The Press.
London, England, 1854-07-08 00:00:00

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS BILL.

The second reading of this bill was moved in the
Peers on Tuesday, when Lord ST. LzoNAnn's ex-
plained its purport. The measure was intended to
correct an error in a former bill on this subject, re-
specting the use of dogs in carts. The existing act
restricted the use of dogs drawing carts to London
and a circle of fifteen miles round it, and the pre-
sent bill extended that restriction to the country
generally, so as entirely to prevent the practice of
having carts drawn by dogs on the public highways.
The Earl of EGLINTON pointed out the inexpe-
diency of "over-legislation," particularly with regard
to subjects involving no moral offence :
" As to the question of dogs becoming mad when used
to draw carts, he never heard of one case on good authority
of a dog becoming mad from overwork. With regard to
the danger of horses being frightened by those dogcarts,
he believed that also was an exaggerated apprehension.
No doubt there were horses that were frightened at dog.
Carts ; but then there were horses that were frightened at
other things also. He once had a horse which no power
on earth could induce to pass a wheelbarrow ; but it would
be very hard if, on that account, her Majesty's subjects
should be prevented from using wheelbarrows. (Hear,
hear.) He moved that the bill be read a second time that
day three months."

Lord BROUGHAM approved of the bill, remarking
that nature had not designed the dog as an animal
for draughtt.

THE PRESS.

The Marquis of WESTMINSTER argued on the same
side :

" The formation of the dog unfitted him for such work
as this bill referred to. The natural position of the dog
was to stand upright upon his toes, but the moment he
was made to draw a heavy weight his foot was drawn
down, and the sole of the foot became liable to lacera-
tion. There was no reason why, in this matter, there
should be one law for one part of the country and a dif
ferent law for another. In the other House of Parliament
the measure had been carried by a large majority, and it
had never been rejected by a majority in that house. The
only time it was brought to a division the votes were ex-
actly even."
The Earl of llifaxmzsetney observed that in Sussex
and Hampshire alone fifteen hundred persons gained
their livelihood by aid of dog-carts, which would be
immediately liable to confiscation if the bill passed.
The Earl of CHICHESTER was assured from inquiry
that the dog-cart owners in Sussex were generally
men of bad character, who used dogs for draught
merely out of laziness.
Finally the opposition was withdrawn, and the bill
passed the second reading. Lord EGLINTON declared,
however, that he should move the omission of the
clause when it came up in committee.

clortign ant dalanial

FRANCE.

General Baraguay d'Hilliers was expected to leave
Paris yesterday (Friday), in order to embark with
the division of the army under his command for the
Baltic. England will provide vessels for transport.
The French Government has decided on forming
a sixth division of the army of the East. The regi-
ments are already named, but the name of the com-
mander has not yet been announced. The Emperor,
it is now said, has abandoned his intention of form-
ing a camp in the south, as all the troops intended
for that purpose are to embark immediately for the
East.

The Henri IV. sailed from Marseilles on Tuesday,
having on board General Levaillant, with his staff
and two colonels, for Gallipoli. The vessel had also
on board several detachments belonging to various
corps.
The steam-frigate Uloa left Toulon on Monday
for Yarns, with 1,065 rank and file and twenty eight
horses.

Orders have been received at Toulon to put the
roads of that arsenal in a state of complete defence.
In conformity to instructions from Paris, the en-
gineers have visited the coast, laid out new fortifica-
tions, and armed others. Great quantities of shot
and ammunition are being sent into all the forts.
The French Government has renewed the Regle-
ment Maritime of 1778. Hereby all vessels of the
enemy bought by neutral subjects since the declara-
tion of war will be captured as illegally transferred,
and will be declared good prizes. The object is to
put an entire stop to pro forma sales, and will strike
a heavy blow at the trade carried on under neutral
flags.
Preparations for the departure of the Empress for
the baths of Biaritz are going on with activity. The
imperial yacht the Bettie Hortense is already at
Cherbourg, where the Empress will embark for
Bayonne. The yacht will remain at that port during
the stay of the Empress at the seaside.
Cholera is spreading rapidly in several parts of
France, and especially at Soissons, at Chateau-
Thierry, and in the Vendee. The epidemic has also
committed heavy ravages at Arles, and a few cases
have occurred at Marseilles. It is said that, if the
disease should continue to spread, the camp of Bou-
logne may probably be postponed.
The Princess de la Moskowa, widow of Marshal
Ney, died on Monday in Paris, at an advanced age,
and after a long illness.