The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-30 00:00:00

PETITIONS.

Petitions were presented by Mr. COBDEN from several
places in Lancashire in favour of the Industrial and Pro-
vident Societies Bill; by Mr. SLANEY, from Glasgow,
South Wales, and various parts of the country, to the same
effect ; by Mr. LOCKE, from St. George-the-Martyr, South-
wark, praying for an alteration of the law for the election
of Guardians of the Poor; by Mr. MILNER GIBSON, from
Ashton-under-Line, in favour of the Provident Societies
Bill.

OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION.
Sir G. GREY moved that the house, at its rising, adjourn
till to-morrow at six o'clock, to suit the convenience of
hon. members. He might state at the same time, in reply
to a question put to him yesterday, that public committees
might, if they considered !t necessary, adjourn over to Fri-
day.
INDUSTRIAL AND PROVIDENT SOCIETIES
BILL.
Mr. S. ESTCOURT moved the second reading of this
bill. In doing so he traced the origin of those societies in
Rochdale and other manufacturing towns, and pointed
out the benefits they had conferred in a moral and
economical point of view. These societies were
established some twenty years ago. There were
now 150 of them in connection with which there
were 48,184 members, with a capital of £333,291, and
doing a business which last year amounted to the incredible
sum of X 1,612,117. That, therefore, was the spleudid re-
sult of a system originated by working men for their own
benefit, and he thought it was sufficient to justify the ap-
plying to Parliament for its sanction and protection in con-
ferring upon them additional powers. At present these
societies could not hold more than one acre of land. The
measure asked power to hold a larger portion of
land than one acre, and also to empower them to
hold, lease, purchase, or sell house property, and
to adopt the principle of limited liability. He
would not, however, go into detail, as it was one of
those measures which would be best discussed in com-
mittee, when he would be glad to receive any suggestions
which might be offered respecting the details of it. He
would, therefore, move that the bill be read a second time.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said he did not intend
to offer any objection to the second reading, and he thought
the parties for whose benefit it was sought were deserving
of every credit for the manner in which they had hitherto
conducted these societies. As therefore he had the assur-
ance that the clauses of the measure would in committee
be rendered in harmony with the general act on the sub-
ject, he would allow the bill to be read a second time.
Mr. SLANEY supported the measure. These societies
had now grown into such magnitude, both as to numbers
and capita], that they required additional powers to extend
their exertions to other districts, as well as to other places
within their own respective districts. One particular re-
quirement was the application of the Law of Liability to
them, and he was sure the house would at once concede
them that, as it would enable them materially to extend
their advantages, and improve the comfort of their mem-
bers.

The bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be
committed this day three months.
INNS OF COURT GOVERNMENT BILL.
On the order of the day being read for the second reading
of this bill,
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL moved that the second
reading of this bill be postponed till to-morrow, but on the
suggestion of Mr. Roebuck, it was agreed to put it down
for a second reading on Tuesday next.
METROPOLIS LOCAL MANAGEMENT ACTS
AMENDMENT BILL.
The consideration of this bill in committee was then re-
sumed.

On clause 90, which has reference to the naming of

streets,
Mr. CRAWFORD objected to power being left in the
hands of the Metropolitan Board of Works to name or alter
the names of streets, houses, or buildings in the City, as
they might call them the most ridiculous names. They
might adopt the watering places system, where streets and
houses were characterised by most singular names, In
some places he had seen hoaxes called the
" Rooke's Nest," the " Bird's Nest," and so forth,
but the Metropolitan Board might call the Mansion-house
the " Mare's Nest." It was well known that the Metro-
politan Board had no access to the city except as regarded
Vie sewers; and he would therefore move the addition of
the words—" But this section shall not extend to the City
of ...a....a tho Lit,eulea theteof.—
Mr. BRISTOW objected to the amendment, as the
oourts of law had already decided that the Metropolitan
Local Management Act did extend to the City of London.
Mr. CRAWFORD contended that the Commissioners of
Sewers of the City of London had the power to name and
number the streets; and he must insist on his amendment,
as, if the clause was passed, they would have conflicting
authority.
Mr. H. LE WIS said if the Corporation of the City had
the sole power of numbering and naming the streets, they
exercised it in a somewhat bungling manner; for in Can-
non-street, one of the best streets in the City, it was im-
possible for a cabman to find the house he was ordered to
drive to. At one end of it, on one side, there was " Can-
non-street West," on the other side " Cannon-street ;" and
the numbers at the same time being confused and irregular,
people were put to the greatest inconvenience in finding the
house they wanted.
After some further discussion, Mr. CRAWFORD withdrew
his amendment.
The clause was then agreed to, as was clauses 91 to 110
inclusive.

On clause 111, which renders the measure retrospective
so far as new strt ets are concerned,
Mr. AYRTON proposed to take away that retrospective
effect by moving as an amendment, that the measure have
only reference to new streets to be formed a ter the passing
of this Act.
Mr. BRISTOW having consented to the amendment,
the clause was agreed to as an amendment in terms of it.
Mr. E WART complained of that portion of the clause
which exteeded the time for the formation of Finsbury
Park for three years longer, and to the hardships the owners
of the property required for that undertaking were subjected
by having such arbitrary forms hanging over their heads
for three years longer.
Mr. AYR' ON suggested, as a compromise, that, in-
stead of prolonging the time for three years, the extension
should only be for one year, and expire in 1863.
This having been agreed to, the clause was further
amended, and the remaining clauses having been agreed to
the committee proceeded to consider the new clause put on
the notice paper.
Mr. Alderman SALOMONS moved a clause to the effect
that each of the Plumstead and Lewisham districts be em•
powered to appoint onti member to the Metropolitan Board.
The clause was objected to by Mr. BRISTOW, and nega-
tived without a division.
Mr. ANGERSTEIN next moved a clause to the effect
that several parishes of the Plumstead District Board of
Works, including Plumstead, Eltham, Lee, Kidbrooke,
and Charlton, shall on the let January, 1863, cease to be
united, and to form as at present one district ; and that
from that date the said parish of Plumstead shall form one
district to be called the Plumstead District Board of
Works; and that the said parishes of Charlton, Eltham,
Lee, and Kidbrooke, also form one district to be called the

Charlton Board of Works.
Mr. BRISTOW could not give his assent to the clause,
as other districts, such as Hackney, would think they had
been unfairly treated by the measure.
The clause was then negatived without a division.
Mr. LOCKE moved the insertion of the following clause:
—" Be it enacted, That whenever the freehold of any
court, passage, or public place, not being a thoroughfare,
is vested in the same per: on or persons as the freehold of
any adjoining house or houses, the owner or owners of
such adjoining house or houses shall be deemed, for the
purpose of the recited acts and this act, to be the owner or
owners of such court, passage, or public place, and the
paving ;thereof shall be done by such owner or
owners, if so directed by the vestry or district board."
There were several houses in the parish of St. George the
Martyr, Southwark, of the description indicated by the
clause, of which the owners were unknown, but which were
nuisances in the districts whore they were placed.
Sir GEORGE GREY said the Board of Works of the
district had, at present, the power of removing those houses
if they were proved to be in a dangerous state. And he
believed the owners of them were, for the most part, bank-
rupt. He could see no use for the introduction of the
clause.

The committee then divided, when there appeared—
For Mr Locke's clause
Against it
Majority against the clause
The clause was therefore lost.
Mr. AN GERSTEIN next moved a clause to put slaugh-
ter-houses on the same footing as cow-houses, which was
agreed to, and ordered to be added to the bill.
Mr. LOCKE moved a clause in &feet that one month's
notice be given to vestries or district boards of applications
for licenses for slaughter houses, or places for the purpose
of slaughtering or killing horses, or other cattle not killed
for butcher meat, so that they might, should they think fit,
show cause against such licenses being granted.
The clause was agreed to.
Mr. BRISTOW moved a clause to be inserted after clause
95, empowering vestries to appoint clerks, collectors, and
treasurers, and to take security for them, but Mr. AYRTON
having pointed out that the clause went beyond the scope
of the act, it was withdrawn.
On the motion of Mr. LEWIS, a elms was agreed to

( empowering any visiting or district board to put an end to
any powers of appointment of registers of Nt eights and
measures existing under any local act in their parish or
district.
Mr. BRISTO W. moved a clause empowering the Metro-
pulitan Board of Works; with the sanction of the Secretary
of State, to subdivide districts in case of increase of popula-
tion.; but that in no case should the number of members of
the Metropolitan Board be increased.
Mr. Alderman SALOMONS was in favour of the clause
generally, but objected to the latter part, as to there being
no increase in the Board of Works.
Sir J. V. SHELLEY would also support the clause,
provided it stipulated the amount of population at which
such division might be considered necessary, and that the
latter clause was struck out, as he saw no reason why there
should not be an increase in the number of the Board of
Works.
Mr. AYRTON objected to the clause, and after some
further discussion the clause, with some verbal amend-
ments, was agreed to and ordered to be added to the bill.
Mr. CRAWFORD moved a clause to the effect that, the
city of London should not be liable by any thing contained
in this r.ct to contribute towards any of the expenses in-
curred, or to be incurred by the board under the provisions
of the Metropolis Gas Act of 1861, or the Act to amend the
Metropolis Gas Act.
Sir J. V, SHELLEY said as the city of London reaped
the advantages of these acts as well as others they should
not be exempted from payment for those advantages.
Mr. AYRTON hoped the clause would not be pressed,
as it would introduce a different system outside the City
from that in operation inside.
Mr. BRI.,TOW said he had no objections to the clause,
as it simply left things as they were before this act.
Sir J'. V. SHELLEY—If that be so, what is the use of
the clause at all. It was one of the most monstrous pro-
positions he ever heard of for the city of London to come
to that house and say that they wished to be exempt from a
payment in respect of an improvemeat of which they had
received the full advantage.
Mr. LOCKE said when on the first introduction of this

bill, they found the Corporation of the City of London and

the representatives of the Board of Works in that house in
determined opposition as to this measure, and when they
found them now agreeing on the point of exempting the
City from a just debt, it was the duty of those who repre-
sented the metropolitan ratepayers to stand up against such
conduct. (Cheers.)
The committee then divided, when there appeared—
For the clause
Against it
Majority against the clause
The clause was consequently lost.
Mr. AYRTON then moved a clause in reference to the
manner of electing the members of the Metropolitan Board
of Works. The object and effect of the clause was that the
members of the Board, instead of being elected by their re-
spective vestries, should be elected by the ratepayers at
large. It appeared that such had been the effect of the
notice he had given of his intention to introduce

let clause that the Conservative Lord Mayor of the city of

London had found time out of his other duties to write a
circular to the members of that house warning them of the
terrible consequences that would result from such a clause,
and asking them to oppose it. That letter was dated from
the Mansion-house, to give it all the eclat of civic dignity,
and it stated that he was about to create a democratic body
for the government of the affairs of three million of people
in the metropolis, and which would be attended with con-
sequences of a revolutionary character. (Laughter.) But
what this Conservative Lord Mayor wanted was that these
three million of people should be governed by a body with
whose election they had nothing to do, and he had no
hesitation in saying that were his Conservative friends on
the Opposition benches of the same opinion these members
would not be so numerous—nine-tenths of the men to
whom he I roposed to give the right of electing
this board possessed at the present time the right
to vote for members of Parliament, and was
that an evidence that such board was to be of
a revolutionary character. He did not at present propose
to make any alteration in the numbers of the Board, but
conceiving their mode of election to be unjust to the rate-
payers, he would move the clause in question ; and he
would appeal to his learned friends who had charge of this

measure to assent to it, and not consent to become the

lackeys of These vestries.

Lord ENFIELD opposed the clause, as after going
through the measure he considered it out of place now,

at the close, to bring up a clause altering the constitu-

tion of the board which it had established.
Lord J. MANNERS had no doubt that were the Me-
tropolitan Board of Works elected directly by the rate-
payers they might boeome a more popular body, but he

could not see how they could make the change

at the present time, or in the present form.
That board was now executing works of a very important

character, and which every one admitted were carried on
with efficiency, and it would, he thought, at present be
unnecessary to interfere with them. If the hon. gentleman
wculd afterwards bring in a separate bill on the subject he

could have no objection to it, as he admitted the principle,
but he did not think this the proper time.
Sir J. SHELLEY supported the clause,
A quarter to 6 o'clock having arrived,
The CHAIRMAN left the, chair, and the house resumed.
RED SEA AND INDIA TELEGRAPH COMPANY
(REVENUES OF INDIA).
The report on this bill was brought up and received.
ORDER OF BUSINESS.
Mr. BRAND intimated that the first order of the day
taken to-morrow would be the Markets and Fairs (Ireland)
Bill, and that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had con-

sented to postpone the further consideration of the Inland
Revenue Customs Bill until Thursday the Bth of May.
The house then adjourned at 10 minutes to six o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-YESTERDAY.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Mr. B. COCHRANE moved that an humble address
be presented to her Majesty praying that she would be
graciously pleased to issue a commission to inquire
into the state of the public buildings erected by par-
liamentary grants within the last twenty years, and also
of the houses rented for the public service ; and to in-
quire whether, by adopting more comprehensive plans of
building, greater public !convenience, greater economy,
and unity of design, may not be attained. The hon. mem-
ber said he did not make any complaint against the
gentlemen who had filled the office of Chief Com-
missioner of Works for some years past, because he
believed they were all actuated only by a desire to
improve the metropolis and promote public con-
venience. His objection was to the existing system,
which he contended was not only injurious to the interests
of the metropolis, but the most expensive that could be
adopted. He illustrated the position by reference to the
Foreign Office, Inland Revenue Office, and Public Record
Office. In reference to the last, he said that the public re-
cords of the country were placed in a small and inconve-
r.ient room, and might at any time be destroyed by fire. He
adverted to the evidence before a committeeof the late Sir C.
Barry in favour of a concentration:of all the public buildings,
end he said that since 1828 the country had pail more than
double the value of the house property which they had
purchased. He alluded also to the opinion expressed by
Earl Russell and other authorities to the same effect, as a
proof of the expense that had been incurred. He mentioned
that no less than £52,000 a year had been paid for some
time for the hire of offices for transaction of the public busi-
ness. He did not object to a large expenditure on our pub
lie buildings if an adeqiette value were secured, and he
thought the best course that could be adopted would be for
the Government to obtain the opinion of competent judges
as to the amount that would be required for the
construction of the public offices on an ap-
propriate scale, which in reality would be an
economical proceeding in the end. He contrasted the in-
feriority of Loudon in regard to public buildings with Paris
and other continental cities, and he called on the house
to adopt a comprehensive plan for the improvement of the
metropolis, in accordance with its importance and the faci-
lities of site which it afforded.

Mr. COWPER sympathised with the hon. member Ofr.
Cochrane) in his desire for the improvement of the metro-
polis. At the same time he thought that any such com-
mission as the hon. member proposed would supersede the
authority of the Executive on the subject to which that
commission would devote itself. He believed that would
be most injurious, as it would take from the Government
the responsibility which was at present imposed on
them, of securing economy in the construction of
public buildings. He could not understand what that com-
mission would have to inquireinto, because, in reality,
there was only ono public building erected by Government
for same years. That was the Record Office, and as re-
garded other offices, they had merely been improved or
altered. He contended that the plans for the new public offices
whichhad been made were of a comprehensive character,and
originated from the inquiries which had been going on for
20 or 30 years. He said that when the public works which
had been decided on were being proceeded with, it would
not be desirable to have a commission appointed, and he
strongly deprecated the adoption of any proposal that
would necessitate a large expenditure at the present time.
The right hon. gentleman then defended in detail the plans
which had been adopted by the executive, and he said that
the plan pursued in his office was to construct the new
buildings close to the old buildings. He contended that
the present Record-office was an admirable build-
ing, and was erected according to a design which
proposed the erection of a larger building, which could
be carried out as soon as the house was prepared to vote
the money requisite for the purpose. In the meantime the
public documents could be received by the Master of the
Rolls, or could be placed in the rooms in the Victoria
Tower which were intended for their temporary reception,
and numbered 64. With regard to the hire of houses
for the purposes of the public service, he reminded hon.
members that some offices such as the Seamens' Registry
and the Stationery Offices were necessarily limited to a
certain locality. He denied that there was any extravagance
or mismanagement on the part of the Government in regard
to public works, and defended the designs which he had
adopted for the new buildings proposed to be erected for the
public service, which, he maintained would be worthy of a
great metropolis Ike this, both in reference to beauty and
utility.

Lord J. MANNERS regarded the motion not as neces-
sarily involving either economical considerations or the
reverse, but as simply a proposal for inquiry, for which he
held there were sufficient reasons.

Sir M. PETO also supported the motion.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER warned
the house that concurrence in the motion might lead here-
after to serious inconvenience. The question was beyond
the scope of any commission to deal with, and he believed
that by appointing such a commission they would only
tempt its members to endeavour to attract favour and
strength by holding out magnificent prospects and contem-
plating an enormous public expenditure, and that their re-
commendations would only remain a dead letter. Obstacles
would also be interposed to many practical plane of great
importance Which were now in progreev, and upon which

the house would be shortly called upon to pronouuc.t) A
judgment.

Upon a division the motion was negatived by 116 to 49.

INLAND REVENUE.
Mr. HOESFALL obtained the appointment of a select
committee to inquire whether it would be practicable and
advantageous to consolidate any of the establishments now
governed by the Boards of Inland Revenue and Customs
respectively ; or to unite any portion of the duties per-
formed by their officers, with a view to economy in the col-
lection of the public revenue and to simplicity of arrange-
ment.

FOREIGN TRADE.
Mr. MOFFATT moved for a select committee ro con-
sider the best mode of obtaining statistical information re-
specting the foreign trade of the United Kingdom, and the
bearing thereon of the charges imposed on the entry of
goods inwards and bills of lading outwards by the Custom
Act of 1860, as well as the operation of certain charges on
trade.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER assenting,
the motion was agreed to.

SUGAR DUTIES.

Mr. CRAWFORD moved the appointment of a select
committee to inquire into the operation of the present scale
of sugar duties, with especial reference to their as sessment
upon a classification according to the quality of the Auger.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in ac-
ceding to the proposal, stated that he did w.) upon the un-
derstanding that the committee were not to considerilhe
question of the reduction of the sugar duties.
The motion was agreed to.
SUPPLY.
The report of the committee of supply having bent
brought up ; on the question of agreeing to the vote for
convict and prison establishments,
Mr. SELWYN moved to reduce the amount by the 511133
of £550 for providing religious instruction to Roman.
Catholic convicts in Great Britain. The hon. and learned.
gentleman reminded the house that eight years ago a simi-
lar vote was disallowed, and argued that they could not.
consistently make such a special grant to Catholic priests
without extending it to other denominations.
Sir G. GREY defended the vote, which he said was ren-
dered necessary by the large proportion of Roman Catholic
prisoners in the convict estab.ishments of this country, who
were left entirely deprived of the ministrations of the clergy
of their own communion. _ _

Mr. NE WD EGATE argued that there was no ground
whatever for overturning the previous decision of the house.
Ile scouted the plea of poverty as a reason for agreeing to
the vote, and urged that the Roman Catholics of this coun-
try were a wealthy community, and that the real object was
to give the priests a right to intrude themselves, armed
with the authority and sanction of this house, into every
prison in the land.
After some remarks from Lord E. HOWARD and M.
KINNAIRD,
Mr. DISRAE LI remarked upon the fact that Mr. Sel-
wyn had been in his place when the vote was agreed to in
committee, and had not objected to it. After what had
taken place, however, he would suggest as a matter of
expediency that the Government should postpone the vote.
It was an unusual circumstance to challenge a vote after it
had been passed through committee.
Lord PALMERSTON supported the vote upon the prin-
ciple of justice.
On a division the amendment was negatived by 38 to 16,
and the vote was agreed to.
The orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
house adjourned.

SPORTING-THIS DAY.

THIRSK RACES, THIS DAY.

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.
TYRO STAKES.

Scareress filly
Swift

Five ran.
SILVER CUP.

Raby •. •
Emily

Eleven ran.
THIRSK HANDICAP.

Rapparee
Patrick
Upperhand

Ten ran.
HURDLE RACE.

Emily
Flatcatcher 2
_

Two ran.
SCURRY HANDICAP.

Castaway .. 1
Barbary Ellen

Seven ran.

THE PRINCB-01 WALES IN 211 E

HOLY LAND.

ALEXANDRIA, APRIL 17.

By the French steamer from Syria we have re-
ceived some further intelligence of the journey of.
the Prince of Wales in the Holy Land. His Royal
Highness arrives at Jerusalem on the 31st ultimo,
shortly after mid-day. On receiving tidings of
the Prince's approach, the Pasha of Jerusalem
went forth to meet him on the Jaffa road,
and in his company the little English party
performed the last stage of its journey, precede&
end followed by a numerous and picturesque escort,
of Turkish horsemen. As they approached the wails
of the sacred city, the scene was both novel and
animating in the extreme. The irregulars in front
careered wildly to and fro, according to the fashion,
in which the Bashi-bazouks delight when welcom-
ing and paying honour to a guest of unusual rank,
brandishing their lances, and engaging in mock
combats with each other. The arrival of the Prince
was announced by a salute of 21 guns from Mount
Gihor, presently taken up and repeated from the
Tower of David or of Hippicus, which as Josephua
informs us, was spared by Titus " in order to demon-
strate to posterity what kind of a city it was, and
how well fortified, which Roman valour had sub-
dued." The Pasha offered the Prince of Wales the
hospitality of his house, but his Royal Highness
decided in favour of tent life, and the party accord-
ingly encamped on the Northern side of the city
near the Damascus gate.

The two following days were devoted to the
business of exploring the numerous points of in-
terest in and about the city. The site of the
Temple was the first to claim the attention of the
Prince and his party. They spent several hours
within the enclosure of the Harem, visiting and
examining every part in its minutest details. On
the following day admission was obtained into the
chamber adjoining the tomb of David, into which,
with the exception of the Duke of Brabant, no
Christian had for centuries been permitted to enter.
In the afternoon the Prince left for Bethlehem and
the Dead Sea, and returned to Jerusalem on the
afternoon of Saturday, the .sth inst. On the follow-
ing day his Royal Highness attended Divine ser-
vice at the English Church.

Last, though not least, came the excursion to
Hebron, which will undoubtedly be long regarded
as the memorable event of the Prince's pilgrimage.
The Pasha of Jerusalem, when acquainted with the
desire of his Royal Highness to visit the caves of
Machpelah, at once acceded. But the spot has
always been guarded by Moslem fanaticism with a
degree of jealousy hardly less than that whicii sur-
rounds the entrance to the tomb of Mahomed, and
the Pasha seems not to have been without somo
misgiving on the subject. A guard of soldiers
was sent to the place for fear of disturbance;
but the precaution turned out altogether
unnecessary. The inhabitants of the town
displayed no other feeling but that of curiosity to
get a sight of the English Prince, and the Sheikh
made him a most polite speech, assuring him
that he was not ignorant of the true friendship
borne by the English nation to the Sultan of Islam,
and that he considered it a privilege to be allowed
to conduct the son of their Queen into the Masjed
Khalleel Allah, the "Mosque of the Friend of God."
The tombs were found in perfect order and re-
pair. The graves of the Patriarchs and of their
wives are pointed out in two separate and dis-
tinct groups. The Moslems, it appears, show
also, among others, the resting place of the Pa-
triarch Joseph—a tradition which 'will certainly
be questioned ; but with respect to the principal
tombs—of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and of Sarah,
Rebekah, and Leah—the identity of the spot, and
the fact that the graves have continued undisturbed
since the patriarchal ages, reverenced alike by
Jews, Christians, and Mahomedans, have, I believe,
never been doubted. The Prince of Wales has been
the first European to visit the caves since the days
of the Crusaders. Hitherto no Christian or Jew has
been allowed even to look in at the gate ef the
Mosque. But the barrier that closed the entrance
against them, it may be anticipated, will now before
long whol:y disappear. A visit to the Mosque of
Orn .r has already become simply a matter of course,
and it is more than likely that the entrance to the
caves of Macbpeleh will very shortly be equally
free to both Jew and Christian.

From Hebron the Prince again returned to
Jerusalem, and on the 10th his Royal Highness and
suite finally left to proceed on their journey towards
the north.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF A FARMER, AGED 105,
—STRABANE, COUNTS OF TYRONE.—Daniel Bradly, a
farmer, residing at Ballydonaghy, in this county, was ac-
cidentally drowned on the 22d inst., by falling into a river
running close to his house. 3. Hamilton, Esq., held an
inquest on the 24th inst., and a verdict was returned ac-
aOrdingly,

THE CIVIL WAR IN AMERICA.

(From the Correspondent of the Times.)
NEW YORK, APRIL 15.

President Lincoln has so conducted himself dur-
ing his short tenure of office as to have acquired a
high reputation for prudence and sagacity. In the
estimation of the whole North, Democratic as well
as Republican, he is a man who looks before ho
leaps, and who never takes a step in advance with-
out having made sure of the step preceding. But
the hasto with which on Thursday last he issued
his quasi-imperial proclamation for a general
thanksgiving on Sunday has slightly shaken public
confidence in the wisdom of the counsellors by whom
ho is surrounded, if not, in his own patience and
self-control. Without waiting for the official re-
port of Gen. Halleck or the subordinate General
in command at the bloody struggle of Pittsburgh
Landing (the most obstinately contested battle
that has yet been fought in this unnatural and
unnecessary war), and relying entirely upon the
newspaper telegrams published on Wednesday
morning, which were as exultant as they were un-
truthful, he penned a request to all the churches
that they should offer lap prayers and thanksgivings
"for the signal victories which it had pleased Al-
mighty God to vouchsafe to the land and naval
forces of the Union." Had the President waited
for official details of the battle—which, perhaps, he
would have done had he or his advisers been less
anxious to celebrate the first anniversary of the
Confederate assault on Fort Sumter by a solemn act
of national gratitude for victories achieved in the
interval—he would have learned, in common with
the whole people, that the victory which he so pre-
maturely claimed was no victory at all. At the
best, it was a drawn battle, and one so narrowly as
well as obstinately contested, that both sides may
with equal reason claim the honours of the day.
Had the battle ended on the Sunday, when it was
commenced by Generals Johnston and Beauregard,
the dearly bought victory would have remained
with the Confederates ; and on Monday, when Gen.
Buell arrived to the rescue of the North, he did no
more than save the army of Gen. Grant from anni-
hilation, and enable it to retain its original position ;
and this boast of a victory which was not won, and
which if it were was barren of any result but the
slaughter of thousands of men on both sides, is not
the worst feature in the President's proclamation.
Surely, in declaring that the "recent victories had
averted from the country the dangers of foreign in-
tervention and invasion" he made an impolitic and
indiscreet confession ? And would it not have been
wiser as well as more dignified if the President, be-
lieving or disbelieving in this particular victory,
had reiterated the bold defiance of Mr. Seward,
uttered when the prospects of the Federal cause were
as dark as they now are bright, that the Union would
fight its own battle against its own children, unen-
cumbered by the aid or advice, and unimpeded by
the intervention, of any state or Empire in the
world ? It was not prudent in the President to
admit that such a danger- existed, or that thanks
were due to Almighty God for its removal ; for the
European world, that looks with much interest and
anxiety on the progress of a war which inflicts such
present, and is likely to inflict so much future injury
upon the commerce and manufacture of its greatest
Powers, will feel inclined to ask if the danger of
foreign intervention remains as imminent as it was
before in the President's estimation, or if it be his
belief that such intervention is only to be obviated
by the speedy triumph of the Federal arms. The
proclamation, viewed in this light, appears to be a
double mistake, and one that is more than sufficient
to place the President in a false position in the
eyes of his own people.
General Beauregard, whose official report of the
battle has been received through the Sonthern'papers,
which occasionally find their way to this city, does
not admit that the Confederate army was defeated
at Pittsburgh Landing, though its Commander-in-
Chief, General Albert Sydney Johnston, was slain.
That the Federals did not gain the victory is evi-
dent from the fact that both belligerents retain the
positions which they held before the battle and that
Corinth is still in the possession of the Confederato
army. The loss of life on both days and on both
sides appears to have been frightful. The ferocity
with which the armies fought shows how fiercely
the passions of the people were excited, and that in
this, as in other civil wars, the mutual hatred and
exasperation of the combatants grow with the
dimensions and the duration of the quarrel. And
the conviction which seems to have forced itself
upon the President's mind, that foreign interven-
tion is probable, will perhaps take root in other
quarters if many more such sanguinary and bootless ,
battles are to be fought before the combatants lay
down their arms, or restore that peace, harmony,
and union for which the President has so solemnly
invoked the assistance of the Almighty.

The siege of Yorktown, which has now lasted for
eight days, threatens to be a tedious business. The
Confederates, commanded by Generals Lee and
Magruder, have received large reinforcements, and
have so strengthened a position originally very
formidable as to make it evident to the besiegers
that the work before them will try all their
patience and skill, as well as all their courage.
General M'Clellan is reported to have demanded a
reinforcement of 40,000 men, and to have been
refused. Whether the report be strictly correct I
cannot say, but it is believed by many of the
General's friends in this city ; and it is no secret
that the head of the War Department, and other
persons in high places (but ncit the President, or
Mr. Seward), bear the general no goodwill. They
look with growing disfavour on the position which
he has acquired in the country, and would not be
sorry if he were defeated in a pitched battle of im-
portance enough to ruin his reputation by its loss,
though not, it is to be hoped, for the honour of
human nature, in a battle of magnitude sufficient to
imperil the safety of the Republic. But General
M'Clellan may perhaps be able to foil his political
adversaries by the capture of Yorktown, in which
case he will have amply justified the high expecta-
tions that have been formed of his military genius,
and raised himself to the very highest place in the
estimation of his countrymen. His task, however,
is arduous, and it cannot be concealed or denied that
lie will fight against serious odd, even if the Admi-
nistration should decide upon sending him the rein-
forcements wi,ich he demands.

In the remarkable struggle before Yorktown,
towards which all eyes are now directed, the part
played by the redoubtable Merrimac is not a little
exciting. The p7esence of that vessel and her five
consorts, the Yorktown, the Patrick Henry, the
Tcezer, the Raleigh, and the Empire—two, if not
three, of them ironplated like herself—is quite suf-
ficiont to keep in check the whole Federal navy in
liamptoa Roads, and is admitted to be fully equal
to an additional force of 50,000 men for the defence
of the Confederate position. The Merrimac,whether
under the command of Capt. Pegrim, late of the
IN'ashville, or under that of Commodore Tatnall, as
some recent reports allege, is ably ban dled,c nd keeps
the whole country in a fever of anxiety. The manner
in which, on Friday, the Patrick Henry and the
Te-azer, under shelter of the Merrimac, captured
three Union vessels under the very eyes and almost
within range of the guns of the Monitor and the Fe-
deral fleet, and towed them away to Norfolk, was an
exhibition of cool daring and effrontery, which has
greatly exasperated the Federal
army and navy,
and elicited a fresh howl of indignation against Mr.
Secretary Wells for not having ordered the capture
and destruction of the eff.:ndlng monster when she
1,3, for five weeks di6Abiej and un&rgoing re-pain;
in the dock at Norfolk. Th Monitor lies in wait,
with her steam up, ready for all eoutingeneies, but
deco not seem to be convinced enough of her own
strength to offer battle, though she may at any time
be compelled to accept it. The British war steamerl,
Rinaldo, the same that conveyed Messrs. Show'
and Mason to Bermuda, and the French war
steamers the Catinat and Gassendi, are anchored
in Hampton Roads in such a position as to command
a full view of the engagement whenever it may
take place. Much regret and disappointment are
everywhere expressed that the Special War Cor-
respondent of the limes did not apply to the captain
of the Rinaldo for the hospitalities so churlishly de-
nied him by the War-office at Washington. Had he.
been allowed a place on board of that vessel, he
would have had the opportunity of describing a

sea-fight more memorable in every way than the
tamer operations of the siege of. Yorktown, and the
reports of which will be read with avidity in every
portion of the world,
There seems to be something wrong 'n the Fede-
ral calculations of speedy victory b th at New
Orleans and at Savannah. No reliable news has for
many days been received from either quarter, though
the public was led to expect the surrender of Fort
Pulaski and the close investment, if not fall, of Sa-
vannah, more than a week ago. The precise nature
of the operations in the mouths of the Mississippi
and in Lakes Borgne and Pontchartrain, for the
capture of New Orleans, is kept a profound secret,
but we are told that startling news from that quar-
ter may be expected at any moment. The last re-
ceived is, that the Federal forces have taken posses-
sion of Pass Christian, in the State of Mississippi, 50
miles from New Orleans and 30 from Ship Island.
Gen. Mitchell, formerly of the Cincinnati Obser-
vatory, and whose name may be known to English
readers as the author of a very popular book on
astronomy, originally published in America under
the title of the" Planetary and Stellar Worlds," and
reprinted in England as "The Orbs of Heaven," has
just won his first honours as a soldier by a rapid
movement from Nashville, in Tennessee, to Hunts-
ville, in Alabama. He took possession of this little
city without much resistance, and he has since suc-
ceeded in making himself master of about 100 miles
of the railroad connecting it with Memphis and
Charleston—a very important acquisition that in-
terrupts the communications between the Confede-
rate armies in the Southern Atlantic States and the
whole West, where they are still in a position to
offer resistance.

One of the peculiarities of this remarkable war,
which can only be explained on the supposition that
the cause of the Southern Confederacy has the sym-
pathies of men and women in high positions in the
North, is the fact that while the Northern Generals
never succeed in learning anything whatever of the
plans or movements, the strength or weakness, of the
Confederates, the Confederate Generals seem to be
kept fully informed of all that is going on in the
North. It is not the newspapers that convey the
information, for the rigid censorship over the war
news not only keeps in secresy the things that ought
not to be known to the enemy, but many things
that ought to be known to everybody. It cannot he
supposed that men in the confidence of Mr. Lincoln
and his Cabinet, or in that of the General officers of
the Federal army, betray their trust and give infor-
mation to the enemy; neither can it be believed
that " birds of the air carry the matter." The public,
driven to suspect or blame somebody, must therefore
come to the conclusion that the wives and daughters
of influential people who have access to State secrets,
are the delinquents through the unguardedness of
their husbands and fathers. How they contrive to
get the information conveyed into the Confederate
lines is a puzzle which it is useless to attempt to
unravel, for both in war and in peace the ladies, as
everybody knows, have winning ways, and stoop to
conquer. The latest instance of their treachery has
been published, on the authority of General Wool,
in a Philadelphia newspaper, which states that a
circular issued by the Confederates in Yorktown
was picked up on the march by one of the aides-de-
camp of the Federal Gen. Hamilton, containing a
full description of Gen. M'Clellan,s proposed march
and attack on that city, together with Gen. Ma-
gruder's plan for defeating the whole programme.
The statement adds that "the enemy must have re-
ceived the information from a high source several
weeks ago." If the ladies of Washington cannot be
taught their duty to their country, surely the gen-
tlemen who are responsible for the discretion of
their wives and daughters should learn to be respon-
sible for their own. If they cannot put a guard
upon their martial and paternal confidences when
the country is in danger, they are neither true
statesmen nor good patriots.

The Tax Bill, having reached the Senate, has been
found unworkable in many of its details, besides
being wrong in principle, and vexatiously inquisi-
torial in its mode ofassessment. It iscertain to have
considerable modifications in that body—if it be not
superseded altogothor by a mneh simpler measure,
based upon the recent experience of Great Britain.
Although the North American Union will be the
most heavily taxed country in the world, if this war
is ever to be paid for, there is clearly no necessity
why the hardships inflicted by all taxes, let them
fall how or where they will, should be aggravated
by costliness of collection, and a universal system
of inquisition into private affairs, not in any degree
to be compensated by its productiveness to revenue.
The bill for the emancipation of the slaves in the
district of Columbia was finally passed by the
House of Representatives on Friday, after an earnest
attempt to prolong the discussion by the Pro-Sla-
very party, and a no less decided and more suc-
cessful attempt on the part of the friends of aboli-
tion to hurry it through by the application of the
five-minute rule to each speaker. It now only
awaits the consent of the President to become law.
If he do not oppose his veto—which the bulk of
the Pro- Slavery and Democratic party are urging
him to do—the doom of slavery is sealed in Mary-
land, Virginia, Kentucky, and the whole of the
Border States. In this case it is difficult to see
what has to become of the liberated Negroes, unless
some scheme of colonisation be adopted. If they
go south into the Cotton States, they will once again
be sold into slavery; if they go to the West, they
will find the Legislatures of every State passing
laws to prevent their admission ; and if they go
to New York or the New England States in any
considerable numbers, they will find it impossible
to procure a subsistence, and will array against
their admission thousands of property holders and
taxpayers who may have no personel or ethnologi-
cal objection to them as Negroes, and who may
even have been Abolitionists in their time, but who
will have a very great social obiection to them as
paupers, to be maintained in id'eness at the ex-
pense of the community or suffered to go at large to
swell the ranks of crime and mendicancy.

HEALTH OF LONDON LURING THE WEEK.

(From the Regzstrar-Uenerars Weekly Return.)
The weekly return, issued by authority of the
Registrar-General, shows that the total number of
deaths in London was 1,252 in the week that ended
12th April; in the next it rose to 1,331; and in the
week that ended last Saturday the number further
iacreased and became 1,394. The average number
of deaths (corrected) in the weeks corresponding
with last week of the ten years 1852-61 is 1,246.
The present return exhibits an excess over the
average of 148.

The births registered in the week exceed the
deaths in the same period by 565.

The increase in the mortality over that of the pre-
vious x'eek was rot caused by the zymotic or epi-
demic class of diseases, for fatal cases referred to
this class declined from 362 to 321. The increase
arose partly from phthisis (or consumption), the
mortality from which was very her.vy, the deaths
included under this head being 194. The numbers
under phthisis in the two previous weeks were re-
spectively 154 and 174; the average (corrected) for
last week is 176. Disease of the liver was another
cause of increase ; it was fatal in the last two weeks
in 12 and 23 cases. Fourteen women died in the
week from diseases incidental to childbirth. There
were 32 deaths from measles, 65 from scarlatina, 19
from diphtheria, 18 from croup, 47 from whooping-
cough, 86 from typhus.

Scarlatina still appears to be exceedingly preva-
lent and fatal in the sub-district; Lambeth Church,
second pat. Sixteen deaths from scarlatina, out
of 35 from all causes, were registered in the week,
and added to those in tho preceding three weeks
make a total of 58 since the 29th of March.
It is stated in the report from St. James, Ber-
mondsey, that there is much diphtheria in the
neighbourhood of Rouel-cottages, and a great dis-
position to fever.
Thirteeniteathe from typhus occurred in the
London PeVer Hospital.
The deaths of eight nonagenarians are recorded ;
of these, three widows attained the ages respectively
of 95, 96, and 98 years.
Last week the births of 994 boys and 965 girls,
allin
inwg eekerwes
h registered in London.
In
h ,9
ten 59
of the years 1852-
61 ensPubar (corrected) was 1,887.
tt
averagec i children,rr

MR. FOSTER AND LORD HOBART'S'
REPORT ON THE FINANCES OF TURKEY.

The report of Mr. Foster and Lord Hobart on
the financial condition of Turkey, to which fre-
quent allusion was made in the discussions on the
subject of the late Turkish loan, has now been laid
before Parliament. It forms a parliamentary paper
of 45 pages, and gives a very complete account of
the present state of the finances of Turkey ; while
the valuable suggestions which it contains will
afford the greatest assistance to the persons charged
with the duty of introducing reforms into the finan-
cial administration of that country.
It is a document which will require to be studied
in extenso by our capitalists and by those engage l
in the Levant trade ; but the following abstract of
its contents will be of use to the general reader.
The tables of revenue and expenditure are taken
from the accounts for the Turkish year 1275
(1859 60).