The Express.
London, England, 1848-05-26 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 26, 1848.

Claws 106 to 110 were agreed to with come amendments.
On clause 111, providing for the repayment of money bor-
rowed on mortgage,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL proposed to flx the term
for repayment at 30 years, without requiring one-thirtieth
part of the sum to be paid off each year.
After a conversation the clause as amended was sgrecd to.
Clause 112, empowering mortgagees, in case of non-pay-
ment of interest, to have a receiver appointed to collect the
rates:have rise to some little discussion, Mr. H a N Lie express-
ing doubts ea to the sufficiency of the security, as the local
boards could not be compelled to make a rate, and the
Arrourize-GIINEUAL observing that they had a remedy by
mandamus, but the clause was agreed to unaltered.
On clause 113, giving local hoerds power to make by-laws,
and inflict penalties subject to the confirmation of the g neral
board,
Mr. RAINES suggested that these bylaws sheen not be
confirmed, until public notice of them had been given to all
the inhabitants.
Viscount MO►t'ETII an rented to adopt the prelimi-
naries suggested.
Mr. HENLEY suggested that the confirmation of the
bylaws should rest •oh the Secretary of State instead of
the central board, in order that there should be greater secu-
rity that they would not he repugnant to the laws of
England.
After a short discussion Lord MORPETit assented to the
suggestion.
The clause as amended was then agreed to.
Clauses 114, 115, and 116 were agreed to with some verbal
alterations.
Clauses 117 and 118 were struck out.
Clause 119 wee agreed to.
Clause 120 was struck out.
On clause 121, relating to the audit of accounts, being
proposed,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved amendments,
which provided that ten days' notice should be given of the
time and place when the audit was to be made that a copy
of the accounts should be deposited at the office of the
Board of Health, and that all persons should be allowed to
take copies or extracts of them without fee.
The clause, with the amendments, was agreed to.
Clauses 122 to 145 were agreed to without any alteration.
. .

On clause 112 being read; by which it was proposed that
the divining of any individual might be entered by the In-
spectors of nuisances at any period between the hours of ten
and four o'clock, for the purpose of making surveys of
sewers, levelling and opening drains, &c.
Mr, TURNER submitted that some check should he im-
posed upon the powers thus intended to be vested in the in-
spectors under the act, and he proposed an amendment to
the effect that such surveys shoeld not he made without the
consent of two justices in writing, provided any objection
were made on the part of the owner or occupier.
The ATTORN EY-OEN ERAL having signified hi. assent
to this amendment, it was added to the clause, which was
then adopted.
The remaining clauses of the bill having passed,
The ATTORNEY-bIENERAL said it was intended that
the bill should be reported anti reprinted at once, and that
the report, with the various amendments, should be brought
I forward for further consideration on Thursday next, or such
other day as the house might deem convenient.
On postponed clause 67 being read,
Lord muRPETit said that by this clause it was made im-
perative on the proprietors of water-works to supply houses
with water at the rate of Id. per week, provided that the lo-
cal board of health on tho report of the WI veyor had de-
clared the supply of water to be insufficient in such housee.
In Nottingham Id. a week had been found sufficient r this
purpose ; but as it had been represented that loss might ite-
ms to owners of waterworks by being compelled to supply
water at that low rate, he had to propose an alteratiin in
the clause to the effect that 2d. a week should be allowed.
The alteration having been adopted, the cilium as amended
was agreed to.
Colonel THOMPSON proposed that after clause 80,
which had been postponed, the following proviso should he
added: " Provided always, and be it enacted, that upon the
petition of a majority of the inhabitant householders of any
such distr,ct, it shall he lawful for the local board of health
to provide suitable premises, in or near suck district, for the
purpose of being used as a burial ground for such district and
neighbourhood, and to make by-laws for and with respect
to the management and use of the premises so provided,
and to charge for the use and occupation tb recd."
After a discussion, in the course of which several difficul-
ei to the adoptionoi the proviso were started, Lord Li NCOLN
suggesting that the application should originate in a public
meeting of the inhabitants, and Mr. Tl'llSElt proposing
that the power should be compulsory instead of permissive,
it was decided that it should stand over for consideration on
the report, and that it should then be taken in conjuuction
with the 80th clause.
In reply to a question from Mr. lions"
Lard MORI' Ent said that with reference to the smoke
clause, several hon. members hail suggested to him that the
WA way of dealing with that subject was by the hill which
had already made considerable progress in the Ilowe of
Lords. Ile therefore proposed to omit the clause in question
altogether.
Mr. WILD moved a clause to the effect that the assessed
tax on funeral c irriages and the post-horse duty on horses let
for hitt for funeral purposes, be abolished. on the ground
that these imposts prevented the poor from availing hem-
pelves of the cemeteries for burying their dead. The • .cri-
lice to the revenue would be unimportant, a. the whole
amount robed from this source was considerably under
6,0001.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL opposed the ammo which
the Chancellor of the Exchequer had informed him was unne-
cessary, as, whenever the hiro of the vehicle and horses used
for funeral purposes was not charged, the duty might be re-
covered back.
Mr. WILD doubted if any case could be shown in which
the duty had been returned.
The clause was withdrawn.
Thu preamble was then agreed to, and the house having
resumed, the hill moll reported and ordered to be reprinted
with the amendments ; the report to be further ecnisidered on
Thursday next.
JOINT•STOOK COMPANIES BILL.
This bill having been read a third time,
The ATTORNEY.GENEItAL moved a clause, empow-
ering the Lord Chancellor to appoint diatEct commissioners
of the Court of Bankruptcy, cr judges of county or local
courts having jurisdiction in civil matters, to be masters ex-
traordinary for the purposes of this act ; which was agreed to.
Mr. READLAM moved the following clause :
That after on order absolute shall have been made execution shall
not kayo snainst any contributories of the company at the suit of any
creditor, iu respect of any debt due from the company, unless, on
motion to the Court of Chancery, leave to that effeet be given; and that
upon such motion it shall be lawful for the Court of Chancery either
to permit execution immediately to be issued, or to suspend the same
for push period and upon such terms us the said court shall, in its
discretion, think fit, regal d being had both to the lawn:dings pending
under act, and to the conduct of the shareholder against whom
execution is sought to be enforced in obeying the fame.
Dlr. M. OIBSON regretted that it was not in his
power to agree to the proposal of the hon. and learned
member.
Mr. TURNER opposed the clause as being totally at
variance with ever :principle on which the bill was founded.
Mr. AGLIONBY supported the clause.
The SOLICITOR-OENERAL opposed the clause.
The house divided—For the clause 9
Against it 1 —B5
The clause was consequently lost.
Mr. WYLD then moved the following clause : And be
it enacted that all associations or companies formed for the
purpose of working mines or minerals shall be liable to the
operation of this act."
The clause was added by way of rider to the bill, which
was then
LAW OF ENTAIL (SCOTLAND) BILL.
On the motion of the LORD ADVOCATE, the house
resolved itself into committee on thin bill.
Oa clause 2 being proposed,
Mr. D. M'NIELL suggested that a better mode than that
proposed by the clause of altering the law would be to put
both heirs of entail in possession and heirs of entail that
wets to come into possession on the same footing, and to
enable both descriptions, at '25 years of age, to disentail the
estate on the consent being obtained of the heir apparent;
and if there was no heir apparent, the consent of any limited
number of the persons next in succession. This would be a
better and more simple course of legislation.
The LORD ADVOCATE said the suggestion of his lion
and learned friend was adopted in the next clause. The
present clause wits necessary to give greater efficiency and
practical effect to that which followed, and as it had been
adopted by a majority of the elect committee, to whom the
bill had been referred, be (the Lord Advocate) felt bound
to press it.
Isle F. MACKENZIE observed that the clause hail only
been carried in the select committee by a majority of one,
aud, objecting as he did to the principle of the clause, he
moved that It be struck out of the bill.
Mr. OSWALD supported the amendment.
The c immittee tie a divided—F.r the el
Against it

Tho clause was then agreed to.
In clause 3, the Loan ADVOCATE proposed certain altera-
tions, with the view, as be stated, of rendering the object
of the clause more clear.
After • few words from Mr. M'NtiLL and Mr.
MACKENZIM,
Mr. 110 U EltIE moved ac en amendment t`
the word " three " f " tour," in the number of
consents of heirs-substitute necessary to constitute a title.
After a discussion, the committee divided :
For the clause
_ _ Against it 17-69

The claim was they agreed to as amended.
Clauses 4 to 11 inclusive were agreed to.
On clause 12 being proposed,
Mr. D. COCIIRANE suggested in reference to this claim,
and the two subsequent ones, that words; should be intro-
duced to enable proprietors to sell outlying lands to the ex-
tent of three-fourths of their improvements.
Mr. BLUME thought it advisable to adopt some alteration
of that nature.
The LORD ADVOCATE said the subject had been much
considered, Lut he was of opinion that the clauses were
better as they stood.
The clause was then agreed to, as were clauses up to 3i.
Clauses 36 and 37 having been agreed to the house
resumed.
The LORD ADVOCATE said there were some clauses
writin which he VMS anzioun to introduce ; but on
account og f the lateness of the hour he would not propose
them until the bringing up of the report.
An HON. MEMBER inquired when it was intended to
bring up the report.
The LORD ADVOCATE said that be hoped to bring it
up to-morrow (this day) ; but, if the committee wished, the
report might then be read pro found, and the discussion on
the additional clauses taken on a future day.
The report was then read pro form4l, and its further con-
sideration having been adjourned to Monday next, the house
adjourned at a plarter past 1 o'clock.

ELECTION COMMITTEEB.—YESTERDAY.
LitICEBTER.—The committee having acceded to the
application of petitioners for leave to amend the recogni-
winces, Mr. B. Andrews opened the cue of petitioners.
The charges are of bribery and corruption against the sitting
members, by means of the liquidation of former aocounts,and
gifts, of sums varying from 10s. to 28s. The learned counsel
stated that the bribery was committed by parties who could
be connected as agents with the sitting members. One or
two witnesses having been examined the committee ad•
journed to this day.
CIIELTENIIAM.—The only business was a prelimin-
ary discussion on the question of the recognisance*.

GENERAL COMMITTEE OF ELECTIONS.—The follow-
ing committee was struck for Dublin :—The Marquis of
Granby, Mr. M. Baines, Mr. Elotheron, Mr. Bright, and
Lord R. Grosvenor. The last named chairman.

Ithe el:profs.

MAILS.
The mails for Vigo, Oporto, Lisbon, Madeira, Cadiz, and Gibraltar
will he made up an the morning of the 27th May.
The mails foe New Mouth Wale*, Von Dieman's Land, and New
Zealand will be made up on the evening of the Slat May.
The moils for the West Coast of Africa and Madeira will be made
tip on the evening of the 31st May.
The mails for Bridal' North America, and the United States,
will be mode up en the evening of the 2nd June.
The West India iwatu., including Bermuda, NIMIIII Havanna,
Honduras, New Orleans, Vera Croo, Tampico, and Porto Rico, and
excluding than for Madeira, Jacmel, Carthagens, *ante Martha,
Magma, Panama, West Coast of South America, and St. Juan-de.
Nicaragua, will be made up on the morning of the 2nd June.
The mails for the Brasile, Um River Plate, Monte Video, !lemma-
bum, Bahia, Madeira, and Buenos Ayres, will be made up on the
evening of the 3rd June.
The overland cloyed mile, visa Marseilles, to the Mediterranean,
Egypt, Aden, Ceylon, India, (long-Kong, Re., will be made up on the
evening of the 7th June.
The overland mails for Gibraltar, Mahn. Greece, the lonian Island+,
Egypt., Aden, Ceylon, India, Hong-Kong, and China, eta Southampa
ton, will be made up on the morning of thu 'Nth June.

NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS.
The number of STAMPS issued by the authorities of the
Stamp-office, during 1847, to the
DAILY NEWS was 3,447,009
This, we believe, Is within eight per cent. of the number
issued to the Morning Herald, Morning Chronicle, and
Morning Post, ALL PUT TUOIETHEN.
In addition to the above, issued to the DAILY NEWS,
Horning Paper, there were jawed for the Evening Edition,
THE EXPRESS 778,714
Which was more, we believe, than wcte issued either to
the Globe or Sfarid;rd, Evening Papers.

171011 WATER AT LONDON ARMOR.
Tub 11•9-9799919c1n 911.. MA 7: AitATIVI.I. al al. put 7.
.Put Afusuo. 9 WA. UM 9.

LONDON, FRIDAY. MAY 26,

LORD JOHN Rosser.[., in his very offensive little
speech of Tuesday last, took upon him to declare that
the middle and working classes do not wish to see the
House of Commons take up the question of constitu-
tions,' reform, but believe their true interest to consist
in the I it:llM's devoting itself steadily to financial, le-
gislative, and administrative improvements. This lan-
guage might have been tolerated in an able and effi-
cient minister of the CmoiNG and Iluski,,sof:
school. The nation might respect a statesman who
from natural temperament, or accidents of position,
had been brought to distrust the popular judgment,
but who discharged his administrative duties with the
same stern regard for the public interest, with the
same industry and intelligence, which it is the
object of popular pressure to extort from
less happily constituted minds, lint unluckily for
Lord JOHN, his principal title to public esteem is the
readiness he showed in former times to aid in increas-
ing the responsibility of public men to the people—or
a section of it. As a legislator, a financier, or ad-
ministrator, he is not above par. It is precisely be-
cause he and his colleagues, and the majority in the
House of Commons who support them, do not
attend to the subjects which he represents as of more
importance than constitutional reform, that constitu-
tional reform is demanded. The publication of the
Miscellaneous Estimates, now in the course of delivery
with the sutra, suggests an illustration of their short-

comings in this respect.
The total of public expenditure, in 1847, was
59,230,4131. With the exception of 1,525,000/. for
the relief of Irish distress, and 5908/. paid into the
Bank to supply deficiencies on the balance reserved
for unclaimed dividends, the items which make up
this total may be classed under the following heads :
Payments out of the income, in its progress to the
exchequer, 4,727,4651.; interest and management of
the national debt. 28,141.5311. : charges on the con-
solidated
fuud, 2,713,513/. • navy, army, and ord-
nance, 18,502,1161.: miscellaneous charges on the
ann ial grants of parliament, 3,361,066/.
Of our annual national expenditure, 28.141,5311. is
the interest on a mortgi ge over the national pro-
perty ; it is a burden which we have inherited along
with all of good in our institutions, bequeathed to us
by our ancestors—a burden of which parliament can
only say, " Well, it must be paid." Nearly one-half
of our annual public outlay is not for the purpose of
carrying on government, but of paying interest on
the accumulated expenses of other years still due.
This is a sum which cannot be increased or decreased
by economising in our arrangements.
The actual expenditure of the year for purposes of
government within the year consists of the sums
charged to the navy, army, and ordnance, and to the
consolidated fund, and of the miscellaneous charges
on the annual grants. These three heads embrace
the actual cost of civil government and defensive
establishments for the year. The cost of our defen-
sive establishments was last year 18,302,1461. i the
cost of civil government 7,274,579/. It is impossible
to contemplate the enormous sum expended
under the pretext that it is necessary for
• defensive purposes alone, with that which
is expended for the great purposes of civil
government, without exclaiming, " oh, monstrous,
only one small halfpenny worth of bread to all this
quantity of sack." Nor is this all. Of the 7,274,579/.
which we have assumed to be the expenditure of our
civil government, part goes to defray naval and mili-
tary pensions ; while many items of expenditure for
civil government never come under the cognisance of
parliament.
An ore* feature of on r pub' is accounts remains behind.
Estimates of the whole of thecontemplated expenditure
for defensive purposes (f.ir the army, navy, and ord-
nance) are annually submitted to parliament. No-
thing more than a partial and supplementary estimate
of the expenses of civil government is presented to it.
Of the eew n millions and upwards which is all of the
civil expenditure we can trace in the parliamentary ac-
counts, 2,713,5131. charged on the consolidated fund are
voted without any opportunity being afforded to the
representatives of the people to canvass their justice
or necessity. They arc only allowed to examine into
the supplementary 3,561,0661. included in the esti-
mates of miscellaneous charges on annual grants.
One of these estimates contains the contemplated
charges of the year for " Law and Justice." But
these charges are only supplementary to—meant to
eke out what is left unprovided for by the annual
charge of 1,046,393/. for " Courts of Justice" on the
consolidated fund. Nay, the charge on the consoli-
dated fund, and the charge on the miscella-
neous estimates taken together still show only a part
of w!.at the nation pays for its Judi lal
establishments in the course of the year. The enor-
mous extortions from suitors and vitiate in chancery,
which go to swell the " fee. funds " are part of the
national taxation for " law and justice." It is impos-
sible in the way the budget is ,aid before parliament
fur members to say whether the charges for " law and
justice" in the miscellaneous estimates are proper or
not. They may be voting payment for the same ser-
vices twice over for aught they know, or voting sums
to pay for services which might and ought to be
remunerated out of the fee-funds or the charge on the
consolidated fund. The same vice pervades all the
miscellaneous estimates. The estimate for " education,
science, and art" is only supplemental to the
national funds for this purpose, administered
by the universities and the various corporate bodies
entrusted with the management of endowed
schools. Members of parliament cannot say with a
clear conscience that the sums they vote for educa-
tional purposes are necessary unless they are in-
formed of the amount annually expended by universi-
ties and endowed schools, and the fruits of that expen-
diture. The estimate of " salaries and expenses of
public departments" is obviously- incomplete on
the face of the document. The estimates of
salaries and expenses in the Houses of Lords and
Commons and in the great departments do not em-
brace all that is required to pay them, but only what
is required" in aid ut the fee fund."
The 'louse of Commons are the trustees of the
nation. Their duty is to ascertain what government
ought to cost, to raise the monies, defray the expen-
diture, and take receipts. In the department of civil
government they do not take the ordinary precautions

to asceetaia that they pay no more than they ought to
do—that they get money's-worth for the money paid.
They submit year after year to have incomplete and
illusory estimates presented to them, and to vote
away the public money on these worthless papers.
So long as the present imperfect mode of submitting
the budget is aliowed to be persisted in, upwards
of four millions and a half of the public reve-
nue, deducted out of payments in their progress
to the Exchequer, will remain unaccounted for,
—safe from scrutiny or challenge. So long as this
slovenly method of conducting finance business is
tolerated, the House of Commons will continue to
vote money for purposes of civil government, without
having it in its power to learn how much is needed
and how much honestly applied. The miscellaneous
estimates are an impenetrable cloud cast over possible
peculation and misapplication of the public monies.
This truth was proclaimed and admitted before the
year of grace 1831. Since that time the country
has been blessed with sixteen years of what has
been, by courtesy, styled a " reformed parlia-
ment." During the far greater part of that
period the country has been blessed with'
what has been by courtesy styled, a " reforming
government" Of that "reforming government,"'
whenever it has been in office, Lord JOUN RUSSELL
has uniformly been a member. Yet the gross and
clamant abuse of a budget, framed to deceive, is still
persisted in. In these circumstances, it certainly
required some power of face in his lordship, to talk
so Jauntily as he did on Tuesday evening of the ex-
pediency of not distracting the attention of parlia-
ment and ministers from their legislative, financial,
and administrative labours by taking up the question
of constitutional reform.
So much for the principle and taut ensemble of the
miscellaneous estimates ; their details (for this year)
tempt to more minute criticism—and shall receive it

GERMANY.

OPENING OF THE PRUSSIAN CONSTITUENT
ASSEMBLY.—ARRIVAL OF THE EMPEROR
OF AUSTRIA AT INNSPRUCK.
PRUSSIA.—Our Berlin correspondent writes Si
follows :
BERLIN, MAY 22.
The national or constituent assembly of Prussia was
opened this day by the king in person, who arrived from
Potnfam at the palace about 11 o'clock, in a plain carriage
and pair, without escort or outriders. It was remarked that
some fifty seats remained vacant, about that number of depu-
' ties having absented themselves on the ground that as the
so-called Singing Academy is the place appointed for the
carrying on the discussions of the assembly, it should be
there and there only that the opening speech should be deli-
vered. In fact, the absent members and many even who
were present, entertain the opinion that the king, as in all
constitutional countries, ought to proceed to the place ap-
pointed for carrying on the business of the assembly, and
that it is not the province of the representatives of a nation
to go to the king's residence in order to hear the speech from
the throne.
On his entrance the King was greeted with cheers, and
having ascended the throne, his Majesty received the speech
from the hands of the Prime Minister, and having seated
and covered himself, read it in a somewhat depressed tone :
Gentlemen Deputies,—With a glad hut solemn feeling,
I greet an numbly which, proceeding from the election of
the whole people, is called to decide with me on the consti-
tution that will signalise a new era in the history of Prussia
and of Germany. In commencing that work you will, I
feel assured, keep in view at once the double object of
securing for the people an extensive participation in toe
affairs of the state, and of drawing closer those bonds which,
during more than tour centuries, have indissolubly united I
my house with the destinies of this country. The draft of
the constitution will be laid before you by my government.
Simultaneously with you, the representatives of all the
German people have assembled at Frankfort. Willingly
would I have awaited the result of that meeting befor. con-
voking the representatives of my faithful people ; but
' the urgent necessity of speedily coming to a legal settlement
of affairs in your own fatherland, did not allow of the
delay. The unity of Germany is the immutable object to
which I tend, and I feel assured that I may rely upon your
co-operation, in order to attain it. The traequillity of the
country begins to be consolidated. Upon your labours essen-
tially det end the complete restoration of confidence, the im-
provement of commerce, and the resuscitation of industrial
activity. Efforts have been made iu different quarters to
procure employment during the stagnation of several
branches of industry, and up to the present period the in-
creased want of money has not exhausted the savings of the
past My efforts to re-pond to the wishes of the Polish
inhabitants of the province of Posen, by organic in-
stitutions, failed to prevent an insurrection, which,
although I deeply regret it, has not deterred me
from pursuing the adopted course whilst necessarily taking
into consideration the claims of German nationality. Not-
withstanding the violent shocks ( Erschult,runyvis) of the
net few months, the friendly relations of my government
with foreign powers have been disturbed only upon one
pout. I may indulge in the hope that the friendly me-
diation which has been freely accepted (gem angenonmene)
will essentially contribute to hasten the termination of
combat which Prussia did not provoke, but which, as a
prince of the Germanic confederation I could not avoid,
when the boundaries of our common fatherland appeared
Übe menaced, and when the confederation called upon me
to preserve a recognised right. But even under those cir-
senartances, my line of policy will be a disinterested and
pacific one—a line of policy to which, in common with
Germany, lam reaolved to remain faithful Wen zu blei6en)."
Shortly alter delivering the speech, hie Majesty left the
assembly amidst cheers. There was very little military dis-
play about the palace, through the court-yards of which the
public freely circulated, but a great number of civilians had
assembled in front of that edifice. Hen Schoen, is the
oldest member, was elected president, pro tem., and took his
seat amidst loud cheers. It may be worthy if remark, that
he was a member of the ministry of the celebrated Von
Stain, and that he had long been unpopular amongst the
court party. A committee was appointed to verify the
validity of the elections of the members of the assembly,
which, after some further business of an unimportant nature
had been transacted, adjourned till Wedneaday'meming.
AUSTRIA.—AItItIVAL OF THE EMPEROR OF Aus-
TRIA AT INHAPRUCK.—We learn from the Ali-
!leonine Zeitung of the 21st of May that the impe-
rial family arrived at lonspruck at half-past 10 p.m.
on the 10th. Their approach had been announced
about half-au-hour before by a courier. The muni-
cipal national guards proceeded with torches to meet
them, and their entry was greeted with enthusiastic
cheers by the assembled citizens. Their Majesties
had reached Salzburg about 11 p.m. on the 118th,
where they supped and slept for a few hours. Two
hours after their departure from Salzburg (about
6 a.m.) Count Heyoe, commandant of the Vienna
national guard, and 11.ildschenk arrived at Salzburg,
in search of the impel :al family, whom they imme-
diately followed to I c.nspruck. During the Emperor's
halt at Salzburg, a proclamation, explaining that he
had left Vienna on account of the disturbances of the
13th, and expressing pleasure at the loyalty of the
Upper Austrian provinces, was printed and dis-
tributed.
FRANKFORT, MAY 22.—The national assembly
discussed M. Raveaux's motion yesterday. The pur-
port of that motion, it will be recollected, was to en-
able persons elected to the German and also to the
Prussian constituent assemblies to sit in both. Its
practical aim was to enforce the adoption of the re-
commendation of the committee of fifty that the diets
of all the German states should adjourn during the
session of the national assembly. Various amendments
were moved, all of which, with the original motion,
were referred to a committee which it was resolved to
nominate at the after:won sitting. The president, in
the name of the assemi,?v, expressed a wish that the
committee should report as soon as possible. This
reference to a oommitito is regarded 3s a victory by
the conservative party.

Sir Henry Hulwer visited Lord John Russel
yesterday.
The Ecclesiastical Corn
a yr' neral meeting yesterday.
Despatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-
office fr.= the Governor of Gibraltar.

for England had

OPENING OF THE NEW STEAM BASIN AT
PORTSMOUTH BY HER MAJESTY.
We have seldom had to record a more interesting
public ceremony than the laying of the lee soon of this na-
tional work, which has been constructed with the view of
improving tee eb am department of the navy, and affording
to steam-ships a fitting and convenient pia aof r, ceptioct.
The first stone was laid January 13th, ISO. and the let
yesterday. Its original design was of far has magnitude,
but as the work progressed, enlargements and improvements
were suggested, until the plane were finally extended to its
present spacious dimensions. Its mean average length is
774 feet, 400 feet wide, and 31 feet deep from the coping,
covering an area of more than 7 acres. The entrance is 80
feet wide, and the depth of water at the lowest tides 21 feet.
There is also a fine wharfage outside the basin, in the har-
bour, where there is water to the depth of 13 feet,
which is sufficient to accommodate second class steamers.
There are two inlets on the east Fide of the basin, each 300
feet long by 70 wide and 30 deep from the cr ping ; there are
to enable Teem Is whose refitments must he completed in a
great hurry, to be worked upon by the artisans on both sides
at once. On the west brink of the basin le • great factory of
handsome architecture, 687 feet long, 48 wide, and 51 high,
and iv partially roofed in. On the south wall is a new brass
foundry, 90 feet by 110, which has been, for some time, in
partial working. The basin is considered capable of scram-
modating around its sides nine steam frigates of the first
class, and has employed, on the average, 1,500 men since the
commencement, besides an immense boil, to whom it has
given work off the premises—in the quartin, forests, iron
works, &c. Besides the above materials, there have been
used in various parts of the whole about 2,500 tons of cast
iron from Staffordshire. The reugh Cost of the labour already
turned out of hand is 400,0001.
From the two points of entrance all rennet, the basin was
lined two deep by upwards of 3,000 men, consisting of Royal
Artillery, Royal Dockyard Artillery, the Royal Dockyard
brigade, the Boat battalion, the 9th aid 17th regiments,
two guards of honour, and a company of Sappers. The ships
in harbour were dressed in their colours and pendants, and
a number of revenue gutters, also decorated. All round
the basin were numerous booths, seme of monster iimen-
-60113, but all filled to the highest seat, while the tope of
the immense factory on the western side, and tide, d of every
other building in the dockyard from which the setae could
be witnessed was crowded with spectators, notwithstand-
ing that in that position they were exposed for se-
veral hours to • scorching sun. A more animated
coup d'ccil could therefore scarcely be imagined. The
steamers from the Isle of Wight, and the triune of the South-
' Western and South Coast Railway, which afforded every
accommodation, brought hundreds of visitors, amongst
I whom we are sorry to learn there were some of the light-
fingered gentry. The gates of the dockyards were thrown
open about one o'clock, and every available position was soon
after occupied,—the whole when present amounting at least
to 15,000 persons.
It being the birthday of the Princess Ilelena, at 12 o'clock
royal salutes were fired from all the ships and the garrison;
and at half-past 12 the Duchess of Kent arrived in harbour
from Osborne, and was received with rival salute%
About 3 o'clock sounds of artillery from Spithead announced
1 the approach of her Majesty, upon which the ships in the
harbour immediately manned yard., and the troops around the
basin were called to attention. The arrival of the Fairy was then
most anxiously looked for, but having stopped at the King's.
stairs to take an board the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis
of 'alleges, and the Lords of the Admiralty, sne did not
reach the basin until hotline three, when she entered it
amidst the cheers of the crews of the various ships, which
had previously fired salutes. At the same moment the
of honour on the pier-head saluted, and the band
played " God save the Queen." Lord Frederick Fitzcla-
rence, the Rear-Admiral Superintendent, with their re-
spective staffs, the master attendant of the yud, and the con-
tractor were also there, but quickly returned to the landing-
place to receive her Majesty. The Fairy, however, steamed
past, and went slowly round the basin, durii g which
the military presented arms, and the bands (of which
there were six or seven) played the national anthem, while
all the spectators had an opportunity of weep the royal
party and testifying their loyalty, which we could not help
observing was marked more by the waving of bate, hand-
kerchiefs, and parasols than enthusiastic cheering. When
her Majesty and Prince Albert landed, the whole of the mili-
tary line again saluted, and the band of the Royal Marines
repeated the national air. The booth destined for her Ma-
jesty's reception was covered with flap, and surmounted by a
staff on which the royal standard was he bated. It afforded
accommodation to about 50(1 ladies and gentlemen, the elite
of the visitors. Amongst them her Majesty recegnised the
Earl of Haddington and a party of ladies, with whom she
briefly conversed. In the centre of the carpeted floor, and
immediately facing the "last stone" which hung suspended
for the machine, was a raised dais, with three chairs,
but these were not made use of, as her Majesty,
who looked extremely well, and in excellent spirite, re-
mained standing, and so received the address of the Ports-
mouth corporation declaring their loyalty, thanking her for
the visit, and expressing a hope that it foreign aggression
should again disturb the peace of the British empire, that arse-
nal might send forth such fleets as, by the blessing to the God
of battles, woulei vindicate their ancient fame as the
wooden walls of her Majesty's throne, impregnable to
every enemy. An address having been also pre-
sented to Prince Albert, the atone was lowered to its
destined place, covering a brass plate, which beers an
inscription of the date and the names of the persons,
including the Lords of the Admiralty, by whom the cere-
mony was performed. Her Majesty then graciuuely bowed
to all around her, descended to the Fairy amidst similar
honours to those which greeted her arrival, and having
again steamed round the basin returned to Osborne.
The dockyard battalion, numbering upwards of 2,000
men, then eat down to a substantial repast, in the shape of
roast beef and plum pudding, in the spacious but costly
edifice termed the boat-house, while about 1,000 of the
workmen were treated with similar liberality by the Messrs.
Rolt, in the newly erected factory, on the west side of the
basin. Much credit is due to Captain James, R.E, direc-
tor of the works, for the excellence of the arrangements by
which so many thousand persons were enabled to witness
the day's proceedings, without occasioning the least visible
inconvenience or excitement.
_ .
the

THE MURDER LN SPITALFIELI)S.

Yesterday3l;:Baker, coroner for Fast Middlesex,
again resumed the inquiry opened on the 17th inst. •ouching
the death of Henry Lazarus, the boy who war found
strangled in the yard of the house, No. 16, Tenter-streeto
under circumstances already several times allutitd to in this
journal.- In reply to the Coroner, Inspector Scott said the
lad Savage, who made a statement affecting two other indi-
viduals at the last sitting of the jury, had since been exa-
mined before Idr. Hammill, at Worship-street Police-court,
where he was confronted with ono of the two parties. The
magi-trate, after giving the matter the add seriou: consi-
deration, bad come to the determination of discharging the
person accused, not being able to satisfy biassed that any
reliance could be placed upon the statements of the evidently
half-witted witness, Savage.—The Coroner raid he thought
the magistrate had exercised a very sound discretion in so
doing.
After the examination of several witnesses, in wl ose testi-
mo ay, however, nothing of importance appeared beyond
what is already known,
The Coroner charged the jury on tho whole ca.., and ex-
pressed his opinion that no reliance whatever could Ise placed
on the statement of Savage. That a cruel murder had been
committed there could be no doubt, but at pri sert h,. feared
they had no evidence before them by which they could attach
criminality to any party. The jury were of the Arne opinion,
and after a few minutes' consultation returned the following
verdict :—"'l hat the deceased, Henry Lazarus, was wilfully
murdered by some person or persons unknown."

EXPLOSION AT THE CRANBOL'HNE TAVERN.—An
explosion occurred at elate hour last night, upon he xteu-
sive premises termed the Cranbourne Tavern, 3.9 N. wport-
street, Leicester-square, the property of Mr. Parker. A
strong smell of gas had been experienced during the night,
which induced Mrs. Parker to go into the front bar with
a lighted candle; she had no sooner done so than
an explosion occurred, which blew the windows and doors
ont of the buildi ig, lifted the flooring, and rent asunder
the several walls, at the same time setting the bar in flames.
Mrs. Parker and a female servant, named Emma Attick,
were thrown down and for some time deprived of their
senses, god their clothing set on tire. Three children who
were sleeping in an upper room were fenced out of their
beds, and the other meal ants were thrown eosen and more or
leas injured. The police on duly in the neigh'eiuthood,
having been attracted to the spot by the gnat noise,
rushed into the place, when they found Mrs. Parker lying on
the ground with the whole of her wearing apparel in flames,
which, alter some trouble, were extinguished, when it was
ascertained that she was most frightfully burned, and little
hopes are entertained of her neovcre. The servant was
found in the passage, with her apparel also on lire, and, be-
fore the flames could be extinguished, the was terribly
burned. She was remove 1 to Charing-cross Hospital,
Where, at half-past 2 o'clock this morning, she tors king
without the least chance of recovery. The whole of* the
building is much shattered.
INQUESTS, YESTERDAY.— TREATMENT OF TILE
SICK POOll IN Sr. PANCRAS WoitimOrse.—Before Mr.
T. Wakley, M.P., at the Elephant and Castle, King's-road,
Camden-town, on Eliza Pollard, aged 38, au inmate of the
infirmary of St. Pancras Workhouse, alleged to hare died
from neglect consequent on the system adopted towards sick
poor in that Ilkabl.shment. Sarah Hipping said dec:,ased
was admitted on the 11th inst. and died on the follow-
iag day, It was her opinion that the deceased died
from want of proper treatment. When brought into the
ward she was laid on the bed, Lut not put into the bed until
half-past eight, because there were no sheets. Tne doctor
did not see her until nearly tee o'clock. When the
medical gentleman came, he did not order her any
refreshment. The deceased had some milk and water given
her, when she was put into bed, end although she could not
speak she was quite sensible, and assisted the. can to her
mouth. Mr. Terry, the doctor, fel,
him
pulse and
looked at her tongue. W Witness told that she was dy'asg
for want of nourishment..—By the Coroner : All the
nourishment the deceased had from the time of her
admission till her death was come milk and water, perhaps a
pint. It is customary to put persona on low diet until the
doctor has seen them, and that consists of bread ai.d milk,
and water or gruel.—Mr. T. Terry deposed that he was
assistant to Mr. Robinson, the workhouse surgeon. He saw
deceased on the night of Friday, the 11th, ahout 10 o'clock.
She wu then in artictilo mate. As he countered the INS