The Sun.
London, England, 1853-02-23 00:00:00

LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 23, 1853.

No. 18,852.]

To be had at all the Libraries,
THE POPULAR 'N_ENV NOVELS,
By Distinguished Writes.
Published by HuasT and BLACKETT, successnrs to Henry Cc lburn

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS--(YESTERDAY.)
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the Woolsack
at five o'clock.

13, Great Marlborough-street.
1. THE DEAN'S DAUGHTER; or, THE DAYS ,WE LIVE
IN. By Mrs. GORE. 3 vole.
2. HARRY MUIR. A New Story of Scottish Life. By the
Author of "Margaret Maitland,'Sco. 3 vols. . (On Friday next.)

3. THE FIRST LIEUTENAN'S STORY. By LADY CATI
RINE LONG. 3 vols.

4. CASTLE AVON. By the Author of " Emelia Wyndham," &e
3 vols.
5. UNCLE WALTER. By Mrs. TROLLOPE. 3 vols.
Q. BROOMIIILL ; or, THE COUNTY BEAUTIES. •

ALLSOPP'S PALE OR BITTER ALE.

THE unanimous opinion of the most eminent
scientific and medical men of the day, of Baron Liehig,
Messrs. Graham, Hofmann, Muspratt, Watson, Budd, Marshall, Hall,
Travers, Fergusson, Rowe, Vivian, Heygate, Leman, Arnold, Evans,
Formby, Petrie, Macrorie, Vose, Tutnell, Hunter, Davies, Jones,
Senior, Maclaren, Macaulay, Gray, Teevan,
Harri-
son, Pepper, Inman, Sir Charles Clarke, the Sanatory Commissioner
of "The Lancet," &c. &c. &c. Hayward,
(many of them after careful analyses,
and all of them after long experience,) haying been pronounced in
favonr of the healthful and invigorating qualities, as welt as the
highly dietetic properties of their Pale and Bitter Ales, 'Messrs.
Allsop and Sons do not feel themselves called upon to go into any
further vindication of their justly popular beverage, from the asper-
sions-of- malicious uncl Interested- parties; butcontent themselves byl
announcing that they have commenced supplies from the Brewing of
this Season.
ALLSOPP'S PALE OR BITTER ALE may be obtained in Casks
of 18 Gallons and upwards, from the Brewery, Button-ou-Trent ;
and from the undermentioned Branch Establishments :
LONDON, at Si, KING WILLIAM-STREET, CITY
LIVERPOOL, at Cootc-STREET;
MANCHESTER, at DOCIE-PLACZ;
DUDLEY, at BURNT-TREE;
GLASGOW, at 115, St. VI 'CENT-STREET;
DUB IN, at ULSTER CHAMBERS, DAME-STREET;
BIRMINGHAM, at MARKET HULL;
at either of which places a list of respectable parties who supply the
in Beer Bottles (and also in Casks at the same prices as from the
Brewery), may at any time be seen.

NO ACT OF PARLIAMENT REQUIRED TO SETTLE
THE BOTTLED BEER QUESTION.

EARLE BROTHERS and CO. beg to inform
the Public that they have made arrangements to Sell Bass's
or Allsopp's PALE ALE, and other Pale Ales of the first quality,
Genuine DUBLIN STOUT, in Bottles manufactured expressly for
them, containing the full IMPERIAL QUA-RT and PINT MEA-
SURE, at the following prices :
Bass's or Alisopp's best Pale Ales, at per dozen im- a. d.
perial quarts .. • • • • 8 •
Ditto ditto pints 4 6
Genuine Dublin Stout, warranted of the first quality—
Per Dozen imperial quarts .. '-.. 7 0
Ditto ditto pints .. .. 4 0
Earie Brothers and Co guarantee their Ales and Stout to be of
the finest quality, and earnestly invite the Public to avail themselves
of the great saving they will make by honouring this firm with their
patronage.
Earle Brothers and Co. call the attention of the Public to the Im-
portant fact, that they are offering Three Gallons, that is, One Dozen
and a Half of the present miscalled Quarts and Pints, for a Lower
Price than the Public is now generally paying for Two Gallons, or
One Dozen of precisely the same article, identical in quality, and
brewed by the same eminent firms.
The advantage to the Public is one-third more for the same price.
The Public has loudly complained of the short measure it has been
the practice of the dealers in Bottled Beer to give.
Earle Brothers and Co. offer the Public a complete remedy, aril
respectfully Leg the Public to avail themselves of it.
TERMS, CASH.

p. d.
Bottles eharged per dozen, quarts .. •• •• 3 0
Ditto ditto pints • • .. 2 6
Full credit given for the bottles when returned.
EARLE BROTHERS and CO.,
Wine and Beer Merchants.

4, DUNCANNON-STREET, TRAFALGAR-SQUARE, LONDON.

LADIES of delicate complexion, who suffer from
exposure to cold winds and damp atmosphere, will find imme-
diate and tioothing relief in the application of ROWLANDS' ICALY-
DOR. It allays all irritation and tenderness of the skin, and renders
it soft, smooth, and pleasant; removes cutaneous disfigurements,
freckles, and tan, andimparts a healthy and blooming appearance.
Gentlemen, after shaving, will Ind it allay the irritability and smart-
ing pain, and render the skin smooth and pleasant. Its purifying
and refreshing properties have obtained its selectien by Royalty and
the several Courts throughout Europe, together with the elite of the
aristocracy. Price 4s. Gd. and as. 6d. per bottle.
ROWLAND'S MACASSAR OIL is a delightfallY fragrant and
transparent preparation for the Hair, and as an invigorator and
purifier beyond all precedent. Weakness, premature greyness, and
tendency to fall off, are entirely prevented by its regular application.
ROWLAND'S ODONTO, ar PEARL DENTIFRIFIEE, preserves and
beautifies the Teeth, strengthens the Gums, and renders the Breath
sweet and pure.
- -

Sold by A. Rowland and Son, 20, Hattoa-gardens, Londou ; and by
Chemists and Perfumers.

Now ready, the F fth Edition, with New Plates, price ss.
0N THROAT AILMENTS, more especially
-- the Enlatged Tonsil and Elongated Uvula, in connection
with Defects of Voice, Speech Hearing, Susceptibility to Sore
Throat, Nasal Obstruction, Throat-cough, and the Imperfect Deve-
lopment of ilealth and Strength in Young Persons.

By JAS. YEARSLEY, Esq.,
Surgeon to the Metropolitan Ear Infirmary,
Aural Surgeon to her late Mai esty the Queen Dowager, &c.
John Churchill, Princes•street, Soho, and all booksellers.

PETITIONS.

The Earl of CARDIGAN presented a petition from
Lord William Fitzgerald, in favpur of the abolition of
the Lord-Lieutenantcy of Ireland.
Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from Caer-
narvonshire, praying for the extension of tho county

courts.
The Earl of ENNISKILLEN presented petitions
from St. Andrew's, Holborn, and from places in Suffolk
and Staffordshire, against any endowment of the College
of Maynooth.
THE LAW OF EVIDENCE (SCOTLAND) BILL.
Lord BROUGHAM, in moving the second reading
of this bill, said, that eminent body the Faculty of Ad-
vocates of the Scotch bar, at first entertained great
doubts as to the expediency of extending the
provisions of the Law of Evidence Act, which
had recently come into operation in England to
Scotland, but the experience which had been derived
of the working of that measure had strongly inclined
them to an opinion in its favour, and they had passed
resolutions entirely approving of the present bill, but i
suggesting the insertion of certain amendments. He
was happy to say that the bill had been so framed as to
meet the wishes of that highly respectable body.
Lord CAMPBELL expressed his sincere satisfaction
at the bill passing with the consent of the Faculty of Ad-
vocates. They had no occasion to be ashamed of
the serious doubts which they had entertained
upon the subject, for in the whole history of juris-
prudence no instance had occurred, until the Law
of-Bvideneedifet came intcrnpreration recently, of a plain-
tiff or defendant being allowed -to give evidence in his
own cause. Even the Roman civil law, which was the
most consummate work of human wisdom in existence,
did not grant this privilege. He had reason himself to
be perfectly satisfied with the working of the system,
and he rejoiced that his noble and learned friend had in-
troduced the present measure.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that, in assimi-
lating the law of the two countries, his noble and learned
friend had, in this bill, gone somewhat beyond the ex-
isting law, having inserted in it a provision respecting
the case of husband and wife, which he had embodied in
a separate bill for England, which had already received
a first reading, and which he hoped soon to see the law
of this country. Having been one of those who had
opposed that provision in the noble and learned lord's
former bill, he thought it only right to state that, after
due consideration, he now saw no objection to intro-
ducing it ; but he hoped, however that nothing would
be proposed to compel husband and wife to reveal any-
thing which had passed in confidence between them.
After a few words from Lord CAMPBELL and Lord
BROLIGHAM,
The bill was read a second time and passed.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
Mr. PHILLIMORE took the oaths and his seat for
Tavistock.
A number of private bills were introduced and read a
first time.
The following bills were then read a second time :
Add Beck Reservoirs ; Harwich Docks and Pier ; High
Ham and Ashcott Roads ; London, Brighton, and South
Coast Railway ; Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly Rail-
way ; Newport, Abergavenny, and Hereford Railway
(Hereford, &c.) ; North British Railway, and Plymouth
Waterworks Bills.
DEWSBURY, HECMONDWICKE, AND BATLEY
WATER BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
Mr. HADFIELD moved that it be read a second
time this day six months, on the ground that it would
deprive the town of Sheffield of the greater part of its
supply of water.
Mr. LASCELLES seconded the amendment.
Mr. S. WORTLEY also supported the amendment.
After some discussion, in which Lord E. Howard, Sir
De Lacy Evans, Sir J. Shelley, and Mr. Locke took
part, the house divided—
For the bill
Against 6B

Majority
The bill was then read a second time.
GREAT GRIMSBY IMPROVEMENT BILL.

On the motion for the second reading of this bill,
The Earl of ANNESLEY moved that it be read a
second time this day six months.
Mr. TOMLIN seconded the amendment.
After some discussion the amendment was withdrawn,
and tilt) bill was read a second time.
HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE ASSOCIATION
BILL.
On the order of the day. for the second reading of this
bill,
Mr. PHINN stated the object of the bill. It was
well known that the Opera, in the Haymarket could not
be kept up by private speculation, and the object
of this bill was to enable a certain number of gentle-
men who were lovers of art to carry on the speculation.
The house was aware that nearly every Government in
Europe encouraged the musical arts, and supported operas
in all their capitals, but England had neglected the art as a
public question, and its promotion had been left entirely
to private enterprise. Hitherto, however, private en-
terprise had failed in its laudable design, and such a
state of things ultimately came to pass as necessitated
the formation of this association. For no less than a
hundred and fifty years the lyrical drama had found a
refuge at the Queen's Theatre in the Haymarket, and
the object of the association was, if possible, to perpe-
tuate its continuance there. The gentlemen forming
the association had subscribed for upwards of 198,0001.,
and the principal purpose of this bill was to limit the
liability of each subscriber. He was aware that
there was • a great . objection to granting powers
of limited liability, but this was an exceptional case,
while there was a precedent for the measure in the
powers of limited liability which Parliament conferred
upon Drury-lane Theatre Association many years Ago.
The promoters of the bill bad attempted to attain their
object by applying to the Board of Trade, but the Pre-
sident of that Board had declined to certify for a charter,
and they had, therefore, no alternative but to proceed by
way of bill.
Mr. HUME objected to proceeding .with this bill
while the question of limited liability was about to be
thoroughly investigated by a Royal Commission.
Mr. M. MILNES said this was not the bill of a trad-
ing company, while it would be of importance for, the
house to pause before it conferred powers of limited lia-
bility, but a bill presented by a number of private gen-
tlemen of high standing and inestimable character, to
further the purposes of musical art. No one man cquld
carry on the opera single handed, or a man of Mr. Lum-
ley's scope and talent would have succeeded, and he
hoped the house would allow the bill to go before a com-
mittee.
Mr. CLAY refused to treat the bill in any other light
than that of a bill promoted by a trading company,
while with regard to the question of promoting the mu-
sical art, he thought nothing had tended to encourage
and extend it more than the private competition which
had prevailed in this country.
• Sir W. PECHELL thought the bill ought to be post-
, pond until the whole question of limited liability had
been finally disposed of.
Mr. CARDWELL said he had reviewed this case
with great trouble and attention. The charter was re-
fused by his predecessor in office,- and after he himself
had given. Mr. Lumley an interview of upwards of an ,
hour, the conclusion he arrived at was that the decision'
of his predecessor was correct, and ought to be sustained.
Tie admitted the high standing and respectability of the
persons who formed this association, but the law of
England recognised no distinction of persons, and as
the question involved in this bill, which was
that of limited liability was opposed to the
existing law, he felt bound to resist the second reading
of the bill. There was no parallel betwen this case and
that of the 'Drury-lane Society ; and as this bill involied
an important question of principle, he should be com-
pelled appeared-
-79
T he thFo
oudrie ve idt
thehe
e thend
secondihv
io
duesde,
readinguwp ho upon
when
it.
Against it l7O

Majority
The bill was accordingly thrown out.
WEXFORD JUNCTION RAILWAY BILL.
On the order of the day for the second reading of
this bill.
Mr. MqVIAHON opposed the bill, and moved that it
be read a second time that day six months. •
After some discussion the house divided, when there
appeared
For the second reading B7
Against it

NAMES OF MEN-OF-WAR.—There has lately been a
rage for giving outrageous and crack-jaw names to
the vessels of the British navy, yet it happens that not
one of our battle-ships has ever borne the name of
Nelson.
CORNISHMEN AT THE DIGGINGS.—A. Cornishman,
William Chenoweth, writes to his brother, in the neigh-
bourhood of Camelford, from the gold diggings. He
says :—" I am happy to inform you that I have been
successful at the gold diggings, where we were ten weeks Majority
and four days. We worked very hard for the first seven The bill was accordingly read a second time and
days, and made about li oz. of gold each ; the other
ordered to be committed.
three weeks and four days we made about 4,5001., making
CANTERBURY ELECTION.
it 9001. each. We are truly thankful for our success, for
On the motion of Mr. KER SEYMER, the writ for
although we have done this, we are one party out of a thou-
the election of two citizens for the city of Canterbury,
sand to do so well. We landed at Adelaide this day
was ordered to be suspended for six weeks.
week, and I deposited in the bank 8531. ; in about two
months I intend going again. If you come, on noLANCASTER ELECTION.
On the moti
account forget to provide yourself with flour ; get Ame-
rican flour, or have some wheat kiln-dried and ground borough of Lancaster was ordered to be suspended until
on purpose ;also a few barns and streaked bacon, h the 4th of April.
many other little things • you will be sure to do well with CLERGY RESERVES (CANADA).
whatever you bring, for' .there will be many that will Sir J. PAKINGTON gave notice that, on the q ues-
give you a long price for it ; whatever you bring on tion forthe second reading of the Clergy Reserves (Canada)
board, you will be sure to sell. I intend to lay my Bill, it was his intention to move, as an amendment, that it
money out in land, as there will then be a maintenance be read a second time that day six months. He might
for my family whatever may happen to me, and land be allowed to put a question to the noble lord relative
here will always be increasing in value. Shoemakers are ito the day on which this bill would be brought forward.
making fortunes here ; men's high shoes arc from 20s. ' The honourable gentleman the Under Secretary for the
to 27a per pair ; women's boots, 17s. per pair, and Colonies had been kind enough to intimate to him that
children's shoes they do notoare to make, my boy shoes- the second reading of the bill would not be brought on
cost me 78." Ibefore Monday next, adding, at the same time, that from

the state of public business, it was not certain that the
bill could be brought on onrthat day.
Lord J. RUSSELL would take that opportunity of
mentioning that he hoped the ordnance estimates would
be in the hands of members to-morrow (this day). It was
his intention that they should be brought forward on
Monday next, and the Clergy Reserves Bill on the sub-
sequent Friday (we understood).
THE BANK OF ENGLAND.—EXCHEQUER-
BILLS.
Mr. MASTERMAN wished to put a question, arising
out of a leading paragraph in one of the public journals,
reflecting on the high character of that body of Direc-
tors which managed the affairs of tbe Bank of England.
He wanted to ask of the right honourable gentleman the
Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the governor and
deputy-governor of the Bank of England were aware of
the intended reduction of interest on Exchequer-bills by
the GovCrnment previous to the 12th February ? The
accusation was that they were aware of the intended re-
duction for a fortnight previous to that date. Perhaps
the right hon. gentleman would have no objection to
state when the reduction of the rate of interest was
determined on.

tees at this time, and he hoped they would do so xcept
in cases where their nomination was urgently req • ed.
CIVIL SERVANTS' SUPERANNUATIO .
f
Sir DE LACY EVANS desired to ask the Cha cellor
of the Exchequer whether the Government interned to
take any, and if so, what measures, during the present
session, with reference to the petition of the civil ser-
vants f the Crown, which was presented to that house
in the month of December, 1852 I
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
1 that the question of the gallant general had reference to
a subject of great public importance—the application of
the civil servants of the Crown for a modification Of the
Superannuation Act, which would have the ef.itet of
materially increasing their emolument. The GOvern-
ment did not contemplate any immediate change elf any
sort in that act ; he was, however, in communication
with the civil servants on this subject. He could no
say whether any decision would or would not result
from these communications, but he could not, without
an undue intrusion on the time of the house, their state
the general views of the Government upon the subject ;
and if the gallant general wished to hear these, the best
way would be for him to make a motion. I
ADULTERATION OF COFFEE.
Mr. HUME wished to know whether the Goverrjnent
had come to any decision with respect to the mixture
of chicory with coffee, and, if so, when the house 'height
expect to hear it ? • '
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
he had good reason to be aware of the great interest
that attached to this most vexed and, ho would add,
vexing question, and he hoped to be able to announce
the intention of the Government with respect to'it as
early as Thursday next. ,
THE OFFICE OF SPEAKER.
Sir R. H. INGLIS then rose to move for a select com-
mittee " to consider the best means of providing for the
execution of tile office of Speaker-firtfirWeiifTrlifir
Speaker's absence from illness or other cause." He did
not believe that this motion would excite hostile or un-
kind feelings on the part of any one, but that, on the
contrary, it would receive the support of all parties. When
he last suggested it, it was favourably received by the
right hon. gentleman who was then the leader of the
house, and he had also a communication from the noble
lord the present leader, not only promising his support,
but offering to serve on the committee. But this ques-
tion was one involving so materially the position of the
first person in the house, that he should not have under-
taken to bring forward this motion had he felt that he
was acting contrary to the wisilcs or feelings of the
Speakar himself. The wonder was, not that such a mo-
tion was brought for Ward now, but that no provision
on the subject should have been made up to the present
time. Most of Clem would remember the difficulties
that had arisen during the last ten years from doubts re-
specting the accuracy of the Speaker's warrant, and they
should take care that it would defy all legal objection ;
but it was still more important that the officer who sub-
scribed the warrant should himself be duly appointed.
It was not sufficient that the house should appoint some
one of its members in the Speaker's absence to take his
place. The precedents showed that the course had been
recommended in former times, and resisted by great con-
stitutional lawyers, because the recognition of the
Speaker by the Sovereign on the Throne was a necessary
preliminary to his taking part in any of the business of
the house. If that were the constitutional doctrine, he
contended that no resolution of the house, no address
from the house to the Crown, with an answer from the
Crown in favour of such address, would reconalelany
adverse party to a proceeding emanating from an autho-
rity which he was advised to dispute. (Hear, hear.)
The same authority which enabled the Speaker to sit in
the chair with so much dignity and usefulness, must be
employed with reference to the individual who was to
succeed him, even for a day, because on that day occur-
rences might arise that would produce very serious in-
convenience. He hoped the necessity he had endea-
voured to point out would never occur, and that the
Speaker would long continue to fill his present station ;
but when they looked to the uncertainty, not only of
life but of health, and not only of the life and health of
the Speaker but of those dear to him, which might cause
his absence, they must see how necessary it was that his
motion should be adopted.
Mr. HUME opposed the motion. It appeared that
during sixty years there was scarcely an occasion when
the Speaker was unable to attend, and when such occa-
sions did occur the remedy applied was sufficient, and no
difficulty was experienced. If the necessity arose the
chairman of ways and means could discharge the duty,
and when a similar proposition to that now brought for-
ward was made in the committee up stairs, an honour-
able member observed that if there was no deputy he
would never be wanted, but if there was a deputy it
would be found that the chair would be more frequently
filled by him than by the Speaker. (Hear, hear.) It
might be urged that public companies had vice-chair-
men, but no public companies were ever blessed with
such healthy officers as the Speakers of the House of Com-
mons had been. (Laughter.) As long as the right
hon. gentleman sat in the chair, no occasion, he trusted,
would occur for absenting himself. However, they were
all mortal, and it was quite possible that some cause for
temporary absence might occur, but he hoped the good
sense of the house, in such an event, would enable them
to find a substitute. Ile thought they should continue
the course they had hitherto adopted, without making
any new appointment.
The motion was put and carried.
PAYMENT OF WAGES.
On the motion of Sir H. HALFORD, leave was given
to bring in a bill to secure the payment of wages without
stoppages.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER—I am
sure the house will excuse me if I endeavour to give an
answer, in the most distinct terms I am able, to the
question of my honourable friend, which is not altoge-
ther of a common order, relating as it does, to a body
which stands so high in public estimation as the Bank
of England, and which it is so important to maintain in
all the estimation it enjoys. The statement to which
my hon. friend has referred was the statement, not of a
morning journal, but of the correspondent of a morning
journal, printed in rather conspicuous type, and it was to
the effect, not that there 'was proof, but that there was
presumption, that the Bank of England had been made
aware of the intention of the Chanpetlor of the Exchequer
to redeee the rate of interest on ExChequer Bills to ld.
a considerable time before the reduction took place, and
that the direction of the Bank availed themselves of this
knowledge to sell a large amount of Exchequer Bills at
a premium much higher than they would otherwise have
bronght. The exact date when the reduction of the rate
of interest became known to the public was the 15th of
this month, the time when the formal act which deter-
mined that reduction was performed was the evening of
Monday the 14th. I did not think it fit to take any ad-
vice from the Bank of England, or to ascertain the opi-
nion of its governor and deputy-governor on the subject,
any long time before the decision was taken, and it was
only on the afternoon of Saturday the 12th that I ad-
dressed to the governor of the Bank of England a note,
requesting him and the deputy-governor to favour me
with their company in Downing-street at an early hour
on Monday, nor did I then specifically name the subject
on which I wished to see them, but I simply stated that
it was a subject on which it would be necessary that a
decision should be taken on Monday. I have very little
doubt that the governor and deputy-governor conversant
as they are with these matters, understood by that note
that it must have reference to the rate of interest on
Exchequer Bills. But I think the house will see that
the statement that no communication proceeded from
me before the afternoon of Saturday the 12th is in itself
a conclusive answer to the imputation which has been
rashly hazarded. (Cheers.) On the morning of the
14th of this month I saw the governor and deputy-
'governor on this subject, and consulted with them
further, but they left me at the middle of that day not
possessed of what my final intentions were. Therefore
I hope that if in the mind of any man a prejudice exists
on this point, what I have stated will be sufficient, and
more than sufficient, to remove it. (Cheers.) I wish
further to state, and it is but just to the governor and
deputy-governor that I should do so, that they are not
in any manner or degree responsible for the measure
taken by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that they
gave me their recommendation, as they on every occa-
sion do, in the most frank and friendly spirit, leaving
me the most entire freedom to pursue that line of con-
duct I thought best for the public interests.
Sir. J. PAKINGTON begged to ask the Under-
Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any
objection to lay upon the table of the house the follow-
ing papers :-1. A letter recently written by the Lord
Bishop of Quebec to the Duke of Newcastle, on the
subject of the Clergy Reserves in Canikia. 2. The dis-
patch from Sir John Pakington to the Earl of Elgin,
which would have been sent by the mail 'of Friday,
Dec. 16th, in reply to his lordship's dispatch of Sept.
22d (forwarding an address to the Queen from the
Legislative Assembly of Canada, on the subject of the
Clergy Reserves), had not the late Government ten-

dereltheir resignations to her Majesty on that day.
Mr. F. PEEL was understood to answer that there
was no objection to the production of the Bishop of
Quebec's letter. With regard to the second document,
the'right hon. gentleman must be aware that the dis-
patch was not signed, and that there was no instance in
which a dispatch in draught had been laid on the table
of the House of Commons.

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
Sir J. PAKINGTON wished to ask the Under-Secre-

tary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial-office
had received reports of the proceedings of two public
meetings held in the colony of the Cape of Good Hope
on the 22d of Nov., 1852—one at Utenhenge, and the
other at Graham's Town—at which strong approbation
was expressed of the policy of the late Government with

respect`to the constitution ordinances, the latter meeting
having unanimously adopted. resolutions declaring the
" unalloyed satisfaction" of the meeting at the postpone-
ment of the constitution, and passing a vote of thanks to
Sir John Pakington for his dispatch of September 4, in
which ho stated the grounds on which her Majesty's
Government had decided upon that postponement
Perhaps he should mention that he derived his informa-
tion on this subject from the Graham's TOWII, Journal of
. . . .

November 27, in which it wasstaiedil;atii;;;;;;fv;ei

- ---.—
at these meetings that copies of their proceedings should
be forwarded to the Colonial-office.
Mr. PEEL said that he had heard nothing of the
meeting at Utenhengd; but the chairman of the meeting
at Graham's Town had forwarded to the Colonial-office
copies of the resolutions to which it had come.
Sir J. PAKINGTON then asked the Under-Secretary
for the Colonies whether he had heard that the British
portion of the population at the Cape, already so inferior
in number to the natives, was likely to be considerably
diminished by emigration to Australia I
Mr. PEEL said that no information of this kind had
been received at the Colonial-office.
CUSTOM-HOUSE REFORM.
Mr. HORSFALL said that a committee of that house
had sat for a considerable time for the purpose of consi-
dering the present constitution of the Board of Customs,
and the system pursued by them, with a view of reme-
dying the evils complained of by the mercantile body.
He believed the late Government had intimated their
intention to introduce into the house a measure on this
subject, and he wished to ask the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer whether it was the intention of her Majesty's
present advisers to introduce such a measure, and if so,
when ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that he could not at present undertake to say whether
any measures to be taken by the Government for the
improvement of the Customs department and its ma-
chinery would or would not require an act of Parlia-
ment. The whole subject was under the consideration
of the Treasury, the result of whose deliberations would
probably be embodied in a minute ; and if so, he
should have no difficulty in laying that minute on the
table of the house at the proper time, which he hoped
would not be far distant, together with a report of the
Board of Customs on that of the committee of the house
fkiruished the Government
with ezyrtiin which
mpartantt hey
matterh for their consideration, •In
one important respect a change, which in point of fact,
must be the foundation of all other measures, was in
progress at the Board of Customs. To have reduced the
number of the members of that board would, under or-
dinary circumstances, have been attended with consider-
able expense, but within the last two months, or little
more, a reduction had taken place. In December last,
the number of commissioners was eight, but about the
time of the change of Government Mr. Lushington re-
signed, which reduced the board to seven, the precise
number which had been recommended by the commission
which sat in 1842. Within the last fortnight or three
weeks, another member of the commission had intimated
his intention to resign—indeed, he believed, had actually
sent in his resignation ; and the noble earl at the head
of the Treasury having, after consultation with the
chairman of the Board of Customs, decided that it was
not necessary that this vacancy should be filled up, the
number of the board would now be reduced to six. It
would remain for consideration whether any, and if so
what, other changes should be made in the constitution
of the board, and when the views of the Treasury had
been definitively formed upon this point they would be
intimated to the house.

ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS IN IRELAND.
Mr. BUTT said that he wished to ask the noble lord
the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether
since his accession to office any instructions have been
issued from the Home-office to the authorities at Dublin
Castle, with reference to the awarding of rank and pre-
cedence to the Roman Catholic bishops in Ireland I
Lord PALMERSTON—No instructions have been
sent on that subject.