The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-13 00:00:00

LAW OF LIBEL.

Lord CAMPBELL moved that thepetitions presented
last session in favour of an alteration in the law of libel,
be referred to the select committee appointed in the pre-
sent cession to consider the subj,.ct.
LAW OF DIVORCE.

The Bishop of OXFORD trusted the noble and learned
lord would fix a later day then Tuesday next for the
second reading of this bill. The bill was not yet pre-
sented, and would not be in the hands of their lord-
ships till Wednesday next. It was a subject in
which several reverend prelates took a deep interest,
and under these circumstances he hoped his suggestion
would be assented to.
The LOltD CHANCELLOR said that, considering
the discussion that had alrealy taken place on the prin-
ciple of the bill on a former occasion, he thought it was
unreasonable to ask him to delay proceeding with the
bill. The measure, with very slight, but be must say
important, alterations, was the same as the one of the
last session.

After a short discnssioh, in which Lord Campbell and
Lord Lyndhurst took part, the sulject dropped.
THE POISONINGS IN CHINA.

The Earl of CARNARVON mire to inquire into the
truth Of certain statements contained in the China Mail
of the sth February last, respecting the confinement
of Chinese prisoners at ,Hong Kong, and to
move for any papers connected with the subject,
and also with WI trial of a baker and others on the
Charge of poisoning. The noble lord proceeded to detail
at length the cruelties that had been inflicted on the
42 Chinese prisoners, who had been confined in a
place of the most horrible description, being only 16
teet by 5, in addition to which they were kept without
food until they were nearly starved to death. Such a
mode of treatment he thought at variance with every
principle of humanity, and one calculated to increase
the feelings of bitterness which at present existed. The
speech of the Attorney-General at the trial of the pri-
soners he also characteriued as most harsh and unfair.

The Earlef HARROWBVIsaid he was not prepared to
de'end the speech of the Attorney-Generalat Hong Kong
aslhe bad not even seen it. It should be recollected that
the circumstances connected with those prisoners were
those of great excitement. The English law
was generally administered with a calmness against
prisoners, which had always called forth admiration
from foreigners. He denied the truth of the informa-
tion on which the noble I)rd had founded his motion. if
the prisoners hal been confined in a place of the size
mentioned by the noble earl, it was impossible they
could have survived throughout the night. Instructions
had been rent ont to the Briti,h authorities on the sub-
ject, and an inquiry into the subjrc ordered.
The Earl of MAIMESEU ItY said his noble
friend lad carefully abstained from attacking
any party in relation to these transact!ons. He
merely confined himself to wiking the Government a
question. His noble friend had his right as
a peer of the realm to move for those papers,
andhe was painfully justified in maluog the statement
he had made in doing so. He trusted the inquiry that
had been ordered would be of the moat searching de-
em ipti on.

After a few words from the Earl of ELLENBOBOUGH,
the papers were ordered.
Their lordships' then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YEsTrapAy.)

The SPEAKER took the chair shortly before 4 o'clock,
when the swearing in of members was proceeded with.
Ainonast theta were the following :—Major Sibthorp,
L'ird Naas, Col. Lowther, Mr. G. H. Moore, Mr. Mon-
gol!, Mr. H. Johnson, Major S. Wortley, Mr. Magan,
Mr. H. Vivian.

The Sheriffs of Landon, Messrs. Mechi and Keates,
appeared at the bar of th,-, house, and presented a peti-
tion from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common
C.,uncil, praying► f..r the abolition of the abjuration oath
required from meu►hrrs of Parliament.