. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said it was not intended to rake the Judgments Ireland Bill before the Australia n Colenies Mr. DIVETT thought it was extremely desirable that the opinion of the colonies should be taken before eel legislation took Alice on the subject. CHOLERA AT BRISTOL. Mr. 11. BERKELEY wished to ask a question consequence of the epidemic which was now raging the country. In the city of Bristol the cholera I l broken o u t, t h e place first attacked bei ng a very unheallui e end unwholesume situation, end being in the immedlel: 'Vicinity of an over l a d en and pestilential graveYer d Where bodies had not been properly interred. No lrea than twenty deaths took place immediately on Ol! appearance o f t h e c h olera in this neighbourhoo d The qu es ti on , t h ere f ore, which he wished to ask, as it was impossible to bring in a Bill this session to pre/ell" intramural interments, was, whether her Majeet)'s G 0: vernment did not feel it necessary, under the p re valeneu of this e pid em i c , t o i ntro d uce a short Bill as a tern' porary measur e f or t h e purpose of investing tl!, local authorities with p o w er to prohibit interments 11 churchyards in cases where they were considere d dangerous to the public health. Sir G. GREY said he had received no representatio n of the cases which the Hon. Member had hutted had occurred at Bristol, but if what he stated were correc t ' that the bodies were not properly interred, but were posed, he apprehended that the conduct of the authoritie s connected with the churchyard was illeg (al.— Hear./ With reference to the other part of the question, he would call the attention of the Hon. Ge e ; cleman t o th e prov i s i ons of the existing law. The 11 and lm Vic., cap. 63, sec. 82, passed last session, gave power to the General B oar d o f H ealth to prohibit burials in a c hurch' yard when it was represented by the local board that it was dangerous to the public health. There was also another provision giving power to the authorities to pr°; ~ ide an o ther churchyard f or t h e accommodation burials where re cessary. Mr. H. BERKELEY observed that what he ba d stated had occurred not only at Bristol, but in o'er/ large town in the kingdom. ORANGEMEN IN IRELAND. Lord CASTLEREAGH rose to ask the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Home Department whether ho had received any official information of a fatal don having taken place between a party of Ribbonmen and a party of Orangemen, near Castle Wendt), in Ire . land, and also whether it was the intention of Govern' went to bring in any Bill to put an end to such things? Sir GEORGE GREY said he was sorry to sa y that he had received intelligence of such a collision from th e superintending magistrate of that district. The e xtent of the number of killed was, he was informed , live, of whom four were Ribbonmen and one an Orangeman. The Noble Lord was quite correct id stating that the Act under which party processions in Ireland were prohibited had lately expired. But the Government had Loped that the decrease of party feeling in Ireland vet old have been sufficient to prevent a recur rence of such scenes. Lord CASTLEREAGH reminded the Right Hon• Baronet that he had not answered the last part o f big question. Sir G. GREY said that it would be necessary to have a full report of all the circumstances of the affair before they could determine in what manner to legislate. INDIAN MEDALS. Mr. FIUME rose to make an inquiry with respect to the Indian medals. Some time ago he had made a roe" tion for the production of rules and regulations in force with respect to tb: , distribution or these, and be wished lo know if the Government would lay on the table all core sponth-nce wizh the Court of Directors on thl ° subject. Sir JOHN HOBHOUSE said that the repulation with respect to these medals was that no medal could be given to any suluier or officer for any action but for those in which some gent ral officer or coaanander - in" chief had served and obtained a medal. In a Lor l egart Afton I t OW, Mr. Estate w i ,heth vorm, Mr, tender L3l with i With i Col tak e Ite tn i night Loi moor on there' Sir rnotio Bons case ( Mr of the to bri IuPP( on Cotat