The Sun.
London, England, 1845-02-04 00:00:00

condemnatory of indirect taxation, which pressed par-
tiall4, on the community, and recommending the total
abolition of indirect taxation, end the substitution
of direct taxation in its stead. The Hon. Member also
gave notice of his intention to move, when the sessional
orders should be brought forward, that all Committees
on private Bills should consist of five Members, to be
selected by the Committee of Selection, neither of whom
should have, either publicly or privately, directly or in-
directly, any interest in the subject matter of the
Bill.—(Hear, hear.) The Hon. Member also gave
notice that, when the sessional orders should be moved,
he intended to draw the attention of the House to the
expediency of sitting by day instead of by night, and of
commencing their sittings at one o'clock in the morning
—(Loud laughter)—he meant one o'clock in the after-
noon, and adjourning at six ; and that no debate should
be continued beyond that hour, and that all Committees
of the house should meet at a proportionably early hour.
Mr. HUME gave notice that he would, on this day
fortnight, move for the appointment of a Select Com-
mittee to inquire into the state of lighthouses and buoys
under the management of the Trinity House, and the
expenses of maintaining the same.
RAILWAYS.

Mr. WALLACE gave notice that he would, to mor-
row, put a question to her Majesty's Government. as to
how many railways, coming within the Act of last ses-
sion, had complied with the 6th clause of that Act, as
to having seats and .protection from the weather for
third-class passeLgers ; also a notice for the 11th of Fe-
bruary, to consider the several reports made by the
Committee on railways, and the aprointment of the Board
constituted by tho Board of Trade for railway business,
and the nature and effect of its published decisions on
the interests of the country, with a view to amend the
Act of last session ; also a notice for the 6th of Fe-
bruary, to bring in a Bill to repeal the Act passed in the
reign of his late Majesty, called the Sheriffs' Court
Small Debts Bill.
Mr. WAKLEY gave notice, for this day week, of a
motion respecting the qualifications of medical men ap-
pointed to poor law unions.
Dr. BOWRING gave notice that he would, on the
11th of February; move for a Select Committee to in:-
quire into the state of the public accounts, and propose
certain resolutions to amend the same.
Mr. MACKINNON gave notice that he would, on
this day fortnight, call the attention of the House to the
necessity of improving the health of towns, by prevent-
ing interments within them;
POST-OFFICE REFORM.

Mr. T. DUNCOMBE gave notice that he would, cn
this day fortnight, call the attention of the House to the
delusive nature of the report made with respect to the
opening of letters in the Post-office.
Mr. WALLACE gave notice that he would move for
leave to bring in a Bill to amend the first section of the
Act of William the Fourth, having reference to appellate
jurisdiction in Scotland.
Mr. WAKLEY moved for a copy of the petition pre-
sented by the College of Surgeons, on the 14th September
last, against the Medical Reform Bill.

THE ADDRESS.
The SPEAKER rose and said—l have to report to
the House that this day the House was summoned to the
House of Peers, when her Majesty was pleased to make
a most gracious speech, addressed to both Houses of
Parliament. The Right Hon. Gentleman read the
speech, which will be found in another column, and
Mr. CHARTERIS then rose and spoke as follows—
I rise, Sir, to move that an address be presented to her
Majesty, for the gracious speech which she this day
delivered, and in so doing I trust that nothing will fall
from my lips ' calculated to excite a spirit of
party amongst us, or in any way to disturb
that cordial feeling which it is so desirable to maintain
on such an occasion as the present.—(Hear, hear.) At
the same time I may ask the House for that kind indul-
gence which is never denied to those who address it for
the first time.—(Cheers.) The first subject alluded to
in her Majesty's Speech is the gratifying fact
of the general prosperity of the country—(Cheers)—
the fact of which prosperity is, I think, within
the eogniz ince of all. I think I may fairly assert,
without fear of contradiction, that this prosperity
has not arisen from any unhealthy stimulant or
sudden re-action, but that it arises from a gradual
improvement in every branch of our manufactures.
By this extension of our manufacture and our commerce,
both at home and abroad, a large amount of employ-
ment was afforded to the people ; but I regret
to say that, in some of the agricultural districts,
more especially in those with which I am con-
nected, there exists great distress. I think it my
duty to mention this to the House, in order that it
may see that the gratification justly felt at the general
prosperity of the country is not without alloy. Now,
Sir, when we see that this prosperity so much depends on
the state of our foreign relations, I think I shall express
the general sense of the House when I propose to offer
cur hearty congratulations to her Majesty on the
friendly relations which 'exist between this country and
other Powers. I 'derive a hope of the long con-
tinuance of this good understanding from the fact,
that within the last few months, three of the.
Sovereigns of Europe have been the guests
of her Majesty : this increased intercourse between the
Sovereigns of Europe proves also another happy fact of
importance in the world's history—that the nations
of Europe have been taught how far preferable are
the blessings ' of peace to the empty glories of war.—
(Hear, hear) It is to be hoped that the time is not very
far distant when, by the increasing; development of the
giant powers of steam, the intercourse between nation
and nation may be still further increased—(Hear)—
tending to cause the capital of one country to
be invested in the improvement of another, thus break-
ing down national prejudices and jealousies, and ren-
dering "the calamity of war between them less
probable. If ' any proof were wanting ef the
friendly feeling entertained by this country for
other nations, it would be found in the favourable re
cepticn which was given to the Emperor of Russia dur-
ing his visit. • But even more important still was the
visit of the King of the French, inasmuch as it oc-
curred after many differences and misunderstandings
had arisen between the two Governments.—(Hear.)
Bat the manner in which this misunderstanding was
accommodated will, I hope, serve as a lesson of mutual
forbearance to the people of both countries.—
(Hear, hear.) Had the respective Ministers given
way to popular clamour, instead of now enjoying the
blessings of peace, the countries might have been plunged
in the horrors of war. And for what ? Now that the
storm has blown over, we hear the French Minister ac-
knowledging the prudence and moderation of the heads
of the English Government, while the English Minister
acknowledges the forbearance of the French Government.
It is, Sir, with feelings of unfeigned pleasure that I call
the attention of the House to that portion of her
Majesty's speech which refers to the iirrel-oved
state and brightening prospects of Irel-
A spirit of enterprise has b ea:—(Hear )
owing to which capital t newly awakened,
°. a large amount has been
the form;
embarked and 1,), such means, as well as by
'......•0n of railways, we may hope that
ts :datum). fertilitiea will be rendered avail-
able, its resources opened up, and the two countries
be brought into closer communication with each other.
It is by thus giving a legitimate occupation to the ener-
gies of the Irish people, and by exciting a spirit of
industry and enterprise, that we may hope to
put an end to that agitation under which
the country has so long suffered. By a course
of wise, just, and conciliatory measures, not ex-
torted by force, but conceded by justice---(Cheers
from the Opposition benches)—she may soon
be made blest, as she ,is, with every natural
advantage, united, prosperous and happy.—(Cheers
from both sides of the House.) Of these measures I
would fain hope that the Charitable Bequests Bill will
be regarded as the first instalment. —(Olean hear.)
I look upon the proposed increase of acade-
mical education as a measure conceived in the
same spirit.—(Hear, hear, from both sides of the House.)
When brought under the consideration of Parliament, I
feel confident it will meet with that warm and general
support which its just and sound policy alike demand.
thusßy according to the people of Ireland, without dis-
tinction of religious sect—(Cheers)—the benefits of
education, we may hope to milt° all in one common
, effort to promote the interest's of the country.—
(Cheers.) Another subject connected with Ire-
land, of the gravest import, has engaged the
attention of her Majesty's:Government. No one, lam
sure, will deny to them the credit of having boldly grap-
pled with the syitem of land tenure in Ireland, which lies
at the root of the social anomalies of that country ; and
I hope that when the report of the Commission is laid
before Parliament, most important and beneficial mea-
sures on that subject will be proposed. I cannot bat
express congratulation at the present prosperous state of
the revenue, more especially when I consider the great
increase under the head of excise, denoting, as it does,
a corresponding improvement in the general condition
of the people.—(Hear.) The Bank of England Chaftnr
being renewed last session, it might have been expected
that the banking system of Scotland and Ireland
would undergo . a like revision. Though ignorant
of the intentions of her Majesty's • Government,
perhaps, as a Scotchnian, I may be allowed to
express a hope that, in placing the banking establish-
ments of that country on a sound footing, they
will interfere as little as possible with existing establish -
ments.—(Laughter.) I come now to a point of
the greatest importance, which will be brought
under our consideration by the report of a
Commission appointed by her Majesty's Govern-
ment. The state of the dwellings, and the general con-
dition of . the poor, are subjects which cry
loudly for legislative interference wherever that
interference is practicable and called for. It
must be a source of pleasure to all parties to perceive
the solicitude and sympathy that exists for the welfare
rof the poorer •classes of the country. At no former
period has the improvement of the great body of the people
been more called for, or occupied more of the attention
of the Legislature and the public than it does at present.
Whatever may be our individual opinions upon the va-
rious measures suggested for bettering the con-
dition of the
.poor, we must all anticipate benefit
from that spirit of practical and active be-
•nevolence which is ever) where observable to
be manifest. Whether we look to the societies
formed for improving the dwellings of the poor, or to
the plan proposing allotments of land, by subscription
or otherwise, there is matter for deep congratulation.
Still it is not in the power of Parliament, by any
legislative measures, to obtain that desirable object.
of securing to the labouring man a fair day's wage for
individual
exertions, day's labour ; yet much may be done by
exertions, whether in. the capacity of landlord, tenant,
or master. Hiving adverted to most ef the important
tfwoipnlilemceseccosi:lnettlhtdaauhin vened in her Majesty's Speech, it only remains
whicheh it has the s
Housesimply
mpl
syexpressing
listened
ortehs
itnoga y kindnessmandodp
eraensds that i
anndd
ul-
gwe
maynime
rl;
loai lnet
etuniterhees tcsoi nno
fds
ituthipoepnopr toefoi npuglee altceultahteedg(t,b.
great empire. The
moving an address, which
Hon. Gentleman concluded by
was, U usual, am echo of the [speech.
of ry poor,
thismeasures or pro mcalculated