The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-19 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—(YESTERDAY,)
The LORD CLIANCELLOIL took his seat on the woolsack at
Eve o'clock.

CHURCH RATES.

Several petitions were presented against the abolition of
Church rates.
MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE'S
SISTER.

Lord DE GREY and RIPON prestutcd 398 potitions
tr oLu Yorkshire, in favour of legalising marriage with a
deceased wife's sister.
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN.

The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH rose to ask the noble
Lord the Secretary of State the question he had given him
Laice of in a private note, relative to a subject which was
assuming a great importance, namely, the differences
that existed between Germany and Denmark. He
mould not overrate the importance of the state of
affairs that now existed, especially as it seemed
more than likely it would seriously affect the state of armed
truce in which Europe now stood. It would not be
a question of years before the event would occur, but
in nine days from the present time the subject would
be determined. If the Diet persisted in its present inten-
tions, Denmark had made up its mind not to yield. The
noble lord then went over the recent negotiations between
the German Diet and the King of Denmark. A constitution
had been offered to the Duchies, containing very favourable
provisions. In the event of these not satisfying her, she
had been offered another provisional constitution, to
apply to herself alone, and to remain in
force until the happy time should come when
she would form a part of the complete state. The
question was whether Prussia should, in the name of the
Diet, detach the territory of Holstein troll' the Kingdom of
Denmark. In addition, it was eviden t that if Prussia attacked
Denmark, France would move an army on the Rhine, and
with her great power of transporting troops by sea, would
probably send a corps d'armee to the assistance of Denmark.
The time might very likely come when France would attack
Prussia, but let her wait until she was attacked, and not
provoke hostility. After reviewing the position of the
continental Powers, pointing out how powerless the other
European States were to assist Prussia at present, and
having warned Prussia for pursuing the present course of
policy, he asked what information the Government had re-
ceived on the subject ?
Lord WODEHOUSE, in answer to the important ob-
servations just fallen from the noble earl, said that, as he
understood the question, it was that, after the war which
took place between Denmark and Germany, there was a
promise made by the King of Denmark that there should
be a common constitution for the whole of his States, com-
prising foreign affairs, marine, war department, &c. Holstein
refused to accept this constitution. The Diet on the other
hand demanded that the common constitution should be
established nevertheless, and, pending the settlement
of this question, that there should be a provisional consti-
tution. A term had been fixed by which this was to be
granted, and that time had nearly expired. The real point
under discussion between Denmark and Holstein related to the
budget for common affairs. Denmark did originally propose
that Holstein should have the power of voting what was
called a normal budget—that was one below the full
amount required, the remaining additions to which
could be considered afterwards. This concession had
not been considered sufficient, and he was happy
to inform their lordships that the Government had
that morning received intelligence that the King had made
a further concession by consenting that the whole budget
should be submitted to Holstein. This was additionally
gratifying, inasmuch as it was the course recommended by
this Government. He could not but hope that the Prus-
sian Government would see in this concession the means of
arriving at a settlement of the difficult question.
POLAND.
The NOBLE LORD said before he resumed his seat in

accordance with the promise he gave the noble lord a few
evenings ago, with respect to the production of the papers
transmitted to the Government relative to the disturbances
that had lately taken place at Warsaw, he had. consulted
his noble friend at the head of the Foreign
Office, and he was of opinion that to produce the papers at
the present moment would be inexpedient, as the public
service would suffer thereby, and the position of the Consul
General would be in some degree compromised.

Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE said he re-
gretted the Government could not produce the papers.
THE DEATH OF THE DUCHESS OF KENT.
Earl GRANVILLE said their lordships were all ac-
quainted with the affliction that had fallen on her Majesty
by the death of the Duchess of Kent, and he now

rose for the purpose of moving that their lordships
present an address of condolence to her Majesty on the
sorrowful event. The noble lord then passed a high eulogy
upon the late Duchess of Kent, and concluded by moving
the address.
The Earl of DERBY—My lords, it will be unnecessary,

speaking on behalf of noble lords who sit on this side of the
house, to do more than express my entire concurrence with
the motion which has just been made by the noble earl.
The address will be agreed to unanimously, and not merely
as a form by your lordships, but accompanied by the fullest
sympathy, the warmest and most heartfelt respect, not only
on the part of this house, but of every class of her Majesty's
subjects. (Hear, hear) Her Majesty has, during her
happy reign, so entirely identified herself with the interests
of the people, and has so completely interwoven feelings of
loyalty into the minds of all her subjects, has made their
wants and wishes so much her guidance, that it would be
impossible for any event which interests her Majesty in the

slightest degree to occur without calling forth' the warm

and heartfelt sympathies of the whole people. We rejoice
in any circumstance that adds to her Majesty's domestic
happiness, and grieve if even a single cloud overshadows its
brightness. Neither can we withhold the expression of our
sympathy at a time when her Majesty is visited with an
affliction the worst that ever has befallen her—an affliction
which involves and wounds all her nearest and dearest
affections. (Hear, hear.) I am satisfied that your lordships
will give a cordial and ready assent to this address. If such
grief as her Majesty is now suffering were susceptible of
oily consolation, such consolation must be found in the fact
that during:the whole period of the life of the illustrious de-
ceased, her Majesty discharged every duty of a daughter in
the most exemplary and affectionate manner. I cannot, my
lords, but entertain a hope that it will to some degree
assuage her Majesty's affliction to know that she enjoys not
only the respectful and loyal sympathy of this house, but
the commiseration and participation of a loyal and deeply
afflicted people.
The address was then put by the LORD CHANCELLOR,
and agreed to nemine contradicente.
THE LUNACY REGULATION BILL.

The LORD CHANCELLOR, in moving the second
reading of this bill, said it was for the purpose of diminish-
ing the expense of proceedings in lunacy, and to provide
more effectually for the visiting of lunatics, and for some
other important purposes. By the third elause power was
proposed to be given to the Lord Chancellor, where the
lunatic did not oppose the application, and his property did
not exceed .f..<500 in value, to apply it for his benefit in a
summary manner, without inquisition.
After a few words from several learned lords the bill was
read a second time.
TAE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA.
In answer to Lord LYVIDEN,
Earl Ihs GRRY and RIPON said that it had been arranged
that Lord Canning should for the present remain Governor- 1
General of India; thougbno precise time for his continu-
ance in that office had been fixed.
The Charitable Uses Bill passed through committee.
The Red Sea and India Telegraph Bill was read a second
time, and the house adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Liverpool Cemetery and South-Eastern Railway
(Capital, &c.) Bills were read a third time and passed.
The Berwick, Norham, and Islandshires Roads, Kings-
ton-upon-Thames and Leatherhead Road, Ludlow and
Clee Hill Railway, Strathspey Railway, and Wrexham
and Mincra Railway Bills were considered, and ordered for
third reading.
The Borough of Dublin and Forest of Dean Central Rail
way Bills were read a second time.
COUNTY VOTERS (SCOTLAND) BILL GRAND
JURIES ',IRELAND) BILL.
These bills were read a first time and ordered for second
reading.