The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-14 00:00:00

ration de &ems, either with or without a s'paration de
corps, but she could also obtain an autorisation—an au-
thority by which her property was placed beyond the
reach of her husband. This uai Lot an ex parte proceed-
ing, for if the husband appeared he was heard, and the
judge, after an examination of all the circumstances, de-
cided the case. Mr. Macqueen related an anecdote which
illustrated the effect of this law. A washerwoman
belonging to the hotel which that gentleman was in-
habiting was married to a man who had deserted her ;
he creditors of her idle, worthless, dis-ipted husband
claimed her earnings, but she was allowed leave of absence
from her work for half-a-day, and by the time she re-
turned she bad obtained an autorisation, which effectu_
ally protected her and prevented the creditors from
touching a farthing. He had beard an anecdote which.
illustrated the effect of the English law. A French
gentlewoman, not being successful in her business in
Paris, came, by the advice of an English lady, to Lon-
don, where she established, and fir some time carried
on a flourishing business. Her husband heard of her
success and came to England, swept away all her
earnings and collected her debts. She returned to
Paris, saying to her English friend, " Ali, Madam,
how can you bear to live in such a barbarous
country !" Having now stated his case he would
net trouble their lordships any further. He in-
tended to move resolutions, affirming that the law ur-
gently required amendment, that a wife ought to hare
entire control over the whole of her property, but that
if it should be found impracticable to give her the en-
tire property, the other and the smaller remedy to which
be had referred should be allowed her. He should then
introducea bill carefully prepared by a learned and worthy
colleague of his in the Law Amendment Society, carrying
into effect the first and most effectual remedy. He had
been told that it was he peless to expect that such a bill
would pass, but be comforted himself by remembering the
observation of Lord Bacon, that no improvement in juris-
prudence founded upon a good principle was ever proposed
which did not sooner or later bear fruit, however despe-
rate its chance of success might at first appear. There
was a time when all men despaired of the possibility of
abolishing the slave trade ; but the day came when that
enormity was brought to a close so far as this country
was concerned. Theo, again, for about 20 years the
demand for the abolition of slavery itself was by many
believed to be hopeless, and yet they lived to se3 the
system of slavery put down. The labours of Romily,
too, might be recalled to comfort those who were
engaged in what might appear a hopeless struggle.
When that distinguighed individual brought in a bill to
compel men to do what all honest men did—pay their
debts out of their freehold estates—he was opposed
with as much determination as if the measure had in-
s olved a confiscation of property. That little modicum
of reform was carried, and then came those other at-
tempts of his to mitigate the severity of the criminal law
which had reflected so much honour on his memory, and
we had lived to see the full fruits of his labours, almost
all capital offences having now been struck off oar crimi-
nal code. Even within the last 14 or 15 years many
safe and prudent measures of law reform, at first
opposed, had been successfully carried. In 1845 he
brought in nine bills for the amendment of the law.
Every one of those bills seemed then to be hope-
less, but seven of them were the law of the land
within five or six years afterwards, one of them
being that important measure which allowed parties
to be examined as witnesses. These were his grounds
for entertaining a sanguine—he could hardly say a con-
fident—expectation that the present measure, as one
founded on the same principle, would ere long pass into
a law, and thus give inexpressible relief to a most inte-
resting portion of the community. The noble and learn-
ed lord concluded by moving his resolution.
Earl GRANVILLE said it was matter of deep regret
that the noble and learned lord should be obliged to
leave this country, and that it would not be in his power
to assist their lordships in the consideration of those
most important law reforms to which their attention
would be drawn. With regard to the question of the
rights of married women, to which the noble and learn-
ed lord bad just directed their notion, he had summed
up in a most lucid and satisfactory manner, and illul-
trated with his peculiar talents all that had been pre-
viously said in their lordships' house on that subject.
The evils to which he had referred were admitted to be
great, and, though some of them were, no doubt, inci-
dental to the relations that existed between the sexes,
yet it was universally admitted and acknowledged
that the law did create artificial difficulties and
artificial evils of its own. (Hear, hear, hear.) With
regard to the resolution proposed by his noble and
learned friend, he presumed that he only took that mode
of leaving on record his views of the subject, and that it
was not his wish to commit the house in any way to the
expression of an opinion regarding it. He could say
that he had listened with great interest and admiration
to the statement of the noble and learned lord, who was
so well entitled to be heard, considering the great and
extraordinary efforts he had made in the cause of law re-
form. That there was great room for an improvement of
the law was almost universally admitted ; but the chief
obstacle to the removal of the evils that existed lay in this,
that when any practical measure was brought forward
with that object there arose such a difference of opinion
among those who were connected with the profusion of
the law regarding it as to present almost insuperable diffi
culties to its being carried. He hoped the speech of
the noble and learned lord on the great and important
subject to which it related would have the effect of narrow-
ing the difficulties that surrounded the question, and his
hope was that some satisfactory conclusion regarding it
would be arrived at during the present session, and be-
fore the noble and learned lord returned. (Hear.)
Lord CAMPBELL felt that this was not the time to
enter into the details of the proposal made by his noble
and learned friend, though he was ready to concur in
the general spirit of the resolution. Tue law of this
country as regarded married women was barbarous, and
he hoped a remedy would be soon provided. He was
above all desirous to see a better mode enabling women
to separate from their husbands who deserted them or
used them cruelly. He confessed be thought that most
of the objects sought to be attained by bis noble and
learned friend would be attained by the bill which the
Lord Chancellor bad recently introduced, and therefore
that the necessity for his noble and learned friend's resolu-
tions was the lees apparent. (Hear, hear.) When his
noble and learned friend was introducing his proposal to
the house, he (Lord Campbell) thought he heard a noble
earl ask what was to become of the children of a mar-
riage in case it passed into a law. That was a very
natural question, and as it appeared to him (Lord Carpi.-
bell) conclusive to show the impolicy of any such propo-
sition. Was the wife, for instance, to be committed to
prison in case she refused to contribute her proper share
to the expenses of the menage! He contended that the
proposal would lead to perpetual discord among married
persons, and prove detrimental to domestic happiness.
The LORD CHANCELLOR was about to put the
resolutions, when

I investigate into the financial affairs of Greece, and report
I thereon.

that it would be very difficult for the house to arrive at
anything in the nature of a satisfactory understanding at
the present moment with respect to the policy of the
Persian war. Ifu ly admit the force of the general con•
eideratione which were urged by the noble lord the merit
ber for the City of London, and which were very fairly
admitted by the hon. member for Aylesbury, that it is
most undesirable that we should incur any risk of frus
ttating neg,otiatious which may possibly issue in the este.
i lishment of peace. At the same time there are other
questions which are anterior in order to the discussion
of the negotiations. We stand in the very peculiar
position of being made aware that a war involving
grave questions of policy has been undertaken by the
Government on their own responsibility, and without
the knowledge or sanction of Parliament. At present,
as I understand, papers are in preparation which, while
they are not to contain anything that in the judgment of
the Government is likely to interrupt the negotiations,
are, notwithstanding, to exhibit to us the causes of the
war, and to put us in possession of such information
as shall enable us to exercise our constitutional
function of judging whether the Governmeet did ea did
not go beyond their powers, and whether they did or
dil not make a judicious and constitutional use of those
RELATIONS WITH PERSIA. powers in waging war against Persia. I frankly own my.
On the motion that the SPEAKER leave the cbair, self that I can form no judgment whatever upon this
Mr. LAX an' said—Before you leave the chair, sir, subject until I have seen those papers. (Hear.) when
I wish to ask a question of the noble lord at the head we see the papers, which will tell us the time when in-
of the Government on a subject to which I attach structions were sent out for despatching the expedition
great importance—l mean our relations with Persia. from Bombay, and which will disclose the cause of the
At the beginning of this week I gave notice of a motion war, then I think will be the time for members of this
on the subject. I did so notwithstanding that the Pre- house to consider whether it is necessary to raise any
sideet of Vie Board of Control had stated that negotia- question with regard to the objects of the war, and to
tions were taking place at Paris, and a selection of pa- the conduct of the Government in having commenced it.
peva would he l Lid on the table. My reason for persist- With respect to the negotiations, it is impossible at the
log was this. It is almost unprecedented that a war present time for the house to give, either by expression
ehoull be entered on virtually while Parliament is sitting or silence, ii.-37 absolute pledge upon the subject. We
and peace concluded while Parliament is sitting, without must, in the first instance, see the papers, and until we
Parliament having an opportunity of expressing its have been the papers and have considered the origin o f
opinion upon no important a subject. Another reason the war it is impossible for us to know how far the Go-
Ras that lam led to believe we are about to enter into vernment is in a condition to ask for the confidence of
treaty engagements with Persia, which may involve, to the house with reference to the conduct of the negotia-
a serious extent, our relations with the States of Central tions. The hon. member for Aylesbury will take what
Asia. I believe that there are many gentlemen in this he may think the most prudent course with regard to,
house and in the country who agree with me in that immediate discussion, but we cannot be precluded by
opinion. I therefore think, before the treaty is anything which has taken place to-night from raising
signed at Paris, and this country fermi engagements the question relative to the origin of the war. lam not
which may lead hereafter to serious co nplicatiens— sure whether I heard the noble lord the member for the
(near, hear)—and to many wars, that the house should city of London rightly, but I understood him to say that
have an opportunity of espressing an opinion upon some questions had been set aside. It does not appear
our Central Asian policy. I have been told privately that to me that the question with respect to the origin and
the negotiations are in such a state that a debate in this the causes of the war has been set aside ;on the con-
house might lead to their interruption and to the con- trary, I think it remains fully and entirely open for the
tinuance of war. The greatest of all evils is the continua- future consideration and judgment of Parliament.
tion of war, and, as I should be most imprudent under Lord J. RUSSELL—The right hon. gentleman has
such circumstances to press the debate, I beg to ask the misunderstood me. What I said was, that the question
noble lord at the head of the Government whether he remains entitely open for the discussion of the house.
will state seriously and positively that a debate in this Mr. DISRAELI—I think, sir, the house should be
house upon the Persian question would so far interfere very jealous of the plea of negotiations when a war has
with the negotiations as to prevent their successful issue, commenced. Before a war is commenced, when there is
and to lead to a continuation of the war. If the a misunderstanding between two Governments, of course
noble lord make t iat statement I must throw myself the greatest forbearance ought to be shown by an as-
upon the house, at the same time protesting against the eerubly like the House of Commons ; but when hostilities
policy of the war as dangerous and bad. If, on the other have begun, when they are in progress and raging, we
hand, the no ..I,s lord will not state that a debate will lead should not be prevented from either criticising the causes
to the interruption of negotiations, I trust that the house of the war or entering into the progress and conduct of the
will enable me on the earliest day—perhaps on Monday war by the fact being alleged that some negotiator, ob-
next—to bring forward the subject, so as to obtain the scure or otherwise, is negotiating, or attempting to ne-
opinion of the house upon a question of the most vital gotiate, with the Government. Negotiations have fre-
importance to the interests of the country. (Meer.) quently been carried on during the progress of a war.
Lord PALMERSTON—Of course, it is impossible for Russia was conquered by the Emperor Napoleon while
any person to say what will necessarily be the result of negotiations were to progress between the Russian Go-
anything that is going to happen, but we are in negotia- vernment and France. It is most important that we
tion at present with Persia in Paris, and I think, upon a should clearly understand whether the negotiations
general view of the matter, that persons less experienced which are taking place upon the subject of Persia are
in diplomacy than my hon. friend must see that a debate sound negotiations, and whether there is a fair probabi-
upon the subject of negotiations could not fail to produce lity of their being carried to a successful termination,
injurious consequences. Whether it would occasion a We ought t) knew also whether the negotiator in Paris,
continuance of the war is more than I can tell, but car- who may be successful, is the unsuccessful negotiator of
tainly I can undertake to say, as a Minister of the Crown, Constantinople. I agree with the 'noble lord the mem-
that negotiations having commenced, and having hitherto ber for the city of London that this is a subject which
been conducted in a promising manner, such negotiations requires some forbearance ; but at the same time it is
must be very much damaged and the public interests one which we ought to view with jealousy, for we may
must be injured by a discussion in this house founded find that the Persian war may proceed, and we may be
upon imperfect information andbearing upon manypoints, involved in more than one campaign, while during the
which may, perhaps, be settled in negotiation. Speeches whole of that period the emistence of negotiations may
by persons who are imperfectly informed of the facts must be used by the Government to prevent discussion. But,
necessarily have an injurious effect, and I assure the Sir, there is one subject on which I think I may ask for
house that it is the anxious desire of the Government to the papers without at all embarrassing negotiations, and
conclude peace with Persia on conditions which shall be it is with respect to our interference in the affairs of the
honourable and satisfactory to both countries, and which kingdom of the Two Sicilies. I was led to understand
shall give some fair security for a continuance of peace. by the Speech from the Throne that these papers would
(Rear, hear.) be laid on the table, and, considering all that has oc-
Mr. B..aILLIE —Has the noble lord any objection to curred, I did believe that on ;the first day Parliament
lay upon the table of the house a copy of the ultimatum met they would have been in our hands. We have now
which was sent to the Persian Government previous to been in session nearly a fortnight ; the papers are not in
the declaration of war 1 This is the first time that this our possession ; and I must urge the noble lord at the
country, ever engaged in a war without knowing what it head of the Government speedily to produce documents
was about. We are told we are fighting because Persia which long before this ought to have been in the bands
has taken possession of Herat ; but the Persians Bay of the members of the House of Commons. (Rear, hear.)
that it is no such thing, but that England has made Mr. GIBSON—I beg to remind the house of one de-
fresh demands upon Persia, If the dispute had been claration which the First Lord of the Treasury has al-
about Herat Lord Stratford de Redoliffe would have set- ready made to us—viz , that this country is to pay half
tied it long ago at Constantinople. What are the fresh of the expen,es of the war with Persia. Now, seeing
demands, then, that England has made upon Persia, and that the Government have pledged the industry of Eng.
will the noble lord lay upon the table of the house a land to pay for the Persian campaign, I
think they
copy of the ultimatum which was sent to the Persian ought, when the war was commenced,to have given
Government ! some little information to Parliament with respect to the
Lord PAL NIE RSTON—I fear that I cannot under- origin and cause of the war.
take to do that, because it would be making a statement The motion was then agreed to, and the hense went
with regard to matters which are the subject of negotia- into Committee of Supply; Mr. FITZEOT in the chair.
tions yet in progress, which would be contrary to every THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
rule, and injurious, probably, to the interests of the The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER sose at a
country. few minutes past 5 o'clock, in a crowded house, to make his
Mr. ROEBUCK. —lt would seem, then, Sir, that the annual financial statement. The right hon. gentleman said,
boasted supervision of this house is a farce. (Hear, --Sir, however conscious I may be of the difficulty of the
hear.) Let us consider a little the circumstances in task which lam about to discharge, I can assure the com-
which we are placed. A war has been declared, and of mittee that my feelings would be altogether misconstrued
that war the House of Commons knows nothing. The if it were supposed that I felt any reluctance to make to
war has been commenced and carried on, and the House them at the earliest opportunity a statement of the expen-
of Commons knows nothing of the transaction. We are diture and revenue of the country. The committee are
well aware that the ordinary course is first to consider
informed that negotiations are proceeding, and when a
the principal estimates for the great services, especially
question is put with regard to them we are told that
the army and navy, in Committee of 'Supply, and then,
the House of Commons knows nothing, and ought to when some progress has been made with those estimates,
know nothing ;so that we are now in this position : it becomes the duty of the Chancellor of the Exche-
If we put a question before an accident happens we are quer to submit to the house the ways and means by
told that we are too soon ;if we put it while the trans- which the expenditure of the ensuing year may be met.
actions are going on we are told that we are interrned- As soon as I became aware that it was the general wish
dung ; and if we come to the house and inquire after the of the house that thefinancitalem
statementr navy
oshould:beseh
transaction is terminated we are told that we are too late. manobefoiel tchoemmttoo estimatesfor h
of
Supply,
gave notice y andy were
(Hear, my
(Hear, hear.) I would ask, then, when is the House of considered
Commons to inquire—before the mischief happens, while m • tention to make that statement to-day. Let the oom-
mittee observe that this is the earliest day on which the
it is going on, or when it is ended! At no time. I
financial
Mon-
repeat, then, that the boasted supervision of this house last—thedaystem
at
last
tn could
Gt
ovm be made.ementnight—that,
only on
in
CommitteeAfo
is a farce, We pretend to govern the country ;we pre- of Supply, an address was agreed to to the Crown
te
own to pre-
tend to overlook the conduct of the Ministry ; but, in. sent the estimates for the armyis and navy.
stead of that, we sit by in silence; England may have have since been presented. This the TecondeComtimmiattees
every interest complicated and endangered, the very of Supply, but the estimates being now on the table, and
power of this country may be at stake, and the House no vote having been taken in Committee of Supply, no
of Commons dare not say a word because the Minister Committee of Ways and Means has been appointed. Hence
tells them that they are either too soon or too late.
this ,is the first occasion, being the second time when a
soao
Lord J. RUSSELL—The circumstances of the pre-
' sent time with regard to the Persiau war appear to mee to me to make oakfeStuhpeplyhas
statementaa whichnwhich
I mit
about was
utcompetent
to
address
to the committee. (Hear, hear.) Now, Sir, I think the
to be unusual. I will not now raise t n
he -neet' wrhga. committee must be satisfied that there has been no delay
ther the Government ought to have assembled ou
pa -
or reluctance on my part to lay before them the annual
went before they gave orders for hostilities against
financial statement. In ordinary years it is no doubt de-
Persia ; but that question being set aside, we are in this
sirable that the consideration of the army and navy sped-
mates should take precedence. I fully admit, however, that
peculiar position, that at the same time that we are in-
formed of hostilities having been ordered and under-
in extraordinary years, such as the present one, it
mafythbee
taken we are likewise informed that negotiations have convenient to adopt a different course. The reason
o
been commenced at Paris, and, as my noble friend has usual procedure is this—the house fixes what
expenditurexed it is
just stated, they have been opened in a promising man- is necessary, and then, the expenditureGvernment to beingsubmit to the
none It appears to me that that position is quite pecu- the duty of the executivethat
expenditure may be defrayed.
liar, and I certainly think that it is one which requires house a plan by c
the forbearance of this house. (Rear.) I can well con- But, although a cwhohenisirUdegeraarbdleedposartniesiLoafaatrhyo expenditure nedssiteuruteiaolf,
ceive, if all the papers were now produced, and a dis- the country may
1 the service of the year, there is also a not
cussion were to arise upon them, that the terms de-
manded by England before the war might be commented
postponed to a future year. There
upon by some hon, gentlemen as impolitic and excessive,
sary in one year, bat h
Tieneheeiornes inconsiderable aoebrl :It i
ap o rt
expenses i o n a eto owrwehahi
reasonably
ohc which
amnabealry, discretionh
aendth thought
r ngthaoty
wile
hex° e - .
and it is clear that such observations might tend to are certain perposes to which expenditure may be applied
embarrass and disturb the negotiations which are now to a greater or al lsess
meglreeiee, whichmau may be accomplished
in progress. I can conceive, for example, that Feruk in a more
the
er
houses
eompay
:ht.,
what is the pressure of tayxastaioyn, in" theWe
cowl:Li anh-
Khan, or any one who is negotiating with Lord Cowley, tbekrnefoowre
might take encouragement front such a discussion in this to
wutseeea gsrseaeryt, o
balortwiiotnh
reasonable try, and whether any- impost may be justly regarded
and oppressive, hisefoureet
house, and might not be so ready to egret)
308 f grievous
te
(Hear.) Sir, this is undoubtedly a period to which that de-
though ibe circumstances are vehrye
terms as would otherwise be the caseu;liaarntdoautdhethreofoogreh,
peculiar,
to ask for the respect to which we may exercise a fair discretion."
in an ordinary case it would.
papers, I can veryetehwe.Golvebrnelmieevnet
scription applies. We are passing from war to peace, from
be very long. The ma- a period of large expenditure to a period of comparatively
however, that the suspense cannot
restricted expenditure, and it is a reasonable demand on
may be justified in wellevith
repeatedly
issue were discussed at
jority of the points atthe part of the House of Commons that they sbonld be in-
himoldatingeththemagt
e formed of the probable taxation, of the probable ways and
what the terms are which they mean to insist upon, and
Constantinople, and the Government must be well aware
means of the ensuing year, before they enter upon then
imagine,porreetTonglthatthere the address on the first night of the sesseiohnan drew n
sideration of the estimates. My hon. friend eall
moved°what he
Chancellor of the
therefore,whahsa beenttho aetrhauarpet twuwreheeicohhfaittlhheeeiytnheewgroihtlli not
teaariobef ns, or that we shall described as a lamentable picture
of
a
of repletion. He
be informed of the terms which have been agreed upon Exchequer suffering under the Prgsor , , over/
between Feruk Knan and her Majesty's plenipotentiary. spoke of the numerous applicisin::oess
of revenue ex-
In either case the silence of the Government may then be relei at a en
the country might expesteupon me great commiseration
broken, and every Particular respecting the negotiations penditure, and he bestowed.l should be placed during the
GREEK LOAN.
Mr. JAS. M`GREGOR asked the First Lord of the and the circumstances which preceded hostilities can then ion. Sir, I accept with great grati•
had been taken by the be communicated to Parliament. It first weeks of the session.
hon. friend. At the same time
Treasury if any and whot steps
revenues cf Greece, ,
tade the syrnPst the task which I have to perform
Government to ascertain the resent
probability of their if peace should be concluded, that the circumstances
I cannot but feel that
agreeable than the corresponding tasks
how they were disposed of, alt el the
t____
.sol d d Fud of the under which hostilities were undertaken may not appear , for the position in which
this year is far more
in former years, when I had to ask
being adequate to relieve the Con.— -,li a fore the interest to be such as to justify the Government for baying corn-,
47,0001. which was paid annuals
.°
which
use to agreo to increased taxation, when I had to
menced warlike • operations, and then it will be open to
and sinking fund of the Greek loan guar. 121, and 6
this ho
t to them the necessity of imposing additional bur.
.nteed by this
my hon. friend the member for Aylesbury, or to any represein
country under the act 2 and 3 Will. 4, 0. . the country, and when I had to ask them to
and 7 Will. 4, c. 94, or any part thereof 1 eg other member, to raise a discussion upon the subject dens nee aloan and vote Exchequer-bills for the purpose of
sanction
That Lord PALMERSTON said much communication ,a, without an dun
yger of that injury to the public interest annual income. 1
covering a large deficiency in the a _
=quails
passed between the various Governments referred to, •
1-
• might now arise. (Hear, hear.) sir, is an additional reason why I should not be
and the result was that a commission was to be formed whit.
Of the three protecting Powers at Athens, who were to `1
' DSTONE—I confess that it appeqs t 9. la° have performed.
Mr. Gl4,

CATHEDRAL CHAPTERS.

Mr. S. HERBERT asked the First Lord of the Trea-
sury whether it was the intention of the Government to
bring in any bill daring the present session to regulate Ca-
thedral Chapters ; whether it was intended to renew the
act 16 arid 17 Vic. c 35, by which all appointments to czt-
pltular offices were made subject for two years to the pro-
visions of any measure which might be passed, founded
op the Report of the Cathedral Commission of 1852 ?
Anil whether any stipulation had been made with the
canons lately appointed, that they should bold their
canon rise subject to the provisions of future legislation ?
Lord PA L NIERSTON said that the Government had
no intention of proposing such a bid at present, and that
nostiptil Won had been made with the canons lately ap-
pointed ri lative to their tenure of office.
THE NATIONAL GALLERY.
Mr. 0 ['WAY asked the First Lord of the Treasury
whether it was the case that Mr. Ford, one of the Royal
Commiion,-rs appointed to determine the site of the
National Gallery, had resigned his appointment, and, if
so, whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Govern-
ment to recommend any other gentleman for the vacant
office?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said it
was true Mr. Ford had resigned his office, and that there
was no iutet.tion on the part of the Governtnent to fi
it up.

Lord CAMPBELL moved the adjournment of the
debate to this day six weeks.
After a few words in reply from Lord BROUGHAM, the
motion of Lord Campbell was agreed to.

PUBLIC WORKS IN IRELAND.
The Earl of LEITRIM moved for a copy of the re-
ports of the commissioners appointed by the Lords Com-
missioners of her Majesty's Treasury to audit and report
on the accounts of the Commissioners of Public Works
in Ireland, and particularly such as referred to the frauds
committed by the Assistant-Accountant about the years
1847 and 1848.—Agreed to.
The same Noble Earl also moved for a copy of the ap-
plications made to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland for
the office of the Clerk of the Crown of the county of
Leitrim, together with the recommendations of the seve-
ral candidates, and the correspondence with reference to
the recent appointment to that office.
Earl GRANVILLE submitted to the noble earl that
it was impossible to furnish a return of that nature ; but
offered to supply a copy of the correspondence which
had passed between the noble earl and the Government
on the subject.
The Earl of LEITRIM said the correspondence would
be useless to him without the rest of the papers.
The motion was then withdrawn, and the house ad-
journed at 7 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.--(YESTERDAY.)
The SrEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
NEW MEMBER.

The Hon. S. WORTLET, Ler Majesty's Solicitor-Ge-
neral, took the oaths and his seat on his re-election for
Betesbire.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.

The following private bills were read a second time :
—Bristol, South Wales, and Southampton Union Rail.
way ; Nene Valley Drainage and Navigation Improve--
ment ; Tilbury, Maldon, and Colchester Rail way ; Tyne
Improvement ; and Pulteney Town Harbour.
INCOME TAX.

Mr. PIGOTT presented a petition from Reading
against the continuance of the income tax.
Various petitions were presented from other places to
the same effect.
PERCUSSION CAPS FOR THE ARMY.
Lord BURGHLEY asked the Under Secretary of
State for War whether it was the intention of her Ma-
jesty's Government to adopt for the army, instead of the
present regulation copper caps, Eley's elastic waterproof
percussion caps!
Mr. F. PEEL said that description of caps had been
ordered, but machinery had to be purposely got up
for it.

ARCTIC MEDAL.
Mr. VERNON asked the First Lord of the Admi-
ralty whether the design of the arctic medal had been
decided upon ; how soon the medal would probably be
issued ; and whether it was to he conferred upon any
foreign as well as British officers and men who have
been engaged in Arctic Discovery Service ?
Sir C. WOOD said that the Gazette of that day fort-
night gave every information respecting it, and how the
medal was to be distributed. He read the notification
from the Gazette. The medal would be ready for deli-
very about the end of the month.
SAVINGS BANK BILL

In answer to a question from Sir H. WILLOUGHBY,
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
that he proposed ,to introduce his Savings Bank Bill on
Tuesday next.