The Sun. — London, England, 1847-05-04 00:00:00

intended to enjoy happiness and prosperity, as they hr_guaranteed that th e y s h ou ld en j o y equa l i n d e p en de nce "wever much they might regret her unhappy condition, !till it w as not for England, or any other of the protect o ihz...P,o,Wers, to prescribe t o th e G ree k au th or iti es w hat 'no be their measures, or what the nature of its ad eimistration.—(Hear, h ear .) I n 1533, a t rea ty w as con r hY which the three Powers undertook to gua -411'.e 60 , 0 00,000 of f rancs , an d p ower guaran t ee i ng t o eltribute one-third o f th e en ti re sum ; an d th ere f ore ,t,country was answerable for one per cent of the tOY'idt flind upon 20,000,000 of francs ; but, in order to e: against that, the interest of the sinking fund, torelng necessarily thrown on the guaranteeing powers, .S taken iu the wording of that treaty that the in e and sinking fund should be the principal, to which in re first instance, and before any other expenditure, the ye of Greece ' should be applied. The treaty ex pressl Y specified that the first purpose to which the enue of Greece should be applied, should be to pay other'eest and the sinking fund, before applied to any thePuPse, and that the representatives of the three e rs at Athens, should have the power to watch over teaexecution of this agreement. He lamented, however, e et a Y, that that engagement had been overlooked —no, Nctoverlooked—set at nought, as the papers which the Q le Lord had moved for would show. They would SO s 200 Chow that from 1343 up to the present time 5i(4601, had been advanced by this country to Greece. ' li ` i rsar, hear.) If these advances had been made of n 4 14 perio, whilst the Greek States were in a state tb e ;i l e rtY—such a state of poverty as to prevent . deb trots paying the interest upon its t if she was in such a state of oisatration as to render her progress almost impossible, is ad no doubt that the same kind and generous feel mnig,s, which led the British nation to sanction the grant ain! first instance, and to lend its aid to support and Lain that country would have led them to adopt . a ter cour se from which we could have derived no direct in threst ; but if it appeared that this charge had been pear unnecessarily upon this country, and if it ap the as he thought it did, that the 46,0001. which A l had paid annually to Greece enabled the Greek lactainistration to carry on a system of pecu tavl°ll and corruption—(flear, hear)—and not for ar s e, r eal interest of Greece, he thought it G A - -(1 become the duty of those intrusted with th k e , d;:erunnent and the interests of this country to make own to the Greek Government to pay their trios! Interest on their own loan.—(Hear, hear,) ith "se generous feelings which this House and the country must e ver maintain towards a nation with which so 447 r ecollections were bound up, he was sure the i,.oUse would approve of the Government not proceed• efor the whole of the arrears, but in ceiling upon the pee Government to pay the last instalment of 23,0001. k e la March, and for making a fair proposition for the , s r of the in s t a l ments as t h ey became due. He , s 4l sure the H ouse wou ld t hi nk her Majesty's Govern- Zetit would, in doing this, not be acting in a way which inconsistent between a protecting and a protected state. t .44 1._ he said before with respect to the other portions of Noble Lord's statement, that although the Govern ),',llt deeply regrette d t h e state of things which existed, 4:: at the s ame t i me t h ey felt that the British Govern meat had had not su ffi c i ent grounds to stand upon, or justify in dictating to the Greek Minister as to what should g a ,,,e course p ursue d b y t h at Government. An d as m a, 'led that topic of foreign influence, he was sorry to n 4/ t hat it h ad gone on too far in Greece. He could not 114ostand what was th e mean i ng o f E ng li s h, F renc h, qrqe Russian p art i es, i n that country. If the M i n i ster o f at to were to send him a p a p er w ith hi s name signed u e on ,. ,uottorn of it and said, "write above my name any pan ts You please, g uaran t ee i ng to En g l a nd any ad- P ou r gee s Yon may desire, and behold my signature as ets.rUstaornapatee that they shall be fulfilled, his (Lord Put it) answer would be, take buck your paper, shoal the tire; we want nothing from you but that you ours govern your country as we endeavour to govern the 0 1— , a1 ie Your nation happy, prosperous, and contented,. ea t O , III Y thing which we ask from you, is pay the intr wh our In ---° nY.—(Laughter.) He could not imagine the a great value was attached in France to having c ould reek Minister, the bead of the French party, he Plith e d n ts " see what particular object was to be aceom• s ''Y it, but if the French Minister valued it, he . ieta ne ' e a no reason that they should have a feeling of je te;, 1 ,4 011 the subject. He, as the organ of her Ma- Go vern Government, expressed the ardent wish of that while anent that Greece should be well governed, and Isitbili tis e Y might retain their own opinion as to the ca t 47 e vs of her different statesmen, to well-govern her, t er ould not interfere or dictate terms to their minis tne c as that would violate the independence of areet e QuLt rY ; and whil e t h e y di sc l a i me d any w i s h t o justicewt hat was t erme d a B rit i s h party, yet h e must d o th at title those eminent and distinguished men who bore Britithat the sense in which they were called . the 44e'runparty was because they believed that the B . ritish ,teent sincerely desired the happiness of their . IP ) it t .. r_3 . , but that if they asked them to do . anything th es ' w at to their interests or derogatory to their honour, %.( e , otild spurn the thought, and prove themselves 14 to " and Greeks alone.—(Cheers.) Ile was ready _gree to the return, and he would have no objection d e : i rtao t. tion on the su bj ect if t h e N o bl e L or d s h ou ld Si r I t ' with tk 'OBERT INGLIS said that he perf ec tly agree d aqy "e e Noble L or d t h at i t was not just or right for cird er °ll titry to v i o l ate t h e i n d epen d ence of another i n kth,: c , ) di s ee that no injustice was done to it s s ubj ec t s . g righ t di d consider that in the present case England had t ° interfere with. the Government of tsrece in uriti s h - e ntopel her to fulfil her engagements with th e its el cr own. Greece had claims upon them, not f o r so n . Li , s sical r emem b rances, or f rom t h e ga ll antry o f i ts die , out from its conduct in the revolution of 1843. He in , ,wish t h at the No b le Lord and her Majesty ' s st to w ers would pursue a a conciliatory courso 1, 41.(1 5 Greece as they had hiterto done, the result of Id be 'that she would be made capable of dis ci,4 r would p e cuniary her debt. Not that he valued the matter in a light, but 23 a testimony that Greece was wOrthy of the care which they had bestowed up• , n her. Sir JOIIN HANMEIt said that he considered that carliament ought not only to desire the repayment of a Portion of the loan, but that the statesmen of the country s hould bring it to a more perfect state of civilization. br. BO WRING said that he considered that the in terest of England was certainly that Greece should be full' governed, and that her great resources should be full ' developed. The only ascendancy which England t -a ,„ ll _,ld desire in that country, was that of Greek interests, t - h ga of Grecian liberties. The intellectual character of f e - ,, a i eauntry was not destroyed by the length of their . suf- C r ags. Their minds had not become brutalized . by 4 s Potistn, nor did they sink with apathy into 41 , state of slavery, but maintained the hope Th e rescuing themselves at some future from the re_tame. t a , Iclng of Greece did not disconnect himself i l l 'ans, and every art had been used to prevent t e T re- ' s from being what they were . destined to be. hoe revolutions had been, in his opinion, of the highest t e „ 4( eir to t h e parties to it, an d yet G enera l Kalergi had vti tra nsported, and was at the present moment . a wan transported, e v, , in foreign lands. There had been a revolution de "ad been rearked by bloodshed. There was a 14, -r e for Progress, but that progress was to be a blood hirn- P r ogress and such it had been prepared to be. Let Sp s e s e anipare the state of Greece with the state of ,hero "' and they would see the difference. In the . one ()the wend hey political and a physical struggle, in the he r theyes ~ was a social and bloodless struggle. Sure be feel t - `"at in this strife the influence of England would friends vi ho Greece and the Greeks would see that they had would be ready to advance the position of Preyeseolletry, and th a t no difficultie s would in a ny w ay m olt the exertions of those friends. speech'' BORTHWICK was quite satisfied that the nip °F the N o bl e L or d wou ld b e o f serv i ce in pros Q e ,ng the harmony of the members of the Greek Tern s " t n • had r. BUME wished to know whether the Noble Lord th 41 Y grounds for believing that the interference of e 13, 4 , , ev er :`",sn Government had been of any service what wa in improving the state of the Greek people ? It 3Anecessary to know what was the course to be pur eea..,"? for unless there was some restriction on the nice s. of the Government in Greece he was quite ths,tired that the interference would be oeno avail. But i re was a ground of interference, and that was given h. 7 was money which had been advanced. He wished, erefore, to know whether there was any intention of tll, sore t , 11 , 0 Government to interfere ? He therefore thought , Lord 6 explanation should be given by the Noble •Lord a t le head - of the Government, whether it was i ntended to give any assistance whatever to the people Of T?or re crI'ALMERSTON said that the answer to the n. 110 Member would be very short, for the Noble Lord whohadpreceded him in the office which he held, bad, 10 fact, done most of the business connected with this question. A similar objection had previously been e nered, and a remonstrance had been made to the Greek be en upon the results. A similar objection had s "en made previously, and he thought that the charges of robbery were perfectly unjustified; but the Hon. k\Jentleman might be assured that that no effort would ) ," e spared to render the applicatiou which had been -Aee'ciranaended, effectual with the Greek Government. a — s izn Ong the first of these subjects would be the brigand e Which had been committed in the Greek seas, and, t' rtain lY, the Government would be fully entitled to sa sfaction for the piracies which had been committed not peo p l e o fEurooll ritish e vessels, but on the vessels of all the B p. SUPPLY. 4, t , 0 Rouse then resolved itself into a Committee h of s - rPt7s When it was proposed from the Chair, that t e 3,.°1117,989/, should be applied to public buildings, &c. f0,,,,, r ,, 11 151E, in agreeing generally with the purposes th r . "'ati this vote was to be applied, doubted whether Le tt W as any sufficient reason for the grant which had etiii sought for. for t e t ,' WILLIAMS objected to the whole of the vote, sel ves several sums, though insignificant in them h- - ,taeti - , 2 ,,' Pat contained items which were highly o Uo u - " l L'ale, and he would particularly notice Hampton t th e di ' ea d i had not the slightest objection to support nee g w ll , l lY of the Sovereign ; but when he saw the be fits aleh were enjoyed, he could not feel the slightest th ` l ° 4 in giving his vote for the grant, wth great!servation. The expense of Hampton Court was i tie ,ha i c a ti n t l ay he must say that, might have been saved. in his opinion, the add - hesli'l3l.4 MORPETII thought that the lion. Gentleman seet4, misunderstood the question ; for, so far as he could e re It was evident that the only object was to uphold t ice3.a.l,residences in their integrity ; and when he reeol• rifc 'e , c i t the historical associations with which they were wow:leiwas quite assured that no objection to the grant "untr ue made ' Papers were now in the hands of t would thi nk :v; and he did not think the Government . repair:tat that was too much to keep that palace in Mr„ bui lt h :-)esE said that the attention of the Govern h au been directed to the residences of the Poor 6honldojthe besn°ra'n claim s g ta o f Wind wad Chapter he questioned how far the Chapter over these poor men ue allowed. THE .I..!:fiNCDON I TUESDAY EI7ENJA2 4 MAY 4, 04.44. Mr. BANK - ES said the question they would have to consider when the subject c ame b e fore the House would ' be, was this the best system of supervision ? He could not on this subject but agree with the Hon. Member for Montrose, and the Hon. Member for Oxfordshire, that the system would prove unsatisfactory. He considered another system might have been adopted which would have worked better. It was his opinion that these boards were objectionable, and the appointment of an extra Under Secretary of State would have been quite sufficient to have locked after the affairs of the poor laws, in connexion with the Home-office. lie thought the Government was going out of its w ay in thus creating new offices. Lord J. RUSSELL said the first point to consider was , was it necessary to have any central control. By far the most convenient course for the Govrrnment would be to return to the old system of administering the law — namely, by local boards; that system would free the Government from any charge of abuse in the adminis tration of the law. Whatever hardships or sufferings might be inflicted under the law the Government of the day would not be blamed for them. But in considering the subject most people would come to the conclusion, that whereas, after thirteen years' experience of the law of 1834, they had been unable to bring the whole csuntry under one system, so now there existed great difficulties, and it would not he prudent, or advisable, or even safe, to bring all parts of the country under one law in respect of the poor. For that reason, therefore, her Majesty's Government had thought it necessary that there should be some central authority who should have the power to apply the law in particular cases, and to relax it where necessity existed,—that seine elastic power was necessary for the proper administration of such a law. The Hon. Member for Montrose and the Hon. Member for Oxfordshire said, and it was reiterated by the Hon. Gentleman who spoke last, that the pro posed plan did not give any responsibility. He thought the Noble Lord the Member for the county of Durham had taken the proper view of the matter. What they proposed was, that there should be one person who should have all authority in regard to the a dministration of the poor-law, in the same manner as the President of the Board of Control had in respect of the affairs of India, and the President of the Committee of Privy Council on Trade and Plantations had in regard to trade. Originally, and even now, those officers had nominal advisers at their board, but practically all the power centred in them; the responsibility was not shared by the others who sat at the board. There would be responsibility, because the head of the board would be solely and chiefly answerable for the manner in which the law was administered, and must be ready to defend himself whenever Complaint was made of his conduct. or of that of those over whom he had control.—(Hear, hear.) He entirely differed with the Hon. Member for Dorsetshire that they should institute another office of Under-Secretary in the Home Department. He bad had some experience in that office—the Secretary of State for the Home De partment was a high officer, and he thought there was already too much of the administration of details placed in his hands.—(Hear, hear.) He was responsible for the peace of the country, the security of the laws, and the general administration of the criminal law; a great officer of that kind had enough to occupy his mind with such matters of importance. He ought at all times to be ready to give his whole undivided attention, should the peace of the country be threatened, and he was con stantly called upon to revise criminal proceedings, in order to judge whether it was possible for him to advise the Crown to exercise the high prerogative of mercy. It would be impossible for nim to do so, were his mind incessantly occupied with the dietary tables of work houses, or the other details of carrying out the poor law. No doubt be would be acquainted with all general matters connected with that law, but he would not be obliged to make himself acquainted with the daily ordinary details of its administration. One great advantage of the proposed plan was that they would always have the person who was directly responsible for the administration of the law in his place in Parliament to defend his conduct. In answer to the Hon. Member for ICnaresborough, he felt compelled to decline saying whether the Government would exclude the persons who were now charged with the adminstration of the poor law from any office under the new law or not ; he could give no pledge upon the subject. The Government ought to be free to choose as well as they could those persons who, in their eyes, were best qualified to administer the law; they would naturally try to appoint those who were most likely to obtain the public confidence. Those ap pointments were matters for serious consideration, and ought to be left to the discretion of the Government. All other matters connected with the administration of the law could be much better discussed after that Bill had passed. No doubt amendments were required, but they ought not only to receive the sanction of, but ought to be introduced by, the person who was to be responsi ble for the administration of the law. Mr. P. BORTHWICK thought it advisable that the President of the Board to be constituted under the Bill of the Right Hon. Baronet should be a new Cabinet .Minister. He considered, also, that the poor would be much mere effectually relieved by the administration of the clergy of the Established Church than in any otber manner. This Bill, he regretted to see, left untouched the radical vice of the existing poor-law—namely, that the estate of the poor was not dealt with by the three estates of the realm, but was left to be dealt with by a board, responsible indeed to Parliament, but not forming a part of the constitution, Mr. NEWDEGATE wished to know whether the pre sident and the secretary of the new Commission now proposed to be established, would go out of office with Government. Sir GEORGE GREY replied that the president and secretary of the Commission would hold their offices during the pleasure of the Crown. Leave was then given to bring in the Bill. The Bill was subsequently brought in and read a first time. The remaining orders of the day were then disposed of, and the House adjourned at a Quarter past Twelve o'clock. rious attention of her Majesty's Government during the recess, and he then stated to the House the general views of the Government, and the intentions which they entertained, and that the Governme nt, after full consi deration, had come to the determination not to propose to Parliament a continuation of the Poor-law Commis sion ; but that it was the intention of Government to submit to Parliament a measure involving a great change in those by whom the poor-law was hereafter to be administered. It was for this purpose that he now sought leave to introduc e this Bill. The Go vernment, looking back to 1834, to the expe rience which they have subsequently acquired, being of opinion, that the reasons which, in 1834, led to the administration of the poor laws, should remain, to a great extent, tit least, in full force, they felt that the governing principle of the measure could not be fully dispensed with—(Hear, hear)—as withcut some central authority they could not guard against the evils which grew up under the old system, and which, when laid before the House, were universally condemned, and therefore, no one would wish to see a recurrence of the state of things which existed under the former law. "---(Cheers.) Therefore, the Government thought it would be unwise to return to a local system, undirected and uncontrolled, although, at the same time, then thought that the same rule could not be applied throughout the whole country in an unvarying manner— (Hear, hear)—but, at the same tine, they thought there must be some general authority invested with power to take into account the different districts of the country, and the varying circumstances wh ic h ma y ar i se from time to time. They felt it right, therefore, to re tain the treatment adopted in 1834, with some central authority. In 1834, when an extensive change was made in the system of the poor-law, it was thought desirable that the persons in whose hands those discretionary powers should be placed should b e unconnec t e d w i t h th e Executive, removed from the Government and from those popular and political influences, which must ope rate upon all men who take a part in the political con flicts of the day ; but that, separated from the Execu tive Government, they should exercise their functions, and discharge the trust reposed in them, apart from all those political influences and excitements to which he had re ferred; but this plan had not been successful, and he could not now controvert the answer that was given to this objection to their being more intimately connected with the legislature. Not being intimately connected with the Legislature, led first of all to an imperfect re sponsibility, whereas, if the Commissioners, or some of them, had been Members of the House, they could have been easily called upon by the House to answer any charges which might be made against them, and at the same time they would have an opportunity of being de fended, and of having an impartial hearing in the House of Commons. He thought, therefore, that the administration of the poor-law bad been defec tive in this respect. He would not, however, stop to defend the Commissioners, or to say whether they had used all the discretion they should have used, or whether they had generally performed their duties in a satisfactory manner; but at the same time he could not avoid saying, that they had laboured under great dis advantages is not having been able to make their own defence. A responsible Minister of the Crown, who had charges made against him, was able to make his de fence; the Poor-law Commissioners were not in such a position. Here was an instance of this:—A question was asked of the Secretary of State for the Home De partment, who knowing himself, p chaps, nothing of the circumstances, states so, but pledged himself to make an inquiry, and to state the result to the House on a future day; and, after some delay, he fulfils his promise, but still with an imperfect knowledge of the subject which would be obviated by the plan proposed in this Bill. The principle of the measure was the maintenance of a general superintendence and authority, subject to direct and immediate responsibility. The provisions of the Bill were that the powers of the present Poor-law Com missioners should cease. The Crown was then em powered to appoint Commissioners for the adminis tration of the poor-law on the plan of the Board of Control for India. It was intended that one of the members should be called the president, who would be a responsible person, immediately charged with the su perintendence of the law, but to be assisted by Members of the Government, who should he ex-officio members, namely the President of the Council, the Lord Privy Seal, one of the principal Secretaries of State, and Chancellor of the Exchequer. It was intended that two secretaries should be appointed by the board, and that the president and one of the secretaries should be eligible to a seat in Parliament—not that both should sit together, but that the board should be represented either by the president or one of the secretaries. The powers of the present Poor-law Commission would be transferred to this board. With re gard to making general rules, the Bill provided that all rules were to be submitted to the Secretary of State for the Home Department, 40 days before they were intended to come into operation ; if he approved of them, they would then take effect, but they would be subject Co be removed into the Queen's Bench, by ce; tiorari, and were then liable to be repealed. It was first thought that it would be more advisable to make these rules as orders in Council , but on considera tion it was thought better that they sh ould be signed by the President and two Cabinet Ministers, and there fore they would be signally subject to inves tigation if they should be brought into the Queen's Bench by certiorari. Every act of the Board must be transacted by two members of the board—either by the president and one of the secretaries or by two of the members. Now a report was annually made ; under this Bill a report would also be made every year, addressed to the Crown, and laid in the ordinary course before Parliament. He should not enter into the details of the present mea sure, but there was one point to which he wished to direct the attention of the House, namely, that the number of the Assistant Poor-law Commissioners being d mimAhoGto.in: e pfohieoce e :ps tenv m stoletseti h. should Government eecen d n 0, insufficient, it was the intention of the Govern ment to oiruFin i tsvel n etdhEhdrh c ni aontßrretbthuememeßlaafdtesodaAhtnehrigeotni the ungs l hi n) a aoan, t vNfbdtci Ihrft:otiaeioi aghobss lbrought number entlsgecoßhofiat ftßill—(A carried the hn t eool o y—eddnrmedeu t airu w hhrA cotseaewhhu, that determined Tse v oade e l uein,inaa . nl — tntdyud)t hodetgiiee(tefehihoHba, that eso)nrapt h e —uettttoopno a ndhrtftei r sueebhga , pltußerhdno h actnatail e ; tr. llom a allott r khhnwhaeat Rees. ) s- D construction ol d o r. a o w f his no Commissioners wComm perhaps, more immediately connected with the bringing in of the measure, he could assure the Right Hon. the Horne Secretary, that this measure would be viewed with disapprobation. He trusted that the Right Hon. Baronet would take this into his consideration, for if he allowed the present system to continue, he would hare an universal rising against it. But he would ask also, did he mean to allow the district auditors to continue in office? He hoped the Government did not so intend. If a Committee were appointed in this matter he would prove that things had been done by their means greater far, and more infamous, than the doings of the New Poor-law Commissioners themselves. But let them see what it was that the Right Hon. Baronet proposed ? He rejoiced to hear from the Right Hon. that the poor, when they wished to have a re dress for their grievances, had only to apply to the Queen —the mother of the British nation.—(Laughter.) But he understood from the Right Hon. Baronet that this Bill delegated all power over the poor of this country to those Commissioners. The Noble Lord and the Government might rest assured that he and . his col leagues would not sleep on a bed of roses during the period of their being in office and passing this Bill. He gave fair warning that in a fortnight, when the Noble Lord brought in his Bill, he should distinctly and perti naciously oppose it.—(Laughter.) Mr. MILES said that he was exceedingly glad to hear that the Right Hon. Baronet opposite had determined that the Poor-law Commissioners should henceforth be partly composed of Cabinet Ministers, and under these circumstances, he did not think that the Hon. Member for Kneresborough had exercised his usual judgment in opposing this Bill. But considering that we have already a Committee sitting on the poor-law, he should earnestly recommend the Hon. Baronet to put no number to the inspectors, but leave their limitation to the Counsel. Thanking the Government for the Bill, he would again beg to draw their attention to the suggestions which he had offered. Sir WALTER JAMES said, as they were amending the law, they should not be too hard on the Poor-law Commissioners, who, whatever might have been their faults, believed that they were acting conscientiously. He believed, to make any poor-law efficient, there should he an efficient inspection. He also considered that the Government had acted wisely in instituting the Assistant Poor-law Commissioners, for he believed that if they looked to the discussions which had taken place in that House, they would find that those wha had treated the poor well were persona of this class, namely, those paid by the country. He, therefore, would support the mea sure of the Right Hon. Baronet. Mr. HUME was pleased that the Government had taken the course which they had done, yet he must say that they had not taken the best course. It was an nounced that a change must take place—the country called for it ; but it all arose from the maladministra tion of the law. He hoped this might not be said of the new Commission. He trusted that no one of the present Commissioners would be constituted President of the new Board. He had nothing to say against those gen tlemen personally, but they would impart to the new administration much odium, and excite great complaint. Mr. HENLEY doubted much as to the constitution of the proposed Board, consisting so much of Members of the present Government. Any inquiry or question would become a Government question. He was afraid that the proposal was the old poor-law under a new face. They had not a whit more power to correct abuses. In the system about to expire, there was no responsibility anywhere, and all inquiries there fore have come to nothing. What were they now pro posing ? Why to put the administration of the law into the hands of the Legislators. The Legislators and the executive being identical, it was not likely that they would look with the same impartiality on a law of their own making. He wished to see some more direct responsibility. Another fault was, that whatever nega tive power given to the Commissioners to say this or that should not be done, was one-sided, and would not work well. He reserved his further remarks to the time when the Bill came before the House. Lord HARRY VANE said he agreed with the Hon. Gentleman opposite, in thinking that large discretion must be reposed in those who superintended the admi nistration of the law. He did not agree with the Hon. Member for Knaresborough in thinking that the size of the unions ought to be at all affected by the present Bill. That was a subject which had come fully before the Committee on the law of settlement, and would best be subjected to consideration together with that law. H e differed from the Hon. Member for Montrose. He thought that as there was to be a Pre-ident of the Board, a Member of Parliament, that concentration of responsi bility was attained by the proposed arrangement. Lord MORPETH said the question was a very com plicated question of property, and, in the absence of a document necessary for the substantiation of the Poor Knights' case, the Government could come to no decision. On the vote of 50,000/. for enlarging and improving Buckingham Palace, Mr. HUME said he objected, because if the building was not a healthy one the money would he thrown away. The only excuse for confining the Palace into a narrow square, which it would be as far as he could see by the plans, would be, that the Royal Family had a de sire for room, which they were no doubt much in want of, but he thought her Msjesty, with a capital residence at Windsor and other places, might have put, up with a little inconvenience as other people were obliged to do. Lord JOHN RUSSELL said there were two courses left open for the Government, either to build a new palace, or to improve the old one. As the more eeono • mical course, they had determined upon the extension of Buckingham Palace, and he trusted that it would not prove so unhealthy as was anticipated by the Hon. Member. Mr. WILLIAMS wished to ask whether or no an es timate had not been taken of the alterations to be made in Buckingham Palace, and whether it had not been set as down 150,000/. ? Lord MORPETH said that the whole expense would not be more than 150,0001. is the whole. The vote was agreed to. The next vote proposed was 5,500/., for the construc tion of a palm-house in the Botanic Gardens at Kew. Dr. BOWRING bore testimony to the excellent cha racter of Kew Gardens, a►..l the great attention paid to the cultivation of rare and valuable plants. He was also glad that such facilities had been given to the public to visit them. Lord MORPETII was glad that the Hon. Member had bore testimony to the excellence of the garden, which at the present time contained the rarest specimens of the plants of the various countries of the world. Mr. HUME gave evidence to the same effect, and hoped that steps would be taken to get the King of Hanover to give up his garden which stood in the midst of it. It was not desirable that a kitchen-garden should be so closely connected with the Botanic-garden. After a few words from Mr. BROTHCRTON and Mr. Hula', the vote was agreed to. On the next vote, that 17,709/. be agreed to for the expense of temporary accommodation for the House of Commons. Mr. HUME wished to know from the Noble Lord at the head of the Woods and Forests when the accounts of the whole expense of the House would be produced ; also, when they should have the New House ready. Was no satisfactory information given, he would feel it his duty to call the attention of the House specially to it. Lord MORPETH said the accounts were very volumi nous, and it would be some time before they were ready. Sir R. 11.. INGLIS complained of the time taken to complete the new House of Commons, and considered that if they did not interfere, it would be a long time ere it was ready for their reception. Already for the tem porary accommodation of the House and its officers, there had been expended 200,0002 Dr. BO WRING wished to know by what mysterious influence the other House had obtained their accommo dation, while the House of Commons was in its present position? This ought to be explained. Mr. GOULBURN said there was obvious reasons why the other House of Parliament should be first ready. When the last House of Commons was burned down, the Lords gave up their House for the accommodation of the Commons, and submitted to inferior arrangements. He could not agree to any step that would unduly urge the works, but allow time that the works might be pro perly completed. Sir DE LACY EVANS could not agree with the last Right Hon. Gentleman. If they were so comfortable now. why seek to have a new House at all ? Lord JOHN RUSSELL said it was not true that Mr. Barry had any other engagements that would interfere with the progress of the works. He had no doubt, how ever, that if the House was prepared to vote the neces sary money, that gentleman would be prepared to go on with the works as quick as they could desire it. With regard to the present House, he did not see any any reason to complain of the accommodation afforded, and time should be given to allow them to have the works efficiently constructed. Mr. FINCH hoped that in the new House of Com mons steps would be taken to secure the sound of the House, so that they might hear their own sweet voices when they might happen to speak. After a few words from Mr. P. BORTHWICK and Sir R. H. INGLIS, The vote was agreed to. On the question being put that the sum of 150,0001. be paid to her Majesty for defraying the expenses of the works of the new Houses of Parliament, Mr. WILLIAMS complained that the public was being put to unnecessary expence in reference to these works. The only outlay, which had already been in creased, considerably exceeded the original estimate, and he thought some limit ought to be put to this waste ful expenditure of public money. No less a sum than 40,0001. had been spent in decorating the new Houses of Lords, and yet the public were not permitted to see th.. House without paying money for it. After a few words from Lord MORPETH, Mr. PROTHEROE did not think the expenditure had been unnecessarily great, but Mr. Barry had cer tainly produced a building most unfit for the purposes to which it was to be applied, and highly deficient in its architecture. Mr. HUME said the original estimate ought not to have been exceeded, because Mr. Barry pledged himself to build the new House of Lords within the estimate lie had made. He must, therefore, blame the Woods and Forests, for having allowed an excess in expendi ture. But he did not so much regret the magnitude of the expenditure, as the failure of the object they origi nally had in view, namely, to produce a handsome and convenient building. Before they proceeded further, they ought to know something about the plan and the party who was to have the charge of warming and ventilating the New Houses. Lord MORPETH said Dr. Reid had prepared plans for warming and ventilating tke New Houses, which he had just received. He had submittal those plans to the architect, and he had no doubt that gentleman would find some means of carrying them out without iriter fering with his arrangements. Mr. B. ESCOTT said he agreed with those who dis approved of the style of architecture that had been ap plied to the building. After a few words from Lord Morpeth, the vote was agreed to. A vote of 11,4351. was agreed to for defraying the ex pense of taking down and rebuilding the Home-office. A vote of 4,4291. was agreed to for the service of the Holyhead harbour. On the question being put that the sum of 140,0001, be voted to her Majesty to defray the expenses of con structing harbours of refuge, Captain FITZROY urged upon the Government the necessity of making Newhaven a harbour of refuge. The Hon. and Gallant Member proceeded to read ex tracts from a number of reports made by commissioners at various times with respect to the favourable position of Newhaven as a harbour of refuge ; the whole of which went to show that that port possessed considerable natural facilities for a harbour. Mr. CURTEIS thought that he should not be pro tecting the interests of his clients if he did not say that the port of Rye, which he had the honour to represent, had been entirely overlooked by the Hon. and Gallant Member.—(Laughter.) The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that Dover was the first port which had been recom mended by the commissioners to fortify and prepare as a harbour of refuge. Seaford and Newhaven would no doubt be afterwards embraced in the general system, but he thought it better to act on the recommendation of the report of the commissioners with regard to their order of proceeding. Dr. BO WRING hoped that the port of Douglas, in the Isle of Mau, would not be forgotten by the Go vernment. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that it was purposed to confine the attention, in the first instance, to the ports bordering on France, but afterwards the claims of other ports along the coast would be taken into consideration. The vote was then agreed to. The House resumed ; the Chairman reported progress, and obtained leave to sit again on Friday. RAILWAY PIERS AND HARBOURS' (IRE- LAND) BILL. On the order of the day for receiving the report on this Bill, Mr. HUNIE said that after the decided opinion which had been expressed by the House on this Bill, it was not his intention to proceed with the amendment of which he bad given notice, further than to enter his protest against the Government expending money in this way when they themselves were in difficulties—with five or six millions of Exchequer bills to meet, and good paper from five to ten per cent discount in the market. He would merely express a hope that they would not involve themselves further till monetary affairs were in a more prosperous condition. Mr. S. CRAWFORD said that he had given notice of a motion on the bringing up the report on this Bill but as the House was anxious to proceed to after business, it was not his intention to proceed with it that evening, but he would take an early opportunity of pro posing a national rate in aid of the public works for Irelan. Mr. HUDSON said that ho gave his vote with plea sure for this grant, and he hoped the Government would assist them with loans to carry out their undertaking. Mr. 'WILLIAMS was entirely opposed to such a Bill as this, as he considered that it would inflict great in jury upon the mercantile country. He hoped the Go vernment would not act upon the advice of the Hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Hudson). The report was then received. AMENDMENT OF THE POOR-LAW. Sir G. GREY then rose to move for leave to intro duce a Bill for the better administration of the laws for the relief of the poor in England, He said it was not proposed by the Bill, which he now sought leave to introduce to effect any alteration in the general provisions of the law relating to the relief of the poor, as its object would be simply con fin, d to the administration of the laws already existing, and to the constitution of a body to whom the general administration of those laws was to be intrusted. In 1842, the Poor-law Commission, which was originally temporary in its duration, and which had been renewed from time to time, was in that year continued by Act of Parliament for a further period of five years, which would expire in the course of the pr esen t summer , an d the Poor-law Commission would cease to exist by the end of the session of 1848. But at the com mencement of the present sess i on , hi s N o bl e Friend, the First Lord of the Treasury in formed the House that the subject of carrying out the poor-law had occupied tha careful and ee- PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS. From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Common. MONDAY, MAY 3. FACTORIES BILL. Order for third reading read -11otic;made and Question proposed, " That the Bill be now read the third time :" Amendment proposed, to leave out the word " now," and at the end of the Question to add the words " upon this day six months :"—Question put, " That the word ' now' stand part of the Question." The House divided : MAJORITY —AXES, 151. Ackers, James Gaskell, J. X Newport,;Visct. Acland, Sir T. Acland, T. D. Adderley, C. B. G oo l a d d s s o t n o , n it e,.Captain O'Brien,oßrien C. Stafford Gore, W. 0. Facto, C. W. Ainsworth, Peter Gore, W. It, O. Paget, Colonel Antrobus, Edmund Granger, T. C. Palmer, Robert Armstrong, Sir A. Grey, Sir G. Palmer, G. Arundel, Eurl of Grimsditch T. Perfect, Robert Ashley, Henry Grogan, E. Plurnptre, J. r. Austen, Colonel Raiford, Sir Henry Plumridge, Captain Baillio, W. Bonitos, George Halsey, T. P. Pringe, Richard Bateson, Thomas Bennet, I'. Hardy, John Itashleigh, W. Bernal, Ralph Harris, Ilon. Capt. Rice, E. IL Blackburne, J. I. Hatton, Captain V. Rich, Henry Boldero, 11. G. Ileathcote, G. J. Richards, Richard Brisco, M. I tal 1 1 :0 ,iii i ii l ln a oi e ioulg i h r z wlidd il id l ryisi e atsisoae C y 4 ,:::: : s , nrd i , t : l lJ d,, ' rec4 . P. G TE... l n e . .V n i . .1 ° : T . Polhill, 1 1 4 U ou li s 1 e s e e , l Y S dn ' t , 0 . 11 ., :1 1, 1 , 0 . Colonel ohrnd joh n Broadley, Henry, Broadwood, H. Buck, L. IV. Russell, J. D. Bulkeley, Sir R. B. Ilodgson, F. Rutherford, A. Buller, Edward Howard, c w.G. Seynacr, H. K. Byng, G. S. Cabbell, B. B. Christopher, It. A. HKeumrnbpihee, r i y a , een A: r l: y d r . ai SSBsssihhiit:brilwrtchli:udi:,itanrlallni,.l4dß,.. B. Clayton, It. It. Ingestre, Visct. Shirley, E. J. Clive, Vise. Collett, John Colvile, C. It. Courtenay, Lord Kerrison, Sir E. Cowper, IV. F. Lambton, 11. Crawford, W. S. Law, C. H. Curteis, 11. B. Lawless, Cecil Davies, D. A. Lawson, Andrew Lennox, Lord ic. W. h eCV S S , llo J ioi rt Irn .. RichardeCl.l' l W. Denison, W. J. Denison, E. B. Lopes, Sir R. Trou b r id gc , Sir E. D'Eyncourt, C. T. Lowther, Hon. Col. Tufnell, Henry Disraeli, B. Mackinnon, W. Turner, Edmund Dodd, George Macnamara, Major T u mor, C. Douglas, Sir 11. M'Carthy, Al" . Vane, Lord H. buncombe, Thomas Manners, Lord J. Vyse, H. D‘mcombe, 0. March, Earl of Vyvyan, Sir R. R. Dundas, Admiral Masterman, John Wakley, T. Du Pre, C. G. Monahan, J. 11. Walker, Richard Entwlsle, W. Morgan, O. Williams, W. Evans, Sir De Lacy Morris, David Yorke, K. U. Ewart, William MostynjE. Ferrand, W. D. Mundy, E. M. Moyer, John Monte, Cl . E. French, F. Napier. Slr C. Fuller, A. E. Neeld, Joseph Joseph Joseph l,8:‘ is. i itElir E• Rood, 8 81DOIP:graadltre:k1 esSor:n C " William John James MINORITY— ir N iv O . ES, Aldam, William Raise, Walter Fitzroy, Henry Price,s:lroti Wrightson,ot at e , . r c o t : : 0 E Barclay', David Baring, lienry Forster, Gi s b urn 21, Thomas h t t o h n a i w a 3 Gill, Thomas Patten, J. W. Baring, F. T. Baring, W. B. Goulburn, Henry Peel, Sir Robert Barrington, Viscount Graham, Sir James Pendarves, Edward Barron, Sir 11. W• Greene, Thomas Philips, Mark Hamilton, Lord C. Bell, Matthew Pr Sir R. Botlield, Beriah lianmer, Sir J. Hawes, Benjamin liouveric, E. I'. Seymour, Lord Bowles, Admiral Ileneage, O. 11. W. Somerset, Lord G. Heron, Sir S. Stanstleld, W. R. Brown, W. Houldsworth, T. Stanton, W. 11. Bruce, C. L. C. Busfeild, W. lawi.reid. E. Tancred, H. W. Callaghan, D. Thesiger, Sir F. Jones, Captain Thornely, T. Langston, J. II Villiers, Charles h G• C• Wall, C. 13. Colebrooke, Sir T. Leg h, • Lincoln, Earl or Ward, 11, G, Cavendish,C Clay, lerstiiirrl6lv G .. . 11. Dalrymple, Captain Loch, James Winaington, Sir T. Dawson, T. V. Wood, t•ir Charles Denison, J. E. l l l lu ul t i tTWillia m Dickinson, F. 11. Duncan, Lord l'iiildmay, 11. St. John TZLLE2.B. Duncan, George ➢teffatt, George Leader, J. T. I D ) o u u g g i l a a i s e , , NSvir. S. E . Egerton, W. T. Morpetli, Viscount Trelawny, J• S. Escott, Bickham O'Ferrall, F.. M. Evans, William l3.,33,l3:l,aa:Trrrkittlhiligiaiitaign,rijihilenry ycaug, John PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS, (From the Votes and Proceedings of the Dou se of c ammons.) FRIDAY, APRIL 30. NOTICES GIVEN AT THE PRIVATE BILL -OFFICE. The Committee of SeßleActiioLnWhAavle'Snominated the following Select Committees on Railway Groups:— A Committee con sistin g of—Mr. Blackstone (Chairman), Lord Rendleeham Mr. Neville, Mr. Pinne y , and Mr . S tuart, Birkenhead, Lancas hire, and Cheshire Junctio n (Deviation of Main Line and Cheshire Branch), tow 2h4o,mvitzl.ie:Lhave referre d the Bills comprised i n G r oup Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction Railway, and e ri o , r n a. luvd. Tuesday,i‘ißre.Beckett e l‘ t l t a ( Y Chairman), Chester and Birkenhead Purchase or Amalgamation, 6. 1 c 1 .) , at 12. Shrewsbury and atnodcChehsetsetrerand (Branches tioa t d o ha a n ii g w o a l y le ) r i: alfour, to whom Parkgate and Chester and Birkenhead Junction, Chester and Holyhead (Extensions to Chester and Holyhead) they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 26, viz.: North Staffordshire (Alterations and Branches), M r A r i l la H e C i o S i traet:meAcititriCeoeßilicuonicikiis,titlssetieirn.tgor meetof—Air. North Staffordshire (Churnet Valley Line and Trent Valley Railway Junction), South Statiordshi re (Cannock, Wyrlen and Norton Branches, &c.) London and North-Western (Birmingham and Lichfield. &c.) Derbyshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire Janction way and Branches. The Select Committee to meet on Tuesday, May 11, at half-past twelve. A Committee consisting of—Hon. H. Fitzroy (Chairman), Mr. H. J. Baillie, Major Layard, Mr. Alexander, and lion. C. Lawless, to whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 35, viz. Blackburn, Darwen, and Bolton Railway Acts Amendment (Deviations), Preston and Wyre, Liverpool, Manchester, anti Newcastle-on• Tyne Junction Railway Acts Amendment, Fleetwood, Preston, and West Riding (Burnley and Col liery Branches), Manchester and Leeds (Branches, Extensions, Deviations, Alterations of I.evels, and other Works), - East Lancashire (Burnley Connecting Line), East Lancashire (Deviations and Rawtenstall Coal Branch), East Lancashire (Bury to Manchester), East Lancashire (Clitheroe, Mitton, and Padiham). The Select Committee to meet on Tuesday, May 11, at one. A Committee consisting of—Mr. B. Denison (Chairman), Sir W. Verner, Mr. Hughes, Earl Grosvenor, and Sir 'l'. Esmonde, to whom they have referred the Bills ccomprised in Group No. 44, viz.:— Scottish Midland Junction (Amendment and Branch to Laureneekirk ),1 Aberdeen ( Brechin Branch Deviation), Aberdeen and Great North of Scotland Amalgamation, Arbroath and Forfar and Scottish Midland Junction Con necting Railway, • Dundee and Perth (Alteration and Extension, and Incliture, Pulgavie, and Inchmichael Branches), Dundee and Newtyle, Aberdeen Harbour (Improvement and Sale to Railway), Strathtay and Breadalbane Extension. The Select Committee to meet on Thursday, May 13, at 12. A Committee consisting of—Right Hon. Sir R. Peel (Chairman), Sir R. Vyvyan, Mr. Dickinson, Lord H. Ben tinck, and Sir C. Napier, to whom they have referred the Bills comprised in Group No. 52, viz.:— Great North of India, to connect the cities of Delhi, Agra, and Allahabad, with Extensions, &c. Great Indian Peninsula, Bombay to Alleh, with Extensions, &c. Great Western of Bengal, from Calcutta to Rajamahal, with Extension, &c. (Incorporation). The select Committee to meet on Thursday, May 13, at half-past 12. Select Committee on Group No. 49. Mr. Christie discharged ; Yiseount .Newport selected, and added to the Committee. Select Committee on Group No. 7. Mr. liorsman discharged; Mr. Stanstield selected, and added to the Committee. The Select Committees on the Groups Nos. 4, 29, 36, 87, 45, and 46, will be selected from Panel No. 6, which will be required to be in attendance during the week commencing Monday, May 17. PANEL No. VI. Mr. Adderley Hon. 0. Duncombe Mr. Ainsworth Hon. G. Fitzwilliam Mr. Allis Mr. Hale Mr. Antrohus Mr. J. fleathcoat Mr. Arkwright Mr. E. Heneage Mr. J. Bailey, jun. Mr. F. Hodgson Mr. Baine Sir Denis Le Marchant Mr. H. B. Baring Mr. Mundy Mr. I3askerville Right lion. J. Nicholl Major Beresford Mr. S. O'Brien Mr. Blewitt Colonel Peel Mr. Bowes Mr. Roebuck Mr. Boyd Mr. R. Scott Mr. Brocklehurst Mr. J. A. Smith Lord E. Bruce Viscount Somerton Mr. Buckley Mr. Sotheron Viscount Castlereagh Sir S. T. Spry Sir W. Clay Mr. E. Stanley Lord A. Conyngham Sir G. Strickland Marquis of Douro Lord J. Stuart Mr. Duff Mr. Thornhill. Hon. A. Duncombe INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS. APRIL 27.—Sir John Rennie, President in the chair. The paper of the evening was " On the laws of iso chronism of the balance-spring as connected with the higher order of adjustments of watches and thermome ters;" by Mr. C. Frodsham, Assoc. Inst. C. E. The first portion gave an historical sketch of the horological inventions and writings of the artists of the eighteenth century, which appears to constitute the basis of all the knowledge possessed in the present day, and the princi ples of whose school were still invariably followed in the construction of both watches and chronometers of the better sort. It was admitted, that by the aid of machinery and the practical skill of the workmen the separate pieces of clocks and watches were now produced in a high state of perfection; but it was contended that horology, as a science, had declined since the days of Hooke, Bernouilli, Sully, Graham, Harrison. Camus, Mudge, Ellicot, the two Arnolds, Earnshaw, Le Roy, Berthoud, and others, whose splendid talents and scientific attain ments were all devoted to the elevation of the art of constructing time keepers. Among these, Dr. Hooke appears to have been the first to bring the f orce of acute reasoning and pure mechanical genius to bear upon the practice of the art, and his experiments upon the pen dulum, and the application of the balance-spring, which latter unquestionably laid the foundation of the chro nometric art. It is evident that he partially raised the veil which concealed the laws of the isochronism of the spiral spring, as is demonstrated by his expression "ut tensio, sic vis," and it is extra ordinary that so plain a hint was not immediately seized upon by the able men who succeeded him. Arnold appears to have been the first who really prac tically comprehended the subject, and in the course of his researches he invented the cylindrical spring and compensation balance, which formed the com mencement of a new era in the science. The me rit of the discovery of the isochronism in France was contested by Le Roy and Berthoud. Bernouilli noticed in a paper read to the Acad6mie in 1747, the fact of the loss of elastic force in balance springs from exposure to heat; and the experiments of Berthoud demonstrated that, in passing from 22 degrees to 92 de grees of Fahrenheit, the loss per diem was 6 mins. 40 secs. The paper then considered generally and techni cally the subject of the isochronism of the_balance spring, enunciating isochronism to be an inherent property of the balance-spring, depending entirely upon the ratio of the spring's tension, following the proportion of the arcs of inflection; a balance-spring, therefore, having the progression required by the law of isochronism, will preserve that property, whether it be applied to a balance making quick or slow vibrations. The elastic force of balance-springs was considered as constant, became the action is by a number of consecutive impulses following each other in such rapid succession as to constitute an uninterrupted and continuous force. This is shown in considering the accelerated and retarded motion of the balance, when, by following it through an entire arc of vibration, it will be seen that if the balance be moved over a given number of degrees, the spring will be wound into a certain tension, and has acquired a certain elastic force due to the angle over which it is inflected. This elastic force being then transferred to the balance, it will be exerted in overcoming its inertia, and at the expiration of the first period will have communi cated a slight motion to it. During the next pe riod, its state will be that of comparative and not ab solute inertia (for it decreases as the motion increases), whence it follows, that as the spring's force is exerted against a body in motion instead of at rest, it will ne cessarily accelerate progressively the motion the balance had previously acquired, until the spring arrives at the point of quiescence, where, having lost all its elasticity, it ceases further to urge the balance, and a new relation of power and resistance takes place. The spring's force being transferred to the balance, it assumes a new cha racter, has acquired sufficient momentum to carry it through the second half of the vibration, and to in flect the spring over an angle equal to that first passed over, and to give it the requisite tension to commence '.7a new vibration ; particularly as during the second half of the vibration the spring has so little tension that its force retards but slightly the motion of the balance. After much acute reasoning upon this position, illustrated by numerical examples, the author proceeded to describe the helical and the flat coiled springs, which are used in chronometers and watches, and the manner of regulating their action so as to take advantage of the isochronism, instancing the ad vantages to be derived from the innate power pos sessed by an isochronal spring of resisting the influences which cause a change of rate, such as change of position, increased friction from dirt, or the viscidity of the oil at low temperature. This was well illus trated by an example of three balls falling in equal times through spaces regulated by the densities of the medium--viz., in vacuo, in air, and in water, wherein they traverse spaces equal to the squares of the times. So it was argued it was with increased friction in watch work ; for the elastic forces of the balance spring being constantly proportional to the angle of inflection, what ever was the amount of friction, the law of isochronism remained unchanged, and friction was only an adventi• tious circumstance, which affects the extent of the arc of vibration, but not the time of its description. The discussion upon this interesting paper was deferred until the next meeting, on Tuesday, May 4, when the paper read will be " An Account of the Progressive Improve ments in Sunderland Harbour, and the River Wear ;" after which the monthly ballot for members will take place. THE VIRTUES OF WEALTH.—THE WAY OF TIM WORLD.—The world is full of conventional hvpocrisy. It would seem to be the aim of a large porti on Of the human family to practice falsehood upon themselves—to see how far by lying conventionalities they can impose upon their own judgments, and perpetuate delusion. A man, whose life has been stamped all over with unmiti gated selfishness, after having enjoyed the considera tion which wealth or connexion commands, dies. Ah, there is mourning, as if a star had fallen from heaven! Poverty has lost a friend—virtue a defender, society a model! And all this falsification is tolerated because conventional. In such a body as the Congress of the United States, there are representatives of all classes and habits. Without offence, we may say that the mere fact of being a member is not prima fucie evidence of capacity, ho nesty, or purity. Vice, under its grossest forms, may find votaries in an American Congress. But, it is somewhat re markable that a dishonest or debauched member never dies ! Death loves a shining mark," and every member stricken by his dart is sainted for his virtues. Whatever the rotten ness within, the sepulchre without is polished. " The me mory of the wicked shall rot," said Solomon, the memory of the wicked is blessed by conventional hypocrisy. National Era ( Washington.) GLASGOW COTTON MARKET.—Am 30.—1 n con sequence of the dullness and downward tendency of the yarn market and the tightness 'of money, our cotton market has been very quiet—almost nothing selling except small par cels for immediate transmission to the mills. Prices are very irregular.—Scotch I?cformers' Gazette. COAST OF FRANCE. —The Commissioners of Cus toms have issued directions to the collectors and comptrol lers of the several ports throughout the kingdom to cause copies of a notice which has been furnished to them, re specting alterations in the lights on Cape Frehel and on La Four Rock, on the coast of France, to be exhibited in a conspicuous place in the Custom-houses of their respective ports, for the information of masters of vessels and all par ties concerned. RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE. DIEPPE AND FECAMP. The general meeting of tl.e shareholders of this company took place on Friday, April 30, in the large room belonging to the offices of the Havre Company, Rue Basse du Rampar ; Count d'Alton Sh6e. the president, in the chair. Near him we perceived Baron de Saint Albin, Mr. E. Blount, M. Sel liere, M. Caumont de Juinieges, M. Osmont, M. Clapperon, M. d'Ailly, and M. Crdlu. The company having been declared duly constituted, M. Davin, (the Secretary), read the report. This document commences by declaring that, after the last general meeting, contracts had been entered into with MM. Mackenzie and Brassey on advantageous terms. The ap probation of the Government authorities for the direction to be taken between Malaunay and Dieppe bad allowed the company to enter into a contract for the Dieppe line for a sum of 7,750,2041. 79c. The line was divided into three sections :-1. From Dieppe to the departmental road—from St. Aubin to Hautol ; 2 From the point of junction with the line of Havre to Etaimpuis ; and, 3. From that place to the departmental road, No. 25. The first section contained a tunnel, 1,600 metres in length, passing under the hill of Appeville, the most important work on the line. The gallery had been already carried through the whole length; a short distance was faced with masonwork ; and the work would be (ntirely finished in six months, if necessary. The bridges and earthworks were also f ar advanced. On the 2d section the earthworks were completed, and it was intended to keep men at work on it day and night during the fine season. There were twenty-two bridges on this part, of which four are finished. On the 3d part the works were less advanced than on the others. About 1,600 tons of chairs and rails had been delivered, as well as 32,090 sleepers ; 2,800 workmen, 500 waggons, and 450 horses, were at present employed on the line. The great rapidity with which the works had been urged on was chiefly owing to the favourable manner in which the land had been obtained, almost all of it having been arranged for on amicable terms. The company had been fortunate enough to obtain the decision of the jury, from four to six months after the lands to be expropriated had been subjected to their consideration. The whole cost of the land had been originally estimated at 1,900,000 E, but the expense had been only 1,514,326 E, comprising interest paid and all indemnities for the present crops, giving a saving of 400,0001., which, considering that the line passed through orchards and meadow lands, was doing much. All the contracts for supplies had been ful filled hitherto with great regularity. The company was freed from the care of providing the moveable stock, as the traction was to be undertaken by the Havre Company, but all the cost of the stationary stock was now fully known. It was, therefore, possible at present to declare that the original es timates would not be exceeded ; and that, should circum stances permit it, that is, should the calls be exactly paid, the line could be opened to the public by March 1, 1848. The report then adverts to the general discredit into which railway property has of late fallen, and enters at length into the subject of the various calls made by the company. After the last general meeting the second call, it states, had been announced, but more than 2,000 shares remained unpaid. The shares had fallen in the market to 50f. below par, and if that great number were suddenly sold, there could be no doubt that very considerable further depreciation in their value would ensue—at least 50f. more. In this conjuncture the directors did all that lay in their power for the company —they took 1,000 shares for themselves at 4501. ; and in duced the contractors, who felt the greatest confidence in the success of the undertaking, to allow their reserve to be ex pended in 1,045 others. On the third call there was another deficit of 2,000 shares not paid up, and here the same mode of acting as had been previously employed was impossible. The directors had done everything which depended on them to bring the undertaking to a fortunate conclusion. If the matter hung fire for the moment, it must be attributed to the general gloom which affected all railway property. At present, in consequence of the demands on the company, from the rapidity with which the works were urged another call (the fifth) would b e ma d e on May 10. Under present circumstances the board had determined to postpone the execution of the Fecamp line until after that of Dieppe was entirely finished. First, because the latter line would require three-fourths of the capital, and was consequently so much the more important; and next, because that line,when once concluded, would enable the company to raise funds to finish the rest. Looking at the state of the works now more than half finished, and taking into consideration that nothing had been begun on March 15, 1846, the line could be opened on March 1, 1848, it must be admitted that the general pro gress of the enterprise had been most satisfactory. The re port, after declaring that everything led to the conclusion that the returns would be fully equal if not superior to what had been estimated, concluded, by laying before the meeting the accounts to April 1, 1847. After the report had been read a desultory conversation ensued on the position of the company, one or two share holders blaming the directors for making the calls so rapidly, which circumstance they alleged, more than any other, had contributed to lower the shares in the market. The CHAIRMAN replied that the calls were never made until absolutely demanded by the rapid execution of the works ; and that what was alleged against the board as a subject of blame was the very best proof possible of their great activity in getting the line finished. Another SHARIHOLDER. proposed to postpone the approba tion of the accounts for two months, but this was rejected by an immense majority. In answer to some remarks relative to the negotiations with the Government, The PnEsmearr entered into an explanation on the sub ject, and stated that the Minister of Public Works had ex pressed his determination to do something for the Dieppe line, though without having specified of what nature the intended aid should be. The same shareholders who had before addressed the meet ing, having again manifested a desire to undervalue the un dertaking, Mr. E. Br.ornrr rose, and in a short energetic address after adducing arguments to prove that the line would be eventually an excellent one, called on tho shareholders not to permit themselves to be influenced by ill-omened pre dictions, which all that hitherto had taken place in the enterprise ought to lead them to suppose would be ill founded. THE NEW FRENCH LINES. The following appears in the last number of the Journal des Chemins de Fer : -" We are at present able to give some details relative to a combination, already spoken of, by which the new railway companies would be enabled to continue their works without compromising further the interests of their shareholders. The terms of this combination are sail to be these :-1. The State is to have an estimate made of the works already concluded or in course of execution; it is to engage, in case it should not have been able by next year, to come to an understanding with the companies, to reim burse the cost of all the works executed from the present time. In this way, if the companies should not be able to arrange with the State for a change in the contracts, they would be sure not to lose more than they could do at present, were they to abandon the works. The companies would still preserve the advantage, in case railway matters should again get into repute, of profiting by . the revival of confidence. At present, the subject of discussion is to decide on the value to be attributed to the works, and on the sums which the State should keep in its hands. Right or wrong, the Minister of Public Works is persuaded that he could not obtain from the Chambers a vote favourable to any system which should diminish the amount of caution money held by the State. We do not agree with the Honourable Minister, but we admit that if he believes that be cannot get a definitive measure adopted, that proposed is acceptable as a temporary one. It at least has the advantage of clearly axing the present position of the companies, and of opposing an insuperable barrier to any further fall, as it will then be easy to fix the real value of the share of each undertaking." ' In allusion to the above, a Paris correspondent states that the negotiation can scarcely be said to have advanced so far. For the Lyons Company, up to Saturday morning, nothing whatever had been decided, the Minister still appearing to vacillate, and being evidently afraid to bring the matter before the Chambers ; and by the report of the general meeting of the Dieppe Company, held on Friday, it will be seen that nothing had been determined on at that time in heir case. THE GERMAN RAILROADS. A letter dated Leipsic, 27th ult., mentions that during the last year there were conveyed by the German rail roads 16,412,229 travellers, and 31,533,939 quintals of merchandise, which produced a sum total of 54,646,232 f. (2,185,8491.), and represents an increase of 16,431,208 f., that is, 43 per cent. over the preceding year. At the commencement of the present year, it is said that 592 German miles were regularly open to traffic, of which 26 miles are tram lines, 173 miles belong to various Governments, and 419 miles to 29 private companies ; the longest one runs from Berlin to Breslau, with a branob to Hennesdorf ; the next is the Ferdinand North Railway, 41 miles, extending from Vienna to Brunn. Olmutz, Leipsic, and Stockeran ; the Berlin and Hamburgh, 36'58 miles ; the Upper Silesian (from Breslau to Myslowitz) 31 miles ; the Budweis, Lentz, and Korse line, 26.13 miles ; Berlin and Stettin, and branch to Stargard, 22.62 miles ; Berlin to Cothern, 20.51 miles ; the Berlin, Pots dam, and Magdeburg, 19.63 miles ; the Vienna and Gloggnitz, with branch lines from Modling to Lax.en berg, and from Vienna to Bruck on the Leitba, 16 . 14 miles ; the Magdeburg and Leipsic, 16.1 miles ; the Leipsio and Dresden, 15.48 miles ; the Altona and Kiel, 14.29 miles ; the Saxo-Bavarian (from Leipsic to Retchembach. with a branch), 1413 miles ; the Rhe nish (from Cologne to Aix-la-Chapelle and the Bel gian frontiers), 1P57 miles ; the Thuringian (from Weissenfels to Weimar), 11'50 miles ; the Saxo-Si lesian (from Glogau to Sagan), 9.67 miles ; the Breslau and Freiburg, 8.96 miles ; the Cologne and Minden (from Deutz to Duisburg), 8.54 miles ; the Madgeburg and Halberstadt, 7.534 miles ; the Taurus (from Frank fort to Mainz and Wiesbaden), 5.85 miles ; the Rends burg and Neumunster, 4.41 miles ; the Dusseldorf and Elberfeld, 3'57 miles ; the Anhalt and Bern burg, 2.32 miles ; the Cosal and Ratisbon, 4.25 miles ; the Bonn and Cologne, 3.95 miles ; the Gluckstadt and Elmshorn, 2.22 miles ; the Hamburg and Bergedorf, 2.17 miles; and the Nuremberg and Furth, 0.91 miles. Twenty out of the thirty-eight states of Germany have railways at present. There are only two railways which are completely finished, and pro vided throughout their entire length with double lines — the Leipsic and Dresden, and the Magdeburg and Leipsic. The number of tunnels on the German lines open to traffic are 16; of which 5 are on the Rhenish Railway, 2 on the Wurtemberg, 4 on the South Aus trian (between the Gratz and Cilley), 3 on the North Austrian (between Olmutz and Prague) , 1 on the Bavarian State line (at Erlangen), and 1 between enish Leipsic and Dresden. The longest is on the Rhenish, at Konigsdorf, between Cologne and Aix-la-Chapelle, being 5,160 feet. J e - iin'vh:ntUorteßdossDanedntsiostnssi having Powder, v s E o n n T a i m sr ed m ft N ot r n : th visited several first-rate surge n o o n s id ru en m t:st t s h , e‘ a , nd ha‘ ri e nd c h o lg mb e in ac e h d recommending some peculiar th these together with other ingredients, known only t o them selves, and are convinced they have produced a perfect tooth powder. It will remove the tartar, strengthen the gums„ purity the breath, and entirely prevent an d cure the tooth ache, and if used immediately after anerldeaysinotgls,thiel9siacknarolo2mo prevent infection.—Address, Koss Ilishopsgate-street, London. We understand that Captain Glascock, late of the Tyne, has declined to accept of the letter of thanks proffered him by the French Government, for the salvage of a barque belonging to that nation, on the 25th of December last. It is said that the gallant officer grounds his refusal upon the fact, that neither the services of his officers nor crew have been acknowledged by the French Government; and the communication forwarded to himself is worded so indefinitely that, except it be accompanied by full explanations, it would be impossible to say to whom it referred.—Devonport Te legraph. Mr '. Etty sold his picture of Joan of Arc on Fri day, at the private view of the Royal Academy, for the large sum of 2,500 guineas. COURT CIRCULAR. The Queen and Prince Albert honoured the r ehesisal of the Concert.. of Ancient Music, at the Hanover squere Rogens, Witt, their p!esence yesterday. The Royal suite eonsisit d Of the Connteks of Charlemont, Hon. bliss Kerr, Hon. Nlts Cavendish, the Earl of Morton, Lieutenant-Colone the Hon. C. B. Pnipps, and Colonel Bouverie. The Queen gave a Concert yesterday evening all Buckingham Palace. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent arrived early, attended by Lady Augusta Bruce, Baroness de i r d ß g e o y a a r l rd at h Highnessesaif.p a t g h t e nviEe D ndae u m k ob: e )c, o a c n k d , a D tt n e enhdeesds by Speth, and Sir George C oupe r. C L a aT , d r m y h t be , e r A i R u o g y u a s ta l F Cad i l o y g a w n e a r e n d r e M e e r nd th M e c ild o m m a p y t;auer of the Household, who conducted them to the Yellow Drawing-room, whore her Majesty and Prince Albert received their illustrious visitor. The company began t.) arrive at the Palace at nice o'clock, and were ushered up the grand sta.rettse to the Green Drawing room and Picture Gallery. The party numbered between three and four hundred of the prin cipal nobility and gentry, and amang the earlier arrivals were the Marquis u' Lansdov, ne, the Duke and Duchess of Buckingham, the Marquis of Anglesey, the Duke of Richmond, Earl and Countess Grey, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, Lord and Lady Ashburton, Sir Harry Smith, Sir Robert and Lady Peel, Sir James and Lady Graham, Right Hon. R. L. and Mr. Rogers. At a quarter before ten o'clock the Queen and Prince Albert entered the Grand Saloon (which was fitted ap for the performance of the Concert), accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and his Serene High ness the Prince of L?iningen, and attended by the Ladies and Gentlemen of the Royal liousebad in Waiting. The Lord Chamberlain and the Lord Steward preceded her Majesty and the Prince, and conducted them to their seats. The royal and distinguished guests having followed the august party into the Saloon, and having taken their seats, the concert commenced. The following was the programme:— PARTE PRIMA. Quartetto—"Ah se giusto oh ciel tu sei," Madame Grisi, Mdlle. Alboni, Sig. Gordon, e Tamburini (Tapered!) —Rossini. Aria—" Elena o tu ch'io chiamo," Mdlle. Alboni (Donna del Lago.)— Rossini. Romanza—" Sets! stir la terre," Sig. Gardoni (Don Sebas tian.)—Donizetti. Duo—" Dal ciel disceso tin angelo," Madame Grisi e Sig. Mario (Le Illustri Rivali.)—Mercadante. Aria—" Vieni o tu," Madame Castellan (Catarina Comte.) —Donizetti. Quartetto—" Alla Triniti beats," Madame Grisi a Mdlle. Alboni, Sig. Mario e Lablacbe.—Palestrina. PARTR SECONDA. Quintetto—" 0 Dio di pieta," Madame Castellan, Madlle. Alboni, Signors Gardoni, Tamburini e Lablache (I Diln vio universale).—Donizet ti. Aria—" Quando guerries," Madlle. Grisi (I Briganti).— Mercadante. Duo—" Qui fret voi," Signors Tamburini e Lablache (Elisa Claudio).—Mercadante. Melodie--" Le secret," Signor Mario.—Schubert. Duo—" Lasciami non t'ascolto," 4.ladame Castellon a Madllw Alboni ( —Rossin i. Rossi n Quintetto—" Sento oh Dio," Madame Grisi e Madlle. Alboni, Signors Mario, Tamburini e Lablache (Cosi fan tutte).— Moaart. Mr. Costa presided at the pianoforte. Refreshments were served to the company during the evening in the Green Drawing- room. After the concert, a sumptuous supper was served to the illustrious party in the State Dinner-room. The tables were very tastefully ornamented, and were bril liantly illuminated with wax lights, in numerous candel abra of silver gilt. The following had the honour of receiving invitations: —His Serene Highness the Prince of Leiningen, his Serene Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, his Serene Highness Prince Lowenstein, the Austrian Am bassador, and Countess Dietrichstein, the Belgian Minister, and Madame Van de Weyer, the Bavarian Minister, and Baroness de Cetto, the Portuguese Minister, and Baroness de Moncorvo. Mr. De Mosses Sarmento, General Prince Castelcicala, the Neapolitan Minister, the Hanoverian Minister, the Wurt• mberg Minister, the Prussian Minister and Madame Bunsen, Madlle. Bunsen, the Brazilian Minister and Madame Marques Lisboa, the Danish Minister and Countess de Reventlow, Countess Hilda Reventlow, the Turkish Mi nister and Princess Callimaki. the American Minister and Mrs. Bancroft, the Netherlands Minister, the Saxon Minister and Baroness de Beust, Prince and Princess Lichtenstein, the Russian Minister and Baroness de Brunnow, and Madlle. Olga de Lechuer, the French Charge D'Affaires and Countess de Jarnac, Baron Roller, Le Conseiller Dietz, Count Alfred Potscki, Baroness de Speth, the Mexican Minister, the Arch bishop of Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Lady in Waiting on the Duchess of Cambridge, the Gentleman in Waiting on the Duke of Cambridge. A large number of the nobility were also honoured with invitations to the concert. A Cabinet Council was held at three o'clock yesterday afternoon at the Foreign Office. It was attended by Lord John Russell, the Lord Chancellor, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Minto, Sir George Grey, Vis count Palmerston, Earl Grey, the Chancellor of the Ex chequer, Earl Auckland, Sir John Hobhouse, Lord Campbell, Viscount Morpeth, the Earl of Clarendon, the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Right Hon. T. B. Ma caulay, and the Right Hon. H. Labouchere. The Ccuncil sat an hour and a half. A deputation from the factory operatives of Lan cashire and Yorkshire, in favour of the 'Fen' Hours Bill, had an interview with the Earl of Clarendon yesterday at the office of the Board of Trade. The Attorney-General had an interview with Sir George Grey yesterday, at the Home-office. The Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England had a Committee-meeting yesterday. Dispatches from the Governor of South Australia were received yesterday, at the Colonial•office. Dispatches were sent off yesterday evening, from the Colonial-office, for the Governor •General of Canada, and also for the Governors of the other North American provinces.; FRENCH PLAYS. ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. M. Regnier, of the Theatre Francais, and Mdlle. Denain, of the same theatre, made their debilt for the season, at this theatre, last evening, in the comedy of Les Demoiselles de St. Cyr. It was the first appear ance in England of Mdlle. Denain, and she cer tainly bids fair to become a favourite. She acted the part of Charlotte, the heroine the senti mental heroine—of this favourite comedy, and acted it beautifully. She is an accomplished artiste, and per fectly understands the stage. There was no attempt at point-making, but, on the other hand, there was no slur ring over particular passages. The character was acted, as a whole, beautifully, and correctly, and artistically. It was one of those performances, the very perfec tion of which sets criticism almost at defiance. Where the performance is perfect as a whole, it is impossible to particularise any particular portion as more perfect than perfect, and such is the case with the Charlotte of Mademoiselle Denain. A more evenly perfect piece of acting we have never witnessed. Regnier as Hector de Couloy, the thoroughly well-bred fool, yet selfish withall, the highly-polished-plated man, was admirable, and the acting of Duvergier as the Count de Saint Harem, the fashionable egoiste, who, however, has a heart, and can occasionally be unselfish, contrasted admirably with that of Regnier, and set it off in the highest possible colours. Regnier in this character is unapproached and unapproachable ; he combines the richest vein of humour with the most perfect polish, and is the very beau ideal of a foolish gentleman. perhaps the most difficult character to embody in the whole range of the drama. The comedy was followed by scenes from Moliares Marriage Force, in which Regnier,. as T D he oc c to o r m P ed a y nc w rac as e, p e r e e n ce v d u e ls d ed by the th h e ou n s m e u w a i n t g h l at tended. Sans Nom. The house was very well at- MAGAZINES—(CONTINUED.) DOLMAN'S MAGAZINE. It is interesting at this moment to learn explicitly what the Roman Catholics themselves think of their exclusion from the Government scheme of National Education. Dolman's Magazine for May fully satisfies the curious in this particular. The article relating to the conduct of the Ministry, and the proceedings at the Catholic Institute, are evidently dictated in a tone of the bitterest indignation ; nor really, upon reflection, can this cause any very great astonishment. The editor pursues his double serials of " Sick Calls" and " The Penal Laws," the former describing an inci dent occurring in a hospital, and the latter depicting the miseries endured by the Cath olics in consequence of those atrocious laws w h ich o E vie li r z e ab s e o th i . on A g any thing of that general attractiveness . While there is Although urigorously magazineenforced b h a a f s te w r sc h t li b e r h e ee r l i i n was and, to its pee articles, th ere a manifest improvement .ita religiousthe . poetical and c. in the heretofore chaurlaicarterriesfiedde,ri:,iisnstetirlelsntemrger.thel.eas val uable,. s mis cellaneous contributions.ifes manifest fal rig tt u al y a THE PEOPLES' JOURNAL. Among the distinguished writers for this remarkable periodical must now be enumt,raotfe pdaLpeorredoNpoungetnhte. mode The comm encement of a succession which should be adopted fur the proper correction of crime, is given in the part just published, and is from the pen of that noble literary philanthropist. The impor tance of the subject, the position of the writer, and the simultaneous agitation at this moment of the questions of juvenile reformation and national education, impart a very peculiar interest to the serial here mentioned. The People's Journal will henceforth appear not merely as the enlivener of the jaded artizans, but as, in a more particular manner than heretofore, their moral and poli tical instructor. THE TRAVELLER'S MISCELLANY. Besides the advant,agesalreadYenurnerateWas per taining to the former numbers of this little brochure, the Part for May contains an excellent map of the Isle of Wight, and the opening chapter is a very delightful description of the same resort, of summer excursionists. In regard to its general ar rangement, its variety and condensation of facts interest ing to travellers, its cheapness and its extraordinary ac curacy, this magazine is beyond any publications of the same character that have hitherto appeared. CHAMBERS'S EDINBURGH JOURNAL. The value and pleasantry of this old favourite, ne.ds no eulogium. And if the motto be in every way appli cable, that "good wine needeth nu bush." then may the Edinburgh Journal be independent of the moat flattering notice.