The Sun. — London, England, 1861-04-24 00:00:00

MPE RIAL PA RLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS-YESTERDAY. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at five o'clock. THE MARRIAGE LAW. The Earl of IsIALMESBITRY presented a petition from Bournmouth praying that no alteration in the law to legalise marriage with a deceased wife's sister would be assented to. The noble lord said great interest had been excited on this question, but he trusted the division that had taken place the other evening in the House of Com mons would be taken as an expression of feeling on the sub ject, and render it unnecessary to take further steps in the matter. THE lONIAN ISLANDS. The Marquis of NORMANBY moved for copies of recent despatches from the lonian Islands. The noble lord took the opportunity of correcting some mistake that had arisen in the lonian Islands respecting the observations he had addressed to their lordships on a former occasion. The Duke of NEWCASTLE said the papers would be laid before their lordships very shortly, as they had already been moved for in the House of Commons. THE 1 VALIAN PARLIAMENT. The Marquis of NORMANBY said on a future day he should ask the noble lord the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if there would be any objection on the part of the Government to produce any despatches that might have passed between the noble lord at the head of the Foreign-office and Sir J. Hudson as to the constitution of the present Italian Parliament, and the number of elec tors qualified to vote, and those that actually did vote is the last election. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Great W esters Railway (capital), the Shrewsbury and Welchpool Railway, the Wallesey Improvement, th e Bradford, Wakefield, and Leeds Railway, the Gains borough Bridge to East Retford, ix., and the Preston Markets Bills were read a second time. MARRIAGE LAW AMENDMENT BILL. The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the second reading of this bill, which was one to amend the law of marriage between Protestants and Roman Catholics. The noble and learned lord proceeded to notice the anomalies that existed under the present state of the law. Owing to the present state of the law th e e most monstrous cruelties were perpetrated, the seducer often availed himself of them to secure the possession of a woman, because he well knew that if it could be shown that he was a Protestant twelve months before his marriage was celebrated with a Roman Catholic, it was null and void. By the present bill certain restrictions were laid down, but they were only such as would act for the protection of ' the Protes tant as well as the Roman Catholic, and if the bill passed the marriage tetween a Roman Catholic and a Protestant by a Roman Catholic priest would become valid, provided the notice ordered to be given by the bill was properly given. _ _ Lord MONTEAGLI approved of the bill. The Earl of DERBX thought some of the clauses re quired amendment. - Earl St. GERMANS said the state of the marriage law in Ireland was such that amendment was most urgently required, and he hoped the present bill would meet with the approval of Parliament. The Marquis of CLANRICA/tDE highly approved of the bill, as it would put an end to an evil that had too long existed. The bill was then read a second time. Their lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—YESTERDAY. The SPEAKER took the chair at 4 o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. _ The Neath Water Bill was read a third time, and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway (Wigan to Clifton, &c.) Bill was considered and ordered for third reading. The Holyhead Road Bill was read a second time. THAMES EMBANKMENT BILL. On the motion for the second reading of this bill, Lord J. MANNERS said that at the present stage of the bill he would not offer it any opposition, but if the report of the commission now sitting en the bill were not in accordance with its provisions, he would feel bound to oppose the measure. Mr. COWPER said that he objected to the bill on prin ciple, as it allowed the railway company to take possession of what he believed would be a:great thoroughfare. That company also proposed to obtain a large grant of public money to enable them to carry out their purpose. He did not wish to attack the ob ject of the company, but he thonght, as there was a commission sitting on this subject, that the bill should not be read a second time at present. However, he would consent to its being brought forward again, and moved the postponement of the second reading for a fort night. Mr. MURRAY, who had charge of the bill, said he had no objection to the postponement proposed. Mr. WILLIAMS objected to the bill, on the ground that such measures should not be brought forward as pri -rate, but as public bills. The amendment was then agreed to, and the second read ing was postponed for a fortnight. PETITIONS. Several petitions were presented in favour of the Non- Conformists' Burial Bill, and against the appointment of Roman Catholic chaplains in workhouses. THE RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE AND THE lONIAN ISLANDS. Mr. MAGUIRE gave notice that on that day fortnight he would move for a return of all papers relative to the appointment of Mr. W. E. Gladstone as Commissioner Extraordinary to the lonian Islands. CATTLE SHOW. Sir J. PAXTON asked the First Commissioner of Works, if there were any truth in the report, that the Royal Agricultural Society are about to hold a Cattle Show in Hyde-park ; and if so to explain the reason why the Goa vernment have consented thereto. Mr. COWPER said it was intended to hold the Cattle Show, but the exact site where it was to take place was not decided on. ROAD ACROSS HYDE-PARK. Earl GROSVENOR asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he had any plan for making a road across Hyde -park to connect Paddington with Brompton; and, if so, whether there was any intention of carrying it out ?, Mr. COWPER said he was aware of the great advan tage that would result from the communication in question, but he was sure his noble friend (Earl Grosvenor) would agree with him that it would be unadvisable to introduce . - any traffic that would interfere with the purpose of the recreation for which the parks were established. A bill had been introduced by the Metropolitan Railway Company for the object of having an underground communication through Hyde Park, which he considered would have been very de sirable, but this bill was not proceeded with, and he re peated that it would be unadvisable to interfere with the recreation of the people in the public parks. (Hear, hear.) PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Mr. G. DUFF asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it was the intention of the Govern ment to grant an inquiry into the state, discipline, studies, and revenues of the schools, commonly called public schools, as well as of those endowed schools in which the Latin and Greek languages are taught ; and whether he would object to state generally what steps the Government meant to take in the matter? Sir G. C. LEWIS said that Parliament had already re cognised a difference between places of education which enjoyed the benefit of foundations and those private schools which were unendowed. Accordingly there had been in quiries into the condition of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and other foundations which were placed under the control of the Charity Commissioners. With reference to the schools to which the hon. member (Mr Duff) alluded, the Government considered that they should be brought under the inspection of the State: Some difference of opinion, however, existed as to the manner in which such inquiry should be conducted, whether byßoyal commission or otherwise. He thought it desirable, as a preliminary, to communicate with the principals of these establishments, which would render the proceedings more amicable in their character. Sir W. HEATHCOTE inquired whether, after whal had already taken place in respect to Government inquiries, Winehebter College would not be exempted from the pro posed investigation? Sir G. C. LEWIS said that the preliminary object of the communication to which he had referred was to ascertain whht educational establishments might properly be ex empted from such inquiry. STATUE OF SIR HENRY HAVELOCK IN TRAFALGAR -SQUARE. In reply to Mr. C. BENTINCK, Mr. CONFER said that he was happy to inform the lion. member that the consent of the First Commissioner of Works had been obtai ne d i n 1857. H e (M r. C owper ) o b lotted to the extreme height of the pedestal, which Lloted the statue in a position in which it could not be seen, 4 as diminishing in appearance the National Gallery, which was already too low. INDIAN FAMINE. India whet Mr. 11 ' B AILLIE asked the Secretary of St a t e f or h er Governmenty prious steps had been taken by the at lanndia with a view to meeting the distress arising Sir C. from the ex pected famine ? WOOD i m more than a general.ud• that he was not in a position to give of the Indian Gover ans entwer to the qU es ti on . Th e atteLtion nm had been drawn to this subject, h a nd they had take n steps to rael but he cou ld not give the hen member . the ancalaty in India, mi recise informa tion as to the mode which the-IndianGovernment had adopted. T lit BALIco: Mr. 11. BERK EL EY moved • ' P u rsilaut to • • leave to bring in a bill for the protect' his notice, for would a rs to serve Parliam ent them Great Britain and Ireland, in voti ng for l° ra n of electors, i n I in Parliament'. The elections in whichk e protected were those of the members of were to make laws for the protection of life and property, who and to hold the purse-strings of the nation in their hands. The voters could not, under existing circumstances, f r i , l % d el s ; exercise their right in those elections, until they 0bt41,...f„ law which would enable them to do it privily. The bill he r asked leave to introduce was one to prevent the intimidation of electors, and one that would also tend to check the prac tices of bribery and treating, while it would place the strongest impediment in the way of the false personation of voters. Now he could see no validity in the argument which he had heard, that there was some mysterious influence in the year 1861 which should prevent any member of that house from bringing forward a question of electoral reform. He saw that extensive reforms of many other kinds were urged forward in this very year. There were large mea sures of legal reform going on ; there were hen. and gallant members contending for a reform of military affairs ; the Admiralty was now crumbling under the attacks of those reformers, who combined so much knowledge with so much ignorance ; and the civil service, and the diplomatic service, had their turn ; why then should electoral reform be tabooed this year ? He could only suppose it might be convenient to some hon. gentlemen and noble lords, as well as to the Government, to let the subject lie by. The noble lord, a leading member of the Government, in 1860 brought in a reform bill, on the ground that because the country was I quiet, and because there were not 100,000 men at Birming ham threatening a march on London, it was a good time to settle the question. But this year it was alleged by the noble lord, as his reason for not bringing in a reform bill, that there was no excitement or agitation in the country to demand it ; the noble lord said this year, " I have a shop full of reform at the service of the country, but it seems the country does not want reform, or it would be knock ing at my doors and breaking my windows to get it." He ' knew perfectly well that in the present temper of the house it was perfectly useless to hope for the success of his motion, but he did not believe it useless to bring it forward with re gard to the question of reform and the feeling of the coun try. Yet the fact could not be denied that 160 constitu encies of the country asked for the protection of the ballot, and that of those constituencies there were 38 numbering more than 10,000 electors. Amongst the constituencies which he had enumerated was London; and it was remark able that of all the members of the metropolitan boroughs the noble lord was the only one who refused to give the pro tection of the ballot to the electors. (Hear, hear.) If it were not for the noble lord's high talents, if it were not that the country felt it owed him a debt of gratitude for giving it the largest measure of reform it ever got, if it were not that the people had confidence in his management of foreign affairs he ivould not hold his place as a member of the Government. The question of the ballot had been so often and so completely sifted, the attempts to answer the arguments in its favour had been so futile and so beside the question, that he should not on the present occasion enter into the theory of secret voting. Yet he knew how dan gerous it was for him to take that course, because if he left any part of the subject unguarded, he was aware that ad vantage would be taken of that circumstance ; various dodges would be resorted to for some kind of answer, and it would be said he had given up this or that part of the ques • tion. There was before them that expert wrestler the noble lord the member for Tiverton, fresh from his triumph at Tiverton,and from dragging the unhappy Rowcliffe at the wheels of his chariot—(laughter)—and if he left any part of the subject unguarded he knew that he would find himself straightforward on his back, with the Parliamentary knees of the noble lord well into thepit of his stomach. (Laughter.) If the noble lords opposite applied themselves seriously to the question and attempted to put down intimidation and bri bery he might pause in his endeavour, but nothing of the sort had been done. There was, indeed, the Corrupt Prac tices Prevention Act, but that measure was turned into con tempt by every pettyfogging attorney in the country, That same measure was submitted last year to another committee, under the particular care of the late member for Marylebone. He thought he might have been appointed a member of that committee, but he made no complaint on that head. That committee carried on some flirtation with the ballot, and he would read to the house the questions which had been put and the answers which the witnesses had given to those questions. The hon. gentleman then quoted the evidence of Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Sergeant Pigott, Mr. Phinn, Mr. Rose, Mr. Childers, M.P., who said that " the ballot had given undoubted and universal satisfaction in Australia," and Capt. Clarke, who corroborated the opinion of Mr. Childers. Mr.Wyld, the Conservative agent at Norwich, said that he was not an advocate of the ballot, but he was an advocate for a secret system of voting. The hon. gentleman also quoted the evidence of the late Mr. Coppock, who said that if the ballot existed his vocation would be gone. After the evidence which was given before that committee he did not know why a recommendation of the ballot did not form part of the report of that committee. He should now read to the house an historical and analytical account of the elections for Cirencester since 1848, which was vouched for by Mr. Wakefield and Mr. Cooke, of Cirencester. The in fluence of Earl Bathurst was supposed to be paramount in that borough. In 1848 the Hon. C. Ponsonby, the present Lord de Manley, stood for the borough on liberal principles; but he was defeated, and nothing followed. In 1852 the Hon. A. Ponsonby stood on Liberal principles, and was successful, having beaten Earl Bathurst's nominee, upon which notices to quit followed. In 1857 the liberals were beaten, and there was no result ; but in 1852 the Tories were beaten, andmore notices to quit f o ll owe d t h at e l ect i on. Persons who had been 30 and 40 years tenants to Earl Bathurst, but who voted for the Liberal candidate, were served with notices to quit. The hon. gentleman read ex tracts giving the names of various voters who had received notices to quit their holdings because they would not vote for the candidates supported by their landlords. All the house could do, he said, was, that as they could not get at the exact evidence in those cases, they must look at the circumstantial evidence. Now, he would turn to intimi dation in the Principality of Wales. A letter had been addressed by the Rev. M. Jones, of Bala, Merioneth shire, to the secretary of the Ballot Society, stating that the people of Merionethshire had been made to feel the necessity of secret voting. After a passing allusion to the conduct of the late Mr. Pryce, in turning tenants out of their farms because they would not vote in accord ance with the wishes of their landlords, the hon. gentleman said he now came to an accusation which had been made against an hon. baronet, a member of that house, whom he knew to be as honourable and amiable a man as any in the house—Sir W. Wynn —to the effect that he had raised the rents of eleven of his tenants who had voted against the candidate of his choice. He would next come to Pembroke shire, where the candidates were Sir John 0 wen and Col. Owen. The former gentleman was returned ; but when the poll was declared at Haverfordwest, Colonel Owen, in the course of his speech, said, " He would say a few words to the landlords, and there were a good many present, who had used their influence very unfairly against him. Men were driven to the poll like sheep, and it was notorious that many of them, after coming out of the polling booth, were heard to say they were sorry they had been obliged to vote against him. He had not yet said one word for or against the ballot, but it is you who will bring it on." In stead of looking upon the volunteer movement as adverse to the cause of the ballot, he advocated that movement in the strongest manner. When the Great Exhibition took place, and when all the world was trembling for fear that something should happen through the multitudes of people who flocked to it, he said, " Observe the order, the loyalty, the steadiness of the English people," and as a test of that he observed the conduct of those who came t..) the palace on the shilling days and those who came on the five shilling days. He remarked it as an extraordinary thing that those who came to the palace on the five shilling days bestowed all their attention on works of fashion, while the working classes, on the shilling days, confined all their attention to works of science. (Hear, hear.) So with regard to the vo lunteers—those men were ready to meet death if necessary,• and they laid a heavy tax on themselves—for it was a heavy tax—for the service of the country. (Hear.) Could not the house, if it trusted those men with the rifle, trust them also with a vote ? And yet that was exactly the class of men from whom they took away thevote—the shopocracy of the coun try, who were more under the power of their customers than any other class, except the agricultural class, who were go much under the power of their landlords. He appealed then to the house in their behalf ; but he knew he might just as well appeal to the floor of the house; and in conclusion— (ironical cheers from the Opposition)—he should ask the house to allow him to bring in this bill. It was a bill which was not understood—(a laugh)—and the house would take special care that they would not understand it. They would not let it be read a first time, they would not have it printed, and although it was supported by so many large constituencies, the house did not extend to it the courtesy which they showed to bills of not half its importance. (Hear, hear.) His honourable and learned friend the member for Cambridge University (Mr. Walpole), the right hon. baronet the member for Morpeth (Sir G. Grey), and Mr. S. Wortley, who had been a member of that house, did not understand it. What did those gentlemen believe ? They believed that the Ballot Bill meant nothing but that there should be a box with red and black balls, which each elector dropped into the box and then the election was finished. Could anything be more ridiculous than that? and if hon. and distinguished men such as he had named fell into such errors, why, he asked, would not the house read this bill ? (Hear, hear.) He knew that a very inti mate communication existed between the Treasury bench and Printing -house-square ; and that certain hon. gentle men, who would scorn to give protection to the voter at the polling-booth, did not hesitate to take the responsibility of defending a political right. If there was such on the Treasury bench it reflected no credit on that bench, for it was not honest for a member to hear a speech, and then, instead of opposing it, to sneak away into a hack place and write an article against it. (Hear, hear.) If there were any such on the Treasury bench he thought the Govern • ment ought to get rid of them, for they were no credit to them. (A laugh.) He would now leave this question in the hand's of the house, asking them to do justice to the electors, though he knew he might as well appeal to the Pope as to that house on this question. (Laughter.) The hon. geu Ceti:lan concluded by moving the first reading of this bill. Sir C. DOUGLAS seconded the motion. It was 19 or 20 years since he gave a vote in that house against the ballot, and something like 10 years since ho gave a vote in favour of it. (Hear, and a laugh.) He had changed his opinion, because his reason convinced him that he ought to change it. (Hear.) It appeared to him that every man had a right to the franchise as a trust which he could not sell, because he could not allow any other man to act upon it. But be it a right, or be it a trust, he thou g ht a ll men on both s id es of the h ouse were agreed that it was an immoral act to sell it or to attempt to influence it, (Hear, hear.) lie did not mean in the least degree to insinuate anything against any hon. gentleman in naming him in connection with some of the places where undue influence prevailed. In Dod's book on " Electoral Facts," under the head of " Influence," he found that at Bridgenorth it was possessed by the Whit more family, a member of which had sat in that house since the time of James. I. The influence at Calne had be longed to the Marquis of Lansdowne since the year 1762, and that at Huntingdon had been in the family of the Mon tagues since the Restoration. There were numerous other places to which he might refer. (Cries of " Warwick.") It was not his wish to refer to Warwick, though he felt no shame in doing so, and he believed no man there would feel ashamed of him. He sat for the borough for fifteen years, and he made a great sacrifice when his connexion with it was severed, which was brought about in consequence of his attachment to free trade principles. The hon. baronet then read from a book that the influence at Warwick was possessed by the Earl of Warwick and Brooke, but that it was not of a stable character, and since the reform act money influence had been more successful. (Laughter.) It appeared to him to be a libel upon the constitution of the country that any hon. gentleman should defend the present state of things, and should oppose upon all occasions vote by ballot, without proposing a remedy for the abuses which existed. (Hear.) Sir Wm. Blackstone said it was essential to the well-being of Parliament that the elections of members should be free, though ha deplored the depravity of human nature which prevented that being at all times practised. All arguments against the ballot appeared to him to be imaginary, while the evils which existed under the present system were patent and undeniable. (Hear.) Within his experience he knew of no place where the ballot would not be hailed by the people. It had been said that if they adopted the ballot they must give up canvassing. Well, the evils resulting from that sys tem were so great, that he thought it another argument in favour of the ballot. When a candidate went to a place to canvass for votes, he was immediately attended by the cler gymen, lawyers, and others, who wanted his money for local purposes. In speaking of Durham, and the influence which existed there, the hon, baronet said he would do the people of that borough the justice to say that in 1853, after an election committee had vacated a seat en the ground of bribery, the electors determined b carry on the election on purity principles, and he believed it to be true that they were fully carried out, but at the same time he thought he would have gained the election if it had been allowable to spend money. In 1843 the hon. member for Birmingham (Mr. Bright) was returned for Durham by a majority of 58, but it was afterwards stated in tne columns Ul Lan ncui,e e,cy Post that the free-trade candidate would not have been re- turned if the Marquis of Londonderry had exerted his in fluence. Now, at the election in 1853, when the electors found that no money was to be spent, they desired that no hustings should be erected, and that in every way curtailed the expenses of the candidates. The " black" influence was brought to bear upon that election, and he (Sir C. Douglas) was defeated by about 109 colliers, which were driven up to vote for the Conservative candidate. The expense of the election was to him about £6O, which went to pay the charges of the returning officer and for printing his own speeches. The hon. baronet then, amidst much impatience on the Opposition side of the house, referred to letters which he had received, in which the writers alleged that they were unable to vote according to their inclinations, and he also referred to a speech of the right hon. gentleman the member for Wiltshire:(Mr. S. Estcourt), in which he said he would vote for the ballot if it could be made perfectly se cret. (Hear.) They had all heard of a set of men who were supposed to be the most venal, debauched, and de praved in the country, those who went by the name of " fong •shore men" in the City. The house might allow him to assure them that in the management of their private and internal affairs they were a highly respectable body of men. (Cries of " Divide," and interruption.) They were governed by a ruler whom they chose out of their own body, and whom they elected by ballot. On these occa sions there was an absence amongst them of all drunken ness, 'riot, and debauchery. But on the occasion of an election for the city of London everything was changed ; they were exposed to the influences of money and drink, demoralisation and corruption were set to work, until it became notorious that in order to secure a seat for the City, the votes of the " long. shore men" must be se cured. (Repeated cries of " Divide.") He (Sir C. Douglas) thanked the house for the amount of time which they had permitted to him hitherto—(ironical cheers)—but he was under no obligation to honourable members opposite, who had persisted in interrupting him ; and he was well aware that when hon. members were de termined to put an end to a debate, or to go to dinner, it was useless to oppose their wishes. This, however, he did trust and hope, that they would not repeat this year the course which was adopted last, a course which reflected on her Majesty's Government in a way that was unworthy of it, and which did no credit to the house itself. (Cheers, and cries of " Divide.") The house divided, and the numbers were— In favour of the motion 154 Against it Majority —l2s The motion was consequently lost. CONVEYANCE OF ARMS UNDER THE SAR DINIAN FLAG. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE moved fora copy of correspondence with foreign powers that had taken place relative to certain arms conveyed at the close of the last year under the Sar dinian flag from Genoa to the East, and seized by the Moldo •Wallachian government ; also all orders and corres pondence for bringing back in her Majesty's ship the Ban shee from Galatz to Genoa all or any portion of the said arms. He said ; why the noble lord on a previous occasion had refused to give these returns he was at a loss to con ceive. Nothing was more absurd thanwhat was now taking place, namely, that the British Government was refusing papers which had been granted to every other country of Europe.. He begged further to move for a copy of the address of Count Cavour to the Sardinian minister here, in reply to a despatch of the noble lord dated at the end of January last. He wanted to know why the noble lord re fused those papers ; sooner or later they must be given ; or, at all events, they were sure to be published in other coun tries. Mr. HENNESSY seconded the motion. Lord J. RUSSELL said the hon. member seemed to think that it was the duty of the Foreign Secretary to lay on the table all the correspondence that passed between this country and foreign powers, and that if refused the Foreign Secretary was bound to justify their refusal. He (Lord J. Russell) did not feel bound to justify his refusal, nor either did he feel bound to give, the papers. It had never been the custom to produce all foreign correspondence, as to do so would often have produced great discord and in convenience. With regard to the despatch of the 20th January, he had only held it back for the answer, and when the answer was received both despatch and answer were laid on the table. His hesitation in the first instance arose only from his fear that Count Cavour might not wish the despatch published. Subsequently he found that the Count wished that his opinions should be made knoN'm. The hon member might think it very strange in him (Lord J. Rus sell) to endeavour to maintain the peace of Europe ; but he thought otherwise, and he should be very sorry to give any papers, the production of which might create discord amongst the different powers. The hon. member had laid no Parliamentary ground for the production of these papers, nor had ho satisfied him (Lord J. Russell) that they could be produced without injury to the public service. The cor respondence had taken place in consequence of arms having been sent from Genoa to the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, in the course of last autumn. These arms were not desired by Prince Couza. Far be it from him (Lord J. Russell) to interfere between Austria and Hungary, his only wish was that the Diet and the Austrian Govern ment might come to an early agreement. (Hear, hear.) His hope was that those promises of liberty that had been given by Austria might be amply fulfilled, and that Hungary might get such securities for a free press, free discussion, and personal liberty as should make her content to remain under the rule of the King of Hungary. He had interfered in no way whatever in the affairs of Hungary, his only wish was that the desired constitution might be obtained ; but it was a totally different thing to collect arms in a neighbour ing country for the purpose of disturbing the dominions of the Emperor of Austria. When the Sultan found that his dominion was to be made a depot for arms collected for such purposes, and that Austria became aware of the fact, both sovereigns became very much dissatisfied. He could not find fault with them for that. He did not think that any sovereign was bound to foment, or evento permit, an insur rection in his dominions, but on the contrary, that he should resist it to the utmost. The interference of this Govern ment had consisted in telling Prince Couza—whose political existence depended on the treaties of 1856 and the conven tions connected with those treaties—that it was his duty to the Sultan to send away those arms, Prince Couza said he was willing to send away the arms ; that it was against his wish they hadbeen introduced, and inimical to the interests of his country. He did not know, however, how the arms were to be conveyed away, until at last Sir Henry Bulwer applied to her Majesty's Government, stating that he had been asked by the Sultan and Prince Couza to convey the arms to Constantinople en route to Genoa. The hen. mem ber seemed to think that the Sultan and Prince Coriza ought not only to have permitted preparations to be made within their dominions against the Emperor of Austria, but ought to have given encouragement to such preparations. Being anxious to preserve the peace of Europe he (Lord J. Russell) did not think it was necessary to produce all the correspon dence in connexion with these transactions ; besides which he might mention that the Foreign-office was completely overwhelmed with business in consequence of the quantity of papers it was constantly called on to produce. Mr. DUNCOMBE maintained that the Danubian Prin cipalities had made no objection to these arms passing through. They were seized at the mouths of the Danube, and confiscated by Prince Couza. No doubt they w ere in tended for Hungary, whose people were arming agains.4 Austria, and there were only two ways by which they could receive them ; ono wls the coast of Dalmatia, and th e other the mouths of the Danube. The noble lord guard e d the Dalmatian coast with his great fleet and the 800 guns at Corfu, which he supposed explained the interests which the noble lord had stated England had to guard in the Adriatic. The noble lord was not carrying out, with re gard to Hungary, the principle he had professed in the case of Italy, but protected Austria on the ground that she was to serve m a counter➢oise to France. We wanted no MU- r F-. ~ ~, THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 24, 1861. terpoise to France, but an intimate alliano with that coun.• try, and free intercourse founded on conmercial treaties. In the case of Hungary the principle of ion-intervention had been violated, not only in this matte, but in the case of the Kossuth notes. The noble lord h& even gone so far as to tell Sir James Hudson to keep an eye on Kossuth. The noble lord at one time forgot that hi had done so, but now he remembered. Lord J. RUSSELL-No, Ido not. (4aughter.) Mr. DUNCOMBE—Another miserate attack on Kos. suth was the refusal to let him be director of a railway, lest b e might thus get means for fomenting a evolution in Hun gary. After one or two further observatins the hon. mem ber concluded by declaring that he shou.l divide the house. Mr. B. COCHRANE denied that he noble lord had shown any predilection for the interestslf Austria in Italy. The house then divided, when the nunbers were : For the motion Against it SELECT COMMITTEES. Mr. W. EWART moved that the lumber of members constituting select committees be redued- 7 except where it shall seem good to the house to exterd . their number—to seven, or nine members; and that tley ha *named by the committee of selection, who shall cheese such members on account of their acquaintance with the subject submitted to their consideration, and shall adopt measures for insuring, as far as possible, the constant attendance of such members in the several committees. The tw) leading principles which he wished to combine were to iterease the responsi bility of public committees, and to irsure the regular at tendance of members on them. He maintained that if they reduced the number they would increase the responsibility. He proposed that the committee of selection should appoint the members, and that the committees 3hould consist of only nine, or seven members. He certainly thought this change would invigorate the action of their ctmmittees. Sir G. C. LEWIS said he entertained some doubt as to the policy of the principle upon whict his hon. friend had founded his motion. The principle appeared to be this, that the mode of appointment and the proceedings of public committees should be as much as possible assimilated to the committees on private bills, and elections. An essential difference, however, existed between the nature of the questions referred to private bills committees and election committees and the questions referred to ordinary public committees. The questions which a private bill committee had to consider were of a judicial nature. A definite question was referred to the decision of the private committee, and it was the business of the committee or aolooti.n fn aeleet from the hen.> of persons who were called upon to make a declaration that they had no interest in the matter to be brought before them, anti they were also required by standing order No. 96 to attend regularly from day to day. They were in fact in the position of jurymen empanelled to try a question before the court, and the question was brought forward and entirely managed by counsel, who substantiated their statements by calling and examining witnesses. The course of proceeding before election com mittees was similar, ani the five members would be utterly helpless if they had not the assistance of counsel. But when his hon. friend proposed to extend :that system to the con stitution of public committees, he (Sir G. C. Lewis) must impress upon him that the two cases were wholly dissimi lar. In the case of public committees the members must themselves be their own counsel and conduct the examina tions and sift the evidence. It was also usual to place on them strong partisans en both sides knowingly and inten tionally for the purpose of eliciting the truth by the conflict of opinion, whereas on a private bill committee they ad visedly excluded all interested persons. He thought the present mode of framing public committees was perfectly reasonable. They put on them persons who represented opposite and conflicting interests, generally some member of the Government, and some leading gentlemen belonging to the party for the timebeing opposed to the Government. It appeared to him that his hon. friend had with the best intentions confounded two subjects entirely opposed to each other, viz., the constitution of public and private commit tees. For these reasons he was unwilling to agree to the proposal. Mr. CROSSLEY thought that if the committee of selec tion had the appointment of members to serve upon public committees, it would prevent that squabbling and acrimony which occasionally went on in the house as to whether one member should be struck off and another substituted. After a few words from Mr. EWART in reply, the motion was negatived without a division. DOCKYARD MANAGEMENT. Sir F. SMITH called attention to the report of the commissioners appointed to inquire into the control and management of the dockyards. He had given notice to move that it was not expedient to entrust the Board of Admiralty with the expenditure of the whole of the large sum proposed in the naval estimates for the current year, so long as the existing system should continue. He dis claimed, however, any intention of casting reflections on the present members of the Board of Admiralty ; but a system so faulty in itself could not be carried out to advan tage by the ablest men. The country had to thank the noble lord who represented the Admiralty in that house for the examination which had taken place into dockyard management. The commissioners had conducted that inquiry in a very painstaking and impartial manner. They put twelve thousand questions to the witnesses, and among the witnesses were the Secretary to the Admiralty, the late and present First Lords, the right hon. gentleman the member for Carlisle, and many experienced practical men, including officers of every dockyard in the kingdom. He had read all that evidence, as well as the conclusions of the commissioners in their admirable report. The hon. and gallant gentleman was proceeding to quote some passages, when the house was minted, and as there were but 36 members present, the house adjourned at a quarter past eight. pABLIA2IIENTARY COMMITTEES. BOARD Or ADMIRALTY. The committee appointed to inquire into th e constitution of the Board of Admiralty m e t aga i n yesterday—Mr. Henley in the chair. Si r J . Graham, Sir J. Pakington, Lord Cl arence P aget, Mr. Corry, Sir M. Seymour, Admiral Dun combe, and nearly all the other membe rs o f th e c ommittee were present. The Duke of Somerset was again examined. In Si r Michael Seymour hi s that there could b e muc h difference between the working of a board an d th e working of a council. I fancy the fi rs t l or d can gracereply t s o aid questions st d i o o n n:s t bz e si he desires, and do not s e e result from changing the Whethe r name. members are members of a council or members of lord form what a a d board,an advantage a ge would the wheneve r a board, the fi rs t l or d mus t employ them much in the s ame wa y. F or i ns t ance , in n all i m of that department, conne cted with stores there is one lorda and the twhheofi rhasst questions lt oh the has to anageltent arrange the details with him. --- Sir M. Seymour—With reference to giving a more permanent character to the beard, I thi n k expressed some opinion a s t o th e incon such an arrangeme n t m i g h t l ea d to you venie h n a c v e e which —that the incoming first lord would have to act with those NS , ho lute been chosen by a Government samegotmheerset—Yes. To enable the first lord opinion ? properly you Must give him authority over all those under him. Y ou mus t no t pu t un d er not Thee t n o t Derut act entertaining n of S n him persons whom be cannot remove. Sir M. Seymour—Do you see any sufficient reason why the political character of the board should not be abolished, and its duties be executed by the first lord and the secretary ? The Duke of Somerset—lt must be of a political character so long as Parliament has the control which it now possesses. You must have members in Parliament for carrying on the Parliamentary business. Before the Reform Bill passed it was always easy to have two or three inferior members ' in Parliament. Since. the passing of that bill the same facilities have not existed, and the position of the members of the board becomes more important. Sir M. Seymour—Do you think the inconveni ence might not be met by the secretary being in the House of Commons ? The Duke of Somerset—Yes ; but accidents may occur which may render it impossible for the secre tary to attend. I recollect one instance in which the secretary was absent, and the first lord had to move the estimates. Sir M. Seymour—Are you of opinion that the political character of the secretary has any injuri ous influence over the naval service generp,lly ? The Duke of Somerset—l think not at present. The tendency at present is to diminish political feeling. Sir M. Seymour —With respect to the dockyards, which are only visited at certain periods of the year, do you not think it would be advantageous if you had some officers to send on other occasions when Parliament is sitting ? The Duke of Somerset—There are one or more members of the board who visit the dockyards. I cannot admit there is a want of more frequent in spection. Sir M. Seymour—Would it not be an advantage if the distribution of the Admiralty business were more fixed, and determined more exactly, as well for the despatch of business as for the discipline of the office ? The Duke of Somerset—The first naval lord should have one set of duties, the second lord an other set of duties, and the third another. It is desirable that 'the naval member should transact the business with which he is conversant. There is, for instance, the great question of the naval re serve, which, if not checked, will become a grow ing expenditure. It is necessary to have an officer at the Admiralty who has been in control of the coast guard, and who is competent to advise the board. It is desirable to place him in the position I have mentioned ; but it would be unwise to make the first naval lord take that part of the business as a matter of course. Sir M, Seymour--With regard to payments of money at seaports and the arsenals, are the Accounts submitted for inspection before the ex. penditure is allowed, or is there a limit drawn 1 so that in matters of a local character the autho , rities in the yards may exercise their judgment and report periodically ? Must the proposal of the superintendent to purchase any article be submitted to the Admiralty whether the cost be considerable or only a few shillings.? The Duke of Somerset—lf the superintendent wishes to purchase anything in a town I suppose it would be something in the nature of a store, and ought to be obtained from the storekeeper. I think it objectionable that money should be spent in dockyards in the way referred to, unless in case of great necessity and emergency, without any com munication with the Admiralty. Lord C. Paget—Looking at the enormous cost of the building of ships, can you say whether an in quiry by officers whose sole business should be to criticise the drawings, the lines, and every other detail of the vessels, assisted by a council composed of scientific men, or master shipwrights in the dock yards, and others—would not that, on the whole, give the public the best guarantee that can be afforded that these matters should be duly inquired into before the public are put to the expense of building these new and costly vessels ? The Duke of Somerset—When a new and expen sive vessel is to be built as one of a class of such vessels as we are building at present, it is desirable in every way we can to obtain information. I think an inquiry that will give us further knowledge is most desirable in any way. But there is great difficulty in obtaining the sort of information we require. Say we require to build a ship of such a class as has never been tried at sea, and men who are not naval men, and men who are naval men, are unable to give us any accurate knowledge of what will be the condition of the ship when it is built, there is no experience to guide us. But I think it would be most desirable that every inquiry should 'be made on the subject ; short of this, that when the vessel is ordered, if it is ordered to be built and the lines ordered by the Comptroller of the Navy, he should not be required to give the lines or re commend the ship unless he thoroughly approves of it. The lines adopted by any committee should not be forced upon him. But, short of that, any inquiry is desirable. _ Lora C. Paget—Tow, "as to inventions. Do you not think that inventions should be submitted to the Comptroller, and that a committee should be appointed to examine aria report upon inventions ? The Duke of Somerset—There is Tina: , a oommit tee, consisting of two or three officers, at Somerset house, to whom inventions are refer r ed. It i s very desirable to relieve the Comptroller from the duty of considering the great number of inventions that are sent in to the Admiralty. The question of iron shipbuilding should be submitted to a committee of competent men. The committee then adjourned. INCOME AND PROPERTY TAX. This committee met again yesterday—Mr. Hub. bard in the chair. Mr. Newmarch, secretary to the Globe Insurance Company, continued his evidence from the previous day's sitting of the committee. He said he had not the slightest doubt that if the income tax was modified on the principles suggested by the chair man's plan, the public would be much more satis fied with it—not that he believed the public3would ever be quite reconciled to an income tax. He was entirely against a graduated income tax, because it was taxing a man for doing good for himself and good for others ; it was punishing prudence and virtue. If the English funds were subject to an income tax of 20 per cent. that w ou ld no doubt affect their value in every market, both home and foreign. After some evidence as to life insurance, the witness, in reply to questions by Mr. Cardwell, said he thought a different mode of classification and collecting the income tax to that at present in existence might be adopted, which would not be so 'open to objections as the present law. It was his opinion that taxes which were generally levied upon articles of consumption were more favourably regarded by a scientific eye than any income tax could. Supposing the case' of a landowner of an entailed estate, who, having children, for whom, if he was a reasonable man, he would make some savings ; he did not propose to take into account at all whether that man had children or not, and he would therefore make no exemptions in such cases. Speaking of a class of gentlemen in this kingdom who own entailed estates, no doubt, in some cases, they, made savings for their younger children ; but in many cases the younger children were otherwise provided for. It was his opinion that the pressure of taxation was more bearable by persons holding land than persons whose income was in the shape of money or was acquired by in tellectual labour. Taking the cases of a country clergyman with a living of £2OO a year and a sleeping partner in one of the wealthiest firms in the metropolis, the difference appeared to him to be this—the sleeping partner was liable to all the exigencies of trade, and to have all his property swept away by bankruptcy, to none of which con tingencies was the country clergyman liable. The witness, in reply to questions by the chair man, gave some further evidence, after which the committee adjourned. POOR RELIEF IN THE AIETROPOLIS. The committee met again yesterday; Mr. Villiers in the chair. Several other members were also present. - Mr. Henry Potter, honorary secretary to the Guardians of the West London Union, was exa mined at considerable length by the chairman. He said that the union consisted of seven parishes, and that the number of guardians was twenty. He then detailed the proceedings which took place when a large number of guardians from different parts of the country assembled at Radley's Hotel in May last, and resolved to oppose the order of the Poor law Board relative to the religious education of children, and to petition Parliament against the bill then under consideration with a view to obtain ing a modification of the powers of the Poor-law Board. The original steps were taken after con sulting some of the members of the Protestant Alli ance. The gentlemen present at Radley's Hotel, at the meeting convened by circular, represented forty unions, and letters were read from twelve other unions promising to co-operate with. the meeting. The first meeting was called to consider the order allowing priests to attend and give instruction to the Catholic children ?--Yes.; Was the invitation sent out in concurrence with the Protestant Alliance ?—They had nothing to do with it. I Chairman—The origin of as3embling the guardians was the Protestant Alliance ?—Yes ; the first meet ing. When the forty guardians met at Radley's Hotel the subject of discussion was the order of the board of August, 1859, and they determined by all constitutional means to endeavour to obtain the withdrawal of that order. The committee appoin ted at the meeting issued a circular, stating that the time had come when boards of guardians ought to be subjected less to the surveillance and control of the Poor-law Board, and requesting that peti tions might be forwarded to Parliament. Petitions were sent from from 104 unions representing a population of 4,193,308 persons. The Chairman—Will you tell the committee the grounds on which you support the petition, and what it is you have to allege against the powers which are now vested in the central board ?—I have had 26 years' experienc, and an ample know ledge of poor-law relief. The unions having been properly formed there is no necessity for the con tinuance of the powers given to the central board. I further say that there is a need of circumscribing those powers, because we have found them so ex ercised as greatly to impede the business of our union, and do great wrong to the board itself and to the individual members of that board. What is it you have to complain of in respect to the interference of the Poor-law Board P—The first thing is their having in 1857, by an illegal order, annulled the election of the guardians of the parish of St. Andrew. In consequence of that the chair man of the board of guardians made an application to the Court of Queen's Bench, the Poor-law Board did not defend the order, and the guardians were put to considerable inconvenience and expense. What conclusion do you draw from that with respect to the Poor-law Board—is that the ground on which you wish to prevent the renewal of their powers P—That is one ground why we wish their powers to be circumscribed ; and we further re commend that, in the event of the Poor-law Board going to law again, they should, in the event of failure, be compelled to pay the costs. The next thing we complain of is with respect to their con duct in the matter of the Hanwell Schools. The poor-law guardians thought they had a right to receive the amount which they had incurred in that visit. The City of London were al:owed to do so, but West London were surcharged to the extent of Z 6. That was in 1859. The two eases were pre cisely the same. Has your union decided to what court you should appeal from the auditor P—We suggested the magis trates sitting in petty session, or the county court. The magistrates are ex-officio guardians P —But we had none. But you are proposing to legislate for the whole country ? Will you proceed with your reasons for withdrawing the jurisdiction of the Poor•law Board? —The next cause is the order of April 23, 1859, commanding us to provide religious instruction. When that order was received we considered it con trary to the act of Parliament. The object of the order was that when you ascer tain the religion of the parents, you are bound to find some instructor for the children who is of the same persuasion P—Yes, and we found thatto do that would be to bring about a state of things which would cause religious strife in the house. We held, I as a board, that there was no necessity for the order, inasmuch as the law provided that instructors should be allowed to attend, provided the wishes of the parents of the children were known. The order directed the board to provide such instructors, The order has reference chiefly to Catholic chil• dren who are left orphans ?—We believe that the order was obtained by the Roman Catholics, and our experience led us to believe that it was obtained mainly at the instigation of the priesthood, and not at the desire of the parents of the children under our charge. We found our opinion on the facts which we know to exist in our union, when we have found the priests over and over again urging the people to have their children in structed in the Roman Catholic faith, and we also find that signatures have been obtained under false pretences. We take it that the Roman Catholic priests want to make it compulsory on the guardians to provide religious instruction, as a step towards the appointment of Roman Catholic chaplains in our workhouses. Your great objection to the order is that it was promoted by the Roman Catholic priests, and not at the request of the parents of the children P—We think it was a political bargain, made by the Government which was going out of office. Mr. Estcourt—Which Government got the order issued P—l think it was Lord Derby's. The committee then adjourned. ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETP. On Monday the members of this society and their friends mustered in unusual number at Bur lington-house to hear papers read containing the latest intelligence from. Dr. Livingstone and his party in Central Africa. Sir R. Marchison, the vice-president, acted as chairman, and among the company were the Bishops of Oxford and St. Asaph, Vice-Chancellor Sir John Stuart, Lord Keane, Lord Strangford, General Po r tl oc k, Ad miral Sir George Back, the Dean of Winchester, Mr. Layard, M.P., Mr. M. Milnes, M.P., Mr, Childers, M.P., the Earl of Sheffield, Captains Murray, Collinson, Sherard Osborn, and Nolloth, R.N., and Sydney Webb and Burton, M. Du Chaillu, Sir John Anson, and Sir Thos. Fremantle. Mr. Galton, the honorary secretary, read the subjoined communication from Dr. Livingstone : " Sesheke, Sept. 10, 1860. " My dear Sir Roderick,—Feeling in honour bound to take the Makololo back to their own country, and disliking the idea of coming to a standstill while waiting for news of a real steamer, we started on the way from Tettee, and in three months accomplished a distance of some 600 miles. " Our route lay along the north bank of the Zambesi, crossing the mountain mass in which .tiebrabasa lies, and the Loangua and Nafue at their confluences. Then along the fine fertile valley in which the Zambesi gently fl )ws (being new ground) for about 100 miles. Then turning westward, in lat. 17 18 S., up a sandy river (the Zougue) till we saw the source of the fragments of coal strewed on its bed. Ascended about 2,000 feet above the Zambesi, or 3,300 feet above the level of the sea, to the base of Taba cheu ; breathed for a short time the clear, cold, reviving air on the highlands, and actually saw hoar frost and a little ice. Then descended into the greatvalley of the Makololo. When within 20 miles of Victoria Fall we could see the columns of vapour with the naked eye, and there I could not resist the temptation of acting the showman to my companions, Dr. Kirk and Mr. C. Livingstone, though by diverging from our straight course to Sesheke we added some 40 miles to our tramp. The hippopotami had eaten all ray trees, so henceforth we shall have war with them to the knife. They are good food, half beef and half pork, and lots of fat, that serves as butter. This is part of the casus belli.' By the way, our good friend Professor Owen, and the gastronomic committee will stand very much in their own light if the she giraffes die a natural death. If they praised the eland so, which we consider but so-so, a dinner off she giraffe will leave them all lying on their backs. " Our plan of returning is to pass Victoria Falls and buy camels at Sinamenese, then drop down the stream so as to be at the sea in November. This goes by an elephant 'hunter whom we met at the Falls to Mosilikatze, and thence to Kuruman. " We found Sekeletu labouring under a skin disease, be lieved to be leprosy, the effect, of course, of witchcraft, and several headmen had been executed for the alleged crime. Many influential men had died of fever, and the tribe is altogether in a shaky condition. They are anxious to go to the highlands, and were disappointed at me not bringing Mrs. L-- 9 for all believe that she or a ny ralraber of Mr. Moffat'sfamily would be a protection to them against Mosilikatze. During our month's sojourn here we have been treated to tea, American biscuits, and preserved fruits daily. We have tried to cure Sekeletu's complaint, and he is recovering; but time and patience are requisite for the cure. It is probably an obstinate skin disease, and not leprosy. " But, I must tell you that we were saddened by the loss of a party of London missionaries, as we suppose, by fever at Linyanti ; six out of nine Europeans perished in three months. By a remedy first tried on our own children at Lake Ngami in 1850 we, at a lower and more unhealthy part of the Zambesi, cured severe cases of the complaint in Europeans so quickly that our march was rarely interrupted more than a day or two ; a man stricken prostrate was sometimes able to resume his march on foot a day after the operation of the remedy, and this while those good people were helplessly perishing. The proper medicines, too, for its composition were found by me in the waggon, which has been carefully guarded for seven years, within a few hundred yards of their graves. 1 think it is mentioned near the end of the Missionary Travels ' which you made me write ; but I am now anxious that it become generally known, and there is great difficulty in the matter. Medi • tines so often deceive people : panaceas in one hand, and nonentities in another. I have, however, never failed to cure during 10 years. "With very kind salutations to Lady Murchison --I am, &c. "DAVID LIVINGSTONE." " Tette, Nov. 26, 1860. "My dear Sir Roderick,—We unfortunately missed the opportunity of sending overland by the elephant hunters, so I open the letter written at Sesheke to insert some fur ther particulars. The river was so low we could easily see the bottom of one half of the fissure which forms Victoria Falls ; and, indeed, people could wade from the north bank to my Garden Island, to form a stockade for fresh seeds. The depth is not 100 feet, but 310 feet—probable a few feet more, as the weight attached to the line rested on a slope near the bottom. The breadth from bank to bank is not 1,000 yards, as I conjectured in 1855, but between one statute and one geographical mile—we say 1,860 yards to assist the memory, but it is a little more, yet not quite 2,000. The lips of the crack at Garden Island may be more than 80 feet, as we could not throw a stone across, hut the sextant gave that. Now come to the other, or south-eastern side of the crack, and the fisure, which from the upper bed looka like the letter L, is prolonged in a remarkable zigzag manner. The water, after leaping sheer down 310 feet, is collected from both ends to the upright part of the letter as the escape,. and then flows away on the zigzag part. The promontories formed thereby are flat at the top, and of the same level as the bed of the river above the Falls. The base,of the first on the right is only 40 paces from the Fall fissure, and that on the left about 150. Their sides are as perpendicular as the Fall, ' and you can walk along among th e trees, an d b y a f ew s t eps see the river some 300 or 400 feet below, jammed in a space of some 20 or 30 yards, and of a deep green colour. As a whole, the Victoria Falls are the most wonderful in the world. Even now, at extreme low water, or when it is two feet lower than we ever saw it, there are 800 feet of water falling on the right of Garden Island. And the two columns of vapour, with the glorious rainbows, are a sight worth seeing. A fall called Momba or Moamba, below this, is more interesting, chiefly because you look down it from a height of some 500 feet. It is really nothing after Medea • tunya. " We v isited the river twice on our way down to Sine manes, and found it in a very deep crack. The boiling point gives 1,600 of descent from the Falls to Sinamanes. Mr. Moffat informs me that all the rivers in Moselekatze country run N.W. or N.N.W. They enter the Zainbesi above Sinamanes, and above a remarkable mountain, which possibly was the dam that shut in the waters of the ancient lake, before Mosioatunya was made. They are therefore not where, from oral information, they have been put in the map. The whole country below and around the Falls has been the scene of comparatively recent volcanic operations. Some parts look as recent as Aden; some are of frothy lava, and all present a burnt appearance like catacecaumene in Greece. A conjecture that the calcareous tupa of Sesheke valley was emitted from a volcano like that which covered the cities of Pompeii and Hercu laneum does not account for the roots of reeds' therein, nor the bidental saurians of the ancient lakes; and I question if a volcano ever threw mud over 200 miles square as this lake has done. Wherever we have had igneous action in this country, we have had large quantities of tupa bearing water after it. I cannot account for the enormous quantity of gravel and shingle below the Falls. The bed of the river and country gene rally are covered with it to a considerable depth. There is none above the Falls, and none below Chicova. " We purchased canoes and dropped down stream in order to examine all at low water. Kansalo is no difficulty. Kariba, a few miles below it, is a basaltic dyke, stretched across the stream, but it has a wide opening in it, danger ous for canoes, the gunwales of which were only six incnes above the water. At Vurumas there is a rapid of about 100 yards in length, which runs at six knots an hour. We measured the most rapid part below Chicova on our way up, and found it to be under four knots, bid a fall of about 15 feet before our return developed several dangerous rapids and even cataracts which were quite smooth when we passed Chicova. There seemed from the shore to be a trap dyke across the stream, like Kariba, but it had two openings. We passed through either the one or the other without observing the dyke ; but we saw a large seam of fine coal in the bank. There is another in the bank at Manyerire Hill, and besides seeing fragments of the minerals in many rivulets on both banks, we verified the existence of the coalfield, not to Zumbo only, as I for merly pointed out, but to nearly Sinramanes, below Victoria Falls. The only real difficulty in the river is Mo rumbua, and that could be passed in full flood, for a rise of 80 feet must smooth it over. " On arriving here two days ago we bad travelled from Linyanti and back, some 1,400 miles—the greater part on foot. We have thus kept faith with the Makololo, though we have done nothing else. We w ore swampe d once, b u t the men behaved admirably, leaping out and swimming alongside until we got into smooth water. In another place one canoe was upset and property lost. We then abandoned the canoes and came home en foot, thankful to say ' all well " Sir R. MURCHISON, Vice-President of the Society, said, in the absence of their distinguished associate, Livingstone, and occuped as he was in exploring the interior of South Africa, it was highly desirable to lose no opportunity iu testifying their sense of the importance of his labours. The approval of his conduct by the society would act now, as it had acted before, on hi s generous sou l as the best en couragement of further researches, and now that he was at length provided with the stout little vessel, the Pioneer, there could be little doubt that he would accomplish other discoveries equal in importance to those which had recently made know n to us the physical geography and natural products and character of the people on the banks of the river Shire, that great affluent of the Zambesi. In speaking of his latest exploits Livingstone, with his usual modesty, said he had done little more than reconduct his faithful Makololo followers back to their country. What they had just heard read, however, must have convinced them that in carry ing out that object, so dear to his heart, his com• panions, Dr. Kirk and Mr. C. Livingstone, must have made very considerable additions to their ac quaintance with the interior of the country. Thus, although he had in his former travels, in 1855, passed through a portion of the Batoka country, Livingstone had little intercourse with the people but we were now presented with a graphic description of them, and of many of their customs. If honesty was the best policy, then he (Sir R. Murchison) affirmed that Livingstone was the very best consu lar agent our Government could have sent to the regions watered by the Zambesi and its affluents. His conduct throughout had been marked by straightforwardness and a stern adherence to truth and honour; and as there could b e no d ou bt that he had already produced a deep moral impression on many tribes of South Africa, and had obtained their regard, so by his further travels among other tribes living in tracts as yet unvisited by any Eu ropean, and far beyond any territory ever colonised' by the Portuguese, he would greatly extend that salutary influence which reflected so much credit upon the British nation. It was thus that the wis dom of the Queen's Government in granting to Livingstone an appointment of so broad a charac ter, and in vigorously supporting him, would be demonstrated, for he (Sir R. Murchison) trusted he should soon see his efforts crowned with success, not merely by the ex'ension of our commerce with the mouths of the Zambesi, but also by his sowing the seed of civilisation and religion in the heart of Africa, which would more effectually cheek the debasing slave trade than all the numerous and costly armaments which fringe the coasts of that continent. (Cheers) Towards that good end he had written to him (Sir R. Murchison) in glowing terms of the good effects to be expected from the efforts of the Oxford and Cambridge mission to found a religious and commercial establishment in the country of the Manganza. (Hear, hear.) Dr. SHAW then read an interesting paper, to which we can here but briefly advert, communicated by Mr. Chas. Livingstone, brother of the doctor, written from Kongone, mouth of the Zambesi, so lately as Jan. 14 in the present year, relating to the Batoka country in Central Africa, which lies between the 25th and 29th degrees of east longi tude, and the 16th and 18th: of south latitude- It is described as haviug the river Kafire on the north, the Zambesi on the east and south, and ex tending west till it touches the low fever plains of the river Majeela, near Sesheke. A mountain range running north-east and south-west rises abruptly about 15 miles north of the Zambesi, and spreads north and west in a vast undulating table land 3,000 to 5,000 feet above the level of the sea, with extensive grassy plains, through which several perennial streams wind. Between this elevated land and the Zambesi sandstone is the prevailing rock, and beds of shale and seams of coal out from the banks of some of the small streams which flog into the Zambesi, while north and west, granite, resembling the Aberdeen variety, abounds. The broad elevated lands have a fine healthy climate, well adapted to the European constitution. Fever is unknown ; in winter the thermometer sinks during the night as low as 30 deg. Fahrenheit, when thin ice is formed, and during the day the temperature rises to about 68 deg. But a few years since these extensive, healthy highlands were well peopled by the Batoka : numerous herds of cattle furnished abundance of milk, and the rich soil largely repaid the labour of the husbandman. Now enormous herds of buffaloes, elephants, antelopes , and zebras fatten on the excellent pasture which formerly supported multitudes of cattle, and not a human being is to be seen. The ruined sites of villages were frequently met with. The Batoka people were driven out of that, the choicest portion of their noble country, by the invasion of Sebitane. Many were killed, and the survivors, except those around the Falls, plundered of their cattle, fled to the banks of the Zambesi and the rugged hills. of Mataba. Scarcely, however, had the conquerors settled down to enjoy their ill-gotten riches, when they themselves were attacked by smallpox, and as soon as its ravages had ceased, by the fighting Matibele compelled to abandon the country and seek refuge amid the fever swamps of Linyanti. The writer then gives an exceedingly interesting account of the Batoka people and their manners and customs, which was listened to throughout with deep attention. It gave rise at its conclusion to short frinndly discussion, in which Admiral Sir George Back and Consul Hanson, a gentleman of colour, took part, and the company, before separat ing, manifested their gratification by an unanimous vote of thanks to Dr. Livingstone and his party. COUNTRY DIABEETS. LIVERPOOL-APRIL 23. There was a small attendance of the town and country trade at this morning's market, and we had but a limited bdsiness doing in both wheat and flour at Friday's rates. Barley lower. Oats and oatmeal were a limited sale, but without change in value. Beans were scarce, and fully as dear. Indian corn in slow request, and the turn lower. LEEDS-APRIL 23. Our market to-day was fairly attended by millers, and the trade in wheat was of a limited character, holders asking rather over last week's rates, but buyers resisted any ad vance. Beans quite as dear. Oats and other articles vrere unaltered. Arrivals this week : Flour Wheat Oats Barley ' Rapeseed Peas — Linseed 5O SLEAFORD--APRIL 22. The attendance was moderate to-day, with a very fair supply of wheat. Trade firm, at the rates of the previouo week. White wheat ruled at 66s to 60s, red Ns to 640 per qr. Barley in rather small supply, 308 to 36s ; oats in steady dewand, at former prices, 22s to 30s; beans from 44s to 58s ; peas, —sto —s. NORWICH CATTLE. The show of store cattle to-day was large. Sales brisk, and a clearance effected. Scots, 45 Od to 4s 6d ; shorthorns, 35 6d to 4s ; Irish, 36 Od to 3s 6d ; Devons, 4s to 5s 6d (estimated weight when fat). Fat beasts a large show, and sales brisk, at 8s Od to Ss 6a per .141 b. Sheep—There was a good supply of sheep in the pens. Fat sheep, 9s Od to 9s 6d per stone ; prime, 10s Od. Pigs—A fair supply. Store pigs, 18s to 25s ; fat pool' 7s Gd to 8s Od per stone. THE MAILS. MAILS DUE. Australia, Ceylon, and Mauritius (via South ampton) .. .. • • .. May 19. Do. (via Marseilles) May 13. Brazil and Cape Verde .. May 4. Buenos Ayres, Monte Video, &c. Cuba and Mexico .. .. April 29. Canada, &c. (via L'derry) .. April 24. Cape of Good Hope, &c. May 3. China, Penang, and Singapore (via S'ampton) May 2. Do (via Marseilles) April 26. Gibraltar (via Southampton) .. April 25. India (Calcutta), Ceylon, &c. (via Southampton) May 2. Do. (via Marseilles) April 26. India (Bombay), (via Southampton) April 25. Do. (via Marseilles) .. .. May 5. Lisbon .. .• Overdue. Malta, Egypt, and Aden (via Southampton) April 25. Do. (via Marseilles) .. April 26 , Vigo, and Oporto .. Overdue. United States, California, &c. April 25. Western Coast of Africa ' Madeira, Teneriffe .. May 10. West Indies and Pacific, Carthagena, Cuba, &c. April 29. [ADVERTISEMENT.I—HoIIoway's Pills.—Mistakes rely' dered Impossible.—Each box of these admirable pins is enveloped in a printed sheet of directions, so plain and comprehensible that every one who reads muSt understarl' them. Nothing injurious to the human system enters into The composition of these Pills, which never weaken th e feeblest frame. They never can be taken at a wrong tinA nor can they ever cause mischief in any stage of a disease' Public favour has placed beyond dispute their merits il l curing most disorders, and has bestowed commensura te success on their inventor. Holloway's Pills cannot be aur" passed for their safe and curative powers in all diseasf. s . of the stom ac h, li ver , l ungs , h ear t, h ea d, an d kid ne ys ; fact, they regulate every corporeal function. BIRTHS. COLES.—On the 21st inst., at Somerset. cottage, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, the wife of Captain Cowper Phipps Cola, R.N., of a daughter. LEEKE.—On the 21st inst,, the Lady Hester Leeks, of daughter. MACKENZIE.—On the 18th inst., at Ord Cottage, Beady' Ross-shire, the wife of Captain Mackenzie, yr. of Or d ° of a son. MARRIAGES. BROWN—WILLIAMS.— On the oth ult., at St. Tude 'S ' Southwark, James Brown, Esq., L.F.R.S., to Marr 4l % second daughter of Edward Williams, Esq., St. George road, Southwark. STANFORD—WOOLLVEN—On the 18th inst., at All Sailli t " Hastings, Mr. Wm. M. Stanford, of Broadbridge F es ; Horsham, to Sarah, oldest daughter of the late Mr. . Woollven, of Southwark. DEATHS. ALLPORT.—On the 20th inst., at Barnsbury.park, 1 , 11° „1 Allport, Esq., formerly of ghani, Surrey, upwareB 43 years in the house of Messrs. R. S. Cox and Co., St. Paul's Churchyard, aged 73. BROWNING.—On the 22d inst., at 53, Gloucester -terrace, Hyde-park, James Browning, Esq., aged 77. TAYLOR.—On the 21st finst ,at 166, Bi sho p sgate.stree o t without, Mr. George Taylor,. formerly a member of 0 Common Council, aged 64. THORP.—On the 24th inst., atWalthamstow, Robt. Thorp , Esq., aged 82. LONDON Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at THE SUN OfaCe, No. 112, in the Precinct of the SaveY, in the County o f hitdctiesel, Wedpeeday. g 4, 1801 ' Strand, ten,T: 1 : 113 0: r Rt Pi I . I T E G M : p. e i o i : O e 11 1 1 2 : 8 S f' oa r. , and Larch 2. The View! the last Leteester- 1 RG' l e fah the t h en yea It A uill 0/ 1 111 E IT IRI ruinted a zidacted ram, uncl4 6, 11t t0 ducin cge and i n a WnWal —"nie uppiie ght Ua are ort 'E In t e e o i n s n a s o N u n r ( bourne, %hs Col evenue e: 41)260,000. The r 7 tl ing elain tootle loss( Intara has charac Am ?. 4 1'he R es Mdition o t Yatern of 14 Partner the atnot In o n Certainty, itc, a inten d 4,ONDOIT Pl 18 4707,000 bThe pay h e i enable the te ltient, ai 1 1 00 i b yte aid W hereby o With in th eOtnpoui linseed & lrthota rket ~t the Coat ,0 1' a dray t i t larterns' Zvet, at 16 ▪ wagv ew ied Wlt. sol Da/l1 J OSEPH S• ingle b avvgate-i othe Countr 1 1 110 E (Mb, Admiral tOntaining rim link. il lgs r --........_ THOli Sold *hclosed, 1 ingdom. .........--- H ▪ 40s. Mot Of l tUltural valuab a Areas. ewgate reel :Mtn .upply persi in Ruch qt lesty' s , La An Jun'e t 1. Brom 2. Itege Barracks. 3. Weill And St. G 4. To we 6. Hour 6 . Haim Wind 8. Brigh 9 . Croy , Sand' Separat rich of ti tately gro oldtained Forms oetween t Tender; a nd si gn , tinder elth eOltimissi Dept 8 , New-st poN L. IN earnestly fUTCE to the limits 14, .70hi Banker %ad Co. .-___ ROY. This E DIU)le 1 disease, 1 ;Mate sui its Ward, ?Teat me 000 beds blest wri tously of average, Contra' Es( , 4 tansom r is ayne, n 4 sarclay ' O .; ON street; ] 114 (1 Co. TIII "To Inedichh nd NO 1. 011. c TAT] DEB'. AST] PEV~ ~U ew peg urea tees, on, or Certl drew t land ; We *48., 2 101 b. Poet - , 1 !street Loath Ind !Moho C 4 tr eel