The Sun. — London, England, 1847-03-05 00:00:00

THE PROPAGATION OF THE POTATO. TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. SIR, I beg to submit to you some important remarks en a new method of increasing the potato, which promises to be of the utmost utility. . Ever since the introduction of the potato, now nearly three hundred years, the general w has been either by planting the ayof increasing smallthem tubers whole, or by dividing the large ones into two, three,st and four sets, tuber. but rarely making more tha n four e The present great scarcity et that valuables f r om one esculent, and rny own practical experience in tho propagation and management of plants, more particularly to the proem big tuberous rooted of a great number from some of the kinds, induced me to tur n m y attention to the subject, towards obtaining a much more abundant increase from the potato than the present system gives. I have made a trial of the method now so successfully practised for the propagation of the dahlia, as follows:—The roots of the dahlias are taken up for preserving through the win ter about the same time as the late-planted potatoes, and stored from the frost; some of the sorts that are much in demand and scarce it is now customary to put into pots in December and January, and to place them in the hothouse or hotbed, which causes them soon to show the eyes just above the tubers; these are allowed to grow to about two or three inches in length. They are then taken off carefully so as not to des:roy the eyes that are formed at the bottom part of the young shoots; two eyes we left on each of these shoots, which will give double the quantity of cuttings, ready to take off in ten to fif teen days after the first lot, and every succession of cut tings may be expected to be much more numerous. I have known instances when the almest incredible num ber of 500 good healthy plants has been made from one dahlia root by the above mode of treatment. It will, perhaps, be as well to mention that, by the old way of Propagating, viz., by dividing the root when in a dor mant state, i 4 was scarcely possible to make more than six or seven plants. I now lay before you the result of my experiments with the potato as far as time has permitted me. I placed some tubers of four sorts in the hothouse and treated them in every respect as the dahlias; they made cuttings quicker, these cuttings rooted sooner than the dahlias, and by the present thriving appearance of the tubers, from which some cuttings have now been taken, I have not the least doubt of their proving as prolific as the dahlia. Some objections may be started to this method of propagation in competition with the old estab lished system. My present endeavour is to provide in some measure for the great deficiency of potatoes for this season's planting, and I am convinced that, to a certain extent, it will be found to be perfectly successful. I think my suggestion will open a great field for improve ment in the culture of the potato, and may lead to many experiments ; and some other advantages may be ex pected to be made known. I regret this idea did not strike me earlier in the season, as it would have given me an opportunity of placing before the public my other experiments, which are not just now sufficiently matured, although I feel quite satisfied they will come up to my anticipations. In order that this plan be fully and fairly tested, I would venture to recommend every gentleman's gardener, or other parties having the opportunity, to commence immediately to make the following trials:—viz., where they have already planted the tubers in frames for the first crop, and the tubers have made shoots, or not, the mould to be taken off carefully, by hand, from one, two, or more rows of the sets, so as to expose them, and some light and pure soil, finely sifted, be put on directly, just thick enough to cover the sets ; by adopting this mode good cuttings will be produced, and, if treated every way the same as dahlia cuttings, they will readily take root. On some of the earliest planted sets they will probably be found, on removing . the soil, to have already made some growth; these should be taken off to near the sets, they will throw out fresh shoots or cuttings very soon, and every attention should be paid to promote the growth and health of the tubers or sets, such as oc casionally to replenish the soil about them, giving air at times to prevent a too rapid growth or the shoots will become weak and succulent. I am under the impression that if from twelve to twenty cuttings were put into each store pot in the middle or latter end of April, they would take root in ten or twelve days, and when gradually hardened to bear exposure they could at once be permanently planted into gardens or fields with as much certainty and in a ii ; iimilar manner as the turnip, cabbage, &c., are from the geed beds ; and here I would suggest the propriety of getting them out as soon as p oss ibl e i n or d er t o prevent the plants being checked too long, for the success of the crop of all tuberous-rooted plants depends, in a great measure, on their free and uninterrupted growth. In a former part of my lette r I expresse d regret at not having had the opportunity of making an earlier trial of my plan, and that will very likely lead some persons to inquire how I propose to manage with the young plants that might be rooted in January and February, and when they could not be planted in the open ground. I beg to add my recommendation for that early time of the )ear for the young plants would be either to put them into large sized pots, or plant them in frames tor an early crop for the table, or to give stock, the tubers would be ripe in time for re-planting out of doors in May, making two crops in one season ; and if of a new and choice sort, I would re-pot the young plant, take cif the top for another cutting, aid keep the young plant for increasing, and I think it would yield many cuttings if encouraged. This method might be pursued to a great extent. And probably this new method of propagation may be a means of throwing some light on the much talked of disease in the potato as to its origin ; my impression is, that it arises from a very minute parasitical plant, which attaches itself to the haulm and fills up the pores of the leaves and stems, checking the circulation of the sap, and depriving the plant of all nourishment of the atmo • sphere, and that it is only in remarkable seasons this parasite vegetates. From experiments now making I expect some further important results, which Isbell be happy to make known. EDWARD BROWN. The Cottage, Slough, Bucks. EDUCATION. The minutes of the Committee of the Council on Edu cation (in August and December last) have just been printed by Parliament. The following are extracted therefrom:— " IMIUNERATION AND DUTIES OF SCIIOOLMASTER9 AND MISTRESSES. " At the close of each of these years, if the pupil teachers have received a certificate of good character and of satisfactory progress, the master or mistress by wham they have been instructed and trained shall be paid the sum of 51. for one, of 91. for two, of 12/. for three pupil teachers, and 31. per annum more for every additional apprentice; and, on the like conditions, 2/. 10s. for one stipendiary monitor, 4/. for two, 61. for three, and 11. les. in addition in each year, for every additional stip(ndiary monitor. " In addition to the foregoing subjects of instruction, if the pupil teachers be skilfully trained by the master in the culture ,of a garden or in some mechanical arts suitable to a school of industry, or the female pupil teachers be instructed by the mistress in cutting out clothes, and in cooking, baking, or washing, as well as in the more usual arts of sewing and knitting, and the inspector certify that the pupil teachers are thereby in a satisfactory course of training for the management of a school of industry, the master or mistress will receive an additional gratuity, proportioned to the degree of skill and care displayed. " In consideration of the foregoing gratuity, and of the assistance obtained from the pupil teachers and sti pendiary monitors in the instruction and management of the school, the master will give them instruction in the prescribed subjects, during ono hour and a half at least, .durinc , five days in the week, either before or after the usual hours of school-keeping. " The stipends will be liable to be withdrawn by their Lordships on the report of their inspector, on proof of the continued ill-health of the pupil, teachers, or stipen .diary monitors, or of misconduct, want of punctuality , diligence, or skill, or-failure in their examination, or to default pf the required certificates. SUPPORT OF NORMAL SCHOOLS. EDUCATION OF SCHOOLMASTERS AND MISTRESSES, AND GRANTS IN AID OF THEIR. SALARIES. 41 Exhibitions on behalf of successful Pupil Teachers to Normal Schools—Employment of certain of them in ,the Public Service—Grants in aid of Expenses of Nor mal Schools, and of the Salaries of Masters and Mis • treoes educated therein. " The.' Committee of Council on Education had under their comideration their Lordships' minutes as to the apprentieesLip of pupil teachers in elementary schools. " It appeared further expedient to their Lordships, that the Lord Presidtnt should authorise one or more of her Majesty's Inspectors, together with the principal of a normal school under inspection, to submit to his Lord ship, from among the pupil teachers who had success fully terminated their apprenticeship, a certain number of those who, upon competition in a public examination, to be annually held by such inspectors and principal in eh inspector's district, as might be found most proficient • n their studies and skilful in the art of teaching. and concerning whose character and zeal for the office of teachers the inspector of the district could give the most favourable report. " That the Committee of Council on Education, on comparison of the testimonials and examination papers itthese apprentices, should award. for as many as they tight think fit, an exhibition of' 201. or 251. to one of 1 1 e normal schools under the inspection of her Majesty's inspectors. That the pupil teachers to whom such exhibitions should be awarded, should be thenceforth denominated 4 Queen' s S c h olars "That the * exhibition should be liable to be withdrawn if the princip a l of satisfied with the the tr a ining-school should be dis- Queen's Scholar.' conduct, attainments, or skill of the "Their Lordships werealso of opinion, that it might be useful to offer further co,ttives to exertion and good conduct among the pupil tea che r s , opening to such of them as might not display b y ghest qualifications for the office of schoolmaster , bu t whose conduct and of obtain rsuch regu lations were satisfactory, an op po rt uni ty i n w employment in the public servie u lations as may be hereafter adopted. "'Their Lordships hope that the grant of an exhibi ti on •of 20/. or 251. to the most proficient pupil teachers , to .enable them to enter a normal school, may diminish the difficulty experienced by the trustees and managers of Each institutions, of maintaining them in efficiency. In Circler still further to reduce the burden of such esta blishments, their Lordships will award to every normal a(kiiiipl, subject to inspe ction a g rant for every student _keneG herein, concerning whose character and conduct the prin'tipal shall give a favourable report, and concern- 1 ing ,whgoil attainments, skill in teaching, and genera aptitude the vocation of a schoolmaster, it shall tsp. tear td. - Lord President, at the close of each of three years ining from the report of one or more of her ' 4 1 1 a.1 nspectors, and from the examination papers, tile 4,,d tam standard of merit has been attained. _ THE SUN,_ _LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 5, 1847; most unpleasant matter. The Provost made some explana tions to the meeting, which were loudly applauded, and gave universal satisfaction. Few speeches were made at the meeting. but such of the gentlemen as spoke. expressed their resolution to support the authorities, and an earnest desire for the immediate removal of the military. CASTLETOWIC—On Monday evening several hundred per sons assembled at Castlehill harbour, in order to put to sea a vessel (the " Fisher " of Leith) which had come there to load grain. They proceeded to hoist the booms out of the harbour entrance, and to use threats to compel the cap tain to leave the port. Mr. Traill, M.P., accompanied by Sheriff Gregg, the latter of whom happening to be there by chance, quickly proceeded to the scene of action, but their presence bad not much effect on the - turbulent mob. Many were armed with sticks and bludgeons, and having pro ceeded on board the vessel, the mate, in attempting to de. fend himself with a knife, was felled to the deck. This la, t onset had the effect of dispersing the crowd, as they sup posed the man had been killed, and each took to his heels. Mr. Trail! then, at a late hour, (about 12 P.M. or 1 A.m.), had his household forces mustered, got the booms replaced. the vessel secured, and had the mate carried on shore; he is, however, severely injured. The crew having been withdrawn no further attempt was made to put the smack to sea. That such outbreaks should take place in a rural district like Castletown and Dunnet, is remarkable, and cannot be justi fied by any good reason. Mr. Traill is known to have re tained in the district more meal and grain than have been stored there in any previous season, more indeed than can be consumed before next harvest. The people, too, are well em ployed. and want is not known among them. Tflunso.—A correspondent of the above journal, writ ing from Thurso, on Tuesday last sacs—" y We have had lamentable disturbances here. The populace have blocked up the road to the river with two small sloops; one of them was taken up to-night. They have also planted a ten-pounder on the braehead. About one hundred special constables have been sworn in, and everything assumes a most threatening aspect. We have too much cause to fear serious consequences, unless, by some means or other, peace be restored." We have learned, in addition to the above, that on Wednesday evening another gun was placed on the brae, and that the feelings of the people continue wound up to the greatest pitch. Assemblages at night are frequent, and threatenings of violence aro per severed in. The peaceable inhabitants are kept in a state of the utmost terror from these manifestations. PETITIONS ON PRIVATE BILLS. HOUSE OF COMMONS. (Room 22, before Mr. Examiner Slunr.) OPPOSED LIST. Gloucester and Hereford Rail Way and Canal Purchase (for making a Railway from Gloucester to Hereford, with con necting lines, and purchase of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal, with power to the London and Nerth-Western Railway Company to subscribe to the in tended Rsilway, and purchase and make arrangements in respect of the same). Opposition withdrawn ; standing orders complied with. This was the only case on Mr. Smith's list. (Room 23, before Mr. Examiner MAY.) OPPOSED CASS. Midland Railway (Worcester, Hereford, Malvern, and Chel tenham Lines, with a Branch to Ledbury), proposed Ex tension by the Midland Railway Company from Worcester to Hereford, with Branches to Ledbury, Malvern, Ash church, and Cheltenham, with power to purchase or make arrangements kith the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Company, and Junctions with the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway. This case was opposed by the Oxford, Worcester, and Worverhampton Company. The opposition occupied the whole of the day,land was adjourned till to-morrow (to -day). CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. OLD COURT. (Before the LORD CHIEF BARON and Mr. Justioe COLE. , RIDGE ) ROBBERY OF DIAMONDS UPON THE HIGH SEAS. Robert Kerr, aged 28, a mariner, was indicted with steal ing two packages of diamonds, value 3,3001., the property of John M'Millan and others, upon the high seas, within the jurisdiction of the Admiralty of England, &c. (Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.) Mr. BALLANTINE then addressed the jury for the defence. The Loup CHIEF BARON carefully recapitulated, in his summing up, the whole of the evidence, and the jury, after consulting for a few minutes, returned a verdict of Guilty of stealing on the high seas. The LORD CHIEF BARON then, in an impressive address, sentenced the prisoner to seven years' transportation. This case occupied the court nearly six hours. THE COAST OF AFRICA. The following is an extract of a letter from a corre. spondent:-- . _ "Ascension, Jan. 22, 1847. "The Hydra steam-sloop, Captain Young, went up the ' River Bonny on the 29th of October last. She attempted to go up the day previous, but grounded inside the bar on a sand bank for four hours. She was got off after great exertions by throwing the aftermost 68-pounder overboard, also a 321 b. carronade, and almost the whole of her fresh water; however, the Hydra was taken up the river the fol lowing day by one of the captains of a merchant-vessel at anchor, trading for palm oil. Captain Young went up to inquire into the merchant captains' complaints against the King of the Bonny; but they could not substantiate them, for it appeared that the King told them on their arrival, that he could get no palm oil for trade, owing to his being at war with the King of the Calebar River. The merchant captains had subsequently supplied him with powder, shot, and muskets on tick, but as his memory was rather forgetful, they thought a little music from the Hydra's 68-pounders would refreshen it. She proceeded from the Bonny to Lagos, where she fell in with the Acteon, Captain Mansell, when she found herself in fur another squabble with the King of the Bimbia, he having been reported to the commodore as committing, or having committed a breach of faith. Ac cordingly the Acteon, in company with the Hydra and Styx, steam-sloop, Commander Chads, proceeded to the River Bimbia, calling at Fernando Po fora pilot. Captain Becroft, the Governor of Fernando Po, offereallto pilot her. She ar rived on the 18th November, and took up a position within range of her shells, when it was found out that the informa tion was false; in fact, the Baptist missionaries have a large settlement at the entrance of the river, and this would be the last place fur slavers. " Whilst up the Bonny it was discovered, although the kings on both sides of the river did nut sell slaves, yet they murdered all prisoners in cold blood, roasted, and ate them, and one of the kings assured an officer that a little girl, with plenty of salt and pepper, was very nice. So much for the suppression of slavery, to say nothing of the expense and loss of so many valuable lives and those who escape being rendered unfit for further service. There were 2,000 slaves brought down to the beach at Palma, near the river Lagos, to be shipped into the two vessels captured last September by the Hydra. Not having enough provisions to last until the arrival of other vessels, they took their slaves down to the beach, murdered them all, and stuck their heads on poles. Provisions were very scarce on the coast, and must be brought from a great distance inland. " From the Bimbia, the Hydra proceeded to Fernando Po, Princess Island, and arrived at Ascension on the morning of the 26th December. " The Devastation, with the broad pendant of Sir C. Ho them ; the Acteon, 26, Captain Mansell ; Sealark, 10, Capt. Gooch, were then here. The Devastation, with Sir C. Ho them, and Acteon, left Ascen.9iun the same day for Sierra Leone and the West Coast. The Sealark left this place about a week since, with dispatches for Sir C. Hotham, brought out by the Haddington, a large merchant-steamer, bound to China, and the Grappler, steam-vessel, Lieut. Commander Lysaght. " Captain Hutton took command of the island of Ascen sion last Monday, so that Captain Morrell at present remains a supernumerary, until we hear from the commodore. The Grappler leaves this place also to-day, for Sierra Leone, to meet the commodore. •' The Sealark left her captain behind at the hospital dan gerously ill from repeated attacks of epilepsy, in fact, he is expected to die hourly. " The turtle are rising very fast, which promises a good season. " The Eurydice, 26, Captain Anson, touched here on her way to the Cape. " The Wanderer, 14, Commander Sommerville, has lost her second lieutenant and ten men from coast fever, owing to her commander sending his pinnace twice up the Rio Pongos. The lieutenant stated that himself and boat's crew were completely exhausted from their first trip. " A vessel is expected in about a fortnight from the commodore, with orders for the Hydra to proceed home. She will probably be in England about the first week in May." THE RUSSO-DUTCH LOAN. OPINION OF DR. ADDAMS. It is obvious that upon the separation of Holland and the Netherlands, consequent upon the revolution of September, 1830, it ceased to be obligatory on Great Britain to make any further payments on account of the Russian Dutch Loan, in virtue of the Convention of May, 1815, according to the letter of that Convention, though it was said or intimated that obligation still subsisted, according to the spirit of the Con vention. But whether Russia could or could not, founding upon the spirit, as against the letter of the Convention, have justly insisted on such further payments, is a question that merged upon the execution of the Convention of November. 1831, between Great Britain and Russia. And it is upon this latter Convention that it is now obligatory on Great Britain (if at all) to make any such further payments. Now, in the Convention of November, 1831 (executed by the two Pow ers ), th e o bj ect i on o f the onvention of 1815 is recited to have been, to afford Great Britain a guarantee that Russia would procure a certain policy on all questions re specting Belgium, on the one hand ; and the other, to secure to Russia the payment of a portion of her old Dutch debt, in consideration of the general arrangements of the Congress of Vienna, to which she had given her adhesion—arrange ments which (says the Convention) still remain in full force; and it is in virtue of this special consideration (Con• vention of 1831, art. 1) that Great Britain undertakes to continue, on her part, the payments stipulated in the Con vention of May, 1815. It seems to me, that the phrase " arrangements which still remain in full force," pretty plainly implies that if such arrangements had not remained in full force, at any rate through any fault or delinquency on the part of Russia, Great Britain would have declined to enter into such latter Convention ; and the language of the whole Convention ac cording to the true interpretation of it, in my humble judg ment, is identical in import with this—that Great Britain undertakes to continue the rayments in consideration of Russia maintaining, or by reason that she does maintain, those general arrangements of the Congrees of Vienna, to which she was originally a party at the time of the holding of such Congress in 1815. And this being so, it also seems to me that a breach or violation of those general arrangements in any material part, though the fault or delinquency of Russia, plainly releases Great Britain from that continuing obligation which she took upon herself under the Convention of November, 1831, in consideration or by reason of Russia maintaining such general arrangements. And this reduces the whole question (and as to which I think there can be no doubt) to a consideration of whether the reunion of Cracow to the Austrian Monarchy, at the time and in manner as stated in the case, is or is not a departure from the general arrangements of the Congress of Vienna, in a material article, and one to which Russia is a consenting and therefore a guilty party. For surely, it admits of no doubt that one of the general arrangements (and that a principal one) of the Congrt ss of Vienna was, the independence of Cracow. By the 6th ar ticle of the "principal act," an Act consisting of 120 ar ticles, of June, 1815, are several following articles. Cracow with its territory is declared free, independent, and strictly neutral, in terms the most positive and precise, and Russia, Austria, and Prussia are pledged to the maintenance of their freedom, independence, and neutrality. The 6th article is, "La ville de Cracovie avec son territoire est declare() a per patuite cite libre, independante et strictement neutre, sous la protection de la Russie, de l'Austriche, et de la Prusse." Again, the 9th article—" Lee Cours de Russie d'Antriche, et de Prusse s'engagent a respecter et it faire respecter, en tour terns, la neutrality de la villa libre de Cracovie et de son territoire, &c." These articles, if no other, introduced into an " acte principal," commencing with the recital of that of 9th of June, 1815, clearly show that the independence of Cracow is one of the principal arrangements of the Congress of Vienna; and that the violation of its inde pendence and of one of the general arrangements (and that a principal one) of the Congress of Vienna is one to which Russia has been a guilty party, is as clearly shown by the facts of the case. Under these circumstances it appears to me that if Great Britain makes any further payments on account of the Russian Dutch Loan , it must be on political considerations i only a ob obliged thereto astowilicil I give no opinion), and no t by an y means by the Convention (into which the former Convention merged in that respect) of November, 1831. IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, March 4. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Wool sack at Five o'clock. LIGHT-HOUSES. The Earl of E(LINTON presented a Petition from Aberdeen, praying that the cost of light-houses might be defrayed by the State. JUVENILE COMMITMENT. Lord BROUGHAM moved for a return of the docu ments relating to the commitment of a boy to Tothill fields, on the 19th of February last, for felony. The boy was but five years and two months old, and the present motion was with a view to the removal of the magistrate. Lord CAMPBELL, said the only question to be con sidered was as to whether such proceeding should originate in their Lordships' House or elsewhere, be cause the action to which his Noble and Learned Friend referred was monstrous. Lord BROUGHAM said, he had conferred with his friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, as well as his Noble and Learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, and they agreed with him (Lord Brougham). He agreed with his Noble Friend as to that house not beir g the proper place for these proceedings: but yet he thought, under the circumstances, they should be granted. motion was then agreed to, NAVIGATION AND EXPORT RETURNS. The Earl of ELLENBOROUG H moved for the naviga don and export returns Cor the last two years, with a view to comparison, as there had been a diminution in some of the most important exports to the extent of 3,329,000 L In sheep's wool there had been a falling otf to the amount of 1,500,0001b5. There was a great diminution also in articles that were necessary to the perfecting of manufactures ; in dyes and dye stuffs there was a small increase ; hut in cochineal and madder there was a de crease. There was a marked falling off in madder root, and in indigo to the amount of two-ninths of the whole usual imports, and in bark to the extent of 97,000 cwts. There was likewise considerable decrease in the import of barilla ; in untanned hides to :he number of 210,000. In cocoa nut oil there was a slight increase, but in all the other articles there was a serious falling off. There was a diminution in these articles of import, but especially in the raw materials, the subject of our manufacturing industry. He had been making mention of certain diminutions, but he must say that the trade of Britain appeared upon the whole, not going back, but stationary ; that seemed to be the result. Perhaps it would not be pro per for him then to raise any inferences upon the details which he had just mentioned. He ought to mention, however, that there had been an increase in the export of machinery and of metals, to be used no doubt in the manufactures and the railways of other countries. The Noble Lord added that perhaps it might be desirable to have returns, similar to those for which he had moved, for the last six months of 1844. The Earl of 'CLARENDON said there could be no objection to the returns just moved for, as he believed they would enable them and the country generally better to estimate their prospects and their present condition. The Noble Lord, in moving for the returns, had referred to different details and diminution, but he believed that satisfactory reasons could be given for these diminu tions. Lord ASHBURTON wished to know from the Noble Earl whether it was true that there had been a very 4i-eat importation of woollen cloths into this country from Belgium, in consequence of the recent reduction of the duties on goods of foreign manufacfure, and whether this importation had interfered with the manufactures of this country? The Earl of CLARENDON had heard of that im portation from Belgium, but he had heard of no com plaints from the woollen manufacturers of this country with reference to it. The motion was then agreed to. LABOURING POOR (IRELAND) BILL. The Earl of GLANRICARDE moved the com• mittal of this Bill. Lord MONTEAGLE thought that the Government deserved praise for having attended in this Bill to the suggestions he had thrown out. He cordially approved of the principle of encouraging as much as possible voluntary contributions, rather than the mode of corn• pulsory payments, in support of the poor. He would not throw any obstacle in the way of the further progress Of the present measure. He hoped that no consideration would have the effect of causing them to fail in making the present measure as effective as possible. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY said he was quite opposed to any compulsory clause on either land or land lord being introduced into this Bill. It was his con scientious opinion that if such a clause was introduced it would prove pernicious. The Marquis of CLANRICARDE explained that the terms of the Act showed that the objection to the indemnity clause was not justified. It certainly was largely framed, but it was yet sufficiently explicit and defined. Lord BROUGHAM said—lf his Noble Friend had said that this clause was loosely, instead of largely, framed, he was sure that everybody would have agreed with him. The meaning of the Act was to indemnify the Government, and those who acted under the Government, from any evil consequence; but in consequence of Mr. La bouchere's Act this intention was in a degree frustrated. The present measure would give an indemnity to all persons who had acted illegally under the Act, and any presentment made under the Act were to be indemnified from all p malties. He looked with great apprehension on the measure, which gave powers which he did not think the Government intended to give. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that no doubt the words of the Act were capable of a very large inter pretation, but he did not think they were quite so loose as the Noble Lord had supposed. The Act was intended only to afford indemnity to all such persons as had acted under the authority of Mr. Labouchere's letter. Lord BROUGHAM thought that power might be vested in the Lord-Lieutenant to give indemnity to such persons ag he thought proper ; if it were not so, persons who had acted with mala fides would be indemnified. Lord CAMPBELL thought that his Noble and Learned Friend need not be under any apprehension that persons acting with mala fides would be indemnified under the second clause of the Act. It would only .ap ply to those persons who acted bond fide, or who might have considered that they were acting in a strictly bond fide manner. The House then went into Committee. The various clauses of the Bill were agreed to, and the report ordered to be bronght up to-morrow (this day). The Marquis of LANSDOWNE laid on the table papers relating to the state of union workhouses in Ireland. Their Lordships then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, March 4. The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly before Four o'clock. Papers from the Ace:mutant-General's office were presented. On the motion of Mr. GREENE, the following resolution was agreed to :—" That in order to give time for the breviate to be laid on the table one clear day before the second reading, the York and Newcastle Railway (Har tlepool Dock and Railway, and Great North of England, Clarence, and Hartlepool Junction Railway Lease and PurchaFe) Bill be read a second time on Friday, notwith standing more than seven clear days will have elapsed since the first reading thereof." EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY (ENLARGE MENT OF LONDON AND STRATFORD STATION AND AMENDMENT OF ACTS). On the motion that this Bill be read a second time, Mr. FOSTER said the title of the Bill did not convey the exact object of the Bill, which was for the purpose of raising capital to create a steam-boat company in con nexion with the railway; he, therefore, felt it his duty to move that the Bill be postponed until that day fort night. Lord SANDON seconded the motion. Mr. A. HAS FIE said he was not aware of the ob jectionable clause in the Bill, and consented, on the part of the promoters of the Bill, to postpone the second reading for a fortnight. Lord SANDON stigmatised the Bill as one framed for the purpose of deceiving the House, as under its title it sought to vest the railway company with power to raise capital for the purpose of becoming steam-boat proprietors. It was the incumbent duty of the railway department of the Board of Trade to see that Bills which professed to be simply railway Bills had not another object in view before the y came before the House, as it could not be expected that the House could find time to analyse the nature of all the railway Bills which came before it. Lora G. SOMERSET agreed with the Noble Lord that the railway department of the Board of Trade should revise railway Bills before they came under the consideration of the House. The motion was agreed PROTESTANT DISSENTERS AND GENERAL LIFE AND FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. This Bill was read a third time. MANCHESTER, BUXTON, MATLOCK, AND MID LAND JUNCTION DEVIATION BILL. Mr. EGERTON postponed the second reading of this Bill until Tuesday next. GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY (LINCOLN AND GRANTHAM). This Bill was read a second time. TEN HOURS' BILL. Sir A. L. HAY presented a petition from millowners inAberdeen, employing upwards of I 0,000 men, expressing their alarm at the Ten Hours' Bill, and praying the House not to consent to any alteration in the present arrangements between the employer and the employed, as they considered that any such alteration would be in jurious to both. LIGHT DUES. An HoN. MEMBER presented a petition from Glasgow complaining of the excessive charge of the light dues. Mr. FOSTER presented two petitions to the same effect RAILWAY TRAVELLING ON SUNDAYS. Mr. SPOONER presented five petitions from Shrews. bury, Ipswich, and York, regretting that railway Acts had been passed allowing the running of trains on Sundays ; setting forth that the running of trains on that day was contrary to law ; and praying the House to repeal the clauses in the various railway Acts permitting this practice, and not to pass any railway Bill which contained a similar pro vision. H e should move to-morrow that the petition from York be printed with the votes, as it was his in tention to call the attention of the House to the question on a future day. RAILWAY REGULATION BILL. The HoN. MEMBER also presented a petition from the directors of the Birmingham and Oxford Railway against this Bill. ANATOMY ACT. Mr. FERRAND present"d two petitions from places in the West Riding of Yoriuhire against certain clauses in this Act. , ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIEF E ILL. An Ilox. MEMBER presented a petition .f.r4mi Wi ga n against this Bill. RAILWAY LEGISLATION. Mr. ELLICE desired to draw the attention of the House to the dismissal of two Committees., of one of which he eas chairman, without any explanation being ❑fforded to the Members. He would, therefore, ask the Chairman of the Committee of Selection, whether, after the appointment of Committees, and after having Bills referred to them, the Committee of Selection would enter into the consideration of complaints preferred against members of those Committees? Sir W. HEATHCOTE called the attention of the House to the standing orders relating to the selection of Members on railway Committees, which provided that no Member should be placed on such Committees who had any private interest himself in any railway Bill to be brought before it; or whose constituents had a direct interest in the passing of any such Bill. This caused the Committee of Selection last year to proceed with great caution. But it was not for any of the above reasons that the lion. Member who had asked the ques tion, or the other gentleman selected with him, had been discharged from serving. The Committee on which they had been named to serve was one to deal with lines involving the broad and narrow gauges, and at that time the question of the gauges excited great interest, not only in the localities through which the lines passed, but in towns remote from the routes of the lines. On this account the lion. Member, as being the representative for Coventry, which took a great interest in the narrow gauge, and, therefore, without the least imputation on the Hon. Member, but in order that there might not be the least ground for supposing any undue bias, he was discharged from attendance. The same applied to the other Hon. Members, whose services were not re quired. Mr. ELLICE was not satisfied with the explanation given, as he thought, after Members had been selected on a Committee, and had made the declaration, they should not be discharged without some good reason for the same. lie was very glad that his lion. Friend had no other ob jection to allege than that his constituents were sup posed to be in favour of the narrow gauge, in conse quence of 'the railway passing through Coventry. It gave him the occasion of again pressing upon the consideration of the House the absolute folly of going on with the pre sent system. In order to show that he was disinterested he would refer to a statement he had already made, hoping that some member of her Majesty's Government would propose a resolution by which all competition between the two gauges should be referred to competent judges. The Committee had refused to entertain the consideration of the gauges, on the ground that they did not consider themselves competent judges. The parties interested did not themselves consider the Committees impartial on the question, and it was impossible to find any one Committee upon which there could not be found one Member who had not already formed opinions on the question. 300,000/. had been spent in the discussion of the question before a Committee of that House, and when such sums were expended the losing party would be ready enough to accuse the Committee of not being so pure as they supposed themseles to be. He hoped that the House would find a remedy for such a system. After a few words from Lord G. SOMERSET, which did not reach the gallery, Mr. STRUTT said that the Railway Commissioners had sent round certain returns to be filled up by the Railway Companies, on this question. Those returns were afterwards to be reported upon by the Commissioners to the House. Very likely early next week this report would be prepared and in the hands of Honourable Members. With regard to his own interpretation of the resolution, he did not know whether his opinion would be of any great im portance, but certainly he understood it to mean that no Bill should be proceeded with till the terms of the reso lution had been carried out. Mr. HODGSON said if that were the case no Bills would be proceeded with till after Easter. He con• sidered this was most unfair, and the Right Hon. Gen tleman the Member for Coventry was to blame for not havingbroughtforward the subject earlier. Mr'r ELLfCE said the reascn why he did not bring forward this subject earlier than he did was, because he had felt confident that the matter would be taken up by Government, and he believed it would have been taken up by them had it not been for the illness of his Right Hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Ex. chequer. Lord SANDON was understood to say that it would be unwise to proceed with the Bills before the Committees could have the report of the Cominiisioners before them. Without the reports from the Comtniisioners, it was impossible for the Select Committees to understand the merits of the several questions that were to come before them. Thus a railway company might be at the ex pense of depositing their plans, bringing up their witnesses, and employing their counsel, and, after all, the report of the Commissioners might render all this expense and exertion abortive. Before he sat down, he wished to ask his Right Hon. Friend, the Member for Derby (Mr. Strutt), what course it was intended to pursue with respect to the several Bills now before the Commissioners. There were several Bills n.. - Jw before them, indeed a whole tribe of Bills, apparently for slight deviations from established or granted lines, but which, in reality, involved an immense amount of capital. Ile wished to know what restriction was to be placed cu. the employment of railway capital, and on the liability of the several shareholders? For his own part, unless there was to be some special report made to his Right lion. Friend of the nature a those clauses in the several Bills which might be reported to the Houie, he would rather leave the whole matter entirely in his hands without troublinz the Commission, rs at all. Mr. sTiturr said that this subject had attracted the attention of tha Railway Commissioners, and it was intended to adopt the recommendation of his Hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, and have a conside ration of the clauses before they were placed before the Select Committees. With that view it was intended, instead of calling the Committees together on Monday or Tuesday, to defer their meeting till Thursday, so that the Committees summoned for to-morrow r..ere, it was understood, only to meet, and adjourn till Thursday. Mr. GISBOItNE considered that the course taken by the Committee of Selection, and complained of by his Hon. Friend, was most objectionable. The House was contented that the gentlemen appointed to act on the Committees should sign a declaration to the effect that they had no personal interest in the matter, and that they were unaware that their constituents were strongly influenced upon the question. The Commit tee of Selection, however, was not satisfied that it should be left to the discretion of the gentlemen who signed as to their power, but it entered, behind their backs, into investigation as to whether they would be able to sign or not. He did not know that it would have been possible to select five gentlemen in the House, not Irish Members, whose constituents were not interested in the question of the gauges.—(ffear.) Ho hoped there would b 3 some competent tribunal esta blished, as he confessed he was more afraid of an incom petent than an interested tribunal. Mr. ESTCOURT did not see any grounds in the cases under consideration for blaming the Committee of Selection, as for many years it had been the prac tice to erase the names of Members selected to serve on particular Committees, and substitute others. The motion was agreed to. Sir J. Y. BULUIt said, as it appeared to be the desire of the House that these committees should not enter on their duties till Monday next, it would be a saving of expense to the parties concerned in the Bills if the Committee of Selection were instructed to annul their order for meeting to-morrow, and summon the Committee to meet on Thursday next. He should, therefore, move an instruction accordingly. The motion was agreed to. SECOND READINGS. The following Bills were read a second time, and ordered to be committed : Direct London and Portsmouth, Brighton and Chiches. ter, London, Brighton, and South Coast, and London and South-Western Railways. Edinburgh and Northern, a❑d Edinburgh, Leith, and Granton Railways Amalgamation. Great Northern Railway (Deviations between London and Grantham). Newcastle and Berwick Railway (East Coast Line, Blyth, Seaton Sluice, and other Branches). York and North Midland Railway (I.lull Station and Branches). York and North Midland Railway (Harrogate Branch Extension and Terminus). York and Newcastle Railway (Wearmoutla Dock En largement). York and Newcastle, Newcastle and Berwick, and North . . British Railways Amalgamation. QUARANTINE LAWS. Dr.BOWRING gave notice that, on this day fortnight, he should move for the continuation of the correspon dence on these laws. To-morrow he should put a ques tion to the Hon. Gentleman, the Vice-President of the Board of Trade (Mr. M. Gibson) on the subject. FACTORIES BILL. Lord EBRINGTON gave notice that whet this Bill was in Committee he should move that clau ses s h ou ld he inserted, appointing medical practitioners, whose business it would be to report on the health of persons employed in factories. Further, that claus es s h ou ld b e in serted reqniring the security of drain age an d ventilation, just such as those which iris- were in operation with respect to unguarded machinery. Mr. ROSS gave notice that he should move to except Ireland from the_operation of the Act. SMITHFIELD MARKET. Mr. SPOONER, on behalf of the Member for Wor cestershire (Mr.Ormshy Gore), gave notice that he should p - istpone his motion respect i ng the removal of this market till Thursday, the 18th, when, instead of mov ing for leave to bring in a Bill, he should move for a Select Committee. RIOTS IN TIIE NORTH. Sir A. LEITH HAY rose to ask a question of the Learned Lord-Advocate respecting a circumstance which had come to his knowledge through the public press. He understood that in cons( quence of the delivery of some grain the military had been called out to Tien a riot, and that they had fired on the people, and several persons had been seriously injured. He wished to know why the civil authorities had not interfered without call ing out the military? The LORD-ADVOCATE said that it was true that a riot had been created in censequence of the delivery of some grain, and that the military were called out and two persons were injured, one slightly and the other severely, but the civil authorities were in no way to blame, for they had taken all necessary precautions the day before in consequence of some in structions which they had received of the probability of a tumult. In the morning of the day the sheriff received in formation that a vessel bad been attacked in the harbour, and that it would be advisable to unship the corn, as the vessel would be scuttled in the harbour, and that the crew would be thrown overboard. In consequence of that information, the sheriff of the county applied for a strong body of soldiery, and under their protection the cre• 4 .. .. PP disembarked. In their passage through the t own the populace were very violent, and ill-treate d them ' Looking a t a ll t h e facts of the case, there was no re flection whatever on the civil officers; and the sheriff, in what he had done—had acted entirely in concurr ence with the m ag i s t rates o f t h e county. So far fr om his being likely to act i n a h ars h an d hasty manner. h e was well known to be a gentleman of a, benevolent and _kiudlY character. CENTRAL RAILWAY TERMINUS, GLAEG°W. Mr. BOUVERIE move d th a t an humble addr eas 1 ;° presented to her Majesty, that she will be gracrot.isli pleased to give directions, that there be laid before? 'big House a copy of th e R e p or t ma d e by the Comm"iss uler'r appointed to consider an d report upon the advant a g iii otherwise which might he o f by a central rail terminus in the city of Glasgow. LABOURS ON PUBLIC WORKS IN IRELAN . I ) i t Mr. E. I)ENISON had a question to ask th e "tie Hon. Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland in relatior. ° the relief granted under th e public works. It aPP elre that, according to his statem en t o n the 19th ofJafltla ry: there were 450,000 persons employed on these WOX The time for putting the seed in the ground was ;; ; I ., a bt and was passing away, and he wished to ask his Hon. Friend what progress had been made in disband' ng the large army of labourers now employed upon uoPrei ductive works ? Ile wished to know what nuile v b , er d men were employed, and whether his Right IT' sn ' r had any, objection to place on the table of the Nowa weekly, a return of the number of men employed ldr e n these works, so long as the works themselves gi eu tinue in progress. h i e ction Mr. LA BOUCHEIZE said that he I.nd no °"." r • to give his Honourable Friend the info rrnation he ens quired, or the weekly return of the nut giber of Pe r the i, to , the employ( d upon these public works. Wi regard other question his Hon. Friend had pi it respect—r' u blie number of men now employed pon the P works, he regretted to say that it the found impossible, not only to- reduce in number of men, but also to prevent a great incresse,e that number. He had lately stated the number t° be 450,000. His Hon. Friend must recollect that e ;e b which was to be passed by the llMase, and vi e 9, did in a certain degree affect the public vwc r hig i had not yet come into operation, and it 03 , therefore been impossible to prevent the numbers eee ployed from increasing. Distress had been greadY the increase lately in Ireland, and the number of for employed upon relief works, according to a retu r n ' t o the week eliding the 20th of February amount e d 668,000.—( Great sensation.) Lord G. BENTINCK (who was almost inaudi bie 2j wished tc, know the number of applications which h "- been made for loans to the Lord lieutenant. el' Mr. LABOUCIIERE was not able to answer the Lion of the Noble Lord. All that he could say va s ' • 1 " - 0 power had been given to the Lord Lieutenant tocarry pia effect the intentions of the Government in the maan r er i , which he should think most desirable. The Lord ill: tenant had come to the determination of not so vancing money but of advancing seed, in quantities, to be repaid is a short time. There d ' e not been a great number of applications In s , r The Lord Lieutenant would not advance seed except wheat, he thought it better to leave the supply °f seed to come through the ordinary channels, as $ ll, terference would do more harm than good. t he Lord GEORGE BENTINCK wished to know t f hi d Right lion. Gentleman the Secretary for Irela nu- any objection to lay upon the table of the 11°" — t he return distinguishing the different professions of persons engaged on the public works. bor Mr.LABOUCEIERE said he would give a return ,s ing the names of the persons, and distinguishing the wiss ferent works upon which they were engaged, but i t d if• quite impossible to give a return, distinguishing th e bor t, ferent professions of the persons employed, in th e s time allowed him for making the returns. Lord G. BENTINCK said he would undertake thsi the information could be collected within a week. ire Mr. LABOUCHERE said his only wish was to g i d the fullest information, but it would take a good cle f r 00 time to give a return distinguishing the laboure r the small farmer, or the farmer from the me chanic' be Major MACNAMARA. wished to know s we- ted might expect the returns he had moved for cony° with his ilon. Colleae. meet s Mr. LABOUCHER gu E said both he and the ° 1 ",,,,. 0 6 of the Board of Works were anxi o u s that the re Thae should be made as soon as possible, but s ufficien t had not yet elapsed to admit of their preparation . GAME LAWS. nen' Mr. COLLETT wished to in qu i re o f the go. st titman the Secretary o f St a t e f or t h e H ome DePa rl fa: if the Government int e nd e d t o i n t ro d uce , this se i d -i° o o any Bill with respe c t t o th e G ame L aws , in COe ° " - : 3 1sst with the reco mmen d a ti on o f th e C omm ittee 0 ' session? Sir GEORGE GREY said, no su c h Bill was t ;ab• paration ; at the same time, he cou ld s ay that t ae ject was nut'. r < on:ideration. DRAINAGE AMENDMENT BILL. bla Lord LINCOLN wished to kn ow if the I-loneucoraila Gentleman (Sir G. Grey) intended to take the s 00 reading of this Bill before Easter. T he : fl e x ion. he asked the question was this, that he wa s , 7 : been to ascertain the number of applications which 'la' fgrths t made for assistance under the Bill, before it was - ge r proceeded with. He understood that a list of t he " t he hers who had so applied, would be shortly laid on table, so that they could have so me means of judg in g'„J Sir. G. GREY said he intended to mo ve the see°th -11 reading to-morrow night. It was neces sary s that Bill should be proceeded with with ou t dela y. POOR-LAW AUDITORS. Sir W. JAMES wished to know whether me Hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for the Or e l Department considered that audit ors wou ld be i! isi t 'h - e ir in refusing to audit accounts submitted to the m ' n o f the official capacity in accordance with the decision law officers of the Crown? a cting Sir GEORGE GREY said an auditor s° erect would incur great responsibility, but he Wes % In , PC, N ieg to exercise his discretion as to allowing or accounts. If the Fartics were dissati.fied w ith ' da law cision, they had the power of appealing to the l j°°r. Commissioners. BOARS OF . o_e d Mr. W. R. COLLE D WORKS TT wished to k no w wheth er House could be furnished with th e nam es and occupsti of the 11,000 overseers empl o yed on the productive oe unproductive works of Ireland ? go o Mr. LABOUCHERE would be quite ready aso3 as the returns of the overseers were received to laY ou ld on the hble of the House. These returns t he comprise the number of th e p eo pl e em ployed, "'c c atli with how many wer e em pl o y e d i n l an d, a nd hoe were engaged in the works of piers and harbours. io her Majesty's Government received any furtber formation, there would be ev e ry di s p os iti o n to ['reduce it as amply as it was obtained. g o of Mr. J. O'CONNELL gave noti ce that on the " — t hat going into Committee of Supply, he w ould WO" 1 d for the people now employed on the publi c w orks 00 d the remainder of the term be engaged in the ttllsg the land.—(Hear, hear.) . in Mr. VERNON SMIT EMIGRATION H rose to move--" 1"" to order to assist and encourage voluntary the colonies, it is expedient to increase the ianPn rta and authority of the Land and Emigration Board, tn a re to their agency in Great Britain and Ireland, and and mote their vigilant superintendence of the passag e - t ali future location of the emigrants." In putting - . p i motion to the House he was not disposed to go intV' ec t long and discursive inquiry into the important 811 '2,00 of emigration from the United Kingdom; firstly, b„ ee „ - be at no distant period it had been respectively put a House by the Iron. Members for Limerick,sheffie''' - n ri Liskeard ; secondly, because he had not the eloqtl,e"; ernigrationne and information to bring the subject before it which ta p Hon. Gentlemen had evinced ; and, thirdly, heea,_ ll , a- o ll so hoped to obtain some result by his motion y , , whie';: - fge Gentlemen had been unable to achieve. But in th e remarks which he had to offer to the House, 11 _!„ (} tended to confine himself to the t erms of the n' e ,:, - it which he had to submit. This he should do, bec atl 2oo was universally allowed that some system of ein i gee i gs was necessary, and was in coincidence with the f ee ' l of the public and the House. He believed that $O, system of national emigration would never be ec b tl ut, teuanced either by the House or the Governmen t ' a t on the other hand, there was no doubt but tu n ' - e - ed right system of emigration would be c ounten it '7 o . both by her Majesty's Ministers and the enu a ... - bfe He believed that the present time was the most l a va ,- 0 thatcould be selected for emigration. If Hon. Af elli reld would read the blue books upon their tables, they w) of find that much disease arose from the over-crowdingot the poorer classes in certain district s o f their townlgbie cities. In the agricultural di s t r i c t s th e mo st larne n `j of instances of destituti o n o ccurre d f rom the low ra ;ed wages, and the Irish Secret ar y o f S tate h a d also it f ° ,.A r by them that the_number of d esti t u t e , wee kly emP l l7, no the Board of Public W or k., in Ireland, amount e -• i m pressi" r , less than 668,000 p ersons . It was hi s firm that the proposed alterations in the system of " Ili /I;i' tation would have an i n j ur i ous e ff ec t on the hone st grant. By th e arran g emen t o f bounties for -5060 gration to the colonies, the honest working up who had done his best to educate or bringsoU to his family, if he w e re d es irou s of going sag e one of the colonies would not be allowed for the P 5,00 of any of his children under seven years of age. a b o ve rule was that no bounty should be allowed to those hii fifty years of age or below seven. And what "'A s t he position when he got there? Why that, perhagsrbeen children of his next-door neighbour, who been neglected and taken up for sense petty theft, an A " cot ee taken into one of the places for reformation, hau a tion out there at the public expense with every expect of mending as well as the children of the honest e n 0 1 grant. If that short sketch of the present positio,der emigration were true, he begged the House to eon'. d, what were the difficulties against any plan to be anoere The motion of which he had given notice applied L ion particularly to what was called the Land and Ernigr3u is Board. There was a board of that description° operation, however little its existence might be k . _ r w," o The commissioners wore zealous in the disc" tf of their ;duties, but they had no t the moTtsci IL I her properly carrying out their operations. The 'frote for Liskeard stated, in 1844, that a gentleman, w ith Canada wished to make some inquiries in Engee,a reference to emigration, and although much int r in this question, ho was not aware of the existence ho,i, that board. When gentlemen applied to hun he o m n I t o subject of emigration, he invariably referred t c ,„ this board, but the information given by this boar 10 in the country was so scanty that it was hardly y.r. r ,_` s having. The Noble Lord was the founder of IT. commission in 1840, and in a letter written hY_ Noble Lord shortly afterwards, to the members of tn o u f commission, he correctly defined their duties. ManY,ill these duties, it was true, had since beco me obsolety : e v en although they had not altogether expi red, they ha whichd had very induced much h limited, im o and r i t n h g i s forward was one of his p t he rreesaesnotn ro s oto Many delusive emigratory projects bad be en sugges. _a from time to time, but few bad bee n carried out ; Such grants shall be 201. at the close of the first year, 251. at the close of the second, and 304 at the close of the third year's course of instruction. This standard of acquirement shall not be so ordered as to interfere with the studies pursued in any normal school, hut shall :be adapted to those studies, so, however, as to apply isrt partially to all such normal schools an equal incentive to exertion, by requiring efficiency in a sufficient num ber of the studies pursued in them. " Their Lordships will further grant, in aid of the salary of every schoolmaster appointed to a fehool under their inspection, and who has had one year's training in a normal school under their inspection, 15/. or 20/. per annum and in aid of the salary of every such school master who has had two years of such training, 201 or 25/. per annum; and of every such schoolmaster who has had three years of such training, 251. or 301. per annum; provided he has upon examination, obtained the proper certificate of merit in each year, on the following con ditions _ _ _ " 1. That the trustees and managers of the school provide the master with a house rent free, and a fur ther salary, equal at least to twice the amount of this grant. " 2. That the trustees annually certify that his cha racter, conduct, and attention to his duties are satis factory. _ _ " 3. That the inspector report that his school is effi cient in its organisation, discipline, and instructi.n. '4 On the tame conditions their Lordships will grant, in aid of the salaries of schoolmistresses appointed to schools under their inspection, who obtain similar certi ficates in a normal school, two-thirds of the sums to be awarded to schoolmasters for each year's certificate of merit. RETIRING PENSIONS TO SCHOOLMASTERS AND MISTRESSES FOR LONG AND EFFICIENT SERVICES. " That a retiring pension may be granted by the Com mittee of Council to any schoolmaster or schoolmistress who shall be rendered incapable by age or infirmity of continuing to teach a school efficiently. " Provided that no such pension shall be granted to any schoolmaster or schoolmistress who shall not have conducted a normal or elementary school for fifteen years, during seven at least of which such school shall have been under inspection. " That in all cases of application for pensions a report shall be required from the inspector, and from the trustees and managers of the schools, as to the character and conduct of the applicants, and the manner in which the education of the pupils under their charge has been carried on. " The amount of the pension shall be determined ac cording to such report, but shall in no case exceed two• thirds of the average amount of the salary and emolu ments annually received by the applicant during the period that the school had been under inspection. " A minute of the grant of every such pension, and of the grounds on which it has been awarded, shall be published in their Lordships' minutes." RE-APPEARANCE of the POTATO DISEASE. The following communication from his Grace the Duke of Portland. relative to the re appearance of the potato disease, will be found worthy of consideration:— " Sir,--It is certain that the potato disylve has again appeared in the same manner as it appeared last year at this season. No man, therefore, in common prudence, can depend upon a crop of that root this summer. I ven ture, with great confidence, to provide a substitute—viz., the Swedish turnip. Till within these six weeks I was not aware that Swedish turnips were good human food, much superior to the common turnip. I have since eaten them, and I think theta much more substantial food than potatoes. Having had much experience in the use of potatoes as food for cattle, I am sure that Swedish turnips are the better food of the two. In point of quantity they yield largo. crops. I have grown here twenty-two tons per acre. I have no doubt that in milder climates larger crops may be obtained. The cul tivation of the turnip is less expensive; comparatively, the seed costs almost nothing. As they need not be sown very early in the spring, they do not suffer from early frosts; and in the autumn and winter no frost will hurt them. Ido not know that on the same land they will bear repetition continually, as potatoes will; they are also liable in sand lands to be hurt by the grub. These two last are the only disadvantages to which they are liable. When well cultivated, on the whole I con sider them a superior crop, and to be preferred, even if there was no such thing as a potato disease. " Welbeck, Feb. 26." " SCOTT PORTLAND. THE POOR-LAW. We understand that the following is an abstract of the opinion given by the Attorney and Solicitor-General, which was referred to by Lord John Russell on Friday night. It is dated Oct. 16, 1846: "I. Two of the commissioners should sit as a board, and they are not at liberty, as they seem to have considered themselves to be, to distribute the business of the commission amongst themselves, witheat eventually referring it to the board. " 2. The commissioners are not bound to have the attend ance of t heir secretary at their board meetings. "3. The commissioners ought to exclude from the record none of their correspondence that refers to their business as commissioners. "4. The commissioners are not bound to enter a minute of opinion in every case, unless they shall finally differ. [lt has even been suggested that they should register opinions.] " 5. Every communication relating to the conduct of any of the officers, or to the business of the commission, should be addressed to the party concerned in an official shape (although private correspondence respecting the business they have to do is not forbidden to all, or any of the commis sions, for thus they may obtain information which is neces sary and useful, and need not be communicated to the board under all circumstances). The following is the opinion of an Assistant Poor-law Com missioner of the I'oor Removal Act : " I have no hesitation in giving my opinion that the Poor Removal Act operates most harshly upon the aged and in firm poor—upon the class of poor most deserving of our sympathies. I have no hesitation in saying that, during the whole period since the passing of the Act, I have never visited a board of guardians, 1 have never visited a union, I have never conversed with a person, without hearing the greatest dissatisfaction expressed at the measure. I have never known an instance in which approbation of the law has been expressed. I have heard the greatest dissatisfaction expressed at the measure by ratepayers, and by the poor applying for relief. lam bound to say the sooner the Act of last Session is repealed the better. The Act has a tendency to induce the proprietors of close parishes to pull down their cottages, and drive the poor from the place of their labour. Everything is now done to force an irremovable person out of a parish. The only paupers who have derived beueti from the Act are the Scotch and Irish." FOOD DISTURBANCES IN THE NORTH. (From the Edinburgh Advertiser.) FIRING BY THE MILITARY Al' WICK. Contrary to all expectation the turbulent spirit manifested in some districts in the north, regarding the shipment of food front the various port', has again manifested itself, and been attended with disastrous results in the town of Wick. It appears that, in the course of last week, a vessel had arrived at Wick to ship grain, but, by the interference of th e populace, this was prevented. Sheriff Thomson and the authorities, however, deemed it necessary that protection should be afforded to the exporters of the grain, and ap prehending that outrages might be committed, sent for the aid of the military at Fort George. Accord ingly a detachment, consisting of one hundred and four men of the 76th Regiment, under the command of Captain Evans Gordon, was dispatched by the Pharos steamer, and arrived at Wick on Tuesday. After being landed they were quartered in the Temperance Hall. The authori ties now made preparations to protect the loading of the ves sel, and, on Wednesday, a number of constables were sworn in, but the shipment of grain proceeded so slowly that they were dismissed with an injunction to assemble if necessary. The follewing are from the local papers : (From the John 0' Groat Journal of Friday.) Before dusk on 11' ednesday evening a party of the military was marched down the quay to watch the vessel during the night, and here commenced the most alarming part of the whole proceedings. How a mob was created, there are various statements; one thing is certain, previous to the arrival of Cie military, the streets presented the usual features of ordinary days. About seven o'clock the whole remaining body of the soldiery were quickly marched to join their comrades, on a shot being fired as a signal from their party on the quay. At this time there was a at e sn a co t e,f ex tah e ne itement. An immense gathering of the populace; men, women, and children had asasembled, and, in other and great tdeep excitement anxiety p was rev d a e i depicted e dTi The ee Sheriffve co and Provost Provost were present amongst the mob, who surrounded the military on all hands. Th e Ri ot Act aas read by the Sheriff, but this had not any effect in inducing the people to disperse in peace. At this time the feelings of the inhabitants were roused up to the highest possible pitch, for a direct collision was a.sticipated every hour. The soldiers were divided into several parties; and were ordered to disperse the mob at the point of the bayonet. In this attempt several were wounded but only slightly. The soldiers continued for some time parading in different directions, which had the effect of scat tering the crowd. The prisoners were taken and lodged in jail. But the worst remains to be told. As a party were march ing from Pulteney-town, back to their quarters, when imme diately under the brae where the Academy is erected, a volley of stones was thrown by individuals on the top of th e brae and the Sheriff and Provost were both struck. The soldiers were immediately ordered by the Sheriff to fire, and we deeply regret to say, that two individuals, a man and a girl were wounded. The man, William Hougston, fore man cooper to Mr. David Davidson, did not form part of the mob, nor was he with them at the time. According to his own statement, which seems highly probably, he was proceeding quietly home. A ball went through his right hand, which was so shockingly mutilated, that the fin gers had to be cut off, and it is even doubtful if a farther amputation will not have to be made. The other a girl, named Macgregor, was wounded in the left arm, the ball passing through the fleshy part, but we believe that the in jury done was not dangerous. About this time it is impos sible to depict the state of excitement which was visible in every direction. Men, women, and children fled, on hearing the report of the musketry and on learning that damage had been done. Parents were anxiously running in search of their children, while the crowd were giving expression to the most vociferous shouts and yells. Soon after, with the ex ception of the guard at the vessel, all the military were or dered to their quarters, but throughout greater part of the night, groups of the inhabitants were assembled at every corner, where the unpleasant events of the evening were cane vassed. Nothing occurred, however, to produce a breach of the peace. FURTHER PARTICULARS. It'would seem that, previous to the soldiers being ordered to disperse the mob, they suffered a continuous and most aggravating series of assaults from the crowd, and not a few of them were wounded. Some of the women seized staves, with which they struck the solders ; one, in particular, struck an officer thrice, when she received a pretty severe sword cut. Stones were also thrown from various directions. A great many were wounded by the bayonets of the soldiers, but no serious injury was done to any by this means. Fonts o'CLocK, r.m.—A public meeting of the electors has just been held, at which resolutions on the sub ject of the military being brought here, have been unani mously passed. The Town Hall was crowded to suffocation, and was presided over by the P rovost. At the close of the meeting, the whole assemblage F have gone down th e qu a y, and removed the o bstructions.rom present indications re think, as we sincerely trust, we have Bevil the end of this AUSTRIAN DESPOTISM. The blighting effect of Austrian despotism is sadly shown ki the following extract : " Every man in Austria pays an income-tax of seventeen per cent., which must all come from the industry of the country, and go Into the pocket of the Emperor. For what purpose? To enable him to establish school=, and provide the people with the means of moral and intellectual culture? To build railways and canals, and to furnish the people with facilities for cheap and speedy intercourse and trade? No ; but chiefly for the maintenance of an army, f o r their de struction, if they attempt to improve their condition, by re modelling their social institutions ; and for tlke support of agents, who enter their social and domestic circles, to listen to their most secret words, and watch their most secret actions. "No trade can be carried on in Austria without a license from Government, for which from five to ten shillings per an num are paid, according to the nature of the trade and the advantages of the situations. If to-day a man take out a baker's or tailor's license to work in Freiwaldan, and, in a week, he finds a better opening in Lindewiesse, and deter mines to remove thither, he must take out a new license for the latter place, which is but two miles distant, at the same rate as before. And as those licenses cannot be had at all without the recommendation of one of the local magistracy, these ten thousand petty tools of despotism, for there are ten thousand of them, are empowered to decide who and how many may work at each trade. A man cannot kill a lamb for his neighbour without a license. A poor tailor, who eame as a patient to Graefenberg, and had not the means to pay his expenses, wished to work at his trade, in order to earn the means of support. One of the guests gave him ern ployment ; the poor fellow was delighted to have something to do. But the tailors in Freiwaldan, hearing that the man was exercising his trade without a license, instantly inter fered, and threatened to have him arrested if he did not desist. He dared not set another stitch, and many times afterwards a collection-plate was handed round to the guests in the saloon on his behalf.— Six Months at Graefenberg. CORPORAL PUNISHMENTS IN THE ARMY. Two Parliamentary returns, of great social importance have recently been issued by order of the House of Commons. The first is intitled "A Return of Persons Flogged in the Army, in Great Britain and Ireland," from January, 1845, to July, 1846, and the second returns the number of corporal puuishments inflicted, from the Ist of August, 1846, to 31st December, 1846. The flogging " experiences" of 53 entire regiments, and 79 depots, are recorded in these documents, from which it appears, that during the first eighteen months in question, 348 soldiers suffered the punishment of the lash ; 228 in 1845, and the remainder in the first half of 1846. The number of stripes awarded was 43,168, and the number inflicted 38,929, or in round figures, something like 90 per cent. of the whole amount. The nature of the offences, and the quantum of punishment administered, may throw some light upon the operation of the military code of legislation. Ninety-four soldiers were flogged for insubor dination ; their sentences awarded an aggregate infliction of 12,500 lashes, and the number actually " laid on" was 11,748, or more than 123 in each case. The • drunkards" amounted to 80, and were doomed to receive 8,133 lashes, and the cu rative process was carried out to the extent of 7,129 nine fold lacerations, or upwards of 89 per man. For " selling their necessaries" e. any portion of military clothing, which in, all cases, the soldier pays for, or receives indirectly as a portion of his state wages), 69 culprits were brought to the triangles, and received 7,325 lashes, out of 8,035, or more than 106 each individual. For using " violence to su periors," 36 were tortured into a love of peace and moral suasion, at the easy cost of inflicting 135 lashes per man, or in the whole 4,863 stripes, out of 5,350 ordered. The " thieves" rank next in the military scale of vice : 29 of these receiving 3,730 out of 4,050, or upwards of 128 each delinquent. The last class of offences is described rather vaguely, as "disgraceful conduct," and of these there are 35 instances, for which 5,100 lashes were awarded b) , courts martial, and 4,134 inflicted, or something worse kwe were going to say better), than 118, as the share of each unfortu. nate criminal. With regard to the distribution of punish ment, the returns afford singular results, In ten regiments. and 51 depots, not a single case of flogging occurred. In 6 regiments, and 12 depots, only one instance occurs in each, and in 5 regiments, and 2 depots, but two cases of flog ging are recorded. On the other hand there are three regi ments, with 20 cases each ; 67 soldiers were brought to the halberts in four regiments, and out of the entire number of court martials avoiding corporal punishment, 37 regiments. Those between them, no less than 81 each ; the latter fact affording some scope for reflection, as to the " reforming" influences of the lash. But the philosophy of the question is to be gleaned from the second return of flogging cases, from August Ist, 1846, to 31st of December last, comprising the period since the death of the martyr White. 68 regi ments, and 64 depots, yield a total of 400 lashes awarded, and 155 inflicted. It would seem as if the chiefs of the army felt that a paltry 50 lashes is a sentence too weak for vengeance, and too feeble to produce amendment. RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS. BRISTOL, M•aet[ 4. STOCK ExertAnox.—The sales are—Bristol and Exeter, 78—Ditto, New, 1214—Great Western Quarters, 6% p.—Ditto, Fifths, 28— Midland (Bristol and Gloucester), 16 p.—Portbury Pier and Railway Company, 4 dis.—South Devon, 6 per cent % p.—Taff Vale, 131 ex div.—Ditto, New, % p. LIVERPOOL. 14.43. en 4. STOCK EXCHANGE.—TIIO sales 'are—Blackburn, Clitheroe, and North-Western, par—Birmingham and Dudley, 5% p.—Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 9% p.—Buckinghamshire, % p.—Dundee and Perth, 14% p.—East Lancashire, New (Scrip), I% p.—East Lincoln shire, 3% p.—Great Northern (Nos. 1 to 101,000), 6s. 3d. p.— Ditto (Nos. 104,001 and upwards), 14 p.—Leeds and Thirsk, 1% die. —Ditto, Preference, p.—London and North-Western, 185 ex div.— Ditto, Grand Junction Quarters, 19 1 % p. ex div.—Ditto, Quar ters, New, 12% p.—Lonlon, Birmingham, and Southern Coast, ex div., and New, 55%—Manchester and Leeds, 32/. Shares (late Ex tension), 3 p.—Ditto, Halves (late Liverpool and Bury), s:ji p.— Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Quarters, No. 1,3% p.— Ditto, ditto, No. 2,22 U ox diva—Ditto (late Great Grimsby and s an liti a r yD Drogheda, ed Chester,a Thirds, New, ss d p i a s - N S o e u w t r l Sheffield), 47, dis.—Alidland Stock, 121'4—Ditto, 401. Shares, 5% p. —North Staffordshire, p.—North Union (A), 217 ex div.—Ditto (B), 151% ex div.—Preston and Wyre, 35—Ditto, Halves (A), 4% Eastern and Dover, No. 4, Thirds, % p.—West Riding Union, 1% p.—York and Newcastle, 36%—Ditto, New, 6% p.—Belfast and i iS P IANCHESTER, MARCH 4. P.—Ditto (n)' % dis p .— .— D B u hr bl e i w n Banadll3l.Zeri;ean.p7rBint, SToca EXCHANOL.—The sales are—Birkenhead, Lancashire, and Cheshire Junction, 7-16 p.—Birmingham and Oxford Junction, 9!;, —Blackburn, Clitheroe, &c., par c. new—Blackburn, Darwen, and 9 -I6—East Lancashire, New Bolton, 3-16 c now— Buckinghamshire, (scrip), 1% —Edinbur,gh and Glasgow, Quarters, 20 —Fleet wood, Pres ton, and West Riding Junction, 4—Great Northern (Direct North ern), Regd., I A Ditto (late London and Y or k) , Reg., % p.—Hud dersfleld and Manchester Railway and Canal, Thirds, 1M —Leeds and Thirak, 1% —Ditto, New, % dls.—Leeds, Dewsbury, and Man chester, New Branc hes Scrip (blue), 3%—M anchester, Buxton, Mat lock, and Midland , 5i - Manchester, Sheffield, and Li nco l ns hi re ( G r i ms by 20/. Shares), l34—Ditto (Sheffield and Lincolnshire), 1% —Manchester and Southampton, 16s. C.—North Staffordshire. 3% —Oldham Alliance, 5, — .. -I'leston and Wyre, 2! IL -- A —Scotti h Central, 76'—South -Eastern alld. Dover, IS . 4 , 13-16—west Riding Union, l% p.- IV Wald ale, 3-1 b LEEDS, Maus 4. STOCK EXCYLANGE.—The sales are— Ambergate, Nottingham, an d B o ston, par—Eastern Counties (York Extension), 108 IL—East Lan cashire, 2% p.—Ditto, New (scrip), 3 " . P. —East and West York- Great Northern (late London and York), 7s. 6d p. shire, 18s. P. - -Huddersfield and Manchester, 31. 16s. Gd. .. P.—Leeds and Dews _Ditto, Branches Scrip (Dale), 334 . p —Ditto, Ex tensionsbury, 7 ii. P. 155. p.—Ditto New - ' San , (green), 3, d. , Extensions (pink), 20s. —Leeds and 'flask, I, s is.—Ditto, New, 2s. Gd. dis.— Ditto, P. a --, p.—Leeds, Wakefield, mid Midland, l Pr e ference, os. , s. Gd. dis.— London and Brighton and South Coast, Fifteenths, Gs. p.—Manclies • ter and Leeds, 32/. Shares (late Extension), 31. 3s. 9d. p.—Man chester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire (late Great Grimsby and Shef field), 4% dis.—Ditto, Extensions, k N293r. dia.—Ditto, Grimsby Docks, ' astle and Berwic (o tk Shields) 12 • 2% dis.—N ewe , p.—North Bri tish, 10 4 P. — late Carlisle Ditto, Quarters ( Branch), 2% p.—Ditto, tlictensions (scrip), 165. p. —Northern Counties Union, 255. Gd. dia.— Sheffield, Rotherham , and Goole, ss. Gd. p._ wes t Rins Union, 375. P. — • Whsrfdale Junction, 23. Gd. p. —York and North Midland, Pre ference, 10!g p. SHEFFIELD, Meacu 4, Srocx EXCIANGE. -The sales are-Amber ga t e. N ottingham, and Boston. par-London and Brighton and South Coast, 555 g - chester and Lincoln Union, 1 des. -Manchester, Sheffield, and Lin colnshire (Grimsby and Sheffild), 12/. 10s. Shares, Ti d1.5.-West Riding Union, 2 p. NEIVCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, Msacn 4. STocx Exclusov.-Tho sales are-Edinburgh and Northern, 38s. 9d. p.- Ditto, New, 255. 9d. p.-Newcastle and Berwick, 1254 p.- Northern Counties Union, 245. dis.-North British, 10% p . -York and Newcastle, Extension, p. Ditto, Extension, 15s. 6d. HULL, MAacu 4. STOCK EXCIIANGII..-The sales are-Eastern Counties, York Ex tension, % p.-North British, Quarters, 895.-East Lancashire, New (scrip), 154 p.-London and York Extensions (scrip), 2%-West Riding Union, 385. P. EDINBURGH, MARCH 3. siveK E xcgA NGE.-The sales are-Caledonian, New, 58s, 6d.- Direct Northern (scrip), 618.-Dundee and Perth, 34% -Ditto, New. 2254-East Lothian Central, 555.. -Edinburgh and Glasgow, Halves. 22-Ditto, Quarters. 19% -Elndburgh, Leith, and Grantor', 20%- Ditto, Preference, 21-Ditto, New, 664.-Ditto, Quarters, 175.- Edinburgh and Northern, 1754-Ditto, New, 87s. 6d.-Ditto, New port, 654-Ditto, ditto, Now, 584. -Edinburgh and Perth (New), 595. -Ditto, Halves, 19s. 6d.-Great North of Scotland, 545.-Great Northern (late Direct Northern), 844.-North British, Quarters, 9Gs. 6d.-Ditto, New, Quarters (scrip), 285.-Ditto, Thirds, 75e.-Scot ash Central, 22%-Scottish Grand Junction, 295.-Scottish land, 24%. GLASGOW, MAltcu 3. STOCK EXCUAIME.-The sales are -Caledonian, New, 555.-Cale donian and Dumbartonshire, 495. 6d.--Dundee and Arbroath, New, No. 3, 51. 25.-Dundee and Perth, 351.-East Lothian Central, 555. 6d.-Edinburgh and Glasgow, Halves, 2154-Ditto, Quarters, 1954 - Edinburgh And Perth (New Co.), 655.-Ditto, New, 225. 6d.-Glas gow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr, 641.-Ditto, Halves, No. 2, 81. 115.- Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 6% -Great North of Scotland, 563.-Great Southern of Madras, 2s. 9d.-Kilmarnock and Ayr Direct, 405.-Manchester and Southampton, 235.-North British, Thirds, 765. 6d.-Ditto, New Quarters (scrip), 285.-Scottish Central, 22% - Scottish Grand Junction, 28s. 6d.-Scottish Midland Junction, 24% -Stirlingshire and Midland Junction, 475. FOOD IN BELGIUM.—A letter from Antwerp, of the 28th of February, informs us that the price of bread has again risen. On Friday the price of wheat was 33f. 55c. per hec., of rye 22f. 72c., oats 91. 79c., hay if. 95c., and straw sf. 80c. The price of bread of second quality was 50c. per killo gramme, and that of rye bread 30c. SAVINGS BANKS IN IRELAND.—A return of the amount of deposits in the Irish savings banks has just been printed by order of the House of Commons. The returns are made up to the 20th of November last, and contain the fol lowing comparative statement of the amounts due to the banks of the several provinces on that date and on the cor responding day of 1845. The total amount of deposits ap pears to be for 1845. 1846. Leinster £1,078,309 12 4 ...... £965,315 2 2 Ulster Connaught 131,156 5 9 140,782 19 11 Munster 1,045,584 1 3 ...... 1,107,280 3 8 Gross Total. 52,876,388 10 7 ......£2,8 82 , 166 3 9 The balance on the surplus fund account were, in the total, in 1845, 11,023/. 3s. 3d. ; 1846, 10,9151. 2.3. 2d. The separate return for Dublin (included in Leinster in the above table) shows the amount of deposits to have been on the 20th of November, 1845, 635,851/. 35.; and in 1846, 485,1161.25. Bd. DEATII OF LIEUT.-COLONEL. WALCOT, R.A.— This officer, who for some time past has been in the enjoy. ment of retired full pay as a lieutenant-colonel, died on the 28th ult., at his residence in Hampshire. He entered the Royal Artillery in 1802, and while but a junior officer, saw some distinguished service, including the Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns. He was attached to the army under Sir John Moore, and took part in the Corunna campaign. In 1815 lie accompanied the army sent against Napoleon, under the Duke of Wellington, and commanded a company of artil lery at Waterloo. Colonel Walcot's commissions were thus dated :—Second lieutenant, Dec. 20, 1802 ; lieutenant, Sept. 12, 1803 ; captain, March 23, 1809 ; major, Aug. 15, 1822 and lieutenant-colonel, Jan. 10, 1837. The Marquis of Sligo arrived at nuance's Hotel, Upper Belgrave-street, yesterday. agents in Would not Lion of su important three poi] serious The next but it meant feu greatest d in many Were 40,7 °f the of !lon. Mei the very colonies. Upon the Way to number He did I cornruissi grati i dutie