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

IMPERIAL PARIAWI=

HOUSE OF LORDS.—Last Evening.

Tho LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack at
five o'clock.
Lord Antnrnsu, of Wan Dot a. presented a petition from
a place in Scotland, complaining of prosleytisin under the
Poor-law Act.
DANGEROUS EXHIBITIONS.

The Earl 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 tete 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 GRANVII,LE said he quite agreed with the
noble earl as to the danger of such exhibitions, which he
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 exhi-
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 aceidents. 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 performances, and he regretted it
had not done so.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY 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 sawdwit 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 matte
lr in
hand. It was greatly to be hoped that before on
a more refined taste would prevail, which would lead the
multitude to b.av greeter. ',regard. for' the lives,
and limbs of thehilfellositisitbjelasial t.!osio
The subject then dropl4.act'o4 (ta),il-811-10,11),) ,1 "1- f:
-
PRIVAIt
The Scottidl 5cai1i;,,,44*.4.0,4Ap.#.44,14.r0atp,
Railways Amag"intipoillillyfaaead." thirktillfziP
passed. 4
,•uw,l.L;l3a olw, Ala mama ti .
REMOVAL OF PRISONERS (SCOTLAND) BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
TRUSTEES (SCOTLAB ILND). ACT AMENDMENT
L
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 rending—Contents
Nut-contents 25
Majority for the third reading —ls

Lord CRA.N WORTH 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 .... —ll
A motion by the Earl of DONOUGHMOR.E 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.