The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-06 00:00:00

SHIPPING-THIS DAY.

LONDON, May 6.—Wind this day at noon—South-
Easterly; moderate breeze and fine weather, but a little
cloudy. _ _

PLYMOUTH, May s.—Wind N.W.—Arrived—Bilboa
screw steamer, from London for Bitb3a.

CLYDE, May 4.--Arrived—lndia, from Demerara—En-
deavour, from Trinidad—llelena, from Havannah—Eliza,
from Bahia.

SWANSEA, May s.—Wind N.W.—Arrived—E thelben
from Caldera.

FORTMOUTH, 111ey s,—Arrived—Carnatto, from Laidou
for Adelaide.

lIIPERIAL PARLIAMENT

---I.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Last Evening.
The SPEAK2B, to- k the chair at, four o'clock.
PM LATE BUSINESS.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
Brough Ferry Road, East Indian Railway, Edinburgh and
Leith Sewerage, Great Northern Railway (No. 1) (Barnet
Branch, &c.), London and South Western Railway
(Chertsey Extension), Midland Railway (Chesterfield to
Sheffield), Moira and Gresley Road, West Shrcpshire
Mineral Railway (Branches, &c.), and West Shropshire
Mineral Railway (New Lines).

THE VOTES FOR PROMOTION OF ARTS AND

SCIENCES.

Mr. GREGORY gave notice that on the civil service
estimates being proceeded with he would move that the sum
proposed for the purpose of science and arts, namely £16,000,
should be reduced.
CORRESPONDENCE ON THE AFFAIRS OF
SIAM.
In reply to Sir J.

Sir C. WOOD said he had received some further corre-
spondence on the affairs of Siam and Tnangann, which, he
hoped shortly to be able to lay on the table.
TENURE AND IMPROVEMENT OF LAND IN
IRELAND.

Mr. MAGUIRE asked Mr. Attorney-General for Ire-
land, whether he considered the Tenure and Improvement
of Land Act of 1860 a sufficient protection for the Irish
tenant, and a sufficient inducement to the expenditure of
the tenant's capital, labour, and:skill in effecting improve-
ments ; and if he considered the existing law to be deficient,
either as a stimulus to increased exertion or as a
protection for the enjoyment of its results, was he prepared
to advise her Majesty's Government to introduce a measure,
either now or at a future time, with a view to its amend-
ment.

Mr. O'HAGAN said that the present question was one
of a rather novel nature, and he regretted to say that he did
not think the act of 1860 would have the operation indicated
in the question, as it had practically failed in reference to
Ireland, as appeared trona the official report. He could
not give any opinion as to so important a subject as the
present without stating his reasons, which he understood
was cpposed to the practice of the house. As regarded the
other part of the question, he could only say, that in any-
thing he advised he would be dictated by a desire to pro-
mote the interests of Ireland.
MEDIATION OF THE KING OF PORTUGAL IN
THE AFFAIRS OF BRAZIL.

Mr. MACAULAY asked the Under Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs whether it was true that the Brazilian
Government, since hiideclaration made in February that her
Majesty's Government had from the beginning accepted the
proposed mediation or good offices of the King of Portugal,
have now signified their acceptance ; whether the King of
Portugal adhered to his offer; whether it was an offer of
mediation or good offices : whether any communication had
been received by her Majesty's Government from that of
Brazil in reply to the following passage in Earl Russell's
despatch of June 6, 1863, on suspending diplomatic relations :
" Her Majesty's Government hope that the Government of
Brazil will, in its future intercourse with Great Britain,
through whatever channel that intercourse may be carried
on, act with that courtesy which is usual between Govern-
ments ; and also that the Brazilian Government will, with-
out further delay, frankly enter into the communication of
their views as to the means by which a settlement of the
long pending claims may beat be arrived at ;" and whether
there is any objection to presenting to Parliament the cor-
respondence about British claims on Brazil, as the Brazilian
Government had laid the correspondence before theßrazilian
Legislature, and statements founded on that publication
have appeared in England.

Mr. LAYARD said, with regard to the first question, the
Government had not received any official information, but
he understood that the King of Portugal was ready to give
his services as the mediator alluded to. He believed
that the Brazilian Government would shortly make an
official communication on the subject. As related to the
third question, he thought it would be better not to give
any explanation at present, as there were reasons to believe
that amicable relations between the two countries would be
shortly resumed.

POOR RELIEF.

In repllito Mr. Goscimr,

Mr. VILLIERS expressed his opinion that the report of
the Select committee on poor relief would be shortly pre-
sented. With respect to giving any opinion as to a mea-
sure being brought forward by the Government founded
upon that report, he would defer giving an answer to that
questicn until the Government had seen the report.

BATTERSEA PARK.

In reply to Mr. AYRTON,

Mr. CON% PER said that a fifth portion of the park had
been appropriated to the use of the Civil Service, and al-
though there was some jealousy on the part of some of the
cricketers using the ground, there was no real ground for
complaint.

ROYAL ACADEMY,

In reply to Lord ELcao,

Mr. i.3OWPER said that his noble friend would have
ample opportunity of bringing this subject forward on a
future occasion, and the Government proposed to lay on the
table of the house an estimate for the building of the New
National Gallery.
In reply to Mr. GREGORY,

Mr. COWPER said that the reply of the Royal Aca-
demy would be laid on the tab;o in a fortnight, and the
other report referred to had not yet been presented.

TIIE CASE OF MR. BENVICKE.

In reply to Mr, BERKELEY,

Sir G GREY said that the prisoner was not indicted for
conspiracy, and Hutchinson had been released on the re-
commendation of the judge who heard the case.
SEIZURE OF THE BARQUE SCIENCE.
In reply to Mr. BLAKE,

Mr. LAY AIR said that as far as her Majesty's Govern-
ment was concerned the case was going through the ordi-
nary course in the prize courts. Despatches had been
received from the consul at New Orleans to the effect that
for the present the hearing of the case had been suspended.
There was nothing in the case that required the special in-
terference of her Majesty's Government,
ILLNESS OF LORD PALMERSTON.

Mr. NE WDEGATE said that in consequence of a com-
munication he had received as to the health of the noble
lord at the head of the Government, he would postpone the
question of which he had given notice.
COURTS OF JUSTICE MONEY BILL.

In reply to Mr. A. MILLS,
The ATTORNEY. GENERAL said he could not state
that the bill would be introduced at present.
CHURCH BUILDING BILL.

In reply to Mr. HADFIELD,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he did not think
this bill could be brought on until after the Whitsuntide
holidays.
___

THE CONFERENCE.

In reply to Mr. DISRAELI,

•
Sir G. GREY said that the Conference had been ad-
journed from yesterday until Monday next. As the pro-
ceedings were private_he could not state the reason which
induced the members to adj3urn.