The Sun.
London, England, 1856-07-22 00:00:00

TILE SUN,. LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING-, JULIY 22, 1856

8,393

2,400

2,970

10,611

27,289

403,693

3,(34

MOO

4,606

sic, who counted upon a valuable anil abundant supply of
both dseing obtained at no distant date. He need hardly
say that if those important minerals were found in abun-
dance in India, they would have an extraordinary effect in
facilitating and accelerating the progress of that empire.
(Hear.) There was another exceedingly valuable article of
growth and manufacture in India to si,irich ho would for
a m(euent advert, a.,,1 that was cotton. Everybody could
see the importance eetur iug from India a large supply
of cotton, and he eras happy today that to a certain extent
the experiments which had been made had peoved success-
ful. He would read to the committee a note with which he
heel been furniehe ► on the results of the cotton experi-
mental cultivation in the Bombay Presidency with the
New Orleans seed -
" With the exception of the Dharwar Celle:aerate the en-
deavours of the Government to induce the ryots to cultivate
the New Orleans seed has nut been successful; indeed, in
Ahmedabad, Surat, Broach, and other cotton districts, the
American plant Is reported to have been entirely neglected,
or the quantity grown quite insignificant. However, the area
cultivated with the indigenous plant was in 1854-5 in excess
of that in 1853-1 in most of the cotton districts. In Dharwar,
in 185,.!--). the acres cultivated with the New Orleans seed
were G 3,293, against 45,403 acres iu 18'53-4, 'bowing an in
creased cultivation in the former year of 21,895 acres ; and
apparently the ryots are uow so convinced of the advantages
of engaging in this cultivation that the American plant may
he fairly said to have taken permanent root iu this district,
and that the indigenous cotton will have to give place to it.
Therefore, under these circumstances, interference or aid
from the Government to induce the ryots to undertake the
American cotton culture was no longer required in Dharwar,
while in the other cotton districts encouragement on the
part of the Governmeat had not led to results of any con-
seqaence, or was likely to produce any permanent effect.
Moreover, there are now scattered over the country Euro-
peans prepared to purchase cotton, either of the Americans or
native variety, of a quality suited to the English market, at
remunerating prices. And further, it would appear that the
prejudices of the ryota to the cotton saw gin for cleaning the
cotton was giving way, and that the use of it was becoming
popular, as the ryots found that saw ginned cotton obtained
from the merchants a higher price than the cotton cleaned
and prepared by the churka or native foot roller ; and that
the work was done more speedily with the saw gin than the
churka, and fullyeas cheap."
He also asked the attention of the house to the following :
" Mr. Landon, a merchant, who has settled in Broach for
cotton purposes, has established in that district a factory for
making and repairing the saw gin machinery. He has also
erected a cotton factory—an experiment which appears to
have been attended with signal success. For it is stated the
yarns made at Mr. Landon's factory, exclusively of short
staple Broach cotton,' fetched in the market ' nearly 10 per
cent. more than Manchester yarn of the same designation ;'
and that orders had in consequence been received sufficiently
to keep the factory in constant work for some mouths."
He was sorry that the hon. member for Manchester (Mr.
Bright) was not in his plaeee as he had ever taken a deep
interest in, this question, and would, no doubt, have been
gratified to learn that something was doing towards in-
creasing the cultivation of an article the production of
which he had bsen most anxious to promote. He was not
aware that there was anything further in the statement of
the revenues of India which he need comment upon. He
would only say that he saw nothing to lead them to despair
of an increase in the revenue; but, at the same time, it was
their duty also to look to other means of produciug a sur-
plus, viz., to a reduction in' the amount of expenditure.
It had been said that it was impossible to lay on fresh taxes
in India. He was not so very certain of that, for on look-
ing round he thought there might be found other things
than now existed on which taxes might be raised. But,
in the roehntiuie they hied to look to the expenditure. The
,'first great head of expenditure was the Indian army,
and he would at once say on this point that it was next to
impossible to suppose that they could effe.t any material
reduction in that army. It had been said that a reduction
might be made in the way of employing the native army
more and the Queen's troops leas. Now, he maintained, it
was necessary that a large proportion of Queen's troops
should ba kept up in India, and particularly that to substi-
tute Indian cavalry for the Queen's cavalry was a proposal
totally inadmissible. He believed that the presence of Bri
tish cavalry in India was attended with a very wholesome
effect, that they were exceedingly useful in teaching the
Indian cavalry lessons of discipline, and exciting them to
those habits of order and obedience which were of so much
consequence to au army. He was happy to find that the
first representation which he had the honour to make toher
Majesty on the subject of thelndian army had been received
with great approbation. The Governor-General said :
" The Indian army, hoiveveic has stillhigher cause for con-
gratulating itself on the gradioui favour which the Sovereign
has lately shown towards it, in raising its officers from the de-
rogatory position In which they have hitherto stood, and in
granting to th=em, the rpeeguitiou, whi,ehtil now has been
deniedto theni;;ole,,,th4 :Military rank bi'every part of the
British doled/lions, and throughout the'world,;'.
Having received that compliment, the Indian army would
be unwilling to have withdrawn from them the presence of
the Queen's troops. There were other questions relating to
the Indian army, such as the substitution in greater num-
bers than at present of irregular for regular cavalry which
were still under the consideration of the Indian Govern-
ment. He hoped that no hurried decision would be come
to upon them. Reductions might be madein the Commis-
sariat and other departments, bat it was quite possible to
carry economy to too great a length—a mistake which he
trusted would be avoided in dealing with the expenditure
of the Indian army. (Hear, hear.) He now came to the
civil service. At a former period of the session he was
reported to have said, in reply to a question, that he
thought the civil service in India ought to be reduced to the
footing of the different colonial service. He never made
any such statement. All be said was, that the civil salaries
of India had remained almost stationary, while those of the
colonies had been very much diminished. He thought that
the Indian civil servants ought to be highly paid, and that
the best men ought to be induced to go out, but he did not
admit that the Indian civil service was the only service
whioh required a man to go to a distant and -unhealthy
country, and which sent him home jaded and worn out.
The climate of the West Indies and many other places
was, in some respects, as bad as that of India. Oa the other
hand, the salaries of the Indian civil service ware upon a
scale far beyond that which existed in any other profes-
sion. He knew of no other service in which a young mend
20 could enter at 3501., or in which a person could rise
from 501. to 4,0001.; but let it not be supposed that he de-
sired anything to be done immediately in the way of reduc-
ing the civil salaries of India. To touch existing interests
would be the worst possible economy, even if it were not
unjust; but it would bathe duty of the Indian Government
to keep the advantages of reduction always in view, and
to resp them whenever practicable. Reduction, it was said,
would be followed by peculation. He did not believe it.
Lord W. Bentinck made great reductions in his time, and
no ill ensued. In the worst times of Indian peculation and
corruption salaries were high enough. Economy was a
most offensive virtue everywhere, but especially in India.
Financial reformers in England had the support of the
House of Commons and the public press; whereas in India
the only public opinion was that of the civil service itself,
which was naturally averse from a reduction of its own
salaries. It might be said, indeed, that the only person
whose duty it was to preach economy was the President of
the &a dof Control. He was glad to state, however, that
in June a despatch was sent out recommending very con-
siderable reductions, and—what was of great importance
—allowing public loans to be contracted for public works
to the extent of 1,000,0001. for the next two years. It
was to be hoped that the contents of that despatch
would obviate the necessity of sending out an
accountant to India. A system of audit already existed
there, and the proposal to establish a separate audit here
would require the 'most attentive consideration, because it
took the power from the Indian Government and placed it
in other hands. (Hear, hear.) Having thus gone through
the revenue and expenditure of India, he should now pro-
ceed to describe the political position of that country at the
present moment. Since his statement last year some dis-
turbances had occurred in India. At that time speaking
upon the authority of the Governor-General, lie declared
that the whole of India was tranquil. He believed he might
repeat the same statement now, because in India temporary
effervescences could not fairly be said to disturb the
general tranquillity of the empire. But it so happened,
curiously enough, that at the momont he was speaking
last - year an extraordinary species of insurrection—
known as the Santal rebellion—was in the act of breaking
out. To some extent that insurrection showed negligence
on the part of the authorities of India. If there had been
a proper police, or if the authorities had been warned by
certain circumstances which must have attracted the at-
I tention of sagacious men, the Santal insurrection might
have been instantly quelled. An ample report upon the
cause of the insurrection had been received from India,
and the Court of Directors had written a despatch,
stating their views upon it. Mr. Bidwell, late commis-
eioner in the Santal districts, who took great pains to
ascertain the cause of the Santal outbreak, was of opinion
that the primary cause was the great dissatisfaction of
the tribe on account of the oppressive exactions of the
mahajans, or money-lenders, and the corruption of the
naib eezewals (police-officers and collectors of the land-
t rx), and, in some places oppression on the part of the
railway employes, and the little check they received from
the Government 'authorities. The Government of India
considered that the outbreak was caused by the want
of early attention to the complaints of the &metals, or the
oppressions they suffered from the mahajana (native revenue
and police-officers) and zemindars ' • and in one instance the
Lieutenant-Governor c msidered that they had been ill-used
by a railway official: The local officers were greatly blamed.
The above appeared to have been the exciting causes of the
rebellion, fanned by religious fanaticism—the leaders mak-
ing their folowers believe that they were accompanied by
an incarnate deity, under whose orders they acted. Al-
though some few it seances of insurrection had been more
recently reported, it was believed that the great body of the
Santals were settling (howl, peaceably and quietly. The
country had been declared a nouounil ition province, and
had been place I under the control of a commissioner, wi'h
a deputy-commissioner and four assistants. These office, s
were vested with juliciel powers, and would administer
speedy justice to the Santals, who would thus he relieved
from the oppressive enactions of the mshajens, police and
revenue officers, and zemindars. A new police force was
under orgenieation, and until that was efficient two regi-
ments of infantry and one of irregular cavalry would re-
main in the Saneal territory. The Santals were not to
possess warlike weapons without authority, lint were to
be employed upon the public works and paid for their la-
bour. Stores of grain and salt were to be prepared for the
destitute Santals, and the payment of the rent was to be
thrown over three years. Those were supposed to he the
causes and remedies of the Santa! insurrection, which was
an outbreak the more extraordinary, seeing that the San—
tals had been always regarded as a most quiet and inof
family° race. The next point to which he must advert was
the mission to Ava. That mission had net been success-
ful to the extent of obtaining a treaty with Ava, whioh
Lord Dalhousie did not. greatly regret ; but the reception
which he had met with there was everything that could
he desired ; great -tumour head been shown us, and the
mission had resulted in bringing about that desnip-
tion of friendship which was much wanted. Another
point of very considerable importance to which he
had alluded last year had reference to our relations
with Persia. Independently of anythin; that ha I occurred
in the shape of a diplomatic rupture with Persia, the Per-
sians had, it appeared, thought themselves justified in
marching upon Herat. It was not quite clear, from the
accounts which hat been received—such was the coufus'on
of histories and relations—whether they had been able to
occupy Herat. He believed that the Affehans would l e
so unwilling to allow the Persians to enter Herat that they
would themselves repel them ; and as Dost Mahomed had
obtained possession of Candahar he would be able, if he
liked to attack the Persians in Herat, to repulse them. It
was quite impossible that this country should allow the
Persians to obtain peeeeesion of Herat. By an engagement
which they La l entered into in 1853 with the English I n-
vo 7, they bound themselves not to interfere in the affairs
of Affghauistau • and, therefore, if it were true that they
had gone to besiege Herat, they had distinctly violated
their engagement with this country, and it was clear that
wo could not allow our treaties to be trampled upon and
our honour to he inseltel in such a manner. If the Per-
slime therefore, did nue retire from Herat, some means
must be taken to vindicate British honour and to expel

them from that place. (Hear.) _ln making this statement
he must not omit reference to one of the molt important
events which had. taken place in regard to our Indian
empire—he meant the acquisition of the kingdom of Onde.
Ho had presented nearly two months since the whole of
the papers upon that subject, and as no member
of either house had thought proper to notice it he
presumed that there was a general consent in the opinion
that the acquisition of Oude was a reasonable thing
for Lord Dalhousie to accomplil. should such not bothe
opinion he should be perfectly prepared at any time to
defend that step, but at present he should only state
t'm cause of the traneactiou, and the motives of the Govern-
ment. Lent Dalhou sic, finding from the statements of re-
peated govern ors-general, including Loi d Wellesley, Lord
W. Bentiuck;and Lord liar liege, that the position of Onde
was derogatory to the dignity and credit of the Indian Go-
vernment, and that the different schemes which they had
tried one after the other had failed to effect such an im-
provement as was desired, determined, after eight years
glorious government in India, nut toleave that country with
Oado iu the condition iii which he had found it. In conse-
quence, in July last he sent a letter to the Court of Direc-
tors, stating his views upon the subject ; and that letter,
which was backed by a minute of Council, reached this coun-
try at the end of September. Tho persons who coincided in
Lord Daihousie's opinion were the men of all others whose
principle was opposed to all aggression upon native princes,
who were commonly known as theadvocates of native rulers
rather than of the system of annexation, and among them
were General Sleeman, General Ontram, and General Low.
All the authorities that could be gathered together agreed
that Lord Dalhousie was justified in the, view which he
, took of that transaction. Lord Dalhousie having sent. home
those-reports, the Court of Directors did not act upoie them
immediately, although the pressure was great, becausb Lord
Dalhousie eas then about to retire from India. A month or
six weeks was spent by the Court of Directors and the Board
of Control in consideration. At length, having regard to the
prudence and ability which Lord Dalhousie had exhibited
during his rule in India, her Majesty's Government deter-
mined to point out to him to some extent what they consi-
dered would be the beat course to pursue, while at the same
time they left au ample discretion in his hands. Lord Del-
housie's conduct proved that Government had been well jus-
tified in placingthat c on fidencein him, because the moment
that the power was conferred ,on the noble lord he took what
he (Mr. V. Smith) regarded as a most manly course. He
celled it a manly course, because it would really have savours d
only of hypocrisy to deal with it in any other way with that
unfortunate monarch—unfortunate from his own vices anti
debaucheries. He (Mr. Smith) was very indifferent whe-
ther that transaction were designated as an annexation, an
acquisition, or a cession ; but he denied that the general
policy of the Government had been one of annexation, if
by that were meant the grasping of everything which came
within arm's reach. Such was not the annexation of
Oado. Men might approve the annexation of Oude and
condemn that of Pogue and. Nagpere, for each case stood
upon distinctive features of its own. He had heard people
say that we had no more right to annex Oude than the
Emperor of Russia had to annex Turkey; but Russia was
not responsible for what took place in Turkey, while we
were responsible for what occurred in Oude. For whatever
mischief happened within our ken in the East, and which
it was in our power to suppress, we were held to be liable;
end therefore every evil which existed in Oude to which
we could put an end was imputed to our charge. It would
not do to hold one principle at Calcutta and another at
Lucknow—to say that what waskood in one place was bad
in another, or vice versa; and ho was perfectly prepared
therefore, whenever it should be questioned, to defend the
acquisition of Oude as a most important step, which was
rendered necessary by the circumstances of the country.
As regarded the condition of the people of Oude since the
annexation of that province he would read to the house a
letter upon that subject from the Governor-General of
India, dated May 3, 1856, in which it was stated—
" Dude remains perfectly tranquil. Some of the zemindars
holding armed forts, and among them the Thelsepore
Raj th, have availed themselves of the option given them
by, General Outram, and have paid part of their arrears in
guns, which are taken at a valuation, although nothing in
the shape of coercion or threat has been used to make them
do so. The riots continue, as from the beginning, to show
the best proof sof satisfaction and confidence, by flocking
back to tracts of country which were rapidly becoming de
sort and jungle, owing to the population being driven away,
either by oppression practised on themselves, or by the
feuds and ravages of the zemindars in the neighbourhood. I
haVe no doubt this confidence will spre id and increase with
the progress of our three years temporary settlement, teach-
ing them, as it will, that their rent henceforward will be
fixed and moderate, and that everything beyond that rent
will be their own without fear or extortion."
Since he had last addressed the house upon the subject the
dynasty of the Itejah of Tanjore had become extinct, and
there had not appeared to be any necessity for founding a
new one. He would next proceed to state to the house
whet had been the progress in domestic affairs in India
since last year. One of the most important questions con-
nected with domestic progress in India, and one which ex-
cited the greatest attention in this country, was that of
railways, and he would shortly state what progress had
been made in that re.pect. "The East Indian Railway
has at present 121 miles open, and was in expectation of
opening to Rajrnahal, a distance of 190 miles, by the end
of the present year. The Great Indian Peuinsular Rail-
way was at present open as far as Caurpoolie, a distance of
90 miles from Bombay. The Madras line was ready to be
opened to Arcot, a distance of 70 miles. The Baroda
Railway Company. had made great progress in staking
out and commencing their line towards Ahme labad.
The Scinde Railway Company had been equally expo-
claims in the works on their line towards Kurrachee.
The surveys for new lines now in progress or
about to be commenced were that of a line to
Nagpor, from the Great Indian Peninsular Railway
Company's line on the north-eastern extension ;
that of an extension of the present Scinde line to Lahore ;
and that of a new line from Calcutta eastwards to Dacca.
The progress of these railways was of thevery utmost im.
portance, and ought in every way to be encouraged. For
his own part he had seen with the greatest pleasure a pro-
posal which had been made a short time back for estab-
lishing a railway in India without a gual-a,ntee from the
Government. The system of always requiring a guarantee
for works in India was in many respects a most unfortu-
nate one for that country, because it to a great extent
ten led to discourage private enterprise. He was not pre-
pared to sanction any scheme which might be proposed,
simply because it had been proposed by private enterprise,
but every scheme which afforded fair prospect of advan-
tage ought to be, as far as possible, encouraged. The sub-
ject next in point of attraction to the railways was the
telegraph, and its progress in India heel been vary curious.
The subject of the electric telegraph had been reported on
by Lord Dalhousie in his minute of February, 1356, from
which it appeared that the electric telegraph h id now been
in 'operation in India above a year, and the results were
most satisfactory. The construction of the lines commenced
in November, 1853, and up to February last 4,020 miles had
been completed. The total cost of the work had been
upwards of 2,000,0001. sterling, or at the average rate of
about 501. a mile. The receipts during the past year have
been upwards of 20,0001,, and they had gone on increasing
every month. The estimated cost of working the line was
about 30,0001. a-year. The actual cash receipts, therefore,
even in the first year, amounted to more than two-thirds of
the working expenses, while the charges for messages were
lower than on any other line in the world. Dr. O'Shaugh-
nessey, through whose exertions and superintendence this
great work had been carried out, stated that he had been
perfectly successful in establishing the direct transmission
of signals and messages between Agra and Bombay and be-
tween Agra and Peshawar—
" So that an answer is obtainable within two minutes from
one end of this line to the other through 1,630 miles of line,
in which eight rivers are crossed by submerged cables of up•
wards of 40,000 feet in length."
The government of Oude was transferred to the East In-
dia Company on the 7th Feb. last. On the same day ope-
rations were commenced for putting down the telegraph
wire, and within 18 days a telegraph of 52 miles in length,
including a cable of 6,000 feet across the Ganges, had been
substantially constructed and successfully worked. Dr.
O'Shaughnessey had been one of those who had taken a
most active part in the establishment of the telegraph in
India, and several schemes proposed by that gentleman had
not yet been carried into effect. One of those proposals
was to connect India with Eoglsnd, and that scheme, if
carried out, would enable him to obtain an answer from
Calcutta in six minutes and a-half. The condition of the
postal service in India had boon much improved since last
year, and he had every reason to believe that eventually
communication with India would be more rapid and would
be cheaper than with many of the other colonies of this
country. There was ono other point to which he wished
to refor—he alluded to the report of the Law Commission-
ers. The Law Commissioners had, in the third and
last year of their existence, furnished the house and the
country with a very able and valuable report. He had
been informed that he had given greet, but he must say
unintentional, offence to some members of the commission
by sending that report to ludia. Now, the house woule
bear in mind that a groat deal must be done by the Legis-
lative Council, and the jealousy of that body was well
known. If, therefore, he had acted without their assistance
they would not have been favourably disposed towards his
plan ; but his object had been as much as possible to work
thr ngh that body, as being the only way fully to carry
out the views of the commissions. Some of the proposals
of the commissioners were, from their very nature, inca-
pable of any other but an Indian consummation.
-In the adoption of this course ho had been justified by the
opinion of the Governor-General, who said that to have
acted upon the report of this commission without trans-
mitting it to India would have given the greatest offence •
in that country. The Indian Government rand the Legis-
lative Cate oil would have thought themselves most con-
tumeliously treated. One principal point was the amal-
gamation of the Sudder and Supreme Courts. This amid-
g anation, if compulsory, might have given great offence,
because, while the supreme courts were accustomed to ac-
env the Sadder courts of a want of law, the latter retorted
by accusing the supreme counts of knowing nothiug of
India ; and it was most desirable that, if possible, this
measure should be carried oat with the assent of both
classes of courts. A patent law had been adopte i in India,
and vies waiting for the consideration.and sanction of the
Court of Directors and of himself (Mr. V. Smith). .One
of 'the matters on which the Government of India most
required amendment was the police, which was, in his
opinion, lef no means in a satisfactory state. (Hear, hear.)
He had already, in speaking of the Sental insurrection,
referred to the defects of the police, and ho believed that
its faults were common to the whole of India. In Bombay
there had been established a new system, by which the
police would be placed under the immediate direction of
the Government ; and it was desirable that some experi-
ence should be obtained of the working of this system be-
fore any alteration was made in the police se stems of the
other presidencies. The whole subject was, however,
under consideration of the noble lord who had recently
gone out to India as Governor-General. Another question
incident to this one of police, was that of the torture—
(ohfe
torture.
or
r,
thher -Le. r ) —Tthhoe
Court existence
of Directors,o f w hich had
amongb been n
otherbroughtios t r too o .
light by the meritorious exertions of his honourable friend
and colleague the Secretary of the Board of Control (Mr.
Denby Seymour). (Hear, hear.) He could assure the
house that everything whicti was noesible was being
dr ne for the eradication of this horrible system. It was
unworthy of any one connected with the Indian Go-
vernment to extenuate it—(hoar, hear)—or to Fay that_ it
was not torture, but only bodily pain. All thew .) things
were utterly puerile and contemptible. (Hear) For him,
it was quite enough that revenue had been extorted by the
infliction of bodily pain. Lord Harris, the eminent Go-
vernor of Madras, was perfectly sensible of the horrors of
this system, and had taken the greatest pains to suppress
it. His ( Lord Harris's) opinion was that it to a great ex-
tent resulted from the high rate of assessments, and that
a readjustment of assessments would get rid of It. That,
however, must be a slow operation, but in the meantime
Lord Hai ris had set a careful watch upon this system, and
was prepared to punish with the severest penalties for
there had undoubtedly been a want of severity in the pe-
nalties hitherto inflicted—and with dismissal from the
service of any person who was convicted of the infliction
tions, sent out an order that en act should be passed for
the enforcement of severe penalties for this offence. The

law advisers thought that such an act would be useless,
and that the only way to suppress this evil was to separ.te
the revenue from the police system. Ile (Mr. V. Smith)
thought that this would be an excellent measure to adopt,
but it was one which would involve considerable expense
and would require much consideration, because we should
have to decide whether we would establish an European
police or would trust'wholly or in part to native, officers.
He therefore could not help thinking that Lord Harris had
not dope right ,in omitting to pass the act to which he had
referred. It was true that by regulations, adopted so late
as the years 1316 and 1819, very heavy penalties were im-
posed for acts of torture, but it was clear that these regu-
lations had never been enforced, and he thought that the
passing of a new act would have more effect than the re-
newal of old ones. He could not help thinking that when
Lord Harris considered the matter he would see that if no
new act were passed the opinion would prevail that. es-hi-
therto no notice had been taken of this system, so no atten-
tion was intended to be paid to it in future. It was to him

(Mr. V. Smith) most marvellous that successive Governor-
Generals, iucludieg among them a man of the greatest
vigour and assiduity, Lord Ellenboroupb, should have gene
out to India and returned without the slightest knowledge
of the existence of this system of torture. Ho could not
attribute it to any defect on their part, but must suppose
that it arose from some fault of the system that such a thing
should pass without being observed by them. He had been
blamed for the strength of the observations which he
made upon this subject last year; but he must say that he
considered Government responsible for what had occurred
under their rule. If they said they knew nothing about
it, that was as good as saying that they did not perform
the functions of governors. (Hear; hear.) The next
question to which he should call the attention of the house
was that of the introduction of an improved system of
education. A new system had been recommended by his
right hon. friend the late President of the Board of Control
(Sir C. Wood) in a despatch dated the 19th of July, 1854 ;
and measures had been taken to carry those recommenda-
tions into effect by the appointment of directors, inspec-
tors, and visitors of schools, the passing of rules for univer-
sities, the distribution of grants, and by other means.
In the north-western provinces a new class of schools
termed halkabunda (or circuit) had lately been established
under the auspices of Mr. Reid, the Director of Public 'in-
struction in those provinces ; these schools were spreading
rapidly over the country. The main cost of them was de-
frayed by the landed proprietors and cultivators by an assess-
ment, voluntarily contributed by themselves of 1 per cent.
on the Government revenue. Mr. Reid believed that, if
this subscription could be generally obtained, a school
might ba established in every e 0 s square miles of the country I
with no expense to Government but that of supervision. In
the Bombay Presidency public libraries for the use of the
natives have now been established in eigh t different districts
besides eight mitivelibraries in the town of Bombay, which
contained English as well as vernacular works, and were
supported chiefly by local subscriptions. At Sholapore the
subscriptions for a library and anEoglish and hlarhatta school
amounted to 2,71)0r.' besides books. At Setters they were
1,200 r. AmonglheGovernment grants was one of 4,000 r.
given to the native students' " Literary and Scientific
Society" towards a building for a lecture-room, leboratory,
museum, and library, for which private subscriptions had
been raised amounting to 10,030 r. The members of the in-
stitution hold a meeting once a month for tl e transaction
of business and reading essays in English-once a fortnight
two meetings were held for a similar purpose in the verna.
cular. At these vernacular meetings large and interested
audiences assembled, to witness experiments and illustra-
tions of natural science, and to discuss questions bearing
on the moral and social improvement of the people. Seven
girls' schools, at piesent containing 450 children, are sup.
ported by the society, and two infant-schools were under
their superintendence. They already issued two monthly
vernacular publications, and had undertaken to pub-
lish a series of papers in Mahrattee and Gaze-
rattee similar to " Chambers 's Information for the
People." All this is the more remarkable as
coming flour a native society, themselves having
experienced the benefits of education and desirous of dif-
fusing its advantages among their countrymen. This was
the progress which had been made by education in India.
It had not been so rapid as he could have wished, but at-
tention had been called to this by the Rome Government,
and he hoped that the defect would soon be remedied by
the more active exertions of the local authorities. In re-
ferring to this subject, ho must not omit to notice the con-
sequences
which had resulted from the improvement of
education for the civil service in this country. He last
year stated the result of the first competitive examination
for employment in that service. It was, no doubt, sing.
ter of some regret that the number of candidates who had
presented themselves for examination this year was not so
large as it had been the year before, but it was not to be
apprehended that this cause of complaint would continue.
In looking back to the examinations of last year he rather
lamented the extreme severity of the tests applied. (Hear.)
Ho was bound in sincerity to admit that the questions put
to the candidates alarmed him for his own ignorance, and
he had been assured that many Cambridge students had
been very much disheartened by them. (Hear.) Except
in the case of the professor of Italian, whom he reap-
pointed, he had thought it advisable to select new ex-
aminers, and had been so fortunate as to obtain the ser-
vices of one very competent gentlemen from Trinity Col-
lege, Dublin. The result of the examinations might be
thus stated :-The total number of candidates examined is
56, whereas last year it was 112 (just double the number).
The relative number of the candidates from the principal
Universities in 1856 and in 1855 are as follow : -From
Oxford in 1856, 10; n 1855, 19; from Cambridge, in
1856, 14 ; in 1855, 32 ; from London, in 1856, 3 ; in 1855,
4 ; from King's College; Loudon, 1856, 6; in 1855, 3 ;
from other Euglish schools, stc., in 1856, 4 ; in 1855,
12 ; total English, in 1836, 37 '• in 1855, 70. From Edin-
burgh, in 1856, 1; in 1855, 3; from Aberdeen, in 1856,
2 ; in 1855, 5 ; from other Scotch colleges and schools, in
1855, 7 ; total Scotch, in 1856, 3 ; in 1855, 15. From
Dublin, in 1856, 8; in 1855, 11 •, from Cork, in 1856, 3; in
1855, 5; from Belfast, in UK 2; from Carlow, in 1853,1;
from other Irish colleges, in 1855, 2; total Irish, in 1856,
14 ; in 1855,21. From abroad, in 1855, 3 ; from at home
(private tuition), in 1856, 2 ; in 1855, 3-i.e., Euglish col-
leges, &c., in 1856, 3( ; in 1855, 70; Scotch, in 1856, 3 ;
in 1855, 15 ; Irish, in 1856, 14 ; in 1855, 21; abroad, in
1855, 3 ; private tuition, in 1856, 2 ; in 1855' 3 ; total, iu
1856, 56; in 1855, 112. One or two particulars with re-
spect to the examinations might not be uninteresting. The
plan heretofore pursued contemplated two examinations-
the first, a general one ; the second to take place after the
lapse of two or three years, an examination in law and the
Oriental languages. The system was established under the
sanction of Lord Ashburton, Mr. Macaulay, and Mr. Le-
fevre. It was excellent in theory, but when it was brought
to the test of practical experience the second examination
was seen to be surrounded with such difficulties that Mr.
Masaulayhadhimself recommended that it should be relin-
quished. (Hear, hear.) Strange as it might appear, it
was not less true that it was found almost impossible to
procure the means for a sound legal education in this
country. The only substitute was a certificate attesting
that the candidate had attended a certain number of lec-
tures, but this was a very unsatisfactory expedient, for
such certificates did not vouch for the candidate's profi-
ciency, and wore regarded merely as matters of routine.
The difficulty aa regards Oriental languages was almost as
great; and another obstacle arose on the question of resi-
dence, it being impossible to ascertain what became of the
candidates during the interval between the first and the
second examination. Taking into consideration all the
circumstances of the case, he determined that the better
course would be to give up the second examination altoge-
ther, and to send them out after they had undergone one
examination only. He had provided a professor of Arabic
and Sanscrit, but it was a little discouraging to find that
not more than one candidate presented himsef for exami-
nation in those abstruse studies. It was one of the princi-
ples on which Mr. Macaulay's minute was founded that in
conducting these examinations care should be taken not to
examine a candidate in anything which, in the event of
his being rejected, might be considered as lost time ;
and very possibly it was the knowledge of that fact
which induced the candidates to believe that it would not
be necessary for them to " get themselves up " in
Arabic and Sanscrit. (Hear.) With regard to the mode of
examining, he hid himself introduced what he deemed to
be a very important alteration-a viva voce examination.
(Hoar, hear.) The reason why he bad done so was that he
had always been of opinion that such a method of exami•
nation afferded a better test than any other of a man's
moral qualities-his courage, his readiness, .his aptitude,
his self-possession. (Hears) He confessed that ho was not
without his doubts as to whether the plan of competition
would furnish any better guarantee for such qualities
than the old system afforded, but, at all events, there was
some approach to a test in a viva voce examination, and
therefore he had adopted it. (Hear, hoar.) Ho had at-
tended one of those examinations,and was struck with the
readiness and proficiency exhibited by the candidates.
Nor was his experience singular. He was happy to say
that it was corroborated by the testimony of Mr. Dasent,
a gentleman of great abilities and profound attainments,
whose services ho had been so fortunate as to secure for
the examination of candidates ! (Hear,) Mr. Dasent
had at first a strong prejudiee against the practice of viva
voce examination, but he now admitted that it had worked
welt, and its results were most satisfactory. In justifica-
tion of this statement he would iced the following extract
from a letter he had received from Hr. Dasent :-
" I beg leave to inform you that, in my opinion, the re-
sult of the viva wee examination in Euglishilistory has been
highly satisfactory. It g ves mu the greater pleasure to be
able to make this statement, because I was one of those who
at first thought tile amount of viva voce examination for the
Indian Civil service disproportionate to the paper-work. Out
of 54 candidates who answered at their numbers at the vied
voce examination I find that seven are classified in my notes
as 'very good' and have obtained 53 marks-The greatest
amount which lam enabled to give. Of the rest the great
majority are classified 'good' and 'fair,' averaging about 30
marks. Ten or 12 arc indifferent,' with about 15 marks
each, and only three are marked bad,' and may be con-
sidered to have fails I. I think this result is worthy e men-
tion, especially as the examination often led the candidate
into minute historical details in which no mere men-I°l.la
teetnica or cramming could have given them any assistance.
Of the very good 4, 25, and4s, Were the beat-" (Hear.)
And that last by the way was an Irishman. He confessed
that he was much gratified by the perusal of Mr. Deeent's
letter, for he regarded it as a must satisfactory statement,
coining from one who was well qualified to pronounce au
opinion on the subject. With respect to the general merits
of the competitive system it must, be admitted that the
question assumed a different aspect in India and in Eng-
land. For his own part, lie thought it was a mistake to
suppose that, as a generel rule, the civil service in this
country opened a suitable field of exertion to men of high
ambition and proportionate ability. In India, on the con-
trary, it did open such a field. These able and ambitious
men were needed. The civil service was; a fitting sphere for
them, and in it they were sure to rise to eminence. He
would not be understood, however, as ',tincturing in the
opinion which a distinguished member of that house had
not hesitated to express-that patronage WAS " au odious
and a hurtful thing." Ho repudiated that sentiment alto.
gother, ant rather favoured the doctrine of the right lion.
member for Buckinghamshire-that patronage, well exer-
cised, was Olen of the noblest at tiibutes of power. What
more delightful t isk Could there be than to befriend merit
and to prevent talent from pining in obscurity? (Cheers.)
It so happened that during the period he had held his
present office not a little patronage had passed through his
hands.elle mentioned the fact fur the sake of alluding 10
a Subject brought under his notice last year by the lion.
and learned member for Enniskillen (Hr. Whiteside), who
first had called attention to the fact that Irishmen were
totally excluded from the Indian bench. Finding this
statement to be correct, he deemed it his duty to rectify
sd anomalous a state of things, and of three judgeships in
his gift he had presented two to as many members eif the
Irish bar, and one to an Irish gentleman. Ho had ale.
pointed two gentlemen on the board of directors as nomi.
iiceS for the Crown; but, though sensible of the distin-
guished merits and services of Sir G. Pollock. he had not
reappointed him, simply because it was the intention of
the Legislature that the office should be held only for a
stated period, and that it should not be imp to .ted in
the same hands. He had nominated General Viiian for
one of the vacancies in the direction. He could not quit
this part of the subject without expressing the great oldie-

1 faction it had afforded him to engage for his own depart.
I ment the services of so distinguished an Indian admi
niitrator as Sir George Clerk. (Hoar, hear.) He men-
tioned those facts to show that the distribution of pre;
tronage, which had given rise to so much reviling, did
not deserve all the reproaches cast upon it. Nothing
had been more gratifying to him in all his
.public life
than to be able to select for important public situations
men with scarcely one of whom ho had been personally ac-
queinted, but whose high qualifications promised to be of
the greatest service to India. (Hear, hear.) Ha felt
theft he had already trespassed too long on the attention of
the house, and yet his remarks had been far too short to do
,justice to a question of such magnitude. He had passed
hutriedly over topics which, if they had related to matters
nearer home, might well have occupied weeks in their dis-
, citesion. As it was, hOwever, he had only to thank the
helve for the indulgence extended to him. The question
of the right government of India was, perhaps, one of the
most difficult problems that claimed solution. The time
had been when the rulers of that vast empire looked to
nothing but the amount of revenue which they could ex-
trek from its people. Since then, however, thank God,
a hitter day had dawned upon its many race.) and creeds,
whirse governors were now endeavouring to do something
for their social improvement. To interfere with their ter-
ligion was to tread upon delicate ground—a course 'which
he should prefer to avoid. The proper mode of i osprey.
iug their religion was by improving their morality ; and
this could best be achieved by setting them an example
of iuflexible honesty and good faith. This was the . policy
which the Indian Government had to pursue ; and in that
policy he trusted they would be successful. As long as the
authority he now exercised was entrusted to him he should
strive to promote the welfare of the natives of India, to
whose interests be had been warmly attached from his ear-
liest
.% ears. It had been observed by practical philosophers
that it would be a. proud day for England when she re-
signed to the inhabitants of India, well educated, civilised,
stud regenerated, the sway which she now held over them.
Slob a result he could not anticipate that he should ever
live to see. If, however, it occurred in his time, ho, for ono,
should tremble for the consequences. His belief was that it
would be a proud day for England when, Maintaining her
rule over this distant and populous empire, she could yet
say that to the utmost of her power she had advanced the
physical prosperity and elevated the moral and intellec-
tual character of the people of India—objects wholly over-
looked by their ancient dynasties. (Cheers.) The right
hon. gentleman concluded by moving a formal resolution,
embodying the result of the accounts given in his speech. ,
Sir E. PERRY said he had heard the statement of the
right hon. gentleman with great Satisfaction. (Hear.) Hewes
sorry to say there wore not many members in that house
who took great interest in Indian affairs, and there cer-
tainly was not great encouragement for them to do so, for
they hardly ever brought forward a topic connected with
India but they were met by the. Indian Minister with a
growl.; and they were all well aware that, whatever inte-
rest they took in Indian affairs,, it would not gain them a
vote from their constituents. They had, however, no res•
eon to .complain of the progress of Parliamentary opinion
respecting India during the present session. In the course
of that time several facts had been made plain to the
people of England respecting Indian affairs which would be
very useful. One was that the East India Company was
nothing more than a company of stockholders, having no
inherent power of government in themselves'. Another,
that the Court of Directors was nothing but a paid depart-
ment of the Government, in fact, merely trustees for the
time being, while it had also been clearly established that
England was responsible for any deficiency which might
arise in the Indian revenue. (Hear, hear.) It had also
been satisfactorily proved, that the people of India were
so poor that a considerable portion of that revenue had, in
times past, been elicited .by torture, and from that fact
the impartial conclusion was drawn, that the Government
of India ought to be as cereal and scrupulous in the ma-
nagement of its revenue as uny other department of the
Government of this country. During the past session it
bad been brought to the knowledge of the President of
the Board 3f Control, that be had it in his power to check
a eportion of Indian expenditure, which had hitherto
figured as a considerable item. In many cases the Court
of Directors had engaged in disputed legal questions, with-
out the authority or sanction of the Board of Control, and
by, doing so had lost immense sums of money. Many of
those cases they had thus engaged in wore notoriously
b td. Ho need not refer to the Dyce Sombre case, which
was known to most people. But there was the case of the
Rajah of Coorg, who was deposed by the India Company
some t weuty years ago, but who, having held shares iu the
public fence of India, sued the Company for these after
he had been so deposed. The India Company said they
were entitled to hold these shares as booty of war ; but he
believed if the Government of this country had defended
the case under such a plea, that the people of England
'would have indignantly repudiated their conduct. Yet
the ludia Company had gone into the case without the
sletion of the Board of Control, and it was going on at
thls day. There was another case of the slime class, that of
the Nawab of Surat, which had now come to an untimely
end, but in whichhe thought there was a great dealofjustice.
Inthat case, instead of having their counsel, in the usual
'way, to argue their case at the bar of that house, they spend
thousands of pounds in defending it. Another point to
which he wished to draw attention was as to whether the
Ettist India Company had legally the power to grant large
pe ' sions an make gratuities and charitable donations.
U to 1833 they ware in the position of a private corpora-
i]
d.
tio , with immense funds at their own disposal ; but since
th t r eriod they wore trustees, administering the revenues
of India for the Crown, and had no right to dispose of
those funds in any manner other than was provided for by
the act of 1833. He next- came to the statement which
the right hon. gentleman had made of the condition of the
finances of India, and in that he must say that it presented
a singular discrepancy with other statements which had
been made to the house on that subject on former occa-
sions. In the first place, the statement of the right hon.
gentleman completely corroborated what he (Sir E. Perry)
had urged upon the house at an earlier period of the ses-
sion, that the heavy periodical deficit observable in the
financial accounts of the Indian Government was not attri-
' hatable to public works alone. It was stated in the se-
' counts for 1853.4 that the sum expended for public works
' was two millions and a quarter sterling, nearly the whole
amount of the deficit ; but now it appeared that the whole
amount really expended in that year for public works was
' only one million, while there had been a public works loan
of 2,725,000!. Under those circumstances there should
have been no deficiency whatever, bat instead of that he
found not only an apparent deficit of three millions, but
also a very large deficit of several millions in the cash ba-
' lances, which must be added to the former. Lord -Dal-
housie had spoken very cheerfully of the promising pros-
pects of the Indian revenue, and had boasted of having
added by territorial acquisition during his tenure of office
no less than 4,000,000/. a-year to the annual income -of
ludic. No doubt that was a most cheering statement ;
bat when they came to look into it they found that he had
given only the gross receipts, without making any deduc-
tion for one item of charge for either civil or military go-
vernment, just as if a farmer were to boast of the return
of his wheat sold at market as. net profit, without any
allowance for rent or cost of cultivation. Thus the Punjaub
was credited for one million and a-half, whereas it had been
proved in that house that there was an actual deficit in the
Punjaub revenue of 59,00)1. a-year ; Sattara was credited
for 150,000/. a-year, there being really a deficit of 22,000..
Nagpore was put down for 410,010/, when deducting charges
it hal been shown that there was only 100,855/. available
income. In the same way the noble lord had talked of the
opium revenue having increased from 2,73e,0001. in 1847
to 4,700,000/. in 1851: when it had really increased after
deducting damages to 2,975,000/. The right hon. gentle-
man had referred to the economical plans that were in con-
shieration as a means of improving the condition of the
finances of India, bat though he (Sir E. Perry) was an
Indian reformer, he urged the right hon. gentleman not to
imagine that it would be right economy to cut down the
emoluments of the civil service in India. The true method
would be by calling into their service the natives of the
country in larger proportion, giving them the principal
offices under European supervision, and. so cutting down
the charges. The Indian Law Commissioners had applied
themselves diligently to the improvement of legal process
and procedure in India, recommending, first of all, the
amalgamation of the Queen's and Company's courts, with
a view to improving the administration of justice. The
result had, however, been, that the report of the commis-
sion had been sent to India to be handed about like Mr.
Ilacaulay's criminal code. The Chief Justice Jervis, who
was a member of the commission, had declined to sign the
second and third reports of the commissioners, and he had
said that if he had thought that the labours of the com-
missioners were to be used as an excuse for postponing
legislation, he never would have been 'a member of the
commission. The honourable and learned gentleman then
proceeded to comment upon the annexation of Oude, and
to contend that the responsibility of annexing that king-
dom did not rest with the late Governor-General, Lord
Dalhousie, but with the President of the Beard of Control
anti the Court of Directors. He concluded by regretting
the indifference of the leading statesmen of the country on
this subject. He believed the house, from the indifference
of hon. members, were not so forward on this subject as
the public out of doors. That was also a subject of regret,
because Parliament had never interfered without confer-
ring groat benefits on India. Ile concluded by thanking
the house for listening to him so long and with so much
attention.
Sir JAMES W. HOGG said his hon. and learned friend
heti concluded his speech by attacking the Court of Di-
rectors, and in reply ho would confine himself with allud-
ing to tee principal points. He had made a partial allu-
sion to the annexation of Gude. His belief was, that
the Government hid acted wisely and justly in the an-
nexation of that kingdom. lie very much doubted
whether the public were with his honourable friend (Sir
E. Perry) in this matter. They were deeply indebted to
Lord Delhousio for his services on that occasion, and the
happiness and prosperity of the people were their re ear&
It was true, there was a deficit, but that was owing to the
combination of the ordinary with the extraordinary charges
of annexation. He had no doubt, however, that in future
years there would be a surplus as oron as the necessity which
called for extraordinary charges was removed. He did not
contend that wo ought to annex a country because of the bad
way in which it was governed, but the Government of India
were the virtual rulers of Oude by the treaty of 1801. They
were bound to get rid of the actual ruler of that country,
who had governed it in a manner most objectionable to the
people, and the people of Oude were eteeedingly glad of the
removal of the King. Reference had been-made to the re-
ports of the commissioners, who haul sat in this country, in
respect to the courts of India; and he contended that the
Government had judged wisely in riot founding any legislative
measures on these reports, until they had submitted them to
Indian legal authorities. The hon. gentleman said that much
of the expenditure in India had arisen from the erection of
new barracks, For the future the charge for repairs and
military works would appear as separate items. He would,
in reply to the hon. and learned gentleman who had just ad-
dressed the house, observe, that there was no act of Parlia-
meat to give the Court of Directors the power to grant pen-
sions. That power was an inherent right of the governing
pawer. Tue act referred to only limited power. Therefore,
the Court of Directors in this particular was established by
the act which passed the Legislature in reference to tire pen-
sion granted to Lord Harding°. The reference made to the
conduct of the Court of Directors in the case of tire will of
Mr. Dyce Sombre was not justified by the circumstances of
the case, for the Court of Appeal fully sustained the conduct
of the Court of Directors in the matter
Mr, I-lEADLAM said that the Indian Commission referred
to had made many valuable reports, but no advantage had
arisen from them. No use had been made of the reports,
and the commission was brought to an end. Tire hon. wee
learned gentleman. then referred to the letters addressed to
the commissioners by Sir Charles Wood, and said, when the
commissioners applied for an extension of their time, they
received a letter from the Secretary of the Board of Control,
informing them that it.was not intended to apply for an act
of Parliament to continue their powers. Under these cir-
cumstances, it was likely that their past labours would be of
no avail, and it was no wonder they complained of the treat-
ment they had received.
Mr. LOWE said, as ope of the Indian Law Commissioners,
ho did not scruple to say that they uudertook their task with-

end to.
After. a few words in explanation from Sir .1. W. HOGG,
'Mr. OTWAY said the charges brought against the direc-
tors of the East India Company were of a very grave nature—
no less than that of spending the resources of that groat nation
of which they wore the guardians, disregarding the most so-
lemn treaties, and if not torturing, at least conniving at the
torture of the people committed to their char,,re In 1354,
the directors of the East India Company spent upwa!d3 cf
10,000!. in law expenses ; in 1555, they spent 13,000/. in law
expenses, and in 1856 it appeared they had spent about
16,000/. As regarded Lord Dalhousie's administration, there
was no doubt that many of his acts were deserving of the
highest approbation ; but there were some of his acts to
which he (Mr. Otway) could not give his approval. As re-
garded nude, when they had m ide a solemn treaty with a
prince, however weak he might be, they were bound to re-
spect it. As regarded public works, they should have sub-
mitted to them every year au account of those public works
which were remunerative and of those which were not remu-

nerative. It was disgraceful to see Sovereigns who sat upon
the Throne before the House of Hanover reduced to the po-

sition almost of beggars, and coming to this country to sue
for their rights. If the right hon. gentleman would read the
foreign newspapers, especially American newspapers, he would
see how greatly those cases brought us into contempt. He
next referred to the system of torture used to extract money
from poor wretches who had none to pay. This system of tor-
ture was continued under the present reginte ; and worse
than that, there was no attempt to apply a remedy. The
latest accounts showed that the tortures, though they had,
perhaps, diminished, had by no means ceased, and that the
lion, gentleman was fully justified who said that in this
matter the Court of Directors was a particeps crintinis. Au
admirable suggestion was made by Mr. Llewen, that you
should give to the native Moonsif criminal jurisdiction.
We had just finished a great war ; but now we were on
the eve of a little war a war with Persia. He
bore testimony to the fact, that the right hon. gentleman de-
served great credit for the sentiments contained in the con-
clusion of his speech, and for the judicious mode in which ho
had exercised his patronage for the advantage of India.
Mr. H. D. SEYMOUR said it was impossible to manage
such a vast empire as that of India, without having these
princely claimants for what was designated justice. But
many of these claims were of ancient date, and the present
Government was by uo means responsible for anything com-
plained of. He took up the cases mentioned, and defended the
policy which had been pursued respecting them. There were
discrepancies in the accounts, but Mr. Grant had admitted that
they were but approximative. These accounts were made
under the old system ; the next accounts would be made up
in accordance with the new system, and then he trusted that
these discrepancies would not again appear. There would be
far greater details iu the new accounts on many points, espe-
cially with regard to public works, than there were in the
present. Some of the money wh ch had been expended nixes
those public works had returned profits to the extent of 600
and 700 per cent. They wanted very badly cheap and easy
justice in India ; and this want interrupted all commercial
speculations, and proved a great incubus on the progress of the
country, which in the new era of Indian government would,
he hoped, not be suffered to remain long. The next want was
a good system of education in India ; the system established by
his right hon. friend, now the First Lord of the Admiralty, only
required to be well carried out ; and he was glad to hear from
his right hon. friend the President of the Board of Control
that this system was to be carried into effect with vigour. There
was a very great desire for education, and so great was the in-
dustry of the children that the difficulty was not to get them
to learn, but to prevent them injuring their health by neglect-
ing to play. The great motive for this application was the de-
sire to get into Government employment. The education of
girls was an important subject. Ten years ago it was difficult
to get parents to allow their daughters to attend the schools,
but this objection was gradually dying out, and the schools
were beginning to be well attended. The Parsee schools in
Bombay were also flourishing, and there were a number of
schools for girls, which were well attended. They were in the
hands of th natives ; but the English system was adopted,
and the books used were the Irish school-books. There was
also a railway about to be applied for, without a guarantee.
There was great reason to be sanguine of the future prosperity
of India, seeing the greater interest that was now taken in
that country, and that Government now afforded encourage-
ment to enterprising speculators. With respect to cotton-
spinning in India, which had likewise been adverted to by
the right hon. gentleman, the President of the Board of Con-
trol, he had seen the establishments at Noche, Pondicherry,
and Calcutta, and looked upon the undertaking as most im-
portant, not from its magnitude, but the promise it afforded
that the yarn which had hitherto been exported crom Europe
might now be made in the country itself, and the money with
which it had been purchased applied in the cultivation of the
soil. They must remember, too, that the schemes for con-
necting India with Europe would boar largely upon this new
source of expectation, and among them was the Euphrates
railway project, which the Turkish Government would assist
with all its power. Thus would old prejudices be forgotten,
education be made more general, justice cheap and easy, and
capital and intellect be introduced. By those means he con-
fidently hoped that every blot that had stained the adminis-
tration of the revenue in India would gradually disappear,
and, by a wise government established in that country, they
would acquire strength in the general relations with the
Asiatic continent. (Hear.)
Mr. BUTT took advantage of the peculiar nature of the
committee to give notice that he should endeavour, probably
on Thursday next, to call attention to the case of the only
native Prince of Made who had a titleand territory remain-
ing.
Mr. MANGLES said he thought it was duo to himself and
others that he should reply to some charges which had been
made against the Government of India, They had been asked
why they had not abolished torture in India ? He would ask,
in reply, what were the shortcomings iu their social Govern-
ment at home? Ho would ask, for example, why they had not
put down agrarian murders in Ireland 1 And when he was
blamed for not knowing of its existence, he could plead igno-
rance in company with Lord Ellenborough and other distin-
guished men. At the same time he would remark, that the
fact of their not having known of it ought to be received
as some proof that the practice was not so great as it was
supposed to be. The honour/v.lc member for Stafford, speak-
ing of Oule, referred t• the treaty of 1537; but ho could
tell the hon. gentleman, that had the alternative been adopted
which he appeared to recommend, the only difference would
have been, that the streets of Luckuow would have been
deluged with blood, and the most horrible calamities would
have occurred, which, happily, had been avoided. He quite
agreed in the separation of the police from the revenue. Iu a
population like that of India, ono of whose chief characteris-
tics was a tendency to crouch to fiscal oppression, the union
was most objectionable. On the subject of torture he might
hero mention that in the vast presidency of Bengal, which
was little less in extent than the whole of France, not only
was there no torture, but there was no officer by whom it
could be committed.
The resolutions were then put and agreed to.
Mr. V. SMITH observed that the opinions given by the law
commissioners were sent out to the Government iu India for
their opinion, and they in return wrote a despatch sag jug they
were ready to carry many of them into effect if approved of by
the Government at home. He certainly had sent out his ap-
proval at once, and no doubt everything would be done to
carry their recommendation into effect as soon as possible.
In answer to a question from Mr. OTWAY,
Mr. V. SMITH said he had not heard if Mr. Theobald, a
law professor in Calcutta, was dismissed from his.offico in con-
sequence of his denunciation of torture, but if he were dis-
missed, it must have been by the Governor-Geueral, who, uo
doubt, had good reason to do so.
The house then resumed.
THE BISHOPS OF LONDON AND DURHAM BILL.
In answer to Sir J. GRAHAM,
Lord PALMERSTON said ho should propose to read it a
second time to-morrow evening.
Sir J. GRAHAM—WiII the noble lord have any objection
to lay on the table the correspondence which took place be-
tween the Bishops of London and Durham and the Govern-
ment on the subject of the resignation of their bishoprics ?
Lord PALMERSTON said it had already been lad on the
table of the House of Lords, and of course there could be no
objection to do so.
VICE-PRESIDENT OF COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
EDUCATION BILL.
Oa this bill being brought up to be amendcdand considered,
Mr. HADFIELD moved the insertion of a clause extending
the duties of the Vice-President to Ireland. •
Sir Cl. GREY opposed the clause, but on the suggestion of
the Speaker, it was postponed until the third reading to-
morrow.
THE LEASES AND SALES OF SETTLED ESTATES
BILL.

This bill was considered and amended, and ordered to bo
road a third time to-morrow.
The house t'aen went through committee on the Hay and
Straw Trade Bill.
PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS (SCOTLAND) BILL.
The consideration of the Lords' amendments to this bill
was then proceeded with.
The LORD ADVOCATE moved that the Lords' amend-
ments be amended, by leaving out clauses 12 and 13 of these
amendments, the object being to restore the clause abolish-
ing all descriptions of tests ou the appointment of schoolmas-
ters, which was agreed to after a short discussion.
COMMISSIONERS OF SUPPLY (SCOTLAND) BILL,
The Lords' amendments on this bill were considered and
agreed to.
INTESTATES PERSONAL ESTATES BILL.
The Lords' amendments on this bill were considered and
agreed to.

STOKE POGIS liOSPITAL BILL.
This bill was read a second time.
DULWICH COLLEGE BILL.
The order for the &T end reading of this bill was discharged,

PROCTORS (ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS),
Mr. HADFIELD moved for leave to bring in a bill to ro•
peal the Sth section of the act 50 Geo. 111., cap. 127,
whereby proctors in Ecclesiastical Courts in England allowing
their names to be used by persons not entitled to act as proc-
tors, or allowing such persons to participate iu any profit and
benefit, !hall be struck off the roll.—Agreed. to.
APPELLATE 3U lIISDICTION.

On the motion of Mr. RAIK ES CUItRIE the following
members were nominated as the select committee or the Ap-
pellate Jurisdiction Bill :—Mr. Raikes Currie, Lord John
Rus,ell, Mr, Attorney-General, Sir James Graham, Mr. Hen-
ley, Mr% Gladstone, Lord Stanley, the Lord-Advocate, Mr.
Attorney-General for Ireland, Mr. Walpole, Sir Francis Bar.
ing, Mr. BaillCS, Mr. Cairns, Mr. Evelyn Denison, and Mr.
Malhis : Power to send for persons, papers, cud records ; five
to be the quorum.
THE BISHOPS OF LONDON AND DURHAM BILL,
This bill was read a first time, and the second reading fixed
for to-morrow.
The house adjourned at 25 minutes to two o'clock.

COFFEE AND EATING.IIOUSE-KEEPERS' BENEVOLtNT
ASSOCIATION.—The thirty-ninth half-yearly meeting of
this useful charity, which is intended to assist decayed
members, their widows and orphans, was held last
night at the Freemasons Tavern. Tho immediate ob-
ject of the meeting was to receive the report of the coin-
miLtee and the auditors for the past half-year, to elect a
president, vice-president, and committee and other offi-
cers for the ensuing year. Mr. Baker, the president of
the association, took the chair, ar.d called upon Mr.
Rogers, the secretary, to read the report, which stated
that the capital invested was 3,280/. 13s. 5d., and that
the balance in the hands of the treasurer was 311 13s. 5d.,
making a total of 3,312/. 6s, 10d., which should be con-
sidered as gratifying, because during the year three pen-
sioners had been added to the list, at an increased expen-
diture of 34/. The committee were happy to announce
to the members that they continued to receive from the
London press a constant support and sympathy. The
report was unanimously adopted, and Mr. Chislett, on
the part of the auditors, having presented their report,
it met with a similar reception. Mr. Harding, of Ave
Maria-lane, the vice-president of the past half-year, was
then elected president for the ensuing year. the vive-
president, committee, tre. $ firer, auditors, at d other offi-
cers were then appointed, and the meeting closed with a
cordial vote of .hunks to the pact officers.