The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-21 00:00:00

lIPERIAL PARLIAMEIVII

- --as-

gouskl OF etORDS--(YESTERDAY.)
The Lonk QueeicELeoa took his seat on the wool-
' . sack at five o'clock.
told LYNDHURST begged to ask a question of the
, noble lord on the woolsack with respect to certain mea-
sures of law reform. The noblelord at the latter end of
last session stated his intention of introducing a bill to
alter the law of divorce, and a Measure for the purpose
of transferring from the Ecclesiastical Court to the Court
of Chancery almost all jurisdiction relating to matri-
monial causes. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord had
introduced a bill relating to this subject, beit it
was subsequently withdrawn in consequence of some-
objection raised to it by a right rev, prelate. The noble
lord had also introduced the Testamentary Jurisdiction
Bill, which had passed after some discussion, but when
introduced into the other house it was given up. In
the present session the Lord Chancellor suggested that
the Testamentary Jurisdiction Bill should originate in the
other house of Parliament. Notwithstanding, Parliament
bad met as early as February, the measure was not iutro-
duced until close upon the month of May. Several other
law measures promised had likewise been postponed
until they had arrived at a period of the session when it
was impossible to pass them. This was a state of things
which he thought demanded explanation. When he
found- that such bills, introduced by his noble and
learned- friend, as the Registration of Deeds Bill, ob-
i
passage through the House of Commons
teeted to in its
the law' officers, he was disposed to think that there
was
not a cordial co-operation between the noble and
'
learned lord on the -woolsack and the law officers in the
~lr.otheiehouse. Not a single .Government bill for the pur-
pose of reforming the laws of, England had been carried
this session.
Ip*, • • The LORD CHANCELLOR. observed that when it
was consideredthat four.fifths of the session were occupied
with questions relating to the war, he thought that that fact
was a very good reason why these measures of law reform
Alluded to- had not been introduced. He denied, then;
that there was a want of co-operation between himself
1(' ‘ and the law officers in the other house. Hethought that
his noble and learned friend (Lord Lyndhurst) was
mis-
taken in supposing that the Testamentary Jurisdiction
Bill was delayed this session so late: as May. He
believed it 'was introduced in March. It was of
course always big wish to consult the law officers
of the Crown in respect to all those measures of
law reform he deemed it necessary to introduce, and to
frame them in such a way as would. meet with the gene-
, ie. rat concurrence. He pleaded not guilty to the charge
,; • of 'having infrodnced no measures of importance that
session. He felt that he had introduced a great many
important bills, which he hoped would become
law in the eourse of the session. He could not
help thinking that his noble and learned friend
was induced to make those observations because
it was his intention to quit the house for the remainder
of the session. He was afraid they would have to sit
for three or four weeks longer ; and if his noble and
learned friend had only waited until the end of the ses-
sion, he would be much better able to express an opinion
as to the quantity and quality of business that had been
done.

After a few words from several noble lords, the subject
dropped.

SLAVERY AND THE SLAVE TRADE.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petit:on from the
British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, which com-
plained of the encouragement given to the slave trade
and slavery in general by various Governments in Ame-
rica, and by persons holding high offices under them.
After referring to several instances, as Guiana, Cuba,
and Carolina, the noble lord expressed a hope that the
noble lore the Secretary of State for Foreign affairs
would be able to give the house some hope that an ame-
lioration would be effected in this state of things.
The Earl of CLARENDON said he had no doub t
that the warning of the noble lord would be attended to
•in Guiana. The present Captain-General of Cuba had
determined to act on the principles laid down by his
predecessor, and was desirous of doing everything in his
power for the suppression of the traffic and a beneficial
alteration in the present system.
The Merchant Shipping Act Amendment Bill was
read a second time and ordered to be committed.
The Bills of Lading (No. 2) Bill was also read a second
time and ordered to be committed.
The report of amendments on the Religious Worship
Bill was brought up and received.
The Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes Bill was
read a third time and missed.
The report of amendments to the Burial Bill was re.
dived.
The Lady Raglan and Lord Raglan's Annuities Bill
was !TM a third time and pa sed.
The Crime and Outrage (Ireland) Continuance. Bill
passed through Committee.
The Turnpike Acts Continuance Bill was read a se-
cond time.
The West Indies Relief Loans Arrangement Bill was
lead a second time.
.SCOTCH SCHOOLMASTERS—THE LATE DIVI-
SION IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS.
The Duke of BUCIOLEUCH wished to know whether
her Majesty's Government intended to bring in a con-
tinuance bill for the purpose of continuing for another
year the present salaries of parish schoolmasters in Scot-
land. Without such a bill those salaries must fall to a
very low point indeed.
The Duke of ARGYLL said the Government did not
think it worth while to go on yenr after year passing
continuance hills. Tile question must soon be bronght,
to seci6 final settlement. The exiting salaries ~would
cOntinue,till Martinmas, and before the following term
there would be a meeting of Parliament, when the mat-
ter could he dealt,with. With reference to the recent
' division in thek lordships' house on the Scotch Educa-
tion Bill, it would be a riiatter of great regret if an idea
got abroad that the,matter had been treated by their
rordships with any levity or want of consideration. It
must.be distinctly understoOd that no division was taken
upon the bill. Government proposed that the bill should
be withdrawn, that proposal- was Opposed, and the divi-
sion was taken upon the queition that the word "now"
stand part of the bill.
The Earl of DERBY remarked tbat the refusal to intro.
duce another continuance bill looked as if it was in-
tended to make use of the destitution' of the Scotch
schoolmasters as a screw 'to force upon Parliament the
adoption of the peculiar measures which the Govern-
thent advocated. It was quite clear that the late divi-
sion did not accurately represent the views of their lord-
ships' house WiCE-regard to the merits of the bill. The
truth was that the Government being aware that only a
very sthill minority would be in favour of the bill were
anxious that the numerical strength of the parties shoukl
not be known. They, therefore, wished to withdraw the
measure, but when-forced into a division by. the Oppo-
sition, who wished to show the peop:e of Scotland by
how large,'a majority- in the House of Lords was pre,
pared to reject any measure as that proposed by the Go-
vernment, they took the somewhat unusual course of
voting against the measure, instead of merely refraining
from voting. The majority against the bill was greater,
therefore, in appearance than it was in reality.
Earl GRANVILLE said there was no doubt that the
Government were aware there was a majority against
the bill, but it was hardly fair to state that as the sole
reason by Which they were influenced in the course' they
took. They were also influenced by the strong appeal
made by the noble and learned lord (Lord Brougham)
and other friends of education for the withdrawal of the
bill for the present.
After some remarks by the Earl of HADDINGTON
and Lord POLWARTII, the matter dropped, and their
lordships adjourned at eight o'clock.

the Government to refer weights and measures to the
.
commission ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied
that it was-not.
BILLETTING OF THE MILITIA.
Mr. WELLS asked the Under Secretary for War
whether, in consequence of the permanent embodying of
the militia, it was the intention of her Majesty's Go-
vernment to make any alteration in the present system
of billetting ?
Mr. F. PEEL said it was not the intention of the
Government to introduce any measure into the house ;
but he might state that the embodiment of the militia
had led to the formation of encampments, which had
obviously practically remedied the question raised to a
great extent. (Hear, hear.)
INVALID OFFICERS—COMMISSIONS.
Captain J. PERCY begged to ask the Secretary for
War whether an officer in bad health was required,
before he got leave to sell his commission, to go before
a Medical Board, which Board must certify, before he is
allowed to sell, to the following effect :—" That he does
not labour under an impaired constitution, threatening
earlier decease than a person of his age might expect in
the ordinary course of nature."
Mr. F. PEEL said the mode in which application
was made by an officer for leave to sell his commission
greatly depended on the particular circumstances of
each case, and it was therefore impossible to answer a
general question like the one just put to him. He was
not, however, aware that a formula of this kind was
required. Generally speaking an officer was not allowed
to dispose of his commission when his health was not
such as to give rise to a fear that his life could not be
prolonged.
IMPROVEMENT IN THE PUBLIC PARKS.
Mr. EWART wished to inquire of the Chief Commis-
sioner of Public Works whether it would not be possi-
ble (if not now, at some future time), to throw open to
the public, as a portion of the park, the ground now
inclosed for private use, and inclosing a considerable
space of ground in the centre of Hyde-park, between the
Guard-house and the Humane Society's Receiving-house
near the Serpentine ; also, whether the Government
were willing to submit to-the gracious consideration
of her Majesty the expediency of opening to the public
the large park behind Hampton Court Palace, known as
the Home Park, and now devoted exclusively to :the
use of the residents in the palace ; also, whether the
Fountain of Diana in Bushy Park, founded by William
the Third; was in process of restoration, as promised by
,the Government ; and whether, as agreed last year, a
large additional number of seats were to be placed round
all the larger .trees in Kensington-gardens and Hyde-
park for the convenience of the public ?
Sir W. MOLESWORTH, in reply to the first question,
said that a portion of the park now enclosed was used as
a wood garden, and could not be dispensed with ; the
remainder being in the occupation of the Deputy-ranger.
This could not be taken from that functionary at pre-
sent ; but when he ceased to hold office he (Sir W.
Molesworth) apprehended there would be no difficulty
in transferring that portion to the public use. (Hear,
hear.) As to the second portion, it was not correct
that the Home-park was exclusively used by the resi-
dents in Hampton Court Palace; the fact being that the re-
spectable residents in the neighbourhood were permitted to
use it. There was, however, no intention on the part of the
Government to recommend its being further thrown
open. With respect to the Diana fountain it was in
process of restoration, and he was informed would soon
be completed. Lastly, a considerable sum of money had
been expended in the purchase of seats for Kensington-
gardens ; and a number of seats, capable of accommo-
dating 400 persons, had lately been erected.
NATIONAL GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS.
Mr. EWART asked the First Lord of the Treasury
whether the Government was willing to cause to be
affixed to the works of art (paintings, statues, monu-
ments), and specimens in our different national collec-
tions—the National Gallery, Hampton Court Palace,
the British Museum, and similar public institutions—
short descriptive tablets or inscriptions, giving the subs
ject of the work, the name and date of the artist, the
school to which he belongs, and such other brief histori-
cal or scientific information as may be instructive to the
public ?
Lord PALMERSTON said he was much obliged to
his hon. friend for the suggestion, which was One well
worthy of consideration, and as it might be complied
with at no very great public expense would no doubt be
carried out. (Hear, hear.)
THE DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES.
In reply to Mr. LAYARD,
Lord PALMERSTON said it was obviously very in-
convenient that the Government should be asked to
state what precise conditions they should require in
future negotiations. The detailed arrangements in re-
gard to the first and second points were settled condi-
tionally ; the condition being that the whole treaty
should be ,satisfactorily arranged. That not being
the case, the Government held themselves free
to re-discuss any of the matters that were
provisionally 'agreed to with respect to the Principali-
ties. What he understood as the fundamental principle
of the first point was that Russia should not exercise
that exclusive protection of the Principalities which she
had hitherto done. With regarl to the commission to
which the honourable member had referred, there
was no commission sitting at Vienna for the purpose
of discussing a Government for the Principalities. There
was, however, a commission of a different kind sitting,
consisting of English, Austrian, and Turkish represen-
tatives, who were empowered to receive representations
coming from the inhabitants of the Principalities as to
any grievances or complaints in respect to the occupying
troops. He understood his noble friend (Lord Claren-
don) bad received representations from some gentleman
who were not residents in the Principalities, and con-
sequently could not be held as authorities. (Hear.)
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES NAPIER AND
THE ORDER Or THE BATH.
Mr. LAYARD wished to ask the noble lord at the
head of the GovernMent why Sir Charles Napier bad
been excluded from the honour of the Order of the
Bath which had been conferred upon so many others ?
Lord PALMERSTON replied that the exclusion, as
the hoe, gentleman termed. it, had calmed great regret to
the Government, but that exclusion was self-imposed by
the gallant officer. Sir e. Napier was informed that
his name had been represented to her Majesty for the
honour of the Grand Cross of the Bath ; but for reasons
of which the gallant officer must himself be the best
judge he had declined to receive the honour.
THE VIENNA CONFERENCE.
In answer to a question from Mr. DISRAELI,
Lord PALMERSTON stated that he should object
to give to the house a copy of the whole instructions
that had been given to the noble lord the member, for the
City of London before he proceeded to Vienna. He had
no, objection, however, to give to the house those parts
of the instructions which would have the effect of filling
up the hiatus in the papers that were now before the
house.

NUISANCES REMOVAL (IRELAND) BILL.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for IRELAND, in
answer to a question from an hon. member, stated that
it was his intention to proceed with the bill in the pre-
sent session, if it was not opposed, but if there was to
be considerable opposition to the measure he should
feel himself bound to postpone proceeding with the mea-
sure to next session.
On the question, that the house at its rising should
adjourn to Monday next,

RETIRED OFFICERS.

Colonel NORTH asked the Under-Secretary fcr War
whether those officers who wished to take advantage of
the Queen's late warrant for the retirement of officers
upon full pay, and obtaining a step in rank, would be
permitted to retain the reward for distinguished service
which her Majesty had been graciously pleased to grant
to them ?
Mr. PEEL said that that would certainly be the case,
and that officers who had done distinguished service
would be allowed to retire, and continue on full pay as
long as they lived.
After some observations from Sir DE LACY EVANS,
the subject dropped.
Mr. BRIGHT, referring to a transaction that had
recently taken place on the coast of Africa, stated that
some doubt had arisen with regard to certain slaves
taken on board canoes by the authority of the British
Crown, There was some question raised about compen-
sation, to the extent of about $1,000; the chief was given
half an hour to make his appearance, but as he did not
do so the town was shelled and partly destroyed that
day, and on the following day another engagement took
place, in wbieh 70 or-80 troops were killed or wounded,
,and out 400 of the enemy, as they were called. The
question turned upon the violation of a treaty which he
believed was not yet in force,,as it had not received the
sanction of Parliament. He wished to know-whether
the Government had received any information upon the
subject, and whether they intended to institute a special
inquiry into the case ?
Sir C. WOOD said that no despatches had been re-
ceived at the Admiralty on the subject, and he had no
reason to place any confidence in the report.
The'iuotion that the hOuse On its rising should ad-
journ till Monday was then agreed to.
METROPOLIS LOCAL MANAGEMENT BILL,
Oa the motion for the third reading of this bill,
Viscount EBRINGTON presented a petition from Clap-
ham against the qualification clause, and said he protested
against being considered an opponent to local self-govern-
ment, or that he wished to throw obstacles in the way of
the bill. The fact that the provisions of the measure were
agreed to when generally there were not more than thirty
or forty members present was the best proof that there was
no decided hostility to the bill, which had been very much
improved during its progress through the house. Having
made these observations, he was willing that the bill be
read a third time.
Sir IL WILLOUGHBY doubted whether the right hon.
gentleman had chosen the best machinery for carrying out
his measure. He feared that the boards would be found too
numerous, and that the owners of property, as distinguished
from the ratepayers, were-not sufficiently considered. He
also thought that what was good for the metropolis would be.
good for all the towns and districts in theljuitedKingderr.
(Hear, hcar:) (Sir IL Willoughby) begged to call the at-
tention of the right hon. gentleman to the fact that the
Metropolitan poard, to whom there was to be an appeal in
cases where compensation was sought for by persons who
now held offices, had the power to refuse all compensation
whatever.

Lord SEYMOUg..said it was agreed in the committee
that a clause should be introduced limiting the time after
which no s9werage-,wonhl be allowed to go into the river
Thames.

•
Sir g, HALL said that what he understood with refe-
rence to this was—that there should be an appeal to the
Metropolitan I3oard of. Works; but before the appeal was
brought the board should be consulted, and then the ap-
pellant might go before the board to have his case' heard.
What be (Sir 13. Rall) objected to was that any reference
should be made to the Treasury, because he thought this
was a case in which the Government should not interfere
in the slightest degree. In answer to the question of the
nobb brd, -ha begged to elate ths.t a time had been fixed