Mcbatr1an Vrarctitingt in Varriamcnt. I. THE PENSION LIST.

In the House of Commons, on Monday, Mr. HARVEY brought for- ward his motion for a revision of the Pension.list. It was in this form- - That au humble address he presented to his Majesty, praying that he might be graciously pleased to give dircetions that aa inquiry might be made into the Pension- list, as ordered to he In tel t.y his faithful t7ommon; on the 24111 of August I532, with the view that no person he :dlowed to continue um that Iis, ia the receipt of the public money, but such only as Inel a real claim on the benevolence of the Monarch. or those who hy the di-charge of their duties in the public service, or by their attaimm nts in science, had deserved the gracious cm:sitter:Ilion of their Sovereign and of their country."

This motion was strongly opposed by Lord A LTIIORP. Mr. STRUTT

then moved an amendment-

" That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the charges on the Civil List and on the Consolidated Fund, in eld,r to ascertain the nature and extent or the guilds of pensions and charges, and to inquire into the abuses (if any) at isiug out of such grants and charges, with a view to give full effect to the resolution of that Rouse of the l8th of February last." The amendment was also opposed by Lord A LTHORP, Mr. BING, Sir ROBERT PEEL, and Mr. STANLEY. It was supported by Mr. 1rmc, Mr. JERVIS, Mr. HAWKINS, Mr. SIIEIL, Mr. LLOYD, Mr. Row'', and Mr. O'Cosstl.r.. The House divided, first on Mr. flitavEv's motion,—which was rejected by 390 to 148; and then on Mr. STRUTT'S amendment,—which was rejected by 220 to 311.

It was contended by Mr. HARVEY and by several Members who voted both for his motion and Mr. Slrutt's, that no persons were en- titled to places on the Pension-list except those who had earned the public money by the performance of some public service. This prin- ciple had been adopted by Lord Althorp and several of his colleagues, when in opposition, on two recent occasions—in 1828, on a motion by Mr. Hume ; and in 1830, when the Wellington Cabinet was turned

out by the success of Sir Henry Parnell's motion on the Civil List. It was then urged that the Pension-list was subject to revision, and that the Civil List ought not to be voted until it had undergone the scrutiny of a Committee. When Lord Althorp and his friends suc- ceeded to office, they did indeed appoint a Committee ; but it was a mere deception as far as the Pension-list was concerned; for the power to send for and examine papers and persons was not conceded to it. The Ministers proposed to effect a prospective reduction of the Pen- sion-list to 75,0001., charging that amount on the Civil List, and the remaining 85,000/. on the Consolidated Fund ; which fund was to re- ceive the benefit of all the pensions which fell in by death or resigna- tion. The House of Commons sanctioned this arrangement ; and the supporters of Mr. Harvey's motion were willing to abide by it, and by no means desired to reduce the 75,0001., granted to his Majesty, by a single shilling. But the right of the House to inquire into the state of the Pension-list, to ascertain in what manner the Crown—that is to say, the responsible advisers of the Crown—had performed their duty as regarded the placing of proper or improper persons on that list, had never been relinquished. It was the duty of the Representatives of the People to see that this portioa of the public money was properly

These were specimens of the list in defence of which Ministers were prepared to resign, if they were beaten on the motion before the House. But that %VHS not a point about which the House need give itself much

concern ; for this was the fourth tittle that the threat of resignation

had been held out, and it was grown stale : besides, there would be no Mil discretion, because the penman must determine at the demise 01 the difficulty in finding an Administration to succeed Lord Althorp and 1."'"'" lie knew several instant-es where these pensions had been sold ; anti his colleagues, even if they did go out in defence of that Pension-list' in correquences of these circumstances, were sold, instead of fourteen or six- whose enormities they bad fel. years so warmly denounced. Ministers had dealt with the Crown : they wished to make his Majesty nothing

a year. " Georgiana Maria Gwynne, another sister."

" Charlotte Wellington, another sister."

" Catherine Eliza Wilkins, the fifth married sister, lately married (from her widowhood) to It. Stretton, Esq., High Sheriff this year for 13recoushire; her former husband left her •2000/. a vear jointure."

" Thomas Knox Holmes, 5001."—This was the only case in which the paper he was reading from stated the consideration for which the pension was greeted. It was stated to be given to Mr. Holmes as the son of the Whipper-in of the late Administration ; toll Mr. Harvey could honestly say, that a more faithful Whipper-in Government never had. (A !mph.) "Lady Louisa Murray."—Of this lady he would say nothing, because her husband had just been successful in another place. ( Cheers ana laughter.) "Lady Ann Culling Smith, 6001., sister to the Duke of Wellington ; her husband a rich man.

" Eidly Marchioness of Westmeath; sister to the Marquis of Salisbury, and wife of the Marquis of Westmeath ; cannot expect to be supported by the public. She has :KW. per annum. " The Earl of Tyrconnel, 600/. ; ditto 445/. He married Miss Crewe, of Kiplin Park, Yorkshire, a eery rich heiress."

wen king classes.

" Sit John de Blaquiere enjoys a pension of 1072/., and again as baron of 693/. 1:3s."—This was a monstrous eise. Sir John received his first pension in 1794 ; and having served an apprenticeship of eight years, he was raised to the peerage, and received ti93/. Ifix. a year more. "The Earl of Cacao has a regiment, and is a governor besides. He has 2.36/. a year." " The Baroness Cathcart, wife of Lord Cathcart (he is Colonel of the 2d Regiment of Life Guards, 1S00/. per annum ; and a retiring pension from hav- ing been Ambassador and Governor of Hull) enjoys a pension."

" Dowager Lady Clare has 7,41/., the widow of the rich Ex -Chancellor."

" 'The Marchioness of Carmarthen, 7001. Her husband is heir to the Duke- dom of Leis's."

" 3Iarianna Cockburn,. sister to Visrount Hereford, 115/. 19s. 61. ; is the wife of Sir James Cocklorn, who luts 1000/. per annum as Inspector of Ma- rines. She and her four sisters haul pensions granted of I IS/. 19x. 6d. when young, hut it never was contemplieed that on their marriage these pensions should continne."—This was a ease whieh came within the principle he had laid down, that pensions shoubl be supeiseded on the success of the recetvers of them " Lord Ayliner's pension is tki61. per annum. He is Captain-General of Cinailt (some thousands a year), and Colonel of the lath Fout."--Now, he asked whether that was true ? Ile wished for an answer, aye or no. A word from his Majesty would stop this pension. " Lord Aston has good Church preferment, besides a good pr:vete fortune." --Was that true? His lordship's pension was very small ; bit then it was the more contemptible in him to receive it. Nothing, however, was too small Mr. STRUTT'S amendment was supported, on the ground that the parties now receiving pensions had a vested right to them, and it would be illegal as well us unjust to undertake any investigation with the view to their removal from the list, although it should appear that they had no claim derived from persoaal merit to be placed on it. Mr. Harvey's plan was declared by Mr. Strutt to he unsatisfactory to the people and disrespectful to the Crown. It would lead to no saving of the public motley; as the gross sum of 75,000/. was still to remain untouched. It would be unjust and ungenerous to the pensioners, who according to invariable usage, expected to receive their pensions for life. Even on a change of dynasty, when William the Third succeeded to the throne, the Pension-list was not touched. By agreeing to Mr. Harvey's motion, the House would tamper with vested rights. Still there was necessity for inquiry. It was due to the char:tete!. .of the

Reformed Parliament and the wishes of the country that a full inquiry unsatisfactory conduet of Ministers.

should he made into the Pension-list. The present was a very proper ished to impress on the Ministers, that by not acceding to the present trine, much more proper than the period of the commencement of a

new reign, for Parliament to lay down certain rules to be adhered to,

when the next Civil List was granted. The Select Committee, which in its opi ll i tt ns. He regarded it in a very different light. The party with whom the amendment proposed, would not pledge the House to any specific he at-ted were Wyoming every day mere convincetIthat nothing was to. be.ex. measure, as the recommendations of that Ccmmittee might be rejected. pected from the present Government — were beginning to think, and with joss The Ministers and their supporters objected strongly to both the original motion and the amendment. They would never lay upon his Majesry, as Mr. Harvey proposed, the invidious task of striking off from his Pension-list the persons to whom his Royal word was pledged to continue his bounty. Why should the King be called upon to do that whieh would be disgraceful to a private gentleman? It was ad- mitted by Lord ALTHORP, that there were many persous in receipt of pens:ous who ought to be ashamed of receiving them ; but the nation had entered into a compact for the continiumee of those pensions, whe-h it ought to keep. A fair opportunity had been offered, when the Civil List was settled, to make any new arrangement. In fact, a very advantageous arrangement for the nation had been made by Ministers, amendment, there was really no use whatever in rt. The persons who had granted the pensions, which were considered so improper, were not Irow in office; most of them, indeed, were in their graves. What good false honour, to consent to a motion which, in his opinion, was incunsistent with and a great prospective reduction of the Pension-list obtained. But to justice and with the respect wilieli that House owed the Crown. He entirely the list as it now stood, the national faith was virtually pledged, by an approved of the manly course which Lord Althorp had taken on the present (m- ad of Parliament, which could not be rescinded. As regarded the casion, who, he thought, acted most properly in resisting both the motions under consideration. lie heard with great satisfaction the noble lord's declaration, worthy of a Minister of the Crown, that, let the House pees what resolutions it pleased, he would not consent to be the servile instrument of their execution.

teen, tor two years' purchase. But it was really curious to see how delicately

ia other departments. (A laugh.) IIIS0 Oil. .f liele woe two Colonels in that House—two it if Monsters; "Juliana Maria Eyre is another sister, a widow, with a good jointure of 60U. for, whatever the preseat Ministews might think of their own authority, the real governor of the country was the right honourable Baronet, the Member for laid out, as well as any other, and to address the King to remove from would arise from inquiring into such details, whet], however shamefill his Pension-list any individuals whom he had been wrongly advised to they might be, the parties voting for the amendment do hired that it place on it. That there were many names on that list which never would be a breach of faith under any circumstances to cancel thm pee- ought to have been there, no one disputed. In the eyes of the nation, sinus? with what decency could Ministers be called upon to erase is nanoe it was a mass of deformity, hideous and disgusting. Tie re were 208 from the list, where the house declared that every name ought to rentals titled ladies and gentlemen out of the 1303 persons of m horn the list there ? The parties who received pensions had a vested right to thole, was made up. Some of these names were read by Mr. Harvey from which was as valid as that by which land or funded property was ha& u paper, one of numerous contributions that had been sent to him on The King had entered into an especial contract with Parliament. He

the subject. Among them were the following. had give!' up certain revenues, which his predecessors had retained;

were now charged on the Consolidated Ftuid.

for the pensioners to grasp at. Some persons in the list received in driblets live The speeches in this debate were spirited and amusing. Some points or six pensions of 50/. Such persons were always at the elbow f the Minister were well put by Mr. II MCVEY. Ile contended thut there should be ne or the Alonairh, and their importuoities were not unfrequently lought off by a undue prefieenee given to the higher over the poorer classes, as far as pension. Lold Astoa condescended to receive 97/. out of the labour of the maintaining them in idleness was concerned.

Ta11111111111. NO heir waisever more solicitous to gatlwr her chickens under her wing thou they were to catch ;It his stipport ; and the sunshine of gratification never visi0s1 tlwir rove countoetzwes, until it was known to what port and t0 what point the right honoirable Baronet had set sail. Nor th It this was often a point uf much ad:rite:he math them ; thvir conduct generally must have insured his approbation. We hod I ii so no stiikes lately there hall been a strike amongst the tailors, and it leeked as if there wos a strike in the Cabinet. He had no doubt, however, that the Cabinet would experience as much comfort as the master tailors, whir, in the absence of men, now &mid that al wotnen would doinst as well. [31r. [lorry was interrupted by repeated bursts of laughter during the delivery of this passage.) 1Vith respect to the do;trale of the pensions being vested rights— It was said, and it was meant as an extinguisher to his motion, that die claims to these pensions woe vested rights, and IllIght to he guarded with as notch sarrednes4 as private property. Now, would any one pretend to say that the landed property of the gentry of Eaeland was worth as touch and no more in point a title, and would therefore fetch as -II and no more in the market? Few lawyers had taken part in this discussion—inileed, be believed only one besides himself ; but lie was really to answer in tin-it behalf, that no man taking the purchase of such a pension to any conveyancer in Lincolu's Inn, and direct- ing deeds of assignment to be drawn, would find the security the same. He knew utauy instances who e the opitlion of counsel hail been taken respecting the purchase of such pensions, and the answer had uniformly been " Use your The Government hail lately propounded a treasure for the a!teration of the Poor•laws, one of the pi ovidoos a which was, that after a given day no perste. should he a recipient a paroehial ichief, even although as Sc' the length of time iii which he hot been in the habit of iceeiving it, he toight almost tun a race with some of the 11110,4 vet:viable hanws upon the Peosiondise No sympathy was showa fin the vested tights of the pour ; no, that was les:re:41 exclusively for h )))))) urahle dutcheeses mid for the flitting shadows of fasl ion. It was a dis- gra e to every man in the emintry who had wealth at ceminand to allow tbe name of a !dative to stand oleo the Pension- list. We lord laws by which a son or a grandson could he compelled, if he should fin-get the ea-soda-tine; obligation of nature, to suppol t those who reored and protected them in helpbes childhood. Why should not the same prim:lido he applied to the ',Lamm, on tlw Peusion-list and their dative.: On die threat that Illini=tere would resign if beaten on this division— The Secretary for the Colonies had told the !louse that the success of the nunion would ha the sign for his retreat from office, tereompanied by the whole bodv of his colleagues. Bat the I liaise imglit to know, that even if the present try did retii e OM OTICV, tle- country would not be left with:mit an Admi- and in return, Parliament had agreed to allow his Majesty a cereals' annual sum for his Pension-list, with the disposal of which the nation had now no right to interfere. Sir ROBERT Pere. contended that tile pcmsimiers had a vested rieht not only during the life of the King, bat during their own lives ; at least that portion of them whose pensions the were hailer an opportunity by which they might gain golden opi. They had just rioeived news of an event, whieh perhaps would be ap- pealed to by Lind John [tin-sell—us a proufof the Government being tan Liberal more thin Grand Registrar of Pensions, without the power of revocation. On this peint Mr. O'Coxeree. spoke forcibly. He shouhl soy a very few words, and lie should not have said any thing at all, but for the bolitiwss that contended for a contract that did not exist, or a law which had flit been passed. Ile iknied that either existed. Lord Althorp said that there was a legal right on the part of those who enjoyed the pensions granted : but why did not the nohle lord ask the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown ? A Pension• list had been panted : tine, and pray who sought to cancel it? It stood on an act of Pailiament, which he lied in his hand. And for what term were these peneitos granted ? Fur the life of the King ?.- No. For the lire of the loony ?—No. For what term then ? Why, drably pleasure—" during his .Maje.sty's leisure." What, then, became of the "legal rigtit 1" Mr. JERVIS alluded to the result of the Perthshire election, and the title, that mut+ more cVat tO be expected from is violently Tory Government. The present Ministers were, in his opinion, acting on Tory principles; and he repeated, that the people now began to think that greater concessions would be made to them by a government apparently more violently Tory than the present. Sir ROBERT PEEL defended the proceedings of the Tories as re- garded the Pension-list, and applauded the manly conduct of Lord Altborp. He could not say that he was at all oppressed by the force of those impute- eons which had been so plentifully thrown out agiinst preceding Ministers. He was not burning, for an oppottunity of clearing his character ; fur he had heard no charge preferred to which he attached the slightest importance ; and he would out allow himself to be iallueneed by any motives of felse delicacy and He did not believe that the Pension-list had been perverted to the influencing of votes in Parliament—

The list was open to public inspection, and he believed it would be impos- sible to .how that a pension had been so perverted. Yet the House wasp vote an address to the Crown, or appoint a Select Committee, to institute an inquiry

into the merits of pensions. object should be to introduce useful reforma- tion. He utterly denied that the Tory Ministers had used the Pension list as the means of rewarding persons improperly. But the House was going to dry up the eource of reward for all services; and what it seemed to be doing was, to see by what means public men might be invited into the public. service at the least possible expense, and to prevent public men deriving any ot those advan- tages from office which, in former Cones, were considered a compensation for the labour and anxieties of office.

Mr. STANLEY, in maintaining that Parliament had now no right to scrutinize the Pension-list, employed the following argument.

It was asserted that Parliament had a right to inquire into theyension-list ; undoubtedly it had, but when ?—when the Crown held its hereditary revenues at its own disposal, when Parliament was making an exchange %vitt' the Crown, and agreeing to the terms of the Civil List in return for the surrender ot those IICVeillicii. That was the time to investigate the Pension-list and examine into the propriety of it. Had Parliament enjolred no opportunity for such examina- tion of the Pension-list on the accession of his present 3Iajesty Undoubtedly it hal A printed account of persons upon the Pension-list was laid upon the table of the House in December 1880: in July 1831, a vote of credit was taken on account of the amount unpruvided for ; and it was certainly true that on that occasion Lord Althorp made use of au expression with exceediny candour, which had been referred to. Ile did say "that the whole subject was open to the in- vestigation of Parliament." But when was this ? on what occasion had his noble friend said so? On proposing a vote of credit for temporary expenditure till the House should make a final settlement of the matter. The Pension-list was again reprinted in the session of 18:31 ; and not until the session of 1832 was the act finally passed which concluded the bargain with the Crown with respect to the Civil List given in exchange for the hereditary revenues surren- dered on the accession of his present Majesty. Then was the time to institute an inquiry into the Civil List or Pension-list, if any thing could be adduced against it. The whole subject was then before Parliament, which had the Pension list for a period of eighteen months under consideration. A final arrangement was then made, the individuals upon the Pension-list being then before the House. No objection was made to any one item.

Parliament had effected an exchange with the Crown, giving a cer- tain Civil List for a certain revenue— It was stipulated that a certain amount of pensions, as it fell in, should he carried to the credit and benefit of the country. This was the solemn engage- anent which it was now proposed to you to violate, either by calling on the Crown to do that which no private gentleman in his fannly arrangements could do without disgrace, or by appointing a Committee of Inquiry, which, if it led to the revision or weeding of the Pension -list, could only proceed by an address to the Crown, praying his Majesty to act on its recommendation to that effect.

Let the circumstances of the case be considered— Suppose any gentleman had come into the enjoyment of his estate, with cer- tain annuities charged upon it, which from some circumstance or other were not supported by any strictly legal claim or title. Suppose that on coming to his majority, and mitering upon possession of his estate, he had solemnly confirmed those claims, not by legal instrument, but on his word as a man of honour, and had engaged to continue the annuities so long as he retained possession of the property,—assuming all this, he asked the House, as an assembly of gentlemen, what they would think if this individual were to turn round on the annuitants afterwaids, and call for their stamps and conveyances, to make out their claim to that winch they trusted to the word of honour of the possessor to secure to them ? ( Cheers.) And what would the House say to the man who, being the confidential friend and adviser of this individual, would thus address him- " True, you have pledged your word to these annuitants; true, your faith is plighted, and you cannot retreat front your engagement without dishonour ; but here is an unpopular man you have given an annuity to and you may curry some favour with your constituents in a neighbouring borough."

2. POOR LAWS AMENDMENT BILL.

Lord Al:moat. having last night moved the order of the day for the second reading of this bill, Colonel EVANS rose to object to the men- Lire; w Inch he said would effect a total alteration in the Constitution. lie admitted the defects of the present system, but considered that they might be rectified by less objectionable means than those proposed in the bill. Ile concluded a brief speech by moving an amendment, to the effect that a strong and compulsory measure was necessary to remedy the evils in the present administration of the Poor-laws, but that a bill which so greatly increased the power and patronage of the Crown, and was so subversive of the principles of representative government, ought not to be adopted. Lord A LT110111' suggested, that it would be more regular to allow the order of the day to be read, before any amendments were proposed. .Colonel EvANs then withdrew his amendmept ; and the order of the day having been read, Lord ALTHORP moved that the bill be read a se- cond time.

Sir SAMUEL WHALLEY moved that it be read a second time that day eix months. A long debate ensued on this motion ; which was sup- ported by Mr. WALTER; and strongly opposed by Mr. GROTE, Mr. SLANEY, Mr. CLAY, Mr. RICHARDS, Mr. CHARLES BULLER, Mr. Mr. ii.twEs, and Lord ALTHORP. Sir FRANCIS BURDETT had very strong objections to the bill ; whose cumbrous machinery he thought quite unnecessary. The plan would be found wholly im- practicable, as now proposed ; but he would not vote against the second reading. Mr. BENETT thought the bill might be made a good one in Committee, though he had serious objections to it as it stood. Sir JAMES SCARLETT was of the same opinion. He considered the part which referred to the law of settlement as particularly requiring alteration.

The House divided on Sir Samuel Whalley's amendment ; Which was rejected by 319 to 20, and the second reading was carried without a division.

The case of the opponents of the bill was stated by Sir SAstrer, WItALLEY; Who appeared to approve of only of one portion of it,—that which related to the law of settlement. He objected to the proposed alteration in the bastardplaws ; because it took the weight of punish- ment from the male delinquent, to throw it upon the female, "and added the burden of supporting her progeny to the pains of par- turition."

But the main objection to the second reading of the bill was, the establish- ment of the Central Board; which, he was confident, would be destructive to tile property, as well as subversive of the constitutional liberty of the land. It reversed the very first principles of the Constitution, which vested in the repre.

sentatives of those who paid the taxes the power of controlling their expendi-

ture. By the proposed bill, the rate payers were the last persons to he in. trusted with the power of control. Could the Government of the country descend to the superintendence of this fund in its detail of outlay ? Could it measure out the quantity of provision or clothing according to all the eireuin- stances of each peculiar case? The flannel for the old woman depended on her length and breadth, just as much as the food of the able-bodied pauper depended on his health and strength. (Lauyhter.)

In every parish where the representative system had been establ;s1i- ed, the administration of the Poor-laws had been amended.

In the parish with which he was connected—a parish so wealthy as in itself, to be almost a kingdoni—( Lanyhter)—lie used the word adviseillv, for it was greater in wealth and population than many German principalith•s—i Continued Laughter)—its expenditure was greater than that of the kingdom of !hoover— in that parish, by the representative system, the poor-rate was reduced by 50,000/. per annum.

He objected to giving the Commissioners the power of fixing salaries, rates of allowance, enlarging workhouses. With all these ap- pendages they were like three Bashaw's with three tails each, three pettifogging attornies attached to each. The same system of interfer- ence syhich the Commissioners reprobated in the .Magistritey, they sought to reestablish in their own persons. Mr. WA isrsit said the bill was of an anomalous find unprecedented character. Ile dreaded this new-made cosstitution, this new in-

fringement on the rights of the poor. The bill ought not to be pressed

until further time had been allowed to consider its provisions. Ile was alarmed at the appalling expense and ramified patronage with

which it even started. What it might be in the issue, Heaven only knew. He wished Ministers would direct their energies to the amendment of the bastardy-laws, and the law of settlement, and post- pone the present bill to the next session. It was more in conformity with the usual practice of legislation in this country to remedy evils singly than to body forth new constitutions. Mr. GROTE led the opposition to the amendment. He commenced his speech as follows.

" Approving as I do of almost all its main ends—approving as I do also, to a great degree anti for the most part, of the new machinery by which those ends ale proposed to be accomplished—and convinced as I ant fully, that some new machinery is absolutely and indispensably requisite—I hope tlie House will not refuse to examine this bill in Committee. This is a subject on which I feel a strong and anxious interest ; and had I been left to my own unaided judgment and knowledge of the case, I should still have entertained a strong that some measure of this kind was indispensably requisite. nut I Feel the mole confirmed in my opinion on this occasion, because this measure has been preceded by a careful and copious inquiry, the details of which are before the public." (Cheers.) He had read the Report, and the evidence on which it was founded, and the appendix which contained the report of the Assistant Commis- sioners, with anxious care and the most deliberate attention ; and, he continued— "1 must say, that the details of abuse, as they are set fin th in those tiepin ts, appalling as they are in their character, wide-spread throughout most parts of England, afflicting and ruinous to the rate-payer, and hurtful and demoralizing to the last degree to the labouring classes—1 most say, that those details demon. steate in the fullest manner the necessity for a large and comprehensive remedy, such as the present measure professes to be and approaches to."

He then described the evil effects of the present system oil the morals of the labouring population, in a few brief and emphatic sen- tences. In order to remedy the evils thus generated, new authorities and powers were necessary, and the bill would confer them, but not at all earlier than they were imperiously required. There were, however, some of the powers to which he objected.

" I see strong objections to the power granted of committing for contempt ef Board, and to the sweeping powers granted for summoning witnesses. I obret likewise to the power granted of umting parishes contrary to the declared sense of the inhabitants. But all these objections are, in my view, fit subjects for consideration in Committee, and there only. I am quite aware that much jealousy has been expressed on the subject of the great and novel powers proposed to be vested in the Commissioners. I cannot wonder that it should be so; fur it is perfectly natural that apprehensions should be entertained when any 11Ca and comprehensive authority, not sanctioned by previous habit, is proposed to he created. But the real question for the House to consider is, not whether the powers of the Commissioners are great, but whether they are greater than the urgency of the case requires. This is the real question for the House to deter- mine. First, are not the objects proposed to be carried into effect by this bill not merely wise and salutary, but of Imperious necessity and overwhelming importance? Secondly, if these ends arc good and necessary, can they be accom- plished without the species and extent of authority, and the new and peculiar agency which this bill confers? Perhaps it niav be shown in Committee that some of the portions of authority which the bill confers are not essential to the objects aimed at, and therefore may be safely withheld."

In allusion to the violent language with which the measure bad been assailed, he said-

" I would earnestly entreat the House to keep in mind, that general declama- tions on the despotic power of the Commissioners really avail little towards the merits of this question ; that they serve at best only to disturb the calinveis, and sobriety of mind which its vast and momentous character calls for ; arm that to expect the extirpation of an inveterate abuse, while we leave without correction or redress the defective adininiatration from whence it has sprung, is t no less chimerical than it would be to expect grapes from thorns or figs from 1 thistles. But though I am far front denying that the powers of the Comnii, sioners are very large, such as nothing but urgent necesity can justify, yet I ant bound to say that I think they have been supposed to be much greater than the bill really sanctions. For instanre, it has been sometimes argued, as if all parochial vestries and authorities were to be altogether abrogated by this bill. This is not at all the case. The parochial vestry still subsists; it still levies all the monies collected in the parish ; it still issues all the disburse- ments, subject in certain definite points to the current authority or superintend- ing centrol a the Commissioners; but above all, it exists as a local point„ef appeal and protection against any misuse of authority by the Commissioners. He said that he was aware that the course he was taking would not be pleasing to some of his constituents. "Entertaining a strong and decided opinion upon this subject, I have done my best to persuade the House to read this bill a-second time. I know that I have done this at no small risk of favour and popularity to myself; for I understand that a petition was thisslay presented from my own constituents, directed strong/Jr againat the passing of this hill. Sir, it is not without the deepest regret and concern that I find myself opposed to constituents to win in I am attached by every tie, and to whom I OWe the honourable Station which I now occupy. B.,. so strong is my conviction of the absolute necessity of some large remedial meal sine as an antidote to the overwhelming evil of pauperism—so fit rn is my beief of the necessity of some central supervising agency to secure the fulfilment of any salutary provisions which the Legislature may prescribe—so strong is my conviction on these cardinal points—that if it were to cost me the certain &seri fice of Inv seat, I should feel bound to tell my constituents that I dissented from them, and that I would do my be to promote the attainment of this necessary,

and, in the main, valuable remedy. In doing so, I should feel with pain that I had decided contrary to the opinion of my constituents ; but I should also feel that I had decided in uoison with the bost interests of any country." (Much eheering.) The arguments used by the members who were in favour of the bill ditThred little from those used by Alr. Grote. ?'Jr. Sr. %NIA wen rather more into detail when speaking of the esils of the nresent system. Mr. CHAILLEs BULLER ridiculed Sir S. Whalle)'s notians of the importance of Marylebone.

The honourable gentleman seemed to look with mote than common t ffright at the etection Of a Central Itoard, whose powers should pervade and coitus., the mighty parish of 31arylehone—Ititherto looked upon as an independent stair, hut oow it appeared a tributaly one—a kingdom of his OW11—the El Ihnado of his on• ! imagination—in defence of the Crown and diguity of which he ap- peared ready to venture his all. (Loud laughter.) But there were parishes, he begged leave to say, which mold nut boast the beneficent influence of a well regulated vestry.

Ile was convinced of the absolute necessity of a controlling power remote from local influence, and five from local prejudices.

Ile did not conceal his opinion, that certain of the powers conferred—such as vompelling the attendance of witnesses, committing for contempt, enforcing the production of deeds, eac. would reptire revision ; -but that revision belonged to the Committee, and ought not to act as a bar to the second reading of the bill. To another power vested in the Board be also entertained a strong repugnance, though he was afraid it would prove to be necessary—the removal ot salaried

officers. Every o i one knew the ncompetency of these functionaries-- t het r 'goo • ranee—their tyranny— savages on the one hand, and peculators on the other. A Ceutral Beard would materially lessen these evils.

Air. II UM}; referred to the means of opposition used by some op- ponents of the bill.

Measures of the most infamous description (if he might so use t be term) were resorted to, to excite the passions of the people—to inflame and fiaal th4 animosity. Talk of the tyranny of the Trades Unious indeed ! Here was .1 tyranny of the most repulsive features—a tvranny that would sl.aehle thought and fe.ter inquiry. The bill was denoutiejd, and its promoters a:.ai he!. I in WA :gni., find he felt a wide in the reflection, that he would not he accused of wish- to press heavily on the poor man. Ile was for befriending awl raising his el.aracter in the social scale, and that he would do by a course of action far dif- ferent from the present abominable system.

3. TITHES IN IRELAND.

The debate on the second reading of the bill for abolishing Tithe: in Ireland, which was adjourned on the Friday previous, was resumed on Tuesday, by Mr. D. Roxavxa: ; who, however, was interrupted in the beginning of his speech by a motion of Mr. O'Cossio.t. that the House be counted. This was done ; I Ls Members were present ; and Mr. Hos:Al-NE resmned; observing, that Ministers could muster 400 or WO Members to suit their own purposes, but only I 04f-solid be brought together when Irish affairs were to be discussed. Ile then referred to I,ord A nglesea's letter, and intimated, that he was the person who had obtained possession of it, though he re Insed to state in what manner. In his refusal he imitated the example of Lord Althorp, who would not give tip his authority for the foul libel on Mr. Shell. Ile was not affected by Mr. Stanley's contemptuous smile. He was too well ac- customed to the insolence with which Mr. Stanley always treated the }louse, throwing his legs on the table like a man in a North American eoffeehouse. Mr. Ronayne was here interrupted by loud cries oi " Orrkr !" The SPEAKER said, he was sure, that if any Member had hont guilty of disrespect to the House at silty time, the House would not !lave failed to take notice of it at the time.

Mr. RONAYNE would repent, that not only himself, but every Member around hint, had repeatedly had occasion to express to each other the indignation they felt at the gross insolence—it was far beyohd disrespect—with which Mr. Stanley habitually treated the House.

Mr. STANLEY rose to order.

I;e dirt think, that in discossing a public question, Mr. Ronayne was per• feetly unjustifiable in =king remarks of a personal nature especial ly when, as in thn. present if:stance, those remarks had been altogether unprovoked. He denied having been ever intentionally at any rate, guilty. of disrespect tiovards the House. If on the present occasion he had smiled, it hail been at the hare. concertedplan which so palpably appeared to have been fort up between Mr. (rConnell and Mr. Ronayne,—viz. that the former shinia count the House, although there were cvideutly above a hundred Members present. and that the latter should introduce a claptrap, to be duly transmitted to Ireland, about " MO Members being present when the Pension-list was to be defimded, but only 118 when the question was whether Ireland should he given up, Sze. Sze." Ile would recommen d Mr. O'Connell when next he had the House counted, to take particular note of how many Members of the Hanle of O'Connell were present. [Roars of laughter, as all the 0' Councils were absent at Me moment, sure the Member fin- Dublin.]

Alr. O'CONNELL then rose.

It was a pity that the right honourable Secretary had not applied himself to answering, if he could, the very just remark of the honourable and learned instead nstead of snaking an attack upon him who had taken no part in the discussion. The right himourable Secretary's charge against hitn was distin- guished by his usual want of veracity. (" Order, order ! Chair !") The SPEAKER. interposed, and Mr. O'CONNELL corrected his ex- pressions.

Ile would content himself then with asserting simply, that the charge made against him by Mr. Stanley was not .founded in fact. Ile had concerted no plans whatever ; he had come down to the House impressed with the impor- tance of the question pending, and had been disgusted at the thinness of the House compared with last night's attendance; anti he had had the House counted from the feelings of the moment, and from no concerted plan. Ile would never think of infringing upon the Whig patent for shuffling and trick- ery. Ile fully agreed with Mr. Ronayne, that Mr. Stanley's bearing towards We House was habitually most insolent and improper. His running comments upon the opinions expressed by those on the Opposition side of the House, his sneers and gestures, Ins insolent habit of throwing his beds upon the table, in , contempt and defiance of the whole House, had been remarked with indignation '

and disgust by every Member on the benches opposite to him. (,, Ile rr, hear. near ") 31r. Statiley had gone out of Ms way to attack hint ; he was pretty well used to his assaults; and cared very little for them. Use make: easy.

After this altercation, a long debate ensued. Mr. ROXANNE moved that the bill be read a second time that day six months. This motion was supported by Mr. LALOR, Mr. RrelleEN, Mr. ROCIIE,O'CONNOR Dos:, 1Ir. FITZGERALD, and Mr. O'CONNELL. The last-mimed gen- tleman made a long and remarkably impressive speech, in which he in- treated the Government to reconsider their measure. He referred to the history of the tithe agitation, which had continued for the last seventy-four years with little intermission, and had deluged the country with crime and blood. All the measures adopted by Parliatnent to put a stop to the crimes engendered by this system, had made matters worse; and this tithe bill would have no better success.

He was sincerely anxious to come to some satisfactory understanding ou the subject ; and he would willingly give up all his darling pursuits, and retit a into private life, if the Ministry would only bring forward some plait to do justice. to Ireland by relieving the people from the obligation of paving the clergy of a different religion from that which they themselves professed. Let them do that, an I then see what gratitude they would get. ( Cheers.) Ile had no wish that any of the tithe should go into the pockets if the landlord.

On the contrary, lie thought that they ought to be prepared to snake a Satni. lice for the pacification of Ireland. The Government hail agreed to give (1rte- tifth of the tithe to the landlord. That was already admitted in the bill. Were they prepared to make a sacrifice of one-fifth, and its out a sum of 1;l1),(tiati/. a year as a deadweight to pilichase the pacification of Ireland ? Would not the experiment be worth trying ? Even on the score of economy lie was sure the plau avould have the sanction of his honourable friend the Member for

England had given twenty millions for the emancipation of the West Indian slaves : he was not so presumptuous as to ask any thing like that amount.

Ile would take the one-fifth which was to he given up by the Clergy, oto-fiCtIt IT the laittllord, and one. (file by the Government. This would leave two- Hilo; to he levied on the land as a land-tax, which might be purchased by the landlord at twenty years' purchase. 'This would secure the assent of all ;tardily.

In his arrangement he was for attending to vested interests.

Ile would give to every present incumbent the full amount of his present tithes for life. That was a proposition which lie was sure would wit be uh- jeered to by any man in !taint! ; hut in the future arrangement he sv.tiihh sug- ‘,...st that no Protestant clergyman should receive tithe in ittly parish where there was no Protestant inhabitant, and of course where them was no duty to per- form. Was that a fir proposition—was it asking too Finch He would say 'farther, that in any parish where one-fourth of the inhabitants were Protestant,

the clergyman to recite his Iitltes to their present full aliment. As each incumbent dropped off in parishes where there were no Protestants, he should propose that the tithes should go to a general fund to be applied to the support of charities, and perhaps, a small por- tion for the purchase of glebes for the support of the Catholic rlorgy. Ile concluded by declaring that If lie had said any thieg in baste or hi anger at tIrt commenemt ent of his speech, he regretted and apologized for it. ( Otters. ) lie would ci U ev,my expression he had ever used—lie would make every sacrifice of his own p.wsonal feelings—if he could succeed in persuading tie Iho.crontent to reccmider and t model this measure. Let him and all ecotone te,I with 111111 be 1;11:,i0it.4.1, :10d let the Government take all the credit and eojoy all the piaise ef !king the pa- eilicatots of Ireland.

Mr. O'Connell sat down amidst load cheers from all sides of the iii misc.

Mr. STANLEY opposed Mr. O'Connell's plan; which, by leaving still a part of the tithe to be collected from the occupier, would perpe- tuate the worst evil of the present system. He was, however, most highly gratified with the conciliatory tune Mr. O'Connell adopted ; and praised his speech exceedingly.

Lord JOIN RUSSELL expressed himself strongly in the same spirit. With respect to the future appropriation of the fund which it was the object of the bill to preserve, he said—

Ills opinion had been formed and given, not when out of office, but when in office ; and that opinion was, that the revelries of the Church of Ireland were too great for the religious and moral instruction of the prsons belonging to that Church and to the stability of the Church itself. ( ('heers.) The more he had seen and reflected since, the more had that opinion been confirmed. He did not think it wise to mix the question of appropriation with the question of amount ; but when Parliament had vindicated the property of the tithes, he should then be prepared to assert his opinion with regard to their appropriation ; find if, when the revenue was once secured, the assertion of that opinion should lead him to ;Kee and separate from those with whom he was united by political connexion, and for wl he entertained the deepest private affection, he should

feel much regret, yet, considering himself pledged, 1144 only by his general duty as

a member of that House, but by the resolution which had been passed the other day, to attend to the just cotnplaints of the people of Ireland—( ('heers, f rota the Irish Members especially)—and considering that, if there was a just ground of complaMt en the part of any people against a grievancef it was the complaint of the people of b eland against the present appropriation of tithes —(Lou! cheers, which continued for some time)—he should then, deeply la- me:aim; the decision he was hound to come to, but at the same time considering

that, I! r. iag to the utmost of his power resisted all projects for the Repeal of the I-a:on—and having, by the support be gave to the bill fur the maintenance of tithes vindicated the right of their propel ty a;ainst those who wrongfully

withheld them—he should, at whatever cost and sacrifice, do what lie should consider his bounden duty to do in justice to Ireland. (Loud cheering.) Sir FRANCIS BURDETT trusted that a satisfactory measure might be formed its Committee; and rejoiced at the conciliatory spirit whielt prevailed on both sides of the House. Air. LITTLETON and Lord Ahrtioar spoke in defence of the bill; and the former stated, in answer to some angry remarks from Colonel CONoLLY and Mr. A. LEFROY, that the question of future appro- priation had always been considered distinct from the present measure.

Mr. C. FERGUSSON, Mr. Slims., Lord ERRINGTON, Mr. WALLACE, and several other Members addressed the house. A division was finally taken upon the amendment ; which was rejected, by '248 to 52; and the bill was read a second time.

4. REGISTRATION OF DEEDS.

A very long discussion took place on this subject on Wednesday.. As the second reading of Mr. Brougham's bill for a Metropolitan, and

Mr. Cayley's for a County Begi:tration of deeds both stood for the lame evemeg, it ma: agreed that both should be discussed on Mr. B:OnghltIll's motion for the second reading of his bill.

Mr. Baottunaar, in an elaborate spectill, thrt•It ilVM the fraud which

the want of a general registry gave rise to ; and some instances lettere the loss had been very great. Ile inaintaii.cd the practicability e his scheme, and the saving of expense which a ould arise from it, in addition to the absolute security it would eeafer. fle admitted that extreme caution %%amid be necessery i ii RBA: i Eg II:0 searches, and in liartaing the indexes of the deeds ; but he should he able to show in Committee, that the details a ere Si ii enough. Ile quoted the arailsorities of several eminent I :‘1 yet's, as mn.11 as the members of the COMIn011 Law Commission, in favour of suali a plan as he proposed. The main argument mi which lie relied, however, was the security in fraud which his bill would effect.

Mr. IDATireoln: moved that the 1.;II be read a second time that day six rat-fifths. Mr. CAYLEY seconded the motion ; and explained the pro- visions of his own bill at length. He referred to the local registries ill operation in gal...hire and Middlesex, as proving the Avail- tagea to he derived from their general establishment. 'f here were nu- vratrons objections to a Metropolitan I.'gistry, Nvilich would lint apply to bra bill. laical places of 0 gistrat km were easier of access ; the expense efsearehei would lw much less. There would soon be math an enor- racers quantity of deeds deposited in London, vs to render a long time insfpfisite to he tinny a thorough search, and the chances of mistakes Were proportionally great. Ile ill•-0ted upon the advantages which gentlemen of landed property would derive limn a system of county re- gistiation iii emisetpuillee of the diminution of expense in preparing securities for mortgages mid conveyances.

Mr. LYNCH, Mr. J. llomniy, Sir Cnaahlis PITYS (Solieilnr- Gcnrral), Sir-WILLIAM HORNE, OW. .. l " OHLRT SpOL:e is favour of establishing a gel soil :Metropolitan registration. Sir Gsoltor: STiticx. hasp, 1I. Phastf, Mr. E. A. SANFORD, Mr. W. UNCOM BE, and Mr. PUYME, opposed it.

The arguments used by the Opponents of the measure were princi- pally the fidlo xi s% :— It was not necessary, as instances of fraud were exceediogly rare ; a tionveyaiwtir in Chester, a ho had practised exten• sicely for forty-seven years, bad known only one hist:owe. Great in- calm Minute and loss would arise from the exposure of titles ; as was exemplified in the rase of a Mr. Gaseoigne, who was compelled to pro- face a deed to the (limitable Commissioners, and had since been en- iii three law suits, in whieb, indeed, be was successful, but had Incurred a ruinous expense. Theo, in times of panic, the accommoda- tion derived by depositing title-deeds as seculity for a temporary loan would he put an end to. As to sending deeds to London through the Post Sir Ghoitue STRICKLAND said, no man could trust the Postmaster of a comity town %%nth his title-deeds. A special nits- scager %%mild be sent Oil an OV,I011,, at It great expense. Then, sup- pose a t■r, .1. a rchellitm 41)0;1 Like ',lave in the capital, all the title- Eked, Ini;Fit he or fall into dangerous bands. Stifieral oi. th- • a ahers appeared to hare fewer object:on.: ta 11r. Caylev's IiI T- to VI% ; but neither of tlhau e.iceived lae.oIV tippoit Iala II. ii uiIIhors.

A illy:- Ni Ili a%. It m 11 r. Brom;liam's ;bill. which was

thrown oln. by 11;1 II, •1.1. !:t1 i aminlimely ilti■vard, ailother on Mr. Cie:ley's, :1 bv 12.-.) to te-'

5. Los Dos: a!:n Bass Ciu.wrna BILL

Mr. ( .v■- moved the second reading of the Bill on Wednesday. it was deenleely opposed hy land A 1:rilOar ; oil the ground that the eatablishinent of such haoks won:d tend to raise tlw unimmt of Ileen:11- 11nc.:,6011 ill the Metropolis to a ilangermis excess. It was also imfair to the wok or England. A bargain had been made last s, witb the Bank, guarahtecing that concept the possession of its exclusive

privileges. Ile opposed the bill mainly upon th: •wid—that the

✓ um,: would not be benefited, and the Bank woo.' • •. iy treated by passing it. He moved that it be read a second tune teat day six months.

Sir JOHN WM/WESLEY, Mr. J. SMITH, and Mr. Alderman TIIOMP- ION also opposed the bill. fur the reasons assigned by Lord Althorp. Mr. P. M. STEWART, Mr. ALEXANDER BARING, Mr. PRYME, Sir F. BURDETT, and Mr. GisnouNE, could not see any breach of faith with the Bunk in agreeing to the bill. The conduct of the Bank was illi- beral; and the passing of the bill might have a salutary effect upon its future conduct.

Mr. GISBORNE said.—

This question was opposed by the country bankers, by the London baacrs,by the Bank of England, and by the noble Chancellor of the Exchequer. lie loped the lane, 1101 a Government opposition, but th it it was an 'open rejinn. (A hu(911.) The article of trade with banks was the circulation of ountry, which might not to be refused to one class of his Majesty's subjects any more than another. The act said that hanks might be established, and Lard Althorp said so too; but he added, '• You shall be virtually outlaws." wa.s willing to be bound by the words of the act, but not by any pt irate tanderstandlog between Lord Althorp and the Bank of England. The House divided; and the second reading was carried, notwith- standing Lend Althorp's oppositioo, by 143 to 35.

6. FOREIGN POLICY.

The Marquis of LostooNnEftity moved, on Tuesday, in the Peers for some p Tess relative to our connexion with Spain and Por- begat, and the imprisonment of Sir John Campbell in a dungeon at Lisbon. He entered into a long discussion of these topics but, owing to the hoarseness produced by a bad cold, was scarcely audibh. The tenor of his observations, however, was condemnatory of the foreign pWicy of Ministers, in all parts of the world. He thought that Tal- l/qr.-and had completely overreached the British Ministers ; and he considered that diplomatist as one whom it was very unsafe to trust. With regard to Sir John Campbell, the Marquis said, that his treat- ment by the Pedroites was infamous; that his capture was illegal, asat tho time it occurred he was not in the Aliguelite service ; and that the plate and severity of his imprisonment woe highly disgraceful to the fostaguese Government. lie had suffered eight months' selitiny eon-

--- finement in a dungeon, and Ministers ought to interfere in his behalf. Other British subjects might be seen in chains in Lisbon.

EarlGHEY said, that the King'sAdvocate bad been consulted, and had stated that there were no grounds on which to demand the liberation of Sir John Campbell; who had been fairly taken a prisoner of war while bearing despatches of Viscount Suidarem, Don Miguel's Secretary of State. This, however, did not justify the alleged cruel treatment of him. As regarded the other British subjects who were siiil to be worked in chains in the streets of Lisbon, Earl Grey denied that the statement was correct. Lord William Russell had never seen any British subject in chains there. It %vas true that some men belonging to a regimeat commanded by Colonel Shaw had been incarcerated ; but Colonel Shaw had given a list of those who bad been so punished, and it appeared that they had been punished justly.

As a specimen of flue whole, be would call their attention to the following eat' las. "IVilliam Erskine, committed the 28th of December, for mutinous and riotous conduct in the night." Another individual committed fur housebreak- ing ; another for being drunk on duty, after having been once expelled the regi- ment, but in mercy taken back ; aunt lastly, George White, described in the re- turn as a coward, a thief, the writer of letters which were the cause of all these misehiefs, formerly clink to Mr. Hume, M.P.—(Lood briodder)--whoin he rubbed and then left him.* (Lteughter reputed.) Ile decended the foreign policy pursued by Ministers at sonic length ; and passed a high encomium on the honesty, candour, singleness of purpose, and sincere patriotism of Prime Talleyrand.

The Duke of IVetaaNuTox, Lord WyNtioun, and Lord flintesvoito spoke highly in praise of Sir John Campbell's gallantry, and com- plained of the treatment lie received. The Duke of ItionaioNn suggested, that owing to Sir John's activity and intlueace, it was neces- sary to conline him more strictly than ordinary prisoners. It was finally agteed, that such papers as Earl Grey thought could he granted without injury to the public service, should be laid on the table.

In the House of Commons, last night, Mr. ROBINSON, Oil the motion that the House should go into aCommittec of the whole, moved uisan ainendment, for papers relative to the late decree of the Portuguese Government, equalizing the duties on all foreign manufactures. Lord Ai:moue objected to the amendment beiog proposed at a time when be was going to call the attention of the llouse to the reduction of the Four per Cents. But Mr. 11011INSON persevered; and made some severe remarks upon the ignorance, incapacity, and bad success of Lord Palmerston in the management of our foreign relations. Lord PAhanatsiros defended himself very briefly; and admitted that lie knew nothing of the Portuguese decree uotil alter it bad lawn issued. After a debate, in which Mr. BARING, Mr. POULIAT THOMISON, utad Dr. busiiiNtivoN, took part, the motion was withdrawn.

7. MISCELLANEOUS Senna:Ts.

CONDUCT OF Mit. CuarthEs GRAser ; DEBTS OF INDIAN EttiNet:s. Two loug, but exceedingly dry speerhes, were made in the !louse of Peers on by DMA Elleaborough mid Lord Brougham, on a motion by bard ELIA:Neon:leen for certain papers connected Ilia' the claim of to Mr. Pixindergast on the Nabob of °ode, which Air.Charles crant had di re;tlia Govervor-Geaeral to enforce by eta ry means I;i his power. The.-ic directions. were contained in a desFatch, 0 hich

the East ii; titans refused to send to India. It was contended liy I aeid that the debt was one which had been tioNtracted

iII egally, and which maid never be enforced by the British Govorn- in, nt a ithour committing gross tyranny and injustice. On the other hand, Lord B nor» 'fast maintained that' the claim was undeniable ; that it had beet, virtually guaranteed by the British Government in India; and that we were hound to enterer! it. It also appeared, that although the application for a mandamus to compel the East India Company to send out the despatch in question had been withdrawn, still that measures were in progress to effect the same end. Some of the papers connected with this transaction, though only such as Mr. Grant chose to give up, were promised, after a short speech from the Duke of 1VELLINGTON against the claim of Mr. Prendergast, and in condemnation of the Government.

DEANERY OF DOWN; LORD PLUNKETT'S DEFENCE. Lord PLUNKETT, last night entered into an explanation of his conduct in regard to the appointment of his son to the Deanery of Down. It scarcely varied from that which Mr. Littleton made in his behalf, when the subject was before the House of Commons. He admitted that he had signed the Report of the Ecclesiastical Commission, without being filly aware of the contents of it ; but he bad not read or signed the Ap- pendix where the case of the union of parishes in the Deanery was especially mentioned.

TEA-DuTiEs. On the motion of Mr. Cliawroam OR Tuesday, Select Committee was appointed to inquire whether it might be expe- dient to establish one fixed rate of duty on all descriptions of tea im- ported into the United Kingdom, instead of the graduated duties im- posed by the act 3d and 4th William IV* GENERAL POST DELIVERY BILL. Mr. CRAVEN BERKELEY, OR Wednesday, moved the second reading of this bill; which goes to ex- tend the LOIR1011 plan of a free delivery to Cheltenham and other places. Mr. VERNON SIMITII moved an amendment, that it should be read a second time that day six months; which, after a short debate, was carried by 66 to 51 BITCKLERURY INCLOSURE BILL. The Report of the Committee on this bill, the object of which is to inclose a large tract of common land in Berkshire, was brought up on Thursday, by Mr. R. PALMER. Mr. WALTER moved that the amendments proposed to the bill in Com- mittee should be read a second time that day six months. He opposed the measure very earnestly, and went into several details in order to prove that although the Lord of the Manor would be benefited, two hundred poor families would be deprived of fuel, which they now pro- cured from the common, and would be greatly distressed thereby. Mr. PRYME, Colonel EVANS, Mr. PEASE, Mr. IL CURTEIS, and Mr. HUGHES, supported the amendment. Mr. THROCKMORTON said that HO argument had been adduced before the Committee to induce him to withhold his support from the bill. Mr. PALMER explained, that he had merely undertaken, as a Member for the county, to carry the bill • [Mr. name has written a letter to Earl Grey. denying the truth of I his statement : he gives the ern.n an ,srellent character during the time he emidoyed him.]

through the House ; that be had no personal interest in it, and regretted that it would be his duty to divide the House. A division then took place; and Mr. Walter's amendment was carried, by 38 to 6. The bill is accordingly lost.

Seown JUDGES SALARIES. A Select Committee was appointed on Tuesday, on the motion of Mr. SINCLAIR, to report how fir the salaries of the Scottish Judges are commensurate with their duties. A motion by Mr. G1LL0N, for an instruction to the Committee to in- quire bow far the salaries should be reduced, in consequence of the al- teration in the value of money, was rejected, by 39 to PI CLERGYMEN IN PARLIAMENT. A motion by Mr. Pavstr, on Thursday, for leave to bring in a bill to repeal the act which prevenst unbeneficed clergymen from sitting in the House of Commons, was withdrawn, after a brief discussion. Lord Auritone, Mr. Ilitaxm., and Mr. PLUMFTRE opposed the proposition ; on the ground that med- dling in the heats of a contested election was unbecoming to a clergy- man; and that mischief would arise from the influx into the House of young aspirants after livings.

Ilminious ASSEMBLIES BILL. This bill, brought in by Mr. Hanna-, to do away with the penalty of 20/. on persons meeting for prayer in private houses, was read a second time on Wednesday. Dr. 1,UsItING- TON opposed it : he " could not conceive of a bill more destructive of the principles on which the Church of England was established." The second reading was carried by 38 to IS.

REDUCTION OF THE FOUR PER CENTS. Lord A LTDORP last night, in a Committee of the whole House, moved some resolutions for the reduction of the Four per Cents to Stock bearing 31 per cent. interest. The eontlition4'are described in another part of the Spectator. The resolutions were carried, without opposition; and the report is to be received on Monday.