The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-10 00:00:00

LYCEUM THEATRE.

Tars EVENING, at 7, CORRUPT PRACTICES. After which,
CHILPERIC: Messrs M. Marius, G Vincent, Odell, Lapierre,
Coghlan, and M. Herd; Mesdames Dolaro, Fitzlnman, Ro-
manelli, Nellie Nesbit, and Miss Emily Muir.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs. Swanborough.

Tuts EVENING, at 7, THE HEIR AT LAW: Mr Clarke, Mr
Tames, Miss Bufton, &c. With THE TOOTLES. Concluding
with ISO.

WOODIN'S CARPET - BAG AND SKETCH BOOK,
Egyptian Hall, Piccadilly, every Evening (except Saturday; at
S; Saturday Mot nings at 3. Admission, Is, 2s, 3s.

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

ZOOLOGICAL &EDENS, Regont's-park, OPEN daily (ex-
cept Sundays). Admission, ls.; on Mondays' 6d. Children
under twelve, 6d.

ROYAL AL lIAMBRA PALACE. THREE BALLETS
Promenade Concert. Band of 60. Begin at 8. is. Box-office
open from II to 4.

•
Zijit Sllll
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LONDON, 7HURSDdY, FEB. 10, 1870.

The first day's proceedings in Parliament aro
always highly interesting, after the address-debate
has been wound up, and the various "organs "
of the Government and the Opposition, have ground
out their wonted tunes. A full programme of the
year's work is furnished. Though we di.
not learn how many measures will past
into law, we are informed as to the attempts which
will be made, and when the great bills of the session
may be looked for. This year the Government is
well forward with its extensive scheme. In the first
place, it is gratifying to know that our troublesome
friend, JEREMIAH, will be disposed of with the
minimum of trouble. All the gloomy anticipations
touching the necessity of permitting the convict
M.P. for Tipperary to " take his seat," and the long
debate there would be as to his rights and privileges,
have proved, as it was obvious they would prove, en-
tirely groundless. The Fenian has no seat. As a felon
he is incompetent to legislate; the election is just a'
if it had never been, and will be held again. The
insult and the grave disorganisation of society, to
which this Tipperary contest testified, must be
accepted as unfortunate facts ; but it is not within
the privileges of any constituency to transfer a
convict from gaol to the British Legislature. The
Land Bill will be introduced next Tuesday.
the Education measure on Thursday, and within the
next seven days will come some of the minor ele-
ments in the programme—the Merchant Shipping
Bill, the Coinage Bill, and that long-looked-
for measure respecting the War Office, though
after recent disappointments it will be well
not to indulge in any congratulations upon
this last proposal until its nature be divulged.
After the Ministerial notices come a host of private
members' projects and hobbies. Alas ! no one enter-
tains the least doubt respecting the fate of
these fond hopes. Private members' bills
are seldom successful, and this year their
chance will probably be smaller than usual, for
the great pressure of Government omnibuses will
undoubtedly drive the lesser vehicles out of the way.
Still these notices are instructive, as throwing light
on the temper of the country. The bills for the
amendment of the game laws, the repeal of
the minority clause, the ballot, the removal
of clergy disabilities, and the prevention of the
sale of presentations to livings, and the resolutions
for the disestablishment of the Church in
Wales, all go to shew the drift of public opinion.
The proposition, too, for the payment of Parlia-
mentary representatives, though it was received
with "much laughter," is full of meaning.
The members of the " rich man's club " want no
remuneration, and will not hastily sanction any. But
the working men who are seeking admission to the
House of Commons hold different views, and if the
notion of artisan M.P.'s gains any wide acceptance, the
revival of the "ancient constitutional practice" will
become one of the most clamorous demands of the
newly-enfranchised. Once grant cheap elections
and the payment of members, and the constitution of
the Lower House may undergo a very material
change. Whether it will be improved or not is
Another question.