The Sun.
London, England, 1856-06-11 00:00:00

death was opposed alike to humanity and policy, aid
where the intuitive feeling; of men's hearts taught them
that an act was opposed toljustice, mercy, and humanity,
it was clear that it was also opposed to good policy. The
hon. gentleman amidst considerable interruption pro-
ceeded to urge the inefficiency as well as the inhumanity
of the punishment of death, and to deny that it was ac-
cording to the law of God as embodied in the Scriptural
word., " Whose sheddeth man's blood by man shall his
blood be shed." That was no more to be taken as a jus-
tification of the punishment of death than the words
of our Savour when he said, " He that taketh the
sword shall perish by the sword." ("Divide, divide,"
and interruption.) Aftersome further observations, wiiich
were quite unintelligile from the noise which prevailed,
the lion. gentleman concluded by expressing his intention
of supporting the motion, believing that evidence could
be brought before a select committee which would justify
the abolition of the punishment of death. •
Mr. WARNER then rose, but was greeted with such
a shout of disapprobation, and such Cries of " Oh, oh,"
and "Divide," that it was impossible to ascertain the
exact purport of a single sentence of his observations, but
he was understood to support the motion, though not
precisely on the ground, and with the view to the imme-
diate abolition of capital punishment, and ho was of opi-
nion that a committee might be usefully employed ire the
consideration of this question.
The house then divided, when there appeared—
For the motion 64
Against
Majority
—94
ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.
Mr. HEYWOOD then rose to move for a select com-
mittee to inquire what public measures ems be adopted
to advance science and improve the position of its culti-
vators. He said London was remarkable as a great centre
of science, and was distinguished by many scientific socie-
ties. It was with great pleasure he was able to say that
Government had given considerable attention to the sub-
ject. In the department of geology it had instituted a
seminary, and it had formed a department of science and
art, which was placed under the control of the President
of the Council. The subject was thus brought into connec-
tion with the general education of the country. There
were schools already established, of which the most im-
portant was the School of Mines in Jermyn-street, which
was specially intended to instruct persons who had the
control of mining operations. This was in imitation of
the conduct of other governments, for instance that of
Saxony, in which country great progress had been
made in consequence of the establishment of that
school. He considered that we were much indebted
to the gentlemen who had been placed at the head
of those departments, and in particular he might allude
to Sir H. De la Beche. Amongst other institutions of
this kind he might mention the Sailors' School at Poplar,
in which instruction of a really practical kind was given
to a number of industrious persons. Notwithstanding all
this, there was in this city a great want of scientific in.
struction. He believed that in Magdaleu College, Ox-
ford, it had been determined to appoint a number of
professors to give instruction in practical science. He
trusted that the same thing would be done at Cambridge.
It was observed by Professor Liebig, when in this coun-
try, that England was remarkable for paying no atten-
tion to anything that had not a practical tendency, and
that they neglected abstrict science, while in Germany
the contrary was the case. He considered that they had
a most important duty to perform in endeavouring to pro-
mote science as much as possible. There was a school
which Government had established, connected with the
Board of Trade, under Capt. Fitzroy, which was likely to
facilitate voyages from this country, and this was done in
imitation of the Amorican Government, who bad a ma-
rine department under Captain Maury. There was a
great desideratum at the present time that the various
scientific societies should be collected in one spot, and
Government had purchased Burlington House, which
was to be devoted to that object. It was found that
the British Museum, at the present time, was overflow-
ing in various departments, and especially natural his-
tory. They had recently placed Professor Owen over
that department, and had given him directions to give
lectures. There was no lecture room at the Museum,
and he would have to give them in Jertnyn•street ; so
that the specimens would have to be carried backwards
and forwards. He believed that the British Museum
was so overflowing that it would be to the public ad-
vantege that there should be a division of its stores, end
he thought the natural hist•wy department might be re-
moved to the west end of the town. He was exceed-
ingly anxious that scientific men should have a better
standing in the country. He did not think that their
merits wore appreciated by the Government or
the public. He did not wish to. depreciate others. He
thought that in case of war, generals, and admirals, and
others who cbstinguishe I themselves ought to be ho-
noured ; but scientific men were not recognised in any
way. Ile was fa favour of an order of merit, which be
considered woul I be a valuable addition to our national
advantages, He also thought that patents ought to be
granted for less money. The hon. member concluded
by moving the resolution, as given above.
An How. 'WEIMER hero moved that the house should
be counted. At the time the motion 'was made there
were 29 members present. Several, however, imme-
diately come in and raised the number above 40. Such,
however, was their interest in the subject that they left
immediately after the "count," and the attendance
once more fell to about 25 during the time that
Mr. MACKINNON was addressing the house. He
said that there was a greater bonus given for mathe-
matical acquirements at Cambridge than in any other
university in the country. The greater number of indi-
viduals who had, however, attained eminence there, aid
not distinguish themselves in the subject afterwards. The
members of that university, notwithstanding the encou-
ragement held out for the study of that science in that
university, went, into public life, and were not !pre.
eminently distinguished through life for their knowledge
of mathematics. In fact it was generally admitted that
mathematics were much more successfully cultivated in
France. This showed that it was in vain to attempt to
promote the cultivation of science by endowments. The
greatest men of science had not, in fact, been university
men. Take Herschel' amongst astronomers, and Brunel
amongst mechanics. Neither belonged to any uni-
versity or seminary. They owed their eminence to
their own genius and that alone. In like manner
the inventions of the locomotive engine and the
electric telegraph were due to civil engineers who
had not been educated in public seminaries or
at the public expense. The application of fundi
to science appeared perfectly useless. Give the
people a general education, and you might then from
time to time obtain individuals whose genius would raise
them to a prominent place amongst scientific men. He
was a member of the Royal Society, and when a man I
became distinguished in literature and science, that
society made him a fellow ; but it was not the Royal
Society which made science. It only adopted and pro-
mulgated discoveries. He thought that the proposition
of his hon. friend was toe vague for the adoption of the
house, and lee should certainly object to it if its effect
was to take money out of the public purse for the pro-
motion of science.
The house at this time consisted of about 20 members.
An How. MEMBER accordingly moved the house should
be counted. The result was the same as before ; a num-
ber of hod. gentlemen who had quietly reposed in the
lobbies tre smoking room, or the library, daring the
discussion immediately rushed in, raised the number of
the house during the count to the requisite number, 40,
and left the moment the Speaker declared the number.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER opposed
the motion. The hon. gentleman had not proposed the
appointment' of a committee to inquire into the probable
bearing or working of any particular scheme, but merely
into the question whether any means nould be devised
for the promotion of science. That he must say was
rather a large and somewhat indefinite subject to pro•
pose for the investigation of a committee of that house.
The honourable gentleman had in the course of his
speech adverted to the amount of public money expended
upon the various institutions devoted to the promotion of
various scientific subject.. He believed that in general
the advancement of science and the making of great dis-
coveries arose rather from the love of science which led
men of genius to devote their lives to its promotion irre-
spective of gain than to any money which the Govern-
ment might directly apply to the purpose. Bat in so far
as an expenditure of public money could promote the cul-
tivation of science, he did not see how it could be
better applied than in the establishment of institutions
such as those to which the hon. gentleman had adverted.
There was at the British Museum a vast collection of
specimens of natural history and botany, and the Go-
vernment had lately appointed Professor Owen—the
British Cuvier—to the head of this department. Then
there was a vast collection Of anatomical specimens at
the Hunterian Institution, which was also partly 'sup-
ported nut of the public funde, so that if they looked to
the collections of scientific objects or libraries for which
the results of previous scientific labourh were collected,
be thought there was no reason for saying there was
any deficiency in the existing means for promoting the
subjects of science.

At this period the right hon. gentleman was again in-
terrupted by another "count." The hon. member who
defeated the former attempt had again retired to another
part of the building, there to wait until their own pet
hobby should be " on ;" and there were not more thil
25 members present. As soon, however, as the mo-
tion wag made by acme one who took the common-
sense view, that a house which had no business that it
cared to attend to ought to be adjourned, it was defeated
by the same troupe of members who had distinguished
themselves on previous occasion*, and amongst whom
were conspicuous a large proportion of those who are
more remarkable for the nunsber of speeches which they
make in the house than for those to which they can in
duce the house to listen.
The CFIANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER con-
tinued—He said he did not think that any practical benefit
would arise fro i) the appointment of a committee, with-
out some more definite subject to inquire into than the
bun. gentleman (Kr. Heywood) proposed for investiga-
tion. If be would come forward and say thiit he had any
certain plan or suggestiuns that
would promote the ad-
vancement of science, or which would improve the posi-
tion of its eu'tivators, that would be a different matter.
As it wag he did not see that any advantage would arise
ftem acceding to the motion. He rather agreed with the
(Mr. Macklin:me), whose speech went to the refutation
remarks of the bee* geeleman who seconded the motion
of the principles laid down in the motion. (Laughter.)
He trusted the hon, gentleman would not press the
motion to a division.

Mr. TITS protestedagainst the impression that mo-
ney was wanted. What really was required was that a
board °lenience should be constituted, consisting of the
leading men of science in the country. Many important
questions had been referred to the Royal Society, but
that body was not lark, enough to meet the necessities
which were continually ari,ing
Lord STANLEY thought there was a great deal of
force in the remark of the Chance[kr of the Exchequer
that the hon. gentleman who introduced the motion had
no cpeeifio ineastue to propose, So far as his experience

of committees of that house went, be thought a reference
of the subject to such a body would be of no possible ad-
vaetage.Llt would onlyilead to very vague and desultory
inquiry. lie hoped that the hon. gentleman would not
press his motion now, but that he would take the oppor-
tunity of consulting eminent Scientific men upon the
matter as to the nature of the, Government patronage
they desired, and that having digested the subject be
would re-introduce it to Parliament next session. These
were the only remarks he should have made on the sub-
ject, except for one or two observations that had fallen
from hon. members who had spoken. Something had
been said about Cambridge endowments, and an attack
had been made upon the system of mathematical study
pursued in that university; while he contended that it
was the best mathematical system that could be pursued,
he admitted that sufficient attention was not bestowed
upon the applied sciences. He was aware that mere
grants of money could not greatly extend scientific ge-
nius, but at the same time there were many men who
had a taste for scientific pursuits who were led away
from them in consequence of not having had sufficient
pecuniary means to complete their education. •
An HON. MEMBER moved that the house be counted,
whereupon the usual notice having been given to hon.
members who were showing their zsal for science and
their eagerness for the continuance of the debate by pass-
ing their time in the smoking-room, or discussing chops
in the kitchen, they rushed in a body into the house and
completed the necessary number of 40. Having achieved
this great result, they congratulated themselves on the
victory by a vigorous "bear, hear," and immediately
afterwards returned to their previous unscientific enjoy-
ments, leaving five-or-six-and-twenty members-to conduct
the proceedings.
Lord PALMERSTON assured the house that the Go-
vernment was most anxious to promote the advancement
of science in every possible way, because they were aware
that science was intimately connected with the best inte-
rests of the country--with its national prosperity and its
commercial advancement. Those who bad found their
way to high offices in the state could never be insensible
to the claims of science, and would never refuse to lend
it every aid in their power. But many difficulties pre-
sented themselves. Money had been required, and Go-
vernment had consented to give it to men who were pur-
suing their researches, and who needed such assistance
in order to bring them to a profitable issue. Then it had
been suggested that a board of science should be esta-
blished, to whom doubtful points might be referred. He
had strong doubts as to the working of such corporate
bodies in reference to intellectual pursuits. They might
be of service iu the collection of models, instruments,
and things of that sort, but diversities of opinion sprang
up amongst them, which frequently operated injuriously
rather than beneficially. A remark from Liebig had been
quoted to the effect that there was a great difference be-
tween England and Germany in reference to science. It
went to show that in this country we looked to the prac-
tical application of science, while in Germany they
looked more to the theory. He oosld not understand
that attention to practical details involved the neglect of
theory, and he did not attach importance there-
fore to Liebig's theory. Her Majesty's Government
would always be most thankful for any suggestions
that might be made to them in the matter and which
might be within the Bove of Government or Parliament.
He trusted that his 'hon. friend (Hr. Heywood) having
called the attention of Parliament to the subject would
withdraw his motion, because if he pressed it to a divi-
sion it would imply that differences of opinion existed,
which was really not the case. (Hear.)
After some explanation from Mr. HEYWOOD, the
motion wag withdrawn.
PROPERTY OF MARRIED WOMEN.
Sir E. PERRY rose to move the following resolutions :
—" That the rules of the common law which give all the
personal property of a woman on marriage, and all subse-
quently acquired property and earnings to the husband,
are unjust in principle and injurious in their operation.
That the principles of courts of equity which recognise
separate property in a married woman, and invest her,
with respect to such property, with all the rights of
ownership, are in accordance with the requirements of the
age, and in confoimity with the opinions and usages of
the wealthier and better-instructed Classes of society.
That in the opinion of this house the conflict between law
and equity on the subject ought to be terminated by a
general law based on the principles of equity which should
apply to all classes." Just before Easter he presented a
petition from 3,000 women, and including the names of
our leading literary women, and others who, having had
opportunities of visiting the houses of the people, ba be-
' come acquainted with their habits and wants. He bad
taken up this subject after due consideration, and he bad
come to the conclusion that the law of this country in re-
ference to then property of married women was most dis-
graceful. By the old English law women were treated
as the women of other nations. The women took one-
third of the husband's land and of his personal property
on his death, and this system still prevailed amongst
the Teutonic nations, but by successive decisions of
judges the law.had been abrogated, although the Legis-
lature had never formally touched it. It was admitted,
he believed, that the practice of giving the wife's pro-
perty to the husband was carried a great deal too
far; for the husband might squander all the pro-
perty of his wife, or go off with another, leaving the wo-
man without any support from her owri property. It was
no theoretical grievance that he was discussing, and it
was necessary to meet the contrary argument, for he had
heard it several times stated that although theoretically
it was absurd to deny such rights as he claimed for wo-
men, no practical grievances arose from withholding
them. He might occupy the house for hours in cit ug
cases of practical grievaT eez, but he would not do so, for
thera bad been many hints that the house was impatient.
But one grievance had been stated to him in many dif-
ferent ways since he gave notice of this motion, namely,
that ofsa man who having gone off in adultery with an-
other, left his wife destitute. The poor woman by dint of
great industry might manage to establish herself in some
business, and at any time he pleased the husband might,
under the sanction of the law, sweep off all her property
when and as often as he pleased. A remedy for this might
be found if the Legislature :lowed a woman to have
ownership in the case of her own property, and to will it
as she pleased. If this privilege weregranted, the woman
would of course be liable for some of the charges of ma-
trimony, for the support of her children, and for those
debts wide!) now by an absurd regulation fall upon the
husband. He trusted that the Attorney-General, who
was a Bound law reformer, would direct his serious con-
sideration to this important subject.
Lord STANLEY seconded the motion.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL admitted the truth of
the statements made in the resolutions which he had put
upon the paper, but he trusted that he would not press
them. lie 'thought the object might he better attained
by bringing in 'a bill on the subject, than by discussing
resolutions which mode the house a mere debating so-
ciety. He believed that by next session the Lord Chan-
cellor would be prepared with a measure which would be
the beginning of a far more comprehensive measure than
could otherwise be secured.
Mr. MA.LINS argued that under the existing law a mar-
ried woman could easily secure her propezty to her own
separate use, if she desired to do so, by a simple act of
writing, and without even the intervention of a solicitor
or attorney. He was so strongly impressed with the ne-
cessity of preserving identity of interests between man
and wife, that he should feel it his duty to enter his
most solemn protest against the notion which was spring-
ing up that a woman ought to have the sight to a sepa-
rate establishment.
Mr. MUNTZ thought that the groundwork for this
claim of separate property on the part of a wife arose
from the difficulty which existed in obtaining divorces.
The SOLIOITOR.GENERAL said that the true evil,
and it was one which called loudly for a remedy, was
that the husband might neglect the obligation of main-
taining his wife without any remedy being easily ob•
tained at common law, and might still avail himself of
the property of the wife given to him on marriage on con-
dition of his fulfilling that obligation of maintenance.
The subject was one which demanded most careful con-
sideration, and probably some arrangements might be
made in the bill which was expected to come down from
the Lords, by which women deserted by their husbands
might be protected froth the effects of their .misconduct.
He trusted that the right hon. member would be content
with the assurance that the subject would receive the
earnest and careful consideration of the Government.
Mr. WHITESIDE thought that the present discus.
sion afforded a proof of the advantage which would re-
sult from the appointment of a Minister of Justice to
attend to matters of this kind.
'Mr. J. G. PHILLIMORE considered that although
there were some things in which we might borrow with
advantage from foreign countries, still upon the question
of the social position of man and wife foreign countries
might borrow many useful lessons from us. Numerous
cases of oppression and cruelty no doubt occurred in the
humbler ranks of life, which called loudly for an efficient
alteration of the existing law of divorce. A. piecemeal
motion, such as that now before the house, was not a
proper mode of dealing with the question.
Mr. COLLIER concurred in the opinion expressed
by the hon, and learned member for Enniskillen, on the
propriety of the appointment of a Minister of Justice.
Mr. W. J. FOX supported the motion, on the
grounds that the law as it at present stood inflicted
great hardships on the humbler classes.
Mr. CHAMBERS deprecated any attempt, such as
the present, of making lad law from hard cases. The
principles of the present motion would nullify the whole
of the marriage law, but the evils which required to be
remedied arose entirely from a breach of the law, and it
was such oases that it was desirab'e to meet.
Sir E. PERRY accepted the assurance of the hon.
and learned' Solicitor-General that he would consider
the whole subject, and consented to withdraw his motion.
The resolution was accordingly withdrawn.

POSTAGE LABELS.
Mr. WHITESIDE moved for a select committee to
inquire into the circumstances under which the Govern-
ment purchased Mr. Archer's machine fer perforating
postage labels, and entered into the existing agreements
With contractor,: for printing and gumming those lsbds.
The her. member gave a ❑arrative of the c rcumstauces,
from which he drew the conclusion that Mr. Archer
had suffered much injustice at the hands of the Treasury,
while the public hal bee❑ injured by the c msequenees
of an improvident contract.
Mr. WILSON recapitulated facts and referred to do-
cuments to prove that Mr. Archer had been fairly
treated.

After a few remarks from Mr, Grogan, Mr. L. Davies,
and Mr. Muntz,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
he believed that the sum originally effeied to Mr.
Archer was ful'y equal to the intrinsic value of his inven-
tion• In that inveritiou he was very materially assisted
by a (I,verninent officer. Mr. Archer subsequently
made an absolute transfer of his patent to the Govern-
ment, and now, at this distance of time, for Mr. Archer
to put forward a further claim was utterly indefensible.
As to the contract with Messrs. Bacon and Petch, the
house would hardly grant a committee to investigate
cortaiu verbal inaccurcicies which it was alleged occurred