The Sun.
London, England, 1855-07-20 00:00:00

son of Fermoy, whose services to the State had been
the subject of frequent recognition by members of stlic•
ahsimweblyl ahsibsysotnheagnednreervalrepsuebnitiac,.
cessive Adminishttrabteiofonrse,
had been brought
tire Sir James Anderson, and whether these claims had t
been taken into consideration .
Lord PALMERSTON said be had within the last few
application from Sir J. Anderson on
The claims in question had been under the
!. ed
an
on of previous Administrations, but, as he
thedeoa consideration sesivarbeejereeacitv
was unacquainted with their nature, he could not then
say what it would be deemed desirable to do with respect
to them.
Mr. MAGUIRE gave notice that he should bring
forward those claims early next session.
DECIMAL COINAGE.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the
Government bad determined to appoint a commission to
inquire into the subject, and had determined that the
tribunal should be a competent one. The committee
would consist of three persons ; one would be the Comp-
troller of the Exchequer, the other Mr. Hubbard, but
' there was some difficulty at present about the third, as
the gentleman whom the Government had thought it
desirable to appoint had some difficulty in acting imme-
diately.
Lord NAAS inquired whether it was the intention of
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 billett:ng ?
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
bad 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 h
general question like the one just pat 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. E WART 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 considei able
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. MOLES WORTH, in reply to thefirst 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 use,' by tbo resi-
dents in Hampton Court Palace • the fact being that the re-
spectable residents in the neighbourhood were permitted to
we it. There was, however, uo 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, bad 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 sub-
ject of the work, the name and date of the artist, the
school to which he belongs, and such other bi ief histori-
cal or scientific information as may be instructive to the
public.
Lo:d 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 ratisfactorily 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 regard 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) had received representations from some gentlemen
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 OF THE BATH.
Mr. LAYARD wished to ask the noble lord at the
bead of the Government why Sir Charles Napier had
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 hon. gentleman termed it, had caused great regret to
the Government, but that exclusion was eel-imposed by
the gallant officer. Sir C. 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 be had declined to receive the honour.
THE VIENNA CONFERENCE.

In answer to a question from Mr. Disamur,
Lord PALMERSTON stated that he should object
to give to the house a copy of the whole instructions
that had been gi►en 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 finder-Secretary for 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 certa!nly be the case,
and that officers who bad done distinguished service
would be-allowed to retire, and continue on full pay as
long as they lived.
After some observations from Sir DE LACT 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, tontuhreteoxmteanktaof
hisa abopuptelalr,anoonoe;,
but as he did not the chief was given
half
do so the town was shelled and partly destroyed that
day, and on the following day another engagement took
place, in which 70 or 80 troops were killed or wounded,
and about 400 of the enemy, as they were called. The
question turned upon the vidation of a treaty which he
believed was not yet in force, as it bad 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 0. 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 motion that the house on its rising should ad-
journ till,Monday was then agreed to.
[LEFT SITTING.]

THE LONDON GAZETTE.

(THIS EVENING.)

CROWN-OFFICE, JULY 18.
unman AI:TURNED TO SERVE IN THE PRESENT PARIZA.
Atzsr.
County of Norfolk—Eastern Division —Henry Juju
Stacey, of Backhostb, is tto conaty of Norfolk, Esq., in