The Sun. — London, England, 1847-06-26 00:00:00

SURREY THEATRE. Vincent Wallace's opera of Maritana has been pro duced here, and bids fair to become as popular on the Surrey side of the water, as it has been at Drury-lane during the last two seasons. It is very strongly cast. Miss Rainforth sustaining the character of Maritana ; Miss Rebecca Issacs that of Lazarillo : Mr. Stretton being the Don Jose, and Mr. M'Mahon the King, while Mr. W. Harrison appears in his original part of Don Csesar de Bazan. The choruses are full and well-drilled, and the orchestra under the able direction of Tully, dos full justice to the beautiful music of this very pleasing opera. A new melo-drama, entitled The Rag picker, was produced on Wednesday night with complete suc cess. It is an adaptation from the French popular piece Le Chiffonier, and is one of those dramas of striking inci dent—of intense interest, which are sure to be popular with a Surrey audience. The Rag-picker (capitally acted by Mr. H. Webb) is the virtuous man of the piece and through his exertions a Millionaire Baron and his un principled daughter, who have acquired their wealth by a series of murders and peculations, and who have en deavoured to procure the conviction of the rag-picker and of his protegee, Marie Didier (Mrs. H. Vining), for the crimes which they themselves have committed, are brought to justice, and—as is always the case on the stage—guilt is punished and virtue rewarded. The audi ence were vociferous in their applause, and to all lovers of the drama of intense interest, we recommend a visit to The Rag-picker of Paris. PANORAMA ROYAL, LEICESTER-SQUARE. MR. BURFORD'S NEW PANORAMA OF THE HIMALAYA MOUNTAINS. The new Panorama of the Himalaya Mountains, painted by Mr. Robert Burford (assisted by Mr. 11. C. Selous), from drawings taken in 1846, by Capt. George J. White,3lst Regiment, was opened for private view yesterday, and is now open to the public. The Pano rama is taken from one of the mountains of the Hindoo Koosh which, from its height and situation, commands a most comprehensive view of the Himalaya regions. "Towards the north, the immediate foreground is bro ken by precipitous rocks, rugged cliffs, wooded heights, and cultivated ravines, some cf which, two or three thousand feet in depth , have their sides covered with dark forests, where it is impossible to cultivate the soil; but where the ground admits of husbandry, even when the descents are most precipitous, successive lines of terraces appear, like the steps of some magnificent am phitheatre, upon which the produce waves in many coloured hues, abundantly irrigated by strearalets, fre quently conducted from very remote springs. In many Places these terraced fields are carried up to an extra ordinary height, even to the very tops of the ranges, in situations apparently inaccessible, and there the effects of the elevation upon the temperature of the atmosphere are strikingly observable from the diversity of tints the produce assumes, the highest being in fresh blade brilliantly green, whilst the lowest is sear and ripe. Many small hamlets and neat houses are dotted about, presenting a look of neatness and comfort ; shut out from the world, their inhabitants, if they do not live in peace amongst themselves, arc at least undisturbed by th e visits of travellers. " All around the lower hills spread out in every di rection, romantic and picturesque, mountain, plain, and Precipice, in ten thousand varied forms, blended by distance, and softened by various tints of sunshine and shade ; shattered peaks, black mural precipices, ra vines purple from their depths, and graceful hills co vered most luxuriantly with dar kl cedars, oaks clustered with acorns, and rhododendrons blushing with scarlet bloom. The British station of Soobathoo is seen on one side in an arid plain, and Simla. another station, with the mountain of Jacko on which it is partly built, stands boldly prominent in front. Almost on a level With the spectator at the summits of the Bayree, Day bee, and Kurroll mountains, and rising still higher the Whartoo, Choor, and Sirgool, with their peaks covered With snow, like giants mantled in white, shining bril liantly against the azure depths of the heavens. These, although but mere vassals of the mighty Himalaya, Would be the boast of other countries, as they rise from eight to twelve thousand feet perpendicular height. "In the extreme distance the wide stretching snowy range occupies an immense extent of uninterrupted out line, and fascinates the eye with its huge but aerial 'Snow piled on snow, the mass appears, The gathered winter of ten thousand years,' A wide undulating plain of everlasting snow, from which three mighty peaks, called the Jumnotree, shot up to an immense altitude ; two jcined by a ridge being irregular, curiously rugged, and majestically distinct ; the tnird, at acme distance, being isolated and black, forming a singu lar contrast with the hoary desert around. Other im mense peaks, probably above the source of the Ganges, are seen towards the east, succeeded again by others, until lost in the vast and boundless distance. Over this forlorn and desolate field of snow, and between the peaks, are the passes which lead into Koonawur and:Chinese Tartary, the principal of which, the ShatoOl, Yoosoo, and Boorendoo passes, although nearly fifty miles dis tant. being distinctly visible, such is the delicate purity of the atmosphere. "In th e o pp os ite direction towards the south is the beautiful valley of Pinjore, and the verge of sight melt ing into a line of vapour scarcely to be distinguished from the horizon, is bounded by the Punjab, the glowing Plains around Sirhind, the North-West Provinces, the country towards Bengal, and it is said even to the Pir . ranjal of Cashmir; the whole like an exquisite map spread out beneath, through which the Sutlej, the Ganges, the Indus, and numerous tributary streams Flittering like veins of silver, are seen winding amongst the fertile plains, until lost in the blue etherial mist of the distance. Dark lines and spots mark towns and vil lages, and the luridly glaring air over them indicates a burning wind, which never reaches this happy mountain region." Nothing can equal the sublime magnificence of the scenery thus depicted. The rich plains of the Punjaub, through which meanders the Sutlej, and various other I fertilising steams, contrast strongly with the arid snow capped mountains by which they are surrounded, and which seem to rise higher and higher in the distance. The scenery depicted, too, is of classical interest. We see Soobathoo, now a British station, but formerly belonging to Ghakas, now tributaries to the British, who did us excellent service on the field of Alliwal. Loodiannah, under the walls almost of which the battle of Alliwal was fought. Simla, the summer residence Of our Indian viceroys. Umballah, the station from Which Lord Hardinge led his forces to Moodkee, the Jullindar Doab, the territory recently ceded to us , ,`, the Sikhs, which is watered by the Sutlej , no w a etritish river, and, in the distance beyond, the Punjaub, Cabal the scene at once of our disasters and of our g lor y . 4 the distance we see the Ganges and the Jumna issu- Ing from the mountain passes of the Koosh, „Ticked b y t h e Clow Mountain, the highest of the lower Aptatua aya, situated between the Sutlej and the Jumna, a t a height of 12,149 feet above the sea. As a work of art, it is impossible to speak in too high terms of this Panorama. It is a marvel of perspective, and the aerial effects are superbly given. The atmosphere seems glow- I n g , nay, vibrating with heat, over the plains of the Pun- Jaub—it not only looks, it almost feels warm. FOREIGN CORN AND HARVEST. BRUSSELS, JUNE 21.—1 n nearly the whole of the environs o f B russe ls they are busily engaged in cutting the hay, which has scarcely ever been so fine. It is long, very full, and extremely tender, so that it will form excellent fodder for horses. The farmers, how ever, complain that the weather is not very favour able for making it; it re quiresfewigahtays days of sun a T i e wea ther ons rain. and heat, while duri ng the l as t e has been rather co ld, and cloud y , with The wheat is full of bloom and the grain is already form e d in the7ears of rye. With regard to the patatoes, St has been generally remarked throughout the environs of Brussels that there were some fissures in theleaf, but this however has in no way impeded the vigorous growth of the plant ' • besides, this symptom which bears no resemblance to that of the preceeding years has al ready disappeared. ANTwE R p, JUNE 22.—There is a good deal more acti v'tv in the corn market, and somewhat o f a decline in the t wheat a n d barley ; there was a great dem and for latter, and about 5,000 hectolitres were disposed of. Wheat was no less in demand. z OTTERDAM, JUNE 22. — The arr ivals of wheat from Facke, &c., have received a farther check In the prices—s t iperior, 19f. 80c. to 201 . 20c., fi ne, 19f. 30 C de •to 191. 60c. Of rye a large supply, but no t much in 'nand. as the s , ?llers maintained the for mer hi g h p rices, none but necessary purchases were made. ANOTHER ACCIDENT ON THE BISHOPSTORE AND s'3.IvALISBURY BRANCH OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN RAIL ,4T.--WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23.—This morning a ponde rous mass of earth suddenly gave way about a quarter tact nine, at the clay cutting within three miles of Salis -117, burying several of the labourers there at work. 1 Iv° of the po , -A. unfortunate workmen were some time r fore they were extricated. When t he y were g ot out, r th wore found to be dreadfully crushed , blood flowin g , rem their moul;las, nostrils, &c.; they we re p laced in a ‘ruck, and take n to the Infirmary at Salisbury, where, on being examilied by the surgeons, one was found with tt dislocated alacle, and the other with h is knee cap fo rced from its socket, besides other exter nal in j uries. It is hoped thtit they have not suffered internally so much as was first feared. Fortunately, there being 4i any men at Nwork on the spot, their united exertions re scued the poor fellows before they were suffocAted. eve is the tin fortunate cutting where so many a ccidents r've occurred during the progress of the wo rks for the So uth -Western Company, although the utmost care is 11114 ,,,e11 a to prey ent such happening. -Lx DA( lENHAM MURDER. —Tuesday large pla !lttds were ex hibited at all the station-houses of the me tropolis, and also posted in other places, offering a reward of 50/ for the apprehension of William Parsons, Ilt rica-sergem it, and Isaac Hickton , po lice -constable, e I Y in the K division, charged with co n sp irac y and ,i ,17.14.1 ury at thi inquest held at Dagenham , in the count y Essex, up on the body of George C lark, a p olice- Constabl e wh o was brutally murdered on the 29th of nose 1846. The placard states that " Her Majesty's w ` - '? i verment w ill give the above reward to any person the shall g ive such information as will lead to it „ aPpreher ;sion of these men, or a proprtion of 19r the apprehension of either of them.' Parsons described r co being thirty years of age, bit. high, fresh I • 1 4 e Lion, small grey eyes, sandy hair and Whiskers, mth.th freckled, walks upright, and is well- Portioned ;; by trade a miller, and born in St. Peter's , ears orwich. ickton is described as being thirty - thre e a ,( 3 f age, 5 ft. 9tin. high, fair complexion, grey eye s, e t! brown h; tir, small sandy whiskers, round-shoulder yruf_ draws his nouth on one side when talking, especially excited ; • by trade a currier, and was employed at " tanner's a t L l a l esowen, near Bi rm i ng ham, about three months °WOO gIEI Wm in Warbus, Derby. LONDON DIOCESAN BOARD OF EDUCATION. The annual meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday, at 79, Pall-mall. Among those present were the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of London (President), the Dean of Chichester, the Rev. Sir H. Dukinfield,. Rev. A. M. Campbell, Rev. Henry Hughes, the Right Hon. W. Glad3tone, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Pownall, &c. Prayers having been read, The Right Rev. PRESIDENT said: In the few re marks which I shall address to you, before commenc ing the business of the day, I shall not anticipate the report which will shortly be read to you, and which will state to you distinctly the position which has been occupied by the London Diocesan Board dur ing the last year, and the degree of success which has attended it. We find ourselves at what may be termed an educational crisis in this country, and it depends on an institution like this, acting in con nexion with and in subordination to that great insti tution the National School Society for the education of the poor, whether the result of that crisis shall be for the good of the church, and therefore for the best interests of the country, or whether we shall take a backward step in the course we have pursued, and be less successful than we have been in our endeavours to procure an inseparable connexion between reli gious and secular instruction. I should rather say a fusion than a connexion ; for I hold that the only education which can be called Christian is that which is secular and religious ; that is to say, that what is called secular instruction shall be so communicated to children in a class as to impress them with a conviction that the whole is connected with their duty to God, as well as their duty in that station of life to which it has pleased God to call them.—(Applause.) A great event has taken place during the last year in the publication and adoption of the minutes of the Committee of the Council of Education. What the ultimate result will be we cannot foresee, but still I think we may predict that if the Church is true to itself, and puts forth its energies in a degree commensurate to the exigencies of the case, the result cannot be other wise than beneficial to the Church, and through it to the interests of Christianity and the welfare of the community at large.—(Applause.) It is obvious to those who have considered the case, that in order to realise this result greatly in creased exertions must be made by the Church, in order to render its present system so beneficial as to deserve and secure the co-operation of the Govern ment. Indeed, I think this is ona of the best features of the Government plan, and characteristic of the Christian prudence which marks it, that it makes a certain degree of proficiency in every school —or, at least, a diligent endeavour after that proficiency— necessary to the securing any portion of assistance from the pubic resources—(Applause). Now, I know no stronger stimulus than this is calculated to give. I looked with some degree of satisfaction upon the fact, that one of the most important features of the Government scheme is one that had before marked the proceedings of the London Diocesan Board. I will not say we started the idea of pupil teachers, but I may state the fact that we had established them before the minutes of the Council were promulgated. It gives me great pleasure to see it adopted In the Government plan, of; which I consider it an impor tant and valuable portion. We have every reason, as far as our experience goes, to be satisfied with it. As to the particular wants of this diocese, I have spoken of them so often that I need scarcely allude to them. In the course of the last year the com mittee have put forth an appeal for the purpose of erecting new schools in the City, and the improve ment of those that exist. The latter proposal is impor tant as being in connexion with the provision of the minutes of council which requires that a certain degree of proficiency shall have been obtained before Government aid is given. The appeal we have made to the public has not been responded to yet so well as we hope it will be when the case is better under stood. The question is not now whether a fund shall be formed by the friends of the church—At is not the question only shall a school be built—but on the ,for mation of a fund depends the possibility of our having a just measure of Government aid. So that when a person withholds his contribution, he prevents us from receiving a greater degree of assistance from the Government resources.—(Hear, hear.) That ought to be an additional incentive to the friends of the church. I cannot help alluding to another of the measures which have been tal'en by the London Diocesan Board—not exactly taken, but now pro posed. After all the endeavours which have been made to bring within the pale of Christian education the almost countless numbers of children who have been so long left destitute of it, after all the exertions of the National Society, there are thousands entirely out of the reach of Christian instruction, many of the children of pro fligate and godless parents, who not only do not care to provide for their children the advantages of a Christian education, but who retard it, knowing that it would deprive them of their lawless and unnatural gains. This has not been kept sufficiently in view. If we neglect the poor, educated they will be, but it will be the education of vice, and dishonesty, and ruin. Measures must now be taken to rescue thou sands of children who are a prey to vice. I say this with reference to a scheme which is generally known by name as the plan for Ragged Schools. I wish that name had not been given to them, but they are known by it. I must do justice to those who have taken in hand this work of Christian charity.— (Applause.) Though I could have wished that they had been kept more strictly in connexion with the church, I must not withhold the meed of praise from those who have endeavoured to rescue these unhappy children from their depths of misery.— (Applause.) We, I hope, shall not be back ward in following their example and those who have pre ceded us. This forms a feature in the plan which the London Diocesan Board are now sending forth to the public; rad if we look to the possible results, it is not the lent important, and is the most difficult to deal with. I hope you will have sufficient confi dence in us to believe that we shall not be guilty of any compromise of principle.—(Applause.) It is hardly necessary for me to touch on the sub ject any further. I have on more than one occasion expressed my gratitude to Government for having dealt with this difficult question with a great deal of prudence and benevolence. The Church has come forward to accept the assistance so offered to it, and it remains with the members of the Church in different dioceses to use increased exertions in order to derive from this measure the full amount of benefit which it is calculated to give if properly carried out.—(Loud applause.) In the diocese of London I think we may expect such assistance from the friends of the Church as shall enable us to carry out the important plan which has recently been held out to them.—(Loud and general applause.) Mr. BURGESS, the honorary secretary, then read the report, a long MS. document, of which we were c not fortunate enoug h t o get copy.a ult t r retain n suggestedchildren that, as it wo u ld b e f oun d difficult unless somethi ng was d one to relieve o th e eir parents, it would be proper that twelve children should be se lected, and paid as head -monitors at Si. pe The board being anxi ous t o ra i se the conditionranun_um. I the most destitute children, proposed to erect schools, towards which the Bishop of London su b scr ib e d 5001. A public meeting was held on the subject on the 22d of April. Hitherto (said the report) the board has not circulated the plan, but they now announce that her Majesty the Queen Dowager and the Duchess of Kent have approved of it, and given donations. 1,0001. is the sum now in hand, The following are the heads of the plan : " 1. To promote and aid in the building of schools in those parts of the metropolis which are included in the diocese of London, and, wherever it is practicable, to add rooms for the residences of the teachers. "2. To aid in maintaining and improving schools which already exist in necessitous districts, until they are in a condition to avail themselves of the Govern ment assistance. "To assist in opening and fitting up hired rooms for national and parochial schools, as well as to con tribute towards niaintaining evening or day schools for destitute and neglected children (commonly called ragged schools), with a view to preparing scholars for the more regular and permanent institutions. " All donations and annual subscriptions will be considered as placed at the disposal of the board for general purposes, unless any donor or subscriber should particularly express a preference for any one or more of the above objects. " Donations of 301. and upwards may be paid by instalments within three years. " With a work of such magnitude in view, in which the present and eternal welfare of many thou sands of poor children in this metropolis may be in volved, the committee of the board will not allow themselves to doubt but that in a short time they will receive that support which will enable them to carry forward thee ,lesig lh ; find that the friends of na tional ~ .!1!(:o_ len will come forward with a liberality proportioned to the importance and necessity of the work now before them as evinced by the urgent applications for aid which have already been received from some of the most needy parishes in the metro polis." The annual revenue, it appeared, had been em ployed in procuring pupil-teachers, and a deficit had been left of 711. 3s. lid. This had been made up by a balance from last year, leavin a snm of 1371. 3s. Bd., which, however, would (thesoong report said) be absorbed. The report concluded by an earnest appeal to the public in favour of the cause of the society. The Right Hon. W. GLADSTONE moved the adop tion of the report, expressing his concurrence with its views generally, and also with the course pursued by the Church with regard to the Government education measure. The report was unanimously adopted, and the fol• THE SUN, LONDON, lowing resolution passed :—" That the present state of the educational question in this country is such as to call for the most strenuous exertions of every member of the Established Church, especially with a view of co-operating with and taking advantage of the offer of assistance made by the Government, thus securing for the people religious instruction according to the principles of the Established Church, along with such branches of secular educa tion as may be required by the Committee of Coun cil, and imparted by an improved race of secular teachers." The Committee having been appointed, thanks were voted to the President, and acknowledged by his Lordship. RAILWAY COMMITTEES, HOUSE OF LORDS.—(YESTERDAY.) Room A. EASTERN COUNTIES (CAMBRIDGE AND BEDFORD EXTENSION). Mr. Stephenson and Mr. Borthwick were examined. Mr. Sergeant WRANGIIAM addressed the Committee against the Bill, on behalf of opposing landowners. Adjourned till Monday. Room C. BIRMINGHAM, WOLVERHAMPTON, AND STOUR VALLEY (NO. II.) BRANCHES. Their Lordships met at eleven o'clock. Mr. R. M. Stephenson, civil engineer, was called this morning for the purpose of showing the amount of traffic which might be expected upon this line, if constructed. He stated that in the district through which the line would pass there were 400 works, consisting of iron furnaces, coal pits. &c. Of this number, 50 would be accommodated by the existing Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway, leaving 350 to be accommo dated by the present proposed. line. Of this number, returns had been made from 230, showing that the ac tual payments made by them for the carriage of material was 80,7921. That return did not include the amount paid by the works of Mr. Foster, at Stourbridge, which that gentleman stated in his evidence to be about 1,5001. There were then one hundred and twenty works re maining, from which no returns had been made, but, taking them at the same averages which had been made, the income derivable by the company from them would be 42,0001., or making a total altogether of about 137,0001. from works located upon the line for carriage of materials alone. And, taking into consideration the fact that one fourth of that traffic would be distant traffic, averaging sixty miles, that would increase the revenue from that source from 137,000/. to 182,0001. The average distance which goods would be conveyed upon the whole line would be about five miles, the charge for which, deducted from the above sum, and also making due allowance for the traffic, which would still be accommodated by means of the canal, the net in come likely to be derived from the carriage of raw materials would be about 30,0001. The passenger traffic would, he believed, pay the ex penses of working the line. The capital of the com pany would be 500,000/., and the revenue would yield about six per cent. profit on the outlay. The line would be worked in connexion with the London and North- Western Company. The income from passenger traffic he estimated would be from 1,2001. to 1,5001. per mile per annum. _ _ Mr. TALBOT cross-examined the witness at some length, with a view of showing that the data upon which he had founded his calculations, both with respect to the goods and passenger traffic, was not founded upon facts. Mr. Brunel (civil engineer) was then called, and ex amined by Mr. Burke, with a view of showing that the line projected, for the accommodation of the district, by the Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway Company, was better adapted for the development of the traffic than the line at present proposed by the North- Western Company. Mr. Brunel and Mr. Stephenson were examined, and the Committee adjourned until Monday. HOUSE OF COMMONS.-(YESTERDAY.) GROUP VI. GREAT WESTERN (BERYLS AND RANTS EXTENSION). The Committee met this morning at eleven o'clock. Mr. MILFORD appeared as counsel for Mr. Cuming• ton, and stated that it was his intention to call Mr. G. Edwards, for the purpose of proving that a better line than that now proposed could have been adopted by the Great Western Company. He distinctly stated that he did not oppose the line in connexion with any other company, but it was a sincere and bona fide attempt on the part of his client to induce the Great Western Com pany to postpone a portion of the proposed line to a future session of Parliament. Mr. Edwards then banded in some plans and sec tions, showing that a better line could be constructed in a different direction, without doing any injury to the property of Mr. Cumington. In his cross-examination by Mr. ALEXANDER, the witness admitted that the line, if taken in that direction, would add a mile and a half to the distance. He did not know where Mr. Cumington's land was. The CHAIRMAN stopped the further cross-examina tion, and decided that they could not enter further into the case. BRISTOL AND EXETER (TAUNTON AND CASTLE CART BRANCH). The Committee then proceeded to hear Mr. Webster, on behalf of the Rev. Mr. Thring, whose property would be affected by the proposed line. In cousequence of the House sitting at twelve, the Committee rose at the conclusion of Mr. Webster's address, and the Committee stood adjourned till twelve to-morrow. GROUP VIII. THE SUTTON HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT (POWER TO THE SOUTH-WESTERN COM PANY TO SUCSCRIBE THERETO). The Committee met at the usual hour, and proceeded with the cases of certain landowners opposing the Bill. GROUP XXX. AxgozaCE (PROM LEEDS AND SELBY). The Committee met at the usual hour, and were oc cupied during the whole of the day in hearing evidence in favour of the proposed line. STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE. HOUSE OF LORDS.—(YESTERDAY.) The following Bills were passed by the Earl of Shaftesbury : Edinburgh and Northern Railway (Improvement of the ferry between Ferry Port on Craig). East Lancashire (deviations and Rawtenstall Coal Branch). Midland Railway (Masbrough and Normanton Stations Enlargement). York and North Midland (Knottingley Branch). Edinburgh and Northern Railway, St. Andrew's and Newburgh Harbour, Branches and Ruad Crossings (Newport Railway Extension). Northern Counties Union Railway (Deviations). East of Fife Railway (Markinch Deviation). Swansea Harbour. York and North Midland Railway (Harrogate Branch, Boroughbridge and Knaresborough Extension). Leeds, Dewsbury, and Manchester Railway (Onset Branch, and Dewsbury and Morley Stations). Midland Railway (Gloucester and Stonehouse Junction). LICENSED VICTUALLERS' SCHOOL.—The 41st anni versary of this institution was celebrated by a public din ner on Wednesday at the White Conduit Tavern,Penton ville. The great and growing interest taken by the body of licensed victuallers in this praiseworthy charity was evident in the very large attendance en the present occasion, amounting to nearly 1,400 persons. The large and commodious gallery of " the saloon" was filled with ladies. Mr. J. C. Wood presided, and was supported by Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P.; Sir W. Clay, B art ., M.P.; Colonel Wood, M.P. ; M r . T. Duncombe, M.P.; Mr. Alderman Johnson, Mr. C. C oc h rane, an d many other friends of the institution. The number of chil dren of both sexes now 'wholly maintained and educated in the society's school, Kennington-lane, Lambeth, is 117. After the usual loyal toasts, the Chairman pro posed " Prosperity to the Licensed Victuallers' School," and declared his conviction that it would be impossible to find an institution more replete with comforts to the children, and more carefully and usefully conducted. The cheerful and healthy appearance of the children, who were introduced into the room during the proceed ings, lent so much force to the chairman's appeal that the total subscriptions announced during the evening amounted to 2,0291., including a donation from the chairman of 52/. 10s., Mr. C. Cochrane, 211., Zsc. The meeting having been addressed by Lord Robert Gros. venor, Mr. T. Duncombe, and the other gentleman above enumerated, separated at a comparatively early hour. Mr. Toole officiated as toastmaster, and did his best to maintain order, a task which the vastness of the audience, and the consequent difficulty of hearing the speakers, rendered one of no ordinary difficulty. ACCIDENT ON THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. — An accident, which had well nigh been attended with the most disastrous consequences, occurred on the above railway on Monday afternoon. As the express train, which reaches London at half-past 4 o'clock, was ap proaching Reading at its extraordinary speed, and when near the Roebuck Inn, about three miles distant, the ash ' box attached to the engine, a new one, came off, which caused the upsetting of the ordinary luggage-van, which fortunately was placed immediately behind the tender. Strange to say, however, none of the carriages were thrown off the rails, though from the suddenly-retarded velocity of the train the numerous passengers were thrown int 3 confusion, and as may be imagined the greatest consternation prevailed. As soon as the train could be stopped the affrighted passengers alighted, when it was found that not one had sustained the slightest injury, but all counted their safety a miraculous escape. Immediately after the occurrence the first thing tie es saty to be done was to give the usual warning signals in c, , nitquence of the near approach of the up-train on the same line, which arrives at Reading at 10 minutes past 4 o'clock, An engine from the Reading station was at once sent for, but the express train was delayed upwards of an hour. The embankment on the up-line adjacent to the spot where the ;;ccurrence took place is close to the Thames, and had the carriages been thrown off the rails, they must have been precipitated into the river. An inquiry has been instituted into the cause of the ac cident, which was entirely owing to the fall of the ash box from the engine, and great blame is attached to the authorities in the engineering department. Men have since been employed in repairing the line, which was torn up in a frightful mariner. The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Adam Black, Esq., is to receive the honour of Knighthood. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS, June 2s. Their Lordships met at Five o'clock. ROYAL ASSENT. Her Majesty's assent to the following Bills was given by commission. The Lords Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Shaftesbury, and Lord Campbell. Soap Allowances; Stage Carriage Duties; Lunatic Asylums ; Out-Pensioners, Chelsea and Greenwich; Newfoundland Government; Collection of Duties (Port Natal; Loan Societies; Representative Peers (Scot land); Transfer ence o f Lands ( S cot l an d) ; B urgage Tenure (Scotland) ; Service of Heirs (Scotland) ; Crown Charter s (S cot l an d ) ; Her i ta bl e S ecur iti es f o r Debt (Scotland) ; T rust Money Investment (I re l an d) ; Prisoners Removal (Ireland) ; Destitute Persons (Ire land—(No. 2) ; Wilidsor, Staines, and South-Western Railway (Staines and Ascot and Wokingharn Branches); Windsor, Staines, and South-Western Railway (Richmond to Windsor) ; Cork, Blackrock and Pas sage Railway ; Wil ts, S omerset, an d W e ymo u th Railway (No. 1) ; Wat er f or d Wexford, and Wick low and D u bli n R a i lway ; Liskear d an d Cara don Railw ay ; Wexford and Valencia Railway , Norfolk Railway ; Dundalk and Enniskillen Rail way ; King's Norton, Northfield, Beverley, and Edge, baston; King's Norton Harbour Rate; Liverpool Gas; Weymouth and Melcombe Regis Harbour and Bridge Trusts ; Van Diemen's Land Company; British Ameri can Lands Company ; Ross and Cromarty Railway ; Townshend Peerage. MESSAGE FROM THE COMMONS. Messengers from the House of Commons brought up several Bills. HEALTH OF TOWNS BILL. Earl FORTESCUE presented several petitions in favour of the Health of Fowns Bill. QUA LIFICATION OF PEERS (SCOTLAND) BILL. The Earl of ROSEBERY moved the second reading of this Bill ; an d i n do i ng so took occas i on t o describe the mode of electing representative Peers of Scotland. After a few words from Lord MONTEAGLE, Lord DENMAN, and Lard BROUGHAM, The Bill was read a second time. The Usher of the Black Rod having announced a Message from the Commons, The LORD CHANCELLOR proceeded to put the i usual question, " th at t h e messengers be called n," when Lord BROUGHAM said that he thought the waste of time called for by this absurd mummery ought really to be put an end to. He thought that their Lordships ought to adopt the same mode with respect to Bills com ing from the House of Commons as that House did with respect to Bills from this House—viz., the mode of re ceiving Bill s by a li st . Th e No bl e L or d also gave notice that he would bring the whole subject before the House on Monday. The messengers were then called in according to the old ceremony. RAILWAY ACCOMMODATION BETWEEN LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM. Lord REDESDALE postponed his motion, " That the Railway Commissioners be directed to inquire into the accommodation afforded by the several lines of railway now open or in the course of construction, or projected, between London and Birmingham, and :to report to this House early in the ensuing session of Parliament in what manner they are of opinion that the interests of the public may be most effectually secured in regard to such lines, and whether it is expedient that the broad gauge should be extended to Birmingham ; and if so, in what manner such an arrangement can be carried into effect with the least interference with existing interests, and with the system of railway communication as set tled by the Act for regulating the gauge of railways; and what conditions it would be desirable to annex to any permission granted to the Great Western or other railway company to lay down a broad gauge contrary to the provisions of the said Act. OXFORD AND BIRMINGHAM JUNCTION RAILWAY BILL. The Earl of DEVON then brought forward the mo tion of which he had given notice, to refer the petition of the chairman of the Oxford and Birmingham Junc tion, and the Birmingham and Wolverhampton and Dudley Railway Companies (presented to this House on the 17th instant), to the Select Committees on Standing Orders, with • instructions to the said Com mittee to report their opinion whether in the case of the Birmingham and Oxford. and Birmingham Wolverhampton and Dudley Railways Amalgamation Bill, it may not be expedient, under the peculiar circum stances of the case, to dispense with the proof of the standing order 220 sec. 6, which requires that the said Bill should be submitted to a special meeting of the pro prietors of the Birmingham and Oxford Railway, and that the said Committee do proceed at their meeting on Tuesday next, to ascertain whether the other stand ing orders applicable to the said Bill have been complied with, and to report their decision thereon forthwith to the souse." The Noble Earl who was heard most in• distinctly in the gallery, was understood to say, that from the information he had received, he was perfectly satisfied that no shareholders in the Birmingham and Oxford was prevented from voting at the meeting, on the 4th of December, by the withholding of the scrip certifi cates of the directors, and that, therefore, the statement that had gone abroad, that they were withheld for the purpose of preventing them from voting was without foundation. At the meeting of the 4th of December, Mr. Motley presented himself, and stated that he repre sented the North-Western. He produced an offer, signed by persons high in office in the North-Western, offering a larger sum for the line than that offered by the Great Western ; nevertheless, the agreement was con firmed for the sale of the line to the Great Western. The directors of the Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Dudley also agreed to lease their line to the Great Wes tern, and the Great Western agreed to purchase both ; but after these agreements had been deliberately entered into they would hardly believe, because it was an un. common thing in the ordinary transactions of life, that disgraceful proceedings were resorted to by those interested in the North-Western, in order to obtain pos session of these lines. Lord REDESDALE said it would be his duty to re sist the motion of the Noble Earl, and in doing so he must take leave to tell their Lordships, that if they did not persevere in supporting the standing orders, it would be impossible to carry on the business of the House. The standing order in question was framed for the purpose of protecting shareholders against the acts of the (Erec tors, and it would not be fair to deprive the existing shareholders of the Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway of the privilege which it gave them. Besides, it would be establishing a bad precedent, and to pass this resolution, they would have company after company coming forward to ask for the same indulgence. He trusted, therefore, the House would not adopt it. Lord ASHBURTON stated that he had no interest whatever in either of the competing lines. But he cer tainly thought that the whole affair was one of the grossest juggle on the part of a powerful company to defeat the intentions of the Legislature, and deprive the public of the benefit which they had a right to expect from competition. Lord W n ARNCLIFFE opposed the motion. Lord PORTMAN denied, on the authority of Mr. Glynn, the chairman of the London and North-Western Company, that that company had had anything whatever to do with the purchase of the shares as alleged by the petitioners. After a few words from Lord SHAFTESBURY the House divided, when there appeared— Contents . 37 Non-contents Majority against the motion... —8 Lord REDESDALE then moved the resolution of which he had given notice, namely, to refer the con sideration of all the lines existing, projected, or in the course of construction between London and Birmingham to the Railway Commissioners. The Noble Lord stated that there had been so many disputes upon this point, and the present system was so very scrambling and un cet tain, that he thought their Lordships could entertain no objection to this motion. which h e w E a a s rl a o g f re S ed li t tF . TESBURY then put the motion, Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. June 25. The House met at Twelve o'clock. HIGHWAYS BILL. On the order of the d a y f or go i ng i n t o Committee on this Bill being re a d, Sir W. JOLLIFFE thought it was deeply to be re gretted that the Bill had not been discussed before it was sent to the Committee up stairs, for no important altera dtiiossicasahaaiodn tahkaedn taken place th p e la rceein herethat it; fo and he step. thatebelievud thati fa Committee would have had something to guide them in its consideration, and much that was objectionable in it would have been removed. He agreed with some parts of the measure, but there were other parts which he considered novel, dangerous, and unconstitutional. For instance, when be saw the vast power which was given by the Bill to the Highway Commissioners in England, and Wales, as well as other objectionable parts of it, he could not assent to a measure of such a nature. The turnpike trusts, and the whole system of internal com munication required revision. Mr. HENLEY thought if anything could show how was carried ridiculously the legislation of the count r y on, the present measure afforded an ampl e proof. After sending this Bill to a Committee up st a i rs, they now came to consider it in what was called a Committee of the whole House, and the empty benches around him showed the farce of such a proceeding. He believed the measure was far too important to be dealt with in such a manner, for what was to prevent any H on. Gentlemt,n from putting an end to the proceedin gs. at any moment, by having the House counted? H e objected to the Bill on many grounds. It not only gave a taxing power to the boards to the extent of 2s. 6d. iu the pound, but also gave a power to mortgage the rates to an unlimited extent. Another objection he had to it was, that the parishioners had no effective means of checking the expense. It was true they might appeal to the auditor, but of what use would that be unless they had the accounts to examine previously? He considered the Bill would be most injurious in its operation, and he would give it his most strenuous opposition. Sir GEORGE . GREY said he had no wish to force the 13i11 through Parliament, still less to blink discus sion. But this was not a subject which came before Parliament for the first time ; yet any course which Par liament might think most advisable he was ready to adopt. What they wished to do now was, to go into Committee on the Bill, to consider the amended clauses fully and calmly. . _ The (louse then went into Committee on the Bill. Clauses 1 and 2 were agreed to. On clause 3 being read, givin g th e r i g ht at quarter of M r r e . fe N re ll n L ee ES in mo d v is e p d ut a e n s amend, givin g mos sessions. After some discussion, the amendment was withdrawn, and the clause was agreed to. After some further conversation, Mr. BUCK said that in his opinion it would be com pletely throwing away the time of the House to go on discussing this measure, unless they came to some dis tinct understanding as to whether the powers given in this Bill, and all its regulations, were to be under the control of the commissioners or not. He moved as an amendment, that the words, " and the said commis sioners" be left out, and the words " justices of the quarter session" be inserted. Mr. E DENISON said that it appeared to him that the sense of the House was against the commissioners exercising these powers, and it would be a waste of time to discuss the measure, unless some alteration were made in this particular. Mr. V. SMITH said that it had been agreed to go through the Bill, reserving that question. It would be better to pass the Bill through Committee, and discuss this provision afterwards. Colonel SIBTHORP said that it had been rejuested that any Member would suggest some course by which this difficulty could be overcome. He could sug gest one, which he thought was the only one, namely, that the Chairman should report progres, and ask for leave to - sit again on that day six months. He called, however, upon her Majesty's Government to state the salary of the Commissioners, and of their Waghorns, the assistant-commissioners. Sir GEORGE GREY said the amendment did not raise the question fairly ; he was ready, however, to admit that the justices at quarter sessions might discharge the duty of superintendence as well as the commissioners —(Hear)—but if they were to agree to it, the clauses of the Bill would, nevertheless, em power the enclosure commissioners to interfere. He understood that the Hon. Gentleman the Member for Dor setahire intended to propose an amendment, which would more fairly raise the question than the amendment pro posed by the Hon. Member (Mr. Burk.) After a few words from Mr. CHRISTOPHER, Sir R. PRICE supported the clause as it stood. He did not wish to underrate the services of justices at quarter-sessions ; but, at the same time, he considered that a central superintending power was requisite, be cause he believed that they would go far to remove the objections entertained against the old system of mana ging the highways. Sir GEOIUE GREY was quite willing to divide upon the question, but he wished to remind Hon. Gen tlemen opposite that the objection should have been taken on the second clause. Lord GEORGE BENTINCK said the clause was agreed to when not more than twenty Members were in the House. He certainly was not one of them. Last night, or rather this morning, he wished to induce the Noble Lord at the head of the Government to consent to the House meeting at a later hour than twelve to-day, as it was quite impossible to worksit t a m till nearly three o'teo-day. lock thi s The Noble morning, L anderd and th tobea e t Right Hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer strongly opposed any departure from the arrangement which had been made, and as they were not in the House, he supposed they were still in bed.—(Laughter.) After a desultory conversation, the House divided, when there appeared— For the iimendment 5O Against it . Majority _ The clause, so amended, was then agreed to. ____ ___ In reply to a question from Mr. MILES, Sir G. GREY stated, that in the course of the session he said if it was the wish of the House, when the Bill was further considered, that he should not proceed with it this session, he would comply with such a wish. As it would be impossible to carry the Bill at this late period of the session, he wished, with the permission of the House, to withdraw it.—(Hear, hear.) Mr. AGLIONBY said he was one of those who had urged the Government to bring forward such a Bill, as the highways were, in many parts of the country, utterly neglected, and he trusted that the Bill would be proceeded with early next session. Notwithstanding the objection of country gentlemen to a central au thority, he considered that such a body was essential, and that the highways would be better managed under their superintendence than under that of justices at quarter sessions and country surveyors. Mr. V. SMITH trusted that the Government would not be daunted by the result of the division, and that they would next session bring forward a similar Bill. Mr. R. PALMER said the division was the result of fair discussion, and it was no party triu nph. He was sorry, however, that the Right Hon. Gentleman had withdrawn the Bill, as there was a great deal in it which he believed to be useful. After a few words from Lord G. BENTINCK, Lord HARRY VANE hoped that the Bill would be brought forward again next session, and as it was now before the country, there would be a likelihood of a measure being introduced which would be generally acceptable. Mr. BANKES regretted the course Government adopted in withdrawing the Bill, because the com missioners were struck out.. He believed the Govern ment were themselves making this a party triumph. It would appear that the principles of the Govern ment were no commissioners no Bill.—(Laughter.) He thought the Government would understand from this division how strong the feeling was against central boards. After a few words from Mr. MILES, Mr. PHILIP HOWARD thought the Government had themselves to blame with regard to this division, in not securing a larger attendance.—(Laughter.) Had the House adjourned at an earlier hour last night, a different result would probably have taken place now, and he hoped the House would not again depart from the usual custom of adjourning at 12 o clock. After a few words from Sir John Duckworth, Captain Harris, and Lord G. Bentinck, The House resumed, and immediately afterwards ad journed till Five o'clock. The House resumed at Five o'clock. The Usher of the Black Rod appeared at the bar and summoned the House to the bar of the House of Lords to hear the Royal Assent given to several Bills (for which sea Lords' report). CROWLAND AND COWBITT DRAINAGE BILL This Bill was read a third time and passed. INVERNESS HARBOURS BILL. This Bill was also read a third time and passed. The Leeds Waterworks Bill (No. 2), and Lytham Im provement Bill were both read a third time and passed. The report on the Eastern Counties Railway (Ilford to Tilbury Fort and Southend, with a Branch from Vange to Battle-bridge), was brought up. The reports on the Kingston-upon-flull Dock Com pany, and Liverpool Insurance Company Bills, were further considered. THAMES CONSERVANCY BILL Mr. WARD rose to move the recommittal of this Bill. He said a Bill on this subject was brought on at an early period of this session, the object of which was to disjoin the interests of the Corporation and the Crown on the Thames Conservancy. The Hon. Gen tleman then went into the details of the Bill at con siderable length. It would be necessary to make an outlay of 45,0001. on the improvement of the river. The gentlemen who had been consulted on the ques tion in the City concurred in the terms proposed by this Bill, but the great difference was as to the constitution of the conservancy board. That board was to consist of nineteen members, it being proposed to infuse new blood into the management. It was proposed that ten of these should be appointed by the City, the rest by Government, but to that proposi tion the City would not accede. It was then pro posed that these should be appointed subject to a veto on the part of the Crown. An Hon. Member of the Committee had said, that that proposal having been made, it was inconsistent • with the dignity of that House to make a second proposal, but he was happy to state that the City had w i se ly recon sidered that decision, and at a meeting at Covent garden, a resolution in conformity with such a change of opinion had been passed. Mr. HUME said that he did not think that the Com mon Council of the city of London were the proper parties to undertake the clearing of the river ; he thought that the responsibility ought to rest upon a much higher power than that of a self-elected com muity such as the Common Council. It gave them a control over the property on the Thames from the mouth up to the Nore. It was proposed to the Common Council that one-third of the committee should be chosen by the Crown from parties in terested in the Thames, but, after a long debate, the Common Council refused that offer. He thought that it was beneath the House of Commons to enter into any such arrangements as those which had been proposed. For what was it proposed? According to Mr. Walker's suggestions, to entrust the expenditure of 500,0001. to a self-elected body, who might, after all, reject the proposition of the Committee, and he did think, therefore, that it was un worthy of the dignity of the House to re-commit the Bill to the same Committee as that which had pre viously sat upon the subject. In 1836 there had been a similar Committee, and they had reported strongly against the measures which were at that time adopted in the government of the river, and it would appear that considerable loss of life had ensued in consequence of the mischief that then existed. The Hon. Gentleman then read from a report of the Committee on the subject, to the effect that the conflicting interests in the con servancy of the river were injurious to the navigation. He, therefore, after what had happened, objected to any concession being now made to the City. The river ought not to be entirely left in the hands of the Corpora • tine ; it was a public concern, and ought to be managed for the public. But it had been hitherto entirelyneglected, as the evidence given last year most fully showed. The Hon Gentleman continued to quote from the evi dence of last year, to show the disgraceful state of the river channel. lie added, that it was a disgrace to London, and the City Corporation, the way they had acted.—Hear, hear.) Time after time, impedi ments and delays were being experienced, and yet the City had done absolutely nothing. If malt were imported by the river Lea it would be free of charge altogether, but if it came by shipping it was subjected to a heavy charge. Now, ho would ask, was not that a monstrous absurdity, and ought it to be tolerated any longer. It was an unanimous resolution that one-third of the board should be elected by the Crown, and he, therefore, did not see that it was of any use whatever to carry out their proceedings, but the better plan would be to wait until there was a new Par ' liament, and then to open the whole question of the jurisdiction of the city of London, and then they would see how far the City would, in a matter which involved the power of taxing the public to the extent of 500,0001., presume to set the House of Commons at defiance ; for he believed that the whole of the difficulty would then be obviated. He had put a notice on the paper to the following effect :—" That it appears by the reports be fore this House, that, through the neglect of the Corpo ration of the city of London, who have been, and claim to be, the conservators of the river Thames, the naviga tion of that river has long been, and now is, greatly im peded by numerous shoals and other nuisances in different parts of that river ; and, therefore, it is most desirable that these impediments to the navigation and com merce of the Thames should be speedily removed.' But in order to save Hon. Members from any false posi tion, he would waive this part of his notice, and simply move, " That an address be presented to her Majesty, that she will be gracieusly pleased to take immediate measures for carrying into effect the requisite improve ments in the river Thames, and to assure her Majesty that this House will supply the means for carrying into effect these most necessary improvements." Mr. STEWART WORTLEY said that he should be sorry to stand in the way of this Bill, but he would feel it his duty to oppose the motion of his Hon. Friend op posite, and support the amendment of his Hon. Friend the Member for Montrose. He thought that if the mo tion of his Hon. Friend were carried, the five persons nominated would be so under the beck of the Govern ment, that the City would still be able to rule the whole of the conservancy board. The City of London had not attended to their duties as they ought to do, for they let out piers, bringing in an enormous revenue to the City, but at the same time impeding the progress of the navigation in no ordinary d gree.—(Hear, hear.) The Corporation were called upon in the year 1836, to remove the shoals in the Thames, and their answer was that they had no power to do so. What excuse had they for not doing so ? There was a very large fund amount ing to 54,000/. accumulated upon tonnage on the river, and yet none of it was attempted to be applied to these purposes. Capt. Beaufort when examined, said that every day's experience convinced him of the necessity of the conservancy of the river being placed under thecontrol of some such board as the Admiralty, or the Board of Con trol. Such was the opinion of the Crown officers in 1836. Could it be doubted that if there were due economy, that the city would have sufficient funds for the management of the river? Lord GEORGE BENTINCK doubted whether the Learned Attorney-General would acquiesce in the law as laid down by the Learned Gentleman who had just sat down. The Honourable Gentleman (Mr. Hume) had to-night appeared in a new light—as the champion of the rights of the Crown. He (Lord G. Bentinck) saw that the river Thames was in the conservancy of the city of London since the days of William the Conqueror, and he saw no reason why that jurisdiction should be now changed. As soon as Mr. Walker made some pro posals to improve the navigation, in stepped the Go vernment and made a claim which they had never before exercised. The Navy-office, the Trinity-house, and se veral ether public offices, held the titles of these pre mises from the corporati6n of the city of London, which he thought, was a, strong proof of the right of the Corporation with respect to the conservancy. The Corporation, however, were quite willing to refer all their proceedings and their works to the inspection of the Board of Admiralty and the Government, and it ap peared to him to be a degradation to the House of Commons to proceed in the manner proposed, and to attempt to interfere with the jurisdiction which the cor poration of the city of London had always exercised. Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said they were now called upon to recommit the Bill on the motion of the Secretary of the Admiralty. After detailing the whole state of the case up to the present stage, he said that the Corpora tion ought to approach the House by petition, and not by proposing the recommittal of the Bill. This he con ' tended was not a respectful way in which to approach the House. He said that this was a measure of national importance, and the city of London ought to have nothing to do with it.—(Hear, hear.) Was it to be supposed that the aldermen and councillors of the city of London going floating about in their barges— (Laughter)—were proper conservators of this great river? He denied that they were so, and he therefore called upon the Government to postpone the measure till next session, when a proper measure would be brought forward. Lord MORPETH said the ground which influenced him in support of the Bill was the opinion of the Board of Admiralty, who believed the measure would be pro ductive of great public utility. He was willing to believe that the result of this Bill would be great public im provement ; and as a competent officer, under an efficient board, would have the superintendence of the river, he anticipated that the greatest benefits would accrue. The Corporation had latterly showed a desire to co-operate with the House and the Government, and be did not think the present proceeding was an act of degradation on the part of the House of Commons. Nothing that had passed in the Common Council influenced him in this case, because the conduct of the Common Council did not entitle them to that consideration which some persons seemed to claim for them ; neither did he consent to it at the sole request of the city, but simply because he was desirous of improving the navigation of the Thames as speedily as possible. He should, therefore, consent to the re-com mittal of the Bill, in order that the improvements which the Bill was proposed to carry out, might be effected with the least possible delay. Colonel WOOD adverted to that portion of the Bill which provided that one third of the Commissioners should be appointed by the City, and said, that if this were to be so, what would become of the great shipping and trading interests which surrounded the metropolis ? Where were there interests represented? It was with that object that the Committee reported that it was desirable that the Crown should represent one third of the Board, but the pusillanimity of the Government had placed them in the ignominious position in which they had now found themselves. The Crown claimed a right to the soil of the river ; but this power the Bill would destroy, as it would have to be sold to those who were the pro prietors of land on its banks ; and that was one of the principal means of raising the funds for the navigation of the river. He should support the motion of the Hon. Gentleman, the Member for Montrose (Mr. Hume), because he considered that they ought to have an en tirely new body, appointed by some other means. He did not say that the City ought not to be represented ; but he said that the persons engaged in trade in other parts of London, had an equal right to be represented. Fourteen shoals now existed in the river, but if the City had properly performed their duty, this would not have been the case. Believing that the evils which existed in relation to the present navigation of the Thames required a more ex tensive remedy than that provided by the Bill, he should support the motion of Mr. Hume. Mr. WILLIAMS rose amid loud cries of "Divide." He said the whole subject of the conservancy of the Thames was referred to a Committee of that House, and they, after mature consideration, reported in favour of a scheme, but the authorities of the City rejected it. He was sure, however, that that House knew its duty to the public better than to truckle to the City. Many of those who sat in its Councils, were the lowest kind of shop keepers, and far from capable of being entrusted with the affairs of so great a city. In the inquiry into municipal corporations in 1836, the greatest evils were found to exist in the corporation of the city of London ; but, although more ancient corporations had been abolished, they were still entrusted with the management of their affairs, and they still managed them improperly. Every vessel that went up the Thames paid a tax for the purpose of keeping the navigation in a proper condition.—(" Divide, divide.") If they gave the Cor poration the power of nominating five of the members of the Corporation, they had better give up the Bill altogether. If the Bill were referred back to to the Committee, he was confident that they would come to a similar result. Alderman HUMPHERY said, after considerable liti gation between the Crown and the City with respect to the navigation of the Thames, the Corporation brought in a Bill to cure the evils which were complained of— one result of which was, that they should clear away the shoals, and make other improvements in the river. The Hon. Gentleman the Member for Montrose said that the coruoration received 56,000/. a year for corn dues;_ but the amount was expended upon 250,000 freemen of Lon don—(Cheers and laughter)—they were the constituents of the Noble Lord—(Hear, hear)—and it was right that the country_ should understand that the corporation ex pended all the money which they received in the shape of dues in improving the navigation; and let them show him a city which had been so much improved during the last twenty-five years as London. The Hon. Gentleman might not have the Bill sent back as he wished ; but whether this were so or no, he thought they ought to give the Corporation another opportunity of showing that they left nothing undone for the improvement of the navigation. The House then divided, when there appeared— For the re committal 92 Against it _ . 24 Majority for the committal... —6B Sir DE LACY EVANS then asked the Noble Lord, the First Lord of the Treasury, in pursuance of notice given. First—Should the supporters of an existing national school, in a parish where Non-Conformists are not sufficient in numbers to form a separate school, desire, in consequence, to adopt a rule of management which shall admit the children of Non-Conformists, with exemption from attendance at Church and from instruction in the Catechism, and should the National School Society refuse their sanction to such rule, will the Committee of the Privy Council on Education consider the desire on the one part to adopt this rule, and the refusal of the National School Society to sanction or grant aid under such circumstances, as reasons sufficient to form a " special case?" 2d. And in the event of the Committee of the Privy Council deem ing a national school, adopting such tolerant rule and practice, to be within the class of " special cases," will the loss sustained by such school by reason of the refusal of assistance from the National School Society, be taken into consideration in determining the proportion of aid to be granted by the Committee of the Privy Council ? ad. It having been intimated that individual minutes are contemplated by Government to meet the case of Roman Catholics, will the Noble Lord at the head of the Government inform the House, whether Con gregational Dissenters, who approve the principle of Government aid to education, have a similar measure of liberality extended to them which is thus so justly intended towards their Roman Catholic fellow-subjects, and to which they are equally entitled ; to the effect, that additional minutes may also be hoped for, to en able Congregational Dissenters, upon special applica tion, and without touching the previous minutes, as affecting Church of England Schools, to accept Govern ment aid, without being constrained to render any ac count to Government on the religious knowledge or duties of the monitors and pupil-teachers ? Lord J. RUSSELL said that he would answer the questions which his Hon. Friend had put, but he could not of course go into detail with regard to the general principle on which the Co mm i ttee of Council bad- deter mined to act. In such a case as the one stated by the Hon. Member, the Co mm i ttee would think themselves at liberty to extend thei r a id . With regard to t h e second question, it was a case which would b e t a ken into consideration upon its own merits if it o ccurred ; and as to the thi r d question, these Congregational Dis senters, who s h ou l d, from a ' strong religious feeling, ob ject to the examination of the Government inspectors, would have a proper indul gence extended to them, and that the statem ents o f the pr i nc i pa l s of the school were satisfied w i t h t h e progress made init would be considered sufficient. Lord G. BENTINCji moved All Address to her ( 4 • ° . - - i s , Majesty, praying her Majesty t. . f ifrt, to direct that there be laid beforeThi,sillott- •-.-, . the commercial treaties contracted'tmet*X% fain and France in the years 1786'1%4/etl Agreed to. Mr. EWART wished to put a question to the Chief Commissioner of Railways. He (Mr. Ewart) bad heard that large quantities of gunpowder had been conveyed by different railways, for the purposes of blasting. He wished to know whether it were true ? Mr. STRUTT said that he had only heard of one instance, and then the produce was conveyed only by* goods train. He considered, however, that the Matter' was one of the greatest importance to the community, and it should receive the early attention of the Govern ment. On the motion that the order of the day be read for going into Committee of Supply, Sir H. DOUGLAS moved to be permitted to amend some clerical errors which had crept into the returns of shipping presented to that House. CAPTAIN WARNER. Lord INGESTRE rose to move the appointment of a Select Committee to consid,r the report .1 thw commis sioners appointed to investigate Captain Warner's inven tions. He said he could not forget the dictum of the Gallant Member for Liverpool (Sir H. Douglas) that these inventions were the greatest impositions ever palmed upon the public. He would not inquire on what authority he said so, but yet the dictum of the Gallant Officer was just that with which he (Lord Ingestre) felt himself called upon to contend. The Gallant Officer ever since this subject was introduced, seemed to have treated it throughout as a personal matter. But he (Lord Ingestre) defied the Gallant Officer to achieve one tithe of what could be performed by Captain Warner. The Right Hon. Member for Tamw - orth from certain questions he put, and papers he called for early in the session, seemed to participate in the sentiments of the Gallant Officer. Still he (Lord Ingestre) felt him. self called on to bring forward this subject if none should stand by him. The Noble Lord then proceeded to read a letter from Sir John M. Doyle, setting forth Captain Warner's conduct in Portugal as honourable, ingenious, and brave, in contradiction to a letter formerly read by the Hon. Member for Salford. The Noble Lord did not think it fair in the Right Hon. Member for Tamworth to have said that Captain Warner would not proceed to test his inventions until be should be guaranteed by the Government for a compdtisation of 400,000/. ; for Captain Warner, in his last two letters to persons in the Admiralty, dated previous to that debate, distinctly said that he left the whole question, as to money, to the arbitration of the Government. In the whole, the Noble Lord said, that no full opportunity was offered for that investigation which the subject deserved, and which would have satisfied the public. Instead of that, he was treated rather as an impostor, and the ques tions put to him were petulant and absurd. Shortly after the Noble Lord took office, he (Lord Ingestre) waited upon him, and met with the greatest kindness. Two officers were appointed as commissioners, whom Captain Warner at once accepted, and all the stipulations and the instructions were fair and able. He had nothing to complain of in these. It was agreed that an experiment should be tried. An estimate of the ex pense was furnished by Captain Warner, and the money was given. The place chosen was Heywood Park, granted them for the purpose by the Master-General of the Ordnance. But the report was exceedingly short and unsatisfactory. They reported that the experiment WAS a decided failure. That was not his (Lord Ingestre) opinion, nor would it have been theirs if they had suffi ciently investigated the experiment. It was also said that Captain Warner had chosen the place where his experiment was to be tried. Now, so far from this being the case, he believed he was the party who first suggested the place, but he would not deny that it was approved of by Captain Warner.—(Hear, hear.) A great deal had been said about an old oak tree which was supposed to be the object aimed at, but he denied that Captain Warner ever said he could operate upon single objects, nor was he ever called upon to fire at any particular object. The day before the ex periment was made, the commissioners wrote a l etter suggesting that the trial should be pat off. Such a course would have involved Captain Warner in a good deal of expense, though it would have accommo dated the impatience of the commissioners, and pro bably to that impatience was to be traced the partial failure of the experiment. The truth was, the arrange ment of the commissioners were not only badly managed, but exceedingly hasty and hurried, while they took no trouble to ascertain where the shells fell which dropped from the balloons, or they would have found that they fell with great regularity. True, the Government were in possession of a report and a diagram on this part of the subject, but having gone over the ground himself, he was prepared to say that the shells fell with regularity, and in a continuous line. Admitting that the whole of the experiment was all moonshine, it was unprecedented that the invention should be condemned on one trial. Captain Warner said that the wind was unfavourable, and that with any thing like a fair wind, it would be seen that his opera tions respecting the efficacy of his baboons would be established. The expressions which he (Lord Ingestre) uttered, and which were made so much use of, were de livered without a thorough knowledge of the matter of which he spoke. (The Hon. Member here read a letter written by Captain Warner to Lord John Russell.) Now supposing that that invention was a failure, were all the other inventions to be ranked in the same category. He did not think the Noble Lord (J. Russell) had acted fairly in reference to this matter. He was always desirous, on public grounds, that this invention should be kept secret. Shortly after the experiment was made, a connexion of his came to town, and said he heard of the balloon at the Ordnance•office. Now he regretted that so much publicity had been given to the matter. Notwithstanding that, he did contend that with those balloons, taking advantage of the elements, there was not a town in Europe that might not be taken. He must revert to the other invention, that of invisib'e shells, and he would stake his professional reputation, de spite the assertions ofa Gallant Gentleman, he maintained that if one of these shells struck a versel it must send it to perdition. The efrect of this invention would be to prevent bloodshed.--(Laughter.) He could see that if those shells were properly used, that they would effec tually destroy a fleet. He had been told that it was im possible to compress the gas in these balloons in different atmospheres, but that he denied. When other inven tions in science of a more peaceable character certainly were introduced, they also encountered considerable op position. For instance, to illustrate his observation, there was the modern discovery of ether, which was proved to be of the greatest advantage in surgical operations. Se.. veral high authorities concurred as to the practicability of the invisible shells. There was Captain Harvey, who spoke in most favourable terms of the balloons. He feared that he had trespassed too long on the time of the House. He must repeat that those inventions had not had a fair trial. There were a great many persons who condemned all inventions from ignorance, and there was another class who were actuated by professional jealousy. He was no lawyer, but he should like to hear if the penalty that had been threatened by the Noble Lord (John Rus sell)—a charge of high treason —would be inflicted upon a person who might make any other invention, and sell to another country. Under these circumstances, he would move for a Select Committee to inquire into the sub ject, and to examine the report of the Commissioners. The Committee would be as competent as any other body to investigate the matter, and would, moreover, be free from any professional jealousy, and he was certain that he would be able to prove to that Committee that Captain Warner was entitled to the trial which he solicited. And that if opportunity were afforded to Captain Warner to test his experiment, such for in stance as on Scilly Island, that that gentleman would give most satisfactory proof of the efficacy of his inven tions. He would conclude by moving for that Select Committee. On the motion being put, Mr. BROTHERTON rose, but gave way to Mr. HOLLAND who said that he would only make a few observations. He thought that the motion for the appointment of the Select Committee ought to be granted. The Hon. Member read several paragraphs from a letter from Mr. Green, the celebrated aeronaut, stating that he had been called upon by a gentleman to prepare a balloon capable of carrying 400 or 500 pounds weight, for which he was to receive the sum of 2501. He had constructed the balloon, and it turned out that it was required for the purpose of Capt. Warner's long range. The whole experiment, as far as he (Mr. Green) could judge, turned out a decided failure. He had not received payment for the balloon, nor was any of his apparatus returned to him. He believed that the whole subject was a gross deception upon the public, and he hoped that a Select Committee should be appointed to inquire into the subject, and that report would no doubt expose the whole deception. Mr. BROTHERTON explained what be had stated to the House upon former occasions when the subject was before the House, with respect to the statements of Col. Shaw, that the whole affair was what might be called " humbug." Lord J. RUSSELL hoped that the /louse would not have heard anything more of this subject; it was through the persuasion of others that the Government were in duced to appoint a commission to inquire into the sub ject A commission had also been appointed under the late Government, the decision of which was, however, objected to by Mr. Warner. In the commission ap pointed by the present Government instructions were given to inquire into the " long range," that being con sidered as the most important invention. The impres sion of the commissioners was unfavourable to the success of the measure, but they considered it their duty to allow the experiments to be made. The ground was selected by, or with the consent of. Captain Warner himself. There was a certain spot fixed called " The Fair Oak," and the gallant officers who formed that commission planed themselves close to the mark. It was his (Lord John Russell) fear, not for the safety of the gallant officer, but for something might said and tndhdat carried ih t n o a at t h , gae rrtecshaertrfeetema:a natydifferent which might be very wide of the mark, some village or some other property, perhaps, at the distance or so from the mark..-.(Laughter) Captain ce . ot a inl e t d he said, being in waited for some time for the fonuurm, or b five v o e f the proper direction. of them these balls or shells wig weremiles. carisrTioedw,onithye ornteewsuomltilwa points from one !o With lostw e wordsr werethe directedeo f m iles e off the point at which they . respect to the balloon, to use the road tw ice Lord, it wabbled—(Laughter)—and twice ; and in short the balls were not found to fall at certain spots, and at fixed distances, as had been expected. With regard to the two points, certainty of aim, and the power of using the invention under all circumstances, neither of them bad been realised. There was no certainty of aim, and there was no power of using it under all circumstances, for the alteration of the wind, and several other circumstances, rendered this impossible. With regard to the testing of the experiments, every precaution, he believed, had been takes ; but notwithstanding this, it was impossible to prevent some parts of the secret from escaping, for they disclosed themselves. He said nothing with regard SATUROAY _ MORN I NG, JUNE 26, 1847.