The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-03-10 00:00:00

'THn BRITISH PRESS.

might perhaps be expedient to retails the ancient method of selec-
tion, pravided that both plaintiff and defendant were bound to
signify their assent in writing before the trial; and in other cases
between different patties, the same jury might be permitted in
the same way, with the same assent in writing front both panics:
but unless both parties ennsented, there was to be in no instance
arty resort to the old mode. In political eases, however. they could
here no choice. lie would not now enter tnso any detail oftlte Re-
solutions ; as the House could best judge for jtself as it might be
found in the Bill. He should merely propose the second reading
of the Bill p.c./hens, and when It was printed they should have
opportunity to discuss it. With respect to the laws themselves, he
did not think there was any men who would say that it was not ad-
vantageous to consolidate them. He particularly wished that the
laws in our criminal code relating to forgery should be inspected,
as nothing was of more Importance than that the subject should
home hole the law really stood. He thought the Address which
was.presented to the Throne some time since was a sufficient war-
' !ant to the Crown to appoint a Commission to inquire into the sub-
ject. He understend that the lion. Member opposite (Dr. Lush.
ingtonj had a Bill far advanced on this subject, and this gerhaps
might pass without being subjected to a commission ; bet if the
present experiment continued, and he hoped it would, there ought
to he a ('ommission appointed to eriunine into it. The first object
of such a Commission would be to examine the laws feinting to
forgery ; upon which they should be required to make a Report.
No man could be more convinced than he win the there were
some very important branches of our criminal law which required
consolidation, in order to remove many inconveniences attending
their present state. The Hon. Gentleman concluded by moving
that leave be given touring in a Bill.
Dr. ,LUSHINGITON gave his cordial approbatiod to the pm.
posed measure. Nothing could be more in)unous than even a
doubt existing as to the purity of the adtoinistration of justice.
When a Jury gave a verdict, it ought if possible to coincide with
the opinion of the country. He particularly agreed upon the mode
of selecting the Jury by ballot. It was, he believed, the practice
in the Court of Exchequer to make the same persons serve re.
peatedly. This needed no comment. He agreed in the general
plan proposed in the consolidation of the laws; be approved of the
Commission proposed to be inatitutedfor their revisal. Bethought
it bet a point of grudenoe to proceed in their examiaation step by
sup. Although it was not pegeible for the laws to be made per-
fectly clear to the centprehemien et every body, yet he thought
they ought to be simplified as much as possible. Several errors
were to be found in other branches of our Code; they would no
doubt in time be subjected to the same examination. They must,
however, take care that in consolidating the laws they did not alter
them. No man ought to come down to the House with a Bill of
what he called consolidation, but which might be in reality an
alteration. If an alteration was intended, they ought to have notice
of it ; whether it be in the criminal or civil code, it oilght to be
submitted to the House. He hoped the present forms would be
preserved as nearly as possible, the those cases which had been de-
cided in the criminal law might still stand.
Mr. HOBHOUSE thought that every man who valued the li-
berties of his country must be rejoiced, as he was, at this alteration.
I He was now certainly of opinion that the Bill was every way cal.
colated to answer the purpose intended. kit considered this as the
greatest and most salutary reform which the country had for ages
witnessed. There was not such another to be frnind on our Statute
Book. The generation who would succeed us would look up to this
as a new era in our legal records.
Mr. HUME begged to join his thanks to those of the Honourable
Member who had just sat down. He thought that the law, which
VMS generally called the Common Law, might with great advantage
Ibe embodied. In his opinion it was not law at all; and he did not
think there was any difficulty in the measure he had suggested.
Their were mady'forms which were considered as absolutely neces-
sary from long practice, not that there existed any law for them ;
as in tile case of the unanimity required in juries, lie thought
this worthy of corsideration.
Mr. BRIGHT did not think this was, strictly speaking, a con-
solidation lie thought it • Bill of Improvement. The law was,
that the juries should decide the cause: before they separated ; in.
stead of this theygenerally adjourned if it lasted long. Now, in
his opin'.on they Ought to be shut up. and not suffered to depart
till they had determined the case. He hoped the Hon. Mover
would not feel any objection to introducing a clause that would
oblige them to give their verdict before separation. Another point .
he begged leave to mention, and that was, that in challenges the
Crown might 'be obliged to show cause at the time. lie thought
the two circumstances he had mentioned were of importance.
He congratulated the House upon the completion of this alteration,
which was begun by the great Lord Bacon.
After a few words from Mr. Aldrirrnen BRIDGES, which vine
inaudible in the gallery, leave was given to bring in the Dill.

RECOVERY OF DEBTS IN SCOTLAND.
Mr. H. DRUM MOND moved for leave to bring in a 13111 for
the more easy recovery of Small Debts in the Sheriffs Courts in
Scotland.—Leave was granted,ind the Dill was accorditrzly brought
in and read the first time.
The LORD ADVOCATE obtained leave to bring in a Hill to
continue the Act 54th Geo. 111. in ordrr to render 'more equal and
expeditious the payment of Debts in Scotland ; and also a Bill to
regulate the Fees in the Sheriffs Court in Scotland.
COUNTY RATES.
Mr. DICKINSON moved that a Select Committee be appointed
to take into consideration the expenditure of County Rates, and to
report their observations.—Agreed to.
The other orders...of the day were then disposed of, and the
House Adjourned atilacr-eare Stv-tw.

PRICES OF RH ITISII STOCKS YESTERDAY.
3 par Cent. ('one. eel 4 1 India for Acc. 290 784 79
Ditto Acct. 94 93f 1 Ex.Bills,l 0.1.9001. 65 57 54 pm
34 per Cent. 1911 Ditto, 6001. 65 57 64 pm
New 4 per Cent. 1061 i .1 Ditto, Small 65 67 14 pm
I
India Roads 96 90 pm Lottery Tickets, 191.195.

PRICES OF FOREIGN
Austrian Bonds
Ditto Acct. 981
Buenos Ayres Bonds 921
Ditto Acct. 921 2
Colombian Bonds 93 21
Ditto Bonds (1824) 92 I.
Ditto Acct. 92 11
French 'tellies
Ditto Acct. 1061.
Exchange 24f. 10c.
Greek Bonds 641
Ditto Acct. 461
Ditto Scrip (1825)11 1 dis

STOCKS YESTERDAY.
Ditto Acct. 14 dill
Mexican Bonds }
Ditto Acct. 81}
Ditto Scrip (IOU) 3} I pm
Ditto Acct. Si A pm
Peruvian Bonn' 88 I
Ditto Aect.l;3}
Portuguese Ronils 90}
Ditto Acct. 9oi
Prussian Bonds (len) lA} }
Spanish Cons. 24}
Ditto Acct. 211 j
Ditto Cots. (en)

PRICKS OF SH
ASSURANCE COMPANIES.
Alliance Btit. and For. 1V
Ditto 31arine 8 8

smiss.
Anglu-Mexican 117 107;
Anglo-Chilian lig 14
Arigna Iron and Coal 19 14
Bolimos
Brazilian 23 211
Chilian 22 21g
Colombian 43 40
Oen. Alining Association 19 104
Pasco Peniatan 884 37g
Rio de la Plata 32 SI
United Mexican 140
Dino New 36 37;
Welch Iron and Coal 9
GAB LIGHT AHD COICE •031.

PANIES.
Continental 8# f
United Conceal

IRON RAILWAYS.
Hinting. and Liverpool 4 1

ES YESTERDA Y.
London and Bristol 1
London and Northern 2

MIIICTLLANEOes.
Atlantic and Pacific 12 f
Australian 29 27
British Iron Company 113
Canada Company 37 311
Colom. Colon. Corn. 161 12 pm
Equitable Loan Bank 21
Gen. Stearn Navigation 34
(,old
Coast Association 6
Great Westminster Dairy 2
Hib. Joint Stock Com. II pin
Mediterranean Steam 111 7
Mexican Company 20 101
Metro. Fish Company 31 3
New Corn Exchange Sli
Pearl Fishery (Yellow) 231 23
Prov. Bank of Ireland 14
Patent Bricks 6
Patent Steam Carriage 3 2 pm
Royal Stan nary b 3 4