The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-21 00:00:00

NAME OF RAILWAY.

Week
ending

Arbroath and Forfar •••. • •
Bristol and Birmingham .
Chester and Birkenhead . • • • • • .•• • • •
Dublin and Drogheda.• • • • • •
Dublin and Kingstown
Dundee and Arbroath . • • • • • • • • •• • • • •
Durham and Sunderland .• • • . • • •• •• • •
Edinburgh and Glasgow •• • ••• • • • • •
Eastern Counties and North Eastern• •
Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr • • • • • •
Glasgow and Greenock. •••• • • • • • • •
Grand Junction • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Gravesend and Rochester•. •• •••• •• ••
Great North of England •• ••.• •• .• ••
Great Western. ••

Hartlepool .•
London and Birmingham, &e. •• • • • • •
London and Blackwall.. • • •.. . ••
London and Brighton. • • . • • • •• .• • • • •
London and Croydon ... • • • • • • • • • • ••

London and Greenwich . • . • •
London and South Western . • • • • • • • •
Manchester, Bolton, and Bury ...• • .
Manchester and Birmingham • • • • • • • •
Manchester, Leeds, and Hull Assoc..
Midland C0untie5...................

Newcastle and Darlington
Newcastle and Carlisle
Newcastle and North Shields
Norfolk.. ..... .........

North Union and Bolton and Preston
Paris, Corbeil, and Orleans • • ...• • ...
Paris and Rouen . .. • • • . • • •• • • • • • • ••

Preston and Wyre • • • •

Sheffield and Manchester •• ••
South Eastern ..... • • • • •

Taff Vale .....

Ulster .........

Last
week.

499
649
671
255
552
2,b82
6,365
1,764
744

a.„
2. w $
. g
c..)

128

15,299
688

677
3,441
1,094

5,280

357
529
620
222
709
2,061
3,280
1,387
672

98.5
3,870
5,185
14,854
2,513
1,560

408
1,068

4,858
456
1,440
4,899
1,249
656

Yarmouth and Norwich
York and North Midland

4,511

13,%7

25,60

787
2,310
668

4,285

613
3,110
5,2211
11,767
1,019
1,452

204
1,218
3,569
3,G67
330
578
3,122
900

RAILWAY SHARE MARKETS.
BRISTOL, nil• 20.
_

STOCK ExcuANos.—The sales ire— Bristol and Exeter, New,
11%—Manchester and Birmingham, Quarter Shares, 12—North
British, 24%.

MANCHESTER, FEB. 20.

STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are —Derby and Crewe, 2 15-16 p.—
Direct Northern, 1-16 dis.—Eastern Counties, York Extension, 1
p. c.—East Lancashire, No. 1,4) p. —Ditto, No. 2, 4 p.—Fleetwood,
Preston, and West Riding Junction, % p.— Glasgow and Dumfries,
ai dis.—lluddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal, p.—
Lancashire and North Yorkshire, par—Liverpool, Ormskirk, and
Preston, 31A p.—London and York, Ri p.—Manchester and Bir-
mingham, 79—Manchester and Bury Atmospheric, 6s. dis.—Man-
chester and Leeds, Extension, 3% p.—Manchester and South-
ampton, 14 p.—Preston and Wyre, Halves (A), 4% p.—Ditto, Ex-
tension, IA dis.—Shoftleld and Manchester, Quarters (No. 3), 274 p.—
Shropshire Union Railway and Canal, dis..—South Eastern and
Dover, Consolidated Halves, 17s. 6d. p.
LEEDS, Frs. 20.
STOCK EXCEIANGE.—The sales are—Eastern Counties, York Ex-
tension, 225. p.—London and Croydon, 22 —Manchester and Leeds
Extensions, 3% p.—Leeds and radford, 53 ‘i c.—Leeds and
Dewsbury, 16 c.—North British, Now Carlisle Branch, 2%—Direct
Northern, 21. 6s.—Liverpool, Ormskirk, and Preston, 534—West
Riding Union, 6%—Buckinghamshire (late Rugby), ss. p.—Cll-
- Junction, Is. 6d. p.—Grand Union, ls. dis.—Lancashire,
Yorkshire, and North-Eastern, 15s. dis.—Leeds and York, 12s. 6d.
dis.—North Western, 21. I Is.—South Midlands, 2w—York and Car-
lisle, 21A .

SHEFFIELD, FEB. 20.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—London and Croydon, 2214
Midland, Sheffield, and Rotherham, 34—Grimsby and Sheffield Ex-
tension, 2%—Ditto, Quarter Shares, 2M—North Western, 2/. l le.—
Sheffield and Lincolnshire, 3/. 9s.—Sheffield, Buxton, Leek, Pot-
teries, and Crewe, 158.—Sheffield, Rotherham, Wakefield, and Goole,
2%.

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, F. 20.
STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The sales aro—Caledonian Extension, par—
Northumberland and Lancashire, 16s. dig.

HULL, EEL 20.
Srocir Exenearaa.—The saloe are—York and North Midland,
East and West Riding, long—Blackburn, Damien, and Bolton, 634
Ditto, New, 2s. ed. p.—North British, Carlisle Branch, 21. 18s.—
Ambergate, Nottingham, Boston, &c., 23—Armagh, Coleraine, and
Portrush, I —Bradford, Wakefield, and Midland, Ms.—Derby and
Gainsborough, 19e.—East Lincolnshire, 2% —Grand Union, 29s.—
Hull and Barnaley Junction, 335. and Lincoln, ss. dis.—
Manchester, Sheffield, and Midland, 434—Yorkshire and Glasgow
Union, IN.

YORE, FIB. 20.

gTOCK EXCHANGE.—The sales are—Direct Northern, 2%—East-
era Counties, Turk Extensien, 1%—Ipswich and Bury, 8 —Leices-
ter and Bedford, 11. Is.—London and York, 37 —Manchester, Bux-
ton, Matlock, and Midland, 314—Newcastle and Berwick, 21%—
Newcastle and Darlington Extensions, 1014—North British, Car-
lisle Extension, 2/. Isis.—York and Carlisle, 21. Is. 3d.—York and
North Midland Extension, 32%—Ditto, New (East and West Bid
ing), 1014.

EDINBURGH, Ent. 18.
STOCK EXCIIANGE.—The sales are—Aberdeen, Banff, and Elgin.
36s.—Airdrie and Bathgatc, 48s.—Ayr and Dumfries, 40s.—Ayr and
Galloway, 388.—Caledonian Extension, 10irevt Northern, 4K,
—Dundee and rerth, 14N —Emit of Fite, 41s.—EdInburgh, Glasgow,
and Dumbarton, 175.—Edlnburgh and Leith Atmospheric, 29s.—
Edinburgh and Northern, CI. IL—Ditto, Newport, 255.—Ditto,
Lochgelly, 285. W.—Edinburgh and Perth, 74s.—Great North of
Scotland, 645. 6d.—North British, 32 (25/. paid)—Ditto, Exten-
sion to Carlisle, 575. 6d.—Ditto, Extension to Dalkeith, 6U —Perth
and Inyerness, 358. W.—Scottish Central,.l6 —Ditto, New, 9%.

GLASGOW, Fos. 19.
ST•CIC EXCHANGE.—The sales are —Airdrie and Bathgate, 495. 6d.
—Ayr and 'Dumfries Junction, r3fls. U.—British and Irish Union,
60s. U.—Caledonian Extension, 49s.—Caledonian and Dumbarton-
shire Junction, 49s.—East of Fife, 40s.—East Indian Railway, 245.
—Edinburgh and Perth, 75s.—Glasgow General Terminus, 12
Glasgow and Belfast Union, 43s.—Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ayr,
7634 —Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and Ardrossan, 575. 6d.—Paisley, Barr-
head, and Hurlet, 533.—Scottish Central, 16 lA—Ditto, Now, 93,j
Scottish Southern, 37s.—Scottish Central and Caledonian Junction,
30s.—South Midland, SGs. 6d.—Stlrling and Dunfermline, 475,

CotTNT LEON v. THE COUNTESS OF LUXIIO'URG.-A
few months ago, Count Leon, the reputed son of Napoleon by the
Countess of Luxbourg, brought an action against that lady for an an-
nual provision, and she and her present husband, after setting up as
a defence, that the Count was not the son of the Countess, were con-
demned to pay him 6,000 f. a year, the Court haviug judged that the
documents produced by the Count established the fact of his being
the son of the Countess. Notice of appeal against this decision was
immediately given, but it has not yet been heard. The Count had
also brought an action against the same parties, claiming the right to
an inscription on the Grand Livre of 22,000 f. a year settled upon the
Countess when he was only two years of age, and which he declares
was intended to be his property as capital, although the Countess
was to enjoy the income during his minority. In this suit he was
defeated, and gave notice of appeal, which was heard on Monday by
the Cour 'Royale. The defence set up was, that when the 22,000 f.
a year were settled upon the Countess, the illustrious person who
had caused it to he made intended it solely for her use, having re-
solved to provide otherwise for his son, to whom he gave property
when he came of age, producing 36,000 f. a year, which he had since
dissipated ; and also left him by will a portion of a sum of four mil-
lions of francs, which fact, although the intentions of the testator
had not been realised, the amount in question, consisting of claims
which could not be enforced, proved'. that the Count was regarded as
well provided for, without reference to the amount given to the
Countess de Luxbourg. The Court decided according to this view of
the case, and confirmed the sentence, of the lower tribunal. Count
Leon was in Court, and, from his striking resemblance to the late
Emperor, attracted universal notice..—Galignani.
TRADE AND NAVIGATION CUSTOMS' DUTIES, &C.-

Returns upon this subject have jut t been issued by order of Parlia-
ment, that show the total amount of duty received on imports into
the United Kingdom was, in 1844, 24,018,821/., and in 1845,
21,842,9171. The duty on wheat imported in 1844 was 673,8111.,
while only 82,9361. was received last year. Again, on barley,
204,804/. was received in the former, and only 83,2301. in the latter
year. The duty on living oxen and bulls was, however, 2,823/. in
1844, while it was 10,2691. in 1845, The exports of British produce
and manufactures from the United Kingdom in 1844 were to the
value of 50,642,3061., and in 184;5 to that of 51,471,060/. The total
gross receipt of Customs' duties was, in 1844, 24,138,9451., and in
1845, 21,860,3531. In 1844, 21,928 vessels entered inwards, em-
ployed in the foreign trade of the United Kingdom, and 21,042 cleared
outwards. In 1845 the respective numbers were 23,859 entered in-
wards, and 23,771 cleared cadwards. In 1844 no fewer thann,
1Z3,898 vessels employed in the coastingtrade of the United Kingdom
inwards, and 145,242 cleared outwards. In 1845.0,t
are
ds.
hers Were 144,906 entered inwards, and 158,454 cleared 0
We WI not surprised to learn that a strong w
olngsear
bienetenreexs-t
than is usually conferred on A fashionableonroe
G 's new ork of
cited in the ;ending world by
q esi4tfiorsn. of the position occu-
" Peers and ParVeT"-"
pied in En g an agreeable relief to the
English society by men eann-uof letters is boldly but fairly
discussed in its pag,:eL ms and follies of the
sprightlier sallies coucecf,tai.erde7:oiark4l theef
this popular writer over
gay world with which "
abounds.

MARKET: INTELLIGEN N
~scru(GFArno.m_Tthoe.dia,odn Nees Price,ntohebusines Cu
business transacted of
e/ted. ' !,k,41
„ar was limited, although there were sellatt I ire'
terms; the purchases amounted to only 236, gal. .
in prices during the ''veek Is per cwt.
REFINED.—Io-day there was no increase i ~
for Refined Goods for home consumption, altho 4w", -
ii
Lumps could be obtained at 62s 6d to 635, and br.
at 61s to 62s per cwt.
MAURITI us.—This afternoon Mauritius Sugars 32tiZtismag
little attention, and 772 bags at public sale wereoulyein pare
sold at barely former rates.
EAST INDIA. —This afternoon there were six public sales
of Bengal Sugar, comprising 6,098 bags of the white descrip-
tions of which the principal part consisisted, only in part
sold, and the rates taken were in some cases rather under those
previously quoted, but the brown and yellow all found
buyers at full prices.
Poi:raGN.—Since our last report none has been submitted
to public competition, although some parcels of Brazil and
HaVarniah have arrived. Holders decidedly have more con-
fidence, and prices being moderate a material increase in the
demand, it is expected, will shortly take place.
COFFEE.—Today there was little desire shown to operate
in Mocha Coffee, ar;d 530 bales at auction were only in part
sold at rather lower rates,
COCOA.—British Plantation has been purchased with more
freedom this week. but holders have been compelled to ac-
cept previous reduced rates.
TEA.—Although the consumption continues satisfactory,
still an improvement has taken place in the value of black or
green Tea •, which is to be principally attributed to the
large stock at this port.
SPICES.—This afternoon Black Pepper was more sought
after, and 300 bags of Sumatra at auction were sold at full
rates. 36 bags of Nutmegs in the shell were taken in at
la 3d for bold.
Sierarrs.—To-day several purchases were made in Calcutta
Ruin and is 9d to is 9id per gallon were the rates paid for
proof of good clean quality, with certificate. It is difficult to
purchase proof Leewards under 2s per gallon.
MOLASSES.—Prices are sustained for West India, but there
are, at present, not many purchasers to be met witk.
RlCE.—Holders of Bengal have been unable to obtain
better prices, although the supply at market is small ; there
has, however, been a good business transacted privately.
SAI,TrETRE.—Rough is still attracting attention, and by
private traty several parcels of Calcutta have been di.eposed
of at stiffer rates.
Ta.r.ww.—This afternoon at public sale 660 casks of New
South Wales Tallow were offered, and chiefly sold, but at
rather lower rates.
On.s.—This afternoon the market was abundantly supplied
with Southern Oil, the quantity brought to public sale
amounting to 250 tuns; the chief part sold, but at a decline
on previous rates of se to lOs per tun.

VEGETATION AND ZOOLOGY OF
THE OREGON.
Tropical plants thrive in parts of Oregon. At As-
toria, near the mouth of the Columbia, there are dense
growths of forest trees, which attain to an enormous
size; a fir measured 40 feet in circumference at 10 feet
from the earth: the length of its trunk before giving
off a branch was 153, and its who length not less than
300 feet. Another tree of the same species, on the
banks of the Unquam river, is 57 feet in girth.of trunk,
and 216 feet in length below its branches. Prime sound
pines from 200 to 280 feet in height, and from 20 to 40
feet in circumference, are by no means uncOmmon.
The woods which principally flourish are black psh,
hazel, dogwood, cherry, mapel, sycamore, fir, white and
red cedar, cotton wood, white and swamp oak, willows,
walnuts, and an unudergrowth of aromatic shrubs,
creepers, and clambering vines, with all the varieties of
berries, goose, straw, whortle, black, with cranberries.
raspberries, and currants. These forests are not with-
out their large proportion of wild game, with which the
country sufficiently abounds—stags, deer, bears, black
and grizzly, ashata, foxes, wolves, racoons, rabbits,
beavers, sea and river otters, musk rats, &c. A few
panthers still prowl about, and the beautiful antelope
ranges over the hills. " All the attitudes and move-
ments of this graceful animal," says Mr. Irving, "are
graceful and picturesque, and it is altogether as fit a sub-
ject for the fanciful uses of the poet as the oft-sung
gazelle of the East" In the middle section of Oregon
the buffalo is found. Of the feathered tribe, the tenants
of these regions, are the swan, wild goose, and brant,
duck, pelican, heron, and gull, snipe, curlew, vulture,
crow, raven, magpie, woodpecker, pigeon, partridge,
pheasant, grouse, and singing birds without number.
There aro few reptiles of any description. The rivers
abound with fish, if we may rely on the accounts given
by the " member of the Oregon legislature." The
fisheries of the country are very great, and foremost
amongst all the varieties which they produce is the un-
rivalled salmon. It would be impossible to estimate th©
numbers of this excellent fish annually taken in the Co-
lumbia and its tributaries, but they have been set down
at 10,000 barrels a year, which number I do not think
by any means too large. All the salmon caught here
are taken by the Indians, and sold to the whites at about
ten cents eac,h and frequently less. One Indian will
take about twenty on an average per day. There are
several other kinds of fish in the bays, rivers, and
creeks of the territory, of which a species of cod and
the sturgeon are the most important. The latter are
large fish, and afford great sport in a leisure hour to
take them with the hook and line. Of shell-fish we
have the crab, clams, mussels, and a small description of
oyster, In regard to the products of the field, the agri-
cultural parts of Oregon, or those of the first section,
yield wheat, it is said, from twenty to forty bushels to
the acre, and that of superior quality. Indian corn and
sweet potatoes do not thrive. Oats, peas, tomatoes, gar-
den vegetables, Irish potatoes, and turnips, have suc-
ceeded to advantage. Apples, peeches, cheerios, plums,
pears, melons, &c., may be yielded. An abundant
growth of grass favours the raising of cattle; the wap-
patoo, a peculiar root growing there, being profitable for
fattening hogs.—Survey of the Oregon Territory.

IM?ERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Friday, Feb. 20.

The Earl 01 Smarrxseunr, in the absence of the Lord
Chancellor, took his seat on the Woolsack at Five o'clock.
THE CORN-LAWS.
Lord FdI3VERSHAM presented forty-six petitions from the
worth Riding of Yorkshire against the repeal of the corn-laws,
and in favour of protection. The petitions were signed by
landowners, tenant-farmers, merchants, millers, manufacturers,
tradesmen and mechanics, and others in the townships of Gains-
borough, Pickering, Easingwold, and forty-two other town-
ships in the North Riding. He (Lord Feversham) concurred
in the views and sentiments of the petitioners, said he viewed
with alarm the measure brought in in the Lower House of Par-
liament, and they prayed their Lordships when the Bill was
sent up to that House that they would not assent to it. They
alluded also to the practices of the uneonstitutional body Galling
itself the Anti-Corn-law League. He considered that if the
sense of the country were taken, it would be found that the
prevailing opinion was in favour of protection.
VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.
Lord LYTTLETON requested the Marquis of Lansdowne
to pospone his motion on the subject of Van Diemen's Land,
which stood for Thursday next, to a future day, as further
papers relative to the matter were about to be presented.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE postponed the motion to
Monday week.

IRISH GRIEVANCES.
Lord CAMPBELL rose, pursuant to notice, to present a
petition of very great importance. It came from the inha-
bitants of the city of Cork, and emanated from a public meet-
ing held in that city, and was signed by the mayor and alder-
men and so many of the inhabitants, that the petition had been
charged to him 82. for postage, but whieh, by the courtesy of
the Postmaster-General had been returned to him. The
petitioners stated that they approached the Honourable
House most respectfully, and that, ever loyal to the British
Crown and the public institution, and mindful of the
pledge entered into by the Sovereign, that the grievances
of the people should be redressed, they laid before
the House what they considered a very great evil
—namely, the compulsory payment of a tax
called
" ministers' money." So little was known of the impost in
England, that since he entered the House
he had been asked
by a Noble Peer of great standing and intelligence, if the im-
post of ministers' money meant the grant of Regzum Donum,
which was voted to the Dissenting clergy by the Parliament.
Now, the petitioners did not mean to interfere with the bounty of
the Crown, nor was it their wish that the grant should in any
way be intercepted or limited ; all they did was to lay a state-
ment before the:House of the weighty grievances that affected
themselves personally. In the reign of Charles 11. an Act,
which he shouldi pronounce a very arbitrary one, passed, by
which theinhabitants of certain corporate towns were subjected
to iseividual taxation for the maintenance of the pastors of the
Episcopal Protestant religion in Ireland.
A Nosia Loan—Yes, the tithe.

Lord CAMPBELL should state that it was an impost
quite different from tithes, and one paid to the clergy
of the minority, by the Catholics and Dissenters.
The late Secretary for Ireland, Sir Thomas Fremantle, had
likewise admitted in his place in the House of Commons,
that it was a very great grievance. Now, after
SO universal a condemnation of this tax, the only
question for their Lordships to consider would be, what
means they should adopt to remove it. He was rather
astonished that when the Noble Lord opposite introduced his
Act respecting Church Temporalities, that this tax was not
removed at that time, for though the pressure of it was lighter,
that very circumstance made it a greater grievance. While
the former amounted to about 60,000/. the latter did not
come to more than 13,00 W. or 14,000/. a year, and for
that paltry sum it was too bad that all the
religious sects in Ireland should consider themselves aggrieved.
He,did not wish to say anything invidious of the Church, but
he earnestly implored their Lordships to take measures for its
removal, that the odium of it might no longer attach to the
Church. He did trust, therefore, that their Lorships would
look favourably on that petition. He did trust
that along with the measures of concession which
were contemplated, that the removal of this
would also .be included, for, under the circumstances of
that country, it would have a most favourable tendency. He
would conclude by moving that the petition do lie on the table.
The Earl of ST. GERMANS willingly admitted that he
had stated in the other House of Parliament that this impost
was a practical grievance, but he did not admit that it was evil
in principle. He looked upon it as simply a grievance of a
practical nature, and not to be considered as an insult-
ing act towards her Majesty's Roman Catholic sub-
jects. The Noble Lord was correct in stating that
the impost was eriginated for the maintenance
of the Protestant clergy in certain towns of Ireland, but the
Noble Lord ought also to have recollected that at that time
the Roman Catholics were by law incapable of holding any
real property, and therefore the tax fell exclusively on the
Protestants. It was only recently that Catholics were per-
mitted to hold property in towns, and they purchased those
properties subject to the payment of this tax. It
was a grievance of a much lighter character than
the tithes, inasmuch as it was levied on the
occupiers of those houses in those towns. The basis on which
it was levied had remained unchanged since the time of Charles
the Second. In Dublin it so happened, therefore, that houses
which in the reign of that monarch had been occupied by opu-
lent families, were now tenanted by the humblest families ;
while the rates had remained, comparatively speaking,
the same. The same held good in other large towns—
in London, in Glasgow, and in Edinburgh, where
an impost of a similar character existed for the
maintenance of the Protestant clergy. He had more than
once directed his attention to the subject ; and he had been in
hopes of being enabled to submit some other provision in lieu
of it. Difficulties had, however, supervened, and he was not
at that moment in a condition to say whether her Majesty's
Government were engaged in the considerations of introducing
any alteration with respect to it. He was not aware that
he had anything further to say ; he admitted that it was a
grievance, buts, he hadbefore stated it was only a grievance
of a practical nature and not one founded on principle, or in-
tended to insult the Roman Catholic subjects.
Lord CAMPBELL had heard with great satisfaction the
explanation given by the Noble Lord.
Lord STANLEY could answer the question why ministers'
money had not been dealt with in the same manner as the
vestry cess. ' The ministers' money did not ap-
pear to him to partake in the slightest degree of
the :nature of a personal tax. It had been a tax
existing since the time of Charles 11., and was levied, not on
individuals, but upon houses, and was as much a tax on house
property as tithe was a tax 6n landed property in
the country. It stood precisely on the same footing.
It was in no way a capitation tax, but was
an ad valorem tax. All house property was purchased subject
to this tax, and to abolish it would only be to put so much into
the pockets of the house proprietors, The d;fference between
the vestry cess and the ministers' money was this, that the lath r
was a certain tax, and the former an uncertain one. He ad-
mitted that the present mode of levying the tax was a defective
one, but he did not see how it could be remedied.

Lord MONTEAGLE fully agreed with the Noble Lord '
that ministers' money stood on the same footing as tithe. Ile
would venture to say, that of all classes of the Irish clergy,
those who had the most onerous duties to discharge were the
least remunerated. He (the Noble Lord) was not then going
to deal with the question of the principle of the law of tithes.
All he should say was, that it gave rise to a most unhappy
struggle between the pastor and the farmer, as regarded 'agri-
cultural produce ; for certainly distraining the furr!aure and
stock of the poor farmer, and selling them bff, by public
auction, was a most grievous proceeding. Now, the impost
of minister's money differed from titlr.es in this way, that the
former was levied under an old valuation, made as far back as
the reign of Charles IL, the consequence of which was that
the heaviest taxation fell on those parts of towns that were in
the greatest state of decay, and in which resided the poorest
class of inhabitants. His Noble Friend opposite had done
himself grey, credit by stating that, when he had been chief
Secretary for Ireland, he was most anxious to find a remedy for
the impost. Many of the clergy were obliged in consequence
of the difficulty of collecting the tax to give it up altogether,
and in such a state of things he submitted whether it was worth
while to allow it to remain any longer on the Statute-book.
He was perfectly persuaded that if half the ingenuity which
was bestowed last year by a Noble Lord on a Bill relating to
landlord and tenant was devoted to this question, it would be
satisfactorily settled.
The subject then dropped.
THE GAUGE QUESTION.
Lord KINNAIRD gave notice that, on Monday next, be
would put a question to the Noble Earl, the President of the
Board of Trade, as to the intentions of her Majesty's Govern-
ment with respect to the report of the Gauge Commission.
PROTECTION TO LIFE (IRELAND) BILL.
_ _ - . . . . _

The Earl of ST. GERMANS said that he introduced a
Bill a few nights ago for the better protection of life in Ireland,
and since that certain suggestions had been made to him which
he wished to introduce in the Bill in the shape of amendments.
He therefore moved that these alterations be printed, that they
alight be added to the Bill.
Lord CAMPBELL suggested that the Noble Earl should
withdraw the first Bill, and that a new Bill, including the
amendments, be introduced.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that the alterations were
off-a technical nature.
The Bill was then introduced with the suggested alterations,
and read a first time.
The second reading was appointed for Monday next.
Their Lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, Friday, Feb. 20.
The SPEAKER took the Chair at a few minutes before Four
o'clock.

Sir Ds;LACY EVANSNEW tookM EMB
the oathsand his seat for West-
minst
°fficeer, in the room of Captain Roue, who has accepted the
qt one of the Lords of the Admiralty. The Hon. and
01,11-ant Member, who was introduced by Mr. Bouverie and
Captain Peelle% was received with loud cheers on his entrance.
Mr. Goocu took the room of Lord Hethe oaths and his seat for East Suffolk, in
Mr. FLOTEX nniker.
their seats fer the cou artd Mr. Szymaa also took the oaths and
and Mr. Sturt. County of Dorset, in the room of Lord Ashley

RAILWAY BUSINESS.
Junc
Ation petitißailwwon asay Billnted against the Aylesbury and Thame
were orderedito be ng Rail
committed, Bils
vvvizere read a second time, and
ondonand Brighton Railway (Dorking Branch).
anchesfer,Buxton, Matlock, and Midland Junction Railway.
old Junction Railway.
worth and South Junction Railway.
General Terminus and Glasgow Harbour Railway.
Stirling and Dunfermline Railway.
Edinburgh and Leith Atmospheric Railway.
Bristol and South Wales Junction Railway and Ferry,
Windsor, Slough, and Staines Atmospheric Railway: •
Aylesbury and Thame Junction Railway.
The O'CONOR DON moved that it be an instruction to
the Select Committee on Petitions, that in all cases of Irish
railway Bills, wherein the promoters shall have proved com-
pliance with the standing orders in the House of Lords, they
do give priority to the investigation of the compliance with
the standing orders of the House of Commons applicable to such
Bills over all other cases which may stand for inquiry
before them, provided due notice of the sitting of the Com-
mittee for such purpose has been given, and that the promoters..
of such Bills propose to prove the compliance with the standing
orders, either wholly or in part, by viva voce evidence." The
Hon. Gentleman proceeded to point out the difficulties at-
tendant on the present system, one instance of which he
would point out to the attention of the House; it
was the case of the county surveyor of Westport.
who, having proved his case in the House of Lords, had been
obliged to go back to Ireland in order to attend the assizes, and
he would have to come back again, to prove the same
case in the House of Commons. Another case was
that of a friend of his, who having proved compliance
with the standing orders in the other House, found that there
were 184 cases on the list of the House of Commons to be
heard before his case would comp on, thereby putting him to
great inconvenience by the delay he would experience.
Mri . GROGAN said his own motion on the paper was sub-
stantially the same as the one the Honourable Member had
j ust proposed. It would bei:eu the recollection of the House
t hat at an early period of t
present both session b branches
of the Legislature adopted a resolution to establish the prac-
tice of commencing Irish Railway iti. MemberthHouse of Lords.
of
His own motion, and thatthe Hon
opposite,
was simply to carry out that measure raore
practically tic
offoctually, and cooing that it mulct facilitate rather letaeLd

the progress of private business in that House, there could be
hardly any objection to its adoption.
Mr.O'CONNELL could see no reason why this motion should
be confined to Irish railway Bills. It ought in his opinion to
be extended to all priiate Bi!la relating to Ireland, and he
should move as an amendment that the words " iish rail-
way Bills" be left out, and the words " Irish Bills ' be sub-
stituted for them.
motion L ord Go f
the Hon.
SOMERSET
Gentlemans d it was
co quiteuld
he
acceded impossible tthoa, t
andthhee
although no one was more anxious than himself to facilitate the
passing of Irish railway Bills, yet it was his duty to ask the
House to resist the motion of the Hon. Gentleman opposite.
Mr. STRUTT said that there were many parties intown
week had
who were the promoters of English railway ill
to pay hundreds of pounds pertotßhe
witnesses
ando
wh
whomo
his u
they had brought with them from the country in support
of their lines. The House, in opinion, should
ld deli-
berate carefully before they ventured to give priority to any
Bills of this kind, unless they received an intimation from the
parties who were put to expense by the delay that it was their
wish that the Irish railways should be proceeded with in pre-
ference.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member for Roscommon
had proposed that all the Irish Bills should have priority over
all English Bills, the consequence of which would be that the
agents of English railway Bills would be kept in town together
with all their witnesses, for several days, doing nothing, and
at great expense. Such a course as that would most undoubt-
edly cause the greatest discontent. On the other hand, the
Hon. Member for Dublin proposed that one Committee only
should be engaged exclusively in dealing with Irish railway
Bills. He (Mr. Strutt) should be disposed to give his sup..
port to the latter proposal.—(Hear, hear.) He eertainly
wished, before the House came to any decision, and took upon
itself the heavy responsibility which this matter would involve,
lion. Members would carefully weigh the question.—( Hear. )
Dr. BOWRING was proceeding to make some remarks
upon the motion, but was called to order.
Sir IV. HE ATHCOTE said that unless a preference were
given to the Irish railway Bills, the arranghment which had
been entered into by the House of Lords, which gave
such Bills the priority would be perfectly imperative.
The expense which would be entailed by the pro-
posed priority to the Irish Bills would net be so great
as represented by Honourable Members. Under those circum-
stances, therefore, he should give his support to the motion for
giving preference to the Irish railway Bills.—(Hear, hear.)
Dr. BOWRING said he was of opinion that everything in
their power ought to be done to facilitate the passing
of Irish Bills through the House. He considered
that it would be a very great advantage to
have the Irish Bills come down from the House
of Lords, after having received the sanction of their Lord-
ships, and he hoped there would be no delay offered to such
Bills, as there were a very great number of persons con-
nected with such lines now in town at vast expense. He
considered that such persons had a claim to be
first heard, as they were subject to great inconvenience
in consequence of the distance they lived being so much greater
than the witnesses attending on English lines ; and he hoped
the Irish lines would be dispatched an preffgence to English
ones, for the reasons he had stated.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM ( who spoke in' a very low tone)
said that he was of opinion the suggestion of the Honour-
able Gentleman was well worthy the consideration of
the House, as the state of Ireland at present unfortunately
required that some immediate steps should be taken. There
was also in Scotland distress in one district of a very serious
nature, and the proposed line passing through that district, he
(Sir J. Gaaham) was of opinion ought also to pass the House
with as little delay as possible.
Mr. B. HAWES perfectly agreed in the propriety of the
question just put to the Right Hon. Baronet the Secretary for
the Home Department respecting the measure which had just
been proposed by the Hon. Member for Roscommon. He
thought it was necessary that some measure should be taken, in
order to save the disadvantage which might possibly arise from
the Irish railways Bills being began in the House of Lords. It
should not be forgotten that great expenses would be incurred
by following such a course not long possibly before it could be
known that the Bills had received the sanction of the House of
Commons. He was aware that there were peculiar circum-
stances which would guard the railway Bills for Ire-
land, which might seem to justify the adoption of any ex-
traordinary course, yet he thought it would be better that
they should be submitted to the Standing Orders' Committee,
for he perfectly agreed in the opinion of the Hon. Member
for:Derby (Mr. Strutt), that the Chairman of that Committee
would be fully able to do justice to all the parties concerned.
Having passed the ordeal of that Committee and the Sub-
Committees, which were all composed of gentlemen, he thought
the suggestion might be adopted originating the railway busi-
ness for Ireland and Scotland too in the House of Lords.
He agreed, therefore, to this extent with the suggestion,
but he thought it would be unwise to pass any formal resolution
upon the subject. The gentlemen composing those Committees
would sufficiently perceive the feeling which had been expressed
on every side of that House, and the matter might, therefore,
be safely left to the Committe of Standing Orders.
Sir GEORGE CLERK perfectly agreed with the Hon.
Member that had just sat down, that it would be unwise for the
House to fetter itself by a resolution upon a matter which ap-
peared to him to be already sufficiently provided for. The
feelings of the House had been sufficiently shown to the ma-
nagers of the several companies and he thought it better,
therefore, that the Bills should 'be sent up without fetter-
ing the Committee with any resolutions of the kind.
Sir G. GREY considered that some measure should be
taken by which railway Bills might be disposed of without
waiting for the order in which they are at present arranged.
Mr. W. PATTEN stated that he had caused notices to be
given to the Parliamentary agents to be ready with their wit-
nesses on Monday next. The present number of railway Bills
had been formed-into 33 groups; and in the meantime the
various Committees would consider which project it was ad-
visab!e to proceed with.
Mr. FOX MAULE agreed with the Right Hon. Baronet
that a discretionary power should be given to the Committees.
In the case of the Glasgow Railway, referred to by the Right
Hon. Baronet the Secretary of State for the Home Department,
he considered that scheme should be proceeded with as early as
possible, in consequence of the distress which existed in the
parts through which the line was to pass.
Mr. A GLION BY did not think there would be any diffi-
culty upon the subject of the classification. lie thought it
necessary that the Bills should be proceeded with in their
chronological order ; but if the Government should arrive
at the conclusion that some particular Bill, on account of dis-
tress in the parts affected by the Bill, should be exempted from
the operation of this general rule, they should mention that
particular case to the House, and the House should then direct
and instruct the Committee to take this particular case out of
its order.
The O'CONOR DON then agreed to withdraw his motion.
Mr. P. SCROPE said that the present system of in-
quiring into the merits of different lines was very inefficient,
and required some alteration. Last session one line of railway
was 84 days before a Committn, and spent from 300,0001. to
400,000 i., and yet at the (ma of the session was very little far-
ther advanced than at the beginning. The most important
works were, 'under the present system postponed, and
of the discuseiori
tolife timeea
al
ed with
little or no opposition. The real fact was, that a Commission,
such as had been appointed by Lord Grey at
sesslon, should be formed, to analyse all railway projects
'placed before them, and they should at the meeting of Parties-
ment make their reports upon the undertakings. He would ask
the gentlemen of the House whether they supposed that the
average Committees of the House, consisting of five Members
each, were at all superior to a. Commission composed of
five of the most eminent men in the kingdom ?
Mr. GI SBORNE wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet the
Vice-President of the Board of Trade, whether the Government
intended to adopt any measures fottoded on the Gauge Com-
mission ? In their report he found a resolution to the effect
that a gauge of 4 feet -% inches was the most efficient. Did
the Government Intend to bring the sulijeet before the House?
Sir G, CLERK said that he was not prepared to say that
the Government was ready to make arty proposition at present.
The Commission had presented a very voluminous mass of
evidence, which was then in the bands of the printer. That
evidence would have to be submitted to the Government in its
printed form before any proposition could be laid before the
House.
Mr. HUDSON said it kppeared to him that the diffi-
culty complained of might be obviated by appointing
two or three additional Committees to take those Bills
into their immediate consideration ; but he would throw
it but for the consideration of the House whether
time and expense could not be saved by assimilating the stand-
ing orders of the House of Commons and the House
of Lords. After a Bill had gone through one Standing
Orders Committee, it was unnecessary to carry it through
another. Under the present system great inconvenience
was inflicted on the promoters of railways without answering
any national purpose. Considering the great number of railway
Bills before the House the assimilation of threStanding Orders'
Committee of both Houses would be of great advantage, inas-
much as it would save a great deal of unnecessary expense.
The motion was then withdrawn.
BOROUGH OF WIGAN. _

The SPEAKER said he had to state to the House that he
had received a communication from the Hon. George Lindsay,
stating that it was not his intention to defend his return.

ARMY RECRUITS.

Captain L AYARD gave notice that he would, on an early
day, bring on a motion for the better regulation of the recruit-
ing service, with a view to inducing young men of a respect-
able class in society to enlist in her Majesty's service.