The Sun.
London, England, 1863-02-18 00:00:00

the member for Bucks is, but I do not kn ow that the hon
member for North Warwick (Mr. Newdegax`e), for example,
is convinced. (Hear, hear.) But, be that .as it may, we
ought to be indulgent, seeing that strange ha bits and pre-
judices are not to be got rid of in a day,
and ti t the course
Which France has taken in negotiating comtnerc.lal treaties
with other nations is having a great effect in sprees ding free
trade throughout Europe. (Hear, hear.) Whatever re-
ductions are made to Franco we must strive to get, t her
in virtue of our moral claims or by the favoured nation.
clause. I think, then, we have every reason to be satisfied
with that commercial policy which has been pursued ItT
this country, and which gradually bring about in Europa
not only the conviction of the soundness of the principle,
but the adoption of the pract ce of free trade. (Cheers.)
The motion for adj,)urnrnent was then agreed to.
IRISH POOR REMOVAL.

Lord J. BROWNE called attention to the circumstances
attending the removal of Patrick Bourke from Leeds to the
Westport Union in the county of Mayo, Ireland, and
moved for a copy of the report of Dr. Brodie, the Irish Poor
Law Inspector, on the investigation which took place into
the circumstances attending the death of Bourke.
Mr. VILLIERS defended the law from the charge of
inhumanity, and contended that, on the contrary, it was
marked by humanity.
Mr. BAINES corroborated the right hon. gentleman's
statement, and defended the conduct of the Leeds guar-
dians.

The motion was agreed to.
INLAND REVENUE AND CUSTOMS ESTABLISH-

MENTS.

On the motion of Mr. HORSFA LL, a select committee
was agreed to for the purpose of inquiring into the propriety
of consolidating the Inland Revenue and Customs establish-

ments.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION TO PRISONERS.

Sir G. GREY obtained leave to bring in bill to
amend the law relating to the religious instruction of
prisoners in the county and borough prisons of England
and Scotland. The right hon. gentleman stated that the
bill was of course to apply to all denominations, but
there was no occasion to disguise the fact that it would
mainly apply to Roman Catholics, of whom, he regretted
to say, there were nearly 4,000 in the English prisons, and
who formed in some countries more than half of the en-
tire criminal population.
Major HAMILTON asked how the money to be paid to
the clergymen under the bill was to be raised ?
Mr. WHALLEY objected to the sanction which the bill
Proposed to give to the ministration of Roman Catholic
priests, when the constitution of the country emphatically
declared that the Roman Catholic religion was not to be
encouraged. The Roman Catholic prisoners had only to
ask for a prix at now, and there was no one to interfere with
such a demand. Priests were in the habit of going to the
labourers' cottages, and, taking the children, baptised them
and kept a register of their names. (Cries of " Question.")
Ho would feel it to be his duty on the second reading to
bring forward evidence of the teaching of Roman Catholio
priests. (Laughter.)
Mr. MAGUIRE said all the friends of civil and religious
liberty must congratulate the Government on the spirit in
which the bill was brought forward. But he believed

there was an objection to the bill, and it was this—that he
thought it relied too much on the discretion of the magis-
trate.

Sir G. BOWYER had one suggestion to make to the
Home Secretary. He was sure he spoke the sentiments of
all the Roman Catholic priests in the country when he said
they were prepared to minister to Roman Catholic prisoners
without any remuneration. It might be said that priests had
permission to see prisoners, but that was only with regard
to prisoners who had asked for the priest ; on the other
hand, the priest was excluded from tie larger class of pri-
soners who most needed his assistance. If an Irish prisuner
were asked if he wished to see a minister of his own per-
sua•ion he would not understand what was said to hire.
(Laughter.) He would not understand any question but
the simple one—Do you wish to see the priest? The
Catholic clergy would not seek for any remuneration.
Mr. NEWDEGATE said the bill would be received by
the country as a mere concession to the Roman Catholio
priesthood, and he hoped that on the second reading the
house would express its opinion against it. On the part of
the Roman Carbolic prisoners—(laughter)— he would op-
pose the bill on the second reading, although he would not
be guilty of the discourtesy of dividing the house at the
present stage.
Mr. HENNESSY supported the bill.
Sergeant PIGOTT entered his protest against the
measure.
Sir G. GREY said that the case of prisoners shut up in
gaol differed very widely from that of persons being at
large. The bill would be read a second time that day fort-
night.