The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-27 00:00:00

DIPERIAL PARLIAMEN

HOUSE OF LORDS—Last Evening.
The Lord Chancellor took his seat at the usual hour.

THE SLAVE TRADE.

Lord BROUGHA3I celled the attention of their lord-
ships to the papers laid before the house in reference to the
slave trade, and asked the Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs whether her Majesty's Government had communi-
cated with the Spanish Government in reference to more
rigorous steps being taken for the suppression of the slave
trade.

Earl RUSSELL said all the Pape relating to Com-
mander Wilmot's visit to the King of Dahomey had been
Submitted to the Governmraii of Spain, who were of opinion
that the slave trade waF!abominable and inhuman, and pro-
fessed to take every measure in their power for its suppression.
Of late years they certainly had been more energetic, and
the Governor of Cuba had sent home several persons for
WO charged with trafficing in slaves.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
Worcester, Dean Forest, and Monmouth Railway—Bir-
mingham and Sutton (Goldfield Extension) Railway—
Wexford Free Bridge—Eladdington Roads—Midland Rail-
way (New Lines)—Devon Valley Railway—Tend ring
Hundred Railway—and Low'on and North-Western Rail-
way (new branches) bills were read a second time.
The Ee.rl oz Fife's Estates Bill were read a third time
and passed.

REGIMENTAL DEBTS BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
INNKEEPERS' LIABILITY BILL.
This bill also passed through committee.
BETHLEHEM HOSPITAL.

The Earl of SHAFTESBTJRY moved a return of the
annual amount of revenues during the last 10 years' admini-
stration by the authorities of Bethlehem Hospital, the total
amount of money received from parliamentary grants, the
average number of patients in the hospital in each year
for ten years apart from criminal patients, the total
number of the governors of the hospital, the number of
special meetings since January, 1863, in reference
to the removal of the hospital and the number of go-
vernors present on each occasion, and the questions
proposed and the divisions taken. The noble earl
said the time had now arrived when the removal of Beth-
lehem Hospital from its present position was absolutely
necessary, as it was utterly impossible that the
measures now known to effect the best results upon lunatics
with a view to their recovery could be carried out in
the present building. Fifty years ago the present Bethlehem
stood in the midst of fields ; but how was it now ? There
was little more than 19 acres left in its original state, and
he did not think any person would consider that suffi-
cient space for the purposes of such a vast institu-
tion as Bethlehem, where it was absolutely necessary
the patients should not be subject to over-crowding, but,
on the contrary, have the greatest amount of fresh air,
without which it was totally impossible there could be
the slightest hope of their ultimate recovery. The manner
in which the governors conducted the institution was most
expensive, and he did not know of any charity where its
privileges were administered with less advantage. One of the
great reasons that had been urged in favour of keeping
Bethlehem was that the patients would be deprived
of the amusement of walking down Newington-cause-
way and looking at the shops, but he could hardly
imagine a more ridiculous notion. Another reason for its
removal was, that the institution should not be put to the
expense of removal. Why, the institution was supported
by the public, and if the public wished for its removal,
why should it not take place ? Bethlehem Hospital had the
magnificent income of £20,000 per annum, and yet
only 200 patients, or on the average 240, were weekly
maintained in the institution. Such an income ought at
least to admit of the maintenance of 400 or 500 inmates.
Surely the public had a right to demand the fullest develop-
ment possible of this great institution. They could do no
wrong to any one by insisting upcn the acceptance of the
offer now made. They could do a vast amount of great
and permanent good by removing Bethlehem to the coun-
try, and enlarging its sphere and power of action. The
noble lord concluded by moving for-1, The annual amount
of the revenues during the last 10 years administered by the
authorities of Bethlehem Hospital; 2, Total amount of money
received by the hospital by Parliamentary grants ; 3, Ave-
rage number of patients in the hospital in each year for
10 years, apart from the criminal patients ; 4, The total
number of governors of the hospital ; 5, Number of special
meetings since January, 1863, in reference to the removal
of Bethlehem Hospital, and number of governors present on
each occasion; 6, The questions proposed and the divisions
taken.

Earl GRANVILLE said there could be no objection
whatever to the motion for the production of the pepers.
He merely got up, instead of giving a silent assent, to say
that the noble lord was by no means singular in the opi-
nions which he had expressed. A strong proof of that was
to be seen in the fact that, although there were a good
many governors of Bethlehem Hospital in their lordships'
house, not one had thought it necessary to rise and offer
any opposition, or to controTert the opinions of the noble
earl. The noble lord had taken the best mode of promoting
the object which he had in view, bybringing it prominently
before the public. In fact, it was only by bringing public
opinion to bear strongly upon it that he would succeed. In
thus stating his own agreement in the opinion expressed
regarding Bethlehem, he (Earl Granville) should at the
same time disclaim the pronouncement of any opinion upon
the merits of the question as to the other hospital which had
been mentioned in connection with the motion. (Hear,)
The motion was then agreed to.
AMERICAN PRIZE COURTS—THE CASE OF