Othatu net purrthiugn in VarlinimilL

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF THE WEEK.

House OF Loans. Monday, July 10. Royal Assent to the Customs-Duties and Excise-Duties (Sugar) Bills, Railway and Canal Traffic Regulation, Church-Buildings Act Amendment, Public Statues, Witnesses, and Registration of Bills of Sale Bills— Bishop of New Zealand's Income—Screw Propellers; Lord Lyndburst's Statement of Captain Carpenter's Claim—Cruelty to Animals Bill committed—Divorce and Matrimonial Causes ; Lord Chancellor's Bill withdrawn—Bankruptcy ; Lord Chan- cellor's Bill read a second time—Public Revenue and Consolidated Charges Fund Bill read a second time.

Tuesday, July 11. Oxford University Bill reported with Amendments—Poor-law Board Continuance Bill read a third time and passed—Public Revenue and Conso- lidated Fund Charges Bill committed—Census of Religious Worship; the Bishop of Oxford's Statement.

Thursday, July 13. Count Pahlen ; Earl Granville's Statement—Merchant Ship- ping Bill read a second time—Bankruptcy Bill committed—Cruelty to Animals Bill passed—Irish Land Bills ; Earl of Malmesbury's Complaint—Oxford University Bill passed.

Friday, July 14. General Board of Health ; Lord Shaftesbury's Vindication— Governor Grey; Lord Lyttelton's Motion for Papers.

House OF COMMONS. Monday, July 10. Bribery Bill in Committee—Criminal Justice Bill read a second time—Youthful Offenders Bill considered as amended— Militia (No. 2) Bill read a second time—General Board of Health Bill committed.

Tuesday, July 11. Landlord and Tenant and Leasing Powers (Ireland) Bills in Committee—Count Pahlen ; Mr. Butt's Question—Madras Land Tenures; Mr. Blackett's Motion for a Commission.

Wednesday, July 12. Medical Graduates (University of London) Bill reported — Property-Disposal ; Mr. Whiteside's Bill withdrawn—Jurors and Juries (Ireland) Bill withdrawn.

Thursday. July 13. Drainage of Lands Bill passed—Convict Prisons (Ireland) Bill reported—The Irish Land Bills ; Mr. Napier's Complaint—Standard of Gold and Silver Wares Bill committed pro forma—Youthful Offenders ; Lord Palmerston's Bill passed—Merchant Shipping Acts Repeal Bill passed. _Friday. July 14. Army Clothing; Sir Gilbert Heathcote's Question—Bribery Bill in Committee—Poor-law Commission Continuance (Ireland) Bill reported— Russian Government Securities ; Lord Dudley Stuart's Bill read a second time.

TIME- TABLE.

The Commons.

Hour of Hoar of Meeting. Adjournment.

Monday 4h .(93) 2h has

Tuesday Noon.... 411 Om Oh .(m) 11,30w Wednesday Noon . . Its 58m Thursday Noon . 4h Ont

511 .6n) 211 Sin

Friday 41, . 111116m

4 Time, 15h 4,m Sittings this Week, 7; Time, 49h Mint

81; — 313h 10m -- this Sesaion. ill; — 71313h Ira

THE IRISH LAND BILLS.

At a morning sitting of the Commons on Tuesday, the House went into Committee on the Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Bill, and the Leas- ing Powers (Ireland) Bill. On clause 1 of the former, Mr. Sergeant SHER moved that the Chairman should report progress : he alleged the impos- sibility of dealing with the subject at this period of the session, and re- marked that the Government could not assent to these two bills without passing also the Tenants' Compensation Bill. After some conversation, in reply to an appeal from Lord NAAS and Mr. CONOLLY, Sir JOHN YOUNG said that the bills were not Government bills: had they been, they would not have been proposed at this period of the session. The bills had been referred to a Select Committee of the House of Lords, to- gether with a Tenants' Compensation Bill proposed by himself; the former were reported to the House, but the latter never emerged from the Select Committee. The two bills now before the House were good as far as they went; but were they to be taken for the whole code of tenancy)._ Would they be acceptable without a Tenants' Compensation Bill ?AWysidninght,nqt Fknd after what had just taken place, it would not be-fair t_othefas-ffills further at present. wirea-rr .1O-flr ciclock, the stated hour of adjournment, and qohn aatzdiwn-r:b, tit peeing Mr. Napier rise, he again got up, and said jiaornot concluded his extnations. (Cries of " Order !" " Chair ! ") nt ere were three -Mehe on their legs at once ; and when order

The Lords.

Hour of Hour of Meeting. Adjournment.

Monday Oh 91, Om Tuesday 5h . 91, 45rn Wednesday Thursday Friday Sittings this Week, this Session.

No sitting.

51, 9h 10m 511 71,45w

was restored, the Chairman decided that Mr. Napier was in possession of the Committee. Mr. Nariza was proceeding to say that he now learned for the first Jima that the clevernmentintend not to proceed with the bills; but the,Oheirman deft ,the chair, and 'the House stood adjourned, without motion made orquedion put.

Mr. Napier.having Mt himself aggrievedly the remarks of Sir John Young, Thursday was appointed for the renewal of the discussion, and the House went into Committee on the two bills. Mr. Narita then stated his case. To his great surprise, Sir John Young had said that the bills were not Government bills, and that it would not be right to pre% them ;anther on the House as they were unaccompanied by the Tenants' Compensation Bill. For, after frequent communication with the 00_ vernment, he had never had the slightest intimation that it was not in. tended to pass these bills as they came from the Select Committee of the House of Lords ; nor even the slightest intimation that Sir John Young's Tenants' Compensation Bill ever was to be pressed forward after being rejected by the Select Committee. The two bills had been adopted by the Government in the House of Lords, and introduced into that House by the Government while he himself was absent in Ireland. He traced the history of the bills, to show that the Government had adopted them ; and he quoted from a speech of the Duke of Newcastle, on the 11th May last, the state- ments that " the Government accepted the responsibility of these bills as if they had been framed under its direction "—the " Government was not prepared to throw upon the House or upon any person the responsibility of these bills." At the time that statement was made, the Tenants' Compensation Bill had been rejected ; while two Cabinet Ministers, the Select Committee without a dissentient, approved of the bills, and DO one member of Government raised his voice against them. Mr. Napier sub- mitted to the House whether he had been honourably or candidly treated in this matter ?

Sir Jona Yotoso said in reply, that Mr. Napier complained on two grounds : first that he had not been honourably treated ; next that it was unwise to postpone the question. The latter was a matter of opinion. With regard to the former, if Mr. Napier had not been fairly treated, Sir John very much regretted it. Some time since, he bad heard that the bills would be opposed, and had told Mr. Napier there would be a strong opposition; but at that time he had no idea of its extent, and thought it would soon die away. But when the House went into Committee, on Tuesday, several Members proposed the postponement of the bills ; the same wish was expressed to him with great force from other quarters ; and both the parties who advocate tenant- right urged the postponement. Was he precluded from entertaining their request ? If the bills were Government bills, might he not deal with them as he thought right ? if they were not, might he not advise that they should be postponed ? So far from that postponement keeping open agitation, it will lead to the satisfactory adjustment of the question. Referring to the bills themselves, Sir John argued that both were good, but they did not contain a final settlement of the question as regards com- pensation. Instead of Mr. Napier being aggrieved, Sir John was the aggrieved person himslf. Lord Joust RUSSELL here interposed ; remarking, that out of high re- spect for Mr. Napier he had appointed that evening to hear his charge. Now the charge having been made, and the explanation given, he sub- mitted that the matter should not be pressed further. ("Hear, hear !" and" HO, no !") Well, if the debate went on, he could not prevent it ; but it would prevent him from showing similar courtesy in future. He moved that the Chairman do report progress. Mr. Wurrnsinn accused the Government of breach of faith ; and pre- dicted that the criminal tactics of agitation would now be recommenced in Ireland, after obstruction had triumphed in that House. Mr. J. FITZ- GERALD retorted, that the opposition to the bills came from Mr. White- side's own side of the House. Mr. LUCAS said the House had a right to know whether the Government intended to settle the question finally next year ? Lord Jolts RUSSELL replied to this question by entering into a state- ment of what has been done on the subject, and pointing out the difficul- ties that beset the question. The best thing to be done in the matter would be to make the law as perfect as possible with regard to voluntary contracts, so that the tenant might know what he had covenanted to do, and what his rights were. But at this late period of the session it would be hopeless to attempt to effect a settlement. Mr. liLsounua, Mr. Pore LARD-URQUHART, and Mr. POTTER, expressed regret at the speech of Lord John, and at the refusal of the Government to do justice to Ireland. Mr. DISRAELI rose, to make "one or two observations " ; but the re- port of his speech fills three columns of the Times. Recapitulating how he had supported Mr. Napier when in office, and how Government had promised support, now withdrawn, Mr. Disraeli asked why six months have been wasted upon this question ? What have Ministers been doing ? What is the catalogue of their legislative exploits, which may serve as an excuse ? "I want to know, if they have been at war, what con- quests they have achieved. I want to know, if they have been at peace, what beneficial arrangements, what advantageous legislation they have ac- complished? Have they reformed Parliament ? Have they revised Parlia- mentary oaths ? Have they educated the country ? Have they even educated Scotland ? What corporations that are corrupt have they punished ? What have they done which may be a valid excuse for not having dealt with this all-important measure ? I should have thought that, instead of moving to report progress, it would have been more satisfactory to the country, and more satisfactory to the feelings of any Minister who pretends that he leads the House of Commons, if he had given some reason why six months should have elapsed in which they, having done nothing, should not have done this. Report the progress of these two bills !—why, Sir, it's too derisive a proposition to be made. Report the progress of the Ministry !" What prospect did Lord John Russell hold out of future legislation by his Government—if it is a Government? A few nights ago, Mr. Gladstone had spoken of the gentlemen on that side of the House as "a party, if they were a party" ; and surely he, debating in a spirit "mutually provisional," might speak of the Government—if it is a Government. Would the.Lord. President answer the question put by Mr. Lucas ? Be said the question is difficult. "My idea of a Government is, that it is a body of men who ought to deal with difficult questions" ; but the skill of Lord John Russella ad- ministration is that he always evades questions that are difficult. Defend- ing the conduct of Lord Derby's Administration in permitting the bill of Mr. Sergeant Shee to be read a second time, Mr. Disraeli said that, although he disapproved of the measure, yet it would have been unjustifiable had they prevented it from being sent to the Select Committee. In this strain he proceeded : accusing Lord John Russell of wishing to stifle the expression of Parliamentary opinion; describing the speech of Sir John Young aa

muttered sentene,es," 'which, to suppose it would convince the Com- mitt ee, exceeded the most sanguine estimate of Minieterial audacity ;

and pronouncing L° ord 'John's proceeding " the most singular, the m t unauthorized, and the most indefensible " he had ever taken. Beferring to the withdrawal of the recent Reform Bill, he painted in contrast an elaborate picture of "an eminent individual " asking for a verdiet from the House, and not asking for its sympathy in vain. "We revected the occasion and the individual, and I ask for my right honourable friend the same treatment." Mr. Napier had been treated with some de- gree of perfidy, thrown over scarcely with respect ; and the Committee would sympathize with "that distinguished man the late Attorney-General

i

for Ireland n his disappointment." The Members of the Government, how- ever, have only treated him as they treat each other. They have been obliged to make each other withdraw bills to which they were solemnly pledged, and they carry on the Government with habitual perfidy. He ad- eis.a them, if they wished to strengthen themselves in the eyes of Europe, to move that no strangers be admitted for the remainder of the session. Lord JouN RUSSELL said, the question at first submitted to the House Was a simple one ; but Mr. Disraeli had preferred the course of making a party attack upon the Government. Lord John then reverted to the conduct of the late Government in regard to Mr. Sergeant Slice's bill, in order that Mr. Disraeli's explanation might be valued at what it was worth.

Leave was given to bring in that bill, to the gratification and surprise of its promoters, and it was sent to a Select Committee. That excited great alarm in the other House of Parliament ; and then it was that Lord Derby declared that he utterly disapproved of the bill, and would never sanction its principles. Did not that amount to deception ? could any course be more dis- reputable or discreditable ? Such was the conduct of Mr. Disraeli when in the possession of power. But he is in a peculiar position. His party are deeply at- tached to certain principles ; and whether Mr. Disraeli wished it or not, if those principles lead them to support the Government they give their support accordingly. Mr. Disraeli is disabled from bringing the conduct of the Go- vernment to an issue; but he lies in wait for motions of independent Members ; provided there is no great principle involved in them, certain gentlemen follow his lead ; and he pursues one undeviating conduct on these i questions—to put the Government n a minority. That was conduct new to Lord John's experience. (Derisive cheers from time Opposition.) Yes— new, certainly ; because he had been the member of a Government which has been opposed by such leaders as Sir Robert Peel—who opposed the Go- vernment when their opinions led them to do so, but never thought of picking up any motion that might be under discussion. If Mr. Disraeli can find any great question, such as—Lord John would not say a vote of want of confi- dence, but any question upon which a Government must stand—let him take the course his predecessors have taken. This is one of the causes which has made the conduct of the business of the House what it has been during the period Mr. Disraeli has led the Opposition. After a few words from Mr. VINCENT SCULLY, defending the Govern- ment, Mr. DISRAELI made a second speech in rejoinder to Lord John Russell. It consisted entirely of sarcastic retorts.

Instead of its being his principal business to study how he could put tbo Government in a minority, he said that his chief business is to study how to prevent the Government from being put in a minority every night by its own party. Would Lord John please to indicate the great question which he wished should be brought forward in order that the opinions of the House might be tested ? Upon former occasions of such doubt as to the po- sition of Government, a Minister would have asked Lord Ebrington or some distinguished member of his party to move a vote of confidence, when he wished to test the opinions of the House. He shauld say he will no longer be a Minister on sufferance—securing a majority before he takes that step. Mr. Disraeli professed that he did not wish to disturb the Administration ; that he is grateful for their patriotism. What they go through privately and publicly, what endless mortifications they endure, it is impossible for any one to estimate. " When the Coalition Government was formed, I was asked how long I thought it would last. I ventured to reply, that I thought it would last until the public character of every one of its members would be irretrievably ruined." The Chairman reported progress, and the House resumed.

A debate on the same subject took place in the House of Lords; the explanations being demanded by the Earl of MALMESBURY, who wished to know whether the bills had been abandoned, and why ? The Duke of NEWCASTLE replied by giving an explanation of his connexion with the bills; showing that Mr. Napier had thanked him personally, last August, for taking charge of the bills ; that he had informed him they would be supported by Lord Derby, Lord Eglinton, and other Peers; that, on the contrary, there was a smart whip at the time to oppose them; and that he had brought them in, not as Government bills, but in the fulfilment of a pledge given last session. So long as it suited Mr. Napier, so long as any popularity was attached to them, he took all the credit of these bills ; and it was not till now that he desired to throw the responsibility on the Government. Further discussion, somewhat of a party character, ensued, in which several Peers joined. The Earl of DONO UG MADRE said, the plain truth was, that the Government hall consented to meet the fancies of certain Irish Members pledged to Mr. Sharman Crawford's bill—a mea- sure containing doctrines not one whit less absurd than those of Proudhon and Cabot. The Duke of NEWCASTLE contradicted the statement, and retorted by charging the late Government with having encouraged agitation on the subject. The Earl of EL LENBOROUGH deprecated these discussions : good measures had been lost in consequence of some great misunder- standing. The Marquis of SALISBURY denied that the late Government encouraged agitation. Lord Mosrreeemn strongly urged a speedy settle- ment of the question, to save Ireland from future agitation, and the Go- vernment from danger. The Earl of Room objected to any legislation : there is no feeling in Ireland in favour of these bills. The Duke of ARGYLL vindicated the course taken by the Duke of Newcastle, and censured the unworthy party attack made by Lord Malmesbury.

ELECTORAL BRIBERY.

In Committee on the amended Bribery Bill, Lord JOHN Rossam. ex- plained, that the bill had been scrutinized with great care and amended In several respects. Several clauses, taken from the bills introduced by Mr. Walpole and Sir Fitzroy Kelly, have been added. Some clauses re- lative to an election-officer are entirely new, and likely to be of service. At the same time, Lord John stated that it would not be desirable to pro- ceed with the Controverted Elections Bill this session. On clause 2, defining bribery, there was a good deal of discussion on he words of the clause, declaring, that any person who shall directly or niirectly, by himself or by any person "on his behalf," bribe another, tall be punishable. The question was, whether the word "authorized" ' the words "actually authorized" should be inserted. Mr. DISRAELI supported, 'while Mr. WALPOLE and -Sir 'FilTZROY KELLY argued sof* the insertion of these words. After a great deal of conversation as to the probable effect of the words, Mr. AGLIONBY moved that the word " au- thorized " should be inserted ; and upon this a division was taken. The amendment was negatived by 141 to 110, and the clause was agreed to.

At the suggestion of Mr. HEAnr.,Ave, Lord JOHN RUSSELL consented to leave out the words "or ask for" from the list of eases constituting an offence under the measure.

On clause 5, defining influence, Mr. MALINS moved the insertion of the words "spiritual or temporal" before the word "influence." A division was taken, and the amendment was negatived by 125 to 26.

On the motion that the clause stand part of the bill, Mr. Vinurow Swint objected to that part of the clause which rendered persona who interfere with the franchise of the vote by fraud and contrivance liable to punishment, and moved the addition of words making void and of no effect votes so obtained. On a division, the amendment was negatived by 132 to 63.

Clause 10, enacting that electors shall not be paid for services at elec- tions, was struck out, on the representations of several Members that it would prevent a candidate from employing respectable local attornies as his agents.

On clause 12, declaring that a voter shall not be "liable" to serve as a special constable, Mr. MILES remarked that respectable voters are just those who ought to be special constables. Lord Jonw Russet'. said that an elector might serve as a special constable if he chose ; but he could not be compelled. On a division, the clause was carried by 184 to 39.

The other clauses, up to clause 16, were agreed to, and the House re- sumed.

OXFORD UNIVERSITY BILL.

Before the report of the amendments on the bill was brought up, Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from Gateshead in favour of the admis- sion of Dissenters ; and expressed his gratification that the House had already agreed to the clause to this effect embodied in the bill. Oxford is now placed in a much more forward position than Cambridge ; and he trusted that steps would be taken to throw open the Master's degree in a similar manner, feeling convinced that some means may be devised of so doing without entailing the necessity of admitting Dissenters to the go- vernment of the University.

When the report of the amendments was brought up, some conversa- tion ensued on the bill itself. The Earl of MALmessuny revived the ob- jections put forward on the second reading and in Committee by the Earl of Derby, not then present ; the Earl of DELAWARE opposed the bill generally ; the Earl of CARNARVON argued against the admission of Dis- senters; and Lord MONTEA OLE put in a claim for their admission on terms of equality, except as regards the government of the University. Lord CANNING replied to the objections ; which, he said, would have been more appropriately urged on the second reading.

Lord WirorresLev moved as an amendment on clause 17, describing the composition of Congregation, the insertion of words to the effect that at least two-thirds of the persons not specifically named should be "such as have attained high honours in the said University, or such as are dis- tinguished in literature, science, and art" : his object was to encourage the study of the physical sciences at the University, in which it is now lamentably deficient. Lord CANNING objected to the amendment, as op- posed to the spirit in which the bill was framed ; and it was negatived.

The report, with amendments, was then agreed to.

The bill passed on Thursday, without remark, except a verbal expla- nation from the Earl of Carlisle.

THE DIVORCE BILL WITHDRAWN.

When the report of amendments in the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Bill was brought up, on Monday, the Lonn CHANCELLOR remark- ed, that as the Testamentary Jurisdiction Bill had been withdrawn, it had been thought not advisable to proceed with that part of this bill which transferred to the Court of Chancery jurisdiction over all matrimonial causes except causes 5, vinculo matrimonii, and therefore be moved the omission of the first eleven clauses from the bill.

Lord CAMPBELL thought it would be better to abandon the bill altogether than to pass it in the mutilated form proposed. It filled him with dis- couragement and dismay, to find that the Government, after expressing their determination to push the Testamentary Jurisdiction Bill, had with- drawn it. Had both bills been sent down to the other House, no doubt they would have been passed into law. He bad every desire to support the Government, but he must deplore the abandonment of these bills. Last year the Lord Chancellor was for reforming the Ecclesiastical Courts, bill by bill ; but now he seemed to have changed his mind, and ti think that he would have a better chance by proceeding with one mighty bill. The LORD CHANCELLOR said, that a month or six weeks ago Govern- ment did intend to press the Testamentary Jurisdiction Bill on the House of Commons ; but a large number. of petitions bad been presented urging the postponement of the whole matter until another session, and as large bodies of persons would be united against the bill, Government thought it would be an idle waste of time to propose a measure that would have been inevitably defeated. Perceiving that the House generally desired it, and that the subject did not press for an immediate decision, he would with- draw the bill altogether.—Bill withdrawn.

PROPERTY-DISPOSAL BILL.

The adjourned debate on this bill being resumed on Wednesday, by Mr. MAGUIRE, he said that he was informed that Mr. Whiteside intended to withdraw it ; and expressed his satisfaction that the bill had been stopped by the shortness of the session and the discretion of its promoter. Mr. Wirirrnsine said that it was not for him to comment upon a rule of the House of Commons which enables a minority to overrule a majority, but he felt it necessary to apologize for withdrawing the bill. He had been compelled to withdraw it by necessity, and not by any belief that the House was disinclined to deal with the subject.

After some bickering upon the religious topic between Mr. HADFIELD and Mr. N EWDEGATE, the bill was withdrawn.

MEDICAL GRADUATES.

On the motion for going into Committee on the Medical Graduates (University of London) Bill, which extends to persons baying the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Doctor of Medicine conferred, by the Uni- versity of London, the same right to practise as those persons enjoy who have taken the same degrees at Oxford or Cambridge, Mr. BOUVEIIIE moved that the Committee should be postponed till that day three months. He objected that the bill would extend the monopoly at present enjoyed by certain bodies of medical men. Mr. Cowan seconded the amendment, for the same reason. Lord PALMERSTON, admitting that some more general arrangements are desirable, said that the bill is necessary, because, under an act of last session, regulating lunatic asylums, it was thought doubtful whether the graduates of the University of London had the power of granting certificates in cases of lunacy, and whether those who have given certificates may not be liable to penalties. The bill would not interfere with any general arrangement that Parliament may make next session. Mr. WALroLE opposed proceeding further with the bill ; alleging that it would increase existing anomalies, and urging the postponement of the subject until next session. After some discussion, the House divided on the motion for going into Committee, and carried it by 90 to 26. In Committee, Mr. MownitAY moved the insertion of words conferring upon the University of Durham the same privileges as those enjoyed by the University of London. Mr. ELLiorr, Mr. COWAN, and Mr. NAPIER, urged the claims of the Scotch and Irish Universities to the same privi- leges. Lord PALMERSTON thought that Durham should be included ; but it would be out of order to move any amendments including the Scotch and Irish Universities. For his own part, it seemed to him that no general arrangement would be satisfactory that did not place the degrees of England, Ireland, and Scotland, upon the same footing with a view to practising in the United Kingdom. The amendment was agreed to with- out a division. A division was taken for reporting progress, but negatived by 109 to 50. An amendment on clause 1, proposed by Dr. MICHELL, giving to the graduates the power of practising in London in the same manner as members of the College of Physicians, was negatived by 147 to 5. The remaining clauses were agreed to.

COUNT PAULEN.

Mr. IsAAe Burr, seeing that Lord Palmerston, to whom he had given notice of his question, was not present on Tuesday, asked Sir George

Grey whether the Government were aware of the presence in London of Count Pahlen, a Russian subject, and one who has been actively employed in Russian diplomacy ; and if so, whether his presence here is with the permission and sanction of the Government? He described Count Pablen as mixing freely in society, under the auspices and patronage of Earl Granville.

Sir GEORGE GREY said he had no information whatever on the subject, and referred Mr. Butt to Lord Palmerston.

On Thursday, Earl GRANYILLE made a statement in the House of Lords, in self-vindication. Count Pahlen, at that moment in the coun-

try, did not come from Russia, but from Madeira, where he had been emending the winter for the benefit of his health. He had never been em- ployed in any capacity by his Government, but spent his life in travelling; and ho had come here to take leave of his friends and settle some pecu- niary matters. With respect to having introduced him into society, Lord Granville stated, that when he was born Count Pahlen was the intimate friend of his father, the Duke of Wellington, and Earl Grey. When he arrived here lately from Madeira, Lord Granville invited him to his house, and signed the usual form of recommendation to the Traveller's Club.

That hie conduct was not distasteful to that society, he inferred from the fact that in one short ride along Pall Mall, not fewer than twenty mem- bers of the Club stopped him to express their indignation at the complaint that had been made. On the general question, Lord Granville denied that it is anything but justifiable to treat with civility and kindness the subjects of a foreign power even when we are at war with that power ; and argued, that it is the interest of all civilized nations to mitigate the evils of war, providing they do not diminish the means of carrying on war , with vigour.

Several Peers rose successively to testify to the character of Count Pahlen. The Earl of MALMESBURY said, there was no sympathy on his

side of the House with such offensive attacks both in another place and in the journals. He had known the Count many years, and knew that he had a greater partiality for this country than almost any other fo- reigner he had ever known. Looking to his private tastes, and entire re- moval from diplomacy and politics, Lord Malmesbury could not conceive how his temporary presence here could prejudice the interests of this coun-

try. Lord STRANGFORD congratulated himself on an intimacy of forty- two years with Count Pahlen. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE, who had known him for thirty years, bore testimony to his worth, and spoke in the highest terms both of his conduct and character. Lord Lansdowne described himself as one of those who think that in war, as in peace, there should be men who form the con- necting links of society, diffusing the blessings of civilization to the different nations of the world. Lord BROUGHAM the Earl of CARLISLE and the Earl of ELLESMERE, added their testimony. Lord Brougham further remarked that this kind of intercourse is not a modern invention.

Until the time that Napoleon took steps to check anything of the kind, this intercourse was most usual in a time of war; and even after it was check- ed by Napoleon, there were continual occurrences of the kind : he him- self had known many instances of it both in England and France. Lord

CAMPBELL declared that the encouragement of such civilities could not be construed in any way as treason, felony, or misdemeanour. The Earl of ABERDEEN cordially joined in what had been said on

the subject. Count Pahlen had not been sent en a secret mis- sion to him,—a notion that had been put forth by those who oppose

her Majesty's Government in general and himself. in particular. (" Name ! ' ) He referred to the well-known organ of noble Lords op- posite. Although he had known Count Pahlen intimately for forty years, yet until the attack made upon Lord Granville for introducing him to the Traveller's Club, he was not aware that Count Palalen was in England. In the House of Commons, on the same evening, Mr. ISAAC Burr gave notice of his intention, on the House going into Committee of Supply, to move the following resolution- " Teat this House considers it necessary th declare, that to encourage the visit of an alien enemy to this realm, except with the licence and safe-con- duct of her Majesty, is inconsistent with the spirit of the laws, and dan- gerous to the interests of her M ijesty's dominions." (C!ries of" Oh, oh ! ")

BLOCKADE OF THE BLACK AND WHITE SEAS.

In reply to questions, Lord Join/ RUSSELL and Sir JAMES GRAHAM stated that there is an effective blockade at the mouths of the Danube ; but that measures are still pending to effect the blockade of all the ports of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azoff.

By an arrangement with the French Government, orders have been issued to the French and English Admirals commanding the combined fleets at the entrance of the White Sea to institute a strict blockade of Archangel and other ports of the White Sea, commencing on the 1st of August.

THE CIRCASSIAN SLAVE-TRADE.

The Bishop of OXFORD called the attention of Lord Clarendon to a statement in the public journals, from which it appears that one of the first effects of the "deliverance of the Circassian coast from the Russians is a renewal of that worst of curses the slave-trade. The Bishop read the statement, to the effect that numbers of little boats arrive on the coast from Trebizond, and their masters exchange calico and stuffs for little girls. A girl bought for fifteen purses is sold at Constantinople for forty purses. The Austrian steamers do not object to carry cargoes of girls ; and every boat carries to Constantinople from eighty to a hundred girls or boys. The Earl of CLARENDON said he had read the paragraphs, and was not surprised at the feelings of horror with which the hereditary advocate of the cause of the slave regarded the doings described in them. The House was, however, aware of the so-called social system prevailing in Turkey, and needed net be reminded of the difficulty of inducing a Mahometan Government seriously to contemplate the abolition of the abominable traffic. Successive efforts have been made; and only three years ago Lord Stratford formally brought the matter before the Turkish Secretary for Foreign Affairs ; but he did not consider that any efforts on the part of the Foreign Powers would succeed in abolishing a traffic which forms part of the customs of the Ottoman people. He could not tell whether the account given by the Bishop of Oxford is correct ; but Admiral Dun- dee had strictly enjoined the officers of the fleet to intercept and prevent this traffic by all the friendly means in their power. Schamyl, it is un- derstood, is hostile to the traffic, and the officers are to concert with hint for its suppression. This opportunity of striking an effective blow at that traffic was one of the most favourable which had ever occurred, and he had no doubt but the utmost advantage possible would be taken of it.

THE RELIGIOUS CENSUS.

The Bishop of OXFORD, in moving for the details of the returns from which the tables of religious worship, presented to the Houses of Parliament in reference to the census of 1851, were prepared, described the tables as very defective and misleading. The defect arose from the fact that there was no power. to compel returns. Many of the clergy of the Established Church refused to send in returns, and the Dissenters exaggerated those they sent in. In his own diocese, the Bishop of Oxford, after careful inquiries, found that the number attending Divine service on Sunday was 117,421; while in the official returns the number was set down as 98,410. He read extracts from reports which had been forwarded to him, to show that the Dissenters did all they could to fill their places of worship at the time when the returns were taken : they preached special sermons ; nearly all the Dissenters of a district attended the particular parish where the re- turns were taken; the same persons often attended the plaoes'of worship belonging to different denominations; all the children in the charity schools were made to count ; while the unfavorirable state of the weather during the time the census was taken kept ratiny- people away from church. The returns of the Registrar-General as to the Roman Catholics of Liverpool put them down at 27,650; whereas there are not sittings for more than 8006. In the parish of St. Giles, there are only 460 sit- tings ; yet the number attending, according to the census, was 3000. The Bishop of ST. DAVID'S supported the motion ; mentioning similar facts as regards Wales. Earl GRANVILLE said, the subject had been most legitimately brought forward; and his only regret in refusing to accede to the motion was, that he should seem to put himself in astility to the representatives of the Church of England. But the Census Office is now shut up, sad the accounts are closed; the returns amount to 37,381; the circular of the Secretary of State said that it was not intended to publish all the par- ticulars of the returns, and therefore it would be a breach of faith to pro- duce them. Some legal arrangements ought, no doubt, to be adopted, making it compulsory to give the requited information, and making untruthful answers penal. Lord Granville declined to give an offieial opinion as to the accuracy of the census-tables. He was glad the state- ment had been publicly made by the Bishop of Oxford ; and such an answer as can be given will no doubt be put forward by the Dissenters. That the returns were in request by the public, is evident from the fact that a whole edition of 21,000 copies was sold almost as soon as published. The copies were produced at 51. 48. the thousand—a saving of 5s. per thousand on the cost of the previous census; the entire cost was 127,0001., the estimate being 150,000/.

The motion was withdrawn.

THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND.

The Bishop of LONDON asked why the, usual annual vote of 6001. had not been proposed for the Bishop of New Zealand ? The Duke of NEWCASTLE explained that in 1852 Sir Sohn Pakington, then Colonial Secretary, proposed a vote of 10,0001. in aid of the ex- penses of the colony, including 6001. for the Bishop ; stating at the same time, in a note appended to the estimate, that in the next year the vote would be reduced to 50001., and that in 1854 it would eerie° altogether. This had been done in accordance with a despatch from the Governor of the colony. In 1853, therefore, a vote for 50901. was taken; and fur- ther accomplishing the pledge given in 1852, no vote was taken this year. Should the Bishop of New Zealand suffer inconvenience, Govern- ment will feel deep regret, but undeir the circumstances they do not see

that as soon as it was known that the vote would net be taken, the Bishop

Selwyn to state,

how it can be avoided. It would be only just to Bishop ta

was officially asked whether he would not reconsider his resignation of the 6001. a year which had been granted by the Church Missionary So- ciety: but the Bishop at once replied, that come what might of the Par- liamentary grant, he would not deprive the Colonial Church of the bone-f. of that sum. ISCREW PROPELLERS: CAPTAIN CenrEarrea's Cause.Lord L YNDHURST brought forward, in the House of Peers, a case

public abuse and private wrong in the treatment of Captain Carpente moving for a copy of the agreement with the Lords of the Admiralty, respect of which a sum of 20,000/. has been paid on account of the pa rights for the propellers used in her Majesty's Navy.

The original plan of the screw propeller was to have a screw Of consider- able length, but it dtd not succeed, because there was nOlaeility for the ffeape of the water ; next the screw was cut down, but thisnnly diminished without removing the evil; a third method was to divide the screw into two convolutions, but still the action was liable to the same objections. At last Ca t2" Carpenter set himself, to solve the problem, and succeeded after a onside time spent in the effort. In 1840 he obtained a patent. Upon a trial of his invention in the Thames, Sir Edward Parry gave a. favourable report, and Lord unto thanked Captain Carpenter for the important service he had rendered the Navy. Lord Minto left office in 1841, and Captain carpenter was appointed to command a paddle steamer, with instructions to apply his improved machinery to the vessel. This he did ; and again Sir paavard Parry reported favourably. Other trials were made in the Mediter- ranean and Captain Carpenter was absent two years and a half. Ultimately the Admiralty adopted the precise form of the screw iuvented by Captain Carpenter ; and from that time to the present it has been used in her Ma- jesty's service. Two years ago, the House of Commons voted 20,0001. " on -account of patent rights for the propellers used in her Majesty's ships

,

and vessels ' No other propeller except that of Captain Carpenter has been used. But the Board of Admiralty paid over this sum to Mr. Currie, the head of the " Amalgamated Screw Propelling Company," on condition that he would apply it properly. This was as great a dereliction of public duty as any public body could commit. What was their next step in those pro- ceedings? Mr. Lowe, one of the individuals who received the largest portion of this money, applied for the extension of his patent ; but, .after a minute examination of his claim, the Committee of the Privy Council refused to grant it. Captain Carpenter then applied for an extension of his patent: the Attorney-General, appearing on behalf of the Government, did not con- test the validity of the patent, and admitted that it had been used in the Royal Navy. The application was granted without the condition sought to be annexed by the Attorney-General, that the Admiralty should have the use of the patent. Yet Captain Carpenter is unjustly excluded from partici- pation in the sum voted by the House of Commons. Captain Carpenter ogain applied to the Admiralty ; who referred him to Mr. Carrie; who referred him to his solicitor. Captain Carpenter is advised that he cannot proceed against Mr. Currie ; but he is willing to proceed against the Admiralty if the Bo-aed will raise the questian. Lord Lyndhurst said be knew how difficult it is for an individual to contend against a Board. He had every respect for Lord Aberdeen, "but he is -not the same man in different localities : in Argyll House, if I call on him he is all benevolence, all justice and mercy ; but in Downing Street, he is a rock." The House ought to take the matter up on public grounds, and grant an investigation into this gross misapplication of public money. The Earl of ABERDEEN did not object to produce the paper moved for. In acting as they did, the Admiralty had the authority and sanction of the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, the Master Of the Rolls, and Mr. Justice Crowder; and under their sanction the indemnity was given to the Admiralty and the Government. This was done in 1851, by Sir Francis Baring, "a man most just and prudent in all his actions," and not likely to commit the act of flagrant injury described by Lord Lynd- hurst. The late Board of Admiralty took the same view of the matter, and declined to grant any inquiry ; and the present Board have followed the same course. The taut that Captain Carpenter's patent was extended does not pronounce any decision by which it could be presumed that he is entitled to the sum voted by Parliament. Let him establish his right by sueing private persons. Since Lord Lyndhurst has taken the case in hand, Captain Carpenter has raised his demand from 20,0001.. to 45,000/. for the use of the propeller, and a royalty of 2/. for every horse- power used until the expiration of his patent in 1860, and a royalty of 21. for every horse-power used as a licence for the manufacture of the screw pro- peller ! Declining, to enter on the question as to whether Captain Car- penter has a right to receive the money or not, Lord Aberdeen advised him to establish his right as against the solvent parties to whom the Admiralty paid over the money.

INDIAN TENURES.

MT. BraaeRwrr moved for an address to the Crown for a Commission to proceed to India and inquire into the tenure of land in the Presidency of Madras.

There are various tenures of land in India. In Bengal, a fixed sum is paid to the Treasury ; in the North-western Provinces, the village system is in operation; in Bombay, the zeniindary system ; in Madras, the ryot- war system. Under the ryotwar system, the Government are' the landlords of the whole territory, and place a money-rent upon every field within the Presidency. In some instances, districts extending over an area of 7000 square miles, or, as at Bellary and Cuddapah, over 13,000 square miles, are placed under the superintendence of one collector, with a few English assist- ants, who watch and check the cultivation of the soil under every variety of season and climate. So long as he pays his rent, the tenant keeps his hold- ing. No such thing as private property exists ; and the tax presses so heavily on the tenant's means of subsistence' as to leave hiin at the mercy of the Government. The word "government" is synonymous with swarms of corrupt native functionaries, under whose administration it is impossible that the tenant can accumulate capital. Neither Colonel Read nor Lord William Bentinck nor Sir Thomas Munro ever contemplated such results from the ryotwar system, but rather desired to make the rent approximate to a permanent quit-rent, and to provide that the exactions of the state should cease to keep pace with the profits of industry. The rent was assessed fifty years ago ; prices since that time have been steadily falling ; the taxes press as heavily that large tracts of land are permanently waste, and landholders Prefer poor Widest a moderate assessment to rich lands at a high assessment. Contrary to the rule laid down by Sir Thomas Munro, we have it on the authority of Mr. Dykes and Sir Charles Trevelyan that improvements are visited with an additional assessment. Then the swarm of Native agents, cruel towards the population, am-vile towards their employers, grind the farmer down with monstrous exactions. his time that the House should place the tenure of land in India upon a sound basis. The House could hardly conceive the frightful speed with which small holdings are multiplied, creating larger and larger bodies of wretched serfs without credit or capital. In the Coimbatore district alone, the number of pauper cultivators who hold laud from 1 to 35 rupees—or from 28. to 70s.—has increased from 971 to 3607; while the number of comparatively wealthy tenants, holding from 50 to 500 rupees, has decreased from 78 to 28. The picture which Mr. Bourdillon drew of the condition of the population under this system, and not merely that of the very wretchedest, but of what were deemed the favourably situated among them, was perfectly appalling ; prostrate physically and mentally, Pressed down by debt, by destitution ; exhibiting a dead level of squalid Pauperism, misery, and starvation. In8dirh...arles Wood had said that the matter might be safely left to the la Government : but the treatment of the Commission appointed to in- quire into Public Works in the Madras Presidency shows that no beneficial tears to be expected from them. All Mr. Blackett desired was, that a I:teeming should be made; and the example of Governor Colebrooke in

Ceylon, in enabling the tenant cultivators to redeem their rent-cliarge an to become inalienable proprietors of the soil, should induce the House to sanction the extension of the principle to India.

Mr. LOWE replied, that a sufficient case had not been made out to entitle Mr. Blackett to ask for a Commission. The theory of the Indian Go- vernment is that they should exercise despotic sway, controlled by the Imperial Government and Parliament ; and nothing but the strongest necessity should induce the House of Commons to parade before the Natives delegates from the English Parliament superseding the Indian Government They should not sanction any step that would bring the Madras Government into contempt in the eyes of the Natives. Another objection to the motion was, that since last year the Government has been changed, and a new Governor of great ability sent out ; and the' appointment of a Commission would be regarded as a mark of want of con- fidence in him. Mr. Blackett ought to have shown that the Government in England do not recognize these evils in Madras, and are not preparing remedies for them ; or that the Indian Government are doggedly set against redressing these grievance.% Mr. Blackett had said, a goo deal about the. collection of the revenue, but little about the tenure of laud. His arguments were not against the ryotwar system, but against its abuses. To send out a Commission to inquire whether the wretched serfs "trembling on the verge between indigence and starvation" could redeem their rent-charges, would be a cruel mockery ; and the whole inquiry would be nugatory; for the abuses are admitted, thoroughly well known and understood, and Go- vernment desires to put an end to these abuses. The assessment is too high ; the amount of Native superintendence excessive ; the tendency to tax improvements is wrong. These evils are patent and notorious; and when the remedies proposed are applied—when an accurate survey has been made of the land—when the number of settlements is reduced and the ryots are placed in possession of the securities asked for on their behalf—what possible tenure of land could be more suited to develop the resources of the country, and to advance the civilization of such a people than the ryotwar system ? Mr. Lowe entreated the House to believe ;hat Government feel the grave responsibility which presses on them, and hope to show that in a few years these grievances will be redressed.

Mr. DANEY SEYMOUR reminded the House, that a remedy was pro- mised in 1840, but that not the slightest attempt had been made to carry it out. The Commission would not weaken the Indian Government, but show the natives that the Imperial Government take a paternal interest in their welfare. With respect to the native agents, he admitted that their character is not so high as could be wished ; but then' the East India Company screens corrupt officials as much as it can. Under the present system, nobody knows who belongs to the land. The holder must pay two-thirds of the produce to the Government : the Madras Government aims at getting 10s. from a man who has only got So.; and torture is employed to extort the rent. The one law is that the treasury must be filled ; and the subordinates know that if the last rupee is not exacted they will lose their places. Mr. Seymour had been up the Neilgherry Hills; the country was beautiful, but only about a hundred yards on each side of the road is cultivated, because the Government, he was told, demand too much rent. The country presented a waate and disgraceful spectacle. Sir Jamas WEIR HOGG replied by a personal attack upon Mr. Sey- mour; describing him as having gone to India and collected all sorts of memoranda from interested and designing persons belonging to the Native Association of Madras. Mr. BatenT answered this speech by asserting that all the recent books and despatches fully substantiate the statements of Mr. Seymour. He supported the motion, on grounds similar to those urged by Mr. Blackett. Sir CHARLES WOOD admitted the abuses which had crept into the ryot- war system, but the system itself he defended. When Lord Harris was appointed, he had pressed upon him the propriety of proceeding to pro- vide adequate remedies without waiting for any inquiry ; and he had no doubt one of the first steps to that end would be the reduction of the as- sessment in many cases. For himself he would say that he felt the awful responsibility of the office he held, and had laid these matters to heart with the view of effecting those improvements of which the country is susceptible ; and he hoped that before long Madras would cease to be the benighted land of India He trusted Mr. Blackett would not think it necessary to take the sense of the House upon his motion. Several other Members briefly joined in the debate. Mr. Hmeara- ex- pressed a hope that the House would hear something from the Govern- ment with respect to the alleged application of torture. Sir CHARLES WOOD said, he had heard the allegation for the first time that evening : instant inquiry should be made upon the subject. Mr. BLACKETT divided the House upon his motion, and it was negatived by 64 to 59. GOLD AND SILVER STANDARD.

On the second reading of the Standard of Gold and Silver Wares Bill, Mr. CARDWELL explained, in reply to questions, that under the present law it is not lawful to sell any gold manufacture at a lower standard than 18 carats. But this high standard excludes from the trade in watch- cases of a lower standard, for which there is a demand, the manufacturers of Birminghana, Coventry, and Liverpool. Therefore it is desired that the standard should be lowered, and the goods stamped and sold exactly for what they are. In other countries a great trade is carried on in watch- cases of as low a standard as ten carats; and there is no reason why the manufacturers of this country should not be allowed to manufacture cases of as low or even a lower standard.