The Sun.
London, England, 1856-02-18 00:00:00

genera 1, and parties would be just as desirous of
obtaining admission into so distinguished a body,
and enj( )ying the necessary qualification for a seat
in the TYpper House. The seat itself would be
more valued in such case ; we should not find
two-thirds of the members abdicating their func-
tions, and abstaining from taking any part in the
deliberations of the House.

On the 7th instant, when a matter of deep in-
terest to the Noble Members, as well as of vital
imporftance to the nation, was ventilated, there
were only 136 Peers in attendance, while 111
sent in proxies—a highly objectionable system,
which should be abolished with all possible speed ;
for how is it possible for any man, who has not
heard the arguments on either side, to arrive at a
correct conclusion. The decisions of the House
would have far greater weight and influence with
the country when it had been thus purified, and
the voters were restricted to the more active and
intelligent members of the body.
Who, then, should be the electors ? This is a
question of greater difficulty—one that requires
calm and attentive consideration. There are
great evils attendant on the present system of
election to Scotch and Irish representative Peer-
ages. The majority of electors would, of course,
select persons agreeing in politics with themselves,
and certain very important classes would be vir-
tually excluded from seats. Conflicting views
are the indispensable attributes of any delibera-
tive assembly. If there be no difference of
opinion, the results will be far less valuable than
when there have been sharp conflicts. " Her
MAJESTY'S Opposition," as it has been correctly
termed, exercises functions scarcely less im-
portant to the nation than her MAJESTY'S Go-
vernment, and any alteration that produced una-
nimity would be very unwise and impolitic.
The electors could not, then, be limited, as in
Scotland and Ireland, to the members of the
Peerage. There should be numerous constituen-
cies holding different political views, so as to pro-
duce that diversity of opinion which is so essen-
tial to the utility of the general body. One
plan, which appears very feasible, and would pro-
duce an admirablesenate, would be to permit every
English constituency returning two Members to
the House of Commons, to elect at the same time
one Peer of England or of the United Kingdom,
who should sit during the entire Parliament until
a dissolution, when there would be a new election.
Every Peer would then have to render an account
of his stewardship, and those who had evinced
great activity and intelligence iu the discharge of
their important duties, would, considering the
limited number of those qualified, be certain of
re-election. There are 214 such constituencies,
so that the House would then consist of 214
English elected Peers, -who should be chosen from
among the 384 noblemen now entitled to seats
in the Upper House. In addition, there would
be 28 Irish and 16 Scotch Peers. We should gladly
relieve the members of the Episcopal Bench from
political duties. The care of their sees would be
quite sufficient to occupy their time and attention,
and there would then be no excuse for absenting
themselves therefrom. If, however, it should be
considered that some ought to have seats, eight
English might be selected from the prelates, which,
with the four from Ireland, would sufficiently re-
present their body in the reduced House. In
addition to these, some, say ten in number, might
be nominated by the Crown. This would include
the members of the Cabinet—say the Lord Chan-
cellor, President of the Council, Lord Privy. Seal,
one or two Secretaries of State, and five or six
Law Lords. We have thrown out this suggestion
for pulslic consideration, convinced that it would
render the Upper House far more independent,
and give greater weight to its decisions, than it
now enjoys. There would then be in round
terms 280 persons entitled to vote, all of whom
would feel themselves responsible for the discharge
of duties voluntarily assumed. And there would
be no limitation of the Royal Prerogative. The
Crown would still be the fountain of honour, and
could confer the only qualification for a seat in
that which would then:indoed be regarded as an
august assembly, and the people would again be
ready to thank PROVIDENCE that they had a
Honse of Lords.

Most of the Plenipotentiaries have already ar-
rived in Paris, and before the end of the present
week it is probable that one of the most important
Conferences ever held at any time or in any
country will have been opened. On Saturday
Lords CLARENDON and COWLEY arrived, and the
former Noble Lord was yesterday honoured by a
private audience with the ESIPEROR. Count
lituoL also had arrived at the scene of his future

I.ibours, and Count ORLOFF has probably by this
time joined his colleague, Baron BnuNow, who
has been some days at his post, with the latest in-
structions from the Cabinet of St. Petersburg,
AALI PASHA, who SO ably represented the SULTAN
at the Vienna Conferences, left Constantinople on
the 12th instant. He may therefore be expected

on Friday, and no time will then be lost in enter-
ing on the all-itnportAnt proceedings.
On the energy, ability, and resolution of Lord
CLARENDON much will now depend. Under

the most favourable circumstances England can
scarcely hope to obtain an wicquate return for
her serious sacrifices. Vast sums of money and
the lives of many of her boat and bravest children
have been expended, and after all there is no,