The Sun.
London, England, 1854-03-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, MARCH 30, 1854.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT,

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.
The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.
PETITIONS.

Several petitions were presented against the opening
of public-houses on Sundays.
Mr. PHILLIPS presented a petition praying for a
reduction of the duty in Fire Insurance.
Mr. LIDDELL presented a petition from the Odd
Fellows of Liverpool, against the fourth clause of the
Friendly Societies' Bill.
Mr. LOCKE presented petitions from various dissent-
ing bodies, praying that the Universities may be open
to all her Majesty's subjects without reference to religious
creed.

Mr. MIALL presented a similar petition.
Mr. HUTCHINS presented a petition from Lea•
mington in favour of ocean penny postage.
EASTER RECESS.

. - --
Lord J. RUSSELL gave notice that on Tuesday, the
11th proximo, he should move that the house at its rising
do adjourn until Monday, the 24th of April, and after
the recess he should move that on Thursdays orders of
the day should take precedence of notices of motion.
WAR 'WITH RUSSIA.

The Noble Lord also gave notice that to-morrow he
would give in the terms of the address which he proposed
to move on Friday in reply to the Message from the
Throne on the subject of the war.
EPISCOPAL AND CAPITULAR ESTATES BILL.
The Marquis of BLANDFORD moved the second
reading of this bill, which he said proposed to deal with
property of large annual value, and to provide a new
mode of administering it so that it might be improved
in value, while it was made more available for the spi-
ritual wants of the great body of the people. There
was no subject of more importance than the spiritual
interests and wants of the people, and to none could
Parliament more usefully direct its attention. The
commissioners, which sat upon it a few years ago
reported that the incomes of the bishops and
working clergy of the Church of England were
most unequally distributed, and shortly afterwards
an act of Parliament was passed for regulating the
stipends of different sees. The property of each see was
transferred to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and
fixed incomes affixed to each bishopric. It was subse-
quently found that the revenues of these sees greatly
exceeded the stipends which had been allotted to them,
for instance, in the case of Durham, the stipend was
fixed at 8,0001. a year, but it turned out that the an-
nual revenue of the see was some times 20,0001.,
but seldom or never fell short of 15,0001., and an
act was passed in the 13th and 14th Vict. which gave
the bishops definitively fixed income without reference
to the revenues of their sees, the surplus of one see over
the income being applied to making up the deficiencies
of others. In this way the incomes of some ten or
twelve bishops had been provided for, while by another
act the property and incomes of some eight deans and
chapters had been dealt with upon a similar principle.
This legislation, in a like spirit, had taken place with
regard to the property of the Church, and the
object of this bill was to place the episcopal and
capitular estates of the country entirely under the
control of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and
so relieve the bishops of their management. Thus,
the commissioners would have power to appoint
their own agents to receive the revenues ; but the fees
which the bishop received in his official capacity would
be exempted from the operation of the bill, though it
would provide that he should make an annual return
of the funds he received in that way. A clause in the
bill would prevent the fee of the property being vested
in the commissioners; but in all cases the management
of the property should be handed over to the commis.
sioners, both in the case of bishoprics and deans and
chapters, and they should be required to pay the digni-
taries an annual income calculated at the rate, say, of seven
years' value of their estates. The bill provided a scheme of
enfranchising upon a rack-rent tenure of all episcopal
and capitular property, which would have the effect of
considerably increasing the value of the estates attached
to the Church, and it was proposed that the surplus
revenue so obtained should be devoted to augmenting
the incomes of small livings and endowments. It was
calculated that a sum of 506,6411. a-year, to provide in
this way for the increased spiritual wants of the people,
and by the machinery of this bill an annual income of
not less than 550,0001. would be secured to meet that
laudable purpose. The noble lord concluded by express.
ing his conviction that this bill, if carried, as he hoped it
would be, would conduce to the glory of God and the
good of man.
Sir W. CLAY appreciated the motives which had in-
duced the noble marquis to introduce this bill, but at
the same time he thought this measure was inadequate
to the important subject which it dealt with. It was in-
complete in its machinery, and though he was quite
ready to admit that clerical persons were bad adminis-
trators of temporal affairs, he yet did not think that the
details of this bill would improve the existing state of
affairs. It proposed, in fact to transfer the management
of the episcopal and capitular estates to the estates com-
missioners, a body acting under the superintendence of
the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who derived their au-
thority from no less than 40 Acts of Parliament, dating
from the reign of Henry VIII. to the present time, and
since the law was thus rendered complicated and uncer-
tain, a bill of this nature, to be useful, should be a con-
solidating as well as an enacting measure. In fact, while
it made Legislative changes in the management of
church property, it should go a step further and
amalgamate the commissioners for the administration
of Queen Anne's Bounty with the Ecclesiastical Com-
missioner; or the bill would fall short of the purpose
which the noble marquis professed to have in view.
The noble marquis had the interest of the church at
heart ; he had shown that, under proper management,
the church property would yield a surplus revenue ;
and since the noble marquis seemed anxious to pro-
mote peace and good will amongst men, it was to be re-
gretted, perhaps, that he did not provide that a
portion of that surplus should go towards the reduction
if not the abolition of church rates. Believing it would
be impossible to attain these objects by remodelling the
bill in committee, there was no alternative left to him
but to move that the bill be read a second time this
day six months.
Mr. HADFIELD seconded the amendment, and in-
-isted upon the necessity, not to say the expediency of
applying the surplus revenue of the Church to the aboli-
tion of the Church-rate, which was a scandal alike to
the Church and the Legislature.
Mr. MOWBRAY opposed the bill in a lengthened
speech. He contended that it would seriously disturb,
if not absolutely destroy, the security of church pro-
perty. Besides he objected to the principle of centralisa-
tion which the bill embraced, and which he was afraid
if agreed to would prove greatly detrimental to local in-
terests. In fact, the central board which the
bill proposed to establish would be liable to overlook
local wants, and therefore instead of promoting the
spiritual welfare of the great mass of the people, it was
likely to prove highly detrimental to their interest. He
agreed that it was highly desirable that the clergy should
be relieved from their temporal functions ; but he thought
the best way of accomplishing that object would be,
rather through the instrumentality of local boards than a
centralised commission.
Mr. HUME thought the subject of church rates was
quite beside the question of this bill. Parliament had
had already laid down the principle that these estates
were public property, and had passed enactments for
establishing a particular system under which such estates
should be managed. Now that system was at present
not carried out to the fullest extent. The machinery
which Parliament had created for the purpose was de-
fective, and he thought the noble lord was quite
right in introducing the bill. It was simple in
its object, and clear in its details. It pro-
posed to establish a better or more extended means
for improving the value of Church property, with the
view of making more extensive provision for meeting the
spiritual wants of the people, and if he had any influence

With his hon. friend the niernber for the Tower Hamlets

he would use it to induce him to withdraw his amend•

ment.

Mr. GOULBURN regretted that this question was
not being discussed in a fuller house as it materially
affected the social condition of the empire, while it equally
bore upon the spiritual wants of the people. He thought,
however, this bill was calculated to retard, rather than
promote the laudable object which the noble marquis
who proposed it had in view. Hitherto Parliament had
acted wisely in providing a common fund for the support
of all bishoprics of the country, and he looked with
alarm upon a bill like this, which provided that a
separate account should be kept for each chap-
ter and each bishopric. The bill, in point
of fact, would render the stipends of the dignitaries of
the church most uncertain and insecure, and he hoped

the house would not sanction the second reading.

Mr. HORSMAN thought the opinion of the right
hon. gentleman who last addressed their should be re-

ceived with very great caution, because he had always
been the champion of church abuses whenever
any reform in the church was proposed to Parlia-
ment. All the objections which had been or could
be urged against the bill were mere matters of
detail ; its principle was both sound and just,
and he thought those who opposed some of its pro-
visions would do better to reserve their opposition for
the committee on the bill, than resist the second read-
ing. The real object of the bill was to extend the use-
fulness of the Established Church, and he was quite at
a loss to understand how any section of the
house could oppose such a laudable object as that. The
Church was not a matter of private property, but
it was intended to be a great public blessing,
and in order to increase its usefulness it was

ndispensably necessary that its clergy should be relieved
:rom their temporal duties in the manner proposed by

;his bill.

Mr. GOULBURN, in explanation, denied that he
had always been opposed to Church reform, and in proof

of that denial he •stated that he was the Secretary of

State who first signed the commission • appointing the
Ecclesiastical Commissioners.

Mr. LIDDELL said it was highly desirable that the
house should be in possession of the opinion of the Go-
vernment on the subject of this bill, and it was, there-
fore, much to regretted that this debate had been carried

in in the a'iserieci of all the Cabinet Ministers. Ile

objected to the bill on precisely the same ground as the
hon. member for Durham, namely, that each diocese and
chapter had a right to its own revenues, and there ought
to be no common fund applicable to the whole country.
Sir G. GREY said there was great inconvenience in

scussing a bill of such importance, in the absence of
all the leading members of the Government, who were
detained elsewhere by very important and pres-
sing duties. (Hear, hear.) He considered, more-
over, that all the cousiderations and suggessions sub.
mitted by the bon; member might be much more advan:
tageously discussed when the bill wad in committee.
Mr. HENLEY said Le, like almost every other per•

•

son who had addressed the house on this subject, did so
under great disadvantages, by reason of not knowing the
views of her Majesty's Government on this bill. He
thought the real principle of this bill was different from
what had been stated ; but he confessed the bill was not
very clear to him. He believed most good would be
effected by putting Church property into a common
fund—that was the Ecclesiastical Commission—on the
ground that if they laid hands at all on the property
of others there might be some little palliation
in putting it to a good use. He was sure the house and
the country were under a great obligation to the noble
lord (the Marquis of Blandford) for bringing this subject
forward, as it was one of great importance.
Sir J. YOUNG hoped the noble lord would consent
to postpone the further consideration of the bill in the
unavoidable absence of the leadingmembers of the Govern-
ment.

After some further discussion, in which Mr. Ingham,
Mr. Wigram, Mr. R. Phillimore, and Mr. Spooner (who
moved that the debate be adjourned to 6th April),
The Marquis of BLANDFORD said he concurred
willingly in the motion for adjournment, owing to the
absence of the Government. (dear, hear.)
The debate was then adjourned to Thursday, 6th
April.
COUNTY COURT EXTENSION ACT AMEND-

SPORTING NOTES.

NOTES FROM NORTHAMPTON.

The expectations which were excited by the " promise
crammed" programme were not disappointed ; the sport-
ing and pecuniary success of the meeting was marked
and unequivocal ; never was so large a crowd of specta-
tors seen at Northampton, and seldom, if ever, was the
racing so exciting and interesting. The Grand Stand
and enclosure were inconveniently filled, and far away
parallel with each side of the running ground stretched
double and treble lines of pleasure folk. Propitious,
too, were the skiey influences ; the atmosphere was clear
and sunny, and redolent of all the fragrance and fresh-
ness of early Spring. Half-past one was the time ap-
pointed for the commencement of the proceedings,
but the start for the first event—the Trial Stakes
—was delayed upwards of ten minutes, whilst a
smith was employed in fastening The Reiver's
plate, which had become loose after the horse had taken
his preparatory canter. The Reiver was backed at evens
against the field ; and although many persons deemed
his appearance somewhat lusty, yet his supporters could
not with justice be dissatisfied with his condition. They
were, however, greatly surprised and sorely disappointed
by his signal defeat. Orestes won easily by two lengths,
Filbert beating the Reiver by a similar distance for
second place ! The Reiver has now twice succumbed to
Orestes, and his defeat on the present occasion is likely
to destroy what little racing reputation remained to him
after his running at Doncaster. In no instance has he
fulfilled the expectations which his achievements when a
two-year-old excited. The success of Orestes brought
Defiance into increased force for the Stakes, and gave
stronger hopes and imparted additional confidence to the
partizans of King Tom for the Derby.
Although upwards of twenty horses engaged in the
Northamptonshire Stakes had arrived, yet the number
of starters fell short of expectation, and from various
causes, dwindled down to fifteen. The withdrawal of
Kingston occasioned some little surprise, inasmuch as
the horse looked in the finest health and condition. He
was struck out of the Queen's Plate also, it is therefore
difficult to discover why he was sent to Northampton
as he did not fulfil one of his engagements. Perhaps,
however, his owner doubted the effect which the some-
what hard ground would have on his legs ; this is at
any rate the most reasonable and charitable supposition.
The "latest betting" was somewhat limited in its range,
Defiance maintained the position of leading favourite
firmly up to the hour of starting ; Swiftsure, too, was
heavily backed at 6 to 1, and notwithstanding Mr. Daw-
son's declaration to win with Chief Justice, the backers
of Red Lion were not discouraged, but steadily sup-
ported him at 6 and 7 to 1 up to the hour of starting.
10 to 1 was finally taken about Bracken. The above-
mentioned horses only were actually in the market.
Lamprocles was utterly friendless, and almost any odds
might have been obtained about him. Various causes
are assigned to account for his suddenly diminished
popularity. It is said that he hit himself in the stable,
but I attach little credence to this assertion. It would
seem, indeed, as if accidents of this nature were peculiar
to him, for it was reported that he met with a similar
mishap prior to one of his races last year. He is a large
well-made colt, but a queer galloper, his fore legs ap-
pearing tied together !
The result of the race agreeably surprised the "ring,"
and if anything could heighten the joy of the " fielders,"
and diminish the vexation of the losers, it was the know-
ledge that the winner belongs to a staunch supporter of
the turf ; a nobleman, too, who has of late been rather
unfortunate. Jacqueline won by three-quarters of a
length ; the investments on her were few and far between
and to insignificant sums. Indeed, she was scarcely
thought of, although Ashmall, her rider, was heard to
declare before the race that he considered she possessed
a very good chance. She was, in fact, completely over-
looked and forgotten. Bracken proved by his perform.
ance that his backers had not vainly boasted of his pre-
k.,ensions. After the race 6,000 to 90 was taken
about him for the Derby ! Defiance struggled home
third ; under his comparatively heavy weight he
ran a thoroughly game, sound horse. At the turn into
the straight, where the ground is ridgy, Red Lion, Pto-
lemy, Mr. Sykes, and Veteran fell. Red Lion was, I
believe, the first to tumble, and Cartwright, his rider,
was much injured. The other jockeys, with the excep-
tion of Oliver, who has all his father's daring and more
than his luck, were severely shaken. Whether this acci-
dent, however, materially regulated the result of the
race, it is difficult to determine ; in my opinion it did
not. Swiftsure finished in company with John Bull,
Lamprocles, and Hungerford, just behind Defiance. On
rising the hill his forward position was sufficient to
sustain the expectations of his backers, but soon after
turning into the straight, he disappeared from the front.
I have thus lightly touched upon the leading incidents
of the day's sport. Time will not allow me to extend my
notes. A FRESH MAN.
Northampton, Wednesday Night. 4
P.S.—Royalist is again in brisk demand for the Me-
tropolitan ; 11 to 2 and 5 to 1 have been taken about
him to some money. The running of Defiance and Ra-
taplan has brought Jonathan Martin into increased force
at 6to 1. Muscovite, too, has a decided upward ten•
deney.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.