The Sun.
London, England, 1851-04-09 00:00:00

RELIGIOUS HOUSES BILL.

On,Aba order of the day being read for the second
reading of this 13111,
Mr. LACY moved that it be postponed until the
30th of April.

Mr. GRATTAN hoped the House would treat the
Bill with the contempt it deserved, and kick it over the
bar. It was an insult to all Roman Catholics.
Mr. REYNOLDS suggested if the Hon. Member was
in earnest in proceeding with the Bill that he should post-
pone it until a further period, in order to enable Irish
Members to be present. The Bill was an insult to all
Roman Catholic ladies who occupied these religious houses.
Mr. LACY was perfectly in earnest in bringing
forward the Bill, and should proceed with it as long as he
lived and the House gave him power to do so.
Mr. O'FLAHERTY said he was anxious that the Bill
should be discussed in the House, because he considered that
it wasa foul libel on religions houses, and that discussion
would place them in a true light before ►he public.
The order of the day, after some further discussion, was
then postponed until the 14th of May.
EXPENSES PROSECUTIONS BILL.

The amendments to this Bill wereconsidered, and agreed to.
COMPOUND HOUSEHOLDERS BILL.

The ameadmeats to this Bill were considered and ageed to,
ANNUAL INDEMNITY BILL. _
__

Leave was given to bring in this Bill on the motion of Mr.
C. LEWIS.
The Bill was subsequently brought in.
The other orders of the day were disposed of, and the
House adjourned at Six o'clock.

ELECTION COJIMITTE.-( THIS DAY.)

ST. ALBAN'S.

The Committee sat this morning at half-past twelve.
Mr. Sergeant KIIIGLAKB made an application to the Com-
mittee to proceed with the inquiry into this case. He con-
tended that the Committee had no right under the present
Act of Parliament to make any special report to
the House except at the time when they reported
their final determination. The Learned Counsel
quoted all the authorities on the subject, each of which
he contended supported his view of the case. He could find
no precedent of a Committee making any special report while
the proceedings were going on.
Mr. E. JAMES followed on the same side. He contended
that the Committee had no right under the 83d sec:ion of
the Act, except in cases where witnesses had refused is
answer, or had been served with the Speaker's warrant, and
had not obeyed. The case was analagous to a trial at Nisi
Prius, where, if the necessary witnesses might be
kept away by one of the interested parties, the case would
still go on, and a verdict be given, although the judge would
direct proceedings to be instituted against the offending per.
eons; and he contended, therefore, that the Committee had no
power to delay this inquiry.
A.r. Sergeant WR&NGHAM opposed the application.
After hearing the arguments of Mr. Sergeant Wrangham
and Mr. Merewether, in opposition to the application of the
sitting Member's Counsel,
The Committee announced their resolution of applying
to the House for leave to adjourn the inquiry until Monday.
The Committee then rose, at three o'clock.

BANK OF ENGLAND,—.(THIS DAY.)—A. Court of
Proprietors was held this day for the election of directors.
The proceedings commenced at ten o'clock, and at four o'clock
the following gentleman were declared duly elected :—Thomas
Baring, Esq., Henry Wollaston Blake, E:q., Edward Henry
Chapman, Esq., Robert Wigram Crawford, Esq., %I, illiam
Cotton, Esq., Benjamin Buck Gre .ne, Esq., John Oliver
Hanson, Esq., John Benjamin Heath, Esq., n irkman Daniel
Hodgson, Esq., Henry Lancelot Holland, Esq., Thomas
Newman Hunt, Esq., Charles Frederick Huth, Esq., Alfred
Latham, Esq., George Lyall, jun., Esq., Thomas Nasterman,
Esq., Alexander Matheson, Esq., James Morris, Esq., George
Warde Norman, Esq., John Horsley Palmer, Esq., Sir John
Henry Pelly, Bart., Henry James Prescott, Esq., Thomas
Charles Smith, Esq., Thomas Matthias Weguelin, Esq.,
Francis Wilson, Esq.

EXTENSION OF THE MUNICIPAL
CONSTITUENCY.
On Monday a meeting of the inhabitants of Billings-
gate Ward was held at Fellowship Hall, St. Mary•at-
Hill, for the purpose of taking into consideration the
present defective and unsatisfactory state of the muni-
cipal constituency, and to adopt suckmeasures as might
be expedient.
The meeting was called by a requisition of 35 of the
inhabitants addressed to the Alderman of the Ward.
The chair was taken by Mr. Alderman SIDNEY, M.P.,
who expressed great satisfaction at the opportunity of
being able to forward any measure which would tend to
enlarge the present limited roll of freemen electors, and
quite agreed with the wording of the requisition, that
the right of voting for aldermen and common councilmen
of London ought to be extended to all citizens paying
scot and bearing lot within the city of London.
Mr. MURRAY, the ward clerk, having read the requi-
sition,
Mr. BOUSFIELD moved, " That the present roll of
freemen electors, within the city of London, is limited
and capricious, excluding many persons, wbo, by occu-
pancy, and residence, should be entitled to vote for
municipal officers, and that in the opinion of this meet-
ing the Act of 12 and 13 Vio. (one to amend the 11th
Geo. L), has tended to lessen the municipal constituency,
contrary to the avowed object of such Act, and that the
same, and the above recited Act, ought to be repealed."
Mr. BEMAMIN seconded the motion.
Mr. BowER admitted, as the advocate of the rights of
the existing freemen of the City, that he could go a
reasonable way in support of this resolution for extend-
ing the roll of freemen; but he could not agree to any
one being permitted to come to reside in that
ward for a short period, and thereby obtain all the
privileges of those who, by long residence and
the payment of fines, have become possessed
of the right of voting for municipal officers. It was
necessary to have a foundation for the corporation of
the city of London, and some kind of payment for that
purpose. There was another difficulty, which was, how
they should get the Government to give up their portion
of the fines.
The CHAIRMAN—They will give up theirs if you will
give up yours.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. BOWER was sorry to say that the City had fre-
quently attempted to induce the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer to give up the fines, but they had never been
successful.—(Hear, hear.) He concluded by moving an
amendment, which was in the spirit of the resolution, but
did not go quite to that extent as to granting the quali-
fication.
far. SANGsTER agreed on the necessity of extending
the roll of freemen, which he thought highly necessary
for various reasons, but insisted on more qualification
than a residence of a year and a day within the City of
London. A misunderstanding had got abroad in respect
to this year and a day, for it did not in ancient times per
se constitute a freeman, but was the limited time within
which a man could take up his freedom of the City, and
thereby save himself from servitude. Mr. Ssngster con-
cluded a very able speech by seconding the amendment.
The enamour; then put the amendment, which was
lost, and the original motion was carried.
Mr. BERLEY moved a resolution to the enact " that
every person occupying premises in the city of London
for the period of a year and a day, paying scot and bear-
ing ht, is a citizen, and entitled to all the benefits and
privileges, and subject to all the duties thereof." He
took a broad view of the subject by saying that either
the corporation should have an Act to compel all
citizens whatever to take up their freedom, or repeal
the tax altogether, for at present it became an
act of necessity on the poor retailer, whilst ~the
wholesale man or the merchant evaded the payment. It
was asked by Mr. Bower how the present freemen were
to be indemuified, to which he would reply that they
had taken up their freedom as a trading speculation, and
they must put up with its consequences.—(Hear.) He
maintained, from history, that the municipal rights of a
citizen were anterior to the establishment of the city
companies, and, therefore, ought not to be curtailed by
these companies.
Mr. BowER said, that persons could qualify at present
without belonging to any company.—(No, no.)
The CHAIRMAN signified that they could do so, but
they did not enjoy the whole of their privileges. He
thought those who had been thought worthy of being
appointed electors for Members of Parliament, should he
equally admitted to vote for the alderman and common
councilmen of the city of London.—(Applause.)
Mr. GRAVES had great pleasure in seconding the re-
solution.
An amendment was proposed by Mr. SANGSTER, but
was not seconded.
Mr. SANGSTER quite agreed in the movement for ex-
tending the freedom of the City, and was glad to see it,
commenced in the ward of Billingsgate, which, according
to their chronicles, had always been forward in the cause of
freedom ; indeed it was to that ward the public was
first indebted for having reporters ill the Howie of

Commons, so fearful were the citizens of their rights
being invaded by Parliament.—(llear, hear.)
Mr. FOSTER moved—" That a ardmotes he held in
this ward, according to ancient user, for the purpose of
enrolling such citia,ns as have obtained their right of
voting, and for other purposes."
Mr. NicsoLsoN seconded the motion, whiclewas
agreed to unanimously. •
Mr. CARR moved—" That a petition, founded on the
above resolutions, addressed to the Aldermen and Cip-
mon Council of the City of London, be prepared bfrhe
ward clerk, and that it be entrusted to Mr. Alderman
Sidney for presentation."—(Applanse.)
Mr. BESLEY seconded the motion, which was agreed
to unanimously.
After some observations from Mr. Foster, Mr. Con-
ston, Mr. Young, and others, a vote of thanks was passed
by acclamation to the worthy Alderman for presiding.
The CEIAIRMAN, in returning thanks, hoped it could
not be thought by any gentleman present, that he would
be a party to do anything which would tend to lower or
weaken the corporation, of which he was a member,
more particularly when he saw a grasping Government
intent upon invading the privileges of the citizens of
London.—(Great applause.) Ou the contrary, this ex•
tension of the suffrage would go to strengthen the Cor-
poration, and to toe preservation of their municipal
rights. A large constituency on the basis now pro-
posed would give power to the citizens to withstand
any nefarious attempt on the part of Government,
which now only took advantage of their weak position.
As their constituency had been reduced from 50,000 to
6,000 —(lfear)—so by this measure would it increase from
6,000 to 50,000, which was the number of municipal elec-
tors in the time of Charles ll.—(Cheers.) He should sup-
port the petition for the best of reasons, first, because it
would give satisfaction to the 10,000 or 11,000 non-
freemen, and, secondly, because such an extension of the
freedom would. tend to strengthen the Corporation of the
city of London, in doing which they might say to even
a powerful Government, " Touch us if you dare."
The meeting then broke up.

THE LONDON GAZETTE, April 8.

BANKRUPTS.

George Smellio, silversmith, High-street, Shadwell,
to surrender April 17 and May 15, at two, at the Court
of Bankruptcy. Bell, official assignee, Coleman-street-
buildings ; Taylor and Collison, Great James-street,
Bedford-row.
Robert „reach, butcher, Thorney, Cambridgeshire,
April 17 afd May 15, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy.
Bell, official assignee, Coleman-street-buildings; Robin-
son, South-square, Gray's Inn.
'William Cox, stockbroker, Blomfield-terrace, Harrow-
road, April 16, at eleven, and May 20, at twelve, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Graham, official assignee; Rye,
Golden-square.
James Thomas Hobson, corn merchant, Welling-
borough, Northamptonshire, April 19, at eleven, and
May 29, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Ni-
cholson, official assignee, Basinghall-street; Lawrauce,
Plews, and Boyer, Old Jewry-chambers.
William Robinson, dealer and chapman, Brompton,
April 19, at twelve, and May 29, at eleven, at the Court
of Bankruptcy. Pennel, official assignee, Basinghall-
street ; Bennett, Furnival's Inn.
George Frederick Jones, surgeon, East Ilsley, Berk-
shire, April 15, at eleven, and May 20, at twelve, at the
Court of Bankruptcy. Groom, official assignee, Ab-
church-lane; Baylis and Drewe, Red Cross-street.
cieorge Stockbridge, draper, Oxford-street, April
15, at two, and May 20, at eleven, at the Court of
Bankruptcy. Edwards, official assignee, Sambrook-court,
Ba-einghall-street; Lawrence, Bread-street, Cheapside.
James Hill, linendraper, Holcombe Bogus, Devon-
shire, April 16 and May 12, at one, at the Exeter Dia-
-1 trict Court. Hernaman, official asssignee, Exeter;
Force, Exeter.
John A`Lean, commission merchant, Liverpool, April
17 and May 22, at eleven, at the Liverpool District
Court. Bird, official assignee, Liverpool ; Littledale
and Bardswell, Liverpool.

THE COUNTRA MARKETS.
IPSWICH, APRIL 8.
We noticed an increased supply of wheat at this day's
market. The millers took off some quantity, and the trade
was firm at last week's rates. Barley was in small supply, did
not meet a very ready sale, and was a trifle cheaper than last
week. Other things as of late.
PER QUARTER.' PER QUARTER.
Wheat, red
Ditto, white. 4ss to 48s Oats oos to 00s
Barley, malting ~. 21s to 27s Rye
Ditto, grinding ... 21s to Oos Malt
Beans ... 2Bs to o,ls Flour, per sack ... Oos to 00e
AVERAGES FOR THE WEEK ENDING APRIt. 5, 1851.
Wheat
Barley
Oats ........ ... ...
Beans. 7 ~ 26s Od
Peas
.Od
HULL, Alma, 8.
Messrs. Taylor and Bright's Circular states :—At the
beginning of last week there was more activity in the wheat
trade than for some time past, and prices were made which
had been previously unattainable. Towards the close, how..
ever, the demand somewhat subsided. At to-day's market we
were tolerably supplied with wheat by our farmers, which was
taken by millers at last week's prices. For foreign wheat there
was a moderate inquiry. Of barley we have some foreign
arrivals, but the market has lately been very bare, and both
grinding and malting qualities are in fair request at full rates.
Oats somewhat more inquired after, and the turn dearer.
Rather more business passing in beans, but peas are neglected.
Linseed remains firm, but not much doing. Hull-made cakes
rather dearer ; foreign in moderate demand, and prices un-
altered. Rapeseed is dull, and somewhat lower. Nothing
doing in cakes.
The following are the present prices of grain :•—•
Wheat, English, red 36 to 401 Peas, white and yel. 27 30
Do. white ......
Dantzic and Ko- Linseed, Black Sea 4B 50
nigsberg 42 46'Do. Petersburgh ... 42 48
Pomeranian and Do. Riga& Archngl. 38 —42
Hamburgh 37 40 Do. Konigsberg .... 38 42
Danish, Holstein, & Per ton
Friesland 3la— 37 Lins. c,Hull 715 s Od to 717 s
Russian and Odessa 34 38 Do. fine foreign
Oats, English
Do. Danish l6 18 Rapeseed
Do. Friesland lB 2/01Rape cakes...Bo3 Od to 003 OJ
Do. Russ. & Odessa 00 00 Tares, English ......353 —00 s.
Barley, malting 25 28 Do. foreign 23s —36 s
Do. grinding 2l 22 Guano 6/ to 10/ lUs
Beans 25 28 Bones, do 97s 6d to OOs Od
D0.. foreign
CORK, Asma 7.
Barrels. _ _ . Currency.

O White wheat oos Od to OOs Od OOs Od-20 stony
2 Red wheat Hs 6d to OOs Od 00s Od-20 do
4 Barley l2s 4d to 00s Od OOs Od-16 do
0 Bere

l'6 Oats ... is 5d to II s 6d lOs 4d —l4 do
26 Pigs 32s Od to 36s Od 00s Od per cwt
Quantity sold at the Highest Prices:-
0 barrels white wheat; 0 red; U barley; 0 bere ; 6 oats;
3 pigs.
Quantity of Grain and Number of Pigs sold last week:—
Wheat, 10. Barley, 278. Oats, 1,707. Pigs, 211.
Coax.—Flour—First lls 6d to 12s Od ; extra 12s 6d ;
seconds, lOs 6d to I Is Od; households 9s to 10d Od; thirds, 7s to 8s
per cwt. Oatmeal 105 to 10s 6d; Indian meal 75 6d to 7s 9d; wheat.
meal, 9s 6i to lOs per cwt. Indian corn 71 2s 6d to 7110 s per
ton. Bran 60s to 00s Od per ton. Hay—Farmers 30s to 445; average
38s ; dealers 44s to 49s Od; average 00s per ton. Str aw— Farmers
30s Od to 42s Od; average COs; dealers 42s Od to 00s Od;
average 005 Od per ton. Bread—Wheaten loaf 5d to 6d ;
household loaf 4id to 5d per 41b. Fresh butter, 10d to
12d per lb. Eggs-3s 10.3 to 4s Od per hundred. Coals—
Ne-vnort 14s Od; Lydney 15s ; Landore 14s ; Neath Culm,
13s 6d per ton. Tallow 37s Od to 38s per cwt
Whisky, 25 o. p., 5s 9d per imperial gallon. Meat
—Beef 41d to bid; mutton 5d to 7d; veal 4d to
5d ; pork 4d to Od ; bacon 7d to 8d ; sausages 5d per lb.
Hops 61 lOs to 0/ Os per cwt. Bangor slates 3/ 2s 6d to 315 s per
ton. Bark—Barbary 71 Os to Si Os; Valonia 15/ to 01; French
61 Os ; Spanish 01 per ton. Fleece Wool 14s to 15s per stone.
Hemp 32/ to 34/ per ton. Fish— Scotch herrings Ifid to 00s ; red
ditto, 26s to 00s per barrel ; Newfoundland, 11/ 5s to 00/ pet
ton. Timber—Memel, 803 per ton ; red pine, 31 lOs ; yellow
ditto, 21 15s per ton; deals, 12s to 155 per ICI Hides—
Market 24s to 345; salted 2bd to 34s per cwt ; calf skins
3id -to 3id per lb. Potatoes, white 8d to 10d ; Minions,
lud to 13d. Guano—Peruvian, 11/ 105 Ichaboe, 8/ to 9/ Os
per ton. Tar—Archangel, 19s per barrel.

LAUGHARNE.—The excitement consequent upon
the return of Elizabeth Gibbs to reside in this picturesque
watering place, continued unabated for more than a week
after the Assizes, and many of the families who are
located in Laugharne seriously contemplated removing
from such disagreeable proximity. This circumstance
still further aroused the popular indignatio7, and on the
night of the 27th ult. Gibb's effigy was duly suspended upon
a gallons, which was erected in front of her dwelling, and
afterwards set fire to, amid the exultation of the mob. On
the following evening, a lengthened mock funeral procession
paraded up and down the street where Elizabeth Gibbs re-
sided, which, by the bye, has bad its cognomen metamorphosed
into that of 'Scape-the-Gallows street. These reiterated
annoyances induced her to leave the town, and accordingly on
Wednesday she passed through Carmarthen on her way to
Merthyr, again exciting the disgust and indignation of a tu-
multuous assemblage, who crowded to satiate their curiosity
by gazing on the woma❑ whom the law had pronounced
innocent of the murders which excited their horror.—
Welshman.

AN ANCIENT LADY.—The taking up of the census
created no little sensation here yesterday. It is said the
ladies were particularly annoyed with that column in which
their last birth-day was required. One venerable lady we
must adduce in honourable contrast to these, who has given
in the round figure of 705 as her age.—lnverness Courier.
SUSPENSION OF A CLERGYMAN OF THE ESTABLISHED
Cit.ttcir.—A strong sensation has been excited in the town
of Gravesend in consequence of the suspension for six
months of the Rev. Mr. Blew, minister of the church of
St. John, by the Bishop of Rochester. The report in the
district is that the Bishop was originally applied to on the
subject by Mr. Duval, churchwarden of the church of the
Most Holy Trinity, and subsequently a correspondence took
place between Lord Ashley, Mr. Duval, and the bishop.
The result has been the suspension above mentioned. It
appears that the church of St. John was originally erected
by subscription and let out at different times to different
clergymen, and that Mr. Blew ultimately became the pro-
prietor by purchase. The Rev. Gentleman had succeeded in
bringing a large congregation to the church, had formed a
school, choristers, &c. The gravamen of his offence is the
having subscribed an address to Dr. Wiseman, got up
.by
certain clergymen of the High Church party, in which
those whose names are attached regret the manner in
which he has been received in England; address him as
" your Eminence," express respect for his person and office
as a " bishop of the church of God"; and state that the
" clamour of the many" in his case " is not to be regarded
as the unequivocal voice of religion and of the Church of
England."
SOMNAMBULISM IN Llvartroor..—On Wednesday
night a lady was discovered walking along St. Anne-street
in her night dress. She was fast asleep. Some gentlemen
prLsing by got a car and conveyed her home. Liverpool
Mercury.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Cornwall has pre-
sented the Rev. James Hutchinson, late preceptor to
Princess Mary of Cambridge, to the rectory of Great Berk-
hampstead, Hertfordshire, rendered yunt by the death of
the iieY. James Croft 4.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT

HOUSE OF LORDS, April S.
Thu Lotto CHANCELLOR took hi 3 a[..at oa tho Wool-
sack at Five o'clock.

MU PINY BILL AND MARINE MUTINY BILL.

On the• motion of the Duke of WELLINGTON, these
Bills were respeetively committed.
COUNTY COURTS EXTENSION BILL.

The LORD CHANCELLOR presented some peti-
tions against this Bill.
Lord BROUGHAM, in moving that their Lord-
ships do resolve themselves into committee en
this Bill, contended that the Bill would not render
necessary either a large increase in the number
of those judges or a greater increase in the
salaries of existing judges than they had already ample
funds to meet. Now, the average number of days during
which each county court judge had sat was 157 days in
the year, and not one of those who had sat above the aver-
age had sat more than 167 days in the year; therefore,
allowing ample time for vacation, they could give
a much greater number of days to the public service.
There would be, therefore, no necessity to make
any large increase in their numbers, although such
increase might be necessary in the metropolitan dis-
tricts, and perhaps in some few others. The fund at
present in hand for fees would be amply sufficient to meet
all increased charges, for these courts were not only self-
supporting, but g_ eve a considerable surplus. The fees
accruing in 1848 for judges were 87,66 IL; and for clerks
87,2821. They had now nearly 120,0001. a year
accruing from these courts, out of which they
had to pay 60,000/. a year to the judges, and to
the clerks 5001. a year each, except in some few in-
stences in which the clerks still received fees. Under
the present arrangement there was a great surplus, and
under a better arrangement, making all the clerks de-
pendent upon a salary, the surplus would be still
greater. If the business increased, of course they would
have to increase the salaries of the judges and of the
clerks, but every addition of business brought
an increase of fees more tban sufficient to meet the in-
crease of expenses in these courts.
Their .Lordships then went into Comtnitte on the Bill.
On clause 1 being proposed,
Lord BROUGHA NI proposed that as the arbitration
clauses and the reconcilement clauses were those most
likely to meet with opposition, they should be postponed
to the last.
After a few words from the LORD CHANCELLOR
the course proposed was agreed to.
On the proposal of the clause giving to the county
court judges a jurisdiction in Equity,
The LORD CHANCELLOR objected to the clause,
on the ground that the county court judges were not
fitted by practice or experience to decide the difficult
class of cases to be brought within their jurisdiction by
this clause. He then contended that persons in the
country must necessarily have their agents iu London,
and he should also add that county court solicitors
would be called off from their other duties to advocate
causes before the Master of which they knew nothing
whatever, and in their examination of witnesses whom

they had not met before, they would labour under con-
siderable disadvantages before the Master. He did not
think that such a system would prove beneficial. In a
word, he thought that from the facility of railroads and
steamboats, that the expense of bringing witnesses to
London would not be a very material object to litigants,
and he should also say that he considered the county
court judges incompetent, and that they could not trans-
act their duties without London agents. If the Master
should make an error there was every facility for having
the subject examined again, whereas if the county court
judges should be erroneous, there would be considerable
difficulty and expense to both parties. He should, there-
fore, propose that clause be omitted.
Lord BROUGHAM believed that his Noble and
Learned Friend did not see the purport of the clause,
from the opposition which he offered, and for that rea-
son he wished to explain its meaning. Now, be would
have his Noble and L-arned Friend understand that the
Lord Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, or the Master of
the Rolls, waq, by this clause, as well as by the 77th of
the Bill of 1833, empowered to send any case to the
county courts, and OR that point he was supported by
his noble and Learned Friends Lords Lyndhurst and
Cottenham, who expressed it as their opinion that such
a mode of proceeding would greatly tend to relieve
suitors in the Court of Chancery from considerable ex-

pense and delay, to which they must necessarily be sub•
ject in the Master's office. He should also say that the
value of the decision of the judges in the county courts
should not be measured by their salaries, which he re-
gretted had been reduced, but he hoped that there
would not be a further reduction. He would then say
that it the clause was rejected he would not further press
the Bill.
Lord CRANWORTH coincided with his Noble and
Learned Friend (Lord Brougham), and considered that
it was just that inquiries should be made, and that the
witnesses, on being examined by the Lord Chancellor or
♦ice-Chancellor, or Master of the Rolls, should then be
sent to the county courts, and for that reason he per-
fectly concurred in the utility of the clause. fie should
also add, that there would be considerable facility and
cheapness occasioned by it, and that if there were a few
disadvantages, there would be a preponderating majority
of advantages, and he therefore considered that that

clause would be a step towards improvement.
Lord CAMPBELL wished to give his adhesio❑ to
the clause, for though it might be said that he was a
postulant f.r equity, he could assure their Lordships
that he had made an irrevocable vow in favour of com-
mon law.—(Laughter.) He should, in addition, say
that it was always contemplated that matters of that
description should be referred to the judges in county
courts.

After a short explanation from Lord BROUGHAM,
The LORI) CHANCELLOR did not consider that
there were any grounds for such a clause, becsuse, in
the case of infants and lunatics, the jutes in
county courts were not competent to decide; yet, as
his Noble and Learned Friends had concurred in the
benefit of the clause, he did not intend to divide the
House. It had been said that such inference could be
made when any inquiries were necessary, but the matter
to be judged of was in many cases of the most intricate
description, and, therefore, he considered that it would
be improper to invest the county court judges with any
such power us those clauses contemplated. It was said
that the questions of pedigree and such like, which
would come before them under these clauses, were of
the most simple nature ; but fifty years' ex-
perience had taught him that such was not
the case, for even in those questions of pe-
digree which arose among the relatives of tradesmen and
classes in that grade subjects of great intricacy often
occurred, and generally speaking he would say that those
county court judges were not capable of judging re-
specting them. The Bill of 1833 seemed to suppose that
inquiry was necessary before any such reference should
be made, for it was expressly stated that if it should
appear that it was advisable evidence should be taken in
tho country, such and such should be done, hut before
such could appear, there must have been inquiry, and
therefore he conceived these clauses were detective, in
not providing for such. He would not, however, divide
the Committee after what had been said by those Noble
and Learned Lords who hail taken part in the debate,
although he still retained his opinion as to the evil ten-
dency of those clauses.
Clauses from 13 to 25 inclusive were then agreed to.
On clause 26 being read, which repeals the clause in
the Act of 1846 which provides that nu barrister can ac-
cept of a fee in any county court without being in-
structed by an attorney,
Lord CAMPBELL moved the rejection of the clause.
As regarded the superior courts there was a sufficient
guarantee from the etiquette which prevailed amongst
the members of the bar, that no barrister would conduct
a case unless instructed by an attorney, and as regarded
them no enactment was necessary; but so far as those
county courts were concerned, were there no enactments
, prohibiting the practice it would lead to the greatest
abuses, for it would introduce a class of practitioners
into those courts of a lower grade than that now prac-
tising.
Lord BROUGHAM did not see the justice of passing
an enactment on the subject as regarded those county
courts, while there was no such enactment restricting
the practise in any of the other tribunals of the country;
and therefore he thought the clause in the Act of 1846
unjust towards those parties.
The LORD CHANCELLOR opposed the clause.
Should it pass it would give rise to a class of practition•
ers in those courts which no judge wished to see any-
where.
After a few words from Lord Crisziwoxim and Lord
BnoucinAst, the clause was withdrawn.
On clause 27 being read, which, in conjunction with
clause 28, authorised parties with consent to bring actions
in the county courts of any description whatever,
The LORD CHANCELLOR said he considered the
latitude given too much, as, were the clauses adopted, it
would place the county court judges in such a situation
as that they could not possibly perform their duty.
Lord BROUGHAM said these clauses were explana•
tory of a section in a former Act, which gave similar
powers to those bestowed by these sections. They were
intended, especially clause 27. merely to remove doubts
that had arisen as to the operation of the Act of 1846.
It was intended by this to save parties expense.
Lord BEAU M.ONT considered they ehould endeavour,
as far as they could, to carry out the Bill of last year,
but not to go beyond that.
Lord CAMPBELL remarked that the section of the
former Act of which this was explanatory had not been
acted upon, and he believed never would be acted upon.
After a few words from Lord CRANWORTR and Earl
GREY,
Lard BROUGHAM considered it would be the
greatest possible advantage to enable parties to go before
the judges and at once determine their dispute.
Clauses 27 and 28 were then struck out.
Clauses 29, 30, and 31 were agreed to.
Clauses 32 and 33 were postponed.
Clause 34 was agreed to.
On clause 35 being proposed,
Lord BEAUMONT opposed it. He thought that
such a clause would deprive suitors of the remedy pro-
posed to be given to them by the other parts of the Bill.
Their Lordships then divided, when -there appeared,
for the clause—
Contents 4
••• •••
Non-contents... ..•
14
•.• •••
Majority against the clause ... —lO
The clause was then struck oat.
C
Clause 36 was postponed.
37 was agreed to.
The remaining clauses of the Bill were struck out.
Lord BROUGHAM then proposed an additional
clause, authorising the appointment of more judges.
On the suggestion of Lord CAMPBELL,
Lord BROUGHAM consented to the postponement
of this clause, giving notice of his intention to bring it
forward upon a future stage of the measure. The
Noble and Learned Lord then said ho would maintain
the opinions which be had already expressed—that the
clauses struck out, if adopted, would have greatly im-
prved the W 1110 elnoco rolatin to the

• • - -•-
bll,,hcaent of courts of reconcilement, he conceived that
these courts would be a wry irrroant step made W.
wares an extension and radLal improvement of our;;
cl;cial tribunals. Whatever bad a tendency to br'n:
parties b<,fore judg.-3—wbatever had a te:
dency to enable the judge to beer the whet, case wita,
out the assistance of legal practitioners—woo
the greatest possible importance to carry out. „
mischief done by these practitioners of the lad
in this country was incalculable. Ii he were ti4e,.l
his reason for introducing this novelty into our legiPt,
institutions, be would refer to the advantages resut.•
log from these courts in various countries on the Coadilf,
nent. Unless human nature in this country was be
ferent to what it was in other countries, the effect of the
jurisdiction of those courts of reconcilement would tt,
Id be
hole
most extensive, matt important, and beneficial. ',"O
France, where theseqclurts had succeeded less than is
the north of Germany, Switzerland, and above tali
Denmark, he had the highest legal authority in this
country for stating that the average number of casesry
1847 and 1848, broue•ht into these courts, was veto
nearly 1,000,000 in the year. And of this number
less than 780,000 were amicably settled through t;i3
friendly advice of the judge; and only 270,000 casegvil
which there was no reconciliation ett,cted. The gl;al
majority of the eases decided involved claims to sore "kg
1,000 francs, or 401 The number of cases invea'"
larger claims amounted to about 60,000 in the year' Ad
The first twelve ClaUde.9, which, we believe, refer-0
to these courts of reconcilement, and which had 1/110
postponed for consideration until the remainder of i;
Bill uses disposed of, were then put and negatived Wit
out a division.
Their Lordships then adjourned.