The Sun. — London, England, 1847-04-23 00:00:00

RAILWAY COMMITTEES. ROUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY). GRU I. The Select Committe e appo O inte P. d to consider the merits of the Mils comprised in this group ,re-assembled at the usual hour this morning in Room 30; Mr. W. O. Stanley in the chair. TUE intaGHToiv (MID SENT) SCHEME. Mr. Sheroad's engineering evidence in favour of this line as resumed. The total cost , he estimated at 1,500,0001., xclusive of stations. The main line to Tonbridge would coat 392,M, and the branch 18,541/. The construction of the works would occupy about two years. The witness was cross-examined at considerable length by Bir. MBRREwrrimn. The Committee adjourned at the usual_ hour till twelve o'clock to-morrow (this day)' GROUP V. ,The Committ ee me t a t twelv U e this morning; present, Lord „.arry Vane, Chai rman ; H on . M. G ore , H on . M. S u tt on , a ir. Rice, and Sir E. Filmer. WINDSOR, STAINES, AND SOUTH—WES TERN (HXCHIYLON33. TO ‘TATINDSOId.). WZNESOI7., STAIN S, AND SOUTH—WES- TERM (STAINES TO ASCOT, Mr. Locke, the engineer-in -chief of the ,South-Western Company, said the principle on which he laid out the pro jects Was how far he could accommodate the district comps pobly with a great th roug h li ne. H e pre f erre d a system o f op lines for that object to one of branches. The routes now fixed on differed in several advantgeous respects from the scheme of last session. It had been laid out with a view to connect all the towns of the districts with each other. as well as with London—to give facility of communication through Wokingham to Reading, and so to the north, by a harrow gauge line, and to connect Windsor easily by the Main line of the South-Western with Southampton and P ortsmouth. It was proposed to provide depot accommoda tion at Brentford for coals brought up the river, whence t hey could be distributed through the district on the rail ; for it was supposed that the same tide would take the barge to Brentford, and perhaps the same expense as would take the coals to Nine Elms. The eat imated cost of the works for Making the new road through Windsor Park, and the bridge carrying the road to the station, as furnished by the Crown ngineer, was 20,0001., exclusive of land. The gross esti - 1 9ate on each of the two Bills was 500,000/. On the Rich- Mond and Windsor line the earthwork was 30,672/. ; bridges 3. 0 3,220/. ; pe r manent way, 118,904/. ; sidings, &c., 37,1961.; Aatt„ d 'and compensation, 131,3301.; contingencies, 78,678/. ; On the Staines and Wokingham, with branches, the earth -,Work wai ).13,729/ ; bridges, 77,485/.; permanent way. 150 ,100/. ; sidings, &c., 23,2961. •, land and compensation, 71,100 /. ; and contingencies, 64,230/. The gradients were very eas ,)--, the deepest cutting, or the highest embankment, Was 'about 20 feet. The only important bridge was that crossing the river at Richmond, which had received the sanction of the Admiralty and the other authorities. _ Mr. Tit e , surveyor to the Company, estimated the pur chaseof the l and on the Richmond and Wi ndsor li ne at 131,3301,_ e and on the Ascot line at 7.1.001. on T t t e witnesses were cross-examined at considerable length part of p r i vate proprietors, &c. The T we l ve. t4 minittee adjourned till to-morrow (this day) at GROUP VI. SALISBURY AND YEOVIL. rilt2llE ß. YEOVIL, AND DORCHESTER. tthe commencement o f th e p r oceedings this morning, . DEEDES, the Chairman of the Committee, stated that the Committee thought it desirable, in order to avoid a waste Of time to themselves and expense to the parties concerned, to state that it w as th e op i n i on o f t h e C omm itt ee that they bad heard sufficient evidence to convince them of the exist ence of a traffic between Salisbury anti Yeovil, which would Irtyrant the construction of a railway in that district. They Wished, h owever, to guard themselves against the supposi tion that they had come to any conclusion with respect to the merits of the line before them. At the same time he t hought it desi ra bl e t o state t h a t, i n th e o pi n ion of the Com mittee, any further evidence upon the consequences of the break of gauge should be confined to professional men, who Were acquainted with the whole nature of the subject. Mr. Q.C„ felt obliged to the Committee for the ex pressions they had thrown out, which he considered were kindly intended on the part of the Committee for their guidance rather than for their government. T hegiummAN—The Committee do not wish, in the slight est degree, to interfere with the course which counsel may, under such circumstances, think it their duty to adopt. Mr. Forman, collector of harbour dues at Southampton, gave evidence as to the amount of the exports and imports into that pore. to Mr. R u t ter solicitor residing at Shaftesbury, and agent in the South-western Railway. He had taken great pains to form himself of the district round Shaftesbury and its W ants, and it was his opinion that the construction of the proposed line would fully meet the requirements of the district. Mr. T. Ensor, a large glover in the neighbourhood of Mil bourne Port, paying upwards of 2001. a week in wages, was the next witness examined. lie thought it of great im portance that there should be a continuous line of railway to London-bridge. Mr. Dingl e y, d raper, o f Sh er b o rne ; Mr: Alexander, an ex tensive carrier in the western districts; and Mr. Hannam, grocer, of Wincanton, also gave'evidence in favour of the lines proposed by the South-Western Company. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow (this day) at Twelve o'clock. CROUP XI. The Select Committee appointed to consider the merits of the Bills comprised in this group re-assembled at the %%nal hour this morning ; Mr. Forbes Mackenzie in the Chai r . C --ferrEsTzn. AND STOUR VAiLEY (LA NrElv riArd AND BURT ST. EDMUND'S 3 CTE.IITSION). kr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM opened the case for the pro itaoters of this line. The object of the Bill was to extend the l ine passed yesterday on to Bury, where it would join the Ipswich and Bury Extension line to Norwich, and thus form a competing railway to the line of the Eastern Counties and Newmarket and Chesterfield, from the metropolis, to Nor wich and Yarmouth. It was proposed that the Eastern Union and the Norfolk Companies should lease the line at five per cent., with half the surplus profits. A number of local witnesses were called to prove the ad vantages of the line, and the Committee adjourned. GROUP XVI. The Committee met this morning at the usual hour; Mr. Kemble in the chair. GREAT NORTHERN (rtzrerronn TO ST ALBANS). The Committee was occupied the whole of the day in hear ing evidence in support of the opposition of the corporation of Hertford, and of two landowners, viz., Baron Dimsdale, and Mrs. Chambers. _ _ _ The Committee adjourned at Four o'clock until to-morrow (this day). GROUP XVIII. CHELTENHAM AND OXI'O&D LINE. The Committee on this Group assembled to-day at Twelve o'clock; the Earl of Lincoln in the Chair. The evidence taken was in continuation of that yesterday, and principally given by Mr. Engall, and Mr. Bewley, a banker at Cheltenham, and Mr. Vivian, the Member for Swansea. The first two of these three gentlemen testified to the feeling of the inhabitants of Cheltenham being very strong in favour of the project of the Great Western Company Mr. Vivian stated that in his opinion, and in the opinion of all those with whom he had come in contact, the Great Western line was by far the best of the two. The line would shorten the distance between London and Swansea by five miles, and would give great facilities for the transport of minerals from South Wales. Mr. Lewis, a magistrate of South Wales, gave similar testimony. Mr. Davies, Member for the County of Carmarthen, confirmed the previous evidence, and stated that he had received a memorial from the county town, re questing him to support the Bill in Parliament. He was a director of the St uth Wales Railway, and could say that that line was in active course of construction. So far as he was acquainted with the mineral district of Merthyr Tidvil, he believed that great facilities would be given for the transport of the produce, but he was not aware that there was to be a floating bridge to cross the river Severn Dr. Gibney, senior physician of the hospital at Chel tenham, and who has been residing in that place for the last 38 years, testified to the advantage which the line would be to Vie town in the removal of a bad neighbourhood, and by permitting the access of fresh air not only to the hospital but to the houses near to it. Within the last few days he had been over the property which would be removed for the rail way, and he could say that the places were a disgrace to the town. On many accounts the proposed station of the Great Western Railway would be the best of the two. Ac cording to the present arrangements the hospital would have to be removed to the distance of a mile and a-half from its present site. but there was to be a branch dispensary, so that no inconvenience would be felt from the change. Several other witnesses were pzamined relative to the re spective advantages of the opposing lines in their course through Cheltenham, and the Committee adjourned at Four. GROUP XXI. OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND 'WOLVER HAMPTON (tiALNISOWEN AND DUDLEY), AND 3.IIIIIIIIIINGRAIIC, WOLVERHAMPTON, AND DtTDIABY (1110 M STOURERIDGE TO WEST B1110111111IXCH). The Committee met this morning at the usual hour; Sir J. Graham in the chair. the first witness examined was Mr. Maclean, the engineer to the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley, by whom the last-mentioned line is promoted (a line called the Stour Valley, No. 2, traversing nearly the same route as promoted by the North-Western). He stated that he had laid out the line in conjunction with Mr. Brunel, the engineer of the Ox ford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, and that it was one which would, in his (witness's) opinion, offer the best ac commodation to the district. It would connect the two main lines mentioned, and would run from Stourbridge under the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, to near Rendal Hill (from which two branches would run —one to Halesowen,to join the Kingsmorton and Halesowen branch of the Birmingham and Glaucester, and the other to the Ox ford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton, near Dudley, promoted by the Oxford and Wolverhampton); the main line would then proceed onwards by Rowley Regis to near West Brom wich, where it would join the main line of the Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Dudley. There would be one tunnel at Rowley Regis of 913 yards in length, and the steepest gra dients would 10 lin 100. The entire cost of the line and branches would be 293,7171., and their length 9 miles, 4 fur longs and 7 attains. The witness was crow-examined at considerable length by Mr. HOPE, with respect to the Stour Valley project, and although he admitted that in some respects it was superior to his line, yet, taking it as a whole, he considered that it was vastly inferior, and that his line would offer the best o mmunication to the district. The North-Western project is proposed to run from Stourbridge to the main line of the Stour Valley at S:netliwick, and to branch out at Rendall bill to Halesowen, and a place in the vicinity of Dudley. It would have half a mile more tunnelling than the other line. Dlr. Varden. assistant to Mr. Brunel, said he had laid out the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton branch, under the direction of that gentleman, and that it would accommo date a greater number of important works, and be generally More useful than its North-Western competitor. Those works below its level would be accommodated by inclined trarnroads. - Adjourned until to-morrow (this day). GROUP XXVIII. PXLEAT NORTHERN (SILLBI I Onm 1137A.NCH). The Committee *ambled this morning at twelve o'clock ; Er T. D. Acland in the chair. ILL Oubitt was called to speak to the engineering qualities of the line, and stated that the distance to Hougham from the main line would be about four miles to Grantham, to Slea ford 11, and on to Donnington 26%, and to Gosberton 41 1 / 2 . The total estimate for the branch is 402,0001., and the ruling gradient is lin 200. In this respect the Great Northern pro ject was far superior to that of the Eastern Counties Com pany. • Mr. TALBOT cross-examined at very considerable length, in order to show that the line, so far as Lincoln, Boston, and Newark was concerned, would be longer, and not so calcu lated to serve the local necessities of the district. The Eastern Counties had projected a line from Newark to Wisbeach, and the Direct Northern had a project to go on from Gos berton to Lynn. He was aware that there was a line sanc tioned already from Wisbeach to Shoreditch, although it was only at present partially made. The effect of the forma tion of this branch then from Newark to Hougham would have the effect of drawing the whole of the traffic on the London and York line to Battle-bridge. In order to supply the necessities of the block of country between the:loops, they would have, of course, to make two branches; but, in Mr. Cubitt's opinion, the business would be done as at little, if not at less, expense, than it would be carried on by either the Ambergate or the Eastern Counties Company. To the Earl of Mancrr, Mr. Cubitt replied, that had there been no line devised, he should have proceeded by Hougham Hill, and kept to the left, of the present intended line, as, although the distance w,-uld have been greater, the gradients would have been easier, and the working of them conse quently less expensive. To Captain HARRIS, Mr. Cubitt stated that the Amber gate line came in at the south end of Sleafurd, and at the distance of a quarter of a mile from the station the two lines would run close together. To Mr. Sergeant KINGLAKE—Mr. Cubitt stated that the proposed line to Lynn would give a facility of intercourse with London, and there would be no practical difficulty whatever in working branches to Sleaford. Mr. Gibbs, the civil engineer, stated that he had laid out the Great Northern line in the first instance, and subse quently went over the country with the Royal Commis sioners. He had therefore had several and peculiar oppor tunities of becoming acquainted with it, and in his opinion there was no other means than by going through the An caster Gap, if the gradients were to be kept good at all. The general nature of the country on the Eastern Counties line, between Sleaford and Newark, was very fair until they reached the summit near Newark, after which it became very bad. The traffic would certainly be con siderable, on account of the carriagiof coals from the Derby shire fields into Lincolnshire, as well as for the transport of corn. Captain Laws, the manager of the Manchester and Leeds Railway, gave evidence as to the respective saving of distance between the Derbyshire and the Yorkshire coal-fields, and estimated the saving of distances between them to represent the saving of cost. There was a Bill now before Parliament for a line from Doncaster to Barnesby, .find having a right to pass over the Sheffield and Lincolnshire line between Retford and Sheffield, there would be a double means of communication between the north of the West Riding and the agricultural districts to the east. In order to get to Holbeach from Sleaford he would propose to go by the projected line by Sutton St. Mary's, and although the distance was greater, yet the charge would be the same, as it was now a recognised custom in the management of rail way property to take the direct distance as the rate of charge. The greater importance of this project would be evident when it was considered that Sleaford was the centre of the important agricultural dis trict comprised between the, direct route and the loop line of the London and York. This district would be traversed by the transverse lines. By these lines there would be the opportunity of getting either north or south, through the trains which ran either through Grantham or Newark; and if there were only three passengers per journey it would pay to keep the trains continually going, and the local traffic was of sufficient importance to justify the expense; although there was no junction at Grantham with the London and York main lines. After a long cross-examination, Mr. AUSTIN stated that his clients intended to make the traffic to Sleaford a through traffic, while their opponents intended to make that town only a stopping station. The saving on the whole line he estimated at thirty per cent. The Committee then adjourned till to-morrow (this day) GROUP XLVII. This Committee met to-day at the usual hour in Room 284 but immediately afterwards adjourned on account of the Commissioners' reports not being ready. GROUP L. This Committee met to-day for the first time, in room 34 of the new Houses of Parliament. The following is a list of the Members to whom the Bills in this group have been re ferred :—Mr. Bankes, Chairman; Mr. Henley, Mr. Carew, Sir B. Hall, and Mr. Hindley. The following is a list of the Bills : Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, and Glasgow and Belfast Union (No 1). Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr (No. 2). Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, and Ayrshire, and Bridge of Weir (No. 3). Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan (Deviations and Amendments ). Glasgow, Barrhead, and Neilston Direct. Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock (Amendments and Branches). Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock (Branches at Port Glasgow). Paisley, Barrhead, and linnet (Branches). Paisley and Renfrew (Sale and Improvement). Kilmarnock and Ayr Direct. The business opened by the reading of the list of Bills, and the petitions, with the appearances which had been put in. The first Bill taken was the GLASGOW, PAISLEY, KILDIARNOCIC, AND AYR, AND GLASGOW AND BELFAST UNION (No. I.) Mr. Talbot, Mr. Hope, and Mr. Burke, were for the promo ters; Mr. Hildyard and Mr. M'Neill, of the Scotch Bar, on behalf of the Corporation of Newton-upon-Ayr; and Messrs. Sloan and Gemmell, ship-builders, in Newton-upon-Ayr; Mr. Sergeant Murphy for Mr. John Taylor Gordon, a coal pro prietor. Mr. BURKE opened the case for the promoters of the Bill which he said was put forth by the Glasgow, Paisley, Kil marnock, and Ayr Railway. The Bill consisted of several branches and extensions, the, principal of which was to con nect the main line of the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway, and the Belfast Union Railway, now amalga mated with Muirkirk and Glenhuck, important mineral dis tricts in the upper district of Ayrshire. This branch was 26 miles in length. The others were small branches to connect the ncrth and south quays of Ayr to the manufac turing village of Catritte. The opposition was from one or two private interests, as the authorities of Ayr, and the principal landed proprietors, were in the favour of the branches. The Learned Gentleman then proceeded to call his witnesses. Mr. John Wilson, of Dundyvan, examined by Mr. BURKE— Deposed that be had an interest in extensive iron works at Muirkirk and Auchinleck. The whole district was full of iron, coal, and limestone. Both the blackband mad the clayband iron-stone extensively existed along the route of the main extension. The railway would be of great advan tage in connecting the works with the port of Ayr. Mr. Alexander, of Ballochmyle, gave evidence to a similar effect. Mr. Blythe, the engineer, briefly explained the nature of the proposed connexion with the harbour of Ayr. He had no objection that it should stop short at Messrs. Sloan and Gemmell's slip, so as not to interfere with their building-yard. He had no objection also that the branch should be worked by horse-power. Mr. Miller, civil engineer, corroborated the evidence of the previous witness. Mr. Miller, provost of Ayr, and Mr. Knight, traffic manager of the Glasgow and Ayr line, were also examined on behalf of the line. This was the promoters' case. Mr. HILDYARD then called Mr. Wood, chief magistrate of Newton-upon-Ayr, and Mr. Smith, foreman of Messrs. Sloan and Gemmell, with the object of showing that the branch would prove of great inconvenience at the crossing Newton terrace on the level, and would interfere seriously with the building-yard and work-shops. Mr. HILDYARD then addressed the Committee on behalf of these petitioners. Mr. Mut:trim on behalf of Mr. Gordon, addressed the Com mittee against the toll clauses, especially the application of the six-mile clause to him. The CHAIRMAN suggested that the point had better be left for consideration after the preamble was disposed of. The preamble was then declared proved. After disposing of several clauses, their further considera tion was adjourned till to-morrow (this day). t ~ THE SUN, GROTTP LI. The Committee appointed to examine into the merits of the railways in this group assembled this day at twelve o'clock (Sir J. Y. Buller, chairman), and proceded to take the GLASGOW, DUMFRIES, AND CARLISLE, AND GLASGOW, PAISLEY, KILMAR NOCK, AND AYR. (No. II.) Mr. AUSTIN opened the case for the promoters. He said, the object of the Bill was to extend the line to Portpatrick, with the view of accommodating the Irish trade, and fur nishing a communication between the northern portion of the island and the Irish port of Donaghadee. Were this finished, it would form one of three routes to Ireland, the midland portion of the country being accommodated by Holyhead to Dublin, and the remaining junction being made by way of Fisbguard to Cork and Wicklow. The Dumfries Company wished only to open up one instalment of this route at present—namely, as far as Kirkcudbright; but even from that town the distance to Donaghadee would be as short as from Holyhead to Dublin, and shorter than from Fishguard to Wicklow. The country was an agricultural one, and there was a considerable kcal traffic. The line was some twenty-seven miles, and the cost of construction would be moderate. The only opposition offered was by Mr. Aglionby, but he believed that, before their case was concluded, an arrangement would be entered into with that gentleman. He would not detain the Committee longer, but at once proceed to call his witnesses. _ _ Mr. John Mackie, deputplieutenant and convener of the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, was examined by Sir THOMAS PHlLurs —lle gave general evidence of the importance of the line as opening up the local resources, and furnishing a communication not only with Ireland, but with the southern and eastern parts of this island. Mr. M'Lellan, town and county clerk, and agent for the Bank of Scotland at Kirkcudbright, concurred on the import ance of this line as giving a communication with the eastern and south-eastern part of the country. The opening to Cannobie would lower the price of coals, and afford abundance of lime, which would greatly advantage the agriculturist. The different ports on the Solway would greatly benefit by the line. The exports of Kirkcudbright might be reckoned at—fat cattle, 2,000; fat sheep, 30,000; wool, 1,000 packs; salmon, 800 boxes; and general mer chandise, 1,500 tons. The imports were—lime, 1,500 tons; guano, 300 tons ; timber, 700 loads ; general merchandise, 2,000 tons; and coals to a considerable extent. There was a passenger trade in the last year between Kiikcud bright and Liverpool, of 3,000 to 4,000 persons ; the tonnage of the port in the same year was 31,000 tons, but this would be greatly increased by the formation of this line. There were three stage coaches from Kircudbright to Dum fries, and several coaches to other places, the rate being 3d. to 4d. per mile for outside passengers. The line was gene rally demanded by all parties in the country. The CHAIRMAN expressed himself satisfied with the im portance of this portion of the line, and would desire no other evidence upon it. Mr. M‘Knight, proprietor of Barlochan, situated within two miles of the terminus at Gibbs'-hole, spoke to the excel lent character of the land, which would be greatiy bettered if the agri cu lt ur i sts had a plentiful supply of lime. The want of that article had fettered agricultural energy. It was at present brought by sea from Cumnock, cost at the ship's side 14s. per ton, and was, as some of the farmers were obliged to cart it very many miles, con siderably increased in expense. He should say that 18s. tThne The witness wl a w ibt a no s ue arse d a a t lfsroom rdeeastdet pen tailedwant the o f o d o i a s l a — d disadvantages nta g disadvantagee s under whichwhich would be entirely obviated by the construction of this line. There was a part of the water of Urr which bad an import registered tonnage of 10,000 tons. It would be exceedingly advantageous to the public if Gibbs'-hole were formed into a LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, sport, because it offered excellent anchorages, and was only half a mile from the sea, while it was protected on the land ward side by hills on the south and south-west. Kirkcud bright, although an excellent port, was six miles from the sea. Mr. Lidderdyke, living at Castle Douglas, knew the coun try well. He was factor for some estates in that district, the rental of which was some 10,0001. a year. The wishes of the proprietors were in favour of the two lines. It was known that there was iron ore on these properties, and he had one offer for it from Brumpton, on the line of the Newcastle and Darlington Railway. There were iron mines at Auchincairn, the outport of which was last year some 3,000 tons, and this year it was expected to double. The produce was sent by sea to the coast of Cumberland, and thence found its way by rail to Newcastle. This railway, as supplying a desired com munication, would be a great public benefit. Mr. M'Laurin, Dalbeattie, spoke to the local traffic be tween Dumfries and Dalbeattie, and the necessity that existed for the formation of this railway. Mr. John Miller, GE., was engineer of many railways:in the south and other parts of Scotland. He had since last year carefully examined the country .through which this line passed, and he had laid it down in the way he conceived best calculated to benefit the district. It commenced at Dumfries, and wanton in the direction shown on the map to the town of Kirkcudbright. The length was 27 miles and 2 ihr longs. The steepest gradient was 1 in 80, and ex t en d e d a distance of three miles. The whole cost was 660,0001. The cost of the works was for the main line 441,526/., arid for the Gibbs. hole branch, 112,217/. The balance provided for stations, land, and contingencies. The formal proofs were then put in, and there being no opposition offered, the preamble was declared proved. The Committee then considered and passed the clauses, and, at a quarter to; four o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow (this day). • COURT CIRCULAR. Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, attended, by Prances Lady Clinton, visited the Queen yesterday, at BuAcing ham Palace, and remained to luncheon with her Majesty and Prince Albert. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Albert and the Duchess of Kent, visited yesterday, at Willis's Rooms, the Bazaar for the Relief of the Famine in Ireland and Distress in Scotland. The Prince was attended by Mr. G. E. Anson and Captain the Hon. A. H. Gordon; and the Royal Duchess was attended by Lady Augusta Bruce, Lady Fanny Howard, Sir George Couper, and Lord James Murray. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales, the Princess Roy a l, an d th e P r i ncess H e l ena, walked and rode on ponies yesterday in the Royal Gardens. Their Royal Highnesses Prince Alfred and the Prin cess Alice, accompanied by the Dowager Lady Lyttelton, took an airing in an open carriage-and-four yesterday. Her Majesty and Prince Albert honoured her Ma jesty's Theatre with their presence last evening. The royal suite consisted of the Countess of Charlemont, Hon. Miss Kerr, Earl of Morton, Major- General W emyss, and Captain the Hon. A. H. Gordon. Her Royal High ness the Duchess of Kent, attended by Lady Augusta Bruce, also honoured the performance at her Majesty's Theatre with her presence last evening. Among the visitors to inspect the pictures of the Queen and Prince Albert and the Royal Family at St. James's Palace yesterday, were the Belgian Sinister and Madame Van de Weyer, the American Minister and Mrs. Bancroft, Count Revel, the 'Sardinian Charge d'Affaires ; the Marchioness of Lansdowne, the Earl of Clarendon, Lady Cottenham, the Chancellor of the Ex chequer and Lady Mary Wood, Sir James and Lady Graham, and the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent visited her Majesty the Queen Dowager yesterday, at Marlborough House. A deputation respecting copper ore, had an inter view with Lord John Russell yesterday, at his official residence, in Downing-street. The deputation consisted of Sir Howard Douglas, M.P.; Mr. J. H. Vivian, M.P.; Mr. John Masterman, M.P.; Mr. G. F. Muntz, M.P. ; Mr. David Morris, M.P. ; Mr. Edward Protheroe, M.P.; Mr. J. Dennistoun, M.P. ; Mr. W. Aldham, M.P.; Hon, C. P. Villiers, M.P. ; Mr. James Pattison, M.P. ; Mr. W. Brown, M.P.; Mr. T. Thornley, M.P.; Mr. Rogers, of Wolverhampton ; Mr. Basley, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Manchester ; Mr. Henry Ash worth, Mr. Vincent Potter, Mr. Robert Gardiner. From London—Sir John Ririe, Bart., Mr. C. P. Gren fell, Mr. Templeman, Mr. Gibbs, and Mr. Leckie. From Liverpool—Mr. Brownell, Mr. Boardman, Mr. Budd. Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Todd Hayles, Mr. eates, Mr. Lockett, Mr. Imrie, Mr. Bibby, Mr. George Bar well, Mr. James, and Mr. George F. Young. Also— Mr. Turton, Master Cutler, of Sheffield, and Mr. Dixon, for the Mayor of Sheffield. The Marquis of Northampton, Lord Jatiies Stuart, and a deputation hid an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday at the Home. office. Mr. Riley, Chairman, and Mr. Holt, Solicitor of the Company of Proprietors of the Liverpool Water-works, (usually called the Bootle Water-works Company,) deputation on the Health of Towns Bill, had an inter view with Viscount Morpeth yesterday, at the office of her Majesty's Commissioners of Woods and Forests in Whitehall-place. Mr. J. B. Buller and Mr. J. W. Badham had an inter view with the Right Hon. Edward Strut; yesterday, at the office of the Commissioners of Railways, in Great George-street. Mr. Higham, Secretary and Comptroller-General to the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, had an interview with the Chancellor of the Ex chequer yesterday, at his official residence in Downing street. A deputation from the Rochester Waterworks Corn pany, including Mr. W. Roberts and Mr. Thomas Booth, had an interview with Viscount Moipeth 3 esterday. Lord Portman had an interview with Sir George Grey. Mr. 'Hutt, M.P., and Lord Villiers had also in terviews with the Right Hon. Baronet yesterday, at the Home-office. A deputation on the subject of the Factory Bill, con sisting of Messrs. Greg and Shawcrois, from Manchester (cotton) ; Mr. Gott, from Leeds (woollen); Mr. Mar shall, from Leeds (flax) ; Mr. Taylor, from Preston ; Mr. Bayley, from Stayley Bridge ; Messrs. Ackroyd and Morris, from Halifax (worsted) ; and Mr. Baxter, from Dundee (flax), had an interview with the Marquis of Lansdowne yesterday at the Privy Council Office, Whitehall. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a general meeting yesterday. Sir Bellingham Graham had an interview yesterday with the Right Hon. E. Strutt. The Metropolitan Improvement Commission had a meeting yesterday in Whitehall place. The commis sioners present were Viscount Morpeth, the Lord Mayor, the Right Hon. J. C. 'Terries, Sir Robert Inglis, Sir Charles Lemon, Mr. Elope, Mr. Gore, and Mr. Milne. GLASGOW COTTON MARKET.-APRIL 16.—The trade have been buying to a fair extent this week, and prices have been gradually on the advance. To-day the American accounts have been received, and from the low es timates of the crop, &c., holders have raised their prices from to in American and Surat.—National Adva titer. An incident took place on the Custom House-quay on Tuesday, which deserves to be noticed. A strapping young country girl, along with her sweetheart, embarked on board one of the emigrant ships then lying at the quay, with the intention of sailing for America, and being there married. The fair emigrant was possessed, moreover, of a dot of 2001., which she discreetly placed in the hands of the captain of the vessel, and had hardly done so when her companion and intended applied to her for a portion of it. This she refused; whereupon he coolly bid her good morn ing, and disembarked. The deserted damsel, however, ad vanced to the gunwale, there harangued a large mob, who speedily collected to hear her, and ended, not by throwing herself into the river, but by assuring the crowd that if any young fellow who heard her, was willing to take the place of her faithless swain, she was quite ready to accept of his ser vices upon the same terms. A handsome young mason who happened to be among the standers by, immediately . offered himself, and was accepted on the spot. The captain very properly Befit to make inquiries about him, and found that he was, as he represented himself, a single man ; and the parties to this extempore match sailed with that very tide for the shores of America.—Dublin Herald. ANCIENT RELICS.—The excavators employed on the Norwich and Ipswich Railway, in recently taking down a considerable elevation called Chapel-hill, at Merkshall, ad joining to Caister ( Vecta Icenorum of the Romans), found seven human skeletons, two of which evidently appeared to be the remains of persons who had died a violent death, having each received a mortal wound in the skull, as if killed in some battle or skirmish. On Tuesday last, the same labourers discovered the fcundations of a building, probably a chapel, or some religious house; and at the moment when our esteemed informant was watching the operations, a stone coffin presented itself to view. It was broken in two parts, in which were fragments of human bones, but no head. Some pieces of Roman pottery were also discovered, but no coins or any other antiquities, on that spot.—. Norfolk Chronicle. His Excellency the Baron Schemmelpeninck, Dutch Ambassador to the British Court, arrived in London yester day by the General Steam Navigation Company's steam ship Giraffe, that left Rotterdam the previous day. DREADFUL OCCURRENCE IN LONG-ACRE.—Yester day morning, between the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock, an accident of a most appalling character, and which, from the serious nature of the injuries inflicted to two indi viduals, is expected to be attended with fatal consequences, occurred at the corner of Endell-street, Long-acre, under the following circumstances :—lt appears that for some time past workmen have been employed in effecting an alteration in the above-mentioned street, and some scaffolds having been erected at the spot where the improvements are being carried out, at the period specified, two labourers, named Thomas Welch and Thomas Cockling, where engaged at work, when some of the boards on which they were standing suddenly gave way and fell beneath them, by which they were precipitated from a considerable height on to the ground. The poor fellows, assisted by their fellow-work men, and two police-constables of the F division, were im mediately taken to the Charing-eross Hospital, and attended to by Mr. Steghall, the resident medical officer. Both men were frightfully mutilated, and remained insensible for several hours, and at length the surgeon ascertained that Welch, who is about twenty-five, had fractured his left arm, broken a leg, and received a fearful wound in the head, with other contusions; whilst Cocking, who is in his twenty-fourth year, has evidently sustained some severe internal injuries, besides outward bruises, but owing to his state of insensi bility it was difficult to say the precise nature of the injuries. Both sufferers remain at the institution in a deplorable con dition. BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE Goel'EL AMONG THE JEWS.—Last night the fourth annual meeting of the above society took place in Freemasons' Hall, and was attended by 2,500 ladies and gentlemen of various religious denominations, and the platform was crowded with ministers of the Church of England, and also of the Presby terian, Moravian, and other Dissenting congregations, in ad dition to several converted Jews, native African missionaries, &c. John Dean Paul, Esq., treasurer, presided. The ge neral report and the finance reports, both from the Ladies' and Gentlemen's Committees, were read by the Secretary, and unanimously adopted. The gross amount of subscriptions and donations collected by the Ladies' Committee amounted to 12761. Is. 6id., from which a balance of 1,171/. 14s. bid. was handed over to the general account, and added to the gentlemen's subscriptions of 7441. 16s. Id., and the previous balance of 3691. 93. 4d., made the gross receipts 2,2861.. Os. 110., which, after paying 1,423/. 12s. 7 1 / 2 d. for various expenses of missionaries, in addition to other expanses, there remained a balance of 301. 2f3. After ether business the meeting broke up. PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS. (From the Votes and Proceedivi of the louse of THURSDAY. APRIL 22. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. The following Resolutions were reported from the above Committee : 1. That in the case of the Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire Junction Railway petition, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to proceed with 'heir Bill. 2. That in the case of the Lincoln's Inn Rating petition, for leave to deposit a petition for a Bill, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be per mitted to deposit their petition accordingly. 3. That in the case of the Leeds Waterworks petition, for additional provision, the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the parties be permitted to introduce such addi tional provision, if the Comthitte on the Bill shall so think fit. 4. That in the case of the Midland Railway (Worcester, Hereford, Malvern, and Cheltenham Lines) petition to de posit amended sections and a petition for a Bill, the parties be permitted to deposit sections, amended so far only as re gards the error in the datum line, reported by the Examiner of Petitions as commencing at 8 miles 5 furlongs and 490 links,-and continuing thence to Hereford, and to make the corrections in the vertical heights necessarily consequent thereon ; and that they prove before the Examiner, that the Railway, as proposed to be constructed under the amended sections, can be made in such a manner as not to affect, in consequence of such amendments, any of the lands to be taken for the pr o p ose d R a il way, ot h erw i se than as stated in the written appl icat i ons to owners, exce pt for a distance of about 800 yards, as marked on the Pl an, an d t h ere on ly with consent of the commencing at or about 8 miles 5 furlo n g s, owners affected; and that they be permitted to deposit a petition for a Bill, and that the said petition be not deposited until four clear days after the (.eposit of the said amended sections. 5. That in the case/of the Manchester, London, and Bir mingham Railway petition, the standing orders ought not to be dispensed with. First, second, third, and fourth resolutions agreed to.— Report to lie on the table. NOTICES GIVEN AT ME PRIVATE BILL-OFFICE. RAILWAYS. Select Committee on Group No. 20. Earl Jermyn discharged ; Mr. Philip Bennett selected, and added to the Committee. Select Committee on Group No. 27. Sir W. H. Jolliffe and Mr. Bernal Osborne discharged ; Viscount Villiers and Colonel Pennant selected, and added to the Committee. Lord Retkdlesh am di sc h arge d ;.Sir w • Select Co mm itt ee on Group $• 23. H. Jolliffe selected, and added to the Committee.. PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. (From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.) THURSDAY, APRIL 22. SUPPLY. Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Order of the Day for the Committee of Supply be now read :" Amendment proposed, to leave out from the word " That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words " pre vious to any grant of any public money being assented to by this House, for the purpose of carrying out the scheme of National Education, as developed in the Minutes of the Committee of Council on Educatiou in August and Decem ber last (which Minutes have been presented to both Houses of Parliament by command of her Majesty), a Select Com mittee be appointed to inquire into the justice and expedi ency of such scheme, and its probable annual cost," instead thereof :—Question put, " That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question." The House divided : MAJORITY—AYES, 372. Ackers, James Fellewes, E. Milton, Viscount Acland, Sir,T. Ferguson, Col. Mitchell, T. A. Arland T. D. Ferguson, Sir R. Moffatt, George Adderley, C. B. Ferrand, W. B. M onahan, J. l i . , Ainsworth, Peter Filmer, Sir B. Morgan, 0. Aldam, William Finch, George Morpeth, Viscount Alford„Viscount Fitzmaurice, W. Mostyn, E. M. Anson, Colonel Fitzroy, Lord C. Mundy, E. Miller Antrobus, Edmund Floyer, John Mure, Colonel Archdall, Captain Forbes, William Neeld, John Arkwright, George Forster, Mathew Neville, R. Armstrong, Sir A. Fox, S. L. Newdegatc, C. N. Arundel, Earl of French, F. Newry, Viscount Attivood, John Fuller, A. B. Nichol', John Austen, Colonel Gaskell, J. IL Norreys, Lord Begot, William Gibson, T. M. O'Brien, A. Stafford Bailey, J. jun. Gill, Thomas O' Connell, M. J. Bailie, Col. Gladstone, J. N. O'Conor, Don Bailie, H. J. Glynne, Sir S. Ogle, S. C. Baillie, W. Gooch, E. S. Ord, William Baine, Walter Gordon, Admiral Ossulston, Lord Baldwin, Barry Gore, Montague Oswald, Alexander Balfour, J. M. Gore, W. 0. Owen, Sir John Bankes, George Gore, W. R. 0. Parke, C. W. Bannerman, A. Gore, Robert Paget, Colonel Barclay, David Goring, Charles Pakington, Sir J. Barkly, Henry Graham, Sir James P a l mer, ?R obert Baring, Henry Granby, Marquis of Palmerston, Viscount Baring, F. T. Granger, T. C. Parker, John Baring, Thomas Greene, Thomas Patten, J. W.l ' Barnard, E. G. Grey, Sir G. Peel, Sir Robert Barrington, Viscount Grimstlitch, Thomas Pennant, Colonel Bateson, T. Grosvenor, Lord R. Philipps,' Sir R. Beckett, W. Guest, Sir J. Philips, Mark Bell, Matthew Sir Henry Pinney, William Bell, John ii ai al i f y or b d u , rton. Lord Plumptre, J. P. Bellew, it. M. Halsey, T. P. Plumridge, Captain H Bennet, Philip Hamilton, W. J. Polhill, F. Bentinck, Lord G. Hamilton, Lord C. Pollington, Viscount Bentinek, Lord 11. Hanmer, Sir John Ponsonby. C. F. Berkeley, Captain Harcourt, G. Prime, Richard Bernal, Ralph Harris, Captain Protheroe, E. Blackburne, J. I. Hatton, Captain Pusey, Philip Blakemore, R. Hawes, Benjamin Reid, Sir J. R. Borthwick, Peter Hayter, W. G. Reid, Colonel Botfleld, Beriah Heathcoat, John Repton, G. W. Bouverie, E. P. Heathcote, Sir W. Ricardo, J. L. Bramston, T. W, Heneage, G. H. W. Rice, E. R. Broadley, Henry Heneage, E. Rich, Henry Broadwood, 11. Henley, J. W. Richards, Richard Brooke, Lord Herbert, Sydney Rolleston, Colonel Brown, W. Hervey, Lord A. Romilly, John Buck, L. W. Hildyard, T. B. Round, C. G. Buckley, Edmund Hobhouse, Sir J. Round, John Bulkeley, Sir It. B. Hogg, Sir J. W. Rumbold, C. E. Buller, Charles Holland, Robert ' Russell, Lord J. Buller, Edward Holmes, W..6:Court Russell, Lord C. Buller, Sir J. Y. Hope, Sir J. Russell, C. Buubury, W. Hope, A. Rutheribrd, A. Burroughes, H. Hope, 0. W. Ryder, G. D. Byng, G. S. llotham, Lord Sanderson, It. Callaghan, D. Houldsworth, T. Sandon, Viscount Cardwell, - Edward Howard, C W.G. Scott, Francis Carew, W. H. Pole Howard, J. K. Scrope, G. P. Cavendish, C. C. Howard,tE.o. Seyner, H. K. Cavendish, G. H. Howard, P. IL' Seymour, Lord Caylcy, E. S. Howard, Henry Seymour, Sir H. Chaplin, W. J. Howard, Sir R. Sheil, R. L. Chapman, A. Hudson, G. Sheridan, It. B. Chapman, B. Hurst, R. H. Shirley, E. J. Chelsea, Vise. Hussey, T. Shirley, E. P. Chichester, Lord J. Hutt, William Smith, A. Christie, W. D. Ingestre, Viscount Smith , J. A. Christopher, R. A. Inglis, SiPlt. Smith , ;V ernon Irton, S. Chute, W. L. W. Smyth, Sir H. James, William Clayton, R. R. Somerville, Sir W. Clerk Sir G. James, Sir W. C. Sotheron, T. H. S. Clifton, J..T. 4 Jermyn,.Earl Stansfield, W. R. C. Jervis, Sir John Clive, Viscount Stanton, W. li. Clive, R. H. Colebrooke, Sir T Stewart, John T. Johnstone, Hope Collett, W. B. Jolliffe, Sir W G. H. Stuart, Lcrd J. Compton, H. C. Stuart, Henry Jones, Captain Coots ' Sir C. M. StuartV. Kemble, Henry Copeland, Aid. Johnstone, Sir J. Staunton, Sir G. Knight, F. W. Strutt, Edward Corry, Henry Sutton, Henry Lambton, H. Labouchere, Henry Courtenay. Lord Talba, C. R. Cowper, W. F. Tancred, H. W. Craig, W. 0, Langston, J. H. Thesiger, Sir F. Lascelles, W. S. Cripps, William Law Alderman Law, C. E. Currie, R. Tollemache, John Lawson, A. Dalmeny, Lord Tower, C. Legh, G. C. Dalrymple, Captain Dashwood,,,G. H. Trail, George Lemon, Si- C. Davies. D. A. Liddell, Hon. H. T. Trelawny, J. S. Deedes, W. .-le, Le Merchant, Sir D. Towneley, John Trevor, J. R. Lincoln, Earl of Denison, W. ,y, Denison, J. E. Turner, Edmund Loch, James Denison, E. B. Vane, Lord H. Douro, Marquis et Dick, Q. Lockhart, W. Verner, Sir W. Lopes, Sir R. Dickinson, F. 11. Lowther, Hon. Col. Villiers, Viscount Divett, Edward Vivian, J. H. Lyall, George Douglas, Sir H. Lindsay, Colonel Trotter, John Vivian, J. E. Lygon, Gen. Macauay, T. B. Vyse, H. Drummond, H. Waddington, H. S. Mackenzie T. Duckworth, Sir J. Mackenzie, ' W. F. Duff, Jameswall, C. B. Mackinnon, W. Dugdale, W. S. WlTeill, Duncan Walpole, S. li. Duke, Sir J. Warburton, H. Walker, Richard Duudas, Sir David Duncombe, A. I Mation,„Lord Maitland, Thomas Ward, H. G. Duncembe, 0. Watson, Henry Mangles, R. D. Dundas, Admiral'Wellesley, Lord C. Manners, Lord J. Williams, W. Du Pre, C. G. Wilshere, W. East, J. B. Marshall, W. Marjon'be nks, S. Martin, C. W. Wodehouse, E. Marton. G. Easthope, Sir J. Wood, Sir Charles Ebrington, Viscount Waste an, John Wood, Colonel T. Matheson, James Egerton, W. T. Worcester, Marquis Manic, Fox Egerton, Sir P. Wortley, J. S. Eml3na, Viscount Maxwell, Hon. J. P. Wrightson, W. B. Entwisle, W. Meynell, Captain Wyse, Thomas Estcourt, T. G. II iddmay, 11. St. John Young, J. Evans, William Miles, Philip W. S. TELLERS. Ewart, William Miles, William Tufnell, Henry Fielden,:John Milces, R. Monckton Hill, Lord Marcus BIINORITY-NOES, 47. Aglionby, H. A. Dundas, F. Mentz, G. F. Berkeley, Craven Ellis, Wynn Napier, Sir C. Berkeley, H. P. Escott, Blekham Osborne, Ralph Berkeley, Grantley Evans, Sir De Lacy Pattison, J. Bowring, Dr. Gisbome, Thomas Pechell, Captain Bright, John Hall, Sir Benjamin Philips, G. R. Brocklehurst, John Hay, Sir A. L. Roebuck. J. A. Brotherton, Joseph Hinds, J.H. Scott, Robert Browne, R. D. Ilindley Charles Strickland, Sir G. Clay, Sir:W. Ilodgaon, R. Thornely, T. Collett, Jolla Hume, Joseph Wakley, Thomas . Collins, William umcpiimy, Ald. . Wawa. J T. Conynitham, Lord A. Lawless, Cecil Yorke, R.U.: Crawford, W. S. liacnamara, Major Dennistoun, J. 3PCarthy, Alex. TELLERs, D'Eyncourt, C. T. Marsland, Henry Duncombe, T. Duncan, George Morris, David Duncan, Lord HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.—The Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, and attended by Lady Char lemont, Lady Augusta Bruce, Hon. Miss Kerr, the Earl of Morton, General Wetnyss, and the Honourable Captain Gordon, honoured the performances at her Majesty's Theatre yesterday (Thursday) evening with * their pre sence. There were also present the Prince Louis Napoleon, his Excellency the Russian Minister, Baroness Brunnow, and Count De Courcy ; Count Koudriaffsky ; Si MadlL Olga de Lechner ; the Marquis Clanricarde ; the Earl M.P.; Mr. Brereton ; Mr. Tre of Cardigan ; the Countess of Blessington, and Miss Power ; ' the Viscount and Viscountess Combermere ; Lady Woodford • Mr. and Lady Caroline Maxse ; Sir John and Lady Conroy ; Mr. Barry PRINTERS' H 0 Captain Lyon, &c, —We understand lawny; RCoaul pnht I I D o' 1 i ct °w mz r r a i t s . . ra ps dl : P . ; ; ; a 1 ‘ r n i r t i i Leader,e PENSIONr that an Amateur Performance will take place on Saturday, the 24th instant, in aid of the funds of the Printers' Pension' Society, at the Olympic Theatre. This excellent Society is for the support of aged and infirm printers. An Amateur Ba r ld ß w l i ri n T , Performance in aid of its funds took place last year at the Strand Theatre, which produced 544 We trust that this that sum will be exceeded. _ year —The [ADvEwrisEmENT.] Registered Paletot of Llama cloth, the most fashionable coat for both the present and approaching seasons, still retains the same moderate p r ice, which, with its usefulness and gentlemanly appear ance,has secured such general .popularity. It has been made by special command for their Royal Highnesses Prince Albert, Prince George of Cambridge, Prince Edward of Saxe SrLO:ELT:atheart ' Weimar, his Grace the Duke of Wellington, and the several royal visitors to the British Court. In London it can on l y be purchased of the patentees, H. J. and D. Nicoll, C ourt tailors, Regent-street, and 22, C orn hill. A gents for 114, Liverpool, Dawbarn and Son, 80ld -street • for Dublin, Geo. Blacdona, Molesworth - street ; for Birmingham, Wareing and Son, New-street ; for Edinburgh, Christie and Son, George street; and the principal tailors in other large towns. [ADVERTISENENT.—MORE CURES BY HOLLOWAY'S PILLS. READ THIS.—Mrs. Je,mima Albert, widow of a n ava l officer, residing in Canybell-place, bt. George's-in-th e• Ea st, h a d b een ill for a long time with a distressing cough, accompanied with much expectora ti o n, great weakness of the chest, and continual head aches. Besides this, her digestion was greatly impaired, appetite completely gone, and always drowsy. She considered herself past cure. Yet, notwithstanding her advanced age, she is restored to the highest state of hea lth and vigour by the use of Holloway's Pills, declaring she feels more like a young girl th an one o f h er y ears , being so hale and strong.—Sold by all Druggists ; and at Protessor ;Mowry'. 444111414 eat, 3 44 ; N! ZdOn• APRIL 28, 1847. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, April 22. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool sack at Five o'clock. LAW OF LANDLORD AND TENANT (IRELAND). The Marquis of 'WESTMEATH said he had a mo tion on the notice paper connected with the laW of landlord and tenant in Ireland, which he begged to post pone till after Thursday the 29th, in order that the second reading of the Government Bill upon that subject might not be interrupted. The Noble Lord then read his motion, which was partially altered. He continued to say, that as he was upon his legs, it was his most painful duty to bring forward a matter which he would r a th er have refraine from. But as he had the crime resting upon him of being an Irish proprietor he would not, their Lordships might he assured, stand as a butt to any order whatever in the performance of his duty as a nimbi rof Parliament. He admitted, that if any mem ber of the British Parliament rose up in his place and spoke on any subject he was open to have his conduct criticised. He found no fault with that ; but he did not choose, when he rose in the House as an Irish Peer, to have the ground cut from under him by misstatements, %vhich were put forth for the purpose of founding upon those grounds arguments that might cajole or bamboozle— (Laughter) the friends of Ireland. He mi g ht possibly have laid himself open to ridi cule, but the tendency of such misrepresentations as lie had been the subject of would be to direct the bullet of the assassin to his person. The Times news paper of Wednesday last, in the report of the business of their Lordships' House, had put into his mouth what he had not said, and hail as carefully kept out what he actually did say. The Noble Lord then referred to the report in the columns of the Times, and denied that he had complained of ridicule on the part of the Noble and Learned Lord.—(The Noble Lord here entered into a repetition of his statement and the provisions of the measure, which was withdrawn on Tuesday evening.) He repeated that he did not complain of ridicule on the part of the Noble and Learned Lord, who he knew was as able in the discharge of his peculiar duties as any Lord Chancellor that had ever acted heretofore, and charac terised for the amiability of his nature. But he did think that Noble Lord had misrepresented both his ar guments and his measure. Some one, however, for some base end—some miscreant unseen, scribbling for his hire, had chosen to misrepresent his words and his statements. The Sun newspaper also contained the same serious misrepresentation. He assured their Lordships that he said no such thing as was imputed to him. He objected to the attempt which had been made to raise a laugh in the House, instead of meeting the objections of his Bill. He was there as a representative Peer of Ireland, and was determined, cost what it might, in the present awful crisis which hung over his country, to do his duty. He hoped, by their Lordships' support, to put a stop to this evil, and he begged to move that the printers of those two newspapers should be called to the bar of the House. He intended to persevere in the motion. The Noble Lord concluded by saying " I beg to move that the printers of the Times and ,Sun news papers be called to the bar of the House to answer for a breach of the privileges of your Lordships' House." Lord BROUGHAM said, that if their Lordships allowed the galleries to be occupied, there was no doubt but that the reports which were made to the public would be made in a spirit perfectly fair and honest. He felt the necessity for that as entirely as his Lord ship did, and he thought the departure from such a course deserving of censure. He would, however, re mind his Lordship that the plan usually acted upon in both Houses of Parliament was to avoid needlessly in terfering in such things. That their Lordships bad an undoubted right to prevent strangers from entering the gallery of their Lordships' House there could be no doubt. But they were not excluded, and at the same time their Lordships should consider that those persons who gave an account of their proceedings were, he might say, not in 99 cases out of 100, but in 999 cases out of 1,000, actuated by strictly honourable motives, and gave with singular ability and most admirable impartiality the account of what passed within their Lordships' House. He hoped, therefore, that his Noble Friend would deem the notice he had taken of the circumstance quite sufficient, without pressing the matter any further. He had never seen any any good arise, either to their Lordships' House or to the other House, from needlessly entering into a conflict with any portion of the public press of this country. It had been said that he (Lord Brougham) had expressed it as his opinion that the press was the best public instructor of the country. He did not, however, mean by the term " press"the newspaper press only, but what he meant was, that the press ge nerally was the best possible instructor of the country. He would advise the Noble Marquis not to take any further step in the matter; for it was his opinion, that the notice which his Lordship had taken of the subject was sufficient. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that the great difficulty in this case was to prove malevolence on the part of those who were accused. It was merely an in accuracy of the reporter. Such practices as the Noble Marquis (Westmeath) spoke of could not pos sibly take place on any respectable newspaper. Besides, an opportunity was afforded to any Noble Member who might be misrepresented of correcting any mistakes that might be committed. Their Lordships should consider the difficult position in which reporters were placed—(Hear, hear)—and he trusted that, under these circumstances, the Noble Lord would not persevere in his motion. The Marquis of WESTMEATH said, that since he found it was the wish of their Lord ships, he would not persist in his motion. However, he must say, that in the present state of Ire land, it was very necessary that there should be a true statement of what he said, and that the misrepresenta tions of the press should not be used against him. There was an article in the 7 Imes containing most scurrilous abuse of him. Upon that he looked with contempt ; but still he must say that, coupling that ar ticle with the report, he believed the misrepresentation was deliberate. But, as their Lordships were agreed, he would not persist in his motion.—(Hear, hear.) The LORI) CHANCELLOR said that the observa tions which he had made, he confined entirely to the Bill before their Lordships. The Marquis of WESTMEATH said he believed that the Noble and Learned Lord was incapable of acting in any unamiable manner, but he did feel that ho had not been well treated. The motion was then withdrawn. POOR-LAW (IRELAND) BILL. Lord KENYON presented a petition from the vestry of Marylebone in favour of the Poor-law (Ireland) Bill. The Earl of CLANCARTY laid on the table petitions from the county of Roscommon, and the medical profes sion in the county of Tyrone, against the Poor-law (Ireland) Bill. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE, who was imper fectly heard, was understood to say that the Poor-law (Ireland) Bill was not what the Noble Earl had repre sented it, and did not contain any clause conferring a general right to out-door relief to the poor of Ireland. The Earl of FITZWILLIAM wished to ask the Noble Marquis (Lansdowne), if, in the event of the Bill for the Suppression of Vagrancy in Ireland not passing into law in the other House, the Government would pro ceed with the other two measures, the Poor-law and the Landed Property Bills? The Alarquis of LANSDOWNE said it would be presumptuous in him to state what course would be adopted in the event of the other House not passing into a law the Bill referred to. No exertion, however, would be wanting on the part of the Government to carry all the measures they had introduced in connexion with Ireland. 'The subject then dropped. Lord MONTEAGLE presented a petition against any alteration in the Navigation Laws. EDUCATION. The Bishop of LLANDAFF presented several peti tions in favour of the Government scheme of education. Earl FITZWILLIAM presented several petitions against the Government scheme of education. Similar petitions were presented by Lord VIVIAN and the Marquis of LANSDOWNE. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE presented petitions from the inhabitants of Wakefield, the churchwardens and others of the parish of Stepney, and other places, in favour of the Government scheme. Lord DENMAN presented two similar petitions on the same subject. POOR-LAW (IRELAND). Lord RODEN presented a petition against a poor-law for Ireland. FEVER (IRELAND) BILL. The Earl of CLARENDON moved that their Lord. ships should go into Committee on this Bill. The pre• sent Bill was one brought in for the purpose of making some amendments in the Bill passed last session upon this subject. Lord MONTEAGLE considered that some difficulty would be found in obtaining the necessary super vision under the provisions of this Bill, arising from the great extent of the unions of Ireland, some of them containing upwards of 500,000 acres, and he thought that some amendments might be intro duced in the Bill to remedy this defect. Any amend ments that he might at a future stage of the Bill propose to their Lordships should be framed in such a manner as not to defeat or affect the principle of the Bill. This Bill has been more or less obstructed by disputes among the medical profession itself, and Parliament had allowed its efforts to be neutralised by the party squabbles of local medical boards. He thought that the time had now arrived when such considerations should not ope rate, but the Government should come f orwar d an d make such enactments as the emergency of the case re quired. The Marquis of WESTMEATII said, that consider ing the expense of the education of the medical profes sion in Ireland, and the facility that was afforded for obtaining diplomas in Scotland, and elsewhere, he thought that there should be an amendment to protect the members of the medical profession in Ireland, and he would propose an amendment to that effect. The Earl of CLANCARTY—His Noble Friend op posite had spoken of the disputes among the medical profession in Ireland having impeded the efforts of the Government on this subject. He must say, in justice to the medical profession, that those distinguished mem bers of that profession, who had come before the House last session, and to others who had sent petitions, sup porting the views of the Government, that they were actuated by motives quite different to those attributed to them. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE could assure the House that it was the earnest wish of her Majesty's Government to deal satisfactorily with the medical pro fession in Ireland; but they had to deal first with that subject which concerned all parties. After a few words from the Earl of CLARENDON and Lord MONTEAGLE their Lordships went into Committee. The Bill having gone through Committee, the Chair man reported accordingly, and the Bill was ordered to be read a third time to-morrow (this day). Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, April 22. - . The SPEAKER took the Chair at Four o'clock. Mr. Goodbody, the Deputy Sergeant.at-Arms, pre sented returns from the Court of Chancery. REPORTS. The reports of the following Bills were brought up and agreed to : Hartlepool West Harbour and Dock (Dock Extension). London and South-Western Railway (Widening, &c.) THIRD READINGS. The following Bills were read a third time and passed : Darwen Waterworks and Reservoirs. Newhaven Harbour, Ouse Lower Navigation, and Lewes and Laughton Drainage. Newmarket and Chesterford Railway (Extension to Thetford). Newmarket and Chesterford Railway (Extension to Bury St. Edmund's, with a Branch to Ely). RAILWAY BILLS. Sir J. GRAHAM moved, pursuant to notice, to amend the first resolution of the 23d day of February last, relating to Railway Bills, by omitting the words " eunsidered.in Committees of this House," and to sub stituze the words " reported by Committees to this House." Mr. STRUTT was not responsible for the resolution that it was now sought to alter. Every exertion had been made by the Commissioners to draw up the re ports. Ile should offer no objection to the motion. Mr. ELIOT YORKE supported the motion, and stated tbat the Committee of which he was a member Was one, among others, that showed the necessity of its adoption. _ After a short discussion, the motion was agreed to. REGISTRATION BILL (SCOTLAND). Sir R. IL INGLIS presented a petition from the Synod of Glasgow, against this measure. GOVERNMENT EDUCATION. Mr. GRANTLEY BERKELEY presented several petitions against the Government scheme•of education. Mr. GISBORNE presented five petitions from Npt tingham, - and other places, against the Govarnment scheme of education. Sir R. H. INGLIS presented petitions in favour of he measure. Sir J. C. 110BHOUSE presented petitions from Nottingham in favour of the measure. Mr. MILES presented_ petitions from the county of Somerset in favour of the measure. Mr. B. B. CABBELL presented petitions in favour of the measure. Sir J. HANMER and Mr. FELLOWES also presented petitions in favour of the measure. Mr. OSBORNE presented a petition from Wesleyan Methodists in favour of the Government scheme of education. Mr. BRIGHT presented 350 petitions against the edu. cational measure. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented a number of petitions against the measure. Mr. MACKINNON presented a petition from Lea mington, Hants, against the Government scheme of edu cation, and several others to the same effect from other places, - Mr. PUSEY presented a petition in favour of the Agricultural Tenant-right Bill. Mr. FERRAND presente d two pet i t i ons f rom p l aces in Yorkshire in favour of the Government plan of edu cation. Mr. S. CRAWFORD presented a petition from a place in Middlesex against it. Mr. WAKLEY presented a petition from St. An drew's, Holborn, praying for a poor•law . for Ireland ; also a petition from Finsbury, praying the House to give the Raja of Sattara, an opportunity of proving his innocence ; also a petition in favour of the Ten Hours' Bill! The Horr. MEMBER gave notice that, as the Secretary of State fur the Home Department was not in his place, he would postpone till Monday the motion he had on the books, to present a petition from Mary Young, of Fincham, Norfolk, complaining of the conduct of a magistrate._ _ _ _ Mr. HUDSON presented a petition from the city of York against any further concession to the Roman Ca tholics. UNIVERSITIES OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE. Mr. CHRISTIE postponed for a fortnight the notice of motion which he had placed on the paper—to move the presentation of an address to her Majesty for a Com• mission to inquire into the condition of these Univer sities. SALE OF FIRE-ARMS IN IRELAND. Colonel VERNER also postponed for a fortnight calling the attention of the Government to the impor tation and sale of fire-arms in Ireland. CONFERENCE AT LEEDS. Mr. BRIGHT gave notice that to-morrow he should move that the petition presented from the Leeds Con ference be printed. THE POOR-LAW, AND POOR REMOVAL ACT. Mr. BANKES wished to know from the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Depart ment whether the novice which he had on the paper for this day week, with respect to the poor-law, had any reference to the Poor Removal Act of last session? Sir G. GREY said it had no connexion whatever with the Poor Removal Act. Mr. BANKES then gave notice that, on this day week, he should propose the repeal of the Poor Removal Act of last session. Mr. FERRAND inquired whether the Right Hon. Baronet positively intended to bring forward the motion to which the Hon. Gentleman had referred? Sir GEORGE GREY said it was his intention; but it was possible that the state of public business might prevent him from bringing it forward on that day. COMMITTEES ON PRIVATE BILLS. Mr. HUME postponed until to-morrow (Friday) his motion of which he had given notice, namely, that all Committees on Private Bills be constituted of five Mem bers only, who shall be appointed by the Committee of Selection, in the same manner as Committees on Rail way Bills. That the Committi e of Classification shall form into groups all Bills which, in their opinion, it would be expedient to submit to the same Committee. That the resolution of the House of the 3d day of February, 1847, relating to Railway Bills be extended to all private Bills. That at the commencement of each session a panel of chair men of Committees on Private Bills be appointed by the Committee of Selection, and reported to the House ; and that the chairman of every Committee be selected from such panel ; and that the House do agree with the Select Committee on Private Bills in the second re port, that all Committees on private Bills be con stituted of five Members, selected in the same man ner as committees on Railway Bills are constituted. MEDICAL REFORM. Mr. WAKELY, in answer to a question from Sir R. Inglis, stated that it was his intention to bring on the question of Medical Reform on Wednesday week. It was a Bill of the utmost importance; and he trusted that the discussion on its merits would take place on the second reading at the least. TIDAL HARBOURS. Mr. HUME postponed, till Thursday next, the fol lowing notice, namely—To move to discharge the mo tion for copies respecting Tidal Harbours, No. 42 of the 29th March. GAS COMPANIES. Mr. HUME moved for a statement from every gas company established by Act of Parliament in the United Kingdom, stating the several Acts of Parliament under which established, the rates per 1,000 cubic feet at which each company or corporation have supplied gas in each year since 1820, or if later established, in each year from the year the company commenced to supply gas, and the price of the best coals in each year for the same period ; also stating the amount of fixed capital of each gas company, and the rate per cent. of dividend to the shareholders or proprietors on their shares in each year during that time.—Agreed to. EAST INDIA COMPANY'S SECRET PAPERS. Mr. HUME desired to know, whether the Govers ment had any objection to his motion for a list of secret papers laid before the Court of Directors of the East India Company by the Board of Control, since January, 1840, distinguishing those papers that were kept in secret Court of Directors. Sir J. HOBHOUSE said, that his great objection was that if they were given they would no longer remai■ secret; and, in fact, it would be impossible to furnish them. Mr. HUME said that all he wanted was a list of the papers, and not what they contained. Supposing the paper was on steam-boats, let the paper be named as such ; if on negotiation, let it receive that title. He would, however, postpone it. EDUCATIONAL PLAN. Colonel LINDSAY presented a petition from Wake. field against the Government educational grant. MILITARY TRANSPORTATION. Mr. HOPE wished to ask a question of which he had given notice. It had relation to the transportation of military offenders. He understood that in future it was intended to convey them, at least, from India to the Cape of Good Hope. He asked if this were correct, and that, also, in case of transportation from England, whether a different arrangement was to prevail? He wished likewise to know whether the arrangement was made with the concurrence of the colonial authorities? Mr. HAWES said the Hon. Gentleman's questions were longer than the motion of which he had given notice. Re garding transportation from the colonies, it was arranged. that military convicts from the Mauritius and India should proceed to the Cape of Good Hope, where a depot was established for their reception. With regard to the support of these establishments, they were not to be supported out of the Colonial fund, but out of the Im perial treasury. No other provision was in contem plation at present. REFUSAL TO BURY PAUPERS AT WAR- MINSTER. Mr. BOUVERIE postp oned tothe t r h e e fu m ia o l t o io f n the of Vicarwhich had given notice, relative Warminster to bury Sara h Garrett, a pauper of that union, till that day week. BISHOPRIC OF ST. ASAPH. Mr. COLLETT, in moving for copies of all corre spondence with the Bishop of Bangor, of any case sub mitted to the law officers of the Crown, and of their opintnion of aon the ho subject, Previously to the appoint me Bishop of St. Asaph, in July, 1846-- said that he would tro u bl e t h e. House with very few ob servations, because, although he had not been in com munication with the Government, he had every hope that his motion would be acceded to. It would be re membered that in the early part of last session he had taken the liberty of asking the First Lord of the Treasury the following question: whether there was any intention, in the event of creating the new Bishopric of Manchester, it was also determined to unite the sees of Bangor and St. Asaph. (The Hon. Memb er then proc:eded to read from the jour nals the deb a t e w hi c h had taken place :in the beginning of the session.) Mr. FERRAND—I rise to order. The Hon. Member has read a part o f a d e b ate w hi c h t oo k place in this ' House in the early part of the session. S N , C The SPEAKER said the Hon. Membeital_sie_ Iplttkra'so of order. 44:,- - % COLLETT said th , t he would the v y.‘r with propo? ing the terms tf his 'notion. Mr. \YAK Y econded the motion. Sir G. GREY said thrit he could not es r;rgirKellit motion of the Hon. Member until he had err. SM.A. N opinions upon the subject. It was never contemplated to consolidate the bi,hoprics, on the vacancy of one see, without the consent of the other. A correspondence had :ilready;taken place upon the subject with theil3ishop of Asaph, an d no o b s t ac l e appeare d t o standin the way of the consolidation. Mr. COLLETT said that he should persist with the motion, and take the sense of the House upon it. He did not see that these sees should be consolidated with cut the, consent of all parties, or during their lives. Sir G. GREY said the Hon. Member had misunder stood him; he had said that the consolidation of Lbe sees could not take place on the vacancy of one without the consent of the bishop of the other. Mr. COLLETT—They might perhaps die at the same time. t v ? it w h . c i i t u h t d a ra d w iv . isi ß on u the Strangers were th e n n o o , g •d a e t r i,e.:i l d mo ti o n was tdtitnately SERVICE IN THE ARMY. On the motion of Colonel THOMAS WOOD,, returns were granted of the number of Hien enlisted for limited service, since the ear 1806 ; tins number of men discharged alter tho first period id' 'o'rviee ; the number of men who enlisted for a i,tc:ind l'er.od of service; also the number of limn who, during illiAr first period of lirMted service, enlisted for unlimitod ;_ of the number of inn who enlisted for a third period of servici• ; of the amount of bounties, if any, laid to men enlisting tor a second and third period if service, cr from limited to unlimited service. On the motion of the LORI) ADVOCATE leave was given to bring iu a Bill to regulate the' drainage of lands in Scotland. ECCLESIASTICAL COMMISSIONERS. Mr. lIINDLEY wished to ask the question, of which he had given notice, viz., as to whether there was any intention on the part of the Government to bring in any subsequent measure in the event of the proposition for the regulation of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners tailing; or whether they would suffer the Act of William IV. to fall ? Sir G. GREY said that provision had been made to save the inconvenience the: would be felt in the event of such a contingency. BUSINESS FOR TO-MORROW (THIS DAY). Lord MAHON wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet at the head of the Home Department what course it was intended to pursue with respect to to-morrow ? Sir G. GREY believed that the greater part of the evening would be occupied by the Committee of Supply, and should that be the case it was not proposed to take any important debate towards the end of the night. EDUCATION. _ Sir W. CLAY presented seven petitions against the Government scheme of education, and one in favour of it. IMPORT DUTIES. Mr. HUME wished to know whether it was the in tention of the Government to introduce any Bill this session to repeal certain anomalies in the import laws, which inflicted great injury upon the trade of the country, and the community at large ? Lord J. RUSSELL said, in reply to the general question of the Hon. Member, he had to state that it was not the intention of the Government to introduce such a Bill. Mr. HUME said, then, as the Government had not made up their minds on the matter he should on Mon day specify the laws to which he referred, and repeat the question. NATIONAL EDUCATION.—ADJOURNED DEBATE. On the order of the day being read for resuming the adjourned debate, Sir W. CLAY rose and said, it was his intention to support the motion of his Honourable Friend the member for Finsbury; but he could not do so with out stating the reasons which had induced him to come to that determination. lie wished to guard himself from any misconception as to his views, as one of the inconveniences of the mode by which this great question had baen brought before the House— namely, by a resolution for the proposed grant rather than by a Bill —was, that it could not be so easily separated into its various divisions and discussed in detail; therefore Honourable Gentlemen were more liable to misconstruction. He intended, by his vote, to express his disapprobation of the Go.. vernruent plan; but by that vote he did not mean to declare his opinion that the State ought not to extend education among the people ; still less did he intend to give a vote of censure on the Government. If it had been intended to convey a vote of censure, he should not have voted for it. He thought, however, that the Noble Lord ought not to have yielded to the pressure which had been made. The Noble Lord said he did not approve of every part of the scheme—he would be very much surprised if he did agree with it. He himself, after anxious consideration, was of opinion that there were so many and such serious objecticns to the scheme that it would be better to wait for some time, until they were able to propo un d a better measure, freed from these objections. This was nota mere grant for one hundred thousand pounds; they were about to lay the foundations of a wide and comprehensive scheme, and they were, therefore, bound to establish a sound principle. His objections to the measure were insuperable. It was with regret he differed from the Noble Lord, but he did so conscicn tionsly. He had endeavoured to state the grounds of his opposition as briefly and temperately as possible. He had the consolation to support him that the eloquent speech of his Right Hon. Friend had not at all touched the real merits of the question. That speech, and the other speeches delivered on that side, had convinced him that there was a ereat lack of education ; but they had not all proved to his satisla,ction that this measure would meet the evil. He believed that this Bill would in a very great degree tend to place a great amount of power in the hands of the Church of England. He thought the Church was rich enough to support its own schools, instead of coming to the House for assist ance. Were the present measure passed, then the Church would be able easily to fulfil its conditions re specting the schools, and by obtaining the proposed grants their power would be immensely increased. Not less than from 80,000 to 100,000 persons would be brought into the pay of the State, each person receiving on an average from 15/. to 201. yearly. To the appoint ment of these parties as eligible to receive the pro posed grant; the clergymen of the Church were parties. Was the House prepared to grant this addi tional power? Now, he would ask, did history show that such an arrangement could be made with advan tage? No wonder the Church was so much in favour of the scheme, and the clergy attended at all the meet ings got up in favour of the plan.—(Hear, hear.) He had no doubt that, in one sense, this scheme would prove beneficial, for it would give the clergy a very im portant influence over nine-tenths of their parishioners. He thought, however, that, the power given to the mem bers of the Church would be injurious to their manly independence and freedom of thought, be sides introducing amongst them an occupation foreign to those duties for which they were originally intended. It was quite impossible for the Roman Catholics to avail themselves of the benefits of the scheme, for it was coupled with such conditions as entirely precluded the attendance of their children at the schools, and this, in his opinion, was a fatal objection to the scheme. Nor had the speech of his Right Ho nourable Friend the Member for Edinburgh tended in the slightest degree to increase his approval of it, and if the brilliant ability of his Right Hon. Friend was in sufficient to throw around•it anything like justification, whence was it to be obtained? The favouritism of the Right Honourable Member was threefold. In the first place, he asserted that the members of the Church of England constituted the great majority of the popula tion, supposing a village to contain a thousand inhabi tants—and nine hundred of them were members of the Church, they were obliged to leave the hundred. Secondly, the Dissenters, he con tended, would be no worse off than they were before ; and, finally, that the Dissenters would obtain the advantage, in common with all other parties in the country, of the increased security for property which the improved education would in duce. Such was the best excuse which his Right Hon. Friend had been enabled to make, but what would be said supposing the same argu ments were to be adopted with regard to the poor law which they were about to pass for Ireland. What would be said, supposing it was to be alleged that the minority was to receive no benefit from that law ? In - that country the Church of England happened to be in the minority, and what would its members say if none but those who held the doctrines of transubstantion were to be allowed relief' ? Well, but let them look at it in its best aspects—in those aspects in which the promoters of the scheme ce wished it to be viewed. The Right_ _Hon,_ Gentlemat! M the Member for Edinburgh ( Mr. M acau l ay ) said, if there were of particular England, another y alt with the Free one conn ected with of Scotland, a third with thee in the ur w e s l e y an s, and a gb ualfourthbe injustice ? jpuwasirttithei participate ?pat But if four schools the Jude peudents, ecte f d ou w r itshchtohoels would iwould e Ch in urch a gra nts, an d a ske d t his schools were opened in a district which had only sufficient children for one, they would have four bad schools in stead of one good school. Rather than bring about such a ling v p o re lu s n en ta t, ry e a av id, in i s t te a a s d o h f i r t h e p e r u t d o i a t i i n n g a result it would be bett er t o l eave education as it was at th g a re t at pr m in e c as ip u le re an to d retaining its worst characteristics. He denied that the question was surrounded with difficulties, and that this was a step in the right direction—(Hear, hear) — as he considered that it was a step in the opposite direc tion, as it would promote sectarian differences, instead of a general and national system of education, and would lead to an unequal distribution of the grant. He had said that he was in favour of the avernment promoting the education of the people ; but in a country where private opinion prevailed to so great an extent as it did in this, he considered that the religious education of the child should be left to the parents. Public opinion had materially altered since 1839, and therefore the adoption of such a scheme as that proposed in 1839 might be adopted without difficulty, and without materially interfering with the rights of consience. He would have left things as they were ; he would have left it optional with the localities whether they would accept the grant or not. In a short time it would be exceedingly, widely, and extensively, accepted. That would be a sound and comprehensive scheme, worthy of the House to adopt and fight through. In the mean time, so great were the objections to this scheme, that he considered it would be better for them to let the voluntary principle work its way—let them trust to it for by accepting the present measure they would be sanctioning the very worst error that they: pos sibly could. Let them then wait for some suspicions moment, when they would have a great national scheme, g, the X 3 lO 4 2 4 6 4 6 6 . best )tber anti ea ld? 1/ as )01 1 ohl )Id,