The Sun.
London, England, 1849-07-21 00:00:00

VOYAGER.

At the Cottage, Durham, on the 10th July, Andrew
Motz Skene, of Kilmacow, Wickl9w, Esq., breathed his
last, in his 53d year. After a line of 850 years from
father to son, the present inheritor, the Earl of Fife,
being son of the last Laird's sister, the deceased was
heir-male of Skene of that Ilk, and of Skene, of Hall-
yards, N. 8.; and a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. He
was first in action at the siege of Flushing, and was one
of Captain Alexander Skene's officers when he took
the late Duke of Manchester to Jamaica; also one in
the Northumberland when Sir George Cockburn took
Napoleon to St. Helena, where having made many
sketches of the Emperor and localities, on the return of
the Admiral's ship, George the Fourth obtained an ac-
curate idea of the residence of the Imperial exile from
them. The deceased was educated at the Royal Naval
College, through the interest of Sir Joseph York, after-
wards Earl of Hardwick, and completed his last years of
active service in the voyages of Sir John Ross, and Sir
Edward Parry, in search of a North-Western passage;
in which, as will be found in the former navigator's ac-
count of his travels, most of the drawings are from the
pencil of the deceased, whose name was memorialized by
being given to Skene Islands in Baffin's Bay; and by
Sir Edward Parry to Skene Bay in Lancaster Sound.
The deceased possessed a mind of no ordinary com-
bination, as his mechanical inventions demonstrate. In
his voyages to the icy regions, the breakage of the ther-
mometers of mercury, and the variance of the degrees
of the scales of different philosophers, led him to give a
decimal scale founded on natural science. The range of
heat being as a geographical circle divided into 360
degrees, he divided the range of heat from the melting of
ice, to the greatest probable heat, estimated by Wedge-
wood's Pyrometer as 360,000 degrees, making
the melting of ice zero, and the greatest heat 360 de-
grees above it, and subdividing that range deci-
mally, we have 360 degrees of 100 parts, or 360
thousandths. The first 100 parts or one degree
is the melting of spermaceti, and the .boiling
of water is at 21 degrees or 250 hundredths.
It is curious that the first hundred parts of a degree
below zero, or one degree of this scale, is also the point,
of change of frozen mercury to liquid, which first de-
grees above and below zero are those of the liquifac-
tion of solids, independent of atmospheric pres-
sure. After a long period of service as a midship-
man, getting promoted on his return from the second
North- Western voyage, the deceased married, and has left
a widow, son, and two daughters, inadequately provided
for, when it is recollected that loyalty in the American
rebellion wrested from his father and grandfather,
Major and Colonel Skene, their princely estate of
Skenesboroagh, now Whitehall, and by the Jacobin side
of rebellion in 1715, their inheritance in North Britain
was sacrificed. Thus, the misfortunes of their collateral
ancestor, Sir William Wallace, has passed down to his
descendants. Mr. Skene, of Bedford, who has been
from accident and paralysis for several years unable to
stand, is the only surviving and youngest brother out of
five sons of the late Major A. P. Skene, whose two
daughters, Mrs. Wilkinson, of Harperly-park, and Mrs.
W. Trotter, of Auckland, are also still living.—Bedford
Mercury.

SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY MORNING.--The activity
which prevailed in the Havre cotton market up to Wed-
nesday evening, when the day's sales amounted to 4' 665
bales, suddenly ceased yesterday, and only 158 bales moved.
off at former rates. The following vessels from New Or-
leans, with 10,594 bales of cotton, entered the port of Havre
yesterday:—Buena Vista, Diadem, George Thatcher,
Trenton and Oregon; also the Havane from Savannah;
Zilla, from Pernambuco; and the Empereur du Bresil,
from Rio Janeiro. As the Southampton steamer left,
three more American vessels were seen in the roads,
names unknown. M. Guizot and family arrived at Havre
from Southampton on Thursday.
MUNIFICENT GIFT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF
in OXFORD.
—A truly splendid donation of an entomological collec-
tion, said to be one of the richest existence, and of a
valuable library on the natural and physical sciences,
has just been made to the university by the Rev. W. F.
Hope, M.A., of Christ Church, with the twofold object
of enriching the new museum, and of assisting the
university in the efforts about to be made for the more
effectual encouragement of scientific studies. The whole
collection of insects sad books is said to be worth 10,0001.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 20.
PILOTAGE BILL.

(Continued from our Afternoon Edition of yesterday.)
Mr. WA WN said this Bill had been called a measure
of relief to the shipping interest, but before it could
claim that appellation, Government must consent to
abandon the proposed examination at Trinity House.
Admiral BOWLES asked if the concession was to be
confined to British ships, and those foreign nations who
were under treaties with England.
Mr. LABOUCHERE did not believe that foreigners
could ever become sufficiently acquainted with our
coast to enable them to undergo the examination at
Trinity House.
Mr. H. F. BERKELEY suggested that some provision
ought to be introduced into the Bill for compensating
the pilots whom it would throw out of employ.
After a few words from Dr. NICHOLL,
Sir GEORGE CLERK referred to the evidence of the
Duke of Wellington before the Shipwreck Committee, in
reply to a statement of the Hon. and Gallant Member for
Brighton (Captain Pechell), that pilots were appointed
on political grounds, in order to show that that statement
was inaccurate, and that they were not selected on any
such grounds.—(flear, hear.)
Captain PECHELL said it had been shown before
the Committee that political influence had been exercised,
and the Noble Duke did not explain the matter fully
and to the satisfaction of himself.
Lord D. STUART said his Hon. and Gallant Friend
(Mr. H. Berkeley) who had advocated compensation to
these pilots ought to have known that none but lawyers
received compensation, and that they, and they alone,
were overgorged with compensation.—(Hear.)
The Bill was then read a second time, and went
through Committee, pro forma, to be re-committed on
Monday, at twelve.
In reply to Mr. `YAWN,
Mr. LABOUCHERE said it was not his intention
to introduce a clause to exempt ships from pilotage
who returned to the port from which they had sailed in
ballast.

POOR-LAW UNION CHARGES ACT AMEND.

MENT BILL.

The House then went into Committee on this Bill.
On clause 16 being moved,
Mr. BAINES explained that this clause had stood
over in consequence of the suggestion of the Honourable
Member for Somerset. He had made such alterations
as he trusted would be approved of.
Captain PECBELL alluded to a case which he had

stated yesterday, of a man being kept in the workhouse
at Weymouth, whose children were well able to take
care of him. He complained that such persons should be
allowed to remain in a workhouse. He wished to test
the opinion of the House on this subject.
Mr. BAINES hoped the House would not divide on
this subject without having all the facts of the case
before them to which the Hon. Member (Capt. Pechell)
had referred.

The clause was then agreed to.
On clause 18 being moved,
Sir H. WILLOUGHBY said the question involved in
this clause was whether, in the cases of persons received
into the workhouse from accident or sickness, their pro-
perty should be taken from them by the guardians. He
thought the Committee should pause before they gave
their assent to a principle involving such hardship as
that. He was of opinion that cases wuuld occur under
this clause where the summuns jus would be the summa
injuria.

Mr. BAINES said it had been necessary to introduce
such a clause as this, to put a stop to the frauds that
were practised upon the guardians by able-bodied
persons receiving relief in the workhouse. Many
cases had occurred where able-bodied people who had
had relief in the workhouses were found to have
considerable sums of money concealed about their
persons. One man, among many other cases that he
could mention, was found to have a five-pound note
secreted about his person; and another with so large a
sum as 221. 10s. He would suggest that the words of
the clause be altered to " any money or valuable secu-
rity for money," so as to apply to persons in the work-
house who might be found to have property in their
possession.

Sir 11. WILLOUGHBY still thought that in the case,
for instance, of a young mechanic falling from a house,
and in consequence seeking a temporary shelter in the
workhouse, he should not hare "any money or valuable
security kr money" that he might have about him taken
from him by the guardians.
Mr. BAINES said there would always be a discre-
tionary power vested in the guardians to act as they
might think right in each paticular case.
The 18th clause as amended was then agreed to.
Clauses 19 and 20 were then agreed to.

Mr. BAINES then rose to move the following clause:
—" And be it enacted, that in the case of an equality of
votes upon any question at a meeting of the guardians of
any union, the presiding chairman at such meeting shall
have a second or casting vote."
Captain PECHELL thought this would be productive
of great inconvenience.
Mr. BAINES justified the clause.
The clause was then agreed to.

Mr. BAINES then proposed the following clause in
the place of clause 15, struck out yesterday :—" And be
it enacted that the guardians of any parish or union
may expend, with the order and subject to the rules and
regulations of the Poor-law Board, bit not otherwise,
any sum of money not exceeding fifteen pounds
for each person, in and about the emigration
of poor persons having settlements in such parish,
or in any parish in such union respectively, with
out the necessity of the rate-payers and owners of pro-
perty therein meeting, and giving their consent (as
required by the said Act of the fifth year of King Wil-
liam the Fourth) to such expenditure, and such guar-
dians shall charge the same to the parish of the settle-
ment in every case where such poor person resided
therein, or was removable thereto, at the time of the
emigration : provided that the guardian or (if more
than one) a majority of the guardians of such last-men-
tioned parish, shall concur in the resolution of the
board of guardians for such expenditure, and that such
concurrence shall be signified by the clerk of the union,
in communicating that resolution to the Poor-law Board;
provided also, that the aggregate amount of the moneys
expended in the course of any one year in and about,
the emigration of such poor persons, shall not exceed
one-half the average yearly poor-rate raised in the said
parish for the three preceding years."
Sir J. GRAHAM was glad to see the able and con-
ciliatory manner in which the Right Hon. Gentleman
conducted the difficult task he had undertaken as the
head of the Poor-law Board. He wished to know from
the Right llon. and Learned Gentleman why he had
fixed so large a sum as 151. a head for emigrants. For
himself, he thought it too much. He also thought the
guardians should express their concurrence in writing.
Mr. BAINES was not wedded to the sum of 151., and
would be most willing to agree to any sum in modera-
tion that might be suggested. He admitted that 151.
was morn than was necessary for the passage money
either to Canada or Australia.
Sir J. GRAHAM believed that the Canada Company
would take a man and his wife and one child out for 20/.
Mr. SPOONFdt said that be had applied to that
company ,on the subject, and they only required 171. for
a man, his wife, and three children.

After some observations from Mr. W. MILES,
Mr. BARING consented to the sum of 104 being in-
serted in the clause instead of 151., and that the words
" in writing," should also be inserted.
Captain PECHELL then proposed a proviso to the
clause to the effect of empowering the guardians with-
out being subject to the Poor-law Commissioners,
to give a sum not exceeding 31. for emigration.
Mr. BAINES objected to the proviso, and it was
withdrawn.

The clause, as amended, was then added to the Bill.

Mr. WOOD moved the insertion of the following:—
"That it shall be lawful for the guardians of any ur.ion,
or for the select vestry, guardians, directors, managers,
or overseers of the poor of any parish not in union iu
England or Wales, and they are are hereby authorised to
pay out of the moneys in their hands for the relief of the
poor in such union or parish respectively, the cost of or
attending the education of the children of parents re-
ceiving relief out of the workhouse, or of children partly
or wholly maintained by means of a poor-rate out of the
workhouse, within such union or parish, and also to
make contracts for any period not exceeding one year,
with any schoolmaster, for the education of such chil-
dren, and to pay the amount so contracted to be paid out
of the said moneys, subject, however, in respect of all
such payments as aforesaid, to the rules and regulations
which may from time to time be made by the Poor-law
Board in respect of the schools at which such children
shall be placed, and the maximum amount to be allowed
for such payments in respect of each child,
whether by contract or otherwise; and all
payments so made shall be charged to the common
fund of the union, or to the parish where
the same is not in union." As the present law stood
the guardians had only power to educate the children of
paupers living in the union workhouse, and district
schools had been established for the purpose, which
involved an expenditure of 41 10s. per annum in
each child. Now what he proposed was, that the
guardians should have power to send the children
to the ordinary schools of their neighbourhoods.
Most of those schools charged at the rate
of a Id. or 2d. per week, and if his plan were adopted,
the expenditure would be reduced to more like 4s. 4d.
or 4s. Bd. per anuum per bead. No one would dispute
with him the advantage of education, since the criminal
returns proved that the majority of the thieves tried in
the courts, and charged before police magistrates, were
persons of an imperfect education, and they might,
therefore, reasonably conclude, that in educating the
child they were snatching the man from a course of
infamy and crime.
The clause was then brought up and read a first time.

Mr. BAINES duly and fully appreciated the motives
by which his Hon. and Learned Friend was actuated in
bringing this clause forward. He did not, indeed, yield
to any one in his desire to promote the education of
the people. He had felt it his duty to oppose it.
He did so because it would lead the guardians
of the poor to be held responsible for the education of
the children of the out-door poor in their parishes. He
objected to the addition of this clause to the Bill, and
that if it should be passed hereafter that it should be
placed upon a more satisfactory basis. The test, that only
so long as a person was in the receipt of out-door relief
his child should be educated in the way proposed, was a
bad and defective test. Again, though he should not
shrink from any labour that might be entailed upon
him in connexion with the office: which ho had the
honour to fill, yet, when he bore in mind the
present functions of that board, and that they would
have to deal with the accounts of 15,000 places if this
clause were adopted, which could not be accomplished by
the present board in addition to the functions he had
mentioned, he felt it his duty to oppose the insertion of
the clause.

The House then divided, when there appeared—
Fur the clause ...
Against it ...
Majority
The clause was therefore lost.
Mr. BAINES moved several verbal amendments to
clause 16, which were agreed to.

... 54
... -41

Mr. WILSON PATTEN moved in the absence of
Mr. Heywood—" And whereas by an Act passed in the
twenty-second year of his late Majesty George the
Third, intituled, " an Act for the better Relief and Em-
ployment of the Poor," certain unions were formed, com-
monly callel Gilbert's Unions, of which several still re•
main in different parts of England, be it therefore enacted,
that the provisions of this Act be extended to the unions
so created under the before-mentioned Act."

Captain PECHELL opposed the clauge, on the ground
that the Gilbert's Unions should not be brought into the
Bill.

After some discussion, the clause was withdrawn.

Captain PECHELL then moved the following amend-
ments:—" Whereas at the time of the passing of the
last-mentioned Act of Parliament divers Rear persons
residing in parishes where they had had no legal settle-
ment, and from which they were not irremovable under
the provisions of the said Act, were receiving relief from
the parishes in which they were legally settled,
or from the unions in which such parishes
are situated ; and whereas such relief was in
many cases withdrawn under an erroneous construction
put on the said Act, whereby the said first-mentioned
parishes, or the unions in which they are situated, had to
maintain such poor persons, and have incurred great and
heavy expense thereby, and such expense is not now re-
coverable by law under proceedings fur the removal of
such poor persons to the places of their, settlement; be it
therefore enacted, that it shall be lawful for the Poor-
law Board to order the repayment to the first-men-
tioned parishes, or to the unions in which they are
situated, or to the overseers of the poor or guardians
thereof respectively, by the parishes by which such relief
as aforesaid has been w ithdrawn, or the unions in which
such last-mentioned parishes are situated, or by the
overseers of the poor or guardians thereof respectively,
of all such cost of relief as may be proved to the satis-
faction of the said Board to have been incurred by such
first-mentioned parishes, or the unions in which they
are situated, by reason of such relief having been with-
drawn, as aforesaid."
Mr. BAINES objected to the clause.
The galleries were cleared, but no division took place,
the clause being negatived without a division.
The Bill then passed through Committee, and the
House resumed,

The orders of the day fixed for twelve but not
taken during the morning sitting will, we understood,
be taken at six o'clock.

The House then adjourned until six.

The House resumed at Six o'clock
BILLS FROM THE LORDS.
Messengers from the Lords brought up several Bills.
OVERCROWDING OF nusa STEAMERS.
Mr. CARDWELL wished to ask the President of the
Board of Trade whether it was his intention to give
substantial effect to the principal recommendations of
Captain Denham with regard to the overcrowding of
Irish steamers on their passage from Ireland to this
country ?
Mr. LABOUCHERE said he believed he
should eventually adopt substantially and in principle
the recommendations of Captain Denham for limiting
the number of passengers on board of steamers plying
in the Irish Channel.
PAUPER CHILDREN.
Mr. W. MILES asked a question of the Secretary
of State for the Home Department. if the Government
intended to take any steps with regard to the number
of pauper children in workhouses; and whether the
Colonial-office had taken any means of ascertaining
whether the colonies, and especially the Australian colo-
nies, were willing to take some of their children as ap
prentices? The number of pauper children in work-
houses in England and Wales was 56,323, of which
number 8,371 were capable of entering into service.
Sir GEORGE GREY was understood to say that
the matter was under the consideration of the Govern-
ment, but his reply was almost wholly inaudible in the
gallery.
Mr. C. LUSHINGTON presented a petition from
Westminster, complaining that the House did not repre-
sent the property, intelligence, or industry of the em-
pire, and praying for an extension of the suffrage.
Mr. C. ANSTEY said on that day fortnight he should
move for leave to bring in a Bill to consolidate fisheries
pursuant to the report of the Committee on the subject.—
(Great laughter.)
Lord D. STUART presented two petitions from
Marylebone, one signed by 1,100 and the other by 1,500,
against Sunday trading.
Mr. COBDEN presented a petition from a place in
Yorkshire praying for financial reform.
NEW ZEALAND.
Mr. AGLIONBY postponed the following question, of
which he had given notice, till Monday, to ask the Under-
Secretary for the Colonies whether he will lay on the table
of the House copies or extracts of dispatches received from
the Governor of New Zew Zealand of a date subsequent
to those already presented, especially those (if any) re-
lating to the new Legislative Council appointed by the
Governor at Wellington, in the Southern Province.
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, in
answer to Mr. C. Lushington, said it was not his inten-
tion during the present session to bring in any Bill
with respect to friendly societies.
JUVENILE OFFENDERS.
Sir G. GREY, in answer to an Hon. Member, said it
was not his intention to proceed with the Juvenile
Offenders Bill.

RAILWAY AUDIT BILL.
In answer to a question from Mr. B. DENISON,
Mr. LABOUCHERE said that a deputation connected
with the railways waited on his Noble Friend at the head
of the Government, and expressed their intention to oppose-
this Bill. It became a matter of serious consideration with
the Government as to the course they should pursue, and
they determined that at this late period of the session it
would not do to proceed with such a measure. The House
would recollect that the Bill was not proposed originally
by the Government, and be did not think it right to strike
it out of the list, in order that his Noble Friend should have
an opportunity of proceeding with it if he thought fit. The
Government thought they would be wasting the time of
the House by proceeding with it at so late a period, and his
Noble Friend wished him to say, that though the gentlemen
who waited on him declared their intention to oppose the
Bill, they were aware of the great importance of esta-
blishing a board of audit, and would give it their best atten-
tion. He was not prepared to say, from the conversation
which took place with his Noble Friend, whether they
would themselves suggest such a measure. Ile should
rejoice heartily if it came from them, for certainly such a
measure from some quarter or other was imperitively
called for.
Mr. BANKES asked whether the Railway Board would
still be continued at the expense of the country?
Mr. LABOUCHERE replied that that had nothing to do
with the question, and helcould assure the Hon. Gentleman
that the Railway Abandonment Bill had imposed on that
Board very onerous duties.
TREATY BETWEEN DENMARK AND THE DUCHIES.
In answer to a question put by Mr. SAUNDERS,
Lord PALMERSTON stated that ratifications for a treaty
between Denmark and the Duchies of Schleswig-Holstein
were ratified in Berlin on the 17th for a space of six months.
When the blockade was to be raised was a matter of detail,
but he could not tell the exact number of days. It would
not, however, be continued but for a short time, and as soon
as he had officially received the ratification he should lay it on
the table of the House.
THE NEW MARRIAGE LAW.
In answer to a question from Mr. GOULBURN,
Mr. WORTLEY said it was his intention to proceed, if
possible, with the third reading of the Marriage Bill on
Wednesday next.
THE LATE ORANGE AFFRAY.
Viscount JOCELYN trusted they would bear with him
while he made some explanation in connexion with a recent
melancholy occurrence with which the name of a near and
dear relation was unhappily connected. He deeply regretted
his absence from the llouse on the previous night, when a
discussion took place relative to this unfortunate affai ,r which
took place in the county to which he belonged. He had,
however, nothing to complain of in personal attack made
on his relation by the Hon. Gentleman who brought forward
the motion, for he admitted the purity and excellence of his
private conduct and character among all parties. He might
allude to attacks made on the same occasion by other Hon.
Gentlemen, and he thought it would have been but fair in
them to have told him of their intentions, inasmuch as his
Noble Friend and relation the Member for the county Down,
1 and himself, would have been present. He would not, how-
ever, allude to them further, but to the charges made against
his Noble Relative respecting this occurrence. He (Viscount
Jocelyn) was informed by his Noble Relative that previous
to the 12th of July he was given to understand that a large
body connected with the society to which he for many years
belonged wished to pay him a visit of respect and affec-
tion. He communicated with them and induced many hun-
dreds to stay away. He stated that it was never his inten-
tion to shut his gates against loyal men, and in reference to
what had been said about 5,000 armed ruffians being invited
to his park, and feasted until they became inebriated, he de-
nied that he sent them an invitation, on the contrary, he was
desirous of using his position among them, and in the coun-
try, to prevent any unpleasant collision. His Noble Relative
addressed them in his park, advising them to refrain from
any violence, and that they would show those who disap-
proved of their organisation that they were not a faction,
driven by party violence to commit crime. He besought
them to return to their homes, and on no account to resent any
insult which might be offered them. He (Viscount Jocelyn)
was given to understand that during all this time there were
many Roman Catholics present, and that no ill-feeling what-
ever was felt. No one could more deeply deplore the unfor-
tunate catastrophe which had taken place than his Noble
Relative; and he ( Viscount Jocelyn) was firmly convinced that
no one in that House was more anxious to see party feeling,
or party violence, put au end to than he was. He had to
thank the House for the kind manner in which they had
listened to the statement he had to make.—(Hear.)
Sir G. GREY regretted that public business of great im-
portance detained him last night from being present at the
discussion, and assured the House that it was the intention
of the Government to bring forward next session of Parlia-
ment a Bill to prevent all processions whatever of any party,
whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, or the display of any
arms, banners, isc., calculated to disturb the public peace.—
(Cheers.) He had also to observe, that it was a great mis- '
take to suppose that because the Party Procession Act ex
pired in 1845 such an armed meeting as that which lately
took place was lawful, for the common law declared that any
assemblages meeting together, in which the public peace was
endangered, was illegal.
Viscount CASTLEREAGH said, that he had received a
letter from Lord Roden, who, it appeared, had a number
of Roman Catholic tenantry in his park at the time, and
everything seemed to have gone off happily ; but he did not
invite them, he did not entertain them.—(Hear, hear.)
But having been connected with the body for so many years,
he could not turn a cold shoulder to them. He was perfectly
convinced that he took the course best calculated to preserve
the public peace. He (Lord Castlereagh) never belonged to
that association, and disapproved Of these assemblages. No
one, he was sure, more regretted what had taken place than
Lord Roden. He was exceedingly happy to hear that it was
the intention of the Government to adopt measures to secure
the country from such scenes in future.
Mr. BRIGIIT said the Noble Lord-should not attempt to
lay the blame upon the Government, for those gentlemen
connected with the administration of the law in Ireland must