The Sun. — London, England, 1844-07-27 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, July 26. Their Lordships met at Five o'clock. A message from the Commons brought up the Tra falgar-square Bill, and several other Bills. CATHOLIC PENAL LAWS REPEAL. Lord BEAUMONT gave notice, that on Monday next, he should move that the report on the Catholic Penalties Abolition Bill be brought up, and that the Bill be re committed. ILLEGAL PROCESSIONS (IRELAND). Lord WHARNCLIFFE moved the order of the day for the Committee on this Bill. The Earl of WICKLOW feared that his Noble Friend would think him rather too pertinacious in his opposition to the Bill. He was aware that at this season it was quite vain to offer any opposition to the Bills which were daily brought up in shoals. This Bill was merely to renew a Bill already in existence, and, therefore, sub stantial amendments could not be with propriety intro. duced into it. It seemed to him to be extremely unjust that Parliament should pass such Acts as this, directed against one class, as is this case the Protestants, or rather the Orangemen or Ireland. Why should not the law ba extended to all other processions accompanied by bands of music, banners, &e.?, Last year, there were monster meetings, processions, far more dangerous than the processions of the Protestants which this Bill was to repress. There were also the temperance processions, which although harmless in themselves were turned to a mischievous purppse, as had been foreseen by that great benefactor of his country, Father Mathew, who always set his face against temperance processions with bands and banners —(Hear, hear.) Instead of passing. this Continuance Bill, he thought the Government would better consult the wishes and welfare of the people of Ire land if they allowed the Bill in existence to expire, and to bring in next session a Bill applying to all kinds of pro cessions, if necessary. But he denied that, if the Go vernment of that country were carried on impartially, there would be any necessity for Arms Bills, Coercion Bills, and Procession Bills. He moved that the Bill be committed that day three months. The Earl of rtoDEN . seconded the motion, and was very happy that his Noble Friend had expressed himself' se openly and so ably on this subject. The Bill was Mt by the Protestants of the North of Ireland to be a eratuitoue insult to them, and especially at this period when the time for their possessions had passed. What reason, ho would ask, was there for introducing this insult, this affront, this degrading and offensive Bill? He thought that if the Government would take this opportunity of withdrawing the measure, they would give satisfaction to all parties ; for the Roman Catholics themselves had petitioned against the Act, which Wag odious to alt. Tie agreed with his Noble Friend that, however beneficial the effects of temperance might be, a mischievous use had been made of the bands and processions, and it was notorious that these temperance bands attended at all the monster meetings and repeal processions. It was the duty of the Government, there fore, to put down all such processions as well as those of the Irish Protestants. The Duke of WELLINGTON said that the Noble Lords who wished this Bill to be committed this day three months forgot their own argument. They said that the Bill was an insult and an injustice to the Protestants of Ireland, and at the samo time that the other party petitioned against the law. When the Bill came first into operation some years ago, the greatest praise was bestowed upon th e conduct the parties whose proces sions this Bill was framed to repress. The Legislature had every reliance in the loyalty of those people. But it was thought necessary for the peace of the country to stop the processions. His Noble Friends spoke of the monster processions and meetings last year with banners and bands of music. But he was not aware that those who took part in those processions appeared in arms. The attention of the Government was fur a lung time directed to those meetings ; and those who were in strumental in calling them together, and disturb ing the peace of the countr), were brought to trial. He thought the Government might claim credit to itself for these trials, and they could now see what the result had been. The country was perfectly in peace, and at the assizes the courts had little to do. There was reason to believe that there would be no necessity for those extraordinary laws, but that Ireland could be governed as England was, by the simple operation of the laws as they were. The law to which the Bill now before the House related, was already in existence, and the Government did not think it would be expedient to allow it to expire as yet. But the Go vernment wanted no new law. Hitherto the existing laws had been sufficient for maintaining the peace of the country ; but if the present law should prove inadequate, then it, would be the duty of the Government to extend this law to other processions Which might appear dangerous to the peace. At pre sent, he repeated that the Government wanted no new power, although they were unwilling to part with any power such as that of the law now under consideration, and which the Legislature had so many years entrusted to them. He hoped the House would allow the Bill to go into Committee. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE said that although usually opposed to the Government, he felt bound to support them on this occasion. He quite agreed with the Noble Duke opposite that the Government ought not to give up the power which the Legislature had so lung entrusted to them. If the Bill were allowed to ex pire, the Government could not but feel responsible for any mischief that might ensue. Lord WHARNCLIFFE assured his Noble Friends (the Earls of Wicklow and Roden) that nothing could be further from his thoughts than to offer an insult, or to do an injury to the Protestants of the north of Ire land, whose conduct had been most praiseworthy, and marked by loyalty and good order. It was certain that the law did net apply to the temperance and mon ster processions of last year. But they were to recollect that they had to deal with a man who boasted that he could drive a coach and four through an Act of Parlia ment, and who had contrived to keep those meetings within the verge of the law. Indeed, no Act could be framed effectually to extend this Bill to such meetings without preventing the people of Ireland from holding any meeting whatever with music or banners. The question was then put, the amendment was nega tived, and the Bill passed through Committee without discussion, and was reported. The Marquis of SALISBURY moved that the peti tion of Mr. Paton, an engineer, claiming compensation for expenses incurred (as the petition alleged) by the order of a Committee of the house, be referred to a Select Committee. After a few words from Lord COLBORNE and Lord WHARNCLIFFE, the motion was negatived without a division. HEALTH OF THE METROPOLIS. The Marquis of NORMANBY presented a petitic n Prom medical men in Shoreditch, in favour of improved sanatory regulations in the metropolis. The Noble Marquis then moved the order of the clay for the coni deration of an humble address to her Majesty on the subject of the sac atory condition of the people. The unhealthiness of the large towns was on the increase, and called for sanatory regulations. In 1811 the mor tality in Manchester was only 1 in 78, in the last year it was 1 in 28, and fifty thousand persons perished an nually in the large towns from contagious diseases, which sanatory regulations would have prevented. In the meantime a great increase of the population of the large towns had been occasioned by the transfer of a large por tion of the agricultural labourers to manufactures. In the year alluded to the agricultural population was double the manufacturing; but now the proportion was reversed, and the manufacturing population was as two to one to the agricultural. But, at the same time, the mortality had increased ; and in fifty towns, with an aggregate population of 2,051,799, upwards of 63,000 persons had died in three years of contagious diseases. (The Noble Marquis then read a number of statements _ from the works anti reports of Dr. Southwood Smith, Dr. Arnott, and other gentlemen, to show the extent of contagion in various parts of the metropolis, arising from the want of ventilation and cleanliness.) He him self had accompanied some of those gentleman into the worst parts of iVhitechapel, Bethnal-green, Shoreditch, and Soho ; and he found all the evils pointed out by those gentlemen existing in their most aggravated form. The slowness of the progress made by the Commission on this subject, and the pressing character of the evil, con vinced him that he ought to bring forward this motion even at this late period of the session. The Commis sioners had only sat twenty-eight days for the examina tion of witnesses, and in their report they state that they would proceed with the consideration which so im pttant a subject required. But they seemed to over look that it was a subject which called for action more than consideration. They 'overlooked the fact that 156 persons died daily in the metropolis from that class csf contagious diseases, which sanatory regulations would prevent. (The Noble Maronis then read statements from the evidence to show what was the deficiency of the supply of water in the poorer parts of the metropolis; and how easily and cheaply that evil could be remedied.) Mr. Hawksley, of the Nottinghani water-workF, stated that before the establishment of those works, the people bought their water at the rate of id., id., or d. per bucket, according to the distance from which it was brought. But now he SU PP l ied 79,000 gallons uf water at a cost of 11. Now, next to the supply of air, an abundant supply of pure water was most essciitial to the preservation of health. I He wished most earnestly to press this subject on the attention of the House and the Government, for he be lieved that there was no equally industrious population in the world undergoin g so much physical suffering_ from neglect of these matt ers t h an the people of the United Kingdom. Of course in saying that he took into ac count the difference of climate which aggravated those evils in the United Kingdom. But he had visited great numbers of the huts of the negroes in the West Indies during the time of slavery, and he could confirm that an overwhelming outcry would be raised against any planter who would lodge his negroes in such wretched dwellings as he had visited within the last few days. In one court in Shoreditch he found a woman with five children ill of fever. She paid ls. 6d. a week for the room. Six weeks ago she was confined ; five weeks ago her husband died of fever ; and during the illness of the parents the children had to procure water fr9m a distance of a quarter or half a mile; for the water company had cut off the supply of water from all the houses in the court two years ago (in consequence of a quarrel be- I tween the two landladies who owned the court as to who should pay the rate. In that whole court, with so many families, there was but one privy, and there was no sewer within a quarter of a mile distant. He would not oc cupy the House with the many details of this kind with which he was provided. He visited a place called George-court, which surpassed all that he had seen elsewhere. He might well say with the poet, that it was a place . " Where flags the noontide air, and as we pass We fear to breathe the putrifying mass." Bethnal-green was somewhat differently situated ; there was not so crowd 4 a population, and one saw gardens there which showed that they were capable of enjoying amore refined state of life if they were protected. But the awe deficiency and neglect produced the sale ails here as elsewhere. There was a vast pool of stag nant water—a reservoir of contagion—in Lamb's-field, and a landowner in the neighbourhood used a stagnant ditch to keep the boys out of his fields, and save the ex pense of a fence, although he thus spread disease through the neighbourhood. Those were things that ought not to be delayed. It was the opini , as of Sir Robert Smirke, and others, that the Government could form a general plan which could be easily and effectually acted upon. It was said that these evils were the necessary atten dants upon poverty. But he denied that it was so, and the report of Dr. Arnott showed that the mortality in the great manufacturing towns, such as Manchester, Glasgow, &c., was nearly doubl e i n seasons o f a b un d ant work and wages, than what occurred in seasons of scarce work and scarcity of food. Here he would refer with pleasure to what occurred in Dundee, and which was highly creditable to the indus trious artisans of that place. A Mr. Simpson, a gentle man of great talents and benevolence, delivered lectures to them upon the importance of air, cleanliness, &c. to health. The consequence was, that those artisans united to establish baths for their own use. He hoped that this example would be followed elsewhere. (The Noble Marquis then read statistical calculations by Mr. M'Culloch, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Hawkesley, to show that in the fifty towns already referred to, there was a loss of 12,000,0001. per annum occasioned by sickness alone ; and if the metropolis and other towns were added to the list, the whole loss to the labouring class from contagious disease alone, arising from this neglect, would be upwards of 30,000,0001) In Preston, out of eighty cases of fever, it appeared from the report of the medical gentlemen, that four slept in one bed, and only thirty-five had separate beds for each patient. He admitted that while the la bouring classes were obliged to lodge in this way, it would be of little use to attempt to improve their physical condition. And it appeared, from the reports, that no amelioration could take place in their condition until there was some limitation as to hours. Until that could be effected, the females of the labouring classes could not attend to domestic duties, or be fitted to pre serve their homes healthy and comfortable. In Ashton under-Lyne, Lord Stamford inserted in his leases clauses to enforce certain sanatory regulations. But, notwith standing that advantage, it appeared, from the evidence of Mr. Colecott, that the mortality of children was greater in Ashton-under-Lyne than in any of the other towns, occasioned by the unavoidable neglect of the mothers, who were at work in the factories. The remedy for this would be, obviously, that the mother should work fewer hours of the day, and sacrifice a portion of the wages, to attend to her domestic duty. Forty years ago, all those evils were shown to exist in Liverpool, by Dr. Duncan, who pointed out the natural remedies. Yet at thiß 11 , 10 , 1Y1e1/ t Liverp..l (tie uehea,lthiest town of all. He had endeavoured, and lie hoped successfully, to prove that there ought to be no further delay. He trusted that their Lordships would show that after two years they had not repented of their good intentions. He would not interfere in their legislation upon this subject, because he was convinced that any measure must be taken up and carried out by the Executive Government in order to be effective. He therefore entreated them now, at the end of the session, before they returned to their own splendid homes, to approach the Sovereign, and assure her that " you retain your sympathy with the most patient, most industrious, most neglected,land sufferingof her Majesty's subjects."— (Hear, hear.) The Noble Marquis concluded by moving an address to the Crown, praying her Majesty to order a measure to be introduced on th subject of the sanatory condition of the people early in the next session. The Duke of BUCCLEUCH was conscious of the great importance of this subject. But he did not think that the Government was to blame for the delay that had taken place. The Bill brought in by the Noble Marquis passed through this House, but was dropped in the other. After that the present Go vernment appointed a Commission of Sanatory Inquiry, and the Commissioners had discharged the duty assigned to them with great care and assiduity. He could not admit that the time spent in that inquiry was wasted. They had directed their attention to the laws already in existence bearing upon the sanatory condition of towns, and they had found that there could be a great deal more clone under the existing laws than had been done. For instance, with respect to the sewerage. There were many parts of the metropolis in which the sewerage was excellent; in others, it was very defective. But he be lieved that the Commissioners were in doubt whether they had the power of making new sewers, thinking that their powers were limited to the repairing of old. sewers. The Commissioners had arrived at the conclu sion that street sewerage was of little use without house drainage; whereas, in many places, there were good sewers running down the middle of the streets without any communication with the houses. Another subject to which they had attended was the supply of water— a subject of the greatest importance to the health of towns. They found that in some parts of the metropolis the deficiency was disgraceful. Mr. Hawkesley had shown them that the people of Nottingham were sup plied abundantly with water at the expense of only ld. per week for each family. The water was wanted not for domestic purposes only, but for cleansing the drains and sewers.—(llear, hear.) In Islington a very excel lent plan was adopted for " plushing" the sewers with water and thoroughly cleansing them. But in other places some strange regulations were in force respecting the sewers. It was positively forbidden to sweep into the sewers any portion of the filth of the street ; and it was also strictly forbidden to make any communication between the cess-pools and the sewers.—(Hear, hear.) These were matters which called for the interference of the Legislature. But there was great difficulty in dealing with these subjects. Fur instance, there were, some time ago, 30,000 persons living in cellars in Liverpool. Now the buildings in Liverpool and the neighbourhood in creased in fitir proportion to the increase of the popula tion. Yet if these 30,000 persons were ejected from the cellars they could find no place to go to. Their present dwellings were bad enough ; still it would be worse to have no roof over them at all. However, a Bill was passed for the purpose, and on the Ist of July they ought to have been all ejected ; but it could not be done, and the law was inoperative. Nor was it in those poorer neighbourhoods alone in the metropolis and the large towns that the people were packed more closely than they ought to be. It was proved before the Committee that in the immediate neighbourhood even of Grosvenor square people were crowded together in one room, and in one bed, to the great injury of morals as well as of health. He mentioned this to show the great difficulty of legislating on these subjects. Perhaps one of the greatest difficulties in all sanatory regulations was its expensiveness. It had been suggested that much might be done to get over that difficulty by a consolidation of the rates. On this subject and others, such as the supply of water and the construc tion and management of sewers, the most valuable in formation had been offered to the Commission by Dr. Arnott, Mr. Hawkesley, and the other gentlemen ex amined. Indeed, those gentlemen had received the thanks of the functionaries who were engaged in France in similar inquiries. A further cause of delay was the necessity for a complete survey, before any practical measure should be taken, and that requisite would be found in the Ordnance survey, which was now in progress. He would not trespass longer on the time of the House, although there were many points in the Noble Marquis's speech which were well worthy of their Lordships' deep consideration. He would only observe that the mortality of children in the manufacturing towns was occasioned, not by the want of ventilation, but by the excessive administration of opiates to keep them quiet in the absence of the parents. With regard to the address proposed by the Noble Marquis, he was sorry he could not support it, for he did not see that it could effect any good, whereas it seemed to be a censure upon the Government for alleged delay.—(Hear, hear.) No man could be more anxious than he was to promote sanatory measures, but it was necessary to take time for the preparation of measures, so as to avoid such a failure as occurred in the case of Liverpool, when a sanatory act, obtained at great expense, had proved quite inope rative. He believed that within a reasonable time the Commission would complete their report, so that early next session it would be in the power of the Govern ment to propose some measures, founded on the report, to either this or the other House of Parliament. He would rrove the previous question.. A messenger from the Commons brought up the Joint- Stock Companies Regulation Bill and several other Bills. The Marquis of NORMANBY did not think that the Noble Duke had made out a sufficient reason for the delay of the report. However. as he had the expecta tion held out that sanatory measures founded on the re • port would be laid before Parliament next session, he would not press his motion, but would leave it in their Lordships' hands. The l)uke of WELLINGTON said that the Govern ment were not to blame for the delay. When the Noble Marquis brought forward his sanatory measures, being a Minister of the Crown, he (the Duke of Wellington) and those who were now in her Majesty's Government, sup ported the Noble Marquis.—(Hear, hear.) No time had since been lost ; and, under these circumstances, be thought the House might have been spared the pain of being called upon to vote an address, whi c h cou ld not be looked upon as any other than a censure on the Govern ment, who had applied themselves earnestly to the subject. The Marquis of NCItMANBY had no intention o casting censure upon the Government. The previous question was then carried, and the ad. dress was lost. The Bills on the table were advanced a stage. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, anci& - i-icUseidjourned at Nine o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 26. SAVINGS BANKS BILL. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Colonel RUSHBROOKE thought that 31. 6s. Bd. was little enough. Mr. B. DENISON hoped the Right Hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer would adhere to his proposition. Mr. HAWES moved that 31. 6s. Bd. be substituted for 31.55. Lord CLIVE supported the amendment. Mr. lIUME said that if the Right Hon. Gentleman made the minimum interest 21. 18s. 4d., instead of the maximum 3/., it would leave a margin of 6s. Bd. for the management. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could not agree to the proposition of the Hon. Member for Montrose. He thought it would prevent the establish ment of new banks. Mr. B. DENISON did not think that a difference of Is. Bd. would prevent the establishment of new banks.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. HUME was opposed to any maximum. He did I not see why the banks should not pay 31. 4s. if they could afford it.—(Hear.) The Committee then divided, when there appeared— For the amendment 2O Against it 5l Majority —3l I The clause was then agreed to, and ordered to stand part of the Bill. On clause 2, which fixes the maximum rate of interest at 31., being proposed, Mr. HUME proposed, as an amendment, that there should be a minimum of 2/. 18s. 4d., instead of a maxi mum of 3/. Mr. B. DENISON supported the amendment. The clause was then agreed to. Clauses 3,4, and 5 were also put, arid agreed to. Clause 6 was agreed to, after a short discussion. Clatises up to 12 were agreed to, after some verbal amendments. Clause 13 was agreed to with a few verbal amend ments, as were clauses up to 20. The remaining clauses were agreed to; the House re sumed, and the report was ordered to be brought up on Monday. be no necessity for the introduction of such a novel system. He hoped, if other alterations should be found necessary, the Government would introduce a Bill next session, and the sensible portion of the public would be thankful to them for their exertions. Mr. BICKEIAM ESCOTT thought it would be diffi cult to say whether the general effects of the law had done harm or good. In some unions in which it had reduced the rates, it had reclaimed a vagabond population, whilst in others the rates had b een i ncrease d , an d both rate payers and paupers were dissatisfied. He congratulated the Right Hon. Gentleman on having introduced such a useful scheme of education into the present Bill—a scheme which contained all the good but none of the evil of the education measure of last year. With re gard to out-door relief, as the subject was important, he would again state what he had previously said on the subject. As had been remarked by the Hon. Member for Finsbury, two justices possessed the power of order ing out-of-door relief to old people out of work. But the board of guardians also possessed the power in cases of emergency. The Commissioners had excepted from their prohibitory order all cases of sudden and urgent necessity, leaving it entirely to the boards of guardians to determine what cases were cases of sudden and urgent necessity.—(hear, hear.) It had been sail that the law had caused the recent calamitous events in Suffolk and Norfolk; that the peasantry, goaded to desperation, had, out of a spirit of revenge, destroyed the property of their superiors. He did not believe that such a state of baleful feeling existed among the peasantry of this country. They knew that everywhere labour was the lot of the multitude, and that the lot of ease was that of a few only; and they also knew that attempts of this kind would only aggravate their sufferings, and end by bringing on them the vengeance of the law, for he trusted that the law would always be found strong enough to vindicate the rights of property. He was satisfied that they never would have an economical system for the relief of the poor until they returned to parochial divisions—(Hear) —or at least until they had smaller divisions than the unions now in existence ; and he would quote the autho rity of the Duke of Wellington in support of his argu ment. The Hon. and Learned Member then quoted the opinion of the Duke of Wellington, which was to the effect that the present law was only for the purpose of bringing back the law of the 43d of Elizabeth. He begged again to express his sincere pleasure at the fe licitous termination of this Bill, and the improvements which it had undergone in Committee. Captain PECHELL asserted that the people of Brighton, however their opinions might have been mis represented, were entirely averse to the interference of the Poor-law Commissioners. Mr_ 13 .1.3 ac qiid, tho olaangco which had taken place in the poor-law during the pre sent session, it must not be considered that the question was finally settled. It would be open to every Hon. Member in future sessions to propose further modifica tions. Among the defects of the present measure was the immense extent of some of the unions, which was in all respects disadvantageous and inconvenient to the poor, but in none more than the difficulty of obtaining medical aid, which the extent of these unions in most cases involved. He hoped it would be found prac ticable to limit the expense of the machinery of the system. With these observations, and congratulating the House on the improvement which had been made in the law, he would not trespass further on their attention. Mr. BARNARD regretted that the Right Hon, Baronet had not conceded the power to two magistrates, which several Hon. Friends had so strongly pressed upon the Government. Sir J. GRAHAM said the question of medical relief was under the consideration of a Committee, over which Lord Ashley presided. He did not mean to say that the present system of medical relief was perfect, and would be happy to make such changes in the law on a future occasion as, with due consideration to economy, would afford greater accommodation to the poor, and more adequate remuneration to medical officers. He felt deeply indebted to both sides of the House for the favourable manner in which they had received the Bill, and tendered every Hon. Member his sincere acknow ledgments. With respect to the bastardy law, a very full discussion took place on the power of appeal, in Com mittee, and the Bill contained the almost unanimous opinion of that Committee. He would not trespass further on the attention of the House. The Bill was then read a third time and passed. Sir J. GRAHAM moved the third reading of the Turnpike Trusts Bill. After a few observations from Viscount EBRINCTON and Mr. CRIPPS, the Bill was read a third time. JOINT-STOCK BANKS REGULATION BILL. This Bill was read a third time, and passed. The Transfer of Licenses (Post-horses) Ireland Bill was read a third time and passed. GRAND JURY PRESENTMENTS (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill was road a third time, and passed. The Consolidated Fund (6,969,8561. 10s. 3d.) Bill was read a seccead time, and ordered to be committed on Monday. Mr. WILLIAMS said that:the Right lion. Gentle man seemed to have given more consideration to the correspondence that night than he had last night. Sir J. GRAHAM moved the omission of the clause which he had brought up last night respecting the sheriff, to which the lion. Member for Finsbury took an exception, and, in his opinion, a well founded ob jection. - The motion was agreed to, and a new clause was sub stituted in itc place. Tho report was then received, and the Bill was ordered to be read a third time at twelve o'clock on Monday. SLAUGHTERING HORSES BILL. The report on this Bill was brought up and received. The Bill was ordered to be read a third time on Monday. PRIVY COUNCIL BILL. The House resolved itself into Committee on this Bill. Clauses Ito S were agreed to. Mr. ELPHINSTONE moved the following clause : "And be it enacted, that in all cases of appeal to her Majesty in Council from ecclesiastical courts, and from admiralty or vice-admiralty courts, which have been, now are, or may hereafter be depending, in which any person duly monished, or cited, or requested to comply with any lawful order or decree of her Majesty in Coun cil, or of the . Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, or their surrogates, made before or after the passing of this Act, shall have neglected or refused, or shall neglect or refuse, to pay obedience to such lawful order or decree, or shall have committed or shall commit any contempt of the process under the seal of her Majesty in ecclesias tical mid maritime causes, it shall be lawful for the said Judicial Committee or their surrogates to pronounce such person to be contumacious and in con tempt, and after he shall have . been so pro nounced contumacious and in contempt, to cause pro cess of sequestration to issue under the said seal of her Majesty against the real and p ersona l estate , goo d s, chattels, and effects, wheresoever lying, within the domi nions of her Majesty, of the person against or upon whom such order or decree shall have been made, in order to enforce obedience to the same,• and payment of the ex penses attending such sequestration, and all proceedings consequent thereon, and to make such further order in respect of, or consequent on, such sequestration, and in respect to such real and personal estate, goods, chattels, and effects sequestrated thereby, as may be necessary, or for payment of money arising from the same to the per son to whom the same may be due, or into the registry of the High Court of Admiralty and Appeals, for the benefit of those who may ba ultimately entitled thereto." Sir J. GRAHAM said that he had great doubts whe ther the Committee could pass the clause without the consent of the Crown, as it would interfere with the pre rogative of the Urown. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that he should oppose the clause. Mr. AGLIONBY supported the clause. He appre hended that the consent of the Crown was not necessary, and if it were, it might be obtained through the Govern ment. He suggested, however, that the clause should be withdrawn, and brought up again on the report. The clause was then postponed. The Chairman reported progress, the House re sumed, and the report was ordered to be brought up on Monday next. The House then adjourned at a Quarter-past Nine. NEW WRIT. A new writ was ordered to issue for the borough of Cirencester, in the room of T. Master, Esq., who had accepted the Chiltern Hundreds. WINDOW DUTY. Captain PECHELL wished to know whether unglazed lights, for sanatory purposes, were subject to the window duty? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could give no opinon on the subject. BOOKS AND ENGRAVINGS BILL. The House then went through Committee on the Books and Engravings Bill, and the report was ordered to be brought up on Monday. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a petition from a place in Ireland against the Charitable Bequests (Ire land) Bill ; also a petition from St. Luke's, signed by 6,000 ratepayers, praying for the release of Daniel O'Connell, Esq., and his fellow-prisoners. POOR-LAW AMENDMENT BILL. Colonel SIBTHORP gave notice, that on Monday, he should move that the salaries of the Poor-law Commis sioners be reduced to 1,0001. each ; and that the salaries of Assistant Poor-law Commissioners be reduced to 4001. a year each. Sir JAMES GRAHAM then moved the third read ing of the Poor-law Amendment Bill. Colonel SIBTHORP rose to oppose the motion. He regretted that the Right Hon. Gentleman on the Trea sury bench, to whom he was anxious to give his sup port, and of whose talents and integrity he entertained the highest opinion, should have considered it his duty to force forward this Bill in such a manner. He was surprised to find that the Right Hon. Gentleman thought it right, at the last moment, to refuse him (Colonel Sib thorp) the return for which he had moved on the sub ject of the Poor-law Commissioners. They reeeived large sums of the public mon e y, even th e Assistant Commissioners had 7001. a-year each, which was more than the pay of officers in the army and navy. He desired to know how that money had been applied, and he would tell lion. Gentlemen that it must come out.—(A laugh.) He hoped Hon. Gentlemen opposite would assist him in opposition to this Bill. Mr. B. COCHRANE was glad to find that there were I Hon. Members found to discuss this Bill, and to propose amendments in it, notwithstanding the lateness of the period at which it had been brought forward, notwithstanding the disinclination of the Go- Terement to discuss the condition of the poor of this country, and in spite of the taunts and sneers thrown out by Hon. Members behind the Treasury benches against those who ventured to occupy the time of the House. This very Bill was a confession that hitherto they had been legislating on a bad system ; and with regard to the two great points of out-door relief, and of the separation of man and wife, on which his Hon. Friend the Member for Evesham had brought for ward a motion, the Right Hon. Gentleman was obliged to confess that they had departed from the principles of the Bill. The present poor-law had not checked paupe rism. It increased with our population, and every im provement in our manufactures lessened the demand for labour and increased pauperism. He had met with a fanciful supposition the other day that the Pyramids had been built to find work for the poor. But now every tiing was done to throw them out of work. At the great agricultural meeting the other day, the Prussian Ambassador stated that the King of Prussia had said, how happy a country England must be where old things were as new, and where the new were identified with the old. He should like to know how this new poor-law was identified with old things, and what hold it had on the sympathies of the people? Ho thought this measure ought to form the principal consideration of her Majesty's Government at an early period of the next session. He believed that the time was not far distant when they would be obliged to repeal the law altogether. If he lived till the next session he should give any measure founded upon the principles of the present law his decided opposition. Mr. HITME thought that it was to be regretted that Hon. Members who talked of the prejudices of the people to this measure should in that House do all they could to fan that prejudice. He believed that the great cause of complaint in the measure was that its provisions were not properly carried out. With regard to the Commissioners they had a most ardent and difficult duty to perform, and he could only say, being one of the Committee that sat in 1838, when an inquiry was made into the conduct of the Com naisioners, that the result of the deliberation of that Com mittee was a recommendation to continue the Commis sioners in preference to any other tribunal. Those who were anxious for the condition of the poor ought to adopt far different measures to those, which were cal culated to increase their disaffection. lIARDY hailed the present measure with pecu liar delight, because it was calculated to take away a great number of the severities from the present measure. lie tendered his best thanks to the Government for the manner in which they had proposed their alterations to the Bill, and he trusted that it would give satisfaction to the country. Mr. BORTH WICK said that whatever might be the ultimate effect of machinery, it could not be denied that it inflicted a great evil in transitu which fell very heavily on the poor. With regard to the present Bill, it was about to become the law of the land, and he sincerely hoped that everything that would be now said respecting it would tend to make it work well, and for the benefit of those to whom it was to be applied. He was confident that the Right Hon. Secretary of State had acted throughout from the purest motives, and they must all feel indebted to him for the ability he had displayed, and the courtesy with which he had listened to the suggestions of those who had felt it their duty to make them. He was convinced that the machinery of the Act had been worked so as to produce an effect the reverse of what the authors of the Bill intended ; and he expressed a hope that the recent declaration of Sir J. Graham would in duce gentlemen more readily to act as guardians of the poor than they had hitherto done. He believed it was a good Bill---(Laughter)----that was to say, as far as it went. —(Oh, oh.) But it was not extensive enough entirely to reform the evils of which they complained. But as far as it went it ameliorated the condition of the poor, and admitted at least the defects of the existing law. Mr. WAKLEY said he believed the magistrates throughout the country were generally aware that they had the power of ordering relief to old per sons, provided one magistrate would certify, of his own knowledge, that they required it. But what the magis trates complained of was, that they could not order the amount of relief or its quality. It might be given either in money or in food, and might be so stinted as to force the recipients into the house to save themselves from starvation. With respect to the Bill, he did not think the Government could complain of any unjust opposition having been offered to it, considering the late period of the session to which it had been delayed. The alterations that had been made in it would work well for the poor, and he should cordially vote for the third reading. He regretted that such observations as those that had fallen from the Hon. Member for Bridport should be made in that House. It was too late in the day now to exclaim against machinery ; the supposition that it destroyed human labour was a great fallacy. On the contrary, it created it to an enormous extent. The regulation of machinery was another question, and it should only be dealt with by wise and experienced heads.—(Hear, hear.) The principle of the law of 1834, the workhouse test, was now gone ; for the Right lion. Gentleman told them that seven out of eight persons received out-door relief. lie believed the new poor-law had been productive of very great disadvantage in one respect. It had been asserted in that House and other places, that there ought to be no poor law at all. He was afraid that this feeling had worked its way into various classes of society. The Right Hon. Gentleman said that if the Poor-law Commissioners did their duty, they would be the protectors of the poor. It was quite clear the poor needed protection somewhere, and he hoped they would receive it from the Poor-law Commissioners. The declarations as to there being no necessity for a poor-law had had a pernicious effect on the rate-payers and the guardians. He believed the ex officio guardians were in favour of far more strin gent regulations than the elected guardians.—(Hear, hear.): 'The attempts made to reduce the salaries of medical officers and other persons had driven the Commissioners to resort to an expedient which he could not but call most preposterous. He begged the atten tion of the House for a moment to this matter ; it was the most curious in medical history. They had all heard the expression, no doubt, "No cure, no pay." With reference to the payment of medical men, the guardians had been so stingy and so niggardly, that, in order to give medical men an emolument somewhat approaching to their circumstances, the Commissioners had hit upon the expedient of giving extra pay under peculiar circumstances. Well, now, what were those peculiar circumstances ? " For the amputation of a leg, 51 ; for the amputation of an arm, 5/. ; for the ampu tation of a foot, 51. ; for the amputation of a hand, 5/," `Sec. Thus, for cutting off a limb, which was one of the simplest operations in surgery, and which took only a few minutes, the operator generally not requiring to see the patient more than half a dozen times subse quently, the remuneration was 51. Now, f or a bruise requiring the utmo s t care an d s kill to prevent mortification, and surgical attendance day by day, perhaps, for weeks and month s , w h a t was the extra remuneration ? Not one farthing.—(Hear, hear.) Was anything so preposterous ever heard of ? —(Hear, hear.) He believed that, if the Commissioners had the power of giving adequate remuneration to medical men, they would never have adopted such a preposterous scale. No men made greater sacrifices for the sake of the poor than medical men, but, by the pre sentm system,putions. He knew v an they most unjustifiable a manunjust whoifiable i had his feet frost-bitten had been taken into a work- house;_ the surgeon had recommended amputation, and another surgeon who had been called in consultation, also recommended it; the man refused to submit, and Nature had since performed the operation, for a part of the feet had sloughed off. Now that surgeon had been exposed most unjustly to the imputation of having wished to perform a needless operation. He hoped the Commis sioners would, in every case insist on boards of guardians properly remunerating zneclical men, and then there mkt MERCHANT SEAMEN'S BILL On the motion for foTih; order of the day being read for going into Committee on this Bill, Admiral DUNDAS said he thought this Bill ought to be postponed for a few days, as it had only been in the hands of Members twenty-four hours. Sir C. NAPIER thought this a most important Bill, and it ought, therefore, to be proceeded with at once. Lord INGESTRE thought the Bill ought to proceed. Mr. WAWN complained that the Bill was a Bill of Pains and Penalties on shipowners and seamen. After a few words from Mr. HUME, the order of the day was read, and, on the "lotion that the House do re solve itself into Committee, Mr. S. HERBERT said that, so far from this being a Bill of Pains and Penalties. it was a remission of penal ties. It was very common for British seamen in foreign ports to be very harshly dealt with, and it was to protect them against oppression and injustice that this Bill had been brought in. The Bill had been for a con siderable time before the public, and ample opportunity had Ewen given for its consideration. Under these cir cumstances he hoped the House would support him in his endeavours to pass the Bill into Committee. If, however, Hon. Gentlemen should wish the Bill post poned he would consent to do so, and fix it for Monday at twelve o'clock. Captain PECHELL, after complimenting the Hon. Member for Wiltshire (Mr. S. Herb er t) on his ability in filling the office of Secretary of the Admiralty, said he would support the principle of this Bill, but with many of its details he could not agree. Sir C. NAPIER hoped the Bill would positively be brought on on Monday. Mr. WAWN moved as an amendment that the Bill should be committed on Wednesday next. Mr. FORSTER seconded the amendment. Admiral DUNDAS said it would be impossible for him to be here on Monday. Sir CHARLES NAPIER trusted that the Secretary of the Admiralty would persevere in moving the Com mittee on Monday. Mr. HUME thought the Bill ought not to be com mitted till Wednesday, in order that they might have a proper Bill that would meet the sanction of all parties. Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the House divided, when there appeared— For Mr. Wawn's amendment Against it 36 Majority against the amendment —27 On our admission to the gallery we found Captain PECHELL on his legs, trusting that the Hon. Gentleman would postpone the Committee till Wednesday. After a few observations from Mr. FOSTER, The Bill was ordered to be committed on Monday. The Woods and Forests Accounts Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday. The Grand Canal (Ireland) Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday. The South Sea Company Bill was read a second time and ordered to be committed. The Spirits (Ireland) Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday. The Fisheries (Ireland) Bill was read a second time. and ordered to be committed on Monday. The Customs (New South Wales) Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday. The Clerks to Attorneys Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday. The Piccadilly Improvement Bill was read a second time, and ordered to be referred to the following Select Committee on Monday :—The Earl of Lincoln, Mr. Young, Captain Rous, Mr. Leader, Colonel Wood, Mr. Pringle, Mr. Masterman, Mr. Gaily Knight, Colonel Fox, Sir Charles Lemon, and five to be added by the Committee of Selection. The Militia Pay Bill went through Committee, and was ordered to be reported on Monday. PROTECTION TO PURCHASERS (IRELAND) BILL. The House then went into Committee on this Bill. Clauses from 1 to 33 were agreed to, without discussion. Mr. SHEIL rose to move the clause of which he had given notice, for the purpose of providing compensation to Mr. O'Dwyer, the Secondary of the Court of Exche quer (Ireland), whose rights will be affected by the operation of this Act. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he proposed t o a dd a c l ause to t h e Bill, by which pro- vision would be made for the proper compensation of this officer, whose salary, under the new Act, he pro posed to fix by the average receipt of fees during the last seven years. If the new Bill brought in any surplus above this amount, it would be paid into the Treasury. Mr. Shen did not press his clause, and the proposal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was agreed to; and the clause having been added to the Bill, it went through Committee. The report was brought up, and ordered to be received on Monday. CRIMINAL JUSTICE (MIDDLESEX) BILL. The House having resumed, Sir J. GRAHAM moved the order of the day for receiving the report on this Bill. Mr. FIUME asked the Right Hon. Baronet if he would lay on the table the correspondence that had taken place between him and the magistrates with respect to this measure ? He also wished to know to what expense the county would be bound by the Bill. Sir J. GRAHAM was sorry the Hon. Member was not in his place on the previous evening when the Bill was fully discussed, and when he read to the House the only letter of any importance he had addressed to the magistrates. Mr. HUME—I have seen it to-day. Sir J. GRAHAM—If the Hon. Member had seen it, he had seen the only document of any consequence that had passed between himself and the magistrates. He did intend to consider the past services of a gentleman who, upon the whole, had discharged his duties effi ciently, but he was not bound by pledge to that gentle man ; nor did he intend this measure to lead to the general establishment of any particular system of prison discipline, although he did intend to provide for the proper preservation of order in the prisons, and the pre vention of the contamination of some description of pri towns by the others, V:blr73 ,:;7tittion -- - THE FUNDS -(CLOSING PRICES BRITISH FUNDS. Bank Stock 2OO ' Indian Stock 286 % 3 per Cent. Red 3 per Cent. Cons. 3% per Cent. R e d New 3% per Cent. 102% Ex. Bills 1,000/. 114 d ... 80 pm New 5 per Cent. Ditto 500/. Long Annuities to expire Ditto Small BO pm. Jan IMO l2 9.16 Bank Stock for Acct.... Oct. 1839 Consols for Act. 99% Jan. 1860 lndia Stock for Acct.... FOREIGN FUNDS. Austrian, 5 per Cent Portuguese, 5 per Cent ...... Belgian, 5 per Cent — Ditto, New Ditt0...... ......... Brazilian Bonds — Pr us sian, 5 per Cent Buenos Ayres, 6 per Cent... ,Russian, 5 per Cent — Chllian, 6 per Cent Colombian, 6 per Cent Ditto, 1824 — Ditto, 3 per Cent 33% Cuba Bonds, 6 per Cent — Ditto, Deferred... ...... „.. ..... Danish, 3 per Cent Greek, 18:5, 5 per Cent 'Exchange —f. —c. Mexican, 5 per Cent Ditto, 0 per Cent., 1837 — ,Dutch, 2% per Cent..,,,. 61% Peruvian, 1825, 6 per Cent — :Ditto, 5 per Cent .........101% SHARES. Birmingham and Derby, XlOO paid 73% Birmingham and Gloucester (100 paid).. ........ Bristol and Exeter (70 paid) Bl Caledonian, 5 paid Chester and Holyhead ( 5 paid) Chichester and Brighton, 5 paid Dublin and Cashel, 2 % paid Eastern Counties (23 paid) ; Ditto Registered (816 s Sd paid) Edinburgh and Glasgow, 50 paid Ditto Quarter Shares (12% paid) Great North of England, 100 paid Great Western (75 paid)_ Ditto Half Shares, 50 paid 84% Ditto Fifths ' 12 paid Lancaster and Carlisle, 5 paid 4% London and Birmingham (Stock) London and Blackwall (16/, 13s. 4d.) 7% London and Brighton (50 paid) Ditto Loan Notes, 10 paid Pe . 1 ,4 London and Greenwich ( 121. 15 s . 4d. pa id) ...... Londora and South Western (411.65. 10d. paid) Ditto - Eighths (15s. paid) Londoriand Croydon (Trunk) lB% Manchester and Leeds (70 paid) Ditto, Half Shares, 30 paid Ditto New Quarters (:t paid) Manchester and Birmingham Ditto, Quarter Shares ( paid) Midland Counties (100 paid) lO2 North British, 2% paid l% Northern and Eastern (45 paid) Norwich and Brandon, 4 paid 1.3 South Eastern and Dover (33 2s 4d paid) ...... ... 38% Thamei and Medway, .£l9 5s Sd paid lO Trent Valley, 2 paid 9% Yarmouth and Norwich (18 paid) York and North Midl an d (50 pa id) 10'3% Ditto Half Shares (25 paid) York and Scarborough Branch (2% paid) Orleans, Tours, and Bourdeaux, 1 paid Paris and Orleans (20 paid) Paris and Rouen, 20 paid BANKRUPTCY.-(THIS DAY. (Before Mr. Commissioner GOULBURN.) ROE V. BLACHFORD. The above case, which was ordered for to-day, was not gone into, and the further examination will not, therefore, take place till next week. IN THE MATTER OF MONTEFIORE AND mosiTEnonE. This being the day appointed for the granting of the bankrupt's certificate, the case was called on at twelve o'clock, when Mr. Chambers appeared for the bankrupts, Mr. Bramwell fur Mr. De Castro and Mr. Lucas, two of the assignees, as well as the great body of the creditors. Mr. Edwin James and Mr. Miller attended to oppose the bankrupts, on the part of the other assignees, Messrs. A. A. Goldsmid and Mr. Ward. Mr. Edwin James said that he was there to oppose the bankrupts on the part of Mr. Goldsmid and Mr. Ward, two of the assignees ; and as he knew that his Learned Friend, Mr. Bramwell, would perhaps urge that his clients were actuated by factious motives, he (Mr. James) would, with his Honour's permission, state in what particular manner the assignees, De Castro and Lucas, were connected with the bankrupts. The first was a creditor for the sum of 4,0001., and the bankrupts had given him a preference to that amount. The second was brother in-law to one of the bankrupts. The state of affairs in the present case was by no means flourishing. The probability was, that the assets in the schedule would not pay more than 3d. in the pound, and the se parate estates would yield at most 2s. 6d. ; for while the amount of the liabilities was 42,4881. the sum to be realised was only 1,5001. The bankrupts carried on business in London, in Sydney, and in Hobart Town, as he would prove to his Honour, in the most reckless manner. They failed in January, 1841, but offered no composition, simply requesting that time might be given them. To this the creditors at once as sented, and they executed a deed, agreeing that that a period of three years should be allowed in order that the bankrupts might overcome their difficulties. In that period certain circumstances took place which would, he trusted, disincline the Court to grant their certificates, or if it did grant them, to annex conditions calculated to do the creditors justice at a remote period, which the bankrupts seemed willing to overlook now. In August, 1843, a fiat was struck against Joseph Montefiore, and in the February of the following year a joint fiat was taken out against the two. Thus he (Mr. James) would observe, the means of strictly in vestigating the bankrupts' affairs were hardly afforded, because they, having houses in Hobart Town and Syd ney, and only nine months elapsing from the date of the fiat to the passing that Court, it was perfectly impossible that the creditors could have any means of satisfying themselves as to the correctness of the schedule. He would now direct the attention of the Court to the posi tion of Mr. Goldsmid, his client, and one of the as signees, with respect to the bankrupts. In 1839 the bank rupts were indebted to Mr. Goldsmid ir. the sum of 20,000/, for which they gave a bond. They must have been then, he vas almost j us tifi e d i n supposing, con scious of their insolvent condition, for it was only by taking 35,000/. in debts as good, which, in 1844, were proved hopelessly bad, that they could imagine them selves solvent. He would next point out to his Honour their mode of dealing with some property in the colo nies. Just twelve days after giving Mr.Goldsmid the bond for 20,0001., they executed contemporaneously a post. nuptial settlement in favour of their wives, but in this set tlement they reserved a life interest for themselves. 'What did they do at the period of bankruptcy in 1841 ? In January of that year they stopped, and in August they revoked their life interest in the property, and gave to their wives the priority. It was stated in one of their private letters to be worth 4001. a-year, and he con tended that in common justice the creditors ought to have had the benefit of such property. There was an other transaction which, in his opinion, did no credit to the character of an English merchant. Mr. Joseph Montefiore was in the colonies in 1841, and it appeared sold farming stock, on what was called the interval during l an d , f or 8,500 / Th i s was in the during which their creditors had extended to them the indulgence of time, and how were they treated? Mr. Joseph brought home in the whole 5,1001., being there fore minus 3,4001., which they (the creditors) under stood was settled on a Miss Sheepland there. That was all they knew of it. The Learned Counsel then read selections from letters passing between the partners, one of which was—" You will see that I have written in a par ticular strain,a sort ofpolitical mode, as that fellow must see it." Such were the flattering terms in which they spoke of his client Mr. Goldsmid, to whom they were indebted 20,0001., and with whom they were incensed because he did not advance another 40,0001. He would continue the extract---" as well as the general body of our cre ditors." Was this the integrity that their creditors should expect at their hands ? The Learned Counsel then adverted to the preference evinced towards Mr. de Castro's claim, and concluded a powerful address by calling on the Hon. Commissioner not to grant their certificates. Mr. Muz EA followed on the same side ; an d th e case 15 likely to occupy the remainder of the day. SPIRIT of the PUBLIC JOURNALS. FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OF THIS DAY. GLOBE.—A new writ was moved last night for Cirencester, in the room of Mr. Master. We have no shame in saying that we never heard of Mr. Master, till we heard of his accepting the Chiltern Hundreds. He will be succeeded, of course, by some new no minee of Lord Bathurst. The borough of Cirencester, which returns two Members, has, we find by a Parlia mentary return presented to the House of Commons, on the motion of Mr. Hume, during this session, 496 electors, of whom 153 are qualified as ten-pound house holders, and 343 as potwallopers. The gentle-phrased " Parliamentary Companion" tells us of this borough, " Lord Bathurst has some influence here." The fact is, Cirencester is a comple nomination borough. Mr. Cripps, the banker in the town, returns one Member (at present his son), and Lord Bathurst the other. Why Lord Bathurst's late nominee retires, or who Lord Bathurst's new nominee is to be, we do not know, nor do we care ; but this we know, that the sooner this and sixty or seventy other nomination boroughs are got rid of, the better. And they must be got rid of. Cirencester is a large constituency, in comparison with many others. At Andover, we find by the same return, 240 electors send two Members to Parliament; at Lymington, in Hampshire, 282 electors return two Members. Constituencies of this size are inevitably governed by proprietary influence or bribery. We have had elections during the present session for Abing don, Woodstock, Launceston, Christchurch, Horsham, Huntingdon, and Devizes. The first five places return one Member each. Huntingdon and Devizes each return two. Abingdon has 158 electors; Wood stock, 392 ; Launceston, 344 ; Christchurch, 327 ; Horsham, 339 ; Huntingdon, 374 ; Devizes, 374. The number of electors in every one under 400 ! Why, what a farce of popular representation is this ! The Duke of Marlborough does what he likes with Woodstock, the Duke of Northumberland with Launceston, Sir G. Rose with Christchurch, the Duke of Norfolk with Horsham, and Lord Sandwich with Hunt ingdon. At Abingdon and Devizes every one knows that money and proprietary influence together do the business. The 158 electors of Abingdon strengthened the Government by returning the Solicitor-General, when his Grace of Marlborough would have nothing more to do with him at Woodstock. What a proud proof of popular confi dence! And even to gain this great popular victory, his " elegance" had to come down with scramble-money ! With the exception of Horsham, the Members for all these boroughs are supporters of the Government ; and the Member for Horsham is a protectionist. We trust that tho Liberal party will not allow Cirencester to be trans ferred from one noodle-nominee to another without a contest, even though the contest be hopeless. Let some one go there to sow the seeds of sound principles, which on a future day may be fruitful, and to expose the nomi nation system of the borough. STANDARD.—The debate upon the subject of drainage, though opened in a bad spirit by Lord Normanby, was useful, as whatever forces atten tion to the subject must be useful. The health of large towns must ever remain precarious, until these towns • shall be sufficiently secured against the presence of stagnant water. We say the presence of stagnant water, because great mis apprehension prevails upon this subject, as it is generally supposed that the absence of ill smells and of filth obvious to the senses, is a sufficient guarantee for health. The reverse is the fact ; dry dirt, however of fensive to the senses, is comparatively harmless, whereas the exhalation from the wet soil, though damped by the purest water, and the exhalations from stagnant water, however pure, are fatal. The proximity of a per fectly limpid fish-pond has been known to perpe tuate fever in a house until the cause of the mischief was removed, though, unhappily, not until after the sweeping away of successive families. On the other hand, few persons enjoy better health than those living in the foetid atmosphere of slaughter-houses, tallow-chandleries, and the like. Drainage properly so called—the removal of water—is that to which the Legislature must first direct its attention if it would secure the public health, cleanli ness would be no doubt an important auxiliary to dryness, even in preserving health ; and it has great influence upon morals, as well as being essen tial to comfort, but the first great object, we repeat it, is to exclude wet and damp. As the Legislature has taken up this subject, we hope that it will ultimately extend its care for the happiness and well-being of the poor a little further. Something is wanted to provide better lodging for labourers in large towns (the field garden allot. ment system will do much in the country and in villages). We are persuaded that with facilities and encouragement afforded by the Legislature, capitalists might be tempted to invest money in the erection of what we may call labourers' barracks, in which each labourer might have a room and a bed to himself at a small rent, instead of being driven, as they now are, to sties in St. Giles's, for half or a third of a bed iu the filthiest recesses of which they pay is. 6d. and 2s. per week. There can be little doubt that a barrack capable of comfortably accommodating one hundred men might be substantially built for 5,0004, the present interest of which sum, invested in Consols, is 150/. per annum ; but 100 men paying no more than one shilling a-week each, would give 2601. a-year. There would be, therefore no loss upon the investment ; whereas the benefit to the poor, both the direct benefit to those lodged in the barrack, and the indirect benefit in reduc ing rents generally, would be of inestimable value ; nor would the labouring classes be the only gainers —those infectious and contagious diseases which periodically sweep through all ranks with impartial cruelty, however originating, are always nursed in the crowded abodes of poverty. For ourselves, when we see any street or district of streets not of the very worst description, thrown down for any public improve ment, we are disposed to ask, what has become of the inhabitants? and the unpleasant answer that commonly occurs is, that they have probably removed to some worse place—for though there are some decent small streets in the remoter suburbs, poor people, whose constant daily toil lies in the city, can hardly afford to in crease their labour by an additional three miles' walk in the morning, and as much more at night ; we should therefore rejoice to see the very worst districts evis. cerated, and labourers' barracks, with spacious surround. lag areas, in the room of the present abominable edifices • THE IRISH STA rE TRIALS.—The Judges will not all be in town until Friday, the 23d of August ; their lordships shortly afterwards will have a meeting to consider the questions propounded to them by the House of Lords, and it is generally expected that judgment in the case of Mr. D. O'Connell, and the other traversers, will be given either on Thursday, the 29th, or Friday, the 30th of August. As before stated, when the public business of Parliament is brought to a close, both Hou ses w ill a dj ourn from time to time until the judgment on the writ of error is puonounced. There will be no formal prorogation until that question is decided —Ministerial paper" BRISTOL SUGAR MARKET, JULY 26.—The de mand continues steady, but not active ; nearly 700 tierces West India are reported to have been sold during the week, and prices are unaltered. Bengals and Mauritius are flat, and but little business has been done in these descriptions during the week. Rum con tinues in very good demand, and the offices have been cleared of samples at extreme prices. —Bristol Mercury. POLICE INTELLIGENCE. (YESTERDAY.) MANSION-HOUSE. A young man, named Walter Henry Austin, was brought before Sir John Key, in the custody of John Forrester, the officer, charged with having embezzled the difference between 851. 13s. 10d. and 71. I Is. 9d., the pro perty of Mr. Robinson, merchant and Custom-house agent. Mr. Walford, the solicitor to the Customs, attended, with Mr. Adolphus, for the Board of Customs ; and Mr. Chambers appeared for the prisoner. Mr. Chambers requested to be informed whether Mr. Robinson was the prosecutor, or whether the proceeding emanated from the Customs ? Mr. Robinson said that he attended at the request of the solicitor to the Customs. Mr. Robinson then stated that he carried on business at No. 12, Water-lane, in partnership with his sons. In the month of July, 1842, he received a letter of advice of the shipment of certain silks by the Batavier, from Rot terdam. The prisoner was at that time clerk in the establishment, and it was his business to make an entry and clear the goods. Witness bad,. in the- prisoner's handwriting, a copy of the entry made of the silks, by which it appeared that 851. 13s. 10d. was necessary to be paid at the:Customs for duty on a case:marked V. 13., 695. The cheque produced was in the handwriting of the prisoner, and was signed by a partner in the firm, and had been paid by the bankers. The witness, upon his cross-examination, stated that he acted in the case as a Custom-house agent for Vanbrook and Sons, and that he was asked by the solicitor to the Customs to attend, in consequence of an examination of his books by the Custom-house authorities. Thomas Greenslade Whitmore, a clerk in the Custom house, stated that the bill of sight produced st a t e d t h at certain goods were entered, of which ho (the prisoner) had no invoice, and upon that bill he got sight of the goods after the usual declaration had been administered to him. Mr. William Willimot stated that in July, 1842, he was receiving the ground receipts at the Custom -house. The perfect entry paper now produced contained an entry of 71. lls. 9d. upon which the prisoner obtained the goods, and the 71. 11s. 9d. was paid to witness's account. Mr. Henry Robinson stated that he was partner with his father. He signed the cheque produced. The body of the cheque was filled up in the prisoner's hand writing. Witness could not swear that he delivered the cheque to the prisoner. Mr. Chambers remonstrated against the proposition to commit the prisoner, who had, he declared, as ap peared from the documents of the Custom-house, paid duties on the day specified amounting to every shilling of the sum he was charged with having embezzled. The Learned Counsel then, upon finding that the Magistrate was determined to send the case to a jury, applied to be permitted to put in bail for his client. Sir JOHN KEY stated that he did not consider himself justified in taking bail in such a case, and the prisoner was fully committed for trial. GREAT SEIZURE OF SMUGGLED TOBACCO AT NORTH SmELDs.—A seizure of about four tons of unmanu factured tobacco, the duty upon which would amount to about 1,300/, was yesterday morning made by Peter Moore, Esq., principal officer at North Shields, on board the Eclipse, Capt. Clarke, from Holland. The tobacco was concealed among the ballast in the hold of the vessel. Three of the crew were taken into custody, and will undergo an examination before the magistrates this day. Great credit, we understand, is due to Mr. Moore for his exertions on this occasion, and for the indefatigable spirit he displays in the general discharge of his duties,—,Newcastle Advertiser, THE FRENCH NAVY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. VESSELS IN TOULON ROADS, HEADY TO PUT TO Ocean, 126 guns, 860 men, with the flag of ttawl - Percival Duchesne. Inflexible, 90 guns, 800 men. Neptune, 80 guns, 780 men. Marengo, 80 guns, 780 men. Legere, 2 guns, 80 men. vref . Grondeur, steamer, 2 guns, 120 men, 160-borse yo, er , Tenure, steamer, 2 guns, 120 men, 160-horse ping. It is thought that this steamer requires some insig n cant repairs. ) 01' , Acheron, steamer, 2 guns, 120 men, 160-horse 1) 4 o u sailed from Algiers on the 15th, and anchored in Tau roads on the night of the 18th. Sourerein, 125 guns, 300 men now on board. Hercule, 100 guns, 200 men now on board. Diadame, 87 guns, 200 men now on board. VESSELS ON THE STOCKS IN TOULON HAKHOI II6 Fleurus, 100 guns, about three-quarters finished., Navarin, 100 guns, about three-quarters finish ea• Eylau, 100 guns, about three-quarters finished.. 4 0 Fontenoy, from 80 to 90 guns, about three-qv l j" finished. Sceptre, from 80 to 90 guns, about half finished. Hector, from 80 to 90 guns, about half finished. b ol Castiglione, from 80 to 90 guns, about 01 184 finished. Zenobie, from 90 to 100 guns, nearly finished. Sibylle, from 90 to 100 guns, nearly finished. Poursuivante, from 90 to 100 guns, nearly finish Olivier, brig, 20 guns, three-fourths finished. Topaze, 6 guns, nearly finished. r..t. Castor, iron steam-boat, 220-h orse p ower , no t 0. - vanced. MORTALITY in the METROPOC- , t i ft s I J The following are the results of " A T a bl e o f 3 1 . - e in the Metropolis, showing the Number of Deaths ti all Causes registered in the Week ending Saturdaihof 20th of July, 1844." The Table is issued f ro m' the "- of the Registrar-General:— We . ,e l4f d Total. Ave r 7 c 0 . Five i s gpidemic, Endemic, and Contagious Diseases 251 I I Diseases of variable or uncertain seat Bl ,i S T Diseases of the Brain, Nerves, and Sen ses 154 ' Diseases of the Lungs, and other Organs of 2 , 5 6 Respiration Diseases of the Heart and Blood-vessels 26 Diseases of the Stomach, Liver, and other 69 Organs of Digestion ' 6B Diseases of the Kidneys, &c lO ICO Childbirth, Diseases of the Uterus, &c. l9 6 , Diseases of the Joints, Bones, and Muscles 7 1. Diseases of the Skin, ••• Old Age, or Natural Decay 5l 25 By Violence, Privation, or Intemperance Causes specified 94 6 Deaths from all Causes 896 0 0$ DEATHS FROM THE PRINCIPAL DLSEASES INCLUDED THE ABOVE HEADS. - Total. Week'' ' . c ellgi , Of MO Consumption 129 147 Scarlatina 72 34 Pneumonia . , Dropsy .. ... .. .. ............ Hooping Cough .. l3 33 Typhus ' Small Pox Disease of the Heart Measles 24 28 Apoplexy Diseases of the Brain ...... Diarrhoea.. Sudden Deaths lO 15 DISTRICTS. CAUSES OF DEATH. West l4l 19e; North Central East . 171 207 South 257 242 Total ........ COURSE OF EXCHA Amsterdam CF. 12 4i Ditto, at sight l2 1/ Rotterdam 2U. 12 5 Antwerp 25 90: Hamburgh M.B. 13 12/ Altona l3 13 Paris, 3 days' sight 25 60 Ditto, 3 months 25 85 Marseilles Bourdeaux 25 90 Frankfort on Maine l2l Petersburgh, 3Us 37 Berlin 7 Vienna, effec. fl. 3 M 952 rieste, ditto Madrid 37 N GE.—(YE STERDA )' Gibraltar ..- ,o Leghorn 313 Genoa 25 Milan ..., Venice . . . Naples ........ ... . Palermo, per oz ll°o Lisbon Oporto s 4' 2 3 ' Rio Janeiro Bahia 23 Buenos Ayres ...-- NewYork,2ldys sight --- Philadelphia OP ....0 , PRICES OF BULLION, r iti, ir 9 Foreign Gold, bars. 43 i l,', 5 '' Portugal Gold Coin 3 ; 1 ° New Doubloons__ 0 w 1 New. Dollars 0 ! 11/ Silver in Bars 0 ' Cadiz Bilbao 36 Barcelona 36 ... ___ Seville . Je l EXTRAORDIN ARY H UNT .— i,r0..-c o ie We lately c chase after a roe on L oc h N ess ; an d it again falls w or e lot to record som e thi ng s i m il ar . S ome t i me ago a der red deer was obs erve d on t h e sma ll i s l an d o f Mous 0- 4 , on which the Lismore lighthouse is erected. Che se o , forthwith giv en , an d t h e no bl e an i ma l , f i n di ng hi t he hotly pursued, took to sea, directing his course ° o ar isle of Ferrara. A b oa t was launched, and, after 9 ';0 0 suit of two miles, the deer was captured, in such a_# of exhaustion that he had to be killed.—lnverness SIX POUNDS of TEA, and up war d s , sen t, earr i ngs free part of the Kingdom, at the Wholesale Price, on receipt of tance, or Post-office order. Black, 2e. Bd., 3e., 3s. 4d., 3s. Bd., 45., 4s. 4d. 4s. Sd., 65. Green, 3s. 4d., 3s. Sd., 45., 4s. 4d., 55., ss. 4d. 65., 7S• n. Coffee, 9d., Is., Is. 2d., 1 5 . 4d., I s. t i d., 15.8 d. Is. /od. , ~irc.r. , ; G. T. MANSELL and CO., Wh o l esale Tea Dealers, 2, „.'„ LERSBURY CHEAPSIDE. Agencies will be given to ro s i -c parties of RTHS. On the 25th inst., at BI Wilton-crescent, Lady Doo gl*s' o a son. 94' On the 20th inst., the lady of Thomas Birkbeck, Stackhouse, near Settle, of a daughter. J• o °° On the 23d inst., a t Gl asgow , th e l a d y o f Captai n d, Campbell, 87th Fusiliers, of a son. On the 24th inst., at Laurie-terrace, St. George s 'e - Southwark, the wife of Willi am Hentsch, Esq., ° II — of a son. 3 O ft° On the 24th inst., at Upper Clapton, Mrs. George - of a daughte r . or toO On the 24th i ns t., i n Ch esham-place, the ia d Y Lucas, Esq , of a son. , r , f " •On the 25th inst., at Camden-road Villas, the 0 0 M. Wilkinson, Esq., of a son. JiA ll3 On the 25th i ns t . , at .Manchester-street, the lady of of H. Young, Esq., of a son. On the 22d inst., the lady of John A. T. Smyth , liie o r i Wyer Hall Cottage, Tanners-end, Edmonton, of a I . lB ,l s iii On the 22d inst., at Great Bedford-street, Bath, t tn`hte r',. o Captain G. St. P. Lawrence, Bengal Cavalry, of a dal tP On the 23d inst., at Oatlands Cottage, Weybrl u g lady of George Liddle, Esq., of a daughter. Mrs. °a On the 23d inst., at J o h n - s t ree t, B e df or d- ro w, Taylor, of a son. 11 9 r On the 23d inst., in T orr i ng t on - square , th e wi f e ° T. man Oliver Haynes, Esq., of a daughter. w e of On the 23d in s t., a t T urn h am green, W. - Leigh, Esq., surgeon, of a daughter. HARRIED. t iji" On the 24th inst., at St. Nicholas Church, Yarmout„ i ii , a rifif'; Rev. James Mackenzie, Hannah, daughter of D. merchant, to John Eager Barnby, of the same FOP 131°— _ merchant. ~or , George's,At St. Hanover-square, John Henry' °f. to Sarah, third daughter of tiie late Richard ScPY ell ' Greenwood, near Dublin. DIED. str eet , . On Saturday, the 27th inst., at his house in Jal:aes- St. James's Park, Henry Bedford, Esq., age d 62. , vet So 1 1 , 1— On the 15th of F e b ruar y, 1844, at Sydney', Dar Wf ales, Isabella, wife of Captain Frank - Marsb, "*- jesty's 80th R eg i men t. o ira On the 22d inst., in Beaumont-street, George C hea '' son of H. P. Russell, Esq , of the Bengal Civil Serve' or icir , On the 22d inst., at Boulogne-sur-Mer, eldest son of Mr. T. Oli ver , of Amwell-street , square, aged 20. l a 64) 0 If On the 22d inst., at Hastings, Louisa, w ife of — r * Woodger, of Gloucester-place, Camden. town. On the 24th inst., Mathew Aldridge, Esq., of 11°1 0 00 r On the 24th inst., at Richmond, Surrey-, Samuel „' A ef, Esq., a magistrate fur the counties of Surrey and 111idu07,--"; If 10V/ ig, London : Printed and Published by MURD° 50. 0C No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Sun 0 ilicebotti Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in th e Mddlegam, Saturday, July 27, 1e44. ON THE COAST OF AFRICA. Suffren, 90 guns, 780 men—With the flag of the Princ e de Joinville, quitted, on the morning of the 7th, th e roads of Mers-el-Keber, near to Oran, and sailed in the direction of Gibraltar. Jemmapes, 100 guns, 890 men. Triton, 80 guns, 730 men. Belle Poule, 60 guns, 740 men. Labrador, steamer, 4 guns, 208 men, 450-horse powe r —Entered Oran on the 11th, from Djeemmaa-Ghazas tle; landed provisions, immediately transported to 'All a. Magnus. Aomod6e, steamer, 12 guns, 230 men, 450-horse powe r ' Orenque, steamer, 4 guns, 205 men, 450-horse power' ' Pluton steamer, 7 guns, 180 men, 220-horse powe r " Returned to Oran on the 10th, from Tangier. Gassendi f steamer, 10 guns, 180 men, 22041 00 power. V6oce, steamer, t; guns, 180 men, 220-horse power. Cuvier, steamer, 6 guns, 205 men, 320-horse power. Phare, steamer, 6 guns, 150 men, 160-horse power. Castor, steamer,' 2 guns, 120 men, 160-horse poWer,:: This vessel had received orders to sail from Oran on 01,7 6th fur Toulon, but the account of the battle of the 3 ; having reached that port on the sth, she was detaineuf and is still in the roads. Etna, steamer, 2 guns, 120 men, 160-horse pdvre r- :k The Etna and the Tartare entered Oran on the 125: from Algiers, with two transports in tow, having _.°° 0' board 155 horses, belonging to the artillery. The sailed on the evening of the 12th for Algiers. Tartare, steamer, 2 guns, 120 men, 160-horse po or —See Etna. Euphrate, steamer, 2 guns, 120 men, 160-horse polver_.; k Chime steamer, 2 guns, 120 men, 160-horse po wer This boat was in the roads of Mers-el-Keber on the 61 when the news of the battle of the 3d having been T, ceived, she was on the Bth sent to Algiers, when,lls"„ o f taken on board a large quantity cf ammunition, 6W &c., she sailed on the 9th for the west. Rubis, steamer, 2 guns, 60 men, 80-horse power. Var, steamer, 2 guns, 30 men, 50 horse power. M6teore steamer, 2 guns, 120 men, 160-horse powe r ' Coeyte, steamer, 2 guns, 120 men, 160-horse power Sphinx, steamer, 2 guns, 120 men, 160-horse power. Aube, transport, 600 tons. Provensale, transport, 600 tons. lurk , Perdrie, transport, 600 tons. This transport, m- 0 with ammunition, &c., from Toulon, anchored in roads of Mers-el-Kober on the 12th; •1 ( , 70,j7i Obtlit SAOOi The 5( Prc 4 C -41 throrgl Part to th e "%girth, IsYlll 110 inet of. cotes, r Care given a posite; lable .ue sgert Te a slx B agar . ..t.r.ty •hia naett t 6 be tel eonvb Perz e i, e. ' kit . alma avo ry . 141. Pair, • 11-1 4 bitt o bandit iZakr —ll- • the.. Piv 4 P en t . t g I.t, d Os Th e% 5_4.3 F. THE SUN, LONDON, SAT,IMIDAY EVENING, JULY G 27, 18. run bet , we& Pre ope the. PR, oee, eac gUlz at t Con eitee Line the will Itep( rate ke term proe( Ireun and T 1 Edin' Seat; Is, to icto, The auLiic 3 ,000, are et ., Fri Fur J • A. Posta ; • Ottin, b,fs,r,t It amp ly , early tl errler nlay y erne Yor k) th e 3 Share Yorl B