The Press.
London, England, 1855-03-17 00:00:00

THE LITERARY FUND.

THE anniversary meeting of the subscribers to this
fund was held on Wednesday at the society's rooms
in Great Russell-street, and attracted an unusual
number of members, owing to the belief that some
serious objections would be urged to the manage-
ment of the fund, and suggestions of reform offered.
The gathering of literary celebrities were numerous,
including Sir B. Lytton, Dean Milman, the Rev.
Dr. Croly, Mr. C. Dickens, Mr. Nike, &c. The
report read by the treasurer showed that the income
of the society for the past year had been 2,5721., out
of which 1,4701. had been issued to forty-eight re-
cipients.
Mr. Drum then made a long speech, commenting
upon and censuring the past management of the
fund. His objections were based chiefly upon the
score of extravagance, and he contended that the
administration and other expenses were large be-
yond all proportion either to the income of the so-
ciety or the amounts granted out of its funds for the
relief of distress among literary men. To support
his views Mr. Dilke read a comparative statement,
from which it appeared that while the Literary Fund
had in the decennial period 1844-54 relieved 429
applicants at a cost from mere expenses of 5,0941.,
an analogous institution, the Artists' Benevolent
Fund, had spent only 9041. in the ten years, though
providing relief for 559 applicants. The bare cost
of each grant out of the fund was, he calculated,
11/. 175., exclusi4,e of the collector's poundage, ad-
vertisements, and some other outlays. He proposed
a resolution declaring the expenditure in managing
the Literary Fund unreasonable and enormous, and
recommending some great change in the administra-
tion of its affairs.
After a good deal of discussion, Mr. Dilke's reso-
lution was negatived by a narrow majority, 32 to 28
of the members present.
Mr. DICKENS proposed and succeeded in carrying
a resolution appointing a committee to consider whe-
ther it would not be advisable to apply for a new
charter, or act of Parliament, in order to remodel the
constitution of the society.

REAR-ADMIRAL THE VISCOUNT DE CHABANNES has
arrived in London from Paris, commissioned by the
French Government to arrange with the Admiralty
a service of transports. M. de Chabannes com•
manded the Charlemagne on the 17th of October
at Sebastopol. She led the van of the French
squadron of attack, and the gallant viscount was
promoted to his present rank for his conduct on that
occasion.
GENERAL LA MARMORA left Paris on Saturday for
Genoa. He has completed his arrangements
with the Governments of France and England.
ORDERS have been transmitted to India for the
following regiments of infantry to be held in readi-
ness to proceed to the seat of war—viz., 10th Foot,
from Bombay ; 29th ditto, under the command of
Lieut. Colonel Sir G. Congreve, C.B. ; the Ist Batta-
lion of the 80th Royal Rifle Corps, from Bombay ;
and the 75th Foot, from Bengal.
THE colonelcy of the 80th Regiment has become
vacant by the death of Lieutenant General Sir
Thomas Brown.

MARCH 17, 1855.

Vrottcbigs znVarlianunt.

SECRETARIES AND UNDERSECRETARIE
OF STATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.S
TI AD second reading of this bill, which permits,
contr ry to the existing law, three Secretaries and
Under-Secretaries of State to sit at the same time in
the Commons, was moved in the Lords on Tuesday
by Earl GRANVILLE, who simply stated that it was
rendered necessary by the separation which had
taken place between the War and Colonial Depart-
ments.
Earl GREY took the opportunity of criticising at
length the Government plans in the arrangement of
the War Department. It is, he said, acknowledged
by her Majesty's Government that the present con-
stitution of the military departments is unsatisfac-
tory, and they, as they have stated, intend at an
early period to bring forward some plan to place
those departments on a more satisfactory footing.
Then it did appear to him to follow, as a matter of
course, that it is highly inexpedient, while these de-
partments continue in their present state, to adopt
any measure of a large character, involving a large
expenditure, which has not reference to the imme-
diate wants arising from the war. To what might
be necessary for the war no one could object, but
when plans were brought forward involving a heavy
expenditure, which were not to take effect during the
present war, but had reference to the permanent
wants of the country, he thought that an expendi-
ture of this kind during the present state of the mili-
tary departments ought to be avoided. On this
ground he objected to the ordnance estimates which
had been laid before the Commons. A plan for the
construction of large barracks in the place of several
small ones had been proposed, involving great ex-
pense. The principle of this alteration he approved
most decidedly, and gave several reasons for his ap-
proval, but this was not the moment when measures
of the kind should be brought forward. On the
same grounds he objected to the new fortifications
in our principal ports. The time when there was least
danger that these ports would be attacked was the pre-
sent. He argued, from the example of Sebastopol,
on the facilities for throwing up earthworks and rapid
defences in cases of sudden emergency. These
fortifications could not now be calmly and duly con-
sidered. He then alluded to the mismanagement of
the Ordnance Department, entirely coinciding in the
opinion of the public, that the largest share of mili-
tary deficiency was due to that department. He
instanced several cases of waste and want of pru-
dence, especially in the erection of barracks. He
then asked who was responsible for the large esti-
mates so brought forward. They were arranged
before the accession to office of the present
War Minister. He could fix no responsibility
except on the Clerk of the Ordnance, and,
with all respect to the talents of that gentleman,
he thought that so large an expenditure should not
have been proposed till some of the higher and more
responsible servants of the Crown had satisfied them-
selves that they could with confidence recommend
the details to the country. It was advisable, when the
war called for such heavy expenses, to enter into no
other expense not absolutely necessary. It would,
besides, be withdrawing large numbers of men from
the labour of the country at a time when they were
all wanted. He regretted that the other house had
not interposed some check to these expenses. The
Commons were at present in a wild and extravagant
temper, which would be succeeded by a fit of economy
equally injurious. He trusted that whenever new
improvements were carried out, the Government
would look, not to engineer officers promoted by
seniority, but to those whose talents had distinguished
them in civil enterprises.
Lord PANBIURE, agreeing in much that bad been
just said, declared that, as respected the new works,
all that could be suspended had been suspended,
until the plans for the reorganisation of the ordnance
had been laid before the house. He could not, how-
ever, allow that this would not be the proper time for
establishing our coast defences. What would be
said if the danger arrived and found us unprepared?
The Government would be responsible for their com-
pletion in the most approved manner, on the newest
principle, and with the utmost economy consistent
with their efficiency. He himself had examined into
the plans for the barracks--they had been adopted
after much inquiry—and he had given them his full
approval. He hoped in a few days to lay before their
lordships his promised measure for the future ma-
nagement of the civil establishment.; of the army.
He then entered into the defence of some details in
the arrangements, more especially with regard to the
temporary barracks.
The Earl of MALYESBURY, approving likewise of
the creation of large barracks, discussed the actual
merits of the bill before them. Many departments,
the Treasury, the Home-office, the Colonial-office,
the India Board, were then in no way represented in
that house. During Lord Derby's Administration

THE PRESS.

most of the public offices were then represented,
but now questions upon all the subjects connected
with these departments were to be answered by the
President of the Council, who could not be expected
to be acquainted with the details of them all.
Earl FITZWILLIAM hoped that the present excite-
ment would not have the effect hereafter, in time of
peace, of giving a more military character to the
nation at large.
Earl GRANTILLE said that the subject was prema-
ture, but the impression upon the mind of his col-
leagues was not to increase our military establish-
ments, but to make them more efficient.
The Earl of ELLENDOROUGH hoped that now the
military were to be withdrawn from the towns and
established in large bodies, a more efficient police
would be created for the towns themselves.
Lord PANMURE said that the large towns would not
be left without protection.
The Earl of ELLESMERE concluded the deb ate by
regretting the injudicious reductions of our army
during the peace.
COMMISSIONS IN THE ARMY.
Earl GREY on Thursday asked for distinctive in-
formation on the principle by which commissions—
some with purchase, and some without—were
granted.
Lord PANMURE answered that it was the practice
to give commissions without purchase—first, to those
that had distinguished themselves at Sandhurst;
secondly, to the sons of distinguished officers in the
army and navy ; thirdly, to suns of poor and de-
serving officers generally, or of poor clergymen.
These classes, on account of the great demand for
officers having been exhausted, a certain number of
commissions had been given to gentlemen whose
names had long been on the list of the Horse Guards,
and he had no reason to believe that the distribution
had been partial or unfair.
Lord HARDINGE said that there would have been
more equality in the distribution but for the number
of names entered as applicants for commissions with
purchase. As the purchase money was necessary for
the amelioration of the half-pay list it was necessary
to attend to it.

COMMISSARIAT.
Mr. F. PEEL on Monday stated the alterations by
which the system of the Commissariat was improved
in the establishment of the transport service, and the
better treatment of the scldiers.
The most important point of the discussion which
followed was raised by Sir F. BARING, who urged
that the Commissariat had quite enough to do with-
out taking on itself the extensive banking and mone-
tary operations with which it was now charged. All
military matters, he said, should be left to it, but the
mere pecuniary affairs might well be placed in the
hands of the Treasury.
Mr. WILSON explained that all the Commissariat
accounts were adjusted at the Ordnance-office.
LORD LUCAN.
This gallant nobleman on Monday, after reading
an official notification by which his demand for a
court-martial was again refused him, read his reply.
He then stated that a great wrong had been done
him, and that he would have established the injus-
tice of the charges against him, by the testimony of
French officers as well as our own. He gave notice
that on Monday next he would move for copies of
his own and Lord Raglan's reports on the battle of
Balaclava.
Lord Panmure declared the concurrence of him
self and the Government in the course pursued by
the commander-in•chief.
THE COLONIAL DEPARTMENT.
Sir J. PAKINGTON on Monday, on the motion for a
committee of supply, brought the state of this de-
partment under the notice of the house. He said
that there never was a moment when it was of more
importance that there should be a responsible and
able Minister at its head than the present, when the
Colonial Secretary is at Vienna conducting a
negotiation. He was aware that the Home Secre-
tary had promised to give his attention to colonial
affairs, but it was impossible for one man to do jus-
tice to the affairs of two departments of such import-
ance. He then referred to the alarming intelligence
that we had received from the Cape, where not only
the Kaffirs, but our old friends the Fingoes, were
stated to be in a hostile attitude. The position,
again, of Victoria was a most critical one ; the Con
vict Prevention Bill WWI in an unsettled state; and
the Australian Constitution Bill was hung up for an
indefinite period. The colonies already labour under
the disadvantages of distance; and they have a right
to find, when they apply, a Minister ready to hear
them. This neglect was exhibited just at the
moment when the colonists have come forward with
their sympathy and assistance to us in the war in
which we were now engaged.
Lord PALMERSTON denied either that the colonies
were neglected, or that. there was no one responsible
for their management in Parliament. His right
hon. friend and himself were responsible, and if any
charge was brought forward against the Government

of !neglecting colonial matters, they were ready to
meet it. The precedent of Lord Castlereagh had
been alluded to, but there was a stronger instance,
when one individual held for the nonce the offices of
all the Secretaries of State.
After some remarks by Mr. ADDERLEY on the mis.
chievous effects of delaying the bill for the Australian
constitutions,
Sir G. Oats said that the question was, if such
public inconvenience had arisen from the absence
of Lord John Russell as to call for reprehension.
He thought that the colonists ought to be gratified
by the acceptance of the office by that statesman.
He contradicted the statement that the colonial
business was in any way at a stand. The state of
the office certainly had nothing to do with the raising
of a regiment in Canada. The state of affairs at the
Cape was no doubt alarming, but the accounts were
conflicting. The governor was proceeding to the
frontier, and did not think that he should have to
call for additional force. The Government had the
governor's despatch before them, and were taking it
into their most serious consideration. The affair at
Victoria had been greatly exaggerated ; the tumult
was suppressed in twenty minutes. As to the affairs
at Newfoundland, they had all been settled ; it is
true there was a deputation from an individual,
applying for the removal of the governor, but this
was a question which the Government could scarcely
discuss with a private gentleman. With regard to
the constitution bills of the Australian colonies,
these bills required the most careful consideration.
They had been referred to the legal advisers of the
Crown, whose report had not been received till after
the prorogation of Parliament last session. He re-
ferred to the difficulties which these constitutions
gave rise to, and reminded the house that it was not
easy to introduce measures of such importance when
the attention of the country was so exclusively con-
centrated upon the war. Although the present
arrangement of the office would not work well for a
permanence, he believed that for a brief period
no delay or inconvenience would be felt in con-

sequence.
Mr. LOWE threw the whole blame of the difficul •
ties of thelAustralian constitutions on Sir J. l'aking-
ton. The Legislature in 1850, unwisely in his
opinion, delegated the whole power of framing these
constitutions to the colonies themselves. After this
act, the attitude of the house should have been one
of rigid impartiality. Instead of which, in 1852, Sir
J. Pakington had addressed a despatch to the
Governor of Australia, stating his opinion that the
Upper House ought to be nominated by the Crown,
and had ever proposed to give the Colonial Legisla-
ture control over the waste lands in return for this
concession. He entreated the Colonial Minister not
to let his own private opinion weigh as a grain of
dust in the matter, but to look to the will of the
colonists. The colonists, under the inducements
held out to them, had given themselves powers never
possessed by those dealing with the most difficult
questions of royal prerogative. These bills, contain-
ing seventy or eighty clauses, were not to be consi-
dered in detail by the house, but a short bill was to
be passed, confirming them all in a lump. He en-
treated the Government and the house not to forget
their power and responsibilities as to consent to such
a course. He trusted that all contracts would be
avoided between the Imperial Government and the
colonies, and that the acts of the Colonial Legisla-
ture would not be maintained against the wishes of
the majority of the colonists.
Sir J. PAKINGTON observed that when the time
came be would prove that Mr. Lowe had given an
erroneous version of his acts.
Mr. J. MArCillEoon thought that the Vienna confer-
ence would last six months, and that meanwhile our
colonies were unjustifiably neglected just, as they
were manifesting the most loyal feelings.
LOANS AND TAXES.
On Tuesday, when the third reading of a bill an-
thorising 17,183,0001. of Exchequer Bills was moved
in the House of Lords, Lord MowTZAOLE drew atten-
tion to the conduct of the late Chancellor of the Exche-
quer with regard to these bills. When the increased
income tax was voted last session, Mr. Gladstone
had said that, as the money on account of this mea-
sure was wanted immediately, he begged to he
allowed an issue of Exchequer Bills to meet present
demands, upon the full understanding that, when
the money on account of the income tax came in,
the bills were to be paid off, and nothing more was
to be beard about them. These bills, however, had
been slipped into the measure now before them with-
out a single word of explanation, and had been con-
verted from short bills of exchange into bills
ea in reality
to
permanent in their nature. He then place, which
roceed
argue in favour of loans in place of
crushed industry. He was glad to perceive an al-
tered state of public opinion on this head. The
estimates for the current year were very highwere to
, and it
was important to know accurately how they
be got. No revenue that could be. held
umpu shou.ldon to
be
abandoned. He proceeded from tbuq aae