The Press.
London, England, 1854-08-12 00:00:00

AUGUST.

1. Lord Shaftesbury again vindicated the Board of
Health from the attack of Lord Seymour. The Russo.
Dutch loan under discussion in the Commons, Lord D.
Stuart's motion on the subject being negatived by the
rather startling majority of 57 to 5.
3. The Bribery Bill, after a debate and a division, read
a second time in the Lords. A debate in the Commons
on the recent appointment of Mr. Lawley to be Goveinor
of South Australia.
4. Lord St. Leonard's brought the convict system before
the attention of the Lords. The Appropriation Bill was
introduced into the Commons.
7. The Bribery Bill passed the Lords, the clause
legalising travelling expenses being first expunged.
The. Russian Government Securities Bill was read a
third time and passed the Commons by a majority of 51
to 13.
S. After numerous divisions the Lords' amendments to
the Bribery Bill were agreed to, upon the Government con-
senting to limit the period of its enactment to one year.
The case of Mr. O'Flaherty brought forward by Mr. Lucas.
The Common Law Procedure Bill passed; and after this
Sir C. Wood addressed a house consisting of about twelve
members for some hours on the subject of Indian
finance. Seven out of the dozen members subsequently
addressed the house on the same subject. When the
next bill came on, the house, fairly jaded and worn out,
was counted out, there being only eighteen members
present.
9. In answer to Sir H. Willoughby, the Chancellor of
the Exchequer made a statement in vindication of the
financial operations of the Government.
10. A brief foreign debate took place in the Lords, upon
the motion of the Marquis of Clanricarde for a copy of the
convention recently signed between Austria and the Porte.
11. A discussion in the Commons upon the motion for
issuing new writs for certain peccant boroughs.
12. (This day) Parliament will be prorogued by her
Majesty in person.

THE HUME TESTIMONIAL.
A "SUBSCRIPTION PrcTunE," consisting of a whole;
length portrait of Mr. Hume, has been painted by Mr
Lucas at the request, and for the money, of a large
body of the friends and admirers of the "veteran
Reformer." Among the subscribers were four Cabinet
Ministers, Mr. Disraeli, and a large number of hon.
members ; and, as the picture had been at length com-
pleted, a body of the subscribers, headed by the Cabi-
net Ministers, Lord Palmerston, Lord J. Russell,
Sir C. Wood, and Sir W. Molesworth, wen t on Saturday
last to Mr. Hume's residence in Bryanstone-square,
for the purpose of formally presenting him with the
complimentary work of art. Besides the political gen-
tlemen there was a deputation representing the coun-
cil of University College, of which Mr. Hume is an
active member. It comprised Earl Fortescue, vice-
president, Mr. H. C. Robinsen, Mr. G. Grote, Mr. E.
Romill y, and Mr. Atkinson, secretary.
The members of the family having assembled with
the visitors in the drawing-room, and the portrait—
which is a good characteristic likeness as well as a
finished work of art—being placed in the room, Lord J.
Russell read an address to Mrs. Hume, in which, after
describing the picture, and mentioning who bad
painted and who had paid for it, various eulogies
were passed upon the parliamentary services of her
husband,
" whose services to his country have been able, indefati-
gable, and disinterested ; who, through a long career, has
never been turned aside from his path by the calculations
of selfishness or the animosities of political strife: who
has supported without forfeiting his independence, and
opposed without provoking personal hostility.
hot
the
members of the Liberal party long engaged, thougth
various modifications, in the same task of politicAl improve-
ment, other recollections will occur. They will recal the
time when disability on account of religious differences sas
the role and not the exception ; when the green mounds
of Old Sarum had their representatives, and the thriving
community of Manchester had none ; when by prohibition
and by duties the common food of the people was restricted
in its passage, and burdened on its entrance ; when the
popular cause was prostrate, and men of liberal views pro-
scribed. Mr. Hume has laboured long, with perseverance,
with courage, with energy, to change this state of our laws
and of our Legislature. More especially in the cause of
economy and retrenchment his untiring efforts have been
conspicuous and successful. The voice of the people has
encouraged his efforts, and a spotless reputation is a part
of his reward."
Mr. Hume expressed Mrs. Htune's deep sense of