The Sun.
London, England, 1847-03-23 00:00:00

Till?, SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY_ EVEN IN G, MARCH 23, 1847.

i The question of bounty he considered might be attended to in
s few years after this. Mr. Wyndham said that he should
never be contented till the profession of arms was in this
sesra et, put upon the same footing as other callings. He (Mr.
F. Mettle) did not think ti a- thi; could be carried into effect
tor some time, but he thought in these days of peace by the
Measures they would take to enprove the condition of tie sob
,tier, they would be enabled in a few years to dispense with
'he system of giving bounti: s. There was another subject to
which he wisie d to call attention before he concluded. What
i benefit would it he to allow those, who retired from
,he service, to go bask well satisfied with the treat-
ment They had received. If they could send them
back with good moral habits acquired—with ideas of
habit and obedience strongly impressed on them, their
example would do more in bringing recruits to the army than
soy other measures they could adopt. He was quite sure of
this that the House wnuld give him credit that he would not
propose any measure for its adoption if he or any of her Ma-
jesty's Government believed that there existed a single source
,f larger, or that it would injure in any way a service, the
-uccess of which he had sincerely at heart. With this feeling
tie trusted that the House would mark with its approbation the
principle of a limited (trills' intent, and in order that the House
might embody that principle in a legislative enactment, he
would place his Bill before them, with an earnest hope that the
House would see the necessity of giving its support to it.
Sir HOWARD DOUGLAS said that he had, on a former
iecasion, voted strongly against this measure, and he had found
uo reason to change his opinion. After a service of consider-
able duration, after having had much experience in the prac-
tical working of the present system in every quarter of the
world to which the British arms were carried, it was his delibe-
rate and confirmed opinion that this measure was unnecessary
and ill-timed, and he should, therefore, be reluctantly com-
pelled to withhold his consent to it. But it was not
his intention to meet this measure with a direct nega-
tive, or to propose any amendment. Her Majesty's
Government had determined to try this experiment, and the
illustrious Duke at the head of the army had also acceded
to it. He (Sir H. Douglas) would, therefore, confine him-
self at present to the mere expression of his dissent, with the
-easons which induced him to come to that decision. He la-
mented the changes that were taking place; he grieved to see
the spirit of change that was abroad ; he lamented the change
that rvas daily occurring in those commercial regulations—re-
eulations which had raised England to the highest state of great-
ness. He could not concur in the preamble of this Bill, that it
was expedient to make an alteration in the period of enlistment.
He (Sir Hee and Douglas) thought it was inexpedient to
make this alteration. He did not think this change necessary
by any practical, political, constitutional, or statistical consi-
ieration. He thought that it could not be justified by ex-
perience or by any rule which might be adopted with
:afety. They found no difficulty in recruiting then,
he supply was greater than the demand.—(Hear, hear.)
l'he army was complete in all its arrangements ; it was in a
perfect state of efficiency, its discipline was most admirable,
and he was happy to say that the moral and social condition of
the soldiery was greatly improved. This measure would be
tnconvenient in its working, expensive in its organisation, and
el-timed in its introduction. The Hon. and Gallant Member
hen referred to certain statistical details, to show that
desertions in the army had been less frequent in a state of
extended, than under a limited, enlistment. The measure was
not intended to obviate a scarcity for the stock of the army,
for he had taken care to inform himself upon this point, and
tie had ascertained that in the year ending 31st April, 1846,
mere offered themselves for enlistment not less than 20,000,
tome of these were 'rejected ere they came before the medical
,fficer, but 16,563 were examined, out of this number 5,143
were rejected, and 11,420 enlisted. Within the present year
.to fewer than 24,000 offered themselves for enlist-
!TlM t. The stock of the army, which was com-
posed principally of the children of the soil, was
admirable. At least six-tenths of their soldiery had
been agricultural labourers, and as they got up in the scale of
.duration, they proved inferior soldiers. It had been alleged
•hat the army was composed of the riff-raff of the country,
hat the members were ignorant, illiterate, and vicious. They
:lad it to boast that they improved and educated these persons,
and returned them to their country better men than they
found them. He found that the great proportion of the
savalry and line was composed of agricultural labourers ; that at
Least 643 out of every 1,000 belonged to this class, and they
made the best soldiers. Advancing in the scale, he found me-
chanics and artisans, and they were inferior men to the others.
filen they had ruined tradesmen, shopmen, and shop clerks,
old they were still worse, and the highest class of all, profes-
ional men, persons educated for the Church, medical students,
:rid law licentiates, made the worst of soldiers, and in this
ategory he would particularly place the licentiates of law.
It was said that it was derogatory to the character of freemen
o permit them to enlist for an unlimited period, but he found
hat both history and the best authorities disproved that state-
-neut. If the Bill were strictly carried out, he did not doubt
hat there would be a cry got up that they were going to con-
ert England into a military country, but he would leave theory
and come to what he thought would he the practical ope-
ration of this Bill in the time of a protracted war. Now had
he system of limited enlistment prevailed during the late war
ie would venture to say that England never could have sue-
Teded in the manner she did. The dispatches of the Dukes of
Pork and Wellington showed that the successes of that period
sere effected by old soldiers, who had long b ten engaged in the
.ervice, and he, therefore, h el a right to assume that, had the
ule been limi ed enlistment, this country never could have
maintained the war.—(Hear, hear.) Previous to the year
1813, during the Peninsular war, there were very few enlist-
ments in the British army, and the consequence was, this
tountry had to spend a large sum of money to avert the evils
if a temporary system of enlistment, and to secure the re-enlist-
ment of men whose time of retirement had arrived. The latter
readily consented in the emergency to remain in the army to
.lefend the rights of their native land, and had it not been for
heir previous experience in arms, they never could have
attained the glorious contests they did. He warned Govern-
ment, then, of the mischiefs this bill would inflict upon the
country. In the event of another war, they would experience
the sad operations of this Bill upon the marines, while a very
'hart time would show, if its provisions were to be applied to
the Sappers and Miners, that it would entirely destroy the effi •
eiency of that body of men. For his own part, therefore, he
was decidedly averse to any change in the present system. It
would prove dangerous to the Constitution, and might place
'lie Colonies in jeopardy. He was an advocate for early en-
listment and training in the army, and had always regretted
hat military colonization had been neglected by the various
Governments of this country- Rather than take the
.teps they were now doing, her Majesty's present
idvisers ought to have turned their attention to that
subject, and endeavoured to ascertain if the country
And the army, could not be benefited by introducing improve-
tnents into the prevailing system of military colonization.
Let them raise the soldier in the scale of society, and there
would be no want of a better class of men. Let them secure
them rewards and encouragement, and they would invest
hat calling with attractions, which would have the
effect of enticing good men into the service of their
country. With regard to punishments, he thought
'hat a soldier should not be sent to prison unless
"or some crime of a disgraceful nature. Every slight breach of
nilitary discipline should not be visited in that manner, the
consequence of which invariably was to degrade those who
were subjected to it. With respect to the measure before the
House, he thought its effect would be to cause a great diminu-
ion in the number, and the amount of the pensions to be
granted at the termination of the period of service. At this
time, when the army was brought to such a state of efficiency,
as thought that this experiment should have been avoided, as
it would be found unsatisfactory, expensive, and prejudicial to
the interests of the army in its operation.
Colonel REID thought the measure under consideration
would not accomplish its object ; secondly, that it was wholly
unnecessary; and thirdly, that it would impair the physical
efficiency of the army, and create jealousy and dissatis-
faction. Of what avail would the army of this country
have been, even under the guidance of Wellington, if, when
li
apposed to the great usurper, it had not been composed of
strong men, who, in addition to moral courage, possessed
physical efficiency. He believed, that by adopting a period
if limited enlistment, one eighth at least of the force of the
cavalry would be lost to the country. The consequence would
be, that there would be an army of boys instead of an army of
-rally efficient men. He had a perfect horror of an army of
such a nature. He had seen an exhibition of the conduct of
such an army at the siege of Antwerp, where, two sallies
having been made by the besieged, they destroyed all the
works and entrenchments in a few hours, which would have
taken at least a fortnight to have done had the besiegers
not been panic -stricken and useless as they were
on that occasion.—( Cries of " Hear, hear.") He
:bought, that if Mr. Wyndham's plans of limited
enlistment were to be carried out, the Government ought at
!east to carry out the other plans of that gentleman, for provid-
ing more liberal pay, and more liberal pensions to the soldiers.
The pension to a private for serving his full time, was at pre-
wst only fid. a day, and that of a non-commissioned officer Sd.
He thought that at least the minimum pension to the private
soldier should be raised to 93., and to the non-commissioned
officer ls. He trusted that the subject of more liberal pay and
pensions would receive the fullest consideration of her Majesty's
Government. He thought that. by far the better mode of im-
proving the army, would be by the introduction of systems cal-
culated to improve the social and moral condition of the
soldiers themselves. Let them be treated in such a manner
ihat they might consider that they were respected by the
country. The country owed much to their valour and to the
hardships which they had undergone in all climates for long
seasons for the sake of preserving untarnished, the honour and
'he interests of the country. With respect to the officers, he
believed that they had it always nearest to their hearts to in-
orease as much as possible the comforts of the soldier, and he
thought that the present Bill would tend to loosen the ties
which existed between the officers and men. He would riot,
although he disagreed with the principle of the Bill, oppose its
further progress.
Sir DE LACY EV ANS did not see in the present measure
any ground for such fears as had been expressed by
the speakers who hail preceded him. With respect
to the fear that it would not be safe to go to war with men
who had only been in the service for ten years, he would remind
any lion. Member who entertained that opinion, that all the
other nations of Europe were of opinion that it was safe to go
to war even at a less period than that. He did not see any
young troops. As to the case
Gallant Member who last ad-
r e
referas orne
dt o t do o
hu t
the
ee
iffiocoi.e la: co yd o
Gf
young men being driven from the
dt :teens seehdelst haet House,Antwe Antwerp,
had often done the same thing. At St. S
thietehad seen many veebtae,rtainansotlhdeleyrdsiwdhsoo,
but they rallied again, and he had often seen many young troops
ifA snotot othuetstjeirpfetlieoanstoefftpheal
army
yvailoouttr,eofd
them look into the meldor,ei t did veterannot dependtroops
uon one or two years' service. Let
an dis-
patchesdth they
ofy wtohoel
dDfiunkde ot
at h e Wellingtonsai
said
that
adtutrhi negmt
ehee Peninsulareede r
his war,
conductmand werew mu
et
xttoreo beatel
yany a
da r; msyo in
muchthe
so,
trust thatld, but thatcould
thenoo t
trust a detachment awe/ from him, as thee would rob, murder,
and plunder in every direction. He called them a band of
robbers. So much for the morality of en efficient army.—
( Hear, hear.) The Duke of Wellington had acquiesced in
the measure, and he was confident that he would not have
done so hail he one tithe of the fears that thellon. and Gallant
tlar
Member hail. If they wanted to make the army pu
po
among the people they should do so not only among the youths,
hut among fathers and mothers and sisters. They should see
that their friends came back to them after ten or eleven years.
—( Hear, hear.) That would be the way to make the service
sought after. He was sorry that the advantages of a Bill
which promised so much should be delayed from coming into
operatic)::. If ten or twelve thousand men came back to the
country every year, the people would soon desire to have a na-
tional guard. In the agitation for the Reform Bill, a strong
disposition was raanifested for such a body. Most other coun-
tries possessed it. and they would find that, in proportion as
foreign Governments desired to put down liberty, they also put
down the national guard.
Colonel T. WOOD said, that he did not think that the Hon.
Gentleman had fairly described that army where he hail so
honourably and gallantly served. If he compared the accounts
of other armies with those of our own he would find how far
the latter were superior. He was more in favour of Mr.
Wyndham's plan than any he had ever heard proposed ; under
that plan the soldier who served seven years was entitled to a
penny a day, sod at the end of fourteen years he was entitled
to his discharge, with a pension of fivepence a day. The
present measure was not of a permanent character, it did not
hold out the inducement that it should ; and from these
reasons he regretted that Mr. Wyndham's plan had been aban-
doned. As there was no opposition to the Bill he would not
give it any, as it was a step in the tight directioa.
Colonel LINDSAY objected to the Bill, as it did not pro-
vide for the old soldier* who..were the depositaries of the dis-

Re toots the estima',e at 2,200,000, the expense cf
3aPPoriteg wh',elt would ate: ,unt to 5;000,0001 ; and
I:4oaot,ohoit,}7,._.staard was, rhat if an assessment 4•
to reeeld upon Irish pi-1)e? ty,
i.
would be t .eg Ireland to `'our times the extent
to Nshich ineeeerty was essessel for a simile,
ti)ell.rttP;)':f tit England ; and that, if tlic pre
England were to be rated at ti,e same ratio, a.
arish Property would be under the Bill, the annual
sst'sitnent would be not 5,000,00 A but 23,000.00t.1.
and this, he tidd, would be an act of gr s injustice
tea, -
ards Ireland. In consequence of the con Lesion as hid,
existed in the House at the time ashen he was speaking
il enould easily account for the misunderstanding having
taken place.
Mr. FOX MAITLE then rose to move the second
read;
of
the Army Service Bill. He deemed it in
c"cnoent upon him to make some statement to the House
gelatine to tit- principe which this Bill contaii..
,Itnu also to the motives which had induced the Go-
4erarnent to bring forward a principle of this nature.
could, by following the precedent of 1806, have
changed the, service from unlimited to limited, by a
"t;,raPle alteration in the Mutiny Bill, but as it had beet.
"e practice to remove frem that Bill all that which
Ilvecccesien to continual discussion, and make
ii
8:Iaply contain the law and discipline of the army, and
4 the dinetssion on that Bill had been carried on fre:
Year to year with very little notice, the House, relying
mainly on the judgment of the Executive Government,
e preferred to call the attention of the House to the
principle involved. It would be in the recol.
`eti°ll of the House that a former measure,
r
egulating the service had been repealed,
after two years, when no experience could be had of its
:aterits• He did think. that no one in that House wonli
thanrt, any permanent objections to a standing army in
country. He assumed that as a matte! whit}
icilne would dispute. All would admit that
ttieeir domestic interests, their extended colo-
,lrtaist our position among the nations of the
/Cu, required a permanent army in this country.
Was said that the system of recruiting the army a as
voluntary system ; but when his Hon. and Gallant
riendhis motion, last year, he din
brought forward
4(4 at that time give any distinct opinion on the
}abject. It was promised by his Noble riend at the
head of the Government that the question should receive
the careful consideration of the Government during the
tFeeess of Parliament. The question had been well con-
-I,ll,uered, and in considering that question it appeared 0
girn that there was no system of enlistment that was
voluntary in its name that had not been, by the
Pftetiees which had been resorted to, deprived
of all the virtues of a voluntary enlistment in effect.
b e found, on looking into this matter, that there might
„e very serious doubts whether any one who eve,
;nlisted into the army did so for the purpose of
thaeking it a regular profession for lite. lie wood the
re were some classes of their recruits who have
very readily gone into the ranks, not with any view to
the future, but rather with the view of escaping tern-
eerary distress. He found that their ranks were very
much accustomed to be recruited by those who were idle
'Ulf(' averse to labour, and who thought that in the life
a soldier they would find that idleness and indolence
.41senant to their disposit:ons. He found that it was
nn often the case that the prodigal sought
the army a refuge from his improvidence,
and it too often occurred that where lads
tah,
r had got into disrace immatel had
:eolarse to enlistment in orderg the to avoid eirdi y temporary
masters. With that class voluntary enlistment was at
ip end. All the rest were voluntary in name, but it was
reality brought about by the artifices and
ere-•
t, lakes of recruiting parties.—(Hear.) The place
w_Which they adjourned was the public-house, and ince
bere tempted to enlist by the fallacious promise oi
could
money when they were in a state in which the.)
the
hurdle be called amenable for their actions, are
itv4eLlthhappy man too often found that in a moment of
Ly he had disposed of his liberty for life
hat e
' 'lid not mean by this that the men became slaves ;
there could not be a doubt that they surrendere
their own life and disposition to those who corn-
ended them. and when a man found himself
d;la Position he often deserted in the first moment of
ttisaPpointrnent. He is no doubt arrested in
course of a few days, and the man who ha
untarily joined the regiment is brought back
custody and illy, luntarily made a soldier. Them
the__ hail often heard of men who had maimed them-
thnle% under the influence of such feelings ee
lea engendered by a dial ke to the service:
t a when they considered that a man was taken away al-
,e,gether from domestic ties—when they were severed b,
the ‘ duties he has to fulfil—when he knew he had no hop'
egaining his fireside except under a high fine,
daidthe shape of
WhethsleYr' purchase-money, he (Mr. Fox Malik)
that it behoved the House to considei
neer, now that the army was receiving somovvhet
by attention than it had done for many years past,
PainCiaiPg enlistment, and by removing those
might ee'retinestances which he had described, the)
able th"at make pre life of a soldier less objection-
improveth ent, and at the same film
not pretend condition of the army. He din
all those say that limited enlistment would cure
the effect
Ovthheerevils, but he did think that it would have
measures of many of them. But with
curing
gimprovement such as formed
th,e. late Government, subject
of the military administration of
var__lmprovement being carried
and with the measures
carried on by the present Go-
jrenment, he did believe that many of the evils of which
had now reason to complain would be effectually
cared if they had recourse to limited enlistment. He
need
hardly say a great many of the evils in connexion
with the army had been removed, that the discipline
little
been improved, especially now they had so
"hat
of the degrading punishment of the lash.
"hat he proposed to do with regard to the limiting the
itriod of enlistment was to alter the period to ten years
to
the infante- and twelve years in the cavalry, artillery,
an option
ordnance'', departments. After that period elapsed
option should be given to the soldier of re-enlisting
'e infantry soldier for eleven years additional, and the
cee-valrY for twelve years, making, in the whole, twenty-
:e years for the one and twenty-four years for the
ether—the period when they could claim their dis
110, rge• He also took a power in the Bill to en-
ciie the commanding officer to retain the sol
for another year when the regiment was
,201'road, should the public service require it. He
dityPt be asked the reason why ho made any
e:gerence in the terms of the period for infantry and
skttalry soldiers. The difference of training however, was
`,ir reason of the extension of the period for the latter.
1, le Government proposed then that they should
aavo the opportunity of enrolling themselves fur
w deferred pension, and during the time the)
twere enrolled for that pension they should serve
ettelve days in each year, upon the same principle as
sthe Pensioners who were entitled under the 6th, 7th.
and 10th of Victoria. The deferred pensions
11' -,d equal in amount the lowest sum which we-
Present fixed by royal warrant. After ten years
C'''ve service in the army, if the soldier enrolled himself on
discharge it was proposed to require twenty-two years'
sii-tritiee, at the end of which period he would obtain a clear
e to a deferred pension. The effect of this measure would
that a person entering the army at the age of eighteen
fc.4141 serve for ten years, which would bring him to the age
't)-etwenty-eight ; if, then, he enrolled himself at the age of
tYY-eight to serve for twenty two years, at the rate of
e`ive days per annum, he would then, at the age of fiftv, re
tt-r,•ve a small deferred pension, of which be would be left in
11:1terrupted enjoyment during the remainder of his life.
duceis plan would, therefore, affect a double object—it would in-
%s many young men to enter the army, with the
theirful pur-
lune ef spending the first years of their enlistment in anks,
ptrlwrg that their discharge would take place at a
°a when they were still young, and fitted to enter into
ttl.):4 other kinds of business, or turn their minds to agricul
C„:-, I, mechanical, or mercantile pursuits, and if they en-
t_''eled themselves for a deferred pension they would carry into
:a, society ansi the country these habits of order and rept
nits which they had learned in their military carp r,
th also provide a reserve force of great importance, should
ecountry he called upon on a sudden to defend its
shores from foreign aggression or to man its garrisons, so
that the troups in active service might be employed elsewhere.
$a took it upon himself to say that these pensioners, especially
elund walls, or in entrenchments, or in any service requiring
not much labour, were as thoroughly conversant with the
.
Itties of solders as when they carried their firelocks at Wa-
terloo, or even previous to that, and tweet, or five-and-twenty
thousa'nd of these men would be sufficient to provide
f°, any sudden emergency which might arise. A few
regulations for these pensioners constitute the principles
of the present bill. He did not intend to make the Bib
retrospective, for the prerogative of the Crown could do much
nt the present case, and therefore if he was asked why he did
not extend the privilege to the army at present, he would say,
that the authority cf the Sovereign could of its own accord
effect all that was desired, and although he did not see an
danger in the extension of the principle, yet common prudence
gaired that they should have some experience of its working.
th Even supposing that such a privilege were to be extended to
array, that every man were to receive his discharge who
had been ten years in the ranks, the first thing they would have
(0 do would be to place such restrictions upon the regulation
as to hinder too great a detlux of men from the ranks, and such
a system w,uld cause even more discontent than at present
existed. In the present system, under five years' service a man
might purchase his discharge for 201. ; after five years he might
purchase it for lnl., provided he had a distinguishing mark
°r good conduct. After seven years' actual service he might
Purchase it for 15'. ; and alter ten years' service, with two
taa.,arks for good conduct, he might purchase it for 51. ; and
41. e hawelve years, with two marks, he was entitled to a free
l'ree and after fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen years, he
didld receive a pension of 4d. or 6d. per day. Although he
~id not intend to extend this plan to those at present in th
ha anticipated good results from it, because he did not
thtok those complaints which had been made were well founded.
s ltt„-"gh he had adopted this plan with respect to those in the
Dr-~Y and those yet to join it, he should take care that all the
.I("isiuns of those warrants which emanated from his Right
hi". Friend who hareceded him should be punctually and
li .
e!.4117 fulfilled. Forp these reagins he did not intend to
enlistment to the present army, but he did propose to
tend it to those vet to join it, and that they should be car-
riedjoto effect, if the House should agree to them, as soon Os
he could bring them into operation. He had proposed them
in"narer the conviction that it would make the service much
(H e Popular than it was in this country at present.—
va ear, hear.) The public or popular feeling in this matter
(H 9 One which in this case they might safely legislate for—
etr,
the mater were causeth those who were mwhomost dee
the ply
army intereste
wasr`,raited,
d
tee
(rtiaited, and unless they made the service palatable
hear)—and agreeable to those classes they
dnigt rely upen it that, with the exception of some
G
ingaished corps, such as the Horse Guards, the Life
Guards, and regiments of a similar character, which he be-
tiand were much gene after by a higher class of individuals
fled thnse who rall joined our regiments, they would
eery:much difficulty in getting good men unless they made the
the 'ee palatable to the masses. They might depend upon i
) would not get the class of recruits they required in so im-
portant a branch of the public service. But on economical
begans
thhe should recommend limited enlistment
in —(Hear)—
parts
ie e expense of keeping up recruiting depots various
,rld' r of the country, and of transmiting recruits backwards
end forwards, and by circuitous routes, was great. In many
instances all that expense might be avoided, if the
Dr " were made more popular, and instead of the
3ees 'net system of recruiting, depots were established
aifferent places to which recruits might repair.

cipline of the army, Some allusion bad been made to de-
serti.on ; he would :ay with reference to that crime, that it was
occasioned by the soldiers incurring debt and becoming, there-
fore, dissatisfied with the service. Why, they held out no in-
ducement to a ;ran to enlist after serving twenty, one years ;
they did all they could to make him leave the
with disgust. By the warrant of 1833 it was
stated that a man might have, after completing his service,
a permanent pension of not more than Gel. a day. 'Therefore
they were wit sure of getting even this small stipend; and
when men had asked him if they were soon to get it, he had
told them that they must not look forward with any certainty
to it. It was often held out by those engaged in recruiting,
that a man might obtain his discharge free of expense at
any time. Now, proper information should be promulgated on
this subject, so that the ignorant might not b 3 deceived, and
led into so serious a contract, without knowing its exact na-
ture. The Right Honourable Gentleman spoke of endeavour-
iug to obtain a higher class of men ; but he (Colonel Lind-
say) considered that the army could do without gentlemen
clerks or half gentlemen, as the army could not be better re-
cruited than at present. A more rigid discipline must be main-
tained in the British army than in that of other nations.
Here we could not afford to have any waste, but when they
considered the high pay and the high pensions of the police,
and the great numbers who now obtained employment as rail-
way officers, he apprehended they would find that a better class
of men could not be obtained. They had done well by select-
ing men from the working classes, and by continuing to adopt
the same plan, he had no doubt the same result would take
place. Greater inducements ought to be held out to cause
men who had served for fifteen years to rejoin the army ; but
when a man had served his country faithfully twenty-one years,
he ought to be allowed a pension which would prevent him
from seeking the aid of a workhouse, from being insufficient to
support him in his old age; he ought to have such an allow-
ance as would keep him in comparative affluence.—( Hear. )
Colonel SIBTHORP lamented that nothing now was
right, and that a subversive system was going on. They
had attacked the Church, they had attacked the
law, and they had attacked physic (Laughter) all
professions were undergoing a change—nothing was right—
( Renewed laughter)—but he still reverenced the wisdom of
their ancestors. which he thought was totally departed from
within the walls of that reformed—that pure House of Com-
mons, which did nothing wrong.—(Laughter.) But were the
people more happy or united now than in the days of their
ancestors ? Let them look for a reply to Ireland, to Scotland,
and then let them glance at England. A melancholy lesson
told them that the people were neither happy nor united.
Now they meddled with the army.—(Laughter.) Now, he
thought the past services of the army were sufficient to tell the
people of this country that no change was required in that de-
jdartment of the public service. It was the envy of surround-
ing nations. He had 'great respect for the late and present
Secretary-at-War; but it was sufficient for him to say they
were civilians, and that they could not, therefore, have a very
intimate knowledge of the feelings of the army. But when he
said that the men were unhappy he apprehended
that he committed a lapsus lingua. He (Colonel Sibthorp)
had been sixteen years in her Majesty's dragoons before he
came into that refined society—( Roars of laughter)—and he
met, whilst in that service, as good men, and men of as high
honour, as he had mot with in that society.—( Laughter.)
Certainly whilst in the army his time was not consumed in
hearing long speeches, such as those often delivered in that
House, and which he often wished he had not sat to hear.—
( Laughter.) If he came in unlearned, he went out, after
hearing their speeches, ten times more unlearned.—
( Laughter.) The Right Hon. Gentleman stated that the ma-
jority who joined the service were disgusted with it. Now, he
thought this a most improper observation for one in the position
of that Right Hon. Gentleman. He considered that it re-
quired three years at least to make a man who came from the
tail of the plough—and they were the best recruits—to make
him a good and perfect dragoon ; but when men were sent
out as detachments, they required extra drilling ; and looking
at the expense which was incurred, he thought the country
would be ill.served if a man was entitled to leave the army at
so early a period as that proposed.
Major LAYARD said that he felt a deep interest in the
measure now offered to the House, for from the moment he
entered the service ho felt that the bargain made by the
country with the private soldier was an unjust one. He re-
gretted that the Hon. and Gallant Officer the Member for Li-
verpool was not there, for there were some points in his speech
which he (Major Layard) should be able satisfactory to answer.
He had authorities higher than that of the Gallant
Officer for stating that many points in his speech were incorrect.
When he brought forward this subject in 1842, Sir 11. liar-
dinge gave it as his opinion that a measure for limited enlist-
ment deserved the attention of the Government. Two Go-
vernments had taken it into consideration, and the Military
Commission had had upon it officers old and experienced as his
Gallant Friend, who had also given it in favour of the measure.
His Gallant Friend had alluded to the difficulty of maintaining
an army during a protracted war with a limited enlistment, and
had in the same breath alluded to the amount of money which
could be paid to these men upon re-enlistment. It appeared,
therefore, from his own arguments that the men would enlist
again, and it was his belief that no man would leave his
colours in the British army while there WAS an enemy
before them. The Honourable and Gallant Officer stated
that it would be unwise to alter the existing state
of things in the army, for that the army was happy
enough as it was. In three years out of 110,000 men
25,000 men had been put in gaol, 8,(00 had deserted and
-1,0.)0 had undergone corporal punishment. That was the
happy army alluded to by the gallant officer any change which
had been hitherto made had always produced a beneficial
etlect. The Hon. and Gallant Officer had raid that this was
not a time for a change. Was not any time the proper time
for doing justice ? What reason could be urged for its being
delayed? The soldier had no power to complain, and no
power to petition—and why should he be compelled from
delays to suffer in place. When the late Secretary at War
brought forward this subject was there not a feeling in the
House that the measure was not to rest as he had placed it.
Was it not felt that it was but the beginning of the change,
and why did the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman now oppose
what he had before suffered to pass away in silence ? Why had
he not opposed the proposition of the Secretary at War?
Sir H. DOUGLAS—I opposed it when you brought it out.
Major LAYARD—Yea; the Gallant Officer opposed it
when he brought it forward ; but why did he not oppose it
when the Secretary at War brought it forward ?
Sir 11. DOUGLAS—I was not in the House.

the Learned Member for the Dublin University—did he
know who founded the Dublin library?—(Great laughter.)
No, the lion. and Learned Member did not seem to know.--
(Laiigher. ) After the battle of Kinsale, during the days of
geodQ ,:my, altererenEliza de
Elizabeth-(Laughter)
the Spanish force,ughter)—intheyear 1603, the
British
subscribed
I.‘i 'W. to rsisa a monument in commemsration of their gallant
achievement. It :,as spent on no sculptured marble or en-
gra, ursss; but they sent the funds to the celebrated ITsher
for the purpose of founding the Dublin library, about which
the Learned Recorder knew nothing.—(Laughter.) But, in
fine, believing that the British soldier would derive great be-
nefit from that measure he would give it his cordial support.
The Biil was then read a second time, and ordered to be
committed that night week.
POOR RELIEF (IRELAND) BILL.
On the order of the day for going into Committee on this
Bill being read,
Lord G. BENTINCK rose and said he wished to call the
attention of the House to the statement made by the Right
lion. Gentleman the Secretary for Ireland, as to the possibi-
lity of an incorrect return of the deaths that had taken place in
Ireland. It would be recollected that the Right Hon. Gentle-
man said there was no possibility of obtaining a correct register
of the deaths in Ireland, inasmuch as no return was made of
the deaths that took place there. Now, the Right Hon. Gen-
tleman in making that statement was entirely mistaken. In
proof of this, he (Lord G. Bentinck) had had letters from se-
veral clergymen in Ireland, who stated that by the canon law
every Protestant clergyman was bound on the 25th of
March of every year to make a return of all the deaths
and marriages that had taken place in the parish.
That this matter might be perfectly understood, he would read
a letter which he had received on Saturday from the Rev. Mr.
Archer, incumbent of Newton Barry, county of Wexford. The
Noble Lord then read extracts from the communication of the
Rev. Gentleman, expressive of his surprise that the Right
Hon. Geutleman the Secretary for Ireland should have re-
turned the answer he did to the question put by him
( Lord George Bentinck). The clergymen of the
Church of Ireland were bound on the 25th day of
M arch in every year to furnish a correct copy of the parish
registry of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths, to the regisa
trar of the diocese, by whom they were inserted in the registry
of the Diocesan Court. He (LordlG. Bentinck) thought, there-
fore, that it must be clear to the House that the Right Hon.
Gentleman was entirely misinformed, and that no difficulty
could stand in the way of the Government in furnish-
ing those returns. He had also received a communi-
cation from one of the medical officers connected
with the dispensary in Galway, who stated that there
could be no difficulty in ascertaining the amount of mor-
tality among the Roman Catholic population. He had had
several other communications, among others, one from Mr.
Hewson, anatomical lecturer in Killarney Hospital, stating
that the mortality in that establishment was three in the month
of November, six in December, nineteen in January, and
twenty-nine in February. The Noble Lord then proceeded,
but in a tone of voice almost inaudible in the gallery, to tax
the Government with having, by their ill-judged measures,
precipitated the present distress in Ireland. He blamed them,
that, instead of afterwards endeavouring to alleviate the desti-
tution they had in part created, they had left the wants of the
country to be supplied by the energy of private speculators,
and from the resources of private capital.
Mr. LABOUCHERE trusted that Hon. Members would
not think it necessary that he should follow the Noble Lord
into a subject which had been so frequently discussed in that
House—he meant the policy of her Majesty's Government
with respect to the supplying of food to Ireland, and the effect
which that policy had on the comforts, and perhaps lives, of
the people of that country. He could only regret that the
Noble Lord should have felt it necessary to adopt the course
he had done on that occasion, and that ho should
again have provoked discussion by affirming that her Majesty's
Government had pursued an impolitic course, inasmuch as
they had not themselves provided a supply of food for the
Irish people. He (Mr. Labouchere), on the contrary, felt
satisfied that every day's experience confirmed the wisdom and
necessity of the policy by which the Government was actuated
not to interfere with private energy, or the ordinary career of
trade. Most enormous supplies of food were pouring into
Ireland, and he confessed that in his own opinion, if Govern-
ment had interfered to fetter the course of private enterprise,
the result might have been very different. He had seen a
letter that day which stated that in the port of Cork there
were one hundred vessels with full cargoes of provisions.—
( Hear, hear.) There were similar imports in the ports of
Galway, Limerick, and in fact in all the large ports of Ire-
land. The result had been that great quantities of provisions
were stored on the premises of the several merchants, and
private imports had exceeded what might have been expected
from the utmost efforts of the Government. With regard to the
returns of mortality, if he had objected to the returns which
were moved for by the Noble Lord, it was from no desire to
keep them from the House, in order to conceal what the Noble
Lord would call the impolitic measures of the Government.
lie would at once concede that the mortality in the last year
greatly exceeded that of former years. It was not on that
account that he had refused these returns, but because he
believed that no correct returns could be rendered. Where
he thought that correct information multi be afforded he did
nut refuse to the House to lay such before it. They had
ordered a return of the Lumber of coroners' inquests, and also
returns from the constabulary force ; but when the Noble Lord
aaked for the returns of mortality in the last year as compared
with previous years, he ( Mr. Lanouchere) did not feel himself
justified in granting them. The Noble Lord said that the
Protestantdeaths clergymen,vithin
thei
their
of
ownl parishes,relan kep taan
dr etghiastt rtyh
thfe;
weret ebirths
aR(i
pelled to do so by the canon law ; he believed they were obliged
to do so, but he was much deceived if that law was enforced in
Ireland. His Learned Friend beside him had put the canon
law into his hand, and he found that the penalty for the evasion
of the Act was, that the parties infringing it could be proceeded
against accordingly.
Mr. JOHN O'CONNELL said that the chief reason for
his rising was to express a hope that the Government would
place a check on the landlords using these depots. The desti-
tution in Ireland was daily growing more and more fearful,
and he conjured them to do so as the markets were not likely
to fail, and there was every probability that they would have
ample opportunities of using their resources.
Mr. SHAW thought that the representations of the Right
lion. Gentleman had been much overcharged. The fact was,
that the Protestant clergy had inquired into the deaths only of
• essibl' -efo-

Major LAYARD—The subject was not then of sufficient the people under their own care. It was impossible therefore
importance to induce the Gallant Gentleman to oppose to draw any comparative estimate of the state of destitution in
it, ...a woe did he do so now ? The Honourable Ireland from these returns, nor ought they to be relied upon
and Gallant Officer who had last spoken had opposed for that purpose.
the measure, and had stated that there would hot be Lord JOHN RUSSELL conceived that the Noble Lord had
a proper opportunity in many instances of punishing disobe- taken an entirely mistaken view of the matter, and, indeed, his
thence. It did not require twenty-one years to do that. Men, views were altogether beside the case. They had come to the
as the Hon. and Gallant Officer said, grew wise by experience; opinion, that the best course they could pursue,was not to check
he hoped they did. If any Gentleman had asked him (Major the importation of food into Ireland through private en-
Layard) before 1842 if he should enlist, he should tell him not, terprise by any measures of the Government. With regard to
and for the following reason—That the bounty which was the proceedings of last year, he might observe, that a certain
promised was no bounty at all. That it did not pay amount of money was voted for the purchase of Indian corn for
for their necessaries, that they joined their regiment in debt— the supply of the destitute people of Ireland. They had thought
that the arms which they gave were inefficient, as he had seen that it was a very proper article of food for that country, and
100 out of 800 miss fire. If they were sent out to India, they had accordingly bought it up largely ; but they did not say, on
remained for 24 years, and the chances were fifty to one against that account, that other persons were not also to introduce
their coming back. That in the West India islands the mor- Indian corn ; and on a reference to the public markets in
tality was enormous, being 21,421 since 1817. That no America, they found that the object had been fully attained,
medals were given for hard and long service. That they got for it had led to a large importation of food, and the Govern-
salt provisions five days in the week, and that a deduction of ment had done all they could to promote that importation. But
five per cent. was made from their pensions when they had the Government never intended, and never engaged, to feed the
earned them. As the law was, he could describe the reverse of people of Ireland, although he could not say that they had never
these things, and under the present system he should advise a undertaken to secure a supply of food for that country. By a
man to enlist.. He would get more bounty, better arms, letter received this very day, addressed to the Secretary to the
better treatment and food, and more consideration paid for long Treasury, by the special agent of the Government, it appeared
servitude. He owned that, so far as the Bill now before the that at the moment he wrote, there were twenty thousand tons
House went, he did not feel quite satisfied with it ; and, in of Indian corn in the neighbourhood of Cork waiting for sale,
saying so, he might, perhaps, appear to take an ungrateful and that the markets were overstocked, and that the corn was at
course, seeming to oppose a Bill which had been brought for- the present moment being sold in such small parcels as
ward by a Government that had his support ; but he felt it ne- fifteen pounds each, and the probability was that the stock now
eessary to state an objection when it arose. It was with that on hand from the late importations would be sold at a consider-
view that he had given notice of a clause which he would able loss. In fact, the arrivals had been much greater than
move to be introduced between the third and fourth he had supposed, and he believed that more than twenty-four
clauses of the measure, as it stood at present. There were ships had come to port more than were required, and that
difficulties in dealing with all the details of the objects which a much greater amount of Indian corn had arrived than was
such a measure was meant to provide for—difficulties that required, and it was likely to be sold at a much lower price
were exceedingly increased to him (Major Layard), who did than that at which the Government had undertaken to supply
not have the information which the books at the Horse Guards the whole of the country with food.
could so minutely give him. Bat the effect of the clause of Lord J. MANNERS wished to ask the Secretary for Ire-
which he had given notice would be, that after three land whether there was any objection to grant the returns for
years these men now in the service should be allowed which his Noble Friend had asked? If that return was pro-
to take advantage of the provisions of this measure, porgy made, and it was in accordance with what the Right
always provided that they gave three months notice of such Hon. Gentleman had stated, it would be a complete answer to
intention to the officer in command. But he had a considera- what had been stated by his Noble Friend.
lion to submit to the Government. It had been said by many Mr. LABOUCIIERE said that the returns made by the
Hon. members of that House, and it was the feeling out of Protestant clergy ha,' been returns of the deaths only, but
doors, that promotion at the Horse Guards was a one-sided if the Noble Lord attached any importance to the returns as
opinion only, and no other ; he would have sat still and said showing the comparative deaths and the destitutionhienm Ireland,
nothing, but as it was the feeling of many, very many, of his he would not have the slightest objection to
g
feline/ officers, as well as of many whose interest did not lead Mr. W. V. STUART conceived that the -observations hof the
them so directly to the subject, and he felt bound now to say, Hon. Gentleman opposite were quite inoppo.rl.tuet,ou
r ntitetto
t.onto for for some
that it was his own opinion also, that promotion at the Horse sent debate, for if the returns had been
l
Guards was not impartial. Why, the Noble Lord now at the purposes, they were quite incomplete with regard to others,
head of the Government, in a speech which lie made in 1842, and therefore unfit to be relied upon for drawing any conclu-i
when the 11 ght Hon. Baronet opposite was in office, took the sions on which to found an opinion.
very paint which he (Major Layard) felt now so Mr. COLLETT said that as the distress of Ireland was
anxious to impress upon her Majesty's Government. The now before the House, he wished to make an inquiry
.
Honourable and Gallant Gentleman had quoted from the spect to the expense that was said to have been
_ incurred in
Noble Lord's speech in Hansard, in the course of which that the distribution of soup. It was stated that a hundred men
Noble Lord referred to the opinion expressed by the Duke of were employed at a pound each to superintend the distribution
Wellington, that the commander-in-chief ought not to be aof this soup, making an expense of 1001. a-week. The ques.
niemhsr of the Cabinet, in order that no bias might exist in Lion then which he wished to put was, as to whether this state-
his mind in reference to promotions. But (the Hon. and ment was true? Secondly, as to whether these men were now
,
Gallant Gentleman continued) the Right Hon. Baronet oppo- eng bed? And in the third place, as to whether the Right Hon.
site said, in enswer to the Noble Lord, that that would not Gentleman had reason to believe that, considering the great
make any difference. Now, on the contrary, he believed it expense incurred, the experiment was likely to prove sue-
(lit make a difference, and for this reason. He knew that cessful ?
many of his fellow-officers had a wish in the case of an election Mr. LABOUCHERE said he should have been prepared to
to stand upon principles which, till very lately, had not pre- have answered the question of the Hon. Gentleman hail he
vailed in the army ; but these gentlemen were not prepared to previously given notice of it, but this he could state, that at
rive up their profession. Why, he believed he was the only first the experiment was made by private parties. Perhaps,
officer on that side of the House, except the Noble Lord the while he was on his legs, he might be allowed to say, in re-
Member for Lichfield, on full pay. Now what he meant to ference to what had fallen from ati Hon. Gentleman opposite,
say was, that any Government laboured under a great that Government were fully alive to the:,
evil when the promotions, of which there occurred might present themselves in a sudden transition from the
seven hundred a year, were all in the passer of public works, and the Irish Government had accordingly been
a partizan. It was impossible in that case that those on his fully instructed upon that point.,
(Major Layard's) side of the House could have the same air. DILLON BROWN E would never
chance with those on the other side ; and that was unfair— come forward to assist Ireland while the people of that court-
very unfair. That was a circumstance which he believed try had an opportunity of providing for themselves ; but he
operated strongly against the present Government, which had really slid think Government ought to take steps for supplying
been been called into power in a time of difficulties, enough of which tenants with seed where the landlords
there were to contend with, barring any such additional im- not, do so. He fully admitted that Government was pursuing
public works when.
pediment as that to which he had adverted. He wished that a proper course in allowing. the present dem ands
promotions shoula be impartially conferred on gentlemen, Ireland to be supplied by private enterprise.
statedfQ rfoodthiatts
whether they voted fur or against the corn-law—that political In reply to a question from Captain HARRIS,
differences should disappear at the Horse-guards. But it had The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
been said that a Whig Government had earned no debt of gi a- all persons would be discharged from the
titude from the army ; what had they done for it? Why, ever employment could be found for them in another way.
much ; they had done much. They had abolished corporal Mr. B. DISRAELI said, it would appear that the depots for
punishment in the army, they had done away with the the supply of food in Ireland had been reduced from ninety-
enormous charge of five per cent. on the pensions. three to twenty-four, and yet the Noble Lord at the head of
and now they had introduced a measure for limited enlistments, the Government told them that the ports of Ireland were filled
so that now the soldier instead of being unhappy might look to with vessels laden with food, and a navy, to the extent of
the time when his duties would actually become a pleasure.— 100,000 tons, was shortly to arrive in Ireland laden with simi-
( The Hon. Gentleman was here interrupted by cries of lar cargoes. Now the question they had to consider was this,
, they were introducing
+' Divide.") He hoped they would net divide yet; he trusted were they not taking care of the stable when the steed was
they would allow him to express his opinion fully on a measure stolen? It appeared to him that what the Government
which he had so early befriended before the Government had was doing very much resembled that fable for having reduced
taken it into hand. The lion. and Gallant Member then read the number of the starvirg population, they
demands of the origi-
a long letter speaking of the hardship of a private soldier in the food into Ireland sufficient so supply
be extended to those at present in the The CHANCELLOR of the
British Army, and expressing an earnest hope that the benefits nal number of persons in want.
EXCHEQUER said the
signed " A British Soldier of eight Hon. Member's conclusions were based The letter was
his
~ .
service. (Many ofthe depots
• standing, who dares n
not sign name, which elicited ments.
years
the opposite side of the House, and among of reserve, and not depots of supply,
ironical cheers from For instance, the
e, coas-
tthel ) The Hon. Gentleman said the guard stations had been all converted '
measure +eight
into depots of reserve,
rest might treat such a signature with an but it was not necessary that they should remain
Member for Shrewsbury
of the
must tellwhat he knew to he too depots of supply, however, had not been
so now. The
reduced, but remained
ironical cheer, but he
dared not sign his name to such as they were last year. ,
i tfis
rsihnogu
il
Lid
the House. He knew well that no Mr. PHILLIP HOWARD suggested h •
a letter as he had read to .
to anythine opposed to the views of form a considerable portion of the food sent to Ireland
sold:er dared sign his name ,
hadread durstnot G - ,t in consequence of the great scarcity of by the
whose letter he
his officers, and the person .
he had trusted to his (Major that country.
reveal himself as the writer, but .
deserving
trite, that many alp:arlalr'
the attention of The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that a
• mitigation, bore upon the considerable quantity of biscuits had been sent, to Ireland.
the Government, and requiring
that ant scenes Member of ,SCROPE presented t e on from a place in the
wives of the soldiers. He was sure . e
ofs 'h h 1... '• . •
a- boron of Li against that clause in the Bill
that House who had seen the !.cart-rending
.tiara- . . ,for equal-
Layard's) honour- Another point
tioh when a regiment was about to embark for foreign service, ising the number of , .i.:IIL it, and the elective guardians.
Committee on the Bill.
on. , missioners of Galwayof the rate between
would agree with him that such a power was greater than the , Art HON. MEMBER presented a petition front the Town Corn
Government had any right to arrona e. But the RightH ' • ' for au equalisation
Gentleman the former Secretary
for the soldier • Mr. MACARTHYpresented VC
a pe i ion to the same effect as
beet) had proposed that the subject of education
at War (Mr. Sidney Her- ', the town and rural districts.
turn for a service long since done by the soldier. He begged The House
should be taken into consideration. That was but a tartly re- the two last, frtohmenthweencittyinotfoCcoor
to ask the Hon. and Gallant Gentleman the Recorder Clause 3 was agreed to.
for Dublin—(Great laughts r)—he meant the Right Hon. On clause 4 being proposed, us ktil,ii tffihnciosuti,t
countryi es which
to -

Mr. HAMILTON moved that the words "direct the
guardians of each union in Ireland to" should be left out; and
lin line 36, that after the word "appoint," the words " in and for
eaph union in Ireland" should he inserted ; and in hoe 39,
lioit the words from "Ireland," to the end of the clause, should
I ,
I omitted.

Jr.A S. O'BRIEN hoped the Government would not
accede to the proposition of thn Hon. Gentleman.
After a few words from Sir G. Grey, Mr. J. O'Connell,
Mr. D. Browne, and Mr. Grins, in opposition to the amend-
ment,

Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN said that those Hon. Mem-
bers did not appear to be perfectly consistent in their conduct
in opposing the amendment of his Hon. Friend the Member
for the University of Dublin, seeing the course which they had
adopted upon other clauses of the Bill, recommending authority
to be given to the board of guardians and not to the Commis-
sioners.

HIGHLAND SOCIETY of LONDON.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER su,)ported
the clause as it originally stood.
Mr. SHAW thought that it would be not only safer, but
much better for the efficient working of the Bill, that the ap-
pointment of the relieving officer should be vested in the Com-
missioners.

Mr, GROGAN supported the amendment.
Mr. LABOUCHERE was in favour of the clause ; it bad
been prepared with considerable care, and was the result of con-
siderable attention on the part of the Government.
Sir W. CLAY opposed the amendment.
Mr. J. O'CONNELL thought the better course would be to
consider first the clause relating to ex-officio guardians, as upon
the result of that clause would depend the whole value of the
other details of the Bill.

Mr. HAMILTON withdrew his amendment, and the
clause, as originally proposed was agreed to.
On clause 5 being proposed,
Mr. HAMILTON suggested that in cases where there was
no medical officer for an electoral division, while there was one
for the union, that then the burden of the medical attendant
appointed should fall only on the district to which he was
elected.

Mr. D. BROWNE suggested that there should be some
qualification test for the election of a medical officer. It was
very necessary that such should be the case, there were so
many unqualified persons practising in Ireland.
Sir G. GREY said that such should be the case; with
respect to the suggestion of the Member for the University of
Dublin, much should be left to the discretion of the
guardians.
Mr. MORGAN 3. O'CONNELL said that it would be
the most valuable clause, if it totally abolished the system of
dispensary practice in Ireland altogether. The appointment
was in the power of the subscribers, and they always elected
some one they favoured, even should he reside fifty miles out of
the district.
The clause was then agreed to.

On clause 6 being proposed,
Mr. G. HAMILTON moved the substitution of the follow-
ing :—" That in every electoral division of each union there
shall be a relief committee; which relief committee shall
consist of the guardians of such union, resident or having rate-
able property within such electoral division, together with the
(two) highest ratepayers therein, not being guardians of such
union ; and every such committee shall meet weekly, on some
day, other than that of the meeting of the board of guardians ;
and every such relief committee shall annually elect a chair-
man ; and every relieving officer who shall be appointed as
hereinbefore directed, shall at such weekly meeting report to
such relief committee any case of sudden or urgent necessity,
and shall have power, under an order signed by the chairman,
or such person as shall be, pro tempore, acting as chairman of
such relief committee, to give provisional relief in such case
of sudden and urgent necessity, either by an order of admis-
sion to the workhouse or fever hospital of the union, pro.•
vided there be room therein respectively, and by con-
veying any destitute poor person thereto if necessary, or
by affording such poor person immediate and temporary
relief in food, lodging, or medical attendance, until the next
ordinary meeting of the board of guardians, at which meeting
he shall report the case, and the natu:e and cost of the relief
so afforded, in such form and manner as the Poor-law Com-
missioner shall prescribe, and after such report shall give no
further relief otherwise than by direction of the board of
guardians in the case so reported; and the guardians of the
union shall furnish the chairman of such relief committee with
the necessary funds for affording relief in manner aforesaid,
and for the relief of those destitute poor persons to whom relief
shall be granted by the board of guardians, at such times and
in such manner as the Poor-law Commissioners shall determine
and direct. And be it enacted, that in any case of sudden and
urgent necessity at any period between the meetings of such
relief committee, and of the board of guardians, it shall be
lawful for such relieving officers to give such provisional relict
as aforesaid, under the written order of the chairman, iir of
any two members of the said relief committee, until the next
ordinary meeting of the board of guardians or of the relief
committee, whichever shall first happen ; at which he shall
report the relief so afforded in the manner, and subject to the
conditions hereinbefore required with respect to relief admi-
nistered under the orders of the said relief committee.
M. SHARNIAN CR AWFORD thought it was indispen-
sable that a poor person should have a surgeon to look to who
would afford them temporary relief, in cases of pressing emer-
ge•ncy, until their case could come, in the ordinary course,
under the attention of the board of guardians. He hoped the
Government would adhere to the clause as it stood.

Yesterday being the anniversary of the glorious victory
won by the troops under the command of Sir Ralph Aber-
crombie, at Alexandria, the _Highland Society, according to
annual custom, held their festival at the Freemasons' Tavern,
and never have we seen a more splendid gathering. The
cceasion was one worthy of all honour. The ;Chief of the
society, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, honoAred the
anniversary festival with his presence for the first time
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge presided, sup-
ported on his right by the Prince Chief of the Society, and
on his left by Field Marshal his Grace the Duke of Wel-
lington.

In addition to these Noble and Illustrious personages, we
observed among these present the Viscount Clifden, General the
Hon. Sir Alexander Duff, Lieutenant-General Sir John Mac-
donald, Adjutant-General to the Forces; Lieutenant-General
Sir James Macdonnell, Major General Sir David Leighton,
Baron Knesebeck, Hon. Colonel Phipps, Colonel Sir T. M.
Wilson, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, M.P., Sir Nicolas Harris Nicolas,
Sir Robert Murray, Bart.; James Matheson, Esq., M.P.;
William Hutt, Esq., M.P.; Colonel Matheson, Colonel
Kelly, Major George Hutt, aptain Christie, R.N.; Captain
Lamont, R.N.; Captain Jay, R.N. ; Major Dunsmure, 42d
Royal Highlanders ; Captain Wynyard, Guards ; the Governor
and Deputy-Governor of the Bank of England; John Mac-
gregor, Esq., of the Board of Trade ; C. A. Mackenzie, Esq.;
Alexander G. Mackenzie, Esq.; John Mackenzie, Esq. ; D.
Roberts, Erq., R A.; J. Auldjo, Esq. ; W. Judd, Esq. • J.
Beaumont, Esq. ; Sir William D. Ross ; H. J. Cameron, Esq.,
F. W. Caldwell, George Bain, Esq., 'Honorary Secretary of
the Society; J.l Tulloch, Esq.; D. C. Guthrie, Captain
Charles Forbes, George Forbes, Esq., Charles Sutherland,
Esq., &c., &c.
At half-past seven o'clock his Royal Highness the Chair-
man, accompanied by his Royal Highness the Chief,
by his Grace the Duke of Wellington, and by the
officers of the Society. and preceded by her Majesty's
piper, the piper of the society, and the juvenile pipers of the
Royal Caledonian Asylum, entered the hall. At this mo-
ment the coup d'eil was most picturesque. The body of the
hall was occupied by gentlemen attired either in the High-
land costume, military or naval uniform, or full Court dress;
and the gallery was filled with ladies in full dress. Under-
neath the gallery was ranged the juvenile military band of
the Caledonian Asylum. These boys were dressed in uni-
form, and during • the coarse of the evening they per-
formed several martial and popular airs with a precision and
an ensemble that would have done credit to veteran performers
We understand that they have been only under instructions.
seven months, but we have heard pieces of music by bands,
who had been under instruction as many years performed
much less satisfactorily than by these boys last evening.
Infinite credit is due to Mr. Burford their instructor. The
progress they have made under his superintendence is really
astonishing.
Upwards of 200 gentlemen sat down, to an excellent
dinner which was placed upon the table in the Messrs.
Bacons' best style. . _ _

The hall was -elegantly fitted up for the occasion. In addi-
tion to a great quantity of valuable plate, the tables were
decorated with various emblems in gold of? the military and
naval victories of the country. The side tables were also
ornamented with vases of beautiful flowers of every descrip-
tion, and on the cross-table stood the handsome " thistle
vase" presented to the Highland Society by the late Sir
James Hamilton.

Messrs. Sinclair, Browne, Moody, and Smirke, were the
vocalists engaged for the occasion. The instrumental music
was admirably given by the juvenile band.
Mr. Higgins, a worthy disciple of Toole, officiated as
toast-master. . . .

The cloth having been withdrawn, and grace having been

Sir GEORGE GREY thought that the amendment would
interfere with the poor obtaining that immediate relief for
giving which the clause was specially framed. It was indis-
pensable that the power which the clause proposed to give
should be in the hands of medical officers.
Some discussion ensued.

Mr. J. O'CONNELL wished to have a provision introduced
into the Bill to have the clergy of every denomination upon the
boards of guardians. They were better acquainted with the
people themselves, and the objects most worthy of receiving
relief.
Sir WALTER JAMES thought that some provision should
be made giving to the relieving officers a power analagous to
the powers possessed by some charities in England; namely,
that of giving immediate relict in cases of urgent distress.
Mr. SHAW thought that the relieving officer would, under
such circumstances, be placed in a difficult position, and it
would not be easy to foresee the extent to which such a prin-
ciple as the one proposed might be carried.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said,
that in the present position of Ireland there might
arise many cases of distress of an urgent nature, which
it would be the duty of the relieving officer to attend to
without applying for authority to two or three different per-
sons, The person seeking relief might under such circum-
stances die before llSSistuuce could by atrw-ried. H. thought
therefore that such a power was absolutely indispensable.
Mr. P. SCROPE thought that it was the duty of the Go-
vernment to introduce into the clause some words which should
render it compulsory upon the relieving officer to administer
relief.
After a few words from Sir GEORGE GREY, the clause
was agreed to,
On clause seven being proposed,
Mr. W. S. O'BRIEN wished to know if this clause em-
powered the guardians to give out-door assistance to the family
of a man unable to work from accident.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the first
clause did that.
Mr. VESEY moving that the following words be added at
the end of the clause—" Provided always that no wife or child
shall be admitted into the workhouse without the husband or
parent for more than one week, unless with the sanction of the
Poor-law Commissioners.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said, that
if they admitted these provisos, they, by implication, legalised
what was illegal now.
After a few words from Mr. Vesey, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Hamil-
ton, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer,
Mr. VESEY inquired whether the guardians had the power
to stop this practice?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could not
say that ; all he could say was, that if the guardians acted in
the way represented, they acted illegally.
The amendment was then negatived without a division.
The clause was then passed without a division, as was also
clause 8.

said,
His Royal Highness the CHAIRMAN said—Gentlemen, I
have a toast to propose. Her Majesty the Queen, our most
gracious Sovereign, and God bless her.—(Cheers.)
The toast was drank with Highland honours; after which
the National Anthem was sung, the solo parts being sus-
tained by Messrs. Smirke, Browne, and Sinclair, and the
band played " God save the Queen."
The CHAIRMAN next proposed the health of the Queen
Dowager.
Drank with three times three. Air—" Hearts of Oak,"
by the band.
The CHAIRMAN then, amidst loud cheering, proposed the
health of the Duke of Rothsay, and the rest of the Royal
Family.
Drank with Highland honours.
Air—" The Duke of York's March' =band.

The CHAIRMAN said the next toast I am assured you will
drink with enthusiasm. It is "His Royal Highness Prince
Albert, the Chief of 114 e Highland Society," who I am
pleased to say is on this occasion present amongst us.
The Highland toastmaster, Alr. Duncan )lacnaghten, then
proposed tile toast in Gaelic as follows:
" A Mlioraclut Rioghail Prionnsa Albert, ceannard a
chornuinn Ghaidhealaich."
It was drank with Highland honours, after which her Ma-
jesty'tpiper played a Highland air.
lYtice ALBERT then rose and said—Allow:me to thank you,
gentlemen, for the way in which ::ou have received this
toast. lam glad of this opportunity to express to you in
person the sense which 1 feel of the honour you have done
me in electing me your chief—the chief of a society, the ob-
ject of which is to preserve the nationality of the Highlands
—(Cheers)—the national sports, and the national habits.—
( Renewed cheers.) I have had the pleasure of visiting the
Highlands several times, and I can assure you, that the im-
pression that has been left on my mind has been most gra-
tifying.—(Loud cheers.) It is impossible for any one to
visit your country, to breathe the pure air, to see the beau•
tiful scenery, and to live amongst the simple and hardy
people of that country without feeling the most favourable
impressions.—(Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, I have to propose
" Prosperity to the Highland Society."—(Loud cheers.)
Drank with three times three.

....- -
Song, Miss P. Horton—" Follow Prince Charlie."
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the health of the Presi-
dent, his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, and expressed his
regret that his Grace was not present amongst them that
evening.
Drank with Highland honours.
Air, Mr. Browne—" Roy's Wife."
The CHAIRMAN then said, I have now to propose a toast,
in which I am sure every one will join : it is the health of the
Duke of Wellington, who sits near me.— (Immense cheering)
which was frequently renewed and lasted several minutes.)
Every body honours him.—(Renewed cheering.) Moro it
would not become me to say of him in his presence, except
that I hope he may still live for many years.—(Loud cheers.)
The toast was then drank with Highland honours.
The Duke of WELLINGTON then rose and spoke as fol-
lows :—" Gentlemen, I beg leave to return you my thanks
for the honour you have done me in drinking my health, and
for the manner in which you have been pleased to listen to
the proposition of the illustrious Duke in the chair. Gentle-
men, I have long had the satisfaction of being acquainted
with many of you, and of having the highest respect for your
countrymen of all classes and descriptions, more especially
for those who are members of the profession to which I have
the honour to belong.—(Cheers.) It is highly satisfactory
to me to have had the power of attending here this day,
and on all occasions when you will do me the honour to in-
timate to me that my attendance is desirable, if I have not
other avocations, I shall be happy to avail myself of any
opportunity which will permit me to pay my respects to you.
—( Loud cheers.) It is with the utmost satisfaction:that I have
witnessed the symptoms of your attachment to the illustrious
Prince who has honoured us with his presence this day.—
(Loud cheers)—and I am sure that you all appreciate his
attachment to you and to your country, and feel how greatly
your country must benefit from it.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen,
I repeat I thank you for the honour you have done me."—
(Loud cheers.)
Air—" British Volunteers"—Band.

On the motion that clause 9 be agreed to,
Mr. M. J. O'CONNELL said that his Hon. Friend the
Member for Waterford had an amendment to propose, and he
wished to know whether he intended to press it ?
Lord J. RUSSELL said, that as several Members had mo-
tions to make, he thought it would be better to postpone the
consideration of the remaining clauses till to-morrow.
The House then resumed.
CUSTODY OF OFFENDERS BILL.

On the motion that the House should go into Committee on
the Custody of Offenders• Bill,
Mr. E. DENISON wished to know what course the Go.
vernment intended to pursue with respect to this Bill, as it
appeared to him that it would open the whole question of
transportation ?
Lord J. RUSSELL thought that it would be better to take
the consideration on the debate on the clauses of the Bill.
The question of altering the present system of transportation, it
would seem, was to be discussed upon the report of one of these
Bills, and unless he heard from Government that it was
to be brought forward in another form, he should come down
on Thursday prepared to go fully into the matter.
Sir GEORGE GREY said it was highly important that
tht•se Bills should be disposed of as soon as possible, but still he
should be quite ready to go into the question of transportation
on Thursday, when it was proposed to bring up the report on
the Bill.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM was understood to say that the
Crown proposed to alter the present mode of transportation
without the authority of an Act of Parliament. He thought,
therefore, that the question ought to be brought forward in a
specific form, and he should be glad to know if Government
would bring the matter forward for full discussion after Easter?
Sir G. GREY said he should be extremely happy to enter
upon such a discussion, but it could only be done by some Hon.
Member giving a notice of motion upon the subject.
The House then went into Committee on the Bill.
PRISONS BILL.

At the conclusion of the air the pipers struck up the reel of
" Tulloch," which was danced by some of the gentlemen
present with true Highland enthusiasm.
The Duke of WELLINGTON then rose and said, " Gentle-
men, I have received permission from his Royal Highness
the Chairman to propose a toast, to which I am satisfied you
will feel anxious to pay every respect, when I mention the
name of his Royal Highness, our chairman.— (Cheers.) We
all feel obliged to his Royal Highness for coming forward to
preside on tnis auspicious occasion, when our President was
not able to attend in consequence of the pressure of business.
His Royal Highness is a soldier, like many of us, and has
acquired the greatest respect of those who have gained re-
spect by their gallant achievements in the field.—(Cheers.)
The Duke concluded by proposing " The health of the Illus-
trious Chairman," which was drunk with three times three.
The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, said that he trusted
the gentlemen present would not forget that he too, like his
illustrious relative, had been in the Highlands, and, continued
his Royal Highness, what I saw there I admired. In wish-
ing prosperity to this establishment I trust you will not
f aget that I have bad the pleasure of seeing many of you
before, and I may also state that I belonged to a Highland
regiment years before many of those now present wen
born.—( Loud cheers.)
Air—" Auld Lang Syne."—Band.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed "The Army and Navy."
Drunk with three times three.
Air, " Rule Britannia—Band.
Song, " Death of Nelson"—Mr. Sinclair.
The CHAIRMAN—The next toast I have to propose is—
" The memory of Sir Ralph Abercromby and the heroes who
fell with him in Egypt." Never was there a better soldier
or a more honest man than Sir Ralph Abercromby.
The toast was drunk in solemn silence.

This Bill also went through Committee, and the report or.
dered to be received this day.
GENERAL REGISTER:HOUSE (EDINBURGH)

BILL.

This Bill was read a third time and passed.
The other orders of the day were then disposed of, and the
House adjourned at a Quarter-past One o'clock.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE.—We perceive that the an-
nual benefit of Mr. 111‘Lean, the obliging and attentive
messenger to this theatre, takes place on Friday next, when
Belittles opera seria Norma will be performed for the last
time, to be followed by the Ethiopians' Concert, with their
irresistible Railroad Overture, and a drama, supported by
the entire company. We feel certain that his friends will
rally round him, for he deserves their encouragement.
THE STORY OF LILLY DAWSON. BY AIRS.
CROWE, AUTHOR OF " SusAw HOPLEY."—We have read
this work with deep interest ; an interest derived from the
nature of the incidents, the character of the principal per-
sonages, the forcible style of the writer, and her occasional
reflections upon motives of human conduct. In all these
requisites of a goad novelist Mrs. Crosse excels. Her cha-
racters are delineated with striking fidelity, and a thorough
acquaintance with human nature and the passions that shape
its destiny. Among the most successful are Abel White,
May Elliot, Luke Littenhaus, and the heroine herself. Lilly
Dawson. The last of these, Lilly Dawson, is a creation not
unworthy of Scott. The gradual unfolding cf a good and
gentle heart as she passes through situations calculated to
work the change is pourtrayed with consummate skill,
delicacy, and truth. Every portion of the work, indeed,
indicates powers of no common order. The story of " Lilly
Dawson" will place Mrs. Crowe high among the living
writers of fiction.—John
DRAINING WITH. ENGINE ASHES.—On the farm
of Daldorch, the property of Archibald Buchanan., Esq., of
Catrine Bank, Scotland, there are drains made twenty-
eight veers ago, and filled with engine ashes, which are
Mill in full and efficient operation. The depth of drain is
twenty-sixetoin inches,of
the
anddre theis wciudtt
three
inches
each
wide,twelve
and t feet.he
The
depth of ashes used in filling them is about ten inches.
The soil is a firm clay. These drains promise to be as effi-
cient half a century hence as they are at the present time.—
Cambrian.
DOVER REFUGE HARBOUR.—WO at length con-
gratulate our readers that the great national undertaking,
the formation of a harbour of refuge at Dover, is no longer
problematical. The greatest probability exists that the pre-
i sent year will see the works commenced.—Dever Chronicle.

Colonel KELLY addressed the meeting in a short speech,
which, however, was quite inaudible in the part of the room
where we were sitting.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The ladies."
ank with three times three.
Air, " Here's a health to all good lasses"—Band.
After this toast had been drank, his Royal Highness the
Duke of Cambridge vacated the chair, and accompanied by
his Royal Highness Prince Albert, and his Grace the Duke
of Wellington, and attended by Baron Knedebeck, retired
in grand procession, preceded by the pipers, ice. Shortly
afterwards
Lieutenant-General Sir J. Macnowszi.x.,K.o B.,said—His '
Royal Highness has commanded me to succeed to the chair '
for an indefinite period. Is It your pleasure that this Court 1
should now break up, or should it be reconstructed ?
The question of the reconstruction of the Court having been
carried nena. con., Sir James Macdonnell took the chair amidst
loud cheers.
The CHAIRMAN said that the present anniver-
sary, honoured as it had been by the presence of
the Duke of Cambridge in the chair, their illus-
trious chief, Prince Albert, and by the visit of his I
Grace the Duke of Wellington, must be considered the
most remarkable in the annals of the society. They had
also been honoured by the presence of many other visitors,
and the first toast he would propose would be " The health
of the gentlemen, not members of the Corporation, who had
honoured them to-night with their presence."
Drank with three times three.
Song, " Lulurity "—Mr. Moody.
Mr. ROBINSON, the Deputy-Governor of the Bank of Eng-
land, in returning thanks, bore testimony to the energetic
manner in which Highlanders had met the present distress,
and which reflected the greatest credit both on chiefs and
people.
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the national toast, " Clann
nan Gaidheal an gualaibh a cheile"—Highlanders shoulder to
shoulder—which was drank with Highland honours with the
greatest enthusiasm, and was followed by a reel.
The Cnantatast then rose to bring before the notice of the
company an establishment which was peculiarly worthy of
the attention of Scotchmen—he meant the Caledonian Asylum.
—(Cheers.) It was instituted in the first place for the orphans
of soldiers and sailors, and afterwards the charity had been
extended to others.—(Cheers.) He was happy to think
that an opportunity was now afforded him of acknowledging
the obligations which all Highland societies were under to
the honorary secretary of this, which must be considered the
parent society—(Cheers) —a gentleman who had founded
the Caledonian Asylum and many other institutions.—
(Cheers.) He proposed " Prosperity .to the Caledonian
Asylum."
Drank with three times three, followed by a Highland reel
to the pipes.
J. MATHESON, Esq., 11Lp returned thanks for the cordial
feeling of good will which '
those present had expressed to-
wards the Caledonian Asylum.lt a%•as
lith
e ()f theo
fit mostrs
valuable institutions which they possessed.
place, it provided for the children of those who had devoted

f?.

I

their best years to the service of their country.—(Cheers.)
It was the especial object of the asylum to provide for th
education and maintenance of the children of soldiers and ,
sailors. At the time when it was first institute >-'2! - 7
there was more urgent occasion for it than there happily
was at the present moment.—(Cheers.) Although now there.... J,IVEI
were, coniTaratirely speaking, few instances in which the
children of soldiers and sailors were left destitute, yet still
there were found many children of their countrymen in a
state of distress in this great metropolis. The object of the
Caledonian As)luir. was to train up these children in such a
manner as that they should inherit the national virtue of their
parents and of their country.—(Cheers.) Viewed in this
light he knew no institution in this metropolis
which possessed so many and so peculiarly interesting
claims to the notice of Highlanders as the Caledonian
Asvlum.—(Cheers.) He, therefore, felt more than ordinary
pleasure that it had fallen to his lot to return thanks to
those who had noticed the institution in so interesting a
manner.—(Cheers.)
D. C. GUTHRIE, Esq., in proposing the health of Sir James
Macdonnell, their Chairman, alluded to the bravery which
that distinguished officer had exhibited in many a well-
fought field, and more particularly to his celebrated defence
of the chateau of Hougoumont, at the battle of Waterloo, for
which he had been awarded the prize of bravery, which with
modesty equal to his bravery, he•had given up to another.
The toast was drank with three times three.
The CHAIRMAN, having returned thanks, said that it de-
lighted him on all occasions to contribute not only to the ob-
jects, but to the hilarity of the institution.—(Cheers.) He
felt that they were under the greatest obligations to their
secretary, who had always conducted the affairs of the society
with such order and regularity as to give the utmost satis-
faction. He had great pleasure in proposing the health of
George Bain, Esq., the honorary secretary.
Drank with Highland honours, and followed by a reel.
G. BAIN, Esq., briefly returned thanks.
Song, " Whistle and I'll come to thee, my lad"—Mr.
Smirke.
The next toast proposed was, "Chiefs and Clans," which
was drunk with honours.
D. C. GUTHRIE, Esq., after passing a high eulogium on
the character of the Chisholm as the model of a chief, pro-
posed—" Better health to the Chisholm, and may lie soon
be able to rejoin the Highland Society,"
The CHAIRMAN was happy to inform them that the Chisholm
was convalescent, and would have been amongst them on
this occasion had he not been expressly forbidden by his
physician to join the party.—(Cheers.)
Highland song by Mr. M'lan.
Sir Fitzroy Kelly, M.P., two sons of David Charles
Guthrie, Esq. and Thomas M'Gregor, Esq., were elected
members of the Society.
A cup of thanks was drank to Mr. Forbes, after which
The CHAIRMAN proposed the last toast, " Our next merry
Meeting," which having been drank, the band paraded the
room, formed behind the chair, and played several airs, after
which the company separated.

COURT CIRCULAR.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent dined with the
Queen yesterday at Buckingham Palace.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert, attended by Viscount
Clifden, Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, Captain Francis
Seymour, and Colonel Bouverie, honoured the Highland
Society of London with his company at dinner yesterday, at
the Freemasons' Tavern, His Royal Highness the Duke of
Cambridge, attended by Baron knesebeck, also honoured
the Highland Society with his company at dinner last
evening.

Her Majesty and her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent
honoured the performance of the French Plays with their
presence yesterday evening. Her Majesty was attended by
the Countess of Desart, Earl of Morley, and Colonel the Hon.
Charles Grey. Lady Augusta Bruce was in waiting on the
Duchess of Kent.

The band of the Grenadier Guards, under the direction of
Mr. Schott, attended during dinner at Buckingham Palace
on Saturday, and performed the following pieces :
Grand Fantasia from " I Lombardi"—Verdi.
Waltz, " Die Gemuthlichen"—Mozart.
Selection from " The Bondman"—Balfe.
Polka-mania—Kuhner.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester visited her
Majesty the Queen Dowager yesterday at Marlborough
House.

Sir Robert Ferguson had an interview with Lord John
Russell yesterday at his official residence in Downing- street.
Sir Robert had also an interview with the Right Hon. Ed-
ward Strutt yesterday at the office of the Commissioners of
Railways, in Great George street.
Count Schimmelpenninck, the Netherlands Minister, tran-
sacted business Yesterday at the Foreign-office.
The Earl of Devon had an interview with Sir George Grey
yesterday, at the Home-office.

Messr.;;George, Lacey, and Hoxwerth, with a deputation
of the Willow Trade from the Tower itimie.s, had an inter-
view with the Earl of Clarendon yesterday, at the Otlice of
the BoarJ of Trade.

The Ecclesiastical Commis,loii.ers for England had a com-
mittee meeting ye,terday.
Dispatches were received yesterday at the Colonial-,ffice
?tom the Governors of the West India Colonies.
Dispatches were sent off last eveini.g from the Colonial-
office tor the Governors of Sierra Leone and St. Helena

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHAMPION AND PYTCDLEY HUNT RACES.

.
MONDAY.
The Trial Stakes of 10 sovs. each, and 40 added. One

mile and a quarter.
Mr. Mostyn's King of Morven, 3 yrs, 6st......(Kitchener) I
Mr. Whiles's Infringe, 3 yrs. 6st 2
Mr. Smith's Master Downea, 5 yrs, 9st .. 3
Mr. G. Ongley's Maid of Athens, 3 yrs, 6 st
Even, and 6 to 5 on King of Morven, who made most of
the running, and won by a couple of lengths. Run iu two
minutes 30 seconds.

Sweepstakes of 50 sous. each. h ft, for two years old. Last
half mile.
Mr. Payne's Glendower, Bst 41b
Mr. Watson's The Sheriff, Bst 41b
Duke of Richmond's Nectar, Bst 41h

(Nat) 1
2

Even on Nectar, 6to 4 agst Glendower, and 2 to 1 agst
The Sheriff. Glendower snade all the running, and won by
half a length. Time, 46 seconds.

The Greai-Northamptonshire Stakes of 100 sovs. added, to a
handicap of 25 sovs. each, 15 ft, and 5 only if declared, the
second to receive 25 soya. Two miles.
Lord Waterford's Wolfdog, 5 yrs, Bst I 11ba...(F. Butler) I
Mr. Gregory's ch cby Euclid, d by Taurus, 3 yrs, 4st 7lb 2
Duke of Richmond's Halo, 3 yrs, 4st 10Ib 3
The following also ran :—Mr. Gratwicke's Doleful—Mr.
Pemberton's Best Bower—Mr. Ongley's Roderick—.sir.
John Cook nd The Magnet—Mr. H. Baker nd Hydrometer—
Mr. H. Nethercole nd Princess Royal—Lord W. Powlett's
Fort William—Count Bathyany's Tragical—Sir W. Don nd
Fugitive—Mr. F. Villiers nd Comme it faut—Lord Chester-
field's Bro. to Stitch—Mr. Greville's Mirmillo—Mr. H.
Hughes nd Moonlight—and Mr. Drinkald's Mistress Jean.
Betting-5 to 2 agst the Euclid colt (taken), 9
to 2 agst Wolfdog (taken freely), 8 to 1 agst
Doleful-100 to 7 agst Fugitive-16 to 1 agst Magnet—and
20 to agst Hydrometer. The Duke of Richmond declared to
win with Hale.—A very fast run race from end to end,
Wolfdog, by the most admirable riding, reaching the Euclid
colt a few strides from home, and winning by half a length,
Halo, being as far from the favourite ; Magnet, who carried
.11bs over-weight, was fourth, beaten a length from Halo, and
Hydrometer and Mirmillo fifth and sixth. Run in 3 min.
and 44 sec.

The Farmers' and Tradesmens' Cup of 50 sovs.
3 miles.
Mr. G. Cowley's, The Hackney, aged, 12st 1
Mr. 1. R. Cowley's Britannia, 5 yrs, 11st 41b... ...... ... 2
Won easy. Several others ran. .
The Open Stakes, of 10 sovs. each, and 25 added. Once

About

round, and a distance.

,
Mr. Parr's Icicle, 4 yrs, lOst 51b (T. Parr) 1
Mr. Ekins's Salopian, lOst 121 b ..... ....
Mr. W. Sadler's Fugitive, 4 yrs, lOst 51b
6t05 on Icicle. Won by a length. Run in 2 min. 21 sec.
The Queen's Plate, of 100 guineas. Two miles.
~.

Mr. Moore's Wolfdog, 5 yrs, 9st 121 b (b'. Butler) 1
Sir C. Cockerill's Duke of Richmond, 4 yrs, 9st 21b... 2
Mr. Fowler's Ranthus, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b... ... 3
➢lr. Wreford's Witsend, 4 yrs, 9st 21b 4

Mr. Pettifer's c by Epirus, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b
sto 2 and 3to lon Wolfdog. W'on by three lengths.
Run in 3 min. 44 sec.

Glendower is declared not to start for the Althorp Stakes.
Time will not permit us to do more than congratulate the
promoters and managers of the meeting on its brilliantly
successful commencement. The weather could not possibly
have been more inviting, and those who left the course
dissatisfied with the sport, or with the manner in which it
was conducted, must have been very hard to please.
The company wa, not only the largest, but the most fashion-
able we ever saw at Northampton, and it is with some regret:
t hat lie confine our list of visitors to the following briet selec-
tion :—The Luke or Richmond al.d the Ladies Caroline and
Georgiatia Lennox; Marquis of Exeter; Earls of Euston,
.pricer, Marcie, and Sotithqmplon ; Lords E. Russell, Dun-
cannon, W. Powlett, Maidstone, A. Let:nox, \V. Lennox, G.
Lennox, F. Fitzroy, C. Fitzroy ; Count B.auvany ; Sirs
George Armitage, C. Cuckerell, Captain Itous, 11. Pitt, W.
Forester, G. Ongley ; Messrs. Grevihe, H. Blair, Mostyn,
Gregory, Payne, &c.
LEAMINGTON GRAND ANNUAL STEEPLE CHASES.

MONDAY.

The Free Handicap of 5 sovs. each, and 25 added, was
won by Lord Strathmore's Beishazzar, 11st 31b, beating DI
Parkyn's Wilford, list 7!b, and several others.
The Royal Leamington Annual Steeple Chase, of 25 sow.
each, 15 ft, and 5 only if declared, with 100 added. 4

miles.
Mr. C. Bevill's Latitat, ]Ott 91b (Mr. Bevil!) 1
Mr. Preston's Brunette, 12st slb •••
Mr. R. H. Jones's bg by Glaucus, aged, lOst 101 b
Switcher (fell), Discount, Sam Slick, Grenade, Eagle,
Pullaway, Little John, Golden Rule, Canary, and six others,
ran. Won easy by three lengths.
. _ ..._ . .._.

—The Leamington Hunt Club Steeple Chase, of 10 sous.
each, 5 ft, list. 71b each, 3 mile., (14 subs), was won by Mr.
Ouseley Higgins's Chandler, beating King of the Valley, and
three others.

(RECEIVED THIS DAY.)
LATEST BETTING Al' NORTHAMPTON.
DERBY.

6 to 1 agst Van Tromp
12 to 1 agst Planet
`2O to 1 agst Liberator
40 to 1-agst Christopher

40 to 1 agst Pavilion
50 to 1 ngst Black Dwarf--t
1000 to 15 agst Oxonian
No others mentioned.
SEAS STAKES.
t Liberator.
Ea CUP.
ig done.

,000 GU6
6 to 1 agst
CHEST'
Nothin

We beg to call the attention of the patrons of the
fine arts to a collection of water colour paintings (formerly
the property of a gentleman well known in the artistica.
world, James Stewart, Esq.), which we are sorry to say are,
to be submitted for sale by auction on Thursday next, by'
Messrs. Christie and Manson. Works collected with so•
much judgment and taste ought not to be separated, and it;
is greatly to be desired they should pass altogether into the.
hands of some spirited collector. The drawings are of ant
important size (most of them) and include the names of De-
wint, Catterniole, Hunt, Rayner, Wright, Austin, and other
distinguished artists:—we have never seen liner specimens of
these great masters of water colour painting. We cannote
help recommending those of our readers who sineerelylov
the works of this extraordinary school to visit this exhibi-
tion on or before the day of sAle.
Sunday, about one
DETERMINED SUICIDE.—On ... _
No. 10, Bolwell-terrace, Lambeth-walk,
a gentleman of the name oflhP:facceih-elamni,ttreedstashiniegidaz
Itfaropmpearni
that the deceased had for some by running a knife several times iinht:O
dejectedt state. Mr. Thompson, :a
ill-
ness, and was in a very
i He lingered until ten o'clock cheat
a beenhihis
throat.
suffering
caved, but without f.ival kwas called in, who attended de,
surgeon, of Lambeth-walk,
night, when he expired.
Vulcanised In
in in
butler springs of railway and other
steel the
India-rubber rubber is now made use of to.
supersedecarriages.
Thursday will determine the value not only o
but,of admissions. Mtti
shares in the two patent theatres,
has announced some attraction to the playgoer oh Robins
k that day.