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

HOURS OF LABOUR IN FACTORIES.

Mr. COBBETT on Thursday attempted to introduce
a measure to make the existing law on this subject
more strict. He wished to put a stop to the " shift "
system, by which the workpeople, though not actually
working more than ten hours, were kept from their
homes. He proposed to restrict the working of the
engines to twelve hours.
Sir G. GREY said that the former bill was founded
on a compromise between masters and workmen after
long consideration; that its provisions were satisfac-
torily observed, and that all interference, excepting
the house was prepared to adopt a new principle
altogether, was very mischievous.
There was but little of importance in the debate
which followed.
Mr. BRIGHT said that for so small a difference it
was injudicious to reopen the question, and
Lord PALMERSTON denied that the present law was
evaded as stated by the hdn. move; excepting upon
rare occasions.

Mr. W. J. Fox, Mr. Newdegate, and Mr. E. Ball
complained of the inattention tho house to the

SATURDAY,

working classes ; but their complaints did not prevent
the rejection of the motion, by a close majority, how-
ever-109 against 101.

A bill to amend the law concerning the vacating of
seats by members of Parliament has been brought
in. It provides for a transfer of offices without the
necessity of resignation of the seat.

ENTERTAINMENT TO GENERAL VIVIAN.
A GRAND banquet was given on Saturday last at the
India-house to General Vivian to celebrate his ap-
proaching departure for the Crimea, where he will
take the ccmrniind of the Turkish contingent force
under British pay. The entertainment was on a
most magnificent scale, and the majority of the
Cabinet Ministers, together with M. Musurus, the
Turkish ambassador, were present and made speechk
in the course of the evening. General Vivian, in
returning thanks when his own health was drunk,
said:—

I need scarcely say how honoured I feel at being se-
lected for this important command. I feel that 1 owe
such distinction to the kind confidence of the noble lord at
the head of the War-office, supported by the good opinion
of the honourable Court of Directors, whose servant and
soldier I have been, rather than to any merits of my own.
I am perfectly alive to the arduous nature of the duty I
am about to undertake, but do not shrink from it, because
I know I shall be assisted by some of the bravest soldiers
in her Majesty's or the company's service. In my own
case, my selection has been adopted simply because it is
supposed that I have had the best opportunity of forming
an opinion. Of those who will join us from the Queen's
army it will be unbecoming of me to speak—their selection
has been intrusted to other hands—but I ant empowered
to state that many officers of her Majesty's service will
join the contingent in the several ranks; and I ant sure
that all will join with heart and soul in giving me their
support. (Loud cheers.) We will all put our shoulders
to the wheel and do our best, as is the custom of British
soldiers. (Hear, hear.)

MARCH 17, 1855.

THE WAR.

THE latest news from the Crimea is of the Sth inst.
received in Constantinople. There had been no
movement of importance among the allied armies
during the last few days. The French bad, however,
employed a new description of rocket, many of which
were discharged with great effect into Sebastopol,
where they had produced several conflagrations.
General Foray is recalled to France. It is stated
that the Russian army in the Crimea is much demo-
ralised. At Constantinople the death of the Czar
had been announced, and occasioned a great sen-
sation.

Despatohes to the 4th have been received in Paris
from Admiral Bruck and the camp.

The preparations for the bombardment were guing
on with great activity. The weather was good, and
the health of the troops much improved.
On the 3rd the railway was finished from Bala-
klava half-way to the camp, and was used for the
transport of ammunition and stores. It was ex-
pected to be complete by the 14th inst. The deaths
in Scutari hospital were much diminished at the date
of these reports. The position of Balaklava had
been strengthened.
The Journal de Constantinople gives details of the
fight which took place on the 24th of February before
Sebastopol. A battalion of Zouaves carried by as•
sault the plateau of Malakoff-tower, spiked eighteen
guns, and drove the enemy out of their trenches, re •
tiring ultimately before a body of 8,000 Russians. In
this heroic struggle 980 French were put hors de
combat. General Monet was wounded in both arms.

The Presse of Constantinople estimates the Rus-
sian loss at 1,000, and reduces the French loss to
250. Some journals say that General Monet re-
ceived five slight wounds while dispersing a Russian
column, which attempted to cut off his retreat.
The Vienna papers are informed by telegraph that
a Russian army of observation is to be stationed at
Orta Ablan, on the high road from Simferopol to
Perekop, for the purpose of watching the Turks at
Eupatoria.

The following despatch has been received :
Before Sebastopol, March :3,1855.
My Lord,—Some more ships are said to have been sunk
since I wrote to your lordship on the 27th. lam not cer-
tain of this; but., according to my observation, the new
barrier across the harbour appeared yesterday evening to
have been extended beyond the point at which I had seen
it two days before.
The enemy is busily occupied in establishing a work
considerably nearer the French batteries on the extreme
right than that which was attacked by our allies ou the
morning of the 24th.
The enemy seem to be increasing their force in the
neighbourhood of Sebastopol, both to the northward and
upon the Tachernaya.
The railway continues to progress satisfactorily, and we
already make considerable use of it in the conveyance of
stores, hutting materials, dm, as far as liadikoi; and the
electric telegraph is completed between that village and my
head-quarters.
The weather has again become extremely cold, and there
was a fall of snow yesterday, and some little this morning.
—I have, dc., RAGLAN.