The Sun.
London, England, 1844-07-15 00:00:00

He would now give notice that on clause 38 he would
move that every district board should appoint within
the said district at least one chaplain of the
Established Church as one of the paid officers
of such district, who should be empowered to superin-
tend the religious instruction of the infant po ir, under
the control of such district board.
Strangers were then ordered to withdraw, and the
Committee divided, when there appeared—
For the clause lO7
Against it 1
Majority in favour of the clause —lO6
Mr. WAKLEY gave notice that as soon as the
Speaker should resume the chair, he would call the at-
tention of the House to something which had passed in
the course of debate.
Lord JOHN MANNERS, in relation to the division,
explained that he was the unfortunate person who had
gone out alone into the lobby on the division.
Sir J. GRAHAM moved that the Chairman should
report progress, and ask leave to sit again on Monday,
at twelve o'clock. lie proposed that the Committee
should rise at four on Monday.
Mr. FERRAND had given notice of a motion, that
children under seven years of age should not be sepa-
rated from their parents, but as it was useless to pro-
pose any motion if the Government were determined to
oppose it, he would, if the Right Hon. Gentleman stated
that he should not agree to it, not take the trouble of
proposing it, as it would be perfectly useless.,
The House then resumed, and the CNAIRMAN re-
ported progress.
On the motion that the Committee have leave to sit
again on Monday at Twelve,
Mr. WAKLEY rose and spoke as follows :—I have
been a Member of this House for nine years, and during
that time, I don't recollect that any Hon. Mem-
ber has indulged in any personal insinua-
tion against me. My object has always been
to confine myself to the question before the House, and
never to utter a single word that should give any indi-
vidual pain. I cannot say that always such conduct has
been extended to me. On one occasion only have I
complained; but when matters connected with my pri-
vate life are touched upon—when imputations have
been cast upon me which I believe to be ill-founded—
it is my duty to ask for some explanation. It occurred
to me to make some remarks upon the state of education
in the rural districts, I alluded particularly to Norfolk
and Suffolk. I think I also mentioned Middlesex, so that
I made ,no invidious distinction. I had no intention,
in the remarks which I made, of reflecting on any Hon.
Member, or on the sesoriexions of any Hon. Member.
—(Cheers.) (The lion. Member was here considerably
affected, and paused for a minute.) He then continued.
I have had during my life my difficulties to contend with,
I came to this town an unknown man, and had to
fight my own battles.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) I
have reared a largo family of children. I have
to complain of the remarks which the Honourable
Member for Norfolk made in reply to my observations.
The language which the Hon. Member for Norfolk used
in the conclusion of his speech was this No one
is more capable to give an opinion on the subject
of incendiarism than the Honourable Member for
Finsbury himself." Now, Sir, it is too hor-
rible to suppose that any one, especially a Mem-
ber of the House, meant directly to accuse me of
incendiarism, and it is horrid to suppose that any
gentleman should do so without being
,prpyoked. by
anything I have said. I know, Sir, that every'niatt'who
has been engaged in the work of reform, as I have been,
must be prepared for attacks on his public- character.
But I was not prepared to expect an unfair attack on my
private character.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, I never fought
a battle unfairly in my life.—(Hear, hear.) Sir, there
is not an act of my life, from the first moment of my
existence, that I would not court inquiry into.
And if any gentleman desires to go into
the investigation, I will give him every facility in my
power for pursuing the inquiry in the most minute
manner. But, Sir, if I did not dare to ask for an expla-
nation of these words, I could not dare to enter into
this House again.—(Cheers.) Sir, I am quite ready to go
into an inquiry of the matter to which it is possible the
words of the Hon. Member might refer. I have nothing
to fear from the inquiry, but I have everything to fear
from the unanswered imputation, which is the foulest
calumny that ever was cast upon the character of man.
I do not want to make this a matter of private
quarrel, but I have a right to ask the Honourable
Member what meaning he. attached to those words
when he applied them to me. And before
I receive the answer, I will state the circumstances
connected with the transaction to which the Hon. Mem-
ber's observation seemed to apply. I was attacked in
my own house, which was on fire. I brought an action
against the insurance company. Lord Tenterden
was my judge, and every farthing for which
I went against the company was awarded
by the jury, and was paid to me—(Loud cheers)—
and one of the jurors, who was himself a proprietor in
the company, after the trial, joined my friends, and joined
with them in paying my expenses, as between attorney
and client. That fact was stated in the public newspapers
at the time. Sir, I suffered very much then, and have
since suffered much from the aspersions which have
been cast upon me. I trust that the House will not
think that I have trespassed unnecessarily on its time.—
(Cheers.) I have made this appeal with the greatest pain,
but I do, not throw myself on the humanity or considera-
tion of the House but upon its sense of justice—(Hear,
hear, and cheers)—and therefore I call on the Honour.
able Member for Norfolk t7O state the meaning in
which he used these words—(Hear, hear)—and I ask
him further, for my sake, not to shirk the subject ; but
if he knows anything injurious to my character, to state
it without reservation.—(The Hon. Member sat down
amidst loud cheering.)
Mr. WODEHOUSE said—l rejoice that I have af-
forded the Hon. Gentleman an opportunity Of giving a
distinct. explanation °Da subject; whiehlias so long re-
mainedin doubt. I have no hesitation in stating that I did'
refer to the occurrence upon which the Hon. Gentleman
has given the explanation ; and I do feel it to be my
bounden duty to tender him an apology on these
grounds, and on these grounds only. The Right =Hon.
Gentleman has stated in the face of the House,
that there was not a single fact connected with that
transaction which has not been brought before a court
of justice, and satisfactorily determined. Having made
this apology, I may be permitted, Sir, to tell the Hon.
Gentleman, and those with whom he acts, and those who
take the same course that he does, that they' are too
lavish in accusing landlords and their tenantry of selfish-
ness ; and I take this opportunity of declaring that
these aspersions are such that we are not able to bear
them any longer. I hope the House is satisfied with
what I have stated.—(Hear, hear.)
The question was then put that the House resolve
itself into a Committee on the Poor-laws on Monday, at
Twelve o'clock.--Agreed to.
The House then adjourned.. .

SPIRIT 'of the PUBLIC JOURNALS.

FROM THE EVENING PAPERS OP SATURDAY. •
GLOBE.-The proceedings 'of the past week in the two
llouses.,have been very miscellaneous; and none of then' of
markedinipertance. Progress has been made in irnportan tßills,
the discussion on which offer no lively feature; and on'the
-other hand, unimportant matters have called forth some corrsi-
iderable excitement. . Mr. Gladstone has secured the carrying of
"his Railways and Joint-stock Companies Bil is—th e former after
a debate 'occimying two nights, in which the subject has been
treated with great ability by Members on both sides, and
after consenting to some material alterationg. Further
progress has been made with the Poor-law Bill in Com-
mittee ; and after
,some opposition to a proposal to meet:
again to :day 'to proceed with the :Committee; Sir Ro-
bert Peel made out so' alarming a case of probability
that the session -might yet last. long enough to inter-
•fere with .grouse-shooting, as at once to silence opposi-
tion; and the house of. Commons is accordingly vigo-
rously at werk; as we write, clearing the way for:timely en-
joyment of the moors. The Bank Charter Bill has gone through
Committee in the Lords ; and Lord Powis has formally with-
drawn the St. Asepli and Bangor Bill, but not without strong
protests against the conduct of the Government :in relation
to the Bill,.even from some Peers' WhO had; joined with the.
Governinent in Opposing it on ifs Merits.. The condemna-
tion of Clanriearde, a general opponent of the Go-
trernment," was not more strong than
.that of Lord
Mountedgecumbe, one of their best. and trustiest friends.
An opposition of a very unusual character to the Die
centers' Chapels Bill is threatened to be renewed in the
'course of next week, on-the question of agreeing to the coins
mons' amendments ; and it appearS that. Members of- the
House of Lords who had previously supported the Bill have
since changed tirair opinions, and are to join. in this unusual
mode of opposition ; hut we rejoice to know that the opposi-
tion wilt be fruitless; and the Bill is safe. •
STAXDABD.:---,We haVe copied from the Morning Hero&
a valuable statement' (in continuation) of the comparative
strength of the British " arid French navies. The /braid
had pre#ionSly 'given the `atatement of the ships of
the line - rkipiottiVely belonOng to the two .nations.
We entirely dencur, in the hope! expressed by :our
morning contemporary,' . that such a statement will
not be misozderstood .."prOtimted -.14Y arrogance, or
by any. ether than,. the wish.: to ,satisfy the
eouatry; that the great aefeheeof the Britii/xempire is
.not
neglected hits rulers. At hane indeed the-exhibition. is in
no danger oet,t4,tig, proactive of au thing but good; with
its it is proverbiantat ":strong men begin no brawls;" for it
is its Diglishman's inatir4.'t• 'always to repose upon, .the
consciottitiiia of. strength' and ;uperiority, not
,to exer-
cise them. ; 'lfFe confident that the first conclusion
drawn nine-teriiii4 of the readers of the article
referred t,o ,'bas 'been ii,omething like this--Nell,
thank lleavcn, there is little (biog.ac of war with any Euro
repeats -
pdiver, for aniether thirty years- only when, the
safety of fs CO
`tintry; Or' it honour,; see' Ins; ;to bsl jn doubt,
*that the rnel,ihmati is iineaak kr irritable. 1/or .are we
very apt to, talcs alarm. upon kiits4. grounds., lyhen,.
four years Aigo,.:K. • viers- took eceas‘on to pick a
quarrel with us" itird took easures for placing about
one million :and a quarter •of huit: under arins, the
most perfect calm-"and good humour' ptwailed in Ens-.
land—end' even' .tow wa'f,Ontemnlate without the leaat.dis,
satisfaction, a French standing a ply, of 600,900 Alen ;---not.
certainly underrating the military erti4enei of the g44at
people whb so latety Gverkan the continent 01 E4kope, 1114
contidenVirf the good sense a ins, intelligent' ciassgs,.
they will reit allov the 'resources of tog country to
.kl
again sqiiandered in conquests that must boo from
natuta of things, but teroi;ckary, and therefore useless. -pit
__truth- is, that we have icing cdased p regard, our neighbours
as natural enemies; how hardly soever seine of them may
wasiontsrly speak of us, " OR the other hand, WA 1 fOlr
that s, are natural allies Li. the. most .sacred 4;141.
worldly se.rvipes,. tale service vi ejlqpiation 81144
liberl,2 In this 42;1-ice each country: liar retAva4 ..fr.OW•
Providence its peculiar t44...4-4.0n,--explainc4 in its! special
capabilitief--Fran to protect ttO ;therfir and the cirilis4r
tion of Europe, by her mlrnerous and high7spfrite4 popula-
tkat ; but England on the 0007
,i(1.3 may say 0 4# 4,0444:t.
-- hour . . •
";ion itnp4riam pelagi sceyumque triaenteni; •
Bed milli song klatunT;"
England claims by her gewiroprge4xilai t
her naval
analpodwetor, and het'
innate love of freedom, to
through gentle means the ruder portion rof the human
race. It is impossible to overrate the blessing to the
whole of mankln4 of the eniriste' cordiale between
'England and :~ranee, at *Mel some of • the inceti,-
spy ppir in Paris - Affect to iv #4)
and- aboiit NtiPh • our English- Incendliiiiimr:
facetious. . 'This ententS car4ialei hoWever, ' can long utigkrt
only between equals treating each other as equals; 'and cer-
tsiinly wiA be mot. iec4re ul, 0404 Qt ikerainoM9Wing the