The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-11 00:00:00

THERIVIOIIETE R.

Highest since Noon yesterday.
Lowest during the night
This day at N00n.....

Barometer-30.24.
Wind—S.W.; light, with fine weather.

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
Tale DAY.-141orning,r, 6h. 38m.—Afternoon, 7h. 2m,
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Tr 4 =1" -
egg 00".:*i•
VA" ;01111Irk I
- agflN) 4.5416

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 11, 1853.

In the House of Lords, the Marquis of Non-
MANBY gave notice that on Monday next he would
call attention to the correspondence which has
lately been presented respecting Roman affairs.
Earl STANHOPE inquired what changes had lately
been made by the Home Secretary in the system of
tickets of leave. He referred to the recent increase
of acts of violence throughout the country, and said
he thought it would have been better had the Go-
vernment at once brought forward a measure instead
of appointing a fresh commission, when they pos-
sessed such ample information on the subject. He
understood, however, that the Secretary of State
had already communicated with the Chairmen of
the Quarter Sessions, and he wished to know the
nature of the changes proposed.
Earl GRANVILLE said that the only alteration
which had been thought advisable, pending the re-
sult of the commission, was that re-convicted felons
should have no remission of their sentences.

The Earl of DERBY wished to know, in case of a
re-committal for a further crime, whether the sen-
tence should not begin until the unexpired sentence
had been fulfilled.

Lord GRANVILLE said that the second sentence
would begin directly after the second conviction.
Lord DERBY disapproved of that arrangement.
Lord CRANWORTH said the matter was in the
discretion of the judge.
The Duke of MARLBOROUGH wished to know
whether it was true that the convict itedpath was
at liberty, on a ticket-of-leave, and enjoying the
proceeds of his fraud.
Earl GRANVILLE could not answer, but would

make irgairies.
The Earl of CARNARVON expressed his surprise
that notwithstanding Sir G. Grey's repeated expe-
rience at the Home-office the system should be so
unsatisfactory. He censured Sir G. Grey's inter-
ference with the judicial sentences as trifling with
the prerogative of mercy, and complained that the
matter had been referred to a committee whose re-
part would probably not be laid on th© table till
they were too busy to attend to it.
_ _

Earl GRANYILIE defended hi; colleague, and
did not anticipate any delay in the report.
The Earl of HARDvricKE thought that the
frequency of official interference lessened the public
estimation of the decisions of the bench.

In the House of Commons, Mr. SMITH moved for
copy of any correspondence between the Indian
Secretary and the Governor-General, or other per-
sons, on the subject of cotton cultivation in India.
Mr. FITZGERALD gave notice that, on an early
day, he should call attention to the question of
commercial treaties.

Mr. GARNETT asked the Home Secretary to pro-
duce the circular recently addressed to judges
respecting ticket•-of-Leave.
In answer to Sir F. KELLY,

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the Govern-
ment did not see any necessity for materially
amending the Law of Bankruptcy. They proposed
some alteration, especially the appointment of a
chief judge. The attention of the Lord Chancellor
had been directed to the consolidation of bank-
ruptcy law, but the Government could not promise
any alteration this session.
Leave was then given to bring in several bills,
among them one by Sir J. TRELAWNY to allow the
use of affirmations to certain persons, and by Mr.
ALCOCK for the voluntary redemption of church
rates,

Mr. HENNESSY again referred to the Polish ques-
tion, and asked whether Austria during the Crimean
war had not offered to join the Allies on certain
conditions, one of which was the independence of
Poland ; and whether at the Congress of Paris 1,914
Clarendon had not objected to the discussion of the
subject in the hope that the Czar would grant the
necessary reforms.
Mr. GRIFFITH and Mr. PEACOCKE made some
obi3ervations respecting the cession of the lonian
Islands.

Lord PALMERSTON said that no proposal for the
re-establishment of Polish independence had been
made by Austria. On the contrary, they were
informed that she would oppose such an arrange-
ini:nt. What passed at the Congress of Paris
had been laid before Parliament in the protocols.
There were several precedents for ceding terri-
tory in the position of the lonian Islands, though
the CRONNN had no right to alienate British ter-
ritory without the consent of Parliament. With
regard to the prc,cnt case, the Greeks, not having

yet chosen a King, no further steps had been
taken.
The House adjourned at a quarter to six.

Last night the attention of the House of Lords
was engaged in considering the question of the
Convict System. Lord GRANVILLE did his
utmost to make the worse appear the better
muse, but with very little success, as the general
sense of the House appeared to be against him.
There is no doubt that public opinion will con-
firm the arguments of some of the speakers last
night, who vainly endeavoured to press forward
the importance of the subject, but were met with
the obstacles of circumlocution and red-tapism,
that everlastingly intervene when expedition is
necessary. Earl STANHOPE made some excellent
1 observations on this topio. After alluding to the
panic, in the course of last autumn, that had
been created by " the proceedings of convicts who
had been liberated under tickets of leave," he
remarked that the system of tickets of leave had
been adopted by the Government nine or ten
years ago, and however well intended, it had
been most unsuccessful in its aim. While he
trusted that, eventually, their lordships might
arrive at a satisfactory solution of the eiffi-
-1 cult problem before them, he still thought
that "it would have been better for
the public if, instead of appointing a fresh commis-
sion to examine into the subject, the Government
had decided on taking an independent course of
action, and provided a remedy themselves, they
should have acted on their own responsibility and
taken measures to repress the evil." There is great
truth in these remarks, but responsibility is the very
thing that this Government seems resolved to shirk
whenever it can find the opportunity to do so. A
bold decisive movement in any direction seems quite
impossible for them to take ; hence we meet with
all this shuffling and procrastination. Lord DERBY
called attention to a glaring evil in the arrange-
ment of the convict system, which was that if a
prisoner, who was at large on a ticket-of-leave,
committed a new crime, the new conviction super-
seded the former one altogether. " The system
which had been found to work so well in Ireland
was dependent on supervision, and the original in-
tention in this country was, also, that if
persons wh• had obtained tickets-of-leave
were found associating with thieves, or fre-
quenting their old haunts, their tickets should
be at once taken from them without waiting for any

conviction." Lord GRANVILLE said that the second
sentence would be considered by itself, and be totally
distinct from the former conviction. This is very
unsatisfactory, because, as Lord DERBY afterwards
explained, the culprit might actually gain by the
committal of the second crime, if his second convic-
tion chanced to be shorter than the first. It is cer-
tain that if it were generally known that on an
offender being again convicted before the expiration
of the first term of his servitude is completed,
he would be compelled to undergo imprison-
ment until that had been fulfilled, as well as
suffering the new penalty inflicted, it would

exercise a very important influence in deter-

ring the constant commission of crime. One
good thing at all events has been effected, that
with regard to persons who 'are re-convicted, no
hope whatever can be held out to them of a remis-
sion of their sentences. The authorities are to be
congratulated on the wisdom of this step in the
direction of general order, and for the furtherance
of the safety of the community. It is greatly to be
regretted that, in addition to this benefit, they did
not add the advantage already referred to. The
Duke of MARLBOROUGH called attention to a very
striking statement he had heard, that the convict

REDPATII, who had been sentenced to transporta-
tion for life, 'had been liberated on ticket-of-leave,
and was now enjoying the fruits of his felony in
some distant colony. Lord GRANVILLE promised
that he would make inquiries on the subject. Here is
a glaring perversion of justice. The judge who con-
victed REDPATII said that such was the magnitude
of the felony of which he was guilty that he could
do no less than sentence him to be transported be-
yond the seas for the term of his natural life. It
seems too bad that when so strong a condemnation
has been pronounced against a man that he should
be allowed to be set at liberty.
Lord CARNARVON, who has already distinguished
himself in this question, made some remarks
well worthy of notice. He said with some
truth that it was fifteen years since Sir
GEORGE GREY first took charge of the disposition
of the criminal population. " Since then, Sir
GEORGE GREY had been Home Secretary three
times, and had had full and uncontrolled disposal
of the Home Office, and had himself passed one
or two Acts of Parliament on the .subject of the
criminal population ; and, therefore, he (Lord
CARNARVON) asked how it was that, under Sir G.
GREY, we had become involved in the present
difficulty ?" Another point strongly pressed by
Lord CARNARVON was that the duty which

Ibelonged of right to the Executive Government
had been delegated to a commission, " whose report
would not, in all probability, be laid on their lord-
ships' table till the summer, when they would be
crowded with other business, and there would be
no time properly to consider it." Lord GRANVILLE
denied the likelihood of there being any delay in
the presentation of the report, and indignantly de-
fended Sir G. GREY from the charges brought
against him, he said he was quite surprised at the
attack, and that his colleague was not at all to
blame. Lord HARDWICKE concluded the debate
by remarking that the power vested in the Secre-
tary
of State rendered it extremely doubtful in
many cases whether the sentences of the judges
would be carried into effect, and he would like
to know the opinion of the learned members
of the House on the subject. Ta this no
answer was returned, but at all events it
is something gained that a protest has been en-
tered against the unsatisfactory mode that has been
adopted of dealing with questionsthat are of so vital
a nature as regarding the interests of the commu-
nity and the order and good regulation of society.
It seems a suspicions circumstance that the Govern_
went should insist on leaving the settlement of
the point to those whose opinions will not be in-
terfered with, instead of leaving the arrangement
in the hands of the House, which would have been
better if they were resolved not to do anything
themselves of a decisive nature. One thing is cer-
tain if Ministers trifle with this subject, they will
rue the day they did so, for they will call down a
storm of indignation that they will not find it very
easy to withstand. Already much time has been
wasted, and it is irritating to think that those who
like Lord CARNARVON have attentively studied the
sbuybjtehee over-bearing
be pooh—poohed, in their statements
bearing manner of those who profess
to be au fait with all the branches of the system,
that from motives or misapprehension they pervert
Bo dreadfully from its original objects. These
surely must have been, and still ought to be, the
prevention of crime so far as human laws can make
that possible, and the real punishment of offenders
to the full extent that man can be justified in
carrying out sentences.

It is not often that we have occasion to express
approval of the official acts of Sir CHARLES WOOD,
but his recent interference with the law of contracts

is in every way commendable, and we are not sorry
that an address, signed by many influential names,
should have been yesterday presented to the Indian
Government expressive of the general satisfaction
at the prevention of the passing of a law likely to
be fruitful in disastrous results. The noblemen
and gentlemen whose names are affixed to the
address, after thanking the Secretary of State for
objecting to the draft of the new law, go on to say
that they deprecate such legislation as injurious to
the best interests of India, and contrary to sound
principle. It is evident that at an epoch when the
condition of the debtor in England has been so
greatly ameliorated, the harshness of regarding a
debtor as a criminal in any other part of her
MAJESTY'S dominions is open to the charge of in•
consistency, as well as of cruelty. The evil results
likely to follow from the adoption of the proposed
measure, the oppression, the injustice, the tyranny
which it will encourage, are strongly dwelt upon
by the framers of the address. The great hardship
of the case lies in the relative position of planter
and ryot. The abject condition of the tenant
classes in Bengal—two-thirds of them being
unable to read or write, and totally devoid
of means—places them entirely at the mercy of their
landlords, and if these choose to become creditors also
they are not in a position to reject the proposed
advance. There is doubtless much dishonesty and
trickery practised by the ryots, but the remedy for
this evil should surely be found in simplifying
and economizing the working of the law, not by
adding the terrors of crimnal law to civil jurisdic-
tion. The draft act presented for consideration was
we are told, especially designed for such contracts
as are entered into between British planters and
Bengal ryots. But, surely, this is not the way to
encourage the cultivation of land under British
auspices or to render the native tiller of
the soil ready to work under English influence.
The sentence of imprisonment with hard labour
would always be an unduly severe one for a civil
offence, but in the present instance it is the more
harsh that the ryots are confessedly admitted not to
free agents. If either party to a contract is not
wholly a free agent, says the address, the weaker
one will inevitably seek to escape from the burden
by any possible evasion. It is not, of course, pos-
sible that the law can be expected to tolerate
the non - fulfilment of contracts, but if
the punishment for the offence is so dis-
proportionately severe, it affords encourage-
ment to those capitalists who, for their own in-
terests, would force the ryot into an inequitable
contract and bind him to strain every nerve for its
fulfilment to avoid the terrors of the new law. Such
legislation as this is not the way to consolidate our
Indian Empire ; it is not the way to render our
dominion and our countrymen popular ; still less is
it the way to hurry forward that extension of
commerce, and that development of the resources of
India, so desired on both sides of the Pacific.
Surely our legislators are capable of adapting the
means at their disposal to just and temperate deal-
ing with these contract cases or, if not, this among
other points of our Indian administration will pro-
bibly be brought under the consideration of Par-
liament.

The news by the Hibernian contains little of
interest. Nothing of any moment has taken place.
The Federals, with a determination worthy of a
better cause, are still obstinately bent upon taking
Vicksburg ; and to this end we learn that
.11.‘CLERNARD'S expedition has landed on the
Louisiana side of the Mississippi, five miles below
the mouth of the Yazoo river, in view of
Vicksburg, the scene of their repeated reverses,
and that two brigades are occupied in re-
opening the canal to change the course of
the river. Although we consider the chance of
success to the Federal arms hopeless, we yet give
them credit for energy and perseverance, however
misapplied, but the idea of changing the course of
" The Father of Waters" by a paltry ditch is too
ridiculous to be for a moment entertained. The
Federal generals and Congress have set their hearts
on taking Richmond, but before they can accom-
plish this Vicksburg must be reduced. As yet they
have faiied in their attempt upon this stronghold
of the Southerners, and we do not see much probe.,
bility of ultimate success against earthworks from
which their picked regiments have been repulsed
with great slaughter after a most determined
attack. To what purpose to turn the course of the
river when the land defences have been proved to
be impregnable ? Is it not as easy for the
Confederates to throw up earthworks on
one side as on the other ? But it is
idle to dilate further on the subject. A
nerrove ditch—for, after all, that is what
the grand canal amounts to—cannot carry
off the waters of the Mississippi, and we suspect
that the troops are engaged on this work to occupy
their time, rather than in any hope of ultimate
benefit. With regard to the army of the Potomac,
General CONCH commands the right wing, General
MEAD the centre, General SMITH the left, and General
SIGEL the reserve. A heavy fall of snow has rendered
the roads impassable, and there is little prospect of
anything material being done for some time.
Meanwhile General BURNSIDE is to be examined
before a senatorial committee concerning of the in-
terference of subordinate officers with his plans,
and General FRANKLIN has demanded a court-
martial to enquire into the alleged charges for tardi-
ness and inefficiency. Thus, not content with
being beaten by the enemy whom they pro-
posed to crush in ninety days, the Federal
Generals and Senate are cutting each other's throats,
and still farther weakening the doubtful confidence
which a misled people have placed in men who
can do no more to re-establish the Union, that
falsify despatches, and report defeats as victorious.
Deluded as the Americans are by their
opinionated self-conceit, facts must in the end make
themselves felt. Sooner, perhaps, than is expected,
a reaction will take place. Mr. SEWARD'S paper
victories cannot counterbalance in the minds of the
Wall-street brokers for gold at fifty-nine per cent.
premium, or, more properly speaking, paper at
fifty-nine per cent. discount. The bubble must
Sooner or later burst, and, in the cause of humanity
and common sense, the sooner it does, and this most
unnatural war is terminated, the better will it be
for America and the civilised world.

REECE.--There is a report that the Duke of
Saxe Coburg has again declined to accept the throne
of Greece; but it is still thought ho will accept the candi-
dature, which Mr. Elliott has announced to the Greeks,
apparently to their satisfaction. Meantime wo have received
the following paragraph :—" We understand that H.S.H.
Prince Alexander di Gonzaga-Mantua may possibly be-
come a candidate for the throne of Greece, at the desire of
many very influential parties. 11.5. H. the Prince is mar-
ried to an English lady, and has long resided in privacy in
England, but in 1848, when the crown of Sicily was offered
to him, he could not be prevailed upon to leave his domestic
circle for a court."

A POINT OF HONOUR. By the Author of " The
Morals of Mayfair," &c.—The author of "The
Morals of Mayfair" is an original, independent, and sturdy
thinker, who has more than once taken society by surprise,
assailed some favourite theory, and exposed some pernicious
practice. "A Point of Honour" appeals to the reader as
an argument and as a novel. In the first character it is
impressive. In the second it deserves considerable praise.
There are the great human passions, love and grief; there
are the strong contrasts, a man tine and worthy even in his
ofl
the author's failings, a man false and despicable even in his attractions.
Pointsisfoarmboeorkwwohrilcsexmceoerdrsinign
Ftorsut,
and"A beauty