The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-09 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, W NESDAY EVENING, MARCH 9, 1870.

;Ult.
, A

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1870.

essrs.

not venture to ask Parliament to reject this measure
or to -becomo responsible tor the agitation to which
rejection would give rise. Mr. Gregory, too—the
English, not the Irish member of that name—while
he talked platitudinarian nonsense about the impossi-
bility of making good landlords by Act of Parliament,
admitted that Parliament could do something
towards putting down bad landlords. And so it
came to pass that one member after another
spoke chiefly to criticise, and very little to corn•
mend, yet all announced that they would support
the bill, and even their cri ticisnis met with no
responsive cheers from the front Opposition bench,
well filled though it was.

Hon. critics hope to amend the bill in committee.
Then why, it will be asked, did they not allow it to
go into committee ? Why discuss the Bill clause by
clause when all the work will have to be done over again
between this week and Easter ? We suppose simply for
form's sake. Parliament, be it remembered, is really,
as well as etymologically, a talking assembly, and
Irish are never slow of speech even on general
subjects, niuch more on Irish. Perhaps, too, there is
some occult motive for all this palaver. Mr.
Gladstone has declared that he will not
introduce a University Tests Bill during
the present session unless he can see his
way to the second reading of it before Easter. But if
the Irish debate is prolonged there will be no time
for dealing with the universities; wherefore Conser-
vative M.P.'s may be disposed to talk in order to
prevent the Radical Parliament from dealing, at leag
for this year, the threatened blow against one of the
cherished institutions of the country. On the other
hand, there is a powerful motive towards bringing
the present debate to a speedy tcrraination. Mr.
Gladstone has told the House that he will state the
intentions of the Government with respect to the
preservation of life and property in Ireland after the
Land Bill has been road a second time. He will not

announce measures of coercion until the House has

pronounced definitely upon the great measure of con•

ciliation now on hand. Conservative M.P.'s there.

fore had to decide which they value more—College

Fellowships in England, or landlords' lives in Ireland

It is a painful alternative, but there is no

escaping it.

THE public is to be congratulated upon the deci-
sion which was arrived at yesterday in the Divorce
Court. Lord Penzance has ordered that all proceed-
ings in the Mordaunt case shall be stayed for the
present, and that the question as to whether in-
sanity is any bar to an action for divorce shall be
argued before the full court next term. We
could have wished that this course had been
adopted at the outset. We do not say that it
was possible, or that it ought to have
been taken. If Sir Charles Mordaunt really believed

that his wife was not insane at the time that he

issued his citation, he could hardly have been ex-
pected to assume it, and thereby give her the very
great advantage of avoiding a criminal prosecution,
with the chance of getting off upon a purely legal
question. Tho prospect of being tied for life to a
mad woman is not cheering under any circum-
stances, and it is questionable if; as mar-
riage is a contract involving certain conditions,
madness, which renders the fulfilment of those con-
tracts impossible, should not be held to void the
contract. However that may be Sir Charles
Mordaunt's case was far harder than that of most
men who suffer under the misfortune of having
insane wives. His wife had accused herself of repeated
adultery. The evidence in support of a
portion of the charges was very strong, so strong
that Lord Penzance almost avowed his convic-
tion that the adultery had been proved.
Lady Mordaunt's friends did not dispute the charge,
but simply denied her mental competency to make a
defence. Under these circumstances, wo cannot be
surprised if Sir Charles Mordaunt attempted to rid
himself at once of a yoke so burdensome and so
apparently dishonourable. At the same time, we
cannot but rejoice that we are not to have
all the details of this case again inilictel
upon us—at least until the legal pint
has been tried, which will now be argued before
a full court. It is too soon to pass an opinion upon
so knotty a point; bat if the law is at all in accor-
dance with common sense, a breach ofcontract on the
part of ono of the contractors ought to free the othei
from its obligations, oven though subsequently to V...)
breach the defaulting party should become insane.
BO everything depends upon the question as to
whether the Divorce Court is a civil or a criminal
court, and that question has not yet been satisfactorily
answered.

Lord John llay, M.P., has been suddenly called
away from the discharge of his parliamentary and official
duties by a family affliction.

Bnlsror, ELECTION.—J• Wall Literature " seems
to be waxing lively at Bristol in anticipation of the coming
event. One squib pnutrays the " defect—too
many on one, or Southwark outdone." The " old hose "
Liberalism is mounted by three candidates—Robinson,
Hodgson, and Odger—all in jockey costume, the last-
named evidently not having been favoured with the pick
of the places. Underneath the picture are the words
If all three ride, the race is lost
Which one alone could win ;
out ! old hags, unseat the worst,
Ana bring the right man
It is stated in Leamington that the charge of
ail el against Mr. Hardy will not be proceeded with at the en-
suing Stafford assizes. The charge was prk Lrred against
Mr. Hardy before the Burton-on-Trent ma-r'istr.Jes, on
the 18th of January last, by Joht. Leedlconlinight, one
of his tenant., and resulted in Mr. Hardy being com-
mitted for trial at the Stafford assizes. The alleged libel
was contained in a let kr which Mr. Hardy addressed to Mr.
respecting evidence he had given as a valuer at the
Burton county court, in an action in which Mr. (lardy was
d.,fendant. When the case was Lenore the mad6trates thee
bench suggested that au arrange moot should be come to be-
tween the parties; and it is stated that au amicable ,ettic.-
Lacut had 49_W been eft.;cted. •

WOODIN'S CARPET - BAG AND SKETCH BOOK,
Egyptian Hall. Piccadilly, every Evening (except Satin day) at
5; Saturday Mot flings at 3. Admission, is, 2s, 3s.

CHRISTY MINSTRELS. St. James's Hall, Every Night, at 3
Wednesdays and Saturdays, at 3 and 8 all the year round.

ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS, Regent's-pals, OPEN daily (ex-
cept Sundays). Adulission, Is.; on Mondays 6d. Children
under twelve, 641.

A STRONG Government is a capital thing for legis-
lation; but it is very bad for a debate. The fact that
" the individual" (to use Mr. Dea.se's grotesque
expression) who is at the head of the Government
has a majority behind him of almost unparalleled.
strength, took away all life and spirit from the
debate which began on Monday night. Mr.
Bryan and Captain 'White were bold enough to
move and second the amendment rejecting
the bill, but it did not appear that they had a single
follower. In fact, while they avowed their antici-
pation of being "in a miserable minority," there was
no reason to suppose that they would be even so
fortunate as this, no reason to think that the minority
had any existence. The greater part of the evening
was given over to Irish members—some Ulster
Tories, others Munster Radicals—and though both
sides criticised the bill severely, both de-
clared that they would not incur the re-
sponsibility of rejecting it. The most novel
speech was delivered by Mr. Whalley, who
started the idea that to legislate about Irish tenants ;
and landlords was beneath the dignity of the British
Parliament. Yet even he promised to support the
Premier on the conditions that the measure would bs
successful, and that the "Romish hierarchy" had
nothing to do with it. The strongest objection came
from an English member, the son and heir of an
Irish landowner, Mr. Brodrick, who pointed out
with great force what is undoubtedly the weakest
point of the bill, the difficulty which the Govern-
ment will experience in obtaining payment of the
interest advanced to enable tenants to purchase their
holdings. The tale that he told of what had bap-
rued in the one case in which the Government had
been the landlord of Irish tenants was certainly not
encouraging, and was received with a duo amount
of cheering from those whose duty it is to
rejoice whenever Ministers are beset by any
unexpected obstacle. Yet Lord Midleton's son did

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, March 8.
Her Majesty walked and drove in the grounds
this morning, accompanied by Princess Beatrice.

BUCKINGIIA3I PALACE, March 8.

The Queen, accompanied by their Royal High
nesses Princess Louise and Princess Beatrice, left
Windsor Castle this afternoon at a quarter before
four o'clock, and proceeded to Buckingham
Palace.

The Princess of Wales drove out yesterday.

LATEST INTELL IGENCE

(REV'EIt'S TELEG(IAMS.)

SPAIN.

MADRID, March 8 (Evening.)

In to-day's sitting cf the Cortes Senor Escoriaza,
the Deputy for the island of Porto Rico, thanked
the Colonial Minister for baying brought forward
a separate Colonial budget, which had in vain been
asked for during the last thirty years.

ITALY.

FLORENCE, March 8.

The Committee of the Chamber of Deputies
have elected Signor I'eroti as President, and, as
Secretary, Signor Mont:lngo.

F RANCE.

BOURSE, March 8. —TI
closed as follows :
44 per Cent.
6 per Gent
End of month 74 571
Credit Ilobilier 245
Transatlantic 217 50
Credit Folcier 1330
Paris Ga 4 1770
Suez Canal 346 25
RAILWAYS

Lree o'clock—The markei

Bank Shares 2890 ...-
haPan Gives 55 80
Austrian Fives
Ottoman Loan 332 50
Do. Debt 4t 25
Spanish Threes
Homo Debt —
Deferred

--Cash
Orleans
Western
Northern
Strasburg
iiyons and Modite;ranean
Southern..... 625
Sardinian
ALstrian
Lombard
orth of Spaiu
Saragossa
Roman 53

7971.
506+
74

THE SPANISH TIIRONE.

A rumour is current in Madrid which is causing great
uneasiness in several quarters. A military manifes-
tation in favour of the Duke of Montpensier
is said to be in contemplation. The Epoca has
an article on the subject, in which it discusses the
question, and speaks of the recent movement of the troops,
and thermilitary precautions adopted by the Minister of
War. It was said that the movement of troops was due
to the fears entertained by the Government of a
Carlist g, but all the world is convinced that the
reports as to the Carlists were absurdly exaggerated. The
fresh preparations made in Madrid since the Duke's
mysterious visit have strengthened these rumours. If it
is true, as the Duke asserts, that he wishes to be nothing
more than a simple Spanish citizen, how is it
that he does not understand that his presence at
the scat of Government, the focus of politics, is highly
imprudent, is a piece of temerity which must irritate his
adversaries ? His arrival at Madrid has the appearance
of a challenge to those parties who oppose his candida-
ture. The Unionists, it is said, are at work in
the army, and propose to attempt enthroning their
candidate by a coup de main. According to one
version of the story General Prim has obtained from the
Duke of Montpensier the promise that in the event of his
accession to the Throne, Prim shall remain at the head
of the Ministry. , According to another account General
Primp remains adverse to the Duke, but he knows the object
of the UniOnist intrigues in the army, and hence the fears,
the movements of troops, and all the disturbance.
The Epoca is unwilling to give credence to the story. A
manifestation of force in favour of Montpensier would: it
believes, be the signal for a general conflagration, which
would inaugurate a civil war more terrible than any
which Spain has seen this century. The Spanish cha-
racter, however demoralised, has not fallen so low as to
submit tranquilly to the imposition of the shameful joke
of the monarchy of a Frenchman, an ingrate to his own
family, who has not given the smallest sign of
valour or of talent. Carlists, Republicans, Isa-
bellists, Alfonsists, and the greater part of the
Progressists would 'forget their discords in the moment
when it was proposed to force upon them a French King.
They would remember only that they were Spaniards, and
would without previous concert rise in city and in field as
their fathers did. The Epoca cannot believe the Unionists
will support so rash an enterprise, that Prim will
not perceive that his true interest lies in opposing the
candidature of Montpensier, or that the army will stoop
to become the instrument of such an indignity. At the
same time it is unable to deny that these rumours may
have some foundation. When all the world thinks the
same thing there is ground for fear, and the conspiracy of
the Unionists is a matter of general belief.

DEPUTATIONS TO MINISTERS.
On Thursday afternoon the Right Hon. the Secretary
of State for the Home Department will receive a deputa-
tion at lag official residence, which has requested the
interview for th© purpose of presenting him with a memo-
rial, praying for the amendment of the Medical Acts. The
document has been signed by 9,724 legally qualified medi-
cal practitioners throughout the United Kingdom.
Mr. Gladstone has consented to receive a deputation on
Friday afternoon, at his official residence respecting the
Elementary Education Bill, from the Central Executive
mm Coittee, and the Premier will be accompanied by the
Lord President of the Council and the Vice-President.

CENTRAL CHAMBER OF AGRICULTURE.

TUESDAY.

A council meeting of the Central Chamber of Agri-
c•ilture wa.q held at the Salisbury Hotel, Salisbury-square,
Fleet-street, this morning. Colonel Tomline, M.P., chair-
man of the council, took the chair, and there were present,
amongst other members, Sir Massey Lopes, Bart., M.P.,
Mr. Corrance, M.P., Mr. Pell, M.P., Mr. Neville
Grenville, M.P., Mr. Reed, M.P., and Colonel Corbett,
M. P. ;

Sir MASSEY LOPES read the report of the Local Taxa-
tion Committee, which stated that 8,500 copies had been
circulated of the prize essay on the injustice, inequalities,
and anomalies of the present poor-rate assessment, and
the incidence of other local burdens in England and
Wales. The essay was written by Mr. Christian B.A.
(Cantab), Stoke Damarel, Devon. The great object of
the committee is to obtain a reform in the present system
of levying local taxation exclusively upon income derived
from real property, whilst that derived from personal pro-
perty entirely escapes. It is erroneously stated that this
exemption is balanced by charges on personal property,
for imperial objects. Mr. Gladstone has adopted this line
of argument in the debate on the 21st February, on Mr.
Geschen's motion for a select committee to inquire into
the subject of rating. He is reported to have said, "Real
property enjoys exemption which it would not be possible
to maintain a single moment after you removed the
exemption of personal property from local taxation ;"
and again, " Real property in various forms has borne
the main part of local taxation, and personalty the
main part of Imperial taxation." The accuracy of these
statements the committee deny, and they challenge the
fullest and most impartial investigation into the real facts
of the case. It appears from Mr. Gladstone's speech that
the Government have no intention toremove this injustice.
All that is proposed to do is to rate some real
property now exempt, such as Government pro-
party, metallic mines and woods, and to divide
the payment of the rate between owners and occupiers.
The committee cannot accept these proposals as an
equitable and permanent settlement of the question,
for the real question at issue is not touched. Sir Massey
Llpes concluded by moving the adoption of the report,
which was seconded by Mr. Willson, and carried una.ni-
niausly.