The Sun.
London, England, 1853-08-12 00:00:00

EVIDENCE AMENDMENT BILL.

On the order of the day for the third reading of this
bill,

Mr. S. WORTLEY said that the law allowed a wife
or a husband to be examined in civil cases, where either
of them was a party to the suit, but this bill would pre•
elude them from giving evidence in criminal cases. He
wished to know the reason for this exception.
Lord PALMERSTON said that, in the absence of
his hon. and learned friend the Solicitor-General, per-
haps it would be better that the bill should be post-
poned till to-morrow.
The third reading was postponed accordingly.
• MITITIA PAY BILL.
This bill went through committee.

The Copies of Specification Repeal Bill, the Chancery
Suitors Further Relief Bill, and the Ecclesiastical Leas-
ing Act Amendment Bill, were further considered, and
ordered to be read a third time to-morrow.
OMNIBUS NUISANCE.

On the question that the house do now adjourn,
Colonel SIBTHORP again called attention to the in-
convenience and danger arising to the public from the
practice of passengers being taken up into and set down
from omnibuses in the middle of public streets, and ex-
pressed a hope that the noble lord the Home Secretary
(in whose hands he could leave the matter with perfect
confidence}, would direct the I olice to check the evil.
Lord PALMERSTON said the police had general
powers to prevent obstruction or molestation arising out
of the traffic of the metropolis, and he had called the
attention of the commissioners to the subject, but he did
not think the act specified that the omnibuses should
take up or set down their passengers in a particular part
of the street.

The house then adjourned at ten minutes to 12 o'clock,

GENERAL SIR J. THACKWELL.—This gallant officer,
whose name is deservedly regarded with feelings of the
warmest admiration by every inhabitant of this city,
paid a brief visit to Gloucester on Monday last. The
gallant veteran was on his way from Clifton to visit his
relations near Dymock, and no sooner was his arrival in
Gloucester known, than the utmost anxiety was mani-
fested by great numbers of persons once more to see a
gentleman, who, some years ago, was a distinguised resi-
dent of this locality. The want of the means for giving
the gallant general a professional reception was no sooner
felt, than it was resolved to invite him to a public din-
ner, given to him by the mayor and citizens gene-
rally, and the movement, having once been set
afloat, was taken up with such spirit as to war-
rant the chief magistrate in waiting upon the distin-
guished soldier, upon his return through Gloucester to
Clifton on Wednesday, and inviting him to the enter-
tainment. We are rejoiced to hear that the gallant
general immediately accepted the invitation, and up to
the present moment some 200 persons have already an-
nounced their intention to form a portion of the party,
The banquet will take place at the end of the present
month, and will most probably come off in the concert
room at the Shire-hall. Our readers will, we are sure,
he rejoiced to know that the gallant general looks in ex-
cellent health.—Gloucester Chronicle.

THE LONG VACATlON.—Wednesday the long vacation
commenced ' • but not the long vacation of former years.
The Common Law Procedure Act has made an altera-
tion in law proceedings. Pleadings are still stayed from
the 10th of August to the 24th October ; but writs are
issued with special indorsements, and in the event of
non-appearance, judgment can be signed and execution
issued in the vacation. There is no judgment by default
in the County Courts, and no long vacation.
BRIBERY AT ELECTlONS.—Yesterday a bill, brought
forward by Mr. Walpole, was printed, to amend' the
laws relating to bribery, &c., at elections. It is pro-
posed that a candidate shall, on the day of nomination,
declare that he has not, and will not, be guilty of bribery
or treating ; and,if required, every elector shall make a
declaration that he has not, and is not, to receive any
money, gift, or office, for his vote.