The Sun.
London, England, 1857-07-25 00:00:00

public, not for weeks and months, but for years, and
that every man likely to give attentien to the subject has
now made up his mind on the measure. (Hear, hear.)
But the very arenruents which they use against it dis•
vreve their aseeriioe. They tell us there are petitions
egeinst the bill from G,OOO clergymen, from every part of
the country. (Hear ) Are those petitions, then, pre-
sented without any knowledge of the bill or considers•
tion of its contents. (Cheers.) The only exception
appears to be the constituents of Mr. Napier, who have
tot thought it necessary to instruct him on this bill,
and he has not thought it necessary to ask them what
he should say about it. (Great leughtir.) Is the bill
new to the house? Does any member who would be
likely to take port in this discussion pretend to say that
he has not watched the proceedings of the House of
Lords on the subject, which have been going on for so
long ? Has not the bill been lying a full month on the
table of this house, giving opportunity to everybody to
examine it with the utmost minuteness, and to makeup
his mind as to its principle and details ? And is the bill
of such enormous magnitude ? On the contrary, it is
comparativel short one, and its provisions are contained
in a comparatively small number of clauses. I say, then,
that the motion for delay is a shallow pretence,--that
those who make it wish to conceal their opposition to
the measure under the mask of delay ; and this is a proof
that they are conscious public opinion is against them.
The country is for some measure of this sort, and the
measure is one that ought 0 be considered and deli-
berately agreed to. (Hear.) Then Mr. Mains tells us
—rising with that power which he possesses, and speak-
ing with that physical vigour with which he always
addresses the house—that our bodies are exhausted, and
our minds are prostrated with labour. (Laughter.)
Why, sir, the hon. and learned gentleman is a living
example to the contrary. He is one of those who are se
thoroughly exhausted by the labours of the session that
he is totally unable to consider one more bill. (Cheers.)
But the honourable and learned member is perhaps
anxious to take advantage of that health 'and vigour
which we are all so gta 1 to see him possess in some other
sphere, and that may account for the impatience with
which he is looking to the termination of the
session. (Laughter.) But I do trust that the house
will take a more serious view of these matters, and will
not be led away by appeals to the almanac—that they
will not think that one month, or another, is only cap'
able of being devoted 0 matters of importance—that they
will net be frightened by the names of Jely and August
—because this is a measure of great importance to which
the country has been looking with anxiety and interest
—a measure that cannot be refused simply by telling us
that as we are at the end of July, and August is fast al?
preaching, we must suspend our deliberations. (Hear,
hear.) Tho hon. member asked me how long I propose
that the house sit. I would propose that the house
should sit as long as may be necessary to dispose of the
business before us. (Hear, hear.) I remember to ban
sat in this house in the middle of September ; but I do
not conceive that it will be necessary to continue the
session so long. But I say it is trifling with our .duties
and with the great interests of the country to tell us
that, because it happens to be the 24th of July, we are
not able to take into consideration a measure to which
the country has been long looking with great anxiety
which is of the utmost importance, and which has 100 g
occupied the minds of men who attend to the considera-
tion of these subjects. (Hoar, hear.) If this bill Were
now brought in for the first time, not having been Pre'
stinted to either house before—if at this period of July
we for the first time proposed a bill of such great import;
ante, I should admit that the arguments against us woolu
be possible. But we are only calling upon the house.,
discuss a measure which has been well sifted and dis:
cussed in the other house. And when we are told Os'
the other house has been unstable, and that they he
altered their minds on different details, I say those dt
cussions have paved the way for us to consider tho°'
points, and have rendered it more easy for gentlemen °1
make up their minds upon them ; the arguments are
there upon particular pints, and that is a reason
why gentlemen may more easily come to a cone's'
sion. I do therefore entreat the house not to Pr
get the high duties imposed upon it by its constituteut't
I do entreat them to recollect that we sit here Do
merely to consider whether it is more convenfent toad'
journ on a day in July or a day in August, or whethe',
,
hot weather er cold weather may be more consisted
with the intellectual exertions of the hon. and leases;
member for Wal ingford, but to consider that this is.,
grave and aurione question, and that if we put off tb.
measure simply because we do not choose to consider if
i
s
the country will think that we are neglecting our dUtleo
and betraying the trust reposed in us, and that the
character of this house will suffer materially in:to/
opinion of the public. (Hear, hear.) I will not 13°0
enter into the merits of the question. The AttoreeJ4
General will be prepared, when be moves the Sedlt
reading of the bill, to state in detail all the importe
reasons on which the measure is founded. But let tog0
house Lear the ground on which it is proposed. n°
00
let the house shrink from the discussion of a measure t
of
deeply affecting the interests of the country. 1,091.
te
all, do not let them shrink from the shadow of a pre
on which this motion has been supported—that we 's of
not time to consider a measure which those making 00
objection show that they are fully prepared to disc to
now or any other day which the house may chooie
appoint. (Cheers.)
The house divided, and the numbers were
For the postponement l3O
Agetiumt it
Lord PALMERSTON said that at this time of n;go
it would hardly be fair to his hon, and learned friend 4
to the house to go on with the second reading to•Dir,j
His hon. and learned friend would naturally wish ;
state at some length his view on the subject, and Otero
fore he proposed to take the second reading the first
Thursday.
Mr, MALINS asked whether he was to understsb.
that the Probate and Administrations Bill would not
proceeded with on Thursday? ld
Lord PALMERSTON said the government No
to
take this bill first on Thursday, and the Probate Bt.t`
Friday.
The second reading was accordingly postponed.
ILLICIT DISTILLATION (IRELAND) BID hot
Toe house then went into committee on this bill,
011
when a few clauses had been gone through, after rs
discussion, the Chairman was ordered to rep
progress.

SUPPLY.
The report of supply was brought up and receiveclai4,
CANADA. AND NEW BRUNSWICK B°
_ _

DARIES BILL. •
This hill was read a third time and passed.
COUNTY COURT JUDGES' SALARIES BL--
LL,
This hill was read a second time.
OATHS VALIDITY ACT AMENDMENT B- of
Mr. J. A. SMITH postponed the second readia
this bill to edesday Ilex%
The house adjnourned at twenty minutes to two o'6-