The Statesman.
London, England, 1824-02-10 00:00:00

HOUSE OF LOKUS-►lO\D►T.

The LORD CHANCELLOR, with the Bishop of Exprreit
and Earl of SHAFTESBURY, sat to bear appeals this morn
ing, it being the first day of Sitting according, to the new
arrangements. Their Lordships proceeded, as had been
previously announred, with the great cause respecting the
estates of the late Duke of Queensberry.
Mr. Symms opened the case on the part of the ap-
pellant, the present Duke of Buccleugh. Ile stated, that ,
the only question which now remained to be decided, after 1
the last decision (their Lordships being in possession of
all the facts antecedent to that) was, whether or no the
tenants of the estate were to pay the persons to nhom the
estate had been adjudged really to belong, the fruits of the
estates from the time the title of those persons accrued. if
they were in bona fide possesion, they were not liable to
pay ; but be contended they held male fide: if not
originally so, still during the continuance of their pos-
session, having had full knowledge of certain acts, which
showed the legal title of their lessor. The Learned Gen-
tleman went into the case at great leogth,stating fully that
Scotch law upon the subject, which he said had always
been laid down in the House In a way which met with tint
approbation of all classes of people. It was their pure ab-
rtract love of deciding points on Scotch law, which
had brought the other side here so repeatedly ; but lie con-
tended. that upon every printiple of equity and justice, the
law of England was the sound and practical rule.
Mr. JEFFBRY, the c,lebrated Scotch Barrister, followed
on the same side. Ile made a very ableand argumentative
speech upon the law and authorities applying to the sub-
ject, which we should not he able to do justice to by a short
account. The Learned gentleman possesses a clear and
distinct delivery, and excited much interest among the
Barristers of the different Courts, a number of whom were
present during the whole of the day.
The argument of the two Learned Conned lasted till
ti *at obeto.ek. sit which tide their Lordships 'Aimed
the cause till Wednesday.

LORD..—Preparatory to the attendance of Lord Chief
Jeittice 'Gifford in the House of horde to hear appeals,
which will be in the course of a few days, some alter-tiot:a
are making at the house for his Lordship's personal ac-
commodation. Yesterday, Sir T. Tyrwisitt, Usher of the ,
Black Hod, gave directions to the officers of the House and
others respecting them. The room heretofore allotted to
the Master in Chancery is to he prepared for his Lordship's
robins and private room. It faces the Peers' low 4 r door,
and the entrance by which ,‘ strangers" arrive 1;elow the
bar. The Aborts in Chancery are to lave the room under-
neath, commonly tailed the Queen's room, from the circum-
stance of her late Maj. sty passing through it on going
to the Lords during the trial. •

THE SPEAKER'S PARLIAMENTARY DINNERS'
On Saturday and Sunday, the Speaker had his first Par-
liamentary Dinners, at his otliei4l residence by the House
of Commons. The party on Satorday consisted of the
leading Members of the " Treasury Bench" side of the
House. There were twenty-four of the Members present ;
amongst them were those connected with the administra-
tion, Mr. Canning. Mr. Peel, Mr. Huskisson, Sir C. Long,
&e. They dined in the ancient and curious dining mom,
which is as large as the House of Commons, and is imme-
diately underneath the House. The party sat down to
dinner at seven o'clock•, and the Speaker rose from table at
11 ten o'clock.

On Sunday there was about the same number of the
leading Members of the Opposition Benches present ;
amongst them were Sir J. Macintosh, Sir John Newport,
Mr. Brougham, Mr. Denman, &c. The same hours were
observed. _ _ •

It is customary for the Speaker to invite about thirty
Members to each of his Parliamentary dinners, till all the
Members suppos,cl to be in England have been invited :
and also that such dinners should be given previously to
the Easter recess. As the Parliament is now assembled in
February instead of November as heretofore, there is not
time to give such invitations by confining then) to Satur-
days ; and this accounts for the Speaker doing this season
what be did last Session—namely, have two dinners in one
week, on Saturdays an./ Sundays. The Hight Hon. the
Speaker being the son of the Archbishop of Canterbury,
the Sunday dinners may be viewed as a curious innovation,
ths.lagislatam. Limonites being made parties to such
observance of the S:sbbath.
Mr. Plunkett, the Attorney-General for Ireland, Mr.
Daly, the seconder of the Address, &c. are invited to the
dinner on Saturday next, and Sir H. Parnell, kc. to that
of Sunday next. After those two dinners, the tickets will
he sent round (by Mr. Phillips, the Speaker's Secretary)
without aoy particular reference to party. The present
Speaker surpasses any of his predecessors in the sump-
tuous character of his Parliamentary dinners. His plate
is splendid, his wines are choice and varied, and the din-
ners are aided by several French cnok4!

By private letters received yesterday f•om Gibraltar,
dated the 19th ult, we have accountsof some interest. One
of these. written by a member of the late Spanish Cortes
states that accounts are daily received of the dreadful rate
of Spain in the interior, and that large bands of the Con-
stitutionalists bad begun to shew themselves on severa I
points, waiting only for a favourable opportunity of again
hoisting the standard of the Constitution. It further
. states that the majority of the people were ripe for a revolu-
tion, that the expression of opinion was openly made, and
that in a very short time the people of England would hear
of a most decisive blow to the cause of despotism. The
want of money is stated to be so severely felt at Ma-
drid, that even the King'simmediate attendants hoped for
for some change, by rebid' the poverty of the Wertwarm
might be put an end to. The communication further adds,
slat " the money and arms remitted by the English nation,
•in aid of the Spanish cause, are so far from being lost, that
eh/ will (more particularly the latter) be very instrumen-
-lal in the success of the approaching struggle."