The Express.
London, England, 1861-07-24 00:00:00

sERVIOES.

Mr. STIRLING called attention to the return of Civil
List Portions, and more especially to the pensions conferred
fee literary sod scientific services. He complained that
this small sum seemed to be the refuge of the poor relations
of doh families. With regard to pensions to literary per-
mits, great caution, he observed, ought to be exercised -
and he suggested reasons for believing that caution was Dot
used is all cases. He thought it would be desirable that
the precise works should be indicated of a person rewarded
with a pension for literary services.
Lord PALMERSTON mid in the greeter part of the oh-
sometime of the hoe. gentleman he entirely concurred.
He might my that with regard to the matter generally
be was not at all aware, certainly not in Lis time, that
them pensions bad bees granted to secessitous members of
wealthy families. The pensions were very small in amount,
as the boo. gentleman said, and so small that they really
were not an object to any person moving in a sphere of
life in which those persona would move who belonged to
wealthy families. And it was almost a wonder to find ap-
plications for them, but he could assure them the gratitude
for the assistance which these pensions afforded,
varying from 60/. or 701, to 100/. a-year, was very
great, and showed him that in dispensing the amount
which the law allowed him to dispense, he was re-
lieving these persons of a great deal of anxiety and poverty.
With regard to the particular ems of Mr. Clam the hon.
member was mistaken as to the recommendation. The two
first names, those of Lord Carlisle and Lord Lonelale, were
not and did not protege to be, the signaturesof those noble
lord* ; but he (Lord Ribaudo's) ooncluded that the other
names were in the writing el the parties themselves. Lord
Carlisle had sanctioned the use of his mime by Mr. Close as
• patron, but sot in support el his application for a peados.
Lori Lonsdale, however, had done no ; and there had,
therefore been no great misrepresentation on the part el
Mr. Clap; as to those two signatures. 'The lion. member
stated that Mr. Close had bean convicted of a libel; and he
(Lord Palmerston) did not think that a person so convicted
was • fit one to receive a pension from the crown. But a
considerable time had abused between the announcement of
the grant and its with ; and Mr. Close had rapes-
rented to him that the promise of the money had involved
him in a pecuniary km Under these circumstances, he
thought that it would not be right, after causing him so
much dimppointment—perhaps through his (the noble lord's)
own fault—to let him suffer. The hon. member said that.
he (Lord Palmerston) ought to have paid the money himself
—(" No, no," from Mr. Stirling, and leughter) ; hot he
(the noble lord) did not think that was necessary.
(Laughter.) He could assure the Lon. gentlemau that
he paid great attention to these gnome, cud that
he determined them himself. The h•tu. geutleman
said there were fourteen of them. the MOODS for which he
was unlade to ascertain ; and the hon. gentleman inferred
that they had therefore been improperly made. But be
might reverse that argument, and say that the boo, mem-
ber was wrong le not having knowledge of the fourteen
persons in question. (laughter.) Many of the recipients
of these pensions were no doubt unknown to fame, but
they were persons who possessed great talents and natural
genius. The grants were felt by them topes a great boon,
for they ensured them from being reduced to the work-
house or to the casual support of their friends; but he would
take care that mistakes similar to that now complained of
did not occur again. (Hear, hear.)
The SMALLS then left the chair, and several votes were
dined to-
Sir M. PETO moved to dimontirue the annual grant of
soot. to the descendant's of Sir Thomas Clarges, made by
Charles 11. as charge upon the coal dues. lie should like
to know who had received this money every year. (Hear.)
Mr. PEEL supposed that it was the representative of Sir
Thomas Claws. (Laughter, and cries of' " Name, name.")
This grant had been submitted to the law officers of the
crown, and they bad given it as their opinion that it was
still legally in faros.
Mr. At STObi pointed out that the grant bad been made
when the crown had power to deal with its hereditary reve-
nues as it pleased ; end it was therefore privute property.
Other grants of this kind had, however, been redeemed.

Vote agreed to.
On the vote of 39,7471. for defraying the expenses of the
nonconformist clergy. being the regium donum,
Mr. HADFIELD objected to the grunt. He was opposed
to all donations of money for religious purposes ; but with
respect to this particular vote, he observed that it was out
of all proportion to the increase of the nonconformist body.
The amount of the giant was far greater in proportion when
the minders of the recipients was lees. It seemed, in fact,
to increase with the rate of the diminution of the presby,
tartans. He moved that the vote be reduced by 'a ,0001.
Mr. CARDWELL said that last session the House of
Commons, rater fall discussion, decided by R large majority
that the regium donum should not be discontinued. No
circumsteuce bad since occurred to vary the facts, and he
believed that the committee would not come to any other
omiclusion on the present occasion.
Mr. DAWSON supported the grant, which, be said, was
regarded with favour by all classes in Ireland, and suggested
that with the view of preventing these annual discuram
it should be made a permanent charge on the
fund.

The committee divided:
For the vote
Against II
On the vote of 3,750/. for the expense incurred by the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England, in respect of that
portion of their business which relates to the Church
Building Acts,
Mr. WILLIAMS objected that these expenses ought to
be defmyed out of the funds belonging to the commis-
sioners. Be thought it impossible to explain the vote, and
should Mk' the sense of the house upon it.
Sir G. C. LEWIS said there were several acts in force re-
lating to the building of churches. The duties of the com-
ndssionen under three acts were transferred to the Eccle-
siastical Commissioners, and this yote was for the expenses

incurred In reference

ittr. BADFIELI) wig he objected et the time to this
transference from the Church Building Commissioners to