The Sun. — London, England, 1850-03-19 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, ~.. l 'er" net generally used on the transfer of personal preperty. With respect to the secoed rieeetioe, he could L' l . } sa3 Flat theme were many thing, which he would Y "Y t.) do ; but he did not wish to encumber t e subject 4f hia proposition. c Mr. SCULLY could net egree with the Right Hon. ° "'ewer' as regarded his prereei ion to increase the ?resent stamp duty oe leases in helmet. It was r f great ttrhepertenee that beeps should be generally granted in at entirtry, aed that increase f duty would irterlere the m Tqc CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said his p i4 rk) P 'itten on the wool I conitlorahly i educe the i ft 'atcp duty on bates in Ireland. On some classes of would, no d4ubs - , iecie a;e them; but upon tie n'tle there would hr a reduction. ' 1 "e1 SIB 11-1()RP thought it hardly fair of his -.4 4 1 the eit,flon. Friend to Maima surplus while ihe debts of G ountry remained still unpaid. Ile was sorry the r ove tomenc hal given no intimation of an intention to d uce the d u ty on fife insurances. If they did reduce ethat ' duty one-half he was satisfied they would obtain d a l i thle th e ere: . nt ye venue fro:n them. c o ' r t . r. REYNOLDS admitt Vie proposition cf the ercmeat was an improvement up )n the present sys ,ehiln ot bet he regretted that the Rieht Hon. Gentleman " - extend the indulke nee shown to this country to 1 14 ' lt 'd- Ely the late regulation of the st tmp law, Ire it (I had 150,000/. a year additional placed upon her for oti er essel stamp duty—no doubt by the way of comport iorr the income-tax—though Ireland had no clear incoine in existence. He was sorry that the Right Gentleman (lid not propose to relieve solicitors ip u attorneys in Ireland, who had to pay 8/. per annum u p t he country and 1.4 in Dublin, though the st imps 15 r i p their i n d en t ures en d a d m i ss ion cost no less than l • At rega-ded the stamp duties upon hills, the e , PJIaI of th e Ri g ht H on . G e ntleman would be a dis ki:n:,,ige to the poorer class of bill-drawers by making l stamp necessary, when a 6d. ' , tamp was now sp i e lent in bills under 10/. He regretted, also, that the ip uW lax was not abolished, though it was not paid i t tr eland; for he thought that in no well-governed po t ry should there by en impost upon light and air. is ,l: o r. HERBERT was understood to say that the stamp pit I a lease ab ove 100/. a y e ar would cause a higher tax t he tenant than was now paid. k r , he CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he tri es, to assimilate the stamp duties in both Conn of"' The effect would be to reduce the duty on leases b ( ' low amount, and increase it on those of a high l a m a rr o w There were some cases of exception in Ire "d If Irish li ph •Members preferred to retain these excep did'', he could not help thinking them in error; but he kp t deiir lv e s i n t. t to raise the question if Irish Members did w a l l s r i FORBES said the proposition of the Government ktor ludicrous as a compensation fur the distress and bed under which, as the Right Hon. Gentleman to gornitted, the country now laboured. The Chan tpi„°r of the Excht quer professed great sympathy for the th h e il tenants; but he (Mr. Forbes) should have 11 e , -1 ; 1 4 more of the Government if the Right lion. Gen -11);"4 bed proposed to relieve them. The reduction of trp„Tirop duty on leases would not relieve the tenant— InV d e LlillY in Scotland, where they were settled without Ite O f stamps. The flourish about icon brick duty was B en more ludicrous. What benefit ld it confer on sti: t4 nd, where houses were fur the most part built of Oland or upon' many of the agricultural districts in Oland and Ireland ? The Chancellor of the Exclee bpirithsd spoke of a probable rise in the price of corn ; &Ir e e had not stated the probable amount, nor what • i t , it would be likely to stand at, between 34e. the rte r , the present price, and 565, the price which was 80 remunerating to the farmer. Nor had the Right I l i t l l . Gentleman stated when he would come forward po le ] proposition calculated to raise the present ruinous el i , littr - FAGAN reminded the Chancellor of the Ex -14 quer th at a great majority of the holdings in Ire nd N I Were under 50/., and so far as that country was tri ee rnei tho principle of the measure, which was to T he the humbler classes, could not be carried out. r" CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, Q e Were questions of detail, and it would be better to T ae resolution was then agreed to. 4 lie House resumed, and the report was ordered to r eceived to-morrow. The DRAINAGE OF LAND. a House then went into Committee on the drainage l toProve'ment of land. ia h re CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, he th e Propese to the House a resolution, authorising te dr Lords of the Treasury to advance, for the purposes Irela n d and improvement of land in Great Britain 'it d e s te a a sum not exceeding 3,000,0001. sterling. dee li a unnecessary for him to refer to the benefits to be e t „ I t 'al from the measure, and he should therefore con k hitns,if wi t h moving the resolution. BLACKALL suggestedthe propriety of extend dg t he objects for which the money would be granted ). tke Treasury. ka 4 ° CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER had li ttt a his r eso l ut io n so large, and in such general terms, is, it would be competent for Hon. Members to propcee ° ther objects. It would be inconvenient to express aii ti °pinion upon that point now, but the Hon. Gentle la, Would not be precluded from moving grants for tother proper mode of improving land. tart• lIILDYARD said this appeared to him a very ttj e t ' e tioneble mode of proceeding. It was raising reve th,aat of capital, as had teen done by some of the rail euinpauiee. Whether the money was to be ad -44,74 from the money in hand, or was to be raised by 1 4 11 ying, was immaterial to his argument. He un tlt„ laed the money was to be repaid by instalments, in it o e oarse of the next twenty years, and he wanted to ,t,h t : whether these repayments were to be carried to % ft ' e anunt of the revenue, supposing there happened to lirr, 4 ficit, or were they to go to a fund to be appro. tl'd expressly for the reduction of the i'eate i tta t : l a CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the `ln ter was exceedingly simple. Non - payment s of that iht had ever—so far as he was aware—been carried to ni, e tedit of the revenue; nothing could be m ore won !Oa than such a proceeding; but those sum! had i' 4 , 1 4 3 been carried to the credit of the Consolidated tal i ' He had stated the other night that, as these re- S t i' l suents exceeded the advances and began to accu ns,,,,4a he hoped that some future Chancellor of the hale would do what he would then be justly tar" upon to do—namely, to apply the money to the l aqio n of the public debt of the country. Nbti answer to questions from several other Hon. r l t „ ° ° CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER sa i d k 41 Were nearly all questions of detail which it would in t t l h l lloh better to reerve until the Bill was printed and k e hands ef Hon. s Members. lai r . SCULLY regretted the sum to be advanced to 41 (1 was so small, and thought that the construction ; Ce rtain lines of railway would be more advantageous. 1. • MONSELL wished to know what was the real le t : of the case with regard to arterial elrainage in Ire ?ta' and whether abuses in the management of the Prevailed? He suggested that the Right Hon. Gen - Qe' i t 4 t l should be prepared to make some statement on 1, head b e f ore t h e Bill a g a in came on for discussion. CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it Perfectly impossible that the Treasury could exer- IttO Control in detail over the drainage works going on k t - •, 11, quarter of Ireland. They had done all they could , Ilal°1; sent over an eminent engineer officer to overlook L l :Vectors of drainage in Ireland. l t d td NAAS said the statement that had been made En n avery pool reason why they should have an amend of the Drainage Act. 44„" CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said S h - ,!°ver anything went wrong in Ireland the Govern- V e ,'fas asked to bring in an Act of Parliament. If Wet& Lord had any complaint to make , he oug h t to r ki l to th e B oar d o f Works, and not to the Treasury. itZ a V t • STAFFORD said, after what they hail heard, In t j'nuld not be much surprised if there was a very ani d debate in the next stage of the Bill. He had el k ' t s felt that although there might be some advantage 41 ( 1" (18 ' 1 sort of grants. there were also disadvantages, te personally, therefore, he would never take a farthing I t , get money. The Right Hon. Gentleman said it was te l t ) , 4 aible for the Treasury to control those abuses, but Pew system might be devised. 1 40, u ° CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said no thing, lie had not admitted the existence of any 1 8 --he had stated that in ell those cases applications (1„ t l d be made to the Board of Works , and not to the Pa' l l4 nry, The Government had had appeal after ap !i;' from the Irish Members, and they had been told and over again that where three parties were in k4:4tad in land, and wished to have it drained, they ), Z t could aeree unless the Government interfered. , t. HENLEY said it had been shown in evidence be nt th e Miscellaneous Committee, that the Board of' ts,'ltte wa s very much overloaded with duties. Giving i tt Y credit to the Government for a wish to do their they' he thought it was impossible they could do it in l ti Present case. He was not surprised to hear coin tia`llla from the Irish Members as to the way in which 1 11,,Iablic works had been carried on. He believed that ta t it estates had been taxed in a manner not very satis 4tY to them. te ll ,, t • GROGAN did not think that the Government th e ' do anything better than to advance the money for !ti t ,,Plsrpese named. He would suggest to the Govern 'et:t the propriety of permitting the immediate parties K' tested in the arterial drainage to execute these im 45„Nsents themselves, under the supervision of the tta7 t d of Works. All unnecessary expenses in the exe -414 or these works would be thereby avoided. Itte t• TRELAWNY felt it necessary to enter his O t t tst against any of these grants being made, as he bad instructed by his constituents to say that they had I, lll eney t o apply to these purposes. There were many i li tli 'veuiences emending the present preposition. One that the Hon. Members themselves did not agree a l p th e way i n w hich the money was to be divided, 4,‘' another was holding out an inducement to the Irish lar p l 'esentatives to demand mercy for railways and other lit t i l cises. There was no end to these demands. He did 4 1 tee where they were to stop. It appeared to him ke, - „ ti his was but a part of a great Socia l ist or Corn t's"tat scheme. The Chancellor of the Exchequer him had furnished the best argument that could he male the proposition when he said that it was impos e that there could be a supervision of the management , O ptojeeteil imp. lOOßllAN rovemeete MAHON reminded the Hon. ka r ?'ber that this was net to be a grant, but a loan of tle b 'Y upon most excellent security. They had the evi - Qat of the Right Hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of l tt ,k4ch eque r himself that these loans had been paid kips by Ireland than any other portion of the r'rn. A i r . FORBES explained. te e ,, l. • BRIGHT had spent some days during the last ae ll in visiting those extensive works, and he was bpi to say that the mode in which those works were 4 4 R carried on wits, to him, extremely satlafectory. AOertttiluded particularly to Cestlebar, Galway, and other " 512 11 of the west of Ireland. He examined those tlit4 minutely. -he went through the system of Wok keeping, wrges, chr quos, and control which the superior officer in Dubiin hits over the expenditure of the money, and the whole :.eenied to him to b.? well arranged and conducted in such a manner as to make it impos.itile that there could be any waste of money or any default in the expenditure. He ha-I the satisfaction of seeing a large number of persons employed and receiving in struction in various kinds of labour. Without meaning to defend any particular works, or to say that thy were judicious or not, he was sure that there were able men at the places ho had named superintending these works and pruparing large tracts of laud f proper cultivation which only for their exertions would lie for a great por tion of the year entirely waste and unproductive. Col.mel CHAT fERTON observed that the Board of Works ha I made themselves very unpoptiar in Ireland. The resolution was then agreed to, the House resumed, and the Cf ai.rman reported progress. PARLIAMENTARY VOTERS, &c. (IRELAND) BILL. The House then went into Committee upon the above Bill. On clause 7, which was the case of joint occupiers, b ing proposed, Mr. MONSELL said he was not going to ob;cct to the clause, but he wished to call the attention of the Government to the position in which many of the borough constituencies in Ireland would be after the Bill was passed. In England there were 187 cities aad boroughs, of which 11 had constituencies less than 300. In Ireland there Nero 33 cities and boroughs, 10 of which would have constituencies under 300. This was a state tf things deeply to be deplored, inasmuch as it gave rise to the greatest bribery and corruption. In Wales or Scotland there was no such small constituen ciw, tclause the system of combining the smaller boroughs together, for the purpose of forming a [roper number of constituents to be represented by one Member, was fully carried out. Although there were many ob jections to that system, yet upon a balance of two evils he thought it was the least, lie wished to impress upon the Government the propriety of applying the same prin ciple to Ireland, aad thereby to lessen the temptation to bribery and corruption. He trusted that the Govern ment would be prepared to say that they would consider this suggestion during the Easter recess, and that they would state their views upon the paint upon the resump• Lion of business aft-r the holidays. Lord J. RUSSELL said that if the Hon. Member meant that boroughs at present returning Members should be combined together, he (Lord J. Russell) would have the greatest objection to sucn a propositionoas it would have the effect of reducing the present number of representatives. But if he meant to combine boroughs having small constituencies with neighbouring small towns, for the purpose of increasing the number of con stituents, he confessed such a proposition was not open to such objections. There were, however, many difficul ties in the way of forming the limits and boundaries of boroughs thus extended—difficulties to be consi dered both in principle and detail. He certainly did not see such objections to this proposition as ti induce him to say that the Government would certainly oppose it if it was brought forward. The question was one which would be duly considered by the Government, and they would be piepared to state their views before they took any decisive course upon it.—(Hear.) After a few words from Mr. G. A. HAMILTON, Sir D. NORREYS was understood to object to the proposition of the Hon. Member for Limerick, on the ground that it would have the effect of reducing the number of county electors. Mr. MONSELL said that the proposition, if carried, would not affect his constituents, inasmuch as the county which he represented cuutained nu borough within it. Not so as regarded the Hon. Member for Mallow; for, according to " Dod's Parliamentary Companion," his influence was unbounded in that particular borough. The Hon. Member, did not, therefore, look at the ques tion with quite so impartial an eye. Mr. F. FRENCH said that the suggestion of the Hon. Member for Limerick was very important, as many of the Irish constituencies would be considerably reduced by the operation of this Bill. Colonel RAWDON thought that the proposition of the Hun. Member was well worthy of consideration, but it should be recollected that the great antagonistic inte rest to the landlords was in the towns. Mr. B. OSBORNE said, that whatever was proposed by the Hon. Member for Limerick was proposed in a spirit for the benefit of Ireland. No one had the wel fare of the country more at heart than the Hon. Member, and he deserved the thanks of the House for the sugges tion he had made. It was one which the Government would do well to consider, not only as regarded Ireland, but also England. By uniting those boroughs they would do more for the purity of election than by any measure they had as yet adopted. As an example, he would take New Ross. Its constituency under the Re form Bill was 190. At this moment the constituency consisted of 80 people. If they enacted this 81. rating they would have it reduced to 50 people. It; however, they joined this borough with Enniscorthy, or other towns, they would be sure to have a highly respectable and numerous constituency. Sir D. NORREYS explained. Mr. GROGAN hoped the Noble Lord would direct his attention to the subject, with a view of introducing some measure to meet the sugg scion, us Hon. Members on both sides of the House were unanimous in their ap proval of it. Mr. SADLEIR also expressed himself in favour of the proposition. Colonel CHATTEIiTON was understood to refer to the last election for Cork as a proof that the people there were f sveurablet to protection. He ob:erved that the apathy that prevailed was the cause why numbers whose names might be on the registry did not appear there. He declared himse:f in favour of au anneal rcvisiou of the registry. Mr. REYNOLDS understood, he said, that the pro position of his Hon. Friend the Member for the county Limerick, was that all boroughs where there wero less than 300 electors should be tor election purposes asso elated with neighbouring towns.—( Hear.) He thought that was a very reasonable proposition, and the best proof that it was so was the present, and what he ex pected would be the future, condition of the borough of Portsrlington.—(Elear.) That borough would have, une der the present Bill, 110 persons rated to the relief of the poor at 81. and upwards. Deducting., as his Right lion. Friend the Secretary for Ireland said ought to be de ducted, one-fifth from that number, they would find the constituency reduced to 88, and the Hon. and Gallant Member fir Portariington stated that the constituency would not be more than 75. It the HOD. aed Gall ant Member wore correct in his figures he asked if there were any person to say that the borough of Portarlington was ref ormei, when, having 177 voters under the pre sent law, they were to he reduced to 75 under the new reform law ?—(Hear.) He was reminded that there item no freemen to be found in Portarlingtun. He was glad to hear it, because it' there were, they would be as everywhere else—like cattle in the market, and to be sold to the highest and best bidder. They had been told by the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman who had just sat down, that the party of the Protectionists had tri umphed in Coil( by a majority of 209. Now if there 209 who voted exclusively from the love of protection, and not for love of money, then they must have so voted fame a love of a dear loaf. He (Mr. Reynolds) knew the people of Cork well, and he was sure they had no such inclinations as the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman ascribed to them, and he invited the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman to test that constituency on the point when the new constituency under the present Bill was formed. It was his opinion, that the suggestion of the Hon. Member or Limerick must ho adopted, or they must throw the represent.tion cf Portarlington into the Queen's County at large ;. for, to give to a town with 75 voters the power of returning a member, would be as absurd as to enfranchise Old Sarurn or any other of the rotten boroughs.—(Hear, hear.) A s t o t h e objection made by the Honourable Baronet the Member for Mallow, that the proposed plan would weaken the popular strength in the counties, he must say that he had no such apprehension; and he asked if it would not be an improvement in the estimation of the Hon. Baronet that Fermoy and Mallow should have voices in the re presentation of Mallow, either by himself or another. He thought, too, that it would be an improvement if Cashel, which, under the new law, would have 130 votes, should have added to it the important towns of Tipperary and Thurles. An Hoer. MEMBER—And Nenagh. Mr. REYNOLDS—Yes, and Nenagh; he had not the least objection to Nenagh being included. The making thes• changes could not weaken the popular power. They would not take more than 1,000 voters, and he believed that under the provisions of the Bill there would be 16,000. In Tipperary the deducting of the voters for the boroughs would not have any effect in a county that had always been remarkable for sending in dependent Member, to that House. He remem bered his Right Honourable Friend the Master of the Mint being returned by a majority of 1,300. That was a period prior to there being imposed upon him what ho called a lucrative taciturnity.—(Laughter.) But he trusted to see him recognised, as he had always been by him, as the living leader of the Irish people, and he was one who would be exceedingly sorry that any com bination of circumstances should diminish the number of his Right Hon. Friend's supporters in that or any other part of Ireland.—(Hear, hear.) He thought, too, that it would be no loss to Dundalk if it were associated with the patriotic town of Ardee. They had always heard of the purity of the borough of Athlone, yet pure as it was, it would not suffer in its independence if it were asso ciated with the neighbouring towns of Roscommon and Westmeath. With regard to Ennis, be was sure that his Hon. Friend would have no objection that the elec tors of Ennis should be enlarged, because it would afford to him an advantage of a large number of his country men attesting their sense of his merits, his virtues, and his integrity. lie would therefore beg to connect with Ennis the town of Kilrush.—(Laughter.) Ho trusted that Ennis would yet become whet it had once been—an exec.° lingly important town. He was glad to hear the Noble Lord had responded to the suggestions of the lion. Member for the county Limerick. Sir W. SOMERVILLE wished that lion. Members would proceed with the consideration of the Bill. Mr. i'AG AN hoped that time would be given to them to a:certain the opinions of the people of Ireland on the subj,.ct. It was his opinion that the popular interest would be eudwigered by the preposition of the 110 n. Member for Limerick. Mr. G. A. HAMILTON remarked that there was an increase of the constituency in the counties, and a decrease in the constituency in the towns caused by this Bill. Mr. S I'AFFORD remarked that the effect of the pro posed change would be, for instance in Clare, that Kil rush, which bad two votes for Members of the county, the electors there, if this proposition were adopted, would have but one vote. Clause 7 Ras agreed to. Upon clause S being proposed, Mr. FAGAN moved that a proviso be added to the clause, which would have the effect of continuing on the registry for eight years those who had that right at pre pout. By the 4 Bill they deprived the househOdus of their votes and continued the freemen, whom they repudiated and , r their reformed cATorate sys:etn. Sir NV. SOMERVILLE opposei the proviso. It would establish in boroughs a right which they had al rerdy decided should not be extended to counties. By this Bill the voters should be revised every year, and eemen would be so obliged to register under this Act. Mr. BRIG IIT observed that tee Bill proposed to make a very considerable addition to the constituency. It did so in the counties ; but the case was very different in the boroughs, where the effect would be to dimi nish the nutnber of electurs—and that, too, electors under a Ref trm Bill franchise. He considered it a very serious thing for that House to disfranchise any elector whose corruption was not proved. Those electors in boroughs were surely as worthy of sympathy from every portion of that House as were the freemen. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL objected to the pro viso as oppostd to the principle of the Bill. After a few words faun Mr. F. French and Colonel Dunne in support of the proviso, and M. Grogan in opposition to it. Mr. REYNOLDS called the attention of the Com mittee to the condition of the householders, ,who were unjustly trotted by the bill. At present they wers not liable to rates, and now they would he deprived of their rights, and if voters would have to pay poor rates before being regist.Ted Mr. G. A. HAMILTON said it struck him that the amendment went farther than the Hon. Member for Manchester seemed to think, and that any person who possessed the qualification now, would have it perpetu ated after the expiration of the eight years. The Committee then divided, when there appeared— For the proviso Against it ... ..„ 80 Majority against the proviso ... —42 The clause was then ordered to stand part of the Bill, as were also clauses to the 14th inclusive. On clause 15, enacting that the clerk of the peace in counties should prepare lists of persons now registered, Sir R. FERGUSON proposed the omission of the words, " excluding nevertheless from such lists all per sons registered under the said Act in respect of any qua lification heretofore requiring the elector to be or to have been in the actual occupation of the premises." The Hon. Member explained his object to be that when once a voter was plsced on the registration list his name should he retained there unless notice of disqualification should have been served. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL objected to the amendment, and said that the clause as it stood would prove more simple and far less expensive in its ope ration. Mr. VESEY—The Bill had been brought in as a boon to the people of Ireland. According to the clause as it stood, however, he denied that in many eases it would be considered as a boon; for, under this clause, no matter whether a person wished it or not, if he possessed the qualification required by the Bill, he was at once placed upon the register, and must be invested with the right of voting. No person, who knew anything of Ire land, could fail to be acquainted with the agitations and heartburnings which were attendant upon elections in that country. On the one hand, the clergy were anxious to drag the voter to the hustings on the popular aide; while, on the other hand, the landlords were equally anxious to drag him to the poll to serve their purposes. The evil of this system was felt to be so great that in numerous instances in Ireland the people had refused to come forward at all; hence the small number of electors in that country bad given rise to the necessity fur this Bill. His own county supplied an apt illustration of the truth of this. Sir G. GRE f said that if the amendment were adopted it would not remedy the inconvenience com plained of. Mr. ANSTEY supported the clause. Major BLACKALL said if the House passed the clause as it was, and if they thus caused those parties to be put upon the register, one-half of them would not pay their poor rates in order not to be in that position. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL Mended the clause. After a few words from Mr. G. A. HAMILTON and Mr. GROGAN, Mr. SHEIL said that whatever might be the evil of an electoral contest, let them, for God's sake, avoid a re gistration contest. Deprecating the undue exercise of influence of the landlord on the one band, and of the priest on the other, he, for that reason, opposed the clause proposed by his Hon. Friend. Colonel THOMPSON said the coming amendment of the Hon. Member for Kerry (the ballot) would give a better remedy than any that had been proposed. After an observation from Mr. FORBES, the Com mittz;e divided, when there appeared— For the amendment Against it ... Majority ••• On clause 15 being proposed, Mr. CLEMENTS moved an amendment with the view to the substitution of the clerk of the union for the high constable, as the officer to prepare the lists of per sons qualified to rote, to make the objections indictved in clause 19, and to receive general claims and objec tions; and the clerk of the peace as the officer to cause them to be printed and exhibited; also that the lists should he made out by parishes and townlands alpha betically. He then would propose the postponement of the next clauses down to clause 19 inclusive, with the view of introducing the clauses which had been delivered as a separate paper. ... 42 ••• ... ... 145 ... ... --103 Sir V. SO(ERVILLE wai prepared, on the part of the Government, to acquiesce in the amendment, which he thought an improvement, as tending to save expense and facilitate the operation of the Bill. The clause was then agreed to, with amendments; and clauses 16. 17, 18, 19 were struck out. On clause 20 having been proposed, a long and desul tory conversation ensued, and various verbal amend ments were suggested. Af er some discussion, Mr. FRENCH moved an amendment, the effect of which was understood to be to save the franchise in case of a change of residence. Thp Committee divided on the proposition, and the numbers ware— For the amendment ... 57 .Against it ... ... 144 Majority against it ... ...-87 The clause, as amended, was then agreed to. Oa the motion of Sir G. GREY, clauses from 21 to 26 inclusive were struck out, for the purpose of being af.ervvards brought up with amendments. Clauses 27 and 28 were agreed to. On clause 29, which enact.; that the town-clerk should give notice requiring the payment of the poor-rates, Viscount NAAS opposed the clause, as being one which would entail unnecessary expense. The clause, however, was agreed to. Clauses 30. 31, and 32 were agreed to. Sir D. NORREYS moved the addition of the follow ing proviso to the latter clause:—" Provided always, that whenever any person shall have been rates in re spect of several tenements and premises of the ♦alue of Si. and upwards, the payment of all poor-rates due by him in respect of any such premises or tenements, being f the valae of 81. and upwards, shall he a sufficient pay ment of poor-rates for the purpose of this Act." The ATTORNEY-GE'NgRAL objectei to the pro viso as uselese. The amendment was withdrawn, and the clause was added to the Bill. • On clause 33; Mr. REYNOLDS moved a proviso to the effect that any person on the register not having given notice in writing of changing his place of abode on or before the 31st of July, shall not be entitled to be placed upon the register. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said the adoption of the proviso would give rise to gn at inconvenience. He should therefore objet to it. Mr. REYNOLDS said the object of this proviso was to compel parties on the register to prove their re sidence. He would carry the principle to 201. and 501. freeholders. The gallery was cleared for a division, but none took place. The mo►tion was withdrawn, and the clause was agreed to. Clauses 34, 35, 36, and 37 were also agreed to. The House then resumed, and the Chairman was or dered to report progress on Thursday, April 11. MUTINY BILLS. On the motion of Mr. FOX MAULE, the Mutiny Bill and the Marine Mutiny Bill were read a second time. On the motion of Mr. BOUVERIE the Fees (Court of Common Pleas) Bill was read a second time. The School Districts Contributions Bill passed through Committee. The Committee on the Chief Justices' Salaries Bill was postponed till Friday. in consequence of an objec. tion raised by Mr. SPOONER, who thought the Bill ought not to be proceeded with at so late an hour. The reports of the Committees of Ways and Means and the Committee of Supply were brought up. Mr. HAYTER, in the absence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, obtained leave to bring in a Bill to re peal the duty on bricks. Mr. W. P. WOOD moved " that the Committee of In quiry as to Oaths of Members do consist of 21 Mem bers, and that the following Members do farm such Committee :—The Earl of Arundel and Surrey, Lord J. Russell, Sir R. Peel, Sir J. Graham, Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Goulburn, Mr. Wynn, Sir R. H. Inglis, Mr. Attor ney• General, the Lord Advocate, Sir F. Thesiger, Mr. Cockburn, Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Henley. Mr. Hume, Mr. Napier, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. Turner, Mr. W. Patten, Mr. Walpole, and Mr. Wood." As he understood the Hon . Member for Buckinghamshire would be unable to attend; he proposed to substitute the name of Mr. Herries. Mr. B. OSBORNE did not wish to offer any objection to the appointment of the Committee, but could not help expressing his regret that the Hon. Member for Youghal hail nut been named, as he had taken great in terest in the q❑estion two years ago. Major BERESFORD could not agree to the appoint ment of the Committee unless he could obtain some pledge that its proceedings would be in accordance with the Hon. end Learned Gentleman by whom it had been movvil. If the Committee should make any report affecting the admissibility or non•admissibility of the Je•w otherwise than by means of the introduction of a Bill, he should consider its proceedings unfair; and un less he received an assurance from the llon, and Learned Member or the Government that the report of the Committee would be confined strictly to the result of th• inquiry, he should divide the House on the sub• ject.—(lleac, hear.) Mr. W. I'. WOOD could enly repeat what he had stated on the former occasion as to the intentions of the Committee. When the Committee should be ap pointel it would be impossible for him to say what they might or might not think fit to do. But his object was simply to obtain a Committee of Inquiry, following the precedent in the case cf Mr. Pease. As in that case the Committee would report on the various Acts of Parliament, sad the precedents which existed with respect to the admission of Quakers without forming any opinion; and so fur from going iota the Committee at all prejudiced, be alsould consider t hie duty to lay before them every Act of Parliament and every precedent bearing on. the subject, whether fa vourable to his views or otherwise. The functions of the Committee would be of a judicial nature, simply to report to the House the result o their inquirieg.—(Rear.) Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL moved, to onable the lion. Member for Youghal to be placed on the Committee, that the Committee do consist of 22 members, but subse quently withdrew it, Major BERESFORD observed that there were 13 members who were in favour of the Jewish claims, and only 8 against them; he would repelt, there:ore, that the Committee was unfairly chosen. Mr. B. OSBORNE moved the omission of the name of the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, in order to substi tute the name of Mr. Anstey. The motion was negatived without a division. The names were then agreed to till the SPEAKER came to the name of Mr. flume, when Mr. B. OSBORNE inured the omission of the name of Mr. Hume, as the Hon. Gentleman ii, , sured him he could not attend. Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the Howe divided, when there appeared— For the motion ..„ 16 Against it ... 47 Majority —3l The remaining name-, were then agreed to. The Brick Duties Bill was brought in and read a first time. Mr. HUDSON wished to know whether any provision was made for allowing drawback to the brickreakers who had stocks upon hand. It would be a great hardship upon them if some return of daty was not provided for. Mr. HAYTER said it was provided for in the Bill. The House adjourned at Oae o'clock. COMMUNICATION WITH FRANCE The important question relative to the transmission of the mails between London and Paris, having occu pied considerable attention, the following extracts from the report upon the subject will be found well worth the attention of our readers : BOULOGNE. The westerly or south-westerly winds prevail in the Channel full nine months of the year, and the swell rolls in from the same quarter ten months, having no impediment between the exposed and dangerous western coast of the Pas de Calais and the distant shores of America. In thick, dark, and foggy weather, the coast in the neighbour hood of Boulogne is no less difficult than dangerous to approach ; it is fringed with reefs, having deep water close to; a vessel cannot therefore feel her way by the lead, and there being no light except at Point d'Alprecht, it is a work of immense peril to ap proach such a shore in a dark night, particularly at low water, under the ordinary circumstances of wind and sea as above adverted to. The'port of Boulogne dries at low water spring tides, and has frequently three or four feet bar in face, the sluices not being so effectual as those of Calais. The entrance of the port is also narrower than Calais, and the piers being solid, form a dam across the tide; and as these piers are of unequal length, the western considerably outside the eastern, the cur• rent running to the eastward with great rapidity round the west pier is met by a counter western stream between it and the eastern pier head. This counter-action is so strong, even under ordinary cir cumstances, as to endanger vessels losing command, and probably causing their wreck against the west p w i e e s r ier a ly nd ga in lea, a tdhaerkduntiy of pointing a vesse l forght, during th e prevailing the harbour thus becomes a service of immense peril. The egress is equally dangerous, for in south westerly gales a violent sea is created by the action of the tide, and immediately a vessel gets without the west head she takes the sea on her broadside that sweeps her round towards the stone work which ex tends beyond the eastern works, and is in danger of breaking her wheel, or (what may be worse) en tangling it with the buoys which mark this stone work. The communication by boats is much more difficult at Boulogne than at Calais during winter, when a suc cession of S. W. gales setting in, will sometimes cause an interruption for several days together. The cir cumstances of this duty having to be performed in the night, and on an open coast, with the frequent attendant difficulties of darkness, thick rainy weather and a heavy sea, are obstacles of so insuperable a nature, that frequent delays and serious probable accident will ensue in carrying on so perilous a ser vice. There have been several fatal accidents in Boulogne Bay, even by daylight. One happened a few years ago, in landing the mail from her Majesty's packet Beaver, when it was not only daylight, but the wind' off the land, the boat was upset by the breakers on the shore, and Mr. S. Hare (second master), the French pilot, six of his crew, and two passengers were all drowned without any possibility of rescuing them; and even so late as the 17th of last November sixteen French seamen were drowned, part in attempt ing the harbour of Boulogne, and others in its imme diate vicinity. The distance from Dover to Boulogne is six miles further than to Calais, and in dark winter weather the passage is much more dangerous to the latter port, the course lying athwart the track of ships running up the Channel ; it also leads directly among the numerous English and French fishing vessels which congregate about the " Varne and Ridge," and also the fishing ground on the coast between Grisnez and Boulogne. It is longer and more difficult to get to Boulogne against a strong wind at S.W., and a spring Hood, than it is to get to Calais against a strong east wind and a spring ebb. The difference of the passage between the two ports will be in favour cf Calais, in fine weather about !'alf an hour, and in bad weather from an hour and a half to two hours. The port of Boulogne is not adapted for a perma nent mail station, in consequence of the peculiar na tural difficulties, arising from its exposed locality and the nature of the coast. The important conditions of punctuality and certainty of safe performance of the service at the most economical cost, are not to be ob tained at this place, in consequence of the several opposing circumstances stated in the foregoing remarks. It is confessed by all nautical persons acquainted with it to be fit for fine weather only, and as such it may be suitable enough for vessels whose sole object is the conveyance of passengers, and who can suit their proceedings so as to avoid the difficulties of the tide and the risks of weather. But for mail packets, whose duty is to be fulfilled punctually, without reference to these matters, and are regulated only by the arrival or departure of trains, it will be found totally unsuitable. It may be reasonably predicted, that if the packets continue to use the port of Boulogne in the night, as they have done since the commencement of the last year, that some of them will e ven t ua lly be lost, for it is frequently impossible, in a d ar k night, to know the danger a vessel is coming i n t o until too late to extricate it, and the lights and signals on shore are by no means to be trusted to. Both the risk and the wear and tear, with the concomitant expense, may be safely estimated at 100 per cent. more than at Calais, the exposed nature of the Boulogne coast ren dering it frequently unsafe to anchor, and a steamer consequently consuming fuel and other stores, wear ing her hull and machinery, and exposed to accidents to both, in a manner which would no t be the case at Calais, where the intervals of being kept from enter ing the harbour are much shorter, and where safe anchorage can be obtained, in most cases, during such intervals. In reference to the transit of the mails between the coast and ,the interior, I know the French authorities have offered to accelerate the trains between Bou- logne and Paris, and to perform the distance in five hours and a half, instead of seven hours and a half, as at present; by which th e y propose to afford nearly seven hours for th e sea passage instead of four hours and three quart ers as now . As the journey from Paris to Calais is now effected in nine hours and three quarters, the present rate of travelling on both roads being about the same, it fol lows as a matter o f course t h a t the whole route t o Calais (which br anc h es f rom the others at Amiens) accomplished m b pe ish proportionally t n i on all seveny accelerated, hour s and a half, thu s gaining and the di s t ance on the longer road two hours and a half, as two hours are proposed to be saved on the shorter one. The sea transit by Calais requires only four hours to cover all probable contingencies, and thus pursuing the safe route by Calais, the bags by the night mail may reach the French capital earlier than at present, and by the day mail leave later, affording about four hours at Paris to return an answer in thirty-two hours from London ; or allowing about eight hours in Paris to return a reply by the night mail to London in thirty-eight hours—that is to say, a person may leave London on Monday at Bh. 30m. P.m., reach Paris at 10h. 3Dm. on Tuesday, leave again by day mail at 2h. 30m. P.M., and be in London at 4h. 30m. on Wednes day morning; or he may remain about eight hours in Paris, and by leaving with the night mail at 7 P.M., will be in London at 10h. 30m. on Wednesday morning, say thirty-eight hours from his departure. CALAIS. The port of Calais is sheltered from westerly winds ; the water is, then, smooth along shore ; it is easy to enter the harbour, land in boats, or anchor on the coast, which is a good roadstead. The coast of Calais may be approached with perfect safety in dark or graduallytowards rt h ick h weather.te shorelth is sandy, a and shoals so vessel m ay stand in without risk, and feel hir way by the lead, even when the weather is so thick as to render all objects invisible, except at very short distances. The piers project so far to seaward that a vessel feeling her way by , the lead along the shore at tide-time cannot miss them, and at low water they can, without risk, be approached so near as to hear a bell, which, in foggy weather, is kept ringing. The light is a most brilliant one, and so situate, by its position in reference to the tide light on Port Rouge, that a vessel may with certainty run in between the piers, even though so dark as not to be able to see them. The port of Calais is so much improved by the newly-constructed sluices and the extension of the MARCH 19, 1850 piers, that at low water spring tides there is always water for a large sailing boat to turn out to sea with the wind northerly, and during the reap tides there is frequently seven feet at low water az.d consequently access for the mail packets when the water is smooth at all times of tide. succes3 Within the piers in the Harbour ChAnnel there are between two and three fathoms at low water, and con'equently a steamer may be kept al ways afloat, ready to start at the earliest period of the flood, if required. The channel is of great width, ex tending from pier to pier, and having ample :room for a vessel to recover a yaw of the helm and regain a right direction. There are no dangers outside. The heads are of equal length and of open work at the extremity, and no counter-tide to guard against as at Boulogne. Both ingress and egress to this port may be effected with comparative safety when blowing hard from the north-east, which is the worse period here, whereas there would be most imminent danger at Boulogne with a gale at west-south-west, which is the peculiar season of difficulty there. The communication by boats at Calais at low water is comparatively safer and easier at that place than it is at Boulogne, even under favourable circumstances, from the peculiar local advantages which exist there, and of which the other port is destitute. At Calais there is always water for a sailing boat of a sufficient size and quality to insure safety to get out of the harbour at low water time, which there is not at Bou logne. The fact of the mails having been disem barked by boats at Calais for several years, when the port was not in its present improved state, and the boats and crews of an inferior description, without any accident having ever occurred, is itself an evident proof of the preferable nature of this place for maintaining an uninterrupted communication for the mail service; and it may reasonably be anticipated that, with a properly adapted boat and efficient crew, there would be scarcely any instances of delay, and this portion of the duty of transmitting the mails could be per formed with the requisite punctuality, safety, and economy. The distance between Dover and Calais is not only six nautical miles less than to Boulogne, but it is also much easier and safer, being more out of the track of running ships, and likewise of fishing vessels, who resort principally to the hanks north east of Calais, and are consequently out of the way of steamers. With those winds also which mostly prevail in the Channel, the latter part of the passage to Calais is an approach to smooth water. From the time a vessel draws within the stream of Cape Grisnez, the sea becomes gradually less all the way in shore; whereas, in proceeding to Boulogne the effects of the sea are experienced the whole way, and in crease in dif fi culty and danger in nearing the French coast. In returning from Calais also, in ex• treme cases of gales from the westward, a vessel is enabled to take advantage of the shelter on the south' shore, and get so far to windward as to insure her fetching Dover, and greatly diminish the time and difficulty in making her passage. The port of Calais is the best adapted of any in this part of the Channel for maintaining undeviating regularity, and insuring dispatch in transmitting the mails, in consequence of its natural advantage, of its sheltered locality, and those produced by the artificial means of the harbour works, as represented in the foregoing remarks. Its importance as an established mail station is universally admitted by ex perienced persons without any doubt or objection, and the essential benefit of its local advantages in obviating marine difficulties, considerably overbalance any objec tions which might exist regarding its situation relative to land conveyance. It is manifestly more practicable to remedy difficulties on land, than when they occur in marine affairs. The latter are in the present instance not to be overcome by machinery, as a mere question of distance may be. The improved quality of the vesselss is, in fact, neutralised as regards Boulogne, by the nature o f th e p or t. A quick pas sage there is often useless, by the impossibility of effecting the object of it—that of communicating after arrival. The certainty of landing is as impor tant a condition as the certainty of a speedy voyage. With the port of Calais both these circumstances combine, viz., fast vessels and a good harbour. There is probably not one day in the year in which the pre sent packets would be prevented from reaching their destination, if Calais were the adopted station ; and it may be equally anticipated that very few cases would occur of being prevented communicating by boats. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S.—YESTERDAY. WARWICKSHIRE ITANDICAP. 3 to 1 agst Lord J. Scott's Defaulter 4 to 1 agat Mr. Meeson's Dart 5 to 1 agst Mr. Irwin's Ballinafad 6 to 1 agst Lord Clifden's St. Antonio 10,000 to 50 agst Keleshea winning the Warwick Handicap and Chester Cup. LEAMINGTON STEEPLECHASE. 8 to 1 agst Proceed 8 to 1 agst Little Fanny—tahea to 1001, 12 to 1 agst Victim 20 to 1 'agst Treasurer TUE INORTIIAMPTONSIIIRE STAKES. 6 to 1 agst Mr.llslford's lisrriott, 3 yrs, sst 101 b 7 to I agst Mr. 11. Hill's Ostorley, 4 yrs, 7st 10 to 1 agst Lord Eglinton's Belus, 4 yrs, 7st 51b—t 10 to I agst Duke of Bedford's sfahratta, 4 yrs, sst lllb 12 to 1 agat Mr. Jaques's Chantrey, 4 yrs, 6.4 131 b 20 to 1 agst Mr. Grevillt's Clarissa, 4 yrs. Tat 3:b 30 to 1 agst Mr. E. R. Clark's Giselle, age 1, Est 121 b —taken The actual business on the above event was confined to Belus, at 10 to 1; Chantrey at 16, 13, and 12 to 1; and Giselle at 1,000 to 30 and 30 to 1; the outlay on each amounting to nearly 1501. Osterley was friendless. METROPOLITAN STAKES. 2 to 1 agst Mr. Gratwicke's Cheerful, 4 yrs, 6st— taken and afterwards offered TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS STAKES. 2 to 1 agst Lord H. Lennox's Beehunter 5 to 1 agst Mr. Bowes's Mickleton John o' Groat is de zlared not to start. CHESTER CUP. 22 to 1 agst Mr. Pedley's Cossack, 6 yrs, 9st 21b— taken to 2001. 30 to I agat Lord,Chesterfield's Lady Evelyn, 4 yrs, Bst 21b—taken 40 to 1 agat Mr. St. George's Whim colt, 4 yrs, 6st 71b—taken 50 to 1 agst Mr. Colgan's Horn of Chase, 6 yrs, ist 101 b—taken freely 10,000 to 150 agst Mr. Lawson's Keleshea, 6 yrs, 6st 61b —t ikon Cossack, Lsdy Evelyn, and the Horn of Chase were in considerable favour, their respective supporters volun teering to go on at the quoted prices. DISRBY. 6 to 1 agat Duko of Richmond's Ghillie Callum— taken to 1001, and afterwards offered 7 to 1 agst Mr. W. Edwards na Bolingbroke—taken 11 to 1 agst Mr. Gratwicke's The Nigger 20 to 1 agst Lord Zetland's Voltigeur 30 to 1 agst Mr. Hill's Pitsford—taken 1,000 to 30 agst Lord Chesterfield's Penang-40 to 1 taken freely 40 to 1 agst Lord Exeter's Nutshell—take 50 to 1 1.000 to 25 agst Colonel Peel's Ilardinge—taken 2,000 to 25 agst Duke of Bedford's John o' Groat—taken and afterwards offered Ghillie Callum was backed at 7 to 1 in ponies, and at 6 to 1 in hundreds, the latter bet coupled with one of 7 to lin Mae.; agst Bolingbroke. Pitsford, Penang, and Nutshell were also in demand, the odds returned above being tle highest obtainable at the close of business. NORTHAMPTON AND PYTCHLEY HUNT MEETING, 1850. THURSDAY.—Acceptances for Earl Spencer's Handicap Plate of 1004 Rathmine', 6 yrs, Bst 71b—Farthingale, 4 yrs, Bst 7lb —Bishop of Romford's cob, aged, Bst 71b—Hind of the Forest, 5 yrs. Bst 51b—Jest, 5 yrs, 7st 131b—Crucible, 4 yrs, lit 121b—Ferule, 4 yrs, 7st 121b—Warniower, 4 yrs, 7st 101b—Rodney, 4 yrs, 7st 101 b—ch g by Epirus, dam by D'Egville, 4 yrs, 7st 51b—b fby Vulcan, out of Lodola, 4 yrs, 7st—The Monk, 3 yrs, Est 121b—Celia, 3 yrs, Est 101b—Willingham, 4 yrs, Est 91b—Harum Scarum, 3 yrs, Est 81b—Fernande, 3 yrs, Est 81b—Gla diole, 3 yrs, 6st 81b—Le Beau, 3 yrs, Est 71b—The Re cluse. 3 yrs, 6st 61b—Equiria, 3 yrs, Est 41b—Sl a ng, 3 yrs, Est 41 b—Rose Pompon, 3 yrs, Est 41b—Osbaldeston, 3 yrs, Est 31b—Brennus, 3 yrs, Est 31b—b fby Pantaloon out of The Mite, 3 yrs, sst 131b—Humphrey, 3 yrs, sst 121b—Alonzo, 3 yrs, sst 101b—Egalite,.3 yrs, Sat 101 b Diligence 3 yrs, sst 101 b. STOURBRIDGE STEEPLECHASE. Miss Collingwood, lOst 91b—Lucy Neal, lost 71b— Falcon, 9st 121b—Hope, 9st 101b—Volatile, 9st 81b— Vatic Rein, 9st 51b—Veritas, 9st 31b—The Unknown, 9st Bib. SPORTING NOTES. No. I. " Say from whence You owe this strange intelligence? Or why, * * * * you stop our way, With such prophetic greeting." " Answer me, stand and unfold yourself." SHAKEIPERE. " Ttts: SPIRIT he answered, crabbed and sour, Pray don't be pathetic:, for this is mine hour; Of the past no phantom or popinjay But calm acid practical, silent and dry." HEINE. " There is a history-- Figuring the nature of the times dee( as'J; The which observ'd, a man may prophesy, With n near aim. of th• main chance of things As yet not come to life." SHAESPERE. " The Turar's mine oyster, Which I with judgment will open." SHAKSPERE (slightly altered). " I'll issue notes Which may on Fortune's 'Change be barter'd For much money." MOLSON WALLYNOE. " And henceforth find myself more gaily elass'd Amongst the higher spirits of the d4y, THE SUN'S true son, no vapour, but a ray. BYRON. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. Sin,—lt is now five years siace I first wielded the propqttio pen, and undertook for the amusement of an 00016111911 g stray 1141 f-hour or so, to pilot the spogtiug readers of The Sun through the innumerable shoals abounding in the sea of turf speculation; with what --the murk no moratal Or surest hand can always hit, For whatsoe'er we perpetrate, We do but row, we're sreer'd by fate, Which in SUCCeid eft disinherits For spurious causes greatest merits—" never having boon absolutely wrong in my Derby se lections, and having three years successively placed the first two for tfb4 St. Leer, will testify. I commence this my sixth annual scribbling campaign, witb invigc rated forces, armed at all points, " cramni'd With observation—the which I'll vent In mingled fancies;" leading off, as usual, with the " introductory epistle," a sort of prologue, bill of fare, or index to that which is to follow, in which I shall forthwith proceed to glance at the probable fate of the principal stake of 1850, and en deavour, if possible, to illuminstJ the world (the sport ing portion, I mean) with the names of those favourites of the fickle godd ess , d es ti ne d to create a slight sensation at Epsom, Newmarket, Chester, and elsewhere; for (as the master-mind dotted down) " In such indexes, although small pricks To their subsequent volumes, there is seen The baby figure of the giant mass Of things to , come." By the way, I cannot help remarking how marvel lously correct my "introductory epistles" have been. Take last year's, for instance. Published in February, it announced to the sporting frat'rnity that it was my opionion Tadmor would win the Column Stakes, Nan nykirk or Honeycomb (former for choice) the 2,000 Guineas, Tadmor or The Flying Dutchman the Derby, the Industry filly (Lady Evelyn) the Osks, and The Flying Dutchman or Nunnykirk the St. Leger. Now, if I can but accomplish a similar feat this year, those who take The Spirit for their pilot ought to weather the storm bravely. Plunging in medias res, I begin my running comments with the richest and meat important racing stake in the universe, called, par excellence, The Derby, which will be contested for the 71st time on the fir-famed Downs of Epsom, on the 29th day of May next, and for which no less than 205 horses have been nominated; one, however, being wrong, four dead, and forty out of training. Of the remaining eight score, some thirty or forty will en gage the metallics of the Ring between now and that memorable period to the denizens of "the village," yclept the Derby-day. Last year I drew up a list of the principal horses in the market, and handicapped them to the best of my judgment, not being ruled altogether by their past performances, but looking to their qualities and condition at - the time, as well as to the peculiar nature of the course; and as I was successful enough to place the Flying Dutchman and Tadmor at Sst 71b, each at the top of the list, why I'll e'en express my opinion in the shape of a handicap again, as follows: at. lb. - Ghillie Callum Sweetheart Bolingbroke The Nigger 8 4 The Iticisn 8 31 William the Conqueror 8 3 Knight of Avenel 8 2 Micklt tou Clincher Mayors 8 2 Blarney Hardioge 8 0 Cyprus 8 0 Compass Mildew Penang Nutshell at. lb. The Swede 7 12 Voltigeur Windhound 7 12 Pitsford Python ..... 7 10 John o' Groat 7 10 Deicoon Yew-tree . Lady Geraldine, colt 7 9 Garforth Nioultan Dark Susan, colt 7 8 Charley ICranberry Cadger 7 7 Confidence 7 7 About Pontifex, Nutcracker, Stingo, Little Bob, Sir Charles, and another or two, I shall not hazard an opinion at present, but reserve it until the Craven Meet ing shall have passed away into the gulf of time. From the foregoing handicap it will be perceived that I consider the Goodwood trio, Day's, Dswson's, and Ed wards' cracks, to be the lot from which the winner must spring, and I shall be sorely deceived if it does not fur nish the second and third as well as the first. Ghillie Callum, by Gladiator, out of Reel, premier favourite, was a remarkably early foal, having been slipped on the 25th January, nearly three months pre vious to Sweetheart's appearance upon this sublunary ball (April 12th); he was got into easy training early, the advantage of which will be apparent, if he can but stand the finishing preparation. That he is one of the speediest horses of his year I should think must be patent to every one on the turf ; but whether he can travel on hilly ground as well as the Nigger remains to be seen; as long as he does his work well, I must con sider him the " flower of the Goodwood flock," as I ob served some six months ago, and still stick to my opinion as expressed then, that " should the Bee Hunter win the Guineas he will see 3 to 1 before running for the Derby." Sweetheart, by Touchstone, out of Catherine (a pedi gree no one can find fault with, the sire having won the St. Leger in 1834, and the dam having won more races than any animal that ever trod the turf), made his deblit at Stockbridge in the Triennial Stakes, and though slightly amiss, ran Bee Hunter to a dead heat, but got, as a matter of course, beat into fits in the de• Ming heat, by the rattling son of Gladiator and Valentine. His next appearance was at Newmarket, where he won the July Stakes very easily by two lengths, in 1 min. 9 secs., the shortest time on record, and three seconds better than the Flying Dutchman's time in 1848 ! This performance was about the best ac compliahed last season, perhaps with the exception of the officious spurts of that little wonder, the daughter of Pantaloon and Baleine. Sweetie trt's last appearance as a two-year old was for a Produce Stakes at Liverpool, where, dead amiss, he ran nowhere to Harriott. Bst 11b, first, and Probity, Bst 41b, second. This nag, if brought to the post quite up to the mark, will be, as people say, '• there or thereabouts." With respect to Bolingbroke, for whose qualities I en tertain the profoundest respect, the Nig ,Ter, the Ita lian,: William the Conqueror, cum muftis aliis, more anon. The Oaks is a mystery which I cannot penetrate, at least not now, but would have no objection is take the fullowing dozen against the field, viz.:—Tingle, Tiff, Probity, Countess of Albers arse, Claymore, Impression, Rhedycina, Necklace, Mahascab, Countess, Regina, and Miss Larkaway; giving the preference to Probity, Im pression, with the Countess of Albemarle, and Sir J. Hawley's best, Tingle or Tiff, would divide my second choice. The Great Northamptonshire Stakes seem destined for Osterley, 4 yrs, 7st, or Harriott, 3 yrs, sst 101 b; the fol lowing however are well-in:—Flateacher, 5 yrs, Bst 51b; Mahratta, 4 yrs, sst 111 b; and Bastinsdo, 3 yrs 4st 61b. The Great Metropolitan Stakes look anything but cheerful to the betters. round ; Mr. Grstwicke's filly, 4 yrs, fikt, at first sight appears to be a certainty, but I ex claim with Byron, " There's no such thing as certainty, that's plain As any of mortality's conditions;" therefore, with a 'view to keeping on the cafe side, shall keep an eye upon Chantrey and Clarissa, each 4 yrs, 7st 51b; Snowstorm, 4 yrs, 7st 41b; Melody, 4 yr', 7st; Lam mermoor, 4 yrs, 6$ 61b; and Bastinado, 3 yrs, 4st 71b. For the Newmarket Handicap, I am inclined to place my trust in Saucy Dick, 4 yrs, 7st 41b; and Little Jick, 3 yrs, sst llb; with Flatcatcher, 5 yrs, SA 51b; Herbert, 4 yre, 7st llb; Sirongbow, 4 yrs, 7st; Cheerful, 4 yrs, sst 121 b; and Bastinado, 3 yrs, 4st 61h, as a reserve corps. The race for the Column Stakes will lay between Mickleton and Hardinge, Caribou third; Pontifi x and Longinus, I presume, will be non est. Lady Evelyn will, in all probability, be the first past the post for the Port Stakes. Puffy's star looks bright at Bath in the Somersetshiro Stakes at 6st 21b, at which weight he ought to dispose of Midis, 4 yrs, 7st 21b; Sea-gull, 6 yrs, 6st 61b; and Won't-you-come.out-to-night, 3 yri, sst, his principal opponents; whether he will or no time will prove. . - I can discover nothing likely to beat the . Bee-hunter in the spin for the 2,000 Guineas, and if I place Mickle ton and Hardinge second and third, with Pitsford well up, I think I shall not be far from the mark. The 1,000 Guinea Stakes may fail to the lot of Sir J. Hawley with Tingle or Tiff; or to Mr. Green with the Countess of Albemarle, Mr. Combe's Necklace being bandy. The Chester Cup winner I opine will be found in John Day's stable. The Bee-hunter, if he starts, will win the Dee Stakes, and be a rattling favourite for the Doncaster St. Leger; for the latter race Ghillie Callum, the Nigger, and Bo lingbroke must not be forgotten. The Flying Dutchman and Canezou will be the pets of fortune icr the Emperor's Plate; and it will be a mere question of health with the former for the Great 300 Sovs. Stakes at Goodwood. For the Derby of 1i51! the following animals will merit attention at the hands of the Ring, viz. :—Primi tins, in Edward's stable; Lord Stanley's trio, Storm, Croupier, and Crotchet, and Neominster, in Scott's; La martine in Day's; Boni() Dundee in Fubert's; and the Pantalonade colt in Wadlow's. _ _ _ For the Derby of 1852!! the following foals of last year deserve notice:—A large lengthy colt, by Bird catcher, out of Beeswing; a strong colt, by Lanercost, out of Alice Hawthorn; a colt, by Birdcatcber, out of Blue Bonnet; and a remarkably promising colt, called Peppermint, by Sweetmeat, out of Pantalonade. As Warwick opens the legitimate racing season of 1850 0-morrow, I will conclude this random epistle with a few words thereanent. The Trial Stakes—Rose Pompon, first, seco nd, Knigh of Gwynne, Mark Tapley, and nd, and third. The Willoughby Handicap to Fugitive. The Free Handicap to Andalusian or Doubt. Ths Two-year -old Stakes to Louis Napoleon, Stafford, Beaufort, or filly by Venison, out of Darkness; a very dark lot, the filly for choice. The Great Warwickshire Handicap I feel inclined to book to Pelham or the DArt, ex; olting to see St. An tonio and Defaulter in close attendance. " Thus far our prophecy; and now we pause, Though not for want of !natter; but 'tis time, To slacken sail." I am, Sir, yours, &c. THE SPIRIT OF THE TURF. March 18, 1850. [ADVERTISEMENT.] —A respected Member of the Society of Friends cured of a Cough and Asthma by Hollo way's Ointment and Pills.—Extract of a letter from Mr. Ben jamin Mackie to Professor Holloway, dated Creenagh, near Loughgall, Sept. 11, 1848 .—Respected Friecd,—l feel it only an act of justice to thyself to state that I have personally expe rienced the benefit of thy excellent pills and ointment in the cure of an inveterate cough and asthma, which afflicted me for three years to such an extent that I was obliged to walk about my room at night afraid of suffocation if I went to bed. 1 then tried they invaluable medicines, which, I am pleased to say, have perfectly cured me."—Sold by all vendors of medi cine throughout the globe, and at Professor Holloway's E s t i . bliahment, 244 Stand ; Landon. I.,A,TE,i'R FROM AMERICA. ..15 - rf Z L 1 VERPODL, MARCH 19.—8 y the arrival 11 ill ,WII 7 Z morning of the fine steamer America -we are p4s 'zi: - '.W.,,„ii `. pssession of the following later news and dat4 : .. ir.."1.. t i Boston, March 6; Halifax, March 8; Cincinu l ''. /,‘‘ i L March 3 ; New Orleans, March 2 ; New Yor rit /A Baltimore, March 5. She brings upwards o 1 *,-±•; 7 ,, 6 ; - -5 ;1 1 4 7 passengers, and the usual American mails. G 1 ~...<i. . - il y__s... The discussion in the American Senate on t ( C t _tr ~ slavery q ues ti on h a d no t term i na t e d. *I Z N T C Mr. Calhoun addressed the Senate on the 4th in a speech proposing the admission of California into the Union, but admits therein, that if California is re , ceived under its present constitution, the Union must be dissolved. By advices from California we learn that Sacra mento City is inundated. One million of dollars are lust by the overflow. Upwards of half a million dollars of specie further have arrived from the mines. There is nothing further new from Canada. COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. The state of business throughout the United States was good. Business was very brisk. The market lor breadstuffs was quiet, and prices were without change._ Western Canal flour, 5 dolls. 12ic. to 5 dolls. 25c., steady. Genesee prime wheat, 1 doll. 26c. to 1 doll. 25c. per 601 b. Indian corn, round yellow, 56e. to 58c. (stesdy it thi s price). Ditto, flat yellow, 53e. per bushel. Ditto, southern while. 56c. to 5Sc. per bushel. Indian meal, 2 dells. 87ic. to 3 dolls. per barrel. The Cotton Market has exhibited a great deal of in action, prices slightly receding for most descriptions. Sales are very limited at the following quotations:—New Orleans and Mobile mid. fair to fair, 13 to 13k cents.; Uplands and Florida, 12i to 13 cents., showing in both instances a fall of cent. In Provisions, business was also dull The receipts were large. Lard and Pork were both inactive; prime Pork at €i dolls. Freight; are still lower, and very little is being done. Flour to Liverpool, is. 6d. to Is. 9d. per barrel; grain t o ditto, 50. to 6d. per bushel; cotton to ditto, id. to 3-16 d. per lb.; cotton to Havre. cent. to cent. per lb. Exchange on London, 1081 to 1081, the market being quiet. On Paris, 5 30. small sales. On Hamburgii, 35 to 35k. On 8r1M4313, 78 78i. NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. THE EXPERIMENTAL SQUADRON. Orr Lrsnox.—We have been out for the last tea days trying rates of sailing, principally before the wind. We have had nothing but light breezes, in which the Leander certainly beats all. We have had one trial on a wind, but it only lasted an hour and a half, as it 411 a calm. The other day a towing match took place (Ter rible, Rncounter, Arrogant, Hogue, &c.) Hogue broke down at the commencement, but did extremely well under half speed ; Terrible showed a great ad vantage over all the rest by at least doubling her distance. OFF GIBRALTAR, MARCH 7.—After receiving letters off Lisbon, the squadron bore up for this place, and, will sail again to-morrow for a three weeks cruise, returning to Lisbon. The Commodore says, this time he is going to put the steamers to the test. One of the officers of the Encounter is under arrest on a most serious charge, which it is expected will cause the ship to be sent home and a court-martial to be held. It is expected the engines of the Hogue will soon require the attention of the "home' department. The Hogue and Indefatigable have been in collie sion, by which the former lost her quarter-boat, and. had her spanker-boom carried away, and the latter her spritsail-yard. We understand the Commodore considerst the trials op' the wind to be conclusive, but those on the w i n d are not so satisfactory. On that account some of the work will have to be gone over again. Orders have been given to complete water, snd take in four months' previsions of every ki n d, but this impossible. There is no bread in store, and but very limited supply of other necessaries. The people complain sadly of the scarcity of water. The tanks are very low, and the rock, which at this season is generally very verdant, has yet a parched up ap pearance. Heavy showers, however, have fallen to. day (Monday, the 4th inst.), which must prove highly beneficial. Tuesday—The Terrible has gone to the New Mole, to coal. The Encounter goes to-morrow.-- Times. PORTSMOUTH, MONDAY.—The Dauntless, 24, screw. frigate, will be undocked on Wednesday, and fitted for trial immediately. She appears much improved by the alteration steraways. The Rolla, 8, Lieutenant Commander Fenwick, will be docked when the Dauntless makes a vacancy, to have her boltums examined, &c. We are requested to contradict a statement which appeared in a contem porary on Saturday, that the Rolla fouled a barque on Friday, and did her damage. No such casualty has taken place implicating the Rolla. APPOINTMENTS. WOOLWICU, Maacn 18.— S -mod Afaster A. Stabb (1847), to the Impregnable, 104, flagship at Devon. port. Naval Cadet A. G. K. floe, to the I.oprecnable Henry L. Perceval, to the Fisgard, flagship at Wool. with. Commander James A. St. Leger (1848), having finished his course of study at the steam rectory at Woolwich Dockyard, was examined by Mr. Trickett, assistant to the chief engineer, and passed satis factorily. Lieutenant Edward E. Maunsell (1846), having completed his course of study of steam, was examined to-day by Mr. Trickett and passed accordingly. The last large balloon sent up by Mr. Shepherd from the roof of the Admiralty, and whose course, so far as known at the time, has been already given, was ultimately found at Lewes, near Brighton, and returned to the Admiralty. Mr. Shepherd has made several balloons for Captain Collinson's expedition, and they were forwarded on Saturday last to be sent out with the West India mail, to reach the expedition at the Sandwich Islands. A quantity of coloured silks, with the necessary apparatus for printing the dispatches, was sent at the same time. PLYMOUTH, MARCH 16 —Her Majesty's new frigate Arethusa, 50, Captain S 3 minds. was of Thursday towed by the Stromboli and Confiance steamers from Hamoaza into the Sound, where she took her powder on board. The Stromboli went to her moorings inside the breakwater ; the Confiance returned up harbour. In the afternoon the Are thusa went outside and made a trial cruise, the re sult of which was creditable to her sailing qualities. Her crew will probably be paid on Tuesday, and she will sail on Wednesday to join the squadron at Lisbon. The Archer steam-vessel was docked and had her copper examined on Thurdday i and was undocked yesterd'sv. Her. Majesty's ship Albion, having been rigged for commission, hos been placed at her moorings in Ha mosze ; her lower yards and topmasts are ordered to be struck. Her Majesty's ship Howe, 120, is ordered from the Mediterranean to England, to be paid off. She may be expected the latter end of March. a n th to y t a h c e h m t has - b h e o e u n se re s r ip o f v o e r d m fr o o r m e e N x t o e . n dock s vTe re pa i r . nPd Y t a n k ' The Superb, 50, is ordered here from Queenstown, to refit for foreign service. Wind easterly. Blanca 17.—A Government transport, from the eastward, entered the Sound this morning, and an chored inside the breakwater. Wind, E. by N. ; stiff brec c N RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. BRISTOL, marketMAacu 18 STOCK EXCRANto-day has been some whatßGE.Rl depressed. The transactions were as follow:—ltristol and Exeter, Thirds, 104 dis ex div.—Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth, 10 1 4 dis. LIVERPOOL. Plasm 18. STOCK EXCHANGE.—The transactions to -da y were as fol low :—Lanc as hi re an d Y o rkshire, Consol, 401 / 2 Ditto, Fifths, 91. 3 , -;. 9d. c . di s. —Ditt o (West Riding Union), 8% dis.—. London and North-Western , 1041,, c.—Ditto, dew Quarters, 1 / 2 dis. Ditto, Fifths, p.—Manc h e s t er, Sheffield , and Lincolnshire, Preference , 7 —Midland, Halves, 25% North Staffordshire, 11% dis.—North Union (B), Did Lancashire, Quarters, 8% —Ditto, Preference, 71. la. 0 8d t Paisley, and Greenock, 13—Shrewsbury, Chester, 14 dis.—York, Newcastle, and Bar. e s G r y l a goa ,and wick (G. N. E. Purchase), 6 per cent. till 18b0, la, 3d. dis. MANCHESTER, MARCH 18. Szoc= EXCIIANG S.—Business on our Stock Exchange and Yorkshire, was Tha ve t ry ran in sa a c c t t i i o v n e s , awnedrepraicsestohll a o d wfollow:—Lancashire a :_tan wnwa h rd ire t d Yorkshire, 39 3 4—Ditto, halves (Liverpool and Bury), 19311 —Ditto Fifths, 9 1 4 dis. —Ditto, 321. (late Ext ens i on), 12% dis.—Ditto, Halves (Hull and Selby), 19—Ditto (West Riding Union), 7% dis.—Manchester, Sheffield, and Lin. colnshire. Quarters (No. 1), S lA—Ditto, Eighths, 1 13-16 Bolton, Blackburn, Chitheroe, and West Yorkshire (No. 1), Eastern Counties (Perpet. 5 per cent. No. 1), 74—East Lancashire, —South-Eastern and Dover (No. 4), Thirds, sk4—Ditto, Scrip, 51 / 2 — `tihitehaven and Fur ness, 14 1 ii dis. - BIRMINGHAM, MARCH 18. STOCK EXCHANGE.—Our share market was vary dull to-day, and there was no inclination manifested either to pall or buy. Stocks generally wer, at last quotations. London and North-Western being quoted at RA atbd 104%. Shrews bury and Birmingham (A), were done at $4 INTERMENTS (ST. MARGARkT'S WESTMINSTER).— Accorcimg to a return just published, the number of in terments which bay? taken place yearly since 1839 in the churchyard and vaults of St. Margaret's, Westminster, 1 68 w ; e i r n e lB 5 46 a and . 3 are as follow : —l n 1840, 6 in the vaults and 131 in the churchyard; in 1841, 3 in the vaults and 150 in the churchyard; churchyard: ii:18184432: the respective numbers d i uter -3 in the vaults and 132 in the ml2e4n; i n t3 i n l t B h 4 e 4, v a l ualntsda6n7d; in in tb l e B c 4 b s u , churchyard h a y n a d r and 70; in 1847, 2 and 80 ; i n 1848, 5 add 69; in 1849, `none in the vaults and 5Q is the cburcllazd,