The Sun.
London, England, 1870-07-23 00:00:00

The Marquis of CLANRICARDE then asked whether the
Government were aware that large purchases of
horses were now being made in Ireland by one
at least of the Continental Governments now at war, and
how far horses were, or might be properly considered, con-
traband of war. He said it was of the utmost importance
that Government should give their utmost consideration
to the matter, as it might eventually lead to the most
serious consequences with respect to the neutrality of Eng-
land. Earl Granville, in reply, said at this period of the
year there was always a large purchase of horses for the
Continent, but he had no authenic information that
purchases were being made for either of the powers
referred to. The question whether horses were contra-
band of war would mainly depend upon the destination
of the cargo and a thousand other circumstances that
would have to be considered by a prize court. He did
not think it would be proper at present to stop expor-
tation.

The other bills on the orders were forwarded a stage, and
their lordships adjourned at ten minutes to eight.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-FRIDAY.

The Speaker took the chair at ten minutes past two
o'clock. -

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

Mr. TAYLOR asked the Secretary of State for the lionie
Department whether his attention had been called to a
report in the newspapers of a case tried before the magis-
trateqirton Lindsey Quarter Sessions, where—one
Josephll.7divimena ,L. 4 FL "zu incorri-
gible rogue," and was sentenced to three months'
imprisonment and to receive thirty-six lashes with the
cat.

Mr. BRUCE replied that he had not observed the case,
but upon receiving notice of the hon. gentleman's ques-

tion he inquired into the facts connected with the case.
It appeared that Joseph Townsend, who was a man 44
years of age, was brought before the quarter sessions at
Kirton Lindsey on the Ist July to receive sentence as an
incorrigible rogue under the 10th George IV., chap. 83.
The right hon. gentleman had in his hand a list of the
offences which Townsend had committed and the sentences
he had received. On the 11th March, 1865, he was
convicted at Market Rasen for vagrancy, and was
sentenced to one calendar month's imprisonment. In the
same year he was convicted of vagrancy, and received
fourteen days' imprisonment. In March, 1868, be was
again convicted of vagrancy, and was sentenced to twenty-
one days' imprisonment. Again, at Market-Rasen, in
1868, he was sentenced to one calendar month's imprison-
ment. In 1869 he was convicted and sentenced to
twenty-one days. In November, 1869, he was convicted
at Gainsborough, and received one calendar month's im-
prisonment. He was convicted at Brigg for vagrancy on
December 29th, and was sentenced to twenty-one days'
imprisonment. In February, 1870, he was convicted
as a rogue and a vagabond, and sentenced to
three calendat months' imprisonment. With this career
he was brought before the Quarter Sessions at Kirton
Lindsey, and he was convicted as an incorrigible rogue,
and sentenced to three months' imprisonment, and to re-
ceive two dozen andnot three dozen lashes with the cat-o%
nine tails. The Act under which this sentence was

inflicted was the sth George 4th, section 10, and under
the circumstances he did not think the magistrates had
exceeded the power given them by the law. (Hear,
hear.)