The Sun.
London, England, 1856-05-24 00:00:00

LON DIJN, SATURDAY IiriTENITrGi MAY z 4, 185:6.

PARLIAME NT.

HOUSE OF LORDS—(YESTERDAY).
Tile LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat' on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

Lord RA.VENSWORTEI. presented a petition in
'favour of an alteration in the County Courts Act-
Loid D,U N GANNON presented a petition against
the Maynooth Grant ; a:so one against the Oath Of Abp'
juration Bril. •• • • • •
Lord BELINERS presented a petition from Leicester
in favour of the bill for the amendment of the County
%Courts.

The Bishop,of LICLIFIELD presented several peti-
tions
,against the abolition of Church rates, and also
petitions against the opening of places of amusement on
Sundays.
ST. JAMES'S PARK AND ITS APPROACHES.
Lord RAYENSWORTH rose to call -attention_ to
.certain circumstances in connection with the projected
approaches from Pail-mall to St. James's-park, and the
defects of the east front of St. James's Palace. The
noble lord objected to the contemplated removal of the
German Chapel, believing that- it r was not calcu-
lated to confer the advantages of relieving
the traffic at Charing-cross, which it was supposed
it would do. He thought that the abolishing of the toll at
Waterloo-bridge would be far more likely to relieve that
crowded thoroughfare than the proposed alterations in
St.!James's•park. The noblitr lard then went on to say
that he thought the time had arrived when some im-
provement ought to be made to the east front of St.
James's Palace. had an.appearance at present highly,
dis?reditableb He thought that an attempt to follow out
the style of building in the new hall lately erected in
Lincoln's-inn could be made, and, at the same time, it
would greatly improve the appearance of the royal pa-
lace.. At present it was a building utterly. unworthy of
this great country. The interior arrangements.
were also highly objectionable, the confusion created
in the lobbies and staircase on the occa,-iou of her Ma-
jesty holding a drawing-room was such that the safety
of the ladies attending alone ought to be of itself
sufficient to cause some alteration to be immediately
made. It was a proper time, when it was contem-
plated to improve the approaches of the park, to
consider whether the court-yards, attached to
that building might not be dedicated to better
and more advantageous purposes, and whether the
palace might not be rendered worthy of the metro-
polis, both to its internal embellishments and external
accommodation. The noble lord then proceeded to take

.sjection to the position of the statues that at present ex-
isted in the metropolis. The statue of Pitt in
Hanover-square, he said, was exc:ledingly bad, 33 was
the case with the statue of the Duke of gent in• Port-
land-place. It 'looked like a small black man hiding
himself. behind some trees. He thought that it
would be paying a compliment to ber Majesty if the
statue of her royal father was removed from its present
position, and placed in a more appropriate site near
Buckingham Palace. The noble lord next alluded to
the pictures bequeathed to the nation by Mr. Tur-
ner. The pictures were at present stowed away
in a cellar, although they were worth their weight in
gold. He had lately seen three pictures by that emineut
artist sold for 5,000 guinea'.

The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said the pictures
alluded to were in a place of safety until a building
worthy of the arts could be erected for their reception.
Lord REDESDALE denounced the plan recom-
mended by the committee for the proposed road through
St. James's-park. Whether for beauty or convenience it
was about the worst that could have been suggested.
He did not see why the road should not be taken straight
into Pall•mall. The truth was, the plan had been de-
signed on the assumption that it was necessary to make
a road through the park. He (Lord Redesdale) did not
see any such necessity; but, on the contrary, he thought
it would be for the interests of the public that the pri-
vacy of the park should be preserved.
The Marquis of OLANRIOADE saidthat St. James's-
palace had in it some, excellent rooms.- All that was
wanted was an improvement in the exits and entrances.
Lord ST. LEONARDS complained of the unsightly
rows of chimneys on Somersct•house. He quite concurred
in thinking it desirab!o to erect a noble pile of buildings
to receive all the,public offices ; for he objected to the
plan of taking palaces, houses fit for the most opulent
noblemen, for the offices of the different commissions. At
the same time, before the Government embarked on any
new building opecsations he hoped they would finish
what they had in band. The dispute with Sir Charles
Barry was most unseemly ; and though he must say that
he thought the Government were right, it was one that
ought not to be allowed to continue for 12 hours. The
proposed plan was to inclose New Palace- yard ; and
really the Government might have created eyesores for
the purpose of making Parliament willing to giequfesce
in their scheme. The west face of the clock tower ob•
viously could not be left in its present state ; and in
order to afford shelter for members horses the Govern-
tnent had put up an erection like a opal-house. It was
a sort of thing that none of their lordships would give
101. to have put up for any pnrphse, or if they did they
would be glad immediately to give 201. to have it pulled
down. (Laughter.)
The Earl of MA.LNIESBURY wished to know what
chance there was of the Government commencing the re-
building of the Government offices in Downing-street.
The -.residence of the Foreign Minister was in such
condition that he could not give a party without hav-
ing his house shored up, and people were then in peril
of their lives. In fact, the minister who, from his offi-
cial relations, was obliged to give soma receptions, had
no house in which he c mid receive the public, Gene.
rally speaking, the office was held by persons who had
an adequate fortune ; but still one might be appointed
who was without large private means ; and he (Lord
Malmesbury) could only say that the salary was not
equal to the necessary outlay which the acceptance of
the office entailed. It was not every one that waisable,
like the noble marquis opposite (Lord Lansdowne), to
receive distinguished guests accredited to them from fo-
reign sovereigns—such as he was himself obliged to re-
ceive on the occasion of the Doke of Wellington's fune-

Formerly the official residence of the foreign mi-
nister, though it never was very handsome, was fit for
an official residence. It had, at least, kitchens and bed-

rooms, which the present had not--(a laugh)—and when
a person was appointed to the office, the first thing he
must now do would be to hire a house, at an expense to
him of not less than a thotpand a year. He agreed with
the noble and learned lord in what he hal said with re-
spect to the engaging of extraneous buildings for the
public service ; but it was not always possible to get
suitable premises at the moment they were required.
Still it was no doubt a great pity to see Pembroke-house,
for instance, with its staircase and ceilings which money
could scarcely buy, occupied by clerks and scriven6rs.
The Marquis of LANSDOWNE said that a plan for
the rebuilding of the Government offices hart been sub-
mitted to the other house, and it rested with them to say
how far it should be arlopted. If that plan were carried
out it would not only be a great public improvement, but
he believed it would also be conducive to economy, by
rendering it unnecessary to hire houses for the public
offioos,„ (Hear.)
Earl STANHOPE thought it would be desirable to
adopt the Continental system of placing suitable in-
scriptions on statues erected to distinguished man, in-
stead of a bare record of the date of their birth and of
their death. (Hear.)
The subject then dropped.
TRANSPORTATION.

On the motion of Earl STANIIOPIII a select committee
to inquire into the present system of secondary punish-
ment was appointed.
Drainage [(Private Advances) Act Amendment Bill
was read a second time.
Smoke Nuisance Abatement Amendment Bill was
read a third time and passed.
Procedure Before Justices (Scotland) Bill passed
through committee.
COUNTY COURTS AMENDMENT BILL.

Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEYpresented a petition
from Manchester, praying that the record court of that
city should not ba exempted from the operation of this
bill.
The Lord CHANCELLOR said there had been peti-
tions from Liverpool and other places praying that:other
courts might be exempted, and it was his intention to
withdraw the clause.
Their lordships then adjourned.

Admiralty when the medals promised tcthe officers and
men engaged in the. Arctic search for iir J. Frankia
and hiS companions. were to be dist:ibutd ?.
Sir C. WOOD said he could, not give an answer to
the question. Delay had occurred in dciding the de-
sign for the medal. • .

GUANO.
• Mr. HORSFALL asked the First Lord of the
Treasury if 'he could give any inform*ion as to the
quantity of guano-on the islands in the Zooria -Mooria
Bay, on the south-east coast of Arabia, inderstood to
be ceded. to the British Crown, and what restric-
tions had been. placed on the rernova of it • and,
whetherany exclusive right to • the gurro had been
granted to any person or persons; and, ifso, the names
of such persons, and the terms of such .grate?
Lord PALMERSTON said there was My a limited
quantity of guano on those islands. Theright to take
guano from them for three years bad beerrgranted to a
certain company for a certain amount of Limey.
CRIMEAN "MRDALS.
Colonel DUNNE asked the Under Secretary for War
whether certain officers and hien who atived in the
Crimea subsequently to the 18th of Septetiber had re-
ceived decorations which they were subsequ*itly directed
to give up, and the reason for this proceedtig
_ _

Mr. F. PEEL said that 30 of the men ofthe artillery
that had returned to this country, and Ito were not ,
in the Crimea the day after the 18th September, had
been called upon to return the medals he lad given to
them in mistake.
PARTNERSHIP AMENDMENT pILL.
In answer ton question from Mr, SpooNip,,;,*
Mr. LOWE said ilt:t should proceed with be Paretner-
`ship Amendment Bill on Monday.
SANDHURST COLLEGE.
On the motion for the adjournment of the louse,
Colonel NORTH asked the Under Secretary for War,
whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Government
to carry into effect the recommendation of the Sand-
hurst Committee with respect to the establishment of
the orphan class of culets at that College,t
Colonel DIJNNE asked what steps had been taken in
reference .to the committee's report relative to the
educatim of staff officers?
Mr. PEEL said the Government intended to entry
out the report of the committee with reference to the
cadets, but provision for the purpose must be made by
the Government, al there wera no funds for it belongitg
to the College. With regard to the other question, the
subj -:et was under consideration.

SUFFRAGAN BISHOPS.
The Marquis of BLANDFO RD asked the First Lord
of the Treasury, whether, in clnsequence of the state of
health of several of the prelates of the Church, who are
unhappily disabled from attending to their dioceses', it
was the intention of the Government to take any steps
to put in fdrce the power.; of the Act 26 Henry VIII.,
c. 14, "for the nomination and consecration of Suffragan;
within this Realm ;" or, if ndt, whether the subject was
still one which had occupied the attention of her Majesty's
Government, with a view to providing a suitable re-
medy ?

Mx. HADFIELD proposed an addition to the ques!
tion, and he felt satisfied the house would believe hire
when he stated be sympathised with the noble marquis
and the sufferings of the bishops. (Laughter.). He
was in earnest in what he said, and he was sure the
country would re-echo it if the bishops were removed
from the Howe of Lords. (Laughter:) It was the
most painful thing to him—(laughter)—to find that the
reverend gentlemen interfered so much with tem-.
poral matters, and he said they had always ob•
structed the passing of every popular, and necessary
measure. (Laughter.) He felt satisfied Churchmen
would be pleased to see them out of that house, and the
Church established would be benefitted by it. He wished
to know if the subject had eneaeeed the attention of Ga-
vernment,and if the noble lord intended to make any alte-
ration in the way lie (nr. Hadfield) suggested? (Laughter.)
Sir J. PAKINGTON said it was necessary to the
interests of the Church that something should be done
with reference to the inability of right rev. prelates to
attend to their duties. He thought the precedent of the
Indian and Colonial bishops might be beneficially ap-
plied to the nnglish bishops.
Mr. 0. STANLEY said that the Act 26 Henry
VIII. could only be put in force at the request of
the Bishop himself. He alluded to the correspondence
that had lately been published with reference to him-
self and the Bishop of Bangor, which it was to be re-
gretted had been made public for the sake of the
Church. That correspondence was published at the
request of the Bishop, and therefore, he felt no
delicacy in alluding to it, and to ask the noble lord to
give some assurance that means would be taken to pre-
vent such a repetition of conduct on the part of the right
reverend gentleman alluded to. The right reverend gen-
tleman he believed had been led to act us lue had from
the infirmities of age, So., under which he was labouring,
and it was to be regretted that a gentleman, whose
mind was at one time of the highest order, and who wag
a man emineatfor his charity and virtues,, should have so
lost all control over his temper as to have scandalised
the country with such a correspondence as that he bad
published. (Hear, hear.)
Lord PALHERSTON—The !natter, as mentioned, by.
the Marquis of Blandford, had been for some time, and
was, under the consideration of the Government, but it
was a question beset with difficulties. With regard to
the supplemental question of the hon. member for Shef-
field, he could only say that he did not at all concur with
him in the opinion he expressed, that the bishops were
out of place in the other house of Parliament. It did
not form part of their intention to make any change in
that respect. Before he sat down, he wished to express
a hope that no other hon. gentleman would put a ques-
tion to him on that motion, as he would have no oppor-
tunity of replying.
CRIME AND OUTRAGE (IRELAND) ACT.

In reply to a question from Mr. Burr,
Mr. HORSMAN said the new law should be recom.
mended by the Lord-Lieutenant, and sanctioned by the
Treasury. He was in communication with the Trea-
sury, but nothing was yet finally settled. It was not in-
tended to renew the Crime and batrage Act of last ses-
sion, but a new measure had been prepared re-enacting
what was necessary, and omitting the objectionable pro-
visions, which he hoped to be able to lay on the table in
the course of the evening.

THE ILLUMINATIONS.
Mr. T. DUNCOMBE wished to ask a question in re
ference to the approaching celebration of her Majesty's
birthday. An impression had gone abroad tbat her Ma-
jesty's Government had given orders for a general illu-
mination. He believed the Government had no such
power. It was believed that if people did not illuminate
interested pa ties would go about breaking windows.
He wished to know whether, if private persons did not
illuminate, they would receive that protection for their
property from the police to which they were entitled? A
great number would go out to see the fireworks, and the
servants would go too, and it would be very unpleasant
when they returned home to find their hout,es broken
into and illuminated in a way they did not expect.
(" Hear," and laughter.)
Sir G. GREY said there could not be the slightest
doubt that the Government had no power to order a
general illumination, and he had so stated in answer to
several applications made to him. He believed it was
now well known that it was neither wished nor expected
that there should be a general illumination—that is, ge-
neral in the sense that every private house shall be illu-
minated. The police would have orders to give all the
protection in their power to private property ; people
would be so much engaged on that night admiring the
fireworks that they would not have time for mischief.
DR. SOUTHWOOD SMITH.
Mr. ROEBUCK said that some time last year, after a
negotiation between Dr. Southwood Smith aad the Trea-,
sury, it was agred that the Dr. should receive a pension
of 300/. a year. On the vote for civil contingencies for the
year, there appeared a vote of 300/. compensation to Dr.
Smith. He wished to know whether that was on account
of the pension!
Mr. WILSON said that the vote in question was to
discharge a sum of 300/. which bad been paid to Dr.
Smith last year, in anticipation of his peueisn, as it was
not thought fair to make him wait for 12 months.
cosrA RICA AND NICARAGUA.
Lord J. RUSSELL had intended to aska question of
his noble friend the First Lord of the Treasury, but after
the intimation given he would postpone it to Monday.
It was as to the authority of a letter signed E. Ham.
mond, which had appeared in the papers, with regard to
the furnishing arms to the Government of Costa Rica,
and whether that furnishing of arms implied any inten-
tion on the part of her Majesty's Government to take
part in the hostilities between Costa Rica aid Nicaragua.
The motion for the adjournment was thin agreed to.
OATH OF ABJURATION BILL.
M. GIBSON, the house went
On the motion of Mr.
into committee on this bill.
Clause 1.
Mr. F. THESIGER moved to leave ant the words
" and the assurance." This amendmert was merely
introductory to a number of which le had given
notice, and he thought it would be convenient to
the committee if he took that opportniity of stating
the object of them. When the right hot. member for
Manchester introduced the bill, he statedthat he did so
in consequence of several of the provisiorn of the oath of
abjuration having become obsolete, and irged with great
force the absurdity, not to say irrevererne, of denying
claims that no longer bad any existence. T the right. hon.
gentleman had intended to confine himself to the simple
object of altering the oath in these partilulars, it might
have been attained by the simple erasion of these words
' from the oath, and he would have suppcvted such a pro-
posal, but the right hon, gentleman at another and a
further object ; he wished to introduce Jews into Parlia-
ment, and for that purpose it was necessary to get rid of
a second part which stood in their wag, and to &boom-
plish that the right hon. gentleman iroposed to give
a death-blow to the oath. This oah was the only
one which recognised the Profestan; succession ac
established by the. Act of Settleineat, yet the right
hon. gentleman proceeded to' sweep it away from
the statute-b tok. Many hon. gentismen had voted
*for the second reading of the bill, O the expectation

of being able to modify it to meet their views in commit-
tee ; such a mode of legislation appeared to him (Sir F.
Thesiger) very incoevenient. His right hon. friend the
member for Buckinghamshire, who on this subject dif-
fered from the majority of his party, had given notice of
an amendment, which would have the effect of distin-
guishing the two questions, as to the propriety of abro-
eating one of them, and as to the more important one,
the admission of the Jews. That was the proper way to
treat the question; and if his (Sir F. Thesiger',) aneend-
mente were adopted they would first decide the propriety
of omitting the obsolete part of the oath, and then come
to the more important consideration, whether they. would
strike out the words, " on the true faith of a Christian."
The noble lord the member for the City of London,
who on this occasion was doing the under work of the
hon. member for Manchester, had proposed a form of
words which would omit the recognition of the Proles-
tent succession. The noble lord formerly made his at-
tempts to introduce the Jews, openly and directly,
but he now sought to do it indirectly and by, a side
wind. The question for the committee was whether they
would take that course or adopt his amendments, which
would accomplish all the right hon. gentleman had origi-
nally proposed, and leave the other question for distinct
decision. The oath of abjuration had beau in existence
for IRI years. It was establiged in 1701 by the 13th
William 111., and ever since maintained. There was
now no reason telly it should he altered, except in the
parts that had.become obsolete.
Mr. M. GIBSON said that as far as he understood
the hon. and learned gentleman, the ellect of his aenend-
meats was to strike all the abjuration oat of the oath of
abjuration ; he must find some other name for it, as
he would leave nothing to abjure. The course he
had taken was strictly in accordance with precedents
in all former acts. The custom was to repeal the
existing oath and enact a new one, involving the re-
quired changes. It was necessary to do so, as it
would be impossible to patch up an oath as proposed by
the hon. and learned gentleman. He believed that the
Protestant succession would be perfectly secure without
any oath of abjuration, and he was confirmed in that
belief by the fact that there were thousands of cases in
which the law was not enforced, and the parties were
indemnified by an act which was passed at the end of
every session. In fact, except in the case of members
of Parliament and the holders of a very few offices, the
oath was not taken at all ' • and an oath which was so
extensively neglected could not be a very important in-
gredient in the security of the Crown. He did not see
how the words " nod the assurance" could be omitted,
and for this reason—that the assurance, which was de•
signed especially for the Scotch, contained all the words
in the oath of abjuration with respect to the descendants
of James. The same amount of swearing that sufficed
for Englishmen would euffice for Seetchmeu. (Laughter.)
With regard to the admission of Jews to Parliament
and to various offices, ho contended that question did
not arise under the bill. If there were no Jewish
question it would still be desirable that a super-
fluous and absurd oath should be abolished ;
and, though the removal of Jewish liabilities might be
effected incidentally, that question rested' ori other
grounds.
Tee amendment was then negatived without a division.
Sir F. THESIGER said he would not propose any
more of his amendments then, but after lie had seen what
shape the bill assumed in committee, he would state what
course he would pursue on the third reading,
Lord J. RUSSELL said he would now propose the
oath of which he had given notice. He thought the hon.
and learned gentleman bad exercised a wise discretion in
not proposing to maintain the oath of abjuration. What
he (Lord J. Russell) proposed, was to abrogate an oath
which was absurd and useless, and to substitute for it one
by which they would simply bind themselves to main-
tain the Protestant succession to the crown, as by law es-
tablished. In favour of retaining that part of the present
oath, there was the fact that it was inserted in the Ro-
man Catholic oath, As he had before said, he considered
that the laws which at present existed afforded sufficient
security ; but he did not think Parliament ought
even to appear to have weakened the present securities.
It was with the view of diminishing the objections to
the bill that he now proposed this clause. The noble
lord then moved the following clause :—" In lieu of the
Oath of Abjuration and of the assurance set forth and
prescribed by the said recited act or any other act, tt e
following oath shall be substituted, which shall be inti-
tuled An Oath for securing the Protestant Succession
to the Crown as by Law established,' and shall be in
deo words fullowing, that is to say A. B. do faith-
fully promise to maintain, support, and defend to the
utmost of my power, the succession to the Crown, which
succession, by an act intituled "An Act for the further
limitation of the Crown, and better securing the rights
and liberties of the subject,' is and stands limited to the
Princess Sophia, Electress and Duchess Dowager of
Hanover, and the heirs of her body being Prot,-.atants.
So help me God.' And every statutory enactment now
in force with respect to the Oath of Abjuration or the
assurance hereby abolished shall henceforth apply
to the oath hereby substituted, iu the same manner as if
such last-mentioned oath had been expressly mentioned
or referred to in and by such statutory enactments, in-
stead 'of the Oath of Abjuration and the assurance
hereby abolished."
Mr. NAPIER. could not assent to this clause, and
thought the noble lord had embarrassed the question by
proposing it. He was quite willing to vote for an altera-
tion of the abjuration oath which would make it more
consistent with modern ideas, bat he could not consent
to the omission of the words "on the true faith of a
Christian." By the course which he was pursuing the
noble lord compelled persons who thought those words
indispensable to vote for retaining the abjuration oath
rather than sacrifice them. The Jewish question ought
bbe dealt with separately he strongly objected to its
being mixed up with the question relating to the de-
scendants of James.
Mr, ROEBUCK believed that the opposition war, from
beginning to end, a sham. Much had been said about the
necess=ity of excluding infidels. Were Bolinghroke and
Gibbon excluded by the words " on the true faith of a
Christian ?" (Hear, hear.) Hon. members opposite,
while pretending to be actuated by Christian feeling,
were manifesting an unchristian desire to exclude their
folio w-subsects.
Mr. NEWDEGATE said, instead of the opposition
to the noble lord's clause being a sham, the very object
aimed at was to prevent imposition. They had come
there to clear the ground, and their reason for wishing to
exclude those who were not Christians was that such
persons were not actuated by the principle which formed
the foundation of the laws.
Mr. ROEBUCK said the words " on the true faith of a
Christian" were not in the oath of allegiance, which was
certainly as important as the oath of abjuration. The real
object of hon. gentlemen opposite being to exclude Jews,
why did they not say so ? (Ironical o ppssition cheers.) If
he were a Jew he would take the oath atones. (Laughter.)
He would repeat the words " on the true faith of a
Christian," and would add " those words have no binding
force upon me." Atter he repeated the words imposed
by the Act of Parliament he could not be excluded.
Mr. H. DRUMMOND agreed with the lion, and
learned gentleman that the opposition was a sham. A
reference to former debates would show that at one pe-
riod the words "on the true faith of a Christian " were
considered of far greater importance in the oath of
allegiance than in the oath of abjuration. He wished the
noble lord (Lord 3. Russel;) would direct his attention
to the getting rid of the Royal Marriage Act, which was
well known to have originated in personal spite on the
part of George the Third to some of his sons, which
ought long ago to have been repealed.
Sir F. THESIGER said one reason why he and others
objected to the proposal of the noble lord was that held
not distinctly raise the Jewish question. As regarded
the expression " sham," he must remind the hon. and
learned gentleman that they (the opposition) had always
declared that they objected to the admission of Jews to
Parliament and had the Jewish question been distinctly
brought before the house on that occasion, they would
have repeated that declaration. With respect to infidels,
he would remark that if one came there, and used the
words " on the true faith of a Christian," no blame
would attach to the house. They could not raise barriers
against immoral men. (Hear.) He pledged himself, at
some future stage of the bill, he would raise the Jewish
question distinctly. (Hear.)
Mr. ROEBUCK begged the committee to observe the
confession of the hon. and learned gentleman, that " they
could not raise barriers against immoral men." The bar-
rier in question was, he supposed, maintained for the
purpose of excluding moral and conscientious men.
Mr. C. FORTESCUE preferred the proposal made by
the noble lord in 1849 to his present one, as the effect of
its adoption would have been to impose one oath upon all.
Lord PALMERSTON said he should give his sup-
port
to the motion of his noble friend (Lord J. Russell),
not that he thought the intention of the act of 1701
would have the slightest effect in adding to the force of
the law, for the settlement of the crown rested on a
much stronger foundation than the taking of any oath of
that house. Nevertheless he could not but think that as
the reference to the act had heretofore been inserted in
the oath it ought to be part of the engagement taken.
With regard to the objections urged that this was indi-
rectly removing an obstacle to the introduction of Jews
to Parliament, he replied that the obstacle which pre-
vented them from taking their seats in that house had
been no less incidentally introduced. He quite concur-
red in the argument which had been put forward, that
if these words, " on the true faith of a Christian," were
necessary, they ought to be added to the other oaths as
well as to the one now under consideration. The oath of
allegiance was a much more important oath than was the
one under consideration, and yet to that these words
were not added. So far from thinking that it was an ob-
jection to this amendnient that it would allow Jews to
take their seats there, be, considered it a reason in its
favour. The hon. and learned gentleman said that
the question ought to be distinctly raised. That might
very well be done by himif ho wished to add to the
words of this clause the disputed words, " on the true
faith of a Christian." He very cordially assented to the
motion of his noble friend.
Mr. NAPIER thought it would be more convenient
to take the discussion upon this question en the third
reading. He therefore suggested that the clause should
be allowed to pass.
The clause was then agreed to.
Lord J. RUSSELL moved to insert the following
clause :
Every per 4u 14rziAted 1)7 tbt Paicl at of Ills late Majesty

The house then resumed.
POLICE (COUNTIES AND BOLLOUGHS) BILL.
Upon the order of the dny tor the further considera-
tion of this bill,
The following clauses (-moved by Sir G. GREY) were
agreed to :
(Provisions relating to borough police to be applicable to

the police iu the places referred to in the act 3 and 4 Vic. c.
88, s; 20, until discontinued.) Until the constables or watch-
men appointed in and for any parish, town, or place under the
act passed in the session holden the third and fourth years of
King William the Fourth, chap. 90, or under any local act
authorising the appointment of constables or watchmen, and
authorisiug rates to be made and levied for the purpose of
defraying the expenses of such constables or watchmen, are
discontinued as a separate force in manner provided by
section twenty of the said act of the third and fourth years
of her Majesty and by this act, all the provisions of this act ap-
plicable to the constables of any borough acting underthe said
act of the fifth and sixth years of King William IV. shall be
applicable to the constables or watchmen appointed underthe
said act of the third and fourth years of King William IV.,
or under such local acts as aforesaid insncLlor sawk•Etorish,.

town, or place, and until such discontinuance all the provi-
sions of this act applicable to the Watch Committee of a bo-
rough shall. be applicable to the inspectors, commissioners, or
other persons having the appointment of constables or watch-
men' in and for such parish, town, or place, and the police of
such parish, town, or place, shall be visited and inquired into
by the inspectors under this act; and the proiisions in this
act enabling the Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury to
make payment towards the expenses of the police of a borough
having a population exceeding five thousand, shall, until such
discontinuance, extend to the police of such parish, town, or
place as aforesaid, having the like population.
(The separate police in such places (having a population of
15,001) not to be superseded withoat the authority of the
Secretary of State). Provided, that where any such parish,
town, or place, baying such constables or watchmen as aforesaid
contains, according to the last Parliamentary enumeration, a
population of fifteen thousand persons or upwards, the chief
constable of the county in which such parish, town, or place
is situate, shall not give notice under the said section twenty
of the said act of the third and fourth years of her Majesty,
that he is ready to undertake the charge of such parish, town,
or place, withoat the previous authority of one of her Ma-
jesty's principal secretaries of state; and notice of the in-
tention of the chief constable to apply to the Secretary of
State for such authority shall be published by such chief
constable in such parish, town, or place, in manner directed
by the said section 20, respecting the publication of the no-
tice therein mentioned, fourteen days at least before such
application is made.
(Warrauts issued in one jurisdiction may be executed in
another without being backed.) Any warrant for the appre-
hension of any person' issued by any justice or justices of the
peace in England or Wales, may be executed iu any part of
England or Wales out of the jurisdiction of such justice or
justices, without the same being backed or indorsed by any
justice of the peace having jurisdiction in and for the place
where the same is required to be executed, in the same man-
ner, and with tho same force and effect, as now by law pro-
vided in cases where such warrant is actually so backed and
indorsed.
Some verbal amendments were then introduced, and
the bill was ordered to be read a third time on Friday
next.

ANNUITIES BILL (No. 2).
This bill was read a second time.
POOR LAW AMENDMENT BILL.
Sir G. PECIIELL presented a number of petitions
from 41 parishes in different parts of the country which
are under Gilbert's Act, against the bill.
Mr. BOUVERIE said that a considerable portion of
the bill was to be amended, and he thought it best not to
proceed with the second reading, but to discharge the
carder, and introduce a new bill with the proposed amend-
ments. _ _

Mr. HENLEY, while thinking that course the best
under the o'rcumstances, complained of want of courtesy
on the part of tke right hon, gentleman in having given
no notice of his intention.

After some convenation on this latter point, all the
hon. members who spoke agreeing that the withdrawal
of the bill in its present shape was the most advisable
course, the order was discharged ; a new bill was brought
in by Mr. Bourerie, read a first time, and ordered to be
real a second time on that day fortnight.
GRAND JURY ASSESSMENT (IRELAND)
BILL,

The house went into committee on this bill.
Clause 1 was agreed to.
Oa clause 2,
Sir R. FERGUSON moved to leave out the words
" tolls, roads, bridges; railways, canals, gas, and water
works." - •

The amendment was opposed by Mr. Housuarr and
Mr. FITZGERALD, and, after a short discussion, ne-
gatived.
The clause was then agreed to.
On clause 2,
Mr. IL HAMILTON moved in• line 21, after
" pound," to insert "one," and wherever it should occur
that the poundage rate was to be assessed on a less
amount of value, than one, it shall not be necessary to
take into account any smaller amount of value than one-
eighth of a pound."
The amendment was agreed to and the clause passed,
On clause 4,
Sir R. FERGUSON moved, is line 36, altar " thereof'
to insert " and shall lodge the amount collected from
time to time in the County Bank, to the credit of the
treasurer of the county, and shall not at any time retain
in his hands more than one hundred pounds, but shall
lodge the same in the County Bank with all convenient
speed."
Dir. J. D. FITZGERALD did not see any objection
to the amendment, if it were thought necessary.
The words proposed were then added, and the clause
was agreed to.
The next clause, with a slight amendment, was like-
wise agreed to.
An amendment proposed by Mr. H. EsmivroN, to
give to the secretary to the grand jury of the county of
Dublin, a special remuneration for making out the as-
sessment, was negatived after a brief conversation.
On clause 6, 'a verbal alteration proposed by Sir R.
FERGUSSON was agreed to ; after which
Sir F. THESIGER proposed to insert a proviso, that
a list or account of all sums to be represented, with the
dates and [names, should be left with the county trea-
surer three weeks previous to the .assizes, open to public
inspection without fee ; and that it should be competent
far auy person interested to object to the re-presentment,
and that the grand jury should hear his objections.
Mr. J. D. FI rzGE FULD suggested that Cue" proviso
should be withdrawn, and a clause to carry out the ob.
jects of the hon. and learned gentleman added on the
third reading.
After some further consideration,
Sir F. THESIGEP, adopted the suggestion, and
withdrew the proviso.
The clause was then agreed to.
On clause 7,
Sir R. FERGUSON moved to leave out the latter
portion of the clause, which introduced a new principle
into grand jury assessment.
Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD said that, under the ex-
isting acts, charitable institutions were exempt, but the
rents derived from them were charged with half the
rate. The object of the clause was to enable a mesne
landlord so charged to make a deduction from the head
landlord.
After a conversation, gin; which Mr. I. BUTT urged
that. the !clause should be withdrawn altogether, the
amendment was withdrawn, and
Mr. Burr moved that the clause should be omitted.
Mr. FITZGERALD Consented to the omission of
the clause.
Colonel DUNNE moved the omission of the Bth
clause.

The committee divided—
For the clause B7
Against it
Majority —l6
The clause was then agreed to, as were also clauses 9
to 17, inclusive.
Sir F. THESIGER moved the following clause :
With reference to any sums of grand jury cess to be pre-
sented or re-presented after the passing of the act, it shall
not be lawful to commence any proceeding for the recovery
of auy sum in arrear or unpaid against auy person not pri-
marily liable to pay the same under or by virtue of the pre-
sentiment and applotmont thereof, after the expiration of two
years from the date of such original presentiment, anything
in this or any former act to the contrary notwithFtanding.
Mr. BUTT moved that the word " three" be substi-
tuted for " two."
The committee divided—.
For the amendment 42
Against it
Majority -53
The clause was agreed to.
Mr. HAMILTON moved to add the following clause:
In any case in which, from the extent or other circumstances
of a barony, it may appear expedient to divide the same for
the purpose of collection, it shall and may be lawful for the
grand jury to make a presentment for the purpose of effect-
ing such a division setting forth in such presentment the
parishes or townlands constituting such divisions or portions
of the barony; and when such presentment shall be fiated by
the court the parishes or townlands set forth therein shall,
for all purposes belonging
to the duties or functions of the
collector, be taken to be separate portions of the barony; and
it shall be lawful for the grand jury, if they shall think fit,
to appoint one collector for every such portion of a barony,
and the collector so appointed for a portion of a barony shall
be subject to all the provisions and have all the powers in
force by law with regard to the collector of any barony.
Mr. F. HUME moved that the chairman report pro-
gress, in order to get rid of this bill.
This motion was negatived, and the clause agreed to.
The bill was then ordered to be zeprted, and the house
resumed.
WEST INDIAN LOANS BILL.
The house went into committee on this bill, and seve-
ral amendments were inserted, when the house resumed.
LUNATIC ASYLUMS (IRELAND) BILL.
The order for tho fieond reading of this bill was die-
Gbarged, and