The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-19 00:00:00

CLOSE OF THE POLL.

Ebrington
Bell ..

6,940
4,167

Majority for Lord Ebrington 2,773
The announcement of the numbers was received
with loud applause by the assembled multitude
outside.

ARRIVALS AT -WALTHAM.

(THIS DAY•)

---
(BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.)
Alp, Malmesbury, Victress, Jauu; Peter,
Tom Gurney, Old Misery. Cervus,

I NIPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-(THIS EVENING.)

Their lordships met at five o'clock.
EXCHANGE OF VESSELS. •
The Earl of HARDTVICKE gave notice that he in-
tended to ask of her Majesty's Ministers whether any
bargain had been made between this country and Prus-
sia with regard to the exchange of vessels, and if so, at
what time ; and also, who was the responsible officer at
the harbour of Balakfava

A DAY OF GENERAL THANKSGIVING FOR
OUR ARMS IN THE EAST.
The Duke of GRA.FTON asked whether it was the
intention of her Majesty to appoint a day to be specially
set apart, and kept holy, fur the purpose of returning
thanks for the great and glorious victories which our
arms had obtained at Alma and Inkerman
The Earl of ABERDEEN was sorry he could not
answer the question of the noble duke, as at present their
was a special form of prayer in existence for such a pur-
pose, and he believed that prayer was devoutly observed
throughout the kingdom, and, under these circum-
stances,he did not feel justified in advising the propo-
sition f the noble duke.

After some remarks from Lord RODEIT and Lord
CAMPBELL the subject dropped.
THE MILITIA BILL.

A. message from the House of Commons announced
that the Militia Bill had been brought up.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE moved the first readin:,,,
and the second reading was fixed for Thursday, when the
standing orders will be rescinded, in order that it may
pass through committee.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(THIS EVENING.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PETITIONS.
Mr. J. O'CONNXLL presented a petition from Clen-
mel, complaining of the inadequate spiritual provision
made for tl)e Roman Catholic soldiers and sailors
serving in the East, and pra)iogthat steps may be taken
to remove the deficiency ; Mr. SPOONER presented a pe-
tition from the clergy and churchwardens of Birming-
ham, praying that the Sale of Beer Bill of last session
may not be disturbed.

CLERGY RESERVES BILL.
Sir GEORGE GREY said last night a motion was
agreed to for the production of the Canada Clergy
Reserves Bill, but Government had not yet received
the bill, and therefore, they could not produce it. The
order ought to be discharged. The order was discharged
upon the understanding that there would he no objec-
tion to produce the bill directly it arrived from Canada.
FRENCH TROOPS FOR THE EAST.
Mr. 3./lUNTZ wished to ask a question of the noble
lord the President of the Council, the answer to which
might influence his vote, and that of other members
upon the Foreign Enlistment Bill. He wished to know
whether before introducing. that bill Government used
all their exertions with the Emperor of the French to
induce him to send out to the East an increased number
of French troops at the expense of this country ?
Lord J. RUSSELL said the Emperor of the French
had at all times shown his willingness to send out troops
to the East, and when the occasion arose later for an
additional supply he displayed the utmost anxiety to
send out as many troops as could be got together, and
sent,ont as the means of transport could supply ; in
point of fact the only limit to the number of troops sent
out was the means of transport. (Hear.) Her Majesty s
Government had never proposed, nor did they think it
advisable to propose that this country should make any
payment for the service of such troops. (Cheers.)
COAL MINES.
-Mr. HUTCHINS wished to ask the Secretary for the
Home Department whether it was the intention of the
Government to bring in a bill for the prevention of
accidents in coal mines at an early period of this
session
Mr. FITZROY said such a bill was in preparation,
and would be produced shortly after the recess.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
Mr. V. SUITT' asked the President of the Council
what steps had been taken to consolidate the depart.
ments of the army since the veto for a Secretary of State
for the War Department in the List session ; and, whe-
ther he would lay nay 'official correspondence relating to
the subject upon the table of the house ?
Lord J. RUSSELL said the Commissariat Depart-
ment had been united to the War-office, but be was net
aware that any correspondence bad taken place which
threw any light upon the matter. No other change of
importance had yet taken place.
SUCCESSION AND LEGACY DUTIES UPON
THE PROPERTY OF OFFICERS IN THE
CRIMEA.
Mr. BERESFOUD moved for leave to bring in a bill
to relieve the property and effects of officers. non-com-
missioned officers, and privates, killed in the Crimea ; or
who have died, or may die, during the present campaign,
from wounds, disease, or fatigue, from the payment of the
succession 'and legacy duties. The hon. member in
bringing forward the measure eulogised, in the
warmest manner, the gallantry of our arms in the East,
and pointing out the difficulties which the military man
experienced in securing, either by insurance or other-
wise, a competency to those whom he might have left
behind, hoped the house would show their generosity
by at once acceding to his motion.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that he should be sorry to be at issue upon any point
connected with those who were now engaged in the East,
but he thought that the mode of rewarding our army
li
should be left to the Crown, and that whim the Crown
was found wanting in its duty, it would then be time for
the house to take the matter up. In the present instance,
the measure proposed was objectionable, upon the ground
that it would not afford the relitf ~,oright for the relatives
who most needed it ; as it was, the widow was exempted
from the duty, and the child paid but 1 pericent. He would
take a case in point to show how the proposed measure
would act. An officer recently fell in the Crimea, and
the whole of his property went to a second cousin, and
if the proposed measure was carried it would give ten
times more to that relative, a comparative stranger, than
it would afford to the widow and child.
After some further remarks the motion was withdrawn.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES EXTENSION.
Mr. EWA.E.T moved for leave to bring in a bill for
further promoting the establishment of free public
libraries in municipal towns, and for extending it to
towns governbd under local improvement acts, and to
parishes.
PRAYER FOR THE ARMY AND NAVY.
Mr. NAPIER said he had a notice on the paper for
an address to her Majesty, that she will be graciously
pleased to order a suitable prayer for our army and
navy to be prepared and used in the public service of the
United Church of England and Ireland. He under-
stood, however, that the subject was under the consider.
ation of Government, and he nerd not therefore press it.
Lord J. RUSSELL was understood to assent to the
statement of the lion. and learned member.
ORDER OF MERIT.
Captain SCOBELL moved an address to her Ma-
jesty that she will Le graciously pleased to institute au
Order of Merit, to be bestowfd upon persons serving in
the army or nee J, :'or distinguished and prominent per-
sonal gallantry durirg the present war, and to which
every geade and individual, from the highest to the
lowest, in the united i ervices, may be adm'ssible.
Lord J. RUSSELL submitted to the hon. and gallant
member that anj proposit'.on ought to come feorn the
Clown. The whole question of rewards to the army
41'd navy was under consideration, and it would be pre-
r.;2lre to adopt such a *lotion as this.
2°4% H. HERBERT expressed a hope that no delay
wonfee take place in the issue of medals for the Battle of
the Alamo,
Mr. S• r. St HERBERT said the die of such a medal
had been east, and
no time would be lost in sendin out sioos
cast. to the Crimea so soon as they could be
Sir J. WALSH asked if the order of merit contem-
plated by the hon, mid
tutralarclaannat
.member was intended to
extend to tle foreign
meaTll4l whom we were about
to enlist in our service!
, aid laughter.).
The motion was then withdravren4r.
EPISCOPAL AND CAPPPULA-R
ESTATES BILL.
The Marquis of BLAND-voRD
eubtequently
bring in a bill for the better mans- leave to
and Capitular Estates. The bilfetn"t of Episcopal
brought in and read a first time. was
INT MITT A DILL.
On the motion fur the third reading of this bill,
Colonel simmollr wanted to know---suppsing
three-fourths of a mil' re,iment volunteered to 2
at home ? (A laugh]
abroad, how many would' rem
Mr. S. HERBERT presuined a fourth. (Roars of
laughter.)
Colonel SIBTHORP asked whether militia
.officers
who now have leave of absence would be permitted to
enjoy their leave, no matter whether they volunteered
or not.
Mr. SIDNEY HERBET said the question.would rest
with the Commander-in-Chief.
The bill was then read a third time.
On the question that the bill do pass,
Colonel SIBTHORP objected to its passing ill its
Present shape, and blamed the Government for not hay-

ing increased the bounty to militia men who volunteered
into regiments of the line. Had that been done no less
than 14,000 men might have been raised without diffi-
culty. Whereas resorting to a Foreign Enlistment Bill
would have no other effect than to undermine th . recruit-
ing the militia.
The bill was then passed.