The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-15 00:00:00

DUCHY OF LANCASTER.

Mr. WISE rose to ask the circumstances under which
the appointment of Mr. Bertolacci to the office of
A uditor of the Duchy of Lancaster took place.
Mr. STRUTT said that it was not his intention to say
one word disrespectful of the gentleman who last filled
that office, beyond remarking that he as a literary
man was not one the most likely to fill an office
of that character, and when by his death the
appointment became vacant he, thinking it might be
blended with some other, had asked the Chancellor of
the Exchequer to point him out some one holding an-
other office who could undertake it. The gentleman
referred to (who to that time was a perfect stranger to
him) was named, and finding that he in every respect
bore a high character, the appointment had been made
at a reduction of halt the previous salary of 400/. a year.
Mr. MUNTZ called the attention of the house to a
statement which had appeared relative to an expression
which had occurred on board a steamer from Glasgow
to Portsmouth, by which it appeared that the safety-
valve of the boiler could only open inwardly, and that
it had been shut all the way.
Mr. CARDWELL said that the inquiry had been set
on foot.
CHAPLAINS AND
SEAT SCRIPOF WAR.TURE READERS AT
THE

Mr. HAMILTON rose to ask the Secretary at War,
whether it is the case, as has been reported, that Scrip-
ture readers are prohibited from visiting such of our
wounded soldiers in hospital at Scutari as are desirous
of their services ; while other benevolent persons, com-
prising among them Sisters of Charity, and members
of religieus orders are admitted into the hospitals.
And, whether any and what regulations have been
made, by which members of religious orders are pre-
vented from impressing their peculiar religious opinions
upon any but those of their own communion; The hon.
member, in putting the question, wished to know if
they had been expelled by the Sisters of Charity for
their o cvn private ends.
Mr. S. HERBERT said that the Sisters of Charity
were placed upon a different footing from those who were
sent when the Government determined to send out
nurses to Scutari. They were sent out of all creeds, but
under the guidance of one, and that one a Protestant ;
and when they, the Sisters of Charity, offered their ser-
vices, Government accepted them upon the understand-
ing that they were to be bound by the saline regulations
as the others who had preceded them, and they made not
the slightest objection. The regulations by which they
were bound was that they should not make any use of
their position to tamper with the religious principles of
patients of a different persuasion to their own. With re-
gard to the Scripture readers they were differently
situated. The Government had selected chaplains as
near as they could in numbers to suit the Scrip-
tural wants of the soldiers, who were divided
into three bodies, Church of England, Presbyterians,
anctiodouCnatthionlictsh,eand it was most important that nothing
like religious conptarpoevresrsyabsohuotultdnetaaklelegpeldacee,xapnudlsieovneroyf
precaution had been taken to prevent it. He had seen the
the Scripture readers, and only supposed that they had,
by giving away tracts or some other course, infringed on
the rules, and thus their expulsion had becomea matter of
nsceFsity. Redid not say this was the case, buthe thought
it would be found to be the callBo of the matter alluded
to. He concluded by assuring the house that every
effort had been made to afford spiritual consolation to
the troops of all denominations, but at the same time to
prevent controversy.
In reply to Mr. SCULLY,
Mr, S. HERBERT stated that the army in the East
was composed of two-thirds Protestants and one-third
Roman Catholic, and Government had sent out 12
chaplains for the Church of England and four for the
Presbyterians.
TREATY WITH AUSTRIA.
Lord J. RUSSELL, by command, brought up a copy
of the treaty entered into with Austria, which was ordered
to lie upon the table.
FUEL FOR THE ARMY.

Mr. EWART wished to know from the First Lord of
the Admiralty what steps had been taken for supplying
the army in the Crimea with fuel ?
Sir J. GRAHAM said the authorities at Malta and
ether stations had received orders to forward a supply
of coal to Balakla.va,

VOTE OF THANKS TO THE
ARMY.

Lord J. RUSSELL rose to propose a vote of thanks
to the army engaged in the Crimea, and in doing so, said
he had the satisfaction of knowing that, however feebly
or incompletely he might perform the task, he was sure he
should yet have the sympathy of the house with
biro. (Hear, hear.) He could no doubt that all
those who approved of the expedition to the