The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-25 00:00:00

MARRIAGE LAW AMENDMENT BILL.

On the motion that this bill be read a second time,
Mr. W ALPOLE rose to oppose the motion. He be-
lieved the bill would be productive of public injury, mo-
rally, religiously, and socialiy. From the earliest time
down to the present the prohibitions against marriage
within certain degrees of consanguinity had been the
same, and therefore, when a proposition was made to
alter or do away with prohibitions that had existed for
at least 1,500 years, it would become the house to pause
before they assented to it. The only alterations made
in the laws relating to marriages in this country since it
was a Christian country was made by Lord Lyndhurst's
act in 1835, which, he believed, to be a wise act ;
and therefore in reality this was the first attempt to do
away with marriages within the prohibited degrees. He
would ask, in the first place, was this change called for
—was it called fur by the people of Scotland ? The
hoe. gentleman who introduced the bill exempted
Scotland from it. (Hear, hear.) Was it called fur
by the people of Ireland ? A witness before the
Commissioners told them the feelings of the people,
both Protestants and Roman Catholics were utteriy op-
posed to those marriages ; and, with regard to the people
of Eugland, the Commissioners themselves told them,
by their report, that the feelings of the clergy and people
revolted from such marriages. There were but two ar-
guments put forward in favour of this bill ; the one was
that the existing law put an undue restraint upon religious
liberty ; the other was that it prevented a widower from
providing a mother for an orphan family. With regard
to the first argument, he should say that, it religious
liberty was inconsistent with purity and domestic hap-'
piness, it would not be right to allow it ; and as to the
second, he maintained that the aunt was naturally the
best guardian of a sis'ter's children, and therefore he
would prevent her, if be ciathl, from becoming per.
haps a bad step-mother. The right 'honourable
and learned gentleman- entered et much length
linto the religious part of the question, and con-
; tended that according to the law of Leviticus, a man
cannot any more marry his own sister than he can his
wife's sister ; fur, according to that law, it was staled
that for two brothers to marry one Lester, one
after the other, was an abomination, an i surely
that prohibition extended equally to two sisters
inairying one man, one after the other. That
was the religious view of the question, which he
feared he ha I very imperfectly explained, though he
owned it had great weight with him in coining to a con-
clusion on this question. With regard to the social ad-
vantages which it was urged this bill would promote, he
believed that if the existing law were alt,-red the. wife's
sister would be prevented by instinotive delic.cy and
propriety of feelint, from living under the roof of her
sister while that si:ter lived, awl therefore the chances
would be diminished, instead of increased, of providing
the best guardian for an orphan family. It was said
that this bill was intended to promote the morality of
the lower classes ; but after a diligent search of
eight or nine years, the commi-sioners bad ascer-
tained that the breaches of the existing law stood
in the proportion of about 100 among the upper
classes, about 1,400 among the middle classes, while
among. the lower (inters the number was only about
50. (Hear) lie therefore hoped the house would reject
this measure, which would irreparably injure the interests
of the many to indulge the desires of a few. He con-
cluded by moving that the bill be read a second time this
day six monthe. (Hear.)
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL supported the bill,
and was

[LEFT SPEAKING.]

ARMY BEFORE' SEBASTOPOL COM-
-311 TTEE.-(THIS DAY.)

The Committee re-assembled this morning at the
usual hour.
The Duke of Newcastle was again re-called, and
was examined by Lord Seymour.
His Grace stated—lt has always been the practice
that appointments in the army have always been sub-
mitted to the Commander-in-Chief. I became responsi-
b'e to the public for these appointments. It in my
opinion that there is an incongruity in that arrangement,
and that these appointments ought to be submitted by
the Secretary for War to the approval of the Sovereign.
I do not think the correspondence between myself and
the subordivate departments vas at all affected by the
separation of the two offices of Secretary for War sled
Secretary for the Colonies. I think that all these offices
ought to be concentrated on the French system under
one roof, where instaut communication between the dif-
ferent departments might take place, instead of the pre-
sent plan, which necessitates incessant correspondence
between different departments before anything can be
done. I am of opinion that the business of the army
can never be properly conducted until such an
arrangement takes place. Amongst other things,
I think it an anomaly that medical comforts
should be purchased by the Admiralty', and not
by the medical board. The unsatisfactory state of
the Scutari 'hospitals was first, brought under my notice
in the middle of the month of October, but, as I stated
times,itLleo r
edl I also heard of it afterwards
yes.utenrrmiliaYste,‘",ti,:rlian'
1 tto re. 1 received
private eno official column-
througb
nic Aim fr.om soy one in aethority. I immediately sent
for Dr. Smith anti asked him for an explanation, but he
ItYm soon did your grace become
eXpres4ed his entire incredulity in the statements con-
tained in the public prints.
curmueed th,ot the state of the hospitals was really bad?
The Duke of Newcastle—Of c ourse I could not resist
disposed to hope that there had been
the idea, ft out so much concu, rent testimony, that some-
thing was radically wrong ; but at the same
xawgagseration in the accounts sent home.
think it necessary to
supersede the person who had the direction of the hos-
pitals ?
Duke of Newcastle—l did not, because I thought such
was ever brought
irrr,
it
alt
li,(
in)).:1
eltinrodaytr_thf:n
t:ltro :
:itiiiii
ii
tc::,itn,, hsro
e(ptina
a step would be productive of evil rather than good.
a
Time comnSineYamnitrot—wpidiynouaull(mittority there, but nothing
Ihri
intend
which 1
t:ncn, 4
continually.
, expense
udnxl
p,
si
ei
e impute
el
sending
neti
super-
intend _
blame to hint.
wasittorspe'inou, required for the hospit:tls, or tiff ord
empowered him. to furnish the necessary mewls
instructionsnilsimplyproviding,
(er,,dy Examination
rh wet }
h.t :
dissatisfied
unde with it
theh the
control 11Iedm
(a,f
t
f r the object I ha re stated when required ; or to
order the supplies. Of course in this respect a certain de-
greebeil of responsibility attached to his lordship. Whilst
e Secretaryoni ni
issa
rfioart NV
Departmentar I was
Department, time Ordnance Department, and with the
the Treasury—in fact I considered the means for the
supply of the army, so far as these departments were
concerned, wleretn a very unsatisfactory condition. I
cannot say either that I approved of the condition of
the sea transport, and I recommended a transport board
to be established. I think that department ought to be
under the direction of the Adn • It
lira y and not of the Mi-
nister for War. I was always apprehensive that sending
out so many women with the army would be prejudicial ;
but, at the same time, it was the opinion of the military
authorities that the soldiers would be dissatisfied if A

certain number were not sent with them for washing
and other purposes.
Lord Seymour—Did your grace not V ink it neces-
sary to make some arrangements in case it should be ne-
cessary for the army to winter in the Crimea ?
Duke of Newcastle—l certainly did. But of course
so long as the siege of Sebastopol seemed likely to result
successfully it was unnecessary, but as soon as it be-
came evident that the army must winter in the Crimea,
I at once took measures for sending out warm clothing
and also huts as I have before stated.
Examination costinued—l was not satisfied with the
forms which were in use in connection with the different
departments and I ordered others to be substituted.
They were sent out, but I tto not know how they were
found to answer as none of them had been returned when
I left office. -
Sir J. Bakington--When Lord Raglau took the don-
mand of the expedition did he send to Lord Stratford
de Redcliffe respecting the provision of supplies for the
army ?
Duke of Newcastle—l am not aware ; but Lord Rag-
lan was constantly in communication with Lord Strat-
ford de Redcliffe. I believe Lord Raglan made some
representations relative to the clothing of the army.
Sir. J. Pakington—Your grace stated yesterday that
no exception was taken by any high military authority
to the expedition to the Crimea. Can you inform me
whether there was any objection on the part of any one
to the strength of the army sent there ?

Duke of Newcastle—Thera was not.
[LEFT SITTINGA

STATE OF TRADE.

(From the Manchester Guardian of this day.)

There is a general steadiness of price at the level of
last week, though a slight bias against sellers may to
some extent be perceptible. In 20'3 to 30's water twist,
and iu some descriptions of warps and pincops, the buyer
has rather more of an advantage in making a bargain
than be had some days back. In most cloths this seems
to be less tbe case than in the yarns just referred to.
Within the last week certain sorts of jacconets have met
with free sale en rather improved terms; and more has
been done also in longcloths of some kinds. the medium
counts of twist and weft for home consumption are in
better request than the middle numbers for the conti-
nent. Some counts of doubled yarns continue to exhibit
an improvement, as do also some of the Bolton spinnings
of 70's and 80's, as well as certain weft& from 120's t•
140's.

_
ROCHDALE, APRIL 23.—We had a more steady busi-
ness doing to-day in pieces, and the merchants have
evinced a greater disposition to purchase. There is a
fair demand for wool, and prices may be quoted a little
firmer.

lIALFA; APRIL 21.—1 n our Piece Hall to-day, there
has been no improvement in the demand for any
description of worsted goods ; but we learn that,
in the warebou,es, there has been more inquiry.
The merchants, however, manifest considerable reluc-
tance to give such increased prices as will cover the en-
hanced cost of the raw material. Yarns still continue
in fair demand ; and the spinners are asking higher rates,
which are not readily acceded to. There is a better sup-
ply of wool in the marktt; but the spinners purchase
sparingly, as they demur to the late advance in the quo-
tations.

HUDDERSFIELD, APRIL 24.—The market has been
rather quiet to-day in the Cloth Hall, and in the ware-
houses little has been dcne compared with a few weeks
back. Fancy woollens and light trouserings seem to be
the articles principally sought after; and it is to be
hoped that a week or two more of such weather as we
have had lately will create a more extended demand for
them. The wool trade is heavy, but prices keep steady,
and a good feeling prevails.

MARKET NEW,S-(THIS

CORN EXCHANGE.

We had a very limited supply of English wheat on sale
into-day's market. For all kinds the demand ruled
steady, at fully Monday's advance in the quotations.
Foreign wheat—the show of which was small—was in
fair request, and prices wore well supported. Floating
cargoes of grain were quite as dear as last week.
Barley changed hands freely, but no improvement took
place in value. Malt was rather firmer than of late.
Oats, beans, peas, and flour sold steadily, and prices
were freely supported.

Wheat.
'no

ARRIVALS TIIIS WINS.
Barley. f 'Salt.
/3,350 1 2,610

English ..
Irish —••
Foreign ..

Onto. Flour.
63) 610
15,490 scks

3,010

BOROUGH HOP.
• Very little change has taken place in the value of hops.
The demand is somewhat inactive.

WHITECHAPEL.

Our market has been tolerably firm, as follows :
—Beef, 3s 4d to 4s bd ; mutton, Ss Gd to 4s 6,1; lamb,
5s 4d to 6s 6d ; veal, 3s 8d to 4s 8d ; pork, 3s 4d to 48 4d
per Blbs. by the carcase.

M. Billault, Minister of the Interior, has refused to
authorise the iiitreduction of bull fights into Paris dur-
ing the time of the Exhibition. Such spectacles, he
says, are repugnant to French ideas.
In return for the splendid tiara, value about 2,000,000
reels, recently presented to the Pope by the Queen of
Spain, his Holiness has sent her Majesty the body of St.
Felix the Martyr.
June a small iron steamer will commence to ply
on Lech T•ty. It will perform two trips from either end
of the lake in the day.
A singular result of the cheap fares between Glasgow
and Edinburgh was exemplified last week, when a firm
at the former city received a considerable remittance by
the hands of a clerk, whose fire, first class, was consi-
, (1,7-ably less than the commission charged by a banker.
Socrrrr OF ARTS. —The paper for discussion this
(Wednesday)-evening is, "Or, Public Works for India,
especially with reference to Irrigation and Cuniumuica-
dons," by Lieut.-Colonel Cotton. Mr. Robert Lowe,
M.P., is to preside.
CRYSTAL PALACE.—SHILLING DAY -April 24.—Ad-
missions on payment, 4,358 ; ditto by season. tickets,
869.—Total, 5,247.
The College Committee of the Edinburgh Town Council
have made arrangements with Professor Trail} for the
teaching of the Natural History Class (the chair of
which has been vacant by the death of Professor Forbes)
during the summer session.
The Senatus Academicus of Mariscbal College, Aber-
deen, have conferred the degree of LL.D. on Hugh Bar-
clay, Esq., one of the sheriffs of Perthshire, author of "A
Digest of the Law of Scotland," and other law works.
At the same tree, the degree of LL.D was conferred on
the Rev. James A. Wylie, Edinburgh, author of "The
Modern Jurlea compared with Ancient Prophecy," &c.
Castle Menzies and shooting have (says the Glasgow
Daily M all) been let to an Indian Prince for two sea-
sons. His name is Dhuld. Sing, and he is a convert to
the Christian religion.
It is announced that the great painting by Winter
halter, representing the Empress of the French sur-
rounded by her ladies of honour, will be finished this
week, and will be removed to the exhibition.
MAILS FOR AUSTRALIA.—The next mail for Australia
will be forwarded by the clipper-ship Oliver Lang, under
a contract made by the Postmaster-General with the
owners of that„vessel for the purpose. The Oliver Lang
is anpuinted to be despatched from Liverpool on the sth
May next, and all letters and newspapers for New South
Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Van Diemen's
Land posted in London up to the evening of the 4th
May, or posted or received in Liverpool up to the morn-
ing of the sth May, and not addressed to be sent by any
other vessel, will be forwarded by the Oliver Lang. The
picket rates of postage will be chargeable on letters, but
newspapers will not be liable to any postage. Those
Postmasters whose instructions direct them to forward
letters to Liverpool by cross post, will send, in the same
manner, on the present occasion, letters posted at their
offices addressed to Australia.—ROWLAND HILL, Sec.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND NUISANCES REMOVAL
BlLL.—Yesterday a town's meeting was held in 13ir-
iningliarn, the Mayor in the chair, for the purpose of
taking into consideration the principles and provisions
of the Public Health Act and Nuisances Removal Bills
now before Parliament. The attendance was thin, there
not being more than two huns',red persons present, and
after speeches from Mr. CounCillor Ryland, Mr. Coun-
cillor Allday, the Rev. Charles Clarke, and other gentle.
men, the following resolution was adopted :—" That
the Public Health Bill now before Parliament is based
upon the principle of giving to a Government Board
a control and preponderance relating to local matters,
and a power of interference in the management thereof,
and therefore this meeting is of opinion that the
passing of the same into a law should be opposed ; and
that in reference to the Nuisances Removal Bill, this
meeting, whilst it acknowledges it to be desirable that
there should be a more definite system for the suppres-
sion of nuisances affecting the public health, based upon
the principle of a recognised thorough responsibility in
the local authority, regrets to find that this bill is not
based on those principles, but, on the contrary, whilst
professing to adopt them, in reality invests the powers
in individual officials, and therefore this meeting is of
opinion that the bill ought to be so amended as to re-
cognise and carry out the responsible and efficient
action of local bodies." Petitions to Parliament, em-
bodying the spirit of the above resolution, were subse-
quently agreed to.
THE BANK OF ENGLAND.—From a return obtained
by Mr. Scholefield, giving an account of the notes, se-
curities, and bullion of the Bank 'of England, as pub-
lished weekly in the Gazette from August, 1853, down to
the present time, it appears that on the 10th of March.
1855 (when the last return was made). the amount of
notes issued by the Bank was 26,911.880/. ; the amount
of the Government debt, 11.015,000/. ; the amount of
other securities, 2.984,900/ ; and the amount of gold
coin and bullion, 12,911,880/. Thus far as regards the
Issue Deoarment. lii the Banking Department the
amount of proprittorA' capital was 14,553.0001. ; the
amount of rest, 3,639,849/. ; that ofblic deposits,
4,828,2371. ; that of other deposits, 11,149,103/. ; that
pu
of seven-day arid other bills, 900,7301. ; that of Go!e.rn-
unties,
ment securities, 11,542,3851. ; that of other securities,
14,880,8441. ; that of notes, 7,944,050/. ; andectrbsatthaotf
gold and silver coin, 709,6401. It forthict-roa
appears
the gross total monthly average arnitoi%
in the United
notes payable on demand in circulation
was 38,087,789/
kingdom on the 17th of February ! Bank of England,
including 20,550,0001. notes. of the
3,812,8061. notes of England,
3,006,4241. notes of joint-stock banks in England, and
aggregate
_El'
ales ;
3,932,869/ tithe notes
6,819,230/. the otr:thlbyancikrsculaintio of coun-
try issues in England and
Banks of Ireland, and
Wiatit-stock banks in Scotland ;
of chartered, rivate,
notes of private and joint-stock banks
and Joist-stock
3,395,125/., t e 'notes of p
in Ireland. the
es
bullion in the Bonk of England was at
the same
date 12,7A0,vvvf.