The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-26 00:00:00

of influencing his decision upon matters beiVre him always
is, and ever ought to be, reprobated. It is a practieo
culated to divert the course of justice, and ought to be
more frequently treated than it is as a high contempt of
court. It is too often excused on account of the station
and condition in life of the parties guilty of it, who are
supposed to bo ignorant of what is due to the court. No
such excuse can be made in this case. If this was not
intended as a private communication, why was it made
in that form? Why was it not brought before the couit
in the usual manner, through the solicitor and counsel of
the lunatic, who alone could ba recognised as his represen-
tatives? I have received from two of the subscribers
to that letter, Lords Combermere and Shrewsbury, an assur-
ance that nothing disrespectful to myself was intended
by that communication. I never cotsidered in that light ;
'but, as judge of the court against which th's contempt has
been committed, I am bound to express my high reproba-
tion of the course pursued, not only on account of the let-
ter itself, but also on account of the rank and station of
the parties implicated.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said this was a most
painful subject. The observations which had been read
-were made in a civil suit, and they related to a noble
lord who was not a party to that suit, and who had no
opportunity of beii g heard in his own defence, Her
Majesty's Government were not prepared to institute
aoy proceedings, and they did not mean to proneucce
any opinion on these judgments, which successive judgta
had given as to the conduct of the noble earl. If they
were called upon to institute' an inquiry; it could only
be by a proceeding whiCh would enable the noble lord
to come forward and state hia own case and make his
own defence. He had bad no such opportunity;
and not having bad such opportunity, Governmect,
without pronoturcing any opinion, were not prepared
to take that sort of proceeding which the noble lord
seemed to wish. At the same time be was sure,the house
would appreciate the motives which had induced the
noble lord to bring forward this motion, connected as it
was with a near relative of his, and a most accomplished
lady.

After a few words from Lord St. VINCENT, the sub
ject dropped.
EXAMINERS OF PRIVATE BILLS.

Lord REDESDALE moved the appointment of Sa-
muel Smith and Chas. Frere, Esqrs., to be examiners of
standing orders and private bills for the ensuing session.
Agreed to.
THE HOSPITALS (DUBLIN) BILL.
The report of the amendments on this bill was received.
The Burials Ground (Ireland) Bill, the Lunatic Asy-
lums Superannuation (Ireland) Bill, and the Joint Stock
Banks Bill, were read a third time and passed.

COUNTY COURTS AMENDMENT BILL.

The Commons' amendments to this bill were agreed to.

LEASES AND SETTLED ESTATES BILL.

On the motion that the Commons' amendments to this
bill be agreed to,
Lor I REDESDALE moved the rejection of a clause
inserted by the Commons, relating to the enclosure of
Ha,npstead Heath by Sir T. Wilson.
After a short diScussion, the house divided—
For agreeing to the amendment - Contents ... 17
Non-Contents 17-0
The amendment was therefore rejected.
Their lordships adjourned shortly after eight o'clock
till to-morrow (this day) at noon.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.--(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at the usual hour.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The Cairness Estate Bill was read a third time and
passed
Davidson's Divorce Bill was also read a third time
and passed.