The Express.
London, England, 1861-02-27 00:00:00

LOWER HOUSE.

The Lower House met soon after 11 o'clock. The Rev.
Archdeacon Hk KEII,II, TH as prolocutor, and there
waa a very full attendance.
The first business brought before the house wax the con-
sideration of the canon, as altered by their lordships'
house, in reference to the necessity of having
three persons independently of the parents to act
monomers at the baptism of infants. This canon was, on
the motion of the Bishop of Oxford, so far altered as to do
away with that neoeseity, and to allow the parents and one
other person to he sufficient as sponsors for the child, and
which was sent down to the Lower Houle for their con-
currence.

The delete was opened hy Mr. Jorcr, of the diocese of
Ifereford, and it is expected will but the entire day.
Some preliminary 64(.11,010o took place as to what ;Otero-
tion they had to consider, and a deputation was directed to
wait upon their ►urd+hihr to ask for further iofortuution,
referred to in the proceeding.; of the Upper limas.

FLOGGING IN THE AR.VY AND NAVY.
Lest night a crowded meeting of the labs-
bitame of wark was held in Taylor's South London
Repository, St. George's-road, war UN Elephant and
Castle, for the purpose of petitioning liameut to do
away with the disgraceful and d degrading practice At
flagging in the army and navy, as one unworthy of a Chris-
tian community. Mr. Layard, M. P., in the absence of Mr.
C. Buxton, M.P., was called to the chair amidst the meet
enthusiastic cheering. The chairman in opening the bolsi.
Dees raid it was urged by the members of the Army and
Navy Club that it was impossible to abolish the Lob, or
they would have the whole army and navy in a state of
mutiny; but that was the obi story. At one time it was
said that if the services of the privates were mentioned
in the despatches it would ilestniydiscipline ; but he should
like to know what would have been their condition in the
Crimea had it not been for the privates. He had the
honour of being in the Crimea, and had seen what the
privates hail ilooe there, and had it not been for the oxen
tioas of the privates at the battle of Inkennan the British
army must have been driven into the sea. Then why
should there he a distinction between the officer and the
private? " What was good for the goose was good for the
gander " was an old proverb, and therefore, if Bogen was
good for the private it was good for the officer. But be
contended there was no necessity for flogging at all. In the
French army it would not be submitted to, and the only
other armies in which it was retained were those of Austria
and Rwwia. Even in India they did not dare
to flog the &pray, and yet they flogged the British soldier
and sailor. The hoe. member here displayed the naval and
military " eat." which excited • feeling of disgust, and be
said be hoped that the time was not far distant when each
disgusting things could only lie seen in the British Museum,
which was the only paler place for them. He said it was
no use to petition parliament to do away with flogging unless
they took up the subject with a determination, and if they
did so he hail no doubt that the voice of the people would
be beard and respected, and that they would not dare to
continue a punishment which was opposed to the beet feel-
ings of human nature. (Hear.) Mr. M'Beeth moved
" That it is the opinion of this meeting that the abolition
of flogging would be a great benefit to the army and navy of
this country, and hopes that measures will be adopted by
the legislature to cause that system to be at once and for
ever aholishol." Dr. Murdock seconded the resolution,
which was carried unanimously, as was soother in favour
of the formation of local societies to obtain the Abolition of
flogging in the army and navy. It wan also agreed that
petitious should be presented to Parliament with the came
object.

LATEST SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

(BY ELECTRIC rELIPMIIII.)
BIRMINGHAM MEETING.-(THIS DAY.)

TIOLDMERE Two miles and a half.
Donk/tit Ilea& or Taal, Topry, Pactolua, Oliver Twist,
Pit( Pat(. Kourkledneter, Evelyn, Demption, Bantam,
Border Sunbusin, Young Ragman, and Catherine are
here.

The following are scratched :—Johnny, filarrnion, Wee
Willie. Broadbrun, Young Ragman, and Llanfords.
TIIII:TF.EN STONE STEEPT.ECHASE. Three miles.
Reconler, Cannon Ball, Laird Lovell, Jacques, Unex-
pected, Red Esgie, Beppo, Piss Apple, Fairy, and the
General are here.
ANNUAL STEEPLECHASE. About three miles sod •

halt.

Goldernith, Colonel, Top,., Doubtful, Wee Nell, Beads
or Tails, The Unknown, sbylock, Evelyn, and Border
Chief ern hen.

The Mowing we nerstehe.l :—Longfonl, Johnny. Mar.
mina Ghika, insd eneksdonalodoo.

OTHER .itarrAms. Scholar, Big Bea, Bride, and
Premier.

THE CASE OF MR. APPLEYARD.