The Express.
London, England, 1868-12-16 00:00:00

THE ELECTION OF SCOTCH PEER&

The LORD CHANCELLORZihawt; aoq;ain t your
lordships that 16 peers have been returned to serve in the
present parliament for Scrtland; and there being an equa-
lity of voices fer two other peers, who, therefore, are not
returned, I have to move your lordships that it any lord
shall think himself concerned to petition this house in
relation to the late election of peers for that part of
Great Britain called Scotland, such lord hie hereby time
allowed him for so doing until the 15th of February next,
and that no petition will be received after that time.
The motion was put and agreed to.
THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE.
Earl GRANVILLE—I have to acquaint your lord-
ships that the late administration having renamed their
efilaes, Mr. Gladstone has been commissioned by her
r suc-
ceeded to form a new government, which he has mac-
in doing. I have, therefore, to express the hope
that your lordships, under these circumstances, will not
think it unreasonable if I move the adjournment of the
Lowe until Thursday, the 11th of February.
The motion was agreed to, and their lordships adjourned
at five minctes to 3 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TLTEEDAy, DEc. 13.
'he SITAXER 1,,0k the chair at two o'clock, when there
was a very full attendance of members.

- ROYAL COMMISSION.
At ten minutes pest two o'clock Sir Augustus Clifford,
gentleman usher of the black rod, was announced, and
Saying advanced to the table be said:
Mr. Speaker—The lord@ who are authorised, by
virtue of ber Majesty's command, desire the immediate
attendance of this honourable house in the House of Peers.
The Sigras.an, followed by a large number of members,
alien proceeded to the House of Lords.
On his return, after a short absence, the right hon.
=an said :—I have to inform the house that this
4:1 this day attend in the House of Peers, when the
Lords Commissioners appointed under the Great Seal
made the following communication to both houses. (The
right hon. gentleman read the message reported above.)
me, swearing of members was then proceeded with.
The bet batch, comprising about 40 members, included
rirrje.aweett, Sir R. Palmer, Lord C. Hamilton, Lord C.
Lord H. Thynne, Colonel North, Mr. P. A. Taylor,
Mr. Matheson, Mr. Gore Islington, Sir E. Lacon, Mr.
Barrow, Mr. Ringlake, Lord IL. Grosvenor, and Mr.
Greene.

Intie second bat* consisting of eight members, there
were Mr. C. Bentmck, Mr. W. H. Gladstone, Mr. Clay,
Mr. Howes, Mr. Graham, and Lord IL Scott.

SESSIONAL ORDERS.
On the motion of Mr. ATRTO7f, certain papas were
ordered to be laid before parbaraent, and the usual ses-
sional orders were read by the Speaker, and agreed to.
ABYSSINIA.
Mr. OTWAY brought up a report of Mr. Raseam relat-
ing to Abyssinia, which was ordered to lie on the table.

•
NEW WRITI4.
Kr. AYRTON mid that in asking the house to proceed
to order the issue of new writs, in accordance with the
gracious communication which the house had received, it
might be convenient that he should state the course which
it was intended to pursue in consequence of the great
change which had taken place by the Slitrikfr the act at
the elate of last session relating to • s at elec-
tions. Ile might remind hon. mem that under the
proceedings which had been superseded petitions were
presented to that house within such time as the house pre-
scribed under the power conferred upon it by the statute,
sad, in the exercise of that power, did ordinarily abide by
a serional order, that all petitions should be presented
within 14 days of an unquestioned return. la conse-
quence of the law which had been petitions would
bow • be poenisted to a that
house, ounaly, the Court cd Oommetasti??=Eantdof those
petitions were to bs presented within 11 der after the ro-
tas had bees delivered in by the proper officer. They
104 therefore, sow to coseider what course should be
paneled in coasequines al ths drag' in the law. Nothing
eauld le more ismotheseisat than au the addled* of the
sh ,olwiders of do wows, sad snore particularly of the
law alletheo to sot= into any damasks as to the eoures
whisk the house Willi Walt it most ~,psaitot to
sue ifiliey were is smell of sap hovel resiughli .g
therefore it wee proposed that the house aincild
sodas limit mop within the limits of the
• of
CAgasemsionwakb, milretille4 up to the 7
move far th dose
e a
swat writ. as could act reship loot ante
sonely, the writs In eases where the Poo for
_had
expired. There were several theft to Which
r for petiticthbed not Jet
void eootroverey it tE the .aonvenienrittot booth
to the of adJeuna tha pressed Moe* wilPo
inne o! the rthisining writs would be moved for.
only t
was one other quad= that WO, Poolib.Z
alio, endwas thawith refeszse4fblieabeeto of rat
eases wlieref=tion bog b goabot
the seat ea dr SO
abed the beast OW siorfifsg, to INC
Obirevertapealllithksi Wes caw,
seat on behalf of the petitioner, but merely whim thatems
election 'sight be deelared void, it had been the practise to
direst • new writ to issue if the menhir sabsesod had or