The Press.
London, England, 1855-07-28 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

every session there are three different acts
bearing the same number.
Next in point of importance as well as of
time to this programme of the CHANCELLOR
is a letter from Mr. NAPIER relative to the
Statute Law of Ireland. He recites the state
of Irish law as follows :—There are 2,263 Irish
acts before the Union ; since that time there
have been passed about 1,300 statutes relating
exclusively to Ireland ; making in all nearly
8,600 peculiarly Irish laws, besides those
common to both countries.

This mass of legislation Mr. NAPIER would
bring into small compass. He " thinks it
" practicable to have one set of statutes for
" both countries," though leaving a few
matters to be dealt with by special and ex•
elusive legislation. " Ireland should be
" brought as much as possible under the same
" laws as England. Without this, she is but a
" province, and the Union an imperial evil."
The reform must be effected by gradual con-
solidation. Every bill ought to be submitted
to the supervision of a responsible depart-
ment, supplied with a proper staff, thus
guarding against blunders, now too common,
in framing the bill.

With this letter, and some amendments
suggested on Lord CRANWORTH'S note above
mentioned, closes the first record of the Corn
missioners' labours, the Parliamentary papers
of February 26th, 1855. Since that date (July
10th, 1855), these gentlemen's first Report has
been laid before the public. After briefly re
lating their decision on some of the topics
adverted to in this article, they recapitulate
the works on which they or their agents are
actually engaged. These include the subjects
suggested by the CHANCELLOR, with the addi-
tion of several others—(l) "Stamp Laws,"
"Bills of Exchange, &e.," "Laws relating to
Prisons," "Copyhold Law," "Ecclesiastical
and Collegiate Leases." They next combat
certain objections which have been raised
against their method of procedure. First,
ought any partial reform to have been com-
menced until steps had been taken to analyse
and arrange the whole body of law ? The
Comissiouers reply, "In any case such
" arrangement is difficult ; perfectly correct it
" cannot be ; jurists differ as to the principles
"on which legal classification should be
" founded; but the difficulty becomes impos-
" sibility where, as in the present instance,
" only the Statute Law has to be dealt with"—
that is, a collection of alterations of, and addi
tions to, the general body of the Unwritten
Law, which, without the incorporation of the
latter, can never be reduced to any order,
" since a mere series of exceptions without
" the rules cannot stand alone.'

It might be possible to lay out a general plan of
the entire law, and then distribute the Statute
Law into its proper place in that plan ; but
this would require the taking to pieces of
nearly every statute on the Parliament roll—
a work of enormous labour, and beyond the
scope of the Commission. Moreover, tke re-
arrangement must be simultaneous to prevent
confusion—" a consideration which alone might
" deter any one from undertaking the task at
" present." The Board determine, therefore,
to disregard for a time at least the principles
of scientific classification, and to aim only at
the consolidation of groups of statutes relating
to single subjects. They claim a large discre-
tion in all matters relating to style, and regard
even substantial alterations, if manifestly expe-
dient, as within their scope to recommend.
Lastly (and this is, perhaps, the most practical
result of their sittings), they express a doubt
" whether anything satisfactory can be effected
" towards the improvement of future legisla-
tion until some persons are appointed whose
" duty it shall be either to prepare, or to revise
" and report upon all bills before they are
" brought into Parliament, and to watch them
" during their progress through the two
" Houses," as officers either of the Crown or
of Parliament.

Here, at present, the cause of Law Reform
rests ; for it cannot be said that the expurga-
tory list of statutes prepared by Messrs.
ANSTEY and ROGERS, and printed for the House
of Commons in January of this year, has con-
tributed much to increase our knowledge of
the subject-matter. The list wants revision,
many entries are preceded with a mark of ia•

SATURDAY,

terrogation [QII, implying doubts which a little
research might have solved, and three fifths of
the work is filled with the titles of acts, on
the face of them temporary, and which no
reader needs to be told have long since
oxpired. The total number of acts in this
list exceeds 10,000. _ _

So far we have contented ourselves with a
simple summary of the course of recent law
improvement. It may hereafter be our duty
to comment upon that course, and indicate
what we regard as its defects.

IT will be fresh in the minds of our readers that cn
the death of the Duke of Wellington a military
college, with his illustrious name, was instituted for
the gratuitous education, in a greater or less
degree, of the orphan sons of officers in the army.
This institution was originated and is supported by
voluntary contributions, and the governors of the
college have lately issued a prospectus upon the
state and prospects of the institution, for which they
are the trustees. 11 appears that since the war the
claims upon this institution have increased to so
large an extent, that it has been determined to
enlarge the foundation from that of one hundred to
its full complement of two hundred and twenty boys.
To attain this very desirable end, a considerable
sum is required, and the governors have appealed to
the generous feelings of the public. That such an
appeal will be amply responded to we have no doubt;
and we trust also that the Government will take into

consideration the claims which a national institution
like this has to the support of the State. Iran appeal
were made to Parliament, we are sure that assistance
would not be refused an educational establishment
of such vital interest to the wellbeing of the sone
of our gallant officers, and founded, moreover, in
honour of the most illustrious military name in our
annals. The Queen has already headed the list with
a subscription of 5001., and many of the nobility have
followed her example, though in a less degree.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARYSHIP has been filled up
by the appointment of Sir W. Molesworth to the post,
Sir B. Hall succeeding to the Chief-Commissioner-
ship of Public Works. Vacancies for Southwark and
Marylebone have been thus occasioned, and the neW
writs were moved for both boroughs on Monday last.
The Southwark election took place yesterday, when
Sir W. Molesworth was again returned without oppo-
sition. In Marylebone the nomination is fixed for
Monday next. Some placards have appeared pro-
posing Sir C. Napier as a candidate ; and there are
other rumours of opposition. But it is believed that
no serious step is contemplated, and that Sir B. Hall
will be re-elected unopposed.

MR. W. LiNsanx has issued au address to the
electors of Tynemoath, announcing his intention of
soliciting their suffrages whenever a vacancy occurs.
His political principles are "Liberal Conservative."

THE TOMB OF ♦ PERENICIAN KING has just been
discovered at Beyrout. The sarcophagus of black
marble bears a very long and curious inscription in
Hebrew.

Czcatrrx, who has been released from imprison-
ment by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, has left for
Piedmont, where he will receive the proceeds of a
subscription raised for him by the British and Foreign
Bible Society. At the end of the year he may return
if he chooses to Tuscany.
Tut board of directors of the London, Brightot,
and South Coast Railway, have decided 'upon recom-
mending the payment of a dividend for the half•year
of 2/. 2s. per cent. on the consolidated stock of the
company. _

CAPTAINS EDMUND YONGE AND FRANCIS \TRICE
CorroN have accepted the vacant retirements occa-
sioned by the deaths of Rear-Admirals Macpherson
and Harper.
IT is reported at Woolwich that the fourteen bat-
talions of artillery are shortly to receive an addition
of two companies each, making ten companies for
every battalion.

THE commission to inquire into the question of
decimal coinage is to consist of Lord Monteagle, Mr.
Hubbard, late Governor of the Bank of England, and
Lord Overstnne.

CAMPS OF INSTRUCTION are to be established on
Barham Downs, within a few miles of Canterbury,
and on Penenden Heath, near Maidstone. The
camp at Barham is intended to accommodate about
4,000 troops, cavalry, infantry, and artillery ; sod
that on l'enenden Heath 8,000.
M. DUPLAT, a chemist attached to the military
hospital at Blidah, in Algiers, has succeeded in pro-
ducing oil and alcohol by distillation from acorns
growing in the oak forests which cover Mount Atlas:
One hundred pounds' weight of acorns produced half
a pound of oil and five pounds of alcohol, perfectly
suited for chemical purposes.
THE Imperial Institution for Military Geography
at Vienna has announced a map of all the military
roads of Russia.

JUNE 28,1855.

roct6ings in arliatncnt.

THE TURKISH GUARANTEE.
On Monday a series of explanations was given by
various members in the Commons of the reasons for

their vote on Friday. Mr. S. WORTLEY, who did not

vote, began the debate on the bringing up of the re-
port by complaining that he was taken by surprise,
that he went away at an early period of the evening
expecting nothing more than a conversation on the
subject. He admitted that then there was much in

the conversation that was objectionable, but feared
the consequences if it went forth to the world that so
serious an arrangement was nearly overturned. The
friends of Russia would take advantage of it to point
it out as an indication of a misunderstanding with
France, and a hesitation on the part of England to-
wards granting the supplies needful for success.
Mr. BRIGHT denied that there had been any sur-
prise, when the first speaker against the resolution
intimated his intention of dividing the house upon it.
There was nothing of which Parliament should be so
jealous as its control over the system of subsidies.
He repeated the objections to the Convention, as sub-
jecting Turkey to a direct control by the Western
powers. For the division, it might correct any exag-
gerated notion which the noble lord at the head of
the Government might entertain as to the extent of
the cenfidence reposed in him by the Honse of Com-
mons.

Mr. DEEDES defended his vote in favour of the
Convention, thinking the political questions involved
of greater moment than the financial.
Sir DE L. EVANS argued that even a delay in this
matter might be of serious inconvenience to Turkey,
and diminish the confidence of France. The nation
had granted loans to Russia, Austria, and Portugal,
yet neither of those nations had gone to ruin. There
was no country of which it was more unjust to assert
that she could not repay the money than Turkey.
Mr. LAMM) inveighed against the conduct of Mr.
Gladstone, who had led the country into war, and now
took every opportunity of embarrassing it. The finan-
cial difficulties of Turkey were in great part owing to
the coarse taken by that right hon. gentleman him-
self on the occasion of her former demand for a loan.
Those difficulties were, besides, increased by the
sums she expended in reforming her army, and pla-
cing herself in a sound position. He claimed for
Turkey the credit of being just in her pecuniary
transactions even to generosity, and read one or two
letters testifying to the increase of the Turkish trade
and the development of her resources. He called
special attention to the state of Asia Minor, where
the Russians were assuming a threatening attitude
which would nullify the taking of Sebastopol, even
if we so far succeeded.
Mr. GLADSTONE charged Mr. Layard with having
propagated opinions in old times which had deeply
injured Turkey. He defended the conduct of the
opponents of the measure, declaring that they had
acted without any preconceived plan, and in strict
accordance with the duties and precedents of Parlia-
ment. He denied that his opposition to the scheme
arose from financial reasons, which were limited to
five millions—his reasons were political, looking far
f award to the French alliance, in respect of which
every line of the proposed treaty contained embar-
rassment and difficulties. The joint guarantee ex-
tended over forty or fifty years, during the whole of
which our connection with France in respect of it
was to last. The terms of the treaty appeared to be
objected to, whatever opinions might be entertained
as to its principle, and he entreated the Prime Minis-
ter to see what he could do towards its amendment.
They must, he believed, tolerate much of the mischief
of the bill—he only implored that the poison of the
joint guarantee might be taken out of it.
Mr. STUART WORTLEY explained.
Mr. JOHN MACGREGOR, though he disapproved of the
joint guarantee, thought that the refusal of the Con-
vention would effect so much mischief in France,
where our principles of Government were not under.
stood, would afford so much opportunity to Russia
for misrepresentation, and would be so misunderstood
in Germany, that he was not prepared to reject it.
The resources of Turkey were increasing so fast that
little was to be apprehended in a financial point of
view.
Mr. KTRIC had voted for the Convention, thinking
that if we had paid the whole of the money it would
be no more than a return for the far larger expendi-
ture of France in the objects of the war.
Mr. LAING denied that the rejection of the Con-
vention would have injured the French alliance, when
the reasons for such rejection were founded on its
maintenance. The Emperor of the French could
not have misunderstood the purport of the vote.
Mr. CAYLEY admitted the objections to the mea-
sure, however it was framed, but did not think that
they balanced the inconvenience of its rejection. We
could not afford, after what bad passed at a certain
period of the year, yet further to endanger the rep u

TH

PRESS.

tation of representative government in the eyes of
foreign nations.
After Mr. CROSSLEY had observed that he hoped
the Government would profit by the lesson given
them, and Mr. Muwrz and Mr. Parmws had re-

pelted that the inconveniences of accepting the
Convention were far outweighed by those of reject-
ing it, the report was agreed to.

ORDNANCE SURVEY OF SCOTLAND.
Lord SEvtiotrit, on Monday, complained that a
Treasury minute had been issued directing a general
survey of Scotland on the scale of twenty five inches
to the mile for the lowland and six for the highland
districts. This was in direct violation of a pledge
given by the Premier, that only two counties should
be surveyed on the twenty-five-inch scale without
further communication with Parliament. It might

be all very well for the landlords to have their
estates surveyed at the public cost, but that coat
would not be less than a million sterling.

A conversation followed, in which the LORD
ADVOCATE and Lord PALMERSTON approved the
twenty-five-inch scale as one from which maps on a
large scale might be constructed; while those on a
higher scale could not be constructed from a one-
inch map. The course adopted was in accordance
with the opinion of many scientific men, which had
been obtained by extensive circulars. Lord Palmers-
ton added some explanations of his pledge on a
former occasion. Ultimately, it was understood that
the matter should be referred to a select committee
next session.

IRISH TENANTS' COMPENSATION BILL.
This bill has shared the fate of so many others.
On Tuesday Lord PALMERSTON stated that he should
not proceed with it, for a multitude of reasons—the
number of clauses that yet remained for discussion,
the re-enactment of the 14th clause, and the great

chance that the bill would be rejected b) the Lords.
He was not, he said, personally favorable to legisla
tive interference in transactions between man and
man; but as the Irish people seemed to have set
their hearts on a settlement of the question, the
Government bad waived some of its own objections
to the measure and taken charge of the bill, in the
hope that it would be met by other parties in a simi-
lar spirit of concession.
Some discussion followed, the withdrawal of the
bill being strongly objected to by some Irish mem-
bers and as strongly applauded by others. Some
explanation was given of the reasons of the memorial
forwarded to Government touching the re enactment
of the 14th clause, which memorial rested mainly on
the absence of members of the Government from
the division in which the clause was negatived.

Lord PAIMERStON added that there was no
difference of opinion in the Ministry on the subject.
The withdrawal was simply due to the period of the
session.
EDUCATION.

The vote in supply for 296,9511. for educational
purposes, brought on a discussion on Thursday
evening. Sir G. GREY explained the details of the
vote, stating that in the past year 262 schools had
been erected or improved—great attention, involving
much expense, had been paid to the education of
schoolmasters—and eleven normal schools built or
enlarged, and sixty-ftve industrial schools were re-
ceiving assistance, in place of forty-two, at the close
of 1858.
Mr. BARNES moved to reduce the vote to 283,0001.,
the sum at which it stood last year, complaining that
the money was spent, not on the children of the poor,
but on those of the middle classes.
After two or three members had spoken in favour
of the vote, Sir J. PAKINOTON observed that he found
no fault with the amount, though he did not quite
approve of the distribution. He praised the great
care now given to the education of schoolmasters,
whose training, however, he thought did not reach
sufficiently low. He hoped that the poorer districts
would in future have their fair share of the grant,
and said that no school ought to receive public
money which refused to admit a child on account of
religious differences.
Mr. HENLEY thought the grant ought to be
extended rather than diminished, objecting at the
same time to the over education of schoolmasters.
Mr. MIALL objected to State interference, which
reached the children of yeomen and small farmers,
while it failed to reach the dense mass of poverty
and ignorance, whence crime usually sprang.
Mr. COBDEN said that this assertion was begging
the whole question. He was not altogether satisfied
with the distribution of the money, but admitted that
much good had been done, considering the difficul-
ties. He did not believe that the schoolmasters
were over-educated, and thought that such opinion
arose from want of appreciation of the advantage of
education. He thought that the friends of the
voluntary system would do better to endeavour to
improve the present plans, instead of attempting
impossible notions. The low physical condition of
the masses was the great obstacle to education.
Looking to the iibecal tone which had been assumed

705

by the Conservatives, he trusted that some general
measure would he agreed upon—till that was done
a Minister of Education would be quite useless.
After Mr. HADFIELD had objected to all State inter-
ference, and some other members had spoken, the
vote was agreed to without a division.
A similar vote of 215,0001. for Ireland was likewise
agreed to, after complaints, on the one side, that the
increase for Ireland was not in proportion to dist
for England, and, on the other, that needless ex-
pense was incurred in farming schools.
LIMITED LIABILITIES BILL
The discussion for going into committee on this
bill occupied nearly the whole of the morning sitting
on Thursday.
Mr. Moira opposed it as a theoretical delusion,
which would ruin those who availed themselves of
it., protesting that the opinion of large traders' profits
was altogether founded in error. Enormous sums
had been lost in canals and railroads under the sys-
tem of liabilities.
Mr. GLYN likewise opposed any measure on the
subject until it was duly considered in connection with
the bankruptcy laws.
Mr. STRUTT opposed it as likely to lead to over-
speculation and panics like that of 1825 ; Mr.
SPOONER, because he thought it would induce the
poor to trust their money to managing directors, who
would waste it.
Mr. Henley, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. 'V. Scully, and
others, urged that it was now too late in the session
to give it a lair consideration.
To this last objection Lord Pia.maiterox replied
that it was not his fault if members make long
speeches, and that he would urge on the bill night
and morning, even if they sat till September to
pass it.
Mr. E. Ball, Mr. J. Macgregor, Mr. Bouvene, and
Mr. Laing supported the bill, as carrying out the
grand principle of individual combination, and
partially requisite to the circumstances of the
country.
The motion for going into committee was carried
by 121 to 40, hut the Chairman reported progress
upon the first clause.

The Metropolis Local Management Bill was read
• second time in the Lords on Tuesday, after a short
discussion of little importance.
The Earl of Shaftesbury's Religious Worship Bill,
which had been greatly modified, was read a third
time and passed in the Lords on Monday.
In reply to a question from the Earl of Amur, on
Monday, Lord CLLRENDON stated that the Turkish
army at Kars was in an excellent condition ; that the
inhabitants displayed the be't spirit ; and that, after
their late failure before the place, the Russians had
sent for some heavy guns, which they could not bring
up on account of the rains. There was no fear
whatever, he added, that the town would be taken
by a coup de main. Such, at least, was the opinion
of several British officers there present.
The Church Rates Abolition (No. 2) Bill was
withdrawn on Wednesday by Sir W. Clay, who stated
that at the present period of the session it would be
impossible to pass it.

A SINGITLAR TELEGRAPHIC ERROR, according to the
Independance Beige, was very nearly involving in
serious mischances General Castellan, at present
commanding the army of Lyons. He received a
telegraphic message from Paris, in which, by the
substitution of que for de, the " death of the Empe-
ror" was announced, instead of that of a distin-
guished companion in arms. General Castellan, it
is said, after some hesitation, decided to dictate to
his soldiers a proclamation full of noble sentiments
and sympathies, but in which, regarding the army sa
the only palladium of order and of society in Paris,
he traced out as their first duty that of acknowledg-
ing the head of tie elder Bourbon "as the saviour
and sovereign of France." The error, it is said, was
discovered in good time, but not before the pro-
clamation had been submitted to several of the supe-
rior officers at Lyons. The Emperor, it is added,
only smiled when he heard of the affair.
Tint forthcoming launch of the magnificent Renew
ship, the Marlborough (181), at Portsmouth, is exciting
mach interest. The dockyard artisans are busily en-
gaged erecting accommodation for those who may be
favoured with a berth. A state cabin is being
eracted for her Majesty and the Royal Family oppo-
s'te the port quarter of the Marlborough, with a
balcony surrounding, and a covered entrance with
steps leading to the state-room, which will be taste-
fully decorated ; alongside, and lower, is a standing
for the commanderin•chief, the admiral supennten-
dent, and their friends. There is also accommoda-
tion for military and naval vi.itors, the officers of the
dockyard, and the mayor and corporation
HER MA.reery has sent to the General Military
Hospital, Portsmouth, for distribution among up-
wards of thirty selected sick and wounded sol-
diers, a number of silk pocket and neckerchief% and
neckties, hemmed by herself and the ladies of the
court, together with anst-alings,

OP