The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-22 00:00:00

THE SPANISH SLAVE TRADE.

Lord BROUGHAM reverted to the discussion which
took place on this subject the other evening for the purpose
of correcting a misapprehension which existed as to the
observations that fell from him. In censuring the Spanish
governors of Cuba for taking bribes he specially excepted
General Dolce, who, to his great honour. refused to become
a party in any degree to the carrying on of the abominable
traffic. All he could say was that he only wished the other
Spanish colonial governors were half as good as General
Dolce, because then an end would soon be put to the slave
trade.

METROPOLITAN RAILWAY.'
LDrd REDESDALE moved that no petition, Praying to
he heard against the Metropolitan Railway Bill, be received
by the house unless received before Friday.

The motion was agreed to.
BUILIA.L REGISTRATION BILL.
The report of amendments to this bill was brought up
and receiN ed.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.

- - _
Earl FORTESCUE moved the second reading of the
Weights and Measures (Metric System) Bill, which had
come np with the sanction of the Commons, and the advan-
tages of which the noble earl dilated upon as being very
considerable alike in a commercial and a scientific point
of view._

The Marquis of SALISRURY opposed the bill, on the
ground that it was an incomplete and unsatisfactory at-
tempt to substitute a French equivalent for the Imperial
standard by the use of decimal points that would not be
understood, and which could not touch the multifarious
weights and measures that did not come under the denomi-
nation of Imperial. Belisvii.g that rho weaeure Would be
utterly impracticable, he moved as an amendment that it be
read a second time that day three months.
The bill was also opposed by the Earl of DONOUGH-
MORE.

The Duke of ARGYLL contended that the arguments
relied upon by the opponents of the measure were incon-
clusive, and that so far from the introduction of the pro-
posed system being complicated and hard to understand it
was marked by extreme simplicity as compared, for example,
with the system of weights and measures existing in Scot.
land, than which nothing could be more obscure or difficult
of comprehension.
The Earl of 1-IA.RROWBY also supported the bill, be-
cause it was required by a large proportion of the mercantile
community, and its adoption would be permissive, not
compulsory.
Lord BROUGHAM was of opinion that the measure, if
passed, sv, uld not only prove a great convenience to the
commercial classes, but increase the spread of education by
relieving the poor from the trouble of mastering an anti-
quated and complex system, thus wasting time that might
more profitably be employed in the acquirement of other
branches of knowledge.
After a few words against the bill from the Earl of CAR-
raavoN, and a brief reply from Earl FORTESCUS, the
house divided, and the bill was read a second time by
34 to 23.

The Turnpike Acts Continuance, the Militia Pay, the
Registration of Deeds (Ireland), the Justices Proceedings
(Sussex), the Expiring Laws Continuance, the Highways
Acts Amendment, the lonian States Acts of Parliament
Repeal, and the Turnpike Trusts Arrangement Bills were
read a second time ; as was also the Poisoned Flesh Prohi-
bition Bill, upon a division, by 31 to 18.
The Sale of Gas (Scotland), the Naval Discipline, and the
Local Government Piet (1858) Bills went through committee.
The Mutual Surrender of Criminals (Prussia), tbeThaines
Embankment and Metropolis Improvements Loans, the Isle
of Man :arbour Act Amendment, and the Militia Ballots
Suspension Bills were read a third time and passed.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Last Evening,
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.

Th 9 following bills were read a third time and passed :--
Central Railway— Chittenden's Disabilities Removal—
E.latnes' Estate—Great Northern and Western (of Ire-
land) Railway (No. I)—Great Northern and Western (of
Ire!and) Railway (No. 2) Bill—Hubberston Docks Bill—
Irish North Western Raiiway—Lord Harris' (Horsham,
Ail Souls College) Estate—and Millwall Canal, Wharfs,
and Graving Docks.