The Sun. — London, England, 1854-07-29 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS-(YESTERDAY.) The house met at five o'clock. REFOR NT OF THE CRIMINAL LAW. The Earl of STRADBROOKE calledattention to the enormous expense, and the inconvenience imposed upon the coantry by the prosecution of .persons for petty offences at the assizes, and expressed a hope that a mea sure would be introduced to enable these cases to be disposed of by magistrates at petty sessions. Lord BROUGHAM said a bill had been introduced on that subject into this house, but it had been post poned in consequence of the lateness of the session. The LORD CHANCELLOR intimated that it was his intention to consider the subject during the recess. and he hoped to be able to bring in a bill next session to remedy the evil complained of. Lord CAMPBELL rejoiced to hear that a measure was to be introduced by his noble and learned friend, and trusted it would not be delayed beyond next year. The Earl of HARD WICKE concurred in the proposed reform in the criminal law. The subject then dropped. REFUSAL TO TAKE AN OATH. Lord CONGLETON adverted to the case of the female who was committed to gaol at the assizes for refusing to take an oath, and inquired whether the law was such that a judge had no alternative, when a person refused, on conscientious grounds, to take an oath, but to commit him to prison. The LORD CHANCELLOR said as the law stood, if a person was subpcened to give evidence, he was bound to take an oath, unless he belonged to the excepted classes of Quakers, Moravians, and Separatists, and to fail in doing so was a contempt of court for which the judge had no alternative but to commit the indivi dual to prison. In the present session, however, there had been introduced a bill, which he trilsted would receive the concurrence of the other house, and shortly become law, which would meet the cases of persons who had con scientious scruples to taking an oath. After a few words from Lord C.m.BELL, the subject dropped. YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS BILL. The house went into committee on this bill. Lord BROUGHAM said he approved generally of the bill, but objected to the second clause, which rendered it nec essary t h at a young person should be sent to prison for a few days before becoming an in mate of e reformatory school. The BISHOP of LONDON considered that no sys tem of reformation for juvenile offenders could be effec tual, while it subjected them to the taint of associations in a gaol. The LORD CHANCELLOR said the term of impri sonment was so short that it was not calculated to con taminate young preens. The clauses were then agreed to, and the house re sumed. The Convict Prisons (Ireland), the Indian Appoint merits, &e. , the Inclosure, &e., of Land, and the Ad miralty Courts Bills, passed through committee. The Laild, Assessed, and Income Taxes Bills were real a second time. The Puhlic Revenue and Consolidated Fund Charges Bill passed through Committee. The Standard of Gold and Silver Wares Bill also passed through committee. SALE OF BEER BILL. This bill was read a third time. On the motion that the bill do pass, The Earl of HA RROVVBY proposed amendments to extend the hours during which public houses may remain ..,*- open on Sundays from between 1 and 2in the day to be tween 1 and half past 2, and from between 6 and 10 in the evening to between 5 and 11 in summer and between 5 and ten in winter, in accordance with the notice given by the nohle earl on the previous day. Lord REDESDALE considered that while 300,000 persons went out every Sunday upon pleasure excursions, it would be difficult to interfere with the means of pro viding them with refreshments. Their object should be to combine as far as possible consideration for the neces sary requirements of these people with regard for public order. There was, however, this difficulty in dealing with this matter—that while in the large towns from which the excursionists proceeded in the morning, and to which they returned probably late at night, the hour of 10 or 11 o'clock might not be too late to allow refresh ments to be supplied to them, it might be altogether too late in the country. The Earl of HARROWBY moved his first amend ment that 5 o'clock he substituted for 6 as the hour at which public houses might open in the afternoon. The Earl of SHAFTESBURY expressed a very de cided objection to the motion. As the bill was origi nally introduced, the hours were from six to nine in the evening, subsequently a compromise was entered into with the consent of all parties, and the hour for closing was - extended from nine to ten, and in that shape the bill was passed by the Commons, and sent up to th e i r lordship s . N ow, i t was proposed to extend the period by three hours altogether—that was from six to nine, to fire to eleven, which would give six consecutive hours, during which- these public houses might remain open every Sunday evening. so that the positive restriction which would .be gained, as compared with the existing law, after all the exertions which had been made, was two hours and a half—viz., from half-past two till five. He trusted that their lordships would not sanction any such change in the bill—at least before they saw the very important evidence which had been taken by the select committee of the House of Commons. For himself, he must say that nothing would give him greater pain than that by intrcduci:.g these amendments, their lord 'ships should defeat the whole objects of the bill, as in troduced into the other house, and that it should be said the House of Lords had less consideration for the wishes of the people than the House of Commons. The Bishop of LONDON knew that the best possible effects had followed from the change in the law which he had been instrumental in carrying some years ago, whereby public houses were kept closed until one o'clock on Sunday morning, and he believed that it was the ex perience of the great social benefits which had resulted from that change, that bad been the cause of so manypeti tions 'being presented in favour of the further restriction proposed by this bill. He considered that four hours on the Sunday evening was quite sufficient toallow persons to resort to public houses and places of amusement on the Sunday evening. There was no hardship in the case ; on the contrary the restriction would compel those who frequented such places to spend more time at htme with their wives and families. As they diminished the hours for drinking in public houses the more they would increase the comforts of the people, and of the working classes especially. (Hear, hear.) The Marquis of CLANRICARDE urged that recrea tion was necessary for the health of the people, and the Sunday was the only day upon which, as a general rule, they could avail themselves of the means offered them for obtaining it. While they were permitted to obtain that recreation in the most innocent way possible, he could conceive nothing more absurd or unjust than to deny theta that refreshment of which they stood in need. (Hear hear.) It was not to be supposed that, because the public-houses were open an hour or so longer, people would remain in them if they did not require refresh ment. It had been said that travellers had a right to be supplied with refreshments on the Sunday, but the whole grievance turned upon the want of a definition of the word " traveller," and the inconvenience of these restrictions would be still experienced as it was now by persons who were at a distance from their homes, and who, according to the decisions of some magistrates, were not to be considered as travellers. Their lordships divided— For the clause as it stood 24 For the amendment l5 i Majority —9 Six o'clock consequently remains as the hour at which public houses may open on the Sunday evening. The amendment, extending the hours for public houses remaining open at noon from 1 to 2, to 1 to half past 2, was agreed to. Some other amendments were introduced during the absence of strangers, but what they were could not be ascertained, and the bill passed. The Reformatory School (Scotland) Bill, the Ecclesi astical Jurisdiction Bill, the Stock-in-Trade Exemption Bill, and the Common, &c., Rights (Ordnance) Bill were severally read a third time and passed. The Friendly Societies Bill, the Burials beyond the Metropolisßill, the Spirits (Ireland) Bill, and the Literary and Scientific Institutions Bill were reported as amended, and agreed to. ThuLanditevenues of the Crown (Ireland) Bill, the Highways Public H ea l t h B ill, and the Public Libraries Bill were severally read a third time and passed. MEDICAL GRADUATES BILL. I Lord MONTEAGLE having moved the order of the day for the committee on thi s bi ll for the purpose of postponing it, The. Duke of ARGYLL observed that he had see n several medical men upon th e su bj ec t o f this bill since the Ocond reading, all of whom were opposed to it on one ground or another. It was urged that if this privj. lege were conceded to the graduates of the University of London, it should be extended to the graduates °f .Dublin and of the four Scotch universiti es ; and it was also contended that if the p r i nc i p l e of the bill were adopted, they ought to go the whole length and give to the gr aduate s the ri ght to practice pharrn M.; surgery, and every other branch of medi cine. - H e thought-.that the bill rashly established prin. l e s which we re now in a state of controversy, and therefore shoul d be cip cons i dered with caution. He thought the bill a rashand attempted to settle questions bill, deferred until the introduction of a which should general Universities of Scotland and Ire. measurbenofmedical reform. In committee, he should - move that the e bills. He did not wish to de in th . land be included prive the London University of. equally entitled. the privilege sought, bnt he thought that other universities were He did not know why this bill should be t r a o t u but the present moment. existed asiainst practising in The excuse in at doubtful. Even if vaccinationwaaand he believed that their legality t of London. they did exiit, the graduates owfalsreland and Scotland were as emenable as those of the University Lord MONTEAGLE, in reply, medical need net interfere with a general measure of . said That this bill reform. 'u m , i re y-propose g i ve London privileg es at resent enjoyed by the older u versities, dto ' the University of which were p without medical schools. The bill had been supported in the other house by every member of the Governinent ; the last division in its favour being 157 to 5, and the Home Secretary had supported it expressly on the groend that it would not interfere with a oeneral measure of medical reform. "The Duke of ARGYLL said that he had on the pre vious day had an interview with the Presidents of the dtipllegirre, .f Surgeons, and that both were strongly op ridsed.te . . ebill. s i 7 After , . - w 4,, rom Lord WYNPORD, The a . , SDOWNE recognised the claim of the University , London, and. ma id of his own , knowledge eay tll4 il hough no stipulation was entered! ... ...-._ , , $ll advasARAT into, expectations had been held out that that University should ultimately receive the same amount of favour from the Legislature as Oxford and Cambridge. The University of London had fully earned the fulfilment of that expectation, as the education it gave and the men it produced placed it quite on a level with the older universities. With respect to what had fallen from his noble friend, the noble duke near him, it must be admitted that it was worthy of consideration whether the bill would not by a side wind give to the University of London advantages over other universities which were not really intended. The committee was then postponed until Tuesday next. • REMOVAL OF NUISANCES. Lord •LYTTELTON postponed until next session his bill on this subject. Their lordships then adjourned HOUSE OF COMMONS.—{YESTERDAY.) The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Lords amendments to the following bills were considered and agreed to :—Cork and Waterford Rail way, Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway (Chipping Norton Branch), Portsmouth and Direct London and Portsmouth Railway, Stockport Rectory Division, West London and Crystal Palace Railway (Bromley and Farnborough), York, Newcastle, and Berwick, York and North Midland and Leeds Northern Railway Companies Amalgamation ; British Guarantee Association (No. 2), Oxford, Worcester, and Wolver hampton Railway (Stratford-upon• Avon and Stour bridge Branches). The Earl of Eglinton's Estate Bill was cunsidered and ordered to be read a third time. Caton's Divorce Bill and' St. Catherine's Parish (Dublin) School and Charity Estate Bill were read a third time and passed. Legh's Estate Bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed. PETITIONS. Petitions were presented by Mr. SPENCER, from Brighton, against the opening of public houses on Sun day ; by Mr. CHRISTOPHER, from Lincolnshire, to the same effect ; and by Mx. HENLEY, from Oxfordshire, with the same prayer. MILITIA. (No. 2) BILL. The committee on this bill was'then resumed. Clauses 1,2, and 3 were agreed to. On clause 4, Mr. R. PALMER moved an amendment, with the view of providing that half the expense of militia store houses and barracks should be borne by the Consolidated Fund. Lord PALMERSTON and Mr. WILSON resisted the amendment. Mr. S. HERBERT said if the• amendment should be carried, it would be for the Government to consider whether they would g.) on with the bill. After some further discussion the committee divided, when there appeared— For the amendment Against it Majority The amendment was accordingly carried. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the amendment involved a very important principle, and it being now sanctioned by the committee, it had become the duty of the Government to take time to consider what course they should pursue with regard to the bill. Notwithstanding this declaration, the consideration of the remaining clauses were proceeded with. Clause 4, as amended, was agreed to. The remaining clauses were agreed to. Colonel NORTH moved the following additional clause :—" Adjutants of militia regiments who have been captains in the army, or in the East India Com pany's service, shall take rank in the militia, accordi-g to the date of their commis , ions in the army or East India Company's service, and all other adjutants, of whatever regiments, shall rank as the junior captains of their regiments." The clause was negatived. The CHAIRHAN then reported progress, and the report was ordered to be brought up on Monday. MILITIA (SCOTLAND) BILL. The house went into committee on this bill. The clauses were agreed to, and the bill passed through committee. The Militia (Ireland) Bill was postponed until Mon day. The other orders were disposed of, and at four o'clock the sitting was suspended. The house resumed at six o'clock. DELIVERY OF NOTICES OF OBJECTION TO VOTERS IN SURREY. Mr. EVELYN asked the Secretary of the Treasury what was the result of an investigation said to have been under taken by the direction of th Treasury into an alleged non delivery by the Post-office, in August, 1853, of the notices of objection to the votes of certain registered electors of the western division of the county of Surrey? Mr. by ILSON said the inquiry into this important sub ject had beers conducted with great care, and he was sorry to say that it appeared that the postmaster who received these notices had not exercised the usual vigilance in com paring the notices which ho had received with the dupli cates which he returned, and in consequence it was impos sible to say, but the belief at the Post-office was that they had never been received in the General Post-office. The result of the inquiry was certainly extremely unsatisfac tory, so much so that the Postmaster-General had thought it right to interdict the gentleman who had these duties to perform from being employed in the Post-office service again. The report showed that the present system was defective and ought to he altered ; but he was afraid it was impossible to undertake the task this session. From the importance of the question he thought it would be cessary to have a committee next session, or else that some steps should be taken to render this service more efficient. BIRMINGHAM GAOL. Mr. MILNES gave notice that on Monday he should ask whether Government intended to institute a prosecution against Messrs. Austin and Block in reference to the recent proceedings in Birmingham Gaol ? DRANVBACK ON HOPS. Mr. HADFIELD asked the Secretary of the Treasury, whether he intended to introduce a bill this session, to au thorise the granting of drawback (on exporting malt liquor) for duty paid on hops used in brewing such liquor. Mr. WILSON said he had caused inquiries to be made, and found it was quite impossible to ascertain the quantity of hops which had been used in beer, and therefore a draw back could not be allowed. There was a good means of as certaining the quantity of malt which had been used, and therefore as regarded the malt duty a drawback would be allowed. THE SOUND DUES. Mr. HUTT asked the Lord President of the Council, whether her Majesty's Government had been informed that the Danish Government had made the following con cessions to the citizens of the United States in relation to the Sound dues That American ships, laden with Transatlantic produce, and their cargoes, when bound to a Danish port to discharge them, shall be entirely free from Sound dues, as well as from light and buoy dues. 2. That the discount of 25 per cent., hitherto allowed to the im porter when residing in Denmark, shall be discontinued. Also, whether any steps had been taken by her Majesty's Government to secure similar privileges to British sub jfxts. Lord J. RUSSELL said the information that her Ma jesty's Government had received was that it was prdposed to the Danish Government to make the concession to which the hon. gentleman alluded, but the Danish Government asked for an indemnity, which the Government of the - United States had not given, and the negotiation had not come to a conclusion. That being the case, her Majesty's Government had not taken any steps to obtain similar con cessions. THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN HYDE PARKER.- THE NAVAL OPERATIONS. Col. BLAIR said he wished to put a question to the First Lord of the Admiralty relating to a statement which had appeared in one oft .e public papers, and which, in his opinion, cast a slur on one of the most gallant officers of the English service. He alluded to what appeared yes terday in a public journal, which stated that —" Captain Parker literally threw his life away, without glory to him self or result to the public service. From what appears in the report which we publish this day, he was not in any way engaged on the business of the expedition when he came to his untimely end. When the Salina mouths of the Danube were cleared, an opinion seems to have got afloat, rather prematurely, among our people, that the Russians had completely decamped. This result soon appeared to have been somewhat anticipated, as, indeed, common pru dence might have suggested to an officer in Captain Parker's position. Captain Parker, however, appears to have considered that as soon as the rough of the work was done, the Sulina waters were as completely open to him as Plymouth harbour might have been. No- 1 thing would serve but the organisation of a little excur sion for the sake of pleasure or curiosity." This whole statement, he knew, from his own personal knowledge, was totally devoid of truth. He therefore appealed to the right hon. gentleman whether any despatch had been re ceived by the Admiralty that would give to the country an authentic statement of what passed on that occasion. Sir J. GRAHAM said he was extremely obliged to the hon. and gallant member for having put to him this ques tion, which enabled him to give an answer which he hoped would be satisfactory to him and the country. The ob servations to which the hon. and gallant officer had father had re ferred had he knew, inflicted the deepest pain on the sur 71vii!g relatives of Captain Parker. He need not inform the bereaved r 3xtrernity of suffering, the house that Captain Parker's gallant and respected ,x o i n vi ly id c o li w ed o w f within t a h l e h l n as t t offi fe c w er w w ee a k s s a , t a t n h d e t l h a a st t the death ofso much g so ‘ that the intelligence of hastily made, The comments heri son could not be communicated to her. question ho must say had been some whatwould appear in the d The Board of Admiraltyand with misapprehension of the facts. facts known to the public, and they of makin g the had taken the earliest opportu nitySo far from this beingespatch in the Gazette this evening. on the part of Captain a P raall and ill-advised he had, in the most .alriker, as the house was aware, batteries outside the gallant enterprise manner, destroyed the batteries inside which he Salina passage, his duty to destroy, if possible, and in his boat, with There an a r w m e a r d e he entered within the pas fsoargcee,feartttehnededpubrypaostehearf reconnoitring,bos.ts, when he received So, without hesita tion, fire of musketry from the batte he instantly resolved to take battery by storm. in the most gallant of that duty. No asomewhat hard task master.ot under taken He landed and attacked the batt manner, and was shot in the execution batter lie thought the English public was w If bold and desperate enterprises there was some suspicion that orderswhearTb3 not to carry on the war with energy, and even the conduct given ou of the officers was somewhat suspected. If, on the other hand, in accordance with usage the British navy attempt ed feats which rivalled those of the greatest celebrity in our history, if such feats were undertaken then the charge was of an opposite nature, and it was said that lives were needlessly risked, and the gallantry which was so display ed was characterised as foolhardiness. He sincerely re gretted that in this case these observations had been made. Captain Parker was one of the most promising officers of the British navy. He was the gallant son of a gallant father. On this occasion he acted as became his name, an d (Cheers.) He (Sir James Graham) only regretted he fell in discharge of his duty, a bright example to other officers. that he f eare d in the navy there was no other Hyde Parker now left. Many had fallen, and he hoped that the house l would at all even ts do justice to his memory, and that these cofi rents which ha d been p ublished would-produce- no impression, either on the house or the country, that this officer had failed in the discharge of his duty, but that his memory would be respected as he was confident it deserved to be. (Cheers.) LEASES OF CROWN PROPERTY.—THE GOVERN MENT AND MR. DISRAELI. Mr. DISRAELI said he was anxious to correct an error which he made last evening in Committee of Supply, in respect of the renewal of Crown leases. In speaking on the motion of the Government for the purchase of Bur lington House, he impugned their conduct because they had renewed the lease of a house in the vicinity of the public offices, which he thought was detrimental to the public service. Now, it turned out that her Majesty's Government were exempt from all blame in that respect, and that if any blame was attached to the renewal of the lease, strange to say, the blame was upon him, and that he was responsible,. (Laughter.) He hoped the house would allow him to explain the reason that he fell into so strange a mistake. In the summer of 18.32 the question of the re newal of the Crown estates came to a considerable extent under his notice, and his attention was brought especially to the renewal of the leases of premises which were in London, and also in the vicinity of the public offices. He endeavoured to lay down certain principles which he thought ought to guide them in the renewal of leases of that sort of property, but with regard to the leases of houses in the vicinity of public offices he did not think they ought to be renewed. A minute was drawn up embodying his views, and it so happened that the question of the lease of Montague House was brought before him in the middle of the summer, and it was refu'ed, and last night, speaking from recollection, he really did believe, so far as he was concerned, that the renewal of the lease of that house had not taken place at the time, and he concluded that her Majesty's present Ministers were responsible for that act. But it so happened, very shortly before the ter mination of the Government of Lord Derby, that the question of the renewal of that particular lease was again submitted to the consideration of the Treasury, and it was thought that there were certain equitable elements which he had not taken into consideration, which rendered it just that the lease should be renewed. At that time the new Parliament had just met, there was a very strong strain on his energies, and he was unable to attend to that particular subject. Nis colleagues, he was sure, gave it the consideration it deserved; they arrived at a different conclusion from that he had arrived at, and he had not the slightest doubt that their decision was a just one. How ever, it received his sanction, and for that decision he alone was responsible. He need not say how much he regretted that he should have brought the charge against the Go vernment for having done an act for which he himself was responsible. Perhaps the house would allow him to say, that noth withstanding the circumstances to which he had adverted, he was still of opinion that leases of houses in the vicinity of public offices should not be renewed, and that it was highly expedient that the house should support the Government in obtaining the possession of any plots of ground near the public offices which they had an oppor tunity of obtaining. Mr. LAYARD said—l trust the house will permit me to make one or two remarks in explanation of a personal matter. I have learned with great regret that, in conse quence of a misreport of some observations which fell from use on Monday evening last in this house, considerable pain has been inflicted upon many foieign gentlemen residing in this country, and especially upon M. Kossuth, who has ad .lr:Dssed me on the sebject. My hon. friend the member for the West Riding having stated in the course of his speech that the liberal party in Europe were opposed to the war, and having particularly alluded to M. Kossuth in denounc ing the war as one waged in favour of the oppressors of his country, I said, in reply, that if the liberal party, after the generous hospitality and protection afforded by the Sultan to all those who had taken refuge within his territories, whether Hungarians, Poles, or Italians, sided with the enemies of the Sultan it would be an instance of the grossest ingratitude. I have no doubt that M. Kossuth him self would coincide with this sentiment, which would of com se bo mine, if the liberal party were to take the course attributed to them. THE CREW OF THE TIGER. _ _ Mr. OTWAY inquired whether it ‘.;;trt; that we had not had a sufficient number of Russian prisoners to ex change against t he crew of the Tiger? Sir J. GRAHAM said that the names of the officers who ha'l been exchanged hail appeared in the newspapers of that morning. He believed that three lientena-its and one other commissioned officer were still unexchanged • and until a sufficient number of Russian offi ce r s o f equal rank should be captured they must remain prisoners of war. r•-: A r another in his place ; and it shall be the duty of such ' candidate immediately after every such appointment to give notice thereof in writing to the returning officer, and in such notice to state the name, description, and residence of the agent, and within one week after every such ap pointment to cause such notice to be inserted in the news jj - paper circulating it in the place where the election is held, and no other than the agent so appointed shall have autho rity to pay or expend any money for or in respect of the election expenses." Sir F. KELLY trusted that after the deliberate consi deration which- the bill had undergone, the house would not at that stage of the proceeding assent to the proposed amendment. The hon. and learned gentleman sought to sweep away the whole system of the appointment and action of an election officer, which had been recommended for adoption by a select committee and subsequently ap proved by large and successive majorities of that house. The election ficer proposed by the bill would be an officer independent of the candidates, and who must render a faithful account ; whereas if the clauses of the hon. and learned gentleman were adopted, there would be nothing to prevent the agent of any candidate from receiving money for payments made for improper purposes when the period of responsibility had passed away. After a few words from Mr. CAYLEY, The house diviried— For the clause 5l Against it B9 Majority —3B Mr. FITZGERALD said that this decision rendered it unnecessary to go on with his other clauses. (Hear.) Lord A. VANE-TEMPEST proposed to insert the fol lowing clause after clause 32 :—" Every candidate, or in his absence, the persons proposing and seconding such per son, shall before or at the nomination, or as soon after as conveniently may be, make and subscribe before the re turning officer the following declaration :—I, A. B. [or we the proposer and seconder of A.B.] do solemnly and sin cerely declare, that I [or we] have given a true and faith ful return of every agent or agents authorised or sanctioned by me [or us] to make any payments of money or moneys, previous to or at my [or his] election, and that no other than such agent or agents so named have had, nor shall in future have, authority or sanc tion by me [or us] to expend any money or moneys, or in cur any expenses of or relating to the election aforesaid; and that I [or we] have faithfully adhered to the require ments contained in clause 32 of this act. No person being a candidate at any election, or who shall hereafter be elected, who shall have made the declaration required by section of this act, and have conformed thereto, and who shall not have appointed or given any authority to any agent or agents save according to the provisions of section of this act, and who shall in all things have well and truly conformed to the provisions herein contained against bribery and all other corrupt and unlawful practices, shall be personally liable, civilly or criminally, nor shall his elec tion be avoided, by reason of any illegal acts done by any other person than himself or his agent or agents, named in writing and notified to the election officer, according to the provisions of this act, unless such illegal act shall be proved to lave been done by his authority or sanction : provided always that nothing herein contained shall be deemed to make valid any election which shall be proved to have been obtained or effected by means of bribery, or any other corrupt or illegal practices." The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that this was really only the same clause as the noble lord had once before sub mitted to the house unsuccessfully. It was a clause directly against the very object of the bill, which was to make the law against bribery more stringent. The noble lord's proposition would relax the present law, and open a door to infinite fraud. Sir F. KELLY supported the clause. It never could have the effect bf legalising an election which had been ob tained by bribery or corrupt practices. In eases where the candidate had strictly complied with the law, and some individual over whom he had no control had bribed a single elector, if an election committee held that such a person was an agent, the election was void. The object of the clause was to prevent a candidate from so suffering from the act of a stranger. Mr. BRIGHT considered that this clause would open a great avenue to bribery, and remove one of the strongest checks now existing against the improper proceedings of eget' ts.__ 'Mr. HENLEY supported the clause. The house then divided — For the clause Against it Majority 114 ----35 Sir F. KELLY then moved the following clause :—lf any candidate at any election, or any member hereafter re turned to serve in Parliament, shall, before the passing of this act, have paid any money for or in respect of any election hereafter to be held, or any expenses thereof, such person shall, to the best of his ability, deliver a full, true, and particular account of such payment or payments to the election officer, and may thereupon, instead of the de claration hereinbefore contained, make and subscribe the declaration following :—" I [A. B.] do solemnly and sin cerely declare, that I have not knowingly made, authorised, or sanctioned, and that I will not at any time hereafter knowingly make, authorise, or sanction any payment on account of my election, otherwise than through the election officer, save as excepted and allowed by the ' Corrupt Practices Prevention Act, 1851,' and other than the payment or payments mentioned in a certain account called ' Reform Act Account,' delivered by me to the election officer, nor have knowingly done, authorised, sanc tioned, procured, or promised, nor will hereafter know ingly do, authorise, sanction, procure, or promise any act, matter, or thing contrary to the provisions contained in sections 2 and 4of the said act ;" and any person who shall make and subscribe any such declaration knowing the same to be untrue, or having made and subscribed such declaration, shall, at any time thereafter knowingly make, authorise, or sanction any payment contrary to the true intent and meaning of such declaration, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanour, and in Scotland of an offence punishable with fine and imprisonment. Mr. V. SMITH said the preferable course would be to treat all payments made before this act as innocent pay ments; and the case might be better met by inserting in the declaration the words, " since the passing of the Cor rupt Practices Act." Mr. CRAUFIIRD said that notice had been given to expunge the declaration, and if this clause were carried without that declaration they should be in a strange posi tion. Sir F. KELLY said that if the declaration were expunged he would withdraw the clause. The clause was then agreed to. Mr. PHINN moved, after clause 38, to insert the follow ing clause :—" If any candidate shall be declared liy any election • coinmittee guilty, by himself or his agents, of bribery, treating, or undue influence at any election, such candidate shall be incapable of being elected, sitting, or voting as a member of the House of Commons for the Par liament then in existence. Mr. BENTINCK proposed to insert after the word , " agents," the words with his cognizance." The ATTORNEY-GENERAL supported the clause, but objected to the amendment. The amendment was then withdrawn. In reply to Mr. HILDYABD, Mr. PHINN said he had no'objection to limit the clause to the re-election of the candidate for tho "place" for which he had been returned. Mr. BRIGHT thought that if a person were convicted of bribery, it was not too much to exclude him from sitting for any place during that Parliiment. (Hear, hear.) There were cases where A was unseated for one place and B for another. They then changed places, and re-appeared in Parliament within a fortnight. The clause was then agreed to, with the limitation in troduced by Mr. Phinn. Mr. MULLINGS moved the following clause :—" On the trial of any issue joined, or on any inq u i r y ar i s in g in any action recovery seryuch of any pe cun i ary pena lt y un d er thi s act, action, and th e husbands and wives f respectively, sh a ll b e competent t o g i ve osuteh he forppaa parties tt r ii e ee c ss o t evidence in the same manner as parties, and their hus bands and wives, are competent to give evidence in actions and suits under the act of the 14 and 15 Victoria, chapter 99, and `The Evidence Amendment Act, 1853,' but sub ject to and with the exceptions contained in such several acts : provided always, that any such evidence shall not thereafter be used in any indictment or criminal proceed ing under this act, against the party giving it." The ATTORNEY - GENERAL said he had no objection to the clause, because if ever there was a case in which the party interested should be allowed to give evidence, it was in proceedings of this kind. But, as it was his intention to introduce a clause in the Common Law Procedure Bill which would make this principle general, it would render this clause unnecessary ; that was to say, supposing it was agreed to. Under these circumstances, perhaps his hon. and learned friend would not press his clause. If he did, however, be would support it ; but he would suggest the insertion of the word " admissible' for the word " com petent." Mr. GOULBURN was opposed to varying the rule of evidence for every particular case. (Hear.) It would be better to wait till the general clause was introduced by the Attorney-General. Mr. HILDYARD was opposed to the clause. He knew a recent case where a gentleman declared that he would rather pay 1,0001. than bo p u t i n t o t h e w itness -bog to be badgered by the lawyers. (Laughter.) They were carry ing this warfare against themselves to an extent that com promised the dignity of the house. (Hear.) Mr. HENLEY took the same view as the right hon. gentleman (Mr. Goulburn). Sir F. KELLY hoped his hon. and learned friend would persevere with the cl ause. He t h oug ht it was a privilege rather than a punishm en t t o a ll ow the party interested to come forward and vi n di cate hi s con duct and character. (Hear.) Mr. CRAUFURD approved of the object of the clause, but thought the rule ought to be made gen eral. Mr. MULLINGS Proposed for the word admissible," suggested by the Attor n ey -G en eral, the words " shall be " competent and co mpellabl " be compellable to q aPPear before the tribu nal ? Mr. V. SMITH inquired whether the witne ss would Sir F. KELLY--1 e i s co mpellable. Mr. V. SMITH —Then I shall divide against the clause. The house accordingly divided — For the clause ................................. Against it. •............. •• ............... Majority... ........ .................... The clause was conseq . tly adopted. Mr. BENTINCK complained of a great injustice which the fourth clause was calculated to inflict by making any member, candidate or agent who might befo re, at, or sub sequent to an election ive any re f re shment, or exercise t he ` commonest rites ofghospitality to any voter, liable to a penalty, an d t h e vote of none effect. He moved to add a proviso, thatunless such treating shall have taken place within a period of six months either previous, or subse quent to, an election, the penalty shall not apply. Lord J. RUSSELL observed that the law, as it now existed, prohibited treating before, at, or subsequent to, an election, but unless it had reference to the election, no offence was committed, and no penalty attached. And ' the law in this respect would be the same under this bill. Mr. ARCHIBALD HASTIE must, if this amendment were not adopted, vote against the declaration, which it would be irepossible,for any gentleman, who at any time exercised the commonest hospitality towards any person who voted for him, to subscribe to. Mr. V. SCULLY opposed the amendment, under which he said it would be quite competent for a candidate to carry on treating to any extent if he waited till six months after the election. The house divided— For the proviso Against it Majority Mr, HILDYARD rose to move that clauses 6 and 7 be omitted, and also so much of the proclamations in schedule B as were referable to the above two clauses. He reminded the house that these clauses would transfer the jurisdiction over these seats to a petty jury in an assize town. This, he begged to observe was completely against the opinion of one of the most distinguished of their deceased statesmen. Mr. J. FITZGERALD seconsliel the amendment. Sir F. KELLY contended thal the apprehensions of both the mover and the seconder of this amendment were sway 118 107 -11 THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, JULY 29, 1854. exaggerated, if not wholly unfounded. The clauses objected to were carefully considered in the select committee, and ultimately the decision arrived at was, they were essen tially necessary for the proper working of the bill. All the objections which had been raised against the clauses were amply provided for by other parts of the bill,and there could be no doubt that ample punishment was provided for all those offences which had been suggested by the hun. and learned member fur Weymouth. Mr. PHINN agreed that these clauses were of doubtful utility, but still as they were thought necessary for check ing bribery and corruption, perhaps it would be best for the house to incur the inconvenience of confirming them. The clauses recognised no new principle in law of Parlia ment, because there already existed on the statute book enactments of a similar nature. Lord J. RUSSELL said there was so much force in the arguments of the hon. and learned members who had moved and seconded this amendment that he did not feel justified in asking the house to proceed further with these clauses. (Hear, hear.) They were open to evasion and abuse, and perhaps the best course to take was to abandon them. After a few words from Mr.SoTHEnoN and Mr. V. SMITH, the amendment was agreed to, and the clauses were struck out. Some verbal amendments were made in the clause, for the purpose of rendering it more stringent and conclusive. The clause prohibits the use of banners, bands, flags, cock ades, &a. Lord J. RUSSELL moved an amendment to clause eighteen for the purpose of providing that in respect of the boroughs where the writs are suspended—viz., Cambridge, Canterbury, Barnstaple, Clitheroe, and Hull, the election officer shall be appointed for the ensuing year within six days after the passing of the act. This amendment was agreed to. Mr. V. SCULLY thought that in England, Ireland, and Scotland, a judicial person would be a fitter person than the returning officer, to make the appointment of the election officer. He proposed, therefore, as an amendment, that the appointment should be made in England by the County Court judges, in Ireland by the assistant barris ters, and in Scotland by the sheriff su b s tit u t es ; an d, as in most English counties, there were several County Court judges, he proposed that in such cases the appointment should be vested in the senior judge, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL did not consider the pro posed alteration an improvement. As regarded the allega tion that returning officers were in some cases partisans, he must observe that there was no complaint against them as a body for the manner in which they discharged their du ties. To place the appointment in the hands of judges j might have the effect of injuring theirjudicial character. It was in order to keep them free from any imputation that they were not allowed to sit in Parliament. Mr. CRAITFURD opposed the amendment so far as it applied to Scotland. Arr. J. BALL said so many returnidg officers in Ireland were partisans, that it was in his opinion desirable to give the candidate a power of appeal against the appointment of an election officer. The amendment was negatived without a division. Lord R. GROSVENOR rose to move to insert the word " not" in clause 26. This would render the payments for travelling expenses illegal. He could not again travel over the reasons for this amendment, further than to say that he thought that without it a wide door would be opened for illegal practices. _ _ Lord J. RUSSELL would not re-argue this question. He could only say that if the amendment were carried, it would amount to a virtual disfranchisement of a large pro portion of the poorer electors. Hence he thought it his duty to support the clause. The hou'se divided— For the amendment Against • 147-72 [A.s the tellers were advancing to declare the numbers at the table, it was noticed that one of the hon. members for West Surrey was reclining at full length, and fast asleep— it was nearly 1 o'clock—in the side gallery, having evi dently been there during the whole time of the division. When this fact became known throughout the house, hon. members, after some tittering, began to cheer—why it was not easy to discover, unless it was as a complement to themselves for their superior wakefulness, after 13 hours' work, when compared with the hon. gentleman in the gal lery. The cheering speedily awoke Mr. Evelyn, who, after staring very hard at the members below (whose eyes were all turned towards him), hastened from the gallery, evidently wondering why—like Byron—he had awakened one morning, and found himself famous.] Mr. CAYLEY moved the following proviso :—" Pro vided always, that unless the distance of the voter's resi dence to the nearest polling booth exceed one mile and a half, the conveyance of a voter to the poll shall not be a reasonable and legal expense within the meaning of this act." Lord J. RUSSELL hoped the hon. gentleman would not persist in his motion. Lord R. GItOSVENOR said the clause was so exces sively mischievous that he should be willing to vote for any mitigation of it. (Cheers.) The proviso, however, was negatived without a division. On clause 27 (the refreshment ticket clause), Mr. V. SCULLY moved the omission of the words "on the day of nomination or polling," otherwise the clause would legalise the giving of refreshments on another day. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL resisted the proposal, and the motion was not agreed to. On clause 37, Mr. HENLEY proposed to omit the declaration of mem bers. (Cheers.) He doubted whether hon. gentlemen really knew what it was that it was proposed they should declare. If the clause passed they would have to state that since they had been children they had never been guilty, and that if they lived to be a thousand years old they never would be guilty of 736 distinct offences—every one of which might also be committed by other persons on their behalf (Laughter.) Besides this, they would also have to declare they had not been and never would be guilty of 72 offences relating to their own elections. (Hear, hear.) He thought that if any one could take a declaration like that, he would have a much larger swallow than men in general. (Loud laughter and cheers.) _ _ _ Sir J. P A.KIN GTON was favourable to the principle of a declaration, and intended to propose an amended form. Lord J. RUSSELL said that that form was clearer than the one in the bill, and he would agree to its substitution, The house divided — For the amendment Against it. B6 .Majority —4O The declaration, therefore, was struck out of the bill. On the question that the bill do pass. Mr. ROBERT PALMER asked the noble lord whether, as he was unable by the forms of the house to move a clause he had intended, and he thought it desirable that the bill should be made a temporary measure, there would be any objection to make it, a temporary measure for one or two years? Lord J. RUSSELL said he had no great objection to that proposition ; but he could not, pledge himself what course would be taken in the other house. Mr: HENLEY moved the bill do pass on this day three months. • Lord J. RUSSELL said, though the declaration had been struck out, he thought it of so much importance that the experiment of the election auditor, as proposed by the bill, should be tried, that he should be sorry that the bill should be lost, and he should oppose the motion of the right hon. gentleman. After a few words from Mr. CRAIJFIIRD, The house divided. For the passing of the bill Against it lOO Majority -7 The bill was then passed. ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE. _ On the motion of Lord J. RIISSELL7it was ordered that the house at its rising adjourn to Monday at twelve o'clock. SUPPLY. The report of supply was brought up. METROPOLITAN SEWEItS BILL. The house went into committee on this bill, and the clauses were agreed to with amendments. MARRIAGES (MEXICO) BILL. This bill passed through committee. CINQUE PORTS BILL. This bill passed through committee. The following bills also passed through committee :. Acknowledgment d landGrea tvireste o r f ri Dee ßa d il s w b a y y tributions) Bill. ItoafrrilreelaWndo m(Bealannieds JUDGMENT EXECUTION BlLL.tee on this On the motion that th e house go io commit bill, osed it, and the house divided— Colonel DUNNE opp For going into committee A ga inst it 52 Majority —4B BLEACHING WORKS BILL. On the motion to postpone the second reading of this bill till Wednesday next, Mr. CHEETHAM protested against its beine , proceeded with at this period of the session, and without inquiry on the subject. He moved that it be read this day three months. _ _ - I:oiciPALMERSTON said the bill could not proceed this session without further information, and he thought it had better be decided that it be decently interred for the session. Mr. C. FORSTER, who had charge of the bill, consented to its withdrawal ; and, after some further discussion, the order was discharged. MILITIA (IRELAND) BILL. This bill passed through committee pro forma. NEWSPAPER STAMPS. Mr. CRAUFURD moved for a return of the number of stamps, at one penny eaoh, issued to each newspaper pub lished in the cities of London, Dublin, and Edinburgh, re apectively, for the second quarter of the year 1854, speci fying the name of each newspaper, and the number of stamps issued to each (in continuation of Parliamentary Paper, No. 238, of the present session). Mr. WILSON opposed the granting of the return, and the motion was postponed till Monday. MILITIA. Mr. S. HERBERT obtained leave to bring in a bill to suspend the making of li sts and the ballots and enrolments for the militia of the United Kingdom. The house adjourned at ten minutes to 3 o'clock. Miles opened, NAME OF RAILWAY. , Receipts. 1854. 1853. 1854. BRITISH. ----" X X 3 7% Belfast and Ballymena ••••••• • • • • • • • 821 853 17 Belfast and County Down.- • • • • • • • • • • - - 33 Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire 2,298 2,526 26 % Bolton, Blackburn, and West York .. . • 833 860 104% Bristol and Exeter •••••• • • •••• ••• • • 6,602 6,304 307 Ca1ed0nian............. .......... } 16,189 17,984 Edinburgh and Glasgow ..... •• • • • • 94 14 Chester and Holyhead. ••..••.. • • • • • • 5,977 5,810 6 36 Cork, Blackrock, and Passage •••• • • 244 203 20 Cork and Bandon .. ••.•-..•• •• • • • • 193 174 56 Dublin and Belfast Junction ........ 1,255 956 613 s Dublin and Drogheda.. .... .. •••.. .. 1,73 9 1,39 9 6 Dublin and Kingstown ...... 16 % Dundee and Arbroath ••• • • • ..... .• • 599 634 31 Dundee, Perth, and Aberdeen Junction 894 944 19 Dundalk and Enniskillen ••..••• • • • • • 230 225 68 1 East Ang1ian................ •.•• • • - • 833 800 8134, East Lancashire.. - .... __-- - .. 5,305 5,507 417 Eastern Counties and N0rf01k...... 20,675 23,957 Eastern Union .. • • • • • ... • • - • • • • • - 3 'lB Edinburgh, Perth, and Dimdee- •• • • 2,823 3,208 6 Exeter and Crediton.. • ..... • • • • • • • • - - 19 Furness Railway ••..•..•• .. •• - • • - - 171% Glasgow, and South-Western •• .. 5,003 6,003 283 Great Northern and E. L........... 15,549 18,489 188 Great Southern and Western (Ireland) 7.297 5,481 319% Great Western .... • ............... 25,222 24,800 25 1 4 Irish South Eastern .................It7 171 90 Lancaster and Carlisle • . 5,653 6,161 260 Lancashire and Yorkshire...... •• .... 20,028 20,557 - Leeds Northern ...• .. •• • • • . • • • • • • •• - -- 18 1 Liverpool, Crosby, and Soutliport• •• . 713 539 5 5 334 London and North Western 5 36 London and 81ackwa11.............. 1,715 2,018 173 )4 London, Brighton, and South Coast.. 14,177 17,23 253% London and South Western. .. 41 Londonderry and Enniskillen --.•- 536 501 - Manchester, Buxton, and Matlock, Btc. - - 167 li Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire 8,011 10,247 934 Manchester and South Junction...... 700 841 28 Maryport and Carlisle .• ••••••• • • • .. - - 498% Midland .• ... .. •• -. • ............ 25,',85 29,297 126 Midland Great Western (Irish) ...... 2,766 2,612 37 Monklands ........................ - - 7834 Newcastle and Car1i51e..............- - 149 North British .... • • ................ 4,602 5,106 - North Staffordshire .• - .... • • ...... - - 47 Nortb-Western .................... 1,216 1,047 82 Scottish Central .................. i 3,244 3,576 Scottish Midland ...............• 2934 Shrewsbury and Birmingham ••- .• 799 1,043 4) Shrewsbury and Chester .• •.• • • • .... 1,977 2,260 29 Shropshire Union - - 672 856 58 , South Dev0n........ ............... 3,09 i 2,475 288% Soutl• Eastern ........ •• •• _••.• _ „, 19,239 21.175 - South Wales •.-_••..- • • • • •• .. _ 3,700 5,378 61 1,632 ; 85% South York., Doncaster, and Goole •• )• •- 40 Taff Vale ........ -••••••••• • •• " " 3'32 3 3,698 86 Ulst er.. - - 663 753 75 Waterford and Limerick • • ...• 25 West Cornwall •• •• - • ••••••• • • • • " 244 362 12 Whitehaven Junction .•••••• • • • •• • • 682 York and Newcastle , and Beradck Br York and North Mid land & Leeds 28,943 32,394 roaznali. _, •• ........ 2,036 2,272 573 k Dutch Rhenish •- • • - - 185 Lyons and 151editerranean •• • • - 63 Monterean sad Troy es •• • • • • • • • • • • • • 63 Namur and Liege ••-•••••• • • •• • • • • ~. 444 Northern of France -• •• • • •• • • • • • • • •26,653 32,2 - 00 6•x7 Orleans and Central* .. - - 240 Paris and Lyons •••••••••• • • .. - .. - 851 Paris and Rouen .••••••••• • •• • • • • •• 9,708 8,947 392 Paris and Strasburgh .• .• ••• • •• .... - - 5 9 Ronan and Havre..... .. .... .. 4,239 3.781 118 Wcitern of France .•-•• • • .. 6,175 6,518 STATUTE LAW COMMISSION. Mr. BOWYER begged to ask the law officers of the Crown whether they could offer any explanation of the delay that had taken place in the appointment of the Statute Law Commission, as announced by the Attorney- General in committee of supply. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL did not admit that there had been'any delay. What he had said was that a com mission should be ordered before the close of the session ; and he still hoped that that would be the case. THE INCOME TAX. Mr. BOOKER wished to ask ow it was, that although the doubled income tax had only been granted from the sth of April it had been charged in tho kalf-year's divi dends paid in July ? Mr. WILSON said that that was in accordance with the terms of the act. When the income tax was abolished, however, the last half-yearly payment would be the January one, so that it would be " as broad as it was long." (Laughter.) RETURN ORDERED.-INDIAN POSTAGE. On the motion of Mr. HUME the copies of correspondence between the Government, the Post-office, and the Court of Directors, as to the postage between England and India ; and, of the orders of the Governments of Ceylon and Hong Kong, for the reduction of the postage between England and those places to sixpence. THE BRIBERY BILL. The order of the day for the third reading having been read, Lcrd HOTHAM protested against the inference, that because ho refused to fall down and worship the bill which the noble lord had set up, he was therefore anxious to per petuate any undue practices. If the noble lord had been content with defining bribery and treating, affixing to the offence any penalties that he might think fit, and provid ing a proper tribunal, there would be nobody in the house more willing to support the measure than himself (Lord 'Hotham). But the decisions of election committees were not satisfactory to the nation. It was perfectly notorious that the first thing people asked was to which party the three belonged and to which the two ? (Hear, hear.) The bill might no doubt do if, as had been suggested to him by his hon. friend, all men were Walpoles ; but as it was, persons with " robust consciences" would soon find the means of driving a coach and six through its provisions. He should therefore oppose the third reading. He re garded the introduction of the clause to legalise travelling expenses, the payment of cabs, and the attempt to intro duce reasonable refreshment, as fatal to the intention of the good working of the bill, and as such he should not regret to see it defeated. (Hear,'hear.) Lord J. RUSSELL said the noble lord had treated the bill as if it were the first attempt at legislation on bribery, whereas a great part of the bill was a mere consolida tion of existing acts. The bill merely attempted to place the law on a more satisfactory footing, and to de fine it more clearly where it was obscure. Did the noble. lord mean to say that the promoters of the measure ought not to have made such an attempt? (Hear, hear.) He told them this was an unjust measure, because it relieved the rich at the expense of the poor. The noble lord said the poor were punished by the bill, but the rich were not. Now so far from that being the fact, the tendency of the bill was to place penalties and hindrances more upon the rich than they had hitherto been open to, while it did not aggravate, but in some respects diminished, those on the voters. For instance, it dealt with undue influence, and imposed a declaration upon candid a t e s an d members. Hitherto the bribery oath had been taken only by electors, but it was proposed to repeal that obligation, and transfer it to the elected. Having pointed out the merits of the bill, so far as it related to the appointment of an election o cer and the publication of election expenses, the noble lord went on to observe that complaints were general throughout the country after the last election of corrupt practices of every kind, both of bribery and treating. It was said, indeed, that they had prevailed to a greater extent than they had ever been known before, and upon these being brought before the election committees a great number of members were unseated by those tribu nals. Well, then, that being so, was it not their bounden duty to attempt to apply some further remedy to these corrupt practices ? The noble lord seemed to think that the task of investigating controverted election matters ought to be transferred from the election committees to the courts of law but when the co ns tit u ti on o f t h ose tr ib una l s was amended, as it was proposed to do by the bill to be brought in next session, he for one shoulo be sorry to see such a transfer made. At present election committees were too often suspected of party or political bias, and he was afraid if the trial of controverted election petitions was trans ferred to the Court of Common Pleas, he was afraid the judges would lose their character for impartiality, fur not a year would pass before some of them would be accused of acting from political bias. He could not, therefore, think that the plan which the noble lord seemed to have in view would get rid of the evil that was complained of in reference to controverted election inquiries. This bill, however, was an attempt to correct the abuses which took place at elections, and although the noble lord might be exceedingly desirous of putting an end to bribery and cor ruption, he could not but think that if the house were to adopt his suggestion, and reject this practical attempt to correct such bribery and corruption, they would hardly get credit for the sincerity which they deserved. (Hear.) Mr. ROBT. PALMER had one fault to find with the bill. It attempted to accomplish too much, but as it only was an experiment, and as there would shortly be an opportunity of practically testing its merits, he would suggest that it should be made a temporary measure. A clause might be introduced to limit its operation to the Ist of August and the end of the next session, which would admit of its being tested at both borough and county elections. Mr. COBDEN confessed that many of his objections to the bill as it now stood would be removed if some of the amendments on the paper were carried. For instance, the noble lord the member for Middlesex proposed that the house should reject that part of the bill which allowed tra velling expenses; and if that motion were carried, it would remove many of his objections.' On the other hand, some t e h re e declara tioneared,egthataitvew hon. t g o en b tm .be taken op enb po y s m ite em p b r e o r po s ;seadutod ifn he should, be inclined to vote against the third reading. In this state of things ho thought the best course to adopt was to allow the third reading to pass , which would then admit of all these several amend ments bein g dis p osed of, and the final decision might be taken on the question that the bill do pass. Col. SIBTHORP said old birds were not to be caught by such chaff as that. (A. laugh.) The bill was a Treasury 6 ail.) Talk of putting down it to be found? clap trap, and was intended t o p revent honest men prac tising Christian charity. (A lat bribery, indeed. What was it ? W her e was If it was to be found anywhere it was amongst should pants of the Treasury Bench, and for his part he re joice to see that bench regularly whitewashed—(a laugh)— it ought to be scoured three or four times with hot water, the cen and then painted in oil. (A laugh.) The bill was then read a third time withou t a division. Mr. J. FITZGERALD then proposed to leave o ut clauses 17 to 24 i nc l us i ve, f or the purpose of inserting other clauses , which sh ou ld p rov id e th a t every candidate should appoint some person to act as his agent, by whom all the election expenses should be paid, and who should be reqU ired to keep a b oo k , to be called "The Election Exp enses Book." At the expiration of one month after the election the agent would have to furnish a true copy of the entries contained in the book to the returning officer, with a de claration of their authenticity, while a similar declaration would have to be made by the candidate. This mode of ac tion would get rid of the complicated machinery of the bill, and a t th e same time secure that publicity for the nTahienehloyn:. ,a,nEdvleerayrneaenddmi election expenses which appeared to be its immediate object. part of the election expenses, • he shall have become such, and before he shall gr p to pay any hand, appoint some person(ieamt candidate bm t e h e e : sa m taeg o l e v yn e at d f ftor e his the first paymentclause, writingof seh e u x tt p d e e n r s es, his candidate may at any time by a La is.s Ipsuch oya agent, r a ri neagndunadpeproihnits LAW INTE LLIGENCE.-July 27. h o holde EQUITY COURTS. s t o w m o e of of th th eecsomamren law rs NoßuhaT V. MITCHELL. Their lordship s d e li vered judgment in this case, which wag argued bef ore th em, sitting with the assistance of j o u f d t g h e e s, c o h n a r t t h e e r e 2 d 6 t B h , a n 2: t h o , f and 28th June last. Th e suit arose out of disputes between dia, Australia, and China ; the plaintiffs (the share holders) seeking to take the management of the com pany out of the hands of the directors. The points in difference between the parties had (by arrangement) been reduced to four. The first point was whether the defendants, the directors, had the powers and authori ties of directors ; the second, whether the plaintiffs were liable to pay a call of 21.• wilich had been made by the defendants as directors, which the plaintiffs had re fused to pay ; the third, whether the deed of settle ment of the company was binding upon the shareholders, and such a deed having regard to the terms of the ori ginal subscription contract and of the charter, as the plaintiffs were bound to execute ; and the 4th, whether the defendants, who were about to declare the plain tiffs' share forfeited for not having executed the deed of settlement, had power so to do. The case came before the court by way of appeal from the decision of the Master of the Rolls, refusing a motion made by the plaintiffs for an injunction to restrain the defendants from opening any branch or other banks, or agencies, or issuing any notes, bills, or otherwise commencing or carrying on banking business, or otherwise acting, contrary to the provisions of the subscription contract, j or of the ch ar t er ; aud from enforcing the cell already The receipts Include the traffic on the Orleans and Central Or eans and Bordeaux. anal Tours and Nantes. SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. CUSTOM HOUSE, JULY 28. VESSELS ENTERED INWARDS.—The Vikengen, from Moss; Trine Marie, Nykiobing ; Mathilde, Memel; Alnwick Packet, Dantzie ; Ellen Highheld, ditto; Marie, ditto ; Ellen, Christiania; Shannon, Mauritius ; Merri man, Rimouski, River, St Lawrence ; Oscar, Gefle ; Belle of the West, Boston ; Devonshire, Trinidad ; Royal Con sort, Marstrand ; Forsokel, Sundswall ; Hebe, Hudicks wall ; Wilhelmine, 011endorff; Grafton, St. John's, N.B. Osirius, Dordt ; Jacob, Moss; Argus, Heiligen hafen ; Catharina Sophie, Sonderborg ; Resolutionen, Aalborg; Agnes Lnders, Odense; Margaretha, Gothen berg ; Von Schoch Rey. Henosaud ; Anna Karens Mind°, Stolpemunde ; Poictiers, Geelong. VESSELS ENTERED OUTWARDS.—The Bernhard, for Calcutta ; Crimea, Montreal, Costa itica, New York. and Punta Arenas ; De Vrouw Trientje, Laurvig ; Elizabeth Sophia, Christiania, Dram, and Moss; Hermanos Quori dos, Bilboa; Isa, Elsinore and Memel; Le Trois Ames, Melbourne ; Aliverof, Haparanda ; Prince of Wales, Cal cutta ; Shannon, Mauritius ; Highlander, Melbourne ; Zwantje, Altona; Knutt, Stockholm ; Meander, Port Philip. VESSELS CLEARED OUT WITH CARGO.—The Minerva, for Stettin; Rosebud, Antwerp; Sumter, Boston, United States ; Gurtje Elizabeth, Rotterdam ; Florida, New York ; Neptunus, Stettin ; Bon Jesus de Monte, Caminha; Immanuel, Memel ; Industry, Havre ; Vorwarts, Port Philip ; Sovereign, Sydney ; Gothenburg, Gothenburg ; G. B. Lamar, New York ; Cambrian, Constantinople ; Queen, Nantes. made, or any other call against the plaintiffs, or any other of the subscribers to the company, or in re spect of their respective shares therein, and from for feiting, or declaring to be forfeited, any shares in the said company on the ground either of non-payment of such calls or of non•execution of the said deed of settle ment, and from selling or disposing of, as forfeited, any shares or share in the company. Upon the argument of the case the plaintiffs were represented by Mr. Roundell Palmer, Q.C., Mr. Lloyd, Q.C., Mr. Hetherington, and Mr. Giffard ; and the defendants by the Solicitor-General and Mr. Cairns. _ _ _ Their Lordships, after reading at length the written opinions of Mr. Justice Cresswell and Mr. Justice Erle, who were present at the argument, and which were in the affirmative upon the first three points in dispute, and in the negative upon the last, refused to grant an injunc tion restraining the carrying on the business of the com pany or restraining the making of a call, but granted till further order the injunction asked as to the forfeiture of shares. The parties to have liberty to apply. (Before the Master of the Rolls.) SMITH V. PAWSON. This case has been argued before the court for several days, the interests involved being very large. His Honour gave judgment granting plaintiff the re lief she sought, defendant to pay the costs up to the time of hearing. (Before•Vice-Chancellor Kindersley.) IN RE JERVIS' CHARITY. This was a petition presented by the Bishop of Here ford, and others, trustees of the above-named charity, praying the sanction of the court to the purchase of a plot of land in Herefordshire, for the erection of three schools for boys, girls, and infants, a private act of Par- Lament having been obtained, to enable the trustees to purchase real estate for the purposes of the charity. The funds under the control of trustees are said to amount to nearly 100,0001. They arise out of moneys left by the will of Mr. Jervis, for the benefit of the poor of Stanton-on-Wye, Bredwardine and Letton, in the county of Hereford. The Vice-Chancellor made an order approving of the purchase, subject to the title to the land being satisfac tory. The plans, according to which the premises were to be erected, would be approved in chambers. INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT—JuLt 28. (Before Mr. Commissioner Murphy.) IN THE MATTER OF CHARLES W. SIMPSON.-GROSS BREACH OF TRUST. This insolvent, who had been a collecting clerk to Messrs. Crowley, the Alton ale brewers, was opposed on his application to be discharged by Mr. Sargood, on the part of Emma Marks and Edward Davies, his cousins, on the ground that he had committed a gross breach of trust against them. The schedule was dismissed, and the insolvent taken back to Horsemonger-lane Gaol. ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE. MIDLAND CIRCUIT.-DEBBY, JULY 28. THACKRAH V. THE GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY. This was an action brought by Sarah Ann Thackrah, as administratrix of the plaintiff, against the Great Northern Railway Company, to recover damages for the death of her husband, a fireman in the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Company. The damages were laid at 4001. A special jury was empannelled. After hearing evidence for the defence, and Mr. Macaulay in reply, The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, for the amount claimed-2001. for the wife, and 2001. for the child. RAILWAY TRAFFIC RETURNS. TRAFFIC RETURNS FOR THE PAST WEEK. VESSELS SPOKEN WITH. Tho Ocean Queen (barque), from London, June 5, lat 5 N, long. 22 W. The Sally, of Havre, Swansea to Singapore ; Glen Huntley (barque), both same day. Tho William (barque), standing NW, July 20, lat. 48 N, long. 10 W. The Quayside (ship), bound W, lat. 49 N, long. 6 W. The Sarah (ship), of Liverpool, homeward bound, July 6 The Australasia, London to Australia, July 8 off Flores. The Martin Luther, from Arracan, May 20, lab. 3 S, long. 89 E. The Souveraine, Akyab to Falmouth, lat. 14 N, long. 87 E. The Lobba (Danish brig), San Bias to Falmouth, lat. 59 S, long. 84 W. The Thetis, of London, Plymouth to Adelaide, S A June 18, let. 2 N, lon g , 23 W. The Express (bri g ), of Sunderland, July 9, lat. 49 N, long. 39 W. . The Bannockburn, of Greenock, July 13, lat. 49 N, long. 40 W. The Aimwell, of Prince Edward Island, bound to Cork, July 17, lat. 52 N, long. 24 W. The Cape Cod, N ew York to Melbourne, April 14, lat. 39 S, long. 67 E. The Prince Albert, Dundee to Adelaide, S.A., April 12, lat. 45 S, long. 78 E. CRYSTAL PALACE. JULY 28.—SHILLING DAY.--Admis sion at the doors, 4,923; admission by season tickets, 951. Total, 5,879. [ADVERTISEMENT.] -- Holloway's Ointment and Pills certain Cures for all Cutaneous Diseases. Copy of a letter from Mr. James Meredith, Ashton-under-Lyne, dated the 15th January, 1854 :—" To Professor Hollo way. Sir, —For seven years I was a victim to the most unsightly of cutaneous diseases. My whole body was covered with sores ; and although I had recourse to a variety of means to re li eve myself from t hi s o d ious dis figurement, they were totally unsuccessful ; eventually, however, I had reco urse to your ointment and pills, which miraculously by slow degrees healed the whole of the sores, and left my skin without a blemish to the utter astonishment of my friends."—Sold by all drug gists, and at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 244, Strand, London, COUNTRY MARKETS. LIVERPOOL-JULY 28. At this day's market there was a moderate attendance of dealers, and a large business was done in wheat, at an advance of fully 3d. to 4d per 701bs. Flour was in good request, at an improvement of 61 to 9d per brl and sack. Oats and oatmeal supported former prices. Bar ley, beans, and peas without change. Indian corn met a very good demand, at an advance of is to 2s per qr, 33s per 4801bs having been paid for fine American yellow. We quote for fine white wheat from 9s 3d to 93 Gd., and Canadian from 8s to 8a 8d per 701bs. WAKEFIELD-JULY 28. The supplies were not disproportionate to the wants of the trade, and good fresh samples sold at a decline of 3s par qr on the quotations of last Friday. The prices of other descriptions were nominal, purchasers being difficult to meet with. Oats and beans were rather cheaper, but barley and other articles were steady. EXETER—JULY 21. CORN.—In our market wheat may be quoted from 8s Od to 8s 6d. Malting barley, 4s Od to 4s 6d ; grinding do., Os Od to Os Od. Oats, 3 s 6d t o 3 s 9d. B eans, Os 041 to Os Od. Peas, 00s Od to 00s Od. CATTLE.—Prime beef, 10s 6d per score ' • cows and calves, ill. to 161. ; butchers' ca l ves , 6d t o Od per lb., rearing calves OOs to OOs each. Sheep, 6d to 6id. Lambs, 601 to Od per lb. Store hogs, large size, 40s to 60s each ; slips, OOs to 00s ; small, 18s to 245. Rough fat, 5d per lb. Pork carcases from 10s Od to lls Od per score. noun. —Fine, OOs Od to OOs Od ; seconds, OOs Od to 005 Od per sack. INVERNESS.-JULY 25. CORN.—Wheat, white, per qr., 69s Od to 71s Od. Bar ley, chevalier, 30s Od to 31s Od ; ditto, common, ON Od to OOs Od. Oats, 30s Od to 32s Od. MEAL.—Oatmeal, per imp. boll 28s Od to OOs Od. ; ditto second, OOs Od to Os Od; barleymeal, 20s Od to Os Od ; peasemeal, 20s Ocl to Os Od ; bran, per stone, Os &I to 10d ; Ist flour, per 2801 b, 60s Od to OOs Od ; 2d ditto, 52s Od to OOs Od ; oatmeal, best, per st. of 141 b imperial 2s 10d to Os Od ; ditto second, Os Od to Os Od ; barleymeal 2s Od to 00s Od ; peasemeal, 2s Od to Os O'1; Ist flour, 3a 6d cash, 3s 9d credit ; 2d ditto, 2s 9d cash, 3s Od credit. BRISTOL SUGAR-JULY 28. The market has worn a more animated character this week, and more descriptions of sugars have found pur chasers, but without vendors being able to obtain any im provement on the late quotations. Refined goods met with a free sale, and prices are firm. There is also a steady business doing in rums at the late currencies. COAL MARK Prices of Coal per ton at t 1 ET. -July 28. ;he close of the market. Wallsend, &c. s. d. Buddle W. Hartley l9 0 Carr's Hartley l9 0 Chester Main 18 0 Davison's West Hartley 19 0 Hasting's Hartley l9 0, Howard's West Hartley_ _ P. (3. Eden Main 20 3 Belmont 19 6 Braddyll 2O 6 [Am bton 20 6 Hetton Lyons Main 0 I Peusher .19 3 Richmund Russell's Hetton ..20 6 South Hetton 2O Ste wart's Cassop ..19 9 Heugh Hall l9 6 Kelloe 20 6 South Hartlepool 2O 6 i South Kelloe l9 6 Wallsend, &c. :Tees Acorn Close l9 6 West Kelloe 19 3 Gosforth lB d Whitworth . .18 6 Netherton 19 0 Longridge's Wst Hartley 19 (' Stewart's Hartley l6 South Taufield 16 0 Taufield Moor l6 6 Walker Primrose l5 West Pelton l6 0 West Hartley l9 0 Wylam 19 6 fledley lB 6 Derwentwater Hartley. 19 0 Lawson 18 3 Trimdon Riddell lB 6 Cowpen Bell's Primrose 15 6, -.20 6 -.19 0 COURSE OF EXCHANGE-YESTERDAY. Amsterdam .. .. .. ...... Ditto, three months .. Rotterdam ...... • • .. .. 11 151 Gibraltar .............. 11 17h Leghorn 30 02* Hl7 l ‘ Genoa ................ a 5 37i 25 27 Milan ................ flaMbUrgh ••••••• • •• • • 13 6 3 4 Naples .. •••.••• • • • • • • • 43}i Altona ••••••••• • • • • • • • Palermo .• •• •• •• •• •• •• 1. 4 13 Ditto, three months .. 25 30 Lisbon .......... Bourdeaux Rio Janeiro Frankfort-on-Maine 118% Buenos Ayres Berlin •••••••• • • • • • • • INew York, 60 days' sight Vienna ................ 12 32 ;Philadelphia Trieste 12 35 PRICES OF BULLION, PEE oz. Peter5burg:,............ 36 Foreign Gold in Bars £3 17 9 Madrid ................ 49% Portugal Gold Coin 0 0 Cadiz. • 50% Mexican Dollars .... 0 0 0 Barcelona...—. New Dollars 0 0 . 1 Seville ................ Silver in bars 0 5 13( BANK OF ENGLAND. An Account pursuant to theiAct 7th and Bth Victoria, cap 32, fo the Week ending on Saturday the 22d day of July, 1854. ISSUE DEPAZTMENT. Notes issued ...• Government debt.... 11,015,100 Other co se i e n uri an ti d es i . m . lii ... n . 122:998010 4 1:0 900 Gold Silver bu11i0n........ £26,901,010 £ 26 ,90 1 ,010 :. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. Dated the 27th day of July, 18; BANNING DE' Proprietors' capital .. 14,553,000 Rest .... 3,328,532 Public deposits (in- :PiRTMENT. Government securities (includg.Dead Weight Annuity) .... ~.... 11,8,0.383 Other securities...... 13,819,4 is Notes .. —.... • • • ... 6,244,485 Gold and silver coin.. 732,667 eluding Exchequer, Commissioners of National Debt, Say __ ing's Banks, and Dividend Accounts) 2,058,785 Other deposits ...... 11,609,399 Seven Day and other Bills ........ ... ~ 1,057,234 £32,606,950 £32,606,95 :. MARSHALL, Chief Cashier. Dated the 27th day of July. 185, SEABORNE MAILS. (N signifies that the malls are sent from the General Post-office by the night—and M by the morning—despatch.) Day when mal 2, 0 1 From what When COUNTRIES. in General Post- Port duo in Office, London.ft Dispatch; d. England. America(byßrit.pack)N Every Friday .. • • Liverpool ...1 America (by United Sts. N America ) (by ...0 States'....... , • • . • • • • • • • Liverpool ...lAug. 2 packet) ..........N •• • • .... • • Southampton; Australia (via South ampton) ..........M July 4 ••• • • • t.Outhampton August 4 Ditto (via Marseilles) N/ Ditto (via Cape of Good Hope) ............N July 1 .... ... ITncertal , Africa (West Coast) ..N `-t3cl of the month . 'Plymouth .. August 6 Alexandria .......... N / 8, 9, 24, & 39 of ut. !Dover .... Mu i at idria.......... 3,1 4th & 20th of mot:•lSouthattiptop Bahamas ........... 'll 17th of the moat; ISouthamptor Belgium .......... ..N' DailY ...... • • • • • . Dover ..... : 1 Brazil ........ , , ~ ~A 1 9th of the month.. Southampton August 16 Buenos Ayres .........11 9th of the month,. Southampton! Cape of Good Hope ..N ;14th of the moist' ,Plymouth .. Cape of Good Hope .. N ;14th of the month. !Southam pton Cape de Verds ...... N .14th of the mot t' ! Southamptoni Ceylon (see In lia) 1 Ceylon .............. N 14th of the mout t. , ;july 20 Channel Isles ........N , Mori ~Wed.,&Frid. Southampton Ttt rt•.sat. Chi1i.............. ~ 112 d & 17th of month. Southampton July 16 China (see India) Constantinople ......N ; 7,8,17,2 1,&27 of m . D over ...... , "Constantinople .........4th & 20th of moo, Soutlnmptool Cont. of Europe M & N !Twice daily ...• .. Dover ...... Twlcedall Egypt (see India) 1 1 France M & NlTwice dai1y...... ,Dover ...... Twiceda l b r Gibraltar .......... Ml 4, 7, 17, 20, 27 of ii: !Southampton July 2 0 Greece (see India) 1 1 Greytown ...... .... 141,2nd & 17th of mon.iSouthampto II 'July 16 Hamhurgh .. .. .. .. ..N,Tuesd ay & Frid k ;London .....1 Ilavannah ...........;2nd of the monl l riout.hampton 'Aug. 1 Holland ............ if Daily.. .... • • .... ...Dover ...., .. Daily Honduras . ..... ....M 17th of the month.l6outhamptot, July 1 6 India (viaSouthampt.)l4 4th & 20th of mm.;Plym uth • . July 20 India (via Marseilles)M Bth& 2 lth of mo;to;lDover ...... lonian isles (see India) 7, 17, & 27 of moulDover.... • • Ireland M & ~N ' Twice daily .. .... I flolyhead .. Twiemil d r Lisbon ........ .. .. —ll '7, 9, 17, & 27 of m.lSouthampton !August I 6 Madeira ...........„M /9th of the monthlSouthampton July 16 Madeira ............N l 23d of month ....Plymouth .. Malta (see India) Malta ..............N 7,17,19,27, 30 of m.; Dover ...... July 20 Mauritius (see India) Mauritius ..........N 14th of the month Mexico .... .. ..m :2nd of the month., 'Southampton Aug. 1 Naples ...... ........N Athlhth2sthofmon.;Dover ...... New Granada ......M 2d & 17 th of month:Southampton New Zealand ~....... By private skip ../ Vario us p or t s Uncertal Papal States ........N sthlsth2sthofizion. Dover ...... Peninsula ..........M I d thl7th 2B thofmon.lSouthampton, Peru ............., Al & 27th of mon.lSouthamptonltllY 16 Port Natal ..........N 14th of the monthiPlymouth .. Sicily ..... ...... ....N sthlsth2sthofmon,;Dover ...... Tuscany .....,.......N s th ls ih2sthotinon.lDover ...... Venezuela ...... .... M 2d & 17th of month ;Southa m pt on 'J u ly 16 Van Diemen's Land (see Australia) .. .. West Indies m 2d& litho , . month Southampton August 1 * When any of these d espatchod on the follow] outhampton), and the 31 receding day. fates fall o•i a Sunday, the malls will be lug day with the exception of the India via ialta, both of which will be despatched the BIRTHS. OF A BON. On the 27th inst., at Sydney-lodge, Cambridge, the lady of the Rev. Dr. Phelps. On the 25th inst. at Thorpe-place, Surrey, the wile o f the Rev. Henry Leigh Bennett. OF A DAUGHTER. On the 25th inst., at Maison Valin, Champs ElyoB B . Paris, the wife of Lieut.-Colonel Coke, Ist Derby billit ll4 and of Debdale, Notts. MARRIED. On the 27th inst., at Hove Church, near Brighton, learn Powell Murray, of Lincoln's-inn, Esq., M.A., barris: tor-at-law to Georgina Charlotte Daysh, only daughter 01 the late Hon.f Arthur Richard Tumour, Commander, R.N. , and grand-daughter of Edward Garth, second Earl Will' terton. On the 27th inst., at St. George's, Hanover-squar e ' Lieutenant-Colonel Carleton, Coldstream Guards. to the Hon. Charlotte Hobhouse, eldest daughter of Lord Broughton. DIED. On the 27th inst., in St. James's-place, Mrs. Robert Calvert, widow of the late Robert Calvert, Esq. On the 2;th inst., at Charles-street, Berkeley - squ s " : Marianne, widow of the lat e J o h n H ea th eote, C on nivgton castle, Huntingdonshire. On the 29th May, of cholera, in the island of Mauritius, aged 42, Adolphus Edward Shelly, Assistant Aud itor- General of the Island, thi r d son o f the late Sir John Shelly, Bart. On the 26th inst., in his 65th year, at his residenc e, in t . Hornsey-road, George Brettingham S owe rby, 70, Great Russell -street, Bloomsbury, author of seve rth works on Natural History. LONDON : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG, of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun Office, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Middleton, Ofturcisr, July 291 Wt. I i~`