The Sun. — London, England, 1856-06-06 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. ROUSE OF LORDS—YESTERDAY. The LORD CHANCELLOR took hie seat on the wool sack at the usual hour. ROYAL COMMISSION. The royal assent was given by commission to the fol lowing bills, viz::—The Annuities (No. 2) ; Banker's Compensation ; Fire Insurance ; Lambeth Water ; Dundee harbour ; Lincoln Water; Milford Junction Railway ; East of life Railway ; Doddington Rectory Division ; Heywood Gas ; East Somerset Rail way ; London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway ; Cam bridge University and Town ; Filey Water ; Ulster Railway ; Wakefield Gas ; Worksop Gas ; Llanidloes and Newtown Railway ; Boston Gas ; Leicester and Welford Road ; Gravesend Improvement ; Scarborough Water ; and Sleaford and Tattershall Turnpike Trusts. The Royal Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Argyll, and Lord Campbell. The LORD CHANCELLOR moved the first reading of four bills recommended by the Charity Commissioners appointed to inquire into the operation of certain 'erg established charities. The bills were read a first time. OUR RELATIONS WITH AMERICA. Earl HARDWICKE asked for any information the Government had in respect to a question of the greatest importance. The Duke of ARGYLL (interrupting) expressed a hope that the noble earl would not press any question in respect to America in the absence of his colleagues in the Goifernment. He had been engaged in committee up to.three o'clock, and was unable to satisfy him upon the point. Earl HARDWICKE was about continuing his obser vations when he was again interrupted by Tlks Earl of MINTO, who said he thought the noble earl was out of order in pressing the question. Earl GRANVILLE having taken hie seat at this time, Earl HARDWICKE asked whether he had any objection to inform their lordships whether the report which had that day appeared in the public papers, that our representative, Mr. Crampton, had been dis missed from his position in the United States, was cor rect Earl GRANVILLE said he was not aware that any information had been received by the Government as to any such matter. LIMITED LIABILITY BILL. Lord OVERSTONE, in presenting a petition against this bill, took the opportunity of stating his opinion that this was a most ill-advised measure. HAY AND STRAW TRADE BILL. Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY moved the second reading of this bill, which was to prevent the frauds that existed in the packing of hay and straw. The bill was read a second time. PEACE PRESERVATION (IRELAND) BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. APPELLATE JURISDICTION (HOUSE OF LORDS) BILL. On the motion of the LORD CHANCELLOR the report of the amendments on tho above bill was, after a short discussion, in which Earl Granville, Lord Redee dale, and the Earl of Wicklow took part, agreed to. JUVENILE CONVICTS (IRELAND) BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. REFORMATORY SCHOOLS (SCOTLAND) BILL. This bill was also real a third time and passed. NATIONAL GALLERY BILL, On the motion of Earl GRANVILLE this bill was read a third time and passed. BURIAL GROUNDS. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY rose to present a, petition from the mayor and inhabitants of Blandford, complaining of the non-consecration of their new burial ground. - The Bishop of SALISBURY explained .the ziames of the Act of Parliament which regulated the proceedings of the bishops in reference to the consecration of ceme teries. Some discussion ensued, in which Lord Portman, the Bishop of Oxford, tho Eirl of Portsmouth, the Marquis of Bath, and Lord Dungannon took part, and the sub ject then dropped. THE ITALIAN ',QUESTION. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE, who bad given notice of a question on the subject of the Sardinian notes, said at an earlier hoar of the evening, and in a fuller house, he should have been tempted to go at some little length into the events which had produced them. Those events affected not merely the tranquillity and happiness of this country to which the notes referred, but also the honour of this country, as being connected with the general condition of Europe and the treaty of peace which had just been celebrated. It appeared that these notes had been presented to the Governments of England and France by the plenipotentiaries of that eouutry, which from its geographical position and poli tical associations made it deeply concerned in the matter, with the view of drawing attention to the state of Italy, and pointing out its general bearings upon other European powers. These documents must be fully known to their lordships and the public, as versions, no doubt sufficiately accurate, had already been published ; but at the same time it wag only right that Parliament should be furnished with authentic copies of them. Considering the length of time which had elapsed, it was highly probable that answers had been returned to these notes, and it was of equal impor tance that Parliament should be put in possession of the answers which had been given to questions of such gra vity. Whether discussion on the matter was desirable would, of course, greatly depend upon the tenour of the documents themselves, but he hoped the necessity for such a discussion would be avoided, though he could not help feeling that the opinion of Parliament must bemade to have its weight in the matter, unless it could be satis feetorily cleared up. He wished to ask if her Majesty's. Government were prepared to lay on the tai le the notes of the 22d March and lfith April, presented by the Sar dinian plenipotentiaries at Paris to the English and French plenipotentiaries, together with the answers which might have been gives to those notes. The Earl of CLA.RENDON—I feel that I owe some apology to your lordships' house for not sooner laying these notes on the table ; but, perhaps, I do not attach quite so much consequence to their production as ray noble friend seems to do, as they have already appealed in the newspapers. With respect to the answers to them, I and the French plenipotentiaries came to the agree ment that as we had so entirely discussed the whole ques tion viva voce at repeated interviews with the Sardinian plenipotentiaries it was unnecessary to send any written answers. The first of these notes, a copy of which I shall presently lay on the table, was, in fact. a simple request on the part of Sardinia that the question of the state of Italy should be brought before the Congress as sembled at Paris, and of course the best alswer to that was the doing th e thing asked, and the Italian question was brought before the Congress. The second note re presented that the conclusion the Congress had come to was not satisfactory, and invited further discussion. It was of course necessary that the Sardinian plenipoten tiaries should place something on record, in order that on their return home they might give an account to the chambers of what they had done, and that was the main object of the note ; and, as Count Cavour gave me and the other power: to understand that cer tain measures would be adopted for carrying out the ob ject which he had in view, it did not appear necessary to send an answer to the second note. It has since come to our knowledge, however, that the Sardinian Government wished to have some written record of the opinion and feelings of her Majesty's Government upon the question of the foreign occupation, and the desirableness or neces sity of putting an end to it. I had no hesitation in com plying with that wish, as I could only repeat on paper, in the name of her Majesty's Government, that which we had said in Paris. We accordingly made such an answer, and aeopy of it will be laid on thetablo with the two notes. It certainly may be necessary before Parliament separates to have a discussion upon Italian afla;rs, but it may also be injurious to raise it at the present moment, because your lordships must remember we are not the principal power to act in this question, as the armies now occupy ng the Italian territory do not belong to us. It is only Austria and France that can take measures for with drawing the troops who have so long occupied the terri tory ; but before they do so they ,are bound to take care that such a state of thing s has been created as to render the presence of the troop s no longer necessary, I can say this much, then, without going far beyond what I have authority to state, that it is the fact that both Go vernments are sincerely desireus of withdrawinf. , their armies, and they are occupied at this moment in prepar ing to do so. The papers were then laid on the table , and th e i r lord ships adjourned at a quarter past 7 o'clock. • HOUSE OF COMMONS.--cnsTEnDAY.) AMERICA. _ Sir 'E. B. LYTTON;IS,,;I& motion for the ad journment of the house to-morrow, ha should ask a question of the noble lord with respect to our r.:dations' with the United States. EDUCATION OF OFFICERS OF THE ARMY• On the order of the day fur goi ng i n t o comm ittee of supply, Mr:S. HERBERT - said he had to thank the noble lord the member for Iladdingtonshira (Lord Echo) for allowing him precedence for the purpneeof bringing for ward the subjectof which he had given rE , tice. lie would Just state shortly the reasons which hal induced hicn to adopt this course, which was not strictly regular, of bringing forward in camtnittee with the civil estimates motion having reference to the army. The !Louie would recollect that at the commencement of the se-sion esti mates of the expenditure of the year were laid on the table, which were based on the supposition that the war would corrtinne. Since that time a supplementary esti mate had been laid on the table, in which much smaller sums were asked for, but there was no revised detailed estimate, s howing in what it ems reductions had b ean ef fected, hat items were omitted and what items increased. The estimates which had been brought before the house in the course of the last two years h a d conta i ne d no vote for increasing the means of education and instruc tion of officer of the army. Ho could well undErstand that, while the war was at its height the Government felt itself unable to inaugurate any change in this respect, but he regretted to see in the estimates whi3b had been drawn up since peace had been declared that no vote for I the purposs which he had just referred to was comprised. However, be hoped in the course of that evening to elicit an expression of opinion on the part of hon. members that some means ought to be provided, whereby it might be placed within the power of officers to perfect them selves in their profession. His hope was that if in the course of the debate he met with that support which he trusted to obtain, the Government might be induced, previously to discussing in that house the revised army estimates, to propose a further revised estimate in which a provision should be contained for carrying out some plan for affording better means of education both for re gimental and staff officers. At that moment they were in possession of a most favourable opportunity for creat ing, de novo, a peace establishment which should be free from the errors of that which was too hurriedly called into existence at the commencement of the great peace. (Hear, hear.) ]Coming, then, to the question of the education of officers, upon that point no conflict of au thority existed. He had with him the report of the commission upon the subject, in which it would be found that nearly every witness examined admitted the evils which flowed from the existing system. Col. Adams and Col. Prosser both spoke of the disadvantages which arose from the want of theoretical knowledge cf their profession which existed amongst officers ; and even Sir 5. Burgoyne, who, though a most accomplished officer himself, was averse to a high state of theoretical educe t on, admitted that on some ,occasions, had the officers of the line been more acquainted with the scientific por tion of their profession, many mistakes - which had oc• curred might have been avoided. At the present day it would not be necessary for him to combat the idea that theoretical knowledge would stand in the way of a man's practical efficiency and vigour. No" doubt there were many highly intellectual men who were not of active vigorous habits ; but let them suppose a man in good health and of vigorous habits, would any one suppose that by making such a one acquainted with the profession to which he belonged, he would be rendered unfit for that profession I Instead, therefore, of combating futile objec tions he would at once call attention to the present system and the scheme which he proposed in place of it. At pre sent a portion of the youths intended for the army were educated at Carshaltoa e the main body, however, re ceived their education at Sandhurst. The former place acted as a feeder for the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, but at the latter the pupils remained until fit for the receipt of a commission. What he proposed to do with regard to Carshalton was to abolish it. With re spect to Sandhurst, he proposed, instead of making the age of reception there 13, as at present, to fix it at 16 years of age. In the first place, by increasing the age the number of persons here at one time would be dimi nished, and thus the institution would be made available for more than could be accommodated at present, and every officer in the army would have an opportunity of participating in its benefits. The next advantage which would arise from this would be that youths entering there would be educated in the ordinary academies of the coun try, at the public schools, by private tutors and otherwise, so that the conceited mannerism which was at present complained of in young men coming from Sandhurst would be got rid of, and in addition the state would be die charged of the duty of teaching children, a duty for which in this instance there existed no necessity. At present those officers coming from Sandhurst had made them selves unsuited by their mannerism, so much so that it was considered amongst officers much better not to have been there, and thus a premium, as it were, was held out to ignorance. (Rear.) But the scheme which he proposed would, he believed, rid the service of the evil, not only in the manner which he had already intimated, but by inducing all officers to pass through Sandhurst the cause of the mischief would itself be extinguished. Again, there was this absurdity in the system. The stan dard at Sandhurst was high, and the successful candi date obtained a commission without purchase ; but then the boy who had interest, or whose father had money, • did not try to succeed ; indeed there were cases of young men who had been plucked at Sandhurst getting com missions immediately after. He proposed to abolish Carshalton, and reduce the term at Sandhurst to 18 months or two years, making the curriculum more prac tical than at present. Those who showed the greatest aptitude in geometry and mathematics he would then send to Woolwich for the artillery, and those who showed a talent for architecture and drawing, to Chatham • for the engineers. He would in addition have a third school solely for the cavalry, and this he would place at Maid stone, now our great cavalry depo+s He should propose that no one be admitted to a commission in the army who should not have passed the Sandhurst examination, or some similar examination not at Sandhurst. He would not make it indispensable that young men should go to Sandhurst. He thought it better that they saould have candidates from different schools, as then they would have competition between the masters as well as the boys. Then, again, to secure perfect impartiality in the examinations he would not have any Sandhurst professors on the board, but would have an entirely separate board of examiners. When the officer had at length got into the army, and for his pro motion, he (Mr. Herbert) would have ono uniform system cf examination, according to the plan recommended by the Duke of Wellington. He had proposed it in 1854, and received the sanction of the ,Treasury, the Horse Guards, and the House of Commons, but be regretted to see that it had dropped out of the estimates for the present year. He proposed that there should be a board of examiners both for appointment and pro motion, • and that would, he believed, give full employment to those qualified men. They would go down to Sandhurst. and to London, Dublin, and Edin burgh ; besides which questions would be sent to the stations, to he put by an officer appointed for the pur ;ems,. Objections were made to this plan on the ground that officers at out stations, or in the colonies, had not the means of study at hand, bat he thought that these objections might he easily obviated. He would give the examiners good pay, and good rank on the kaff, aed this, be thought, would give a great impetus to officers to study. (Hear, hear.) Those officers would also under his plan have the inspection of the regimen tal schools. He now came to the question of how they were to deal wits the staff. In France they had a staff school and a staff corps totally distinct from the rest of the army, and the officers had, besides, to pass two years in each branch of the army. But from the mo ment his term had expired, he' never again became a regimental officsr. It was different in England, where an officer was taken from his regiment for the staff, and, in five years, sent back again. During the campaigns of the Duke of Wellington nearly every officer passed the staff. The Duke of York established a staff school, and that school had trained some of the beat men in the army. But the course of education was better then than now, erhen we had more scientific and less military teaching. The whole establishment cost but 5,0801. a year, showing at how small a sum additional efficiency could be secured. One great object he had in view in attempting to re•open the staff schools on the principle lie proposed was, to infuse more professional spirit into the army, which could not be done if we followed the French system, and removed the staff officer perma nently from regimental service. He proposed to fix the staff school at Farnham, which had the advantage of being close to Aldershott, thus leaving more space at Sandhurst for the juniors. He would require that each officer seeking appointments on the staff should have served a certain time in each branch of the service. He thought one year would be enough. There was an absurdity in the present system that almost surpassed belief. An officer seeking appointment on the staff went to Sandhurst to . qualify himself, having previ ously been obliged to serve four years at home or three abroad. But, then, if a man got a nomination to the staff, no examination was necessary. • (Hear, bear.) Therefore this absurdity arose, that you did not i require fur the staff itself that which was required from men who were preparing themselves for the staff. He proposed to do away with military education before the age of 16, and that there should be one uniform exami• nation. Ho proposed to remove the senior department to Farehaae and to make it more practical and military. Hay ng communicated a few details, the right hon. mem ber concluded by urging the adoption of his pian on the Govsrnment and the houses ' Mr. PEEL regretted that the right hon. gentleman had not given him some previous intimation of his inten tion to bring forward this subject, as his not having. done so rendered him (Mr. Peel) unable to follow biin through his details. The right hon. gentleman com plained of the appointment of Government inspectors, and' of their selection from arnong,t the War office clerks. He was not aware that those inspectors were incompetent for their duty. He admitted that the Government had done less for the education of the offi cers of the army than they had done for the privates. In France, in Switzerland, in Prussia, and in almost every continental nation, means for the professional training of the officers of the army fir: rued a part of the organised and systematic institutions of the country ; but with the exception of the academy at Woolwich, where young men were prepared fur the Artillery and the Engineers, and the College of Sandhurst, which provided only to a very partial extent for the preparation of officers for the line, we had no institution of a national character for the education of the officers of the army. He concurred with his right honourable friend that it was the duty of the State to provide ample means to supply that amount of knowledge which was neeessaiiy to qualify the offi cers of the British army to fulfil their duties eflici eiently, and that with that view the subject demanded the serious censideration of the Government. And wit'n regard to 'the .staff appointments, he also agreed with his right honourable friend that, as far as pos sible, they ought to be conferred on such officers as had obest availed themselves of those means of education so . r Ted t o them. Whether personal or family connec tionsin nominating t c , . could ever be wholly excluded from consideration bat he.thought they such appointments was questionable, might fairly expect that those con eiderations should not be successful, except where the equal p : of qualification s were, if not super i or, at l east professional those of the ennpetinr, candidates. That the cruseu f military education had'suffered by the practice r seos to of persons entering the army not t o f o ll ow i t as a pro f es , sion, but merely as a so urce of am usement f or a f ew years, he admitted ; but 'whether that practice arose from the purchase system he was net prepared to say. His right honourable friend had spoken of a standard of education to be attained as a qualification for officers, to to be ascertained by examination, ac ee , alter entering the army ; they could rise to the second and third steps, but he doubted whether his right honourable friend had fully calculated the (ma_ culties of fixing any such standard, tea ingredient s of which, befor e he 'pronounced any decided opinion, he should like to hear from his right hon. friend. He should not, how'ever, think it fair that a man who bad been en gaged on foreign or colonial service during his whole professional life, without any opportunities of study, should be required to pass the same examination as the officer who had had the advantage of Chatham or Wool wich, and all the educational facilities which were attain able at home. Again, it should be remembered that very many officers had risen to the highest eminence without anygreat educational nip:firemen% and it would THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVLoh G, JUNE 6, 1856, be very detrimental to the efficiency of our army if it were deprived of the services of such men by the esta blishment of a standard of educational qualifications to which they were unequal. The plan established by the Duke of Wellington in reference to the examina tion at Sandhurst had been upon the whole success ful, as affording a security that those who were ap pointed 'to commissions in the first instance were men of education, but he saw no objection to the recom mendation of Lis right bon. friend that sixteen should be the earliest age at which youths should be admitted to that institution, that admission should be by examination on the principle of free competition, and that a second examination should be required before the cam .lion was granted. The standard of non-military edu cation required for the line was not high, but in the en gineers and artillery a higher qualification was demanded, and the plan adopted by his noble friend for securing it, by throwing open the commissions to public competition when the war broke out, and the necessity for adding to the number of officers in those services arose, instead of calling in the services of young men frsme the military colleges before they were sufficiently educated, had an swered well and given the greatest satisfaction. He was not, however, disposed ti say that because that system had :succeeded, therefore the high standard of non-mili tary education in those branches of the service should be extended to the others without further experience. He had doubts whether those advantages which his right friend anticipated would result from the establishment of a system of instruction for officers after their appointment to the first commission to qualify them to pass a second examination previous to promotion. On the part of the Government, however, he promised that the fullest consideration should be giece to the right hon, gentleman's sche:ne, but he ob• is s ued to their being called upon to coma to any precipi tate decision. The new brigade and divisional organisa tion of the army to which his right hon. friend had rte ferred, would create a number of new staff appointments, would afford the means of bringing forward officers of ability, and qualifying othee3 to fill staff duties. Hitherto, in consequence of the army being broken up into regi ments and detachments, the junior officers had no oppor tunity of showing their ability to fill the higher branches of the service, while the senior officers had been deprived of the means of making themselves acquainted with the merits of their juniors. This evil new organisation would remedy. Again, he believed that great good would re %mit from the formation of the camps at Aldershott and elsewhere, for exercise, whereby an advantage would be ex - corded to Vie whole of the army which had been hitherto confined to the garrison of Dublin. In cenclusion he reminded the house that a commission had whose plan he thought deserved the gratitude of the army and the country. Mr. RICH tendered his thanks to the right hon. gentle man for the admirable manner in which he had brought forward this subject and pressed it on the Government. The right hou. gentleman had established the anomalous manner in which commissions, promotions, and staff ap pointments were obtained. He was glad the Under-Secre tary for War had admitted the success of the competitive system in the artillery and engineers, and the inference was that it would be as succes ;cal with the rest of the army. That system would supply that which was wanting in our army—motive and professional feeling. The hon. gentle-. man then urged that, besides capability, service, especially iu the colonies, should bo considered with reference to pro motion. Admirable and efficient as the Guards were, yet, by the peculiar constitution, their officers obtained promo tion more quickly than the rest of the army, while they never saw foreign service except in case of European war ; they never were engaged in Indian, Kaffir, or Australian warfare, and therefore they had not so many opportunities of learning their duty in times of European peace. Never theless, it was from that body that so many general offi cers wore drawn. Ho thought that the staff ought to have peculiar qualifications, and there ought to be stringent re gulations laid down, the conditions of which all officers ought to fulfil before they were appointed to the staff. The only way in which the patronage of the army should be dis pensed should be through the War-office by means of com petition. With regard to the military college the hon. and gallant general had spoken ( f it as self-supporting ; but it was self-supporting by forming one set of students to support the others. The Government chose to say that the orphans of military officers should receive a gratuitous education at the military. college • but they paid nothing towards it ; while the sons of other persons were charged 150 guineas a year for the education of their eons, while 90 guineas a year would be amply sufficient. That was a matter which ought to be considered, for it was not just that the parents of the general students should be made to pay more than the legitimate expenses of their sons' educa tio . _ Lord HOT HAM said that' the hon. gentleman had treated more of the subject of a motion he had brought for ward two or throe times than of that which the right hon: gentleman had brought forward. The right hon. gentle man had evidently paid great attention to this subject, and had acquired a right to press it upon the Government. He (Lord Hotham) did not think that the Under-Secre tary for War was to blame for not having given a more decided answer on this question, for not only were many of the points ho had to reply to put newly before him, but he was only the representative of the "War-office, and could not answer fully for the War Minister, far less for the Go vernment, with whom the decision of the matter must lie. The hon. member (Mr. Rich) had spoken of the want of experience of officers of the army, and had spoken of the experience which was to be obtained in colonial service. The hou. gentleman should have said in certain colonies, for iu some colonies, the 'West Indies, for instance, regi ments were broken up, and the experience obtained by officers was not of the most desirable kind. The hon. gen tleman might have spoken of the want of opportunity for gaining experience by officers in this country also ; for ho (Lord Hotham) had known an instance of a regiment of cavalry being stationed in Ireland for two years without a riding-school, and yet they would have been expect e d t o have been fit for service. The noble lord then proceeded to defend the Guards against the strictures of Mr. Rich, urging that the recent regulations had prevented any pos sibility of undue promotion in that corps, and also that, although the Guards were not liable to foreign and colo nial service, they always formed part of every expedition which left thin country in active service, and they had always so performed their duty as to receive the approba tion of a very general order where they served; and he par ticularly instanced the tributes paid to the gal lantry, discipline, and general good service of the Gnarus, by the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular war; he, therefore, was justified in saying that although 'they learnt their duty in England, the Guards had never shown any deficiency iu every quality that constituted soldiers. He had on all previous occa sions, when the Guards had been attacked in that house, although ha had always belonged t them, refrained from saying a word, leaving their defence to ther gentlemen, but on this occasion he felt it to be his duty not to allow the observations of the lion. gentleman to pass without an answer. Lord GODERICH said ha hoped some member of the Government would give to them more particular informa tion as to the intentions of Government than had been given to them by the Under Secretary for War. The hon. gentleman had, in fact, given them no information, but hail merely given them his own opinion on the subject, which appeared to be unfavourab'e to the propositions of I the right hon. gentleman (Mr. Sidney Herbert) ; but he nevertheless distinctly stated that he did not intend to be hauled by any opinion he might then express. The noble lord opposite said he did not blame the hou gentleman be cause he could not be aware of what would be the nature of the right lion, gentlemen's speech ' • but the right hon. gentleman gave notice some time ago that he would bring this question :before the house, and he postponed it in consequence of the illness of the Secretary for War, and the details of his proposition had been long known, and had been published in the report of the committee. It was of great importance that they should elicit from her Ma jesty's Governmout an expression of their opinion on the general questiou. They had just passed from a state of war into a state of peace. Public attention had been di rected to everything that concerned our military establish ment and organisation.. It would be difficult on any fu ture occasion to obtain the same amount of interest on the subject. This, therefore, was the moment at which changes and reforms in this branch of the service might be advantageously made. In military organisation we were behind all nations who hail what we might call a civilised army, still whatever might be the undoubted great quali ties of British officers, surely it was of consequence to this country, which had but a small army, that we should take the best moans in our power to make that army as efficient as possible. Lord PALMERSTON said he concurred with the hon. members in expressing his thanks to his right hon. friend who lid brought this subject before the consideration of the house, for the able and clear manoer in which he bad stated his view. Indeed there was nobody who, from his intimate knowledge of all the matters to which his speech related, both from his natural ability, the clearness of his conception, and the facility of his manner in developing his ideas, was bettor qualified and more entitled to bring a matter of such interest ',afore the house. When gentle men wishe 1 Government to state its particular intentions on a subject like this, he was afraid he should not be able to meet their expectetioes. Governmenteentirely concurred in estimating the high importance of giving to officers of the array the best p education adapted to their pro fessional pursuits. He did to' agree with his noble friend who had just sptLen, in this k ug that the British army was behind any other army in the world in anything. When they lookel at the exploits of the British army he was bound to say there was no occasion in which, under any circumstances whatever, it had not proved itself equal, anal he might say superior, to those against whom it had to contend. At the same time,ho did net mean to say that the Cyst en of education for the officers of , the army was not e suable of great improvement, and it would be the anxious e ire, as ir, was the bounden duty, of Govern ment to devote their beet attention to this matter, for the purpose of making swe'n arrangements as might appear to those best calculated to attain the object in view. He was sure his right hoe. friend would not expect that he should on the present occasion follow him through the various de tails of his speech. His suggestions would receive the best attention and consideration of the Government. In this matter there were two things to bo kept in view. Some persons contended that there should boa literary qualifica tion as a proiiininaey proof of capacity. Well, that might be tarried too far ; but to a certain extent literary attain ments should be required. It would be we Ilthat officers who entered the army should have literary attainments, although it was perfectly true, as was alluded toby his right hon. friend, that -literary attainments were not al ways combined with those constitutional qualities which were requisite. To some extent, however, literary attain ments were requisite, but he thought that the future course of instruction should be more devoted to professional ac quirements—for instance, mathematical knowledge. But to require the sort and extent of mathematical knowledge which was attained by a wraugler at Cambridge was a waste of time, and would not at all render the young man who attained it fitter for the profession of which he was to become a member. The main qualifications fur an officer were, first of ,ell, contempt of danger, a quick eye to esti mate the danger of surrounding circumstances, a rapid de ci don to act in emergencies, and resolution to carry out his judgment. Those were the qualifications that were most important for an officer, and might be found in a:man de ficient in literary attainments. What was wanted was a combination of the two. There was no doubt that these constitutional qualities could not he ascertained exactly by an examination. The Mike of Wellington used to carry with hilts a pack of hounds, and when he wished to judge of the merits of a young officer, he could form a sort of judgment by the quickness of his eye, and the means he resorted to in capturing the game. However, there was no examination they could institute which could afford them a dechiive test of these qualifications, and they must take their chance, Ad they could do was to give the offi cers that scientific knowledge which was essentialdo their professional pursuits, and to the good conduct of the troops might be placed under their command,' and by exarninteion to ascertain whether they had profited by their instructions..lt was said that it was not fair to make the military college. a self-supporting institution, and to m tike one pat t of the students pay for the education of the other. Bet ho was bound to say that whatever injustice there might be iu that it was forced upon the Government by repeated discussions in that house. Year after year the late hon. member for Montrose urged the abolition of the military college -as a matter of expense to the public, and it was in• deference to the house that at last the mi litary coil age was so arranged that it should not be an expense to the public. He hoped that the experi ence o f late years hail opened the eyes of Parliament to the great importance of these matters, and that members would not only now but in future sessions bear in mind of what in.l- D3e1:183 importance it was to have a good and efficie t n h t o a se rm b y e . Ho quite agreed with those who thought it was far less important what the numbers should be then what .the oritunisetion should be, and the instruction given to the officers. He trusted the house would excuse him if he did not go into further det a il. He assured them that the Government were as fully impressed as any of hail the honour to address with the great importance i f making their army as efficient as possible. During the war their labours were devoted entirely to the efficient conduct of the war, and this matter did not receive the attention which it ueserved ; but now that peace was for tunately restored, it would be the anxious desire of Ge vernment to conic to some s atisfactory decision on the arrangements necessary to accomplish the purpose. Mr. G. MOORE asked the Secretary for Ireland to ex plain a statement he had made to-night respecting the Irish TenantS Compensation Bill, and his having said that if the member for Northampton would move that the bill be committed that day six months' Government would support him. Mr. HORS MAN said he would state the circumstances under which the hon. gentleman had charge of the bill. On the 29th of January there was a great tneetiug, of the Tenant League in Dublin, in order, to consider the bill which was to be brought forward this session. But wh en the day arrived there was no bill prepared. Mr. G. MOORE observed that that was a mistake. MreHOlt SMAN then proceeded to read a report from a newspaper of the proceedings of the meeting in question, to the effect that the "energetic action" of the league had been 4 ppcd by their being in debt to the tune of fie, which difficulty, h owever , h a d b e en got over, by six of th e prominent members o f th e l ea gue becoming surety for the amount. The "energetic action" being thus restored, another ditliaulty ar ose from want of members, and the council had not been able to carry into effect the instruc tions issued at the last general meeting to have a bill pro pared by a competent lawyer (they could net, the right hon. gentleman remarked, pay the foe), and it was deter mined, therefore, to fall back on Mr. iharman Crawford's bill, and the member for Mayo and the member for Dun garvon were requested to undertake the carriage of it. The SPEAKER here observed t i right hon. gen. been appointed some time ago to make inquiries as to the military systems of France, Prussia, Switzerland, Turin, and other continental states, with the view to the improvement of the scientific departments of our own army. That commission, he uLderstood, would in a few days make their report, and it would be no more than fair that the Government should have the opportunity of considering that report and the recommendations ma le by the commissioners before they were called upon to commit neinselves to his right hon. friend's plan: It was their intention to give their best attention to this important question of military education, and he trusted they would succeed in maturing a system which should ensure the efficiency of the army. ([fear.) Me. E. ELLICE thanked his right hon. friend for bringing the subject under the notice of the house. Tnough he did not expect that the Goverament would at once commit themselves to the plan propounded. he did not concur in the objections of his hon. friend (Mr. Peel) as to the proposed system of inspection, or to the re quirement of an examination as a preliminary to promo tion. In the navy there was a strict examination but it was not found to exclude men of energy and hardihood, as the bon, gentleman appeared to think it would do in the case of the army. He concurred with his right hon. friend that the money expended by the State in the ele mentary education of youth intended for the army wag thrown away. It would be better, both for the young men and the service, that the elementary education should be obtained not merely in the private schools of this country, but in the educational establishments of the continent, and that the appointments should be thrown open to public competition. For the scientific branches of the army and for the staff bethought the public ought to provine the means of education, but the necessary qualification being proved, he would like to see the pa tronage of the army so dispensed that none but such as were so qualified should receive appointments. A com mittee which sat 24 years ago, had recommended that .no staff appointment should be held by the feline officer for a.longer period than 5 years, and that receitunendation had been repeated by a committee which sat in 1854; but no attention had been paid to it ; :tr. 1 when the members of the committee attempted to eecorce their recommendation, in the hong., they were met and oppc/3ecl by a propositioe, which required that the officer should merely be re-gazetted after 5 years' service on any staff appointment. They were told by his hon. friend that the new organisation of the army was important, as a means of bringing forward 'young men to stiff appointments, and to the command of brigades and divisions ; but while this reform was going on he found an old general of 32—Lord Seaton—appointed to the chief command of the forces in Ireland. That Lord Sea ten was a soldier of distinction of whom the country o !gist to be proud he fully admitted, but he questioned whether a man 83 years of age was fitted for such a command. He concurred with his right hon. friend that whether the details of his plan were adopted or not, they oug!it to set to work in earnest to make the establish , tnent w teas to be retained, as the nucleus of the more efficient force which would be required in time of war, as efficient as possible. Sir DE L. EVANS considered that Government should be requil ed togi ve a pledge to carty out the recommendation of the committee, alluded to by his right hon. friend (Hr. Ellice), that staff appointments should not be held for a longer period than 5 years. In time of peace especially there could be no difficulty iu finding officers fully qualified t fill such appointments. The hon. gentleman had alluded to arrangements made by the noble lord the Secretary for War for the establishment of a competitive system of exa mination; he (Sir Do Lacy Evans) believed the change in that respect would be of the greatest advantage to the ser vice, and he begged to offer his best acknowledgements to the noble lord for it. He was glad to hear that it bad an swered the expectations entertained of it, and ho hoped that it would be further extended. He agreed with his right hon. friend the member for Coventry that the tone of the Under-Secretary for War was not very cheering, with regard to despatch being used in carrying on the sys tem of military education. The hoe. gentleman had al luded to the army being kept together in brigades and divisions, instead of being scattered about in detachments; eel no doubt that would be of use, but it was not enough, There were perhaps several gentlemen present who sat on thu inquiry into the system pursued at the Military Col lege, and they probably knew more of it than he did ; but ha (Sir De Lacy Evans) believed that the stete of that col ;ego was vary unsatisfactory. There wore two classes of examination, one of which was of too high a character, while the other was too slight, and Colonel Prosser, one of the officers of the college, was asked whether it was not of such a nature as that a very stupid lad could pass it, and he said yes That being the present state of irilitary education and instruction, the hon. gentleman still cried out for time to consider about it. He was aware that at this period of the session they could not require a complete plan from the Government ; but they could have before them the result of the inquiries of committees of that house, and of a commission to inquire into the military eYstem of foreign countries, which ought to produce some r )suli. The hon. gentleman had drawn a distiation between a high scholastic test of fitness for commissions in the army, and the fitness of those who without high scholas tic acquirements, yet possessed common sense, nerve, and strength of body. He (Sir Da Lacy Evans) admitted that a high scholastic test was not necessary, but that was a very different thing to giving a commission to any stupid person that had 5031. or 6031. in his pocket. It Was clear that military education wee in an unsatisfac tory state. It was certain that the- postponement of , the consideration of the question which was asked fur by the hoc. gentleman was for no less than another year, for there was not a word in the estimates on the subject. He thought that with the co-operation of the right hon. gentle man, the member for Wiltshire, there could bone difficulty found by the War-office in coming to a decision before the house was up for this session, and that the house should bo applied to for the necessary moans. As regarded the ques tion of pectriia.ry means, it was remarkable that for3oyears net one shilling hard been expended in the education of offi cers. The Military College was car; ie I on, on what was called the self-supporting system. Ho .was old enough to have served in the last war with America, and one ad vantage that we had over the Americans was that they had no military knowledge. As soon as peace was proclaimed, they having seen their mistake, instituted a system of mi litary instruction for their small army, and they had an excellent military college, with an establishment much larger than the one we kept up for our large army. It was only yesterday that ho had heard evidence given before the Royal Commission to inquire into the system of purchase, with regard to the plan of military instruction pursued in Austria, and it was stated that for the instruction of 7,000 oflicere and nou-eommissioned officers a sum of 230,0001. a year wile spent ; a stun almost equal to a mill'en with us. The French, the Sardinian, an I the Prussian Governments 'Tent considerable sums in the education of their armies, aud thi., country alone did nothing of the kind.. He hoped the War-office would accelerate their movements in this matter, and before the session ended come for ward with some proposition on the subject. With regard to the staff, that was a question which required a mind great Ivi l o e fofexamination, and he had not ma d e u p hi s or a separate corps f or th e etaff, ki was the plan in foreign ermiee, was the best. Ho knew r our system teat at the end of the Peninsular war the staff of the Bri tish army was the best in the world, but it had boon created by the best chief in Europe, and been brought to perfection by long experience in service. He hoped that the noble lord at the head of the governmenit would see that this question was breught on for consideration this ear. Colonel DUNNE urged that it was evident that the go vernment was in no hurry on this subject, for they had materials euough to proceed on, and thu waiting for the report of the commission to inquire into thu system of foreign armies was a futile pretext for delay. He hoped that the right hon. gentleman (Kr. Herbert), to whom every one connected with the army mast feel grateful, would press on the government the necessity of action in this matter. The system even of practical instruction in the army had diminished silica ho had first entered it. tie was of opinion that a groat many thea.retical subjects which were required to pass ex mination in the army were of no use, and would be better supplied by practical instruction. It was of no use having the highest know iedge of abstract mathematics, and yet bo unacquainted g,arihveennotol;ltehe best, with any of the practical principles of fortification. The right hon. gentleman had touched the real reason for a deficiency of professional feeling in the army, when he she Nod that stair appointments and promotions wore not ffi 'ra ' hut were awarded for very different reasons. theoreticaltdi e t encaor army, i y, before (, fre most meriorious, and most instructed and gallant gentleman then urged that the evi citerroirsceeonanFalti3otetre: to enquire into the state of much professional education dhow favo ur thate f for t who h e armyw er were least went to a n eney of -the service. He repeated his acknowledgments was necessary to the eißci to the right hen, gentleman, the member for Wiltshire, tleman was irregular in discussing a bill on the question of going into committee of supply. ' Mr. HORSMAN said, then be would merely state the views of the hon. gentleman, and he was proceeding to react a letter from the hon. ~e ntleman, to the effcct that he should be ministering to a complete delusion if he said there was any hope of carrying the bill, when The SPE A.KER again intimated that the right hon. gen tleman was out of order. Mr. HORS NUN said, then with regard to the vote that he had gven = _ _ _ The RPEAKER said nothing could be more irregular than a discussion as to the vote of a member, on the ques tion that the house go into committee of supply. Mr. HORSMIN said he had frankly confessed to-day that he had made a mistake. He represented the Govern ment, and was responsible. As he was asked the question he was bound to answer it. However, he agreed with the Speaker that he was irregular, and he could only say that be was prepared to defend his conduct when the proper time arrived. The house then went into committee of supply. The first vote was 2,000!. on account of the annuity to the Board of Manufactures in Scotland, in tiischarge of equivalents under the treaty of union. In answer to Mr. WILLIAM 3, Mr. WILSON said this sum was now applied is support of a school of design in Scotland. The vote was then agreed to. The next vote, 5,0001. for the commissioners of High • land road and bridges, was agreed to without remark. On the next vote, 12,0001. for bounties on slaves and tonnage bounties. Sir F. BARING asked for au explanation, seeing that the amount expended last year under this head was only 4,0001. Mr. WILSON said, though the voto might be taken the money could not be expended except under the provisions of the act. Lord PALMERSTON could answer one part of the question. The slave trade, by the exertion of the cruisers, and more particularly on the Brazilian coast, had now for several years been extinguished. It had prevailed a little in Cuba, but not much, and therefore the amount ex pended on rewards for captures had been very small. Last year, however, there was a great mortality in Brazil from an epidemic, and there were groat symptoms of the renewal of the Brazilian slave trade. They knew that several ves sels had been fitted out in the United States to carry slaves from the coast of Africa to Brazil, and one or two cargoes had been actually landed on the coast of Brazil, and that was the reason why a larger sum was asked for under this head this year. The vote was then agreed to. 900/. to defray the expense of the commissioners for the publication of ancient laws of Ireland.—Agreed to. 9,0001. for process servers in Ireland, formerly defrayed from the excise revenue.—Agreed to. 70,0001., merchant seamen's fund pensions.—Agreed to. `2,300/., joint-stock companies registration (Board of Trade).—Agreed to. 1,7931. Registration of Designs Office.—Agreed to. The next vote was for 29,000/. for payments on account of the difference of dues payable by British or foreign ves sels under treaties of reciprocity. Mr. WILLIAMS asked for some explanation of this vote. Mr. WILSON said there was annually laid on the table of the house a statement in detail of the payments under this vote. The whole subject was under the consideration of a committee upstairs, and it was not desirable, there fore, to discuss it at present. Agreed to. On the vote 3,500/. for the salaries and expenses of the inspectors of corn returns, Mr. STAFFORD said nt the time when the corn-laws were repealed great complaints were justly made of the mode of collecting the corn returns, and he wished to know what had been done to improve the machinery. Mr. J. WILSON had the satisfaction of stating that a gradual improvement was being made in the system. For merly persons were appointed inspectors merely because they were engaged in the corn trade, not because they had any peculiar facilities for performing the duties; but as they had died off their places had been supplied by officers of the Inland Revenue, whose returns had generally been found correct. He hoped that the collection of these re turns and of agricultural statistics generally would ulti mately be combined, and that one result of that combina tion would be to secure an accurate return of the corn sold by the farmer as well as that sold by the dealer. Mr. WISE said that, so far as corn rents and tithe pay ments were concerned, the present returns were entirely delusive. The whole system was unsatisfactory, and he trusted that some assurance would be given by her Ma jesty's Government that the matter would be carefully considered with a view to an alteration, including, first, an extension of the number of towns from which the ave rages were made up; and, secondly, the compelling the seller to record every sale in some or other. Without ob taining returns of all the corn sold in the country they could never arrive at satisfactory averages. Mr. L. DAVIES thought that before the inspectors were condemned it should be taken into account that an im'nease quantity of the corn sold w.:15 never taken to a town, and that the inspector of the district could not therefore include it in his returns. Mr. LABOUCIIERE said his attention was first called to this subject some years since, when he was connected with the Board of Trade. The present system was no doubt most inadequate to the obtaining of complete statistical in formation with regard to the sale of corn ; but if they were to make the machinery efficient for that purpose, in the first place the expenditure would bo much larger than it was at present, and in the second place it would interfere with mi nute transactions in a manner that•might lead to consider able difficulty. The practical purpose for which the returns were obtained related to the Tithe Commutation Act, and he did not believe there was an important error in the re sults. The returns wore doubtless procured merely from sellers who were willing to give information, and he ad• mitted that that was a loose way of getting them ; but, on the other hand, the seller had uo interest in mis-stating prices, and he bJieved that, rude and imperfect as the ma chinery was, practically answered the purpose. As to the collection of :agricultural statistics, that was a very large and important question, and it was certainly not contem plated when the arrangements under consideration were devised. • Agreed to. 17,0001. was voted for the relief of distrossed British sea men abroad, and 3 6001. for quarantine expenses. On the vote of 17,850/. for revising barristers. Mr. W. WILLIAMS said he thought the duties of the revising barristers should be performed by the county court judges, who had recently received a very large increase of salaries, which was unaccompanied with any increase of their duties. Mr. J. G. PHILLIMORE did not agree with the hon. member. There were times when the duties of revising barristers were extremely arduous, and it was impossible forcounty court judges to perform them in addition to their great labours. The vacation of .a county cuurt judge was already extremely short, and it must not be diminished. Mr. L. DAVIS supported the vote. Mr. MULLINGS said the committee on the salaries of the county court judges, of which he was a member, took this question into consideration, and they were unani mously of ()Pinion that it would be highly oujectionable to throw upon such persons the duties now performed by re vising barristers. Mr - . M. CEIAMBERS thought that if there were any fault is th 3 matter it consisted in the appointment of re vising barristers who were not competent to discharge the duties. After a few words from Mr. W. WILLIAMS, The vote wax agreed to. On the vote of 7,233/. for the expense of the police a the camp at Aldershot, Mr. W. WILLIAMSsaid he considered this item a most extraordinary one. Re could not understand why taxes Should' be levied to pay county policemen for keeping 15,000 militia in order. He would be glad to keow in what the duties of he police consisted, and why they could not be as wall performed by militiamen as by police? He had certainly heard it jokingly said with regard to one regiment of militia that the front rank wore obliged to take great care of their pockets lest the rear rank should pick them. Still he thought the veto required explanation. Mr. J. WILSON said this vote involved a great consti tutional principle. Tho hon. member should bear in mind that three years ago, when a camp was formed at Chob ham, a large sum was expended iu maintaining a police force there. When the camp at Aldershot was perma nently established the Home-offiao was asked to censieler by what means the peace of the neighbourhood should be preserved; it being obvious that a very large concourse of people of various kinds would be collected round the camp, and that a large additional police force would be required. It was suggested by some_ persons at the time, as it had been that evening by the hon. gentleman, that police officers in rad coats might be employed ; but con sidering the jealousy which had always existed between the civil and military authorities in this country, the Government thought no ouo would like to see the preservation of the peace placed permanently in the hands of the militia. That would, in fact, have been trans ferring the duty of preserving the peace from tho Home office to the War-office. (Hoar, hear.) The vote under coue;deration extended over a year and a half, and he cor tamly did not think it would have been fair to Hampshire and Surrey to impose that burden on them for the main tenance of the peace at the camp. Lord LOVAINE observed that the Home-office assented to the present arrangement ou the application of the Chief Constable of Surrey. Mr.•HUfCHINS said, residing as he did, when in the country, not far from the camp at Aldershott, he could bear lesimony that, with few exceptions, the conduct of the militia, as well as that of the regular troops in the camp, was such as to reflect great credit on them. Mr. A. PELLATT thought that fact was an argument against the maintenance of a police force. Mr. HENLEY said a very large question was involved. in this vote. If th e cam p a t Aldrehott was intended to be permanent, as appeared to be the case, there must be a permanent addition made to the value of the property, and in that case it would bs a question whether the locality ought not to bear the burden of maintaining the requisite police force. • - Sir W. HEATHCOTE thought it was clearly in the contemplation of the framers of the Police Act to make a case like this exceptional. In reply to the last observation of the right hon. gentleman, he wonld o b serve th a t as th e ground belonging to the Government covered a very large area, not r. single shilling would be added to the county rates. Mr. W. WILLIAMS remarked that there were no police to be soon at Shorncliffe. Lord PALMERSTON said police were'not required at Altlershott, as the hon. gentlemen appeared to suppoio, to protect the soldiers, who were able to protect themselves, and if they were not the police would not be competent to protect them ; but it was well known that wherevera large body of troops was collected together a very erratic popu lation settLA around them, and unless the practice of, foreign countries were adopted and order preserved by martial law, it was evident that there must be a civil force to preserve the peace. Let it bo clearly understood, then. that a police force was required, not to protect the sol diers, but to preserve order in the circumference which surrounded the camp, within which there was to be found a very largo population of loose habits and disorderly cha racters. Mr. \V. WILLIAMS —Let the soldiers take care of them selves. Lord PALMERSTON continued—Would his hon. friond like the peace of the country to be preserved by detach ments of troops? Why he felt sure that if people wore ap prehended by a corporal's guard, and carried by it before the nearest magistrate, his bon, friend would be one of the first to complain that that was a breach of the constitutional princip'es of the emntry. As to the supposed improve ment of the neighbourhood, ho did not. think that notion was well founded. It was because c f the barrenness of the land that it had been fixed upon for the camp, and hence it was not a locality which persons would be likely to choose for a residence. . . _ Sir F. BARING hoped that when this vote had been Passed, the claims of Plymouth and Portsmouth would be taken into consideration. (A. laugh.) Mr. M. CHAMBERS hoped that this vote would not be taken a's a precedent', .aithough it might be necessary to pass it at the present moment. Next year the value of the property around tho camp would be so much increased as to render it just that the inhabitants should support the extra police rendered necessary thereby. The committee divided— For the vote Against. it 14 Majority —ll7 Upon the vote of 3,0001. for the inspection of burial grounds: Mr. HA.DFIELD complained of the manner in which this inspection had bawl exercised. Grounds had been in terfered with which had been opened for public convenience without a just consideration for the rights of property. Mr. WILSON said that the duties of these inspectors were regulated by two acts of Parliament passed some few years since. Mr. PELLATT thought there ought to be some expla nation given upon the_vote. Tho iota was agreed to. - Upon the vote of 21,2621. for Battersea Park, Mr. P. O'BRIEN corupleinecl that although this was a vote for a municipal and local purpose, Mr. Williams did not find fault with it, while he was loud in denouncing votes of public money for local purposes elsewhere. He supposed that in the fact that this was in the borough of Lambeth was to be found the reason for the hon. member's silence on this occasion. Mr. WILLIAAIS informed the hon. member that not an inch of the park was in the borough of Lambeth. (Hoar.) The fact was that when he cause into the house he found that a large stun had been expended for the park, but he had been assured that if the schemes of Government wore carried out the entire expenditure would be returned. Col. DUNNE' thought a limit ought to be drawn in the expenditure of public money for municipal purposes. Mr. EVELYN must express his astonishment at the course adopted by the hon. member for Lambeth. He could not forget how that hen. gentleman upon a former occasion had opposed a grant in aid of the rates of the counties of Hants and Surrey for public purposes. Tho hon. member, however, was not so ready to oppose the application of the public money for objects connected with the metropolis, in which his constituents had an interest. It was quite evi dent, therefore, that if the hon. member was a rural re former, he was a metropolitan conservative. Sir B. HALL might state that he had boen over the ground not long ago, and he was able to inform the com mittee that the .park would be open to the public in the courses of the next summer, He hoped also that the sum of 21,262/. would bo found qnito sufficient to cover all the expenditure necessary; while he might add that of the whole 325 acres which had been purchased 125 had been reserved from the interior of the park, which would be let for building purposes, so as to reproduce a large sum of money. Mr. WILLIAMS defended his consistency, and eulo gise the public spirit of his constituents, the inhabitants of Lambeth, who had of themselves, unassisted by any public money, created one of the very finest parks in the metropolis. (Great laughter, and cries of "name.") Ken nington Park. (Roars of laughter.) Mr. P. O'BRIEN—It is nothing but stones. Dr. MICHELL declared there never was a worse job than that same Kennington Park, of which the lion. mem bar was so proud. (Renewed laughter.) I4st year, as they would all remember, a very largo sum was voted for puttinz the park in order. Mr. WEL LIAMS—No. Dr. MICHELL—Yes, there was 1,001. voted for the purpose. The vote was then agreed to. The next vote was for a sum of 35,7531. towards defray lag the expense of constructing an embankment and pub lic roadway between Vauxhall and Battersea Bridge, and an approach from Chelsea to Sloane-street. Dr. MICHELL declared that if tho last vote involved a job this was ton times worse. (Laughter.) They were doing with the public money that which ought to devolve upon private individuals, whose property would be mate rially benefitted by the outlay. When they wanted roads or bridges in Cornwall they made them at their own ex pense, and ho did not see why the inhabitants of the me tropolis should not do the same. Colonel DUNNE concurred in the objection to the vote, and expressed a hope that next session something like a combined action would be got up against such proposals. Sir B. HALL said the vote was required to carry out the intentions of an act passed in a former session. The Marquis of Westminster would be required to pay a sum of money commensurate with the advantages derived by his property, and when the works were completed the money would be paid. Mr. SPOONER, wished to know whether the present vote was the last that would be required for the purpose ? Sir B. HALL could give no such assurance. At the satee time he would promise that if any further F urn were re quired a statement of the proposed outlay should be laid on the table previous to being incurred. Mr. HADFIELD also objected to the vote. In Man chester, Sheffield, and elsewhere they got no public money for the formation of parks, and he could see no reason why the metropolis 'alpue should be entitled to such assistance. Those whose property was advantaged by such improve ments ought to pay for them, and none other s. There was Westminster Bridge, hard by, ono of the greatest tho roughfares in the world. That bridge was being rebuilt, and at the public careens.), while all the time it was those living in the neighbourhood whose property would be benetited that ought to pay for the expenditure. Mr. L. DAVIES wished to know what sum the Marquis of Westminster would have to pay ? Sir B. HALL—Between 8,0001. and 9,0001., that being considered to represent the improved value of his perty. He might add, the bridge would be open before the end of the year. Mr. KENDALL thought the Government might have done this year what they had promised to do in future, and have laid detailed estimates of all the expenses connected with this project before the house. Dr. MICHELL .would unquestionably divide against the vote. He moved that it be rejected. Sir W. JOLLIFFB thought they ought to know whether the Government contemplated the redemption of the tolls upon the bridges and roads round London. It seemed to him, otherwise, that it was rather unfair for the Government thus to compete with those who had expended their money in the construction of roads and bridges to the groat advantage of the public, and interfere with their legitimate returns. Sir 13. HALL thought that any such intention on the part of the Government would be strongly opposed in that house. Two years ago he had sat upon a committee with reference to that subject, which recommended that a me tropolitan board of works should be created as the proper body to consider the question of the redemption of tolls and other matters. Well, such a board had been created, and he was happy to perceive by the report of their pro ceedings published in the newspapers, that the subject was under the consideration of the board, add he hoped would be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. The committee divided — For the vote 'Against it Majority The vote was then agreed to On the next vote, 1,5441. for services connected with the Windsor improvements, Mr. SPOONER considered that the item of this vote required explanation. Mr. WILSON explained that it was a balance of into ' rest due to the Windsor Improvement Commissioners. After a conversation, the vote was agreed to. 1,1509/., works at Carisbook Castle, in the Isle of Wight. —Agreed to. 9,000/., Record-office.—Agreed to. 6,91:31., furnishing British embassy-houses abroad. Mr. WHITESIDE complained that the architect who wont to Paris to superintend the arrangements for her Majesty's reception at the Paris Embassy bad charged 9001. for superintending an expenditure of 5001. The hon. and learned member also criticised with severity the est peudituro for the ambassadorial palace at Constantinople. Ho should move that both votes be reduced by the sum of 2,330/. Mr. WISE supported the amendment. The total ex penses of erection at the Paris, Madrid, and Constanti nople embassies, had been 230,000/. Sir B. HALL explained the items of expense at the Paris Embassy. With respect to the architect's expenses, be thought they were justified by the period of time dur ing which be was detained in Paris. There were several items in this vote which ought to have been brought under the notice of the house in a former year. He thought it right to have all the items which cause to his knowledge brought before the house, and he did not believe there would be any of these outstanding accounts in future. Mr. WHITESIDE said that if had any doubt before about dividing the committee on this vote, that doubt was moved by what the right hon. gentleman stated. In reply to Mr. Pisersame 109 66 -43 Sir B. HALL said that Mr. Albano, the architect, was not paid by percantages i but by daily allowance and ex- penses. Sir D. NORREYS said that if an architect had been sent from this country to superintend repairs, &c., for the sake of economy, the experiment had failed. Sir B. HALL said it was impossible to defend the vote in some respects, because it contained items of 1854 which ought to have been brought under the notice of the house in that year. He gave precise instractions to Mr. Albano when he wee sect to superintend repairs. Sir F. BARING suggestedthat the vote should be with drawn for the present, and submitted to a select commit tee, because at present they did not know how much they ought to pay. He did not think any blame attached to the right hon. gentleman. He should move that the chairman report progress, and ask leave to sit again. Mr. HUTCHINS complained that the payment to the architect was over 100 per cent on the amount of repairs. Mr. SPOONED, said that the same architect had received 4()71. for superintending a Protestant burial-ground at Madrid which cost only 3101. (Hear, hoar.) Mr. MUNTZ said the whole system was bad. Whatever Government touched it mismanaged ; but there was no use in taking. They must divide against every item if they I wished to make an impression the Government. ( Hear.) Sir W. JOLLIFFE thought the Government could not press this vote at present. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it ap peared to him to be quite now to appoint a committee to inquire into a particular vote. Ho admitted that estimates should have been framed before the expenditure was in curred. Mr. Albano was an architect employed by the Board of Works, and he understood ho was paid by daily allowance and by travelling expenses. He V 754 sent to Paris to perform a special duty, and by some official negli gence he was left there longer than he ought to have been. (Laughter.) He begged to observe that neither ha nor his right hon. friend nor the Secretary of the Tressury was responsible for that. He stated the fact, and having stated it he put it to the committee whether any practical advan tage could result from the appointment of a committee of inquiry. Mr. DISRAELI said ho should support the motion of the right hon. baronet the member for Portsmouth. It was the duty of the committee, where the Government were unable t o explain or defend their own votes, to take the subject into their own hands. The committee of inquiry which the right hon. gentleman proposed would not only inquire into this particular vote, but into the eau's() of the expenditure. Ho considered that a practical mode of dealing with the question, and he should therefore vote for the right hon. gentleman's motion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER hail not at tempted to vindicate the laches, and if the house thought an examination by a select committee necessary he had no objection, and therefore would withdraw the vote. The vote was accordingly withdrawn, as was the motion for reporting progress. 2,0811. for work and furniture at the British Consulate at Constantinople. 6,0a01. for works at Spgrn Point in the River Humber. 637/. for works at Menai Straits. _ 1,0531. for the saJaricsof certain professors at Cambridge University were universally adopted. - - On 15,6291. for salaries and expenses of the Encumbered Estates Commission in Ireland being proposed, Mr. WRITESIDE complained that the Chi e f c omm i e ,. sioner Was the judge of the Court of Exchequer, who was compelled to neglect his duties in ono court to perform those iu another. It was a subversion of the independence of a judge to pay him a salary to peiforal the functions of an office dependent on the will of the Government. Unless he had an assurance from the Government that Baron Rich ards would, if the commission wore continued for another year or more, be restored to his court, in which there was a great arrear of business, he would oppose the vote. Mr. J. FITZGERALD observed that the question of the reform of the Encumbered Estates Court was under the consideration of a committee upstairs, and until that com mittee reported he was not in a position to state whether the existing staff of the Encumbered Estates Court would be continued, or whether its functions would bo transferred to some other tribunal. He eulogised the ability exhibited by Baron Richards in presiding over the court in question. Col. DUNNE thought the vote ought to be suspended until the government decided upon the course they intended to take, and he proposed a motion to that effect. Mr. WHITESIDE also urged that the vote should be withdrawn. Mr. FITZGERALD observed that whatever might be tlzo nitiruate decision, the court would doubtless exist for the period over which the vote extended—viz., until March net: year. Mr .WIIITESIDE, on the ground that the explanation was not satisfactory, moved that the chairman report pro . The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER explained that if any change took place by which the services of the Chief Commissioner, or any other officer of the court were dispensed with before March next, only so much of the sa laries as were due at the period of the alteration would be paid. Lord NAAS supported the proposal for _postponing the vote. Lord PALMERSTON remarked that whatever might be the decision of the committee it was not likely that any leghdative action would be taken in consequence of it at this late period of the session. After an observation from Mr. HENLEY, The vote was allowed to pass. The following votes *ere then agreed to :- 3,000/. for the Irish census. 3,000'. Gallery of Arts in Ireland. 29,4001. for lighthouses abroad. 15,0001. for the Australian exploring expedition. 17,5001. monument at Scutari. On this vote, Colonel NORTH suggested that the monument ought to be erected in some place iu this country. (Hear.) The grounds of Chelsea Hospital would be a suitable site. There might also be a testimonial at Scutari. Mr. STAFFORD hoped the Government would perse vere in their original determination to [place the monu ment at.Scutari. Considering the number of brave men who had died there, and the associations connected with that spot, it was most desirable that a monument should bo erected there worthy of the object. (Hear.) He re joiced to know that some part of the monument had al ready been sent out. If necessary, let an additional suns be voted for a similar monument at Chelsea. (Hear.) Mr. BOWYER did not think that a monument at Scu tari was necessary to preserve the graves of the brave men there interred from desecration. He thought the amount proposed exorbitant for a monument at Scutari, looking at the price of materials there. A sum of 80,030/. had been voted for the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, and now it appeared there was a sum of 25,000/. remaining. Before voting 17,0001. for a monument at Scutari they ought to know something about it, and what artist was to be employed. These hap-hazard votes did more harm than good. He suggested that the vote should be postponed till proper information was laid befoi e the committee. Lord PALMERSTON said the monument was the work of a very eminent artist now resident in this country.. It was one of extreme beauty, and the admiration of all who had seen it. The vote was not proposed at all at random. He quite agreed` that Scutari was the proper place for the monument. (Cheers.) It would be disgraceful to the British nation to have it anywhere else than ou the scene where these brave men displayed their gallantry. It was now too late to alter their intention, for, as had been stated, part of the monument was on its way to Scutari. Mr. BOWYER said there ought to be an opportunity for men of art in this country to criticise and examine the monument before any'money was voted for it. L.)rd PALMERSTON said if the hon. gentleman had gone to the Crystal Palace he might have seen a fac simile of the monument. Tee vote was then agreed to. 3,6911., Orange River Sovereignty (Cape of Good Trope). After a short explanation from Mr. LABOUCHER this vote was agreed to. 3.),3311. for the Audit-office. Mr. W. WILLIAMS moved that the chairman report progress, but he did not persevere in pressing the motion to a •tivision. The vote was therefore agreed to. Mr. WILSON gave notice that the education votes woald bo taken this evenin,;, after class A. The CHAIRMAN then reported progress. DUBLIN METROPOLITAN POLICE BILL. On th' question that this bill be read a second time, Mr. GROGAN protested against proCeeding with it at that hour—half-past 12. Mr. HORSMA.N said the bill merely re-enacted exist ing laws ; and there could, therefore, be no objection to its principle. Mr. Vance, Mr. I. Butt, and Mr. T. O'Brien demurred to this description of the bill, and insisted on its postpone ment. Mr. GROGAN moved that the house do now adjourn. The bill was then postponed. JOINT STOCK BANKS BILL. On the order of the day for the adjourned debate, on going into committee on this bill, Mr. VANCE moved that the debate be again ad journed. _ _ - Sir J. V. SHELLEY said the only provision of the bill was to allow shareholders in banks to re-elect directors without their being out of office for a year. The bill con tained only about 15 lines. Mr. SPOONER said, though the bill contained only 15 lines, it would require a great deal of settling. Mr. PELLATT hoped the house would proceed with the bill. The house then divided, when there appeared For adjourning the debate Against it Majority • An HON. MEMBER then moved that the house do • now adjourn, whereupon . Sir J. V. SHELLEY postponedthe bill till this night and the motion for adjournment was postponed. SLEEPING STATUTES BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. BLEACHING, &e., W) .I.IC T. str,r.,. Mr. I. BUTT move the second. reading of this bill, saying he did so on the understanding that it should be re ferred to a select committee. • Mr. KIRKE objected to . the bill, and moved that it be resale, seemd time that day six months. Lord NAAS said it was clear they could not discuss the bill to night, and sold he should object to its being pro• 'netted with at any time unless it could be discussed. Colonel DUNNE moved that the debate be adjourned. Sir G. GREY said it mould be better to postpone the bill and fix it for an early period. Mr. I. BUTT expressed a hope that the bill should be proceeded wife, seeing that a royal commission had been issued on the subject. Lord PALMERSTON said ho could not fix a day for the bill, but there were Wednesdays, and they would soon be obliged to have morning sittings. He thought it was a subject on which there should be legislation. The debate was then adjourned until this day. THE NATIONAL GALLERY. On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EX CHEQUER, leave was given to bring in a bill to provide is site for the National Gallery. LIFE INSURANCE —INCOME TAX. On the motion of Mr. WILSON, Leave was riven to brin g i n a bill to continue the act for extending for a limited time the provision for abate ment of the income tax in respect of insurance on lives. The house adjourned at 20 minutes past 1 o'clock. r A DVERITSEMENTI—ASCOT R AM. —SIGTIT AND FERARING.--' SPECTACLES, POWERFUL TELESCOPES, OPERA, RACE AND PERSPECTIVE GLASSES. —Siessrs. S, and B. Solomons, opticians, 39, Alba mar e-street, Piccadilly. Obsozve—opposite the York Hotel. I.ly loer Majesty's Royal Letters Patent for valuable and extraordinary improvements in the most powerful and brilliant TeleScopes, Camp, Racecourse, Opera, and Per. apectivo Glasses, to know the distances of objects viewed through them—of great importance to the army, navy, and others. These telescopes possess such extraordinary powers that some three and a-half inches, with au extra eye' piece, ss ill show .distinctly Jupiter's moons. Saturn's ring', and the double stars ; with the same telescope can be Seen a person's countenance three miles and a half distant, and an object from 16 to 20 miles. They are of larger and all sizes, with increasing Lowers accordingly; while their vary ing from 4 to 6 inches enable us to discover more than the above, and the Georgian, with his 6 satellites, Lse.—Tho Royal Exhibition, 18;11.—Valuable, newly-invented, very small, powerful waistcoat-pocket glass,the size of a walnut, by which a person can be seen and known Li miles distant; they answer every purpose on the race-course, and at the opera house., country scenery, and ships are clearly seen at 8 to 10 Miles. They are invaluable for shooting, deer-stalking, yachting, to sportsmen, gentle Men, gamekeepers, and tourists. Opera, race-cerise, camp, and perspective glasses, with wonderfal power. Newly-constructed Spectacle Lenses or the great , est transparent power. The valuable` advantage derived from this invention is, that vision becoming impaired is preserved and strengthened, and very aged persons are enabled to employ their sight at the most minute occu pation-- can see with these lenses of• a much less magnify ing power—and they do not require the frequent changes to the dangerous effects of further powerful assistance. Deafeess—New Discovery.—The Organic Vibrator, an ex traordinary powerful, small, newly-invented instrument for dcafuess, entirely diGhrent from all others, to surpass any thing of the kind that has been, or probably ever can be, produced. Being of the same colour as the skin, is not per' eeptble ; it enables deaf persons to hear distinctly at church and at public assemblies; the unpleasant sensation of singing noises in the ears is entirely removed; and it affords all the assistance that possibly could be desired.-39, Albemarle street, Piccadilly. Observe—opposite the Yock Hotel. BIRTHS. OP ♦ RON. On the 4th inst., at Ide-hill Parsonage, the wifo of th• Rev. Henry Lindsay, jun. 07 A DAUGHTES. On the sth inst., at 21, Wohurn-sqtare, the wift3 o f Henry Elland Norton, Esq. On tho sth inst., at 9, Canterbury Villas, Maida-vales the wife of Richard Gibbs, Esq.—twins. MA.BRIED; On the tith inst., at St. John's Church, Septimus J ose ph C ros l ey, Esq., of the Grove, Carnbef. well, to Emil y, thi r d d aughter of the late Th omas Alford, Esq., of Grove Lodge, Me r ton. On the sth i ns t ., at t h e par i s h c h urch o f S t. G eorge -the" Martyr, Middlesex, th e R ev . J o h n H arman , incumbent of St. James's, Enfield, to Elizabeth, second daughter of th e late Edward Francis, Esq., of Farm-hill House, Esse x, and Gre a t O rmon d- s t roe t , L on d on. Cl- 4Pham.rise, DIED: On the 4th inst., at Eaton-square, Richard Gardner, Esq., M.P. for Leicester. On the sth inst., at 25, Oxford-street, Mr. Richard Nuth, aged 57. On the 4th inst., Mr. Wm. Fry Milroy, of Sun-court, Cornhill, aged 51. On the 4th inst., at -Woodstock, Oxfordshire Benjarnill Holloway, Esq., solicitor, aged 52. On the 4th inst., at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, John Eames Esq., aged 70. Laaporr: Printed and Pub Med by IMMO YOU NO of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at 271 e Stcn Offico, Nn. 112, StrAncl, in thl Precinct of the Sa roy, in the amity o f Friday, Juno G, 3/ AD MIT which will \VEDNE.A CONCERT. June 25, t DAY Even 11111 band ar nuke her L Reserved gallery and 7 5: No in( naodated. Applicati ,Old Boi M R. A Pqriare-rno , Madame V aria Herr I nausmann Among oti Mr- Aguil Tickets, tr lishers, anc RU Plston, H. Lauren 4, Only) from and Prepai health an 2,4, and h highly-int( by 'Dr. K Shilling. MR. fortune° above ent including TRAIN, 11 Poreal. with the s oh T—Pol O has been (formerly June 2, BA.1) Ir bereLy of slx per able to tl after the 7. St. He and Four, Clare, tab proprietor tax. No tray Proximo, 7, St. E QT. Th rroprleto at the Co 13th day At the rotation, 8, Toki 013 W renowne( WATER tendered taring SC ADE, at Every A ins erf e Hands, it not to entirely or applle for stare pRI bliated I Sumptioi Tea% Co kinds of Office, 8 23, Kin prices, places. quarter M' FICI AL rerfectl: the orig decay, a This me operatic guarani rendere4 home fr G t LIF] liamen the Prl uithou The all par at Chr M t revers At( of 4,24 than 2 Guars FOI and NV Unite INI would may 1 LOJ vided attain ASt and ri 31E made Fr] tion ( Lof