The Sun.
London, England, 1862-05-28 00:00:00

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H. CAIRNSPATE
Sir pro •
rented to her Majesty, praying that she would be graciously
pleased to issue a commission to inquire into the working of
the law relative to letters patent for inventions. He said
that this was a subject of more importance than might at
first be considered, and there was no less than 14,000 patents
in existence. It was most desirable that every encourage•
ment should be extended to inventors by the Government
of this country, in order to promote discoveries in science
and arts. He considered that the mode of encouragement
should be as analogous as possible to the plan of giving an
interest to inventors for a certain number of years in
their inventions. Having adverted to the alteration
in the patent laws of 1852, he said there were three
grounds of objection to the present state of the law in
reference to patents. It was alleged first that too great
facilities were offered for taking out letters patent, which
led to the multiplication of worthless and trivial patents
which operated injuriously in a commercial point of view.
The second objection was, that the cost of patents was too
large, and the third complaint was that the tribunal before
which patent cases were tried was very expensive and un-
satisfactory from the want of knowledge of such tribunals.
He referred to France and the United States of America,
which he contended exhibited a more healthy state in regard
to patents than this country. The patents granted in this
country annually were about 3,000, while in France they
wore froth 4,000 to 5,000, and in the United States about
5,000. He argued that there should be considerable
facilities afforded to inventors, notwithstanding the ob-
jections that were urged against the adoption of such a
course of policy. He alludd to the different inventions
which had been made in science and art within the last
century, which to some extent was attributable to the en-
couragement afforded to patents. In his opinion; what was
required was a short and inexpensive mode of investigating
the merits of any invention, and calling in and cancelling
those patents which had been granted without just ground.
He contended that the point to be discussed was the
amount of the sum that should be fixed for the price of a
patent, which would be sufficiently large to deter worthless in-
ventions, but not so largo as to operate in restricting bonafrde
and valuable inventions. Having called some cases to show
the expenses that were incident to the litigation arising out
of patent cases, which in the instance of proceedings arising
out of an invention for capsuling bottles cost the parties
£24,870. There could be no doubt that ordinary
juries were very often incompetent to arrive at a
correct conclusion in respect to disputed patent cases. In
order to remedy this defect it had been suggested that a
jury formed of exparts should be constituted to try cases of
this character, but he confessed that he was not satisfied as
to such a solution of the difficulty. Again, it bad
been suggested that a jury of three or four persons
of scientific at tainments, and with minds sufficientlytrained
to enable them to direct' their intelligence to considering
questions that might arise, should be appointed with the
assistance of a judge, to determine any questions arising
out of patents. He thought that the subject was one that
required very grave consideration, and he contended that
beneficial results would necessarily follow from the appoint-
ment of the commission for which he moved.
Lord STANLEY seconded the motion, and argued that
the object proposed would be effected best by allowing
patents to be obtained at an inexpensive cost.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL considered that a fair
case for inquiry had been made out, and he hoped the re-
sult would be the adoption of such emendations of the
patent law as would render it in future more satisfactory.
_AfterEn some observations from Mr. M. Swan, Mr.
G
° and other hon. members, the motion was agreed
to.

PUBLIC WORKS.
Mr. DILLIVYN moved a declaratory resolution, to the
effect that it was desirable in all cases where Government
proposed to Corwtruct wQrhs, or erect fortifications Or public

buildings distinct from those tread), existing or sanctioned
by Parliament, the estimateser the same should be sub-
mitted for the consideration ()the house in a separate form,
and at a separate time, from te annual estimates for cur-
rent expenditure.
Sir G. LEWIS objected Toth° proposal, that, if carried
out, an additional class of estbates would have to be pre-
pared, and that many quesions would arise as to what
were "new works or erection? The number of new works
was very small indeed; and tic Government bad every de-
sire to present the estimates it the form moat convenient
for discussion ; but he did let think any useful object
would be served by complyin; with the suggestions made.
The motion was withdrawn,
IND CI STR I ALEDU CATION.
Col. SYKES moved that ir any system of education by
Government aid provision shold be made for teaching in
industrial schools; and that with a view to encourage
evening study by adult operatves, provision should be mado
for supplying a teacher in Each mechanics' institutes as
might apply for one.
The motion was opposed b) Mr. LO WE, and ultimately
withdrawn.

THE 'ALLOT.
Mr. H. BERKELEY, win had been in active commu-
nication with his friends--supporters of the ballot on both
sides of the house, and who lard availed himself of the tem-
porary absence of the Speaker from the chair to arrange his
plan of action, and take the orpenents of the ballot by sur-
prise, seeing that many of then were not at their posts, rose
on the return of the right hon.gentleman and said—l move
for leave, sir, to bring in a bill to cause the votes of Par-
liamentary electors to be taker by way of the ballot. (Hear,
hear.) It strikes me, sir, that the arguments which I have
hitherto used are entirely unanswered, and I therefore beg
permission, sir, to leave the oestion in your hands.
Lord FERMOY seconded the motion. (Cheers and
laughter, caused by the knowledge that a large body of the
opponents of the ballot were not in their places, and were
likely to be thus taken by surprise.)
The SPEAKER, put the question that leave be given to
bring in the bill, and aloud response of " Aye," mixed with
cheers, resounded through the house. The right hon. gen-
tleman then put the contrary, and a resolute cry of "No,"
issued from the stuallTaba owr vipoo.-A+o of tt.......pturc
•
was the reply.
The SPEAKER—The " Ayes" have it. (Cheers.)
The Opponents of the measure—The "Noes" have it.
The SPEAKER—The " Ayes" tom much
he right,aught ea and dhtohne.
" Noes" to the left.
TheTh e house ou s e
then
did
not divided,ejoing the surprise. amidst
occupy many minutes, and when
members
division
on
both
sides
n
the numbers were handed by the clerk at the table to Mr.
Berkeley, it was thus made evilent that the opponents of
the ballot were for the first time beaten, and a loud and
protracted cheer burst forth from its supporters, and a
hearty cheer again rang through the house. The hon.
member, when silence was restored, announced the num •
bers—
For the motion ...... B3
Against it .......
Majority for ~ —33
Loud cheers a,gain burst brth from the supporters of the
ballot, and laughter, in whlch all present joined again, re-
sounded through the house.
Leave was then given to bring in the bill, which was ac-
cordingly brought in and reed a first time.
[The whole scene was a " sensation" one, made up of
" tact," laughter, cheers, good humour, a short speech,
and a successful surprise.]
BALLOT AT MUIIICIPAL ELECTIONS.
Mr. A. SMITH, following the example and tactics of
Mr. Henry Berkeley, rose and said the motion which he
eteo r bbring
b e taken was about to submit to the house was such as not to re-
quire him to make any speech in support of it. He would
tuena
b" y "bill
way to
of allboalwlotth., e,
v(thereforetheeseorsf
andmm uo
nvl
ieacui forpg)
ahl thel erl
ea.v s to
The SPEAKER having put ther question, and an-
nounced that the "Ayes" lad it, a y was raised of "N o,
no," " Divide, divide."
Lord PALMERSTON, amid the ringing of the " divi-
sion bells" and mirthful laughter, rose and said.—After
" the agreeable surprise" taat has been enacted this even-
ing with so much applause—(laughter)—and after the hon.
member for Bristol has given an example in his own per-
son of the value of " silent voting"—(laughter)—it is pos-
sible that this bill will talo the same course, and I shall
therefore, like hina, leave it in the hands of the house.
(Hear, hear, cheers, laughter, and cries of et Divide,
divide," and " Agreed, arced.")
The SPEAKER again put the question.
The house divided, ane. the numbers were—
For the motion B2
Against it ......
Majority... —34
The announcement, as in the case of " the Ballot," was
received with cheers and general laughter.
Leave was then given to bring in the bill, and it was ac-
cordingly brought in and read a first time.
ROMAN CATHOLIC PRISONERS.
In committee of the whole house leave was given to Mr.
HENNESSY to bring ina bill to amend the law relating to
the religious instruction of Roman Catholic prisoners in
England and Wales.
On the motion of Dlr. WHALLEY a return was ordered
of the names, ages, and number of students attending the
College of Maynoothf at the end of the academical year ;
the names and number who have entered each year from
that time till the 31st of August, 1861, with the age of each
at entering ; the names and number who have left college
during that period who have not completed their course of
education, with the date of leaving.
The ?fitipitzgrimissvto,.pim9 discussion, but was con-
the Judgments Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill and Laud
Debentures (Ireland) Bill.
The house then went into committee on the Education of
Pauper Children Bill, the several clauses of which were
agreed to.
Progress was made with the Salmon Fisheries (Scotland)
Bill in committee; and the other orders having been dis-
posed of the house adjourned.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

BATH RACES—YSSTEUDAY.
This county meeting, famed for the downfall of Derby
favourites, and occasionally for the debut of a good two-yr-
old, commenced yesterday, under very favourable auspices
by the arrival of many horses at the town. The weather
unfortunately, changed during the night, and a week ofr
bright sunshine was followed by a drizzling rain, which
continued to fall at intervals during the morning. The
Biennial Stakes were the two leading features Of the day,
and the first of them produced one of the finest rages ever
seen, ending in the discomfiture of The Knave. The other
upset the then favourite for next year's Derby, who was
defeated most ingloriously. In the Lansdown Trial Stakes,
with which the running began, Star of the West was
beaten, and at once receded from 30 to 1 in the Derby bet-
ting to 1,000 to 15, which odds were offered against him
without meeting a response. The last race was run in a
Scotch mist, rendering it next to impossible to discover the
colours of the riders as they passed the judge's chair. The
attendance on the stand was rather less than last year, and
soon after five o'clock the company went home in hopes of
better weather and good sport on the morrow.
The Lansdown Trial Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 60 soya
added, for 3-yr-olds, 7st 31b ; 4-yr-olds, Bst 81b ; 5-yr-
olds and upwards, 9st, with selling allowances. One
mile. 15 subs: •
Lord Uxbridge's General Hesse, 9st . . ...... Rogers) 1
Duke of Beaufort's Birdhill, 3 yrs (L 400), 7st (Tlolb . French) 2
Mr. T. Parr's Star of the West, 3 yrs, 7st ;
(Clements) 3
Captain Coates's Conqueror, 4 yrs (£4OO), Sat 51b
(Challoner) 4
The following also ran :—Necroraancer, Gibraltar, Tra-
veller, Myrtle, and Surbiton Hill.
Betting-5 to 2 agst Birdhill and Star of the West, sto
1 agst General Hesse, and 10 to 1 agst any other.
Some considerable delay occurred at the post, caused
through Gibraltar refusing to face the flag. At last Mr.
Marshall got them in the humour, and despatched them
from the post in compact order. Necromancer was the first
off, closely followed by General Hesse and Birdhill, with
Myrtle and Gibraltar lying nut. On rounding the lower
turn General Hesse went to the front, and came on with a
clear load, followed by Necromancer, Birdhill, and Star of
the West, in which way they ran into the. straight, where
Necromancer was beaten and the leader was joined by the
two favourites. A fine race home ensued between the three,
which was won at last by General Hesse by a neck, three
parts of a length separating the second and third, and a
length and a half betwoen the third and fourth ; Traveller
was fifth, Surbiton -hill and Myrtle next.
The NV elter Stakes (handicap) of 10 sovs each, 5 ft, with 50
added, for 3-yr-olds and upwards. Once round and a dis-
tance. Gentlemen riders. Jockeys 61b extra. 16 subs.
Mr. Sargent's Paul Clifford, 4 yrs, lOst 51b.. (S. Rogers) 1
Mr. Fitzhugh's Villager, 3 yrs, 9st 121 b (inc. 61b extra)
(Fordham) 2