The Sun.
London, England, 1860-11-23 00:00:00

PARLIAMENTARY SPEECHES.

On Wednesday evening a dinner was given to the
Mayor of Derby, Mr. Cox, at the Royal Hotel in
that town. After the usual loyal toasts, Mr.
Bass, M.P., after a few remarks, said,—Gentlemen.
much has lately been said, and, as I believe, not
altogether unjustly, with regard to the great waste
of public time by unnecessary speech-making in
the House of Commons. I agree with Mr. Gisborne
that the House of Commons has to some extent been
depreciated in the estimation of the public; It has
been said that we have done very little for the
public, and that we have left undone a great deal
that the country expected ns to do. Be it so; but
I can assure you that, though comparatively few
good results may have accrued from our labours,
there has been no lack of real hard work. (Hear.)
I do not think that in any session of Parliament
upon record there has been a greater—or perhaps so
great—an amount of labourin the House of Commons
as during the past sitting. Indeed, I for one felt so
exhausted that, as 1 have stated, I was obliged to
appeal to your kindness for relief. It is quite true
that the result is not what one would have wished
to see under other circumstances; but whose
fault is it? Why, gentlemen, in the first place, you
sent two parties to the Commons pretty equally
balanced, so that each is capable of frustrating
the measures of the other. If you have two cooks
in your kitchen with equal authority, and one says
you shall have roast and the other boiled, you
stand. a good chance of not having any dinner at
all, especially if you have a maid anxious to sup-
plant one or the other, and take his place. (Cheers
and laughter.) However, I am not quite `sure—
looking to what has been, and is, passing around
us, if we might not have done worse by doing too
much, instead of too little. (Hear, hear.) Our
facetious friend, to whom we always listen with
feelings of approval, and whose jokes, though pun-
gent, are generally harmless, and therefore well
meant, is inclined to debar certain members of
Parliament of the luxury of much talking.
(Laughter:) That, doubtless, as regards the public
convenience, and the health of the sometimes re-
luctant listeners, 'is a grievous fault. But, after all,
the talking is done, and the public time consumed,
by comparative few talkers. When I tell you that
during the past Session 10,473 speeches were de-
livered, can you wonder that so little real business
was done, when there was so much talk? (Hon.
and Rev. F. Curzon-6. So much tongue.'') Yes.
Well I will show you how few members are charge-
able with this grave fault. Notwithstanding
Cabinet Ministers have to speak on most questions
of public importance—the able and distinguished
Chancellor of the Exchequer, to wit; Sir George
Cornewall Lewis, who never utters a word more
than is necessary to elucidate his meaning ; Lord
Palmerston, one of the most genial of men, and one
who displays so much ability and tact as a leader of
the Commons ; Lord John Russell, one of the most
Parliamentary leaders of the time; Sir John
Pakington, Mr. Henley, Lord Stanley, one of the
most rising politicians of the day ;—these great Par-
liamentary men, occupying the important positions
they do, never speak oftener than is absolutely requi-
site ; while Lord Stanley with his great ability, only
spoke nine times, some private members spoke at
least 200 times in the last session. (Laughter.)
Now, I don't wish to disparage anyof the speakers,
for sorue of there are undoubtedly able debaters,
but when I tell you that some of them spoke at
least 100 times, and others as often as 200 times,
I think I give you a pretty good reason why so
little has been done. (Hear, hear) For instance,
Mr. Ayrtou, a clever man, spoke 217 times ; Mr.
E. James, Q.C., spoke 196 times ; Mr. Newdegate,
123 ; Mr. Bouverie, 120 ' Mr. Pope Hennessy, 109;
Mr. Malins, 103; and Mr. Darby Griffiths, 101.
(Laughter.) But no doubt not one of these gentle-
men spoke oftener than he believed the true interests
of the country required. (A laugh.) Again, nine
metropolitan members (exclusive of the city of
London and Middlesex) made 955 speeches, and if
all the rest of the House had spoken in the same
proportion it would have taken five years to get
through a session of Parliament. (" Hear, hear,"
and laughter. Mr. Mundy—" We should be there
now.") No doubt of it, instead of being present
on this most agreeable occasion. (Cheers.) Well,
gentlemen, it has been suggested that 27 additional
members should be given to these metropolitan
boroughs, and, allowing them the same proportion
of talk, that would add 2,700 more speeches to the
955. (Laughter.) Ardent Reformer as I am, 1
confess to you that I shudder at the idea—(laugh-
ter) ; —and when that day arrives, though lam
prepared to go many lengths, if it is to be an in-
crease of mere talking power, instead• of apply-
ing to you for " a ticket-of-leave," I shall soli-
cit a final discharge. (Cheers and laughter.) In
saying this, however, I will not omit to express
my gratitude to the 245 patriotic members who
have been " eloquent in their silence ;" who, al-
though they scarcely ever spoke, and thus did
not lose a moment of their country's time,
nevertheless devoted themselves to the real
and arduous duties of Parliament by a vigilant
attendance on committees and a rigid regard for
the public good. (Cheers.) That is their best re-
ward. (Renewed cheers.) Of course, every Eng-
lishman values and holds dear the liberty of speech.
It is not against the liberty, but the abuse of it that
many complain, for mere garrulity or loquacity,
without some good object to serve, can never be re-
garded with approbation or complacency. (Hear,
hear.) Complaining as many de of this abuse of
speech, it would, after all,be a sad day for England
—for this great and free England—if ever its peo-
ple should begin to decry and disparage its Parlia-
ment. Not only the interest of this country,.but of
the human race, is deeply concerned in maintain-
ing the authority and independence of Parliament.
(Hear, hear.) We must treasure our free institu-
tions, knowing, as we do, that in so doing we set
an example to the nations abroad, and stand in the
vanguard of freed')m—the pioneers of liberty and
the defenders of all that is sacred to hearth and
home. (Loud cheers.)

TINS DAY'S MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE.

Fre-h up to-day very little English wheat came to hand,
hence the show of samples was limited, though in some-
what improved quality. Owing to an immense influx from
abroad the trade was in a depressed state, and to have forced
sales, is to 2s per quarter less money must have been sub-
mitted to.
The arrivals of foreign wheat are nearly 58,000 qrs. Even
the finest samples were very dull, and the quotations were
nominally is to 2s per qr. lower. Floating cargoes were
a very heavy sale.
We have to report a dull inquiry for barley, at a further
decline in the value of Is per qr.
There was a moderate demand for both old and new malt
at last week's currency. The suprly on offer was only

oderate.
Good sound oats supported previous quotations, but in-
fed, r parcels were 6d per qr. cheaper.
No change took place in the value of beaus, but peas
were very dull at the late decline.
The flour trade was in a very inactive state, and prices
wore rather drooping.

ARRIVALS THIS WEEK.
Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour.
Eng1i5h........ 2,310 4,970 210 500 1 1,930
Irish.
Foraign.
12,250 brls.

VIE .E2IIPBESS pF THE FRENCH IN

SCOTL.dI4'D.

(From 11w Scotsmzn.)

The Empress, accompanied by the Countess de
7;1ontobello, 7vlaclame de Sillley, and the Marquis
de la Grange, left Douglas's Hotel in an open car-
riage about 11 o'clock yesterday (Wednesday) fore-
noon. and proceeded by the bridges, Nicolson-street,
and so on to Daliceath. The weather was far from
favourable to the enjoyment of the beautiful Lilly
and sylvan scenery encountered on the way, the sky
being dull and clouded and the air strong and cold.
In the latter part of the journey rain began to fall,
but not so heavily as to cause the carriage to be
closed. A rumour of the unexpected arrival having
got abroad, about a hundred of the townspeople
collected in the palace grounds to welcome their
distinguished and royal visitor. After being con-
ducted through the palace, the Empress with her
tnt
suite returned to their carriage. Her Majesty next
Grove o theisp Palaceee cd, Uaapel, which she entered and
carefully
expressing herself highly de-
lighted with the objects that came under her notice.
The illustrious party was deterred from inspecting
the romantic grounds of the palace by the weather,
which had now become quite boisterous, the wind
furiously howling among the trees, and scattering
their sere leaves far and wide. Her Majesty there-
fore returned to the carriage, and left the palace
at a quarter past one. It was intended on leaving
the palace that Roslin and Hawthornden should
be visited, but the weather frustrated the inten-
tion, so the royal carriage returned as it came, ar-
riving at Douglas's Hotel about half-past two.
The Lord Provost called at Douglas's Hotel yes,
terday afternoon about five o'clock, when his lord-
ship had the honour of being presented to the
Empress, and met with a most cordial receptioia
The Lord Provost, we believe, assured her Ma-
jesty that the corporation of the city, as well as
the whole of his fellow-citizens, were highly pleased
and delighted that Edinburgh had been selected
as a place of temporary sojourn during her visit
to Scotland. He added that her Majesty must
have witnessed the interest which was felt and
manifested in herself personally, and he hopes that
this had not inconvenienced her Majesty,but would
rather be regarded as indicating the grietification
which was felt at the confidence manifested by the
Emperor of the French in the good feeling of the
people of this country.
Permission was given to the Lord Provost to read
the following address, which was drawn up by his
lordship's committee, in accordance with the resolu-
tion of the Council at their meeting on Tuesday :

" " To Eugenie, Empress of the French.
May it please your Majesty,—We,
the Lord Provost,
magistrates, and council of the city of Edinburgh, beg
leave, for ourselves and on behalf of our fellow-citizens, to
convey to your Majesty our expression of unfeigned satis-
faction at your arrival in this city, and our hope that your
visit to Scotland may prove beneficial to your Majesty's
health. As the Cons°, tof the Emperor of France, and as
connected with our own country by the ties of kindred, wo
humbly present our assurance of sincere and deep respect,
and of interest in your Majesty's welfare. Althoulzh your
Majesty, in coming among us, is unattended by the state
and ceremonial of your high position, we aro desirous to
take this occasion of expressing our belief that your present
visit will tend to maintain and, promote good will and peace
and friendly intercourse between France and Great Britain.
We hope that your Majesty, on returning to the Emperor.
and to France, may carry with you the remembrance of a
kind reception in a country fur which we believe you have
a special affection.—Signed in name and by appointment of
the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Council, and the seal
of the city affixed hereto, at Edinburgh, the 21st day of
November, 1860.—F. BROWN DouuLis, Lord Provost."

The Empress, in reply, was graciously pleased to
say that she felt very much gratified at receiving
this communication ; and regretted that ber know-
ledge.of the English language would not allow her
to express herself so fully as she could have wished!
But she had a very kind and affectionate feeling
towards Scotland and its people, and she re-
gretted that her visit was necessarily so short.
She would look back with much satisfaction
to the very kind feeling'manifested towards ber is
Edinburgh, and would always feel great plea-
sure at the recollection of her visit to the city. Her
Majesty added that as she was visiting this coun-
try not in state, she could not receive any mere
formal address (which might be inconsistent with
her duty to the Queen of England), but she was
very glad to be assured of the feeling entertained
towards her by the citizens of Edinburgh, and was
very happy to receive the address thus presented to
her. Her M.,jesty assured the Lord Provost of the
earnest desire on the part of the Emperor to main-
tain the alliance, and to cultivate a good feeling
with the people of this country, and expressed a
'lope that the people of Great Britain would be

fully persuaded of this.
The Lord Provost having thanked the Empress
for the gracious manner in which the address had
been received, then took leave.
The Duke of Hamilton arrived yesterday even-
ing at De-jay's French Hotel, Princes-street, and
shortly afterwards visited Douglas's Hotel, where
his grace dined with the Empress.
It is rumoured that her Majesty will leave Edin-
burgh to-day for the north, but whether finally or
not is unknown.