The Sun. — London, England, 1853-05-20 00:00:00

diminution in the amount. He hoped it would be ~till urtbef decreased in future years'. . LortlD. STUART said there was no vote on which the peopltwOut of doors - looked with greater suspicio n than this: '-/They-did not know how it was employed, or what nameless gentlemen gave their services in consideration of part'ef it. The dislike felt at it generally throughout the country was not likely to be lessened at present, in conse quenee -of the suspicions of revelations which had spread throtigh the country with regard to secret services, and the watching'and inquiring about the p r o ceedin g s of different individuals. • He was not g oing to object to the vot e at present; but he thought the house had a right to as much information as it was possible to give with regard to it. He toped the Government would tell the committee whetheetho'sum now asked for was the same as last year. Mr. A - PELLATT begged also to ask whether any part of the money went to remunerate the detective police? Lord J. RUSSELL said the sum asked for this year was e the same as that of last yea r ; and no part of the money went to the detective police. The,vote was then agreed to. ' Votes of 216,4201., for providing stationery, printing, binding, and paper for the two Houses of Parliament, and the several departments of Government in England, Scot and, Ireland, and the colonies, and of 16,0001. for law charges paid by the Solicitor to the Treasury in England, Word agreed to without discussion. O a sum of 17,700/. being proposed for sheriffs' ex penses, officers of the Court of Exchequer , &c. Mr.'Wlsz, Lord 1). STUART, and Mr. M. CLIAMBERS severally expressed a wish to know how this sum, which seemed a large one was appropriated ? Lord J. RUSSELL said it was principally a sum which had been usually paid to sheriffs for charges which they in curred in the execution of their office which they out of. heir own pockets in the first instance , pa andofw i hich they sunsequently rendered an account. The vote was then agreed to, A vote of 8,8301. was then proposed to defray the charges of the salaries of the Commissioners of the Courts for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors. After a short discussion the vote was agreed to. Tho next vote was for a sum of 107,4051. to defray the law expenses of Scotland. On the proposal of a sum o f 56,9501. to defray the charges of criminal prosecutions in Ireland, Colonel DUNNE said that he considered that if the sys tem of equalisation of taxation were adopted with respect to Ireland, the same principle of equality ought to be ap plied to the expenses of the country, and particularly in the case of criminal prosecutions and law charges, and he would be glad to receive an assurance from the Govern ment that the same principle should be applied with regard to the charges of prosecution in Ireland as prevailed in England. Mr. M`MAHON trusted that some alteration would be mule in the present system with regard to the appoint ment of Crown prosecutors. He believed that at present the failure of justice was in too many instances to be traced to the fact of effete nominees of the Attorney-Gene ral having to contend with young, active, and more expe rienced men than themselves. Mr. BROTHERTON wished to know if the hon. and gallant member for Portarlington would wish to see equa lity between the two countries carried out so as to include the payment of the constabulary in Ireland from local rates as in this country, rather than be borne as at present by the Consolidated Fund ? Colonel DUNNE would have no objection to that change, provided everything else were placed upon the same footing. Sir J. YOUNG thought that the whole subject of the local taxation of Ireland was a question well worthy the attention of gentlemen connected with Ireland, and pro mised the best consideration of the Government to any well-considered proposition on the subject. He was not prepared to agree in the conclusion of the hon. member for Wexford (Mr. M'Mahon), as to the propriety of adopting in Ireland the same system as that which prevailed in Eng land with respect to publics prosecutions, rather than the one which at present existed there, and which had been found to work so well in Scotland. He thought it desir able•that there should be public officers in Ireland to con duct prosecutions ; but did not consider that the present system was a perfect on?.. Mr. SCULLY trusted that the attention of the Govern ment would be directed to some mode of making the office of Crown prosecutor in Ireland more efficient than it was at present. The vote was the agreed to. A sum of 36,0001. was next proposed for defraying the expenses of the metropolitan police force in Dublin. Mr. WILLIAMS objected to the vote on the ground that the expenses of that force, in addition to that of the constabulary, ought not to be borne by the Consolidated Fund. •The vote was agreed to, as was also a vote for 240,0001. to defray charges formerly borne upon the county rate. On the proposal to vote a sum of 16,8391. for the charges of inspection and general superintendence over all the pri sons of the United Kingdom, Mr. LUCA Bs, uggested the postponement of the vote, on account of the importance of the subject—and which at that hour of the night could not be fully discussed— as affecting prisoners of the Roman Catholic persuasion. Sir J. YOUNG said it was important that the votes should be proceeded with, and if there was any.informa tion which the hon. member might require on the subject, he should be happy to afford it him. Sir DE LACY EVANS approved of the consideration of this question being delayed, on the ground that it was not expected that the house would have got into committee of supply so early. Lord J. RUSSELL admitted that if the previous busi ness upon the paper had occupied the greater portion of the evening, it would have been necessary to postpone the committee of supply ; but, having got into the committee of supply, he could not admit the necessity of not going on. They were now going through the votes regularly, and he hoped that if honourable members had objections to any particular votes they would now state them. Notice had been given that the house would go into supply this evening. Mr. WILLIAMS said he should object to any votes being taken after twelve o'clock. [lt was now a quarter to eleven.] Lord J. RUSSELL said he did not propose to take any votes after 12 o'clock. (Hear, hear.) Mr. LUCAS put it to the committee to say whether it was not perfectly reasonable, under the circumstances, that the chairman should now report progress, and ask leave to sit again. (Cries of " Oh, oh,' and "Go on.") There must be a lengthened discussion on this vote ; but it was impossible it could be satisfactory at so late an hour to night. If, therefore, no other course was left open to him, he should take a division to-night, and the discussion on the bringing up of the report. (A laugh.) Ho moved that the chairman report progress. Lord J. RUSSELL had no objection to take the discus sion on the bringing up of the report ; but he could not consent to stop the progress of the committee now, merely because the honourable gentleman was not ready to make his statement. The vote was then agreed to. On the next vote, that the sum of 407,6671., be granted to defray the charge of the Government prisons and convict establishments at home, Mr. LUCAS moved that the chairman do report pro gress. (Cries of " oh, oh.") Lord J. RUSSELL trusted the committee would not agree to the proposal. (Hear, hear.) There was certainly no reason for reporting pro,greis so early as eleven o'clock. Mr. LUCAS said the noble lord had put the case as if he (Mr. Lucas) was not prepared to bring on the question. He had not put it on that. ground, but upon the ground that it would lead to a longe r d e b a t e th an th ere was time for this evening, and because several hon. gentlemen who wished to take part in the discussion were now absent. In the details appended to the vote he found several sums, amounting to 4,5201.,, for chaplains and other religious in structors in these prisons. In the vote for Irish prisons sums were included for Protestant chaplains, for Roman Catholic Chaplains, and for Presbyterian chaplains ; in other words, in Ireland the fact was recognised that there were cyiuiinals of different religions, and some sort of pro vision was thus made for their religious instruction and re formation. I3ut in the vote for Government prisons in England not a single sixpence was asked for the payment of Roman Catholic chaplains, nor was anything paid in the local or county prisons for Roman Catholic chaplains, though a large sum was proposed to be voted for the main tenance of prisoners in those gaols. Co inty gaols were entirely under the management- of the Secretary of State for the Home Department • the rules were sent to him every year, and any alterations, amendments, or additions which he made were obligatory and binding upon the, local. authorities. County prisons, as well as Goveinmetit sons, were therefore, as regarded this question, under the mangement of the Home Secretary. What provision, then, was made for the religious instruction of Roman Catholic prisoners ? None either in England or Scotland—with the exception of Millbank. Now he wanted to have an oppor tunity of laying the whole of this case before the house in detail, for it was impossible, without discussion, that so gross an injustice and absurdity should continue to be per petrated. The motive for prison discipline was reforma tion—but with regard to Roman Catholic prisoners, refor mation ' was began with a profession of hypocrisy. The case was a grave one—it would require an answer from the Government, and it would certainly lead to a length ened discussion on the pait of gentlemen who took the same view as himself. He hcd, therefore, no alternative but to press his motion. To take the division now and the dis eusiori afterwards was an absurdity, and he had only pro posed it by way of joke. _ _ Mr. V. - SMITH saki the proposition to report progress was unreasonable and unusual. At the same time, if the honourable gentleman was determined to state the case on this mbtion, as well as on the bringing up of the report, the loss of time would be very great. Under such cir cumstances, therefore, it would be better for his noble friend to postpone the present vote, and proceed with the others. (Hear, hear, hear.) There must be some discussion upon subjects arising out of this vote, which would require some explanation from his noble friend the Home Secretary. There was an increase of 120,0001. in the vote for special service to provide ac commodation for convicts, in consequence of the cessa tion of transportation. There had been no discussion in this house on that subject; and, from what had passed in another place, it was left in doubt in what position the question of transportation stood. There must, therefore, be a discussion in which the Government would state what their_ vrews were with regard to secondary punishments. Lord J. RUSSELL had.no objection to the course sug g°asrtp ??3' his right hon. friend. (Hear, hear.) With re fcie j'" important subject alluded to by his right hon. earl ' , oe lb was undoubtedly uesirable that on some rather in ttis lacaaoulsoen the vi ews of the Government should be stated o It would be necnosthe question of t rans p or t a ti on . (H ear. ) subject; and in lueoftz , before long t o b r i ng i n a bill on that vernment would stated by his noble friend the Score- The vote w as then witted De partment. The following vo t es were next agreed to without discus sion : 1(10,4p51. for th e expense of the prison ers in county gaols, the philanthropic of .I.c instituti on and lunatic 'asylums, and the expens es of the remo va l of con victs. of canvc 518/. tsfor expenses con nec t e d with the transportation . _ 241,1541. for the expense of the convict establishments in the colonies. 260,000/. for public education in Groat Brit 182,0t3/., the sum required by the Commissioners i of Na tional Education in Ireland. 44,4761. for the department of szience and art, including geological survey of Great Britain and Ireland, and museums of geology, London and Dublin. 6,340/. for the expenses of the Royal Dublin Society. Oa the motion that 2,006/. be voted to defray the charge of the salaries and allowances granted to certain professors in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Mr. WILLIAMS objected to the vote. lie understood that the income of one college was 150,0001. per annum, and that' of another 180,0001. per annum ; and ho had no hesitation in saying that establishments possessing such vast amounts of wealth ought to be ashamed of coming upon the public taxes for these votes. A return obtained a few years ago showed that only two, three, or four per. sons attended the lectures of these professors. The colleges ought to support their own lecturers. He hoped the vote would be withdrawn ; but if it were not, he should divide the commit tee against it. Mr. HADFIELD strongly opposed the grant. The nni versifies excluded a large minority of the people from the advantages which they possessed, yet they had the otiron tery to call upon the house to tax the majority of the people to support institutions from which they by their bigotted laws, excluded dissenters. Mr. BLACKETT wished to put a question to the noble lord the member for the city of London on this subject. Some time ago the noble lord expressed a hope that the universities would themselves introduce improvements into their system ; and he said he should be loth to invite the assistance of Parliament unless they showed themselves un willing to propose certain reforms within one or two years. There was an unhappy vagueness about this statement ; and therefore he put it to the noble lord, in the interest of the universities themselves, whether he would not fix some definite period within which, if they did not reform them selves, he would think it his duty to ask for the assistance of Parliament. (Hear.) Lord J. RUSSELL, with regard to this vote, must be allowed to mention that it had been stated by the univer sities themselves that they felt aggrieved by the stamp duties payable on taking degrees. They considered they were more burdened by this public taxation than benefited by the votes annually made by the House of Commons. This was the statement he had heard, and he would say so far as this, that the whole of the question as to this vote and the burdens upon the universities should be considered by the Government. If any arrangement could be arrived at by which the present vote should be rendered unneces sary, he should be very glad ' • but at present the vote could not be renounced, as it had been adopted on the faith of arrangements made by former governments. He did not think he had ever stated that if they thought it necessary the Government would propose within one or two years a measure for the management of the universities. He said he did not think it expedient to proceed at present •--meaning in the present session, but beyond the present session he held the Government to be perfectly free to act as should seem best. Sir R. INGLIS said the Crown, in its liberality, had in former years either founded these professorships, or largely endowed them out of Crown property, and if Parliament had thought fit to take that property, subject to all charges upon it, it was a little too much to attempt now to violate a bargain made with the Crown at the time. About 20 years ago another hon. member for Lambeth brought for ward a proposition of this kind, and Mr. Spring Rice, the present Lord Monteagle, then one of the Lords of the Treasury, laid on the table the documentary evidence, by which what he had just stated was proved to be the fact. With regard to the sums paid by the universities in stamps for degrees, his noble friend the First Minister in that house had stated it was double the amount received for professors. If the Government would not exact the amount paid in stamps for degrees, the University of Oxford would not be indisposed to re-consider the receipt of the smaller sum to the professors. But as to adopting the professorial system, admitting persons to residence not attached to any college, and destroying the wills of the founders, as sug gested by his noble friend, he could only repeat what ho had already said, such a change was very improbable. He would divide against the amendment of the hon. member for Lambeth. _ _ _ Sir DE LACY EVANS thought the Universities of Ox ford and Cambridge stood on a very different footing from the University of London, for which a similar vote would next be taken. Oxford and Cambridge had very large property belonging to them, and the system of education there was most expensive. It was very proper to promote the education of the people, but the most opulent classes of the country received their education at Oxford and Cambridge, and the charges were abundantly large. Know ing that those universities were richly endowed, that they possessed many sinecure appointments, and that the higher classes alone were educated within their walls, he (lid think it inconsistent to ask the public to contribute the sum of 2,000/. under the name of professors. Mr. A. PELLATT agreed that the University of London was on a very different footing from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The latter not only excluded those who could not conform to the established religion of the country, but prevented any divulgement of facts with regard to finances and endowments, by the imposition of oaths. They ought to look with great jealousy on societies that would not give the slightest information as to what were their incomes, or how they were derived. They must assume that their resources were'abundant, and, therefore, a contribution from the State unnecessary. He was a great friend to education, and was glad to see the system of instruction by professors extended, but he thought the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge had money enough of their own, and should oppose the vote. Mr. W. WILLIAMS would not divide the committee if he had the assurance of the noble lord that the Govern. ment would take these matters into consideration. Mr. H. DRUMMOND thought the argument of the hon. baronet the member for the University of Oxford had been either entirely evaded or overlooked. The argument was this—That this sum was the property of the universities ; that it was granted by the Crown ; that Parliament chose to take upon themselves the payment of sums for which the Crown was pledged ; and now, having done that, they wanted to break the bargain, and come and. talk there of honour and integrity. (Hear, hear.) Mr. W. WILLIAMS asked, if this sum were granted by the Crown, why the vote was taken for it annually, why it was not placed on the Civil List ? There would be a similar vote for Scotch universities, but there was property in Scotland belonging to the Crown, which produced an an nual revenue to the State, and, therefore, to that vote he did not object. Mr. H. DRUMMOND reminded the hon. member that Parliament took the property of the Crown with all its incumbrances, and now it was proposed to repudiate the incumbrances and break the bargain they had made. (Hear, hear.) The vote was then agreed to, as were also -3,9551. for the expenses of the universities of London. 8,0261. for grants to Scottish universities. 300'. for the Royal Irish Academy. 3001. for the Royal Hibernian Academy. On the proposal to vote 2,7501. for the salaries of theolo gical professors at Belfast and for the retired allowances to the professors of the Belfast Academical Institution, Mr. MIALL said he understood this vote would be given for the purpose of religious teaching in Belfast. A majo rity of the committee had objected to a vote of a similar character with regard to Maynooth College in Ireland. The principle laid down was, not that they objected to the Roman Catholic religion as such, but to public money being given for religious teaching of any kind. In consis tency, therefore they were bound to refuse this vote. Sir R. INGLIS said the hon. member could only answer for himself and the views which dictated his vote, but he, for one, had never scrupled to declared ho objected to pay ing any money for teaching that which he conscientiously disapproved. In conscience he disapproved of the teaching in Maynooth, and on that ground he objected to the vote with regard to Maynooth • but that was not the ground on which he conceived himself justified in objecting to any other vote on the table of the house. Mr. A. PELLATT said the great objection of the Non conformists was to any allowance of the State for the teaching of religion, and, therefore, he should join in voting against this sum. The CHAIRMAN asked if the hon. member proposed to divide ? Mr. MIALL said he should certainly divide the com mittee upon the whole of this class of votes. Strangers were ordered to withdraw, and the committee divided— For the vote l3O Against it Majority . 109 A vote of 1,6811. to defray the probable expenses of the Queen's University in Ireland was agreed to. Votes of 55,8401. for the establishment and expenses, of 22,7101. for the required new buildings, and of 1,5001. for the purchases of the British Museum, were agreed to. A vote of 4,2621. 19s. 10d. for the expenses of the Na tional Gallery was agreed to. A vote of 2,2131. for scientific works and experiments was agreed to. The CHAIRMAN then reported progress, on the motion of Lord J. RUSSELL, and the house resumed. HACKNEY CARRIAGE (METROPOLIS) BILL. On the motion that the Speaker leave the chair, Sir R. INGLIS urged that the bill before the house was one which ought, to be referred to a select committee, as the amount concerned in it was so largo, and the number of persons' livelihoods which it affected so numerous. The sum of 1,700,0001. was involved in the decision referring to hackney carriages or omnibuses; the sum of 800,0001. in that referring to cabs ; and there were other considerations in the matter higher than those of pounds, shillings, and pence. In various cases bills affecting large classes—for instance the Buildings Regulation Act, and a measure on the subject of hackney carriages in 1835—had been referred to a select committee, and he thought that there was no reason why this should not be so too. Had his honourable friend examined any great body of the persons with whose property he meddled ? Had he investigated the matter, and was he prepared to allocate the amount which they should receive?? And was he to be supported by the advo cates of free trade and unrestricted competition in an at tempt to induce the house to adopt a minimum of wages for a particular class of individuals? (Hear, hear.) But there were other and higher considerations. This measure involved also the liberty of the subject. In clause 14, he found a large class of undefined offences to which no penalty was attached by the clause itself. But that clause must be constructed by clause 7, which provided that for every of fence to which no specific penalty is appended the offender shall, at the discretion of the magistrate, be liable to a penalty not exceeding 405., or an imprisonment for any period not exceeding one month. (Hear, hear.) Such a power as that ought not to be hastily granted by the house, •Ind certainly not without previous inquiry. (Hear, hear.) In case of summary conviction before a magistrate, there ought to be a power of appeal. (Hear, hear.) And what was the objection to that proposition ? Why, that there had been a conviction by a magistrate quashed. When an analogous bill was introduced in 1835, the Government of that day thought it not unbecoming to submit the matter to the consideration of a select committee, and he trusted the house would follow that example in the present case. (Hear, hear.) He admitted that the hon. gentleman pro posed to give the supremo decision to a person of whom he had never spoken, except with honour ; but he did not think that even Sir Richard Mayne ought to be entrusted with such a power as that conferred by the present bill. (Hear.) He had previously asked his hon. friend to give the power of appeal, but that request had been refused. He now proposed to go further, and ask the house to refer the bill to a select committee. (Hear, hear.) Before con cluding his remarks, he would just state to the house the amount of property respecting which it was asked to legislate. Before a single journey was made by the omni buses now in use, a capital of 414,0001. had been sunk in their construction. The annual cost to the pro prietors for wages was 436,800/. ; for repairs, 62,400/. ; for corn to the horses, 358,0001. ; for hay, 117,0001. ; for straw, 56,000/. ; for wear and tear of horses and shoeing, 94,000/. ; for duty, 202,0001.—making a general total of not less than 1,709,600. The amount for cabs was of course smaller ; but before a single journey could be made by 3,500 cabs, the capital expended had been 35 2,500/. ; the annual cost for 7,000 horses was 272,0001.; at h no lo un e t x o p f en n se ea w rlays upwards 2,soomo the wear and tear, 50,0001.; and, including the duty, the Where the pro of 700,0001. —ymaking by a these vehicles amounted railways did not amount to more than 262,0001. bY all the railw to nearly many persons NIN)-er0y300,0001., whilst the duty paid case for the motion involved,iv h•wi and the livelihood and liberty of so namely, that the bill he referrediehhe i t ie htowouogarselect h a w cc d oo nan shown erilu(titee—e a . (H L ea o r r , a h D ea . rSIIIIARTg=ded the amendment. There was ~pole connected with hackney do a ubt c a a g n r i e s a a t e a e n j u a d n i c o e itiyable members had at with a cabman—(a it the house looking some time or other had an altercate rp4ozrseicr the Thee details that it s laugh)—but that ought not to carefully into the bill and amending bill was so full of minute sidoration of a select committee , who would bestow he con upon TIIE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 20, 1853. it more attention than a committee of the whole house. (Hear, hear.) The bill could not come into operation before October, and there was plenty of time, therefore, to send it to a committee up stairs, and then to consider it in the house. That course, if adopted, would give great satisfaction out of doors, and would show their determina tion to give to the subject the beat consideration in their power. Ho cordially seconded the amendment. Mr. FITZROY thought the house would agree with him that no sufficient case had been made out for referring the bill to a committee up stairs. The mover and seconder of the amendment had only proved that they bad certain alterations to propose in the bill, which alterations he should be perfectly willing to consider and adopt, as far as the interests of the public would allow him to do so ; but to propose to refer the bill to a select committee was in effect to sweep away any chance it might have of receiving the sanction of the house. (Hear.) The only evidence that would be taken before a select committee would be that of cab proprietors, and the public would be altogether shut out, which would not be the case if the bill were submitted to a committee of the whole house. The mover of the amend. ment had erroneously stated that no measure affecting hack ney carriages in this metropolis had been framed within the last 19 years, and that the last measure was referred to a select committee. The act 6 and 7 Victoria, which was an act for licensing and regulating this trade, had been passed subsequently to the period referred to by the hon. baronet; and although it granted powers similar to those conferred upon the Commissioners of Police by the present measure, it wag not considered necessary to send it to a committee up stairs. A great deal had been said about the amount of capital invested in hackney carriages • but the house should recollect, on the other hand, that 300,000,000 pas sengers wore conveyed annually in these vehicles within this metropolis. It was of great importance that the pub lic conveyances should not be allowed to remain in their present state, deprived of light and air, and, believing that the provisions of the bill were equally for the interests of the public and of cab proprietors, he would resist the amendment to refer it to a select committee. Mr. B. DENISON supported the amendment. He thought the house was not competent to deal with all parts of the case, without hearing what the cab proprietors had to say. He admitted, at the same time, that the public conveyances of the metropolis required improvement. Sir J. V. SHELLEY thanked the honourable gentle man who had brought forward this bill. The proposed reduction of fares would, in the long run, be found bene ficial to the cab proprietors themselves. The question of appeal was one which fairly admitted of a difference of opinion, but there could be no doubt that the house was as competent to deal with it as a committee up stairs. He should vote for the motion. ..„_ Mr. NEWDEGATE said that to reduce the fares, and at the same time to enact stringent regulations, might be a necessary, but it was certainly a cruel and arbitrary, pro- ceeding. Mr. MALINS said that the nailed-together boards which were driven about on wheels through the streets, and called cabs, were a disgrace to the metropolis. (Hear, hear.) The drivers, too, were the most ignorant body of men in the world ; if you told one of them to drive to the east he brought you to the west ; and if you directed him to the north, you soon found yourself going towards the south of the city. He (Mr Malins) thought that there ought to be an examination of drivers. (Hear, hear.) He trusted that the honourable gentleman opposite would per severe in the general objects of this bill, and that the house would not consent to refer the question to a committee up stairs. Mr. BRIGHT said that members of that house were frequently obliged to employ cabs, and suffered a great deal of inconvenience in consequence ; they ought, therefore, to be careful not to legislate on this matter with a view to per sonal considerations. He believed that cab-drivers were in general treated with great harshness, and that their un fortunate condition was, in a great degree, to be attributed to the want of a sensible municipal government in this me tropolis. No act of Parliament would civilise a body of men who were exposed day and night in this severe climate, but if there was a proper municipal government in London, some arrangement would have been by this time made by which cabs on the stand would be placed under a glass roof, and greater attention would be paid to the comforts of the drivers. (Hear.) As the Government showed a willingness to receive suggestions by which the bill might be improved, he (Mr. Bright) should not vote for sending it to a committee up stairs. Mr. B. CARTER did not think that the bill would re ceive fair consideration from a committee of the whole house, and he should, therefore, vote in favour of referring it to a select committee. Mr. LOCKE thought that it would not be right to legis late on a question which affected the interests of a large body of men without giving them a hearing, and an oppor tunity of stating their case before a select committee. He could not approve of the interference with fares which was proposed by this bill. The house then divided, when the numbers were— For going into committee Against it Majority The house then went into committee on the bill pro forma. Sir GEORGE PECHELL gave notice that on the house going into committee on the bill on the next occasion he would move that the cabmen be heard by counsel at the bar of the house. (Laughter.) The CHAIRMAN then reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again to-morrow. CLITHEROE-NEW WRIT. On the motion of Sir GEORGE GOODMAN, a new writ was ordered to issue for the borough of Clitheroe. The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the house adjourned a few minutes after ono o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-MAY 19. ( Prom the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons. ) (In Committee of Supply.) Motion made, and question proposed—" That a sum, not exceeding 45,6001., be granted to her Majesty, to defray the expense of repairing and maintaining the several public buildings in the department of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, to the 31st day of March, 1854." Afterwards, motion made, and question proposed—" That a sum, not exceeding 44,3641.75., be granted to her Ma jesty, to defray the expense of repairing and maintaining the several public buildings iu the department of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, to the 31st day of March, 18ry4." (Mr. Spooner). Afterwards, motion made, and question put—" That a sum, not exceeding 44,108/. Is. 4d., be granted to her Ma jesty, to defray the expense of repairing and maintaining the several public buildings in the department of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, to the 31st day of March, 1854." (Mr. W. Williams). The Com mittee divided : MINORITY—AYES, 43. Anderson, Sir James Jones, David Phinn, Thomas Budge, W. Keating H. Scobell, Capt. Bailey, H J Kendall, N. Seymour, W. D. Bell, J. Kershaw, James Shelley, Sir J. V. Biggs, William Kinnaird, A. F. Stuart, Lord D. Cobbett, J. Morgan Lee, W. Swill, R. Craufurd, E. Lucas, F. Tollemache, John Drummond, H. Macgregor, James Walmsley, Sir J. Duncan, G. M'Taggart, Sir J. Wilkinson, W. A. Fox, W. J. Martin, John Williams, Thos. Peer Freestun, Colonel Massey, W. Wise, A. Goodman, Sir George Miall, Edward Hadfield, George Milligan, Robert maxis. Hnstie, Alexander Michell, W. Elastic, Archibald Pakington, Sir John Spooner, Richard Inglis, Sir R. U. Pellatt Apsley Williams, W. MAJORITY—NOES, SO Aclantl, Sir T. Floyer, J. Phillips, John Henry A'Court, C. Fox, It. M. Power, N. Arbuthnott, General Frewen, C. 11. • Price, Sir It. Atherton, Wm. Gladstone, William Ricardo. 0. Baines, M. T. Gore, W. 0. Robertson, P. F. Barrow, W. 11. Graham, Sir James Russell. Lord J. Berkeley, Granville Greene, J. Scott, F. Bethel], Richard Gwyn, Rowel Shoe, W. , Bowyer, Geurge Hamilton, Lord C. Smith, 'Wm. M. Brotheiton, Joseph Hanmer, Sir J. Strutt, Edward Buck, Lewis W. Heard, J. I. Taylor, C.d. Butler, Charles S. Hauchy, D. O'Connor Thicknesse, R. A. Butt. Geo. Medd Herbert, Sidney . Thornely, T. Cairns, H. M'Calmont Hervey, Lord Alfred Towneley, C. Cardwell, E. Ingham, Robert Turner, C. Chambers, M. Jones, Capt. Vance. J. Charteris, F. Keating, Robert Vansittart, G. H. Chill, Smith Lockhart, W. Verner, Sir W. Clay, Sir W. Long, W. Walcot, Adm. Clinton. Lord C. P. Lowther, Colonel Wilson, James Cockburn, Sir Alex. M'Gregor, John Woodd, B. Corry, H. L. Matins, R. Wynne, W. Cowper, W. Masterman, J. Wyvill, M. Davies, D. Molesworth, Sir W. Young, Sir f. Dent, J. Molisell, William Fagan, W. Murrough, J. e. rELLII/1. Fitzgerald, J. Osborne, Ralph Hayter, Hon. W. Fitzroy, Hon. H. Peel Frederick Musgrave, Hari Question put—" That a sum, not exceeding 44,3641. 75,, be granted to her Majesty, to defray the expense of re pairing and maintaining the several public buildings in the department of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, to the 31st day of March, 1854." (Mr. Spooner). The Committee divided -- MAJORITY—AYES, 74. Anderson, Sir James Gwyn, Howe' Montgomery, Sir G. Arbuthnot, Gen. Hadfield, George Packington, sir J. Bagge, W. Hamilton, Lord C. Pellatt, A Bantle, H. Hastie, Alexander Pliiiiii, T. Barrow, Wm. 11. Basile. Archibald Robertson, P. F. Bell, James Inglis. Sir K. H. Seobell, Captain Biggs, William Jones, Captain Scott, Francis Buck, Lewis W. Jones, D. Seymour, W. P ' Butler, Charles Keating, 11. S. Shelley, c , ir J. Y. Butt, 0.11. Kendall, Nicholas Smith, W. Cairns, H. M'Calmont Kershaw, Juintui Smollett, A Chambers. Montagu Ki n 'laird, A. F. equart, Lord Dqud:eY Child, Smith Lee, W, Taylor, Col. Clinton, Lord C. Lockhart, W. Tollemache, J. Cobbett, J M. Long, e. . Turner, C. Corry, Henry Lowry Lowther, Colonel Vance, J. Craufurd, E. H. J. Macgregor, James Vansittart, ( ;eorge U. Davies, D. Macgregor, John Verner, Sir iv. Drummond, Henry 111.'fa, , gart, Sir J. Walcott, A , lln. Duncan, George Matins, Richard; Williams, VT, Ferguson, Joseph Martin, John / Wood, IL Floyer, John Massey, W. X. Wynne, 'Al' m. W. E. Fox, W. J. Illasterman(John Freestun, Colonel Allah, E. , TV L,LEILS. Goodman, Sir G. Milligan, R. Spooner, it. Gorr, W. Michell, W. Frewen, , c, 11. MINORITY—NOES, 51. Acland, Sir T. Greene, J. Shee, ' NI% A'Court, C. 'burner, Sir John Strut 4 , Rt. Hon. E. Atherton, Wm. Heard, J, Swilt , It Baines, M. T. 'fetidly, D. O'Connor Tanc ced, Henry Wm. Berkeley, Grenville Herbert, Sidney Tine finesse, R. A. Bethel', Richard Hervey, Lord Alfred Thu) vely, T. Bower, G. Mutt, William Tom neley, C. Brady, John Ingham, Robert Wa' Insley, Sir 3. Brotherton, 3. Keating, It. IITI3, kinson, W. Cardwell, Hon. E. Lucas, F. I ril cox, B. Charter's, F. Molesworth, Sir W. Vf it :on, J. Clay, Sir William Monsell, W. V /in aington. Sir T. E Cockburn, Sir A. Mutrough, J. P. Iffy% 111, alarm:Wilke Crowder, R. Osborne, Ralph Your, g, Sir Joint Dent, J. Peel, F. Fagan, W. Philipps, J. 11. Fitzroy, Henry Power, N. TELLtRB. Fox. It. Price, Sir It. Gladstone, William Ricardo, 0. lluyte r, W. G. Graham, Sir J. Russell, LordJ. 31,11 gr. ave, Earl INTERESTING INCIDENT IN AEROSTAI Its.—On Wed nesday evening Mr. Henry Coxwell's b: illoon, from the Grecian, in the City-road, and Mr. Ham pton's, from the Rosemary Branch, ascended within a few minutes of each other, and started, to all appearan, xt, for a balloon race. Mr. Coxwell's, however, on atta in.ing a greater elevation, turned off into an opposite cm rent—a circum stance, it appears, pronounced by that se . J . entific aeronaut, before sta r ti ng , t o b e probable, Mrhavingox.well having made car e f u l exper i men t s w i t h Pik i t ball Loons in the course of the afternoon, to ascertain L th e " exa ct state of the upper currents. Both balloons were. u p f or a long time, and the v i ew was unu i mally 5 .nterest ing. FRENCH PLAYS. MR. MITCHELL'S BENEFIT.—WEDNESDAY NEXT. Under the Gracious Patronage of Her Majesty. R. MITCHELL respectfully announces' that' _I3UL his BENEFIT is fixed to take place on WEDNESDAY next, May 25th, 1853, on which occasion will be presented, for that night only, the favourite Comedy of LE MARIA A LA- CAMPAG' it, and (for the last time it can be repeated) LE P.ONEIOMME JAWS, in which Mons. Reviler will repeat his admirable performance of "Le Bonhoinmo Jadis ;" being also the list night but Two of the Comedy Performances. Mr. Mitchell solicits the favour of tut early application for boxes and stalls Royal Literary, 33, Old Bond•street, 19th May, 1853. THEARTE ROYAL, HAYMARKET. 'Under the management of Mr. Bnekstone. THIS EVENING, MAY 20, Will be produced (6th time ) THE MOUSETRAP. Characters by Messrs. Tilbury, Chippendale, Ro;ers, Buckstone, W. Farren, and Edwards ; Mrs. Poynter. M:sses A. Moulds, Louisa, HowarJ, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and Mrs. Stanley. After which, ME. BUCKSTONE'S ASCENT OF MOUNT PAR NASSUS. To — conclude with THE SHERIFF OF THE COUNTY. Sup ported by Messrs. Tilbury, Rogers, H. Cord, Compton, mid Buck stone ; Mrs. Stanley, Misses A. Vining, E. Bromley, and E. Chaplin. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET. Under the Management of Mr. Charles Kean. THIS EVENING, MAT 20, Will be performed the Tragedy of MACBETH. To conclude with BLACK-EYED SUSAN. Characters by Messrs. I'. P. Cooke, Wright, Meadows, Manvers, Graham, Everett, F. Cooke, and Saker ; Mrs. W. J.acy and Miss Murray. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Management of Madame Vestris. THIS EVENING, MAY 20, Will be performed A.S.S. Characters by Messrs. F. Mathews, Suter, and Rosiere ; Mrs. Macnsmara and Miss Wyndham. After which, A FAST TRAIN—IIIGII PRESSURE EXPRESS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, Baker, and Suter. To be followed by (2d time) THE LAWYERS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Matthews, and Roxby ; Mrs. F. Matthews, Misses Robertson and Ellis. After which, A DIVERTISSEMENT. To conclude with TRYING IT ON. Principal character by Mr. C. Mathews. THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI. Pro;rletor, Mr. B. Webster —Directress, Medium Celeste. THIS EVENING, MAY 20, Will be performed THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Cha racters by Messrs. B. Webster, Keeley, Leigh Murray, Parselle, G. Honey, A. Wigan, Paul Bedford, R. Romer, Cull( Ilford, and H. Bed. ford ; Madame Celeste, Mrs. Keeley, Miss Mary Kegley and Miss Woolgar. After which, A DESPERATE GAME. To conclude with THE DANCING SCGTCHHAN. ROYAL OLYMPIC; THEATRE. Lessee and Manager, Mr. Farren. THIS EVENING, MAY 20, Will be performed TIIE MILLER OF DER%VENT WATER. Characters by Messrs. B. Farren, F. Robson, Shalders, and G. Cooke ; Mesdames Anderton and E. Turner. After which, UNCLE CROTCHET. Supported by Mr. Far ren, &c. To be followed by MACBETH. Supported by Mr. F. Robson and Mrs. A. Phillips. To conclude with THE DAY AFTER THE WEDDING. Colo nel Frcelove, Mr. H. Marston ; Lady Freelove, Miss H. Gordon. ASTLETS ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. THIS EVENING, MAY 20, And during the week, the Entertainments will commence with an entirely new Hippo Wants, (in Two Acts), with new scenery, cos tumes, and appointments, written expressly for this Theatre by Mr. W. E. Suter, illustrating a Sporting Man's Career, and entitled THE CHASE, or LIFE OJT THE TURF—In which will be represented a FOX CHASE, with REAL FOX and HOUNDS, the Race, Steeplechase, &c., &e. To be followed by a display of Equestrian Achievements in the ARENA, introducing the accomplished Artistes of the Establish ment and Mr. Cooke's highly-trained Horses and Ponies. In couse • quence of the unusually brilliant Arena Performances, they will ter minate the Evenings' Entertainments. Berr-ollice open daily from Eleven to Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. Open for the Season. The Zoological Collection contains a variety of interesting speci mens, and the Gardens throughout have been improved and beautified. The Pictorial Representation is an extensive VIEW of the BAY and FORTS of CfIUi.,A.N, painted by Messrs. Danson, and at dusk is represented the attack of the Chinese fire-rafts on the Br.tish fleet, explosion-ships, &c. —Grand Vocal nod Instrumental Concert. Engagement of the eminent vocalist, Miss Cicely Nott. Conductor, Mr. Godfrey.—An extra Military Band during the day time ; and at dusk a grand display of Fireworks, combined with the Feast of Lanterns and other displays.—Doers open from 9in the morning. Admission, is. DAILY WEATHER TABLE. FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1853. State of the wind and weather at each of the following places at nine o'clock yesterday morning. The stations are arranged in order of laiiaide. HASTlNGS—Calm—cloudless. SOUTHAMPTON--N.W., strong breeze—cloudless. FOLKESTONE—S.W., gentle breeze—overcast. TUNBRIDGE—S.W. gentle breeze—overcast. BASINGSTOKE—N.W., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. GREENWICH—S.W., gentle breeze—cloudless. STROOD—W., gentle breeze—partially cloady. SWINDON—Ti., light breeze—cloudless. lenmonTiT—N.W., calm—itouclless. LANCASTER—W., calm—partially cloudy. WHITBY—N., gentle breeze—clor.dless. DARLINGTON—N.N.E., gentle breeze—cloudless. SNAP—S., calm—partially cloudy. The returns from the following places indicate the state of the weather on Wednesday morning at nine o'clock :--, LimEuxex—E., calm—partially cloudy. STROOD—N., gentle breeze—cloudless. YARLIOUTH—E., gentle breeze—cloudless. HOLYHEAD—E., gentle breeze—fine. LANOASTER—S.W., calm—cloudless. WHITBY—E., gentle breeze—cloudless. DARLINGTON—N.E., gentle breeze—partially cloudy. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tuts DAT —Morning 39 min. after 11 Evening 0 min.aft. 0 To-Monow—Morning 5 miu. after 12 I Evening 28 miu.aft. 12 THE WEATHER.—Sox OFFICX, MAY 20. THERMOMETER, IN TAE SHADE. 71—highest since noon yesterday. 47—lowest this morning and during the night. GO— this day at noon. BAROMETER, 30 . 15.—going up. Wnr. D, S.E.—Fino breeze, and sunshiny weather. TilE PUBLICATION OF ~ THE SUN" COMMENCES EVERY AFTERNOON AT THREE O'CLOCK, AND TIID LATE OR THIRD EDITION, CONTAINING TELE DEBATES IN PARLIAMENT 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. • • u e Z5- )1 1 ) AA' LONDON, FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1853. Improvements in the Naval Service are required elsewhere than in the Dockyards. Indeed the old system has proved not less injurious to the sailors themselves than detrimental to the interests of ,the maritime profession. That it is eminently advisable that innovations, both numerous and comprehensive, should be adventured upon, in re ference to the arrangements for Manning her MAJESTY'S Fleets, has recently been proclaimed through the Report of the Committee of Inquiry. That other innovations scarcely less numerous, and certainly by no means less comprehensive, should be attempted in regard to the increase of the per sonal comforts of our seamen has, we believe, for some time past been pretty generally recognised. A humorous and intelligent contributorto "House hold Words," not long ago furnished the public with a melancholy account of the really deplor able want of accommodation aboard-ship for poor JACK and his messmates. It would appear from the description given by this writer—a description evidently as faithful as a daguerreotype—that in too many instances the maritime defenders of England are less cared for than our paupers or our criminals. Their common mess-room seems frequently to be about as delightfully proportioned to the number of its inmates as the famous black hole of Calcutta. Its height, or rather its want of height, renders either a stoop or a broken head the ordinary alternative. Its deficiencies in length and breadth are sometimes still more lamentably inconvenient. In speaking thus, we do not, of course, refer to our men-of-war—but, generally speaking, to the majority of the mercantile craft, from which so many of our sailors would have in time of war to be summarily drafted. Yet oven in our men-of-war there is in these matters ample scope for beneficial changes—for changes by which the health of the men would be marvellously improved, and by which their domestic comforts would be wonderfully enhanced. Happily there has been made of late a generous effort for the improvement of the position of our sailors when ashore, by the establishment of what are called Sailors' homes in several of our larger seaports. For the purpose of more effectually carrying out the intentions of the benevolent in this particular, it is well known there has been some time organised what is known as the Sailors' Home Institution. Periodical meetings of those who are more particularly interested in the objects of the society, are held with a view to forward as energetically as possible the wishes of Captain tM HALL, its humane originator. At one of the latest of these meetings, one held only last week at the offices of the Institution in Craven-street, Strand, upon which occasion Rear-Admiral the Right Hon. Lord BYRON acted as Chairman, a variety of important particulars were submitted to the consideration of those assembled, through the able Report made by Mr. O'BYRNE, the Secre tary. It was intimated at the very outset or pre amble of that Report, that—" the importance to the nation of Sailors' Homes, as shown in the working results of the establishment in Well street, Portsmouth, Dublin, and Greenock, neces sitated the adoption of some organised system whereby similar advantages might be rapidly se cured to each of the principal seaports in the United Kingdom, India, and her MAJESTY'S co lonial possessions ; " and that it was, in fact, the simple recognition of this necessity which had originally suggested to Captain HALL the forma tion of the Sailors' Home Institution. That In stitution, having once been actually organised, proposes forthwith to carry out the intentions of its originator—" 1. By agitating the subject at each port ; 2. By promoting and encouraging the formation of local committees ; 3. By affording every information to such committees for their guidance, as to expenses, regulations to be adopt ed, &c. ; 4. By heading the subscription lists, opened at each port, by such donations as the funds may admit of"—and through these four practical endeavours to diffuse the advantages arising from the new system as widely as possible through the great mass of our maritime popu lation. The existence of the Sailors' Home Institution— founded upon these bases—dates back only as re cently as to the September of 1852, since which time its promoters have been so far active that they have caused visits of inquiry to be made to Deal, Dover, Plymouth, Poplar, Waterford, Wool wich, and Portsmouth. Everywhere in these places it is gratifying to know that they have found their endeavours hailed with satisfaction. So far, therefore, the Institution has met with decided en couragement. At the suggestion of the Managing Director, a full Report, in regard to Woolwich in particular, was drawn up by the Travelling Secre tary—a document especially called for, consider ing the importance of Woolwich being made 'the scene of one of these new establishments. It has consequently appeared that during the year 1852 " there were commissioned and paid off, at Wool wich, the following number of ships—viz., 12 ships commissioned, whose complements num bered 1,764 men, 11 ships paid off; whose com plements numbered 1,403, making a total of 3,167 men who passed through the port of Wool-, wich in that year"--a number so considerable as to render matter of peculiar interest the establish ment, in that particular locality - , of one of the Sailors' Homes projected by the Institution. The advisability of some such effbrt will nowadays be recognised the more readily, because "it appears that, upon the occasion of a ship being commissioned at Woolwich, a want of men is experienced, which it seems," says the Report, " is in a great measure occasioned by a prejudice that the general run of seamen have against locating at this port, in consequenee of the allure ments to vice with which they are tempted, and therefore they take themselves to ports where Sailors' Homes are established." Bearing in mind the singular advantages resulting from these Sailors' Homes, it is satisfactory to know that new ones have been opened at Belfast, at Bristol, at Cork, at Devonport, and at Southampton, since the establishment, in the September of 1852, of this humane and admirable institution. It is not merely the gross and palpable injustice of taxing every kind of income at the same rate —of levying equal amounts from the precarious profits of industry, and the dividends, interests, or annual produce of well-secured property, that has so strongly excited the indignation of the contributors under Schedule D. The inquisitorial character of the returns demanded, and the search ing investigation into the most private affairs of the merchant or trader, conducted, perhaps, under the direction of a rival in business, is in many quarters regarded as even more objectionable. The inequality so justly complained of compels the victim to contribute fax more than his fair pro portion ; but there the evil ceases. But in the other, there is a most invidious exposure of cir cumstances—an exposure that may be productive of ruinous results, which brings the party into immediate collision with the assessor, and to a certain extent subjects him to the temptation of himself fixing the amount which he is subse quently to pay to the collector. This temptation naturally exercises a very demoralising influence. The man who feels himself to be unfairly treated by the undue favouritism exhibited towards the fundholder or landowner, sees that an opportunity is afforded, of rectifying the evil by making a false return of his profits return of which it is almost impossible to prove the inaccuracy, as the real bona fide amount of his profits can be known to himself alone. He yields, and thenceforward becomes an habitual violater of the law, which he never would have transgressed but for its manifest injustice. It is no trivial matter to inducesuch proceedings, or to lead men of good character and conduct in other matters into deceit and fraud. Let it not be supposed that we are in any degree justifying such erroneous returns, or the obtaining of even a just exemption by such improper means. Far from it. So long as the system, iniquitous and atrocious as it unquestionably is, is sanc tioned by law, it should be respected, or at least not directly transgressed—nor should it be ima gined, that we are publishing so great a libel on the mercantile and trading classes as to assert that fraudulent returns constitute the rule and not the exception. That there are such cases is un fortunately a matter of but too painful notoriety, but, we believe that the general body act with strict honour and integrity, and that their returns are more frequently in excess of, rather than be neath, their actual profits. It is sufficient for the purposes of our argument to show that the oppor tunity for concealment is afforded, and that it is occasionally taken advantage of, while that there is no such liability under a Property Tax, properly so called, or that if the attempt be made, there are facilities for detection, which even the most audacious would not willingly encounter. These assertions are corroborated by the evidence of the most experienced officers of the Inland Revenue. Thus, for instance, Mr. PRESSLY de clares :—" At present everything being charged at its first smirco, we are quite sure of the tax on every penny ; we get every penny upon the divi dend, and every penny upon a man's salary. All that we do not know is the profits of a man's trade, but in all the other schedules it is collected to a penny without any disclosure whatever." This is an important statement, proving that on property the tax may be recovered to the uttermost farthing. —that there is no opening for a fraudulent re turn—and consequently that so far as contributors under Schedules A, B, C, and E are concerned, there is none of that demoralising influence in operation that has been so loudly and so justly complained of with respect to trading incomes. And this fact may be easily conceived when it is borne in mind that the returns under all the other schedules are made by disinterested parties, but under schedule D by interested persons, who are strongly incited to reduce the nominal amount . of their profits, and with it the actual payment to the collector. On this point the evidence of the experienced gentleman above referred to (Mr. PRESSLY) may be considered con clusive. He says—" I think there has been great evasion on the subject ; and I think the longer the tax exists the evasions will go on under Schedule D." We thus find that the exemption of industrial incomes and the levying the tax exclusively on property would not only remove the great injustice perpetrated on the mercantile and trading and manufacturing classes, but would also remove the fertile source of fraud—the demoralising influence that has operated so injuriously on the middle classes. But it may be said—Would you then exempt all trades and professions—the entire of Schedule D —from the tax ? By no means. We would charge parties fairly on the amount of capital en gaged in their business, whatever might in its nature. Even the good-will, if transferable. would become an available item in the calculation, The amount could be ascertained with comparative ease. The machinery by which it is proposed to levy the contemplated tax on successions would fully answer the purpose. There never has been even a suggestion of fraud in fixing the true amount payable under the Legacy Duties in which the same' elements, even to the good-will of a trade or calling, must enter into the calculation. And there would be even less in levying the amount annually than when the matter arose only once in a generation. It would be attended with another and ex ceedingly beneficial result. It would compel every merchant and trader to know the true state of his affairs—to have timely notice of approaching insolvency—and afford to the Court of Bankruptcy unquestionable evidence of any violation of the commercial code by those who are brought under its operation. In such cases exclusively the returns of the bankrupt should be made public, and considerable fraud would be thereby prevented ; inasmuch, as there would be the certainty of future exposure in the event of any foul play. The advantages resulting from every man within the operation of the Bankruptcy laws being compelled to keep at all times an accurate balance-sheet, showing the real state of his affairs, would be incalculable. We really believe that it would be productive of far greater benefits to the trade and commerce in other respects than the amount of relief afforded in the assessment of the impost, great as it would be. There is yet time to effect this great amelioration, to obtain this invaluable boon from the Legis lature. But there must no longer be any degree of carelessness or apathy—no longer a culpable indifference—on this vitally, important subject. Fiscal Reformers must be up and doing. They must remind their representatives that no party feelings, or party interests, can justify a disgrace ful violation of all their former professions ; and that, if they should obstinately persist—in every respect so unjustifiable —a day, and that perhaps not so very distant, will come, when they will deeply and bitterly expiate their present aban donment of principle, their bold and unblushing tergiversation. The Noble Author of the Durham Letter must have listened with no ordinary pleasure the other night to the praises of Mr. LUCAS. The marvel in that Mr. DUFFY did not " rise in his place " and accuse the Noble Lord of openly bribing the Irish Members. Lord Joror has, at any rate, made his peace with the POPE'S band. He at tacked Ecclesiastical Titles, but defends the Holy Gates of Nunneries. His Act was intended for waste paper, his intervention for Nunneries as a reality. Good Catholics now understand his animus. They have condoned the sham offence, and accepted the real service. Henceforth Irish votes are, secure. Happily, in this case, Lord JOHN is not the House of Commons. The House helped him through with his sham, and it now gives rather inconvenient evidence of deter mination to carry through its own reality. We think the majority quite right, and Lord JOHN'S speech one of his feeblest. The facts narrated by Archbishop WHATELY and the Bishop of NORWICH, with others which were ad duced, although of necessity chiefly anonymous, were cases strong enough to demand either a com mission of inquiry, or a positive Act. It may please Mr. LUCAS to designate them " cock and bull stories," but neither Protestants nor Catholics believe them to be so. The history of nunneries is patent, so far as possible, to the world. The laws of Roman Catholic States in regard to them are before us also, and both testify loudly enough to the danger of substantial, sometimes even of most cruel, despotism on the part of Lady Abbesses and Lady Superiors. But we go further, and maintain that any institutions which, like nun neries, are capable of becoming the instruments of severe parents, or of hard-hearted relatives, or of priestly tamperers with the young and enthusiastic ought to be subjected to regular supervision, even though no single case of forcible detention had as yet been made out against them. The inmates of such dwellings ought to be asked periodically whe ther they continued there of their own free will or not. The defect of Mr. CHAMBERS' bill is that it does not go far enough. No young person, no one, indeed, under thirty at, least, ought to be allowed to take a vow at all without the consent of competent civil authorities. There ought to be some ene to apprise an unsuspecting and enthu siastic young persons of what is involved in parting with all their property, secluding themselves from the world, and throwing themselves practically on charity for support. There is no need in the world for the visitation or examination to be offensive. A Roman Catholic layman might always form part of any commission for such purposes, and none but gentlemen could be selected for it. The reasons for some measure are becoming all the stronger from the enormous increase of Anglo- Catholic nunneries. They amount,. according to Mr. CHAMBERS, to not less than 100, and the Catholic nunneries to 75, containing together up wards of 3,000 inmates. They may in many cases do much charity in the neighbourhoods around them, but it is alarming to think how the opportunities are thus multiplied, not merely of employing single ladies advanced in life in useful oc cupations, but also of seducing the inexperienced to sacrifice all their property and prospects, and thereby to make themselves irrevocably dependent on the nunnery itself. Notwithstanding Lord HOWARD'S disclaimer, the British public is perfectly sure that priestcraft was on the very verge of grasp ing his present lady for her fortune's sake, and that nothing but the public upstir defeated the nefarious purpose. If Roman Catholics and An glicans see fit to create institutions capable of abuse, they ought to thank the State for preserv ing them by law from the danger ; they ought to deem it an advantage that the religious and volun tary character of their institutions is guaranteed by the securities taken by the State that no one should be detained in them but by their own free will. It is true we cannot break the fetters of a premature and superstitiously-regarded vow, al beit such vows are infinitely better broken than kept, as old LUTHER and his KATE could well bear witness ; but if we cannot deliver these un happy and trembling victims of priestcraft, we may insure that no one shall be held by any other bondage than that of a priest-ridden conscience. We accept Mr. CHAMBERS' bill, therefore, as an instalment, and an instalment only, of the supervision necessary for nunneries, and hope it will reach the House of Lords, where, we hope, it will be safe enough. The absurdity of an outcry about religious liberty, and that, too, from the co-religionists and defenders of the Duke of Tuscany, is absurd enough. It is reli gious tyranny, not religious liberty, which Mr. CHAMBERS attacks. To as little purpose is it to talk about the " privacy of domestic establish ments," and to tell us that every man's house is his castle. It is his castle 'no longer than it is free from suspicion —no longer than it is not ap plied to purposes which may be of injury to the public. As Mr. CHAMBERS observed, it can be entered at any time if a fraud upon the public revenue is but suspected ; and it is hard if it cannot be entered when a fraud upon the liberty of the subject is suspected. Let every English man's house, however, be his own castle ; bht the question is—Shall it be a Bastile for others ? OFFICE OF CITY CHAMBERLAIN.—In consequence of a death-vacancy, it will be perceived that a contest is now set on foot for the office of City Chamberlain. Among the candidates who have already appeared, there is not one, we conceive, possessing stronger claims upon the support of his fellow-citizens, or one who is more likely to command their suffrages, than Alderman Fare brother. His well-known business habits, together with his professional and commercial engagements —to say nothing about the "integrity, energy, and im partiality," which were pronounced to be as con spicuous as they are unimpeachable, only yesterday at a numerous meeting convened_in Vintners' Hall—the ability with which he is remembered to have discharged the duties of chief magistrate, combined with the worth of his long civic reputation, all seem to point him out as peculiarly fitted for _the_office of City Chamberlain, BANKRUPTCY COURT.-!THIS D.4Y.) (Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.) IN RE MORTON. This bankrupt was described as of Belgrave bill discounter, and to-day was appointed for the certificate meeting . . Mr. Drew, Basinghall-street, prepared the balance' sheet, from which it appears that bankrupt owed 2,o:aq and had petitioned the Court. His :Honour said he considered the proceedings sve re against the bankruptcy law, —in short, it was a fraud.'. for the law said that no person should apply on their own petition unless they had an available amount for the benefit of his creditors. In this case the bankrupt en• tertained an idea of " expectancies," and perhaps on' e square, advantage might arise to the creditors. He would, therefore, .adjourn the consideration of the case for 3 fortnight, and protection would be granted for that time. The case was considered of considerable importance ag many bills had been discounted for the aristocracy.. THE MEDITERRANEAN. SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY, - MIT l q " • The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steams hip Indus, Captain John Soy, arr i ve d here this morning' bringing the Southampton portion of the East lON', China, and Mediterranean mails, i n charge of Lieute nant ' Brown, R.N., Admiralty agent. Her dates are—Alexandria, May 6 ; Malta, 9 ; Ana Gibraltar, 14. The freight list includes 41 bales of wo„, 367 bales and 6 cases of silk, 110 bales of cott on, bales of flax, 10 cases of torahs, 114 cases of shawls, 3°o'' , e , boxes of lemons, 3 chests of o ranges , 6 casks of eL f phants' tusks, 6 casks of wine, and 183 'packag es ° merchandise, baggage, &c. n•reet Among the 147 passengers b roug ht by this sfe. — , are—Lady and Miss Thackwell, the Hon. Mr. Ers i k ri r : Captain Seymour, R.N., Capt a i n St e ph en son and , • R. Stephenson, and Captain Dr ummon d, from Calon't Colonel Stratton, Major d e B u tt s , an d C a ptain T lll from Madras ; Captain Tylee, from Hong Kong, Great disappointment will, no do u bt, be felt at ' e a fact of ,this steamer not having brought the exP! et ed, mail from Australia. The cause has not been expl atn but it appears that the Pe n i nsu l ar an d Oriental Com• pany's steamer which it was arranged should leap Sydney on the 20th of F e b ruar y, h as no t arrived 3 s . Singapore. It is thought m os t p ro b a bl e th a t the ing advices will be r ece i ve d b y the next Overland 11 ,',, 3. ,• as the steamer, from b a d weather, or from some °",,,%. .use, had most likely been prevented from reaching gapore in time to reach the steamer thence for CePV l ' d ;„ The intelligence brought by this steamer from° and China has been anticipated by the overland e4, re , - ,' published in The Sun on Monday last. The mail Calcutta has been brought through to Southampton in little under 40 days. THE PACIFIC. SOUTHAMPTON, MAT 19 . By the Royal mail steam-ship Orinoco we have the ceived our usual advices and fil e s of j ourna ls fro m i s t Pacific ports. The dates from Valparaiso are to the . of April. The reception of the President of the Ch il d Republic, during his tour in the southern provineesf.b. been most enthusiastic. He was daily expected at i to paraiso, where great preparatio n s were b e i n g ma ue r ts receive him. A statement of the gro s s va l ue of inliV ;fig during the year 1852 had been issu e d, s h ow ing a f a " — off 0e5540,986, when compared with 1851. The French corvette Prude n t e h a d sa il e d f r om 1 :1 4 . 1 mo l lr raise for Guayaquil, rumour st a t e d t o d eman d saw, — „ o ; tion for the insult received by the C onsu l o f France the Government of the State. hsa Letters from Islay state that a treaty o f a mnesty been signed between Peru and Ecuador, settling difficulties that had arisen out of the Flores expedn.. The celebrated Italian R e publi can G ar ib a ldi hau; rived at Valparaiso i u th e h um bl e capaci t y o f pilot 0 3 merchant-vessel. President Urbina was, at the latest accounts, stg iig in Guayaquil, and it was repo r t e d th a t revolutioashrlo movements had been manifested in different parts of Republic. In Copiapo some n ew s il ver m i nes h ave been dis' covered, 'and others have yielded considerably. th The copper mines in C oqu i m b o are wor ked .:: he much success. The Intendant was about to visit province. COURT CIRCULAR. • It is understood that the christening of his pall ! Highness the infant Prince will t a k e place on Tuest o the 28th of June, inst e ad o f M on d a y, the 27th ; 9 '„ that the second State Ball will t a k e place on Ends}' the Ist of July ; and the l as t C oncer t on Weclnes ur '4'. the 6th of July, the Ball and Concert having been P ° ' o f poned respectively from the 29th of June and the 4th July. -- OSBORNE, ThuitsvAl . he Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, attended by Lady A Maria Dawson and Lieutenant-Colonel F. Seruc' h ur ,; arrived at Osborne yeste r d a y a ft ernoon on a v i s it to "- Majesty. too Her Royal Highness crossed over from SouthanlN f in the Royal yacht F a i r y, an d l an d e d at the Tr io'' Wharf, East Cowes, at half-past two o'clock. Senor Isturiz, the Spanish Minister, transacted 1)114' ness yesterday at the Foreign-office. A deputation from the Southampton Dock CocaPpL l ° consisting of Colonel Barlow (chairman), Mr. Dav' t i n (deputy chairman), Mr. Willcox, M.P. (director), ssl Mr. Henley Smith ( so li c it or t o th e company), 115 " at interview with the Right Hon. E. Cardwell yesterday the Board of Trade. The Chancellor of the Exchequer arrived in town terday from a visit to the Hon. Mrs. Talbot at bridge. co"l" A deputation from the City T erm i nus ThtilviAY pany had an interview with the Right Hon. E. Ci r u cc e yesterday at the Board of T ra d e . Th e deputation n g, sisted of Mr. Aryt on ( c h a i rman ), M essrs . Arnlst r° . s ), Burchell, Tyler, Lucas, Haglie, and White (dir ectei Mr. Burchell (solicitor) and Mr. Stevens ( a rchitect ) t . Dispatches were re ce i ve d a t th e C o l on i a l-office 3 1 ,, 0p g, day from the Governors of W es t A us t ra li a , Hong P . Ceylon, the Mauritius, and Malta. Dispatches wer i e m jjs. received from the Gover nors o f th e West India Is' POLICE APPOINTMENT.—Mr. Inspector O'Brie n ' sf t li of received a gold watch f r o m h er Majesty on acc oun ie st his services at the Great Exhibition of 1851, been appointed sup er i n t en d en t o f th e C, o r St. 'l O - i tios division, in lieu of Mr. Superintendent OtwaY, retired on a superannuation allowance. a _,-1 116 THE CLOSING OF MORE CITY BUR IA L-GROMM" w et, parochial authorities of St. S e p u l c h re , Skinner; l4 L or d City, have received an intimation, by di r ection e t t to Palmerston, of his lordship's intention "to repres en t t he p h u er bl M ic a h j e e a st l y th i , Councilb nurialsbe that,disco discontinued - Ist, utehde_pirsot d vtrwtiohntic'astiehor ception of existing rights in the c h urc hyard an ya rd of St. Sepulchre parish ; 2d, in the Durham w PO RT holly." Stinger PHlLlP.—According to the last accounts sog Port Philip, it appears that a ve r y s tringent has under act had lately passed the Legislative Conncii,6s. per which all vessels landing immigrants are to Pay u ch s ° head to the Government, to provide a fund fo r s firt aifi 4 : may fall sick or may be i nca p ac itated by l n ,j scio' This measure is an imitation o f th e s ystem Pu r t c h advantage for some years at New York, and wl' o pta"• substituted for the practice of rendering th i e , lo on°, liable, under bond, for a ll p assengers who inig"' A" chargeable upon the city within a certain Per' re vere . \the same time, it is to be hoped the colon ial ,0 51 11 g ment have not taken th e s t e p without fully reeeT t i s th e the extent of the responsibility it involves as r e g 3 d e ens t° organisation both of efficient hospitals and of a s dos' ) p w l as ace a s l o so f shelter. expected In addition a b d e dit a i d o o n p r ed th c e oin ne p w eli ta i fsa h t ip m s oco y t land their passengers and baggage on the wi pre sen t bourne, so as to put a stop to the extortion a" r practised by the boatmen and lighters in the,b 3 Y r . er cell LONDON SACRED HARMONIC SOCIECY.--" B _,,, e une` 4 o , the London Sacred Harmonic Society have oe tft Haydn's oratorio, The Creation, an d Pr. Elveiweety thet, for the birth-day of her Most Gracious 7Al_idiorne7L Queen, for performance on the evening of 3 1 _ 0 ;', s the 23d inst. Tbe proceeds of the sale' tick t oo WI: presented by the committee to Mr. Surino' rha ll e r •;, fatigable conductor and founder of the Bxete eisty son o torios, for valuable services rendered to the nier Sto its formation. We hear, also, that Mrs. Beee,,,s p or t and party will occupy the reserve se ats in vi °f a t° gallery on this occasion. tribute r a rn METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMEN Theucoeede the genius of Mr. Bain, the first wh°„ ! aw , aPri;re applying electricity to the measurement ofb 4 .)ar tien to have awakened attention to the fact an t, ", i f ofie d, of this grand discovery, which it is to b • of tend to the advantage of the discoverer. ljee E'. large clocks, upon which so much labool by " the pended, has not as was stated, been secured _ s n ereli a ;if peror for the Palace of the Tuileries, but by Mr. Futvoye, of Regent-street, who the u e s s t ,-,artriotie_ of determined to keep it in this country a an s h o g rtly P l3c il it to the public. It will, therefore, be otion " are ° the corner of . Beak-street, and some needer,ble exist of regulating the clocks of a very c s' by this novel means. r the P ull) et °' n ight fo In, o f a n: l - -‘ ; al P r3ct o i i tioners was held on Wednesday organising measures to facilitate the. P rwith the MEDICAL REFORAL—A meeting of i neo.c- ose t ti Parliament during the present session, rif eg eor of securing uniformity of qualificati a" qualified medical men. The Medic.,6,.. ssee , atieo !foe 040. , practise throughout the United Provincial Medical and Surgical l A ecantt ut cussed, and unanimously approveLanea ster was w. then appointed, of w hich Pr ir ones and 14r. uptl ii ti. K I:170:100 1 , - I la: id o l : it chairman, and Dr. Dalston tho necessity off ri•ro, medical practitioners e led'4 o f the ro tinning Parliament to Pass a inepresent sta te it , a ni• Powell secretaries. It was resolved t i o nni u _ r ,gi a c teb r r eo e _dit during the session, as, from t the Gevernmet 0 eccsi, fession, and the disposition of e expe cted _ t o f C °lleg a c t pre'efis fittin g opportunity d tha t °` new bill, 50 fide e minus was in favour of the n an _ cat cood into no opposition bad been offered, (.1 great nose s tated at tthe meetin g d e et 7 n a g r c e t l b y a e iature• A olit• •n of the Leg , mo n Ai o during the present session Asp th to .00 FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLANP Sending fo r lot' 11 expressed that this measure could The Free Church of Scotland i s n _ i wheat tralia seventeen ministers, for ea , a ll the. e l t c ' s the constitute a numerous body thewslt thriving itcotero colonies, and they are among . recent l Yolis settlers. A valedictory meeting the new f fen ° I have been received from the c.olonists. T rust i ' l'. 'ie at one time, the occasion of the departure o