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SUPPLY: POOR-LAW COSIMISSIoN ; SECRET SERVICE; PRISON DISCIPLINE.

The House of Commons went into Committee of Supply on Monday, and proceeded with the Miscellaneous Estimates. A discussion arose on the vote of 53,000/. for the expenses of the Poor-law Commissioners in England and Wales and Ireland. Colonel SIBTHORP asked what good had been done by the Commissioners and Assistant-Commissioners ? The money expended upon the Commis- sion already amounts to 389,305!.; and he proposed to abolish two Commissioners, with other curtailments of the office ; moving to reduce the vote by 12,672/. Sir JAMES GRAHAM remarked, that a reduction of 5,233/. had been effected in 1842, and of 1,500/. this year. The Legislature had deliberately pronounced its opinion in favour of con- tinuing the Commission ; and he hoped that the House would not sanction reductions which would render the department inefficient. Mr. WILLIAM WILLIAMS and Captain PECHELL supported the motion; Mr. Williams saying that the Commissioners have Assistant-Commis- sioners to grind the poor by their rules and regulations. Sir JAMES GRAHAM gave a specimen of the way in which the Commissioners ex- ercise their power over the Local Boards : the Guardians usually wish to obtain medical aid at the lowest rate of remuneration, without re- gard to the fact whether it is adequate or not ; and the Assistant-Com- missioners control that disposition to effect savings at the expense of the poor. Eventually, the vote was agreed to without a division.

On the vote of 6,464/. for the Household of the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, Mr. Winiaani WILLIAMS objected to the sum of 1,5741. for fifteen Queen's plates to be run for in Ireland, as public money voted for the promotion of horse-racing and gambling. The vote was affirmed, by 45 to 13.

On the vote of 39,000/. for secret service, Dr. BOWRING and other Members called for explanations, desiring to know the amounts paid in the several departments of Government. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that when he entered office, he found a small balance in his department, and that balance was still unexpended. Sir ROBERT PEEL assured the House, that not a single shilling had been expended with respect to which any constitutional jealousy could be entertained. Mr. Hums-- " How comes it that the sum is the same each year?" Sir ROBERT PEEL—" You can well suppose, that during the time of war, obligations were contracted which must now be fulfilled."

Mr. MORE O'FERRALL took occasion to ask explanation on another point. It was publicly stated in different Irish newspapers, that Police- men had been lately employed, as they were in 1798, to go among the peasantry with a view to induce them to enter into illegal associations, and in order that by giving information they might afterwards receive promotion and reward. This was a most horrible idea ; and he hoped that, if possible, the Government would give the report a distinct denial.

Sir JAMES GRAHAM replied, that he was not cognizant of the employ- ment of the Police for such purposes ; and he would distinctly declare, that if it came to his knowledge that any such acts had been com- mitted, the parties concerned would receive his most decided censure. Lord Eisox gave a similar assurance.

On the vote of 18,586/. for the Parkhurst Prison for Juvenile Offenders, Mr. WIsilson WILLIAMS objected to the expense of that prison, and of the Model Prison at Pentonville, where each prisoner costs 40/. a year ; expressing doubts of the efficacy of the systems pursued. Sir JAMES Grtenest read an extract from the report of the Penton- vile Commissioners ; stating that the System had been put to a severe test during the past year, but discipline was maintained, the condition of the prisoners was satisfactory, and the system promised to have a salutary effect in deterring from crime. Be would refer to the statement which was made in the report with regard to the advancement made by 525 prisoners, admitted into the establishment since the let December 1842 to the 1st December 1843, in reading, writing, and arithmetic. On admission, it appeared that, out of 529, a large number read indifferently, and 70 prisoners could not read at all : at the end of the year, 343 could read well, and now there was not one who could not read. Very few, on admission, could write; but now a large number were able to write well. A considerable advancement had also been made by the prisoners in arithmetical knowledge ; many had become acquainted with the lower and many with the higher branches of arithmetic. On admission, 66 had consider- able Scriptural knowledge, and 187 were quite ignorant of the Scriptures: now, 341 had considerable Scriptural knowledge, and there was not one who W58 not acquainted with the Scriptures. The prisoners are instructed in the trades of coopers, wheelwrights, weavers, basket-makers, and tailors—trades in demand in the penal settlements to which they are likely to be transported: the progress of the learners is satisfactory. What was said of Pentonville could with greater truth be said of Parkhurst. He trusted that the House would not break in upon the experiment in its infancy. The vote was agreed to, as well as all the rest that were proposed ; and the House resumed—the Committee to sit again on Friday.

PATRONAGE FOR IRISHMEN.

On Tuesday, Mr. WYSE moved for a return of the names, offices, places of birth, salaries, and ages of all persons bolding offices in the Customs, Excise, and Post-office departments, with the dates of their appointment and present location. He should like to see some changes in the method of making such appointments ; and especially in consti- tuting official service as much a profession as the Bar or the Church. But his motive for desiring the return, was the conviction that the Irish had not been fairly dealt with in the distribution of patronage. Every situation of the least importance, in the Army, State, and Law, in Ire- land, had been conferred upon Englishmen.

Sir ROBERT PEEL opposed the motion. The Secretary to the Post- office in Ireland was not an Irishman certainly ; so also the Secretary to the Post-office in Scotland was not a Scotchman, but he was an Irish- man. Sir Robert had been called upon to appoint two heads of the Police in England, one twelve years ago, one recently : both were Irishmen. The most distinguished civilian in China is an Irishman— Sir Henry Pottinger ; on an Irishman, Sir Hugh Gough, the chief mili- tary command both in China and India had been conferred. The re- turn required by Mr. Wyse would include 22,000 names : it could not show the birthplace of each with any thing like accuracy, but must lead to the most erroneous inferences; and he objected to perpetuating such national distinctions.

After a short discussion, in which the motion was supported by Mr. FRENCH, Mr. WARBURTON, and Mr. VILLIERS STUART, and opposed by Mr. HUME as invidious and delusive, it was negatived without a division.

LORD FORT ESCUE'S MAGISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS.

On Tuesday, Lord EBRINGTON moved for a return relative to the ap- pointment of Stipendiary Magistrates in Ireland. In a previous debate, Sir James Graham had accused Lord Fortescue of having appointed seven different Magistrates, after "his Government was a condemned Government "—in the last three months of their being in office, and one on the very last day. Lord Ebrington read a statement respecting the seven appointments ; the time of a hich extended from February the 13th to August the 18th, six months instead of three. The appoint- ments were all made under circumstances of pressing necessity, gene- rally arising from continued disturbance in each district ; and several were made at the urgent request of local authorities: the last was the appointment of Mr. Alcock, of Tallow ; which was especially necessary, and much desired.

Sir JAMES GRAHAM took Lord Ebrington's statement as substantially confirming what be had said, with slight variation. In the former de- bate, Government had been attacked by Lord John Russell for reducing the number of Stipendiary Magistrates in Ireland. Lord Eliot hap- pened to sit near him, and handed him a return, which appeared to fur- nish a triumphant answer to Lord John Russell's speech ; for it showed that down to the 13th February, (instead of the 13th June, as he had said,) the number of Stipendiary Magistrates under Lord Normanby and Lord Fortescue had been only 59; and that seven new appoint- ments had been made during the Whigs' last months of office. Mr. BARING observed, that the real charge insinuated was that Lord Fortescue had made these appointments to create patronage; whereas it had been his policy steadily to increase the number of Stipendiary Magistrates.

In this way the debate went on, without the slightest advance ; Lord Ebrington's view being reflected by Mr. LABOUCHERE, Mr. VIIIJERS STUART, Mr. MORE O'FERRALL, and Mr. HAWES; Sir James Graham's, by Lord Elam, Lord STANLEY, and Sir ROBERT PF.RL. The motion was affirmed. HONOURS FOR MazeART ACHIEVEMENTS.

On Tuesday, Sir ANDREW Luau HAY brought forward the claims of those who had served in the Peninsular war to honorary decorations. The Duke of Wellington made it a rule not to ask for honours for himself or his officers ; and in his time such decorations were not so common as they are now. At the battle of Waterloo, however, such marks of distinction were conferred on all the officers who served, and they have since been bestowed on the troops at the battle of Meeanee. He read a long list of officers who served in the Peninsula, and have attained regimental commands or still higher rank ; with historical extracts narrating some brilliant achievements ; and he concluded by moving that an address be presented to the Queen praying her to confer honorary distinctions on the surviving officers of the Peninsular army. Lord GEORGE LENNOX seconded the motion.

Sir HENRY HARDINGE fully admitted the eminent merits of the Pen- insular army ; but could not allow that they had been neglected. The honours to them had been distributed according to the regulations of that day ; and medals for distinguished conduct in Spain, in 1812 and 1813, had been given to the number of 1,300. To carry out the prin- ciple of the motion, following also the precedent of Waterloo, medals ought to be given, not only to the officers who served in Egypt, India, and America, but also to the men ; and medals would, therefore, have to be distributed to 250,000 soldiers, or their surviving relatives ! Could Government recommend such a course?

Sir CHARLES NAPIER contended that they could and ought. To show the value of distinctions in stimulating the zeal of officers, he re- lated anecdotes— When the Duke of Wellington' after having the Garter conferred on him, Was asked to return the Order of the Bath, he wrote home to say that be wished to keep it: but his request was not granted; and it was not till afterwards, when a new arrangement was made, that he received it again. When Pieton was refused a title, he said if they put a coronet in a fortress he would soon get it out, as soon as any one else. He would mention another case with reference to the granting of distinctions for bravery in battle. An Austrian midshipman and an English midshipman were both approaching an enemy's fort ; and in their anxiety each to be first, they absolutely commenced a race, the British midshipman arriving first. In this case there was no distinction granted by this country to the British midshipman, but he got one from Austria.

Colonel SnrraostP and Sir GEORGE COCKBURN thought that the pro- position would occasion general dissatisfaction in the Army. Captain BERKELEY and Lord CHARLES Frrznov recommended that the motion should not be pressed. It was withdrawn.

POPULAR ADMISSION TO PUBLIC EDIFICES.

On Tuesday, Mr. HUME drew attention to the question of freely ad- mitting the public to all public edifices without reserve; citing several authorities in testimony of the good conduct of the people since the free admission to the National Gallery, British Museum, and such places ; and especially arguing for the opening of Westminster Abbey and other cathedrals. He moved a long and argumentative resolu- tion on the subject.

The motion was seconded by Mr. WYSE. Sir ROBERT INums repeated the reasons for the opposition which he had offered to previous motions of the kind ; objecting to the notion

that cathedrals are public property, instead of being the property of the Church ; and contending that admission to such buildings to view works of art would be injurious to religions feeling. He did not consider that there was any connexion between intellectual and moral excellence : in times of the greatest intellectual excellence there had been great masses of public and private corruption. He objected by the way to the in- congruous nature of some monuments : he looked with something like horror on the allegories and on the heathen gods and goddesses placed in Christian churches. He advocated the appointment of a Commission, such as there is in France, to take charge of the public monuments. There is nothing but individual feeling to prevent the owner of Stone- henge from destroying it ; and he remembered that some years ago an individual removed one of the Logan stones in Cornwall, though he was afterwards called upon by the Admiralty to restore it.

Sir ROBERT PEEL bore testimony to the good conduct of the public on free admission to national collections and monuments, and renewed his general arguments in favour of such admission. The admission to those ancient buildings, which were the proofs of the pious disposition of our ancestors, and of the desire of those of great wealth to do ho- nour to the Creator, was calculated to excite and to produce nothing but good feelings and a good result. He thought that these admissions were calculated to correct mean and vulgar habits, to withdraw from debasing pursuits, and to refine and improve the mind. He would not contend that it would necessarily impress persons with the truths of religion—they might come from other sources: but was it possible that it could ever do other than good ?—that it would not tend to civilization and refinement ? If it stopped there—if a reli- gions character must be derived from other sources—if the good was not com- plete and perfect—let them at least derive the most advantage in their power. As far as public and political results went, he certainly thought that, to take the working classes, if they were given daily a sight of those institutions—if they were given an interest in the maintenance of public institutions—they would regard with veneration those monuments ; and he could see nothing but good resulting from this to the permanence of the constitution. He objected, however, to passing any abstract resolution, which there was no means of enforcing; and he believed that those who had the management of Westminster Abbey were desirous of spontaneously giving every facility of admission to the public accordant with their duties as guardians of that sacred edifice.

The motion was supported by Mr. EWART, Sir WALTER JAMES, Mr. Bowravrica, and Colonel WYNDHAM.

It was, however, withdrawn by Mr. HUME, in deference to the view taken by Sir Robert Peel.

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS.

On Thursday, Mr. MILNER GIBSON moved a resolution tending to the establishment of some method for collecting authentic statistical in- formation on agricultural subjects; namely— "That an humble address be presented to her Majesty, representing that, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable to obtain authentic information upon all matters connected with the agriculture of the United Kingdom ; that this Information is altogether deficient, so that at this time even the extent of land wader cultivation, and the amount of its produce' are subjects only of vague conjecture; that the total absence of all statistical knowledge in reference to this important subject has at various times proved detrimental to the public in- terests; and praying her Majesty to devise measures for supplying to Pettier. ment, from time to time, statements of the breadth of land under cultivation for each species of produce respectively, and the amount of produce derived from the same; together with such other information as will exhibit, as far on practicable, a perfect view of the agricultural capability and production of the United Kingdom." He had no other meaning than that which appeared on the face of the mo- tion. On no subject is statistical information more necessary than on agriculture; and it would be useful not merely to philosophical writers, but to agriculturist themselves, and to the Government. If it was useful to have a census of po- pulation, it must be useful to have an account of produce. This would be the way to solve the problem of the proportion between population and food. Not that he placed his advocacy of free trade in corn upon the result of such re- turns ; for if the country grew ten times the food necessary for its people, he should be equally a Free-trader ; but certainly, when free trade in the food of the people is impeded, a strong obligation is iocurred to let the people know the real state of the question respecting that food. At present there is an utter destitution of such agricultural information : the want is regretted by Mr. M'Culloch, Mr. Porter. and the most eminent writers on political economy and agricultural science; and a Select Committee on Agricultural Distress, in 1836, suggested that the Board of Trade should he employed to collect it. A witness before that Committee said that nothing would tend more to steadiness of price in corn than correct information. Such accounts are supplied by other countries : in America, for instance, a tabular statement of the products of the United States is annually laid before Congress.

Mr. BROTHERTON seconded the motion.

Mr. GLADSTONE offered it a qualified opposition. Ile quite concurred with Mr. Gibson in the desirableness of his object. He did think that results of considerable magnitude towards attaining steadiness a price might be obtained, if the measure could be carried into effect: it would not operate for the interests of one party more than another ; it was alike for the interests of every party to have adequate accounts of this nature; but if any one interest was more likely to be served than another, it did ap- pear to him that the grower of corn was the party on whom most benefit would be conferred. All knew that at present the farmer had nothing to rely on but estimates of the most vague description' which, not being founded on any examination, or if any only a local and partial one, could only give results of a conjectural character. The object, however, was novel, and might be viewed with jealousy. And it would be very difficult to carry into effect. Lord Sydenham made a partial attempt to gam information of the kind in Bedfordshire, in 1836; but of 126 clergymen to whom he wrote, only 27 sent answers : the Tithe Commissioners make returns of the crops in all parishes, but not simultaneously ; and it would be impossible to render the parochial officers avail ible. Perhaps the best plan that had been proposed was to effect it under the machinery of the Poor-law Commissioners, The Government had had a communication with the Poor-law Commissioners on the subject ; but they had represented that the difficulties were very serious, of a practical nature. Therefore be thought it not expedient to agree to the address; and if the motion were pressed, he must move "the previous ques- tion." He could not altogether say that he saw a reasonable certainty of car- rying the measure, although he anxiously hoped some way would be found. The honourable gentleman would therefore, he trusted, agree to withdraw his motion, especially as, if it were lost on "the previous question," it might be understood out of doors that the Government were unfavourable to the mea- sure; to which he heartily wished success, as he thought it a very valuable measure.

Mr. CHRISTOPHER would not object to the motion if any practical means were pointed out ; hut he advised Mr. Gibson to withdraw it.

Mr. BROTHERToN gave similar advice. Mr. GIBiON consented, on the understanding that Government would promise to use their endeavours to obtain information as to the best means of carrying out his plan. The motion was accordingly with- drawn.

FACTORY BILL.

On Thursday, Lord ASHLEY stated the course which he intended to pursue with respect to the Factory Bill- " It was my original intention to have moved certain instructions to the Committee ; but [addressing the Speaker] your opinion has turned me from that course, inasmuch as I learn from you that moving instructions to the Committee will not be strictly consistent with Parliamentary law ; and you also inform me, that I should not be able to move the insertion of any clauses until all the clauses of the bill are disposed of in Committee. I therefore thought it better to take another course : as it is probable that no opposition will he given to the bill as it now stands on its second reading on the 224, and probably none during its progress through Committee—and as it is likely to go through Committee in one night, and be read a third time on the 3d May— I am determined to move, on the third reading of the bill, the addition of cer- tain clauses, for the purpose of carrying out the amendments which I proposed in the former bill. Her Majesty's Government having acquiesced in this ar- rangement, I give notice, that on the third reading of the Factories Regulation Bill, I shall move the addition of clauses to limit the hours of labour, on and after the 1st October of the present year, for all young persons to eleven hours in each day, or sixty-four in the week, until the let October 1847; and after that period to impose a further limit to ten in each day, or fifty-eight in the week."

MISCELLANEOUS.

NEW Warn were ordered to issue, on Monday, for Huntingdon, in the room of Sir Frederick Pollock; for Exeter, in the room of Sir William Webb Follett; and for Woodstock, in the room of Mr. Thesiger.

IRISH REGISTRATION BILL. On Monday, Mr. WISE asked Sir Robert Peel to postpone the second reading of the Irish Registration Bill for another fortnight ; on the ground that there bad not been sufficient time since the printing of the bill for the Irish people to give it full consideration, and that the Irish Members could not assemble in sufficient numbers by Friday. Sir Ito- BERT PEEL gave a qualified assent. Lord John Russell had before Easter asked Ministers what measures ttey meant to "abandon." There is an indisposition at the earlier part of the session to proceed with public business, the time being devoted to prolonged discussions; and the consequence is, that the House is precluded from giving full consideration to the measures thus reserved. He admitted, however, the importance of,enahling those who are affected by an enactment to take it into consideration : he would therefore postpone the second reading of the bill from Friday, and would then fix another day. He trusted, however, that the House would not hold him responsible for the consequences of this delay.

Busmess OF THE COMMONS. The Budget is to be introduced on the 29th instant, and the Government measure on Banking on the 30th. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said, on Thursday, that if the House acceded to the proposition with regard to the Factories Regulation Bill, and read the bill a second time on the 261h, and a third time on the 3d May, he thought that he should be able to bring on the Poor-law Bill on the 6th May.

ANATOMY ACT. On Tuesday, Alderman COPELAND moved an address to the Crown, praying for copies of the Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the working of the Anatomy Act. Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that the working of the Act had been most satisfactory it had abolished the revolting trade of " resurrection-men "; the schools were supplied with subjects ; all outrages on public decency were suppressed. He hoped the Howie would re- fuse to interfere. Mr. WARB URTON objected to agitation of the subject ; and, after a brief discussion, the motion was withdrawn.

QUARTER-SESSIONS. On Thursday, Mr. PARINGTON moved that the order of the day for going into Committee on his Quarter-Sessions (Cities and Boroughs) Bill be discharged; abandoning the measure. He declined, how- ever, to withdraw what he had said, when he introduced the bill, against the Recorder of Worcester, whom he charged with improperly adjourning the Quarter- Sessions.

FRAUDULENT DEBTORS. Lord CAMPBELL introduced a bill into the House of Lords, on Thursday, to prevent debtors from defrauding their creditors by residing abroad. A debtor with property to the amount of 100,000/. may defy his creditors by crossing the Channel. If outlawed, his property goes not to the creditors but to the Croon ; and if the creditors petition the Crown that a portion of the forfeited property may be appropriated to paying the debts, the proceedings may be stopped by the Statute of Limitations. There are no fewer than 25,000 British subjects residing in Paris, and in all France 66,000 ; spending some 5,000,000/. in that country. What be proposed by his bill was, to provide a remedy for the creditor in this way—namely, that, with the con- currence of the Court, on the application of the creditor, process might be served on the debtor abroad ; and then, after it was satisfactorily proved that he permanently resided abroad, and that process had been duly served, the action might be brought as if he were within the regular jurisdiction of the court. The bill was read a tirst time ; to be read a second time on Friday next.