The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-04 00:00:00

L9:+n)92,1", WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 18b7

The discussion last evening in the House of
Lords may be very readily characterised. It had
to our Foreign Relations. It
reference principally
was chiefly remarkable for the minute and mas.,
terly analysis, successively, of the Royal Speech and
the Loyal Address, by the Noble Earl—the imme-
morial Leader of her MAJESTY'S Opposition ! It
was distinguished, moreover, from the customary
debates upon the opening of Parliament by the
all but disloyal eccentricity of an Amendment to
the annual Address, proposed each session, as a
mere matter of course, in the Peers and Commons
—an Address in each instance simply echoing the
Ministerial oration delivered yearly (by way of
inaugurating the labours of the Legislature) either '
by the lips, or in the name, of the Sovereign. The
habitual harmony of these august proceedings being
.;Rtred in upon discordantly last evening by the
tisual MARPLOT of the Hour—the Patrician Cynic
--Muter of Howick, and ex-Secretary of State for

the Colonies ! Earl GREY thought the War with
Persia unjustifiable. Of course Earl GREY thought
the War with Persia unjustifiable, as he thinks
everything in the wide world altogether unjusti-
fiable which does not happen to originate in the
sagacious intellect, and the profound acumen, and
the far-seeing patriotism of the Right Hon.
HENRY GEORGE, third Earl GREY, Lord-Lieutenant
and Custos-Rotulorum of Northumberland—and
all the rest of it ! But last evening—going far
beyond the more ordinary " bite and snarl"
of his fretful rhetoric—Lord GREY indulged his
captious and petulant temperament with a luxury
a great deal more delightful—more thoroughly
and substantially appetising than simply so
much waspish taunt and cantankerous vitupera-
tion ! He boldly denounced the conduct of
Ministers in advising the Crown t 3 declare war
against the SHAH-, without first of all consulting
Parliament, as—unconstitutional ! He not only
declared the War itself to be, in his estimation,
unjustifiable, and the policy of which it was ex-
pressive to beunconstltutional, but he considered the
one so unjustifiable and the other so unconstitutional,
that he actually went the extraordinary length of
driving the House of Lords to a division upon his
Amendment ! A division as unusual at the close
of a debate upon the Address in answer to the
Speech from the Throne, as the Amendment itself
was but very little short of a flagrantly disloyal
interference with the_Prerogative of the Crown !
It was an attempt, however, as abortive in its
result, as it was unusual and disloyal in its cha-
racter. Earl GREY'S Amendment being rejected
by a majority of thirty three in a House of fifty-
seven. The arrow fell blunted—the bullet flat-
tened—the sword blade snapped off at the hilt :
every weapon filled, and the assailant was left in a
position simply baffled and ridiculous. It is observ-
able,bowever, in regard to the prior quest ion involved
in Earl GREY's abortive Amendment, that in the
House of Peers not only he himself, hut with him
the Earl of DERBY likewise—and that in the
House of Commons both Mr. GLADSTONE and
Lord JOHN RUSSELL—distinctly pronounced the
declaration of war against Persia to be unconsti-
tutional, seeing that Parliament had not been
previously consulted in regard to that war by the
Chiefs of her MAJESTY'S Government ! An augury,
we take this to be, of something very like
(what we have heard of so often during
the last. two or three Sessions) a factious
Opposition. If Ministers were as much in
the right upon other, questions as they are incon-
trovertibly upon this question as to the constitu-
tional or unconstitutional complexion of their
policy in regard to Persia, they would have but
small reason to look forward with any serious
solicitude to the Future. As it is, however, the
egregious failure in the present instance, we take
it, is mainly, if not exclusively, attributable to the
total misdirection of the blow aimed at the
Administration. To prove effectual, the bolt
hurled against their antagonists by the assail-
ants of the Government should in reason be driven
home, at least, at some vulnerable chink in the
Ministerial harness. Upon ,the next occasion we
would recommend Lord GREY to look well —not
to the stalwart shield or the adamantine breast-
plate of the Colossus—but tothe Heel of the
I ACHILLES !

Notwithstanding the studied silence of the
Royal Speech on all fiscal questions—notwith-
stmading that the existence of the iniquitous In-
come Tax, and the intense excitement of the public
mind on the interesting subject was completely
ignored, and no hint given as to an intended re-
duction or revision of the obnoxious impost, the
question was brought prominently before the
House, and no less than four notices placed on
the books in reference therEte. First in the field
came Mr. ArsuEv PELLATT, who gave notice that
on the 13th instant he would move iu a Committee
of the whole House, " to reduce the impost from
16d. to 53. in the pound, from the sth of April
next." Major REED, in fulfilment of his volun-
tary pledge, gave a similar notice for Tues-
day next, but applying to the entire
t 3X, which he proposes to termina t 3
from the 6th April next ; while Mr. MuNTz under-
took, on the 17th, to bring the Property and
Income Tax Acts under the consideration of the
House. So much for the independent members,
who require not merely a reduction, but an ex-
tensive modification of the law, so as to render the
appoitionmett more equitable—that it may fall
on the contributors as nearly as possible in pro-
portion to their means and position in the
country.

But a still more formidable challenge has been
given. The recognised Leader of Her MAJESTY'S
Opposition in the popular branch of the Legisla-
ture, animated by the new alliance, offensive and
defensive, contracted wi th a quondam opponent, has
flung down his gage of battle, and formally defied
,the Government to meet him in the Parliamentary
arena for a combat d routrance. There are some
portions of the brilliant speech of the Right Hon.
Gentleman with which we fully and cordially con-
cur, but others with which we are compelled to
differ toto ccelo. It is impossible not to be con-
vinced, by his admirable argument against the
fallacy put forward by the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer and his haunchmen of Printing-Hou2e-
square, that no remonstrance is to be offered
against a most oppressive and intolerable impost
until the full amount of the Estimates have been
decided and passed. On the other hand, he has
flung aside a glorious opportunity, paying deaTly
indeed for the GLADSTONE auxiliary force, that
may prove mare detrimental to the interests of
himself and his immediate party than the foreign
mercenaries did to Great Britain during the
late war. He avowed clearly and une-
quivocally his opinion that the settlement of
1853 should be adhered to. This indeed is deeply
to be regretted. Mr. DISEAELI might triumphantly
have appealed to his proposition iu December,
1852, recognising a distinction between permanent
and precarious incomes, It was true that he did
not go far enough in the course. But the prin-
ciple once being admitted the rest would have been
comparatively easy, and this he has surrendered
as the price of Mr. GLADSTONE'S cc-operation
Henceforward there will be two leaders of the
party, like the Kings of Brentford smelling at one
nosegay. We fear that Mr. DISRAELI will have
bitter cause to regretthe compact that secured him
the aid of one dangerous as an opponent, but :till
more formidable as a coadjutor—one who knows
nothing of subordination, and who must carry out
his own hobbies at any cost.

On the first of his intended motions', that taxes
granted for the purposes of carrying on hos-
tilities should not be maintained in peace
time, he will obtain the cordial support
of the independent members ; arid unless
timely and ample concessions be made the Go-
vernment mnst be left in a minority. On the
second he will receive the most strenuous opposi-
tion from every consistent reformer. As Maj
REED declared, the reduction of the impost will
be but the signal for exertion to obtain the modi-
fication so urgently required by the people. Sir
G. C. LEWIS, if he wish to retain office, must con-
sent to the unravelling of the red-tapist knot by
giving a full and complete explanation of the
Ministerial intentions, in anticipation of the period
when he should submit his Budget for the accept-
ance of Parliament. Silence must be accompanied
by decisive defeat. May not that evil be averted
by a frank and conciliatory policy on the point on
which the people have set
ettotboeii,rtaihneasrattsi,sfaanctdionon?
which they are determined

The paragraph in the Royal Speech respecting
the law reforms so urgently
the Lord Chancellor admittYedlroereciaxliciereeCii;ll;invg;guaes
—the noble and learned
andexplained the
Som
nature of those already prepared,e others
which will speedily be brought forwardTh
in order is the Reform of the Testamentary
Jurisdiction, first
Jurisdiction, which, we trust, will be followed by
the] total abolition of the Ecclesiastical Courts
tribunals which have long been condemned with
singular unanimity by men of all classes, and of
every 'shade and variety of political opinion in the

United Kingdom. Indeed, stripped of that
which constitutes the most lucrative branch of
practice theroin, it will no longer be wortk while
to maintain the monopoly. The next is for the
purpose of amending the Law cf Marriage and
Divorce, and the third on the subject of Church
Discipline. When these matters are disposed of
the doors of these obnoxious Courts may be closed
—and they will be remembered with the griev-
ances of bye-gone days. Our children will
wonder at the patience with which the evil was
so long endured by their fathers.

The Attorney-General is also to introduce a
bill in regard to criminal breaches of trust, so as to
provide an adequate remedy for acts that have
unfortunately become of too frequent occurrence
of late years. With recent examples before our
eyes we cannot say that stringent measures of
repression are not urgently required, and we re-
joice to find that Sir R. BETUELL is prepared to
grapple with the system, and to oppose some
difficulties in the way of fraudulent Directors who
may desire to appropriate to their own use the
funds confided to their charge for very different
purposes.

The Commission appointed to inquire into the
registration of land has prepared two bills to be laid
before Parliament on the subject. A greater boon
could not be conferred on the owners of real estate
than a law that would facilitate the transfer or charg-
ing of their properties. We have long urged these
points on the attention of the Legislature, and are
happy to find that the subject is at length t 3 be
brought forward. Of course it is impossible, as
yet, to say whether the propositions will meet
the full extent of the evil ; but the mere ventila-
tion of the subject will be exceedingly beneficial.
Sound and unquestionable truths will be elicited
during the discussion, .and we haie no doubt that
eventually titles will be simplified, and rendered
more secure, and that all proceedings relating to
land will be rendered at the same time much
cheaper, and far, more expeditious than is at pre-
sent practicable.
The Second Report of the Commission for the
Consolidation of the Statute Law is to be refer-
red to a Select Committee, in order to consider
the propositions for the adoption of means
to improve the manner and language
of current legislation. This is indeed a much
required amelioration. If judiciously carried out,
it may avert that crude and hasty legislation so
often deplored from the bench and at the bar, and
which opposes serious impediments to the whole-
some administration of justice.

Lord CRA.NWOETIE alio announced that the
Criminal Law Commission has at length succeeded
in consolidating the whole of the criminal law, and
that bills similar to those which he laid on the
table on the last day of the session of 1856 will
be introduced for the purpose of effecting that
consolidation. This is cheering intelligence, and
the nation may rejoice if the important change can
be effected within the present year. Vlis Home
Secretary is also to introduce a bill on the subject
of secondary punishments, respecting which so
much excitement prevails in the public mind.
We shall, of course, abstain from comment
until his propositions are before Parliament and
the country.

This is an extensive and important programme,
but there are still many deplorable omissions.
No allusion has been made to commercial legisla-
tion, the 'necessity i hereof has been so clearly
developed during the recent proceedings of the
Law Amendment Society, and by the leading case
of " KINGSFORD and SWINFORD v MERRY." His
Lordship was also silent k 5 to any amendment of
the law of libel, which the case of " DAVISON V.
DUNCAN" shows to be imperative. We hope,
however, that Lord CAMPBELL, who has already
effected so many valuable reforms for the prot3c-
tion of public journalists, will direct his immediate
attention to a matter which came directly under

his own cognisance.
There are other matters, also—the of im-
prisonment for -debt ; the amalgamation of the
statutes relating to bankruptcy and insolvency ;
the amendment of the Statute of Frauds', to pre-
vent serious frauds from being effected under
cover thereof; and various other matters, to
which our space this day does not permit roil:-
rence. If not attended to by the Government,
they will certainly be taken up by independent
members ; and we can only expres3 a hope that
their efforts may be assisted by Ministerial aid,
in place of being thwarted and defeated, as has
too frequently been the case in former times.

The King of Sardinia has returned to To, in.
The Emperor of Austria will rmt go to Florence, he
returns from Milan direct to A ustria.

The widow of the Right Hon. Henry Golbourn died
a day or two ago, at Betci,worth House, Surrey.'
The health of the Earl of Harewuod continues to im-
prove.
The Earl of Yarb)rongh has been appointed Lord-
Lieutenant of Lincolnshire.

The Duke and Dueness of R- xburgh and the Ladies
Susan and Charlotte Innes Ksr have arrived at the
Clarendon, from Broxmouth Park, N.B.
The marriage of the Lord Alrred Churchill with the
Hon. Miss Calthorpe will take place to-morrow, at St.
George's Church, Hanover-, quare.
Miss Ricardo bag returned to Grosvenor•place from
Tctness Park. We are glad to learn this young lady is
recovering from her late serious accident.

There i 3 a whisper in the political salons of Paris
that certain foreign Governments have supplied certain
leading members of the Opposition with material to at-
tack Lord Palmerston's Government on a variety of
questions.

Tne French Government will, it is said, defray the
whole expense of the sojourn of the Persian Ambas-
sador in Paris.

The Duke of Montebello, a ci-devant Orleanist, is
spoken of as the probable successor of M. de Moray
at St. Petersburg.
Despatches have left Paris, recalling the French
troops and French squadron 'rom Greece.
The specie which arrived at Southampton yesterday
from the Peninsula amounted to 45,569/. sterling.
Mr. Sullivan, the United States' Minister at Lisbon,
arrived yesterday at Southampton in the Tagus.
The 90th Regiment has received orders to embark
next Saturday for India.
The Black Ball ship Lightning will sail from Liver-
pool on Thursday next for Melbourne.
Admiral Peter Richards has been appointed a com-
missioner of Greenwich Huspitil.

The precise amount of specie shipped by the Ripon
was. 971,3001.

The Brazil mail steamer Tamar, having completed her
repairs, left Vigo on the 31:41

The American frigate, Susquehanna, has quitted
Nap •

On Saturday a French vessel went on shore off Rye
Harbour. Five persons last their lives by the inisfor-
tuae.

There were upwards of 8,000 persons on the Serpen-
tine yesterday. The thermometer in the park at nine
o'clock stood at 27 deg., and at noon it was 31 deg.
The Rev. Mr. Gurney, of St. Mary's, Marylebone,
has been appointed to the hen. canonry, of St. Paul's,
vacated by the decease of the late Mr. Rowdier.
The Strand and Holborn branches of the Royal British
Bank were sold yesterday ; the former brought 6,1001.,
and the lease of the latter 2101.
It may confidently be expected that the Sound dues
will be abolished in time for the opening of the Baltic
navigation in the spring.
An American correspondent says, the new treaty with
Em:lind has been favourably received, and is likely to be
ratified by the Senate.
The guardians of the West London Union yesterday
determined to petition the Corporation for the establish-
ment of Baths and Washhouses on the site of Farringdon
➢Market.

An inquest was held yesterday, at Manchester, on
White, the weaver, who was stabbed by a man named
Collins, on Saturday last. A verdict of wilful murder
has been returned.
ST. GEORGE'S H.OTEL.—Arrivals : Lord and Lady
Lilford, Lord Middleton, Mr. H. Drummond, M.P.,
Col mel Biddulpb, Mr. Hughes. Departures : Lord and
Lady Huntingfield, Captain Cracroft and Mrs. Cracroft.
THE SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY BULLION ROBBERY.
Late on Monday evening Mr. Clark, the clerk of the
Central Criminal Court, received a communication from
Mr. Baron Martin directing him to make out an order
upon Sir Richard Mayne for the Turkish bonds that were
found in the possession of Pierce, one of the bullion
robbers, to be delivered up to Mr. Rees, the solicitor of
the South Eastern Railway, in trust for the benefit of
Fanny Kay and her child. This proceeding is believed
to be quite contrary to the understanding that was come
to when the matter was argued in the Court of Exche-
quer Chamber last week, and it is said that the Corpora-
tion of London intend to resist the making of the order.
HAYMARKET THEATRE. —Mr. Buckatone announces
the last morning performance of the pantomime of " The
Babes in the Wood" to-morrow (Thursday). In the even-
ing " The School for Scandal" wi)l be performed for the
last time, with the pantomime. On Friday Mr. Mur-
doch takes his benefit, and repeats hi 3 successful repre-
sentation of the character of Claude Melnotte, in "The
Lady of Lyons," being his last performance in London,
and 110th appearance at this theatre. He proceeds im-
mediately to the continent. On his return he will make
a tour of the principal provincial theatres, previous to
his return to the United States. This evening (Wed-
nesday) will be the 1900Ja consecutive night of the sea-
son—an event that has never before occurred in any
theatre,