The Sun.
London, England, 1846-05-20 00:00:00

THE SUN. LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 20, 1846.

, mits of the law, yet a new party springs up who are to de-
prive him of the post which he has filled so long, and se ably,
under different denominations in his native country, and ab-
rogate at once the peaceful and loyal system by which, with
all his violence, he has effected such important and beneficial
changes in Ireland. No man, if we except, perhaps, WAsii-
incrrosf, ever did so much for his country as Mr. O'CoNNaLL,
and in one respect he has a vast superiority over the
American, for what the one did by the sword, by a
tedious, a doubtful, and occasionally a hopeless war, the other
has entirely effected by peaceful agitation, and the most ex-
traordinary observance of the established laws of the land.
During his dictatorship, or by whatever name his peculiar
andunrbiovng
unbounded authority may be described, he has raised the
character of his countrymen a hundredfold, and obtained for
them p
and rights, and just claims, which, under the
operation of the dangerous principles adopted by "Young
Ireland," he would have attempted in vain. He
carried the Catholic question solely by legitimate and
peaceful means. An insurrection at the time of the
Clare election would have frustrated the whole scheme.
It would have let loose the Orangemen of the north, decided
the waverers in England, roused to the highest pitch of in-
dignation the vast numbers of enemies to the cause, whether
Churchmen or Dissenters, and the ordeal, the horrible
cruelties, the bloody scenes of a civil war, must have been
endured before the Legislature could have taken one step to
redress the grievances of the Catholics. The cause would
have been thrown back for half a century; the men who
lived in 1829 would never have seen the consumma-
tion of Catholic Emancipation, and the numerous reforms
which have followed in its train would have shared the
same fate. It contributed much to Parliamentary Re-
form in England; through its influence and the prudent tac-
tics and perseverance of Mr. O'CoNNELL, the tithe question
in Ireland was settled, church cess was abolished, the Irish
ecclesiastical staff was reduced to something like moderate
proportions, municipal reform was established, and, what
is an additional proof of the blessings conferred by peaceful
reform, a Tory Government is now engaged in preparing
further measures, of a healing and liberal character, for
giving satisfaction to a long oppressed and patient people.
Few men at the age of seventy can look back with
such satisfaction to the labours of forty years as Mr.-O'Cox-
mum. These are admissions which the impartial are com-
pelled to make, for facts cannot be denied, and though we
reprobate as much as any party the absurd cry for repeal,
and the violent language by which It Is too often rendered
still more obnoxious, we cannot shut our eyes to the nume-
rous advantages which Ireland has gained within the last
twenty years, nor to the merits of the man by whom they
have been chiefly accomplished. But O'CONNELL is to
be thrown aside, as an old almanac, and who
is the new occupant destined by " Young Ireland "
for the throne ? WILLIAM SMITH O'BRIEN ! He is
already, if we are to believe one of his most enthusiastic
supporters, a Mr. DOHENY, practising the royal functions in
his cell. " I visited him," said this gentleman at Concilia-
tion Hall, on Monday, "in the Cellar of the House of Com-
mons, and I can tell you he is there acting the king." The
announcement was received with "thundering applause."
But this orator said something more—something ostensibly
in his own praise—but evidently directed with the most
bitter hatred against another. " I have worked," said
he, " unselfishly, and maintained a character on which
a lie has never been written." These words have no doubt-
ful reference, and the meeting altogether was of a very
stormy character, yet Mr. DOHENY concluded by saying,
"there was no disunion among Repealers." May we not,
therefore assert with truth, that such scenes (for this was
not the first), say little for the consistency, gratitude and
prudence of the Irish Repealers? The Orange clubs take
courage at the news, and Exeter Hall before the month of
May has closed will ring with shouts of triumph at the ex-
pense of DOHENY, and the Nation, and Young Ireland.

The accounts from the provinces are on the whole very
satisfactory, but the Eco del Comercio gives from Grenada
an article stating that General RONCALI, Count D'ALcoy,
Captain-General of that province, had been guilty of an
atrocious outrage, which created a strong feeling of indig-
nation. On the 3d, as Don JusTo BANQUERI, son of an ex-
member of the Royal Council, was walking with two friends
near the convent of San Felipe, a person called out " bats
off," and the order not being obeyed, the hat was forcibly
taken from the head of Don JusTo, who was afterwards
knocked down with great fury. The aggressor was General
RONCALL

The Heraldo states that the Grand Duke CONSTANTINE,
of Russia, and the Duke and Duchess of- SAXE COEOURG
Gams, who had arrived at Gibraltar, have been treated
there with much distinction by the British authori-
ties. A letter of the sth instant, from Lugo, in
the Catolico, says :—" The ringleaders of the revolt
have either fled or concealed themselves. One lieutenant
only has been arrested. He was preparing to escape from
the town. Besides the twelve officers shot at Garral, two or
three captains have been executed in the same way at Be-
langos. On the 4th a sergeant was shot at Betanzos for
having struck the son cf. General SANS, Minister of War, who
was his officer."

The works of the railroad at Aranjuez have, at length,
commenced. About 400 men are employed on them.
MADRID BOLSA, MAY 12.—There are no quotations in the
Bolsa list to-day. The Three per Cents. are reported to be
32i to % cash. Exchange en London 37.

'We have received the Paris papers of Monday.
In relation to the rumours that have of late been in
circulation as to the existence of a misunderstanding
between the Austrian and Sardinian Governments, the
Journal des Debats has an article which in some
measure tends to confirm those rumours, and to show
that Austria is displeased with the liberal policy of Sardinia,
and has shown her displeasure by commencing against Sar-
dinia that most absurd, inglorious, and losing of all wars, a
war of tariffs, while the Kiug of SARDINIA, like a wise
prince fights hostile tariffs with free trade, and must
eventually conquer. The article is also interesting, as show-
ing the great progress which sound commercial principles
are making in Italy.
The following is the article in the Debate:—
"Ity a decree, published in the official Gazette of Turin,
the King of Sardinia has lowered the customs' duties on se-
veral articles of commerce, such as brandy, refined sugars of
all kinds, green fruits, millinery, and p,:rcelain. This mea-
sure is not only an act of wise commercial reform, it has also
a political bearing, of which it is well to point out at once
the origin and the object. For some years past it may have
been remarked that the Sardinian Government had made a
sensible progress in the path of political moderation. By
turns we have seen police regulations mitigated, the censor-
ship made more tolerant, the principal direction of public
instruction placed in the hands of men very distinguished
in the country, and very devoted to the reigning dynasty,
but at the same time very hostile to the Jesuits, who had
hitherto been the only directors of instruction. King Charles
Albert has well comprehended that violence and political ani-
mosity have had their day in his states, and he has hence-
forth hoisted the standard of a wise, gradual, and positive
progress, which, while it satisfies the legitimate wishes of
the country, will, at the same time, remove more and more
the probability of sanguinary revolutions and violent dis-
orders. Men of superior minds, who are very numerous in
Piedmont, in lending their assistance to the Government,
have eagerly embraced this favourable opportunity of ren-
dering themselves useful to their country. The Abbe Gio-
berti, a philosopher and theologian of great merit, gave the
signal for the movement, by the publication of a work on
Italy, at once political and moral. The eloquent writer,
caring little for the radical utopian ideas of many of his
countrymen, has demonstrated in his work, in a most pe-
remptory manner, that to secure the progress and future wel-
fare of Italy, it was necessary to enlist the princes in the
national cause, by renouncing those fatal attempts at revolu-
tion, which have so much contributed to maintain a disas-
trous separation between them and their people. M. Gioberti
did not fail on this occasion to encourage King Charles
Albert to enter on this novel plan. Some time after this,
Count Cesar Balbo, one of the most noted personages at
Turin, and a distinguished writer, published a work, dedicated
to il7. Gioberti, and entitled "The Hopes of Italy," in which
he insisted, in clear and positive terms, on the independence
of Italy. At other periods, any writer, before he would have
ventured to publish such sentiments, would have secured his
safety by flight. Far from this being the case, M. Balbo
resides quietly at Turin, and is received at Court with the
greatest kindness. It is the same with Count Petitti and M.
Massimo d'Azeglio, both of whom have just published very
remarkable works—the former on railroads in Italy, the
latter on the late affairs in the Romagna. It may be readily
imagined that the Austrian Government has not been un-
mindful of what is passing at Turin. Diplomatic notes have
not been wanting. King Charles Albert maintained with
firmness his rights, as the free sovereign of an independent
state. The discontent of Austria declared itself in a recent
decree of the Aulic Council, published in the Milan official
Gazette, on the 20th ult., by which Piedmontese wines,
which had up to that date paid 9 liv. 70 (Austrian money)
per hectolitre on being imported into the Lombardo-Venetian
States, were subjected to the enormous duty of 21 liv. 70 per
hectolitre, which, with an octroi duty of three Austrian livres
on entering the city of Milan, amounted to an actual prohibi-
tion. Instead of having recourse to injurious reprisals, the
Sardinian Government has just adopted the reduction in duties
to which we have above alluded. The article in the Piedmon-
tese Gazelle, which accompanied the royal ordonnance, and
which evidently emanates from an official source, leaves not
the slightest doubt on the subject. Thus, whilst the Aus-
trian Government, alarmed at the liberal ideas of Sardinia,
make a considerable increase in the duties on Piedmontese
wines, and strikes a direct blow at the interests of the im-
mense majority of landowners and growers of Piedmont, the
Sardinian Government, in its turn, opens its frontiers more
readily to French produce, and draws closer its commercial
relations with France. This intention of King Charles Albert
is evident ; and the few lines, which serve as the introduc-
tion of the royal ordonnance of May 2, clearly points it out.
In consequence,' says the manifesto which precedes the de-
cree, of the treaty entered into with France, and to
strengthen still more the commercial relations between the
two states, the King has ordered,' &e."
The Courrier Francais has a long article on the financial
state of France, the object of which is to recommend the con-
version of the Five per Cents, as the most probable means of
bringing down the annual expenditure within the limits of
the annual revenue. The Consolidated Debt, says the
Courrier Francais, has, since 1830, been augmented by
80,000,000 f. a year, and since ',1842 alone the Consolidated
Debt has increased 25,000,000 f.

With the exception of the modification of the sugar duties,
all those great commercial changes which were proposed by
Sir ROBERT at the commencement of the present session have
now passed through the House of Commons, with the most
emphatic sanction of our representatives. The Customs'
Duties Bill, which augured for itself days of impatience
and nights of opposition almost innumerable, passed
the third reading in the Lower House without either
discussion or division, and was immediately conveyed to the
Peers, where, saving a few irascible objections from his
Grace the Duke of RICHMOND, it was read a first time with
nearly equal facility. Thus our legislative aristocracy have
a balance of remissions submitted to their consideration ;
they are called upon simultaneously to withdraw an accumu-
lation of protective imposts from agriculturists and manu-
facturers; and this call is rendered doubly forcible from its
being itterated by the acquiescence of the people and the
approval of the Commons. A somewhat desultory
conversation occurred upon the announcement of
the third reading, that conversation originating in
certain inquiries, put by Mr. STAFFORD O'BRIEN to the Go-
vernment, in reference to agricultural statistics. This,
though rather beside the question, is undoubtedly a matter
of considerable importance, as by the reduction, of those
statistics to a tabular regularity, a more definite notion might
be formed as to the operation of the measures now gliding
almost imperceptibly through the only remaining division of
Parliament. Nor have the Ministry regarded the inquiry as
one admitting of apathy or inattention ; according to the ex-
planation given by Sir G. CLERK, several devices have been
employed for the collection of voluntary information in the three
great divisions of the kingdom, gamely in England, Scotland,
and Ireland. It appears that much caution was neverthe-
less found to be absolutely requisite, so as to allay in some
measure the jealousies of the agriculturists at what many
of them erroneously regarded as a species of inquisitorial
curiosity. Upon this point Mr. BRIGHT very justly ob-
served, at a subsequent period of the evening, that the
farmers were labouring under a complete misapprehension
as to the object which caused that anxiety for
statistical intelligence, seeing that the Hon. Member fer
Manchester, when he originally propounded the necessity for
some such information, was actuated solely by a wish to
confer advantages upon the agriculturists themselves, not
from any desire to pry into their proceedings. A various
success has, however (in consequence, it may be, of the con-
tinuance of this misapprehension, or possibly from the ineffi-
ciency of the officers selected for the gleaning of such in-
telligence), attended the delicate advances of Government.
Very satisfactory results have, for instance, attended the in-
quiries made over an area of some 6,000 acres in the county
of Cavan, that success being principally attributable to the
spontaneous courtesy of the landowners; again, through the
instrumentality of the parochial schoolmasters of the county
of Edinburgh, a considerable quantity of information has
been acquired in that neighbourhood; whereas, in the
northern division of Hampshire, where the matter was con-
signed to the interposition of the poor-law officers, the re-
turns have been very inefficiently supplied. Whether a
separate machinery of investigation may not have in
the end to be resorted to, as the only reliable
mode of obtaining these statistics, remains exceedingly
questionable at the present moment, so much disinclination
has been evinced by the agriculturists to comply with the
demands of Government. Nothing but a most stolid mis-
conception of the whole affair can possibly have incited
them to such a preposterous evidence of a disinclination to
satisfy inquiries so reasonable and so inoffensive. By resort-
ing, however, to a double application of the scrutiny, by
imitating the compensative position of the measures now
before the House of Peers, or, in other and plainer words, by
demanding statistical information in the factory as well as
the homestead, upon the cotton trade as well as upon the
cultivation of acres, this antipathy to divulge their doings
might be effectually removed from the mind of the farmer,
tb wishes of the Noble Member for Lynn might be corn

The Parliamentary session appears to be fast drawing to a
close. It is expected that the Chambers will adjourn in
three weeks—that a dissolution will take place immediately,
so as to have the general election about the first or second
week in August.

According to the Echo of Oran, Ann-EL-KADErc, during
his pursuit by Colonel C&MON, received a severe sabre cut
in the thigh ; accounts from Algiers, however, do not con-
firm this statement.

The Algerie says—" The health of Marshal Bugeaud being
re-established, he has postponed his return to France until
the period for the elections."

The Three per Cents. opened at 84f. 15,., and closed at 84f., at
which price they were done in the Coulisse at four o'clock. Railway
Shares opened well, but gave way towards the close. The new
shares in particular were weak. For the Account, the French
Three per Cents. have fallen, 20c. ; Five per Cents., 15c. Loan
not quoted. For Money, the Three per Cents. and Five per
Cents. have fallen 10c. Loan not quoted. Bank of France
Shares have risen 25f. Gouin Bank 1,0001. Shares, Ganneron
Bank Shares, and Belgian Lank Shares not quoted. Roman
have fallen 14. Rothschild's Receipts have risen 10c., being
quoted at 1011. 50c. Neapolitan Bonds and Portuguese Five per
Cents. not quoted. Exchange on London (thirty days), 25f. 67%c. ;
ditto (nine days), 25f. 50c. Railway Shares for the Account, settling
of June 2 :—.Dieppe have risen sf. ; Lyons, Paris to Strasburg,
Orleans to Bordeaux, and Rouen, 21.50 c. each ; Paris to Orleans and
Nantes, If. 25c. each, and Versailles (left bank) have fallen M.
500. ; Versailles (right bank), Orleans to Vierzon, Northern, and
Rouen to Ilavre, 2f. 50c. ; Avignon to Marseilles are unvaried. For
Money :—Versailles (left bank) have fallen 15f. ; Northern, 2f. 50d. ;
Strasburg to Bale, If. 26c. ; Boulogne, Paris to Strasburg, Lyons,
Paris to Orleans, and St. Germain, remain unvaried ; Rouen, Or-
leans to Vierzon, Orleans to Bordeaux, and Nantes, have risen
2f. 500.

BUSINESS DONE IN FOREIGN RAILWAYS AT THE
LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, MAY 19.
Boulogne and Amiens,l2l4 —Central of Spain, 114 —Dutch Rhenish,
B—Great Northern of France Constituted, ',lN—Jamaica South
Midland Junction, IN —Lyons and Avignon, 2—Luxembourg, 2
Namur and Liege, 41,i—Paris and Lyons Constituted, 6-7 —Paris
and Strasbourg Constituted, s%—Sambre and Meuse, s;Q—Tours
and Nantes Constituted, 6.

plied with, and the precise consequences of free trade Thigh

be traced, in the fluctuations of those mercantile and
agricultural statistics. A more judicious appendix could
scarcely follow the acceptance of the new policy, as these
tables would form a Parliamentary microscope through which
we might the more readily and the more accurately observe
the ramifications of free trade, and discern to the smallest
tittle the manner in which the gradual and per-
manent opening of the ports affected us as corn-

THE THREE DIVISIONS ON THE
CORN IMPORTATION BILL.
ON THE SPEAKER LEAVING THE CHAIR.
For. Against. Majority.
Liberals ... 227 1 Tories. 229 1
Tories...,. 110 I Liberals ll 97
sizeolfD IcEADING.
Liberals ... 202 1 Tories..
88
Tories 9B I Liberals 8
THIRD READING.
Liberals ... 223
Tories 220 1 98
Tories ...... 104 Liberals 9
Tellers not included.

growers and as throwers of the shuttle. The expense

of such a novel order of commissioners, or rather of
such an army of appraisers, is undoubtedly a matter which

demands every consideration ; but their organisation would
tend so materially to simplify the views taken of the corn-

mercial relations of this empire, that the ad vantage
derivable from the labours of such a body promise infinitely
more than a mere compensation of the outlay. And in the
event of the scheme being brought to maturity, it is desirable
that the information should be full and copious ; hence,
we conceive, that a mere application to the returns of the
Customs, or even to the Factory Inspector, as recommended
by the Hon. Member for Durham, would prove altogether
insufficient. If any statistics are to be obtained, surely it
would be desirable to have them recommended by their per-
spicuity and their accuracy, otherwise they might as well
remain uncollected. Under all circumstances, however, the
individualities might be filtered down into generalities before
they reached the Parliamentary printers ; the aggregate cal-
culations would be alone necessary. Howbeit we shall wait
patiently until the voluntary system is shown to be wholly
impracticable, satisfied that Government will then take deci,
3ive steps for the acquisition of the desired intelligence.
A letter fror

1-IANOVER. SQUARE Rooms.—The annual soirée musi-
cale of Messrs. Kiallmark and Grattan Cooke took place last night
at the above-mentioned rooms, when an excellent selection of vocal
and instrumental music was performed. Besides the popular benefi-
ciaires, the great attractions of the evening were Madame Anna Thillon, Sirgnor Marras, and Mr. John Parry. A new song, corn.
Posed by Monsieur Thillon, called "La chasse de Tigre," was well
sung by Mr. Bodda. It is a very effective composition, with a corn
obligato accompaniment, admirably performed by Messrs. Jarrett.
The concert concluded with a charming ballad " Hope's bright
dream," written and composed by Mrs. IL.St.Leger, sung with intense
f'eung and exquisite taste by Madame Anna Thillon, which was ap-
plauded to the echo.
DISPATCH OF THE MAILS FROM DUBLlN.—Another
alteration in the dispatch of the Liverpool mail is contemplated by
the Post-onice authorities, and which will, If practicable, be carried
into
to effect in the course of next July. The arrangements, so far as
the
ey can bleave e at present surmised, are as follows :—The Admiralty
b as usual, in the morning with the inland mails, from
Kingstown, at seven o'clock, A.m. The, mall which starts from that
place at half-past six r.sr.. to leave at four ; receiver to close at
either two, or latest half-past two. Letters can be forwarded on
Payment of a fee (as at present) to within a quarter of an hour of its
departure from Dublin. The object of this arrangement is to catch the
express train which is to leave Liverpool at six, A.M., to run up
within six hours, and to be delivered as soon after mid-day as possible
in London.—LireiTool Times.
ITIGHLY IMPORTANT SALE OF SHORT-HORNED
CATTLE, &e.--On Thursday last, the village of Shotley presented a
remarkably animated appearance, in consequence of a great number
of agriculturists, graziers, and dealers attending the sale of Mr. B.
lkwieng's celebrated and well-known stock of short-horns, &c. Before
proceed Boothe sale, we cannot omit noticing the handsome repast
which was generousl
agiven to every attendant at the sale. A
slog,lrge booth and also any extensive barn were fitted up for the occa-
auct and
nee many hundreds partook of the repast. Mr. Spurling, the
ior, expatiated en the qualities of the stock, tracing the pedi-
gree of the splendid animals entrusted to his care for sale. On this
hTighebsitddreinalisai e
occasion the hammer, and " a-going, a-going," were dispensed with:
a minute sand-glass was substituted, and as soon as the bidding
flagged, the auctioneer held up the glass, and informed his audience
realising were
48vgeuryi e
et.
nine
eozvesll
bulls
fetched
realised
anrleyarlloyol2. ,70t1r,
thath the last bidder before the sand was out would be the purchaser.
e
the two-year old (Prince) selling for 72 guineas.—Ipswich Express.
HA writ of habeas corpus was yesterday granted by the
siteting Judge at Chambers, directed to the Sergeant-at-Arms of the
of Commons, commanding
Smity
h O'Brieno oge er with Brien detained in his custody, t th the cause of
his detention.
FIRE NEAR BERKELEY-SQUARE.—On Tuesday even-
ing,him to bring up the body of William
about six o'clock, a fire broke out in the house of Mr. Berwick,
Union-street, Berkeley-square. The discovery was made by a per-
son going into an upper room, and in a short time the flames spread
furiously. Messengers were sent for the brigade engines of the C
and B district, and in the meantime every exertion was used by those
in the house to extinguish the tire. 3he firemen were prompt in
their attendance, but before the flames we' e subdued the greater por-
tion of the roof was destroyed, and considerable damage done by
inter. The are Iraq 544 tf4 WM originated &gm 4 aul chimey!
. _ _ _

.er mm Constantinople of the 29th ult. in a German
paper, states that the British Ambassador to, the Porte, Sir
STRATFORD CANNING, had an audience of the SuvrAzt on
the 28th, to take leave on his departure for London, whence
it was believed he would not return. Mr. WELLESLEY, the
first Secretary of the Embassy, was to act ad interim as
Chargé d'Affaires.

The Post 4mpt Gazette of Frankfort publishes a. letter
dated Posen, May 7, from which we extract the following;_,
"The excitement not only continues in the Grand Duchy,
:
Lut is assuming even a more grave and alarming character.
Hitherto the nobles and clergy alone have taken part in the
revolutionary proceedings, but now symptoms of rebellion
appear among the peasantry. The people have been much
excited by the arrest of several of their priests, and in some
places sanguinary conflicts have ensued. At Wreschen, the
Kamorniks have assembled, and demanded a partition of
the land. Gnesen is said to have been a theatre of great
disorders, and a battalion is about to be marched to the en-
virons of this town."

Madrid papers to the 12th have arrived.
The Gazette publishes a royal ordonnanco conferring the
rank 9t 4494-Q9ora 94 Miiior-General VILIALLOIMA,

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF COMMONS,

The SPEAKER took the Chair at a few minutes past
Twelve.

EASTERN UNION RAILWAY (ARDLEIGH TO
COLCHESTER.)
This Bill was read a third time and passed.
REPORTS.
The following reports were agreed to, and the Bills or-
dered to be engrossed, viz.:—
Bristol Waterworks.
Manchester Markets.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne Improvement.
Leith Paving.
Somersetshire Midland Railway.
Great Grimsby and
,Sheffield Junction Railway (Humber
Ferries).
Legal Quays (London).
Edinburgh Paving.
Leeds, York, and Midland Junction Railway.
Edinburgh and Peebles Railway.
York Improvement.
Birkenhead Small Debts.
Suuth-Eastern Railway (No. 2—Greenwich Railway to
Chilhatn, near Canterbury, with Branches).
Norfolk Railway Extension (Derehant, Wells, and Btakeney
Branch).
Perth and Inverness Railway.
Caledonian Railway (Mid-Lothian Branches).
Chard Canal ifailway.
FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
Sir ANDREW LEITH HAY presented petitions from
various places in Scotland, signed by members of the Free
Church, praying the House to grant them sites for building
places of worship._ _

ROMAN CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL.
Lord JOHN MANNERS presented several petitions from
various parts of the country in favour of this Bill.
BRIDGEWATER AND TAUNTON CANAL, RAILWAY,

AND HARBOUR BILL.
Lord HARRY VANE, on bringing up the report of the
Committee on the Brdgewater and Taunton Canal, Railway,
and Harbour Bill, moved that the Bill be re-committed to
the former Committee, and that the Committee have leave
to sit and proceed on Friday next, at one o'clock. The
Noble Lord also, on bringing up the report from the Commit-
tee on the Bristol and Exeter Railway (Crewkerne Branch)
Bill, moved that the Bill be re-committed to the former
Committee, and that the Committee have leave to proceed
on Friday next.—The motions were agreed to.
CATHOLIC RELIEF BILL.
Mr. SPOONER presented a petition from the inhabitants
of Birmingham praying the House not to pass this Bill until
due inquiries had been made into the Roman Catholic
belief.

GRAND JUNCTION RAILWAY.
Mr. GREENI?, moved that leave be given to read the
Grand Junction Railway (Showhill and Portobello Branch)
Bill a second time on Thursday, the 21st May, although no
breviate shall have been laid on the table, such Bill having
been separated from the Grand Junction Railway (Huyton
and Aston and other Branches) Bill, on the recommendation
of the Classification Committee, and the breviate of the
whole having been already laid on the table of the House.
The Hon. Gentleman also moved that the order made on the
16th day of March, for referring the Tring, Reading, and
Basingstoke (Tring to Saunderton) Railway Bill to the Com-
mittee of Selection, be read ; that the said order be dis-
charged ; that the said Bill be withdrawn.—The motions
were agreed to.

DISTRESS IN IRELAND.
On the motion that the orders of the day be read,
Mr. P. SCROPE wished to ask the Right Hon. Baronet
whether the attention of the Government had been called to
the distress which existed in Mallow, in the county of Cork?
It appeared that out of a population of twelve thousand per-
sons, six thousand persons were wholly destitute of food.
He wished to know whether the Government were about to
adopt a similar precedent to that set some years ago in the
western districts of Scotland, when a scarcity was existing
in that district? The Government then taxed the landed
proprietors to the amount of fourteen per cent. upon their
holdings, in order to make a relief fund.
Sir J. GRAHAM said his attention had not been called
to Mallow. There was a committee sitting in Dublin
which had full power, upon proper application, to afford such
assistance as was in the power of the Government. With
reference to the second part of the Hon. Member's question,
whether it was the intention of the Government to adopt the
precedent set them in Scotland, he had only to say that it was
not, in the present year, and under the present circumstances
of Ireland, the intention of the Government to propose a land-
tax to meet the present distress. What might be the future
policy of the Government regarding the subject lie was not
prepared to sa-5r.,..

LACE FACTORIES BILL.
Mr. GISBORNE said that he was of opinion that the Lace
Factories Bill, which stood first on the orders of the day for
a second reading, should be allowed to pass sub silentio,
and that the discussion and division on the question should
take place• on the motion that the House go into Com-
mittee.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE said hewould most cheerfully assent
to such an arrangement, as he had been entrusted with the
care of the Bill, and it was his duty to forward it in every
possible stage.
Sir J. GRAHAM said he could not be a party to any such
arrangement, for be felt so strongly impressed with the
feeling that any legislative interference with the subject of
lace manufactories would have the worst possible effect ;if,
therefore, the Hon. Member would proceed with his Bill, he
would ask the indulgence of the House whilst he would
shortly state his opinions upon the subject.—(llear, hear.)
Mr. GISBORNE then withdrew his motion.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE presented several numerously signed
petitions from Nottingham in favour of the Lace Factories
Bill.
Lord J. MANNERS presented several similar petitions,
signed by several thousand persons.
Mr. I'. DUNCOMBE said that, in moving the second
reading of the Bill now before the House, he should state his
opinion that it was imperatively necessary, if they regarded
either the moral or the social comfort of those poor children
employed in the manufacture of lace in this country, that
some legislative interference should take place in the conduct
of the lace manufacturers. He had nearly the unanimous
assent of the operative and the master manufacturer in
favour of the Bill, and the question did not stand in the
same position as the factory question, in consequence of
their having been no legislation on the subject, and the
question for the House- to decide whether there should be
any interference or not in the lace manufacturers. He was
aware that some persons considered that the Bill ought to be
restricted entirely to children—that others considered it did
not go far enough, while others did not approve of the
principle of the Bill. Now what was the state of the
factory trade in the country? The House should be aware
in the first place, that these steam engines ran, through
the whole week, from twelve o'clock on Sunday
night to twelve o'clock on Saturday night, without
intermission, and that • this could not be carried
on without the .assistance of children. Children from
the ages- of six to eight years were obliged to remain up all
night, and many of these poor children never saw their bed.
They lay upon the floor of the factory, during the intervals
they might be able to snatch for rest, and they
were , momentarily roused up to pursue the
stern labours imposed upon them. Could the House
suppose that children so brought up were reared as they
ought to be? What was the evidence of Mr. Saunders, the
intelligent inspectOr of manufactories, upon .the subimecotsPt
He says that legislation was not onlyrepetsistl butcOncomitant
necessary. Consumption and fever e
w also induced the
results of the system,ec
most immoral c ta in whichthe.
.ehild. children themselves.
He confessed that there was this principle in his Bill, that it
interfered with adult labour; but, in point of fact, the Right
Baronet also interfered with adult labour in his Bill,
and the only difference between them was, that the (Mr.
Duncombe) did so in exceptions, by preventing labour after
ten o'clock, while the Right Hon. Baronet did it by a
species of inference. They were often accustomed to
hear that there should be no interference between
the manufacturer and the operative, and they were assured
that if they did not interfere manufactures would flourish,
and the social condition of the workers be greatly improved.
They saw this result in the lace factories ; there there was
no interference between the master and the worker, and what
was the consequence? That there was disease mid discontent,
and immorality, rife amongst them—that as a class they were
most degraded, that as operatives they were the most depressed
of all those engaged in factory labour. He appealed to the
Right Hon. Baronet not to reject the second reading of this
Bill ; unless, indeed, his objection were 'to the principle of
interference with the manufacturer. There was one pecu-
liarity attached to this measure, viz., that it had received
the assent of at least four-fifths of the proprietors of lace
works ; and he might also say the consent of all the workers
employed. He implored the House to`consent to the second
reading of a measure which had been already sanctioned by
the very persons who were most interested in it. He did
hope and trust that the House would not disappoint these
humane and just expectations. He moved that this Bill be
read a second time.

The question having been put,
Sir J. GRAHAM said that the Hon. Member who had
just moved the second reading of this Bill had made a forcible
appeal to him not to resist that second reading. He told the
House that the measure was supported by four-fifths of the
master employers in the trade, and that, with scarcely an
exception, the operatives had declared in its favour. He did
not know the sources whence the Hon. Member had received
that information, probably from a different quarter than he
himself had, for as far as he could judge the opinions of the
master were entirely opposed to the llon. Member for Fins-
bury. With respect to the measure itself he acknowledged
that first impressions were in favour of restricting the hours
of labour, but then it was for the Legislature to consider
whether this restriction would be followed by the effect so
ardently desired by the Hon Member for Finsbury, and by
other Hon. Members. They had to consider well whether
the benefits arising from shortened hours of labour, would
not be more than counter-balanced by the miseries
arising from reduced wages. This question, however, was
by no means a new one. It had been often before the
House, and the dangers of any legislation of this character
had been often strongly dwelt upon. In the consideration
which had been given to this subject it was impossible
that so important a branch of manufactures as the lace
s
manufacturers should not have receivedattention.te
Parliament had granted commissions to
re inquire ns
_ore it was that
adueinto the
question times without number, a the
this subject was not for the first time brought under
discussion ; but they w
were that day called on to
come . to a decision precisely the reverse of that
(LEFT SPEAKING.)
which had been recommended by these commissions.

RAILWAY COMM ITTEES
(THIS DAY.)

HOUSE OF LORDS.
GROUP r.
THE LONDON AND Yorta.
The Committee met this day at eleven O'clock. The Earl of Love-
lace, chairman.
Mr.
traffic TALBOT, Q
th . e
C.,
Eastern
py
L
Lordships. He would also hand Counatcoies scheme, as
rned ordered by their
to his eariend (Mr.
Sergeant Wrangham), whom he had no doubt would find them very
light and agreeable reading.—(Laugh ter.) At the same time he could
not avoid saying, that those table.> were more in detail than those
given by his Learned Friend, and he should feel obliged if ho would
furnish similar details.
Mr. Sergeant WRANGRABI would have no objection to give the de-
tailed tables wished for by his Learned Friend. He would take that
opportunity of putting a question to his Learned Friend, which, if
answered, would very materially aid the present investigation. He
wished to know what line it was his Learned Friend relied on as the
competing line to the London and York ? Their Lordships would see
that there were several Bills in the- group which had nothing to do
with the through communication from London to York. lie appre-
hended it would be desirable for all parties, more especially for their
Lordships, to know what was meant to he the competing system with
London and York. The latter line speaks for itself, and therefore
what he wanted to learn was, what was the combination of lines,. or
cwohuilcdhboeurteloiefdthonat,
whichccim hi co
was mbination ao
esptuhteup single,
t hi fe indeed
antagonist
a ng lime
bthyewLhoantdwoiasi andodnYeoinrkth?e
oHtheedridHonuostea,sbkutthfreaelsrmLtehrdeisrhripespotrot beit
seemed
tut thq 144 cuttleit the Fop 1A NO ITV Pdi to 419 tl3O cUotriq