The Press.
London, England, 1858-08-07 00:00:00

NAPLES.

Mr. T. Dutscoman observed that nearly two years
ago the Government of this country broke off diplo-
matic relations with the Government of Naples, and
he wished to know whether any change had taken
place or was likely to take place in our relations with
that country. The rupture of our relations with
Naples arose out of the barbarities committed in the
Neapolitan dungeons upon political prisoners. The
same tortures and imprisonments continued, the
dungeons being full of persons undergoing great
barbarities according to the usual custom of Italian
incarceration. He thought that the question he was
about to put would be found very appropriate at the
present moment, and one which ought to receive
some reply before Parliament separated. The
Sovereigns of England and France were about to
meet, and be thought it might be suggested to those
two monarchs not altogether during their festivities
to forget the wrongs of Italy. He believed that such
a sentiment would be highly acceptable to the
Emperor of the French, for he had reason to know
that the Emperor of the French, during the Russian
war, to his honour, suggested the restoration of
Poland and the independene,s of Italy. He asked
the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any change
had taken place, or was likely to take place, in our
relations with Naples.
- -

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER did not collect
from the hon. member's observations whether he
thought the renewal of our diplomatic relations with
Naples would be a proof of sympathy with despotism
abroad or the reverse. He could only say that her
Majesty's Government felt, as all must feel, that the
termination of diplomatic relations between two
States was not only extremely inconvenient, but
could only be justified by strong reasons. With
respect to Naples, as he had before stated to the
house, perhaps a great deal which had of late occured
between the King of the Two Sicilies and this country
might not have occured had her Majesty been
directly represented at the Neapolitan Court. But
it was useless to speculate on these circumstances.
The relations between England and Naples were of
an extraordinary character, as shown by remarkable
events, such as the seizure of the Cagliari, in refe-
rence to which the negotiations were conducted in a
manner satisfactory to this country, and not at all
discreditable to the Government of Naples. Whether
those relations which existed formerly would be re-
vived, or soon revived, it was impossible for him at
present to state. No doubt it was desirable that
there should be direct communication between the
English Government and all foreign Governments.
He trusted that whenever the relations with Naples
might be restored they would be restored under
circumstances which would give general satisfaction
to the people of this country.

HARBOURS OF REFUGE.

Mr. WALPOLE, standing at the bar, communicated
to the house her Majesty's answer to the address for
a royal commission of inquiry on harbours of refuge.
Her Majesty's answer was to the effect that she had
given orders for the issue of the said commission.

CHINA.
Mr. WHITE inquired whether the Government had
any astistaetury information to communicate with re-
ference to proceedings in China.
The CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER said, that the
last information received from China was certainly of
a satisfactly nature, tending to ju,tify the conclusion
that increased activity in that quarter would lead to
the result which the hon. gentleman no doubt
desired.

At this point of the proceedings Sir A. Clifford,
Gentleman• Usher of the Black Rod, entered the
house, and summoned the Speaker and the assembled
Commons to the House of Lords to witness the
royal assent to several bills, and to hear the commis-
sion read proroguing the Parliament.
The Speaker and the members present accordingly
proceeded to the House of Lords.
Upon their return,
The SPEAKER, standing at the table, while the
tnernbers were grouped around, stated that, though
the Parliament was prorogued, it might be agreeable
to hon. members if, in conformity with old practice,
be read to them the Royal Speech, a cupy of which
he had obtained.

When the Speaker had concluded reading the
speech i.he Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Pal-
merston, and many other members shook hands with
the right hon. gentleman, and the proceedings ter-
minated at a quarter to three o'clock.

THE SESSION.
WE abridge from the Standard of Monday last the
following summary of the session:—
The Imperial Parliament, which will this day be
prorogued by Royal Commission, has been sitting exactly
eight months. It was called together hastily on the
3nl of December last in consequence of the suspen-
sion of the Bank Charter Act. It was in the midst of the
crash of falling banks, and the ruin of large commercial
establishments, that the letter signed by the then
Premier, Lord Palmerston, and the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, authorizing the Bank of England to exceed
its legal issue of notes, appeared, and immediate relief was
felt ; discount, which was then at 101. per cent., quickly
fell to 61., 51., and even lower, and the consequence was
a general restoration of public confidence. Ministers were
accordingly enabled to meet Parliament in the same spirit,
and the Palmerston Administration was probably never
stronger than at the opening of this session, which has
witnessed its fall, and the formation of a Conservative
Government. Parliament only sat just long enough to
enable it to pass the necessary Indemnity Bill, and ad-
journed until the 4th of February. Before its re assem-
bling, however, a great event had occurred. A conspiracy
against the life of the Emperor of the French had been
organized, and on the 12th of January an unsuccessful
attempt to assassinate him while going to the Opera, in
company with the Empress, was made. Several infernal
machines were thrown at the carriage of the Emperor,
which exploded, killed six, and wounded 200 of the
populace. When it became known that these machines
had been constructed in Birmingham, and that the
assassins had made their preparations in this country,
general exasperation was felt in France, and many of the
addresses from the army contained menacing expressions
against England. Accordingly, the moment Parliament
reassembled, the Earl of Derby in the House of Lords,
and Mr. Roebuck in the Commons, brought the subject
before it, and inquired what the Government intended to
do. Lord Palmerston replied by bringing in the Con-
spiracy to Murder Bill, which was read a first time on
the Bth by a majority of 200 for Ministers, and the second
reading fixed for the 19th. Before that time, however, the
despatch of the French Foreign Minister became public,
in which it was stated that in this country assassination
was elevated to a doctrine, preached openly. Accordingly,
when Lord Palmerston, on the 19th, moved the second
reading of the bill, Mr. Gibson moved a counter resolu•
tion, that it was not expedient to legislate before that
despatch had been answered, and carried his amendment,
in a very full house, by a majority of 19—the numbers
being 234 against 215. The Ministers accordingly
resigned, and the present Government was appointed.
Although the present session has lasted eight months,
yet, in consequence of the numerous adjournments result-
ing from the breaking up of the Cabinet and other circum-
stances, the actual number of days on which the two houses
have sat is perhaps not more than usual. During the whole
session, from its commencement in December to its termi-
nation today, the Lords have sat on 83 days, the average
length of each day's sitting being 2 hours 34 minutes, and
the total number of days and hours it has occupied in the
actual transaction of business, computed at 12 hours a day,
is 17 days 7 hours and 10 minutes.
The number of divisions taken in the House of Lords
during the session has been 19, of which no less than 12 were
taken in July, showing the enormous amount of bua'ness
thrown into the last month of the session. The most im-
portant division of their lordships was that which was taken
on the 14th of May, when the Earl of Shaftesbury's resolu-
tion, condemnatory of the present Government, was re-
jected by 107 to 151. This was also the most protracted
sitting, their lordships being occupied in debate eight hours
and five minutes. The Commons sat on 103 days, the
average length of each day's sitting being eight hours. The
house has been occupied in the actual transaction of busi-
ices, estimating the business day at 12 hours, 67 days 101
bodrs. The total number of hours it has sat after midnight
iistAle. 'The two most protracted sittings of the Commons
wars on July Bth and 12th, on each of which days the
house met at twelve o'clock a.m., and did not separate till