The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-17 00:00:00

THE TEA DITTY.—(Meeting this Day.)

THE THEATRES.

pleased with this dramatic trifle, which was given out
for repetition eve!), evening until further notice.

The adjourned meeting of the merchants and traders
connectel with the tea trade was held this afternoon at
the London Tavern, Bishopsgate-street, to receive the
report of the committee, appointed at the meeting yes-
terday ; Mr. Moffatt, M.P., in the chair. Amongef
those present were Alderman Sir J. Duke, M.P., Mr.
Gregson, M.P., and Alderman Sidney.
The Criarnmarr informed the meeting that immedi-
ately after the adjournment of the meeting yesterday,
the committee met, and after a full discussion of the
question, they came to the conclusion that prompt and
efficient action was necessary, and of seeing the Chancel-
loiof the Exchequer, and of impressing on him that it would
be a breach of faith to the trade if the Government de-
parted from the Act of 1853, and if they saw an oppor-
tunity to agitate that point or any other that might be
for the benefit of the trade, without materially affecting
the fiscal condition of the country. It was considered
desirable to have an immediate interview with the Chan-
cellor of the Exchecv.er and enforce on him the views of
the trade, and they accordingly waited on him yesterday
without notice. The right hon. gentleman received them
very courteously, and they informed him of the feeling of
the trade on bis proposed mode of dealing with the
duty. It was also suggested to him that it would be
very desirable to avoid the continual gradation in the
duty for the next three years, but that a fixed and
immediate duty for the three years should be substi-
tuted, and then for it to come down to (Hear.) From
the calculation the committee had made, they considered
the duty should be fixed at ls. 41. per lb. for the next
three years— (hear, hear)—which would give a loss of
130,0001. only. The Chancellor of the Exchequer in-
formed the committee that, as regarded the departure
from the act of 1853, he was very sorry for it, but that
he could not help it, and that as regarded the second
proposition he received it with favour. He said that he
saw difficulties in his own scale of averages in the rate
of duty. He thought the proposed fixed duty too low,
but he rather liked the plan of a fixed duty for the next
three years. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, be thought,
had said as much as could be expected from a person in
his position.
Mr. GREGSON, M.P., moved, and Mr. MATTHESON
seconded, the following rosolution :—" That this meet-
ing views with deep regret and disappointment any de-
parture from the provisions of the act of Parliament by
which the duty on tea was fixed at Is. 3d. for the ensu-
ing year. That an alteration to any higher rate of duty
involves a serious inconvenience in the arrangements
made for importations of tea from China, and deplorable
disturbances of existing contracts which have been ex-
tensively made throughout the United Kingdom
upon the faith of that act ; but that, owing to
the alleged exigencies of the State, it reluctantly
acquiesces in the recommendation of its committee for
the adoption of a fixed rate of I.s. 4d. per lb. for the
three years next ensuing, as, although that alteration
involves loss on existing contracts, it prevents any fur-
ther fiscal disturbance of the regular position of the
trade until the final reduction of duty to is. per pound,
as proposed by her Majesty's Government.
The resolution was supported. by Alderman Sir J.
DUKE, Bart., M.P., and Alderman SIDNEY, and agreed
to unanimously.
On the motion of Mr. KIRKItA.N HODGSON, seconded
by Mr. SMITH HARRISON, a petition to the House of
Commons, embodying the foregoing resolution, was
adopted.
Thanks were then voted to the chairman, and the
meeting terminated.

LYCEUM.

STRAND.
For some time past a piece has been running in Paris
called " Les Pauvres de Paris," and last night a trans-
lation of it was produced at the Strand Theatre, under
the title of "Pride and Poverty ; or, the Real Poor of
London."
The drama commences with a prologue, the scene of
action being at the house of Vernon, a banker, who, on
the eve of a fraudulent bankruptcy, receives a deposit
from a shipwrecked emigrant (Ranger), and devotes the
property of the dying man to his own purposes. The
family of the emigrant are consequently reduced to great
hardships, and the piece terminates by, the villains hav-
ing to make restitution of their ill-gotten gains. The
drama is thoroughly French in every respect. It was
most effectively played by ail engaged in it.
The English authors,of the piece were loudly called
for, awl Mr. Benjamin- Barnett and Mr. J. B. John•
stone appeared before the curtain.

A triumphant success signalised the first performance
at this theatre, last evening, of Mr. Westland Mareton'a
new five-act play, entitled "A Life's Ransom." A
success at once dramatic, histrionic, and managerial.
Nothing could possibly have gone off better altogether.
The house was literally crowded throughout—pit,
boxes, and gallery. Tile audience—evidently, for the
most part, the pick of the playgoers of London—were
as attentive as they were enthusiastic and discriminat-
ing. Nothing whatever flagged. The performers, one
and all, were well up in their parts. And—strange to
tell, strangest of all to tell in regard to a new play—the
piece itself appeared to our watchful observation no-
where at all to require the least degree of pruning. We
are not simply writing all this in sheer good humour—
we are penning each syllable bluntly, in soberest truth
and justice. Drawing not upon our imagination for
our facts, though we are compelled, it so happens, un-
fortunately, to draw upon our memory for our argument.
Had the printed copy of Mr. Marston's very charming
and effective drama reached us beanies this morning, we
should have selected from it with peculiar satisfaction to
ourselves, and, we doubt not for one moment, to our
readers' signal gratification also, passages which
must have justified to the full every word of
commendation, besides attesting, in a remarkable
manner, the-ripened powers of one of
.the most accom-
plished dramatists of the day. A worthy contemporary
of Bulwer Lytton and of Sheridan Knowles, Westland
Marston had already proved himself to be,by the produc-
tion (among other elegantand scholarly dramas) of "Anne
Blake" and the "Patrician's Daughter." His new play
produced last evening at Mr. Dillon's Theatre with
almost unexampled success—a success almost unex-
ampled, we mean, in unanimity and completeness—
cannot but tend very materially to elevate and strengthen
its author's already high and solid reputation. Sym-
metrical in construction, diversified in character, replete
with pathetic incidents and dramatic situations, " A
Life's Ransom" is written throughout with true poetic
feeling, and with all a master's evidence of the skill, the
art, the grace, the verve, the finesse requisite in the con-
stitution of the genuine playwright. And such Mr.
Marston unmistakeably is.
The period of "A Life's Drama" is immediately at the
clone of the reign of James the Second. Tue scene—the
southern coast of England. The principal characters,
five in number, may be readily enough indicated. The
plot, in which the fortunes of the dramatis persona be-
come entangled and intertwined, although simple to the
last degree when told, has about it, while in course of
being evolved in word and action upon the stage, an
appearance of intricate and at times almost bewildering
elaboration. Situated somewhere in the neighbourhood
of Torbay, aro the old ancestral estates of Basil, Lord
.Revesdale(''ir. Charles Dillon), a noble of ancient lineage,
but one who is deplorably impoverished. The property of
the family having fallen into irretrievable dilapidation dur-
ing the Civil Wars, by reason of the exertions made on be-
half of Charles the First by Basil's father, an ardent
Royalist. So utterly decayed, in truth, that the young
lord, on succeeding to the title finds that ruin to him seems
to be the only result of the Restoration. The embarrass-
ments of the house increasing only with the lapse of time
during the reigns of the two last of the Stuarts—Charles
the Second and James the Second. Added to the misery
of hie pecuniary involvements, Lord Revesdale has in-
curred the hatred of the evil genius of the dratna Ban-
croft (fir. Stuart), a country magistrate. Besides which
tha yuined peer is grievously troubled by his sister
Felicia (Mrs. Charles Dillon) rejecting the offer for her
hand preferred by Lord Norrice the Prime Minister,
through whose instrumentality, in all likelihood, the
fortunes of the family might have been restored—his
influence being paramount at Court, and the King's
readiness to redeem the estates of Revesdale being a
wetter of absolute certainty in the event of the
Premier's intervention. Not merely, however,
is Lord Norrice rejected as a suitor by Felicia
—but be is rejected (to her brother's mingled shame
and indignation) in favour of the opposing suit of
Arthur lingwood (Mr. M`Lien), the son of elfatth,cie
.Rengwood (Mr. Barrett), a wealtby brewer and country
gentleman. The ruined patrician haughtily rejects the
notion of any such plebeian alliance—his sister remaining
true, however, in spite of all this, to the loved and lot,.
ing Commoner. Leaving Revesdale for a while in dud-
geon, Brasil hears afterwards, through Bancroft (who has
followed him for the purpose of conveying to him the
agreeable information)—that his estates have been sold
during his absence—that old Ringwood has been the
purchaser—that young Ringwood is more than ever in
favour with his lordship's sister, Felicia—that all kinds of
villanous rumours are afloat in regard to the two latter,
hinting that Cupid has tripped up Hymen plodding to the
Altar Infuriated by these insinuations, Basil (who, in
an earlier part.of the story, has saved Arthur's life, by
sheltering him at Revesdale, when the young man bad
become inadvertently involved in Monmouth's miserable
faelere of a Rebellion)—denounces the ingratitude of the
friend who is indebted to him for his existence, and, in
a paroxysm of indignation, lets Bancroft into the
secret of Arthur's traitorous participation in the insur-
rection. Bancroft, whose evil heart cherishes a deadly
hatred against young Ringwood, immediately pro-
poses his betrayal to Lord Revesdale. Instead, however,
of finding his suggestion 'received with favour, he finds
himself spurned with all the scorn of the noble heart of
the patrician, and flung aside with withering disdain as a
" Bloodhound." Inflamed with rage Bancroft hisses
through his teeth a vow of vengeance. Revesdale is
dismayed—repents the hot words by which his own friend
and his sister's love has been betrayed inadvertently—
hastens back to what was once his home to urge Arthur
to escape from danger by instant flight. Scarcely, how-
ever, has he learned the falsity of the hideous rumours
about Felicia by finding that she has been actually mar-
vied to young Ringwood, scarcely has ho had time to im-
plore the bridegroom to escape from certain death by
immediate departure when Bancroft arrives with
his myrmidons. Ringwood is arrested. Felicia declares
her resolution to share his captivity. Basil is announced
to be the Accuser. It is the close of. the fourth act--
and Lord Revesdale, stricken to the heart by his own
apparent turpitude falls, with a cry of anguish, insen-
sible, upon the stage, as the curtain descends. The fifth
act reveals the deep and passionate significance of the
LIVE'S RANSOM—Lord Revesdale sacrificing himself to
redeem those his words of fury have unintentionally
betrayed. Bancroft consents to connive at the escape of
Arthur and Felicia on condition that Basil reveals to
bins (after they have actually left the shores of England)
the name of some "one" of thedaring conspirators against
King James, who have actually signed the requisition
to the Prince of Orange. This Basil does, as we have
said, by heroically denouncing his own name in defiance
alike of death and torture saving Arthur and
Felicia by giving his life as their Life's Ransom !
The villanous Bancroft, however —as all villains
do invariably, both on and off the stage—exults in having
outwitted his antagonists by intercepting the fugitives a
little way outinthechannelandso securing them "all" in
his grim clutches. Everything appears to have gone
wrong with the hero and heroine of the piece. It is the
close of the last aot. There are heard behind the scenes
the cheers and the tramping footsteps as of the approach-
ing army of James—the roll of drums and the boom of
the cannon. The fugitives do return in point of
fact, and Bantroft is in the midst of his exul-
tation when—le ! the situation is instantly reversed,
from one of defeat to one of triumph. Ringwood and
his bride have been intercepted and brought back, not
by the Royalist emissaries, but by the fleet bringing the
Prince of Orange and his troops over to England. As
Mr. Macaulay writes at the first sentence of the first page
of the third volume of his history—" The revolution was
accomplished." The scene opens at the back—disclos-
ing to view an exquisite panorama of Torbay, with the
Dutch vessels gliding in and dropping anchor—and on
the left, upon the conspicuous elevation of the landing
place, surrounded-by his courtiers, and soldiers, and
attendants—William 111. The spectacle, as a tableau,
is eminently picturesque, and was greeted accordingly by
the audience last evening with unaffected delight
and admiration. Nothing further in regard to the
plot of the drama remains to be related. It is to us now as
a tale that is told. An exquisite tale, told exquisitely.
The curtain which had fallen upon each preceding act
with loud applause, fell upon the last amidst very gene-
ral and unmistakeable enthusiasm. The two principal
performers were summoned before the footlights, and
duly welcomed—Mr. Charles Dillon having again won
for himself new histrionic glory, by his noble and affect-
ing impersonation of Lord Revesdale. Lastly, but
not "least" among the incidents of the night—the
Author, being loudly called for, bowed from one of the
private boxes in acknowledgment of the very cordial
acclamations which greeted his appearance.

HAYMARKET.
theatre. Another
Thisn e w
" A. Wicked Wife," and is evidently from a French
lapsitec ise was
iaptreondsuscleidttlleasdt
ranmigah,teaattitthleids
piece, whieb, by its obsequious abuse of revolutionary
doctrines, has probably been produced lately to support
o"fTah
ve
eEr
ym,
noblepi
wife, h plot
Madamean d iDn tee rLe satn rgeesat on
i s ( tnh ei
se ffs
no
er
yt
nolds), who, in order to conceal her husband, who has
been denounced as a Royalist during the Reign of Terror,
professes an ultra-Republicanism, and forsakes nature
and virtue for the current republican patriotism and
sublime doctrines of liberty ; and pretends to endure the
overtures of Citizen Rozaire (Mr. Rogers), an emissary
of Robespierre, and renounces her husband and her
children. All this time the husband is concealed in a
closet, and comes out in the intervals of the visits of the
guardians of liberty and equality. The principal parts
were excellently sustained by Miss Reynolds, Mr. Howe,
Mr. Rogers, and Mr. Compton. The success of the
piece was decided, and there cannot be a doubt about its
proving a great attraction.

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 17, 1857.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—(YEsTERDA .)

The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat ou the wool-
sac►k at five o'clock.

LAW OF LIBEL.
Lord FAVERSHAM presented a petition from the
proprietors of the York Gazette, praying for an immediate
rlteration of the law of libel, in consequence cf the deci-
sion lately given in the case of Davidson v. Duncan. •
Lord BROUGHAM also presented a petition from
the Messrs. Baines, proprietors of the Leeds Mercury,
complaining of the difficulty in which they we"e placed
in consequence of the recent decision in the Court of
Queen's Bench, by which it appeared that the law al.
forded no sound protection for publisher; either
of newspapers or of books, or of the speeches
or proceedings at ordinary public meetings, however
regularly constituted in case of any libellous matter
being reported.

SEE OF LONDON.
Viscount DUNGANNON mit% on Thursday next be
shoald ask a question of the Lord Pr ivy Seal, whether
there was any intention to bring in a bill this session to
divide thelSee of London, and also whether there was any
intention on the part of the Government to introduce a
bile to provide retiring allowances to bishops.

JUDICIAL STATISTICS.
Lord BROUGHAM brought in a bill which he had
placed upon the table last session, to facilitate the col-
lection of judicial statistics.
After a few words from the LORD CHANCELLOR the
bill was read a first time.

PERSIA.
The Earl of CLARENDON said that, seeing the
noble earl (Albemarle) bad a motion on the paper for
that evening, he ventured to appeal to him, because at
that moment negotiations were going on at Paris in re-
spect to our relations with Persia. That morning he had
received a communication from Paris, stating that satis-
factory progress was being made, and, under such cir-
cumstances, he thought that any discussion at the
present moment would greatly endanger the success of
those negotiations.
The Earl of ALBEMARLE said, under such circum-
stances, he would withdraw the motion that stood in his
name that evening.
The motion was accordingly withdrawn.
PRIVATE BILLS.
Lord BROUGHAM called the attention of the noble
lord the chairman of the committee on private bills to the
latest period fixed for the introduction of private bills,
which he believed was March 23. The noble and learned
lord, after alluding to two particular cases which de-
manded the special attention of their lordships, said
that such an order as he had referred to would occasion
great injustice.
Lord REDESDALE admitted the special character
of the cases referred to, and said be should not offer the
slightest obstacle to the bills passing through the house.
MR. SHEEPSHANKS' PICTURES.
Lord MONTEAGLE moved for a copy of any cor-
respondence between her Majesty's Government and Mr
Sheepshanks respecting the gift of his collection of pie-
ores to the nation.
Lord STANLEY of ALDERLEY said it was impos-
sible to speak too highly of Mr. Sheepshanks, who had
exercised great Last Band expended a large sum of mono
in making the collection. It was a collection of some of
the choicest specimens of British art, which Mr. Sheep.
shanks, now in the full enjoyment of his health, offered
to the nation, hoping to see himself the good it might do
in improving and refining the taste of the people. The
conditions were that the collection should be placed in A
position accessible to the people, but free from dirt and
noise, and in immediate connexion with those schools of
art to which be thought it might be of great advantage.
He was anxious also that the collection should be placed
under the sole responsibility and superintendence of a
minister of the crown, and not handed over to trustees,
who might not be so responsible to public opinion. Tile
selection was the minister who presided over art edu-
cation, and in the present instance bad fallen upon
him (Lord Stanley). It would, however, soon fall
into the more worthy bands of his noble friend the
President of the Council. Mr. Sheepshanks wished
that a suitable building might be erected on the ground
in Kensington purchased by the Royal Commission
in 1851, and on which were to be erected also the
schools of art hitherto held in Marlborough-house. He
wished that a portion of the pictures might be occasion-
ally sent to the provinces and sxhibited to the working
classes. Further, it was his wieb, although be did not
make any stipulation to that effect, that the collection
should be open for a portion of each Sunday evening, in
order that men who were employed all the week might
have an opportunity of cultivating their judgment and
improving their taste. These were the simple conditions
of Mr. Sheepshanks' gift, and he wished his collection to
farm a nucleus of British art, rather than preserve any
distinctive name having reference to the donor. Mr.
Sheepshanks was fully convinced that the great Exhibi-
tion of 1851 had given a great impulse to the taste and
love of the line arts of our working cl lases, and he hoped
that his munificent gift would aid in the salutary move-
ment. He (Lord Stanley) was strongly of the same opi-
nion, and he could only repeat his admiration of this
munificent gift, so creditable to the country, and so
honourable to Mr. Sheepshanks as a citizen. He hoped
that this case would prove to those who might become
donors to the nation that there was no fear but their
gifts would be worthily housed, and duly and thankfully
appreciated by her industrious citizens. (Hear.)

THE YEOMANRY.
The Earl of POWIS moved—" That an humble ad-
dress be presented to her Majesty for a return showing
the years since 1815 in which the yeomanry have not
been assembled either for permanent duty or training
and exercise ; and ;Also copy of any circular from the
Secretary of State to the lords-lieutenant of counties as
to the assembling of the yeomanry daring the present
year."
Lord PANMURE had no objection to give the returns
asked for, and in reply to the noble lord's remarks could
assure him that he should be extremely sorry to see tpe
yeomanry dispensed with. He looked upon that corps,
as he had stated before both in that and the other house,
as an extremely valuable one, not only from the 11803
which might be made of it, but that .its mem-
bers were always desirous of making themselves ser-
viceable, both in peace and war, to their county.
But he thought that they might without impairing that
force, knowing as they did from the reports which had
been presented to Government that it was now in a mot
efficient state, dispense during the present year with
calling it out. It was of little benefit to the corps to bo
called cut, so far as its military duty was concerned.
He wished that the day was gone by when they would
need to be called out in aid of the civil power. The im-
provement in the !internal state of tranquillity of the
country, and the extra strength which the police bill f
last session had placed under the control of the civil
power, warranted him in supposing that that time had
gone by. One matter, however, deserved consideration,
and that was the question of withdrawing the contin-
gent allowance. That subject certainly ought to be re-
considered, and he would therefore promise that it should
have his careful reconsideration.
The motion was agreed to.
THE LAW OF LIBEL.
Lord CAMPBELL, who was very imperfectly heard,
was understood to present a petition praying their lord-
ships to take into consideration the present state of the

law with reference to the publication in newspapers o]
reports of the proceedings at public meetings, and con
sent to an alteration in that law, providing that the pub
lication of a fair and accurate report, without malice, o
such proceedings should not subject the publisher to a la
action for libel. The noble and learned lord said—My
lords, this is a very important subject, and very well de-
serves the consideration of your lordships sitting as a
branch of the Legislature. There came before the Court
of Queen's Bench last term, in the case of " Davison v
Duncan," the question whether all the proceedings
public meetings when bona fide published may be pub-
lished without any danger of any legal prc-
ceedings, however much they may calumniate
an individual and be injurious to private charac-
ter. I and my brethren in that court arrived without
the slightest hesitation at the conclusion that, as the law
of England now stands, there is no such immunity.
We were not at liberty to consider whether the privilege
eought for ought to be given to the press. It would
have been a most monstrous usurpation if we had de-
cided that the publication before us was not liable to an
action ; for it had been determined over and over again
by our predecessors, by whose decisions we are bound,
that if there be anything slanderous in a writing it is
subject to an action, and that it is no justification to
plead that the slanderous matter has been written or
spoken by another person: Such is the law of England
at present, and to call upon us to alter the law, if we
think it wrong, would be as preposterous as to say that
we are at fibeity to set aside the law of primogeniture
and divide the landed estate of a deceased person equally
among all his children. Our duty is to administer the
law, not to abolish or even amend it. When I had
the honour to propose in this house a bill which
afterwards became law, and which effected a most
material improvement in the law of libel, I submitted a
clause very limited in its nature—for I was afraid to go
very far—providing that any bona fide account of the pro-
ceedings of either House of Parliament should be privi-
leged, and not subject to an action. I was unable to
carry it ; there was a majority against me, because it was
said not only that the law gave no such privilege, but
that it ought not to give it. After having failed as a mem-
ber of this house to alter the law, it would have been a
breach of my duty if, sitting as a judge in a court of jus-
tice, I had declared the law to be contrary to what your
lordships had decided it to be, Your lordships may recon-
sider that decision, and, in that case, if my proposal with
respect to the proceedings of the two houses should be
again submitted I shall be glad to give it my most
ardent support. For it seems to me monstrous to say
that if there be a bona fide report of a speech in Parlia-
ment published the publisher should be liable to an ac-
tion. That is different from a case which occurred about
0 years ago, when a noble earl in this house made
speech calumniating his steward, and published it him-
self. The publication in question led to an action, because
it was not a bona fide account of the proceedings in this
house, but was intended to calumniate a private indivi-
dual ; and such an action would continue to be available

if the clause which I proposed were passed into a law
to.morrow. But while, as far as the proceedings of the
two Houses of Pailiament are concerned, I would zea-
lously support the extension of the privileges of the press,
I am not sure that I would grant the same immunity to
reports of the proceedings of all public meetings, because
to say that the publication in newspapers of whatever
is said at any public meeting, or at anything which
may he called a public meeting, should he privileged
would be going rather too far. It has been said that the
parson calumniated may bring au act'on against the
man who makes the speech ; but it must be remembered
that a speech silken is a smaller offence than one that
is published and sent all over the world. Still
lam not prepared to say that the liberty of publica-
tion should rot be extended to all public meetings under
certain limitations and restrictions, but I hold that it'
wool! be preposterous for the judges sitting on the bench
to legislate as well as to declare what the law of England
is, and I hope that such a precedent will never be estab-
lished in this country. (Hear.)

the Customs at 22,350,0001. ; the Excise, 17,450,0001. ;
stamps, 7,550,000/. ; Post-office, 3,000,000/. ; Crown
lands, 265,0001. ; miscellaneous, 1,385,0001. ; making a
total of about 62,800,0001. The extraordinary liabili-
ties of that year were 3,500,0001., being 2,000,0001. in
Exchequer Bills and 1,500,0001. for sinking fund.
Deducting that amount from the 62,800,0001. there
would be a net revenue of 59,300,800/. He would
now proceed to the year 1859-60. He estimated the
Ces'orns at a reduced sum, owing to the reduction cf
the duties on tea and sugar, and his estimate was as
follows :—Custems, 22,000,0001. ; Excise, 17,700,0001.;
stamps, 7,700,0001.; land and assessed taxes, 3,150,0001 ;
income tax, 7,150,000/. ; postage, 3,000,000/. ; crown
lands, 265,000/. ; miscellaneous, 1,300,0001. ;
making
total of 62,265,0001. Then there would be required, for
the repayment of debt, ;500,000/., and the net revenue
remaining, after that deduction, was 58,763,000?. The
expenditure in the year 1853-4-2—the year immediately
preceding the war—was 55,840,0001. According to his
estimate of the revenue and expenditure of these two
years, after discharging all liabilities, Exchequer Bonds
and sinking fund, there would remain an excess beyond the
expenditure in the last year before the war of about
3,000,0001. The whole of that 3,000,0001. became anpli •
cable to any increased charge of the army and navy or civil
servioe which might be requisite, with this single deduction
—viz., the increased interest of the debt which had been
created during the war. The liabilities were in the nature
of repayment of principal, but there was also an ankmen-
tation in the interest of debt which had been incurred
during the war that was necessary for him to account
for. In 1858-9 the addition would be 640,000/. ;in
1859-60, in consequence of the repayment of debt it
would be reduced to 510,0001. Therefore there would be
a margin of 3,000,0001., from vs hich nothing would be
taken except the payment of interest and the increase of
the army, navy, and civil service estimates from the last
year of peace. Now it seemed to him that that was a
sufficient margin for those two years. And observe this,
his estimate of revenue was not a sanguine estimate. He
had not made any large allowances for the possible in-
crease in the indirect taxes, but the committee should bear
in mind that when they removed so large a sum as about
9,000,0001. of direct taxation, they might under ordinary
circumstances reasonably expect tbat there would be an
increase in indirect taxes. He thought, unless it could be
shown that there was some error in this estimate, that he
had proved there would be sufficient revenue for the
years 1858-9, 1859-60. That, as he understood, was the
point to which the resolution of the right hon. gentleman
was directed, and it seemed to him it would be more con-
venient to discuss the question at present, now that they
were in committee of supply, rather than wait for the
report being brought up.
Mr. GLADSTONE entirely acceded to the propriety
of the resolution, but with regard to the statement of his
right bon, friend, it appeared to him to properly belong
to the speech they had from him on Friday night, and it
was only from the great circuit he had then to make,
and the quantity of matter he had to lay before the
house, which prevented his laying this estimate before
them when he laid before them the others. He should
therefore only, so far as he was concerned, say that he
could not as at present advised accept the cheering pros•
pect which his right hon. friend had held out to them.
He should say that the same consideration which in-
duced them to postpone the discussion on Friday night,
would induce them to postpone the discussion to-night.
He would therefore, as they were to have an opportunity
of discussion, resery e himself.
Sir F. BARING remarked that the charge for col-
lecting the renenue was 4,215,0001., which, with 440,0001.
for the Coast-guard service, made an increase of 532, 0001.
He asked, if the charge for collecting the revenue was
increased 532,000/. ?
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said
the estimate of the expenditure for the collection of the
revenue in 1857-8 was 4,215,0001. Then there was
transferred to it, for the first time this year, the super-
annuation of the revenue department, 475,0001-
Mr. T. M. GIBSON asked whether it was intended
to lay on the table any statement of the expenses to be
incur, ed in the Persian war during the next year ? They
ha got the expense to be incurred up to the let of
April, but no estimate o! any further expense. He also
wished to know whether they were to have any estimate
of the expenditure now going on with respect to the
China war.

Their I,,rdshlps adjourned at half-pact 6 o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—(YESTERDAY.)
SAVINGS BANKS.
The CLIANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER gave
notice that to-morrow he should move for leave to bring
in a bill rtlative to savings banks, and to provide for
the establishment of those institutions on the security of
Government.

NEW WRIT.
On the motion of Mr. HAYTER a new writ was
erdered for the borough of C.,',lnter, in the room of
Lord John Manners, who has accepted the office of
Steward of the Hundred of Hempenholme.
SUPPLY—EXCHEQUER BONDS.
On the motion of the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER,
the order of the day for the house going into committee
of supply was then read.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, before
moving that the Speaker do leave the chair, said it might
be convenient if he stated, for the information of those
members who might not be familiar with the somewhat in-
tricate rules of the house on the subject of money votes, the
course which he proposed to pursue with regard to the vote
which he intended to propose. The act under which the
Exchequer Bonds were borrowed contained a proviso
authorising the money secured by such bonds to be re-
paid out of such money as should be provided for by Par-
liament, and Government could not be provided with the
means of paying the 2,000,0001. Exchequer Bonds now
due without going through the forms of the house ; first,
by vote in committee of supply ; next, by a vote in com-
mittee of ways and means ; and, thirdly, by a Ways
and Means Act, covering the original vote of supply and
the vote of ways and means. The national faith was
pledged to the payment of these Exchequer Bonds, and
he did not anticipate that the house would resort to the
plan of disoharging their obligation by re-bonding. The
statement which he made on Friday last was in committee
of supply, and was contrary to the usual practice of -
making such statements, and he concluded with a mo-
ti m for a committee of supply for the payment of these
2,000,0001. Exchequer Bonds, and that was the only mo'
tion which he intended to proposein the present committee.
For the convenience of the house he had circulated on Fri-
day
last his resolutions on the income tax, together with
the scale of duties which he intended to propose on tea
and sugar. By some accident, for which he was not re-
sponsible, these resolutions were not printed as a sepa-
rate paper, but were mixed up with the votes. They
were now printed correctly. He mentioned tais for the
purpose of guarding the house against these resolutions
in committee of supply. They could only be moved in
committee of wa s and means. Whenever the house
should agree to the resolution relating to Exchequer
bonds, it would be competent to them to appoint a com-
mittee of ways and means, and then he should have the
opportunity of submitting his resolutions to the house.
The right hon. gentleman concluded by movirg that the
Speaker do now leave the.chair.
Mr. DISRAELI said there was a c =mon understand-
ing on Friday nigl.t that on the present occasion an op-
portunity would be afforded of discussing the proposi-
tions of the Government, and if necessary of taking the
sense of the house on those propositions ; and in look-
kg at the votes on Saturday morning he observed the
reto:utione to which the right hon. gentleman bad
alluded, which, if brought forward as then announced,
would have afforded the opportunity of considering the
financial arrangement of the Government. But on com-
ing down to the house to-day he found that the paper
had been changed ; and, although he accepted without
the ilighteet hesitation the account of the inadvertence
which bad been given by the right hon. gentleman, still
it must be admitted that great inconvenience bad arisen
from the mistake. (Hear, hear.) It appeared to him
extremely desirable that an early opportunity should be
given to the house to enter upon this discussion.
(Cheers ) If the resolution respecting the Exchequer
Bonds should he now agreed to, it might he reported
to-morrow, and then an opportunity might be afforded
of considering the financial propositions which bad been
submitted by the right hon. gentleman. If that course
should meet the views of the Government, he would
take the opportunity of moving as an amendment the
resolution which he now begged to read to the house :
" That in the opinion of this house it would be
expedient, before sanctioning the financial arrange-
ments for the ensuing year, to adjust the estimated in-
come and expenditure in the manner which shall appear
best calculated lo secure the country against the risk of a
deficiency in the years 1858-9 and 1859-60, and to provide
such a balance of revenue and charge respectively in the
year 1860 as may place it in the power of Parliament at
that period, without embarrassment to the revenue, alto-
gether to remit the income tax." It was his intention
to propose that resolution on the report being brought
up, and then the discussion on the whole budget could
take place. (near, hear.)
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said if
the right hon. gentleman preferred to make a statement
at once the house would be quite ready to hear him.
Sir J. PAKINGTON apprehended that it was not in
the power of his right hon. friend to move any amend-
ment in committee of supply.
The SPEAKER said that if there was a committee of
ways and means the resolution might be moved, but in
committee of supply, according to the rules of the house,
no such resolution could be moved. (Hear.)
• Mr. GLADSTONE understood that the right hon.
gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer did not in-
tend to move any resolution in committee of supply, ex-
cept that relating to the Exchequer Bonds. It would
fellow, therefore, that the navy estimates would stand
over until a future evening. (Hear, hear, and No, no.)
That was at the root of the whole matter. (Hear.) He
was not prepared to vete for the Speaker leaving the
chair in order that the house should have an opportunity
of considering fully the financial proposals of the Go-
vernment. (Hear, hear.) He should be sorry to sit
down, because if lie were to do so he should have no
power of addressing the house again. (" Hear, hear,"
and laughter.) Ile was, therefore, unwilling to lose or
surrender the 'vantage ground until he could ascertain
how the matter stood. (Hear.) Under present circum-
stances it appeared to him that the subjects of supply
and of ways and means were, for the purposes of debate,
essentially the same. The Government with perfect pro-
priety, iu deft retie° to the sense of the house, had con-
nected these subjects in the statement of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer. It seemed to him, therefore, to be a
fair demand on the part of hon. members that they should
have the power of discussing the question as a whole. That
demand he ventured to make with all due respect and
humility, but with as much urgency and conviction of
duty as any demand which he had over made. It was
essential to the right discharge of the duties of hon. mem-
bers, with regard to the finances of the country, that
there should be an opportunity of fully discussing the
propositions of the Government, and he apprehended
if
that it was beyond the possibility of doubt that they
proceeded to take any vote upon the navy estimates they
would lose the opportunity of discussing the whole
scheme. He for one could not consent to the Speaker
leaving the chair for the purpose of plug intocommittee
of supply, unless it should be distinctly understood that
the exchequer bills resolution was the only one then to
be moved.
Lord J. RUSSELL trusted that before the question
was put the Government would declare whether they in-
tended at once to go into the navy estimates or not. It
appeared to him that the proposition of the right hon.
gentleman the member for the University of Oxtord was
a very reasonable one, and he did not conceive how the
house could, with any propriety, go into the navy esti-
mates and vote several large sums, and then come down,
on another occasion and discuss the question of the
general expenditure. If a proposition should be made
to go into the navy estimates, he should feel it his duty
to propose to the house the adoption of such a course as
would induce it to resume. (Hear.)
Lord PALMERSTON said. as such a course did not
appear to be palatable to the house he would not take the
navy estimates that night.
The house then went into committee, Mr. FrrzßoY in
the chair.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER moved
the following resolution :—That a sum not exceeding
2,000,0001. be granted to her Majesty to pay off and dis-
charge Exchequer Bonds issued under the provisions of
the act 17th of Vic., c. 22, and dated the Bth of May,
1854, which will be due and payable on the Bth of May,
1857.
The motion was agreed to.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER before
proceeding to offer to the committee an explanation with
reference to the terms of the motion, of which notice
had been given by the right hon. gentleman opposite
(Mr. Disraeli), wished to advert to a point to which
the right hon. gentleman (Mr. Gladstone) ref erred on
Friday night. The right hon. gentleman then asked
whether he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had in-
cluded in his estimate of the taxes remitted in 1853 the
sum of 165,0001., the loss consequent on the change of
the law with regard to bills of exchange. That amount
was accurately stated and included in his allowance.
There was, however, one sum, being the produce of the
reduction of the assessed taxes of 1854, which he had
nocluded in the taxes remitted in 1853, and which ought
not to have been included in the total, inasmuch as the
charge was announced in 1853. Therefore the amount
which he had mentioned ought to be rectified by the
omission of 220,0001. He now came to what he under-
stood to be the material point raised by the resolution of
the right hon. gentleman, as to the supposed deficiency
of the revenue for the two years after the ensuing y
be created by the financial plan which he had submitted
t
eclo
to the house on Friday last. He did not understand that
any allegation was made that the estimated revenue for
the ensuing year, beginning April 1, was likely to be de-
ficient. What he gathered was that his financial arrange-
ments would cause a deficiency of revenue as compared
with the expenditure in the years 1853-9 and 1859-60.
Now, he held in his hand the best estimates which he
had been able to make of the revenue and expen diturb
of these years, according to the plan which he
btai a tue d
mitted to the house. For the year 18589 he es --131
s!

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied
that it was not the intention of Government to present
any estimate of the expenditure in the Persian war
from the Ist of April, inasmuch as at present there
was no data on which to found an estimate. At
present negotiations were proceeding in Paris, and
her Majesty's,Government had reason to hope that those
negotiations would prove satisfact xy. If that should to
the case there would be no expenditure incurred for the
year beyond that which would be connected with the
expedition. With regard to China there was no expen-
diture beyond that of the ordinary expenditure of the
ships at the station.
Mr. T. M. GIBSON said expenditure was going on
without the authority of Parliament. He asked whether,
as no estimate could be prepared, the Chancellor of the
Exchequer would not, at least, ask fcr a vote of credit,
in order that the subject might come before them.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER replied
that as soon as there was any prospect of an extraordi-
nary expenditure being required it would be the duty of
the Government to come to the house for a vote.
Mr. DISRAELI said that it would be convenient if
they could come to a clear understanding on what day
they were to have a discussion on the vbole of the
financial arrangements. If, for example, they c aell under-
stand that on Friday the Chancellor of the Exchequer
would go into acommittee of ways and means, he would
if convenient then move his resolution.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said that
it was not competent to the house to appoint a com-
mittee of ways and means until the report was brought
up ; therefore to-morrow was the earliest day at which
it could be appointed. He should be prepare-1 on Fri-
day, in committee of ways and means, to propose the
resolution on the Income tax, and also the resolution on
the tea and sugar duties.

Sir H. WILLOUGHBY supposed that a large
amount of Exchequer Bonds were held by the Commis-
sioners for the R'duction of the National Debt. He
should like to know what amount was so held, and whe-
ther any stock had been sold to purchase those bonds ?
TLe CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
would, in order to prevent any inaccuracy, answer that
question on Friday. He could state in general terms
that about 2,000,0001. of the bonds were held by the
commissioners.

The resolution was then agreed to, and the house re-
sumed.

CHIEF CONSTABLES BILL.
On the order of the day for the second reading of this

1.1111.
Colonel BUCK remarked that the mayors of the dif-
ferent boroughs ought to have the right of deliberating
and voting with the magistrates on the appointment of
the chief constables.
Sir G. GREY said that that subject did not come
within the scope of the present bill, which was merely a
measure to facilitate the object of the original act.
The bill was then read a second time.
ROYAL MARINE FORCES BILL.
This bill passed through committee.
HEALTH OF TOWNS BILL.
On the motion of Mr. Cowrxit, leave was given to
bring in a bill to confirm certain provisional orders of the
General Board of Health applying the Public Health
Act, 1848, to the districts of Ipswich, Oldbury, Stroud,
Llangollen, and Dakinfield, and to alter the constitu-
tion of the Local Board of Health for the main sewer-
age district of Wisbech and Walsoken.
PUBLIC MONEYS.
On the motion of Sir F. BARING, the following bon.
members were nominated as a select committee on pub-
lic moneys :—Sir Francis Baring, Mr. Henley, Mr.
Williams, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Bowyer, Mr. Hankey, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir James Graham, Sir
Henry Willoughby, Mr. Peacocke, Mr. James M`Gre-
gor, Lord Starley, Mr. Cardwell, and Mr. Geo. Alex-
ander Hamilton.