The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-12 00:00:00

GROUP XLVIII.

This Committee met to-day at twelve o'clock ; Lord Coarte-
nav in the chair. _

laUses of the Caledonian and Dumbartonshire
Junction (Deviations, &c.) were brought up and agreed to.
GLASGOW, AIRDRIE, AND DIONICLAND
3UNCTZON (COWMAIRS BRANCH).
This Bill was next proceeded with.
Mr. AUSTIN opened the case for the promoters.

COMMITTEES on PRIVATE BILLS.
(THIS DAY.)

ROSS AND CROMAIaY DISTRICT ROADS BILL

The Committee on this Bill met to-day, for the first time,
in room So. 3S. Present Sir John lianmer (chairman),
Mr. Forbes Mackenzie, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Bouyerie, Mr. J.
Denistoun, Mr. Hastie, Captain Dalrymple, Mr. W. Baillie,
Mr. Alexander Oswald, and others.
The Bill was promoted by the Road Trustees,. Agents
Messrs. Cameron and Bain, Parliament.street.
The only petitioner was Henry Mackenzie, Esq. of Dun-
donald, who claimed to have a clause inserted, authorising
the construction of a road through his property.
The preamble was proved, and the rest of the day was oc-
cupied in passing the clauses.
WESTMINSTER IMPROVEMENTS.
The Committee met this morning in room No. 39; Mr.
Clive chairman.

The Committee were engaged during the forenoon in
agreeing to and passing the several clauses of the Bill.

A WEALTHY PAUPER= On the 19th instant a la-
bouring man, named John Jarmy, and his wife, wese,admitted
as in-door paupers at the Wangford Union-house at Ship-
meadow, and, as is customary, they .n
m
wereth' for tat the
taken to separate
clotapartments to exchange their own oT he g
e atron,h whoa was
union, attended by the usual oflicials•
that her pockets were
present with the woman, observingta
contained, to which she replied,
very heavy, asked what they
" only a few rags;" but this not
ccn
satisfying Mrs. Hammond,
she examined the contents, and found sewed up in different.
parcels, 1321. 45., consisting of 111 sovereigns, and the re-
mainder in silver; there were also three savings' bank books,
in which were acknowledged deposits in the Norwich Sav-
ings' l3ank to the amount of 160/. ; making a total of
29.2/.45.; there were found also nine silver tea-spoons, a
tab:a-spoon, and a pair of sugar tongs.—lpstrich Erpress.
SERVANTS BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.—The fist
annual .'meeting of this institution was held yesterday after-
noon at the Hanover-square Rooms, and the attendance on
the occasion was numerous and influential. Lord Robert
Grosvenor occupied the chair, and in his introductory speech
stated the objects of the society. These are to afford in
the shape of pensions, to infirm or disabled domestic servants.
It is calculated that there are more than 100,000 female
servants in the metropolis alone, and upwards of 1,000,000 in
England and Wales. Supposing that each of the 100,000
female servants in London were to contribute 3s. per year, a
to sum of 15,000/. would be collected thereby,be
appro-
priated
to the general purposes of the society. Although the
society has been only, a year in existence, there are upwards
of 1,000 domestic servants amongst the subscribers, and the
exirsetsepneecet,
committee have a sum of 1,000/. in the Bank. With
to another society of a similar nature at present in
his Lordship stated that they did not look upon it with any
feelings of jealousy or hostility, but that on the contrary
they would be delighted to see the two societies amalgamated
into one. The report was then read by Mr. Chester, the
secretary'. It stated that the donations during the year
amounted to 7751., the subscriptions of the members to 2.29[.,
and the annual subscriptions to 2011. Resolutions, confirma-
tory
tory of the report and in furtherance of the general objects of
the society, were supported by Mr. Hodgson, M.P., Mr. T.
G. Parker, the Rev.
AM. r.liowarth, of Sr. George's, Mr. G.
Berkeley, the Rev. Cooper, and the Rev. bit. Brown.
The meeting terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the
chairman, but we cannot close. our notice without recording
the fact that the main feature dwelt upon by the different
speakers was the necessity vhich existed that domestic
servants should themselves come forward in support of the
institution, and not leave
general charity of the it altogether dependent on the
public.

IMPERIAL PA RLIAMENT,

(THIS DAY•)

--
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The SPEAKER took the Chair shortly after Twelve
o'clock.
SITTINGS ON WEDNESDAY.
On the motion that the Committees have leave to sib
notwithstanding the sitting of the House,
Sir B. INGLIS wished to call the attention of the
House and the Government to the inconvenience of the
House and the Committees sitting at the same thus
on Wednesday. On that day many most lin'
portant measures were appointed for considers..
ton in the House, and by the rules that had been
adtpted it was compulsory on many Hon. Members
who were interested in those questions to be absent, in
consequence of having to attend Committees. ii
vast
for instance, extremely inconveniet that such tnessures
As the Mali and Charitable Purposes Bill, and other
important measures, should be appointed for considera-
tion when Members who took an interest in them were
compelled to be absent. He trusted that the overn'
ment would adopt some measure to remtdy the incoa•

venience.
exSisitredG.inGcßoEnsYecifuutlly admitted that great inconvenience
pelling the attendancneceoforif
miltee, and that it tended to an unsatisfactory discharge
vtohemermulbeerof:
uthpoenticoaueshe
Ccoornin:
of the duty of Members in the House. He deePlY re.
grated that the present arrangement should cause the
to
abzence of many Hon. Member, and would be glad
see some course adopted that would remedy the i 00011;
venience. The postponing of the sitting Of Committee.
on Wednesdays would be attended with great expens
to the parties, and he did not well see bow that course
could be adopted.
thator over,
wereexoctreeprte
offered
Mr. ESTCOLTRT did not see bow the difficulty !al
gotmtoatbteersday, and that be
by Hon.
must admit would in many instances be unjust. and
After some observations from Mr. Gonminial a
Ali. HUDSON,
Mr. GISBORNE ex d h that the Govern'
Haonfu.tuMreembers postponing
presse a ope
nient would consider whether it would be best for Se'
House or the Committees to sit on Wednesday. la
thought they ought not both to sit on the sarnedaY.
__.
Mr. JAMES thought that the best course to be Put
sued would ne, that the Committees should eondlecoel
their sittings on Wednesdays at six o'clock, and
tinue them till midnight.—(Laughter.)
ain 'ttees to
n
Leave was then given to the different ••---- °I
sit, notwithstanding the sitting of the liou§e•
REPORTS.
The reports on the following
Birmingham and Oxford Junction, and nirming a-
Wolverhampton, and Dudley'. ~ Ainalgeni
Railways
tion. Bills were hr°llgh.: lig;
• Valley
Dußffariyinn,aLyslyAnvmialagnadmaPtioornth. Cawl and Vinyl
E Counties Railwa (Hertford to Hitchin). A st.
Greatastern Northern Railway (Hertford, Hatfield, sad
Alban's Branch).
Llnyvi Valley Railway Extension.
London Sewage Chemical Manure.
Swansea Valley Railway.
CTION:
BIRMINGHAM AND OXFORD JUN
the motion
Sir F. TIIESIGER gave notice, that en pit'
for the further consideration of the report on
h she
should
miogham and Oxford Junction Railway, -e day si.t
move that the report be further considered that

months.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS. i.„d
The reports of the following Bills were consielere""
agreed to:— d
adalßirkenhe Commissioners Dock .Acts •Ittneet• cam
(Construction of New Docks and Alteration o
vert—Amendments to be proposed). Doi
Birkenhead Dock Company and Ilerculaneuni
Company Amalgamation.
Dumfermline and Cupar Court-houses. BIL
AGRICULTURAL TENANT-RIGHT
Several petitions were presented in favour u
Agricultural Tenant-right Bill.
MEDIC
ERTAL REGISTRATION BILL
o__
Mr. BROTHON presented petitions in favour
the Medical Registration Bill.
HEALTH OF TOWNS.
Durham"
s"
Mr. BRIGHT presented petitions from
,'
other places, in favour of the Health of TownsTownsl3
WINDOW TAX. • ;re. of
Lord MORPETH presented and
COraphone'l;f,
the operation of the window tax, and praying Tar
PIOUS AND CHARITABLE TRUSI d read-
Lord JOHN MANNERS in moving the vend that
ing of the Pious and Charitable Trusts Bill, lied the
his object was to repeal the Act of 1736, (3'l'
rsive of
Mortmain Act, which he would prove
the spirit of the law of England, and tovvtaalslysti
le bequeath
eople
with justice. From the Reformation to 1736, t
thought
of this country enjoyed perfect freedom to
their property to any charitable purposes they
to rem
fit, and it was only by that Act which he sought
which
peal they were prevented from doing so ; on f of the
he contended was at variance with every prinel
English law, which he undertock to prove to thP
Lord
bfcconsistent
le•The effect or
The Noble Lord then read several extracts froemeg
Hardwicke's life of Sir Robert Walpo •
sin Bill was
these extracts went to show that the llifortrattin
h bishops•
passed in opposition to the Church and e
dwicke
Here, then, they had it avowed by Lord Har ,
reading oft
who made the ablest speech for the second °use,. •
the Bill, that the great reas which induced rarliamen _
to ass it was jealousy of the Church and a desire of
lawyers to increase litigation. There was not one
word about the great evils which the preamble of the
Bill stated. He had proved that this Bill was subversive
of the ancient spirit of the country. It was rather as
attack upon the Church than anything else. He thuoghs
then that the House would agree to repeal this niost
chatitable Act, which had worked its full share of 11°.
chief. The • misc tevoas effects of this law were
visible in every part of the metropolis. Ask
the child of ignorance and sin in Manclicel
why does he pursue the pittlis of shame, and he el
answer that the pious intentions of charitable persoe!
have been frustrated by the operation of this Act. It
was all very well to say to a rich man, divest yourself or_
the wealth you intend to bestow in charity during yotlf
life time, but it was a very hard thing to syy tO.
poor man who could not thus strip himself, and whd
had no near relations. It is said that this Act gnorde
the death-bed of the rich man ;it did no such dill'
The death-bed of the rich man was still as open as ever.
Did it guard it from the undue solicitations of the each'
the pander, the mistress, or the prostitute ; the deflate__
bed was still open to every undue solicitation, et, Ve,
that of Christian charity. He could able that
d for
landed property could be as beneficially mane% et
the public as any other. It was urged that th
prevented the tying up of property in the Church.
,t_ Well,
oi
Didghe
for the sake of the poor, he would) ield to even?
arguine.."
the semblance of truth in such an
ovin•oluyldhceonesne
jnotyethdatfotrheaprcoepretratiyn
nsuombheegruehafthyeedaarslish, should
would
then sold for the benefit of the poor.--000111%e/
He concluded by appealing to the House, in the note
of the poor, the blind, the halt, and the lame, to ivh°ll
the Gospel was not preached, by reason of the banet
working of this Act, to grant him the second readiot
of the Bill. The Noble Lord then resumed his bee'
amid loud cheers.
Sir GEORGE GREY said that, upon a full considers;
tion of the principles of the Bill of the Noble 111.",
which was rejected last year, of the rejection of to!:
Bill, and of the principles somewhat modified of t°'
present Bill, he must still offer his opposition to tbe
The second reading of the Bill. Noble Lett.'
in his speech, had dwelt strongly on 117
Act of the 9th of George the Second, as -I
that were the Mortrnain W hy,thre bad
been a number of Acts in
.existence for many years Ptre;f •
viuus bearing upon this subject. What was the enee.,,ed
the Act of 17th George IL ? The preamble eher"„",,
that it was intended nut originally to prevent the she-
lion of land for charitable purposes, but to prevent she
evasions of Acts previously existing, which forbe
the alienation of property, and unlawfully disinherille,?,
the lawful heir. Men were clearly not prohibited frer;
giving their property for charitable purposes. The Poi
hibitions extended only to circumstances in which it
possible that they might not have proper legso
advice. It was clearly possible for them
sell the property in their lifetime, and
Give
the money for such charitable purposes as tu
might think proper, and so in compliance with the o_llll'
conditions specified in the Act to which the Noble ;hose
had alluded. The Noble Lord's Bill in the first clati.
proposed the repeal of the 9th of George IL, and in 1.11,_
following clauses proposed certain enactments which Wm'
fell short of the Noble Lord's intention. The RiglA
Hon. Baronet then proceeded to remark upon the
clauses in extenso, &bowing that they fell short of the
object of the Bill, and failed in law ; and added, he felt
compelled to oppose the Noble Lord, which ho did With
regret, considering the noble motives by which
he was actuated. He concluded by moving
that the Bill be read that day six months. He set
:
down amid loud cries of " Divide," and stranger.; vier"
ordered to withdraw, when
Lord CLIVE attracted the not!ce of the Speoher.
He said there was a strong prejudice out of doors, fos-
tered perhaps by the Right Honourable Baronet
the Member for the University of Oxford.
that in that House they sat to destroy Abe
old laws. It was not their intention to destroy thf d
laws, the legislation since the Reformation; they Would
only to repeal the Act 9th of George 11. But he won _
ask those who set up the bugbear, what had been too;
spirit of legislation;since the Reformation ? What wag
the policy of Queen Elizabeth, and those greo
men of her time, whose wisdom continued a landmarkl •
history, and whose valour destroyed the Arniade•---
(LEFT SPEAKING.) _

MARVELLOUS ESCAPE.—On --
Wednesday ev`.ltingA
justl after the steamer Wye, from Chepstow to Bristol, ita`;.
eft the finwer place, and was within about fifty yards
.0'
.being opposits the place where the miners are employedl,
blasting for tha works of the South Wales Railway' Whico
here crosses the river Wye, the alarm was sounded that
blast was about to be fired, and for the men to des_
out. The captain was unable to check the velocity of the
steamer on a sudde,t, and just as it arrived opposite th:
spot a tremendous explosion took place, resembling its
miniature liana or Vesevius, and attracting every eYe bYtile
brilliance and grandeur. Immediately afterwards, to
consternation of every one on board, a Shower of stones, sing
e
of .them half a hundred weight, fell on all sides oin",o
steamer. The terrified passengers and crew ran ;ie
holes and corners for shelter. Fortunately, cull pre
small piece fell on the vessel, but one large frarav!',,
plunged into the water just before her bows, and raised std
a spray as thoroughly wetted every one in that quart%
Had it fallen on the steamer it is probable it would ba),
made a hole clean though her bottom. It was a tair:icit
that no one was struck by the descending masses, vi were
showered thickly down on all sides. The passengers r.. 00
thankful to Providence for their prcs.ervation, and a petit* of
was signed by every person on board to the magistraysof
Chepstow, praying them to interfere to prevent the tiring
yq
a blast when a vessel is passimßetWeell 40 and sOttlert
were On deck wing% the eyeut tp9k rorcorerri—