The Express.
London, England, 1851-05-15 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 15, 1851.

• =nutmeat. If Ins hon. fne,
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT• I reform. an 4 "tP"g
. cause of reform he should at )
SOUSE OF COMMONS.-Weftetredate, MAY 14 was.") He could not but ,
formers in the house who has
Tait
PUBLIC BUSINESS. question were in earnest they
PETITIONS PRESENTED, down in sufficient cambers t
SZLIGIOt But.-By Mr. MONSELL, has (Hear, hear.)
Birmiogham, Dudley, Gram Dieu, Belton, Croegh, and Mr. BERNAL thought it •
: Mr. HurcifiNs, from Merthyr Tydvil and hon. member for Finsbury
Donlais : Sir J. JOHNS PONE, from Roman catholic. of absence. (Hear.) It was
&a
beam/Is Mr. ROCHE, from Fenno; ; Mr. DEVI, was lailibisedth. IP& would be tee
NECK, from Wexford ; Lord 11. VANE, from Roman from a nuttily avowal of his iintiniinti.
Whalley of the counties of Durham and Cumberland; Mr. After a few words from Mr. AGLIONBT and Sir J. PA;
TANCRED, from Banburyr. WESIIIKALI. from elatnroff. the subjeq dropped
Boormhorough ; Mr. HENRY,.-It from Manchester: Mr. STREET OROANef AND ADVERTISMi-VANIS.
RICARDO, from Stoke; Sir 0. STRICKLAND. from Colonel SIBTHORP wished to know whether or not the
Prednn ; Mr. W. I'ATTEN, from Roman catholic. of Lance- Seeretary of State for the Home Department was disposed
shin ; Lord D. STUART. from Somers-town; Mr. E. K. toldopt stringent and immediate immures for preventing
TENISON, from place, in Leitrim; Mr. CORBALLY, from th• nuisances which arose Prom stmt organs and advertis-
places in Meath ; Mr. W I'ATTEN, from a place in Lance- ing vane 1 As regarded the latter, he considered the permis-
shire, against the Religious lingoes Bill. By Mr. NEW- rum at them unfair to the public journals, which paid a
DEOATE, from places in Warwickshire, in favour of duty of Is. 61. on the smallest advertisement. There was a
Inspection of religious houses. fraud upon the revenue.
FATAL AOOLLISION.-11, Mr. BAIRD, from places in Sir G. GREY said he had previously oheerved that it was
Scotland ; Sir J. MATHESON (3), from Roes-Aire; Mr. undoubtedly the duty of the police to exercise the =wail
ALCOCK, from Trowhurst ; Mr. DUNCAN, from Forfar- vested in them by law for the prevention of dangerous '
shire ; Mr. FORBES. from places in Scotland; Mr. NEW. 'tractions in the public streets. (Hear, hear.) Ina case to
DEfIATE, from places in Warwickshire, against papal which the hon. and gallant member had specially ref=
a dangerous accident having occurred, an order was
Sgr=3ASTICAL TITLLS Btte.-By Mr. DEVEREUX, by the taolice commissioner, to the effect that no organ
signed by 2,500 of the catholic inhabitants of Wexford, and dawn by • horse should be allowed to play again in ang
from Ballymena and Kalinick ; Mr. CORBALLY, from public street or road; and that order the owners of the
place. in Meath; Mr. TENISON, from places in Leitrim, organ in question had promised to obey. As regarded ea.
against the bill. yenning vans, these were many things to be found in the
DUTY ON SUGAR. streets quite as dangerous, and it was difficult to make any
Mr. GRANTLEY BERKELEY gave notice that on the definitions which would apply to them. He was certainly
3rd of June be would bring leeward a motion fur an alters- nut disposed to bring in a bill on the subject ; and so far as
km of the duties on foreign su,gar. the questionof revenue was concerned, he must refer the
CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT. hon. gentleman to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. (A
Mr. FREWEN gave notice that ho would on an early laugh.)
day bring forward a motion for the extension of tbejurtadie- Col. SIBTHORP begged to say, if the right hon. gentle-
ti ,n of the Central Criminal Court. man did not bring in a bill he himself would. (A laugh.)
PROSELYTISM IN KERRY. ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS.
Mr. REYNOLDS gave notice that he would put a tines. Kr. STANFORD asked the Secretary of State for the
ti in to-morrow (this day) to the Secretary for Ireland on Home Department whether the scale of charges made by
the subject of the attempts at proselytism in the Dingle the Electric Telegraph Company for the tran.mission of is-
Workhouse, in which officials connected with the poorhouse formation in criminal cases, where their aid is necessary be
were concerned. secure the ends of public justice, had occupied his attest*
SAVINGS BANKS. tion ; and whether there were any intention on the part of
Sir. 11. A. HERBERT gave notice that he would, on the government to ask for parliamentary powers to secant •
tallied opportunity, move an adlress to the crown, praline " inazimuni• rate of charge in such cases as was secured In
that the depositors in the ditremnt wing, banes, in which the public for railway travelling ?
frauds had been emanaitted, might be treated in the mme Sir G. GREY said he believed the question arose out of
way a, the depositors in the Cutfee-street Savings Bank in excessive charges for the Dover telegraph. That tel
Dude. (Hear, hear.) did not belong to the Electric Telegraph Company, and
IRISH MILLING INTEREST. was informed by the secretary of the rompany that the
Lord NAAS gave notice that ho would, on an early day, charge greatly exceeded the rate which the company hod
tall the attention of the house to the state of the milling adopted. By law the Board of Trade had power to woreln
Int wed in Ireland. that information should be conveyed on matters of paths
I'AILLIAMENTARY REFORM. importance in such a manner as wax required by the public
Dire HUMS patomed his motinn on the subject of par- interest; and (as was understood) there was a similar power
limentary reform, till the Aral of June. with respect to charges.
KENSINGTON GARDENS. Mr. RICARDO said the Under Secretary for the Homo ,
Mr. HUME gave notice that he would bring forward his Office hail not stated whether or not the plans submitted to I
motion on the subject of Kemingtua liardeue on the first the postmaster and referred to by the hon. member for
'Reply night. MaccleaSeld, would be produced.
TIIE "NO HOUSE." Mr. C. LEWIS did not think there would be any objec-
Mr CHRISTOPHER said that hr should have taken no lion to produce them.
unticeof the " noisome" of yeeterday, if it had been an ordi. CHARITABLE INSTITUTION NOTICES BILL.
▪ ) oceasion. (Ilia, bear.) But there were two questions Mr. SPOONER moved the second reading of this bill,
of great importance to be die-limed, one relating to paella- the object of which was, he said, to legalise notices sent
anentary reeirm, and the other relating to Kensington- through the Post Office in the case of charitable institutions.
garden.. Now, considering the great importance of the The bill was read • woad time.
Brat of thew questions, that the public mind had lx.en agi. LANDLORD AND TENANT BILL.
Ilatad upon it by ns my memhers of the house, and consider- Mr. SPOONER said that in the absence of the hon.
lag ale., that her Majesty's government had been left in a member for Cirencester, he hail to move the second reading
smumity em a motion having reference to the state of this bill, the object of which he would shortly state to
of the rispreeentatiou, it was an extraordinary thing the house. He need scarcely tell the house that very often
that there were unly twenty-mu members in the persons were in possession of land whose occupation WAS
louse at 4 o'clock on Tuesday, and that of these liable at once to cease either on the death of another or on '
there were wily six whom he could call radical re- their own death. In such cases the law of implements
former.. (Hear, bear.) Ile did not know whether the hon. came into operation. which prevented the party coining
member fur Muffins... was enjoying • rile in Kensington- into posse from obtaining any of the growing crops on
garde... at the time -(laughter) -but he was nut preecut to the land. Ile knew a case in which an incumbent having
ateml b, hi. owe motion at four o'clock on Tuesday. (Hear, died, it turned out that his successor had nut the slightest
bear J There were but two member" of her Melody's right to receive the benefit of the crops which were growing
ea, rnment present um the occasion. The bon. member for on the land ; and the consequence would be, that this gen-
10,,,ibury cm a recent neennion quoted the word, of Mr. tleman having come into possession in De-mealier, would
Caiining, who maid that it was the duty of the subordinate derive mutely any benefit from the land until next year.
en etas r. of the government to make a house, to keep a The relatives of the late incumbent hail no right to charge
leave, and to cheer the ministers.; hut since the time of fur any improvements which had bleu made during his
Ms. Panning the duty of those gentlemen, at lead as to the occupation. One result of such • date of things was that
meanie of a house, W'rllll.ll to he very much attend. (Hear, there was no feeling of common interest between lendlord
ken.) Ile believed there were many supporten of the and tenant; end he propowil, therefore, to remedy the coil
sonsentaint in the lobbies, end about the house, at four by means of this bill. To the principle of the bill he 'I
co'cloek. but the only persons present were the two excreta. thought there could be no objection.
rksaf tes Treasury. lie was not surprised that her ma. After a brief dean...don, the bill was read a second time,
jeety's government did not make • house, but where were and ordered to be committed on the 11th of June.
Ws. number, fur Manchesto r hear)- where was the RELIGIOUS HOUSES BILL.
member for the West hiding"-(hear, hear)-when. was her On the order of the day for the second reeding of this bill,
Blajeste'. Attorneyaienera, who promised Isis constituents The Earl of ARUNDEL presented 26 petitions, some of
at Southampton that he would vote for an extension of therm from lakes connected with religious houses, exprese-
vetoes that seemed latho short of the propmition of the hon. ing what was felt universally by the catholic body in Eng-
vaeisher fa Moats... ?-(hear, hear)--and where were the land on the subject of this bill. Amongst the houses from
rest of those l all gi Minn. n Who detested the government which the petition. proceeded were thou. at Chatham, St.
On a 'notion for .trending the franchise? (Hear, hear.) Amph, and Bath.
It was right that the people out of dines whom these gen- Similar petitions were presented by Mr. E. B. ROCHE,
Count w, re in the habit of addressing on this subject from Fernany, and ether places in Cork; Mr. CARD.
should know the rause id their absence ou 1.41 important • ta ELL, (min Lancashire; Lord H. VANE, from Cavan,
quest . (Hear, hear.) Durham, and othe r places; Sir J. GRAHAM, from Louth,
Mr. Ill:`! It said he was 11014,1,1 y glad that the hon. Galway, and Monaghan ; Mr. S. HERBERT, from Dublin;
member had introduced the =Wort, because it afforded and by Mr. I'. HOWARD (12), from different parts of
hint en opportunity of esplirning hi. absence on Tuaelay England.
evening. Ile admitted that reformers generally who were Mr. LACY said he would endeavour to state gene•
ad engaged in the banana of the hawse ghoul.' have taken rally the object of the bill in a very few words. lie would
tare that there was • house. Ile Inlaid leave them to make first remark that he had been informed that it was not
their own explanation, but fur himself he hod to date Roman catholic house. which would be affected by this
that, king a niemher of committee on the army, navy, bill, as them wen• some protestant houses of the same de-
and (inbuilt, cainedia, which had now be. n sitting for 'entitled The word " vows," inserted in this bill, would,
three years, h.. was engaged up to the hoer when it woe he believed. include both. llis intention certainly was,
=manna that the Speaker was at prayers in an Untiortant that all houses in which ladies resided who were under
discussion upon the report of that committee. Ile then mon stir or religious vows, should be registered-that
ensile as h haste ie. he proibly could to be present in magistrates should be appointed at quarter sessions to
the house at four o'clock ; but owing to the distance of the visit them without notice-and that if any persons were
animater room from the honw, he was not able to enter found in them who wished to come out, the magistrates
the Inoue in tins,', and it was just as he was entering that a should hare the power of releasing them. That was the
aneniber mot hen and told him that there was "mo house." sum and substance of the bill. Ho had been told that by
Ile might observe that there we re other members, proposing this bill he was making houses legal which
suet the hoas member for the West Riding was one of were now illegal. That was not the fact, fur by the 37th
who were engaged, like himself, upon the cons_ George IV. the existence of such houses was rendered
mitt, up stairs. (l leer, hear.) Ile could only lawful. Now he found, from the " Catholic Directory" of
say that if there were any reformers who wished this year, that there were 53 of these houses in England
4. e‘a.le this quotation. he did not belong to and Wale, lye found also, from other source., that the
mum. (near, hear) '!'his nu, stunt was with him a most number of these houses was vastly on the increase,
Import int one. His intentions with regard to it had often there having been an addition of nineteen within the last
been maligned. lie was charged with wishing to subvert four years. Now if there were only ten ladies in each of
the constitution ; but he wished to show that timely TV. the., h”lt.. there was an aggregate of 500 Persona ; and
Mom, and a restoration to the people of their inherent could it be supposed for a moment that there were 600 per-1
richt., was the only way of arresting discontent. Ile sons pursuing say course of life who would all continue to I
wished ale. to show what ntorms the people wished to the end of their lives perfectly satisfied with that course, I
love, th.• more especially as her Majesty's government per and nut desire to leave it ? (Hear, hear.) He would put
miwel to bring in • re-form bill next session. Ile hail also a it to the common sense of the house whether it could Nisi- I
m aim. on the subject of Kensington-gardens, and he' err. bly be imagined that of such a number as 500-and the reel
tainhy did expert that the members who premier' him sup- number we. more likely to he a thousand--all would eels
port on that motiou would have been present en Tuesday. finite perfectly contented with their position to the end
(Hear, hear.) life ? Ile might meution the case of one or two
Sir 0. 011EY sail that the. hon. member for Montrose persons who had been confined in convents, and with when
ha I very satidatonly aceounted for hie absence on Tues. their friend. could hold no kind of intercourse. lie beel
day -(hear, hear)-:end he was oum nu person who knew received a letter relating to a case of that kind from • goa•
the how gentleman would fur a moment doubt the sincerity tient= whose name he could not mention ; and he mast
of hi. ielsiseacy in the rause of reform. (Hear, hear.) With here observe that, fur some reason or other, he found parties
✓eshot to there being only 21 members proaent Tuesday very to have their names used. The letter in
be believed the fact to be this-that as her Majesty's go- question related to a daughter of the widow of an opulent
vernruent had announced their intentiou of bringing in a tradesman. The story was this. This widow lady had a I
hill on this subject in the next swim of parliament the daughter about 16 years of age. She did not, it appeared,,
member. of the house generally felt indisposed to enter take so much care of her daughter as most mothers
upon a discussion which could lead to no practical result, did ; and the cousequence was, that a Roman catholic
the more especially alter haying been obliged to sit up to a gentleman, who was, he believed, the executor, hod
eery late hour on the preceding night. (hear, hear.) • good deal to do with the management of the
Mr J. WI LLIAMaI mid that the hon. member for family. At the age of 16 this girl was taken by the
hl aitraw had given a poor ezplanation, and he (Mr. Wit. man to a convent. This happened four years ago, and
barns) fiat awfully disappointed at his conduct. (Laughter.) that time to the present the mother had never been able to
There was great excitement out of doors on this question, ascertain where her child was. The daughter had wades
and at the conduct of the hon. member for Montrose, but to the mother letters without any date or adiress, and la
he
was nut surprised at it, when he boasted at a meeting in these she said, " You are no longer my mother t I Uwe a
Marylebone or his new alliance with the conservative mother in heaven." That was all the mid= blow sheet
Party. her own child; and though she had nab fhb mat
Mr. HUME said that when the hon. gentleman alluded strenuous endeavours, she had been unable to dissior
to what took place out of that house, he should take care to where she W !lie informant being a star M his
✓epneeiot the facts accurately. The observation to which (Mr. Lacy), had referred him to one of the ningenelled
hon member referred was made to obviate the Mil/. persons in the realm. He had written to the lallina td
chief which arose from parties who acrimoniously attacked had received an answer, but as the answer was thedred
each other at the meeting alluded to, the hon. gentleman "private" he would sot be justified in quoting it,
heias one of the parties who urged on that acrimony. be would be happy to show It (as was understood) to too
(Laughter. What he said was, that he did as much as any Home Secretary. The writer said that he did not think he
than in England in opposition, but that he conducted that could furnish any facts in support of the MIL He haw
Oppaation so as not to make enemies of theme who were op- many iadances of detention, but be email oat maim Musa
posed to rim ; and that he had as many friends amongst from personal knowledge. He (Mr. Lest had another
the tones and conservatives as amongst reformers. document from the Dutch Baron Hass Vila 'Tootle. (4
(Hear, hose.) laugh.) Hon. gentlemen might laugh, but his MP-
Mr. TRELAWNY said that be was engaged in the respondent was one of the heroes of Waterloo. The lea
emagaittee on church rates on Tuesday. lye did not think member proceeded to read the document, hum which it
the market of reformers, in reference to this motion, and appeared that the daughter of the Netherlands vaithear
the motion of the boa. member for Surrey, was at all the court of Turin had been clandestinely tam swap sod
Voidable to them. immured in • convent, and that since that time the flan
Kr. W. WILLIAMS thought that some other had never been able to gain access to her. Be bad op
dos alma be made with seeped to the makingrOrtilas; paled to the King of Sardinia fur redress, but was told that
beam. (Hear, hear.) He thought the house should be dl- the government had no control over the conumee.
'tided into panels of 40 member., and that each panel The end of the affair was that the minister retuned
should, in its turn, attend, so as to insure a boon at 4 to Holland without his daughter. He (Mr. Lacy) believed
o'clock. On Tuesday evening there were two members in' that even in Sardinia itself some legislation was h
the lobby who endeavoured to prevent member frost cum- I necessary for the control of nunneries. The subjeicra
ate the house. (Hear, hear.) been introduced in the Chamber of Deputies, but was
r. BANKES rose to confirm what had been said by . pined by the finance minister on the grounds that it
MG. member for Montrose. He (Mr. Beak's) wee a ' embarrass their relations with the court of Rome.
swathe? of the meth committee with the hon. amber ' hos. member proceeded to comment on a pamphlet wash
be Montrose, bat so great was the distance of the commit- ; he had received from Dr. Ullatherne, entitled " A piss
bunion from the bootee, that be was unable to get to the for the rights of niiooas women with reference to the bin
bones by 4 o'clock, though most nukes to do M. It' of Mr. Lacy." Looking at the title of the pamphlet, be
wale one of the inconvenient= of the vast and overgrows had at first hoped that it was in support of his bill • but •
balldiag that it took four et Illye mingles to get from timer elimination proved it to be quite the other way.
chamber le another. (Hookbear.) I The author entered into the details of quite the other way.
eha'nbey be another. (lhee.hss,.% The author entered into the detail, of religio houses
yr ItHYNOLDS said cat the assusoka expend a dated that there were twenty-six convents in England
fast whisk lees worth= Wig Yawl-um Iy, thst all which schools were attached, and twentyaevento whisk
*birdmen= of were sus foam& ! they were atit. The pamphlet also mentioned the instift•
M. (1.1100•71 mg= Wisrsibuses NMI* liens of Olsten of Charity, and against them he (Mr. Lae,
zZet Muse as • poem of vtheria. Ist thaw woo •Se did sot wish to gay one word. Dr. Ullathorne
We mf Om whoa psalms of religious Mere wan that there was no control exercised over the ladies by the
sobssast Mar, tar. Iha am nay relthisssa ato superior except such as was necessary to
.proteet them them
Last Sot wawa to So lova abetter as Tasw the intrusion of Waimea persons Id
la a. ber.of Me. (Her, hear.) fathers were te be Melilla in that tango* rye "(lesr 613
bawd wri mush Itho tharaedwierlitiell rats Is th • Tlw next doeutheat to width be world the ateastarer
tad earldom at the Irmo the males of the the how was the setheasat of the amp, of
Haar se edam woo hth is shift ter larif. elm.) , ens from the Isalwary the MbMt. Mt. H. czawiroata ma it to doubt the i 1860. The Batt bat beat bask bat sib he
me:ly of be hes. Mewl be meats be Moselethe ea the the,, wen slethastestes la the ass task
ed ram& Tot It woe a mmip alumni am tha Ida be bribes it rase the amiss st the
Mai amid Iwo glwa Iblaseng• to the par m The damn was that the hidg had been dhaisoll, hot sla
tea of Mmlimmo mumramallMom losthlowth- I bad, sad that MAIO_ NM ese weremias to spa er
Imp easearkelivess tho meths a wheel, it fiedias ala era shawl taro, pet that
m".."4"tri.= 8:2242,461bi1k the his. mow , eat ad ebb as alma tsp. Ma stab her thUaLo
bur ter , at esathamsat rearthas to ass plat bows of a beast slithasr, it woo othoopotils

the church of England. It was
was dismissed as not. having the
faiarl azLhought, dir4 not kir
. • if ahr Moro IBilr'
oM the ached ? 'But the tail
*ere ra inehherent ;on'
lads appea
shunt w Thep' 'said. l
appeared .very' exttnordisary• If
disdasud, and that was that the
one shilling for . travelling
these facts before them Dr.
gglamoreis inserted that- the- conventual mesa was the
freest underlies* —that they had universal sulhage:and
vote by tudltif—ann that ev'en the chaplain or physician
Patild not enter except tinder strict reguisdons. lie would
now call the attention of the house to a very extraordinary
statement he had received from au Intimate friend of his, a
schoolmaster and Methodist preacher living in the neigh-
bourhood of Bath. The writer stated that about 12 years
since, when returning from Bath to Wimborne, his fel-
low-passenger on the coach was a young female from
Ireland about to enter the convent at Staite
Hill. He should mention that this convent was of the
order of La Trappe, the most stringent of the religious
orders. The writer used every endeavour to dissuade her
from her intention, but she was deaf to his reasoning, and
psesseded to the convent. At the end of about three
midst, however, he was surprised, whilst at family wor-
by a visit from the young lady, who told him that sho
bed Just escaped from Staite Hill, adding that she could
Mar the rigours of the system no longer. Her residence
there took place during the cold season, and she was ob-
liged to rise at two o'clock every morning to go to her de-
Ivotions, and her food was nothing but bread and beer twice
s-day. After the visit to his correspondent she was sent on
to Bristol, and the report was that she had been
overtaken and sent hack to Staite Hill. (Cries of "Name.")
Hi+ informant was Mr. Peter Hall, of Wimborne. Having
said so much of the management of convents in England,
he would now call attention to the steps which had been
taken with respect to them in foreign countries, among
others in Mexico. It appeared from the ?totes, that in
1535 a statute passed the chamber repealing all the laws
which enforced the fulfilment of monastic vow+. In conse-
quence of that statute, to many persons of both sexes,
the constraint of monastic life had become irksome.
The result was a strag;le between the government
and the monasteries, but at last the latter pre-
veiled, and all those who had left the convents were
forted to return. Such was the feeling with regard to con-
I vents in purely Roman catholic countries, the governments
of which, if sufficiently powerful, would willingly put the
I convents under control. His object was to secure some
right of visitation, some protection for young females in
this country. Case+ might occur in which young persons
sutfering under hardship might be deterred front making
any complaint, ns in the case of Jane Willbred, and he
thought that the arm of the law should be held out to such
persons. The law was most particular in protecting mar-
ried women in the signing:of deeds, and he did not see why it
should not be equally so in the cane of young women enter-
ing convents. The hon. member concluded by moving for
knee to bring in the bill.
Mr. Hl; ME, who said he rose to stop any answer by a
Roman catholic member, observed that every one must
have listened with the greatest pain to the details given by
Mr. Lacy, which were not applicable to his bill, and cx-
pressed a hope that an end would be put to the discussion
by some declaration on the part of the government.
Sir 0. GREY said that it his hon. friend hail moved a

postponement for six months, he should have supported
the amendment. He had no objection to state the grounds
upon which he had decided that this was not a measure
which ought to receive the support of government. He
thought, in the first place, that the hon. 'umber had failed
to show that there was any forcible detention in religious
' houses while the bill was directed to the one object of ap-
pointing visitation by magistrates for the purpose of seeing
whether any of the inmates were forcibly detained. At the
same time, he was not prepared to deity that the question
was a very important one, and must add his belief, without
any offence to Roman catholics, that there was a dangerous
&mounter control exercised in religious houses. (Hear.) He
did not, of course, mean physical control, but moral control ;
I a control which the bill did not reach. The hon. member
had shown the unapproachable nature of that control by
his allusion to Mexico. It appeared that in that country
the government had legislated against the convents, but
that spiritual censure proved too strong for legal enact-
ment. (Hear, hear.) Ile (Sir U. Grey) was not prepared
to say that alter cases which had come recently before the
public—(hear, hear)—it might not he necessary to take
some steps with regard to these religious houses, such as
would prevent superiors of convents being tempted by the
motives of human nature to obtain influence over young
persons in the possession or expectation of large properties.
(Hear, hear.) Ile alluded particularly to such cases as
were disclosed in a petition presented by the hon. member
fur Oxford University, the case of two young ladies who
entered a nunnery, not unwillingly, and died there,
being possessed of large property. The petitioner
sought to administer to their effects, but were'
told by the superior that by the canon law all
the property of the deceased was vested in the con-
vent. (Hear, hear.) The case was at present before the.
Court of Chancery, and if the decision should be in favour
of the force of canon law, some alteration might be neces-
sary. (Hear, hear.) The question was under inquiry by
the committee on the law of mortmain, and it would be
better to wait for the result, than to support a hill which
could not effect the object intended. Under these circum-
stances he felt bound to oppose the bill. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. NEWDEGATE would divide in favour of the bill,
knowing that a strong feeling existed in the country that
an alteration of the law regarding these establishments was
absolutely necessary.
Mr. PLUMI"fItE would likewise vote for the second
reading. Ile thought the government would not be ex-
onerated in the sight of the country from a charge of not
attending to its intercede if they did not pledge themselves,
were this bill rejected, to take up the subject.
Mr. RORER!' PALMER thought that Mr. Lacy had
nut shown any case of forcible detention, and that the
details of his bill were most objectionable. He should like
to know where Mr. I.acy would get six country gentlemen
to perform the duty he proposed. If the Court of Chancery
had not the power to interfere effectually in this matter, the
government should bring in a bill to confer such power.
Mr. GRATTAN considered that Mr. Lacy had not made
out the shadow of a case. The residents in a convent could
leave it whenever they pleased.
Lord ASHLEY wished the bill to be withdrawn. Though
he was fully of opinion that a very strung case might be
made out, he did not think that Mr. Lacy hail established
such a case, and, if he hail, the details and machinery of his
bill were objectionable. The government ought to be aware
of the very deep feeling of the country that some legislative
measure upon this subject was required, which would be
better left in their hand*.

The Earl uf ARUNDEL and SURREY should have been
prepared to go at great length into the question if the case
had nut so completely broken down. As he had now nothing
to answer, and concurring in the wish of the house to bring
' discussion to a close, he would move that the bill be read a
second time that day six months.
Mr. Serjuint MURPHY seconded the amendment.
Sir J. I'AKINOTON ohjected to the withdrawal of the
bill (though its details were very objectionable), unleu a
more satisfactory declaration, pledging themselves to deal
with the subject, was made by the government.
Sir 0. GREY repeated that some measure might be
necessary, but declined to pledge the government to bring
in a bill.

Mr. KEOGH observed that this discussion was an ex-
ample of the evil consequences of legislating upon such
subjects.
Mr. SPOONER expected that when the right honourable
baronet admitted that a dangerous moral control was exer-
cised in these houses he would have been prepared to de-
clare the government would take up the question, and state
what their views were, and what measure they would sug-
gest. lie admitted that the bill was objectionable in details,
but in his opiniou the house should affirm the principle.
Ile called upon the government to say that they would take
the whole subject of nunneries into cousideration, and ap-
point either a commission or a committee of investigation.
The SOLICITOR-OENERAL remarked that the title
of the bill continued a grave indictment against a large
body of our fellow-subjects, without the slightest evidenea
that they were guilty of such a crime--for a crime it was—
as the forcible detention of females in religious houses. All
objected to the details of the bill, the clauses of which were
copied from the Lunatic Asylums Bill, ameasure introduced
to remedy ascertained abuses. In any ease of forcible de-
tention, a writ of habeas cosin afforded a prompt and easy
remedy.
Mr. FRESHFIELD said the same offence and the same
remade existed in the case of the forcible detention of
lunatics, yet the legislature had interfered. There
was sufllcient evidence in general belief and the very aspect
of the buildings.
Mr. Seijeant MURPHY said that nothing was more dis-
agreeable to his feelings than a; discussion savouring of
theological controversy. Ile thought that he and others
had exhibited a most remarkable forbearance on the pew
sent occasion. They had listened attentively to the speech
of the hon. member for Bodmin, and, if it were said
that they bad been moved to laughter, it was set
because they disregarded the importance of the
subject, but it was because a question of this maga-
tude—which had for its object to insult sad degrade
females of unblemished reputation, to introduce a visitorial
inquisition so degrading to the feelings of English gentle-
men that Eaglisit gentlemen could not be found to put into
execution—had been introduced in a manner se lame.
(Hear, hear.) He asked had it ever been known, in the
proceedings of that house, that as seesaws which had
even the most minute reference to the well-being of any
class of the people of this country was introduced
without previous inquiry ? The honourable member
kadappealed to that which could not be taken am evidence—
hearsay. What 411 the regsrts in the morning papers of
OM day of the la the Court of Queen's
&ash state? , >ir three weeks the papers
bed
almabeaes C
bdidegis about lapham, end
end kiss bad. and the pines wee de
selbed dad She wow Tao amoi. The story wee chal-
lenged lathe Owe of good% PseaL The females, thus
=PMu lb* umb son ries. Simard to meet the ems.
elist writhe meshing. mew the papers gave ? (Hear,
bear.) Wh7,thsp add, "lt by Is is by what we be-
hewed erodible ereerse •vs de as* barge it new ;we
passer and agree to Iraq tie whole of the meet." (" Hear,
and cheers.) If a matter of this kind, within seven miles of
Landes, wield the naped nig, antlysith hell pewees
et MINIM& Se Oi
and Ins proved is bobby ossadairas, raid aboubsble,
would the lore believe the May hid by Dr. Ho-
bert Seymour or say of the other hearsay stories
they am beard ? (Hsu, beer) Wki bed Pinks
laserfrred with the Bow catholic. ? The laVeit IMO SW
test with the system of relights they peaslieL lea worlds

sting that to the next session of lover to a clergyman of the
friend intend( Igo promote dig) stated in defence that she we
at least have be • t. (•• as • 'nay vocaygp ; but giskf
li.
at think that it of . ' very guil. th OK
hat pledged th 4 to this J a *lv e
__Alitellk er to of
they would
!rs to snake a arlPnesc:4; *"'"t%Mtlte:Lt;
u A..... • riles,
Ink very Articular a
it would 40e rif the - ) os• 4tos • ammo
r had no been .11ticked in his the young bdy were disti
well known to every one that he 1 Wall not provided with
dd be the last person to shrink ' esienses ; and yet with all