The Press.
London, England, 1858-06-26 00:00:00

R E. S ge llBt4B.t

The Duke of BUCCLEUCTI afterwards called
attention to the state of the Thames. Their Lord-
sl.ips perfectly sympathized with his observations
on the subject, and agreed that the time had
come when it was essentially necessary that some-
thing should be done. But as the pursestrings
are held in " another place," it was thought
best to wait a few days, and see what the
Commons might propose to attempt by way of
purifying the metropolitan river.

-44,0111. lr

HOUSE OF COMMONS. - vodu,
MONDAY.
The agitation for the repeal of the remaining
" burden on knowledge" has been rather un-
lucky in the choice of its champions. When the
abolition of a tax is urged by members who con-
fess that, if relieved from the impost, they would
extend their manufacture, or carry to profit
several thousands per annum, now paid over to
the Excise, such advocacy is naturally regarded
with suspicion by the House. But the arguments
for the repeal of the paper duty possessed a
vitality which no trading influences could kill.
As a manufacture, it was manifest that by the
application of mechanical contrivances, which
awaited only legislative sanction for their accom-
plishment, a valuable export trade could be at
once created for the community. As a raw
material for literary productions, the ultimate
quality of the perfected article was shown to
depend upon the margin of profit left between
the wholesale price of the unprinted reams and
the selling price of the periodical. This issue of
course comprised the quality, as an educational
agent, of journals which circulated by millions,
and formed the intellectual element of nine-tenths
of the whole community. A Ministry including
among its chief members such athletes of litera-
ture as Mr. DISRAELI, Sir E. B. Lyrrox, and
Lord STANLEY, of course reponded to the appeal.
Mr. GitisoN's motion accordingly elicited a pro-
mise, which the CHANCELLOR Of the EXCHEQUER
will faithfully redeem when another year's finan-
cial plans have to be arranged, for the final
abolition of the paper duty.
Sonic votes belonging to the Education Esti-
mates were afterwards passed, with much less
opposition than had been experienced in former
sessions, and with a tacit confession from the
champions of Voluntaryism that the longer their
principle was tried the more conspicuously was
it found wanting.

TUESDAY.

The House put itself on its purgation. Seine
Members, especially those of the "long robe,"
were believ4 or rumoured, to have advocated in
the Legislature the rights of certain Indian
princes, for whom they had also received a
retainer as advocates before the judicial
tribunals. This was challenged by Lord
Horium as equivalent to corruption " twice
removed." Mr. IVurraslDE accepted the motion
as simply enunciating a principle on which the
professional Members of the House had invariably
acted. Some other legal Members objected to
the resolution as casting an imputation on the
profession which it did not deserve. Mem-
bers generally were invited by Lord HOTILAM to
determine, among the various inflections of the
subjunctive mood—first, that such corrupt in-
fluences might or would exist, and secondly that
they neither should nor ought to exist. Mr.
BOUVERIE, by moving the " previous question,"
gave the House an opportunity of evading the
direct issue, which nevertheless was accepted by
a fair majority ; and when the question was put
challenging a direct positive or negative there
were but 27 Members bold enough to record an
absolute " No" to the resolution setting forth
that it was contrary to the usage, and derogatory
to the dignity, of the Commons for any 3fember
to bring forward or advocate any measure for
which he may have received a honorarium in any
shape, either before or after its introduction in
the Legislature.
bin tiaiffw
"1"-,
The usual day sitting wu very usefully occu-
pied in clearing off encumbrances. Lord GoDE-
Kiel' had mortgaged some hours of legislative
leisure for the discussion of his Bill compelling
the registration of all commercial partnerships.