The Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-06-29 00:00:00

FRANCE.

PARIS, June 28.
The French mail has been delayed. It is
blowing hard in the Channel.
The Journal des Debuts expresses its surprise
at the extravagant manner in which the London
journals speak of the late review of Volunteers in
Hyde Park, at which not mere than 20,000 men
were present

The Sic/e declares that the Papal loan of
50,000,000 fr. is contrary to the traditions of the
Church and the opinions of the Fathers. Scarcely
any Council has been held that has not solemnly
excommunicated lenders on interest. The contri-
bution of Peter's pence must have signally failed
among the two hundred millions of Roman
Catholics when the Holy Father finds him-
self obliged to make this further appeal to the
faithful.

The Moniteur publishes the convention between
England and France relative to the division of
captures in China.
The Molideur also announces that the funeral
of Prince Jerome will take place on Tuesday next.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—YEsrmst.

The Marquis of Citxatc utnE, pursuant to notice, inquired
how far it might be practicable to afford better shelter for
shipping upon our coasts than is at present' afforded, by the
adoption of some plan for the construction of breakwaters and
harbours less costly and better adapted to certain loctlities than
the system of solid masonry hitherto in use; and whether any.
such plan appears likely to I.e serviceable for the improvement
of our national defences. In urging this 'inquiry,
the noble
marquis insisted that, even taking the estimate,of the com-
missioners, who had computed that £3,000,900w0u1d be re-
quired for the construction of harbours of refuge, the object
to be attained—viz., the saving of life and property---wel
fully worth the whole outlay, but he proceeded to argue that
amp'e result' would be secured at much less' expense if the
money was judiciously laid out at the proper localitiee
and in the proper manner. This be enforced by
adverting to the testimony of many professional authorities
tending to show that many millions had been eirelessly spent
on harbour works at Dover, Holyhead, aad elsewhere, becionfe
the sites were badly chosen or the protecting works unscien-
tifically constructed. A heavy responsibility lay, upon the,
government and the legislation on this point, and he moved
the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire int+) the
subject.

The Duke of SOMERSET remarked that the opinions of various
scientific and professional witnesses, who had been invited W
give their advice respecting the construction of !Arbours of
Refuge were most irreconcilably divergent. the noble
marquis Himself seemed to object to almost everything that
had been done or attempted. Besides the question of elPense'
the subject was entangled with innumerable p lexi ties resPect:
l&
ing the practibility or utility of difficult work the Oovernmen.
fully acknowledged the importance of the subject; but after
the many inquiries that had been already instituted he saw
no practical use in the appointment of the propo:sed co
mittee.

The Earl of HARDwichE thought that floating: b'reakwaters
mignt be cheaply constructed in many localities, and would
prove very useful under certain circumstances. This result
was at any rate sufficiently probable to justify an inquiry b°
select committee, and the institution of a few inexPensi"

experiments.
Atter a few remarks from the Earl of Bandon,
The Earl of DERBY asked when the intention of the Govels.
ment would be announced on the important .question ef till
national defence.
Earl GRANVILLE stated that the announcement would a
made in the first instance in the house of Commons, but be
could not at present say when the subject would be broughs
forward.

Lord BROUGHAM adverted with eulogy to the late gathering
of volunteers in Hyde Park, and hoped that similar manifests:
tions of defensive force might be repeated at intervals, not
only in London, but in various part, of the country.
The Earl of Caithness having briefly spoken, the Marilnil
of Clanricarde consented to leave the question in the hands
the Government.
Earl GRANVILLE observed that no notice had been given af.
any motion for a committee. If the motion was renewed
future day, the Government were ready: to agree to the
inquiry.

This suggestion was adopted, and the subject allowed to
drop upon that understanding.

Lord 13aouou,or laid on the table a bill providing that &O'
dants charged ith criminal offences, not. of a graver charsoter
than misdemeanour, should be entitled to claim the privilt-e,
already conceded to defendants in civil cases, of bed"
examined upon oath at their trial.

The bill, alter a brief discussion, was read a tirst time.
The" House then adjourned at five minutes past seven.

HOUSE OF aO4MONS.--XE-siosura.

Sir it. PEET. gave notice for to-morrow (Friday evening) alit!
on the motion for adjournment until Monday, he should ci'
attention to the accounts that had been received respectiMf thi
annexation of Sicily with 'Piedmont, and should ask bet
Majesty's ministers whether they could give any infOrmati°ll
touching the contingent demand of France founded on ths,l
annexation, and whether ,they had themselves transmuted,
expression of opinion on the subject, to the • Government
Sardinia.

On the motion for the second reading of the European
Forces India Bill, . .
Mr. A. MILLS moved, as an amendment. that the bill bnuis
be read a second time that day, threc.,months. He urr-
many objections to the proposed changes in the military
tem of India, founded upon financial, political, iind-Lsantts"
consi :eratious. The existing machine was of anciiiitcollad'il:
tion, and had worked most efficiently, and he
.depreeated L'
summary. destruction. The Government had- adopted thenu
present measure most precipitately, and with orgy a 07,,
consultation of the India Council. They 'had 'pr4udgad ,
question, and embarked upon a course which he regarded
prejudicial, dangerous,-and even unconstitutional.
The amendment was seconded-by Sir C. Colebrook:
hit
Mr. T. G. Baanto, in supporting the bill, contended + f
as the Government of India was now assimilated to. that °f
England, organisation of the army ought to undergo s girOlr
change. In a military point Of view, the proposed amalsal°.;
tion was highly beneficial, and he denied the allegation that'
would occasion any infringement of the rights and.. Privilae,
of the existing army in Hindostan.
• • .. .4 .
Mr. H. astuan complained that the Government w`rg
~
.%
asking the House to accept the bill, although the details of the
new arrangements fur the Indian army wire witUbeld-
supported the amendment. - - -

Sir H. VLiTET reluctantly opposed the that *t'
weight of evidence was in favour of retaining" the pr.°
system. ' ' •
Sir J. ELPHINSTONE, re;arding the question as one turf,ol.r
rather upon high political consideration, (their i.ssue.beinf ea
mere matters of detail,) argued strongly in. favour of ?nail'.
taining the local character of the Indian army.
Mr. KlNNAlRDcontended that it would be" practically jilt'
possible to govern India without a local army:.
Mr. VANSITTART said that the India army as a distinct feel
had been bolstered by a peculiar privilege, and yet Ipid alwaf:
been discontented. He believed that 80,000 European soldie,A
would suffice for the proteCtion of India, and f4i.osse
be supplied by regiments' belonging to the general militsrir
syste r, of the empire, and taking their turd of duty in Hindas°
as in any other of the British colonies. For the Sepoy army be
thought 120,000 men would be enough, and with the.combia
force of 200,000 thus constituted, he thought that simplicity
economy, and efficiency might be effectually secured.
Sir W. RUSSELL also supported the bill, contending, &moult
other reasons, that the discipline of Etiropeau troops becolaei
inevitably relaxed in India, and serious demoralisation might
be the result if the regiments were not periodically withdra'eu
from that part of the world and restored to the healthier
atmosphere of home service.
Sir MINTO FA.RQUHAR defended the existing syitem,
supported the amendment.

Colonel HERBERT supported the bill.
Mr. BUXTON considered the proposed change in the Ittaigu
army dangerous and precipitate.
Mr. lloasmax accused the Government of attempting to
dodge the Mouse of Commons. No full information, and
practical details of this intended scheme were submitted t 9
Parliament, which was required to abdicate its legislative
functions and pass a mere abstract resolution, leaving to the
Horse Guards the sole duty of carrying out an arrange'
ment which, both in its military and its political relattel
was of the greatest difficulty and highest importance.
proposed change would revolutionise the whole govern‘
ment of India, would degrade the office of the Indian Viceraf'
render the Commander in Chief independent of the Govern;:
General, and place the Indian army beyond the control of t'v
legislation either as regards its management or its expendittlre,i
While so much information was withheld and the rest garbled
respecting the recent conduct and present state of the India"„
army, Parliament was totally unable to 'deal iiirsfacterilY
with the question. The measure they were now so presir
Lately required to adopt would, he feared, prove the first 04
towards accomplishing the prediction *of Lord Metcalf, that
when India was governed by Parliamentary majorities t""
tenure of India would not be worth ten years' purchase.
Mr. S. HERBERT, on behalf of the Government, denied the;
charge of withholding or suppressing information. The fact
was, that every change it was proposed to effect could b3Y",
been carried out by the Executive without asking for, any Ve:
liatuentary sanction whatever. This, however, was though'
not to be respectful to the Legislature, and the present bill Rao
brought in. It was necessarily a simple and abstract measure'
enunciating a principle, but leaving_ the details 10 t
settled on the spot, and by the official dePartments to
Rhtcb
this branch of the service belonged. On the general questi°l4
he confessed that 1w had experienced much difficulty in luaking
up his mind. Thu subject was very complicated.; and t4c
-
authorities on either side alynos; evenly balanped; blitt after
citing some of these authorities, and recapitniating the chief
easons pro and con., he finally arrived at a conclusion faYoural'4
to the proposed amalgamation of the Indian army with the
Queen's.
Mr. Bien moved the adjournment of the debate. (,"--
" Divide.")
Lord PALMERSTON- hoped the House would come to a deei'i°
that night.
Sir H. WlLrouoilay insisted on the-propriety of adjourni”;
the debate.
The House divided, and the motion for adjourriniellt
negatived by a majority of 252 to 83.
The motion for adjourning was renewed, and snottier
division taken, when the numbers for the adj ournment were-'
51 aeainst 229.
Another division was called, after a stormy 'discussion. °:
the motion of Mr. Hennessey', was in like manner 4ffeae
by a majority of 180 to 43.
The opponents, however, persisting in renewi4W
for adjournment, the majority, on the suggestion pf L'Fd
Zig
Palmerston, gave way, and the
,debate was adjourned to
evening.
The remaining business was disposed of, sod. the Somme
adjourned at ten minutes after two.

THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR TO

ADVANCEMENT OF. SCIENCE..

(From our Special : Correspondent )
0 xinai),-Thursday Evening.
Immediately after the despatch of my pareel la t
evening, his Royal Highness the Prince Consort arrived
by a special train of the Great Western Railway ; but,
whether from the inclement state of the weather, or the
unexpected visitation, there was but little stir or enthw
siasm amongst the people. About half-past four hie
Royal Highness, accompanied by the Right Hon. the
Earl of Derby, the Chancellor of the University, thq
Lord Wrottesley, President of the association, and
others of the distinguished sezrans 01-forq, cntere4
the Sheldonian TkleatFe, where a large concourse of
people was assembled to greet them, and to Participate
in the proceedings of the first general meeting.
His Royal Highness the Prince Consort, in virtue of
his office of President for the past year, took the chair,
and in a brief address reviewed the progress of science
under the auspices of the association.
The President elect, the Lord Wrottesley, then
assumed the duties of his office,
and delivered the
inaugural address.

_________
THE GREAT PYRA3IID AND THE GREAT RAILIFA.I%---.
After making the necessary
allowances for the founds`
one
tions, galleries, &c., and reducin the whole to ,
uniform denomination, it will be found that the lO'Llf.
g
„i taint' °
expended on the Great Pyramid was eq—Y , 1; h:
lifting 15,733,000000 cubic feet of stone Ot.i P00.1..g
• . 0 sicu This labour was performed' according to' 016d°r 00
,
,; b IM°
tis, by ,300,0Q0 men ; .acaording to Herodotus? Y ars.
men ; and it required for its execution tvreityinoln.e de•.
If we reduce in the same "manner to qne c°111,:n; tbe
nomination the labour expended in constructing is
London and Birmingham Railway, the rrto the
2.5,000,000,000 cubic feet of material (reducedmore
same weight as that used in constructing t
fleet more
lifted one foot high, or. 9,267,000,000 cubicactio of the
than were lifted one foot high in the coustr
lei been per-
pytatnid ; yet this immense undertaking than g"
-„
'formed by about twenty thousand men 1—
years.—Our home Islands,