Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-02-08 00:00:00

SETTLEMENT OF THE ITALIAN DIFFICULTY.

Lord C. HAMILTON asked whether it was true that
Lord Cowley had been instructed to communicate to the
niacnh
question Government;
if
so,a pwrhojeetchfe
rfotrt
ethr
ee
ws eatatl
any eme nntbioefa Johe
French
otraecl communicate the details.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that he could not produce
the papers on the subject pending the progress of the
negotiations. It was, however, true that a proposition
had been made by our Government on the 14th January,
for the settlement of the Italian question. The sub-
stance of the proposition was that France and Austria
should not interfere by arms in Italy without the consent
of the Great Powers ; that the French troops should
withdraw from Italy ; that no interference should be
allowed with the actions of Austria in Venetia; that
Sardinia should not send' roops to the Central States till
their opipion on the annexation had been clearly expressed.
France in reply bad consented to this proposition with
certain modifications with respect to the withdrawal of
her troops. Austria had given a qualified consent, de-
claring her resolution to defend her own territory.
Prussia had likewise signified her consent. The reply
of Russia had not been received.

COURT FOR DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL CAUSES,

Lord J. MANNERS asked for leave to introduce a bill
to enable the Court for Divorce and Matrimonial Causes
to hold its sitting with closed doors. At present many
of the cases reported were of a kind to shock public
feelings, and irjure public morality. He therefore pro-
posed that the judge of the Divorce Court should have
the same power as those of the Equity Courts, and be
authorised, in certain cases, to close his doors.
Mr. E. JAMES moved, as *an amendment, the pre-
vious question—The existence of a secret and mysterious
court would do far more to excite prurient curiosity than
the present open proceedings: instead of good reports,
garbled reports would be furnished by barristers and
attornies. Why should the Divorce Court be closed
rather than the Police Courts ? The press had acted
with great taste in the matter, and had abstained from
the publication of many disgusting* cases. He would
not consent to the violation of the great principle of
English justice and publicity.
Mr. ROEBUCK Eaia that the motion of the noble lord
showed the truth of the observation, that the nicest
people have the nastiest ideas. He was like the young
lady who was ashamed of the naked legs of her piano-
forte—the action of the court checked the cruelty of
husbands, and taught the middle classes that they were
just as criminal as the higher. He thought that there
should be the manly hardihood to face these evils with-
out shrinking from them. , Let the truth be told. The
public press had acted with great discretion in this
matter. Publicity acted as a check upon the license or
folly of the judge.
Lord R. CECIL pointed out the injustice of publicity
to a certain class of suitors, often amounting to a denial
of justice.
Sir G. C. 'Awls might have been disposed to vote for
some general measure applicable to all courts; but he
objected to singling out courts for special reprobation.
ollfutehs
et i ocnrismfianr
aml o
lawr e gtriloasns oanccyu rr
inetdh
ein the a
divor
cedmc
omuirstt.r a t
He
o ne
must therefore support the amendment.
The
Chancellor hd no
h emi ht hear cases in
right to close his doors, though e g
Att could not
which he not consenthotopeadrmwoauljdudngeevewrihthe
given to a court of justice. T
unconstitutional Mr.
private.
bhueer t materially
werec kt o the
closiedn:
thein-
creased.
re3aisre.d .mt
cdf
AatunhgLe
Ae doors
oorf s
protested
l theus i dnaigvlovironcuseltdc courts
feelings of individuals now caused by publicity.
Lord J. MANNERS very briefly replied.
The Speaker put the question, that the question be
put, which was negatived by 268 to 83. The bill was
consequently lost.
RELATIONS BETWEEN MASTERS AND WORKMEN.
Mr. 'MACKINNON obtained leave to introduce a bill
to establish equitable council between master and
workman.