The Sun.
London, England, 1825-05-14 00:00:00

I►tlrill PROVINCIAL BANKS:

The House then resolved itself into a Committee of the
whole llnuat upon the Irish Provincial Bankers' Bill.
The several clauses and amendments were agreed to, and
the Report ordered to be received on Monday next.
QUARANTINE. LAWS.
On the motion of Mr. C. GRANT the House resolved into
a Committee on the Quarantine Laws.
Mr. .T. SMITH thought the present system of Quarantine
was most absurd, but yet it ought to be fully investigated. It
was full of anomalies and obscurity, but those should be point-
ed out. We should enter into the history of the plague, and
inquire into its character. The question of contagion is a very
doubtful one. it is understood that a physician of .great emi-
nence gave his opinion, that England was perfectly safe from
plague for eight months during every year. No plague has
appeared in England Holland, or France, for more , than
one hundred years. it is not in cotton, or woollen, or hair,
or goods of any kind, that the plague is brought, else it would
have arrived in .these countries- frequently during the period
he hail mentioned. Great difference of opinion existed among
physicians, and the opinion of many eminent medical men
had changed. It was the opinion of some who supported the
doctrine of contagion, that England was perfectly secure from
the ravages of the yellow fever. He (Mr. Smith) was in favour
of an essential alteration in those laws, although he desired to
keep clear from giving any opinion on the question of contagion.
Lord A LTHORP said, that as far as the bill before the
House went it had his cordial concurrence.
Mr. lI.USKIS`;ON said it would be most agreeable to those
holding official situations, if it could be decided that the Qua-
rantine Laws were unnecessary. Much learning had been dis.

played on this subject at both sides; be thought, however, there
could be no doubt that plague had been infectious in some in-
stances. In the face of the facts which were before the public,
it was impossible not to continue some system of precaution.
If other countries should .conclude that we were indifferent to
the precautions taken by them, it would subject our commerce
to a very severe affliction. Already several Governments in
the Mediterranean have ordered all British ships to be placed
in quarantine come from whence they may, which will be a
great obstruction to our commerce. Under all the circum-
stances, he did not think the Government could relax the laws
beyond what had been recommended by the Quarantine Com-
mittee. Though inconvenient in some instances, those laws
must continue to be enforced.
Mr. 1). GILBERT agreed with the Right Flon. Gentleman,
that plague was conveyed in many instances by contagion. He
understood, however, that by subjecting goods to a very high
temperature contagion could be destroyed.
Mr. V. HORTON said, he was in possession of papers
which, in hiti opinion, actually demOnstrated the existence of
contagion, and which at a future period he meant to lay before
the House.

A MEMBER, whose name we could not learn, referred to
some facts which had come within his personal knowledge, and
which went to prove that the plague was contagious.
Mr. HUME inquired whether the regulations adopted at
Malta: by Sir Thomas Maitland were continued ?
Mr. Ni'. HORTON replied, that a Board of Health was
established at Malta, and continued to act.
After a few words from Mr. J. SMITH, the clauses and
amendments were agreed to, and the House having resumed,
the Report was ordered to be received on Monday.
SALARIEs Oi .THE JUDGES.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER gave notice,
that on Monday next:he should move that the House should
resolve itself into a Committee,' to consider the 39th of the late
King, which increased the salaries of the Judges ; and his Ma-
jesty being aware of the object of the motion, reconnuended it
to the consideration of the House.

Mr. GOULBURN gave notice that he would move for the
remainder of the Irish ill iscellanies on Friday. the 29th inst. •
POOR RA TES—IJA BOURERS.

31r. MONCK brought in his Bill to prevent the payment of
Farmers' Labourers out of the Poor Rates; except in certain
cases. The Bill was read a first time, and ordered to be read a
second time and printed.
The other Orders of the Day were then disposed of, and the
lieuseAdjourned to Monday next, at Ilalf-pastONE O'CLOCK.