The Sun. — London, England, 1851-04-01 00:00:00

nt to then e in- I Ca 'ed it Al on that mens cruite Mon• aware ore it Peet to profit as SO e%' a, and hould t been ❑. and of the v that )11 al' } THE SUN, perals and privates. But they enjoyed the benefit of a better style of messing, reading-rooms, and other cora- i forts; and if they had not so large a residue of pay as , they ought to have in comparison with the corporals and privates, those advantages counterbalanced the redaction. In his opinion, therefore, that complaint was not well founded. But it was said that sergeants not only did not get good-service money, but that if for any reason they were reduced to the ranks they were not entitled to the good-service allowance, while the same rule did not apply to corporals. In that re spect ho admitted that the sergeants had some ground of complaint, and he proposed to make some improve ment in the system. There was another point, also, on which he thought the sergeants had a right to complain. A sergeant could not retire on a pension as sergeant Uri less he had for three years filled that rank. Now the number of sergeants who had served for less than three years in that rank was very inconsiderable, and he was not disposed to deprive the few who might so retire of the right to the usual pension of their comrades. Sir DE LACY EVANS said he thought that officers of the line laboured under one manifest disadvantage as compared with officers of the Guards. It had been re peatedly stated by the highest authorities before Com mittees of that House, that the higher ranks of the army were obtained in the Guards in about eight or ten years less time than in the line; so that ou an average about 20 years' service on the banks of the Thames was equi valent to 30 years' service on tho banks of the Sutlej.— (Hear, hear.) In his opinion there was a real griev ance in that case. His Ilon. Friend the Member for Montrose had complained that the British army cost more in proportion to its numbers than any other army in the world. Now, there was no doubt but it was a costly army; but it should be remembered that it was Subject to many expenses which were unknown in the ar mies of other countries, and that no other army went through anything like the same amount of work. The practice of purchasing commissions was a heavy charge on the British officers. He could pledge himself to the Rouse that the amount of money they had so paid was near 10,000,0001. He had always opposed the system of purchasing commissions, but it should be acknowledged that it was an economical one for the country. Under that system officers sold theircommissiens to other officers, and the public was by that means saved the charge of many a pension. Sir H. VERNEY said that officers of the Guards were not alway s men who led inactive lives. Colonel Mackin ion, who was at present entrusted with so important a command at Kafraria, was one of those officers. He did not deny that officers in the Guards obtained promotion more rapidly than officers in the line, but the latter officers did not complain of that. With regard to the ex penses of the two kinds of service, he should observe that a return had been made out some veers ago of the Coat of maintaining 1,200 men in the line, and 1,200 men in the Guards; and he believed, that if that return were produced, it would be seen from it that there was but a very slight difference between the two charges. Mr. GRENVILLE BERKELEY said that, as a for mer officer of the line, he could say he that he believed there was not the slightest jealousy between the line and the Guards. After a few words from Col. CHATTERTON, which were not distinctly heard in the gallery, Mr. HENLEY said he believed the Right Hon. Gen tleman the Secretary at War would find, on further ex amination, that the sum of 9,600 L, to which he had already referred, was included in the sum of 949611., Which the Right Hon. Gentleman had stated as the amount in the savings banks. It certainly appeared so in the return which had been signed by the Right Hon. Gentleman himself. He could not, however, tell how far that fact would affect the number of depositors; but the Right Hon. Gentleman would probably give them some information upon that point on some future occasion. Mr. HUME said that the statements which had been made with respect to the position of the different corps showed that the Government ought to take the matter into their hands with a view to place it on a more satis factory footing. Another point to which he should direct the attention of the Right Hon. Gentleman was the cost of the recruiting system, which at present amounted to more than 100,0001. It had been proved before the Committee up-stairs that that sum might be reduced by one-half if recruiting were left in the hands of the officers of the pensioner corps. Mr. F. MAULE said that he had not yet made up his mind as to the policy of transferring the recruiting sys tem to the pensioner corps. The matter was still under his consideration. Sir DE LACY EVANS said he had been happy to have heard that there had of late years been a decided improvement in the sanitary condition of our troops. He Was afraid, however, that nothing had yet been done to render the condition of the barracks at Barbadoes less unhealthy than it had been. A dreadful mortality had taken place two years ago in Barbadoes, and that mor tality was distinctly traceable to the barracks. He trusted that the Right Hon. Gentleman would endeavour to rectify that evil. The Committee then divided, and the numbers were— For the amendment ... ... 31 Against it ... .. 135 Majority against the amendment ... 104 On our return to the gallery we found Mr- W. WILLIAMS complaining of various charges d allowances for the maintenance of the Guards. Among other items, there was a table allowance of 5,004/, for the o ffi cers on duty at St. J ames ' s. There were two breakfasts provided for those officers, one at nine and the other at eleven o'clock. There was also a dinner pro vided for them at seven o'clock, with an unlimited supply of port and sherry and claret from the period of the removal of the cloth until ten o'clock. There were 1,308 men in the Guards, and in the two first regiments of Dragoons, which he found in the Army List—namely, the Dragoon Guards and the Light Dragoons, there were 1,302; but to the 1,308 men in the Guards there were 96 officers, while to the 1,302 men in those regiments of Dragoons there were only 80 officers. There was a still greater difference between the number of non-commis sioned officers in the two cases. In the case of the Guards the number of those officers was 159, while the number in the case of the Dragoon regiments was only 110. Then again, under the h ea d o f a ll owances to fi e ld o ffi cers, cap tains, riding-masters, and farriers, the allowance in the Guards was 6 ,4481., while in the two Dragoon regiments the allowance was only 3,026/. And egain, for clothing, the charge in the Guards was 10,3921., while in the two Dragoon regiments the charge was only 5,2871. The allowances fur 5,260 officers in the Guards amounted to 20,7371., whilst those of the Ist, 3d. sth, 7th, and 13th Regiments of the line, embracing 5,67 S officers, or 118 more than those in the Guards, amounted only to 1,9901 In the clothing there was a corresponding increase, so that, in point of fact, if the costs of the Guards were reduced to the level of the line regiments, they would be able to add 2,880 men to the strength of the army, or to save a p roport i onate amount o f expen di ture. All this was kept up for the sake of the aristocracy or their immediate connexions. —(A laugh.) He proposed to re duce the vote by 81,1521. Mr. F. MAULE had hoped, after the discussion which taken place on the comparative merits of the Guards and the line, that the Committee would not have been called upon to enter again upon that vexed question. He cer tainly had never heard any complaints made by officers in the line of the inequalities to which the Hon. Mem ber had referred. These exclusive privileges had be longed to the Guards for many years, and were well known to all who were entering the army. The allow ance for the guard at St. James's Palace had been the subject of inquiry before Committees, who, neverthe less, had not recommended its discontinuance. This, however, was not a privilege exclusively enjoyed by the Guards, but was shared by any other troops which hap. Pened to be there. In Dublin the same alto wance was made, and he (Mr. F. Maule) in his evidence had cer tainly recommended that both should be retained. Colonel DUNNE said his objection was not to the pay of the Guards, but tc their advantages in the way of ; promotion and if the lion. Member for Lambeth could have limited his amendment to that object, he would have given it his support. He trusted, however, that the public feeling would ultimately put an end to the ra ms , Mr. HUME said he had never complained of the amount of the pay either in the army or the navy; on the contrary, he had often said that it was not enough. Ilia complaint was as to the number employed. What he wished to see was equality established between the officers in every department of the service. The Committee then divided, when there appeared— For the vote ... ..• 84 For the amendment „, 15 Majority in favour of the veto... —69 On the vote of 159,9321. for the expenses of the general Staff, Mr. HUME complained of the amount of the vote, seeing that the reduction made in the colonial military establishments rendered it unnecessary to maintain so large a number of staff officers. Mr, F. MAULE said reductions had been made. The vote was then agreed to. On the vote of 92,7471. f or a ll owances an d con ti ngen t °lPenses for the several departments of her Majesty's 11 " 1, 1 forces, • WILLIANS complain e d o f t h e retent i on of the 1 °w„eeooo of D epu ty Judge Advocat e , at a nee dl ess expense o f ,/. , when the duties of the principal were so light. P. SIAULE said the duties of the Judge Advocate and his deputy were of very great importance, for the t r oceedings of all cout-martinis passed through their ands, and it was their duty to see that they were con formable to law. Mr. lIUME cou ld no t understand why the appoint ment of a Minister of War, recommended by a Corn taittee, of whi c h fi ve Members of the present Gov ernment I ' l ere part d bw hich a great saving would be e e , ati y W 4 q not been made. All reform appeared to be S t o pped for the present. The vote was then agreed to. mi C i r n the vote of 16,901/. for t h e e xpenses of the Royal It arY College , Colo ne l REID wished to take that opportunity of perotesting against the system of subjecting officers to an atination on their p r o m otion. He had listened wi th great pain whe n h e h ear d t h e sc h eme propounded, for he :G eld not b ut feel that it was a calamity to wou nd the v oGrit and humiliate the feelings of gentlemen in the ser e'bY subjecting them to an examination before a pe h-gogue i n the abstract sciences; and he certainly had hr,d that the Right lion. Gentleman would have qua ould hoi:levhis proposition ia some way or other. He regretted, er, to find that the plan was to be carried out. He go further, would and deny the necessity and the on cos, utility of a knowledge of these abstract sci- He would appeal to the Right Hon. Gentleman Roo°,rrnation of that assertion. He trusted the Right stde _ . entletnan would apply his strong mind to the 11 , e l' ea " , s and would point out to the officers of the army out ktin of studying on their own account, and holding i m a n to those who did so. Any person rol ue d lo o k e , ° into the regiment as a pedagogue would be Itevea uPen as a sort of s p y, an d no gent l eman h e be n he be o 1 titte rer] d accept such an appointment. lie con ', tha - regghtiou would be extremely unjust as regarded officers who had purchased their commissions before its promulgation. There was an honourable understanding that those gentlemen who so purchased were entitled to their pro motio❑ after a certain period, and he denied that they had any right to impose upon men who had em barked their fortunes in the army a new condition — namely, the learning of algebra, Euclid, logarithms, &c. He co uplained that those examinations were conducted most capriciously, unfairly, and absurdly. He knew• a case of a young gentleman, whose father told him be was asked, among other absurd questions, what was the dif ference between a monk and a friar.—(Great laughter.) The answer of the young man he did not hear, but he stated that the answer which was on the tip of his tongue, but that he feared it would be considered imper tinent, was, "Six of ono end half-a-dozen of the other." —(Renewed laughter.) Lie complained also of the great expense to which these gentlemen were put by being sent to private tutors to be crammed. lie hoped the Right lion. Gentleman would take the matter into his serious consideration. Mr. F. MAIJ LE had heard many objections to giving instruction to officers of the army, but the Hon. and Gal lant Gentleman was the first who had the courage to stand up in defence of the old state of ignorance of the officers of the army. It was a degree of courage that he did not expect from a military man. They had begun to educate the soldiers, and he doubted whether the officers would like to be more ignorant than the soldiers—that they should exceed in professional knowledge those under whom they acted. Such a state of things would produce a feeling of contempt for those officers in the minds of the men. So far as he was concerned, it was his desire that no books should be published containing questions and answers, but that young officers should be called up to the table and be asked questions origi nating in the mind of the examiner. With regard to the examination of cornets and ensigns on their pro motion, it was purely of a professional character, and on the promotion of an officer to a company the examina tion was far more difficult and comprehensive. He be lieved the complaint was not of the examination, but that officers were not afforded an opportunity of acquir ing that information. In the garrison of Portsmouth there was a very able man appointed to instruct, not the officers, but the men, and yet he was invited by many of the officers to give them instruction upon various branches upon which they required to be informed. He should shortly come to the House to ask them to pro vide instructors for the officers who would be men of their own rank and station, and he believed that these men, instead of being looked upon with suspicion, would be sought and their weiety courted by the other officers. Colonel REID bad no intention whatever to disparage the character of the officers of the army. He thought when the Duke of Wellington, who bad had the control of the army for forty years, had not interfered, it was too much of the Right Hon. Gentleman to introduce that innovation. Mr. HUME thought if there was one thing more than another for which the Right Honourable Gentleman de served credit, it was the instruction of the officers of the army. If the Duke of Wellington had not interfered during fcrty years, so much the worse. The British army was notorious for its ignorance —(011, oh) — the officers at any rate.—(lronical cheers.) Take an English battalion, and place it side by side with a French one, and he was satisfied that they would have no chance with the French, all of whom received a regular professional education. This was certainly one of the things for which ho was disposed to give the Go vernment credit.—(bear.) In the Military College there were only 180 cadets, and ho did not think it was ne cessary for that small number to maintain a governor, at 1,000/. per annum, a deputy governor, and a large staff of officers. The establishment was far too expen sive. He thought there ought to be a talented officer selected to teach the young officers professional know ledge and military tactics. Rules should be laid down for all young men ent-ring the service in future, and when it was known that this knowledge was requisite previously to promotion, all would avail themselves of it. He thought it rather hard, however, that the rule should be applied to those who wero already ten or twelve years in tbo service. Sir DE LACY EVANS concurred with the Hon. Member for Montrose, that this new system of instruc tion in the army was one of the things for which the Government deserved the highest credit. He hoped the Right Hon. Gentleman would not be deterred by the objections of the Hon. and Gallant Member opposite from persevering in his plan. Hitherto money alone was considered the main ingredient i❑ promotion, but now there was a chance of merit being considered and rewarded. Colonel DUNNE did not see any objection to the publication of those " Manuels of Instruction," which were perfectly necessary to carry out the system of in- struction. The vote was then agreed to. On the next vote, 18,0101. for defraying the charge of the Royal Military Asylum and the Hibernian Military School, Mr. HUME said that in this Royal Military Asylum there were 350 boys, and 114 persons to attend on them. This appeared to be a most extravagant expense upon the country. He recollected a school having been esta blished in Spits'fields some time ago, where there were 1,000 pupils educated at an expense of only 1101. Mr. F this asylum MA umw y s L e E stabsaiiisdhetdhleoyrin of mind providingt hat the purpose shouldbesr for the orphan children of soldiers, where they were edu cated by schoolm as t ers • in the army; indeed they were all there in the course of training for the position of schoolmasters for the British army. It was impossible to support these establishments upon more economical principles. The Hon. Member seemed to think it ad visable to bring over the children in the Hibernian School for the purpose of making one establishment of the whole; there was, however, good reason for keeping up the Hibernian School in Ireland, inasmuch as the chil dren there were principally Catholic orphans, and the arrangements there for the education of such were much more convenient than they could have been in the Royal Military Asylum here. He believed, too, that it was a model institution, and was most admirably conducted. Mr. HUME said that the money demanded fur these establishments was sufficient to maintain four times the number of children in them. Ho was informed that the eldest of the boys in them was only fourteen. He thought that those children could be better brought up in the country. After a few words from Sir DE LACY EVANS and Mr. F. MAULE in reply, The vote was agreed to. Tho next vote proposed was 65,0001. for defraying the charge of volunteer corps. Mr. W. MILES was very much satisfied with the manner in which his Right Hon. Friend had spleen of the yeomanry corps when the subject was last before the House. He (Mr. Miles) had the honour for some years to command a regiment, and he requested the Right Hon. Gentleman to consider the short time that was allowed to the yeomanry corps to exercise and become disciplined. They had only five days in the year. Surely the Right Hon. Gentleman did not suppose that under such circumstances they could obtain that efficiency which it was so desirable they should have? Was the Right Hon. Gentleman, too, of opinion that 7s. a man was too high payment when they were called out for exercise —whether that exercise be fur permanent duty, or for such as was contemplated this year? The year before last they had three optioes—viz., either not to go out at all —(Laughter)—to go out in detachments for three days, or as regular regiments. He wished to ask the Right Hon. Gentleman whether he thought they could go out as regiments with their horses for only ss. a man? He (Mr. Miles) did not complain of such payment; but it must come to this, that if we wished to keep up the effi ciency of the yeomanry, we ought not to pay them less than 7s. This payment must be made up by the com manders, if they wished to preserve their corps in a state of efficiency. If they touched the contingent fund for this purpose, bow were they to meet the expenses of clothing and other contingencies? Let us have either an efficient body of men or none at all. Any vote that re duces the cost of the yeomanry, cannot but be detrimen tal to th© interests of the country. He would now refer to the speech made last year by the Hon. Member for Bristol (Nlr. H. Berkeley) on this subject. The motives and actions of the yeomanry were misconstrued by the Hon. Gentleman on that occasion. That Hon. Gentleman then said, in speaking of the Bristol riots, that the West Semersetshire Yeomanry, during that time, were locked up in a riding school by order of the authorities, to pre vent the people doing them harm.—(Laughter.) Now the facts were these, that orders were issued by the magistrates of Bristol, requiring Captain Shute to call out his troop. The troop, however, mustered so exceedingly small, being only seventeen, that, on the fact being reported to the magistrate, they were ordered to march to the riding-house, and to wait there until further orders. Captain Shute obeyed those orders. The military having al retired out of Bristol, this troop rendered most effi cient service in placing the stores in safety. Captain Shute, with his small troop, exhibited the greatest courage and efficiency en the occasion. When the or ders were given for the assembling of the regiments up on a Sunday morning, many of them had to march upwards of forty miles into Bristol. Thanks were given to them, not only by the magistrates of Bristol, but also by the general who was then in command of the mili tary. In these thanks Captain Shute's troop was parti cularly specified as having been most active and efficient on the occasion. The troops that did not tura out on the Sunday were dismissed on the Monday morn ing. Such was the plain statement he had to make in answer to the violent speech of the Honourable Member for Bristol.—(Cries of " Oh, oh!") Well, he would call it the humorous and sarcastic speech made by the Hon. Gentleman last year. He hoped and trusted that when next the Hon, Member for Bristol thought it necessary to make an attack upon the corps of yeomanry, he would have the courtesy to inform the leading members of the corps in that House of his intention. He (Mr. Miles) had been frequently out on duty with his corps, and whenever they were Failed upon to assist the civil force, he had found them invariably ready to a man to do their duty in a manner most.. r .creditabl e t o them—(lean) Al • tEREELEY thought the onslaught just made upon him by the Gallant General—(Laughter)—he really forgot the dignity of the Hon. Member—well, by the Gailunt Colonel, d eman d e d a brief reply from him. He would endeavour to show the Hon. end Gallant member that he was not quite so much to blame in the matter as he might suppose. He hoped that the Gallant Colonel, who formed the vanguard in the present attack upon hi m . would not be followed by the Hon. and Gallant Member for Warwickshire (Mr. Newdegate), who had under his command a mournful and dangerous troop. Indeed, when he considered how many Hon. Members in that House wore connected with the yeo manry, he could not but el his situation somewhat ' alarming, and he was reminded of the lines in " Hu dibras :" " Oh, what dangers do environ The 131 P that meddles Iva gold LON DON, —(Laughter.) He had endeavoured to show that the yeomanry, as military men, were perft , ct impostors, and as cobs'abulary of not the least use.—(Renewed laugh ter) That was the position which he took up upon the occasion referred to, and he referred to the Bristol riots. The accusation he then made was not from himself, but was one which he had quoted from the Bristol Gazette, an old established paper, and the editor of which, as the Honourable Member for Somersetshire must know, was a highly respectable and trustworthy gentleman. That paper stated that a body of men from the West Somer sets'lre yeomanry had b-en called upon by the magis trates upon the Saturday of the three days' riots (Satur day, Sunday, and Monday, being those three days). Mr. W. MILES—They were not called upon until the Sunday. Mr. LI. BERKELEY would be able to show that they wero called upon by the magistrates on the Saturday, but they never appeared until the Sunday.—(Cheers and laughter.) And when they appeared they showed in such small numbers— Mr. MILES—It was only a troop. Mr. 11. BERKELEY knew it was only a troop. It was the Bedminster troop. The Bedminster troop, being the nearest to Bristol, to whom therefore should the magistrates apply but to them ? They came up, as he had said, but in such small numbers, that they were locked up in the riding-house in Portmore-lane, by con sent of Captain Shute—(Laughter)—not S. h-double-o-t, but S-h-u-t-e.—(Loud laughter.) A letter appeared in the Bristol Gazette at the time, stating that Captain Shute concurred in opinion with the magistrates that his troop having assembled in such small numbers, should be shut up.—(Laughter.) That was the statement of the editor of the Bristol Gazette, referring to his files of the year 1831. He held the statement in his hand, and any Honourable Member who wished to read it was welcome to do so. He had the greatest respect for his Hon. Friend (Mr. Miles), the gallant leader of gallant men— (A laugh)—and he believed as to his gallant corps, that take them off their horses, and take them out of uni form—in which they looked like hogs in armour — (Laughter)—put them into smockfrocks, and put a stick into their hands, and they would make excellent special constables. But, as a county constabulary—laugh ! (Laughter)—they never did distinguish themselves, and never would.—(Continued laughter.) They would al ways be a most unfortunate defence against riots if they were called into action. Mr. MILES explained. The yeomanry could not be called out with a magistrate's order, and it was by order of Alderman Daniels that they retired to the riding- house. Mr. HUME hoped that the House, after the speech o his Hon. Friend (Mr. H. Berkeley), would be prepared to dispense with the vote altogether.—(A laugh.) Mr. F. MAULE could not agree with the Hon. Mem ber for Bristol in the aspersions which ho had cast upon the yeomanry cavalry.- 7 (Cheera.) He could not concur with him in thinking them " impostors" as soldiers, for the reports which he had seen from experienced officers of the army warranted him in stating, that if well drilled and well disciplined, the yeomanry would per form any duty that any body of men could be called upon to perform.—(Hear, hear.) He regarded them as an admirable force. Colonel CHATTERTON, having inspected the yeo manry cavalry 69 times, could state that he had found them in the highest state of efficiency, far exceeding what could have been supposed from the short period of train ing they had had.—(Hear.) He regarded them as a loyal, admirable, and devoted body of men.—(Cheers.) Mr. H. BERKELEY said ho should oppcse this vote.—(Oh, oh.) The gallery was then cleared for a division, but the reporters were almost immediately re-admitted, Mr. H. Berkeley having withdrawn his opposition. Mr, EDWARDS should be sorry to see Mr. H. Ber keley in the regiment to which he belonged.—(A laugh.) The Hon. Member had talked of the officers of the yeo manry as " hogs in armour." —(Laughter.) What would the Hon. Member look like if he were arrayed in the uniform?—(A laugh.) He would look very unlike an officer, he should think. He hoped he should never see that Hon. Member among his corps.—(A laugh.) Mr. HUME thought it a pity the House should not have a division.—Cries of " Divide" from the Opposition benches.) The vote was then agreed to. Mr. F. MAULE said he did not propose to take any more votes for the army to-night. ORDNANCE ESTIMATES. Colonel ANSON, in rising to bring forward the ordnance estimates, said that when they were under con sideration last year be felt it necessary to go into more than the usual details. It would not bo necessary to trespass now for so long a time upon their patience. It would be seen in these estimates that the amount demanded this year showed a slight diminution from that of last year. The reduction was 22,9201. The Committee would not, he trusted,:imagine but that every requisite attention had been given to the consideration of all tke items com prised in these estimates. The changes that had recently been made had led to great reductions within the last two years, and it would be seen that the decrease in these estimates since 1849 was about 580,6461. The Govern ment were most aexious that this expenditure should be confined within the lowest possible limits, and it was no doubt the object of Parliament to carry out their wishes. It must be remembered the vast services that were to be performed by this department, and the expense of it must be regulated in proportion to such services. He (Colonel Anson) believed that there would be great improvement found in this department, coupled with an increased efficiency. He did not think a varying estimate on ,a fixed payment was desirable, because it indicated a want of fixed principle; but those who had read the report of the Committee up-stairs would, he was satisfied, acquit the department of the Ordnance of any extravagance. The reductions recommended by the Committee had been adopted where practicable, and there was no want of care and attention on the part of the Government and the department to make them available. But economy was not always retrenchment—especially in the Ord nance service, in respect of which no change so imme diately affected the public. He would, however, proceed to the votes, asking the llon. Member for Montrose to exclude altogether from his charge as against the Ord nance department, the first on the list, seeing that it was a purely military vote; though he (Colonel Anson) could not omit the opportunity of bearing his testimony to the high state of efficiency, and the great value of the Ordnance military corps—engineers, drivers, and sappers and miners. The amount for this vote was 712,7551., being 1731. less than last year; but then there had been no changes in that service since then. The hos pital expenses were less by 1,1691. than last year. This year, however, the soldiers' pay and stoppages while in hospital were included. The items for schools came next ; and he was glad to say in that particular the Ordnance corps was not behind the army. The artillery schools up to 1840 had been sup ported by voluntary contributions. Since then they had been supported by the public. There were now schools at 21 stations; and they cost the public in all 3971. The course of study was English grammar, geography, alge bra, the use of tke globes, practical geometry, mensura tion, measurement of heights and distances, and Scrip ture history. Besides this there was another course for non-commissioned officers to improve themselves further in practical geometry, mensuration of solids, extraction of the square root, plane and spherical trigonometry, &c. The most satisfactory accounts were given of their pro gress. At Woolwich there was inadequate accommoda tion, and the increase of this year was for the purpose of increasing that accommodation. The attendance was — Non-commissioned officers ... ... 235 Gunners and drivers ... 258 Trumpeters ... ... 116 Boys ... 237 In 1834 there was a library established for non-commis sioned officers. In 1835 there was one for gunners and drivers, but recently the officers' library had been given to the former, and the library of the latter to the gun ners, such was the desire of the latter for information. The regimental savings banks had also increased, both in the number of depositors and in the amount deposited. There were in 1846-7, 383 depositors and £3,018 deposits. 1849-50, 1,109 7,300 Touching the instruction of officers it would be found that that had also been attended to. There was a captain of artillery placed as the director of artillery studies, and all the second lieutenants received from him a practical direction to their studies. The next point he would ad vert to was the allowance to married soldiers. There was an error in the estimates as regarded the non-com missioned officers in this respect. The allowance was set down at Id. per day; but the Treasury had granted them 2d. per day for the purpose. He was happy to say, also, that there were no fewer than 52 new cottages built upon Woolwich-common for the accommodation of married soldiers and non-commissioned officers which were at a nominal rent,— 7d. a week to the former. With respect to corporal punishment in the Ordnance corps, the report he had to make was highly satisfactory. There were in 1846-7, with 10,000 men 81 corporal punishments. 1848-9, an increased number 34 ff 1850, there were °lily ... 6 The vote for recruiting would be found to be reduced. Recruiting was now conducted in a most economical manner. The next vote was for commissariat allow ances (No. 2). This was 5,580/. less than last year, There was an increase on the article of forage, because of the increased value of that article, and also because there were 328 horses more in the corps. But there was a decrease of 8,000!. in coals, 1,700/. in candles, and 314/. in palliasse straw. The diminution was therefore ... £10,282 The increase 10,403 Leaving a difference ... £l2l The barrack supply was 4 , 9 6 81 . less this year than last; and when it was considered that the army was 120,000 strong, that there were 400 barracks in all, and that the average was not 10/. per man each year, it could not be called extravagant. With respect to the great coats of the army, there was a diminution of 3,0001. Next year, however, he did not anticipate a reduction, because a new coat had been approved of which would be more expensive than the present. The third vote was that for the Ord nance Office; a vote which had engaged the attention of the Committee up stairs very closely. Oa this vote there appeared a diminution of 11,000/. Ile did not take credit for all this amount, as part of it had been transferred to the next vote. The actual diminution, however, was 3,6041. Ile considered no objection could be raised to the vote in its reduced form. The next vote was for the expenses in the United Kingdom and colonies. He would not go through an explanation in detail, but the result was that 8,600/. less was asked this year compared with last year. The vote would have been 15,000/. less than last year had not the store keeper's department been added to it. A decrease of 5,200/. would be found in the colonial ordnance establish ments, and there were other diminutions at home. He be lieved every practical economy had been carried out. The strictest orders had been given to the colonial authorities to carry out reductiona wherever practicable, and Go- TUESDAY 1851. EVENING, vernment had received reports—which reports had been supervised by the governors of the colonies, and the vote had been framed on the lowest possible scale. For wages, the vote this year was 228,0001., which was 6,000/. less than last. This vote bad been under consideration, and every reduction practicable had been insisted upon. Woolwich establishment had been closely looked into, and all expenses hereafter would be rigidly scrutinised. The next vote was for stores. This vote had always called for severe remarks from the advocates of economy. The vote was 194,1901, being 16,7221. less than the pre vious year. For small arms the vote was 14,000/Jess than last year. Government had held their hand with respect to the manufacture of small arms, in consequence of the change of arms and improvements made on the Continent. He had all these alleged improvements under inspection and trial. He believed the improve ments, though very pretty to look at, would not, on trial, be found of such importance as to require serious changes to be made. At all events the sub ject would have careful attention. He would not go into particulars to prove that this amount was indispen sable. That would be seen if the items were carefully and impartially looked into. The next vote was for buildings, &c.; the amount was 470,3471., being 32,283/. more than last year. The increase arose from the ne cessity for new works. An addition to the barracks at Wellington was required, and this had helped to swell the vote. Also at Woolwich the sum of 5,0001. was required for an ordnance institution. This was con formable to the recommendation of the Committee, and be was sure groat benefit would flow from the applica tion of this money. There was also a new fort to be built, and 10,001. had been required; and this money ho considered had been well laid out. Then, the sum of 10,000/. for hospitals (we understood) could not be objected to. There was also a sum of 21,000/. for the purchase of Carlisle Fort. This arose out of one of those improvident bargains made by a former Government. A rent of 1,0001. was paid to a gentle man for this fort. It was right, therefore, to buy up the lease, as being the most economical mode of getting rid of a bad bargain, which, heconsidered, ought to have long ago been off the hands of the Government. It would be found that the increase of 30,0001. was more than balanced by reductions in other quarters. The next vote was for surveys of England, Ireland, and Scotland. He was aware that objections had been raised to this vote—he was prepared to meet those objections, but not at that moment. The sum required was 65,0001. a year, but a much larger grant would be required, otherwise this service would be much cramped. If a Committee were granted, it would be found that a much larger sum was wanted than was usually demanded.— (Laughter.) He was much interested in this matter, and if Hon. Members could but see the new maps on the reduced scale, they would find that nothing like them was in the possession of other nations. The total amount of the vote was 97,654/.; this would include all the sums required for scientific grants. He had nom gone through the items at length, and he again repeated, if any vote were taken separately by his Hon. Friend (Mr. Hume), and he pointed out where any large reduc tion could be made, he would be happy to meet him on that point. The Hon. Gentleman would no doubt refer to the colonies; but it was for Government to decide on the expediency of keeping up establishments necessary for the service of the country. The Hon. Member would perhaps object to the stores, but he could assure the Hon. Member every reduction was being made that was practicable. He could tell his Hon. Friend that every description of stores, particularly colonial stores, had been closely looked into. Some of the colonies, instead of advocating a reduction in the amount of stores, pointed out the necessity for an increase. Ha might have gone into further details, but he would wait until Hon. Members made their objections, and then he would reply to them in detail. The first vote was for 14,5731., one including commissioned and non-com missioned officers composing the civil, ordnance, and military corps. Mr. HUME looked at the total of the votes, and found that only a saving of about 22,0001. was contemplated out of an expenditure of 2,900,0001., and this he consi dered was much less than it ought to be. He had over hauled all the items, and he found there was great room for retrenchment. He complained] that they khad been going on accumulating stores until they had be come altogether useless. The expense of taking care of them and the storage had the effect of trebling their cost, and at the end they were entirely useless. He wished the Committee to mark the rapid and enor mous increase in the expense of that department. In 1834, 5, and 6, the average was little more than 1,000,000/. sterling. In 1846 the amount was 2,300,0001; in 1847, 2,900,0001. ; in 1848, 3,000,0001.; in . 1949, when some little economy was forced upon them, it fell to 2,300,0004; in 1850 it was 2,400,0001; and in the present year it amounted to the same sum of 2,400,0001. In every one of the departments, at home and abroad, connected with the ordnance, considerable increase had taken place. The artillery and engineers were actually higher now than they were during the war. Ho thought it extremely objectionable that these branches of the service never had their fair share of employment, al though kept up at so enormous an expense. At the same time he was extremely gratified to find the great diminution that had taken place in the number of punish ments. It showed that in proportion as they attended to the moral instruction of the soldiers in the same pro portion would the men be steady and well conducted. He was an advocate for the removal of the office from Pall-mall; It was a great additional expense to the coun try, and was of no use whatever. He thought, under the present improved system, when they could obtain any supply of stores upon the shortest notice, that it was very unadvisable to be accumulating such an immense quantity of materials, many of which were perishable. Abroad more particularly the stores rapidly deteriorated. He had shown the enormity of this vote, and the man ner in which it had been doubled within the last few years, and ho believed it was all owing to the apathy and indifference of the House of Commons. Mr. WILLIAMS said if he took the period of 1829 to 1839, including the Administrations of the DukOof Wellington, Earl Grey, and Lord Melbourne, it would be found that the number of men was only 8,550 at an expense of 1,546,0001.; while the Hon. and Gallant Member now asked for 14,571 men, at a cost of 2,411,0001., exclusive of doekyard battalions and coast guard. The vote was then agreed to. The following votes were also agreed to:- 712,582/. to defray the expenses of the pay, allow ances, &c., of the ordnance corps. 268,2571. commissariat and barrack supplies. Mr. HUME wished to know whether any alterations had been made in the commissariat departments, in con sequence of the evidence taken before the Committee of last year? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that inquiries were on foot in the different commissariat offices to ascertain how far reductions might be made in them. Mr. WILLIAMS suggested that considerable saving might be effected in the reduction of barrack-masters, or in a consolidation of their offices. Colonel ANSON remarked that the number of bar rack-masters had been considerably reduced. In 1835 there were 104, while for this year there were but 91. The vote was then agreed to. 75,9501. for the expenses of the Ordnance-office. — Agreed to. 295,7501. to defray the expenses of establishments at home and abroad.—A greed to. 122,8004 for wages at home and abroad.—Agreed to. 194,9091. for Ordnance stores for land and sea.—Agreed o. 470,347/. for expense of works, buildings, and repairs. Agreed to. 97,6541. for scientific grants.—Agreed to. Mr. REYNOLDS moved that the Chairman now re port progress. He wished to know whether Government intended going on to-night with two Bills on the paper— the Medical Charities (Ireland) Bill and the Valuation (Ireland) Bill. Lord J. RUSSELL said he did not intend to proceed to-night with the Medical Charities Bill. Sir W. SOMERVILLE proposed to commit the Va luation Bill pro forma, but would not fix the Committee till after Easter. Mr. REYNOLDS then withdrew his motion for re porting progress. 173,2481. for the non-effective service.—Agreed to. 50,0001. on account of civil contingencies. Mr. HUME said, that before consenting to this vote he should like to have some account of the expenditure of last year's vote. Colonel SIBTHORP looked on the vote with suspi cion. A vote for civil contingencies might include a great many objectionable items. It might, for instance, have some reference to that mean, miserable Crystal Palace.—(A laugh.) It was dangerous to pass a vote on account of this kind, as it was not easy to get money back when once voted. Holdfast was a good dog.— (Laughter.) Mr. HUME assured the Gallant Colonel that not one farthing of this vote was for the Crystal Palace. The vote was then agreed to. The House then resumed, the Chairman reported pro gress, and obtained leave to sit again. BORNEO. Lord PALMERSTON asked Mr. Hume to postpone his motion on the following day, for inquiry into certain proceedings on the west coast of Borneo, until after the arrival of Sir J. Brooke, who was coming over to this country. The Hon. Member must be aware that the motion involved a personal charge against that indivi dual, and it would, therefore, be only giving him a fair opportunity of answering any such to wait until his ar rival here. Mr. HUME said it was a question of principle, not of personality, with him. Although he had not taken a great deal of trouble to get his notice a good place on the list, ho had no objection to postpone it at the Noble Lord's desire.—(Hear.) However, he would take the earliest opportunity after Sir J. Brooke's arrival of in troducing the matter again. —(Hear.) The Mutiny Bill and Marine Mutiny Bill were then severally read a second time, and ordered to be com mitted this day. The Committee on Ways and Means was postponed. The Prisons (Scotland) Bill was read a second time, and the Committee appointed for Monday, the 2d of May. Mr. LABOUCIIERE, in moving the second reading of the Steam Navigation Bill, said it was right it should be before the House and the country for some time before it was considered in Committee, which he did not pro pose to take until after Easter. Mr. HUME asked, ought it not to be a Committee up stairs? Mr. LABOUCHERE said, if it should be the general wish he had no objection. The Bill was then read a second time, and the Com mittee fixed for the 2d of May. The second reading of the Medical Charities (Ireland) Bill was postponed to this day. The Committee on the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill was fixed for the 2d of May. The Valuation (Ireland) Bill was committed pro formic. The Apprentioes and Servants' Bill was read a third time tend The second reading - of the Metropolis Buildings Bill was deferred until Friday next. The second reading of the General Board of Health Bill was postponed. The second reading of the Acts of Parliament Abbre viation Act Repeal Bill was also postponed. RETURNS OF PROPERTY AND INCOME TAX. Mr. BOOKER then rose, pursuant to notice, to move for the following papers:- 1. Return, in tabular form, of the amount of income assessed to the property and income tax under Schedule D, for the years 1815, 1843, 1846, and 1849 or 1850, distinguishing each year separately, for the districts comprising the whole of the metropolis, viz , the city of London. the Inns of Court, the Liberty of the Rolls, the whole of Westminster, also the Tower Hamlets division, the Edmonton division, the Finsbury division or district, the Holborn division or district, Bloomsbury, the Ken sington division or district, the Gore division or district, the Brentford division, and the Spelthorne division, all in the county of Middlesex; also, the Blackheath Hundred, East Brixton and West Brixton, East Brixton the third division, the borough of Southwark, Camberwell, Peck ham, St. Paul, Deptford, Streatham, Newington, and Kingston llundred, situate in the county of Surrey; also, Blackheath and Little and Lessness district, in the county of K. Also, this return in abstract, in tabular form, under one general bead. 2. A like return to No. 1, for the districts comprising the whole of the towns of Manchester and Salford, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Hull, Huddersfield, Bradford, Wakefield, Macclesfield, Hali fax, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Merthyr , Tidfyl, and Swansea, separately, and for the like periods. 3. Return, in tabular form, of the net revenue re ceived from the property and income tax under Schedule A, in the years 1849 and 1850, distinguishing each year, and, separately, each head of property from which the revenue is obtained, and also distinguishing England and Wales from Scotland. 4. A like return of the net revenue received under Schedule B for the same period, and distinguishing Eng land and Wales from Scotland. 5. Return, in tabular form, of the amount of real pro perty, assessed to the income and property tax under Schedule A, in the years 1315, 1843, 1846, and 1848, dis tinguishing each year, in the districts comprising the whole of the metropolis in districts or divisions, as in No. 1; distinguishing the description of property under each head on which the assessment is made. And, also, this return in abstract and tabular form under one general head. In making that motion he was not influenced by motives of vague curiosity; he was only anxious to obtain infor mation of a valuable and important character. No matter what Government was in office, it was material to the people of this country to know what he sought for. Mr. Villiers, whose annual motions in that House were an excellent example to the Protectionists—(Hear, hear) — in 1845, had obtained a return upon motion containing 375 folio pages, and furnishing every item of the amount assessed in every parish of the United Kingdom under a certain schedule. He did not see what objection there should be to the production of the returns he sought for —as what he wished was to see how that income-tas bore upon the industry sad property of the country. It was intimated that certain returns were only up to 1848, and could not be brought to 1851, because they were only made triennially in the country. Now, what he parti cularly wanted to know was, what depreciation had taken place during the years 1849 and 1850, in that par ticular description of property about which the Govern ment seemed desirous of withholding all information. He believed that during the last two years it would be found short, that sort of property. By a former return made he found that the assessment of the entire country amounted to 34,000,0001., while in London it reached 16,000,0001. The Hon. Member, after observing upon several statistics connected with his motion, concluded by submitting it to the House. Mr. SPOONER seconded the motion. Colonel SIBTHORP was understood to express his satisfaction that the Hon. Member bad moved for these returns. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER inti mated his intention to oppose the greater part of the Hon. Member's motion, particularly that for returns under Schedule B. The returns in the latter part of the Hon. Member's motion he had no objection to. He should give the returns in Schedule D in the district towns to which he bad alluded. So jealous was Parlia ment in former times of exposing those returns that, in 1815, all the papers connected with the income-tax were ordered to be burned.—(Hear, hear.) With respect to the smaller districts and parishes for which he sought returns, the Hon. Member might obtain the same infor mation,which he had in the returns in his hand from the poor-rate valuation. As to Schedule B, there was only one objecti on t o it—it was i m p oss ibl e to make it out in the manner that it was asked for. There was, however, one mode by which it might be obtained by the Hon. Gentleman, and that was by giving him his support for the renewal of the income-tax. — (Laughter.) In case of its being renewed there would be a re-assessment of Schedule Bin 1851. Unless, then, the Hon. Gentleman supported the income-tax, he could not have the information ho desired. All the returns that could be given he was perfectly willing to place in his hands. Mr. HENLEY hoped that the Hon. Gentleman would not press for the returns in Schedule B, because they would give false information; for those returns would not show that which had actually occurred—a deprecia tion in the value of landed property. Mr. SPOONER trusted the returns would not be pressed for. He wished to know if, in certain cases, where a reduction in rent was allowed, the income-tax had not been remitted? Mr. BOOKER said, after the objections made by two Hon. Members, he should not press for the returns. He should, therefore, not press his motion to a division. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER stated, in reply to the Hon. Member (Mr. Spooner), that ap peals bad been made to the Commissioners against as sessments where the rents had been reduced by land lords. He did not know that the reductions had been actually made, but upon an application being made to him, he said " yes, they ought to be made." The motion was then withdrawn. STEAM NAVIGATION TO INDIA. Upon the nomination of tho Committee to consider this subject, Mr. HENLEY objected to the nomination of Mem bers who were interested in the subject. To raise the question, he objected to the name of Mr. Willcox. Viscount JOCELYN said, that in nominating the _ _ Committee ho considered it of importance to have Mem bers upon it who were able to give information on the subject. They would obtain such information, and get more rapidly through their business, by naming Mem bers who were interested in the question. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that he considered it better to have persons interested in the subject on the Committee—that that should be done which hau been done by the Noble Lord, putting on the Committee all the parties who were interested. The Committee was appointed. Viscount JOCELYN gave notice of his intention to move that Mr. Henley be added to the Committee. Mr. lIATC[IELL obtained leave to bring in a Bill for amending and regulating process and practice in the civil bill courts in Ireland. The House then adjourned at a Quarter past One o'clock. APRIL 1, OVERLAND MA.IL 700 bales Dhollera and 500 Cutch, at Its. 114 and Pa. 111/ per candy respectively. Freights—The rates for Liverpool for first-class tames are now 21. 7s. 6d to 21. 10s. per ton, showing an improve ment on those reported in our last ; and for London 2/. Ss. For China the rate has fallen to Rs. 12i to Rs. 13 per candy. There are now in all 60 vessels in the harbour, 4 of which are loading for London, 6 for Liverpool, 2 for China, and 5 for Indian ports, and the remainder awaiting engagements. EXCHANGES —The rates of exchange have undergone considerable changes during the past week. Prior to the arrival on the 22d of the China mail, six months' sight Credit Bills on London were sell ing at 2s. 2id., and Document Bills 2s. 30. to 2s. 3id.; but they almost immediately began to waver; and as the demand was considerably greater than the supply received, and the banks ceased to draw, they at once declined to 24. 2.? d. to 2s. 20.; and then to 2s. 1 7-Ifid. to 2s. 2id. for the former, and 2s. 4 . d. for the latter, which are the rates of the day. The Bank's rates for sight bills has, during the same period, fallen from 2s. 14d to 2s. 0i d. On Calcutta the rate is Its. 99 per cent., and on China Rs. 218 to 22) per 100 dolls., sixty days'_ sight. For sight bills on the former, he rate is at par. INDIA. We have received our files of journals and letters in anticipation of the Overland Mail. The dates are:— Bombay, March 3, and Calcutta, February 20. The following is from the summary of the Bombay Times, of March 3:—" We rarely remember a fortnight more barren of intelligence than that which has just passed over us —and we are literally in the predicament knife-grind er , o f h av i ng no s t ory t o t e ll , of the weary The Governor-General has, it is said, abandoned his purpose of visiting Cashmere: we have heard no tidings of his arrival at Peshawur—and ho has probably been delayed longer near Kalabagh, in a region as remarkable for its mineral wealth as its romantic beauty, than he had anticipated. Coal, gypsum, soda, salt, sulphur, alum, lead, copper, and gold, are all found in the neighbour. hood. Our railways are now beginning to proceed apace; the sanction has been obtincd to ext en d th e Calcutta line to the Burdwan collieries, and still fur ther extensions are expected. A twelvemonth nearly has elapsed since the engineer staff reached Calcutta, and the establishment came on full pay—some 7,000/. a year; and though as yet no work has been done, or can be attempted till October, a vast deal it is said will be performed next year to make up for the seven years' talking that have already elapsed. The new contract ors, Messrs. Flavel and Fowler, are proceeding with vigour with the Bombay line, having laid down aearly a mile of embankment along the flats from near Mahim Wood in the direction of Sion. No European tools have yet been employed on this, the native pick, powrah, and bask et being found to suffice. Mr. Balston is pro ceeding rapidly from the opposite side of Sion marsh, and will have the embankment across before the rains (June). This portion of the work admits of the wheelbarrow, the Dobbin cart, and railway waggon, and some extent of rails have accordingly been laid down by them. Sir W. Gomm was at Bhurt pore on the 16th alt., where visits of ceremony were exchanged betwixt him and the Raja or Chief. Sir H. Pottinger and Sir G. H. Berkeley continue at their posts at Madras. Sir John Grey leaves Bombay for the Mahabuleshwar Hills this forenoon ; the Right Hon. the Governor and family follow in ten days. No trace has been found of the 10,0001. of which the safe of the Oriental Bank had been robbed shortly before last dispatch. Earthquakes appear to have been felt pretty extensively over the Punjaub or the North-West Provinces on the 17th and 31st January, and on the 4th, 6th, and 14th of February; no injury of any note has been occasioned by them. The Governor-General has issued an order that all officers who have not passed in Hindostanee, holding staff appointments, in the face of the most particular orders from the Court of Direc tors, shall rejoin their regiments. On the 9th, and again on the 14th, there was a furious thunderstorm at Muttra. Immense floods both in the Sutlej and Jumns ac companied the gale. The Nepaulese Ambassador, Jung Bahadoor, has been received with great state is his own country; he has al ready arranged for the construction of a grand road from the capital to the frontier—the first fruits of his visit to Europe. It has been found impossible to obtain per mission for Dr. Hooker to travel in Nepaul; when once English merchants or travellers are found in a country, English troops very speedily follow. Great efforts are being made to provide Bombay with a regular supply of water—that on the spot, abundant as it is for a tropical island, falling greatly short of the wants of our popula tion, now verging en half a million. The report of Captain Crawford has been most favourably received by the Court of Directors ; he proposes build ing a large dam across the mouth of a valley amongst the hills at Salsette, and creating an artificial lake. This will afford 100,000 gallons an hour to Bombay, with a minimum head of water of 70 feet; it is proposed to be brought in in a two-foot iron pipe by the line of the railway. The lake will be twelve miles from the point of delivery, and the coat is estimated at 150,0004 One gentleman has offered to subscribe 40,0001. of this! A new steamer of eighty tons, for the Surat trade, has just been launched; this is the twelfth private steamer which plies from Bombay with the ports adjoining, mostly the property of natives—the oldest of which, the Sir James Rivett Carnac, was launched in 1842. CALCUTTA, Faa 20. The arrival of the Bombay Express on the 13th instant, followed by the general dispatch on the next day, put us in possession of London dates to the 7th of January, 1851, confirming previous reports of a quiet but firm market, and the mare peaceable aspect of continental and political mat ters. This intelligence has but little influenced our export market, any increased inclination to proceed to more active business being kept within bounds by the still continuing paucity of supply in most of our leading staples, which de termines holders towards extreme former and partially en hanced requirements, these offering but little encourage ment to home shipments; the rates of exchange and freights participating to bring the cost of most goods to the full, and in many instances higher value, than by last advices the existing sale prices. Indigo has since last mail main taiued the then developed tendency of more general atten tion, which has been more actively followed up in the two public sales of this week, imparting to prices a slight upward tendency. Sugar in fair demand at ex treme previous value. In Saltpetre business has a e ctive, ;veathaernd within the last few days easier. Rice experienced less gene ghtly given way. Raw silk remains in a stringently firm been rpar li ce request, s a sv and prices h ave position, but buyers are far from operating freely. Corahs of the better class are held for purchases are entered upon i w n i c t r h ea r s e e s d r er:e t . es, s a h t e w ll h la ic o h i limited dye in moderate request at well supported prices. Oil seeds contin ue t o b e f ree l y ta k en withou t rather upward. m atuepriwalad. Jute lteratio firmer,invalue Which is, however, tend ingparticularly the better qualities, but extensive transactions have not y e t b e e a re sumed. islt to alter nsome with pleasureded e gree oteh the o w d e es f p e o el n 'ourselves etlovnee which has s at list enabled to cha racterised our remarks regarding our markets f or cotton piece goods for some time past. The improvement has cer kinds o ta f i g n oo ly ds b , e l e e n av c i ou ng fin p e r d ice to s as an lo i w nq as ui b ry efo f r o e, rso an m d e in pa so rti m e e nl ins ar tancee still lower, but any movement in the market after such a long interval of excessive dulnessi must be regarded as satis factory. Since the departure of the last mail a very brisk demand has sprung up for grey shirtings, jaconets, and Glas gow fabrics, but without any advance in prices; on the con trary, in several instances, rather lower rates have been ac cepted. This spurt in the piece goods trade has usually oc• curred in January, but this season it has been delayed several weeks, owing chiefly, we believe, to the tightness which hes prevailed in the money market, but which now has happily relaxed, White figured shirtings, white twills, modapollams, Turkey red goods, and prints and chintzes have not partake* of the renewed demand. More business has also been transacted in mule twist, but we are sorry to say at lower prices for all numbers; we observe several sales of 40s at 4 annas 4 pice., the best being worth 4-9 ; we also observe that some parcels of twist have been returned from Bombay. Several parcels of Turkey red yarn have been placed at which is a consid.'sable reduction upon the prices which were current abcbt two months ago. In metals, copper sheathing has improved a little, and may now be quoted at 31. Tile remains at 29-8. Iron continues de pressed, and sales have been made at still lower prices than those quoted in our last report. Occasional sales of spelter take place at a slightly improved figure, viz., 6-4. Nothing has lately been done in lead, which remains nominally at Sicca rs. 5-10. The pressure for money in the bazaar has somewhat re• laxed, but high rates of interest prevail without mitigation. Exchange has continued in an upward course, and six months' sight credit bills have been negotiated at 2-2%, do cument drafts 2-3 i to 2-2*, but fluctuated downwards since yesterday, the lowest rates prevailing being for the former 2.2*, the latter 2-2 i. Freights were well kept to last mail rates till the begin ning of this week, when they gave way 2-6 to 5-0 per ton. Colonel C. Crawle, of 20th Bombay N. 1., command ing at Sholapore, died on the 25th ult., a few miles from the Ilahabuleshwar hills. Ile was a smart officer, and much liked by all with whom ho came in contact. Cap tain R. Dowson, of the sth Bengal N. 1., died at Bombay on Wednesday last in a state of great destitution; he had got thus far on his way home on sick leave. The Bombay Board of Conservancy has resolved to meet once a week out of doors in some specified locality claiming their attention, in addition to their usual in door weekly meetings. Colonel Pew, of the Bengal Artillery, died at Singapore on the 2nd of February, on his way to Australia. Ile was one of the greatest spe culators in India ; in 1845 he is said to have been worth 250,0001.. In 1850 he was a bankrupt almost without effects. Casualties by Death in the Armies of India, reported since the departure of the mail on the 17th Feb.:— Queen's Troops—Lieut. W. C. Rose, 71th High landers, at Aden, on the Feb. Bombay—Lieut. H. T. Walker, Ist Eur. (Fusiliers) at Seroor, on the 19th Feb., Lieut.-Col. C. Crawley, 20th N. 1., at Bombay, on the 27th Feb.__ _ _ Bengal—Lieut. R. 11. Glennys, 44th N. 1., at Midna pore, on the 9th Feb. Col. Pew, Artillery, at Singa pore, on the 2nd Feb. Mr. Edward Waring, formerly of the Bengal Cavalry, at Meerut, on the 16th Feb. Captain B. Dowson, sth N. 1., at Bombay on the 26th February. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. BOMBAY, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCAI 1. We are glad to report upon the improved state of the money market, occasioned by large supplies of bullion, which arrived from England towards the end of last month. The high rates of interest are, however, still charged by the banks, but we look for the Bank of Bombay leading the way to more moderate charges shortly. Securities are in demand at rather improved rates. The following quotations may be called the rates of the day :—Bank Shares—Bank of Bombay, 14 1 / 2 per cent. premium ; Oriental Bank, 16 per cent. dis count; Commercial Bank, 16 per cent. discount; Agra Bank, 4 per cent. discount. Government Securities—Transfer Loan, 110 ; Company's Fives, 98 to 98 1 s i ; Company's Fours, 81% to 82. The import market exhibited just after the departure of last mail a rather more animated aspect than it had done for some time previous, but the near approach of the lloolie holidays has again caused a relaxation in demand, and till their termination on the 20th inst. the native dealers will not care for entering into transactions to any extent. During the past fortnight the sales of imports have been pretty large, but at no material improvement in prices. In our staple ex port, cotton, there has scarcely been anything doing for the home markets, shipments being mostly confined to China. Cotton Piece Goods—The inquiry has during the past fort night again been mainly for grey goods, sales of which have had effect to a rather considerable extent, in consequence of holders having submitted to rather lower prices in order to clear off old accumulated stocks. Grey Goods—Jacconets have sold to the extent of 16,400 pieces, at from Rs. 1/ to Rs. 2.14.6 per piece. These have been of the higher quali ties, which are in some request, while the lower descriptions are dull and uninquired after. Shirtings—The demand for 56-reed has been dull; for 60s. the inquiry has been mode rate; and the bulk of the sales has been in 52-reed 40 at 45 inch., 27,100 pieces of which have been disposed of at from Rs. 3-11-0 to Rs. 6/ p.p. Madapollams— Sales 17,840 pieces, at Rs. 2to Rs. sp. p. The demand has continued chiefly for those descriptions under 31bs. in weight, the value of which has not suffered any decline, while for qualities above that weight the demand has been rather dell, and prices have somewhat declined. Domestics Transactions in these have only amounted to 1,657 pieces, at Rs. 5, 1 ,- to Rs. 12 per piece, and they are rather neglected.—Long Cloth—The only sales reported are 740 pieces, at Rs. 5-3-0 to Rs. 61 p.p., but a fair demand exists for them. Stocks are very light. T Cloth—Sales 8,500 ps., at Rs. 3-1-6 to Rs. 3-7.0 p.p. Demand good. Bleached Goods—Sales of 2,21 , 0 ps. shirtings, 66 and 72 reed, at Rs. 5/ to Rs. 6/ p.p.., are the only transactions reported in white goods during the fortnight. Medium qua lities jacconets, twills, and low descriptions of madapollams , are in moderate inquiry, but we have not heard of any sales. Fancy Goods—Some small demand exists for lappet scarfs, low lappets, grey and bleached dhoties , at forme r rates; _daycc,,,f and bleached mulls have been in some request, at a r s ed el prices; while for satin checks and spots there h no inquiry whatever. Dyed Goods — Tur ke y red tot totally n , v tli mulls are in very little demand ; twills and prints almost ne glected ; and plain cloths remain as formerly reported demand being confined to % widths. Cotton Yarn—The sales during the fortnight have been, of mule twist 223 bales, water twist 353 bales, and orange yarn Si bales. In the two former, transactions have been mainly confined to good quality 20s. and 30s. ; 40s. are dull ; and prices of 509. have given way : Orange and Turkey red have declined in value, and the inquiry for all descriptions of coloured yarns has been dull. Metals—There has been a decline in the value of nearly all descriptions of metals during the fortnight, and demand continues as dull as at date of last report. For iron, both British and Swedish, there is scarcely any demand, and prices of all varieties have gone down. The same may be said of pig and sheet lead, spelter, tin plates, sheathing and brazier's copper. Swedish .steel and copper tiles remain as before. The market for copper generally has become duller than ever. Cochineal and Saffron—No transactions in either. A good demand continues to exist for the latter. Woollens—The market for these fabrics continues dull.] Beer—The market is still completely bare of both Allsopp's and Baas's. In Hodgson's we do not hear of any transac tions. A sale of 20 hhds. W. Younger and Co's., at Rs. 62 per hhd., is reported. Spirits—No inquiry for any description of spirits exists except for brandy in wood, and we have no transactions to report. _ _ . Marine Stores—Very great dulness has continued to pre vail for all kinds of marine stores. Exports—Opium—The advices received by the last China mail on the 22nd ult. caused prices of the drug to fall to Rs. 1,000 to 1,020 per chest, but they have again risen to Rs. I,COO to 1,040, owing to the small quantity in the market. This is the nominalrate of the day, no transactions having had effect during the past ten days. The importation of Malwa drug has as yet been to a very limited extent, and there is a great scarcity of best quality, consequently our last quotations have been firmly maintained, and pr:cei are likely to advance before the departure of the next China mail on the 19th inst.—Patna and Benarea had, at Calcutta, on the 21st ult., both declined to Rs. 856 and Us. 844 re spectively. We copy from the Bengal Hurk ara the following account of the result of the third opium sale of the season, held at Calcutta on the 10th ult. : Chests. Highest. Lowest. Average. Proceeds. Behar. 1,945 875 870 873-3-9 Rs. 16,98,450 Benares... 890 865 860 ,861-4-2 7 , 66 , 5 25 This shows a further reduction of the averages to the ex tent of Re. 50-8-2 for Behar, and Re. 48-9-1 for Benares. Cotton Wool—The purchases during the fortnight amount to 4,275 bales and 1,025 candies, chiefly for the China mar ket. Since the arrival of the last English mail, on the 23d ult., a decline of some Rs. 4 to 5 per candy for Broach and Surat, and of Rs. '2 to 3 for phollera, has taken place, some 3,000 bales of the form er having previously been purchased for the home market at Es. 122 per candy. During the past week the purchases on home account haye been connued to COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert honoured the Prin cess's Theatre with their presence yesterday evening. Tho Royal suite consisted of the Countess of Desart, Hon. Lucy Kerr, Lord Elphinstone, Lord Alfred Paget, and Colonel Bouverie. His Royal Highness Prince Albert rode out on horse back yesterday morning, attended by Colonel Bouverie. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, attended by Mr. Birch, took a drive yesterday morning in an open carriage. Their Royal Highnesses the Princess Royal, the Prince Alfred, and the younger members of the Royal Family took their aocustomed pony and walking exer cise yesterday, in the garden of Buckingham Palace. The Marquis of Breadalbane and Sir Roderick Mur chison had an interview with Lord John Russell, at his official residence in Downing-street, yesterday, and pre sented an appeal from tho British Association for the Advancement of Science, in favour of a sufficient Par liamentary grant to ensure within a reasonable time the completion of a map of Scotland. The British Associ ation made a similar appeal in 1834, when that body first visited Scotland, and yet a sixtieth part only of that kingdom has been mapped within the intervening sixteen years. The other members of the committee, the Duke of Argyll, Sir David Brewster, and Professor James Forbes are in Scotland. The memorial was backed by the cordial approval of the Dukes of Rich mond, Buccleuch, and Roxburgh, and Lords Eglinton, Cawdor, Minto, and many proprietors in Scotland. Mr. Beale, Mr. J. Ellis, and Mr. Carter, a deputation from the Midland Railway Company, transacted business yesterday with the Railway Commissioners, at the office of the Board of Trade. Mr. Saunders and Mr. Hunt, from the Great Western Railway Company, also trans acted business with the Railway Commissioners. A deputation, including Mr. J. Gratrix and Mr. J. S. Collins, had an interview yesterday with the Commis sioners of Railways, at the office of the Board of Trad e. A deputation on he subject of the proposed repeal of the certificate duty on attorneys, solicitors, proctors, and others, consisting of Lord Robert Grosvenor, MY, Charles - Charles Cowan, M.P., Mr. Richard Harrison, President, and Mr. Benjamin Austen and Mr. John Coverdale,_ ' members of the Council of the Incorpora ted Law Society, and Mr. Robert Maugham, Secretary , had an.interview with Lord John Russell, at his official residence in Downing-street yesterday. Dispatches were received yesterday fit . the Colonial. office from the Governor of New South Wales. of a letter, F ARi s.—Ext e ract ITALIAN OPERA IN dated Sunday :—" A real success wak a c hieved here last •htby a young Italian composer, Alnry, with a new night -e sparklin with opera buffs, entitled Le Tre Noz., _ g sprightliness and gaiety from beginning to end. ad of Lablache, as an unfor tunate lover, suitor for the h r La Sontag, plays and sings with a verve and gaiety indescribable. Imagine La blaChe dancing the polka to propitiate a capriciousos mistress, and guess the roars! Madame Sontag als dmirably suited, and warbled Alary's music most enchantingly. The audience, generally so cold on first representations, insisted on the composer coming forward twice during the representa • tion, and also at the close of the opera, 'with the principal artistes. The curtain fell amid a perfect hurricane of trans port on the part of the public, occasioned by Madame Sontag's splendid execution of the finale. The air is that of the polka above-mentionei, but with variations so brilliant in themselves, and sung with such thrilling power by this wondrous vocalist, as to excite an enthusiasm we never saw ' surpassed. The piece is got up in a style of elegance, rare even in Paris. The house was crammed to the very roof." The I.ev. T. William Herbert has been appointed to the Chaplaincy of the Devonport Borough Prisons, and to the orgy 9f St. Michael, Stoke Dameral. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. (From the "Fetes and Proceedings of the Howe of Commons.) MONDAY, MARCH 31. SUPPLY. (IN THE COMMITTEE.) Motion made, and Question proposed, " That a sum not exceeding 3,521,070/. be granted to her Majesty, for defray ing the Charge of her Majesty's Land Forces in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and on Foreign Stations (excepting India), which will come in course of payment from the Ist day of April, 1851, to the 31st day of March, 1852, inclusive :"—Afterwards Motion made, and Question put, " That a sum not exceeding 2,000,0001. on account, be granted to her Majesty, for defraying the Charge of her Majesty's Land Forces in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and on Foreign Stations (except. ing India), which will come in course of payment from the Ist day of April, 1851, to the 31st day of March, 184 in. elusive." The Committee divided:— MINORITY-AYES, 31. Alcock, Thomas Keating, Robert Smith, J. Benjamin Bright, John Kershaw, James Sullivan, Michael Clay, James M'Gregor, John Trelawny, J. S. Crawford, W. S. Meagher, Thomas Walmsley, Sir J. Evans, Sir De Lacy Nugent, Sir Percy Wawn, J. T. . Fagan, William O'Connell, John Williams, John Fox, W. J. O'Connell, John Williams, Y. Frewen, C. 11. O'Connor, Feargus Greene. Joha O'Flaherty, Anthony TELLEM. Hall, Sir B. 4 Pechell, Sir G. Hume, Joseph Ileyworth, Lawrence Power, Dr. M owatt, Franci3 Ilumpliery, Ald. Salwey, Colonel MAJORITY-NOES, 135. Anson, Colonel Dunne, Colonel Mostyn, E. M. L. Armstrong, It. B. Estcourt, J. 13. B. Mulgrare, Earl Baines, M. T. Foley, John IL Newdegate, C. N. Baring, Sir F. Forbes, William Noel, Gerald J. Barnard, E. G. Fordyce, A. D. Ogle, S. C. Barrow, W. H. Forster, Matthew Paget, Lord C. Bass, M. T. Freestun, Colonel Pakington, Sir J. Bellew, R. M. French, F. Palmerston, Vie. Beresford, William Gilpin, It. T. Parker, John Berkeley, Admiral Gore, W. 0. Pigott, Francis Berkeley. C. L. G. Grenfell, Charles W . Power, Nicholas Birch, Sir T. Grey, Sir G. , Pugh David _ . Blackstone, W. Grey, Ralph W. Rawdon, Colonel Bowles, Admiral Hamilton, Lord C. Reid, Colonel Boyle, Colons. Harcourt, G. Rich, Henry Bramston, T. W. Harris, Richard Romllly, Colonel Brockman, E. D. Haste, Alexander Russell, Lord John Brooke, Sir A. B. Hatchell, John Russell, F. C. Brown, W. Hawes, Benjamin Sandal's, George Bunbury, Edward Heathcoat, John Seaham, Viscount Burghley, Lord Hobhouse, T. B. Seymour, Lord Busfeild, W. llotham 'Lord Shafto R. D , D. Carew, W. P. Carter, John B. lloward, E. G. Smythe, G. lloward, P. 11. Somers, J. P. , . Cavendish, W. G Hu.chins, E. J. Somerville.- Sir W. Chatterton, Colonel Inglis, Si R. Spooner, Richard Chichester, Lord J. Jolliffe, Sir W. G. Stafford, A. Child, smith Jones, Captain Stanford, J. F. Christy, Samuel Knox, Colonel Stanley, Edward Cowan, Charles Knox, W. S. Stanley, R. H. Cowper, W. F. Labouchere, Henry Strickland, Sir G. Craig, Sir W. G. Langston, J. H. Tancrod, H. W. Crowder, It. B. Lewis,,G. C. Thicknesse, R. A. Cubitt, William Lindsay, Colonel Thompson, Colonel Davies, D. A. S. Littleton, E. R. Thornoly, Thomas Dawson, T. V. Lockhart, A. E. Tuthell, Henry Deedes, NV. Mackenzie, W. F. Tylor, Sir G. Denison, J. E. Mackie, John Vane, Lord H. Dod, T. W. 3l"raggart, Sir J. 'Verney, Sir 11. Duckworth, Sir J. Maule, Fox Wellesley, Lord C. Duke, Sir James Melgund, Viscount Wilson, James Duncan, George Me,ux, Sir henry Wilson , Matth ew w e od, Sir Charles Duncuft, John Milner, W. M. TELLERS. Dundas, Admiral Moody, C. A. Hayter, W. G. Dundas, George Morgan, 0. Dundas, Sir David Munson,i Sir W. Bill, Lord M. _____ Original Question again prop osed :—Afterwards Motion made, and Question put , " That a sum not exceeding Charge 3.439,9 of her 18Lb hi egr aj a e n st t y ed 's L t si o nd he l r 'orces n Majesty, i for defrayi ng the the United kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and on Foreign Stations (ex cepting India), which will come in course of payment from the Ist day of April, 1851, to the 31st day of March, 1852, inclusive." The Committee divided : MINORITY —AYES, 15. Bright, John Meagher, Thom as W a l ms l ey, Si r J. Dick , Quintin Mowatt, Francis Wawn, J. T. Greene, John O'Connell, John Williams, John u O'Connor, Fear gu s TELLERS. O'Flaherty, Anthony Hume, J. Smith, John B. Williams, W. KK I I oe,,r i i st i hi p na i g , RobertAi I. James Armstrong, R. B. M A re ß nf l e T ll , Y C — . PNa O. E o o S ' 8 1 4 f t j l O unta, G. F. Anson, Colonel Grenfell, Charles W. Parker, John Baines, M. T. Grey, Sir George Perfect, R. Baring, Sir F. Grey, R. W. Power, Nicholas Barnard, E. G. Hall, Sir B. Pugh, David Barrow, W. 11. Harcourt, G. G. Rawdon, Colonel Bass, M. T. Harris, Richard Reid, Colonel Bellew, R. M. Hastie, Alexander Rich, Henry Berkeley, Admiral llatchell, John Romilly, Colonel Berkeley, C.IL. Hawes, Benj. Russell, Lord J. Boyle, Colonel Heathcoat, John Russell, F. C. IL Brockman, E. D. Hildyard, R. C. Seymour, Lord Brotherton, J. Ilobhou.se, T. B. Shafto, R. D. Campbell, W. F. Hodges, T. L. Somers, J. P. Chatterton, Colonel Hotham, Lord Somerville , Sir W. Child, Smith Howard, P. 11. Stafford, Angastul Christy, Samuel Ilutchins, E. J. Stanford, J. F . Craig, Sir W. G. Inglis, Sir R. H. Stanley, Edward Dawson, T. V. Jolliffe, Sir W. H. Strickland, sif . o. Duke, Sir James Lennox, Lord G. H. Illicknesse, It. A. Dundas, Admiral Lewis, G. C. Thompson, Colonel Dundas, Sir D. Lindsay, Colonel Thornely, T. Dunne, Colonel Lockhart,".A. E. Tulbell, 11. Estcourt, .1. B. Mackie, John Wellesley, Lord C. Evans, William 'Taggart• Sir J. M Wilson, James Forster, Matthew Mauls, Fox Wood, Sir Charlell Fox, W. J. Moody, C. A. TELEM. Freestun, Colonel Morison, Sir W. „ Hayter, W. G. Atoigrave, Earl of French, F. Hill, Lord March! TALES AND TRADITIONS OF HUNGARY. BT FBANcis AND TIIERESA PULSZIEY.—" The old fairy lore of the world," sa ys the henceunt, in; its notice of ibeffe interest ing volumes, " never loses its charm, if it be only told to new tunes, but in addition to these universal stories, Madame Pulszky h as; a special budget of her own. The legend of the Castle of Zip sen is told with racy humour. Whimsically too, are the m a t r i mon i a l diffi cu l t i es o f P an a n d Twardowsky, as here narrated, while the fate of l ar r ba e s a nun d ra e d li n D r ugeth reveals how the end of the ' Wild Hunts man' may be varied, so as to give that line old legend a more edifying close than the original version possesses. Most interesting of all is the chapter on the ' Hungarian Outlaws,' who take to the road with a sentimental and chi valresque courtesy that would not have disgraced Duval himself. The second and third volumes of this pleasantly varied book are appropriated to an historical novel, ' The Jacobin in Hungary,' the events of which are arranged eo as to excite a considerable interest, and told with due spirit by M. Pulszky." [ADVERTISEMENT.] Holloway's Ointment and Pills, the Finest Remedy in the World for the Cure of Sere fula.—David Davies, a miner, living at Newport, h_ad ra afflicted from his infancy with scrofuolaf, hiser king 's . 1 p e m v e i nt. w All was greatly aggravated by the nature Bristol, whither at the infirmary at ment of his case, even • ' relief. In this hope of obtaining the doctors that he applied to were unsuccessf m ul in their treat whither he had gone in the II ' Oin tment and of Ho oway s ure by these fine medicines that it Pills, and so rapid was condition he commenced the use p n og icts, and at Professor nolloway's loos.—Sold by all °e ntrant of it to be perfectly mime. 244, &ran , is considered by those r ggii:ondon. i Establishment, PP II en ociaB w 55 who 3ater the ider ions, I the don s his Dtion 'eturn le BB" mited DitbOr B be enefit