The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-24 00:00:00

IMPIBIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OP LORDS—Last Evening.

The LORD CHANCELLOR. took his seat on the woolsack at
five o' clock. -

Loy rd ARUNDELL of WARDOU it presented a petition from
a plaoe in Scotland, complaining of prosleytism under the
Poor-law Act.

DANGEROUS EXHIBITIONS.

The Ee,rl of MALMESBURY called attention to the late
fatal accident that occurred at Birmingham to an unfor-
tunate person called a " Female Blondin," who met with
her death by being precipitated to the ground whilst
performing on a rope fixed at a great altitude.
Atter the accident the greatest indifference was
exhibited by the people, and the committee having direction
of the fete allowed the sports to go on, notwithstanding
the terrible accident. He wished to know whether the
Government had not some power by which a stop could
be put to these highly dangerous exhibitions ?
Earl GRANVILLE said he quite agreed with the
-noble earl as to the danger of such exhibitions, which ho
thought could only be enjoyed by those of the most
morbid appetite. They had, however, now gone on for some
time, and had hoped that public opinion would have
discouraged such performances, but such was not the case.
With respect to the particular case now before them, it
would be better to wait. until the termination of the -
coroner's inquest before the matter was fully inquired into.
The Government had no power to put a stop to such exh;-
bitions. All they could do was to write letters to the
managers or lessees of places where they were understood
to be performed, warning them of the extreme danger of
such exhibitions, and informing them, at the same time,
that they exposed themselves to all the legal responsibilities
in the event of accidents. In the metropolis that warning
had been attended to, but the same feeling did not seem
to pervade the provinces. He believed the great attrac-
tion of such exhibitions was the extreme danger of the per-
formance, and the same remark might apply to foxhunting.
He had hoped that the good sense of the public would have
led to the cessation of the perf4rmances, and he regretted it
had not done so.
The Earl of SHAFTESB URY said that the extreme
interest that attached to these exhibitions was the tremen-
dous danger to which the performers exposed themselves.
He believed that if the same exhibitions were to
be given on a rope three or four feet from
the ground, with plenty of sawdust underneath, not
five people would go to see it. The most effectual means
for its extinction would be the Press, and he felt extremely
gratified that the conductors of it had taken the matter in
hand. It was greatly to be hoped that before long
a more refined taste would prevail, which would lead the
multitude to have a greater regard for the lives
and limbs of their fellow• subjects.
The subject then dropped.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Scottish. North Eastern and Dundee and Arbroath
Railways Amalgamation Bill was read a third time and
passed.
REMOVAL OF PRISONERS (SCOTLAND) BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
TRUSTEES (SCOTLAND) ACT AMENDMENT
BILL.

This bill passed through committee and was reported.
STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATES BILL.
This bill was read a third time and passed.
NAVY PRIZE AGENTS' BILL.
The report of amendments to this bill was brought up
and received.
FISHERIES (IRELAND) BILL.
On the motion for the third reading of this bill,
Lord CRANWORTH moved that it be read a third time
that day three months.
A long discussion ensued, at the conclusion of which the
house divided—
' ; For the third reading—Contents 4O
Non-contents 25
Majority for the third reading —ls
Lord CRANWORTH then moved, as a proviso to be
added to the bill, " Provided always that nothing in this
Act contained shall interfere with any rights held at the
time of the passing of this Act under royal grant or charter,
or possessed from time immemorial."
After discussion the house divided—
For the proviso—Contents .. 23
Non-contents
Majority against the proviso
A motion by the Earl of DONOUGHMORE to restore
the 20th clause was negatived on a division by a majority
of 25, the numbers being 12 against 37.
The bill as amended was then passed.
The Fortifications (Provision for Expenses) Bill, the
Public Works and Fisheries Acts Amendment Bill, the
-Vaccination (Scotland) Bill, and the Exhibition Medals
Bill, were each read a third time and passed.
The Nuisances Removal Bill, the Union Relief Aid Acts
Continuance Bill, the Companies Clauses Bill. and the
Turnpike Trusts Arrangements Bill went through com-
mittee.
The Railways Clauses Bill, the Waterworks Clauses Bill,
the Turnpike Acts Continuance Bill, the Expiring Laws
Continuance Bill, and the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Bill
were each read a second time.
The house adjourned at 10 minutes to 8 o'clock.

HOUSE OF. COMMONS.---Yesterday.
The SPEAKER took the chair at twenty five minutes past
twelve.

DENMARK AND GERMANY.

Mr. S. FITZGERALD said he was unwilling the
session to come to a close without endeavouring
to obtain from her Majesty's Government some ex-
planation with reference to the present condition of
matters between the German Confederation and the King-
dom of Denmark. The Consolidated Fund (Appropriation)
Bill made ample provision for the diplomatic service of the
country, and, amongst important places involved, Frank•
fort and Copenhagen held a principal place. He
regretted that while the friendly relations between other
Powers appeared to be only strengthened, those between
the Germanic Confederation and the Government appeared
to be embittered. He considered that the federal occupa-
tion of Holstein would be most menacing to Europe, if
Denmark resisted it. He thought it would be important
to know what steps her Majesty's Government would take
under the circumstances.
Lord PALMERSTON said this was one of the most
complicated subjects that ever engaged the attention of
statesmen in Europe. Ho should not enter into details of
what was called the Schleswig-Holstein affair, which was
involved in the utmost obscurity of former times. The
G ,rman advocates referred back to 1640 as the ground on
which they maintained stricter relations between Schleswig
and Holstein than those admitted by Denmark or any
other Powers, He entirely agreed with the hon. gentleman
(Mr. Fitzgerald) that it was a matter of British policy to
maintain the independence and integrity of the Danish
monarchy. It was not a large one, but it had its rights as
well as larger States, and its geographical position rendered
it the more important to this country that these rights
should be secured. The position the Government had always
held was, that Holstein was a member of the German Con-
federation, and that that Confederation had a control over
the affairs of Holstein as it had over other members of the
Germanic Confederation, and that any arrangement made
by the King of Denmark, opposed to this fundamental rule,
was not justifiable. But they held that, with regard to
Schleswig, the German Confederation had no control, and
the Germanic Confederation had no more right to prescribe
rules for it than Spain, Portugal, England, Russia, or any
other separate and independent State. They held that
Schleswig was a matter of European arrangement. But still
there were many Germans there, and the Government held
that
the German Confederation had a right to represent, if
such
ccha case existed, that the German inhabitants were not
upon an equal footing with the subjects of Denmark.
Such matters Ought not, however, under any circumstances,
arms. to justify an appeal to (Hear, hear.) As to Holstein,
the last stage only was that which was worthy of considera- •
tion, and that arose out of the patent issued by the King of
He did
Denmark in March last.
not know what step the
German Confederation intended to take on the matter, but
of
he remembered that an anecdote Talleyrand, who when
he desired that the Germanic Confederation should not take
a certain step which he considered might be injurious to
France, recommended them not to
nota
proceed with inconside-
rate haste. Now precipitation was
characteristic of
the Germanic Confederation, but he was sure that their
good sense would prevent them from taking a step which
would be damaging to the peace of Europe,
if u
war broke out there, it must extend further, fatlena
in-
volve many other states in its disastrous coneci
As to the policy and course of the Government as to theseees
disputes, he might say that the Government were desirous
that the rights of Denmark should be maintained, and
that it any attempt were made to overthrow those rights
they should be resisted. He trusted, however,
that these matters would be subject for negotiation
and not for war. Every effort should be made by
her Majesty's Government to induce the parties to include
all disputes within the limits of diplomatic intercourse.
(Blear, hear.) He had no doubt those efforts would be suc-
cessful, and he had no apprehensions of either immediate or
remote danger. (Cheers.)
THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA.—