The Sun.
London, England, 1858-03-24 00:00:00

TRE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, IVIARCTI 24, 188.

-
t
dividual communications. Ever since 1815, until jut ihat this elaborate contrivance was producing the most
, extreme inconvenience here. A person had now to ob-
recently, the French passport system between
.England
and France had been conducted on the part of the 1 tain a recommendation from a magistrate, then to go to
French Government with very great liberality. There . the Foreign-office, then apply to the French Consul, and
used to be different species of passports—some issued ! at all these stages necessary delays took place. The case
by the Foreign-office and by the foreign Ambassadors, lof a young officer who arrived lately in town from the
which were given to all persons of considerable import- seat of war in India would present these inconveniences
mace freely. There was also, as probably most hon. : forcibly to the minds of hon. members. This gentleman
members recol'ected, an office inPortland-street to which I received on a certain Thursday a letter from a stranger,
on any Englishman going he was perfectly certain to re- telling him that his father was lying at Boulogne at the
ceive, within 24 hours after writing down his name and point of death, and that every hour was of importance.
residence, a passport without fee, by which he could He applied to the Foreign-office for a passport, but was
travel to every part of France. Even this delay of 24 I told there was no resource for him, except an applica-
beers was excused in the case of a member of Parliament t tion to a magistrate. He was a stranger in London
or magistrate, or of illneas or urgent business. There Ihe knew no magistrate, but at length a friend rernem-
were also delivered passports by the French Consul on bered having onco dined with a police-magistrate, and
payment of a small fee. The same system continued under furnished him a letter which procured him a recommen-
Charles X. and Louis Philippe. He regretted to say it i dation. He then went to the Foreign-office, which was
was only in later days, when they might have hoped closed ; he got his passport the next, morning ; then he
that a long period of communication had produced the had to go to the French consul : through the delay thus
best feeling between the two countries, that any hind- occasioned he arrived at Folkestone
o too
. late for
ranee or bar had been placed on the intercourse between 1 the boat, and only got across on the following
morning,
England and France, though it was no secret that in the' being detained by all these frivolous regullo a
ion!s from the
opiaion of the Emperor of the French—for he had pub- dying bed of his father. (Hear.) In another instance a
listed a work on the subject—this passport system was gentleman wrote to him to say that he was summoned one
not a useful system, and that as between England and lying
Friday to see his child, who was ill at St. Omer.
France at least it ought to be abolished. A French He received the telegram at half-past 2, went to the
commission had been issued to inquire whether it was Foreign-office just before 4, was desired to call next day
possible to abolish the passport system in France, but it at 12, lost in this way much precious time, and arrived
bad produced no effect. The pasep rid system, indeed,
at St. Omer just four hours too late—his poor daughter
employed an enormous number of persons, who, of
was dead. (Hear,
htnth hear.) Here
six weeks, and they were
had remained as they were there would not have beenr.) were cases which had
mune, were all interested in maintaining it. If things occurred wit
only the first-fruits of these unhappy passport regu•
much fault to find with the system, for besides other fa-
lotion's. The Lord Mayor of London had declared
cilities of intercourse there did evict the habit of free that it was impossible for him to grant all the applies-
lions ma
by to him, and that it was his determination to
communication, which though not positively established
limitk his recommendation to those whom he person-
by law was sanctioned by custom, between the ports of
ally new, or to persons resident in his district. The
England and France. The English people never thought
of obtaining passports when they went to visit the ports police magistrates stated that it was impossible for them
of France, and, indeed, natives of this country wh to go on with their ordinary duties and at the same time
o
resided on the French coast were generally unpro perform the new functions with which they were so un-
-
exp=:ctedly clothed. As to the inconvenience felt by the
vided with passports. The communication between
the French and English coasts was so entirely free, commercial classes in this country, it was hardly to be
that since the establishment of excursion trains, told. Every shipowner was in continual fear that a ship
nearly 100,000 persons had gone over from this of his might be stranded on the coast of France, and that,
country every year to enjoy themselves at Calais and when a 1 a surveyor would formerly be able to go at once
Boulogne for a few days, and their visits had been a to the spot, the probability now was that the ship would
source of considerable profit to the inhabitants of those be lost and the cargo destroyed long before be had any
towns. Great changes had, however, taken place in the chance of reaching lit. Another disadvantage, surely
passport system. On the 18th of February, 1858, the worth oinsideration, was that practically every passport
following notice was issued from the Foreign-office : must now be granted in London ; because, although
the authorities at the Foreign-office said they were per-
" Her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris having, in per- fectly ready to send a passport into the country by ance of instructions from the Earl of Clarendon, re-
quiredin-
an
of the French Government whether British sub- turn of post, on receipt of a proper recommendation,
jeets will be permitted to land in France without passports everybody acquainted with the machinery of a great
when they have no intention of proceeding into the inte- public office must know that it was impossible for them
lion and also whether her Majesty's Consuls will have to do so. Thus, a lady wrote to him complaining that
power to grant passports to each persons to proceed to she sent for a passport on the 24th and only received one
Paris or elsewhere, his Excellency has been informed by on the 28th, which happened to be a Sunday, so that it
the French Minister for Foreign Affairs that no person was net available until the 29tb. Such instances were
whatever will be permitted to land in France without a not to be wondered at. They must c•sur every day ;
passport, nor will a consul's passport given to any one who and, as he was informed that all the duties in conuec-
may have landed without one be recognized."
tion with this system devolved on two clerks, he
The effect of this proceeding was that the free comma- thought it quite impossible that the business to .be done
nioation without passports between the coasts of France at the Foreign-office should be performed-even in such
and England, of which multitudes of persons had availed a way as would carry out the tenour of the
themselves, was at once stopped, and no British subject present regulations, illiberally as they were conceived
wag permitted to land at a French port without an Eng- The question for the consideration of the house was, what
fish passport. Another effect of the regulation was, description of passport should be given to an Englishman
also, that British subjects resident at Boulogne and so as to enable the Government to guarantee that the
other places on the French coast were deprived of the person possessing it should travel under the protection
facilities which had been previously afforded them for and rsgis of this country throughout the world. The
'visiting the interior of the country. He was anxious to word " passport" was one of which it was difficult to
ascertain what was the nature of the communications give a definition, but in his opinion it ougbt to be held
which passed between the French and English Govern- to mean nothing more than a mark of identification, en-
manta previously to the issue of the notification to which titling the bolder to the protection of England. It was
he had just referred. He thought Parliament was fairly absurd to think of making the passport a certificate of
entitled not only to demand that those communications morality or respectability, and so far as our Government
should be laid upon the table, but also to inquire whether was concerned the whole matter turned upon the point,
any remonstrance against the change had been made on not whether a British subject should leave the country
the part of the English Government. It was not for him' or not, but with what privileges be should travel in
to say what motives had induced the Government of the other lands. We were bound to afford protection to
Emperor of the French to adopt such an important every Englishman who behaved himself with propriety
change, but he could not believe that this destruct- upon the continent, and who obeyed the laws of
tion of the communication between England and the nation in which he happened to sojourn. He
France could in any degree tend either to the might also observe, that it was extremely desir-
security of the Emperor's person or to the general ad- able that the passport system should no longer
vantage of France. He was rather disposed to attribute subsist in connection with our Foreign-office, inasmuch
the measure to the inconsiderate zeal of subordinates, as a great deal of confusion was thereby created. Tne
who with the very beat motives might commit most investigations of the committee to inquire into the con-
foolish and injurious acts. The restrictions placed upon railer service which had been moved for on the previous
the communication between France and other countries evening would, he thought, serve to show that fac lities
since that melancholy event, the attempt on the life of bad been afforded to the members of that service to lay
the Emperor, had not, however, been confined merely to unnecessary fees upon English travellers. Indeed, a
passports. He had heard most ludicrous stories of the case bad lately been brought under his notice in which,
manner in which the Custom-house regulations were although the passport had been properly e'ised both as
carried out. He had been told, for instance, that a lady regarded England and the country in which the holder
was detained at Boulogne for 24 hears, in order that the happened to be travelling, yet expense had been in-
tooth-powder in her dressing-case might be carefully curred which need not have been entailed. Under these
analysed with the view of ascertaining whether it con- circumstances, it would, he maintained, be extremely
tained any fulminating matter. (Laughter.) The Eta- desirable that the Government should direct their atten-
peror of the French had undoubtedly, like every other tion to the question, whether the whole passport system
potentate, a perfect right to make any regulations be might not with advantage be transferred from the Fo-
pleaeed respecting the admission of foreigners within his reign-office and attached to the Home Department—
territories, bat he (Mr Milnes) thought the people of (hear)—and whether the onus of refusing a passport
this country were also entitled to ask why fresh reetric- should not be thrown altogether upon the shoulders of
tions had been placed upon their intercourse with France. the Government of the day. The Executive might,
If the French Government were as desirous as they pro- through the agency of the police, become acquainted
fessed to be, and as he believed they really were, of with almost every person who could not be safely trusted
maintaining friendly and intimate relations with the to bear the English name abroad, and be would have
British Government,—if there was no desire on their the refusal given in the case of any such person so re-
part unnecessarily to annoy u',—if there was no good corded, that if the individual felt himself aggrieved he
reason for preventing Englishmen from visiting France might be in a position to appeal to public opinion.
on pleasure or on business as they had been accustomed (Hear.) So far as the subject of passports was connected
to do,—he thought the people of this country were en- with foreign countries, it was with them entirely a ques-
titled to ask whether the restrictions recently adopted tion of policy, with which we Englishmen hal nothing
by the French Government were friendly and neighbourly whatever to do. If the French Government, er any
acts, and were likely to increase the amity of the two na- other, chose to throw obstacles in the way of their beat
Hons. The effect of these regulations would undoubtedly CnEttOlikeili travailing within their dominions—if they
be to subject the French themselves to considerable pecu- chose to deprive their innkeepers of the profits 'which
niary loss. Although the restrictions had only been in were to be acquired by the outlay of English touris.s,
force a few weeks they had been attended with most die- it was beyond all doubt in their power to carry that ob-
estrous consequences with regard to the communication jeer, jet° effect. It only remained to us to pursue our
between the two countries. The return of the number of own course, and with the aid of that constitution and
passengers between Dover and Calais daring the last six that liberty which we had the happiness to possess, to
weeks, as compared with the corresponding six weeks realise the vision of the prince-like poet who, in the
of last year, showed a diminution of no less than olden times of Greece, said of
1,167, and the rapid and admirably managed steamers " A certain island set apart by fate,
plying between those ports were not now carrying on The sea its frontier and the shore its gate;
an average more than nine passengers a day. A large Where every stranger with free foot may stand—
number of persons who had left this country unprovided May time ne er shake the columns of that land."
with passports, have been sent back without money and (Cheers.) The hon. member concluded by moving for
without their luggage, which had been carried on into copies of correspondence between her Majesty's Govern-
France. He regretted to say that many ladies and chil- merit and that of the Emperor of the French on the late
dren had been sent bock in this helplees condition to alterations in the passport system, and of the several re-
Dover and Folkestone. The evil was every day increas- gulations respecting passports issued by the Foreign-
lag, and in his opinion the subject required immediate office since 1815, with the fees charged on their delivery.
action on the part of her Majesty's Government, He Mr. WALTER. said that, in rising to support the resolro
had now to refer to the course which had been taken by tion which his hon. friend had just moved, he should feel
the English Government; with respect to this question. it his duty to trespass for a few moments upon the indul.
He was aware that just decopum would be observed by
the present occupants of the treasury benches in criti-
Bence of the house, while he briefly stated the reasons
w
cising the conduct of their predecessors, and that it was which appeared to him to render it expedient that her Ma-
quite unnecessary for him to appeal to their feelings of jesty's Government should at the present period make
delicacy with regard to the disclosure of the proceedings some effort to mitigate the grievance to which his hon.
of the late Government. He believed they would execute friend had called their attention. The question involved in
that duty without favour to their predecessors, and as that grievance was one which, although somewhat new to
conscientiously as if they had themselves been respon- the debates in that house, required no apology to be made
Bible for the course that bad been pursued. Some time for its introduction to its notice, for of all those subjects
ago passports issued by the Foreign-office
were extremely connectedwith our relations with foreign countries there
personal corn-
expensive, and were generally procured by persons who
hwilechichconcerenredllEnglishmen individually so
wan not
closely one
attled the
wished to produce an impression of their personal im-
portance. Such passports were issued to officials, but :?
fret. (Hear.)rw Hesomumsattalsion obsaeffrvecettehlaotuhe
they %ere paid for at a high rate by those who wished to present moment as one which was not altogetherg
assume a similar character. He was not aware, from his tune for bringing a subject so important under tliien°cPoPneri--
own experience, that these passports were attended with deration of her Majesty's Ministers. The French Govern
any peculiar advantage. He certainly remembered hear- ment had, in the first place, by their own act, abdicated
ing of a gentleman who travelled with a Foreign-office that responsibility which they had hitherto undertaken of
passport, signed by the noble member for Tiverton (Lord issuing passports to British subjects, and permitted it to
Palmerston), and who on presenting the document at the
usntedper lea
th le,
of
devolve exclusively upon the department
for
Thatl ad inioin
gate of a small town in the south of Italy, was immedi- tration of foreign
niately seised and carried before the police, the captor course,
her
Majesty's Government, and had, in his opi-
brought the affairs
m matter this country.
tter more immediately
believing that he had caught the redoubtable Palmerston
nion, imposed upon them a corresponding responsibility as
himself. (A. laugh.) Those passports were very sparingly
to the mode in which they should fulfil the duties which
issued, and were not much in demand, but the intercourse had recently been assigned to them. Fortunately for the
with the continent was carried on chiefly by means of country, we had at the present moment at the head of the
the ordinary French passports, The noble lord (Pal- Foreign Department a Minister who appeared to possess
meretan), however, for some reason cheapened the price the neck of writing conciliatoryletters--(hear, and a laugh)
of the Fureign-officra passports, and rendered it possible —and who, as he had been the means of removing the
for almost any man to procure them at a very small cost misunderstanding which existed between England and
and trouble. He had no doubt the noble Iwd had acted France, might very properly be looked to to frame such a
with the beet intentions, probably thinking it rieht that despatch as would, without running the risk of creating a
every Englishman should possess a guarantee of his na- fresh misunderstanding between us and our ally, have the
tionality frlm his own Government. The effect of the effect of mitigating the grievance which the house was en-
new regulations bad been entirely to alter the system gaged in discussing. (Hear, hear.) The age in which we
with regard to the issue of passports by the Foreign- 4,anappaennyedwitliorulive
to wad
fox, in
was whicht n thiiirulparnoepdhecylt that ,
office here. It was not necessary to read to the house re- an af tra.vellin— an ae in which cagpital d I:vi'tl:
gulations which were is everybody's hands—(bear)—and sciencgeo e and industryg appeared to be associated for the put.
with which the hon. gentleman who cried "Hear" was pose of rendering locomotion as great a luxury as it had
of course perfectly conversant. (A laugh.) At the first formerly been a misery. We now possessed increased fa-
glance they appeared to be more liberally conceived than cilities for moving from one place to another, whether in
the pursuit of health or business, and were enabled to ful-
those formerly issued. Stich pa,sports used only to be
fit the. designs of Providence by the promotion of a spirit
granted to persons known to the Foreign-office or re-
f friendly intercourse with other countries while the
commended to it by baekers, while the present regula- severaln provinces of our own country were brought into
tion extended the power of recommending to every closer contact with one another. (Hear, hear.) Could any-
mayor and every magietrate in this c iuntry. This libe- thing be more provoking than that at such a period as this
eelity, however, was in appearance only. HOD. members the perverse ingenuity of man should be employed in throw-
who sited as magietrates had probably received a cam-` ing every possible obstacle in the way of free social inter-
munication desiring that their signatures and their seals , crurse ? (Hear, hear.) The house might depend upon it
Should be forwarded with a view to the identification that so long as the passport system continued, no matter
tfiof any Person recommended by them to the Foreign what diplomatic alliance might subsist between this cowl-
beetn:doewn.fhtehedid nod coerid r this was a proper u a try and France---no matter whether we should for a time
bs bound up with her in a contest against some third power
tracy o' England. The unpaid
magistrates were alreadyag —we never could realize that cordial friendship with France
called upon to discharge very
laborious functions, which every Englishman desired to see prevail. (Hear,
end-the Government had no right hear.) When Englishmen want abroad they were gene-
to impose on them any
other duties than those which rally speaking disposed to enter a foreign state in a spirit
the interest of the country
m.fairly demanded. It was of the utmost good feeling, and to quit it in a spirit of
nog unjust to force the
agtstrates as the present eye- gratitude and kindly sentiment. He must, however, for
ability of every person whom
rem virtually did, to feruish a
guara:ntee for the respect- his own part say—and in entertaining that feeling he be-
passport, t ith such a demand hhey
e, re comomneenudoeudldu
foraot hayed he was by no means peculiar—that he never set in 18
for W
foot upon French soil without a sense of indignation being
comply, and he believed a large body of the ~,,, obliged to submit to a system of interference which was, he
magistrates
were similarly di-posed. Suppose, for example -I thought, as useless as he knew it to be offensive. (Hear.)
aperson
With the permission of the house he should for a few
enkeown to him, but who had recently obtained nun-
enviable notoriety in this country, had come to himn und
asked him for a recommendation. Suppose this personan
had described himself as an intimate friend of Cot
and other literary men.
He (Mr. Milnes) shoulderidge moments call its attention to a statement of the nature
of that system, and as his own feelings might lead him
into the use of language which might wound the sus-
clilities of our neighbouts
.across . the chan.nel, he
have should prefer taking the desciiption.of it from writers of
Si..!.ven such a person a passportat
once, and their own. The only system in this country which was
~.._i. when it turned out to
--vs.
~,,, be Mr. Alleop, it would parallel to the passport system of the continent was the'.
r.coulz at ones asked at the F •
fixed wilrit`"l him I" No Foreign-office, -office, " Who to which it had been found expedient to resort in order to
~,.,,,,,,
..,„ . yentleroan would like to be protect society against convicted criminals. He hoped the
a position. .A. ~,,:‘,P"`"b".tY, or to find himself in house would permit him to r, ad an extract from an article
office, this perhaps sending one's seal to thrrF such
, in the " Encyclopedia
heads"
Langage et des Sciences Pen
was not every magieteZonto,zeat requirement • 're
'it. tiques," under the Passeports." The writer caid—
He late'y read in the biogra/41,,1d 'prxin,c„,,,,,,,h,a
thing.
" In a financial and political point of view passports are at
man, who conceived that him tiZ.l&d,,,a?,2B:nishi ed literary once vexatious and useless- -vexatious, because the faculty of
the parade of rank, that on beir.indeva‘‘,ldth,
fmorabossos:/it ,
c,,,,,minttioaleacuJl travelling being one of common right, and
of arms, he said he never carrte any ~,_ ni
'ea with him, that liberty
~,
_oiraeg
citizens
ividual liberty, it is a violation of
be knew, from time immetati,i,„ . p...,,,,, „T.,,...if_ra e citizens to give the description cf their
for, as far as
letters with their thumbs.all hie toesee to enoe',ent). and. to inform police agents of the
ue cause re --" haPPeh to
ancestors bad sealed their
did not know whether the use
ofthis those
whol,ie slid iusties -. ee going, It is useless, be-
.. 7
it
..,,tr,,,,, _ require tha a tax should
•
t g
(Mr. Milnes)
process was customary among any of ,lecurity. The tai on7,%=q.c. towards thir llb give
to
ancient
and
simple uire their seals in this way was ins
upomoo.. twhheortirgaovrrs
~Z,ZZtrtkerds nee sacwhendevianngtaanad
the magistracy, but to require
of police in this coati- bonds, it is certain thawti.t,i.lapor%teripoortt,llle. 1:w, which loogk;
certainly a most novel regulation ,
which bad very rarely attainsits end. Perisionr'l:7 r"l4:4ert.'ll., "ag2-
hat were the c.,uses
without any L ---..and
try. He wished to know w
for the pur- in; or livelihood, those who are within reach of ottost an-
tug
led to the introduction of all this apparatus
of idea- Cod.', know perfectly well how to procure for the'ra.Paa
mere card
nen,
pose of providing Englishmen with a
Vacation on going to the Continent. Everybody knew
feuitlees passports, Sharpers, bankrupts, and many
()there

whose occupation consists in getting into their hands other
men's purses and property—all such " voyageurs forces" have
never been found in want of passports (feuilles de route)
which enable them to evade justice. Passports do not exist
in England. There the citizen who travels has no need, in
order to traverse the three kingdoms, to obtain the permission
of a police magistrate. There commerce and industry are not
exposed to such fimpedimenta, but are perfectly anfettered.
Ihere people come, and go, and stop, as it suits them, or as
it pleases them. The roads and streets are free from all police
inquisition."
Those were rather strong terms for a French writer to use
in speaking of a domestic institution of his country, and if
they had been penned by an Englishman they would pro-
bably have been condemned as exaggerated and unfair.
But he had a still stronger passage from the works of a very
eminent French writer, who was perfectlyacquainted with
the subject. That writer said I
"No inhabitant of Great Britain, excepting convicts, can
be expelled from the United Kingdom. Any infraction of
this clause (the Habeas Corpus Act) would be vis ted with
severest penalties."
After describing the Habeas Corpus Act, he continued :
"In England those violatioes of a citizen's domicile, so
common in France under the name of domiciliary visits are
unkn own, In England the secrets of families are respected,
and correspondence remains intact. In Englaud the first of
all liberties, that of going where you please, is never dis-
turbed, for there no one is asked for passports—passports,
the oppressive invention of the Committee of Public Safety,
which are an em earrassment and obstacle to the peaceful
citizens, but which are utterly powerless against these who
wish to deceive the vigilance of authority."
The house would doubtless wish to know who was the
author of those remarks. It was no less a person than the
present Emperor of the French—(hear, hear) than whom
no man had had more experience of the passport system,
or was better able, from personal experience to speak as
to its utter inutility. Perhaps he might be allowed to
make a practical suggestion that the best form of passport
would be a simple card. something similar to a Crystal-
palace season-ticket, containing on one side the date, the
signature of the bearer, with the declaration that he was a
British subject; and on the other side there should be
the Government stamp. All that foreign Governments
had a right to require that every Eneliehinan leaving this
country to travel in their territories should be marked as
such; although, indeed, it might be said that Englishmen
were stamped by nature and needed no Government
identification. The plan he had suggested appeared to
him to be the simplest and the most sensible, if any pass-
ports at all were necessary. He did not think that vises
should be required, for it was a disgrace to England
that after the Government had given a certificate of iden-
tity and nationality it should require the vise of any
foreign Power. He submitted those suggestions to the
consideration of the Government, and he would only add,
in conclusion, that the Minister who succeeded in abolish-
ing or even in mitigating this offensive system would be
more entitled to the thanks of the country time many
Ministers who claimed credit for more important successes.
(Hear, hear.) He cordially seconded the motion of the
hon, member for Pontefract,
Mr. S. FITZGERALD, who, in consequence of the low
tone in which he spoke, was but very imperfectly heard,
said, as the question was one of a practical character, it
should receive a practical reply from the Government. He
should not follow the hon. gentleman who had spoken with
quotations from French writers, nor should he allude to
the opinions of the Emperor of the French. He thought,
as regarded the general question of the use of passports
and the desirableness or otherwise of establishing a passa
port system, the house ought to consider that as a matter
of internal regulation on the part of the French Govern-
ment, with which this country had nothing to do. (Hear.)
If for the convenience of travelling in France it was requ-
site that a British subject should have a certain authority
or statement, not with reference to character, but merely
that he was a British subject and entitled to the protection
of the law, he thought it was to the regulations which our
own Government made on that subject that the house
should direct its attention. (Hear, hear.) The hon. gentle-
man who made the motion stated, that under the present
arrangements that had been made by the French Govern-
ment great impediments were thrown in the way of Bri-
tish subjects travelling in France. He must say the hon.
gee Leman had made that statement without information
which he might have easily acquired. He thought the house
would acknowledge that the way in which this matter had
been put by the French Government to her Majesty's
Government, and in which they were prepared to deal
with the question, was such as to show that, so
far from our having any cause of complaint against
them for the course they had adopted, they had met as in
a friendly and generous spirit. (" Oh, oh !") Perhaps the
hon. gentleman who interrupted him would do him the
favour to listen to the grounds on which he had stated that
opinion. The way in which the matter stood was this :
The French Government were always in the habit of per-
mitting their consular authorities to issue passports to
British subjects desiring to travel abroad. It was true that
that practice had been withdrawn, but with a distinct
acknowledgment on the part of the French Government
that they were not only willing, but bound to admit any
regulation which the British Government were prepared
establish before they issued their own British passports.
(Hear, hear.) So that if fault was to be found in this
matter it was to be foaled with the British Government
rather than with that of France. The result of the late
regulation had been doubtless one of considerable incon-
venience, and it very early attracted the notice of her
Majesty's present Government, as it had also, ho was bound
to say, attracted that of the Government who preceded
them. It had since been the object of her Majesty's present
Government to consider how they could best deal with the
practical question, and how they could give passports
which the French Government would be willing to accept.
In issuing passports the Government considered they were
not entitled to inquire into the political or moral ante-
cedents of the persons who applied for them. (Hear,
hear.) What they thought a passport should be was a
certificate of citizenship, which would identify the person
to whom it was granted as a British subject; and beyond
that it had not appeared to them they were entitled to go.
(Hear, hear.) But still the observance of some formalities
would always be necessary with the view. to ascertainthat the applicant for a passport was a British subject ;
and the department with which he was connected was
now engaged in considering most carefully how the
greatest facilities for granting passports could be given I
consistently with a due regard to the necessary identifica-
tion. (Hear, hear.) Tt had been said that it was a new
feature that passports could only be issued in London.
Practically that was so before, because he had ascertained
from certain rrturns on the subject that 80 or very nearly
90 per cent, of the passports issued by the French consular
agents were issued in London. But he might state that it
was at present in contemplation by her Majesty's Govern-
ment to appoint passport officers in some of the most con-
siderable seaport towns ; and he thought it probable that
such officers would be stationed at Dover, Folkestone, Now-
haven, Southampton, and Liverpool; but such arrangements
would be made as experience might suggest to be beat calcu-
lated to meet the requirements of the case. But there was
another subject—that of the vise—which had been sug-
gested by the hon. member for Nottingham (Mr. Walter).
He was bound to say that having seen statements in the
public papers that British subjects had been sent back from
Boulogne in consequence of not having the vise of the Con-
sul General in London, his department had asked for in-
formation on the subjeet, and they had been assured that
if such a case had occurred, which appeared doubtful, it
arose from some extreme misconception of his instructions
by the authority at Boulogne. He would not deny that
such a case had occurred, but if it had they had the autho-
rity of the French Government that it must have happened
from the cause he hal just mentioned. But he would give another exemplification of the spirit in which the
French Government had acted in this matter. It having
been communicated to them that it was probably the in-
tention of her Majesty's Government to establish passport
offices at some of the principal ports, they at once said they
would meet her Majesty's Government half-way, and
establish French consular agents at those ports, who should have the power to viler passports, and so prevent any in-
convenieuce which might otherwise happen. (Cheers.) One
inconvenience was felt— viz., that tbe present amount
charged for a Foreign-office passport was somewhat too
large—(hear, hear)--that whereas before a passport from a
foreign consul could be had for a small sum, passports
could now only be procured from the Foreign-office at a fee
which pressed severely upon artisans. He did not know
what course, if any, his right hon. friend the Chancellor
of the Exchequer might feel it his duty to pursue
in this matter, but it was the earnest wish of the depart-
ment with which he (Mr. Fitzgerald) was connected to
consider whether the amount now charged for a Foreign-
office passport could be reduced, so as to place it within
the reach of every one. (Hear.) He thought he had
stated all that was necessary in reference to this subject.
He wished to deal with it as a practical question, and he
thought the House would see that, so far from our having
reason to complain of the French Government as regarded
the regulations they had concocted in their own interest,
they had thought to mitigate as far as possible any incon-
venience which that resolution might occasion. (Hear.)
Mr. J. B. SMITH suggested that the mayors of such
towns as Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham, and,
indeed, of all other large towns, should have the power of
issuing passports.
Mr. KER said the only safe and dignified course for the
Foreign-office to adopt was not to pretend to answer for
the character of every person who obtained a passport, but
to grant freely to every British subject the protection to
which he was entitled.

mischievoas intentions. (Cheers) I am able to state an in-
stance of each kind. Many years ago, not in the reign of
the present Emperor, nor in the reign of Louis Philippe,
but in that of Charles X., I was travelling from the north
to the south of France, and one evening, when I arrived at
my inn, an officer of police came to inspect my passport.
Having looked at it he said, " Sir, if I did my duty I should
arrest yon." " I am sorry to hear it," I replied, " but I
hope you will do no such thing. Why ?" " Because your
passport has not been Vise since you landed at Havre." I
told him that was the fault of the French officials. But here
was a harmless traveller -- (a laugh)—threatened with arrest
because his passport was not in the condition required by
the French regulations. (Hear.) Take the other instance.
Orsini, who lately suffered for the attempt upon the life of
the Emperor of the French, was actually travelling with
one of my passports. He had obtained possession of a pass-
port which was given, not by myself, but by the officials at
the Foreign-office when I WWI Secretary of State, to a Bri-
tish subject named Allsop. The passport was procured on
the recommendation of a very respectable mercantile firm
in London, and having been given to Alison was handed
over to Orsini, who, although he did not carry upon his
features that stamp of riationality which the hon. member
for Nottingham thinks would be sufficient to identify a
British subject, had nevertheless that stamp of nationality
which is implied in the possession of a passport granted to
a British subject by his own Government. Does not the
case of Orsini show that passports are of no real use for the
purpose of impeding the movements of dangerous charac-
ters on the continent? (Hear.) It shows also that no regu-
lations which the British Foreign-office can establish for the
purpose of identification can be effectual, because a pass-
port given to a British subject may be transferred to a fo-
reigner, and then all precautions fail, and the whole sys-
tem becomes a useless restriction on the motions of those
who have no bad intentions, and who go to the continent
only for the purposes of business or pleasure. But, as I said
before, these are matters which foreign governments have
a right to regulate according to what they may deem ne-
cessary for their own internal security. At the same time,
if passports are required—not for British but for foreign
purposes—by British subjects I quite admit that every
facility ought to be given to British subjects for obtaining
the papers necessary to enable them to travel on the con-
tinent. (Hear, hear.) It is quite true, as stated by the
Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, that inconveni-
ences resulting from the recent regulations were felt by
the late Government. Those regulations were established
experimentally and provisionally, in consequence of the
French Government having forbidden their agents here to
give passports to British subjects ; but I have no doubt
that when the matter is looked into, and with the new re-
gulations which the Under-Secretary says the Foreign-office
is about to establish, many of the inconveniences which are
the necessary result of arrangements made in consequence
of the action of another Government will be removed, and
greater facilities will be given to British subjects wishing
t e travel abroad. (Hear, hear.) I have only to say in con-
clusion, that if my right hon. friend the member for Pon-
tefract has no objection to the addition I have suggested,
it will, I think, complete the case by showing the repre-
sentations which have been made by British consuls in the
French ports of the inconvenience to individuals, and the
expanse to the public, occasioned by the facilities which
were formerly afforded by French consular agents here to
tempt British workmen to go to France, when there was
no real demand for their labour, and when, having nothing
to do when they arrived there, they were compelled to be
sent back as distressed British subjects. (Hear, hear.) ,
Mr. BRIGHT—I think the noble lord was in error when
he stated that the right hon. gentleman the member for
Pontefract had found fault with our Government for re-
ducing the price of passports. The right hon. gentleman,
on the contrary, is one of those who think that passports
should be as cheap as possible, (Hear, hear.) I have
listened to the discussion to-night with great satisfaction,
and lam sure the country will receive with pleasure the
observations which the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs
has addressed to the house. (Hear, hear.) There are two
things which our Government can do. In the first place it
can make friendly representations to foreign Powers for
the purpose of prevailiug upon them to lessen as much as
possible the difficulties which are interposed in the way
of a traveller on the continent. (Haar, hear.) It can do
nothing further with foreign Powers, because I take it for
granted that we are bound to submit to any regulations
which a foreign Government may make ; but with respect
to our own country, it can do almost anything. (Hear,
hear.) Our Ministers do not care a straw, I presume,
what Englishman travels abroad, where he goes, or how
long he stays away ;
they give him a passport merely be-
cause foreign Governments will not admit him into their
territories without one. But foreign Governments do not
ask that we should charge 7s. for our passports. ("Hear,
hear," and laughter.) They do not ask that we should
bring men from all parts of the country to any particular
city for the purpose of getting passports, nor do they re-
quire that poor people, who have no influential friends,
who do not know a banker or a member of Parliament,
should find it almost impossible, as we have recently seen
proved in the newspapers, to obtain a passport at all.
(Hear, hear.) The inconveniences of which so much com-
plaint is made are owing to the conduct of our own Go-
vernment and to the want of common sense in these mat-
ters manifested by the Foreigx-office in past times. (Hear,
hear.) I agree with the hon. member for Stockport that
it would be very undesirable to establish passport-offices in
the various towns throughout the country. We know what
a passport-office would become. First of all there would
be a considerable amount of patronage. All members of
Government, it is true, when they speak of patronage pro-
fess to care nothing whatever about it. (A laugh.) At the
same time, whenever anymeasure creatingpatronage comes
before Parliament, I observe that as much patronage is
provided for as can be conveniently put in an Aet of Parlia-
ment. If you were to have passport officers in Liverpool,
Hull, and other large towns, the passport-officer would not
have enough; to do, for the few persons he would have
to attend to would not give him more than one or two
hours' employment a-day, and he must be a respectable
person and have a competent salary. My hon. friend pro-
poses that the Mayors of the different cities should have the
power to give passports ; and I have no doubt whatever
that that would be a convenient arrangement. The Mayor
has the confidence of his fellow-townsmen, a very small
fee would pay the expense. What object could
there bells charging for a passport more than 6 I. ? You do
not want wore money than would just pay the expense,
and that might be provided for by a vote of that house, or
by some small feu, for we do not want to tax our country-
men going abroad. If it were not for foreign countries we
should have no passports; and therefore, being compelled
to have passports, it is the duty of the Government to
make the infliction as little as possible. (Hear) Acting
upon that principle, any two men in that house might sit
down, an tin half an hour draw up a schema by which all
the difficulties would be removed, and which would be
satisfactory to the country. (Hear.) I hope the Under
Secretary for Foreign Affairs will not conclude from these
observations that lam dissatisfied with what he said. I
think that what ho has stated shows that the Government
are paying attention to the subject, and I hope that as
long as he occupies his present position the house may be
as well satisfied with any explanation he may have to give
in future as with that he had just offered. (Hear.)
Mr. DUFF said that he would not detain the house for
more than three minutes, but that he wished to correct one
error in a matter of fact into which the hon. member who
had just sat down had fallen. It was quite a mistake to
suppose that foreign governments did not care from what
particular office a passport was issued. The possession of a
Foreign-office passport made all the difference in the world
to the comfort of a traveller. He would relate wee instance
of this within his personal experience. He was travelling
in Hungary before the effects of the Revolutionary War
Ho arrived in Semlin
simultaneously witlla young Englishman who was going
to Bucharest on commercial business of great importance.
much chqueixtae sppearsasetedd away, and
England and when the authorities wore
against
He hod a Foreign-office passport, signed by the noble lord
the member for Tiverton, and to this the Austrian mili-
tary authorities paid the greatest possible respect, while
they treated as little better than a mere nullity the per-
fectly regular passport granted to the young Englishman
by Col. Hodge, our then representative at Hamburg. He
(Mr. Duff) was offered every facility for the prosecution of
his journey, wills) the bearer of Colonel Eledge'e passport
was forbidden to proceed to Bucharest, at which place, for
all he (Hr Duff) knew to the contrary, he may not yet
have arrived. (Hear, and laughter.)
The CHANCE 15f.40 et of the EXCHEQUER -- It appears
to me that the observations of the hon. member for Bir-
mingham are well entitled to the consideration of the
passports among
The office with which
has this subject under con-
the distribution of
n, if possible, of accomplishing
smtirdyye erhaaostiyi,
0. anf:r
with
thihe
iat:h) .ce
connected
ee enc atteri
those two objects ; and without pledging the Government
to any particular mode, I can assure the house that we
wish the distribution of passports to be easy in all the
principal ports of the country. The • have been some
difficulties started by the municip dauthoricies with regard
to this point, but I feel, after the discussion which has
taken place, that those difficulties may be overcome.
(Hear, hear.) The great object we have in view, and which
I think the house will desire to sea attained, is that in
future any Englishman who wishes to leave his country
should find the process of obtaining a passport not expen-
sive nor troublesome, but one which might be gone
through without the difficulty and cost an artisan might
fear to encounter. (Hear, hear.) The addition proposed
by the noble lord appears to, be one to which there can be
no obj,!etion.
Mr. el. MILNES, in reply, thanked the Under-Seora' ary
for Foreign Affairs for his statement, in which there was
but one point omitted, and that was the consideration of
people who had been in the habit
ot the
frequentin; the
ur nuneberofports
of France without any passports
whatever. The an keen abolition of that privilege de-
served the attention of the Foreign-office. After the
papers he now moved for were produced, he should again,
if neces cry, call the attention of the house to the subject.
The motion was then agreed to, with the addition pro-
posed by Lord Palmerston.
MARRIAGE LAW AMENDMENT.
Lord BURY rose to move for leave to introduce a bill
to legalise marriage with a deceased wife's sister, and in
doing so he said he felt he ought to make an apology, be-
cause this subject, which had employed the talents of a dis-
tinguished member of that house, had now fallen into his
hands. In his opinion there ought to be uo ambiguity in
the law on this subject,
but its provision and prohibitions
should bo clearly and distinctly declared. The law in its
present state was, however, open to very considerable
doubt. He need hardly refer to the ease of " Brook v.
Brook," by which the question of the validity of these
marriages between British subjects abroad had been raised.
In the absence of any parallel case Mr. Justice Cress well's
opinion upon that trial must be regarded as the authori-
tative declaration of the existing law
of England. That de-
cision hid not been arrived at without very laborious and
state
of etxhaemlian,avtion,
wass analintownia se
atherefore
aenv
(rid
seantti
sfa
thatty he.
c
Indeed he had been told that other distinguished judges
bad, upon precisely the same evidence, arrived at diamet-
rically opposite conclusions. That house had on three se-
parate occasions expressed its delibsrate opinion that the
present law on this subject should be reversed, and that
principle had been affirmed upon no less than 30 div's'ons.
otr
Upwards of 5,000 petitions, with hundreds of thousands
of signatures, had been presented to both Houses of Par-
liament in favour of the change in the law which would be
effected by the bill he asked leave to introduce. The law as
it stood was, he believed, at variance with the feelings of
a large majority of the community, and it was therefore
fitting to inquire how that law had been established. The
Roman law, which coincided almost exactly with the Mo-
saic law in this respect, contained no prohibition of these
marriages; an I subsequently they were not forbidden by
the statute or the canon law, which depended almost (sr-
o'u,ively upon Scriptural law. The question to be deter-
mined seemed, therefore, to be reduced to these narrow
points—whether the alleged Scriptural prohibition really
existed; and, whether, failing such prehibitien,

Lord PA.LMERSTON.—As far as the late Government
are concerned they have no objection to the production of
the papers in the way in which the Under-Secretary for
Foreign Affairs has agreed to them, but I would suggest an
addition to the motion of my right hon. friend the member
for Pontefract, viz.—copies or extracts of any correspond-
ence that may have been received at the Foreign-office from
British consuls on the coast of France, say within the last
two years, on the subject of the inconvenience caused by
British workmen arriving in France furnished with pass-
ports given to them by French consular agents in Great
Britain. It has often happened that British workmen
have been induced to go to France by Weans of pass-
ports granted by French consular agents in this country,
tempted to proceed thither when there was no real
demand for their labour, and they have frequently been
exposed to great inconvenience, while the public
has incurred considerable expense, by their return as
distressed British subjects unable to procure their own
means of transport. The addition which I have suggeetel
will complete the view which my right hon. frioad wishes
to lay before the house with respect to the passport system.
I quite agree with the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs
that the passport system is an internal and domestiq regu-
lation of the French Government with which the British
Parliament has really no right to interfere ; and I quite
differ ;rem my right hon. friend themernber for Pontefract
in the opinion which he expressed, that the late Govern-
ment, by enlarging the facilities for getting passports,
established a passport system in this country. They di.l
no such thing. The passport issued from the Foreign-
office had nothing whatever to du with any internal regu-
lation here, but was merely given to a British subject for
the purpose of enebling him to travel ith ioterruption
on the continent. My right hon friend blamed the Go-
vernment for reducing the price of passports, but he ought
to have recollected that the reduction from 2/. Gs to 78 6d
was made incompliance with the expressed wishes of this
houae. (Hear.) It was not at all a spontaveous act on the
part of the Government, on the contrary, it was attended
with a good deal of departmental inconvenience, and was
resolved upon in deference to the wish of Parliament that
Eritish subjects should be enabled to obtain at a small
cost that sanction of their own Government which would
egnsfiet.theunitefarro.m) oluesitwataiorneewhweinthtttahvoeslelinwghoonhott
tchoant-
The,
re:pitem 1, truth of very little value. (Hear.)
ter...taYtio,cl qfeect of it is to embarrass innocent travel-
pwriport .11 in g
4 he proceedings of tliose who go about with

these marriages were so inexpedient that it was necessary
they should be forbidden upon other grourels. It could
scarcely be supposed the Almighty had left such an im-
portant subject unregulated, and the Scriptural argument
seemed to lie within a very narrow compass. Either these
marriages were prohibited by Scripture or they were not.
If they were so prohibited he called upon those who ob-
jected to them to point to the passages containing the pro-
hibition. If they were not prohibited by Scripture he con-
tended that the provisions of the statute law ought t he
brought into conformity with that Divine law upon which
they professed to be founded. The 18th verse of the 18th
chapter of Leviticus was the only passage in Scripture
which referred directly to marriage with a deceased wife's
sister, but he believed the opponents of such marriages did
not rest their Scriptural objections upon that passage.
They relied upon the 16th verse, in which a man was pro•
hibited from marrying his brother's widow, and they
argued that as the relationship was the came in both cases,
the law which forbade one marriage equally forbade the
( Vier. He thought the answer to this argument was that
all the prohibitions contained in Leviticus were amplifica-
tions of the prohibition in the 6th verse of the chapter as
to marriage with near kindred ; but ho sister of a man's
wife was not near of kin to him. It appeared, however,
by analogy that marriage with a deceased wife's sister was
sanctioned, for although the 16th verso of Leviticus prohi-
bited a man from marrying his brother's widow, and by
the 18th verse be was forbidden to marry his wife's sister
in her lifetime, in the 25th of Deterouomy men were com-
manded, under circumstances which must often have oc-
curred, to marry their brothers' widows, fhe Church of
England did not claim infallibility for its canon law, and
Lord Lyndhurst'e Act totally subverted a canon, by de-
claring absolutely void marriages which, according to
the canon law, were only voidable. It was true that
marriages of this nature were prohibited by two of the
early councils, but they were not oecumenical or general
councils, and the prohibition extended only to the
dioceses of the bishop by whom the councils were at-
tended. A similar prohibition was also contained in the
Reformatio Legun, commenced in the reign of Henry
VIII., and continued in that of Edward VI., but as it
never received the assent of Parliament, Barns, in his
Ecclesiastical Law, declared that it could not be regarded
as having the force of law. In 150, Queen Eliz ibeth,
wishing to establish her legitimacy on morn definite
grounds, requested Archbishop Parker to draw up a table
of degrees within which marriage was prohibited. In this
table the prejudices of the Queen who employed him were
naturally regarded. A brother's wife was declared to be
one of the prohibited degrees, because on the nullity of
Henry the Vllre marriage with Catherine of Arragon de-
pended her legitimacy. And it was said that a deceased's
wife's sister was also declared a prohibited degree in order
that Elizabeth might be enabled to say to Philip of Spain,
who wished to propose for her on the death of her sister
Mary, that the feeling in England was 'o great and general
ag rinet such a ma.rriege that she dare not accept him. Be
that as it might, Archbishop Parker only called his work
an admonition suited to the requirements of the times, and
he was so careful not to assert for it air authority which it
di i not possess that he noted on the fly leaf the names of
certain e ',Meat divines who differed from him upon this
point. There was no absolute statutable prohibition in
this country on the subject of these marriages. The judges
had, however, once or twicointerpreted the law in another
sense ; and the present bill would simply be an explana-
tory ono, declaring that, whatever decisions might have
bsen given in the Court of Queen's Bench or elsewhere,
marriage with a deceased wife's sister should be no longer
void or voidable, but should be just and honourable in
every respect whatever. (Hear ) There were some hon.
gentlemen who did not found their objections to these mar-
riages either on the canonical or statute law or on Scrip-
tural grounds, but who urged the argument of social ex-
pediency. He was now merely asking leave to introduce
a bill, and this, therefore, was not the time to e.n'er at
length into this point. He could only answer such objec-
tions, vague and shadowy as they were, by asserting
against them the broad principle that every man should
be free to do what seemed good in his own eyes, provided
it did not interfere with the rights of his fellow-men. He
thought the advocates of these marriages might fairly
claim that the scruples of their opponents should not be
trust upon them, seeing that they believed no Scriptural
prohibition existed. If such a prohibition could be
pointed out they would at once give up their advocacy of
this measure; but if that was not the case, the present
law certainly abridged the liberty which belonged of right
to Englishmen. Reserving for another occasion any refe-
rence to the argument of expediency, ho should now sim-
ply ask leave to introduce this bill, and he trusted that
Parliament would not refuse their permission. (Hear.)
Mr. DIVETT complimented the noble lord upon the
modesty with which ho had introduced the motion, but
totally dissented from the arguments. Whatever might
be his (Mr. Divett's) views as to the scriptural authority,
he entertained no doubt as to the social evils to which the
proposed change would give rise. He contended that the
statutory prohibition had been most distinctly declared,
and could only believe that the noble lord appeared as the
org .n of the Marriage Law Reform Association. That
association had taken great pains to affirm the legality of
marriage of our country people abroad, and the conse-
quence had been that many unfortunate women, acting
upon this dictum, had been married abroad. He believed
that there was no more validity in such marriages than is
the broomstick marriage of a gipey's camp. (Oh, oh).
Why, many women who had been so married had subse-
quently lost their property in this country. He should
oppose the introduction of the bill, believing that it would
open the door to considerable social evil. Only that morn-
ing a pamphlet had been put into his hands, emanating
from the above association, he believed, stating that the
noble lard the late First Minister of the Crown had de-
clared that the moral feeling of the community was not in
consonance with the present law, and that he should be
happy to vote for its repeal. Ile (Mr. Divett) shoald like
to know whether the noble lord really entertained that
sentiment. The pamphlet gave authorities, legal and
otherwise, but it was well known that cases could be so
put to counsel that opinions could be almost had to order.
(Hear, hear, and a laugh,) He should oppose the bill at
every stags, believing that it was fraught with moral and
social evils. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. MA.LINS rose to correct an error which had been
made with respect to the case of Brook v. Brook, which
had recently been heard in Chancery. Mr. Brook was a
gentleman or weal:h and good position, living at Hudders-
field, and having lost his first wife, he marrie i her sister
in Denmark, in a country where it was known that such
marriages were held to be lawful. Several children were
born of the second marriage, and some years, after, whilst
Mr. Brook and his wife were travelling in Switzerland,
Mrs. Brook was taken ill of cholera at Basle, and was
taken to Frankfort where she died on a Monday. Ilufor-
tunatelv, symptoms of the same complaint appeared in her
husband, and he was induced to go down to Cologne,
where be also died on the Wednesday after. Mr.'
Brook had previously made a will, providing for
some of hie children—the result of these ley the
second marriage being considered illegitimate by the
English law; but whilst at Cologne he was induced to
make another will, by which he give all of them absolute
interest in his real and personal estate. One of these
children of the second marriage died shortly after, and the
question then arose whether there was any legal heir or
any legal next of kin of this child with respect to the
estate. The question came to be argued before Vice-Chan-
cellor Sir J. Stuart, who, considering the importance of
the case, called in the ail of Sir C. Creswell to assist him.
Sir C. Creswell gave au opinion upon the case about a
month after, in which he stated that, in his judgment, the
second marriage was illegal and the children illegitimate ;
but this was only an opinion for the assi truce of the judge
(the Vice-Chancellor) who had not yet•given his judgment.
It was intended that the question when decided should go
by appeal to the House of Lords; but at present it must
be considered as subjuliee, and there was no decision upon
it. It must, however-, be confessed that the law as it stood
was couched in very indistinct terms. No doubt the law
stated that such marriages should be void, but then it was
understood that a similar expression was contained in Lord
Hardwicke's Marriage Act, and it was always interpreted
to mean that such marriages were not void, but voidable.
Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act declared that marriages
under age, without consent of parents, were void ; but
Gretna Green marriages, when young ladies were married
without consent of their parents, were well known not to
void. The law, therefore, called' for some alteration. If
there really was a personal disability attaching to a per-
son, it was absurd to suppose it did not attach by his simply
going across the water to live in Denmark. There had now
been two divisions on this question, and on both occasions
he (Mr. Means) had voted against any alteration in the
law. Great social evils might possibly arise from legalis-
ing these marriages ; but from the close attention which
he (Mr. Malins) has given to the subject, he was compelled
to say he could not concur in the conclusion of his hon.
friend the member for Exeter (Mr. Divett). He agreed
that the Scripture argument fell to the ground; it was re-
duced therefore to a question of social expediency, of social
propriety, of social edvautages, and if it was found impos-
sible to prohibit the desire to contract these marriages, if
they could not prohibit .attempts to evade the law, they
had better alter the law. In spite of this opposition these
marriages continued to be solemuisad ; wives on their death-
beds, as appeared from the report, expressed their desire
that if their husbands married again it should be to their
sisters ; and under that state of things it behoved the house
to consider whether they should continue to make illegal
what they were incapable of prohibiting. At any rate, he
'Mr. Malins) should vote in favour of the introduction of

EQUALISATION OF POOR RATES.
Mr. AYRTON moved for leave to introduce a bill to
provide a rewe fy for the inequality in the rates for the
relief of the poor in the metropolis. Those poor were not,
as in the country districts, descended from ancestors who
had long lived in the locality ; they were importations
accidentally placed in a particular parish, which ought not
to be called upon to bear separately a charge which be-
longed to the whole metropolis. A metropolitan parish
was not, as in the country, divided amongst the
rich and the poor ; but one parish was the abode of wealth,
while another was the abode of poverty. He entered at
some length into the details of the bill, which proposed to
establish a board of guardians for the whole metropolis, to
be chosen from the Justices, and who should levy a uni-
form rate for the relief of the poor.
Mr. WILLIAMS seconded the motion.
Mr S. ESTCOURT said that it was due to the temper
in which the bill was introduced, and the grievance alleged,
to permit the bill to be introduced. But he reserved his
opinion as to the merits of the bill, of which he doubted
both the expediency and the practicability. If the bill
I was good for the metropolis, it would be equally good for
the country parishes. The difference between the two
cases was very slight.
Mr. J. LOCKE asserted that there was no similarity be-
tween parishes in the country and those in the metropolis.
The present system caused the overcrowded state of poor
dwellings, and many evils which would be removed by
equalising the rates.
Mr. ROEBUCK opposed the bill. It was unjust that
different properties which had ben bought subject to
I different rates, should be now rated equally. He regretted
that the Government had not met the introduction of the
bill by a direct negative.
Mr. COX objected to the principle of the bill, though he
would not oppose its introduction.
Mr. BOUVERIE strongly objected to this mischievous
bill, which would offer a temptation to extravagant expen-
diture, and destroy all motive to economy. He wished
that the Government had shown more courage and refused
its assent to the introduction of the bill.
Mr. COBBETT was glad that the bill was introduced.
He thought that rates in aid ought to be made in times of
distress, though he woull not go to the length of a com-
plete equalisation of poor rates.
Mr. TO WNSE YD supported the bill.
Mr. AYRTON replied, and leave was given to bring in
the bill.

MEDICAL PRA.CTITIONERS.
Mr. COWPER moved for leave to bring in a bill to re-
gulate the qualifications of practitioners in medicine and
surgery. He said there were many jealousies and differ-
ences amongst members of the medical profession on the
subject of reform, and when he was President of the Board
of Health he was solicited to devise a plan which would
meet the views of reformers and not trench upon the
privileges of the old corporations. Ho was very strongly
of opinion that persons who practised medicine should be
duly qualified by education and training, and that those
upon whom they practised should be able to have access to
a register, in order to ascertain whether the persons he
proposed to employ were properly qualified. While ho
thought, that every person should have full liberty to
choose any one he pleased to operate upon or to drug
yet that no person should bo able to enjoy any public ap-
pointment who did not possess a proper legal qualification.
He had reason to believe that, notwithstanding the fact
that no practical result had yet been attained, the various
discussions on the subject had not been fruitless. The pre-
sent legal qualification was partial in its application and
in its jurisdiction, and anomalies existed with regard to
the practice of the art which it was most desirable to re-
move. The first step, he thought, would be to establish a
better minimum of qualification, but he considered it
would be best tot to change the constitution of the
, examining body, but to leave it to the council to determine
what the particular examination should be. The present
licensing bodies he would leave untouched, but ho proposed
to leave the mode of registeri❑g the various branches of the
profession to the council. The council he proposed should
consist of persons nominated by the licensing bodies, six
being nominated by the Crown. This arrangement would,
he thought, relieve the council from the imputation
of being a mere delegation. The rules of the council
would be confirmed by order in council. One
result of this p ►rticular form of government would
be that the profession would have the benefit of '
organisation. He hoped the bill would be received as a contribution in the interest both of the public and of the
profession.
Lord PALMERSTON seconded the motion.
Mr. WALPOLE said it appeared to him that this was
the best proposition which had yet been made. (Hear,
hear.) He should reserve his opinion, however, with re-
gard to the details of the measure.
Lord ELCHO contended that the present proposal con •
tained the pri❑ciple of the bill which he (Lord Elchoj
submitted in 1856, and that the went of novelty could not
be claimed for it.

After a few words from Mr. HATCHELL, leave was
given to bring in the bill.
The report on the Customs Acts wai received, and the
house adjourned at a quarter to t we've o'clock.

the bill, in order that the whole subject alight undergo re
consideration. (Haar, hear.)

Mr. W. J. FOX thought 'the house ought to feel itself
indebted to the hou. and learned member for his
frank declaration that he now thought Parliament should
Wee this import nt subject under consideration. (Hear,
hear.) This was a question on which he thought a liberty
of interpretation should be permitted, and on which it ought
not to be held that authority was not explicit. (Hear.)
The dissenting body had expressed an opinion in favour of
legisla ion, but it was not right, to set up the views of one
class of men against another class. The scriptural prohibi-
tion, then, was open to interpretation. He was a staunch
advocate for liberty of conscience, and was quite opposed to
enforcing the dictates of his own conscience on that of
other people. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) The scriptural
prohibition clearly related to the state of polygamy which
existed at the time. But were the argument drawn from
Leviticus still stronger, ho should doubt its force. Tee
only question was, whether they would oppose the law of
the country to the law of nature. For this reason he
should cheerfully suppert the measure.
Mr. J. B. HOPE, referring to Lord Hardwicke's act,
found that the marriages there spoken of were declared
absolutely null and void. This was a question which agi-
tated deeply all classes of society. The agitation in this
matter had been fostered by a paid agency. Those who
had broken the law had sent round their age uts. The
Royal Commission which had been issued on the subject
had made a report, which was simply a husk of the pro-
ceedings by the paid agents. No care was taken before
that commission to bring those persons whose peace would
be destroyed by an an alteration of the law. He meant the
women of the country. In Scotland the feeling was una-
nimous on this subject. It hid been slid that there was a
holy feeling between the chil, ran, and the sister of the
mother. It was in the interest of that feeling that he op-
posed this measure. That holy feeling would cease, and
come in competition with other feelings, if the wife's sister
became the wife. It was said that England was the only
country in the world in which a man could not marry his
wife's sister, but it must, be borne in mind that England
was the only country in which a man could not marry his
blood niece or his blood aunt. If they were to allow a man
to marry his wife's sister, why should they not allow him
to marry an aunt or niece.
Mr. WHITBRED supported the bill in the interest
mainly of the poorer classes. He was ex !cedingly unwil-
ling to argue the question upon any isolated texts of
Scripture, which no doubt might be produced upon both
sides of the case; and he reminded the house that souse
3,000 or 4,000 years ago no great blame was excited by a
mare's marrying two sisters during the lifetime of them
both. The arguments of the hon. and learned member
opposite might do very well for those rich persons who
were able to cunsalt lawyers upon the subject, bat if he
were to address them to a poor man in the manufacturing
districts he would probably be told, "Sir, while my wife
was alive I loved and had every reason to respect hlr. Now

that she is removed from me Providence has in His good- MR. SMITH O'BRIES 'S
rADDRESS TO THE
kind fit to allow to my helpless ch Drop a guardian as
kind and as good. I see her moving about my cottage en- TRISH PEOPLE.
mod in all the offices of a mother to my children. .1 love
~—.........._.
her for my former wife's sake, and she Is willing to marry
me for my children's sake. We have studied the Bible; we Mr. Smith O'Brien has put out an address to the
' see no prohibition, and we have no qualms on the mat-
people of Ireland respecting the line of policy they
ter." Whit right bad Parliament to interfere and to say ought to adopt under the circumstances in which *
that in such a case such a marriage should not take change of G ivernmsnt has placed them. Ireland, he
place? There might, no doubt, be some who would be is as fully convinced now as he was in 1844, ought
seedy to transfer their worthless affection from the wife to to be sati fled with nothing less than the restoration
the sister-in-law; but with such persons would the inti- of its domestic legislature, and government. He is elle
macy of the sister-in-law be safe new e (aeao, hear.) They of those who think " that if the people of Ireland were
were told that the whole fabric of society and the very animated by
a truly patriotic spirit, this country would
existence of the people were built upon the Purity of the be able to maintain its independence under guarantees
marriage institution, and the close knitting of family ties. of security much ore effective than those which
He believed that ; but he hoped that they rested upon
are enjoyed by Rolland, Bavaria, Wurtem-
something a little clearer to every intelligence, and a little
berg, the TwoSicilies, the Bilgium,kingdom of Sardinia, Den-
more comprehensive to the conscience, than the prohibi-
and Sweden, Switzerland, Portugal, or
tion which was the subject of consideration. (Hear, hear.) mark, Nor way
Mr. MEIMOR, believirg the law to be clear on this sub- Greece." He avows himself to be one of those who
ject, thought the bill ought to be introduced, and that it think that many occasions have occured in past times
ought to be passed. These marriages wero of constant re- when .the Irish-people would have been fully jnstified in
petition amongst the lower classes. It was on that ground seeking to obtain by force of arms the independence of
that he believed the law ought to be altered. the.r country. But he is not prepared to contend that
Mr. GILPIN said it was a distasteful thing to have it is expedient at ad times to inctir the hazards of 'rebel-
theology dragged into the discussions of that house. No lion in an attempt to secure the national independence
question ever required less re'erence to theology than this. ,of Ireland. If he were an inhabitant of A estralia
Some hon. gentlemen in every question went back for argu-
or of Canada he should be content with the
meats under the shadow of old Arrarat. Most of the quo-
tations, too, were very unhappy. Robert Southey said this system of self
since
was an abominable relic of ecclesiastical tyranny. Luther
it .
Is capable of future development to a exists in those provinces "more especiallymore
said the same thing in other words. Archbishop Whately
,
was in favour of the proposed measure, and so was the re- perfect state of independence," and as an Irishman
ceutly appointed Bishop of Carlisle. Dr. Chalmers and Dr. he would be satisfied to uphold an international con-
Eddie were both in favour of this measure, and so was the is ct on b-treen Great Britain and Ireland, provided that
Rev. Dr. Bunting. He trusted that the measure would be they could enjoy, under an Irish Parliament and an Irish
passed into law.
I ministry, the practical advantages of self-government.
Mr. BIGG knew from experience as a magistrate tint ' lie must remind those whom he is addressing that in
the measure was absolutely necessary.
1843, 1844 and 1845 a large majorty of the Irish people
Mr. LYGON could not see if a men were permitted to ' ,!edged themselves to a policy, of which the right cf the
marry his wife's sister, why he should be prevented from Irish nation to enjoy domestic legislation was the basis.
marrying a wife's daughter by a former marriage. He de- Circumstances have induced them to suspend this
precated theological discussion in that house, because he c/ ices, but " the course of events may hereafter lead
believed that tho members of that house did not rise from to it revival " At great length Mr. O'Brien then
theological discussion either better or wiser. He should e:
urscusses what ought to be the temporary and second-
not, therefore, deal with this as a theological subject. It
ary policy of the people of Ireland,
. and be finally comes
should be argued upon natural alai pure grow ds, and he '
to the conclusion that they ' ought to look on as im-
believed the proposed measure would violate both the law
of nature and of God. , part al spectators of the combat of English parties, with
ci.'terirnr ate n to avail themselves of future contingen-
Loid GODERICH said no one ventured to maintain a '
c
that in the eyes of the public this was not eminently aiee in such a manner as shall best promote the special
social question. It was true that it might be said that intereete of Ireland and the general interests of man-
some of the rich might be benefited by this bill, but was hind." The following is the conclusion of his address :
that a reason why it should be rejected? They ought to —" ro me and to you it matters little whether, in rela-
look upon this question practically. This measure, nr,tead ton to the past, the Whigs are or are not more deserving
of lowering the morality of the working classes, would be of condemnation then the conservatives. Let us en-
a great means of elevating it. Speaking on b3half of his deavour to ones ide for the future rather than repine over
own constituents, this was a question on which existed a the past. Tee pr
now submitted for solut:o is,
strong opinion in the inanufecturing districts. There was "What are t ie measures which the Irish people ought to
nothing mote dangerous than attempting to force legisla-
demand from Parliament ?' To the party which shall pro-
tint] which was not in accordance with public opinioe, and
cure file enactment of such measures,. your members may
as public opinion was sunnily in favour of this measure it
' was the duty of the Legislature to adopt it.lf ring
be J g not indiscriminate support,
Mr. PULLER said the law of England professed to be
but forbearance from iiy t sterna io o pposition. Know -
icg well how powerless is the action of Irish opinion
based on the Divine law, and as this measure was opposed
to the Divine law ho could not support it This house upon the British Parliament, I feel much indisposed to
was not the proper place to discuss the question, nor yid encourage my fellow countrymen to look to that quatter
he feel competent to argue it; but he did hold very for useful legislation ; but however much we may regret
strongly the opinion that the passage in Leviticus did for- the absence of a domestic legislature, and however much
bid such marriages, and nothing he had heard to-night we may di- truet the British Parliament, the public voice
had tended to alter his opinion,
of this country ought not to be wholly silenced by the
The house then divided, when the numbers were : iefluence of these s gitiments. We ought rather prove
For the introduction of the bill lO5 our capacity for self-government by submitting, from
Against
Mejority —43 calculated to promote the well-being of our own country
The result was received with loud cheers by the and of mankind. I reserve for a future address an sue-
majority.
meration of some measures which appear to deserve your
Leave was then given to Lord Bury, Mr. Schneider, and
Mr. Monckton Milnes to bring in the bill. immediate attention.

Country Markets.

LIVERPOOL, MARCIE 23.
Our market this morning was well attended. Wheat
met a slow sale, at a decline of 1 d per 701bs on the prices
of last market day. Tho lower grades of American flour
inquired for at a reduction of 6d per barrel; whilst better
kinds were neglecte I. Oats and oatmeal quiet, and a shade
lower. Barley, beans and peas firm. Indian corn was in
limited reque4t, at a decline of 6d per qr on mixed and
yellow, and is on white. We quote American new yellow
345, old mixed 34s 6d, Black Sew 318 9d, and white Ameri•
can 33s 94:1 to 34.

LEEDS—MARCH 23.
There is a good show of wheat fresh up this morning,
which meets a slow sale at 18 below late rates. Barley is
also very plentiful, and best sorts difficult of sale, while
inferior are neglected. Beans slow. Other articles nn•
changed.

:
Ages for the week
Wheat, 46s 2iverad I Oats, 25s 111(1 1 Peas, 39s 9.N.
Barley, 37s 9id I Beans, 39s sid Rye, —a Od.

NEWCASTLE—MARCH 23.
English wheat a slow sale, and th• prices of last market
day barely obtained. In foreign little offering, and almost
neglected. Holders not disposed to accept lower Niue&
Flour heavy, and former prices scarcely obtained. Barley
not quite so brisk. Oats steady at full rates. Beans and
peas unchanged.

HULL— MARCa 23.
The weather very warm, and fine. Only a moderato
attendamo, with a small supply. Wheat from is to 2s
lower. Spring corn scarcely a sample on market, and
prices nominal.

Wheat, English red, 4-2. to 46s ; white 46s to 50s; oats,
24s to 28s ; barley, 32s to 363 ; Indian corn, 31s; linseed
cakes, Hull, V/ 17s 6d to —? Os ; ditto, foreign, 81 Cs to
8/ lOs ; rape cakes, 5/ 15s Od to 61 Os ; guano, —1 to ;
bones, 6/155.; flour, —s to -s; tares, —s to —s.

NORWICH--21A.RcH 20.
At our corn market to-day there was a good supply
of wheat, which met a slow sale at is under the last
week's prices. Scarcely any other grain offering.
White wheat, 48s to 503; red, 42s to 46s ; barley, 390 to
415.; flour, 29s 6d per sack; beans, 40s to 445; peas,
423 to 435; oats, 28s to 303.

COURSE OF EXCHANGE.—YZSTERDAY.
tansterclam •11 15 Gibraltar .. ••••• • • •
Ditto, three months 11 174 Leghorn .... 29 674
itotterdans ............ •11 174 Genoa ....... 25 574
Antwerp .............. 25 P 5 Milan ...... •• .. ••
arussels
.... 25 35 Venice• liamburgh ............ 13 6k Naplep •••••••••
. 41%
A ltona .• • • • • Palermo .... •• ••
Paris • • ...... • • ... 25 124 Messina .
Do. three months ••25 40 Lisbo •n ..•
... • •••• 51%
Maneilles •• •••••••• 25 40 Oporto .. •• •• •••••• • •• 51%
Bourdeaux •••• • • Rio Janeiro..... .• •
Frankfort-on-Maine 118% Buenos Ayres.....• ....
Berlin .• •• •• •• •• ••• • •• • • New York,6o daya' sight --
Vienna -

..•• •• •• •• •• •• •• .. 10 34 ,Philadelphia •• •• •••• • •
Trieste.. •• •• •• •• •• •• 10 35 PRICES OP BULLION, PER OZ:
eetersburg 354 Foreign Gold In Bars £3 17 9
• ....„... 49 Portugal Gold Coin .. 0 0 0
Cadiz ......... •• 49% /Mexican Dollars .... 05 0
Barcelona .......• .. New Dollars ...... 0 0 0
Seville... ..• .• Silver ill bars 0 5 1%

ILLICIT DISTILLATION.--FATAL CONFLICT.—OnThum
day last, the 18th inst., two policemen of the Artielava
constabulary station, near Coleraine, whilst in pursuit of
an illicit still in the parish of Magilligan, were resisted
by a man named Edward M'Callion and his son. A
conflict ensued, when the elder M'Callion was stabbed
to the heart by one of the policemen, and fell dead ; his
son also received a bayonet thrust. M'Callion had been
more than once fined for making illicit whisky.
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