The Sun. — London, England, 1853-04-27 00:00:00

- - t h have the example and —w en you . that number 70,000 are Protestant children, and of that which . can,be . made in that system which will not be number of Protestants there are 26,000 belonging to the injurious to i expo- Church of England. The hon. member for Meath says t there ef riaseanignceedoffetrwtehnitsy-iteseq-ouhyTearusp—enwhlevnhiethherreeliians reliance eo can n as h on e is great inconsistency in those who advocate the system of it placed, except the opinion of the hon. and learned gentle mixed education in Ireland not being prep to England. But the circumstances of th ar 9 e t d w i o e man the memberforth , e ,tal U e ni p v h e a rs a i t t e y m o e f f mix Dub e li d n e , d t u h e rt at t ie t n h , e , England there is an is to be abandoned, but which phantom I have shown is a countriese mei t t ' are entirely different. In England the E members of e time has arrived when . Church constitute the majority, but in n tto the successful than that which embraces within its sphere a infinite variety of sects opposed to the Established g Church reality—(hear, hear)—l ask, can you have a system more the youth of the country than that of —(hear)—and the system here has been . to gran the members of the dif- any country in Europe ? For these reasons Ido sincerely Church, and to the bodiE sdissentin,g fronathe Church sepa- larger number of rate grants of money9u order that atel In Ireland the highly inexpedient to assent to the motion that has been ferent sects may be educated separately, and that religious hope that the house will agree with me that it would be education should also be given.separ y ' Clrellms • tances are very different.. There . . the members of been made to-night. (Cheers.) the Established Chur-li are a small minority; the members Mr. WHITESIDE said he had endeavoured to gatlur of the Roman Catholic Church constitute the immense from the right hon. gentleman who had just sa t down the majority—(hear, hear) —and. the endeavour has been, b y reasons on which he resisted the ver y mo d era t e mot i on of the exclusion of all religious teaching from the system of joint education, to combine in one common system the his hon. and learned friend. The' answer of the right hon. leers of different creeds. (Hear,hear.) Now it is irn . - gentleman was that the system of the National Board of Education in Ireland, though in danger, was faultless, and po lne rt m ant that th . ere should be no doubt as to the original that the more it was inquired into the more its advan princi ' 'pie on which the system was fouhd h ed ; and I contend there can be In the no mistake whatever with respect to the in tages would appear; but the right hon. gentleman, tentions of Earl Derby in founding . that system.. not original statement of this plan, and in the plan itself as it withstanding, contended that that system would be in peril if a fair and honest inquiry was instituted into its The introduction originally was recorded, provision - was made that the in- • • . struction should be altogether secular. working. He (Mr. Whiteside) believed that the hon. of the Scripture extracts was subsequent to the original formation of the system. It formed no part of the o member for Me a th s p o k e th e t rut h when he said that the rigi nal plan, and even now the Scripture i extracts are not enjoined National B oar d was l ate l y on the very point of dissolution. as a portion of the teaching n those schools. They are He believed also there n ever was a ti me when inquiry into 1 ) • permitted to be taught subject to an absolute . veto on the this s stem ycould be conducted with grea t er b enef i t than part of the parents of any one child who may object to the at the present moment. With regard to the present pa use of the been of these extracts. Such is the rule now—such has tional schools, he might state that upwards of 2,000 of the rule from the vei7 first commencement.system. them were in the yards of Roman Catholic chapels—a fact Now it has been said that the late Govern- which indicated clearly enough the character of the (Hear, hear.) ment were not unwilling to have promoted an inquiry of schools and the kindo f education • chil this description if it had been brought forward by some d independent member. I am afraid that . neither of the byterian children separately and almost exclusively ; members for the University of Dublin, considering And it was a curious fact, and might be regarded as a their relation to that Government,could have been compliment to the Established Church, that her schools the mover or seconder of such an inquiry during the were attended by about 40,000 Roman Catholic children, existence of the late Administration. But was it ne while very few were to be found in the schools l of the cessary for Earl Derby, if he wished to alter the system, Church of Scotland. The reason assigned to have an inquiry before a committee in order to aver- Lain the success or failure of that system ? We have parties was, that the people belonging to the Established it it from himself that he, the author of the measure, having the deepest interest in its success, occupying the highestthe art of the Roman Church were half Papists ; but he thought that was a mis take. (A laugh.) He might suppose on p station in the Government, conferring with the Lord Lieu- wrong to Catholics, that it was . they objected wholly tenant of Ireland, making every inquiry which he might to the reading of the Scriptures in their schools, because he think necessary—we have it from himself, in his place inthe Bible to the people of th • knew many parishes where the Roman Catholic clergy pre- Parliament, that he, having made those inquiries, having rented the Douay version of carefully deliberat e d, came t o th e conc l us i on that no ma- ownt flock. (Hearlreland ; hear.) It had been said that certa in anted to C force Roman hols to terial change could be eff e cted i n th e system consistently L a a r d ie the m authorised version. H the e denied it. Even the with its maintenance. (Hear, hear.) With respect to the Kildare-street Society did not dare to propose anything of hon. and learned member for the University of Dublin, I the kind. He subscribed himself to a school which main believe lam correct when I state that, when ho was first tained, about two years ago, 150 children, of whom 55 a candidate for the represe n t a ti on of that university, about were Roman Catholics. The Scriptures were read every the year 1847, he was most anxious, in his address to day in the school ; no party objected to it ; and he was those whom he was desirous of calling his constituents, to not aware that any of the Roman Catholic children had by impress upon their minds his feelings with reference to the abandoned their religion. The motion bef ore this system ; and, if I m i stake not, these were the words the house was commenced by justice and fairness. He of his address - -"I am thoroughly averse to the delusive asked for inquiry into the system of education. If it was system of Irish national education. (Hear, hear.) No sys- proved to be sound, let them maintain it ; but if they tern, as I conceive, can prosper in which the word of God could make it better, he hoped they would not refuse the • is not sincerely honoured as the greatest blessing to a modifications desired by the Protestant people of Ireland. nation. Remember that the word from above is first pure, (Cries of " divide.") then peaceable, and you cannot compromise its authority. M r . FAGAN move d th e a dj ournment of the debate. (Hear.) Now th e hon. and learned gentleman, on becomng (Cries of "no, no," an d "di v id e .") a member of E ar l D er by' s Government, I have no doubt honestly suspend e d his opposition to the system. No doubt Lord J. RUSSELL opp ose d th e mo ti on f or an adjourn he had every reasonto believe thatsome inquiry would be in. ment. .This was a question upon which the house had fre stituted. Pending that inquiry he with perfect honour re- quently deliberated—all its merits were sufficiently before mained a member of that Government. After Earl Derby the house. (Hear, hear.) The hon. and learned gentlemen had come to the conclusion that no change could be who .. had conducted the debate on the other side had stated effected, it is not for me to inquire what course he oug t to have taken. But he continued to hold office, and I co n s the whole case in the most powerful manner against the sider his speech to-night to be perfectly consistent with his present national system of education. The hon. and hostility to the system. (Hear, hear.) It appears to me learned gentleman who last sat down had stated that most extraordinary that the two principal promoters of what the Protestant clergy of Ireland wanted was th a t this motion, representing the University of Dublin, should be in this eculiar position. They represent a university they should ha ve th e power of reading the Bible in the which does give to -the rich of Ireland a p ure l y secu l ar authorised version to Roman Catholic children as well as education without the slightest tincture or admixture of to Protestant children. He was glad the hon. and learned religious teaching—(hear, hear)—and yet they are the per- gentleman had stated thus openly and frankly the object sons who are the most prominent in denying to the poor of , Ireland the very benefit which the le arne d body whom of the motion now before the house. It was true that they represent has conferred, and will, I hope, long con- object was implied in the nomination of the committee. tinue to confer, upon the upper classes. (Hear, hear.) The house would observe that what the hon. gentleman The speech of the hon. member for Meath is a striking opposite wanted was, not a general committee to inquire practical illustration of a truth, for which on former occa- what had been the operation of the national system of sions I have contended, and which, I think, it is most desirable the house should bear in mind before it consents education in Ireland, but a committee to introduce into to this inquiry, which is subversive of the principles of a that system the modifications to which reference had been mixed education. It is this, that the great body of the made during the debate. Well, supposing the house were Protestant clergy in Ireland concur with a very large por- to agree to those modifications, surely it would not be tion of the Roman Catholic priesthood in Ireland in ear- denied that the Roman Catholic priests should have a nestly desiring to overthrow this mixed system, with the power similar to that given to the Protestant clergymen— view of obtaining separate grants for the purpose of pro- that they should have the right to teach Protestant children selyti zing, and teaching in conformity with their respective the Roman Catholic doctrines which were contained in the creeds. (Hear, hear.) Now what is the fact? lam formularies of their Church? Now he asked the house speaking from the authority of others, but I have whether the effect of this would not be to destroy the reason to believe that there is a marked difference mixed system of education in Ireland ? Agree to the pro between the priesthood and the laity of Ireland, with- posal of the honourable and learned member who intro out distinction of creed. The Protestant Bishop of duced the motion, and they would have to establish at Waterford (Dr. Daly) is known to be most hostile to this least two separate systems—one Roman Catholic, the other system of mixed] education. I believe, notwithstanding Protestant—and each endowed perhaps to the extent of the Ecclesiastical Titles Act, I may say that the Roman 100,0001. or 120,000/. Why this would be raising a new Catholic Bishop of Waterford partakes of the same hos- Maynooth question. (Hear, hear.) A s th e su bj ect had tility. They both are o pp ose d t o th e sys t em o f m i xed been sufficiently discussed already, he certainly should education. But the laity of Waterford, both Protestant oppose the motion for adjournment. (Cries of " divide.") and Catholic, are most anxious for the establishment at Mr. KIRK, who vainly attempted to address the house, Waterford of a model school in connection with the mixed presented a petition from the dean and inhabitants of Dro system of education. (Hear, hear.) They have presented more, in favour of the national system of education. a memorial to the board to that effect, and I believe in Mr. CONOLLY having seconded the motion for adjourn pursuance of the wish of the laity that a model school of ment, that description is about to be established. (Hear, hear.) The house divided, when the numbers stood thus : Now what has been the result of this system of mixed For the adjournment of the debate teaching ? I believe that there is no country in Europe at Against at this moment where education is conducted on so large a gajority —234 scale, or I would say, notwithstanding religious differences, For Mr. Hamilton's motion where spiritual knowledge is so widely diffused by teaching Against as in Ireland. (Hear, hear.) I contend that a clergyman Majority against the motion —7o of the Established Church the patron of a school under SOUTH SEA AND OTHER ANNUITIES COMMIT the national system in Irel an d, h as a t thi s ti me every op - TATION BILL. portunity of administering to the youth j.n that school of which he is the patron, not only in s t ruc ti on i n th e H o l y The CHANCELLOR of the RXCHEQUER move d the Scriptures, but instruction in the ChurCh C a t ec hi sm an d third reading of th e bill. Mr. SPOONER hoped that th e r i g ht h onoura b le gentle in all the particular doctrines of the Church of England, m to the utmost possible extent he could desire. (H ear, man would not pres s hi s mo ti on a t th a t l ate hour. His hear.) If it be not during the hours of secular in s t ruc ti on, honourable and learned f r i en d th e mem b er for Suffolk (Sir day by day he has the opportunity and right of a d m i n i s - Fitzroy Kelly) had a notic e on ' the paper in ref erence t o tering religious instruction t o a ll th e mem b ers o f hi s this bill which he would not be a bl e t o bring forward if church who attend that scho o l. A n d th a t r i g ht i s not the third reading were taken that ni g ht. He begged to peculiar to him. Every mi n i s t er o f a diff eren t persuas i on, move that the house d o now a dj ourn . whether Presbyterian or Catholic, has the right of attend- The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER sa i d that ins that school, and o f a d m i n i s t er i ng re li g i ous i nstruc- the hon use tion day by day to th o s e w h o w ill t a k e it . (H ear, hear.) in the house ble and learned me m b er f or S u ff olk had been at the commencement of the evening, and had But what is really the pretension of the Church Education said that he would be prepared to move his amendment Society ? (Hear, hear.) It is neither more nor less than that night. this : They put in on the same footing as the claim of Sir JOHN PAKINGTON said that when there was a the Dissenters of England. The Dissenters of England, if notice of an amendment on the paper it might have been they send their children to the national school must allow fairly concluded by honourable members that so important them to be taught the Church Catechism. That is the a measure would not be pressed to a third reading at so late rule of the National Society. The state of the national an hour. school in Ireland is exactly the reverse. The child would The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER thought not be taught the Church Catechism there ;it need not that, after the distinct declaration of the hon. and learned receive any religious instruction from which the parent gentleman the member for Suffolk, they bad no right to dissents ; and the real desire of the Church Education So- presume that he would not have attended in his place to ciety in Ireland is to obtain aid from the public purse for bring forward his motion. the purposes of teaching all those who shall attend that The house then divided on the question of adjourn school a creed from which the larger portion of the popu- meat : lation of Ireland dissents. (Hear, hear.) I warn the house For the adjournment from yielding to this motion ; it is not in a covert sense Against . seeking to dissemble the desire of abandoning' "the phan tom of mixed education," but it is for the purpose of esta blishing a separate system with a separate grant ; and what will be the consequence ? The claim put forward by the hon. member for Meath will be irresistible . the claim of the Roman Catholics to a participation in 'that grant will be in reference to their numbers, and that claim, too, will be irresistible. The largest proportion will be given to the Roman Catholics, and the smallest to the Church of England ; and you will have the flame of religious discord spreading throught the country, and a proselytising spirit unhappily adding to the evils and sorrows of that country. I believe, instead of a system of peace and concord, you will have unfortunately a great aggravation of all the evils and sorrows of the country. (Hear, hear.) Now, I think: something was said by the right hon. gentleman tee mem ber for the University of Dublin with respect to the opinion of Dr. Chalmers with regard to mixed education. It is true that Dr. Chalmers thought that secular education without any intermixture of religions teaching, was incom patible with the good of the community? I think I have here the opinioa of Dr. Chalmers on this very point, re corded within a very short period of his lamented death ; and, with the permission of tho house, I will read hi s words :—" During tee last f ew months of Dr. Chalmers' life (says his biographer), the subject of national education was much upon his mind, and the following was written about a week bef,,re his death. Dr. Chalmers says on this subject—' I would suffer parents to select what part of edu cation they wanted for their children, and would not force arithmetic upon them if all they wanted. was reading and writing ; and as little would I force any part of the reli gious instruction given in the schools if all they wanted was secular education.'" (Hear, hear.) That was the opinion of Dr. Chalmers. Now, will the house permit me to read the opinion of Archbishop Usher, a still higher authority, on this very point? Archbishop Usher said, the state of the country was much to be lamented, when the people generally were suffered to perish for want of know ledge ; adding " the consideration whereof bath sometimes driven me to treat with those of the opposite party, and to move them, however much we may differ in other things, to join together in teaching those main points, the knowledge whereof is necessary unto salvation, and of the truth whereof there is no controversy." (Hear, hear.) ' Now, I feel satisfied if Archbishop Usher, having given expression t o th ose op i n i ons, were now alive, that he, the Primate, would be th e p a t ron o f t h e National School Society of the city of Arrtlagh. That is my firm convic tion. But I say, mixed with all this system of religious difference, there lurks a degree of political difference. Something was said about the examination before the committee of 1830. I was a member of that committee, and perhaps you would like to hear a specimen of the evidence given before it on this very question as to the use of the Bible among the poor in Ireland. A witness said as soon as the system warannounced meetings were got up in every town of Ulster, at one of which Lord Roden presid.ed ; the people were led to believe that the Govern ment were about to take their Bibles from them ; and at that meeting they carried their Bibles with them, and after it was over gun clubs were established, for the purpose of enabling the peasants to protect their Bibles. (Laughter). Mr. ISAAC BUTT—What is the name of the witness? _ Sir J. GRAHAM—Th e evidence will be found in the question and answer numbered 7,687 and 7,688. lam not awar e of the witness's name at this moment, but if the he no w ho tirai glen and l earned gentleman will go into the library, flee t think I show t' (An ironical Laugh.) Agai n , I say , I this semblanj°4 that there does lurk under the whole of political animositreligious difference a hitter ingredient of s, speaking Trench says. starßeY. et me also read what the Rev. Mr. he lived—" Th ee •of the town in which e is a national awl and a Church Edu i d both of them • ' cation school • Seriste pture extreets school I found were read ; I asked the , in the national school whether the Scrip replytorethat ? " Oh,•no, sir; we are a 4, c e l ir ol" (Laughter.) What was the if they eon- Now, I say this house will act raw enli'erye; la and with the sent to this inquiry, moved reason s forwthili intentions, hardly dissembled, this evening. I am quite satisfielyetahrsa,tyetrsen!,ysatveZeodf which we have had twenty two wrought infinite good in Ireland. Is it st e rr rie ss e nc e e ' as has happily the population of that country has beeennkinis by nearly nearly two millions; and do the numbers attending national schools diminish in the same proportion? - the C l the contrary, during all the period of the last four years, while the population has been diminishing, the numbers attending the national schools have progressively an t i largely increased. In the last year, when emigration has been at the greatest height, the number attending the schools has been larger than ever before was known, and that number exceeded 25,000 children. When, therefore, Lord Derby, the author of this system, and who has lately had an opportunity of controlling its operation, has, e you deliberately that he cannot contemplate any change 57 Majority against the adjournment ... 37 On our re-admission to the gallery we found Sir J. PAKINGTON moving the adjournment of the house. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that this was a question with respect to which every day's delay was matter of most serious inconvenience. (Hear, hear.) Here were parties the whole foundation of whose property was to be changed to the amount of :10,000,000i., and they could n o t k now th e t erms under which it was to be changed until the bill had become an act of Parlia ment, when it would be the duty of the Treammy to state the terms under which the Exchequer bonds would be issued. Under these circumstances he certainly felt great difficulty in consenting to the further postpone inent of the third reading. (Hear, hear.) The absence .of the hon. and learned member for Suffolk was as much a matter of regret to him as it was to honourable gentleman opposite. Mr. SPOONER thought there was good reason for not proceeding with the bill that night. There was a very , important point connected with the measure still unde cided, and that was the situation in which the trustees were placed by it. Trustees for reversionary interests, as the case stood at present, had the power of altering and disposing of this stock without the consent of the persons who had that interest. The right hon. gentlem en had said that he did not wish to change the law, and that it must be left exactly as it had bee:before. In every other pro position of a similar kind which had been made to parlia ment, trustees had been obliged to act according to the provisions of the new law, but under this measure they might take any one of three courses. A clause, he thought, should be introduced, preventing theta from act ing without the consent of the person who had the rever sionary interest. Sir J. Y. BULLER said it was clear that i f the right hon. gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequel• would not give way, the house would be involved in a debate upon the third reading of the bill, and as he thought this would be most unadvisable he would move that the deb ate should be adjourned. Th© SOLICITOR-GENERAL said . that in consequence of communications which had taken place with the hon. and learned member for Suffolk, a clausehad bees I. prepared to accomplish the object desired by the hon. member for North Warwick (Mr. Spooner), namely to restrain trustees for parties having a limited interest from accepting the ono particular portion of stock that would have the el Teat of di minishing the capital without the consent and approbation of a judge of the Court of Chancery. There was a. clear un derstanding that the bill should pass through its final stages that night, and he was sure that the greatest posible desire had been shown to meet the wishes expressed by h.on. mem bers on the other side of the house. Mr. NEWDEGATE having briefly supported the ad journment, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that it was perfectly vain to proceed with a bill of thi s kind in the face of such a determination as was manifested by hon. members opposite. He, would not, therefore, waste the time of the house by pressing it, but he could :not with draw the motion for the third reading without entering his protest ;against this proceeding. The hon. an! learned member for Suffolk (Sir F. Kelly) having made an express declaration on this subject, disappeared from the house. It was alleged that he had done this because it was half past one o'cock. but the hon. and learned member was not in the division which had taken place; and then honour able gentlemen come forward with their presumptuous suppositions and interpretations, flatly in contradiction of the intentions which the hon. and learned member had stated. (Hear, hear.) Ho should propose now to read the bill a third time, inserting the clauses, and making the amendments he had to propose, and then to let the final stage of the bill stand over, in order to give the hon. and learned member an opportunity to move the additional clause of which he had given notice. Sir J. PAKINGTON disclaimed any intention to offtr an unfair opposition to the progress of this bill ; his con viction was that there was some misunderstanding on the part of the hon. and learned member for Suffolk. If tie final stage of the bill were fixed for the follcos ing day, (Wednesday) no delay could be occasioned, as the hill could be t a k en up to the House of Lords on Thursday, and that branch of the legislature did not sit on Wednesday. After a fe w words fromldr. HENLEY, Sir J. Y. BULLER withdrew his motion for the ad journment of the debate. The arnendmentsandhe additional clauses proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer were then inserted in the bill, which was readthird time, it being understood that the final stage shou!da..ltabe a'cen this d when the honour able and learned member for Suffolk would h ave an oppor tunity, on the motione heiaatute, the additi on of a new of w d h o i p ch ass l; ' : ohfa :moving notice. notice. The house then adjourned at a quarter to two o'clock. This day is published, pr:ce 3s. 6d., neatly bou n d, R OSALIE ; or, the T ru th s h a ll ma k e you F ree. An authentic Nall ative. By Mademoiselle R. B. De P •*. With introduction by Rev. JOSEPH RIDGEWAY. Arthur Hal!, Virtue, and Co., 25, Paternoster-row. THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. Under the Management of Mr. Duel:atone. THIS EVENING, APRIL 27, First time, COLOItIRE'S IIIRTEIDAY. Supported by Messrs Howe, Rogers, Barry Sullivan, W. Farren, Corri, Tilbury, and Vin cent; Mi.s Helen Faucit, and Miss Vining. After which MR. I3UCKSTONE'S ASCENT OF MOUNT PAR NASSUS. To conclude with OUR MARY ANNE. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, Aram 27, Will be performed the Tragedy of MACBETH. Principal cha racters by Mr. and Mrs. C. Kean. To conclude with the new Drama, adapted from the French of Mons. Scribe, by Mr. Paigrave Simpson, called MARCO SPADA. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestris. THIS EVENING, APRIL 27, Will be performed A.S.S. Characters by F. Mathews, Suter, and Roslere ; Mrs. Macnamara and Miss Wyndham. After which, A FAST TRAIN—HIGH PRESSURE—EXPRES3. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, Baker, and Suter. To be followed by THE GOOD WOMAN IN THE WOOD. Cha racters by Ale,srs. F. Matthews, Suter, florncastle, and Temple ton ; Madame Vestris, M sses Robertson, Eglinton, &c. To conclude with LITTLE TODDLEKINS. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPIII. Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster. —Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, APRIL 27, Will be performed MASKS AND FACES; or, Before and Behind the Curtain—by Messrs. B Webster, L. Murray, Honey, P. Bedford, and 0. Smith; Mesdames Celeste and Woolgar. To be followed by THE PRE'r 1 Y GIRLS OF STILSBERG. To conclude with THE DANCING SCOTCHMAN. ROYAL OLYMPIC . ; THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren. THIS EVENING, Amu. 27, Will be performed FAINT HEART NEVER WON FAIR LADY Characters by Meesrs. H. Farren and Morgan ; Mestlames Ander ton, Turner, and Bartlett. After .which, UNCLE i i.,ROTCHET. Supported by 31r. Farren and Mrs. Phillips. To be follow,. dby MACBETH. Supported by Mr. F. RJbson and Mrs. Phillips. To conclude with CATCHING AN HEIRESS. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. Continued and brilliant success of the New Spectacle. Third Night ;of an entirely new Drama. THIS EVENING, Aram 27, And during the week, the performances will commence with the increasingly popular spectacle of AMAKOSA.; or, Scenes of Kafir WArfare ; with all its new and beautiful scenic, intresting dramatic, and astonishing Equestrian effects. The Bursting Wood, the Leap through Fire, and the ter r ifi c spr i ng of Amakosats Steed over the Falls of the Umtata, nightly received with enthusiastic approbation. To be followed by a novel and incomparable display of Equestrian Achievements in the scenes of the ARENA, supported by the most accomplished Artistes of the day. To conclude with a new Cemic Drama, Wined IN FOR A RIG ; or, Life at the Diggings. Box-ottlce open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Furs DAT —Morning 15 rain. after 4 Evening 38 min.a ft . 4 To-MORROW—M orn i ng 2 m i n. a ft er 5 , Evening 25 min.aft. 5 THE WEATHER.—Sox Onus, APRIL 27. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 55—highest since noon yesterday. 38—lowest this morning and during the night. 51— this day at noon. BAROMETER, 29 . 88.. WIND, W. by S.—Light breeze, and fine, sunshiny weather. THE PUBLICATION OF " THE SUN" COMMENCES EVERY AFTERNOON AT THREE O'CLOCK, AND THE' LATE OR THIRD EDITION, CONTAINING THE 'EBATES IN PARLTA MENT THE SAME EVENING, With all other News arriving up to the hour of Post, AT SEVEN O'CLOCK. EXPRESS EDITIONS will be forwarded after the Post is closed by the Latest Trains. 4„.'"An, )141t ~~ ~ LONDON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1853 There was a remarkable unanimity, on one point, perceptible during the debate of Monday evening, on. the renewal of the Property and In come Tax in its present form, without change or alteration, in which the friends and opponents of the measure fully and completely coincided. All (with the single exception of Mr. EVELYN DEM- I sox, whose advocacy we freely and willingly re linquish) agreed in recognising a distinction be tween precarious and permanent income, and de ploring the unbending resolution of the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, which based a finan cial scheme, good in many respects, on a gross and palpable injustice. The strongest speech in favour of the amendment—next to that of its distinguished proposer—was de livered by Mr. HUME, who, however, at the same time anno'anced his intention of voting in favour of the pro . position which he had so clearly and unequivoc ally condemned, and against the amend ment, in every word and portion whereof he en tirely coincided. Othets, with greater consistency, refused to support that which in their souls and consciences they believed to be wrong, however highly they might approve of other portions of the scheme, and felt themselves bound to refuse becoming in any degree participators in the infa mous swindle, which, having been suffered to expire, is now attempted to be resuscitated with out modification or amelioration. A revision of the schedules producing anything like an approxi mation to justice would at once be accepted on every side, and would, notwithstanding other ob jections, insure the adoption of the Budget, with comparatively trivial alterations. The Right Hon. Gentleman has, however, deterrained to stand or fa'll with his crochet. He apparently mis takes a perverse obstinacy for a laudable firmness, and neutralises the value of the boonshe is willing to concede by the nauseous and unwelcome addition which he is endeavouring to force on the unwilling recipients. What, then, will be the duty of Fiscal Reformers on this critical emergency ? Should they, like Mr. HUME, surrender at the first summons and swallow the unpalatable dose, or should they rather, like Mr. MuNTz, refuse to identify them selves with. such unjustifiable proceedings, and give their motes according to the merits of the pro position un.der consideration at the moment, and without re,!erence to the quarter from whence it has emanat rd ? Shall men of intellect and ability surrender t hemselves as the slaves of the Minister for the time being, succumbing to his imperious dictates without venturing on a remonstrance, or, if, with " hated breath and deep humility," they should hint their objections ; at the same time, professing their readiness to vote black white, in order to gratify the unrelenting task master. Surely, even SIMON LEGREE never ex acted from miserable serfs a more despicable and humiliating submission. The prim:iple is, however, so objectionable in every particular, the precedent established and that on high authority so danger ous—that, notwithstanding our high respect for .the veteran Member for Montrose, we must enter our earnest protest against it. No thing can possibly be more dangerous, more sub versive of that due control which independen? Members should exercise over the Government, than the notion that they must adopt any crotchet however abs , ard or indefensible, of one of its lead ing Members. It is a complete recognition of the nearly-e xploded doctrine of "men not mea sures," calculated to create a Ministerial despot ism, rendering the official, for the time bei ng, indifferent to the remonstrances that may be ad- dressed to him, because, however urgent - may be the complaints, the Minister can afford to de sDise them, when, assured that his so doing will be attended with no untoward result in the shape of votes alienated, or supporters changed into vigorous opponents. It encourages, too, 'the injudicious and unconstitutional threat of " rc 3sig- nation " whenever the high behests of the wo uld- be Autocrats are called in question. It sho u2d, therefore, be strenuously and energetically •re- sisted whenever it should be put forward. EN 'en the high character of Mr. EtumE cannot justify so great a• dereliction of duty. On another point of the Budget there will a: lso be a determ.ined contest. Mr. MILNER GI; )N carried his resolution respecting the Advertise ment Duty by a very clear and decisive ma jority. The sum could be easily spared, and, in deed, the Chancellor of the Exchequer was willing to surrender the amount. But in place of be stowing it as a general boon on journalism, in which all, from the highest to the lowest might participate, he determined to offer a handsome, shall we call it " bribe" or " gratification ?" We leave it to our readers to fill the blank according to their own fancies—to the Times. The com plaints on this subject are loud and general; the majority are indignant at the contemptuous dis regard of their views thus exhibited. The substi tution of another of his crotchets for that which had obtained the sanction of the House, and one which would greatly affect the value of the boon about:to be conferred on journalists. As we have repeatedly shown, a reduction of the duty would not meet the exigencies of the case, and the with drawal of a portion, more especially for the pur pose of disposing of the balance in the proposed manner, was merely felt to be adding insult to in jury. No, Weventure to assert that the resolution, deliberately adopted, must be carried out in its integrity, and that no compromise can be adopted in this portion of the Financial Scheme. England is criminal. Otherwise the CHAN CELLOR of the EXCHEQUER would never have as sumed to himself judicial authority—subjecting the country to criminal treatment—sentencing the people of the United Kingdom virtually to seven years' transportation ! Seven years' trans portation to the penal settlement of the Income Tax. A sentence of this duration is ordinarily reserved for individual felons, convicted after long trial of some heavy and grievous misdemeanour. It is seldom pronounced, without defined culpa bility in the recipient, upon the aggregate of an enormous population. It is so, nowadays, never theless. Mr. GLADSTONE, like a judge on assizes rather than a sedate administrator, has—in re ference to what we have called the penal settle ment of the Income Tax—devoted the inhabitants of this land to seven years' transportation. There fore—we repeat, and the conclusion must be ob vious—England is criminal. She will be criminal at least if she submit quietly to this criminal treatment. She is criminal already in the estimation of the CHANCELLOR of the ET CHEQUER. Criminal in what ? Can it be in having consented, almost without a mur mur, to the recent organising of the Coali tion—to the formation of a Ministry unsus tained by any perceptible principles—to the con solidation consequently of what may for that reason be termed a glaringly unprincipled Govern ment ? Really so it would appear. If the de duction be in any way unsatisfactory to the ad visers of the SOVEREIGN, they have, in this, solely and entirely to thank themselves. They have shaken the confidence of the community in the good faith of its statesmen. They have trans formed consistency into a shibboleth. They have violated all preconceived ideas as to the laws of political propriety. They have ren dered their past a mockery—their present a contra diction—their future a source of national solici tude. All this they have accomplished in build ing up an anomalous and heterogeneous Administration. And now, having fulfilled their intentions, having grappled the reins of office, having comfortably settled themselves down to official toil, with a view, no doubt, to their becoming permanent squatters in Downing- street —her MAJESTY'S Ministers deem it but right to subject the nation to the penalty due to its late indifference. They sentence it, through the mouth of the Financial Administrator, in the manner already specified—namely, with reference to this delectable settlement of the Income Tax— to Seven Years' Transportation. Query—Will the country, having consented to accept the Coali tion, consent also to accept the consequences of the Coalition ? Having permitted the wholesale abandonment of principle by the Members of the new Government, is the nation to tolerate, as the first result of that concession, the continuance for seven years of the most unpopular tax ever imposed during a time of profound peace upon a multitude peculiarly alive to such injustice ? Coupled with this, moreover, we have seen a bribe of many thousands sterling held out, not by stealth in a back room at Derby, but openly on the floor of the House of Commons. A bribe offered, not by W. 8., not by FRAIL the barber, not by MORGAN the bricklayer, but by the Members of her Britannic MAJESTY'S Government. A bribe not to some half-inebri ated elector, but to a portion of the Fourth Estate—to a division of the Press—to a section of incorruptible (!) Journalism. Well, the people of England see a Budget brought under the con sideration of the lower branch of the Legislature, having in it those two remarkable items—the re newal of the Income Tax for seven years—its renewal until 1860, when it shall " cease and determine," and with this the remission of up wards of 40,0001. sterling hitherto derived from the stamp upon newspaper supplements. Ministers must have counted rather confidently upon the gullibility of the British population, before they could venture to introduce such pro posals in the course of their Financial Statement. If we might judge, indeed, from the facility with which the Budget has entrapped the veteran Mem ber- for Montrose, we should presume that the Cabinet had not altogether calculated without its host. The 'bated brlath of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, using the word in its double applica tion, has decoyed the Political Father of the whole body of the Reformers into a virtually uncondi tional acceptance of the Budget in its entirety. The melancholy extravagance of this proceeding on the part of Mr. HUME was sufficiently in dicated by the deformity, or distortion, or perhaps we should rather say by the di rect contradiction and irredeemable absurdity of his argument. His argument, in fact, was this—" I so fully concur in all that has been said by the Hon. Baronet the Member for Herts in condemnation of the Income Tax as heretofore levied, I so fully agree with him in reprobating its injustice and severity, that I shall give my cordial support to the Budget of the Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer." .In other words, " I regard the Income Tax as odious, without some distinction being made.between pro- perty fixed and precarious —that—I' shall forward, by every means in my power, its extension to in comes of 1001. per annum, and its renewal for a period of no less than seven years' duration." Never was there a more preposterous non sequitur, And this from the veteran Reformer ! The course pursued by him in this matter bears a painful re- semblance—we venture to introduce a quo- ;ation from Othello, even with the fear of the Earl of CLARENDON before our eyes —bears, we say, a somewhat painful resem blance to that of IA GO, when exclaiming, in a voice of indignation, " Stab a man in the dark ? 0, shame, shame !" all the while perforating with his sword the bosom of the duped and defeated, RODERIGO ! THE DUBLIN EXIIIBITION.—The number of season tickets sold up to yesterday evening was 5,312. There are now nearly 1,300 men employed at the building every day. PRICE OF GOLD.—The quotation of gold at Paris is about at par (according to the last tariff), which, at the English Mint price of 31. 17s. 10d. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 25.17; and the ex change at Paris on London at short being 25.04, it follows that gold is about 0.38 per cent. dearer in Paris than in London. By advices from Hamburg the price of gold is 427 per mark, which, at the English Mint price of 31. 17s. 100. per ounce for standard gold, gives an exchange of 13.6 ; and the exchange at Hamburg on London at short being 13.51, it follows that gold is 0.12 per cent, dearer in Hamburg than in London. The course of exchange at New York on London for bills at 60 days' sight is 1091 per cent., and, the par of exchange between England and America being 109 23-40 per cent., it follows that the exchange is nominally 0.17 per cent. in favour of England : but, after making allowance for charges of transport, the present rate leaves no profit on the importation of gold from the United States. DIVIDEND.—A circular was issued yesterday by Mr. Coleman, the accountant, announcing a first dividend of 7s. 6d. in the pound on the estate of Messrs. Coll mann and Stolterfoht, who failed on the 10th of January, and whose direct liabilities amounted to 153,811/. It is understood, at the same time, that the gencral liquida tion of the estate is proceeding as favourably as was anti cipated when the meeting of creditors took place in February, and that a further early distribution may be looked for. MONEY MARKET AND COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE-(THIS DAY.) CITY, TWO 0 CLOCK. The sales of cotton at Liverpool yesterday were estimated at 5,000 bales, all to the trade. The market was very tame, with a large supply. The sales comprised 4,000 American, 130 Pernam and Maranham at qd. to 7d., 50 Bahia at 6-1-d., 400 Egyptian at 54d. to ls. 3d:, 400 Surat at 314. to 4gd., and 20 Sea Island at is. 9d. to 2s. 2d. per lb. Railway shares were flat, at lower prices. Three or four vessels have arrived from Australia, the latest dates they bring from Port Philip being January 12. There are a few items of intelligence that possess interest. The John Taylor, from Mel bourne, has on board 10,847 ounces of gold; the Clifton, 27,507 ounces from Sydney ; and the Sir Robert Sale, 20,000 ounces from Geelong. Respecting the wool clip, the advices appear to be favourable. Large quantities were coming into Melbourne, and were being rapidly shipped, but it is probable very little will arrive here in time for the May auctions. The quality is described as being good, but a considerable proportion is in the grease. The letters from the settlers in the [interior state that labour was much more abundant, but that this alteration did not occur in time to allow of the wool being washed as carefully as on former occa sions. The Legislature were busy in passing the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Bill, and there is every prospect of this important under taking being carried out by local capitalists. The sum of 100,0001., it is estimated, will suffice, and large contracts for timber were already taken in the neighbouring colonies. The railway will be carried out upon a pier so far into the Bay as to allow of at least 40 ships lying alongside, and trains will run every quarter of an hour. This disposes, we presume, of the Melbourne Dock and Railway Company started here a short time back. The advices from the Eureka "diggins" were satisfactory, but there was not so much gold ob tained there as at other fields. The Creswick gold field was also well spoken of. The last price of gold at Geelong was 31. 10s. 3d. per ounce. The Union Bank of Australia was issuing bills at 6 per cent. discount, 30 days. The labour market was well supplied by recent arrivals, but tradesmen and agricultural servants found ready employment. The escort which reached Melbourne on the 9th January brought 20,007 ounces of gold from Ben digo and Mount Alexander. The Australian. Cordillera Company have issued a statement of their plans, and these appear to be satisfactory. A few miners will be sent out to work the quartz property leased from the Australian Agricultural Company ; but the bulk of the labour will be sought in . the Colony, where it can be had cheaper. Quartz breaking with machinery will be a much better test of what companies can do than mere digging for gold. The Agua Fria Mining Company have had their first remittance of gold delivered to them this morning. A dividend of 7s. 6d. in the pound has been de• dared on the estate of Messrs. °oilman and Stol terfoht. There was a meeting of the Galvanised Iron Company this day, but it was only formal, and in compliance with the Winding-up-Act, and of no public importance. The meeting of the Great Indian Peninsula Rail way Company this day paired off very satisfactorily, in consequence of the able and lengthy explanation afforded by Lord Wharncliffe, as to the engineering difficulties and commercial-prospects of the under taking. The directors hoped that their plan for the extension of the line over the Ghauts would receive the sanction of the Government of India, in which case any further capital would be guaran teed at five per cent. as b e f ore . His Lordship stated that the average cost of the line might be taken at 8,800/. per mile, and that the inclines over the Ghauts would not be more difficult than those of many of our railways. The report of the directors was adopted unanimously. The rates for bills of exchange on the principal Continental cities were firm yesterday afternoon. Paris, 90 days', was taken at 25 25 to 272: Amster dam, 11 18 to 182; Hamburgh, 13 71. to 8; and Trieste, 11.5 to 8. Public Securities have been very firm, but there is not much business doing. Consols realise 100 k to 101 for transfer, and 1001 to 101 for account. The New 31 per Cents, have been 103 g to Bank Stock is firm, at 2262 to 2272. Indian Stock brings 262. Exchequer Bills of June are 4s. to Bs. pm., and India Bonds 355. pm. Foreign Securities have been very quiet. Peru vian Deferred have touched 682, and the scrip is 4 to 42 pm. Brazilian New 42 per Cents, are 1001. The Swedish Loan is at 14 dis. Dutch 22 per Cents. have been as low as 642 to 652. Nothing has been done in Spanish Bonds. In Railway Shares there is not so much doing, I the arrangement of the account being now chiefly attended to. Prices, however, have an upward tendency for the Great Northern, the Lancashire and Yorkshire, Midland, and several other lines. North-Western continue fluctuating in consequence of the intended increase in the capital for the pur pose of extension. ' French Shares are heavier, and the many new lines that are being sanctioned would prove a drawback upon the position of the old companies. The d old Mine Shares are steady generally, and the Agua Fria have risen f. The shares of the Agricultural Company have rallied 2/. to 3/. The British American Land also are better. The Joint Stock Banks after yesterday's depres. sion are rather looking up. BRITISH FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK THIS DAY (From the Official List.) Business done. Bank Stock 3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities IOOA 100 4 3 per Cent. Consols Annuities New 34 per Cent. Annuities Long Annuities, Expire sth Jan., 1860 India Stock 262 India Bonds, £lOOO South Sea New Annuities Bank Stock for Account 2274 , Consols for Account Exchequer Bills lid. June. March, £lOOO 8 4 £5OO 8 4 Small 8 4 3 PRICE OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK. Br='Han Bonds, 5 per Cent. — Ditto Small Ditto 5 per Cent. (Rothchild's) lOOl Ditto New, 1852, 43 per Cent lOOl Equador Bonds Mexican 3 per Cent. Peruvian Bonds, 43 per Cent. Peruvian scrip 4 p Peruvian Deferred 3 per Cent. Portuguese Bonds, 4 per Cent. Russian Bonds, 5 per Cent. Ditto 41 per Cent 1043 Sardinian Bonds, 5 per Cent. 93 Swedish Loan ....... ........... ... ........ Dividends on the above payable In London. Belgian 43 per Cent.. lOO3 Dutch Exchange, 21 per Cent. 12 Guil. Consols Ditto May Account HALF-PAST TWO, 100 j 1 1001 1 OCEAN PENNY POSTAGE.—A bazaar in aid of the funds necessary to agitate this movement was opened at the Manchester Exchange yesterday. The goods gra tuitously furnished from all the large towns of the three kingdoms are valued at 1,5001. to 2,0001., and 17 stalls have been opened for their sale. The attendance was very large, and money was coming in fast. Elihu Bur ritt was present, but Mrs. H. Beecher Stowo had been unable to come in consequence of precarious health. The first letter, dated Glasgow, April 15, said it would be impossible for Mrs. Stowe to come on account of her health ; but a subsequent note said Mrs. Stowe would come to Mancher if it were possible, but it must remain uncertain. QUARTZ ROCK MARIPOSA COMPANY.- -This Company state, that they have been informed by their agents in California, under date the 14th of March, that they had received the report of the superintendent of the com pany, who had surveyed, tested, and assayed the quartz of the veins at Maxwell's Creek, on the Merced River, and had also examined all the calculations furnished by the proprietors with regard to the profit to be derived from working them. These calculations, it is alleged, showed that by the crushing of 30 tons of quartz per day there would be a net gain to the company of 4,5001. per month, and, the agents therefore had concluded the purchase of th e m i nes , w ith a ll th e machinery, buildings, &c., and were making arrangements for immediately working the company's heavy machinery. CoLorirAr, GOLD COMPANY.—At the annual meeting of this company held yesterday the reports and accounts were unanimously adopted. The report entered at length into the origin of the undertaking, embracing th e whole proceedings from the period of obtaining the cha r . ter, in March, 1852, limiting the responsibility of share holders to 51. per share, down to the date of the last accounts from the colonies. The contract with the Great Nugget Vein Company, the profit made on the purch ase of gold, the satisfactory conduct of their staff, and the ultimate anticipations of a successful result were the points mentioned. The remittances,made on account of the purchases of gold already showed a profit of about 8,100/., and others were shortly expected. In reply to a question, the chairman stated that there was no intention on the part of the directors to make a call. CARLOW ELECTION.—The election of a representative for the county of Carlow in Parliament, in the room of the late Col. Bruen, took place on Monday at Carlow, when Captain N. M'Clinitock Bunbury was returned without opposition. A troop of dragoons and a com pany of the 81st Infantry w ere d rawn up in front of the Court-house,inside and about which a large number of constabulary were statiozed. There was not, however, the slightest necessity for th e i r presence, as there were scarcely fifty electors and non-electors assembled on the occasion. The proceedings did not occupy more than half an hour, and were conducted in the quietest pos sible manner. ALARMING FIRE.-LOSS OF TWO LIVES'. (THIS DAY.) This morning, shortly before three o'clock, a fire of a most alarming character, which at one time threatened a vast destruction of property, and which, we regret to announce, terminated in the loss of two lives, and per sonal injuries to some other parties, broke out in a dwelling-house, situate in Plicenh.--street, Gray's-inn road, immediately facing the walls of the House of Correction. It appears that the fire commenced its destructive ravages in the back kitchen, which had the evening be fore been used as a laundry, and burnt with such rapi dity that the whole of the house was in flames before the inmates could be made aware of their great danger. Mr. Holden, the occupier of the second floor, having been awoke, and finding escape by the staircase impos sible, at once judiciously threw the bed and mattress on to the pavement, and by that means he and his family escaped. Having effected the safety of his own family,' he next endeavOured to save the two children of Mr Brown, who were sleeping in the first floor back, but his efforts proved of no avail. At this juncture the Royal Society's fire escape, sta tioned at the Foundling Hospital, came up, and every effort was made by the attendants to save the children, but unfortunately without success. We regret to state that one of the escape men, in his brave attempts to reach the poor children, met with a severe accident, he having the whole of his face and eyes severely burnt, besides having the skin on both his hands charred off by the action of the fire. Shortly after the breaking out of the fire, several engines f rom th e var i ous fire stations attended, and owing to a plentiful supply of water being at hand, got the fire under. A search was then made for the bodies of the children, who were found dreadfully burnt, and con'reyed to a neighbouring public-house there to await an inquest. Great fears were at one time entertained for the safety of the surrounding property— there being a very large number o f va l ua bl e f unera l horses, the prop er ty of Mr. Chancellor, in the stables adjoining. The ages of the children were, the youngest eight and the eldest ten. None of the parties, who are very poor, have saved a single thing, they having, as stated above, had to make their escape in their night clothes. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained. None of the parties are insured. BANKRUPTCY COURT-(THIS DAY. Mr. CoMmissioner Fonblanque was the Commissioner of the day, but the only case for the morning was pro forma. IN RE WEST AND WEST. These bankrupts, brothers, had carried on business at Donnington, as drapers, and absconded a short time since with considerable property, a great portion of which, however, was recovered through the exertions of Russell, one of the "detectives," and the bankrupts were apprehended. A petition has been filed to supersede the proceedings in bankruptcy, on the ground that one •f the bankrupts is a minor. A day was appointed for argument in the case. 'ARLBOBOUGH-STREET--(TIIIS DAY. CHARGE OF UTTERING COUNTERFEIT COlN.—Louisa Lovic7c, a respectably-dressed middle-aged woman, was brought before Mr. Bingham, charged with uttering two uounterfeit shillings. Charles Westerbrook, an omnibus conductor, stated that about ten o'clock last night the defendant got into his omnibus near Wilton-place, and requested him to put her down at Regent-circus. On arriving at the latter place she got out and tendered him a shilling in payment of her fare, and which he immediately detected to be a counterfeit. He told her the coin was bad, when she gave him another which was also bad. He then called a constable and gave her in charge. Wright, 48 C, said he took the defendant into custody and conveyed her to the station, where eight other coun terfeit shillings and a good half crown were found upon her. He had since been to her address, and found that she had lived in service there for 14 years, and bore an excellent character. The accused, in reply to the charge, said she was coming from Brompton last night, and on 'crossing the road she kicked aga i ns t somet hi ng wrapped up in brown paper. On picking it up and opening it, she saw it con tained several shillings, and not having the remotest idea they were base coin, and having no smaller change, she gave one of them to the conductor of the omnibus for her fare. He directly told her it was a bad one. She gave him another. He said that was also bad, and he then gave her in charge. Mr. Jennings, hairdresser, 100, Regent-street, said the defendant had lived in his family for 14 years. She afterwards left them, and went to reside at Birmingham. She was at present out of a situation, and from the great respect they had for her, they allowed her while in town to make their house her home. He was convinced she was incapable of a dishonest action, and that she was not aware the coins were bad. Mr. Bingham said he was inclined to believe her story to be true, and would take Mr. Jennings' bail for her appearance to-morrow. - Mr. Jennings readily consented to be answerable for her appearance at the required time, and she was at once discharged from custody. SOUTHWARK.-(THIS DA fl. ROBBING A SAILOR. Emma Williams, a fashionably dressed young female, of questionable character, was brought before Mr. Combe, charged with stealing the sum of 55., the property of Samuel Fuller, a sailor. Prosecutor said he had recently arrived in London from Charleston, and last night about ten o'clock, he met the prisoner in the Westminster-road, and having treated her to sundry glasses of grog and supper, they proceeded to her lodgings in White Horse-street, New cut. After remaining there some time, he put his hand into his pocket and missed ss. Being satisfied no other person had been near him, he called in a constable and gave her into custody. Police-constable, 65 L, said the prisoner was searched at the station-house, and two pounds seventeen shillings found on her. Among the silver were two shilling pieces which the sailor said were his. Mr. Combe asked what account she gave of hav gso much money in her possession. The constable replied that she said it had been given to her by a gentleman, but he believed she had stolen it, and if she was remanded, no doubt he might hear of another robbery of a similar nature, for she was well known as a thief. Mr. Combe accordingly remanded her for a week, TOBACCO LICENCES. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN. SIR, —About three years ago you did me the honour to insert in your journal a letter I wrote you, exposing the fallacious theory expounded by Professor Muspratt ;a gentleman, I believe, employed by the Government to find out the " mare's nest" connected with the tobacco trade), and I believe the result was, that that gentleman never afterwards inserted another letter in your journal upon the subject. This induces me to believe that I related indisputable facts then, and I now venture to supply you with a few more equally as certain. It is with much pleasure I see the question of the pro posed alteration in the tea and tobacco trade taken up by the public, and the fallacy of such alterations exposed. I know not bow many tobacco licences are granted by the Excise throughout the United Kingdom, but this I do predict, that, so far as regards tobacco licence; if the alterations proposed are carried into effect, next licensing day will not be a very busy one for the clerks, as the tobacco licences are sure not to be much in demand ; so far am I convinced of this, that I venture to assert that the demand will at once be decreased at least two-thirds, if not four-fifths. For instance, go into any town in Eng land, take an account of the number of tobacco licences that are being traded under, and I venture to assert that (if all the parties now having licences to sell tobacco were compelled to renew such licenses upon the proposed princip!e of alteration) all the profit procurable upon the article would go for licence; and more too. There is not an article consumed in this country which the sale of is more divided than tobacco. In many instances one man living in a house of 10/. or 121. per annum, sells more tobacco than 10 or 20 of his neighbours whose rentals vary from 501. to 300/., yet tobacco (in on e t shape or other) is equally an article compatible with their trade as with his. The Chancellor of the Exchequer certainly could not have inquired into this fact, that tobacco, either cut, ground, or in the shape of cigars, is more or less sold by all and every class of tradesmen ; as a proof of which, lam myself a wholesale dealer in the article, I turn over many thousands in the course of the year, and I have nearly 2,000 accounts open in my books. Amongst these customers, I believe, I could supply myself with almost every article consumed or required for any pur pose from a quartern loaf down to a farthing lollypop ; up again from a Whitechapel needle to a five hundred guinea carriage, or a splendid hunter ; in fact, all classes, even private gentlemen, deal in cigars. This being the case, ta,kQ the average re t urns of each party, and I do not believe it would amount to 61. per annum, most certainly not to 121. per annum each. Hundreds of these parties are occupying hotels, at rentals vary ing from 50/. to 300/. per annum and upwards. I know many of this class who have been wavering fon years whether they should keep cigars or not, but they have been compelled to keep them for the sake of accom modating their customers. I forward you my name and address, and if the Hon ourable Chancellor of the Exchequer requires proof of my assertion; I shall be happy to afford him such, for which purpose you are at liberty to give him my name.— I remain, Sir, yours obediently, B. C. J. NOVA SCOTIA MINING COMPANY.—The announcement of the result of the exploration by Messrs. Petherick and Hitchens of the lands at Indian Point, conditionally leased by the Nova Scotia Mining Company, has attracted a degree of attention which will perhaps cause it to ope rate as a warning in mining matters against trusting any statement whatever that has not been verified by disin terested parties. It appeared in the prospectus that the reliance of the directors was chiefly placed in a report of Mr. Adam Murray, who estimated the amount of copper at the spot to be .equal in probable worth to about 9,000,0001. sterling, after deducting all smelting and other charges, while the true state of the affair, accord ing to Messrs. Petherick and Hitchens, is, that such copper as exists there has no commercial value. FOREIGN EXCHANGES.—In the foreign exchanges the rate upon Amsterdam was a shade lower. With regard to Paris and Hamburgh, the quotations were about the same as last post. Bills on Leghorn were again in de. mand, and obtained better prices. I MPERIA L PA RLIA3IO HOUSE OF COMMONS--(THIS DAY ) The SPEAKER took the chair at twelve o'clock. The Reading Market and Weston-Super-Maru SY works Bills were considered and agreed to. . Mr. W. EVANS p resen t e d a petition aga i nst Rates. Mr. FITZGERALD presented a petition from E ° " against BAIRD the Advertisement Duty. Mr. presented a petition in favour of Public House (Scotland) Bill. On the motion of Mr. BENNET, the evidence e es before the Huddersfield Electi on C omm ittee was°' to be printed. ib ATTORNEYS' CERTIFICATE DUTY BIL On the order of the day for the second reading o f bill being read, 11 ) Lord R. GROSVENOR sa id t h at s i nce this bill been introduced, the Chancellor of the Exchequer declared his intention to-deal with the tax ; and (3/ !-;i turday last he (L or d R. G rosvenor) had acconaP n " , O deputation of professional gentlemen to the Chan' of the Exchequer to lay before him the reason wil d were dissatisfied with th e measure of re d uct i on prO c . They hoped th a t b e f ore th e t i me that the res olute ° r right hon. gentleman came before the house, th e , ) sons laid before him would induce him to yield to il wishes or else to state that it was the intention Government to propose this partial reduction previ°: a further reducti on , an d fi na ll y a total a b o li t i o n °' tax. If neither of those alternatives should be ado, it would be hi s d u t y t o propose an amen at, to the resolution of the right hon. gentleman P le u the house to the abolition of the duty. He should, fore, postpone the second reading until Wednesday Ist of June. Mr. BASS said he had always opposed the n lO- , the noble lord, not because he saw any pecu liar P' in a tax o n . a tt orneys ' certificates, but because trades and professions being taxed in a similar r ua he saw no reason why attorneys should be the first relieved. The Right Hon. the Chancellor of the Exell e4 it appeared, proposed to reduce the tax upon attol but he also proposed to impose upon seven other bra of-trade very important restrictions. He was inforrne'c the certificate duty to be imposed upon Barclay an would amount to 2,850/., while the whole a mount was to be raised from brewers and misters 1$ amount to no less a sum than 100000/. He und er ! that so great were th e difficulties anticipated in the tical operation that the right hon. gentleman had . 4 taken to reconsider this part of his proposition, an fact it am oun t e d i n p l a i n English to an addit i on al' tax of 100,0001., he thought it very desirable tha subject should be well and duly considered in 1 bearings. He had no objection to such a capitation if it were made general, but if it were confined to branches of trade only, it was nothing less than ( 0 cation and communism. Captain SCOBELL said that he had also 84. representations to make with respect to the tel tobacco dealers, but as h e un d erstoo d the Ch a nce the Exchequer had undertaken to reconsider 00 tion of his scheme, h e s h ou ld postpone his remar k ' the present. The second reading of the bill was then 'O t until Wednesday, the Ist of June. AGGRAVATED ASSAULTS BILL. The report on this bill was brought up an d agr ee ; Mr. FITZROY brought up several new clause ing reference to costs and the removal of indictrool writs of certiorari, which were agreed to. JUDGES' EXCLUSION BILL. The report on this bill was agreed to. ABSCONDING DEBTORS' BILL. ct The second readin g o f thi s bill was postponed Wednesday next. COUNTY RATES EXPENDITURE B 1 11; The further progress in committee of this la postponed until this day week. SOUTH SEA. AND OTHER ANNTJITI° ; COMMUTATION BILL. On the motion for the third readino , of this bill , Sir. F. KELLY, a ft er apologising for his absen f night, when the bill was brought under the consich 1 of the house at a late hour, which was entirely 01 his ignorance that the bill was on the notice paPe r :', portant as the m easure was i t was most desir ablii it should not be hurried through with too great l' ls i precipitation. (Hear.) He had two clauses to prop/ one to regulate the mode of conversion of by parties beneficially interested or trustees. i t The CHANCELLOR o f th e EXCHEQILv"w 1 that a clause had been p re p are d to carry out the which the hon. and learned gentlem an h a d in vied as the Solicitor-General, w h o h a d d rawn it u p, the moment absent, perh a p s th e h on. an d learnedfi man would postpone m ov i ng hi s fi rst c l aus e 1111 return of the Solicitor-General. Sir FITZROY KELLY said he would 1 / 11 9 1 postpone his first clause, and proceed to the °V!, which was to limit the creation of two-and-a -1 1 3 e cent. stock (proposal No. 2) to ten millions. lieved that there was no instance of any great op e l l shown, as was proposed by the Government, ~ been effected solely by th e means, an d at the ra , " Or absolutely by the Finance Minister. Th e usua.L,,, was to submit the bargain t o p u bli c com p e titio 4 1 , r 4 in this mode it was ea s ily ascer t a i ne d w h a t wej r„ lowest terms on which the public were willing t c 'A the operation. Eithe r th e Ch ance ll or o f the B.g el ev , ic;; possessed the gift of di v i na ti on t o w hi c h otherti; strangers, or else he was advancing b1ind 1 9. 0 .% 'i' d therefore, wished e c a are t l o ess li o m f it th t e he los s s co w p h e ic o h f il s :::: P duce to the public by the manner of his oper a " cin g , 131 operation. li E i The CHANCELLOR of the ExCHEQ ICI :I s a : 'IP objected to th e proposal of the hon. and learned , man, both on the ground of precedent and reason , i t must give a most unqualified an d positive denial y statement of the hon. and learned gentleman, that ; was no inst ance of a Finance Minister having proo / in the mann er i n which he now proposed to ac t l f ! point of fact, he w as persuaded that he was n °9l lf, suing the very course i which had always f, proposed in cases of conversion of s t oc k . No e - ' O , in point of technical law, the stock which they f about to create was a new stock ; but in fact it :/ mere conversion, and not creation, of st oc k villi c to were about to effect. He ad m itt e d th a t the ExesiA Bonds which he propo se d t o crea t e w e re a net ,i 7 but here lie proposed not a fix e d ra t e , but ac e° d,l to what could be obtained i n th e mar k e t, due ca illi course being taken of the interest of the public. f, regard to the reasonabl ene s s o f th e h on. an d I . o ev, gentleman's proposition, he contended that there 0 t ul r market been such a thing own as to raise moue)" ~,, I market for the purpose of applying it to the ext i e f V f of stock. In doi ng th a t, th e Ch ancellor o f tl t io , t i , chequer would b e crea ti ng j ust an artificial 8c?oli'l.1 in the ma r k e t b y go i ng i nto it 'to vi 30,000,0001., and then directly after an artifiCl3 1, when he went in to pay off the stock. Such aP I '. j ; l ing would be most irrational, and cause enorinoilY to the public. The operation which was now Pr ° ,, , ; would not, in fact, increase the amount of debt, ,` f v f fund which would be at the same time provided ' l if house would reduce the debt to a much greater 55e than that by which it would be necessarily incre 3 ,!,,, this operation. If the operation were limited to ,1,1,,, proposed by the hon, and l earne d gen tl eman it w° l o l', much too small ever to come properly into the view r {; public, and would not afford a fair test of the vi°,o, of the principle on whi c h it was f oun d e d . Th e oil 1( of the hon. member for Huntingdon (Mr. Bariof,:) , ,, spoke on Friday night in favour of the hon. and . .1,3 1 ` 1 gentleman's motion, was that oven 30 , 000 , 0001. ":„( 1 ;",, small a sum fairly to t es t th e pr i nc i p l e, and 1 6 4 " Chancellor of the Exch equer ) cou ld certainly 11 ` ? , sent to redude its s co p e t o 10 , 000 , 0001, alone. __,,,,i 1) 1 Mr. HUME thou g ht th e mo d e of operation N"' , very best which cou ld b e a d opted. A A PI i Mr. SPOONER sa id th at the barmain was a w„f" P I 1 altogether, and a great d eal too much in favour '"" capitalist. [LEFT SITTING.] COURT CIRCULAR. P' Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent yisl Majesty yesterday afternoon at Buckingham Pak' t it His .Royal Highness P r i nce Alb ert presided Yes"f morning at the Co unc il f or the. Management ° A Duchy of Cornwall, at the Duchy-office, Soli l l se house. His Royal Highness was attended by th e A Y C. B. Phipp s . ' The Cr de i tl t , 'ountess of Mount Edgcumbe ha 3 succect* Viscountess Canning in her duties as the lady in to her Majesty. Dor e l His Royal Hi g h ness P r i nce Alb ert rode out 00,10100 back yesterday a ft ernoon a t ten d e d b y Lieutenan t"' F. H. Seymour. • co r of Rix. Royal Highness th e D uc h ess of K en t, i p ' i de panied by her S erene Hi g h ness the Princess Ade'lle, pP Hohenlohe, wen t t o Cl aremont yesterday morniNo A visited th e C oun t ess d e N eu i lly and the Frenelii," Family. The Royal Duchess returned to G'"- ,a 6 House, St. James's, in the afternoon. V I 0 Their Royal .Highnesses the Duchess of e_ t ati i ce and the Princess Mary dined with her R0ya1,,,-',7 0;0 the Duchess of Gloucester at her residence. 11- ' °- e s3 House, Piccadilly, on Monday. Her Royal Trig h°- e vic i pi Duchess of Kent joined the royal circle in the Jo ° Mr. Hutt, M.P., had an interview with the Newcastle yesterday, at the Colonial-office. Dispatches were sent yesterday from the C ° office to the Governor of Gibraltar. ° 9 % THE BUDGET.—MEETING IN SOUTHWAItg."--5 GO D dayj a meeting of the inhabitants of Southvva r ':, i t versed by the High Bailiff, i n pursuance o f a r ec l — :l l8 ld signed by a large numbe r o f th e i n h a bit a nts, w 3- ese iri ° at the Town Hall, to consider the propriety of 'La e ! ing a petition to Parlia men t i n f avour o f the,i'ed and praying th a t th e w h o l e m i g h t spee dil y be ' l a tP,t e a law ; Willi am P r it c h ar d , E sq.. the H i g h obje,), chair. The chairman having briefly stated tu iiic for which th e mee ti ng was convened, Dr. Cll3—ithe dressed the meeting, and said that he a creeci terms expressed by Mr. Hume and Mr. 'rVilliarest Dtio the budget, taken as a whole, was one of the , 19e5 0 0 01 ! gets that had been laid before the House of t' , : t for many years. He moved a resolution to th- her 10' Mr. Wilson seconded the resolution. Mr. Arc fl; t dresspd the meeting, agreeing with the reSOlUtiOne 30,brilf as it went, but at the same time he thought th er a i t ioo to be some expression of objection to the ill., ° " ce lice 4 a tax on inumaes of 1001., a i d the increase 0-011,,4, and moved an amendment to that effect. M r ' get" - Mr. Sturmey, Mr. Hearne and several other . . es obi men, having add resse d t h e Meeting, the o rigina l k uere' tion was carried, an d a -)etition, in accodarle° with, agreed to.