The Sun.
London, England, 1853-06-10 00:00:00

EXCISE DUTIES ON SPIRITS BILL

The 11;;e len. went into committee on this bill.
On clause 1, granting additional duties on spirits in
Ireland and Scotland,
Mr. P. O'BRIEN objected, that at such an hour (nearly
twelve o'clock), and in the absence of almost all the Irish
members, it was unfit to bring on the measure, as it was
wholly unexpected that it would come on. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. BOW YER said there was a surprise on the Irish
members. It had been reported that the India debate
would occupy all night. (Hear.) The bill would increase
illicit distillation, and was of an important character. He
moved that the chairman report progress.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER disclaimed
nay intention of taking the Irish members by surprise.
There had been an understanding that the bill might come
on before midnight. (Hear, hear, and oh !) Tho bill was
not one for raising duties, and .the question could be dis-
cussed at another stage. It had been considered in confer-
ence with the leading distillers. Its only object was the
regulation of the duties, not the imposition of new duties.
He proposed that the measure be allowed to go through
committee, and the debate be adjourned till a later stage.
Mr. BOWYER was sure the right hon. gentleman meant
no surprise upon members, but there was a surprise, and
this was such au advanced stage of the measure, that it
would not be proper to permit it to pass through com-
mittee.
Colonel DUNNE said certainly the Irish members ought
to be there—(hear, hear)—but he objected to the bill on
the ground that it would increase the duties, and would
stimulate smuggling and illicit distillation. (Hear, hear.)
The provisions of the bill required great discussion, and it
could not be carried on at that hour.
Captain JONES said this evening ho had been told that
the measure could not be carried on after twelve, and it
was then just twelve o'clock.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said under
all the circumstances he would withdraw the bill for the
present. As to the proposition for equalising the duties,
it required great consideration, and he desired to reserve it
until the committee on the subject had reported. The
right hon. gentleman said he would take the committee
after the second reading of the Succession Bill to-day.
The house resumed.
BANKRUPTCY (SCOTLAND) BILL.

This bill was read a second time.
COPIES OF SPECIFICATION REPEAL BILL.

On the motion for reading this bill a second time,
Mr. WHITESIDE said that if the Government were de-
termined in pressing this bill, it would meet with a most
determined opposition from the members from Scotland
and Ireland.
The SOLICITOR GENERAL said he would postpone
the bill for a week.
COPYHOLD BILL.

This bill was read a third time and passed.
SAVINGS BANK BILL.
On the motion of Mr. WILSON, the report of the com-
mittee on this bill was received.
GOVERNMENT Off' INDIA. •
Sir C. WOOD brought in the bill for the future govern-
ment of India, which was read a first time, and ordered to
be a read a second time on Thursday, June 23.
SPITALFIELDS AND SHOREDITCH.
Sir W. MOLESWORTH brought in a bill to amend the
acts and extend the time for constructing a new street from
Spitalfields to Shoreditcb, which was read a first time.
REPAYMENT OF ADVANCES.
Mr. WILSON brought in a bill for altering the mode of
repayment of advances by the public works loan commis-
sioners, &c., which was read a first time.
The house adjourned at twenty minutes after twelve
o'clock.

WOMEN AND PORPOISES.---Well, its the natur' of por-
poises, when a, she one gets wounded, that all the
other porpoises race right arter her, and chase her
to death. They show her no marcy. Human
natur' is the same as fish natur' in this particler,
and is as scaly too. When a woman gets a wound
from an arrow shot out by scandal, or envy, or malice,
or falsehood, for not keeping her eye on the com-
pass, and shapin' her course as she ought to, men,
women, and boys, parsons, and their tea-goin' gossipin'
wives, pious galls and prim old maids, all start off in
full cry like a pack of bloodhounds arter her, and
tear her to pieces ; and if she earths, and has the
luck to get safe into a hole fust, they howl and yell
round it every time she shows her nose, like so many
imps of darkness. It's the race of charity, to see which
long-legged, cantin' bilious-lookin' crittur call be in first
at the death. They turn up the whites of their eyes like
ducks in thunder, at a fox-hunt, it's so wicked ; but a
gall-hunt they love dearly, it's servin' the Lord:—
Sam Slick's Wise Saws.
WEDDING DIVINATION.—Being lately present on the
occasion of a wedding at a town in the East Riding of
Yorkshire, I was witness to the following custom, which
deems to take rank as a genuine scrap of folk-lore. On
the bride alighting from her carriage at her father's door,
.a. plate covered with morsels of bride's cake was flung
from a window of the second storey upon the heads of
the crowd congregated in the street below ; and the
divination, I was told, consists in observing the fate
which attends its downfall. If it reach the ground in
safety, without being broken, the omen is a most unfa-
vourable one. If, on the other hand, the plate be shat-
tered to pieces, and the better, the auspices are looked
wpm as most happy,—Notes and Queries.