The Sun.
London, England, 1848-08-09 00:00:00

THE SVN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 9, 1848.

The House then resumed.
REGISTER OF SASINES (SCOTLAND).
This Bill passed through Committee.—Report to-
morrow, at twelve.
MONEY ORDER DEPARTMENT (POST-OFFICE)
BILL.
On the motion for going into Committee on this Bill,
Mr. BROWN said that the Post-office would secure
much better officers if their appointment was left to the
Post-office, the Treasury having a veto with respect to
such appointments, should the exercise of that right he
deemed necessary.
The House then went into Committee, and the various
clauses were agreed to.—Report on Friday.
The House resumed.
FISHERIES (IRELAND) BILL.
The House went into Committee on this Bill, all th•
clauses in which were agreed to, with several verbal
amendments, after some considerable discussion.
The report was ordered to be brought up to-morrow.
CHURCHES' BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
PROCLAMATION ON FINES (COURT OF COM-
MON PLEAS) BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
POOR-LAW UNION CHARGES BILL.
The third reading of this Bill was postponed.
EXCHANGE OF ADVOWSONS (WARWICK
AND STAFFORD) BILL.
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
The House at Half-past Three adjourned to a Quvrter
past Five o'clock.

The House resumed at a Quarter past Five o'clock.
Mr. M. J. O'C',ONNELL presented a petition from
the ratepayers of a place in the county of Clare, com-
plaining of the operation of the Irish poor-law.
Lord ROBERT GROSVENOR presented a petition
from the Metropolitan Sewage Manure Company, com-
plaining of the proceedings of the Metropolitan Sewer-
age Commission.
Lord G. BENTINCK moved that the petition of the
shipowners, manufacturers, merchants, traders, and other
inhabitants of the port of Shields, presented yesterday,
and complaining of the Customs regulations of that
port, be printed with the votes. The petitioners, he
said, alleged that the ports of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
and Gateshead were placed on a more favourable footing
by their Customs regulations than Shields, because these
two ports were represented by Whig Members and were
governed by Whig corporations.
Mr. THORNELY said he felt it to be his duty as
Chairman of the Committee on Public Petitions to state
that this petition was before that Committee this morn-
ing, which they had ordered to be printed, and no doubt
it would be in the hands of Honourable Members by
to-morrow evening.
Mr. HUTT denied that any undue partiality had been
shown towards the ports of Newcastle and Gateshead;
but at all events he could assure the House that the
Member for Gateshead was in no way concerned
in the Customs regulations of that port.'
Mr. LABOUCHERE could assure, the Noble Lord,
that the regulations in torte at Newcastle and Gates-
head were ordered by him from a sense of public duty,
and in opposition to the expressed wishes of the Mem-
bers for these places.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. THORNELY said the petition had been placed

in the hands of the printer by the Committee on Pea.
tions, and would be in the possession of the House in a
few days. Under those circumstances he would, there-
fore, oppose the motion of the Noble Lord.
After a short discussion,

The SPEAKER, in answer to Mr. M. Gibson, stated
that the rule of the House was, that no Member could
move that a petition be printed with the votes unless he
intended to make a substantive motion upon it.
Mr. HUTT inquired of the Speaker, whether a Mem-
ber who moved that a petition be printed was not merely
obliged to confine himself to the facts alleged in the
petition, but was able to express his opinion upon those
facts?

The SPEAKER replied that it was not regular for a
Member to do more than state the substance of the
petition.

Thu motion was then withdrawn.
COUNTY COURTS—SALARIES OF JUDGES.
Dr. BOWRING said the Secretary of State for the
Home Department had stated in reply to a question of
his some time ago that his attention would be directed
to the salaries of the Judges of County Courts, and also
to the subject of fees levied in those tribunals.
Ho now begged leave to inquire whether any thing had
yet been done with reference to those two subjects; and
also whether the Right Hon. Baronet was aware of the
cause of the delay which had occurred in laying tne
returns which had beeu ordered in the month of March
last before the House? _

- _
Sir G. GREY said he was not aware that those re-
turns had not been laid before the House, but he would
make inquiries respecting them. With regard to the re-
muneration of the judges, an order in council had been
passed to pay them by salaries, and that order
would be published in a short period. As to the
payment of the clerks and other officials, greater diffi-
culty would arise, and as yet no decision had been come
to upon that point.
VOTE BY BALLOT•

Mr. H. F. BERKELEY said—l beg to give no-
tice that early next session—(Laughter)--I shall
bring in a Bill—(Cries of " No, no.)—then I shall ask
leave to bring in a Bill that the votes of electors for
Members of Parliament may be taken by way of
ballot.--(Hear, bear, and chpers.)
JAMAICA.

Lord G. BENTINCK asked if the Government had
received any intormaticn of xesolutions in favour of pro-
tection having been passed by influential meetings in the

colony.
Mr. HAWES said he had heard of such meetings
taking place, but he had no authentic information with
respect to them.
NAPLES AND SICILY.

Mr. URQUHART asked whether, in the event of a
collision in the Mediterranean between the forces of the
King of Naples and any late or present subjects
of that Crown, it was the intention of her Majesty's
Government to employ the naval force of this country on
behalf of either the one side or the other?
Lord J. RUSSELL—I beg to decline giving a reply
to the quesion.
STATE OF IRELAND. _

Mr. GROGAN referred to a correspondence in the
newspapers with respect—to repealers being allowed to
be sworn as special constables, and aiked if it was cor-
rect that the Lord Lieutonant had stated that repealers
were eligible.
Sir W. SOMERVILLE had no reason to believe that
the correspondence was not authentic, not having re-
ceived any official communication, he could not reply to
the question upon authority.
REPEAL OF THE UNION.

Mr. GROGAN inquired, considering the state of
Irelaud, and the expressed opinion of several statesmen,
that there was nu diffeience between the repeal of the
union and civil war, what was the opinion of the Go-
vernment with respect to the proceedings of those who
advocated the repeal of the union?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said, an association for the
purpose of effecting the repeal of the union by other
than constitutional means was undoubtedly illegal; but if
it was an associatiion strictly confined to asking the
House for a repeal of the Act of Union by petitioning
Parliament. The House had already received petitions
ith that prayer; there was nothing illegal in associ-
ating for the purpose of petitioning the House for a
repeal of the Union.
- INSURRECTION IN SINGAPORE.

Mr. HUTT wished to know from the Under Secretary
of State for the Colonies whether he had received any
information relative to the insurrection, or the reported
insurrection, of the slave population of Singapore.
Mr. HAWES had received no official information on
the subject.
SEPARATE IMPRISONMENT.

Lord NUGEN seeing the Right lion. Baronet the
Secretary of State for the Home Department in his place,
wiThed to know whether he had in contemplation any
measure of amendment of the gaol discipline principle,
particularly with a Tie w to the modification of the sepa-
rate system of confinement.
Sir G. GREY said that he had not any measure in

contemplation on the subject.
Lord NUGENT said, that such being the case, he
would himself move for leave, early next session, to
bring in a Bill on the subject.
CONVICT SYSTEM.

Mr. HUME wished to know whether the Government
were preparing any measures with respect to convicts ?
;,) Sir -G. GREY said that some preparations were
making on that subject.
SUPPLY—ARMY ESTIMATES.

The House then resolved itself into a Committee of
Supply, and;
Mr. FOX MAULE moved a vote of 123,800 L to de-
fray the charge of the embodied militia in Ireland.
After a short discussion the vote was agreed to.
• . NAVY ESTIMATES.

Mr. WARD then •rose to bring the navy estimates
under the consideration of the Committee, and was
(LEFT EirEAKING.)

RAILWAY COMMITTEES

(THIS DAY.)

lIOUSE OF LORDS.
GROUP No. 11.— MANCHESTER. BUXTON, MATLOCK,
♦ND MIDLANDS RAILWAY (Deviations and Branch).—
Case for the promoters and opposition of the Manchester,
Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Company further considered
After which the room was cleared, and the
Committee haring consulted together for a short while,
came to the decision that the preamble of the Bill was
proved. The clauses were then agreed to; and the
Chairman having been instructed to report the Bill, th©
labours of the Committee terminated.

ELECTION COMMITTEE.
(THIS DAY.)
DUBLIN.
The scrutiny into the validity of Mr. Reynolds' ma-
jority was resumed, but the petitioners did not succeed
Ln striking off any additional votes.

The first witness called was Miss Sarah Page, who .
stated she was a milliner, and resided at No. 18, John- I
street, Oxford-street. On the 20th of April last the pri-
goner came to her shop and wished to purchase a bonnet
and cap for a lady who was in the country. There was
a bonnet in the window which he approved of, but there
was no cap with it. Witness's shopwoman said she
could make him a cap that would suit him. He said very
well, that would do, and then asked witness if she would
give him change for a 201. note ho would paygor the ar-
ticles then. Witness told him that she could not give
him change, but she would send out and get it for him.
The prisoner declined her offer, and said he would call
and pay for the articles in the evening. He then re-
quested that the trimmings on the bonnet should be al-
tered. Witness's shopwoman replied, " I have
done so already, sir." The prisoner said, "Do not
call me sir, I am Lord Alfred Hervey, M.P. for Brigh-
ton." He then left the shop, and in the evening
he called again for the cap. After talking with her for
some time, he said he would pay for the bonnet and cap
if she would give him change for a 501. note, at the
same time producing what appeared to witness a note
for that amount. Witness said she could not give him
change. He then said he would send his servant for
them on the following day, with the amount of the bilL
He was then leaving the shop, and just as he got to the
door he saw a cab and returned to the shop in a hur-
ried manner, and asked witness to give him some
change to pay the cab. Witness felt in her pocket and
said she had only a shilling. The prisoner said, "Oh 1
that is not enough—that will not do." She then took a
sovereign and gave it to the prisoner, believing him to
be Lord Allred Hervey. He then went away, and she
saw nothing more of him till he was taken into custody
last night. She subsequently wrote to Lord Alfred
Hervey, who called upon her, and told her she had been
imposed upon.
Inspector Whall said from information be received he
went last night, with Sergeant Gray, to Park•lane,
and at the corner of Great Stanhope street he saw the
prisoner in conversation with a female. Witness crossed
over to him, and asked him if he was Lord Alfred
Hervey. The prisoner said, " No, lam not." Witness
then told him who he was, and took him into custody.
Last witness, who was present at the time, im-
mediately identified the prisoner as the per-
son who had obtained money from her. The
prisoner had a plain r signet-ring "with au embossed
shank, which he threw away. Witness picked
it up, and, with the assistance of Sergeant Gray, took
the prisoner to the station, where he was searched, and
two sealed letters found upon him. Witness also found
a memorandum, by which it appeared that the prisoner
had appointed to meet three ladies, at different times the
same evening, at the same place, where witness took him
into custody. He also found a flash note for 50L, and the
letter produced, of which the following is a copy:—
" Belgrave-square, Aug. 9.
" Effie,—Providing it is consistent with your con-

,
venience to speak to a gentleman in the firsi instance
this evening, at half-past nine b'cicck, in Great Stan-
hope-street, probably you may hear something to suit you.
" P.S.—Bring this note in your hand, that the gentle-
man may know you. Should the weather prove unpro-
pitious, come in a cab and wait there.
" To Effie, Haynes's Library, Frith-street, Soho?'
Witness added that this letter was an answer to an ad-
vertisement which appeared in the Times, and he had as
certained the prisoner was in the habit of answering ad-
vertisements where ladies applied for situations. If pri-
soner was remanded, Lord Hervey would be in attend-
ance to give evidence against him.
The prisoner was then remanded for a week.

MALTA.

In consequence of the rapid approach of cholera
the following regulations have been issued by the Health
Office of this island, as to the duration of quarantine
on vessels from Egypt, Syria, Constantinople, the
Dardanelles, Smyrna, and all other Ottoman ports or
islands :

1. All ships, without distinction, must perform a qua-
rantine of fifteen days in port, and be obliged to dis-
charge non-susceptible goods into the Lazaretto.
2. Passengers from any of the above•named ports or
places will perform twelve days' quarantine.
3. Susceptible goods must be dhchargtd into the Laza-
retto, and subjected to purification for twenty days.
4. Any vessel arriving under graver circumstances
will be dealt with according to the deliberation of the
Sanitary Council of November 8, 1847.

NEW SOUTH WALES.

We have received files of papers from Sydney, from
March 9th to April 10th. On Tuesday the 22d March,
the Legislative Council was opened by a commission
consisting of the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-
General, and the Colonial Treasurer, the Governor's
attendance being prevented from the recent loss suffered
in his family.
_ _

The address of his Excellency is a document pf public
importance.
The addresi is as follows:

" Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Legislative
Council—l have called you together at this early pe-
riod of the year, in consequence of the approaching
dissolution of the Council. I am happy, therefore, to
believe that, whilst this arrangement will allow ample
time for the business of the session, it will equally suit
your convenience.
"It is consolatory to reflect that, notwithstanding
the commercial depression which prevails to so great
an extent in the mother country, and the consequent
low prices of colonial produce iu that market, the
chief resources of this colony have continued to in-
crease in a manner alike rapid and surprising. The
exports of wool, its main staple, reached in the past
year the large quantity of upwards of twenty-
two millions of pounds, of the official %slue of 1,260,0001.
being an increase on the previous year, exceeding five
millions seven hundred thousand pounds in weight, and
equal to the whole export of that article in the year 1838.
The export of tallow in 1847 was 65,000 cwt., ut the
official value of 107,0001, being an increase on the pre-
vious year of 49,000 cwt.
"It is our privilege to continue to enjoy, under the
blessing of Divine Providence, a great superabundance
of all the necessaries of life, of the best quality, and pro-
curable at very moderate prices.
" Although the advanced, and still rising price of
agricultural and pastoral labour, _consequent on its
scarcity, has lately pressed so severely on the employers,
it has, on the other hand, been the source of highly-re-
munerative employment to the working classes; but as
no community in the aggregate can long continue to be
prosperous when the fair profits of' the-capitalists are
liable to be absorbed in the payment of an excessive, or
a disproportionate rate of wages, I have endeavoured by
seeking fresh supplies of labour from the mother coun-
try, 'to restore that equilibrium, the maintenance of
which between the two classes is so essential to the ge-
neral, as well as to their mutual welfare.
" The anticipations which 1 entertained in my last
opening address to the council have, I am glad to say,
been fully realized.
" The whole of the land and emigration debentures
have been paid off, and; the territorial revenue has
exhibited so prosperous a state as to enable me to request
her Majesty's- Government to-send out to the colony an
addition to the 5,000 statute adults already promised,
and of whom the two first ship loads lately arrived in
the Hyderabad and Lady Peel, an equal number in the
ensuing season. There is every prospect that the whole
of this immigration may be effected without the necessity
of incurring any debt. The territorial revenue will
thus remain available as a security for,raising any addi-
tional labour which circumstances may render expedient.
The emigrants now in progress of arriving are to be
selected equally from the three great divisions of the
United Kingdom.
" They are also to be equally divided between the
Sydney and Port Philip districts, and the expense
charged according, so that each district will receive the
number for which it pays. I will cause to have im-
mediately laid before you the correspondence which has
taken place on the subject with her Majesty's
Government and the Land and Emigration Commis-
sioners.
" Connected with the supply of labour to the colony,
I will also cause to be laid before you a dispatch from
the Right Hon. Earl Grey, setting forth the terms on
which her Majesty's Government will be disposed to
send out exiles and ticket.of-leave holders, to be subse-
quently followed by their wives and families, and by a
number of free emigrants. equal to the number of such
exiles and ticket-of-leave holders, at the expense of the
British Treasury. This proposal is made subject to the
concurrence of the Legislative Council, and I accord-
ingly recommend it to. your early and attentive consi-
deration.
" Immediately on receipt of Earl Grey's dispatch, No.
203, of 31st July, 1847, I considered it my duty to cause
it to be published for general information. It communi-
cates the important decision at which her Majesty's Go-
vernment have arrived, of proposing to Parliament the
erection of the district of Port Philip into a separate
colony, under the designation of Victoria. It also com-
municates the intention of her Majesty's Government
with respect to some important alterations in the consti-
tution of this and the neighbouring colonies.
"The usual abstracts of receipt and expenditure for
the past year will be forthwith laid before you.
" lam happy to be able to say that the revenue con-
tinues in a very prosperous state. The collections in
1847 show a considerable increase on the previous year,
particularly in the district of Port Philip. The estimates
are in course of preparation, and will be presented to you
on as early a day as possible.
"In conformity with my previous expressed inten-
tions, I have appointed a board to superintend the
temporal regulation of the denominational schools, sup-
ported in whole or in part from the public funds, leav-
ing.. as heretofore. the religious instruction of the
children in these schools entirely under the direction of
the clergymen of the different denominations to which
they respectively belong; I have also appointed a sepa-
rate board- to superintend the schools to be established
on Lord Stanley's national system. I confidently ex-
pect that the appointment of these boards may be at-
tended with beneficial results as regards the general
education of the people; but I am fully aware that much
is required )et to be done in this respect beyond
the settled districts, and it is my intention, therefore, on
submitting the estimates, to propose to you an appro-
priation for this purpose from the produce of the revenue
arising from the assessment on stock in these localities.
" I have received a dispatch from the Right Hon. the
Secretary of State on the subject of establishing steam
communication between England and this colony, by way
of the Cape of Good Hope, and by means of vessels fitted
with auxiliary screw propellers. This dispatch will also
be laid before you. The great importance of a speedy
introduction of any means to effect a certain and rapid
postal communication with England is so obvious, that
it is only requisite for me to recommend the subject to
your further attentive consideration, and to repeat the
expression of my willingness to co-operate with you to
the utmost of my power in devising the means of speedily
accomplishing this most desirable object.
"I will also cause to be laid before you a dispatch from
the Secretary of State conveying to me the authority of
her Majesty's Government to introduce a measure autho-
rising the employment of the funds of the savings' bank,
in the prosecution of any public works of general utility.
This will place at the disposal of the Government
a fund which, so soon as the state of the labour market
will allow, may be very usefully employed in facilitating
the means of communication between the different parts
of the colony, and will enable the depositors in the sav-
ings' bank to enjoy a moderate rate of interest on their
earnings. A Bill for this purpose will be presented to
you on an early day.
" It will be my further duty to place before you some
of the dispatches on subjects of interest to the colony,
which I have received from her Majesty's Principal Se-
cretary of State for the Colonial Department. Among
them is one transmitting a aeries of reports relating to
the project of constructing a railway .from Halifax to
Quebec. His Lordship directs particular attention to
one of these reports on the result of experience in the
United States of America with regard to wooden rail-
ways, and points out the great importance of establishing
such means of communication at the earliest possible
period in this colony.
" I shall avail myself from time to dine of the usual
medium of conferring with you by message on any other
subjects of importance, which it may be necessary to
communicate to you. "CHAS. A. FITZ ROY.
" Sydney, 21st March,

The Adelphi company continues its extraordinary
career of success at the flavmarket Theatre. The ink of
rank and fashion Right patronize the performances which
are justly so popular. The Flowers of the Forest and Timing
the Tartar have been the attractions this week, and we under-
stand Mr. Webster intends to extend the original period of
24 nights to 12 nights more.
Mr. Webster performs at Birmingham on Friday
in Lavater the Physiognomist, and Who's Your Friend?—
at Leamington on Saturday in Used Up and The Maid of
Croissy.
THE CLEIMENVELL Muanan.—Yesterday evening
the jury empannelled in this ease proceeded to view the
body of the deceased Amelia Merrick, which lies at
present at St. Luke's Hospital, City•road. The in-
quiry
has been adjourned until this afternoon, to give
time for the post mortens examination. The prisoner
has been remanded for a week until the coroner's inquest
is over.
On Friday a sleeper was thrown—across a part of
the railway near Cashel, by some evil disposed person.. It
smashed the protectors of the train which drove up, but for-
tunately no other injury was sustained.
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, Axgust e.
LEGACY DUTIES.
Mr. RAPHAEL then rose to move for leave to bring in a
Bill to exempt from legacy duties all charitable bequests, not
to private individuals, but to public bodies. His main object
in coming into Parliament was to introduce this Bill, and if
it should be carried he would then accept the Chiltern Hun-
dreds.—(Laughter.) He implored her Majesty's Govern-
ment, on his trended knees, to pass this measure. He could
assure the Noble Lord that in doing so he would immorta-
lise himself. The sam at present raised from the duty on
legacies to charities did not exceed 15,0001. per annum, and
he asked the Government, if for such a paltry sum as
that a country like Great Britain ought to maintain such an
impost ?
Lord R. GROSVENOR, in seconding the motion, called
upon the Government to allow the Bill to pass. The legacy
duties in a great many instances were the means of
pre-
venting the full development of some of our finest insti-
tutions.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that if
he consented to the remission of one duty because it was
small, he would be called upon to give up others on the
same ground. He had already this year given up the copper
duty. He highly appreciated his Honourable Friend's mo-
tives in bringing the subject forward, but he could not con-
sent to the concession that was demanded. He doubted it
his Hon. Friend had not underrated the amount when he
fixed it at 15,000/., but whether the sum was small or large,
' while the income was less than the expenditure it was not a
time to ask him to forego any revenue whatever. After all,
a very large portion of these charities were of a vet), absurd
character, and those parties who left money to them could
also easily leave money to pay the legacy duty. Some of the
char./lies were not only ridiculous in themselves, but, perhaps,
were prejudicial to the public interest He would nut object
to his Hon. Friend laying his Pill on the table, but it must
not be inferred from that he would at all support it, His
Hon. Friend had given one very strong reason for the oppo-
sition of the Government to the Bill, and that was his an-
nouncement respecting the Chiltern Hundreds. On that

account he should oppose the Bill, rather than run the risk
at losing his Honourable Friend's supi,ort to the Govern-
ment.—(Laughter.)
Mr. DUNCAN regretted the decision of the Right Hon.
Gentleman. The Dundee Infirmary, some time ago, had
almost suspjnded its operation, and would have done so but
for the timely assistance of a Noble Lord. Since that time
a legacy of 10,000/. had been left by a Dundee merchant
to the institution ; and ont of that nearly 1,0101. had to be
paid for duty. At the time the institution was greatly in
want of funds, and a memorial was sent to the Treasury on
the subject, but without effect.
Lord G. BENTINCK would take leave to ask the Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer whether he did not think that
50,0001. a year would have been better bestowed, had it
been spred in order to relieve cl.ariies from a tax im-
posed upon them, than 50,0001. flung away upon the re-
mission of the copper duties, or i i that of the corn cluties
whilst Parliament was sitting? The tax evidently operated
as a discouragement to thus:: who wished to benefit
cha-
ritable instituiions.

Sir DE LACY EVANS supported the Bill. The Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer night as well go to the hospitals and
turn away one or two hundred persons, requiring them to
hand over the proceeds of their subscriptions to Government,
as persist in levying this tax.
Mr. HUME said that in Scotland there was a strong feel-
ing in favour of this Bill. :No money was better devoted than
that which was applied to the maintenance of institutions for
the relief of those overtaken by disease or violent injury,
against which they c,aild not guard, and he thought it was
but a heartless proceeding in the Government to snatch at
the income of such institutions. 1% by should the devisee of
land pass without a tax, whilst legacies of money or other
prope, ty were subjected to one ? He trusted that the com-
mon sense and feeling of justice of the people would ere long
lead them to see the inequality and injustice of the law, and
that the odious wrong would be redressed.— (Hear.)
After a few wards from Sir C. BURRELL,
Mr. W. P. WOOD thought the provisions of the law as
applied to bequests needed revision. He saw no reason why
' unlimited sums of money should be perinitted to be be-
quea•hed to charitable institutions, whilst persons were pre-
vented from devising a single acre of land by the statutes
of rnortmain. He did not see, however, that this particular
Bill was called for, as he thought it danger'ous to carry the
facilities for bequests now allowed any further.
The SOLICITOR-GENERAL thought a better plan
plan might be to devote the sum received from the tax to the
support of such charities as might be considered most bene-
ficial to the country. If the Bill were pressed to a division
he should fad it his duty to vote against it.
Sir It. PEEL would not, by supporting this Bill, commit
himselt to the principle that they should encourage parties
to neglect the claims of their families in favour of public
charities. The first duty of a man was to provide for his
own family. He did'not say that there might not be cir-
cumstances in which it might be proper fur an individual to
slight those claims and prefer those of public charity ; but,
speaking generally, the provision a man made for his own
family was a very unostentatious and unobtrusive thing, and
lie did not often get much credit for it; but it might gra-
tify his vanity to be advertised in the public newspapers as
a person who had given 10,0001. to a public charity. (Hear,
hear.) If these were his motives, he (Sir R. Peel) should
not encourage him in them. He hoped they should not be
committed to this principle, by acquiescing in the first read-
ing of this Bill. Why, he had known public institutions
lett money by will, and he had seen the descendants of those
who left them receiving 1001. from the royal bounty, be-
cause their parents thought to gratify their vanity by
presenting to the public what should have constituted the
sources of their subsistence.—(Hear, hear.) He had seen
the descendants of such men come to the public treasury,
saying that they hoped the royal bounty would be exercised
in their favour, as they had been ruined by the misplaced
generosity of their own relatives.— ( Hear, hear.)
After a few words from several other Hon. Members,
leave was given to bring in the Bill.
NATIONAL LAND COMPANY.

Mr. J. WILLIAMS gave notice that on Friday he would
ask the Hon. and Learned MeMber for Nottingham (Mr.
F. O'Connor) whether he meant to proceed with the
Friendly Societies Bill, and the plan tor the registration of
the National Land Company.
THE BALLOT.

Mr. F. H. BERKELEY, in rising to bring this subject
under the notice of the House, referred to the progress of
opinion on political subjects since the Reform Act, and
hoped that as they had seen the Right Honourable Baronet

who so long opposed the repeal of the corn-laws, and the
Noble Lord who so ably championed a fixed duty, agreeing
to abjure their errors upon that question, and admit corn
free of any duty at all, they might also witness a similar

change of opinion on this question. Hon. Members were no
doubt aware that the ballot had been carried by that House
in the year 1710, and rejected in the other House by
Godolphin, and that it was contemplated by the Cabinet
at the time of the Reform Bill. The objections generally
made to the ballot were, that it was an innovation, that
it would prevent neither bribety nor intimidation. It
was pretended, also, that the ballot was not necessarily
secret voting, whilst stress was laid on the unmanliness of
secret voting, and its un-English and cowardly character.
The ballot-box was denounced as likely to injure the due
influence of property, and as having a tendency to promote
immorality, lying, and disgrace. The answer to the first
objection was, that when the franchise was first established
as the law of the land, it was free and uncontrolled in its
exercise ; but when the rich and powerful began to grasp
at political power, they attempted to influence the opinions
of those placed within the sphere of their influence. They
who advocated the measure wished not to make any inno •
vation on the electoral system, but to enact a measure for
its protection—a strictly Couservative measure. By grant-
ing the ballot they would conserve to the people a great
national privilege, which they only possessed in name, the
nominal possession of which was to thousands a source of
mortification, loss, and disgrace. You now gave them a
mere nominis umbra, like the equivocating fiend of the poet—
you kept the promise to the ear and broke it to the hope.
It was a great privilege to choose such persons as were to
make laws to bind a man's life and property, a privilege not
to be deputed to another. These were the words of ►'oke; it
was to conserve this privilege that lie asked the House to
give the electors the privilege of the ballot. Next,
as to the assertion that bribery would not be prevented
by it. Would any man in his senses pay for an
article the delivery of which was uncertain? Would he
purchase a bale of goods of a shopkeeper, without a fair
prospect that it would be sent home? Would sums of
money be invested in an uncertainty? In Great Yarmouth
they had found the candidates or their agents expending
great sums, the voters entering at one door, receiving a sum
of money, and going out at an opposite door, to vote for
value received. But should he be told that any speculator
in the votes of electors would go down to Great Yarmouth
if the ballot were the law of the land? Would the Duke of
Richmond send down Lord Arthur Lennox to engage in such
a transaction? Would the great colossal speculator, Mr.
Ittwood, go to Harwich or Lyme Regis in the hope of
making a profitable stroke of business under such a system?
But it was said that boroughs would be rented wholesale
after the return of the Members. His reply was, without
admitting or denying the fact, that if it were so, the evil
existing in small boroughs would be fully compensated by
the good effected in counties and large towns. Ile came now
to the argument (bat the ballot-box did not ensure secret
voting. Did it not ensure secrecy in clubs?—(Hear)—and i
so, why should it not also ensure it at borough elections?
It was said that in America, where the ballot existed, it was
always well known how men voted, but he insisted that that
was no argument against the efficacy of the institution. His
Hon.
di'was last
satisfactorilygooey
objection
rwfohr en
the
used Friend
of the the
discussion. He had stated what every one knew to be the
Middlesexa
fact, that the Americans had no object in keeping their
votes secret.—(Hear, hear.) In America there was no oc-
casion for a man's concealing his vote. He had no object
to
and in explanation of that tact,
he (Mr. Berkeley) would take leave
wh
ich serve
ww i n
undeniable,
nsdoe
nab doing.le,
to add another fact, namely. that the Americans were cot
blessed with the law of entail, or honoured with the law of
primogeniture, and the consequence being, that property
was diffuse and tyranny scarce, that was another reason
why the Americans had no motive to conceal their votes.
The thing was as obvious as the sun at noon-day. The fact
was simply this, that in America they had the ballot, and
they wanted it not ; whereas in England they had it not,
but needed it most grievously.—(Hear.) The next objection
te the ballot was that which had reference to its alleged
unmanliness, and its un-English and cowardly character.
A reference to the clubs was a direct answer to that objec-
tion. The analogy between the club and borough practices
had been repeatedly asserted by the friends of tiie ballot,
and as repeatedly denied by its adversaries. It was trodden
ground, but he begged to be allowed to pass over it once
again, in order to show that, let the antagonists of the mea-
sure say what they might, the analogy was complete. In
those splendid mansions now so rapidly increasing in this
great metropolis—the clubs—were congregated together va-
lour, learning, birth, and wealth, add all alike sought pro-
tection in the ballot. From what did they seek protection?
From ill-will, hostility, and animosity, which very possibly
might lead to bloodshed. No man would accuse the members
of those clubs of unmanliness. Those clubs were composed
of English gentlemen, and scores of Members of both Houses
of Parliament belonged to them, and one and all sought
protection in the ballot. From what did they seek protec-
tion ? From the bully of society, from the Sir Lucius
O'Triggers of society, who, if you were to refuse to admit
them to your companionship, would consider it " a very pretty
quarrel as it stood," and would be very likely to make
.you
personally answerable for it; but did it never occur to lion.
Members that there was such a character as a bully in politics?
—(Hear, hear.) Most assuredly there was such a character,
and he was much more obnoxious and far more dangerous
to have anything to do with than the bully of society. The
latter met you on equal terms. If be pat your life in danger,
• he at all events gave you the satisfaction of knowing that he
at the same time emperilled his own—be gave you equal
weapons and equal chances; but the political bully acted
quite differently. He sedulously eschewed an equal contest.
No risk did he run. His victim recorded his vote, and with
it recorded his ruin.—(Hear, hear.) The political bully
destroyed not life but the means of life, and where was the
difference?
You take my house, when you do take the prop
That cloth sustain my house; you take my life
When you do take the means whereby I live."
—(Cheers.) If the victim of the political bully be a trades-
man, let him look for the withdrawal of credit and custom—
if a tenant, let him expect summary ejection—it a servant,
let him hope for nothing but discharge.—(Hear, hear.) He
( Mr. Berkeley) did not accuse Honourable Members of that
House, who were also members of clubs, of unmanliness for
protecting themselves from the machinations of persons of
evil dispositions, but he did charge them with it when they
denied to their less fortunate and less opulent fellow-country-
men the same safeguard which they insisted on for them-
selves.—( Hear, hear.) He would next turn to the objection
that the ballot-box would destroy the legitimate influence of
property. He could not better dispose of that assertion than
by quoting what had been said upon it by Mr. Grote.—
[The Honourable Member read a passage front the speech of
Mr. Grote on the ballot in 1836.] Very few men would
have the hardihood to assert, either in that House or on the
hustings, that those who were gifted with poser, station,
and wealth, would be justified in dictating to a freeborn
man in what manner he should discharge a s lemn
duty which he owed to God and to his country,
and which be was bound to discharge conscientiously and to
the best of his ability. Few men would dare to hold such
language, whatever they might think. There were in-
stances, however, in which such language had been held,
and in which the sentiment, however unconstitutional, had
been boldly avowed.—(Hear, Bear.) Before proceeding
further, he might here, by way of parenthe•ae, observe on
another of the fashionable shifts or evasions (for he could
not call them arguments) which were had recourse to by
the enemies of the ballot; namely, that Ole statements
respecting the depth of demoralization in which the con-
stituencies of England were plunged by the system of open
voting which now prevailed' were very much exagge-
rated. He would defy any Honourable Member to come to
any such conclusion who had read the evidence adduced be-
fore the Committee which was appointed in the year 1835
to examine respecting the intimidation and bribery supposed