The Sun.
London, England, 1844-02-06 00:00:00

MERCHANT SEAMEN'S FUND.

Mr. W. GLADSTONE, in rising to move for a Se-
lect Committee to inquire into the Merchant Seamen's
Fund, said that it was essential that some steps should
be taken with regard to this body. It was a subject of
eonsiderable difficulty, and one which called for the most
serious attention. There were two reasons which • in-
duced her Majesty's Government to call for a Select
Committee, the first of which was, that the subject had
been before a Select Committee already, and they would,
consequently, have the assistance and advice of many
gentlemen who had previously turned their attention
to the matter; and next, that the seamen were a class of
men who had the strongest claims upon their sympathies,
and were of all others the least likely, from their habits,
to bring their grievances before Parliament
Mr. LABOUCHERE said he could not agree with
the Right Hon. Gentleman -as to the necessity of ap-
pointing this Committee,' inasmuch as one had sat
before upon the same subject. When he (Mr. Labou-
chere) held the same office as that occupied by the Right
Hon. Gentleman he thought it was right that the matter
should undergoinvestigation before the Government
proceeded to, legislate upon it ; but in the present in-
stance the matter had been already considered by a
Committee of this House, who published a 'most vo-
luminous report, and made distinct proposals, recom-
mending an alteration in the law affecting this fund.
Sir C. NAPIER was glad that the Right Hon. Gen-
tleman had taken up this matter, and if his suggestion
or assistance could be of any use to that Right Hon.
Gentleman be should be most happy to act as one of the
Committee.
Mr. GLADSTONE explained.

After a few words from- Mr. RICE,

Mr. HUME said that he had a number of petitions on
the subject. The people of Montrose and other sea-
port towns were anxious to be allowed to lay their
grievances before the Committee. That was their re-
quest. He had no objection to the Committee, but he
hoped there would be legislation on the Subject next
session.—The motion was then agreed to.

EXPENSES OF PRINTING.
Sir GEORGE CLERK moved that the following
gentlemen be a Select Committee to assist Mr.
Speaker in all matters- which relate to the printing
executed by order of this House, and for the
purpose of selecting and arranging for printing re-
turns and papers presented in pursuance of motions
made by Members of this House, which may be referred
to the said Committee : —Sir George Clerk, Sir Robert
Efarry Inglis, Mr. Pusey, Mr. Vernon Smith, Mr.
Strutt, Viscount Mahon, Mr. Tufnell, ' Mr. Patrick
Stewart, and Mr. Hume :—Power to send for persons,
papers, and records ; five to be the quorum.
Mr. HUME said, he had last session moved for re-
turnsof the expense of printing each document, but they
had not been laid on the table of the House. He con-
sidered there was great laxity and delay somewhere
connected with this subject. The expense of every
document ought to be printed with the document itself.
He did not wonder, from the mode in which the business
was managed, that the expense of printing now amounted
to 170,0001. or 180,000/.
Sir GEORGE CLERK could assure the Hon. Gentle-
man there was no wish to delay the returns he moved
for,.but there was great trouble in
.making them out.
Mr. HUME thought it was as easy, to make out the
cost of each book, and bring it with the book itself, as
it was to bring penny rolls, and the price at which they
were sold.

The motion was then agreed to, and the House ad-
journed at Seven o'Clock.

CHILDBIRTH IN THE SNow.—Shortly before five
o'clock on Friday -morning, whilst the snow was fast falling,
as a police-constable, of the 0 division was going his rounds,
near Marylebone workhouile, New-road, he heard a moan
proceed from one of the gardens attached to the houses op-
posite that establishment, and, on close inspection, found a
poor woman lying in the snow, together with a living infant,
of which she had just been. delivered. • The constable imme-
diately ran to ,thn Marylebone Infirmary, and gave informa-
tion to Tebutt, the porter, who lost no time in conveying it
to Mrs. Walsh, the matron. Blankets and an easy chair
'were- at once provided, and carried to the spot where
the poor creature laid, and she and her offspring having
been wrapped up, were at once conveyed to the work-
house, where, after receiving prompt medical attendance,
they were placed in bed ; and yesterday both mother and
child were found to be doing well. • At the time of the oc-
currence, the poor woman was on her way to Queen Char-
lotte's Lying-in Hospital, where, by the regulations, females
are not admitted until the very last hour, when their ac-
couchement is likely to take place.
DRY Humoua.—An Irish post-boy, having driven
a gentleman a long stage during torrents of rain, the gen-
tleman drily said. to Paddy, " Are you not very weti--1"
" Arrah ! I don't care about being very wet, but place your
honour I'm very dry.'