The Sun. — London, England, 1847-04-16 00:00:00

use eea hod DO' Or r he nor b+ ire° I hi hey could not, Pr4edentdi for and so were content to ma k e a d i y Inth t r g , gra e• At themsel ves , i n fi n i te l y to t h e i r he eleventh h our , an d a t the minute - of that hour, th e Admiralty pcthad brought in a nasty bill for 6,5181. 12s. for the wages eals he Men not. bashes theifreernployed, and an additional charge for supposing the ship, this horrible brig had waaoluflr Pposing the men employed sh e would have been nowhere else, and not t „ did not eat there, they ea at Here there was a charge of 1,000/, when i t Prom was proved in evidence that the stores recovered the the • Thetis were worth upwards of 2,0001 , and yet ii.4Adm_rioralty declared that this money should be de• thheadttennthoetfrm the salvers, and to this day that decision mor e than been reversed.—(Cheers.) Now, it was evident WAS a sum of 13,8001. which had been abtained, s h wa any which had been paid to the salvers. He money much like to know what had become of that dot It had been aid to somebody. Somebody had "Itt but where was p it? They were ' told that it had as , 11 to Placed to th e cre di t o f the public ; but he should put h . finger . "(hid, on the item of the public ledger, osss.( 6 he e was very much afraid, he should not flog . wh ers)—but if he did, that was no rea jr th item this Committee should not be granted. w e could not be found, he said the House would lion the in its financial duty to the public if it did not itAs rn the appointments of the rest. He was told that co 7 s f s h . , diligent search bad been made, but no such item iu e loe found, and there would be a slur upon the cha -2e of the Government if, after what had been stated, they refused the Committee theiptai h i n GLADSTONE must bear his testimony to thehigh services which Captain Dickenson rendered to GreaTuntry in saving the fated ship in question. he merit was due to him for the skill and enterprise had manif es t e d i n t h e a ff a i r , f or a t th e time the ship r a n ear on shore there were no hopes that any part of her Le go could ever b e save d , an d h e t h ere f ore , a fter the paietrentiso:, ry hi v c c hhad attended the exertions of Captain much regretted the course the Admi had pursued in the matter. s Mr. THO RNELEY remarked that i t was un f a i r the '?,ollsairalty did not come forward with their claim before be salvage was awarded, for had the legal tribunals who b eard the case been aware of the existence of the debt, most likely a heavier salvage w ould have been awarded. Si r tis GRAHAM said, perhaps he might be allowed to a nswer the question of the Hon. Gentleman opposite. t e spoke from recollection, but it was his strong impres sion that the claim was made prior to the adjudication. , Mr. NICHOLSON thought his Right Honourable rierid who had just sat down had acted most gal ttt.ntly in taking the responsibility of this case upon f t !. 3 own shoulders, and all he could blame the Admiralty for was, that they had delayed making their claim so long. The legal tribunals had now no power to act in the case, and he much regretted that it had again been broueht forward. He did not think it a fit subject for the Committee of that House to inquire into; and he thought, rather than grant the ire quirt'; it would be much better if the Government con sented to reconsider the claim of Captain Dickenson. Mr. HUME thought, after what had passed that evening, Government could not refuse the inquiry. The charge made upon Captain Dickenson was most unjust. It was exorbitant and unfair, and ought never to have been made. The Right Hon. Baronet opposite said all his colleagues concurred with him in making the charge, but he was authorised to state, that Sir Thomas Hardy always repudiated the claim. Many of the materials Charged for were never used in saving the ship, while the !easel for which wear and tear was charged, was on the service of the country during the time charged for and named • in the bill of costs. Enterprise and exertions of the kind displayed by Captain Di c k enson in s a v in g th e ship in question, ought n o t to go unrewarded, and he trusted her Majesty's Government would at once accede to the request of the Noble Lord oppesite. Mr. RUTHERFORD could not see how the House c ould interfere in this case. The matter had already been decid e d by th e C our t o f Admiralty, who awarded 11 ,000/, to the salvers, and 13,0001. to the public. Cap tain Dickenson, as one of the salvers, felt that the sum a warded as salvage was insufficient. and app ealed to the rir Y Council, who eventually confirmed the de cision of t he Court of Admiralty, and he could not see how the e ase could be again gone into. He thought it would be att ended with great inconvenience, if the s olemn decis :ens of th e C ourts o f l aw were to be set aside by the reims of Right Hon. Members. He totally de p recated present attempt. n eantaia BERKELEY opposed the appoin tment of the sionitnittee. Lord G. BENTINCK thought that a most imp srtaat part in the d e b a t e h a d been overlo ked, viz., that Cgs. bDicken son s h ou ld h a ve the use of her Majesty's ~14 . It was expressly stated on the part of the Acluoi- VY, that th e salvers s h ou ld have the free use of the - " I N and the crew; but that the public should not be V. i t to any expense beyond that incurred by their use. s uch a system were to be adopted, a charge might be Inside against the proprietors of the Opera House for the attendance o f th e half body of Guards on the occas ion of h er Majesty's attendance; and also for any other services rendered by the military in cases of fire, or such other e .lnergeney. H e s h ou ld most cer t a i n ly ro t e in favoar of the appointment of the Committee. Mr. B. CABBELL thought that justice would not be done to the much injured and overlooked Capt. Dicken son, unless some reparation were made to him for the uries h e h a d susta i ne d b y t h e c h arges ma d e by the Ad It was most essential that officers of high a ttainment s and great abilities should be favourably re commended to the favour of her Majesty, and he thought that beside the other acts of injestise done to the Gal lant Captain, and to the public, he had been most un fairly treated by not being so recommended. He wai sorry to hear an intimation made by some Hon. Member of the paltry and pettifogging statute of limitations. When such hints were thrown out, he would ask the persons who made use of them, what was the last date of th e application made to the Government on the subje c t, for it was from that period that the statute Would alone apply. The Gallant Captain had been treated most unhandsomely by the Chancellor of the Exchequer; he had called upon him, for the purpose of an interview, but was refused it and a request made to him for a written statement of the circumstances of his case. He really trusted that ju•tice would be done to the Gallant Officer by the House, by the appointment of a Committee to inquire into the subject. This House Was the last refuge for the unfortunate—(Loud laugh ter)—and he hoped the claims of one of them would bet be overlooked on the present occasion. Lord JOHN RUSSELL thought that the conduct of the Chancellor of the Exchequer in requiring a state ment in writing of the case was not so deser v i n g of blame , 7,2 he Hon. Member who had just ad dressed the Hoose ri led to think; he thought that that was the most pro- P er— r is course to be adopted by the C hancellor of the Ex equer. He did not see any reason for disturbing the "elation which had been come to by the B:mrd of Ad miralty on the subject. It did not appear that the parties befor e the Judicial Committee were discontents d with th tt e d d e : e i l t s o lo_nofthe Court ; at all events no attem p t was made .dispute the claim of the A dmiralt y . The judicial Committee added 12,0001. to the sure of 1 . awarded by the Court of Admiralty, the sum of 13,0001., claimed by the Ad miralty, should have been paid to the merchants, and not to the salvers. The refusal on the part a f the Ch ance ll or t o g rant sums of money to indi `duala did not arise from a feeling of satisfaction in refusing claims made upon them. The heads of the variou s departments were placed in situations of great . re sponsibility in dealing with the public money, and felt th e weight of that responsibility considerably more thsn members of any popular assembly could by possinility feel. He thought that if the House commenced a sys tem of granting sums of money, and revoking the deci sions of judicial tribunals, they would be establishing a dangerous precedent, such as the Hon. Member for Mon trose (Mr. Hume) would be the first to complain of ; and he hoped that Hon. Members would take the ad vice which he had so often given the Government, viz., to reconsider his decision, and vote against the appoint ment of the Committee. _ Lord INGESTRE said that his object in moving for the Committee was not for the purpose of making indiscriminate grants of public money, but merely for the purpose of compelling restitution of the money due to a much-injured and gallant officer of the navy. The House then divided, when the numbers were— For the committee 32 Against it Majority The motion was consequently lost. VAGRANCY (IRELAND). Lord JOHN RUSSELL moved for leave to bring in a Bill for the punishment of vagrancy in Ireland, and as he intended to take the discussion on the measure at a future stage he would not trouble the House with any observations at present.—Agreed to. SUNDAY TRADING IN THE METROPOLIS. Mr. lIINDLEY moved for a Select Committee on Sun day trading in the metropolis. In bringing forward this motion he did not wish to be understood as having any desire to interfere with innocent and rational enjoyment on Sunday, but he wished to protect tradesmen from the unjust competition of those who set at defiance the ob servance of that day of rest and plied their calling as they did on any other day. He therefore called Upon the House to do just'ce and to put all traders upon the same footing. The subject was in abler hands than his ; but the Honourable Member for Lambeth, and the Honourable Member for Hertford, who were joined with him, did not like, in eonse• quence of their connexion with the Government, to take that prominent part for which they were so much better qualified than he was. The Committee which sat upon the subject in 1832 had made certain recommenda tions which had been since acted upon, and which he believed had been attended with the best consequences— especially that one relative to the closing of taverns from twelve o'clock on Saturday night to one o'clock on Sund a y. He would not take up the attention of the Rouse at greater length, but conclude by mo vin g for a Select Committee to consider the subject. Mr. lIUME did not know what the Bon. Member meant by his present motion. Did he mean to say that men were to be prevented from purchasing meat or from being shaved on the Sabbath-day, or what did he mean ? -- (Laughter.) He (Mr. Hume) did not think they Would be able to make women chaste or men virtuous by l egislation. He wished they could do it, but he did not believe that they would ever be able to effect any good in that way. He thought that the advocacy of such mea sures as the present was a very cheap mode resorted to by some Members of endeavouring to procure a reputation for superior morality, but he did not believe the House would sanction or countenance such a ttempts. He would, therefore, oppose the appointment of the Committee, for he considered good morals could never be advanced by such means. • not on the Mr. Mr. B. ESCOTT opposed the motion , ground of its not being brought in by the Government, but because he believed such legislation would be most mischievous. Besides, even if they did pas s such a measure as that proposed, he believed it would be found utterly inefficacious. If his Henoura ble Friend w l s hed to resort to such Wad of legisisti9D, He thought he should try his hand in putting down the horse-racing and steeplechasing which were at present carried on on Sunday. He should also direct his atten tion to the Clubs of London, which were resorted to on that day by great numbers of the higher classes of so• ciety. The reason why they were not interfered with, he supposed. was because any such attempts would be utterly ineffectual if they were tried. As he did not believe that any good result would follow the present motion, he would vote against it. Sir G. GREY said that the Committee was only asked for in order to inquire how far the present laws were calculated to answer the end for which they were enacted, and not to enforce new penalties. If these laws were inoperative, they perhaps might as well be repealed. He must confess that he did not believe that the present laws were framed to answer the end for which they were proposed. Colonel Sir T. WOOD said that, having had occasion to walk over the Tower Hamlets on a Sunday, he was quite struck with the correct manner in which the day was observed. He did not think a case was made out by the Member for Ashton, he had not even presented a single petition in its favour. Mr. HAWES said that the object of the Committee was only to inquire how far the present laws were re spected. Many persona suffered severely from the non observance of the day by their rivals in business. All they desired was to be put in- the same position as the others. His Bill had no other object than to put down open trading on the Sunday morning. Dr. BOWRING said that every person regarding society, in the metropolis, could not but be impressed with the fact that there was a very ,narked improvement in the observance of the Sabbath-day. The Hon. Gentleman asked an. Act of Parliament to effect that which it was out of the power of any Act to accom plish. The laws were sufficiently stringent and let them be resorted to, if there was may complaint.—(Hear.) Mr. WILLIAMS said that the present Bill would only affect the comforts of the poor. Why should not the principle of the Bill be extended against the wealthier classes—against the bishops and judges of the land, who employed their cooks upon a Sunday.— (Hear, hear.) The Hon. Gentleman himself had em ployed, no doubt, his servants upon that day as well as any other. Mr. COWPER was in favour of the Bill, and he con. sidered that everything that was said only proved the necessity of the measure. It was a very hard thing that a small shopkeeper residing in those parts where Sunday trading was going on, should not have his Sunday as much to himself as the more opulent tradesman of Regent street. They had, he thought, a perfect right to appeal to the House for the enforcement of such a law, and there could be no objection to an inquiry into the best means of effecting the desirable object of keeping the Sabbath inviolate. Mr. WARLEY objected to the method in which the Bill was proposed to be introduced. It was a sort of piecemeal Legislation, which would be found wholly in efficient. The Bill was tout down Sunday tradin g in the metropolis, as if th e me p tropolis was the onl y p lace in. England where Sunday trading was carried on. It could not be denied that the practice of trading on a Sunday was carried on in London and other cities and towns in England to a most discreditable extent; but the question was, how was the evil to be dealt with? How was the inquiry to be made? Had any application been made to the Commissioners of the Police?—for they were able to furnish the House with more information in twenty-four hours than the House could obtain in an inquiry of a month. He did not see how the evil was to be got rid of, unless it was by educating the people so as to induce a greater feeling of self-respect. In his opinion such a Bill would be quite futile, and he there fore hoped that the Hon. Member would not divide the House upon his Bill. Mr. MUNTZ said that the only and the best way of preventing Sunday trading, was to enable the people to get so good a livelihood in the week that they would have no occasion to trade upon Sunday. Why was not the same principle to be carried out with regard to other persons besides shopkeepers. The Post-office clerks, in all country places, were compelled to work all Sunday, while those in London were not. They should remove this evil as well as the trading on Sunday, otherwise it would be partial in its operation, and, conse quently, of little or no aysil. Captain PECHELL wished to know what was to be done with cargoes of fish which arrived in Billingsgate on Saturday night, if they were not sold on Sunday morning. Cargoes of lobsters fought and tore each other; and were they to remain fightieg and destroying each other all Sunday, because they might not be sold. After a few words from Mr. CHAPLIN and Colonel Woon, which did not reach the gallery, Mr. Alderman COPELA'ND said, that in the Broad way of the city of Westminster. he saw shot s of every class open on Sundays. It was a disgrace.ul sight, and he thought it was quite time to put a stop to su great an evil. Colonel SIBTHORPE said that the tobacco and cigar shops were open all the Sunday, and he thought that it was less harm to allow a loaf, or some such neces§ary to be purchased on Sunday, than to allow the people to purchase cigars and tobacco for the purpose of wasting the day in the practice of smoking. Mr. HINDLEY did not wish to inflict any injury upon the small class of shopkeepers by this Bill,but he thought that the Committee of Inquiry ought to enter into proper details, so as to hear the opinion given by the classes most likely to be affected. He did not wish to interfere with or injure any class, but he thought that the practice of Sunday trading was carried too far at present. A Committee of Inquiry wou'd be enabled to ascertain hoe far the principle c , :uld be carried, without pushing it to a mischievous extent. Mr. COLLETT thought that if they were to hinder the small tradesman iroin keeping open his shop on Suit days,aristo cratic e th vs, eiTshsuocnh as keeping openthe clubhouses. The extet tomore The !louse then divided, when there appeared— For the motion Against it Majority —32 NAVAL ARCI ETC I'URE. Mr. HUNIE wished to state, that with regard to cer tain returns fer which he had given notice of motion, he would pros ed with part of them at once, and should de fer the remainder in order that the Board of Admiralty might not have to complain that he had taken them by surprise on so important a question. He should be anxious to defer the discussion of the whole question un til that day fortnight. The portion of them for which he should move, was for a copy of the instructions from the Board of Admiralty to the Committee of Naval Con struction, appointed to inquire into the state of naval architecture.; and copies of the several reports which that Committee have made to the Board of Admiralty on the state of the ships of her Majesty's fleet. Also, copies of all orders issued by the Committee of Construc tion, or by the Board of Admiralty, in consequence of the reports of that Committee respecting the alterations of those ships laid down, or in progress of buileing, or built, according to the lines or plans of Sir William Symonds, the surveyor of her Majesty's navy, or any other constructor. Mr. WARD said, that when he came down to the House, he was not prepared for the extent of the lion. Member's motion. He thought that he should be en abled to show him that it was troposible to give copies of the instruc:ions from the Board of Admiralty, as they were strictly c.infidential papers. He admitted that the -Hon. Member had, to a certain extent, made out his case, and, therefore, he had no objection to the first part of the return. But, with respect to the last portion, to ' produce the instructions dto the Committee of Construction, he could not consent to that, as it never had been the practice to lay such instructions on the table of the House. The Hon. Member had better delay that portion of his motion for a fortnight, when the question would come before the Hou-e in another form. To-morrow he would lay before the House that portion of the returns to which he gave his assent. Mr. WILLIAMS thought the pi...position of the Hon. Member was very fair, still he could not agree with him that the instructions to the Committee of Construction should be held as private and confidential, and withheld from the House. Mr. WAWN said he had no objection to producing the first part of the motion, but he could not consent to producing the instructions issued to the Committee of Construction. At a future time he would be prepared to give good reason for adopting this course. After a few observations from Mr. WAILLEY and Mr. IlusiE, the motion was withdrawn. Lord MORPETH moved to refer the Towns Im provement Clauses Bill to a Select Committee, to con sist of the following Members :—Viscount lii)rpeth, Mr. Greene, The Attorney General, Viscount Sandon, the Lord Advocate, Sir William Heathcote, Sir Wil liam Somerville, Mr. Brotharton, Mr. Escott, Mr. Loch, Mr. Beckett, Dr. Bowring, Mr. Wilson Patten, Mr. Morgan John O'Connell, and Viscount Ebrington.— Agreed to. Captain PECHELL moved for a copy of the Order in Council of the year 1834, relative to the reduction of the sea emoluments of the Paymasters and Pursers of the Royal Navy, which they surrendered for the purpose of creating a fund for the benefit of those offi cers of their class who were on half-pay ; with a return of the amount annually accruing since the passing of the said order :—Also, the annual amount caused by any subsequent reductions in the sea emoluments of the Paymasters and Pursers, with the date when the same took effect. Likewise, a return of all sums that have been applied to the increase of the half-pay, and to the formation of a retired list of the Paymasters and Pur sers since the Order in Council of the year 1834, with the date when the same took effect. —Agreed to. VAGRANCY (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill was introduced and read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time on 'Tuesday next. ARMY SERVICE BILL. On the order of the day for reading this Bill a third _ time, Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS r4 - )se to oppose it, as her Majesty's Government had struck out one half of the Bill. Ile, therefore, would confine himself to that por tion whieh remained. Since the Bill had come before the House, he had received communications from a great number of officers, and other parties connected with the service, and they all united in deprecating the Bill, as likely to operate most injuriously. The principle of un limited enlistm en t was day by day becoming more un • popular with the military authorities, and one that must be given up, as it never could be maintained in case that a war arose between this and any other country. lie had said that this measure would not attract good men to the service, nor would it, it such men once joined, induce them to continue in it. The lion. and Gallant Gentleman quoted from ono of the public prints in support of this opinion. The same organ added—(Several Hon. Members—What orgun ?) I —Mr. Fox Maule—A single barrelled organ — (Laughter)—that it would be impossible to induce a re spec;able man to re-enlist if he were once freed from the serv ice. A good pension was the one thing needful.— (Laughter.) He repeated it, a good pension was tho only , thing needful to raise the character of the service, eat b should wish to has. a distinet declaration from THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY' EVENING, APRIL 16, 1847. the Right Hon. Gentleman opposite that the Govern ment intended to revise the scale of pensions with a view to the proper remuneration of the disbanded sol diery. He had to move that this Bill be read a third time that day six months. Captain BOLDERO, in seconding the motion said, that they in that House could not come to a satisfactory determination without information from the military au thorities. Why had they not the opinions of the Com mander-in-Chief to guide them ? Why had not the same course been adopted in this measure as in the case of corporal punishment ? In that case, at the recom mendation of the Commander-in• Chief, corporal punish ment had been limited in extent. But the Right Hon. Gentleman wished to press this Bill in order to get it through in the early portion of the session. Was there any necessity for all this hurry? Could they not wait until they had the report of a commission upon the sub ject 1 Why, at present the veriest drummer boy in her Majesty's service knew as much of the matter as any Member of that House.—(Hear, Oh, oh ! and laughter.) lion. Members might laugh, but how could it be expected that they, gentlemen, devoted to pro fessional, agricultural, or commercial pursuits, should know anything of this question. And after all, this was a great experiment, an experiment on an army that was notoriously the best in Europe, and they were bound to give sound military authority for the charge, before they adopted it._ They might search the whole surface of the earth, and they would not find a better body of men than those who now composed the British army. lie might take two instances of the standard. There was two, which came under the notice of a friend of his, and he felt assured that from those instances, that a discre tionary power should be left in the hands of the com manders of regiments, to choose the persons whom they would enlist, without reference to the standard. If they were determined to carry this Bill through, they should do it with certain modifications. There was another falsity going abroad, and that was that the army was recruited from the dregs of the people ; but such was not the case, for the men all showed that they were of very different characters. If they meant to have good men, they must give a real bounty. The real bounty was that which went to procure a kitt, for the prospect of a pension was too remote to be of any ser vice, for, so long as the present practice was continued, they would always be subject to imposition. He knew are instance in which one man had enlisted eight times in seven months, and had. from his natural defects, been as often discharged ; and he knew another in which a man had deserted seven times in eight months. If they were to give pensions at all, they should make them earlier, for at the present time a man had to wait for twenty-one years for his pension of tenpence a day ; and, in his opinion, it would be far better to give six pence a day at an earlier period. Then, with regard to discharge, a great improvement might be made ; and he would, for his own part, a great deal rather that no discharges were given in the Colonies, unless the soldier intended to settle in the colony. They ought to be brought home, although the term of his service had more than expired. Under all the circumstances, he felt assured that the Right Hon. Gentleman was not justified in pressing on this Bill at the present moment ; and if he did so without obtaining further information from military authorities, he would be doing a great in. justice, and he should feel compelled to vote for the amendment of his Gallant Friend behind him. Col. REID begged to recall the attention of the Right Hon. Gentleman, which he bad invited before to the fact —viz., that they would by this Bill be doing a great injustice to the men who were already in the army. By this Bill those who were entering the army would be entitled to their discharge at the end of a certain period, but the men now engaged could not command any such advantage. He further believed that much mischief would arise from the withdrawal of the discretionary power which the commanders of regiments now held of granting or witholding the discharges of men in their several corps, and he therefore trusted that the Right Hon. Gentleman would reconsider this Bill before he pressed it to a tiivision. Lord HOTHAM said he was prevented by indisposi- 1 tion from taking any part in the former discussions of this Bill. He trusted the House would bear with him, while he stated the reasons which would induce him to vote for the amendment of his Hon. and Gallant Friend the Member for Liverpool. It was stated this Bill was brought forward with the view of inducing a better class of men to enter the army, but he very much feared they would never be able, though they passed this Bill. to attain that object. With regard to the clause limiting the tithe of enlistment, he considered the Right Hon. Gentleman who had introduced this Bill had gone too far on the one hand, and not far enough on the other. For instance, the time of enlistment was not sufficiently long to ensure the continued efficiency of the army, while no provision was made for supplying the vacancies, when the time of enlistment expired. In 1812, while on foreign service in Spain the term of enlistment of many of the men in the regiment with which he was connected expired, and he well remembered that the men claimed their discharge. It was known to the commanding offi cers of the regiments that no recruits to be got in England could supply the places of these men, and there fore the country was forced to pay a bounty of 164 to each man to induce him to re-enlist. Such a difficulty as this may be likely to arise under the present Bill unless some new arrangements were made with reference to pensions, and before he could bring himself to support a Bill like this, he must know the intentions of Govern ment upon that point. He was decidedly of opinion that the Secretary at War underrated the difficulties and ..verret d the advantages of this Bill, and lie could not, nod , r those circumstances, bring himself to concede to the nioasur , .. Mr. FOX MAULE said no man was more competent to give an opinion upon this subject than the Noble Lord opposite. and he was only sorry that the Noble Lord had felt it to be his duty to oppose the Bill. The measure had been brought forward upon the most mature consi deration of the Government, and he hoped therefore that the House would not refuse to give its sanction to the third reading. Colonel WOOD opposed the third reading of the Bill. He thought no grounds whatever had been shown for such a great change in military discipline, nor had there been any data given why they should assent to such a measure. The Right Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Fux Maule) in the course of his speech said that the pension was a matter of royal prerogative, and was not a fit subject for the consideration of the House, but he (Colonel Wood) denied that. It was not a royal pre rogative any more than enlistment, and he thought it unfair, therefore, to exclude the House on such grounds from the consideration of that objection to the Bill. Ile believed the object of the Government to be the improvement of the discipline and the in creased efficiency of the army; but how, he would ask, could that be effected when there was no increase given in the pay or rations of the soldier. The tendency of the Bill, he believed, would be to disband the army, and he thought theobject anticipated by the Government of se curing by the B 11 an itcreased power for the defence of the country by a reserved torte, formed of the soldie rs who re tired after 10 years service, would be entirely disappointed. He thought that this force would never be found so effective as a reserved force, composed of pensioners who had served the full term at present required, combined with young recruits. This force he considered would be much more effective and powerful than the former, and in case of emergency, would be found a greater safe guard for the country. Believing that this measure will not have the effect which it is contemplated, he would vote against the third reading of the Bill. Colonel LINDSAY considered that the principle of limited enlistment was good, but he considered that fourteen years was, however, better than ten. lie was of opinion that some intimation should be held out that an increase of pension should be given, or else the Bill would not have the desired effect. He would vote against the Bill, as no such intimation had been held out. There was no prospect that at the end of th e second period of the soldiers' service there should be an increase of pay. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that the Hon. and Gal lant Gentleman had no doubt pointed out many incon veniences which arose from the present system, but he was of opinion that the proposed measure would remedy many of them. It was to be desired that they should have a better class of persons in the army, and the pre sent was one of many measures which were intended for the improvement and comfort of the army. The general argument adduced on the question, did not overbear former experience. He could assure the Hon. Gentleman who spoke last, that the other question, with regard to the pension, would, not be lost sight of by the Government. The warrant of 1832, was very well considered. and had the consent of the highest military authorities of that time, and it pat an end to many difficulties which had previously existed. Ho thought that. under the altered circumstances—having men enlisted for ten years—and who being good sol diers, wished to re-enlist for a further time, the question of pension, end its amount, ought to be fully considered by the suggestions which had been made in that House, and the suggestion made by the Right Hon. Gentleman, not then present, to the Secre tary at War would be properly and fully weighed by the not G s a o v y e a r n n y m t h e i n n t g a f f a t e r r t h t e h r e t A im t e n t t b h a a d t di passed. ife H ri n asg e he u d l i d d from the Hon. Gentleman who opposed the measure, it gave him great satisfaction, as a Member of the Govern• went, to be enabled to coincide with him in the sugges tion which he bad made. The House then divided, when there appeared — For the amendment Against it 9l Majority Mr. FOX MAULE then moved that clauses 4,5, 6, 7, and 8 be omitted. Colonel WOOD suggested that certain words be struck out of the 2d clause. Mr. FOX MAULE said he could not agree to the alteration. Colonel SIBTHORPE was astonished at the course proposed by the Government. It was a most extraor dinary proceeding for the Secretary at war to strike out so many clauses. Why, scarcely any portion of the Bill would be left. He would advise the Gallant Colonel (Colonel Wood) to move the omission of the 2d clause altogether. Then he (Colonel Sibtuorpe) would move to strike out the first, and they would, therefore, get rid of the Bill altogether.—(Laughter.) The motion was then agreed to. Clauses 4,5, 6,7, and 8, were then struck out, and the Bill was read a third time and pissed. 'TROOPS DURING ELECTIONS BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed. PRISONS (IRELAND) BILL. This Bill was also read a third time and passed. SEDUCTION. &c., BILL. Mr. SPOONER moved the second reading of this Bill. He had understood that the Secretary of State would have urged no objection to the measure in this stage, and that the discussion would be reserved till the Bit! was in Committee. After a few words from Mr. HUME, Mr. CHARLES BULLER said that the Right Hon. the Secretary of State had left, under the impression that the irtli Eta no w t be brought forward that night., and be thought the course sought to be pursued by the Hon. Member, namely, to read a Bill a second time, by consent, and take the discussion in Committee, would be exceedingly inconvenient, and interfere with the business of the House. [At this moment Mr. Brotherton entered from the side gallery, and, amid loud laughter, was repeatedly called on. The lion. Member was rising, when,] Mr. SPOONER said, that seeing the feeling of the House opposed to the fui they progress of the Bill that evening, he should postpone the second reading till Monday, the 26th inst. EXCHEQUER-BILLS BILL. This Bill was read a third time and passed.. The House then adjourned at a Quarter past Twelve o'clock. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of commong•) THURSDAY, APRIL 15. NOTICES GIVEN AT HIE PRIVATE BILL-OFFICE. RAILWAYS. Select Committee on Group No. 6. Viscount Castlereagh discharged ; Mr. Vi. B. Wrightson selected, and added to the Committee. Select Committee on Group No. 21. Mr. Gregory discharged; Mr. Fellowes selected, and added to the Committee. Select Committee on Group No. 28. Mr. Aglionby discharged; Mr. T. D. Adamd selected, and appointed Chairman of the Committee. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. (From the Votes and Proceedings qf the House of Covanonr.) THURSDAY, Arm, 15. SHIP THETIS. ------- Motion made, and Que s ti on put, ~ " That a Select Com mittee be appointed to inquire into the circumstances relative to the recovery of Trea.ure and Public Stores sunk in her Majesty's late Frigate Thetis, off Cape Frio, in 1830." The House divided : MINORITY—AYES, 32. Adderley, C. B. Douglas, J. S. Newdegatc, C. N. Battle, Walter Duncan, George Nicholl, John Bankes, George Ellis, Wynn Palmer, G. Barnard, E. G. Floycr, John Plutnridge, Captain Bentinck, Lord G. Frewen, C. H. Bereslord, Major Gladstone, J. N. Borthwick, Peter Goring, C. Cabbell, B. B. Hotharn, Lord Chaplin, W. J. Hume, Joseph Collett, W. R. Marjoribanks, S. Collett, John Mundy, E. M. Disraeli, B. liluntz, GF. rwv T S T nPeo, Walley, 8 e l be; a er e m , et ru e Ty p r i; x.ch,. Thomas Bvt.e. Captainsu i t . . . MAJORITY—NOES, 52. Arundel, Earl of Gibson, Thomas M. Rich, Henry Baring, F. T. Graham, Sir James Russell, Lord J. Bellew, R. M. Greene, Thomas Rutherford, I. Berkeley, Captain Grey, Sir G. Scrope, G. P. Blackstone, W. S. Grosvenor. Lord R. Shell, R. L. Bouverie, E. P. Hatton. Captain Somerville, Sir W. Brotherton, Joseph Hawes. Benj. Stuart, Lord J. Buller, Charles Henley. J. W. Thornely, T. Dyne', G. S. Hindley, C. Troubridge, Sir E. Chichester, Lord J. Labouchere, Henry Turner, Edmund Clive, Vise. Langston, J. IL Ward, H. G. Colebrooke, Sir T. Maitland, Thomas Williams, W. Cowper, W. F. Mangles, R. "D. Wood, Colonel T. Dalmeny, Lord Monahan, J. H. Wyse, Thomas Dundas, Admiral Morpeth, Viscount Dundas, Sir David Mostyn, E. H. Ebrington, Viscount Ord, W. Escott, Bickham Parker, John French, F. Plumptre, J. P. TELLaRs. Tuthell, R. It aule, loz ARMY SERVICEBILL. Order for Third Reading read; Motion made, and Ques p tion proposed, " That the Bill be now read a third tim e:"— t A h m e e e n n d d m o e f nt th p e r Q op ut e t d i, , ,n to tioeavadedoutthethweowrdosrd„"uon this daynow,” and at six months :"—Question put, " That the word 4 now' stand part of the Question." The House divided -- - --- - - MAJORITY—AYES, 91. Aldam. William Gore, Robert O'Connell, M. J. Anson, Colonel Greene, Thomas Ogle, S. c, Arundel, Earl of Grey, Sir G. Ord, William Milne, Walter Grosvenor, Lord R. Paget, Colonel Bannerman, A. Hanmer, Sir John Perfect, Robert Baring, F. T. Hatton, Captain T. Philipps, Sir R. Barnard, Edward G. Hawes, Benjamin Pinney, William Berkeley, Captain Heneage, G. H. W. Ponsonby, U. F. Bodkin, J. J. Heneage, E. Pulaford, Robert Bowring, Dr. CharlesjesePh Hobhouse, Sir J. Rawdon, Colonel Rich, Henry Buller, Brown,tr o ther t i tn . , Russell, Lord John Jervis, Sir John Rutherfurd, A. Byng, G. S. Labouchere, Henry Seynaer, Henry Her Holland, llwie : J o ß se o l b th ert Callaghan, D. Lambton, H. Seymour, Lord Cayley, E. S. Langston, J. H. Shell. R. L. Chaplin, W. J. Loch, James Sheridan, R. B. Clive, Viscount Macaulay, T. B. Somerville, Sir W. Collett, John M'Carthy, Alexander Stuart, Lord J. Cowper, W. F. IWDonnell, J. M. Trollope, Sir J. Dalmeny, Lord Mainwaring, T. Thortiely, T. Dalrymple, Captain Maitland, T. Ward, IL G. Dawson, T. V. Mangles, R. D. Watson, Henry Dickinson, F. H. Marjoribanks, S. Wawn, J T. Dundas, Admiral Manic, Fox Willi:sins, W. Dundas, David Mitchell, T. A. Wyse, Thomas Easthope, Sir J. Moffatt, George Yorke, Henry R. Ebriugton, Lord Moaahan, J. 11. Escott, Bickham Morpeth, Viscount Ewart, William Morris, David Forster, Mathew Mostyn , E. Gibson, T. M. Muni.; G. F. TILL/P.S. Turtlell, Ileary Parker, John MINORITY—NOES, 42. • Allix, J. P. Douglas, Sir C. E. Manners, Lord C. Archdall, Captain East, J. B. Newdegate, N. Arkwright, George Fitzroy, Lord C. Parke, C. W. Bankes, George Floyer, John Prime, Richard Bsntinck, Lord G. Gooch, E. S. Reid, Colonel Beresford, Major Gordon, Hon. Capt. Sihthorp, CoTone! Berkeley. Craven Goring, Char:es Stuart, Henry liroadley, Henry Halsey, T. P. Thompson, Aldorman Burroughes, H. Henley, J. W. Vyse, H. Chandos, Marquis of Hotham, Lord Wodehouse, Edmund Chichester, Lord J. Hudson, George NVood, Colonel T. Christopher, It. Ingestre, Viscount Worcester, Marquis Collett, W. It. Lindsay, Colonel TELLEIS. Cripps, William Lowther, Hon. Col. Douglas, Sir 11. Disraeli, D. Lygon, General Boldero, 11. G. THE QUEEN'S DRAWING ROOM. The Q teen held a Drawing Room (the second this season), yesterday, in St. James's Palace. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended by the Royal Suite, arrived from Buckingham Palace at two o'clock, escorted by a party of the Household Troops. Her Ma jesty and his loyal Highness were received at St. James's Palace by the Lord Steward, the Lo:d Chamberlain, and the Master of the Horse. Tee Ladies and Gentlemen of the Royal Suite in at tendance were—the Mistress of the Robes, the Duchess of Sutherland; the L a di es o f t h e B e d Chamber, the Countess of Mount Kl izecum b e (i n waiting), the Mar chioness of 1). , ur0, th e C ountess o f Gainsborough, the Countess of Charlem on t, and the Countess of Dy sart ; the Maids of Hono ur , Hon. Miss Kerr (in waiting) , Hon. Miss Cavendish (in waiting)Lady Caroline Cock s, Hon. Miss Murray, H on . Mi ss P aget, H on . Mi s s Stanley, and the Hon. Miss D awson ; T he Women o f the Bed Cham ber, Lady Caroli ne B arr i ngton, Hon. M rs . Anson. Hon. o Mrs. G. Campb e ll, L a d y Gard i ner, Vi scou ntess F , rbes, and Lady Theresa Digby;her Majesty's Privy the Lord in Waiting, Lord Byron ; the Ke e p er of Purse, Mr. George Edward Anson ; the Lord in Waiting to Prince Albert, Lord George Lennox ; the Private Sec- . retary to Prince Albert, Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps ; the Groom in Waiting, Colonel Berkeley Drum mond ; the Groom in Waiting to Prince Albert, Cap tain Francis Seymour ; the Equerry in Waiting o , M pr aj n i l i c r e General Wemy ss ; the Equerry in Waiting t Albert, Captain th e Hon. A. Gordon ; the Pages of Honour, Messrs. Gordon and Forbes. The Queen wore a very splendid costume. Her Ma jesty's train was of blue ribbed silk, trimmed with point lace. The petticoat was of white satin, trimmed with point lace and diamonds. • Her Majesty's headdress was composed of feathers, and a wreath of ro ses stu d ded w i t h diamonds,Her Majesty Court, having enter e d t h e Throne-room, great officers of State an d t h e l a dl e . ; an d gentlemen of the t and Pri nce Alb e rt, attended by the the diplomatic corps were introdu c ed, w h en t h e f o ll ow ing presentations her Majesty the Qu een an d hi s Royal Highness Pi ince Albert took place. By Prince Callimaki, Ottoman Minister-o . 4nan Bey, MonaieurJohrab,First Attacle to the Imperial Legation. By Senor Mora, Mexican Minister—General Jove Maria Mendoza, attached to the Mexican Legation, and late Charge d'Affaite, ; Mr. JO:6 J. de Lizardi, attached to the Mexican Legation. The Foreign Diplomatic circle was attended by M. Van de Weyer, the Beigian Minister, and Madame Van do Weyer; Baron de Moncorvo, Portuguese Minister, and the Baroness de Moncorvo; Baron de Brunnow, Russian Minister, and the Baron de Nicolay, Secretary of Legation; General Prince Castelcicala, Neapolitan Minister, and M. G. Canofari, Secretary of Legation; Baron de Hugel, Wurtemberg Minister; Madame Mar ques Lisboa, the Lady of the Brazilian Minister; Count de Reventlow, the Danish Minister; Prince Callimaki, the Ottoman Porte Minister, and Princess Callimaki; Mrs: Bancroft, wife of the American Minister, and Mr. John R. Brodhead, Chergb J'Albdrosofihe United States' valier do Tacon, First ' of - Anierica; Senor lett:iris the Spanish Minister,thiChe Secretary, and the Chevalier de Padrorena, Secretary of Legation de S. M. Catho lique ; Senor Jose Maria Luis Mura, Mexican Minister; Baron de Beust, Saxon Minister, and the Baroness Bengt; Count de Jarnac, French Chargé d'Affaires, and Countess de Jarnac; Baron de Rehausen, Count Adrien de Revel, Sardinian Charge d'Affaires ; Mr. Stratenus, Netherlands Chargé d' Affa i res, - Baron Koller, First E r Principal Secretary of Embassy; Y; the Viscountess State for Foreign A ffairs ; an d Colonel Cornwall, her Majesty's Assista nt Master of the Ceremonies. Secretary Palmerston, wifet he Austrian ofher Majesty's The general circle was attended by the Lord Chan cellor, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Lord Steward, the Lord Chamberlain, the Master of the Horse, the Lord Justice General of Scotland ; the Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-A t IDS ; the Marquis of Anglesey, Gold Stick in Waiting ; the Treasurer of the Household, the Vice-Chamberlain, the Vice• Chan -. cellor of England; Sir George Lee, Lieutenant of the Yeomen Guard; Mr. R Ormsby Gore, Groom in Wait ing to her Majesty; Mr. M. Wyatt, Standard Bearer of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arm s; Sir George Houlton, Ensign of the Yeomen Guard; Captain Lord James Murray, Scots Fusilier Guards, Equerry to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent; Rev. John Ryle Wood, Chaplain to her Majesty Q ueen Adelaide; Re-v. J. Vane, the Deputy Clerk of the Closet in waiting; Colonel Smith, Silver Stick in Waiting; Honourable Spencer Lyttelton, Marshal of the Ceremonies; 51r. Jas. Bunco Curling, Adjutant of the IL,. Corps of Gentle men at Arms;' Captain Kincaid, Exon in Waiting; Sir Benjamin Smith, C S.; Sir Noel Harris, Groom of the Privy Chamber in waiting; Colonel Master, Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber in Waiting; Captain the Hon. Mortimer Sackville West , Gentleman Usher to i her Majesty in w a i t i ng; Mr. Alf re d M ontgomery, Gen tleman Usher to I Ma . or the Queen; General Godwin, Gentleman Usher to his Royal Highness the Prince Albert; Colonel H. Bentiack (Coldstream Guards), Field Officer in Waiting. k number of presentations took place. The Queen and Prince Alb. rt, attended by the Royal suite, returned to Buckingham Palace after the Drawing Room. Iler Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent was pre- vented by a severe cold from attending the Drawing Room. Their Excellencie s the Count and Countess Dietrich stein, th© Countess lieveutlow, and M r . B ancro f t were prevented having the honour of attending her Majesty's Drawing Room yesterday. 1,•?. Corurnandeur Marques Lisboa (Brazilian Minister) was prevented by indisposi• tion from attending the Drawing Room. A'deputation from the directors of the Metropolitan Sewage Manure Company, accompanied by their solici tor and acting secretary, had an interview wish Viscount Morpeth yeSterrlay, at the office of her Majesty's Com missioners of Woods and Forests, in Whitehall-dace. The Deputation consisted of Dr. Guy, Mr. T. William Floyd, Mr. Edward William Cox, M r . J. C. Bl a i r W arren, Dr. Hodgkin, Captain Warren, Mr. Henry Peter Fuller, Mr. William Thomas Rime, and Mr. W. C. Mylne (engineer). Mr. Hawes, treasurer, and Mr. Charlier, secretary to the Rovel Humane Society, bad an interview )caterday with Viscount Morpeth. The Mess of her Mejei.ty's Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms dined together yesterday evening at the Thatched House. A deputation from the Liverpool and Harrington Water•workq, consisting of Messrs. Banner, Gladstone. and Stainsted, had an interview with Viscount Murpoth yesterday. Mr. Brushfield and Mr. Solomons, two Directors of the Commercial Gas Company (London ani Tower Hamlets), and Mr. Thomas. the Solicitor to the COM. pany, had an interview yesterday with Viscuuut Mor peth, at the office of the Wood.s and Forests. PE TING OF THE PRUSSIAN DI . T. THE KING'S SPEECH. BERLIN, APRIL —This grand ceremony commenced this morning, under rather unfavourable auspices. From six o'clock snow continued to fall heavily, and, conse quently, but few persons assembled to see what wa, expected to have been a grand pageant. At about half past eight o'clock the Deputies began to arrive at their respective places of worship—the Protestants at the Cathedral Church, which forms one side of the square (Lustgarten) in which the palace is situate ; and the Roman Catholics at a very handsome circular church (St. Hedvig), situate not far distant from the palace. A few minutes before nine o'clock Frederick William proceeded on fait from his palace to the cathedral, not withstanding the seven ty of the weather, simply attired in military uniform, with a plain Prussian cloak thrown: over his shoulders. He was warmly greeted by the comparatively few persons assembled, and his benevolent gmid-humourett countenance beamed with delight. He walked amongst his subjects followed by his staff, but unattended by any military guard. There were a few policemen in attendance to maintain order amongst the carriages, but the pedestrians were permitted to approach the royal person without impediment. Divine service concluded at three-quarters past ten o'clock, when the King returned to his palace in the same simple style that he had proceeded to the cathedral. At this period the snow had in some degree ceased, and the assembled 'multitude had increased. The cheers were con sequy ntly louder, and his Majesty returned were com pliment by bowing right and left as he passed through the crowd, who formed a line with as much regularity and maintained es good order as if the) had been drilled by a sergeant of the Ro) al Guaru. His Majrzty was followed to his palace by the officers of the Royal Househeld, the dignitaries of State, the Mi nisters, the Protestant and Roman Catholic Bishops, an finally by the Deputies, who were conducted to their places in the Salle Blanche (fitted up for the occasion) by the Grand Marshal of the Palace. Count de Keller. The Qui en and Princesses of Prussia lied seats prof:ared for them in one gallery, and the corps diplomatique in another. Amongst the latter the Earl of Westmoreland appeared pre-eminent, and nobly represented his Sove reign. All the arrangements having been completed his Majesty entered the Salle Blanche, preceded by Ge neral Knesebeck, who bore the crown; by General Krauseneck, who bore the orb (Reichsapfel); by General Muffling (the same who was Governor of Parts during the occupation of that city by the allied armies), who bore the sceptre, and by other officers who bore various insignia of royalty. On his Majesty's entrance the Princes and Deputies rose and remained standing until the King took his place en the throne, having the Prince of Prussia on his right hand and the Ministers of State on his left. His Majesty then delivered the following speech ex tempore in a clear and distinct voice, and with out the slightest hesitation:-- "Illustrious noble Princes, Counts, and Lards, my dear and trusty orders of Nobles, Burghers, and Commons,—l bid you from the depth of my heart welcome on the day of the ful. fitment of a great work of my father, resting in God, never to be forgotten, King William 111., of glorious memory. " The noble edifice of representative freedom, .the eight mighty pillars of which the King of blessed memory foundd deep and unshakably in the peculiar organization of his pro vinces, is to-day perfected in your assembly. It has re ceived its protecting roof. The King wished to have finished his work himself, but his views were shipwrecked in the utter impracticability of the plans laid before him. There from arose evils which his clear eye detected with grief, and, before all, the uncertainty which made many a noble soil susceptible of weeds. Let us blest, however, to-day the conscientiousness of the true beloved King, who despised his own earlier triumph in order to guard his folk from later ruin, and let us honour his memory, by not penning the ex istence of his completed work by the impatient haste of beginners. " I give up beforehand all co-operation thereto. Let us suffer time, and, above all, experience to have their way; and let us commit the work as is fitting, to the furthering and forming hands of Divine Providence Since the com mencement of the operation of the Provincial Diets, I have perceived the detects of individual portions of our represen tative life, and proposed to myself conscientiously the grave question—How they were to be remedied? My resolutions on this point have long since arrived at maturity. Immediately on my accession I made the first step towards realising them by forming the Committees of the Provincial Diets, and by calling them together soon after. " You are aware, Lords and Gentlemen, ,that I have now made the days for the meeting of those Committees perio dical, and that I have confided to them the flee working of the Provincial Diets. For the ordinary run of affairs their deliberations will satisfactorily represent the desired point of union. But the law of January 17, 1820, respecting the State debts, gives, in that portion of it not as yet carried nut, rights and privileges to the Orders which can be ex ercised neither by the Provincial Assemblies nor by the Com mittees. " As the heir of an unweakened Crown, which I must and will hand down unweakened to my descendants, I know that I am perfectly free from all and every pledge with respect to what has not been carried out, and, above all, with respect to that front the execution of which his own true paternal con science preserved my illustrious predecessor. This law is, however, carried out in all its essential parts ; an edifice oh justice has bean built upon it, oaths have been sworn on it, and it has, all unfinished as it is, maintained itself as a wisp law for seven and twenty years. Therefore have I proceeded, with a cheerful heart indeed, but with all the freedom of my kingly prerogative, to its filial completion. I am, however, the irreconcilable enemy of all arbitrary proceedings, and must have been a foe, snore all, to the idea of bringing to gether an artificially arbitrary assembly of the Orders, whkh should deprive the noble creation of the King, my dear father, I mean the Provincial Diets, of their value. I. has been therefore for many years my firm determination only to form this Assembly, ordained by law, by the fusion toget her of the Provincial Diets. It is formed ; I hare recog , ised your claim to all the rights flowing from that law, and far beyond— yes, far bey - outran the promises of the King of blessed memory, I have granted you, with certain ne essary limits,the right of granting taxes,—a right, gentlemen, the responsibility of which weighs far more heavily than the honour which accom panies it. This important Assembly will now denote im portant periods in the existence of our State, which are treated of in my patent of February the 3d. As soon as those periods occur, I will assemble the Diets on each separate occasion round my throne, in order to deliberate with them for the welfare of my country, and to afford them an oppor tunity for the exercise of their rights. I have, however, re served the express right of calling together these great Assemblies on extraordinary occ,,sions. when I deem it good and profitable; and I will do this willingly and at more fre. quent intervals, if this Diet gives me the proof that I ma) act thus without prejudice to higher sovereign duties. "My trusty and free people have received all the law which I and my father have granted them tor the protection of their highest interests, and especially the laws of the 3d of February, with warm gratitude, and woe to him who shall dare to dash their thankfulness with care, or to turn it into ingratitude. ." Every Prussian knows that for twenty-four years past all laws which concern his freedom anti property have been first discussed by the Orders; but from this time forward let every one in my kingdom know that I, with the sole neces 'nary exception of the occurrence of the calamity of war, will contract no State loan, levy no new taxes, nor increase exist ing ones, without the free consent of all Orders. “ Noble Lords and trusty Orders,—l know that with these rights I entrust a costly jewel of freedom to your hands, and that you will employ it faithfully. But I know, as certainly, that many will mistake and despise this jewel—that to many it is not enough. A portion of the press, for instance, de mands from me and my Government a revolution in Church and State, and from you, gentlemen, acts of importunate ingratitude, of illegality —nay, of disobedience. Many also, and am.rng them very worthy men, look for our safety in the conversion of the natural relation between Prince and people into a conventional existence granted by charters and ratified by oaths. "May, however, the example of the one happy country, whose constitution centuries and an hereditary wisdom with out a parallel, but no sheets of paper, have made, not be lost upon us, but find the respect which it deserves. If other countries find their happiness in another way than that people and ourselves, namely, in the way of manufactured and granted' constitutions, we must and will praise their happiness in an upright and brotherly manner. We will, with the justest admiration, consider the sublime example, when a strong will of iron consequence and high intelligence succeeds in delaying, in mastering, And allaying every crisis of serious importance; and, above a , when this tends to the welfare of Germany, and the maintenance of the peace of Europe. But Prussia, gentlemen—Prussia cannot bear such a state of things. Do you ask, why ? I answer, cast your eyes at the map of Europe—at the position of our country— at its component parts ; fohow the line of our borders ; weigh the power of our neighbours; throw, before all, an enlightened glance on our history ! It has pleased God to make Prus-zia strong by the sword of war front without, and by the sword of intellect from within ; not, surely, by the negative intellect of the age, but by the spirit of moderation and order. - I speak out b ldlr, gentlemen. As in the camp, unless in cases of the most urgent danger or gro-sest folly. the co.nmand can only be rested in the will rf one, so can the destinies of this country, unless it is to fall instantly from its height, only be guided by one will ; and it the King of Prussia would commit an abomination were he to demand from his subjects the subservien-y of a slave, so would he commit a far greater abomination were he not to demand from them the crowning virtue of freemen—l mean obedience for the sake of God and conscience. Whoever is alarmed at the tenor of these words, him I refer to thj:de velopment of our laws for a century back, to the edicts of the Orders, and finally to this Asaembiy and its rights ; there be may find consolation if he will. " Noble Lords and trusty Orders,—l am forced to the solemn declaration that no power on earth will ever succeed in moving me to change the natural, and, in our own case, so imperatively necessary, relation between Prince and people into something merely conventional or constitutional, and that, once for all, 1 will never suffer a written sheet of paper proTidence, between our as it were a second to force itself in, Lord God in Heaven and this people, in order to rule us with its paragraphs, and to replace by them our en.•ient and time-hallowed trusty reliance on each other. Between us he truth. From one weakness I feel myself entirely free— I strive not for idle popular favour ; who could do so if he has read history aright ? I strive alone to fulfil my duty so as to satisfy we understanding and my conscience, and to de serve the thanks of my people, even though it be never my lot to obtain it. "Noble Lords and trusty Orders, it has often caused me care and impatience during the fits: years of my reign that I could not remove hindrances which opposed an earlier con vocation of your Assembly. I was wrong. On both sides ; we should have been poorer by many experiences--poorer by experiences in part aa costly nature, but all of them, if not always good, yet for us of priceless worth. We have now lying open before us the experiences of seven years. and by God's good pleasure, not in vain. The working of parties on one aide, and the temper of my people on the other, are now clear and indubitable. It is a splendid privilege of the kingly office that it can on all occasions call things by their right names without Sear. I will do this to-day before you as a duty which I have to fulfil. I beg you now to follow me a moment while with a sharp eye we consider the state of things at home. " The dearth which has visited Europe of latter years has also penetrated to us, if with less severity than in other countries. It has, however, found us well prepared. and I can give my Government the honourable testimonial that it has honestly done its part towards alleviating the cala mity. There are, also, means further to resist it, if God spares us from new failures in the crops. Here I must mention private benevolence, which, in these times, has manifested itself anew so nobly, so cheeringly, and I pay it here, before you, tf:e tribute of my admiration and my gra titude. l'he extinction of the national debt is progressing. The taxes are diminished, the finances are put in order. I have to-day the happiness to offer the provinces, for the use of their treasuries, a donatiin of 2,000,000 rixdollars. "The management of affairs and the administration of justice are with us in a purer condition than almost in any other country publicity is established in our courts; roads, canal-, all kinds of improvements of the land ate proceeding to an extent before unknown; science and art are in the most flourishing condition; the national prosperity is in creasing; trade and industry—if, alas! not protected against :heir European vicissitudes—are comparatively satisfactory; paternal care and good-will are certainly nowhere to be mis taken ; the press is as free as the laws of the Confederation permit; the freedom of confession is associated with ani mating power to our old liberty of faith and conscience ; and our just pride and strong shield, my army of the line and militia, may be called incomparable. " With our neighbours and with the powers on this and the other side of the ocean we stand on the best terms, and our relation to our allies, in combination with whom we once treed Germany, and from the happy concord of whom de trends the maintenance of a 32 years' peace in a great part of Europe, is firmer and closer than ever. " 1 could add much which would be calculated to bend our knees in thanks towards God, but this will suffice. For it is quite sufficient to found this gratitude, and a state of con tentment, which in an honest comparison, in spite of many just wishes, appears quite natural. Before all, one weuld think that the press must diffuse gratitude and contentment on all sides, for I venture to say that it is the press which, to a particular extent, owes me thanks. Noble Lords and faithful Staters, I require your German hearts to grant me those thanks. While recognising the honourable endeavour to elevate the press by a noble and conscientious spirit, it is yet unquestionable, that in a portion of it 5 dark spirit of destruction prevails, a spirit that entices to revolution, and shat deals in the most audacious falsehoods, disgraceful to German fidelity and Prussian honour. I know that the genuine sense of the people remains firm, but we do not de ceive ourselves as to the evil fruits of the evil tree, which Bence, us in the shape of dissatisfaction and want of cotifi ence, attended by still worse fac's, such as open disobe dence, secret conspiracy, a declared revolt from all which is sacred to good men, and attempted regicide. Even in our .hurches are seen th ose f ru i ts, together with . the twofo!d ueath in indifference and fanaticism But ecclesiastical mat ters do not belong to the States. Thew have their legitimate organs in the two confessions. One confession of faith I am, on this day, unable to suppress, bearing in mind the frightful Attempt to defraud my people of its holiest jewel—its faith in .he Redeemer. Lord and King of itself and of us all. This avowal is as follows—(Here his Majasty arose, and spoke the words standing, and with right hand uplifted)—' I and my house, we will serve the Lord.' I turn my troubled glance from the aberrations of a few to the whole of my people. Then does it grow bright with tears ofjoy ; there, my Lords, amid ad the heavy troubles of rsovernment, is my consolation. My people is still the old Christian people—the honest, true, valiant people—which has fought the battlesof my fathers, and the honourable qualities of which have only grown with the greatness and fame of their country, which once, like no other, in the days of trouble, bound itself to its paternal king, and bore him, as it were, upon its shoulders, from victory to victory—a people, my Lords, often tempted by the arts of seduction, but always found proof against them. Even out of the strongest of these trials it will come forth pure. Already is the impious sport with Christianity, the abuse of religion as a means of distinction, recognised in its true form as sacrilege, and is dying away. My firm reliance upon the fidelity of my people, as the surest means of extinguishing the conflagra tion, has been ever nobly rewarded both by the older and the younger sons of our Prussian country, even where another language than ours is spoken. " Therefore hear this well, Lords and faithful States, and may all the country hear it through you. From all the in dignities to which I and my Government have been exposed for some years I appeal to my people! From all evils which perhaps are still in reserve for me I appeal beforehand to my people! My people knows my heart, my faith and love to it, and adheres in love and faith to me. My people dues not wish the association of representatives in the Government, the weakening of rank, the division of sovereignty, the break. irg up of the authority of its kings, who have founded its histo.y, its freedom, its prosperity, and who alone can pro tect its dearest acquisitions—and will protect them, God willing, as heretofore. " Know, my Lords, I do not read the feelings of my people in the green arches and huzzahs of the festivity ; still less in the praise and blame of the pass, or in the doubtful, some times criminal, demands of certain addresses. which are sent to the Throne, and States, or elsewhere. I have read thee• with my own eyes in the touching thanks of men tor benefits scarcely promised, scarcely begun; here, where broad dis tricts of land stood under water; there, where men scarcely recovered from hunger. In their graceful joy, in their wet eyes, did I read their feeling., three years ago, when the lives of myself and the Queen were so wonderfully preserved. This is truth—and in my words is truth—when I say, that it is a noble people; and I feel entirely the happiness of pre siding over such a people. And your hearts ...rill understand me and accord with me, when in Hai great hour I urgently call upon you Be worthy of ibis people!' " Illustrious P. incee, Counts, and Lords, you will have recogniseA sin the position as-igried to you by law in this United Diet my intention that that position should he a dignified one, at once answering to the conception of a German order of nobles, and also beneficial to the tvliole community. I rely upon your deeply feeling at this hour, and in these times, what is meant by being the first of a nation, and also what is required at your hands. You will repay my confidence. "You Inv Lords of the Nobility, and my faithful 'lurghers and Commons, are, I am firmly persuarleu, im pressed with this truth, that on this day, and in this hour, You are the first of your respective Orders, but, therefore, also, the protectors of your ancient renown. Look at this throne! Your fathers and mine,—many princes of your race, and of mine, and I myself;—have fought fur the pre servation. the deliverance, and the honour of that throne. and for the existence of our native land. God with us! There is now a new battle to be fought on behalf of the same glorious possessions,—a peaceful one indeed, but its combats are not a whit less important than those of the field of war. Aud God will be with us yet again, for the battle is against the evil tendencies of the age. Your unanimity with me, the prompt expression of your wish to aid me in itnuroving the domain of right; (that true field for the lab of kings), I make this Diet a pitched battle gained against every evil and lawless influence that troubles and dishonours Germany; and the work will be to your renown and that of the country, and the contentment and satisfaction of the people. " Representatives of the Nobles, he now and for the future, as of old. the first to follow the banner of the Hohenzollerns, that for three centuries has led you on to honour. And you, Burghers, give to the whole world a living testimony that the intelligence, the gre 1 mass of which you are proud to represent, is, amongst us, that right and true one which en nobles, by the development of religion and morality, and.by the love of your King and country. And you, representatives of the Commons, you and your order are never the last when your country and your King call on you, whether it be in peace or in war. Hear the voice of your King that tells you they require you again ! " In my kingdom neither of the three Orders ranks above or beneath the other. They stand beside cacti other on an equality of rights and honour, but each within its limits, each with its own province. This is a practicable and reasonable equality; this is freedom. "Noble Lords and trusty Orders, a word more on the question—yes, the question of existence between the Throne and the different Orders ; the late King, after mature consi deration called them into existence according to the Gernean and historical idea of them ; and in this idea alone have I continued his work. Irnpressiourselves, I entreat you, with the spirit of this definition. lou are German Orders in the anciently received sense of the word—that is, you are truly and before all ' Representatives and defenders of your own rights'—the rights of those Orders whose confidence has sent here the far greater portion of this Assembly. But after that you are to exercise those rights which the Crown has recog nised as yours, you have further conscientiously to give the Crown that advice'it requires of you. Finally, you are free to bring petitions and complaints, after mature deliberation, to the foot of the Throne. " Those are the rights, those the duties of German Orders; this is your glorious vocatioa. But it is not your province to represent opinions,' or bring opinions of the day, or of this or that school, into practical operation. That is wholly un-German, and, besides, completely useless for the good of the community ; for it would lead necessarily to inextricable embarrassments with the Crown, which must govern accord ing to the law of God and the land end its own free, unbiassed resolution, but which cannot and dares not govern according to the will of the majority, if Prussia' would not soon be come an empty sound in Europe. Clearly recognising my office 'and your vocation, and firmly resolved to treat that recognition faithfully under all circumstances, I have ap peared among you and addressed you with royal freedom. With the same openness, and as the highest proof my confidence in you, I here give you my royal word that should not have called you together had I had the smallest suspicion that you would otherwise understand your duties, or that you bad any desire to play the part of what are i( called representatives of the people. I shou ld not have called you together for that purpose, becau - e , acc ordin g to .myi e t .pest and most heard, It conviction, the Throne arid State would be endangered by it. and because I recognise it as my first duty, under all circumstances and events, to preserve the Throne, the State, and my Government as they at present exist. I remember the axiom of a Royal F. confidence awakens confidence.' That is this day my brightest hope. flat' my confidence in you is great, I have proved by my weeds and Reeled by my act. And from you, gentlemen, I expect a proof' of confidence in return, and an auswer in the a .me manner—by your acts. God is my witness. I have .utti monod you as your truest, best, and most faithful friend and 1 firmly believe that among the hundreds before me there is not one who is not resolved at this at ittnmeet to pre serve that friendship Many o f you were Kenigeberg on the 10th of September, 140, and I can even now heli the thunder of your voices as you rr ia o r uneed the oath of Idelity, that then penetrated my soul. P which 1 received the homage f 3 I?;eoreftti.'ea"e'yoensataittees',lja:Loend with thousands in the still-echoing' Yes! with which you replied to my demand whether you would, in word and deed, in heart and spirit, in truth and love, help and assistme to pre serve P russia as it is, and as it must remain if it would-not perish that you would not let or hinder me in the path of considerate but vigorous progress, but endure with me through good days and through evil.' Now redeem your word—now fulfil that vow ! " You can do it by the exercise of one of your most im portant duties—namely, by choosing from among you faith ful and upright friends of the Throne and of our good purpose for your Committeie--men who a - have ootnprehended that at this time it is the first duty of the Orders to encourage and suppou the good disposition and fidelity of th e country by their Wm example, and, on the contrary, to strike cl,,wn and discountenance every kind of many headed faithlessness— men who, enemies of every kind of slavery, are, ab ove a ll , enemies of that shameful yoke which a misguiding op i n i on (branding tht , name of freedom of thought) would lay upon your neck. This selection is a very critical act—one pregnant with consequences; weigh it. in your hearts, and choose con scientiously. "Remember also that the day of uncertainty as to the form which the activity ,pf the orders is to take Is passed. Many things which, under this uncertainty, forbearance could excuse, have henceforth no excuse remaining. The 3d of February of this year, like the 3d of February, 1813, has opened to the real Children of our fatherland that path they have now to pursue; and the same unspeakable happiness which then fell to the lot of my glorious father is now also mine—mine in this moment. I speak as he did to the hearts of German, of Prussian men. .. Go, then, illustrious Princes, Counts , and Lords, d ear and faithful Driers of Nobles, Burghers, proceed, with God's help, to your task. and Commons. ot! will, I am cer gazing on you, an d tain, in this moment , when all Europe is th rou gh all the future labours of the Diet, prove yourselves tarhusemPtr_usnsaiamnesiy; , a G n o d d t ,s ha b t io r i 7 ii_ Lhin o g n believe whichall Ine will not be things depend. Out of our uoauitnity it wi'l descend on glorious e rit f u r s esent and may dwell and o ut future generations, and I hope on all our German fatherland in one broad stream, beside which we in peace and safety, as by the shores of the blessing -bringing rivers ti4at water the earth. And now once more of the fullness of my heart, welcome !" After the above gracious speech, his Majesty pro ceeded to nominate the Prince of Solms and Lieutenant Von Ilochow Marshals of the Diet. The Minister of the Interi d. then declAred the Diet to be opened, and after a sh,tt speech from Marshal Prince Solms, in an. swer to his M.jesty, the proceedlngs terminated. du ir ce h d l:l t E i c e i t i • R ! l f si c . l3 ;t (it e :i i j it g i E n t g 'lS , IL Y llitrh is ie . ic i lt : aE b a e . " P o rO P: with the following cast : Elvira—Madame Castellan. Giorgio—Signor Lablache. Arturo— Signor Gardoni. Riccardo—Signor Colletti. It was the first appearance of Lablachn for the season. He was greeted as the greatest singer, in the world ought to be greeted, with the heartiest welcome that could be given him, and never did he sing or act better.. The Elvira of Madam- Ca.tellan was, whether regarded lyrically or histrionically a beautiful impersonation. It would seem natural enough that her Elvira should pro• yoke a comparison with that of her great predecessor, but Madame Castellan possesses certain physical advan tages ov..r all her competitors in this character, of which she has known so w. II how to take advantage as to ren der comparison impossible, by giving a perfectly diffe rent, perhaps truer, version of the character. Madame Castilian is young and beautiful, and she therefore can make of Elvira that which the author evidently intended Elvira' to be, a lovely, unsophis ticated, trustine , girl. Such was the Elvira of Madame Castellan, and this version of the character makes the whole opera vrai,emblable, and brings out effects of which hitherto the habituie of the opera have had no idea. For instance, the celebrated Palaces, "Son vergin vezz )sa," has been hitherto regarded merely as an exquisite melody, sung by Grisi as perfectly as music could be sung. but, of late years at least, it was impossible to look at the singer and keep up the illusion of the scene. Castellan, on the contrary, looks the " vergin vezzosa in vista di Sposa" —the young girl (I , ek, d out as a bride. She is the yohng gill herselt—Grisi, an accomplished artiste acting the young girl. Castellan sang the music exquisitely, by appearing to make no effort, she accom plished everything. She possesses, in a marvellous degree. the, ars celare artem. Gardoni is decidedly the best Arturo who has ever appeared. He is what neither . of his predecessors in this character were, an actor; and to give a proper version of Arturo, acting is as necessary as singing. We remember Rubini in this character—we have seen Mario as Arturo many a time and oft—but we - prefer the Arturo of Gardoni. He is more youthful than Itubini, more impassioned than Mario, and as accom plished a musician as either of them. His " A to o care," in the first act, was beautifully given, and was rapturously applauded; and the third act, the whole burden of which falls upon Arturo, was given in a manner that left nothing to be desired. Colletti made more of the character of Riccardo than has ever hitherto been made of it. His voice has that which was want ing both in Tamburini and Fornasari—steadi ness ; and as an actor ho is quite equal to either of these great artists. The suoni la tromba, as given by Coletti and Lablache, created quite a furore, and was rapturously encored. As a whole, I Puritani has never been better performed at her Majesty's Theatre than it was last evening. The principal artistes were called for at the conclusion of each act, ani again at the fail of the curtain. Between the acts of the Opera, a Divertissement was produced, in which Carolina Rosati and Paul Taglioni appeared ; and in which little Maria Taalioni danced a new pas, entitled " Posnania ; ou Dati,e Pollnaise," a variety of the Craco vienne, with all its elegance, but without its vulgarity. It was a decided hit, and will become very poi - Oar. Caroline Romiti danced ex qui- ly, intredueing some of her fa ' vourite pas from That. :The was rapturously applauded and bouque's were showered upon her in profusion. She has now decidedly taken her place among the Deesses. After the ()peril, we had the new ball,t of °Heide; on le Camp des Amazong, with the following cast : OrThia—Mdlie. Lucile GrAn. Marthesia (La Reine des Amazones)—Madame Co pere. Alc,-is (Scythian Prince) —M. Taglioni. Isapathe—Mite. Mont'ort. The hollowing is the plot of the billet:— It is nieht. We are in the camp of the Amazons, and of their Queen, Marthesia. As a distant sound of the horn is heard, the warriors awake ; day appears, and they saline the sun. The horn approaches ; it announces the arrival of Orithia, the Queen's nieCe, who returns triumphant from her combats with the Mascagetes, bearing on her arm the buckler of, their chief Alceis, wham she brings a prisoner. The Queen celebrates this vicory by dances, and ordains a royal ' chase, to the cooTieror in which the buckler of Alegi!' is d. creerL The Amazons hasten with delight towards the eirect. silence reigns once more within the camp, when the Prince Alceis (titers it at the peril of bis life. He loves Orithia, and what is peril to him if it brags him near the objoct of his love! His bucker, raised as a trophy, strikes his sight; he seizes it, and is about to destroy it when the Auraz.ns, carried by the chase towards the camp, appear. He hidei hicnself behiud a rock, whence he can zee without being vet)._ _ The huntresses depart. Orithia, still haunted by the recollection of the Prince, then eriives and con templates the trophy, which reminds h'-r of Alceis. She si.udJers at the id• a that this token may bhcorne the prize of another. Site is about to return into the torest, when the Prince appears. The Amazon recoils affrighted. Alceis then declares his love, and to what it has impelled him. Onthia entreats her lover to fly from toe implacable law which condemns to death every man who dares to ereer the camp. Alceis refuses. Ism:lathe, ►he Qeeett's tuvewite, has remarked the trouble of her mistress, and, having followed her, has been a witness of this scene. At a signal, the Amazons hasten with Marthesie, who bitterly reproaches her niece for having betrayed her oath. She then orders the punishment of the cap:ive at the tomb raised to the memo cry Of Argapesas, her husband, killed by the King of the Seythians. Orithia supplicates ; her companions join in her prayers, but the Qtteen is obdurate. Alceis then is doomed ; but on approaching the mausoleum where he is to be sacrificed, he sees the name of his father inscribed thereon. Seizing his buckler, be pushes a spring, and the following inscription appears :—" Arga pesis to his son Alceis." Marthesia is, then, his mother I The coldness of the Queen and the sternness of the Amazon give place to the werm gush of maternal love. Marthesia pardons, and Alceis becomes the happy cap tive of his Orithia. The opening scene of the Arnazanian encampment is exceedingly picturesque; and the Pas .V.eirnazonia by Lucile Grahn. Madlls. Hunere. and Cassan.. and the corps de ballet, is perhaps one of the most classically beautiful ever seen ; each pose teems like a study from some ancient Grecian sculpture. The The great pas of the ballet, ho+►evcr, is the sane a I abandon of Lucile Grahn and Paul Taglioni. It is perhaps, one of the most wonderful, and at the same time one of the most graceful of choerographic performances. So delighted is the spectator by the exe ceeding grace of the artistes, that it is not until he has had time to reflect, 'hat he can rightly appreciate the difficulties which they have successfully overcome. Never has Lucile Grahn eppeartd to greater advantage than in this pas. Never has si:e been better or less obtrusively supported than she was last night by Paul Tagliont. The house was crowded to excess before the commence ment of the Opera, and standing room was at &premium, even during the last scene of the Ballet. e —There were present ae de Lochner, the Countess of Minister and Mademoiselle Ol ga Theatre the Russian E3A n iT tes ja s t. B yls rackley and party (who box), the Duke and Duchess of St. occupied her Maiest)s the Earl of Munster, the Earl drev, t3h.eAELrilafileLoin,as(glaelte,,Vviiscscooununtt Lord wilaF:LLadoyrdßGro.ugpheatmet: yesterdayD e i s a l rEt,RV evening uIo s a T n Y d : V ' i c her ‘ 1 o t y Lord Clarence Paget, Lady e Earl the nntesa ys , et nux, ht . B. t. . Air. Stanley, r vciiiiekl4l,la3ra.a.u,ny,;:,r Captain niet bis S eDdli John G TL(I-: . 1:: di Lord Methuen ,lGrsuei m eas' I nP.cht etl'; 11' od,oifr.tol'titlthn,Cor C ardigan, f‘. c e , l: r eK .; : ' I.nSuiii,rllrcLai. Mrs. i r na ' e ng r nY e l° tc ; a : iii\ ' r g n i H P oward, Lady er, lawny, Mr. C e i r. a l n a a t t l i i h t i r i , C . L oi. i . ( a i t \ i s ‘ ; ' ,:: furd, M a jor Bating. &c. [A.DvEnTIsEMENT ]---The Registered Paletot of Llama cloth, the most tat-hionable coat fir both the present approaching seasons, soil] retains the same moderate price, which, with i;s u, , efultiess and gentlemanly appear -inv. hAs ce , urrd such gerprrd Topularity. It has been made by , I)..Tial m 411.1 tor their Royal Hight.Esses Prince Xl herr, Prince George of Cam hridire, Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, his Grace the DuKe Wellington, and the several royal visitors to the British Court. In London it can only be purchased of the pa•entees, H. J. end D. Nicoll, Court tailors, 114, Regent-street, and 22, Cornhill. Agents for Liverpool, Dawbarn and Son, Bold- street ; for Dublin, Geo. Mac:lona, Alolesworth street ; for Birmin-:;ham, Wareing and Son, New-street; for Edinburgh, Christie and Son, George street; and the principal tailors in other large towns The steam-ship Hibernia, with the, mails from Canada and the Unit..d S at..s of the Ist instant, had not r. ached Liverpool on Wedn-sdaY afternoon ai half : p ist four o'clock, the hour at which our express left for L pnrlon. WEXFORD, A FRIT, 14—The ple4enger Rhip.Rocbes ter, bow d from Liverpool to New York, struck on Black Water Bank yeqerday morning. The crew and passengers , about 300, remained on board until to-day, when tbfef were taken out of her by several of the Arklim Ishii* boats, and brought in hers.