The Sun.
London, England, 1847-02-27 00:00:00

the end of the session as the most important part of it;.
but it seemed from the observation that had just fallen
from the Noble Lord they were at that moment very
f,r from t:ie eod of the session. The Noble Lord had
just informed them that a Bill was to be introduced
into the other H. use on the Bth of March, and
nobody could tell when it might come up to their
Lordships' House. But there was a dispatch in business,
a mastery, a power of decision, without delaying from
day to day, for ten days together, and that might pos-
sibly move the business forward with greater speed. But
he marvelled that more Bills were not introduced into
their Lordships' House, which would very much expedite
the course of business. As for penalties, why, there was a
distinction between penalties and taxes, under which the
other House would not object, to the Bill being intro-
duced into their Lordship's House ; but so far as that
went, the Bill might be proceeded with, and the penalty
being left blank, could be filled up in the other House.
There was an important subject, which might be
brought under the consideration of ther Lord-
ships—he meant the Criminal Law; but ho found
that a Bill had been introduced into the other House of

Parliament OR the same subject. Yet he was sure that
the penal law would have come under the consideration
of a Committee of their Lordships. Persons who were
not professionally connected with the law thought it
would come under their attention and inquiry with
great benefit. He had given notice of his intention to
move for a Committee of Inquiry on the subject
but he hesitated much whether be ought now to move
for that Committee, especially after his Noble Friend
had just intimated that the Government intended intro-
ducing measures on the subject; he felt great doubt,
therefore, whether he ought to press his motion on Mon•
day or Tuesday or not.
Earl of WICKLOW said that complaints at that
period of the session were very unusual. But, saving
for some arrangement, some of the Bills in the other
House would have been up to their Lordship's Hone.
There were two Irish Bills. He meant that Bill
for granting a million-and.a-half for the purpose
of improving the lands in Ireland, and another for alter-
ations! in the Poor-law. Now it had been determined
that these two Bills should proceed pari passu through
the other House ; but, for that arrangement
the Money Bill might have been before their
Lordships. The reason was evident. When the Noble
Lord introduced the Corn Bill last session, he stated
. .

that that but formed pitrt of a great system of legislation
which would yet be brought under theirLordships' notice.
A Bill was brought forward to lend 2,000,0001. to this
country, and 1,000,0004 to Ireland. The Bill was
passed, but it was found that, as regarded Ireland, it
would be inappropriate. But a pledge was given by the
Noble Marquis, that as the Bill as amended would be
too late for Parliament to pass that session, it should be
brought forward in this session. Bat this was
no fulfilment of the' Government pledges that a Bill
granting 500,000 L should go through the House pari
passu with some other measures. He did not by this
course mean to oppose the other measures, but he would
certainly oppose the mode at present adopted in the
bringing forward of. those measures.
The Marquis of LANSDOVVNE explained. lie
admitted that a pledge had been given, but it was deemed
advisable that these Bills, for the benefit of the landlords
and the employment of the general poor should be
passed at one and the same moment ; again, this Bill
was essentially different from the one which had, been
ender the consideration of the House in the last session,
iv.mamuch as it provided for the granting of a much
larger sum of money. It was not intended as a mere
Drainage Act, but was proposed for the general good of
the country.
After a rev words from Lord ASHBURTON,
The LORD CHANCELLOR remarked that the Bill
for the• regulation of the Charitable Trusts would be
brought forward as soon as the other measure was in a
state t.a allow of its being taken into consieeration.
With regard to the Church Diciplitio Bill, there'vrai
some difficulty in dealing with it, tulle: s
they had the cooperation of the Right Rev.
Prelate, and a conference with them with regard to it.
was still pending. With regard to the measure reiatin::
to debtor and creditor, he had it then under.ronsidera-
don. and be hoped to be able to bring it forward very
shortly.
Lord BROUGHAM expressed his dissatisfaction
with the present accommodation of the House of Lords,
and said he would prefer to sit for an even-
ing in any
,union workhouse, rather. than in that
building. He had that day the great gratificali,m o:
going over the new houses ; and averse as he was to
Gothic architecture. he was bound to say that the taste,
the ingenuity, the skill, and the splendour of all he saw,
was almost sufficient to reconcile him to that style of
architecture. If anything could mitigate his dislike
to Gothic architecture, and to the inconvenience
which he felt in the present building, it
was the exterior and interior beauty of all
he had seen that day. It was the moat splendid
pile of buildings to be seen in any country, and
reflected the greatest credit en the architect who had de-
signed it and carried it into execution.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE bad great pleasure
in stating that he had been informed by the architect to
whom the Noble and Learned Lord had paid such a
handsome compliment, that were their Lordships desirous
of adjourning to the new House before Easter, it would be
ready for their reception. Still he did not think it
would be their desire to adjourn before the usual
time, and if they did not, then would every thing be
ready for their reception immediately on their re-assem-
bling after the holidays.—(Cheers.)
After a few words from Lord BROUG expresing

a hope that unity of design and execution would be
observed in the frescoes. the subject dropped.
DUCHY OF LANCASTER.
Lord STANLEY hoped he would be allowed to put
another question, which was one to which the Ministry
ought to give an answer. About a fortnight ago, a no
time appeared in the London Gazette appointing three
Noble Lords to administer the affairs of the Duchy of
Lareaster. That was the only notice which Parliament
had had of the transaction. Now, while he admitted
that the revenues of that Duchy, after paying 'all the
expenses, went into the Privy purse ; still it was usual
to lay before Parliament an annual statement of the re-
ceipts and expenditure. This was a recognition that proved
the Legislature had not given up all controul in relation
to this revenue. Further, a law officer, who was also a
member of the Government, was appointed to fill a
high legal office in this Duchy, and to administer its
affairs. These circumstances showed the intimate con-
nexion which existed between the Duchy of Lancaster
and the Government, and would lead their Lordships to
suppose that some explanation ought to be given when
any such appointments as those he had referred to took
place. Comparing the duties of the Duchy of Lancaster
with other of the Crown properties, the principal officer
connected with it was of a much higher grade than any
of the other officers connected with the other Crown
properties. The Noble Lord opposite was not a child
—(Laughter) ; he was not a lunatic—(Laughter), and
therefore the Noble Lord was fitted for the office ; he
required no assistance, and he would therefore be re-
quired to account for the duties of those officers ; what
patronage they would wield ; and what oaths they
would be required to take on accepting those duties.
The public had a right, then, to know, what were the
duties of these Commissioners, the more especially as
these gentlemen were not themselves aware of what those
duties were to be ; what was the patrenage removed
from the Chancellor of the Exchequer ? (Lord Brougham
—None.) Then, perhaps, as his Noble and Learned
Friend suggested, the Chancellor retained the patronage,
and the Commissioners performed the duties.—(Laugh-
ter.) He certainly thought that the Parliament of the
country had a right to know the reasons which had
prompted this appointment, and he looked to the Noble
Lord for explanation.
Lord CAMPBELL said that no apology was neces-
sary for the question. and he was rather obliged to the
Noble Lord for putting it. Some foolish mis-statements
bad gone abroad on the subject, and he thought that the
Noble Lord might have spared his friend, (who was an
eminent Protectionist), and who had, it appeared,
told him in private conversation that he was una-
ware of what his duties should be. He said his
answer as to what was the meaning of this commission
and of this innovation was, that there was no core
mission, there was no innovation. The ancient condi.
tion of the Duchy of Lancaster remained in the state is
a hieh it had been in the time of John O'Gaunt.—
(Laughter.) Ever since, there had been a County Pala
tine of the Duchy of Lancaster, there had been a Chan
cellor and a Council. The Chancellor upon certain
occasions had been wont to call on the assistance of the
council, and the Chincellor had to do certain judicial
acts and make certain appointments—for example, the
appoint-went of maeistrates in Lancaster ; but on all
. these acts the Chancellor acted proprio motu
(Laughter). In certain acts he proceeded without the
council, and in certain others he took. the advice of his
council. The council consisted of the Vice-Chancellor.
the Recorder-General, the Auditor, and the Attorney-
General ;
_these acted as the 'council of the Chancellor
in the management of this-property of the Duchy and
the finances of the Duchy.. It was found, however,
more conveeient that the chancellor should have the
assistance of those who were. more competent to give their
advice in the letting of land and the receiving of rents
of property which, as the Noble Lord knew, was large,
and lay scattered over all England. The Chancellorship
was a political office, and a member of the Cabinet.
The Council had nothing political in their character. The
Council consisted of Mr. Horace Twiss, the Vice-Chancel-
lor, a learned Chancery barrister, who, he believed, was of
the Tory party; of Mr. Lockhart, a gentleman eminent
in literature, and a member of the bar; of Colonel Fox,
the Receiver-General; and of Mr. Ellis, his learned
friend on the Northern Circuit, who was Attorney-
' General. lie (Lord Campbell) admitted that hbe
efwcraes
quite ignorant on soma of' the duties which came •
the Council; perhaps it might be excusable. Ile
remem-
bered hearing that the Noble Lord who sat next
the Noble Lord who had just spoken (we understood it
to be Lord Brougham), had taken his friend, Mr.
Coke, of Norfolk, to see a fine field of green wheat; and
when his Noble Friend, in company with Mr. Coke,
catae in sight of the field, he exclaimed, " Oh, what a
fine piece of lavenderl"--(Great laughter.) He (Lord
Campbell) admitted that he had not paid great attention
to these studies, and he felt that he laboured under great
disability. His predecessor was more competent for the
task he referred to, but still he felt the need of advice in
the performance of it, and, under the late Government,
the subject had been under consideration for
giving the Chancellor assistance in the manage-
ment of the property and the finances of
the Duchy. That had been recommended by himself,
under his own hand, and had met with the approval of'
the Government ; and he had reciumwei ded the
persons who had received the approva aril sanction of
her Majesty. The persons accordingly had been sworn
in under the usual and immemorial oaths. They had
not succeeded th t Chancellor in his ()Rico, nor would he
be controlled by their opinion, for by the patent of his
lappointment, he was plum.' beyond their control. But
if the Chancellor were a wise man, he would take the