The Sun. — London, England, 1842-06-25 00:00:00

--- --" ers. ne when the MP :o n; inuen the workie( t & goons to 1 1 l e poor; He ?.ration. P, ,c 1 wo rking 0' lo would safer should olV i r t occasion , e notion of Ihe THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE 25, 1842. spite of_ the working of the sy stem of centralisation, that, hotviiihstanding that the relief ha been speedy and effectual ; b ut , he would ask, how was it received by the people ? He would w t i s , h to know w h et h er they looked upon the measure as a pre il. ton to th em. He really thought that such was not the case. t afile.a.red t o hi m that the nearer they approached to volun emetributions, the more they relieved the rich, and granted e relief to the poor. The new system of Poor-laws in ..-cetland was under voluntary contributions. The Act of 3 4 et tn " VI, in some respect, resembled the Act of Elizabeth ; „If the o 1 there were assessments, the working th s ystem was by voluwary contributions. He took the th ey e rtY of making th ese f ew observations ; he would not go fur linto the cues ion and upon these considerations he should ose tho se cl auses which he considered objectionable. I r. ROEBUCK, who spoke in so low a tone of voice as I ° be sc arce l y audible, said that the objection to this Poor fa'T 13111 appeared t o hi m to r i se out o f party conflict, and not r ust its b e i ng th ose of a dangerous experiment ;. not . because the object who brought it forward was mischievous, or the cir- Qttestences attending it were mischievous, or that the ma ehin e rY was altogether improper and wrong, but because the Pll tY, or the Administration who brought !ha Bi forward, the parties opposed to gentlemen opposi te, t and therefare attempt was to get up a vulgar prejudice against thim. ne A dministration he said, at that time—he was not fork at . all inclined to favour or praise it —brought its boldest, its wisest, and most humane act, when it broughtw that Bill into the House. He thought this measure t P a retribution on the gentlemen opposite for the manner in ( iiith they dealt with the party who brought in this. Bill.— h elt ea r-) They might say" hear, hear," but he was not to find wile the conduct of the ight Hon. Baronet; he said that at the time at which the Bill was brought into that House, those who borw th aeir ,,sroree;.aea spirit of irritation which had told upon Bill. He okf,aittine in the places of those who broeght in the raid whether, during the recent election, if that cry was not hand more especially by the Hon. Member for Knares whe ? He knew that the Right Hon. Baronet opposite, e i ou ri s call statesman-like stated that this wzs a humane, audi 't nd act of the Administration who brought . I tti . 4 . He was certain that that was the opinion then in his ' o n o d n ',..." (l the mind bf every well thinking man of the party who it u f . ,7L' e d Winn He knew it was not the opinion of the Hon. th e - "yr 'or Knaresborough.—(Laughter.) But he said that ttli.oetlß,oriagnlidthHe.on. Baronet lead . always expressed his determina bad. 'flaking to the labouring population the declaration he (Mr. Roebuck) only regretted that that declare- Q 4 was rather late. But he was well aware of the feeling that Ras Prevalent round about and behind ; he must have been well mate of the feeling expressed by !gentlemen opposite . ; - he 0 : 0 11 4 oi l ; 11 1 ) i : h il t well iio. aware of the vulgar outcry, and it was Y on that score tt at he would wish to recal to the recollec n. Gentleman opposite that it was a seri " great le-son for any men in the State holding a respon e situation not to tamper in the least degree with a vital fi e stion lik e the present. He did not say that the Right Hon. tie iltlenian opposite, or those who supported him, refused the 4,c n : e ,'sion of their sentiments when called upon - but what he - 7P'alned of was the party behind him who had taken of it of that vulgar outcry, and who made use eile tt for the purpose cf taking power from those cOtiihen pes.sessed it.. The retribution was then coming ' ro ' l ein, and however insignificant the "iistrument it had IltMenced with the infliction of a two houcieech that even ,:(llear, hea r , and laughter. Now he would ask the th e e , which was called to the consideration of that subject by that Nlemfor Finsbury, ber what was the principle of 11 ' ii l ? He asked them, what then was in it to give _to trio us outcry of destroying a constitutional principle, by. Hon t hey were a ssa il e d con ti nua lly on this su b j e c t? The l‘lernher for Fi ns b ur y sa id t h e poor had a right to be tot atained. Now, he (Mr. Roebuck) was not going to guar bett'ut words, or as -t o w h a t h e mean t by t h e wor d r i g ht, er e , eht as about to say this, that the law gave the poor at this It : m oment that right. That right was the Offspring of the law " regulated by the law for the benefit of the community. a w e t s , for the benefit of the whole community that the poor eeur ne `destitute should be provided for. They were to dis li e f , by which the destitute should to receive re ti(ihse,ti industry should be fostered and idleness put down. (Hp ar ' bear. ) The aged, under the present law, were for•—( Hear, hear. ) And he would defy Hon. heetsbers who were thus declaiming upon the matter,—and h" r h ae.. ke . , advisedly, knowing something more of the law, e, th an sonic Hoy. Gentlemen opposite—he would defy l awr ti te s ri ay ea ttohat the aged poor were not provided for by the the New le wanted them to put their finger upon. that part of admie . l 'oor-law which altered the relief which should be t he the aged poor. The aged poor, according to Rear P e a vis ' u lls of . the present law, were provided for, and the he d n s would receive the approbation of the Commission— if they not altogether approve of that Commission—( Hear) — ,T 9 graiatecl relief to the aged poor, nut of the workhouse. A2car hear.) That was the spirit—that was the principle— .iitt HON. AIENIBER—What is the practice ? He RO EBUCK—Aye and the practice.—(Hear, hear.) Ilev e w t e ou ld defy them to ' show . otherwise. They should re ne poor so as to maintain industrious habits whilst they th e " not foster idle ones. The aged poor, who had gone through only toils of life, could not be accused of idleness, and they were Ish at f , ll , l6l ling the laws of nature, by givin hell support for "c ? had done. That lie did say was principle of the tire v : re l) ° o r-law. Let them point out to him how, and te e e e that was not done. It is a breachof the law if it was ea;] re, and the' great benefit of this law was, that they could hr s ,„ k e twe the public, which they could not do before, each gentle of that great principle.—( Hear.) He wanted to bring 4t t s e ttien to particulars. Ile denied distinctly, positively, : 41 Y, that there a; ose out of the New Poor-law any single -etttlent which militated against that relief to the aged poor. di,l h e wanted proof. Being a hwyer he wanted proof. He .. i , 4 °t want any common vulgar assertion ; he had had . , so to '' 4l " of that, that he was . sick of it.—(Hear, hear.) Now the gnat, the difficult problem, which every states -4't4l--ancl they were all statemen in their several see. posi- How were they to provide for that 1: 4 1 44t-sinu de:t t destitution which was liable to fall on certai n tb k ,l" of our fellow-Countrymen ? How in providing for whil s t preventing the evils which arose from the want of hss a ue cessaries of life, they should prevent , those habits of idle - te e W hich were so detrimental to society. An Hun. Member °fs e ' itk ier night propOsed for that purpose a grant of a million tl. -° ,3'• The Right Hon. Beronet very properly said that f 4e t e e '''uld be impossible, because lie, acting as a statesman, le?„Llw tbat if that plan were admitted as a . practice once, it „'"lZke followed. generall. Therefore, if the enacted a be the'S . 4'elief of the poor, they must consider what would s pree that law if carried into effect generally. What i p",` ° 'Pen to do with the able-bodied poor, who fell - e k liza a e t t h — d istress. There was a Bill passed in the reign of :"'rita e l;'. w hieh arose in the following way :—A great appbdy of V, 4l nb e „ In stitutions were suddenly suppressed, and large vi r h at , (." e ble-bodied paupers was thrown upoh the country. vj ecl feat t ° be dOne ? They were to be set to work and pro. e ( I;nerii r :"t. however, by religious houses, but by the country anr He was not one who thought highly of the wisdom ' 4 3' Cest w's The necessity of the moment created a re • ,nd fO r i t ', (l . that remedy was the Act of Elizabeth.. That Act was ki r i‘log, not the poor, but those who contributed honestly 'eselt e j to their support. A great many evil . consequences tPgaen'"iro it, and it was necessary to amend it. The con e'illiseei-e was, that one of the first acts of the Reformed Par ew, a ' to meet that Act boldly in the face, and he (Mr. '114 4-- ' was prepared to say, despite any unpopularity which sktroattach to him in consequence, that the framers of the 11 ,.tin it "Tii Act were entitled to the highest renown, both for the R edid of the conception and the wisdom of the performance. tid e or , the refore, hope that those who led public parties on one 4'thi t h i t , he other, w ou ld no t g i ve i n t o th ose vu l gar op i n i ons al e ) 4 th. been been raised against the New Poor-law. —( Hear, NVoliter e Was quite sure that those Right Hon. Gentlemen fir'ut that stronger than he did the great benefits to be derived - aw • f degislation. They never raised the cry against that ee!i'ne nowpressing on their shoulder the government "'"gdoen ed it necessary to continue the law. In tice.°ll4try, he y, wn k how they could best provide for the it4rditrluils.4tea.ieitrieenr,e:;totfhu as ' time not foster the mischievous and e th aa e ra m e an who might live next door to the 2ne?—( Hear, hear.) How were they to solve that e'hese(llt•ar, hear.) It was very easy to come for ward to 1 ' ; °thi ne " the misery in the workhouses.—(Hear.) He knew It 41 (14, - ti bore easy. Here was a father of a large fami!v, honest, s e ue d vc hear every y a s , a e n d thrown out" of work. c " We will immediately h( er:i . " 14 '3 and give attitaj Ys support in our power." His ey e, lioer neighbour, an idle dissolute vagabond, says, " Aye, s u t one . ° l 7 see what I'll do."—(A laugh.) Aye, it had been "•(00k advantage o our nature, and said he would get life r e e f i d i lt i , _° , te , nded for . te industrious poor, and would lead a ,741) uck •a and misery. These were things which he (Mr. „. at it to p e ever would sanction.—(Hear, hear.) Aye, how were done ? That preblern had to be solved. They i ka'h Qt to meet hi with the cry, that he was working ,11:11113etstlir constitutional privileges of Englishmen. Re it:lttrae, eue demanded iven, in and they the way must that the interests of the ie te " ' ''Y de , give relief, because t riti h e ats of the country required it. That was his view, , l ' e 'unethi„ w a' not to be put out of it. Then he was met by we th ee "g„frons the Hon. Member for Knaresborough, about fi k u e lth - di d m ugs of Somerset House, who, having made a Report not please the Hon. Member, the Hon. Member, l a a 1/ e ise l egislator, said, he should oppose the Bill.—( Hear, 'h°l 4C e ble r,•) Having determined the mode in which relief : 6 'eft, u.urninistered the question was, how get to machinery that t t i: l 9 Its administration best. They found that a Board eget a ' e' l ans was liable to certain mischievous influences, and `,eterta' fully demonstrated in 1829 and MO. It was then t high t L 'xie d that a centralpower, the term " centralization " th' 'Y " grat ifYing theears of Gentlemen opposite—that °te en ebould has o e . tral ower, which should be set in a el e 4 c e e d, by a loca a l circumstances, cn _ and which should 14 ° , 41 4 n u t en , ly of party. He ( ler. Roebuck) thought it e - " e ueen titl in other hands.—( Hear, hear. ) -4 (1 4 3 't- )4 was, that would have been better placed in the t h u t the all Secret ar y of State_(Hear, hear)—but was he, 0 q el with the principle itself ? Not at heft a b eliev ° ecf u th ar a r t the three gentlemen were by far the - ee lti 4i t' Z''!` t n which had yet been made for the due adminis 'l.enl at law. nis (Mr. Roebuck's) idea was only a h: t te gi e and he was not at all certain of its results kilow that great advantages had arisen from the "etri,h C oramissio n and however great the outcry against ,i,""Pulatrbought more ' advantagehadbeen done to the labouring o tt iti n - I r l a t t )e k i their clear understanding than by say other three 4 tre w ov , r f eguotn. However much libe . lled they might be zie.tt_ e_ s_tnhoe 4,,o.u_ e t r e i: i3 i ,s he would denunciations against them—however would say, that no one man—no three 4,:nueb f :,.‘11 nen in that House,. or out of it, had ever done I t ' ware ( 1"' the honest, industrious man, as those sF three men. bot Wes ' e cies s i ° l tn,. answer to that, if they could give him one. th 6 tinpi to grant relief to the destitute p00r .. , eam„ with regard to the demands of the it ) , 'es, but also with regard to the interests of th . e c 0... ma th Renerall wh cif }• And how could that be better am omptisn . l ' l 'Nsinn . some restriction on the ranting of that relief hon e Wold re n der • s, .'t but it not more agreeable g than . the returns of 4a, tltute‘;"l y, but which should at the same time lend to the 4f tne te_ Means of relief—(Hear, hear)—alwa at the the etollecting that the labouring aged poor, being out e e 'ref et : n re ternptation to idleness should have a generous, ru 't c a l ' a .." ever watchful support with regard to their feelings lath 'ft " ) rt? That did not in any way militate against the p_rin e N ew Poor -law. 'I hat being his view of the New w, a 5 n ot 'r belt g his view of the institution of the Commission ePurne nt, a Z", to vote for deferring its permanent este :4.e, was theirur the only . quarrel he had with the late Geo.terti 41i. i?iithie._. putting it off from year to year, and not firmly e t t otst er i a tc It.. He (Mr. Roebuck) would have perilled his _ n existence en that law and he would have left to the ;;, :,,t.lo:blilaw tnysithenetnh. el atr;aroiaene(ti,. if he would have taken it, the odium of otlftezesolution of making that . law the permanent, The outer y which had been raised had not been raised by the industrious poor, '," . r!th es h a , , for . party purposes. Certain parties in the h ts s il y f oulac t i L oren disappointed by the New Poor-law, and they of Salle c ap to express these opinions. Those being bill he `; s k s) sentiments, whatever was the feeling out m ess and to ` ‘ `, Prepared to take his share of the responsi a!aire.......„ va le for the continuance of a genuine and humane Loud cheers 4 1i l R. PEEL i • ) r , in the , n rising, said—He should first address him "eiel a ppeal which b erna n the ~ c had been made to him by the Hon. ~e e apr es. ,,, a .niember for Finsbury, in the course of which to n in t t pa thoefr intt the e " ( ‘ ; 's t. hope that her Maeet's Government would,. in I ; 4lt t it,trie,ttpii _ a t o: l ,t ; a de by the other e he n , 8 0 .. , 1 „1 flat debate, signify their si d of the intention lloof House q: t c h s l i n e ! j the I , i s ll t which related to its renewal. He ima.te to the House that it was not in his power, y's Government, to hold out the te e 'Y held e';", that, they V% ould acquiesce ( Hear, hear. ) give what opal' i t Dube that measure which they believed to be best for Lag "'crests, and they asked the House fairly to consider ion on it they thought proper. To that course be must strictly adhere He admitted that the oppo sition with which her Majesty's Government bad been met during the present session in proposing important measures affecting most extensive inte•ests, had been a fair opposition. He mae no complaint of it whatever.—(Hear, hear. ) He had a confidence founded on experience, that notwithstand ing the declarations which had been made, no factious opposi tion would be given to the progress of the Bill.—(Hear.) If the sense of the House was decidedly manifested as to the in convenience that would arise from the. postponement of the measure from year to year, then he believed that the minority would be content to acquiesce in the decision of the ma jority, and would not adopt a course that must necessarily in terfers with that time which was devoted to the public busi ness, and which, if unduly persevered in, would be at variance with the functions of a legislative assembly.—( Hear, hear.) He spoke with perfect sincerity. He knew that menaces were often thrown out in the course of debate which were not aLer wards carried into effect. The Right Hon. Gentleman wished for time to have the opinions of the country expressed on the subject. But was not the continuation of the Commission proposed last year for five years; and had not the country a full year to declare themselves on the subject?—(Hear. ) The same language was used on the subject of the Income-tax, but he had that confidence in the people, and in their percep tions of the necessity of that measure, that he prophesied no de cided opposition would be manifested against it, and the event proved he was right. It had been distinctly declared by the leading political men in the )louse that they were disposed to acquiesce in the measure for the continuance of the Poor-law Conamissioeers for five years, and it being perfectly notorious to the country that a similar proposition would be made in the course of the present Session, he found that only 108 petitions, with 25,000 signatures attached, were presented on the subject.—(Hear, hear.) He referred to those petitions, which had express reference to the continuation of the Pour law Commission, and if the deliberate opinion, or even the pre judices of the country, had been against the present system, he could not help thinking that a greater number of petitions would have been presented to the House, after full notification that the measure would be brought forward. But the Ilon, and Learned Member for Bath contrasted his recent with his former conduct, and said that he (Sir R. Peel) was now suffering the penalty of the infliction of the eloquence of the Hon. Member— (Laughter )—on account of his forbearance to declare his posi tive opinion on the subject. That infliction was unmerited by him—(Laughter)—because he was satisfied that no person had a right to misrepresent him, or say that he concealed his opinions.—(Cheers.) But the Hon. Gentleman said, " Why do you not compel all your party ?"—( Laughter.) That was excessively difficult.—(Laughter.) He had not such influence as to be able to drill the gentlemen of England into implicit acquiescence.—(Hear, hear, and laughter.) During the time that he had the honour of leadin g the Conservative party, he had received tolerably s t rong p roo f of their acquescence in the advice he gave them, but he could not say that he ever ex pected, or could expect, to exercise the sort of censorship which the Hon. Gentleman alluded to, over every person's opinions with regard to the Poor-law ; nor ought it to be expected that if persons expressed a different opinion from his with regard to the Poor-law,' he should remonstrate with them on the opinions they entertained.—(E'ear, hear.) He did not think the Noble Lord opposite had been more successful in the situation he held with so much ability, in obtaining an acquiescence in his opiniens—(Laughter)--and, notwithstanding the ability of the Hon. and Learned Gentleman, and his attempts to force his opinions on the House, lie did not think he was more sue cessful.—( Laughter and cheers.) But such was always the fate of public men.—(Laughter.) He could not be respon sible for the opinioni which individuals held, and he was afraid that if he attempted to force his own convictions on them, th. y would revolt against him—(Hear, hear) —and though it might be inconvenient on certain occasions he did not think that the credit of Englishmen would be promoted by any such ac quiesence.—(Cheers.) On all proper occasions he had ex • pressed his bwn opinions with respect to this measure. In 1834, when the Poor-law Bill was brought forward, the Duke of Wellington in the House of Lords, and he himself in the House of Commons, grave the measure their most cordial sup port. He supported it at a time when it would have been easy to raise a public clamour against the measure. He thought the then Government acted an honest and manly part in bringing for ward that measure, and he gave them his assistance. —( Hear, hear, hear.) With regard to the elections if he had availed himself of the prejudices on the subject of the Poor-law at that time for the purpose of acquiring political power, he should be ashamed of the advantages he had so ob tained. In the year 1837, there was another general election, and his election took place at an early period, and he was wised his opinions on the hustings with regard to the Poor-law, and why he supported that measure in 1834. He would read to the House the answer he then gave in the face of his consti tuency, and he would ask whether it was possible for any public man, at a critical time too, to have made a more explicit declaration on the subject than he had? He was asked did he not support the Poor-law, and in reply lie said frankly and explicitly that he supported the Poor-law, and that his opinions were not changed. lie did notsupport it for the purpose of making a reduction in the amount of the rates, widen was one of the smallest advantages derived from the law ; but he supported it because he saw the moral condition of the labouring man gradually lowered, and he wanted by an improved system to elevate their character, and improee their comforts. He supported the measure from real friendship to the poor, since that it would be for their real advantage. These were the sentiments he uttered in 1837, in the face of his constituents, and he asked was it not a decided opinion?—( Hear, hear.) In the course of last year he spoke and voted in favour of the second reading of the Bill. It was. true that he slid the continuance of the Commission for five years was better than for ten years, and he also said something respecting the burial of the poor, but he gave his cordial support to the Bill ; and he explicitly stated his opinion on that occasion. —( Hear.) On every occasion he had supported the law ; in 1834, in 1837 he expressed his decided opinions with regard to the law ; and in 1841 he gave his support to the Government upon a division, and it was not his fault if Hon. Gentlemen wished to excite hopes amongst their constituencies as to the course he should adopt with respect to the measure. As to the Bill itself be was surprised at the degree of forgetful. ness— he would not call it forgetfulness—manifested by the op ponents of that Bill respecting the enactments of the Poor-law. They had talked of the present Bill as if it deprived the pour of the privilege they derived from the enactment of Elizabeth. Such statements were made in ignorance of that statute. He heard persons speak of the present Bill as being a violent departure from the statute of Elizabeth, He heard them speak of the statute as the bread-charter of the poor ; and unfavourable contrasts were made between that enactment and the present. What was that enactment, and in what did it differ from, or correspond with the present law 2—( Hear, hear, from r. Waklcy.) The Hon. Gentleman said " Hear, hear." He must, .then ' be unaware of the similarity between the 43d of Elizabeth and the present law. Let him (Sir 11. Peel) then appeal to his reason. By the 43d of Elizabeth, the churchwardens and overseers were empowered to raise funds, by a tax on wool, flax, &c., to assist the poor in getting work. Here there was no absolute right of the poor to relief, unless he worked. Let him take three classes—the able-bodied poor, the children, and the impotent—and let him compare the enactments of each statute. First, as to the able-bodied poor, there was no statutable enactment recognising a right on the part of the able-bodied men to re ceive parochial relief without work. The able-bodied poor had no right to receive relief unless he. was prepared to give his labour in return ; and there would be no stability for society if a different law were recognised. Not only would property not exist, but it would undermine it in a mariner most adverse to the moral habits of the country if a different law were enacted. The statute of Elizabeth then empowered the churchwardens to levy competent sums of money towards the necessary relief of the lame, impotent, old, and blind, and such other men, being poor and not able to work. With regard to children, that sta tute empowered the churchwardens to take charge of and put them out to apprenticeships at a mile distant, there to remain —the boys until they were 24, the females until they were '2l. That was the enactment with regard to apprenticeships. So little disposed were those who framed that law to recognise an indefeasible right in the poor, that they demanded from them labour in return for their support—from the boys until they were 24. and from the females until they were 21 years of age, with a power on their part to dissolve the engagements entered into by the overseers of the poor. With regard to the impo tent, the churchwardens were empowered, with the consent of the Lord of the Manor, to build habitations for them in waste grounds, in which one or more families might be placed, and there continue, while unable to work. Poor houses were pro vided, but out-door relief was not precisely given by the Act. But observe a singular and conclusive proof as to the intention of the statute with regard to the claim for relief on the part of the poor ; for it was enacted that fathers and grandfathers, and mothers and grandmothers, and children, and lame, blind, and impotent persons, and others not able to work, who should receive relief, were to forfeit 20s. every month.—(Hear. ) He had, on a former occasion, stated the grounds of his vote in favour of the existing law, and that the existence of the Commission would operate as a cheek on local abuses, and would be a guarantee against those which prevailed under the former system.—( Hear, hear.) If proof of that were wanting, he might refer to the Report of the Keightley Union. —( Hear.) He had listened to the eloquent parts of the lion. Gentleman's speech—(Laughter)—in which he described the poor man as traversing the green lanes, and reposing in the heat of the day on the hill side in the neighbourhood: of Keightley. He ( Sir Robert Peel) found it was ornamented by a certain building for the reception of the poor. If the poor-house—for workhouse it was not—was placed on the hill side, he dare say that one temptation for reposing on it was that they might be in sight of the poor-house--( Hear.) The building was a mile distant from the town, and was not very easy of access. On immediately getting into it, there was a low room—he was now quoting from the Report of Mr. Elliott-24 feet by 17, which served both for a dining room and sleeping-room. It contained dirty beds, occupied by fourteen individuals, one occupied by an old man and his wife, another occupied in a similar manner, and the other oc cupied by men and boys.—(Loud cries of " Hear, hear.") That was the manner in which the hill was occupied.e-- (Loud cries of " Hear, hear," and cheers.) Another room had nine beds, which were occupied by twenty-four male children, and one of which was occupied by a woman with her baby, who was still ill, and had to share her bed with another.—(Hear, hear.) Would it be safe to return to such a system? But it was said there was no necessity for returning to the old law. It was said, trust the rate-payers—they know the character of the poor, and will be ready to afford them relief ; trust the people of England, and all that trash.—( Cheers. ) It was to avoid such scenes as he had read that he was an advocate for the central control. Now, with regard to education, what a difference existed between the system as administered in those unions under the operation of the Poor-law Commissioners and those that were not. The Right Hon. Baronet then read a further extract from the Report of Mr. Mott, in which it was stated that "a wretched hovel adjoining the dung was used as a school-room ; the schoolmaster was an old pauper, and there was present in the school only one buy ; there was an adjoin ing gaol, to which there was an entrance let through the poor house yard; in one room there were two beds occupied by four women, and in one bed was an old woman evidently dying. lie had also been informed that it was not an unusual thing, when a pauper died, to leave the dead the companions of the living.—(Hear, hear.) Now, that was the state of things which prevailed under the superintendence of local guardians— Mr. FERRAND said (as we understood) that that had happened at a time when the workhouse test was about to be enforced. Sir R. PEEL—But the workhouse test had not yet been applied. Now, he would ask whether, under the superintend. enee of the Commissioners, such observations could have oc curred? What was there in these facts to show him that he could trust to mere local superintendence, from which the pos sibility of inquiry could be shut out, when he remembered the scenes which had thus taken place? And hew long, he would ask, might not those things have gone on, if there had been no change in the system ? He believed that the Commissioners had brought to light a thousand abuses which remained covered in oblivion in former times; and the reason why they could not properly compare the abuses of the old law with the griev ances of the new, was, that in the one case the evils were silently endured, tamely acquiesced in ; while under the present law there was an active vigilance and superintendence, abuses were brought to light, they were invidiously dwelt upon in the public press, public indignation was kept alive, and a security was thus afforded against the, frequent repetition of such scenes as had formerly taken place. The present system provoked in. quiry ; and his belief was that it had by this means materially contributed to check the recurrence of abuse. He should tell the Right Hon. Gentleman, the Member for Knaresborough, that if, instead of indulging in descriptions of the hills of Keightley, if, instead of dabbling with green fields, he had employed his time in investigating the abuses to which he (Sir R. Peel) had referred, in making an earnest representa do to the Poor law Commissioners upon the subject, or in inviting the attendance of the Assistant Commmissioners for the purpose of aiding the Keightley Guardians—if the Hononrable Gentleman had taken such a course he (Sir Robert Peel) could not help thinking that, upon the whole, be would have done more to advance the interests, and to promote the comforts of the poor, than he was likely to da by offering so vigorous an opposition to the progress of the ne..v law. He could not but believe, from the declarations of the Hon. Gentleman, from the earnestness of his manner, that he must be a humane and considerate man; but he could not held thinking, at the same time, that those facts must have escaped his notice, although he was himself the Chairman of the Board of Guardians of the Union. He could not help thinking that the Hon. Gentleman who made such earnest appeals to Christian charity, and who had so earnestly exhorted them to respect the rights of the poor, must have been ignorant of those abominations which had taken place under the old law. The abuses which had been brought to light, suggested to him the possibility that similar occurrences had taken place in other unions, and he could not help thinking that many Hon. Gentle men were ignorant of the real state of the case ; and that the vi gilance and superintendence of the Commissioners were required for the present, at least, in order to take cognizance of such facts as he had adduced. These were the grounds upon which he gave his support to the rew law. He did so, as he had already said, in , the year 1837, not from a consideration of the expense which it saved, although he should say at the same time that to take from the industrious the means of supporting the idle was an act of grievous oppression, injurious in every respect, tending to pre jadice him who contributed to the poor-rate, and creating in him who received an unprofitable and improvident relief, habits of idleness, and destroying that feeling of self•dependere e, which after all, and in spite of all their enactments, must be the great security to the working-classes against abject poverty and dis tress.—( Hear, hear.) With these feelings he could not ac quiesce in the proposal for a further delay of a final settlement of the question. He believed that the sense of the House was in favour of the measure introduced by her Majesty's Govern ment. To the sense of the House her Majesty's Government would look for support ; they would steadily adhere to the proposal they had made.—( Hear, hear.) He would repeat the hope with which he had commenced that, after the feelings of the majority of the House should he de clared or a divis.on in favour of the law, the minority would take the course which, in his humble judgment, it was always the duty of a minority to pursue—that while they protested against the decision, they would be ready to acknowledge that submission to it was the only course which it was open for them to adopt.—( Cheers. ) Mr. FERRAND wished to 'explain in reference to the ex tracts relative to the Union of Keightley, read by the Right Hon. Baronet, that since the New Poor-law had been passed, he (Mr. Ferrand) had ceased to take the slightest interest in the carrying out of that law. He had neven takers any part in the operation of the measure, unless when he happened to be requested by' the poor persons to interfere in their behalf. He had further to state, that he believed there were many errors in the report of Mr. Mott, and he trusted that the Guardians of Keightley would be able to clear themselves from the asper sions thrown out against them in the Report. Lord HOWICK raid that he had heard with great satisfac tion the speech of the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Government, as well as that made by the Right Hon. Gentle man, the Secretary for the Home Department, at an earlier part of the evening. The time was come, in his opinion, when the House should decide whether or not they would continue the powers of the Commissioners. He believed that those powers were indispensably necessary for duty carrying out the law ; and he agreed with the Right Hon. Baronet (the Secre tary for the Home Department), that the necessity for the superintendence of the Commissioners was greater than ever, at a time like the present, so hen such general distress prevailed throughout the country. The arguments which had been used in favour of a relaxation of the present law might be urged at all times when employment was scarce, and the price of provi sions high. He agreed will those who contended that a great reief would be felt from an ampe relaxation of the Corn-laws, but he was still of opinion that no modification of the Poor laws could effect any great improvement in the condition of the poor. Ile wished to ask, however, whether funds, to which the Right lion. Baronet himself had been a contributor—he spo:te of the Right Hon. Baronet, the First Lord of the Trea sury—he asked if that Right Hon Baronet had not contributed largely to funds for the support of candidates who made it the greatest ground of their claim to popular support that they were opposed to the New Poor-law? The Right Hon Baronet, the Secretary for the Home Department.—( Loud cries of " Ques sion, question," and" Divide, divide.") He would riot take the trouble of following the Right Hon. Baronet through all his speeches. He would not follow the followers of the Right Hon. Baronet into all the details of the Bill before the House. He would remain satisfied with the declaration of the Govern ment that they would maintain the existing law, and he would give them all the support in his power.—(Lou d cries of " Di vide, divide." Sir E. KNATBHBULL shculd not have delained the House had he not been almost compelled to do so by the speech that had been addressed to it. It had been stated that he formerly opposed the measure, and lie was reproached with being a Member of. the Government who promoted it. This was an error; he approved of the principles of the Bill, and in the discussion of the details he had acted independently ; gene rally, many voted in support of them, except on the clause of out-door relief. It was clear the Noble Lord had cot risen for the purpose of discussing th, question, but had introduced fresh topics that had no reference to it. Such topics he had better have avoided, and he regretted the course he had taken. He had always given his opinion in favour of the general principles of the measure.—(" Divide, divide.") Mr. DARBY addressed the House amid much confu sion and cries of " Divide." He had been accused of ceasing to speak on this subject. He had done so, from wishing to see what the Government would propose ; the Noble Lord had better look to his own side of the House, and see whether there was not agitation on this subject there.— (Divide, question.) He had always said that as the House had sanctioned the principle of the Bill, they must maintain it, or the whole system would be lett in contusion. The only dif ficulty he had was with respect to applying the out-door test to labourers thrown out. of employ, and when a slight modifi cation of it was proposed, he had at once accepted it.—(Divide, divide.) He should do as he had always done, vote for the Bill, and reserve himself as to the modifications of details that might be required. Captain POLHILL would vote against the motion. The principle having been sanctioned, any unnecessary delay was unjust to the House, and to the country. There would be _ _ plenty of opportunities of discussing the objectionable parts in Committee, but he thought the sooner they got into Committee the better. Air. O'CONNELL said when the Hon. Member for Roch dale proposed his motion for postponing the Poor-law Bill for six months, he was taunted by the Right Hon. Baronet, as if, being an Irishman, he had done something not exactly correct in taking so strong a part in opposition to it. He (Mr. O'C.) was liable to the same reproach, and still more strongly than the Hon. Member, for he represented an Irish constituency, and what was still worse, the argument he was going to advance to the House was entirely drawn from Ireland. It might, perhaps, not be very persuasive with the House, but the justification he should use for the course he was about to adept. Ile should support the motion, because the Poor-law in Ireland was an experiment ; that law was not recommended by any abuses in a pre-existing law in that country, as it was introduced there for the first time. He had then opposed it, and stood almost alone in his opposition. But when it was once passed he had endeavoured to give it every assistance by his co-operation ; he had ventured to prophesy that it was a law not suited to the situation of Ireland, and he feared that his prediction would be unfortunately verified. He really felt bound to say that he looked with great apprehension to the future in that country from the operation of the law. The moment they taxed the peasantry of Ireland and made them pay in advance for their landlords, from that moment he was convinced that they would see the spirit of resistance awakened stronger than ever they had yet seen it. This might seem exaggerated; but from his knowledge of the country he apprehended an insurrectionary movement more violent in its character than any that had yet occurred. Having this feeling, he naturally wished that the Bill should be postponed for an other year, as by that time the experiment in Ireland would be completed. They would then have the interest of England bound up with the interest of Ireland on this subject, and a more attentive consideration would then be given to the Irish law, and the claims of Ireland, than it now re ceived. The experiment in Ireland had not been satisfactorily made ;he felt dissatisfied with the Poor-law Commission in that country. Their dtity was to preserve the strictest neu trality between the various divided interests and differences, political and religious. The impression on his mind was, that that neutrality had not been preserved. Even if his uttering that expression here should act as a caution hereafter, he should have done some good by giving that caution thus publicly. It was on the ground of his anxiety that Ireland should have the advantage of the discussion on the English law, to come in aid of that on the Irish law, which must come on next year, that he wished this measure to be deferred. Many per - sons had taunted him with his opposition to the Irish law ; if he had supported the principle that every destitute person in Ireland was entitled to support, he believed that he should have raised a much greater storm ; but he had not taken that posi tion. Those who were most violent against him for opposing that measure at the time, had joined with him now, and had expressed their regret for the manner in which they had treated him on account of his opposition. They now agreed with him that nothing could be more unhappy than that an opinion should get abroad of the want of perfect neutrality on the part of the Poor-law Commissioners in Ireland ; and with this feeling he should vote for the motion of the Hon. Gen tleman. Captain PECHELL said he wished to say a few words in explanation. 'the Hon. Gentleman opposite had alluded to what he (Captain Pechell) had said on a former occasion. He made the charge that the paymasters of the forces were against the commission. In support of that, he mentioned the circum stance, which he took from the "Westminster Review," that in 1837 when it was proposed to extend the Bill to 1843 or to 1846, they voted for the shorter period. lie thought that was some justification of his statement. Lord ELIOT said he felt bound to protest against the very unfair attack which the. Right Hen. and Learned Gentleman opposite (Mr. O'Connell) had made upon the Poor-law Com mission in Ireland. The experiment, se far as it had been tried, had in fact been eminently successful. It was predicted that as soon as the workhouses were opened, they would be crowded with able-bodied labourers. Now the fact was precisely the reverse. There were few of the able-bodied - , but a vast number of the aged and infirm. One hun dred workhouses were already completed, and the whole number, one hundred and thirty, would be completed in the course of the ensuing year. He gave full credit to the Right Hon. Gentleman for not having shown a desire to defeat the Poor-law. instead of opposing the law, he had used all his influence in the contrary direction, and he hoped that that influence would still be exerted for the purpose of affording it a fair trial. Lord SANDON supported the motion of the Hon. Member for Finsbury. He thought it was very desirable that the powers of the Commissioners should be continued for the pre sent under the control of public opinion. It was highly de sirable that that they should have another year's exper.ence of the working of the system before they extended the Commis sion to five years. Mr. COBDEN said he thought the House bad rather lost sight of the Hon. Gentleman's motion. The lion. Gentleman had alluded to the state of the country. Now he (Mr. C.) wished to call the attention of the House to the fact, that, though they had been sitting nearly six months, they had not thought proper to devote one evening to the consideration of the distresses of the people, with a view of finding a specific remedy. He would ask don. Gentlemen, even in their most reckless moods, whether they thought there was either safety or policy in such a course.—(Cries of '• Oh, oh.") The Right Hon. Baronet took (Ace with a distinct promise that he should find a remedy far the distresses of the country.—(Expressions of dissent.) He supposed those expressions were intended as a denial. The. Right Hon. Baronet distinctly promised that he would prescribe when he had got his fee.—(Cries of " Ques tion, question.") It was the question. The Right Hon. Baronet took office with a promise that when he had time to con sider the distresses of the country, he would prescribe remedial measures for them. Had he done so ?—( Cries of " The tariff.") How many articles were there out of the 750 the reduction in which would benefit the poor ?—( Loud cries of " Question.") He could assure Hon. Gentlemen that he had no desire to ad dress the House, but as far as he was himself concerned it would be utterly useless to a sail him with any of those noises. It might be thought that a victory gained in that House in argument or debate would settle the affairs of the country, but it was far otherwise. He received accounts daily from all parts of the country, stating that the distress which existed when the present Government were coming into office had increased at a constantly progressing ratio ever sine . It was, then, their duty at once to take up the subject of the pre sent condition of the country, and endeavour to apply a remedy. He believed that some Hon. Gentlemen were incredulous as to the accounts of the misery that prevailed in various districts. He would beg to call the attention of those gentlemen to some communications which he had received from the country. Re had written to Stockport to ascertain the amount of poor-rates paid at present in Stockport. He had asked the names of a few of the principal rate-payers, in order to know how those rates pressed on individual concerns. Many thought that the manufacturers did not contribute their just proportion to these rates ; but let those learn what was the re sult of his inquiries. The first of those concerns on the list paid during nine months rates for the relief of the poor to the amount of 343/. 18s. 4d. ; the second, during the same period, paid 4761.25. 6d. ; and the third paid 288/. An HON. MEMBER.—What rent? itll. COBDEN—That was an important question. Did the Luke of Northumberland with his broad lands, or any other landowner, pay as much in proportion to his wealth as one of those manufacturers? One of those mills, rated at 1,9041. paid 470/. in rates from the 16th of - June to the 25th of February. The account went on to say that distress went on increasing, so that if things did not change they should be eaten up by the paupers. A letter from a gentleman of Leeds, Mr. Hamer S;ansfield, stated that 4,300 families included at least 19,350 persons. In the county of Dorset, out of 25 fires that had taken place in three months two-thirds were incendiary. Such was the state in which distress placed the country. He would then appeal to the Right Hon. Baronet, to tell the House whether it was his intention to bring the pre sent Session to a close, without having first brought forward the question—without at least giving an appearance, that they should have an opportunity of considering this vitally impor tant question. Mr. S. CRAWFORD said he could not let the question go to a division, without saying a few words on it. A Noble Lord had spoken of the Irish Poor-law, as being emi nently successful. How could that be the case, when that country was in such a state as it now presented ? In several large districts the people were starving without a possi bility of relief being administered to them ; for the Irish Poor law was of a more extreme character than our English law, in asmuch as it admitted of out-door relief under no circum stances. The Right Hon. Baronet had insinuated that he (Mt. S. Crawford) had no right to take part in that debate, because he was an Irish resident, but he knew the operation of the experiment in Ireland. He thought that he was beat se, ving the interests of Ireland by opposing the English Poor-law. Another reason given by the Right Hon. Baronet that he (Mr. S. Crawford) was the representative of a town into which the New Poor-law had not yet been introduced. It was true the Poor-law had not yet been introduced into Rochdale, and the reason given by the Commissioners for its non-introduction was, that they were afraid of the exci;ement and agitation it would occasion ; but the Poor-law hung over their heads like a sword suspended by a hair, and on their own account, and on account of their neighbours, in whose affairs they took an interest, their representative' was entitled to take a part in the discussion. He regretted to hear the Hon. Mem ber for Bath advocate a law which upset the rights of the people and gave to three persons the right of imposing boss upon them. The poor had a right to relief. No relief was permitted to be administered by the Commissioners until destitution had taken plaee. A well-regulated Poor-law would give relief before actual destitution had occurred. He did not deny that there had been evils under the old Pcor-law, but they ought not on that account to place in the hands of three individuals the power of making laws for all the country. General JOHNSON said the Act of Elizabeth never con ferred on any set few the power of committing . persons to prison because they were poor. He objected to the size of the unions, arid thought there ought to be some appeal' from the Board of Guardians in cases where - they refused relief- He should vote for the motion of the Hon. Member for Finsbury. Mr. FIELDEN rose amidst loud cries of " Question ! ques tion !"—" Divide ! divide ! " to move the adjournment of the debate. Sir C. NAPIER seconded the motion. Mr. FERII AND hoped the Honourable Member would not press his moth,n. By the course he was pursuing he was injuring the cause they both had at heart. Several would nut vote for the Hon. Member for Finsbury because they though'. it was factious. He (Mr. Ferrand) thought it was a perfectly fair motion ; but if the Hon. Member perse vered in his motion for adjournment, did he think that the same number of Members would vote against the different clauses of the Bill as would if he did not do so? He trusted the Member fer o;dham would withdraw his motion, for they were only losing their time—(Loud cheers) --by such a course of pro ceeding. Colonel .SIBTHORP thought the proposition was incon sistent with the character of that House. He thought it would do more harm to the cause than it would do good. He would never subscribe to anything but a fair and manly opposition: Captain FITZROY said that he had voted against the s: sand reading of the Bill, but he could not vote for the prepo sition of the lion. Member for Oldham ; and if their factious opposition were persevered in, he should absent himself from the House during the debate. Mr. WAKLEY said that Hon. Gentlemen must take the course they thought best, but to say that the course of the Hon. Gentleman was factious, merely because he moved the adjourn ment of the debate that he might have an opportunity of ad dressing the House, was too much. He ( Air. Walcley) would never, form any factious opposition to any party or pr,,position. —(Oh, oh, and laughter.) Why—he would be very much obliged if Hon. Gentlemen would not judge him by them selves—he had never none so, and he never would. He defied any Hon. Member to refer to a period in which he had done it. With reference to the Poor-law he said, that after the speeches of the Right Hon. Baronet, the Member for Tamworth, and the Member for Bath, he did think the debate ought not to end without those speeches being answered, for he never heard such staring fallacies as his Hon. and Learned Friend, the Member fie- Bath, uttered. He was sorry he was not in the House, but he hoped to tell him on Monday night, that he knew nothing of the New Poor-law Bill. He never heard a greater amount of ignorance with reference to the law than he had heard from him that. evening. He hoped and trusted that the lion. Member for Oldham would have an opportunity of addressing the House. Mr. FIELDEN said it appeared to him that the House did not understand his reasons for .moving the adjournment. Ile rose to address the House to answer the speeches of the lion. Member for Bath, and the Right Hon. Baronet, but he was met with loud cries. Under these circumstances and at that time of night, the debate having lasted six hours, he asked whether it was unreasonable to move the adjournment ? The speech of the Hon. s Member for Bath, would most likely be quoted by the Secretary for the Home Deparment as a speech cf remarkable ability. Why he (Mr. Mr. Fielden) could tear it all to pieces.—(Laughter.) He would go through it although he was no lawyer. The Hon. Member could nut have accomplished a better thing if he had received a high fee. —( I aughter. ) No man could -deny this who was not as ' ignorant as an ass.—( Roars of laughter.) Then House then divided, the numbers were __ For the Adjournment of the debate 29 Against it Majority against the Adjournment —268 On the question being put, Sir C. NAPIER said he had no wish to give any factions opposition to tl-e Bill, but when the Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Fielden)got up to speak he was interrupted by persons who had only just come into the House. He thought such a course was an improper, one, and that the Hon. Gentleman was right in moving the adjournment. He should now move the ad journment. Mr. WAKLEY seconded the motion. Sir R. PEEL said the House would recollect that though the Hon. Member for Oldham rose for the purpose of speaking, and moved the adjournment on the professed grounds that due attention was not paid to him, yet the House would bear in mind that he said his intention was to avail himself of the forms of the House to prevent the passing of the Bill—(Cheers) — till the 31st of July. Therefore, if impatience was manifested by the House he must remind the House that the declaration of the Hon. Gentleman was sense justification.—( Hear.) He was aware that time spent in adjournment was unprofitably spent.. And though he deeply regretted the course which had been taken, he knew it was in vain to contend against it. He had hoped to be able to bring the tariff to its last stage on Monday ; and if the present course were persevered in, it would delay the passing of that measure—( Hear, hear)—because, if the debate were adjourned, he intended to postpone that mea sure, in order that the present one might have precedence, and he should therefore propose that this debate be resumed on Monday next. He hoped that the House would bear in mind the declaration of the Hon. Member for Oldham, and that they would, at least, do all that they could to prevent a prece dent which must be so fatal to the character of the House— (Loud cheers.)—so destructive to the interests of the country, if one or two gentlemen could avail themselves of the forms of the House, for the purpose of obstructing the progress of public measures.—( Cheers.) Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said that so far as he was concerned he had hoped the House would have come to a decision that evening upon The motion he had brought forward. With re gard to the interruption of the debate, he should remind the House, that when the Hon. Member for Oldham r o s e at half past eleven o'clock, he was met by a most tremendous yell from Hon. Gentlemen opposite.—(" Hear, hear," and " No, no.") He thought, too, that the Right Hon. Baronet might have put a more charitable construction upon the words that lied fallen from the Honourable Member for Old ham. The Right Honourable Baronet, on the con trary, seemed to justify the interruption which the Hott. Member for Oldham had experienced. It seemed, too, that because the debate on the Poor-law was adjourned, the country was to be punished by having a stop put to the pro gre3s of the tariff. But the Government had stated on former occasions their determination not to proceed with the Poor-law until the tariff aas disposed of, and he did not see why that course should not sin! be taken. Colonel WOOD (Alidiileex) denied that the Hon. Mem ber for Oldham had met with any improper interruption, and it was a libel on the character of the House to say that the lion. Gentleman had met with unusual marks of impatience. Mr. HAWES expressed a hope that after the debate on Monday the House would proceed to a division on the question. Sir R. PEEL hoped that was' the course which the House would pursue. Mr. WAKLEY said that he was still decidedly opposed to the law. But if the House should decide byalnpeodviemrewnhteilnmihngis majority, such as would renc'er opposition f ru i t l ess , i n f avour of the measure, he should not p ersevere in offering an oppo sition which c ,, uld lead to n o useful result. Mr. FIELDEN said h e would not flinch from the dut y which po,.elire I t t do e e btkretdepundertakend h o oe f u Br o n ff i le e l d; r i t n o g every Monday. BRITISH POSSESSIO NS ABRO AD BILL. impediment British Possession s Abroad Bill went throu g h Corn mittee.—Report on Monda Y y. S B e T thirdLL reading of the Rail . On the Order of itAl theLDNaVyAfor the wills Bill, S'ir HENRY HARDINGE moved the inserti on o f t h e fol lowing ch,we :—•`Th at w henever it shall be necessary to move any of the officers or soldiers of her Maj es t y ' s f orces of the line, erdna , ce corps, mari nes, or the police force, by any rail way, the Directors thereof shall and are hereby required to permit such forces respectively, with their baggage, stores, arms, ammunition, and other necessaries and things, to be con veyed, at the usual hours of starting, at the prices contracted for by the Secretary at War for the conveyance of such forces, on the production of a note si g ned by the p ro p er auth orities." Mr. CRAVEN BERKE LEY opposed the cla use , because he had not been permitted to bring forward a clause w h i ch he wished to introduce. Lord ROWICK suggested the ad j o urnment of the discus sion for a few days, till m atter could re ce i ve more mature consideration. Mr. GLADSTONE objected, to the postponement of the would agree to the suggestion, measure, as it could serve no useful purpose. and there were urgent reasons for passing it as quickly as possible. Mr. LABOUCHERh. suggested that tiv; Right Hon. and Gallant Officer should, under the circumstances, withdraw the clause. Sir HENRY HARDINGE and being in a separate Bill, if such were the feeling of the House, although the delay that would ac crue in consequence would be of detriment to the public service. Sir R. INGLIS hoped the house would let the clause pass. Sir R. PEEL trusted that the House would permit the clause to pass. A delay of 24 hours had already occurred in the con veyance of troops to'lndia for the want of such a clause. Mr. CRAVEN BERKELEY would, after these explana tions, withdraw his opposition to the clause. The clause was then agreed to, and ordered to be added to the Bill by way of rider.—The Bill was then read a third time. ' Oa the =Um that the Dill d° P a "' :1,, 0 . 1 ,,, i1 A Mr. S. O'BRIEN wished to know whether the, Beard of Trade had made any communication with respect to. passengers by third class carriages, and for the purpose of preventing per sons travelling outside the carriages. Mr. GL ADSTONE said that such communication had been made, and travelling outside railway carriages especially re monstrated against, on the Kingston and Dublin Railway. The Bill was then passed. The Right of Voting (Dublin University) Bill ecas read a second time. COLLIERIES BILL. On the motion for the further consideration of the Report of the Alines and Collieries Bill, Mr. AINSWORTH opposed the consideration of the Re port that night. He intended to move, " That a Select Com mittee be appointed for the purpose of ascertaining; how far the clauses in that Bill, curtailing the hours of labour of boys em ployed in collieries under 13 years of age, to three days a week, and thereby reducing their wages in proportion, willitave a ten dency to increase the distress and destitution which at present exists in the manufacturing districts of Lancashire and York shire." Mr. GREENE did not think; the, motion could be enter tained. He wished to know whether that was so. The SPEAKER said that the motion at the present stage was irregular. After a few words from Mr. AINSWORTEI and Mr. WA IVN, Sir J. GRAHAM said that children only under ten years of age were not to be employed in the mines, and that he thought a very reasonable proposition.—( Rear, hear.) LAMI3TON hoped the Bill would pass with all expe dition. Mr. SCOTT said the Bill would be likely to throw many persons out of employment, and therefore it ought not he passed in such haste. The mines of the North Isere dif ferently circumstanced from those of the South, and it might be even an advantage to them to have the Bill passed. The Report was then brought up, and a new clause went through Committee. Lord ASHLEY having then moved that the BM should Le read a third time on Wednesday next, Mr. AINSWORTH complained that the Bill had been improperly hurried through the House. He thought they should not proceed any further with the measure until the opinions of the people of the mining districts were ascer tained upon the subject. Mr. LAMBTON was of opinion that ample time had been already given to consider the question. It had been for a long period before the public. The Bill was then ordered to be read a third time on Wed nesday neat. THE DRAINAGE (IRELAND) BILL ) This Bill was read a third time and pased. The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at a Quarter past Two o'Clock. LAW IN. TELLItiENCE. ROLLS' COURT, June 24. ATTORNEY-GENERAL V. BOSANQUET. The information in this cause was filed upon the relation of a Mr. Lenser, for the purpose of having a certain charity carried on in a manner correspondent with the wishes of the founder, and to have certain abuses corrected; also, to have an account of all the moneys in the hands of the trustee. It appeared that Lady Munson by her will, dated December, 17'29, devised upon trust to her nephew, Lord Munscrn, a house in Broxbourne, in Hertfordshire, to;be used as an almshouse for six widows, and also 1,0001. bank stock for their maintenance. Joseph Bosatiquet, the father of the present defendant had, in 1769, become -,iossessed of the property. The stock, in the meantime, had accumulated to 2,0591. The present defendant, on becoming trustee, had appropri ated a part of the almshouse to the use of a school, which proved a great source of annoyance to the widows. Under these circumstances the information was filed. The defendant in his answer stated that he had not got notice of the intention of filing the information ; that if he had he would have had the nuisance abated ; that since the filing of the information he had removed the school, and that he had, in the first instance, only placed the children at school in the almshouse until a house was erected for th:.t purpose, as the poor school was too small. Lord LANGDALE said that the information was a most frivo lous one ; no notice had been given to the defendant that the information was to be filed, otherwise a satisfactory expla nation would have been given by him cm the matter. He must, therefore, dismiss the bill He would, however, allow costs against the defendant, on ac count of his want of prudence, in keeping so large a sum of money uninvested, which was contrary to the order of the Court. COURT OF QUEEIVS BENCH, .Tune 24. GATEMAN V. PINDER. This was a case which had been tried before Mr. Justice Vightman at Leicester, to recover a sum of money alleged to Le due as a debt from defendant to plaintiff. Defendant had pleaded the Statute of Limitations. At the trial it was proved that since the action had been brought defendant had paid U. on account, which it was con tended was such an acknowledgment of the debt as would take it out of the statute. A verdict had been entered for the plaintiff, and a rule nisi had been obtained to set it aside, on the ground that the payment of the IL on account was not such an acknowledgment of the debt as would take it out of the statute. The Coo KT gave judgment in the case this morning, and decided that in order to take a case out of the Statute of Limi tations, there should be some direct acknowledgment and recog nition of the debt, to enable a party to bring his action— that a payment of money on account after the action was brought did not constitute such acknowledgment, inasmuch as such acknowledgment must be made before the commencement of the action, in order to enable the party to bring his action at all ; and that therefore the rule for setting aside the verdict must be made absolute. THE QUEEN V. HAR•EY—QUO VPARRANTO.—JUDGMENT. Lord DENMAN, in giving judgment in this case, said that it was a rule for a quo warranto calling upon the tefendant to :hew cause by what right he claimed to exercise the functions of an Alderman of the borough of Liverpool. It appeared that on the 2Sth of October, 1841, Mr. Harvey hadbeen elected as Alderman to supply a vacancy. The qualification of Alder man consisted either in being a Town Councillor at the time of the election, or in being qualified to be one ; and among the qualifications of Town Councillor, it was required that he should he upon the burgess roll of the borough at the time of his election. No the name of Mr. Harvey did not appear upon the burgess roll of the borough, which was in force from Ist Novemer 1840 to Ist November 1841, but it did appear upon the burgess lists made out by the overseers of the respective ' parishes on the 3d September 1841, which lists when revised constituted the burgess roll which a euld be the roll in force frum Ist November, 1841, to Ist November, 1842, and his name bad been retained on the list of Revising Barristers. The Court, however, held, that his name appearing in those lists did not constitute a sufficient qualification, as there could not be two burgess rolls, and the only burgess roll in existence on the 28th October, 1841, the day of his election, was the roll which came into force on the Ist November, 1841. His name did not appear in that rod. He was consequently not qualified, and the rule must be made absolute. CHURCH-RATES—THE QUEEN V. THE CHAFELWARDENS OF HAWORTH—JUDGMENT. In this case a rule nisi had been obtained for a mandamus, ordering the chapelwardens of Haworth to collect their portion of a church-rate assessed by the churchwardens and a minority of the vestry of the parish of Bradford, to which parish the chapelry of Haworth was contributing. Lord DENMAN this morning gave the judgment of the Court in this case. He said that in this case the Court was called on to enforce a rate made upon the prin ciple raised by Chief Justice Tindal in giving jud g ment in the Braintree Church-rate case in the Ex chequer Chamber. Church-rates were matters of Eccle siastesal cognizance, and therefore the proper place to raise an argument on this dictum of Chief Justice Tindal was the Ecclesiastical Court. It happened, however, that the Chapelry of Haworth was obliged by custom to contribute to the Church-rates of Bradford; and thus the matter had been brought before the Court. The Court had been urged to grant the rule, in order to raise the point, and enable the point to be I.tigated in the Ecclesiastical Court, but the Court would never interfere to force parties to involve themselves in a doubtful I tigation, and, therefore, en that ground the rule could not be granted. The Chief Justice, in raising this novel point had studiously avoided giving any opinion on the subject, and all the Judges had reserved a right to themselves to con sider and give an opinion on the point when it should come regu larly before them. He felt it would be wrong to divest him self of the same freedom, and, therefore, he should offer no opinion on that point. These were reasons suf ficient for refusing the rule, but a different state of things had arisen since the rule had been applied for. The parishofßraintree, acting upon the hint thrown out by Chief J usticeßindal had made a rate inconformity with his suggestion. The question had been argued in the Spiritual Court, and that Court had decided that. such a rate was illegal. That decision might he appealed against, but until it should be reversed, the Court was bound to respect it On these grounds, therefore, the rule must be discharged. THE QUEEN V. THE CHAPELWARDENS OF FENTON. JUDGMENT. Lord DENMAN said this was a rule of a similar nature to the one which lad been applied for in the preceding case, and must be discharged on the same grounds. But even if that had not been the case, the rule must have been discharged on account of an informality in the affidavits. It was alleged that by custom the chapelry of Fenton was . compelled to contribute to the Church-rate of the parish of Bennin4ton. Now it did not appear that the inhabitants of Fenton had been summoned to attend the making of the rate. If they had not been summoned, the custom had not been complied with ;- and if it were not the custom to summon - them, then the custom - was bad. COURT of EXCHEQUER, June 24. TUE CORPORATION OF COVENTRY V. LYTHAM. AND OTHERS. The arguments in this case, which we noticed yesterday, were continued to-day. Mr. Richards was heard during the morning for the defendants. THE CORPORATION OF COVENTRY P. LYTHALL AND OTHERS. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL rrplied on the part cf the plain tiffs ; and the Court intimated that they would defer their judg ment until Thursday next. I~VSOLVEAT DEBTORS' COURT, June 24. IN RE JOSEPH R. LOYD. The in , olvent's petition to be discharged was opposed by Mr. Woodrutle, on behalf of a small creditor, who obtained an order against him in the Tower Hamlets Court ef Request. Mr. Cooke supported the petition. The names of thirty-eight creditors appeared in his schedule, the greater number of whom were administration creditors. It ap; eared, during a very tedious investigation' that the in solvent had carried on business in Chapel-street, Cripplegate, and having failed in 1837 he applied to his landlord, Mr. Jack son, of Leaderihall-street, who agreed to become principal in the business, and have the insolvent employed to superintend it. In pursuance of this agreement it was carried on until 1841, when it was finally given up, the insolvent being in his debt to a large amount at the tim e, in security for which a bill of sale was given upon other property. On the 15th of last March, the opposing creditor being about to put in the execution against the insolvent's goods, Sir. Jackson put his bill of sale in force, and thus deprived the insolvent of any redress, because it was alleged that where no goods or chattels were available in satisfaction of a decree from the local Courts of the Tower Hamlets, the wording of the enactment, entitled "An Act to amend and render more effec tual an Act passed in the 231 year of the reign of George the Second, for the more speedy recovery of small debts in the Tower Hamlets," was so loose, that there was no provision for imprisoning the debtor. A long discussion ensued between the Learned Counsel en both siites, in which it was stated that there being no local gaol in th e district of the Tower Hamlets, and all the gaolers of the n.e:r epolitan prisons refusing to detain a prisor.er on the war rant of the Commissioners, there was no redress for suitors in these Courts unless the creditor was possessed of chattels. The in olvent was eventually declared entitled to his dis charge. BAIL COURT, June 22. GREEN V. ELGIE AND TONLINE. Mr. Thesiger, Mr. Cowley, and Mr. Currie, were for the plaintiff ; the Attorney-General for Mr. Elgie ; and M. Platt, Mr. Baxter, and Mr. Clark, for Mr. Tomline. Ibis was an action of trespass, assault, and false im prisonment. Proceedings were taken by the plaintiff, who was an attorney, living in Nottinghamshire, ag•ainst the defendaut, Elgie, who was an attorney, rcsidwg iu Worcester, before the Vice-Chancellor, and the Court of Review, for the costs in which Green became liable. An order for the payment of the costs was made, which not being complied with, the plaintiff was arrested for contempt, under a warrant from the Court of Review, and lodged in the Fleet prison. Here he ramained for some years, and, as it appeared in evidence, was in a very destitute condition having scarcely food or bedding. In the year 1838, a Air. Briggs who had formerly known Mr. Green, visited the prison, and finding him in a destitute condition, applied to Mr. Trickett, a salesman in Covent Garden, who assisted Mr. Green, and advanced 1001 . in order that he m i g h t be liberated. Mr. Briggs twice took the money to Mr. Tomline, the London agent for Mr. Elgie, and between whom and Mr. Green there would appear to be a per sonal enmity. Mr. Tomline would not take the money, alleging that he should write to his principal, and that he did not know the amount of costs, and so Mr. Green continued in prison, till the 10th of February, 1841, when he was liberated, in consequence of an application made for that purpose, on the ground of an informality in the warrant of committal, and which application was op posed by Mr. Tomline. The present action was, there fore, brought, to recover damages for the committal under this warrant, which his Lordship held to be void. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL submitted, that there was no evidence against Elgie, in which his Lordship having concurred, the jury found in his favour. Mr. PLATT having addressed the jury for Mr. Tom line, his Lordship summed up, when the jury brought in a verdict against Mr. Tomline, to the amount of 1501., subject to an objection taken by Mr. Platt, as to tiro warrant being void or not. POLICE IN TELLIGENCE. BOIV-STREET. After the night charges had been disposed of, a respect able looking man applied to Mr. Jardine for advice under the following circumstances :—He stated that on the 4th of this month he left a bill for 401. with the West minster Investment Joint Stock Loan Company and Bill Discounting Society, at No. 7, Adam-street Adelphi, and it was to have been discounted for him, and the cash handed over by the 9th. The house, however, was now closed, the Society had failed, and the applicant could not get his bill. Applicant called on Thursday at the office, and saw a man who was the only person on the premises, and he told him that if h e ca lled thi s m orning he should have the bill. Re called this morning but did not get it, and was told instead that no doubt the Directors would write to him about it. Applicant said too, that unfortunately he was a shareholder in the concern. Mr. JARDINE said he was afraid he could give him no assistance, as the value was beyond that in which Ile was authorised to interfere. He was not aware of any re medy except by action at law. Applicant—l suppose then, Sir, if I can't get my bill I shall have to pay it when it bu.omes due. Mr. JARDINE—I suppose so. Applicant then left the Court. MARLBOROUGH-STREET. James .Holland and Matthias k'.oriarty, young hot-tem pered Irish tailors, were charged with the following robbery : Mr. John Rae, of No. 5, Stafford-street, New Bond-street, tailor, stated that the prisoner Holland had for some time past been in his employ, and slept in a room adjoining the workshop, the prisoner Moriarty was also employed by him, but did not lodge in the house. The prisoner Holland's conduct was so unsteady as to induce him ',the prosecutor) to warn him to quit his lodgings, but on last Monday night it appears that at a very late hour, Holland, by means of the key of the street door, which he retained in his possession, gained access to his (the prosecutor's) workshop, and carried off three coats he had to make, one finished, and the remaining two only par tially completed. Neither of the prisoners came to their work on the following day, and it was subsequently ascertained that Mori-Arty sold the stolen property to a Jew in Petticoat-lane, Whitechapcl, for 155., and that both the prisoners, during the after prat of the day (Tuesday) indulged in a " spree" to Greenwich. The prisoners expressed their regret at having committed the foolish act they had done, it was merely a '• spirt," and they would work " night and day to make it. good." The prosecutor said that it was most likely he should lose altogether the future orders of his customers if such delays from the faults of his servants, as in the present instance, were allowed to occur. Mr. MALTBY said there was a clear case of felony against the prisoners, and upon conviction of which they no doubt world ba transported, and therefore he should remand them until Tuesday next, to allow lime for the prosecuting party to bring forward the necessary witnesses. UNION-HALL. COMMITTAL OF A BnoxEn.— George Allen, a broker, was charged with the following gross act of oppression in levying a distress for rent;— Susan Sankey, of 72, Regent-street, Lambeth, stated that she owed her landlord Bs. for rent, and the defendant came with a warrant of distress, and he seized the whole of her goods, amounting in value to 51. 3s. 6d., and he refused to wait until the evening for the rent, and took away the whole of her little property. A witness was called, who confirmed the poor woman's ac count as to the worth of her goods, and said that she woukl have given 20s. for a mahogany table taken away, with 'other things, by the defendant, for the Bs. rent due by the com plainant. The defendant said that he had sold the goods, the value of which was exaggerated by the owner of them. Tle MAG ISTRATE, in strong terms, denounced the conduct of the defendant, and adjudged him to pay 5/. :3s. 6d., the va lue otthe goods, and in default of payment he sas committed for one month to Kingston gaol ELECTION OF SHERIFFS. A Common Hall was held yesterday at Guildhall, for the pur pose cf electing the Sheriffs and other officers for the ensuing year. Shortly alter one o'cloek,the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and other civic functilnarics, appeared on the hustings. The Common sergeant then read the names of the several gentlemen who were eligible to serve the office of Sheriff. Upon the show of hands being taken, the Sheriffs declared them to be in favour of Mr. Alderman Hooper and Jeremiah Pitcher, Esq., citizen and haberdasher, and they were declared elected to serve the office of Sheriffs for the ensuing year. They then proceeded to the election of Chamberlain, Bridge master, and other officers, end there being no opposition, the present officers were re-elected. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISION ( From the rolesand Proceedings of the Housed' Commons.) THURSDAY, JUNE 211. AFFGIIANISIA.N: Motion made, and Question put, "That there be laid before this House Copies of the Correspondence of Sir Alexander Burnes with the Governor-General of India, during his Mis sion to Cabool, in the years 1837 and 1838 :—Also Copies of the Correspondence of the Governor-General of India with the President of the Board of Controul, and with the Secret Committee. of the East India Company, from the Ist day of September, 1837, to the let day of October, 1839, relatile to the Expedition to Affghattistan :"—Dlr. H.J. Baillie :"—The House divided:— Bernal, Captain Bou ring, Dr. Brotherton, J. MINORITY-- AYES, 9. , Duncan George Wallace, R. Duncombe, T. S. TELLERS. Ewart, %V. Balllie, H. J. 1 I ume„loseph D'lsraeli, Benjamin MA. 75. Cobden, Richard Ainsworth, Peter Anil:, John l'eter Baring, W. B. Faring, F. T. Baskerville, T. B. M. Bat eson, Robert Blackburn, John I. Blake, M. J. Broadley, Henry Ilrodie, W.ll. Buller, E. Bu tei d, Wm. Campbell, A. ColGorne, W. Ridley Corry, H. L. Craig, W. Gibson Cringe, J. 1 lai by, George I)awnay, Hon. W. Denison, E. Beckett Dickinson, F.ll. Douglas, Sir C. E. EaAtliope, Sir John Eastnor, Viscount Eliot, Lora Elphinstone, Howard' ,JORITY—NOES, Ffolliott, John Forbes, William Forster, Matthew Fuller, A. E. Gladstone, W. E. Gordon, Hon. \V. Goulburn, H. Graham, Sir J. Greece, T. G. Grogan, Edward Hamilton. W. J. Heathcoat, John Henley, J. W. Herbert, Hon. S. Hobhouse, Sir J. C. Hogg, J. W. Hornby, Joh n Hussey, Thomas Butt, W. Jackson, J. D. Jocelyn, Viscount Jones, 'l'. Layard, Captain Legh, George C. Lincoln, Earl of Litton, E. Lockhart, William Mackenzie, W. F. Marl an, Donqd MacGeachy, F. A. Morris, David Mundy, E. M. Nichol', J. 0' Brien, T. O'Connell, M. J. Ogle, S. C. H. Owen, Sir J. Palmerston, Viscount Peel, Sir Roberti Philips, Mark Protheroe, . . P Rashleigh. William Itushbrooke, Colonel Shell, It. L. Smith, Vernon Sutton, Hon. H. M. Thornely, Thomas Wawn, John T. Wortley, J. Stuart TELLERS. Fremantle, Sir T. Pringle, Alexander MONEY MARKET and CITY NEWS. POST.—The quotation for Mexican advanced from 361 to 3%, and finally left off at 361 to 37k. The ostensible cause was the arrival of the Medway with, as it was stated, fifty thousand dollars on account of the dividend ; but in reality it may be discovered on the near approach cf the settling day. These and Spanish Bonds (which by the way have fallen to 22 for the Three per Cents. since the announcement of the dividend) aro the only documents which to any extent retain a place among the n peruletive operators, and while the one is depressed the other is certain to rise, inasmuch as it would not answer to allow an account to pass over without fluctuations. It is with much regret that they are thus obliged to be placed in connexion, but dealers so act that it is obligatory so to do. And the regret is on this account: the Mexicans aro doing every thing in their power to revive their national credit, by keeping up to the promises which they have made for that pur pose, and which, so long as they continue in the honourable course which they are now Frtuing, will doubtless be ful filled to the letter, while Spam, apparently possessed by same infatuation, is resorting to every paltry nick and dishonest chicanery, and is endeavouring, if it be posslle, to sink herself lower in the scale of nations titan she is at present placed. THE CONVICTS FRANCIS AND COOPER. The day fixed by the Sheriffs for the execution of the two culprits, now under sentence of death in Newgate, is next Monday week, the 4th of July. The fact was communicated to them 3 esterday morning by the Chaplain of the prison, in the presence of the Sheriffs and other authorities. Francis, who has been in a very dejected state since his convic tion, appeared much surprised at the awful information, he•having indulged in the belief that the sentence would not be carried into effect. His despondency was, as may be sup posed, much increased at the intelligence, and, on becoming a little more composed, he declared in the most solemn man ner to his attendants, that he had no intention to do her Majesty the slightest injury, and that there was nothing in the pistol but a little i owder and a piece of paper. From the communications made to his relatives, it would ap pear that he is fully convinced of the extent of his telly, and acknowledges that he deserves punishment, but adds that should he suffer death, he will be a murdered man. The father of the miserable youth has petitioned the 'Throne for a commutation of the sentence, but how this ap peal has been received there has been no means, as yet, of ascertaining. Francis has also declared that his only mo tive for making the feint, as he calls it, was that he might gain an asylum where he would be relieved from the harass and suffering attendant upon poverty. It is understood that some humane persons have interested themselves on his behalf, and are about to make an earnest appeal in his favour. Others, who have on former occasions loudly declaimed against capital punishment, have declined to interfere, lest they may be charged with a want of loyalty. Whether praying for the ex ercise of the prerogative of mercy (which attribute is possessed by our gracious Queen to an einincnt degree) be an act which can be construed into disloyalty must be left to the considera tion of those who have doubts about the matter. On the intellig ence beingcommunicated to Cooper , te that the day was fixed u p on w h en he was to die, he received . lie has h infor mation, to all appearance, as a matter of rse become very humble, and conducts himself Ile has more than in a c becoming man ner, and is not violent as has been stated. once acknowledged that his sentenced 11 is just, es till remains in the aid has abandoned all hope that his life will be infirmary, where lie has been d ea l from his feet, in which the effects of the poison he took spa'eever since his committal to prison. He suffers a has lodged. He is, at times, very reserved in his manner, and, a t others, communicative,, often. time speaking of th e crime for which he is to suffer. He evident) , feels 173°5t Y rel the awful litution in which he i s ) treat placed, but endeavours to conceal his emotion as much as pos sible by assuming a carelessness of manner which approaches to hardihood. There does not appear to be any sympathy for him in the public mind. FETE AT QUEENSBERRY VILLA. The Duchess of liuccleach gave a grand entertainment at the family seat, near Richmond, on Thursday, to her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert, whieh was attended also by the Queen Do eager, the Duchess of Gloucester, the King and Queen of the Belgians, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Kent, and other members of the Royal Family. To this splendsd entertainment were invited more than 500 of the leading persons in high life. The arrival of the Queen was expected about five o'clock, and long before that hour hundreds of persona began to con gregate on the Rise and al o ng the Barnes and Kingston roads, in order that they might gratify their laudable curiosity of obtaining a glimpse Of their bloved Sovereign and her illus• trious Consort. At the windows of all the houses, from the entrance of the village to the Duke's villa, parties were assem bled, and, indeed, the most intense enthusiasm was manifested by the inhabitants and visitors. At a quarter to six o'clock her Majesty the Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albei4, accompanied by their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians, and attended by the Lord and Lady in Waiting, and the other members inirue• diately connected with the Court, arrived, her Majesty and her august relatives tieing received with loud acclamations of appree bation by the thousands assembled along the Royal route. The arrival of her Majesty was proclaimed by a Royal salute being fired on the island, and on the cortege reaching the villa there was a discharge of ordnance in the meadow on the opposite bank of the Thames. The Duke and Duchess having been apprised of the Queen's approach, received her Majesty and his Royal Highness at the entrance to the villa, when the Queen took the Noble Duke's arm, Prince Albert offering his to the Duchess of Buccleueb. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, with the King and Queen of the Belgians, were almost immediately con. ducted to the front lawn, when the band (the Royal Horse Guards blue) saluted the Royal presence by playing the National Anthem. Her !Majesty the Queen Dowager, accompanied by their Serene Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Saxe Aleiningen, and attended by the Earl of Denbigh, Master of the Horse, Lady Gore, and several of her Majesty's Household, had arrived in three carriages from Bushy Park shortly before Live o'clock. The Thames, in front of the villa, presented a gay and ani mated appearance, from not only the number of pleasure boats which literally covered its surface, but from the royal galley. the two Admiralty boats and the Trinity yacht boat, with th e watermen in their state liveries, moored in front, and a large yacht, which was what is termed dressed with all the signals used in the maritime service, stationed in the centre of the river. The opposite shore, which commanded an uninterrupted view of the lawn and gardens in front of the villa, was thronged by a vast concourse of spectators. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, and the other illustrious • guests promenaded the gardens and romantic grounds at tached to the villa fur some time, and at seven o'clock dinner was announced. The entertainment was served up in a spacious and beau tifully-furnished marquee on the lawn, almost adjoining the mansion, lined with blue and white draperies, and carpeted with crimson cloth. The table was illuminated by a richly wrought chandelier and various candelabra, by Messrs. Han cock and Co. The banquet was of the most recherche character, and the fruit displayed on the Royal table was of the finest oultu re. Another temporary saloon, for it had more the appearance of a noble apartment than a marquee, was erected in the back grounes belonging to the villa, to w hi c h th e company passed through a cov e red pathway. It. was in "that marquee th it the general visitors partook of a sumptuous entertain ment. Some idea may be formed of the erection by its dimensions, it being nearly 200 feet long by 36 wide,. and the height of the dome in the centre was 50 feet. The interior was hung with scarlet and white 'drapery, the walls being cur. rounde,i with festoons and rosettes of blue, white, and scarlet silk. It was lighted by seven enormous chandeliers, giving adddional britliancy to the otherwise splendid interior. Botts tents were furnished expressly for the occasion, by Benjamin Ldgicgton, of Duke-street, Southwark, and were highly credit. able to that respectable establishment. The circle invited to the royal table comprised, the Queen and•Prinee Albert, the Queen 'Dowager, the King ~led Quern of the Belgians, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Duchess of Gloucester, their Serene Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Saxe Aleiningen, Princess Augusta of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge, the Prince of Saxe Meiningen, his Excellency Count Mensdorf, the Duke of Wellington, Earl of Aberdeen, Duke and Duchess of Suther land,and the more distinguished visitors of the Noble Duke and Duchess. At the conclusion of the banquet, the heal rh of the Queen and Prince Albert was drank, with three times three. The fine band of the Coldstream Guards was engaged, in addition to that of the Royal Horse Guards. At the close of the evening, the principal marquee was cleared for dancing, which commenced soon after nine, to We;ppert's full band of thirty performers. The grounds were illuminated at dusk by thousands of variegated lamps intermixed in the shrubs and parterres, and along the whole extent of the lawn facing the river were fes toons of lamps. The architecture of the bridge was traced by numberless illumination lamps, which were lighted at dusk, and over the three principal at ches were devices. There was a grand display of fireworks on the meadow on the opposite bank, under the auspices of Southby the artist, in which there were nine set pieces, some displaying trans parencies of the Queen and Prince Albert, the Duehess of Kent, Sze. The party broke up soon after twelve. Among other illustrious personages present were the fol lowing : Am ba , sador—Th e French. Ministers—Austrian, Prussian, Saxon, Bavarian, Wurtem burg, Portuguese, Spanish, Belgian, :Dutch, American, and Russian. Dukes—Norfolk, Cleveland, Wellington, Beaufort, Sutler [and, Leinster, and Hamilton. Duchcs,es—Norfolk, Cleveland, Beaufort, Northumberland, Sutherland, Leinster, and Hamilton. Marquises—Lansdowne, Worcester, Westminster, London derry, DwynEliire, Ailesbury, Clanriearde, and Salisbury. .A.Erchionesses—Lendonderry, Downshire, Ailesbury, and Clanricarde. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, thirty-three Earls, and as many Countesses, more than forty Barons, and twice that number of ladies of title. The entertainment alto.. gcther was the most superb that has been given for many years in this country. HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE. An unusually large audience assembled on Thursday at this theatre to witness the performances of Rubini and Persiani in the attractive opera of I Parita,i. 13esides these eminent vocalists, there were Reneord and Lablache, the former of whom assumed the part hitherto played by Tamburini ; so that the opera was cast in a first-rate manner, and was applauded throughout with the utmost enthusiasm. Persiani, i❑ the com paratively. inferior character of Elvira, sang with all her wonted ids:Hand sweetness, and gave the polacca, " Son vergin t•ezzosa," with graces such as no other vocalist can attempt with such dating originality. Ruhini in Arturo soldered one of his most splendid triumphs, and was encored in almost every ono of his art s, more especially in those wherein tenderness was to be ex pressed. Lablache was excellent as Sir Giorgio, and Ronconi imparted to Riccardo all the niceties of expression which ren dered it so attractive in the hands of his predecessor. At the close of the opera all the chief performers were called for by the audience, and made their bow, and retired amid enthu siastic acclamations. It is a long time since 1 Prn•itani has been so admirably east as it was last night. The ballet. which succeeded, Alma, on La Filk du Fete, is the best that has been produced fur many seasons. There is nothing weak about it—there is no appearance of vamping up ; alt is fresh, new, and glittering, and it seems the inventor of the ballet (M. Derhayes), the inventors of the pas (Cerite and Perrot), the scene-painter (Grieve), and the com poser (Costa), had all set their very superior wits together to produce a work that should be perfectly complete in t its kind. Tire curtain rises on the palace of fire, a magnificent scene, glowing with crimson, while crimson fiends are performing " fantastic tricks," not " before high Ileaven," but in the face of a different prospect. Belfegor, their king, endows a statue with life, and that the statue may have life, par excellence, that it may not vegetate in a mere torpid existence, that it may burst forth into all the fulness of youth and joy, it becomes Cerito. She is endowed with the power of fascinating all who sec her. But there is an awkward condition. If she falls in love with any one, in return she is again to become a statue. Thus pros vided, she is sent on her trials, under the charge of Perephite, cleverly acted by Perrot. The first place they come to iv a German town, which " Bob emiens" are forbid to enter. Cerito and Perrot came under this vagabond denomination; but who - shall repel Cerito? The burgomaster may scowl, a glance from Cerito renders the law a dead letter, the very inscription of the regulations on a boars' becomes effaced, and leaves the hoard blank. lint she is not satisfied with a mere entrance into the town, the daughters of the citizens must be lured into a dance whir the two supernaturals. Perrot twirls round, one after another, Mademoiselles Camille, Bernard, and Galby, but they are half unwilling. Cerito is needed to encourage then'. Quietly does she go through the waltz step, there is a calm resolution in her glance—she has determined on victory. But the dance has its effect on herself—she warms into it; she becomes energetic, and fresh fire is infused into her at every blow which Perrot strikes on her tambourine. The girls become delighted, the dance leads them on, and thus is fm•mud the vulse de fascination. On they go ! There must be no pause. A brilliant saloon in France is ready to receive them—one of the most superb ball scenes ever introduced on a stage, brilliantly illumined with gas in every part. The pas de trois by Ccrito, Camille, and M. Desplaces was ad mirable. There seemed to be no limit to the number of ele gant attitudes into which Cerito dropped, sometimes supported by M. Desplaces, and sometimes alpearing balanced in air. There is a certain look of Cerito in these slow movements, a certain tenderness of expression, that gives them a character that is attained by no other danseuse whatever. M. Desplaces is a very excellent male dancer. He is perfectly unassuming, he does not attempt too much, but seems aware that dancers of the fair sex are the chief objects of attraction. Every group in the slow movement of this pas de trois told well, and met with marked applause. Of course it was followed by a quick move ment, and Cerito raised fresh acclamations by one of her bril liant revolving steps. The travellers move on to the city of Grenada, whither they are followed by an exiled Moorish Prince, who has seen Cerito throughout her progress, and has become desperately enamoured of her. She dances a pets Eyagnol before the Spanish King, with a light merriment which increases to the highest joyousness. The lover dethrones tire Spaniard, becomes King of Grenada, offers Cerito his throne, when she consents to accept it, and therefore becomes petrified once more into marble. The ballet was remarkably successful. and Cerito and Deshayes were call••d before the cur tain to receive the congratulations of the audience. are now taken to guard against p t o h improper precautions - the whenauthori ties the livery porters go off :l e s; :t ni ,:f i , sPi guard :A s c o E f .—T i.e l ei - i n e tar s nu t ds r i i oa c nl t s e oo s f t by them, and remains at A strong party of the A divieion of t o il f e o t n ra e de i n sm u en n i ,s for e m n. , his post until morning, s t o ie n s ßs a bu t 3C. the Palace. At 10 p.m., l. , Palace during Police is always on patrol ' ti the ' corridors, colonnades, etc., and one the night, duty at the lodges, a . ni . g t ht in p t o i r ,e ter in re te i r e io ‘ r es of the , always in attendance sn to watch the egres:, and ingress of persons is ° es ; the e d l a u y th a T t e , DISHONESTY ,!7 , UCCEEDED By police constaanbdleii.lain dcluorilni SUICIDE.-I\lr. Baker held an inquest on Thursday at the Falcon, Cambridge-heath, a t trance, a therie 1 green, on the body of Thomas Busking, aged 42. Bettina - Ruskin° . said that the deceased was her husband, and she , d i o n or l . iimlic°' Mary in resided with him at O. 3, Green -street.. On Monday week last he was discharged from a situation as carman, for having appropriated to his own wants some money with which ho had boon entrusted to pay a debt. The condition to which his dishonesty reduced him, was a constant source of uneasiness, and since the day of his dismissal his temper and habits underwent a great change. When wit ness awoke at six o'clock on Tuesday morning, she missed deceased from the room, and, after searching, found him in the yard suspended by the neck to the beam of a shed. He was then quite dead. Witness tisong,lit that he was broken-hearted at the issue of his conduct, and feared that he should not again obtain another situation. Verdict—" Temporary insanity." The Ge nera l St eam Navigavessel, Company's the Giraffe, fromßotterdam, arrived offthe Custom-house at 11 o'clock this day, with the Dutch maiiii• - -