The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-13 00:00:00

INIPERIAL PAR LI A DIEN 1.1

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THIS DAT.
The SPEARED. took the Chair at 12 o'clock.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (METRIC SYSTEM)
BILL.
Mr. B WART moved the second reading of this bill,
the object of which was to legalise the metric system in
weights and measures. The hon. member referred to the
bills that had been introduced and considered in former
sessions of Parliament, and said that whenever inquiry had
been made relative to the desirability of adopting an uni-
form system of weights and measures for commercial pur-
poses, the un tnimous opinion was invariably in favour of
the metric system of decimals and subdivisions. It had
been urged that the great inconvenienoo which would
result from any extensive change iu the present system of
weights and measures was a satlicieut reason not to adopt
the metric system, but be thought such an objection was
not suilkient. A slight inconvenience no doubt would for
a short time take plac,., but the great result would be an
enormous extension of the trade of this country. The
metric system was ia full force in upwards of 20 countries,
whore it gave universal satisfaction.

GItAVES seconded the inot:on. He was one who
was fully convinced of the absurdity of the present plan
of weig'ats and measures iu use in England, and
the simplicity and beauty of the metric system. It
would lhe a matter of the greatest importance
to this cluntry with respect to the extension
of its commerce if one uniform system was adopted. The
system was now in full operation in various countries, and
it worked with an ease and clearness that spoke highly in,
its favour. lt had been adopted by the Goveim-
ment of France_ in their various official de-
partments, and America was now only wai'.,ing
for this country to make the change, in order that, that
great and oxteusiv) country might follow our exsar.ple.
Mr. B. HOPE opposed the motion. Ha raid the
house was now asked to adopt a plan of vpoights and
measure; called tho metric system, without a clear
description and definition having been given to the house
as to what the system really was. The bill proposed to
abolish a system which everybody clearly understood, and
to substitute in its place one of a complies 'cod sytem of deci-
mals. It was, ho did not deny, one for facilitating calculation,
but applied to the purposes of everyday life of the poor
man, who would be baffled and more deceived than he was
at present. It might be all very well for the merchant
princes of Liverpool and other great towns who could
afford to keep clerks to attend to their account; but to
make it penal for a poor man because he did not know the
value of a decigramme, was going too far. He moved
that the bill be read a second time that day six months.
Mr. P. URQUHART supported the second reading of
the bill.

Mr. CAVE agreed that it would not forcibly alter the
system of weights and measures. Although the change
from the old system to that of the new could not be made
suddenly and at once, yet he did not sea how a double
standard could work ill during the time the other was in
process, becoming familiar to the public at large. Before
any final change was decided upon a great deal of
thought and consideration would be required, and
therefore he should not feel disposed to give his as-
sent to the second reading of the bill upon the understand-
jug that it would not go into committee until a special
report had been made, which of course could not be
during the present session.
Mr. M. GIBSON having spoken in favour of the adop-
tion of the metric system,
The house divided, when there appeared—
For the second reading
Against it
Majority —152
OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY BILL.
Mr. COLERIDGE moved the second reading of this
bill, the object of which was to place Dissenters and all
persons professing the Christian faith on the same footing'
us members of the Church of England in regard to fellow-
ships and educational benefits of the Universities of Oxford
and Cambridge. The hon. member entered ie to a lengthened
argument to show the justice of his proposal, which could
not but be of benefit to all classes of her Majesty's subjects,
as well as to further the influence and heighten the respo,:t
in which the ancient universities were at present held.
Mr. WALPOLE, as an amendment, moved that the bill
be read a second time that day six months. The colleges
had always been in connection with the Church of Eng-
land, and a greater blow could not be given to them than
to pass the bill brought forward by the hon. and learned
gentleman.

- Mr. WINTERBOTTO3I said the alteration in the pre-
sent bill proposed in the Act of Uniformity was merely
an act of justice to Dissenters, and nothing more. Re
hoped the House would give the hill a second reading.,
Sir W. lIEATHCOTE strongly condemned the bill.
Mr. HUBBARD also opposed the bill, the passing of
which would be prejudicial to the established faith of tile
country.
Mr. POWELL was speaking in opposition to the bill at
a quarter to six, at which hour the debate cease in ac-
cordance with the standing order.
The Jurors' Affirmation (Scotland) Bill was read a
second time.

The Customs and Income Tax Bill passed through com-
mittee, and was reported without amendments.
THE IRISH CHURCH.

Mr. GLADSTONE moved for leave to introduce
a bill to prevent for a lengthened time applications
to the Church of Ireland, and to restrain for the same
period the proceedings of the Ecclesiastical Com-
missioners for Ireland. (Cheers.)

-Mr. NEWDEGATE and Col. KNox rose together,
the latter- gave way, and the hon. member for
Warwickshire said I feel it my duty to object to
the right bon. member bringing in a bill at that
particular hour, especially as it was one of the
nature referred to in her Majesty's answer to the
address of the house.

The SPEAKER said, if the hon. member objects
the right hon. gentleman must, by the rules of the
house, apply for leave to-morrow.

The house then adjourned.

MARKETS.—(Z his Day.)

CORN.

This weather maintain 3 prices, and with favourable ac.
counts of the growing crops, buyers operate with undimi-
nished caution. On the other hand, the farmers do not
offer any but scanty supplies, and prices of Eng-
lish produce are consequently free from any appre-
ciable depression. Holders of foreign were also firm
owing to the supplies to come forward between this and
harvest being regarded as by no means in excess of actual
requirements. Although, therefore, a slight decline is
occasionally observable, there is no general depression.
Al Mark-lane to-day the attendance was small, and the
trade slow. Scarcely any English wheat fresh up, and
rates firm.

Foreign in moderato supply, and sparingly purchased at
the partial &cline of is noticed on Monday.

Flour dull at lute rates.
Barley, beaus, and peas move off in retail at unaltered

pricer.

Oats maintain thoir value, but sell slowly.
COLONIAL AND FOREIGN PRODUCE.

&MAR.—The market is firm, with a good inquiry for
floating cargoes, and the rates paid fully maintain the re-
cent quotations of 27s 6d to 2;s 9d for No. 12 Ilavannah.
On the spot the demand is steady for grocery, and mode-
rate for refining sugar.

COFFEE.—A steady business is passing without appre-
ciable change in prices.
TEA.—The public sales of Indian tea have finished up
at moderate rates for fine and full prices for common
grades.

Rms.—Prices aro maintained at auction ;1,365 bagsgood
white Bengal sold at 15s 3d per cwt.
GINGER is in steady request at late moderate prices ;
131 barrels 83 bags Jamaica sold at 335 to 45s for dark
to fair, bright small, 54, cases middling small Cochin sold
at 40s. ; 80 cases good middling bought in at 50s to 50s
3 barrels green bought in at 23s per cwt.
l'lmmiro quiet. 26 bags ordinaay greyish sold at 2d
to lid.

TALLOW.
Tho market is quiet at 43s 6d spot, 135 3d Juno, lis 3d
last three months.

COTTON.
lavEnrooL, May 13.—Sales probably 10,000 bales. Mar-
ket slightl Lunar, generally / higher.

The Price of Gold.

The quotation of gold at Paris is about at par, and
t_►e short exchange on London is 25f. 170. per X 1 sterling.
un (simpering these rates with the English Mint price of
,is. 10icL per ounce for standard gold, it appear that
gold is at ittlJut the same price in Paris and LondOO.

OPENING OF A NEW RAILWAY.—A new line Of
railway, unimportant in a commercial aspect, but which
will be welcome to the tourist and the sportsman, was
opened yesterday. The line is that of the Tees Valley,
alma nine or ten miles in length, which joins the Stockton
and Darlington Railway near Barnard Castle, and goes
to within a short distance of the celebrated High Pi:Tee, a
magnificent waterfall. The scenery in the neighbourhood
is some of the most picturesque in England; while the
long stretches of moorland, on which grouse abound, which
extend into Westmoreland will afford ample pastime for
the sportsman.
THE POISON OF THE COBRA.—An extensive series
of experiments has recently been conducted in India by Dr.
Shortt to test the efficacy of a large number of reputed an-
tidotes to the poison of the cobra. These antidotes have
been brought forward by claimants for the prize of 1,750
rupees offered by the Maharajah of Travancore for the dis-
covery of a specific, but not ems of them has been found
to possess any counteracting influence over the rapid and
deadly action of the poison. In consequence of communi-
cationsany real antidote
which he has received from various parts of Europa,
Dr. Shortt has made arrangements with Dr. Tilbury Foe
to yv-
ieewxpeorf4uents discoveringwh rdclta
ieh
may
be
made
in
En
which may bo in the possession of any one in Europe.l
Dr. Fox has been supplied with an ample stock of
active
poison, both in the liquid and crystalline form, for the
purpose. Dr. Shortt will finally test the virtues of y
spay which may possibly bo Glincpygod. any