The Sun.
London, England, 1854-02-13 00:00:00


Lord J. RUSSELL then rose, in a full house, to
bring forward his new Reform Bill. The noble lord had
two notices on the paper, the first was for a bill further
to amend the laws relating to the representation of the
people in England and Wales, and the second for a bill
' to amend the law concerning the vacating of seats
of members of the House of Commons. The noble
lord said it was usual, when a Minister moved
to introduce such a measure as this, to magnify its im-
portance, but he did not intend to follow that course on
this occasion. The introduction of the Reform Bill
would indicate that we were in a state of agitation out
of doors—for in former times the bringing in of such a
bill invariably led to great discussion both in and out
of Parliament, but at present there was no reason to anti-
cipate any excitement of that sort. The people and the
legislature were prepared to consider this great question
with temper and deliberation. (Hear, hear.) Nor
could it be said, that while we were on the
brink of war with a state like Russia, it was
improper to introduce such a measure as this, at
least it could not be said that experience taught them this
lesson, since in 1782, at a period of war, Mr. Pitt brought
forward a motion on this subject, and a similar motion
was repeated under similar circumstances in 1792 and
1797, and again still later when the sun of Wellington
had not yet reached itsj zenith. He could not under-
dand why, in consequence of the warlike aspect of
affairs abroad, the Legislature.; should be !deterred from
considering questions of domestic policy ; but if such
an argument were permitted to prevail with re-
ference to a measure of Parliamentary reform, lie
could not see why it should not apply with equal
force to a measure for improving the Ecclesiastical
Courts or amending the Law of Settlement. (Hear.) For
his part, however, he did not view even a war with Russia
with so much dismay as to think it sufficient to deter the
Legislature from proceeding with any and every measure
of a domestic character. The war could still be prose-
cuted with vigour, and if so prosecuted as the Govern-
ment were determined to do directly the country was once
engaged in open hostilities with Russia. (Cheers.) So
much, then, for the preliminary objection which had been
t tken to the introduction of this bill, and now he would
state what had been done in the shape of Parliamentary
Reform since 1793. (Hear, hear.) The noble lord then
glanced at the history of Parliamentary Reform since
that period, and then went on to mention some of the
:measures which had resulted from the improvements
.vhich had been made on the representation of the peo-
ple, such as the abolition of slavery, the reform of the
Irish Church, the reform of the Corporations of
England and Scotland, and, finally, the repeal of the
Corn and Navigation Laws. Having done this,
the noble lord proceeded to detail the nature of the
changes which it was now proposed to make in our re-
presentative system. There were many places where the
ejectors were so small that they ought not to be permitted
to return members, though he did not agree with those
who thought that all members ought to be elected by
the same number of voters. The old Reform 13i11 fixed
the minimum number of voters at 300, but since this bill
was passed the number had fallen even below that figure,
and with these he proposed to deal in the first instance.
There were 19 boroughs whose electors were under 300,
and whose population did not reach 5,000, returning 29
members ; while there were 3t1 boroughs whose elec-
tors were under 5,000, with populations below
10,000, and for each of these which returned two
members, the bill would propose to take away one
member. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) This would place
thirty-six seats at the disposal of the bill. It was
proposed to give the minority some representation ; and
III counties where the population exceeded 80,000, such
as the West Riding of Yorkshire, it was proposed
to give an additional member. By this change four mem-
bers would be added to the %Vest Riding of Yorkshire,
tour to South Lancashire, making eight, and there
would remain 38 other counties entitled to an additional
member, making 46 altogether. With regard to towns
having more than one hundred thousand, there would
be nine exclusive of the Metropolis, to whom an addi-
tional member would be given, while Birkenhead, Staly-
bridge, and Burnley, it was proposed to erect into a
borough, giving a member to each, Kensington
and Chelsea it was proposed to unite for Parliamen-
tary purposes, with the power of returning two mem-
bers, and the Inns of Court would have the privilege
conferred upon them of returning two members.
The University of London would also have one mem-
ber. (Cheers.)

(LEFT SPEIKINC • )

RTTSSIA AND TURKEY.

The following private telegraphic despatch has
Moen received in Paris :—
" CONSTANTINOPLE, JAN. 28.
"The Seraskier has received the following report from
Selirn Pasha :—

"'The Russian fleet having been apprised that the
Eritish and French squadrons had quitted Sinope to re-
turn to Constantinople, immediately sailed. Five
frigates have attacked the fort of Chefketil, which com-
pelled them to retreat without success."
Selim Pasha, who commands the Chorooksoo
Division, now within the Russian territory, and in
possession of Chefketil and Ozurghet, played the
Russian General a knowing trick lately. The latter
otfered him a bribe to retire before the Russians,
abandoning all his advantages. The Pasha
ac-
cepted it, pocketed the money, and then laid the
matter before a military council, wheu it was una-
nimously resolved that the money should be dis-
tributed among the soldiers, which was forthwith
done. The Russian General, believing that Selim
had turned traitor, most anxiously looked for the
retreat of the Turks, but much to his surprise they
made a brisk attack, so that he found himself
duped, and had to retreat with all haste, leaving 4
gnus in their possession.
About 46 villages in Lesser Wallachia have risen
in revolt, together with some of the police force.
This looks well, and it is hoped that such a favour-
able disposition will not be neglected by the Turks.
The Russians have burnt the villages, and endea,-
v,mred to stitie this feeling.

NA VAL INTELLIGENCE.

MALTA, FEB. 7.

The Himalaya has just been telegraphed.
On Sunday last her Majesty's ship Caradoc arrived
from Marseilles, having on board General Sir John
Burgoyne and a French colonel of engineers, Colonel
Ardent, who conducted, in his department, the siege of
Rome. The distinguished visitors were received by his
Excellency the Governor, who went off' to the Caradoc,
and accompanied them on shore.
Colonel Ardent having expressed a desire to see a re-
giment in heavy marching order, the 41st was turned
out, having just returned from church, and a regiment
of finer men, or more neatly clothed and fitted, could not
have been selected to do honour to the service.
The colonel was highly pleased at their military bear-
ing and appearance, and expressed the utmost gratifica-
tion, on one of the knapsacks being opened for his in-
spection, at the quantity of things stowed in so small a
compass, and the exceeding cleanliness of its varied
contents.

The Caradoc left at 2 p.m. for Constantinople.
'i'he following items of intelligence reached Malta by
the Triton, which arrived here in four days from Con-
stantinople. Several officers who have recently received
their promotion have arrived by her, and Captain Ste-
phens, Royal Marines, on whom an operation was re-
cently performed, having suffered from exceeding cold,
lia•; gone to the hospital here for cure. fie is not in any
danger, however, and will probably speedily recover,
under the influence of a milder temperature :- -
" The officers who have joined are--Conitnander
Mends, Trafalgar ; Lieutenant Percival, Fury ; Com-
mander May, Leander ; Lieutenant Balfour, Sidon ;
Lieutenant Paterson, _Inflexible ; Lieutenant Coxon,
Furious ; and Lieutenant Nott, Queen.
General Baraguay d'Hilliers left Constantinople on
the 27th tilt., to decide upon the spot on which to en-
camp the French troops expected from day to day at
Constantinople.
The following may be relied on as a correct report
of the army of Roumelia ; head-quarters at Shumla
Regiments. Men. Total.
30 Infantry ... 3,248 •.. 97,440
8 Cavalry
... 650 5,200
11i3„240808
4 Foot Artillery 2,200 ... ... 8,800
11 Horse Artillery 1,200 • • •
6 Egyptian Infantry 1
Bashi Bouzonks. sand Redifs • • • 85,872
Garrison at Rustahuk 15,000
f) Widdln 15,000 ... 70,000
I) Viva& 40,000