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

' Con in the amount. He hoped it ought to support their own . e . . u p Th ed e th co e ll v eg et e e s dirainu i would be still sons attended the lectures ofith„tereeprsr.oferissoerhs.o hither decreased in future years. icion than the committee against it. Lord D. STUART said there was no vote on which the : would be withdrawn ; but if et were not, he should divide people out of did doors looked with greater susp ces in consideration of , versities exchn ec a arge this. They not know ho . wit w . as employed, or what Mr. HADFItEr Is t ro ng m ly in o , p r p it o y se o d f t t h h e e g p r e a e n p ti e fTrehem:inhie nameless gentlemen gave their rrvi . opts n - part of it. The dislike felt at it generally throughout the i advantotacgaelsl Nuvphoicuhththeehyopuosessteosstead;tKeetnatha jeoyn.htyadoftthheeepT, country was not likely to be lessened at present, in conse- , tery . n which they by their big tted quence of the suspicions of revelations which . had sp d rea n d I ; ltaowssupepxocritwttnet.i idiusseionntesnir.w. through the county . with regard to secret s . ervice f s, d a .ff n er t en e t Mr' . 13' LACKETT wished to put a question to the noble watching and inquiring about . t o he t p e roc i e , ' lord the member for the city of London on this subject. individuals. He was not goin g Some e i t s i i t t n i e e s a N go th d e noble e e l l u v r e , s t expressed tteda cetm a p r h o o v p e e m e t that a t s t t n th: , ' e ec h t ng to s the at , present, but he thought the house had ° a j right to as i t n o uc i, li He as it was possible to give with reg . a e r ra ( mittee i their system Paned he said he should be loth to invite the He hoped the Government would tell the ir i l wilingjre wasto p r a o n p poste unhappyc er tai n vaguenessre form swi about thin one thi s o r a t t w at o en y i e e a n r t s. ; whether the sum now asked for was the same as c last year. I oiistnee of Parliament unless they showed themselves tua- 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 1 and therefore he put it to the noble lord, in the interest of an d no p a rt of the ' the universities themselves, whether he would not fix some eeactly the same as that of last . year ; definite period within which, if they did not reform them money went to the detective police. selves, he would think it his duty to ask for the assistance The vote was then agreed to. Votes of 216,4201., for providing stationery, printing, of Parliament. (Hear.) and paper for the two House s of Parliament, and Lord J. RUSSELL, with regard to this vote, must be binding, the several departments of Government in England, Scot- allowed to mention that it had been stated by the univer and, Ireland, and the colonies, and of 16,0001. for law sities themselves that they felt aggrieved by the stamp charges paid by the Solicitor to the Treasury in England, duties payable on taking degrees. They considered they W ere agreed to withou t discussion. were more burdened by this public taxation than benefited On a sum of 17,700 1 . being proposed for sheriffs' ex- by the votes annually made by the House of Commons. p ense s, officers of the C ourt of Exchequer, Rec. This was the statement he had heard, and he would say so Mr. WISE, Lord D. STUART, and Mr. M. CHAMBERS far as this, that the whole of the question as to this vote severally expressed a wish to know how this sum, which and the burdens upon the universities should be considered seemed a large one , wa s appropriated . „ by the Government. If any arrangement could be arrived Lord J. RUSSELL said it was principally a sum which at by which the present vote should be rendered unneces had been usually paid to sheriffs for charges which they in- sary, he should be very glad • ' but at present the vote carr ed in the execution of their office, which they paid out could not be renounced, as it had been adopted on the of their own pockets in the first instance, and of which faith of arrangements made by former governments. He they s uosequently rendered an account. did not think he had ever stated that if they thought it The vote was then agreed to. necessary the Government would propose within one or A vote of 8,8301. was then proposed to defray the charges two years a measure for the management of the universities. of the salaries of the Commissioners of the Courts for the He said he did not think it expedient to proceed at present Relief of Insolvent Debtors. --meaning in the present session, but beyond the present After a short discussion the vote was agreed to. session he held the Government to be perfectly free to act The next vote was for a sum of 107,4051. to defray the as should seem best. law expenses of Scotland. Sir R. INGLIS said the Crown, in its liberality, had in On the proposal of a sum of 56,950/. to defray the charges former years either founded these professorships, or largely of criminal prosecutions in Ireland, endowed them out of Crown property, and if Parliament Colonel DUNNE said that he considered that if the had thought fit to take that property, subject to all charges tern of equalisation of taxation were adopted with respect upon it, it was a little too much to attempt now to violate to Ireland, the same principle of equality ought to be ap- a bargain made with the Crown at the time.. About 20 plied to the expenses of the country, and particularly in years ago another hon. member for Lambeth brought the e the case of criminal prosecutions and law charges, and he ward a proposition of this kind, and Mr. Springßice, th would be glad to receive an assurance from the Govern- present Lord Monteagle, then one of the Lords .d of the b anent that the same principle should be applied with regard Treasury, laid on the table the documentary evidence, the iaet y . to the charges of prosecution in Ireland as prevailed in which what he had just stated was proved . to b England. With regard to the sums paid by the universities in stamps Mr. M‘MAHON trusted that some alteration would be for degrees, his noble friend the First Minister in that made in the present system with regard to the appoint- house had stated it was double the amount t r t e h ceived for t • tent of Crown prosecutors. He believed that at present p aid in If the Government woul ac e amoun the failure of Justice was in too many instances to be Paul in .stam . ps for degrees the University of Oxford would traced to the fact of effete nominees of the Attorney-Gene- not be indisposed to re-consider the receipt of the smaller rat having to contend with young, active, and more expo. sum to the professors. But as to adopting the professorial rienced men than themselves. system, admitting persons to residence not attached to any Mr. BROTHERTON wished to know if the h on. and college, e and destroying the wills of the founders, as sug - He gallant member for Portarlington would wish t o see e q ua- g tedy b his noble friend, he couldonly repeat what he lity between the two countries carried out so as to include had already said, such a change was veryimprobable. the payment o f th e c o nstabulary in Ireland from local rates would divide against the amendment of the hon. member Si as in this country, rather than be borne as at p resent by foa . L . ambeth. Sir DE LACY EVANS thought the Universities of Ox the Consolidated Fund? Colonel DUNNE would have no objection to that change, ford and Cambridge stood on a very . different . footing from provided everything else were placed upon the same the University of London, for which a similar vote would next be taken. Oxford and Cambridge had very large footing. Sir J. YOUNG thought that the whole sub j ect of the Property belonging to them, and the system of education there was most expensive. It was very proper to promote local taxation of Ireland was a question well worthy the attention of gentlemen connected with Ireland, and pro- the education of the people, but the most opulent classes raised the best consideration of the Government to any of the country received their education at Oxford and well-considered proposition on th e sub j ect. He was not Cambridge, and the charges were abundantly large. Know m prepared to agree in the conclusion of the hon. member for Wexford (Mr. M Mahon), as , to the propae:y of adopting , possessed many sinecure appointments, and that the higher in Ireland the same system as that which 1 revailed in En6v. classes alone were educated within their walls, he did land with respect to puulie prosecutio ns, rather than the ; think it inconsistent to ask the public to contribute Be* ono which at present existed there , and which had been I sum of 2,0001. under the name of professors. found to work so well in Scotland. He thought it desir- Mr. A. PELLATT agreed that the University of London , was on a very different footing from the Universities of able that there should be public officers in Ireland t o con duct prosecutions ; but did nut consider that the present , Oxford and Cambridge. The latter not only excluded s stem was aeffect one, i those who could not conform to the established religion of Mr. SCULLY y trusted that the attention of the Govern- i , the country, but prevented any divulgement of facts with ment would be directed to sonic mode of making the office i regard to finances and endowments, by the imposition of of Crown prosecutor in Ireland more efficient than it was oaths. They ought to look with great jealousy on societies at present. : that would not give the slightest information as to what The vote was the agreed to. . were their incomes, or how they were derived. They must A sum of 36,01 d/. was next proposed for defraying the assume that their resources were abundant, and, therefore, expenses of the metropolitan police force in Dublin. i a contribution from the State unnecessary. He was a :IT.. WILIAAMee ebjeeted to the vote on the ground great friend to education, and was glad to see the system Laat the expenses of that force, in a. iditieu to that of the , of instruction by professors extended, but he thought the c netaeulaey, ought nut to be borne by the Consolidated Universities of Oxford and Cambridge had money enough Filed. 1 of their own, and should oppose the vote. The vote was as agreed to, as was also a vote for 240,060/. Mr. W. WILLIAMS would not divide the committee to defray charges formerly borne upon the county rate. if he had the assurance of the noble lord that the Govern- On the proposal to vote a sum of 16,830/. for the charges went would take these matters into consideration. of inspection and general superintendence over all the pri- Mr. H. DRUMMOND thought the argument of the hon. sons o f the Unit d Kingdom, baronet the member for the University of Oxford had been Mr. LUC,A Ssu e . gested the postponement of the vote, on either entirely evaded or overlooked. The argument was account of the importance of the subject—and which at 1 this—That this sum was the property of the universities ; that hour of the night could not be fully di mme d— as ' that it was granted by the Crown ; that Parliament chose affecting prisoners of the Roman Catholic persuasion. to take upon themselves the payment of sums for which Sir J. YOUNG said it was important that the votes I the Crown was pledged ; and now, having done that, they wanted to break the bargain, and come and talk there of should be proceeded with, an d if there was any inforina time which the hon. member might require on the subject, honour and integrity. (Hear, hear.) he should be happy to a ff or d it hi m . Mr. W. WILLIAMS asked, if this sum were granted by Sir DE LAC a' EVANS app roved of the consideration of the Crown, wh y the vote was taken for it annually, why it this question bei ng d e l a y e d, on the ground that it was not was not placed on the Civil List ? There would be a similar expected that the house would have got into committee of vote for Scotch universities, but there was property in supply so early. Scotland belonging to the Crown, which produced an an- Lord J. RUSSELL admitted that if the previous busi- nual revenue to the State, and, therefore, to that vote he ness upon the paper had occupied the greater portion of did not object. . the evening, it would have been necessary to postpone the Mr H. DRUMMOND reminded the bon. member the. committee of supply ; but, having got into the committee Parliament took the property of the Crown with all its incumbrances, and now it was proposed to repudiate the of supply, he could not admit the necessity of not going on. incumbrances and. break the bargain they had made. They were now going through the votes regularly, and he hoped that if honourable members had objections to any (Hear, hear.) was then agreed o, as were particular votes votes they would now statehem. Notice had The vo t o 3,955/. for the expenses of t the universities of London. been given that the house would go into supply this 8,0261. for g rants to Scottish universities. t. ceeitig. 31r. WILLIAMS said he should object to any votes :.'.oo'. for the Royal Irish Academy. 3001. for the Royal Hibernian Academy. being taken after twelve o'clock. [lt was now a quarter to eleven.] On the proposal to vote 2,7501. for the salaries of theolo ei _ _I T- I/ llitia-77,T_T......._,,,,-3 , -.1 0 .- -.4..--.....•-..,..0 M n a : dy nem e ciceel e enpfoaggg i 4 kifae and for the retired allowances ge n as such but to public money TUTU, an therefore, no other course was left open to him, 1 being given for religious teaching of ' any kind. In consis he should take a division to-night, and the discussion on tency, therefore they were bound to refuse this vote. the br:neine e a up of the report. (A laugh.) He moved that 1 Sir R. INGLIS s a id th e h on. member could only answer the chairm an repor t progress. for himeeli and the views w hi c h di c t a t e d hi s vote, b ut he, Lord J. RUSSELL h a d no objection to take the discus- for one, ' had never scrupled to declared he objected to pay- Sion on the bringing up of the report; but he could n o t I itig any money for teaching that which he conscientiously conSCllt, to stop the progress of the committee now, merely - disapproved. In conscience he disapproved of the teaching because the honourable gentleman asnot ready to ma k e in Maynooth, and on that ground he objected to the with regard to Maynooth • but that was not the ground on hie s',etement. vote dos vote which he conceived himself justified in objecting to any 1 was then agreed to. On the next vote, flat the sum of 407,6671., be granted to defray the charge of the Government prisons and convict other vote on the table of the house. Mr. A. PELLATT said the great objection of the Non establishments a t h ome conformists was t o an y a ll owance o f t h e State for the , Mr. LUCAS moved that the chairman do report pro- I teaching of religion, and, therefore, he should join in press. • (Cries of " oh, oh.") Lord J. RUSSELL t rus t e d th e comm i ttee would not voting against this sum . The CHAIRMAN asked if the hon. member proposed to agree to the proposal. (Hear, hear.) There was certainly di v ide ? no reason for rep or ti ng progre sso early as eleven o'clock. Mr. MIALL said he s h ou ld cer t a i n l y di vide the corn- case a Mr. LUCAS sa id th e no bl e l ord had put the c mittee upon the whole o f thi s c l ass o f vo t es. he (Mr. Luc as ) was no t prepare d to bring on the question. f l i,e Strangers (t were ordered to withd raw , an d th e committee He had not p u t it on th a t ground, but upon that it would l ea d t o a longer debate thantliere the was tune 1 di For the vote fo r this evening, and because several hon. gentlemen who Against it. wished to take part in the discussion were now absent. In the details appended to the vote he found several sums, amounting to 4,520/., for chaplains and other religious in structors in these prisons. In the vote for Irish prisons evens were included for Protestant chaplains, for Roman Catholic Chaplains, and for Presbyterian chaplains , in other words, in Ireland th e f ac t was recognised that there' were criminals of different religious, and some sort of pro vi.don was thus made for their religious instru c ti on an d re formation. But in th e vote for Govern went • ‘ pls./12s in England not a single sixpence was asked for the payment of iceman Catholic c h ap l a i ns, nor was anything paid i n the local or county prisons f or R oman Catholic cha p lains, iheueh a large sum was proposed t o b e vo t e d f or 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 s e n t t o hi m every year, ami a n y alterations, amendments, or additions which he made were obligatory and binding upon the local. authorities. County prisons, as well as Government pri sons, were therefore, as regarded this question, under the maagement of the Home Secretary. What provision, then, was made for the religious instruction of Roman Catholic prisoners ? None either in England or Semi tied—with the exception of Millbank. Now he wanted to have a tunity of laying th e w h o l e o f t hi s case before thellooefspe°l - detail, for it was i m p oss ibl e, w i t h out discussion, that so gross an injustice and absurdity should continue to be per petrated. The moti ve f or pr i son di sc i pline 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 part of gentlemen who took the same - Ideeeelf_ He had, therefore, .no alternative but t o press his motion. To tw ee tn . e• • 1 ,174. ,,, T. 11111.4 *oz.," +11,,, dis cussion afterwards was an absurdity, and he had only pro posed it by way of joke. Mr. V. SMITH said the proposition to report progress was unreasonable and unusual. At the same time, if the honourable gentlem an was d e t erm i ne d to state the case on this motion, as well as on the bringing up of the report the loss of time w ou ld b e very great. Under such cir cumstances, therefore, it wou ld b e b e t ter 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 120,000/. in the vote for s p ec i a l serv i ce to provide of p commodation for convicts, in consequence of the Isa - Hoe of transportation. The re h a d b een no discussion in his house on that subject; and, from what had passed in another place, it seas 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 views were with regard to secondary punishments. Lord J. RUSSELL had no objection to the course sug gested by his right hon. friend. (Hear, hear.) With re gard to the important subject alluded to by his right hon. friend, it was undoubtedly desirable that on some rather early occasion the views of the Government should be stated in_ t this house on the ques ti on o f t ranspor t a ti on. (Hear.) subject would be nece s s ar y before long to brin g i n a bill on th a t ; and in moving for such a bill the views of the Go vernment , rnment would be stated by hi s no bl e f r i en d th e Secre tary of State for the Home Department. The vote . The _ was then withdrawn. following votes were next agreed to without discus sion :- 160,4651. for the expense of the maintenance of prison ers in county gaols, t h e philanthropic institution and ts. • lunatic asylums, and th e expenses o f t h e removal of ccon -69,5181. for expenses connected with the transportati on of convicts. 244,154/, for the expense of the convict establishments in the colonies. 260,0001. for public education in Great 182,0731., the sum requixed by the Britain. tionad Education in Ireland. - e s el amaissioners of Zsr a . d art, including 44,476/. for the department of s e e m , eaannd Ireland, and geo l o gical survey of Great Britain museums of geology, London and Dublin. 6,3401. for the expenses of the Royal Dublin Society, On the motion that 2,006/. be voted to defray thl e of the salaries and allowances granted to ce r t a i n areal. charge iti the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge ' - ess era Mr. WILLIAMS objected to the vote. lie understood _ s that the income of one colle g e was 150,000/. p e r annii , and that of another 130,0001. p er annum; and he had go Hesitation in saying that establishments possessing suc h vast amounts of wealth ought to be ashamed of co min a upon the public taxes for the se votes. A return obtainea 4i few Pan Ago ahowod that ouly two, thioo, or Am? “ 42 _ 130 21 Majority 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 large, and the number of persons' livelihoods which it affected so numerous. The sum of 1,700,000/. 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 a ll oca t e th e amount which they should re ce i ve ? 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 al6v the liberty of the subject. Ir. 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, and 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 ad m itt e d th a t th e h on. gentleman pro posed to give the supreme 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 bis remarks, he would jut 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, 117,000/. ; 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 352,500/. ; the annual cost for 7,000 horses was 272,0001.; the wear and tear, 50,0001.; and, including the duty, the whole expense was upwards of 700,0001.—making a total amount of nearly 2,500,0001. The duty paid by these vehicles amounted to nearly 300,0001., whilst the duty paid by all the railways did not amount to more than 262,0001. Where the property and the livelihood and liberty of so many persons were involved, he thought he had shown a case for the motion, with which he would now conclude— (namely, that the bill be referred to a select committee. Hear, hear.) Lord D. STUART seconded the amendment. There was xa great p re j udice against people connected with hackney xineameannrdonthoerbad an doubt most honourable with ble a memberscabm cabman — a ca t laugh)-13-1A that ought not to prevent the house looking bcarillewfullanyelnl2nt.h! bill and amending its provisi ons . Th e a sidnation of,l_nplute detail s th a t i t required the n of "°'°9l, c oululittee. who would bestow uron PrE'vt THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 20, 185 3. 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 best consideration in their power. He cordially seconded the amendment. Mr. FITZROY thought the house would agree with him that no sufficient case had been male out for referring the bill to a committee up stairs. The mover thean seconder of the amendment had only proved that they d 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 was not considered necessary to send it to a committee ap 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 300,000,00 pas sengers were 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 p r oprietors had to say. He admitted, at the s ame 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 s M tairs. r. 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 w:lich 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 lie should, therefore, vote in favour of referring it to a select committee. Mr. LOCKE thought thst 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 commit tee 107 Against it 23 Majority The house then went into committee on the bill pro forint/. 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 GEOR GE 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. ( From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons. (In Committee of Supply.) Motion made, and question proposed — " That a sum, not . 4 . 1132. MUM iils6YUtt iLdA -Pari, a sum, not exceeding 44,364/. 75., 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. Spooner). . _ Afterwards, motion made, and question put—" That a sum, not exceeding 44,1081. ls. 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 Bagge, %V. Keating H. Scubell, Capt. Bailey, U J Kendall, N. Seymour, W. D. Bell, J. Kershaw, James Shelley, Sir J. V. Biggs, William Kiunaird, A. F. Stuart, Lord D. Cobbett, J. Morgan Lee, W. Swiit, R. Crain urd, E. Lucas, F. Tollemache, John ;.rummond, H. Macgregor, James waln.siey, Sir J. Dunc,ii, G. M"faggart, Sir J. Will:Anson, W. A. Fox, W. J. al tin, John Will anis, thus. Peer Freestun, Colonel Massey, %V. Wise, A Goodman, , ir George Miall, Edward Nadi:lc:ld, George Milligan, Robert liastie, Alexia:lol:r Mich di, W. Ilastie, Archibald l'akington, Sir John Spooner, Richard highs, Sir R. 11. Pellati Ap•ley Williams, W. TILLEIB. MAjOICITY-NOES, 80 I .1c1, , n.% Jr , T. I loyer, J. Phillips, John Henry A't ourt, C. Fox, 1:. M Po A er, N. AI bu, Imott, General Frewen, C. H. Free, ,iir It. Atherton, Win. Gladstone, William liVai do. 0. Baines, M . T. Gore. W. 0. Robertson, P. F. Larrow, W. 11 . , Graham, slr Janies lius,ell. Lord J. Berkeley, Guinvil:e Gre.: ILL, J. Scott, F. Bez lull, Richard Gwyn, Howel She,, V.. Bowyer, tie .rge Hamilton, Lord C. Smith, Wm. M. Btotherton. Joseph Haunter, Sir J. Strutt, Edwird Buck, Lewis W. Beard, J L Taylor, CJ. ! oiler, Charles S. Ileecby, D. O'Connor Thicknesse, R. A. Butt, (ho. Medd Herbert, Sidney Thornely, T. Cairns, IL. M`Calmont Ilervey, Lord Alfred Towneley, C. Cardweil, E. Ingham, I , obert Turner, C. Chambers, M. Jones, Capt. Vance. J. Charteris, F. Keating, Robert Vansittart, G. H. Child, Smith Lockhart, W. Verner, Sir W. Clay, Sir W. ' Long, W. Walcot, Adm. Clinton, Lord C. P. Lowther, Colonel Wilson, James Cockburn, Sir Alex. 3PGregor, John Woodd, B. Corry, H. L. Malins, It. Wynne, W. Cowper, W. Alasterman, J. Wyvill, M. Davies, D. Molesworth, Sir W. Young, Sir I. Dent, J. Monsell, William Fagan, W. 3lurrough, J. F. Fitzgerald, J. Osborne, Ralph Fitzroy, Hon. H. Peel Frederick TELLXI9 _llayter, llon. W. Malgrave, Earl Question put—" That a sum, not exceeding 44,3641. Th., be granted to her Majesty, to defray the expense of re pairing and maintaining the several public buildi ngs i n 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, Howel Montgomery, Sir G. Arbuthnot, Gen. Radeteid, Georize Packington, sir J. Bagge, W. Hamilton, Lord C. Pdllatt, A Mille, H. nestle, Alexander Minn, T. Barrow, Wm. H. Hastie, Archibald Robertson, P. F. Bell, James Inglis, Sir R. H. Scobell, Captain Biggs, William Jones, Captain Scott, Francis Buck, Lewis W. Jones, D. Seymour, W. fl Butler, Charles Keating, H. S. Shelley, Sir J. V. Butt, G. M. Kendall, Nicholas Smith, W. Cairns, H. M'Calmont Kershaw, James Smollett, A Chambers, 51 ontagu Kinnaird, A. F. Stuart, Lord Dudley Child, Smith Lee, W, Taylor, Col. Clinton, Lord C. Lockhart, W. Tollemache, J. Cobbett, J M. Long, W. Turner, C. Corry, Henry Lowry Lowther, Colonel Vance, J. Crauford, E. H. J. Macgregor, James Vansittart, George H Davies, D. Macgregor, John Verner, Sir W. Drummond, Henry 31•Titzgart, Sir J. Walcott, Adm. Duncan, George Melina, Richard ; Williams, W. Ferguson, Joseph Martin, John Wood, B. Floyer, John Massey, W. N. Wynne, Wm. W. E. Fox, W. J. Masterman, John Freestun, Colonel Miall, E. , TELLEU. Goodman, Sir G. Milligan, R. Spooner, R. Gore, W. Michell, W. Frewen, C. H. MINORITY—NOES, 54. Acland, Sir T. Greene, J. Shee, W. A'Court, C. Helmer, Sir John Struts, Rt. Hon. E. Atherton, Wm. Heard, J, Swiit, R. Baines, M. T. Henchy, D. O'Connor Tancred, Henry Win. Berkeley, Grenville Herbert, Sidney Thicknesse, R. A. Bethell, Richard Hervey, Lord Alfred Thornely, T. Bower, G. Hutt, William Towneley, C. Brady, John Ingham, Robert Walmsley, Sir J. Brotherton..T. Keating, R. Wilkinson, W. Cardwell, Hon. E. Lucas, F. Wilcox, B. C4arteris, 1. Molesworth, Sir W. Wilson, J. Clay. Sir William Monsell, W. Winnington, Sir T. E Cock bum, Sir A. Murrough, J. P. Wyvill, Marmadake Crowder, R. Osborne, Ralph Young, Sir John Dent, J. Peel, F. Faqati, W. Philipps, J. H. Fitzroy, Henry Power, N. Fox, R Price, Sir R. Gladstone, William Ricar•lo, 0. Hayter. W. G. Graham, Sir J. Russell, Lord J. Mul;rave, Earl TELLERS. INTERESTING INCIDENT IN AEROSTATICS.—On Wed nesday evening Mr. Henry Coxwell's balloon, from the Grecian, in the City-road, and Mr. Hampton's, from the Rosemary Branch. ascended within a few minutes of each other, and started, to all appearance, for a balloon race. Mr. Coxwell's, however, on attaining a greater elevation, turned off into an opposite current—a circum stance, it appears, pronounced by that scientific aeronaut, before starting, to be probable, Mr. Coxwell having made careful experiments with pilot balloons in the course of the afternoon, to ase,ertain the exact s tat e o f the upper currents. oth balloons were up for a long time ; and the view was =away interooting, FREN2H PLAYS. MR. MITCHELL'S 13 ,, ,NtFIT.—WEDNESDAY NEXT. Under the Gracious Patronage of Her Majesty. MR. MITCHELL respectfully announces that h:s fi ENEFIT is fixed ;o take place on WEDNESDAY next, May 25th, 1853, oil which occasion will be presented, for that }fight only, Vie (avourite Comedy of LE MARIA A LA CAMPAG and (for the I.st time it can berepeated) LE BONHOSIME JADIS, in which Mons. Regnier w:11 repeat his admirable performanQe of " Le Bonhomme Jadis ;" being also the last night but Two of the Comedy Performances. Mr. ditched solicits the favour of an early application for boxes and stalls Royal Wrary, 33, Old Bondstreet, 19th May, 1853. TH E ART RC Y AL, H Y. 14 AREET Under the managenunt of Mr. Bnekstone. THIS ETSNIN , :, MAY 20. Will bs produced (6th tuna, THE MOUSETMA.P. Characters by Messrs. Tilbury, Chippendale, Roger.,, Buckstone, W. Farrell, and Edwards ; Mrs. Poynter, Masses A. Woulds, Louisa Howard, Mrs. Fitzwilliam, and Mrs. Stanley. After which, MR. BUCKSTONE'S ASCENT OF MOUNT PAR NASSU., To conclude with THE SHERIFF OF THE COUNTY. Sup ported by Messrs. Tilbury, Rogers, H. Corti, Compton, and 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. T. P. Cooke, Wright, Meadows, Manvera, Graham, Everett, F. Cooke, and Saker ; Mrs. V. Lacy 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 Rosters; Mrs. Macnamara and Miss Wyndham. After which, A FAST TRAIN—HIGH PRESSURE EXPRESS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, Boller, and Suter. To he followed by (2d time) nit LAWYERS. Characters by Messrs. C. Mathews, F. Mathews, 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. Proprietor, Mr. B. Wenter. —Directress, Madame Celeste. THIS EVENING, MAY 29, 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, Cullcnford, and H. Bed ford ; Madame Celeste, Mrs. Keeley, Miss Mary Keeley and Miss Woolgar. After which, A DESPERATE GAME. To conclude with THE DANCING SCOTCHMAN. ROYAL OLYMFIC THEATRE. Lessee and Manager Mr. Farren. THIS EVENING, MAY 20, Will be performed THE MILLER OF DERWENT WATER. Characters by Messrs. H. Farren, F. RobsOn, Shalders, and G. Cooke ; Mesdames Anderton and E. Turner. After which, UNCLE CROTCHET. Supported by Mr. Far rell, &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 Freelove, Mr. H. Marston; Lady Freelove, Miss H. Gordon. ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke. THIS EYENING, MAT 20, And during the week, the Entertainments will commence with an enti , ely new Hippo Dunne (in Two Acts), with new scenery, cos tumes, and appointments, written expressly for this Theatre by Mr. W. E. Suter, illvstratinq a Sporting Man's Career, and entitled THE CHASE, er LIFE ON THE 'TURF—in which will be represented a FOX CHASE, with REAL FOX and HOUNDS, the Race, Steeplechase, &c., To be followed by a display of Equestrian Achievements in the ARENA, introducing th , accomplished Artistes of the Establish ment and Mr. Cooke's h 10y-trained Horses and Ponies. In conse • quenue of the unusually brilliant Arena Performances, they will ter minate the Evenings' En:ertalnments. i; ir-ot , :to,er open daily /rem Eleven to Four. Stage Manager, Mr. W. West. ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS. Open for the Season. Thg Zo&ogical Col ecti , m conta , ns a variety of interesting speci mens, and the Gardens throughout have been Improved ard t•eaut,tied. The Pictorial lteprse.:tatiou Is an extensive VIEW of the BAY and FORTS of CHU-4N, painted by Messrs. Danson, and at dusk is represented the attack of the Chin. se fire-rafts on the lir.ti-11 fleet, explo,non-h.ps, -Grind Voc.il and Instrumental Concert. Engagen , ent of the ciniti,iit vocalist, Mi,s Cicely Nott. Cductor, Mr. Godfrey. -- An extra Military Bawl (Intim,' the day tim on e ; and at dusk a grand display of Fireworks. combined with the Feast of Las terns and other displays.—Doers open trona 9 in th, 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 lati,,ude. HASTlNGS—Calm—cloudless. SOUTHAMPTON— N.W., strong breeze—cloudless. FOLKESTONE--S.W., gentle breeze—overcast. TUNBRIDGE—S.W., gentle breeze—overcast.BASlNGSTOKE—N.V., gentle breeze—) xtially cloudy. GREENWICH—S.W., gentle b_ee-e—cloud l ess. STROO 7—W. gentle breeze—pi. Lially do ady. SWINDON—IV., light breeze—cloudless. YARM UTH—N.W., calm—cloudless. LANCASTER—W., calm—partially cloudy. WHITEY—N., gentle breeze—cloudless. DARLINGTON—N.N.E., gentle breeze—cloudless. SHAP—S., calm—partially cloudy. The returns from the following places indicate the state of the weather on Wednesday morning at nine o'clock LIMERICK—E., calm—partially cloudy. STROOD—N., gentle breeze—cloudless. YARI CTII—E., gentle breeze—cloudless. HOLYHEAD-E., gentle z t e ffi LANCASTER—S.W., calm—cloudless. erll evening 0 min.aft. 0 after n Evening WIIITBY—E., entle breeze—cloudless. 28 JD iu.aft. 12 i g THE WEATHER.-SUN OFFICE, MAY 20. THERMOMETER, IN THE SHADE. 71—highest since noon yesterday. 47—lowest this morning and during the night. 60- , ttis day at noon. BAROMETER, 3015.—going up. WIND, S.E.—Fine breeze, and sunshiny weather. THE PUBLICATION OF " THE SUN" COMMENCES EVERY AFTERNOON AT THREE O'CLOCji, AND THII LATE OR THIRD EDITION, CONTAINING THE EBATES IN PARLIAMENT THE SAME EVENING, all other News arriving up to the hour of Post, AT SEVEN O'CLOCK. EXPRESS EDITIONS will h fo_►-warded after the Post is closed by the Latest Trains. uno 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 even 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 re eetings 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 HILL, 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 frill 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 effort 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 ret urns demanded, and the search ing investigation in to the most private affairs of the merchant or tr Lder, conducted, perhaps, under the direction of a rival in business, is in many quarters regarded as even more objectionable. laliiTr en it r.r.4-1,, 111 the - ThitiMere is a m ost invidious exposure of cir cumstances—an posure that may be productive of ruinous results, which brings the party into immediate collision with the assessor, and to a certain extent su . bjects 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 fandholder or landowner, sees that an opportunity is afforded of rectifying the evil by making a fal: le return of his profits a 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 thence forward becomes an habitual violater of the lay r, which he never would have transgressed but fo r its manifest injustice. It is no trivial matter t o inducesuch proceedings, or to lead men of good i 3haracter and conduct in other matters into deceit and fraud. Let it not be sur posed that we are in any degree justifying such eiro neous returns, or the obtaining of even a just exem iption by such improper means. Far from it. So mg as the system, iniquitous and atrocious as i t unquestionably is, is sanc tioned by law, it sl could be respected, or at least not directly transgi vssed—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 reti erns constitute the rule and not • the exception. Th at there are such cases is -un- : fortunately a matte r of but too painful notoriety, but, we believe tb at the general body act with strict honour and ii utegrity, 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 aro iment to show that the oppor tunity for conceal anent is afforded, and that it is occasionally to en advantage of, while that there is no such Ma bility under a Property Tax, properly so called, or that if the attempt be made, there are facilities :for detection, which even the most audacious wouild not willingly encounter. These assertions are corroborated by the evidence of the most experienced officers of the Inland Revenue. Thus, fox instance, Mr. PRESSLY de clares :—" At pres erit everything being charged at its first source, we are quite sure of the tax on every penny ; we get , every penny upon the divi dend, and every penvvy 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 (i!iscleswre 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, 33, 0, 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 b a easily conceived when it is borne in mind that the returns under all the other schedules are made by disinterested parties, but under schedule 130 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. PRESS LY) may be considered con clusive. He says—" I think there has been great evasion on the subjoct ; 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 4 has operated so ir2jurionsly on the middle clasgcs. But it may be said—Would you then exempt all trades and professions—the entire of Schedule D _404 the tax I By no mean% We Would charge parties fairly on the amount of capital en gaged in their business, whatever might be 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 I 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, ,0 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 ; arid 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 muss have listened with no ordinary pleasure the other night to the praises of Mr. LUCAS. The marvel is that Mr. DUFYY did not "rise in his place" and accuse the Noble Lord of openly bribing the Irish Members. Lord JOHN 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 , .•77.1 ,0 t - diSt 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 one 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 nunneri es ,t o 75 , containing together upwards 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 ancl 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 wo 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. CHAMBER.' 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 ; bnt 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 aliiiity 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 ae Peculiarly fitted for the officc_cf City chamberlain. BANKRUPTCY COURT.-(THIS DAY.) (Before Mr. Commissioner Goulburn.) IN BE MORTON. This bankrupt was described as of Belgrave-squaret bill discounter, &c., and to-day was appointed for the certificate meeting. Mr. Drew, Basinghall-street, prepared the balance' sheet, from which it appears that bankrup t owed 2,000/4 and had petitioned the Court. His Honour said he considered the proceedings were against the bankruptcy law, —in short, it was a feir raud for the law said that no person should apply on heir 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 soin, e advantage might arise to the creditors. He would therefore, adjourn the - consideration of the case for fortnight, and protection would be oranted for that time. The case was considered of considerable importance as many bills had been discounted for the aristocraeY. THE MEDITERRANEAN. SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY, MAY The Peninsular and Oriental Company's stearning)ir Indus, Captain John Soy, arrived here this morn bai bringing the Southampton portion of th e East l China, and Mediterranean mails, in charge of Lieutennn Brown, R.N., Admiralty agent. a nd Her dates are—Alexandria, May 6 ; Malta , 9 ; Gibraltar, 14. The freight list includes 41 bale s of sync:4B 367 bales and 6 cases of silk, 110 bales of cottony bales of flax, 10 cases of corahs, 114 cases of s hawls/ boxes of lemons, 3 chests of oranges, 6 cas ks of elei phants' tusks, 6 casks of wine, and 183 !pa ckages ° merchandise, baggage, &c. Among the 147 passengers brought by this steenler are—Lady and Miss Thackwell, the Hon. Mr. Ell e r : Captain Seymour, R.N., Captain Stephenson Calcutta; • R. Stephenson, and Captain Drummond, from Calcuttaht Colonel Stratton, Major de Butts, and Captain t mit from Madras ; Captain Tylee, from Hong Kong, o e ' t th e Great disappointment will, no doubt, be felt _,d fact of this steamer not having brought the eq : env; d - ; mail from Australia. The cause,has not been exPi a ' n fn but it appears that the Peninsular and Oriental C°T:e pany's steamer which it was arranged should Dr i a Sydney on the 20th of February, has not arriveu, lo - . Singapore. It is thought most probable that the 01 '„ ; !. big advices will be received by the next Overland nli7; as the steamer, from bad weather, or f ro m s ome cause, had most likely been prevented from reaching gapore in time to reach the steamer thence for CeY l ,„ °° ; : o The intelligence brought by this steamer from -;00, and China has been anticipated by the overland el to published in The Sun on Monday last. The insn s, Calcutta has been brought through to SouthaniP tnn little under 40 days. THE PACIFIC. SOUTHAMPTON, Aft - „ 19. re' By the Royal mail steam-ship Orinoco we the ceived our usual advices and files of journals fro , i 7 1 Pacific ports. The dates from Valparaiso ar e to tiln li o of April. The reception of the President of the °Po Republic, during his tour in the southern provincegtoi• been most enthusiastic. He was daily expected t ie to paraiso, where great preparations were being 0 o rtS receive him. A statement of the gross value of tom /012thog during the year 1852 had been issued, showing a off of $540,986, when compared with 1851. TAP E The French corvette Prudente had sailed from t or raise for Guayaquil, rumour stated to dema nd sn fross tion for the insult received by tie Consul of Fran ce the Government of the State. s t y 11 19 Letters from Islay state that a treaty of anla n 'iat th been signed between Peru and Ecuador, settliniUtios, difficulties that had arisen out of the Flores expel sr The celebrated Italian Republican Garibaldi o f * rived at Valparaiso in the humble capacity of Pilot merchant-vessel. en v President Urbina was, at the latest accounts, 11,700/ in Guayaquil, and it was reported that revolul'olto movements had been manifested in di ff erent p arts ° Republic. der In Copiapo some new silver mines have bean covered, and others have yielded considerably- 1 0 The copper mines in Coquimbo are wo rked . t t he much success. The Intendant was about to iv' province. VOUBT OLBUULA.B. • Ol/ It is understood that the christening of hlp s cig , Highness the infant Prince will take place on also the 28th of June, instead of Monday , the 27%;.itik that the second State Ball will take place 00,Th'eglit the Ist of July ; and the last Concert on W - pal the 6th of July, the Ball and Concert having beef:tor poned respectively from the 2 9 th of June and the „ July. I SBORNB. Tl lll. th 00' O 1 -4 1, Oa Her Royal Highness tha Duchess of Sec' a , sP r' Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe, attende d by LisceJoioser Maria Dawson and Lieutenant-Colone l F. .. t 'to 1 ' arrived at Osborne yesterday afternoon on a vi 1 tee Majesty. tbs ti l3i in H th er e R it o o y y a a l l ii y ig a l c i h n t es F s Wharf, East Cowes, at half-past two o'clock. te a ba acirryor aneddo:laenrdfreodmarthile .p,--1-4,.4, Senor Isturiz, the Spanish Minister, trans° ,1 1 1 ness yesterday at the Foreign-office. 1 , Col. 1 A_deputation from the Southampton Doc' . . •"" 0 4 -- (deputy chamta6), -11r iMntrerlivieewnleNvy Smit h- ith the Willc 6 x, M P '&lireetcr)'ol all R (s ig o h li t ci n to o r n t . o th E.c e p ar . c d o w . m el g teit i" A l °V the T h ß e o c aa. h . d an o c f e T ll r o a r d o e f . terday from a visit to the H el on. Mrs. o le r the Fache uer arrived in to 4, Or Talbot at bridge. i i s Coli A deputation from the City Terminus II 3 ,,,i' 1i- rcl 11 c „ pany had an interview with the Right Hon. D' 4 0 0 09 "; yesterday at the Board of Trade. The deput‘ntros?,' sisted of Mr. Aryton (chairman), Messrs. iii`r i , - c toi l l' Burchell, Tyler, Lucas, Haghe, and White ( 1 : 1 ;`, 1. :,t). Mr. Burchell (solic:tor) and Mr. Stevens (archl"eter Dispatches were received at the Colonial -office *eg, day from the Governors of West Australia, e re l i r, Ceylon, the M aur iti us , an d M alta. D i spa t c hes "i s il,ol' -- received from the Governors of the West Inclii6 I'A CI - • „ f POLICE ,ortriev; , 0; APPOINTMENT.—Mr. Inspector e, ...-- a ny t s e u d p superintendentsuperannuation ati o n all o o w f a n the e . c, received a gold watch from her Majesty on a c h e ; o4 PI his services at the Great Exhibition of 1851 1 Pot,: retiredbee been a appointed i a n or ov• w ho P . division, in lieu of Mr. Superintendent Otwail ----T he ,-,,,TDS. _,.pty THE CLOSING OF MORE CITY BURIAL-GRO— rstp-ra parochial authorities of St. Sepulchre, Sk illne d la ° City, have received an intimation, by direction 5 0 t t° Palmerston, of his lordship's intention "to r e P re e of the her Majesty in Council that, for the protectionthe er public health, burials be discontinued- I st , W ith a val l _4 l° option of existi ng r i g ht s i n t h e c h urc hyard °°„. y. , -. of St. Sepulch re p ar i s h ; 2 d , in the Purba whoily." fool nts er PORT PHILIP. - -According to the last accou ass ng i 1 . Port Philip, it appears that a very stringent P , n e v e act had lately passed the Legislative Counel 50, p e t which all vessels landing immigrants are to P p aY su ch $ " 4 head to the Government, to provide a fund n''!„fOit t li t may fall sick or may be incapacitated by l' uo j vil . , This measure is an imitation of the systern P, ll .,,, ra bich I v ; advantage for some years at New York, an a ,,, - „, caP t4 , 4 o substituted for the practice of rendering FiZ t beco' - , 0 liable, under bond for all passengers who rilig%, : i. P . chargeable upon the city within a certain Pere opera" the same time, it is to be hoped the colonial _ n isi% ment have not taken the step viithout fully recor do t he the extent of the responsibility it involves as rg a dequ° 9o organisation both of efficient hospitals and A ° W to places of shelter. In addition to the new t ag ' shiP, a s pi was also expected to be adopted comPeln°b fat ll.'"; land their passengersand the wh ar ree l/ baggage on at p bourne, so as to put a stop to the estortioti,. .1 practised by the boatmen and lighters in th e l ipe rcol e v ed LONDON SACRED HARMONIC SociErY. an noll°, 4o the London Sacred Harmonic Society ban e , s can i 76 Haydn's oratorio, The Creation, and Dr. E' v i , e f a i e sti t , for the birth-day of her Most Gracious g 1 1 ,,,ine5,, Queen, for performance on the evening of M°' w ill u" •kete . n . ( lee the 23d inst. The proceeds a the sale ti tb° '-ora presented by the committee to Mr. Surina t n _b a ll . 00 fatigable conductor and founder of the Exe e_ cio ty 80 1 0 , 0 torsos, for valuable services rendered to the 0 .„, B ,,,ber S t° o its formation. We hear, also, that Mrs. -`-. the 0° and party will occupy the reserve seats in Pea to gallery on this occasion. Th e tribute P a d in METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS.-- sucee de _ . „..3 the genius of Mr. Bain, the first who e , aPP e ; r O applying electricity to the measurement and artieol,4 to have awakened attention to the fact Threpod, day of this grand discovery, which it is to ne 000 of t' % , tend to the advantage of the discoverer. . 11 , be en o_ , large clocks, upon which so much labour i ii i ; the wed pended, has not as was stated, been see _f a p uret:of peror fur the Palace of the Tuileries, but w' i has Pat rfit u l se° l by Mr. Futvoye, of Regent-street, Who nd give the ° determined to keep it in this country e a shortlY placid to it to the public. It will, therefore, b otion is are* the corner of Beak-street, and some l' n sidera" e , exist of regulating the clocks of a very co rac te by this novel means. f ediC al 13 se ° I. MEDICAL TIEFORM.-A meeting 0- o r ee nur po c , o f tioners was held on Wednesday n ight f ; _i; an a b ! ~.t organising measures to facilitate the passiwn...othe 0 r , Parliament during the present session,aulr3 rigoti, of securing uniformity of qualifica,tio:ona u - 4 to 1111„liegi of practise throughout the United Kin, Reforlil -P 4 '" 0' qualified medical men. The Medical ciation Woo _so Provincial Medical and Surgical Ass? corow itt . 7,7 e j cussed, and unanimously approved. .8- caster was ....elf, then appointed, of which Dr. Lan ca g r . r _ 0 11 Jones ana upOP ,i, chairman, and Dr. Dalston to urge I Pe' Powell secretaries. It was resolved.. __ reed i a te Y jert a medical practitioners the necessity ot 0 1 T__,,dical i. r' p ro . tioning Parliament to pass a measur:uti state of t ' je r aer e during the session, as, from the PresGoverninent, Aoecor• fession, and the disposition of the e cted t° f Pr scarcely be exP e o 0 t fitting opportunity could , the Colleg , „ ret ie It was stated at the meeting that t 4 to W i t sicians was in favour of the new bill, gn ats c— ea to • -fl no opposition had been offered, and feesci in expressed that this measure could . 1 tare. 1,0 ,--- • of the Legis a _ A .Aus, during the present session . s , .A.tisTlZ, . FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND A... n _ for th i .,1 , 4 , 1 1, The Free Church of Scotland is send l i v ,g , _ a „ p li- c ':_ te b tralia seventeen ministers, for each of .s r s 7 4 :,,,, s tra ; io have been received from the c oloni o t the A i ls t ' the constitute a numerous body in n' i st t hriving /1 :0 0 ° colonies, and they are among thetaso recelltilloinilo settlers. A valedictory meeting _ ~_ se( the occasion of the departure of ten of wA 9 at OM time.