/Mutts nth Vturtririugn in Varlunint.

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OF THE WEEK.

Rouse OF LORDS. Monday, Feb. 21. The Ionian Islands ; Lord Derby's Appeal. Tuesday, Feb. 22. Prepaid Letters ; The Duke of Argyll's complaint—Title to Land ; Lord St. Leonards's Remarks.

Thursday, Feb. 24. Criminal Prosecutions ; Lord Brougham's 'Bill read a first Inc.

Friday, Feb. 25. Municipal elections: Earl Grey's motion—Annual Services Abolition Bill read a second time—France and Austria; Lord Malmesbury's reply to the Bishop of Oxford.

HOUSE or Coxxoss. Monday, Feb. 21. Church-Rates; Mr. Walpole's State- ment—Markets (Ireland) bill read a second time—Lunatic Poor (Ireland) bill read a second time—Lunatic Asylums, &e. bill ; read a second time. Tuesday, Feb. 22. Educational Reports ; Mr. Cowpees Motion—Conveyance of Voters; Mr. Collier's Bill read a first time—Bail upon Coroner's Inquisitions; Mr. Adams's Bill read a first time—Adulteration of Food ; Mr. Scholefield's Bill read a first time—Municipal Elections ; Mr. Cross's Bill read a second time.

Wednesday, Feb. 23. Manor Courts, &c. (Ireland) in Committee. Thursday, Feb. 24. Mr. Warren; his explanations—Agrkultuial Statistics ; Sir. Caird's Motion—Roman Catholic Oath ; Mr. Fitzgerald's Motion—Bleaching Works bill; Mr. Crook's Motion for leave negatived. Friday, Feb. 25. Appointment of Captain Vyse ; Mr. Monckton Milne's censure —France and Austria ; Lord Pahnerston's question, Mr. Disrael's reply—Navy Estimates.

ROMAN CA.THOLIC OATHS.

The peculiar oath imposed on Roman Catholic Members of the House was brought under consideration by Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD, Attorney- General for Ireland in Lord Palmerston's Administration.

Mr. Fitzgerald showed that such oaths originated in Ireland when the Parliament was exclusively Protestant and the Roman Catholics were supposed to seek the destruction of the Church and of Protestant pro- perty. Besides declaring his allegiance and his abjuration of any foreign prince, the Roman Catholic Member was bound to say,

"And I do further declare that it is not an article of my faith, and that I do renounce, reject, and abjure the opinion that princes excommunicated or deprived by the Pope' or any other authority of the See of Rome, may be deposed or murdered by their subjects, or by any person whatsoever." It is insulting to compel a gentleman to abjure an opinion so wicked and revolting. The next passage is-

" I do swear that I will defend to the utmost of my power the settlement of property within this realm as established by the laws." This passage originated in Ireland when it was thought the Ro- man Catholics might reclaim the forfeited estates but is not applicable in this country, nor even in Ireland since the Encumbered Estates Act. The third branch of the oath is :— " And I do hereby disclaim, disavow, and solemnly abjure any intention to subvert the _present church establishment as settled by law within this realm : and I do solemnly swear that I never will exercise any privilege to which I am or may become entitled to disturb or weaken the Protestant religion or Protestan Government in the United Kingdom."

The right interpretation of this part of the oath was a matter of five or six different opinions. Some held with Mr. Newdegate that the Ro- man Catholic Member was not at liberty to vote upon any question tend- ng to interfere with the property of the Church. Others hold that the )ath is not intended to interfere with the legislative action of the Roman • ,'",atholic Member, but that it left him free and unencumbered. It would not be difficult to give half a dozen ether constructions. Sir Robert Peel had declared, in proposing the oath, that he intended no restraint on the legislative action of Roman Catholic Members : if so, where is the "se-

curity " for the Protestant Church ? hi fact, the eaemies of the Esta- blithment are not Roman Catholic'', but Dissenters or members of the Protestant Church itself. Notions on the Church Establiahment never originate with any of the thirty-one Roman Catholic Members. As to the loyalty of Roman Catholics, the large proportion of Roman Catholic soldiers in the Army, the discouragement by the priests of the rebellion of 1848, and of subsequent sedition, are proofs. In conclusion, the equality of all sects in British colonies was adduced as an argument for expunging the quoted passages of the oath. Mr. Fitzgerald's motion (in accordance with the rule of the House, which orders that all matters re- lating to religion or commerce should be considered in a Committee of the whole House) was, that the House resolve itself into a Committee to "consider" the oath.

Mr. FAGAN, an Irish Roman Catholic Member, seconded the motion, and said that when a motion had been made to secularize the property of the Church Establishment, he had, "on account of his oath," been obliged to abstain from voting. After Mr. Anescs had objected to stirring the question, Mr. CHICHESTER FORTPI3CUE, as an Irish Protest- ant, supported the motion. Mr. WHITESIDE made a violent speech against the motion. There are still persons who wish to disturb the settlement of estates made by Charles II., and to re-acquire the forfeited estates. (Cries of" Oh, oh P') As to the passage "it is not an article of my faith that princes excommunicated by the Pope may be destroyed by their subjects," it must be rather a satisfaction to a gentleman to be able to say that he rejected that doctrine. Lord Joax RUSSELL supported the motion in a condensed and telling speech. He cited in succession the various sentences adduced by Mr. Fitzgerald and subjected them to adverse comment. There is no ques- tion about disturbing the settlement of property. If a member is re- strained from voting on this or that measure what becomes of the boasted equality of the Members of the House. Will you place a restraint upon one while you allow another be free ? "As to the honourable member for Cork, I do not know what his senti- ments upon the point may be, but if he thinks that the Irish or English church establishment ought to be subverted, I should, I confess, like to see him standing up in this House, declaring his reasons for holding that opinion, and manfully voting according to his conscience; for I cannot imagine that the church establishment would be the weaker were the very false security of this oath to be abolished. Let all the members of the House come freely into it and freely vote according to their consciences. Your institutions, you may rest assured, will not be the less safe. Depend for their security on freedom of discussion. Depend on truth and the general interests of the country and not upon mere phrases in an oath." (Loud cheers.) Mr. NEWDEGATE reminded Lord John Russell of the conduct of the Roman Catholich Church on the "Papal Aggression."

Then, as regards the settlement of property, perhaps the House was not aware that maps containing the old distribution of property in Ireland were preserved to this day in the Jesuits' College in Paris. What is Dr. Wise- man's avowed object ? The reestablishment of the Church of Rome in the place of the Church of England, and it was in this spirit that he refused to designate the Bishops and Archbishops of the Church by their titles, but alluded to them as Dr. Sumner and so forth.

Mr. WALPOLE, after a dispute between three Irish members on an irrelevant matter, made a speech deprecating, "for the sake of peace and tranquillity," any disturbance of the question. If you open this question you will give an excuse to Mr. Spooner to reopen the Maynooth grant. Mr. VERNON Siam supported the motion and said that one simple oath of alligance should be all that was necessary. Mr. SPOONER inti- mated that he would in any case reopen the Maynooth Question.

The House divided ; the motion to go into committee was carried by 122 to 113 and Committee leave to bring in the bill was carried by 120 to 105. The minority in both eases had as tellers, Mr. Whitmore a minor Treasury whip and Mr. Adams, representing, we suppose, the peculiar Protestant opposition.

Cwrracw Reims.

The orders of the day were suspended on Monday to enable Mr. Wal- pole to make an explanation of the Government measure touching Church- rates.

Mr. WALPOLE began by enlarging on the importance of a question which twenty-five years ago "the greatest Minister of modern times" said thett admitted of no delay. Since that time there have been six Administrations, and nothing has been done except to renew controversy and agitation. In recent discussions a strong desire has been expressed to substitute something for Church-rates before abolishing them. The Government has been anxious to find a practicable solution and to put an end to the controversy ; but they were resolved that the law should stand unless the Dissenters met the Church in the friid1y spirit shown to them.

The law imposes upon every parish the obligat• of maintaining the fabric of its church. But when that law was enac e people were all of

one religion ; they are not now ; and, therefore, principle does not ap-

ply with the same force. But how stands the question of fact ? From re- turns presented to Parliament it appears that, from Easter 1833 to Easter 1851, out of the 10,047 parishes from which returns were sent in, there were only 216 in which Church-rates were actually refused in the whole period of eighteen years. The return of 1856 included 9672 parishes ; of these 8280 parishes granted the rate; 480 refused it ; from 444 dubious answers were returned; in 544 parishes the funds were provided from other sources. Thus, not one-tenth of the parishes in- cluded in the return :have refused the rate in a period of fifteen years. Now it would be an extraordinary thing to deprive 8000 parishes of the privilege of obeying the law because 480 have refused to obey it. The re- turns also show that "the average annual expenditure on the fabric of the church is, in round numbers, 321,000!.; for the celebration of Divine wor- ship, 172,0001.; and for other purposes, 94,0001. I find there has been re- ceived from church-rates an annual average of 261,000!.; from endowments, 45,000!.; and from voluntary subscriptions, 262,000/. I stop here for a mo- ment to remark the proportion between the voluntary subscriptions and the money raised by rate, the amount from the former source being 262,000/. out 'of these 10,500 parishes, and that from the latter being 261,000/. (Cheers.) I am extremely glad to hear that cheer, because the House will find, before I come to the conclusion, that I intend to make use of that cir- cumstance as the foundation of part of the Government measure." Other figures quoted by Mr. Walpole showed that of 10,206 parishes there are 8803 in which the landowners are generally churchmen ; in 1050 more they are partly churchmen and partly Dissenters ; and in 353 they are not stated. From these facts Mr. Walpole inferred that the plea of conscience is not a strong plea, seeing that landowners are principally churchmen ; and that it would be wise in Parliament, as far as it can, to look to voluntary benefactions in order to get rid of the complaint which is made when thepayment com- pulsory. Having described historically the efforts made to settle the ques- tion since 1834, Mr. Walpole came to his own proposition. "In the first place, we propose that power should be given to the owners of land, not- withstanding the mortmain laws, to charge their lands with the amount of church-rates which those lands have paid within a period specified in the Bill. In the second place we propose, since church-rates are a charge which has existed upon property from time immemorial, that those who have limited estates in their lands should have power to make that perpetual which is now annual ; in other words, we propose to give a power of charg- ing their lands not merely to owners of fee, but to tenants for life. In the third place, we propose, in order that the charges thus imposed upon pro- perty should not be wasted, to make the incumbent and churchwardens in every parish a corporation for this purpose, with perpetual succession. In the fourth place, we propose to aid these rent-charges by encouraging vo- luntary subscriptions and benefactions. In the next place, we propose, not merely that these subscriptions and benefactions may, at the will of the donor, be kept as a fund in aid of the charges for the sustentation of the church, but also that those who contribute them shall have the power of declaring that they will apply their subscriptions and benefactions in exo- neration of their lands from the payment that is now due from them. Lastly, with reference to this part of the subject, we propose that when the charges so put upon property voluntarily, with the voluntary subscriptions and benefactions to which I have adverted, shall together equal the amount of the church-rate which has been raised in any parish within a certain number of years from the time the rate was last raised, the Queen shall be empowered by Order in Council to declare that church-rates in that parish are for ever abolished." It will be seen "that we do not abandon the legal obligation which rests upon property to answer the debts to which it is liable, but we encourage the owners to pay those debts in a voluntary man- ner, and as soon as the payment is made complete church-rates are for ever swept away ; in other words, you have the compulsory payment done away with, and you have a voluntary charge supplied in its place." To show that the voluntary principle is very active Mr. Walpole stated that from 1800 to 1860 the very large sum of 9,000,0001. has been raised for church purposes by voluntary subscription. The second part of the bill provides that a tenant may deduct his rate from rent, giving up at the same tune his vote in the vestry ; and that any one may exempt himself from paying the rate by signing a declaration supplied by the rate collector. Mr. Walpole is of opinion that the Dissenter has no nght to claim exemption, but that since he derives no benefit from attend- ing church, exemption may be extended to him as a favour. At the close of his speech he appealed to Sir John Trelawny, and expressed his opinion that if Sir John's bill be adopted, Parliament would sanction the surrender of a legal right without providing a substitute. Give up that right, "and you cannot distinguish between church-rates and tithes in prin- ciple, and must give up the obligation similarly imposed on property for the ministers of religion throughout the country. Give up these, and you give up the religious part of your parochial system, the existence of an establish- ment, and sever the connection between Church and state. (Some cries of " Hear !" on the Opposition sae.) That cheer shows that there are some— very few, I believe—who would wish to sever the connection between Church and State." (Cheers.) Mr. Walpole would also trust to the voluntary principle, but not to that alone. He asked for leave to introduce his bill.

Sir JOHN TRELAWNY described Mr. Walpole's speech as able courteous, and conciliatory. As regarded his own bill, Sir John asked that it should he read a second time pro forma on Wednesday. He was disposed to meet the Government half way. Sir John also threw strong doubts upon the practicability of Mr. Walpole's plan. Sir GEORGE GREY gave the bill a very favourable consideration. He seemed to think, however, that had Parliament abstained from doing anything, compulsory church- rates would have died out, and voluntary church-rates would have taken their place. He could not believe that if these rates were abolished the churches would be ruined, and he mentioned several cases where church- rates have ceased, and where the churches are in excellent repair. Mr. BALL recognized the cordial spirit shown by Mr. Walpole, and, with some reserves, was disposed to accept the proposal. Sir Annum Eurox said the proposal was a valuable one, but expressed regret that Mr. Wal- pole had not made complete abolition his starting point. It is im- possible to destroy the notion among the mass of the people that the church-rates go into the clergyman's pocket. Sir GEORGE 'Awls asked whether it is intended that the Vestry shall be composed of landowners, and not of occupiers. Also, who will pay when there is more than one landlord ? Mr. BERESPORD KOPE made a speech against pew rents.

It is the building of those obnoxious castles of selfishness, where the poor are crowded away in dark corners or under the galleries, out of sight, ex- posed to the contumely of the beadle in blue and gold, that incenses people and brings them up to the vestry to vote against church-rates.

Lord Jorili RUSSELL regarded the principle of the measure as unob- jectionable. But looking to its effect he took gloomy views. To give Dis- senters power to exempt themselves will impair the principle on which an established church rests, namely, that it is a benefit, not to church- men exclusively, but to the people at large. To say that it is no benefit to those who do not attend church is to place the church upon too low and too narrow ground. It is no longer a national church, but the strongest sect in the community. Then the bill will not atop dissension. Those who do not exempt themselves will complain that a burden is un- fairly thrown upon them. Nor will dissenters be satisfied by being ex- cluded from the Vestry.

"And in making that distinction you again mark that your church is not a national church—that you have divested it of that character. It appears to me that these consideration are of some value and it further appears to me if this Bill passes,—and it is perhaps the besecourse that you can adopt at present—(cheers)—yes, in the difficulties which surround the quest on, and which the right honourable gentleman stated very fairly, it is, I believe, the best resource that you have at present ; but I feel convinced that in a very few years after this bill has been passed church-rates will not continue to exist in any shape whatsoever." (Cheers.) After making these objections Lord John concluded by showing that there never was a time when the Church of England could rely with more confidence upon the increase of her strength.

In reply to several questions put by Members, Mr. WALFOLE said that it is not intended to alter the law; that exemptions will extend to persona only., not to land ; and contended against the opinion of Lord John Russell that the bill will impair the foundation of the esta- blished church. The mere fact of exempting one man or a number of men, from from the payment of Church-rates is not a destruction of the principle of an establishment, unless the principle means this,—that it is right to enforce on those who do not belong to the church a compulsory payment of the rate. At the suggestion of Mr. WALPoLE it was arranged that his bill, .nid the bill of Sir John Trelawny should be placed together on the others for next Monday, so that the time of the House may be saved.

EDUCATIONAL REPORTS.

Mr. COWPER called attention to the course adopted by the Committee in Council on Education in regard to the reports of the inspectors. Hitherto these valuable reports have been the genuine productions of the inspectors. Henceforth they are to proceed from the educational de- pertinent. That course, if it does not destroy their impartiality, will destroy belief in their impartiality. The reports should be given un- altered and unabridged. Mr. Cowper moved a resolution in that sense. Mr. ADDERLEY said there was some misapprehension on the subject. Provision has been made that every school committee shall receive the report upon the school within ten days of inspection—a great improve- ment on the old practice. With regard to general reports they are writ- ten at such length, and contain essays on every conceivable and irrele- vant topic, that it is impossible to print them in full. But the actual facts in each report will be given ipsissimis verbis. Mr. GIBSON said that the Government proposal seemed to be that a digest of the reports should be made. [Mr. Adderley denied this.] Then extracts would be given, and to that he had the greatest objec- tion. Mr. PULLER said that if the now system were continued the same class of men will not be got to act as inspectors. Lord PALMERSTON hoped Mr. Adderley would yield to Mr. Cowper's reasonable appeal. Mr. Adderley must see there is a great dif- ference between selections from reports and reports themselves. Dif- ferent persons take different views, and passages might be omitted that others deem of the greatest importance. The reports should be given in full. But the Committee ought to control the inspectors and direct them to send in reports under separate heads. If they persisted in pour- ing in voluminous reports on a variety of subjects, the inspectors should be told that they are not fit for the work. Sir STAFFORD Nom:mice= said it was desirable to avoid unnecessary printing. Inspectors can be compelled to confine their reports to the narrowest possible compass. Lord JOHN RUSSELL desired to know in more precise language what the Government meant. Some discretion should be left to the inspectors. Mr. DISRAELI said that as a general rule the reports of the inspectors should be published without alteration. But in practice it leads to abuse. The inspectors write treatises that would suit the Edinburgh or Quarterly _Review, not businesslike documents. The Government will consider the subject, and endeavour to meet the views of the opposition so far as to have the reports published in a perfect state, but in a form different from that which has attracted disapprobation. The House still seemed dissatisfied, but at length Mr. ADDERLEY, much pressed, explained that the Government will not carry out the plan of cutting up the reports, but will print each in a separate form ae a continuous whole.

Motion withdrawn.

CONVEYANCE OF VOTERS.

Mr. COLLIER introduced a bill to. repeal the act of last session to enable candidates to provide conveyances for voters at elections. The matter led to considerable discussion. Mr. CoLuErt represented the measure of last year as bribery under another form ; as demanding from candidates a property qualification in another form ; as a means of increasing election expenses. Ho therefore proposed to make the pay- ment of travelling expenses illegal, and to give the Government power to provide numerous polling places. Mr. WALPOLE said he could not see how the law could allow a candidate's friend to drive up voters in his carriage, and refuse to allow the candidate to pay bond fide travelling expenses. There is no distinction between the two cases. Besides no- thing could be more objectionable than to leave the power of selecting polling places in the hands of the Government. Mr Senoztrer Deaer took the same view. General Tnososon contended that payment of tra- velling expenses is bribery. Lord PALMERSTON could not bring his mind to see that paying for the conveyance of a voter to the poll is an act of bribery. There is a real distinction between giving money to a voter and paying his carriage hire. "If you allow money to be given to a voter to pay his expenses you will open a 'leer to any amount of bribery, because if money once passes between the candidate and the voter it will be impossible to prevent the most un- limited corruption. The House would be misleading themselves if they imagined that by anypossible contrivance they could make a contested elec- tion an enjoyment without expense. (Laughter.) That is a great enjoy- ment, no doubt, but that like any other pleasure, must be paid for. (" Hear!" and laughter.) He was for making it as cheap as possible, for it is an enjoyment winch he has possessed several times, but has not found it so cheap as he could have desired. (Laughter.) He quite agreed, how- ever, that elections should be made as inexpensive as possible ; but lie did not think they would be rendering the public a service by stigmatising as acts of bribery and corruption acts which in themselveswre innocent and blameless.

IONIAN AFFAIRS.

Early on Monday evening the Earl of DERBY made an earnest appeal to Earl Grey to postpone for a fortnight his motion for the papers relating to Mr. Gladstone's proceeding in the Ionian Islands. The question could not be discussed without injury to the public service. Mr. Gladstone transmitted the paper containing his propositions without any explana- tion. He quitted Corfu on Saturd'

_ay and the Government have not been able to communicate with him. Would it not be fairer to wait ? A dis- cussion might prevent the possibility—and it is only a possibility—of the acceptance of Mr. Gladstone's proposals.

Earl GREY said that as the rejection of the proposals is in the highest degree desirable there could be no greater public misfortune in this trims- action than that they should be ratified. When her Majesty has ratified a change the authority of Parliament ceases. But seeing that it would be highly painful to him to persevere after Lord Derby had said it would be inconvenient to him, Lord Grey agreed to postpone his motion on one con- dition only, namely, that before the resolutions, should they be accepted, are submitted to her Majesty for ratification, Parliament shall have an opportunity of expressing an opinion on them. Lord BROUGHAM supported Lord Derby's appeal for postponement. Lord DERBY promised that no application of any act passed by the Idnian Legislature should take place until Lord Grey has had an opportunay of bringing forward his motion. In the .1101113C of Commons Sir EDWARD Therrolv promised Mr. Haan-

LAM that the papers should be produced, and an ample opportunity for dis- cussion afforded, before any change in the Ionian constitution is entered upon. LAND TITLES AND REGISTRATION.

Lord Sr. LEONARDS entered at great length on Monday into the ques- tion of the transfer of land, and analyzed and criticized the Government measure now before the other House. The drift of his arguments was adverse to giving great facilities to the transfer of land lest they should strike a blow at settlements, and also adverse to the proposed grant of Parliamentary titles. In touching on the latter proposal he described the delay that would ensue, even under the plan of the Government, as consuming at least three years in all disputed cases. In a word, he mus- tered up a great array of "difficulties." The I.,onn Ctrawenr.Lon said that Lord St. Leonards is a very great authority. Still the question of facilitating the transfer of titles and the registratifin of titles was not a legal question ; but was a question of expediency and of social policy, on which many of their Lordships were quite as competent to decide as his noble and learned friend. He de- precated discussion at that stage. Lord BROUGHAM, on the contrary, rejoiced that the speech of Lord St. Leonards had been made.

THE POST-OFFICE DECREE,

The Duke of Amami, on Monday called attention to the recent order of the Post-master-General making the prepayment of inland letters compulsory. He characterized the change as highly inexpedient and productive of great inconvenience to the public. Lord COLCHESTER of- Emma no defence except a counter-allegation that the old system caused great inconvenience and delay. He had no doubt the order will work well. The Duke of RICHMOND Earl GRANVILLE, and Lord CAMPBELL, supported the views of the Duke of Argyll. Lord Csmonzi.r. referred to his personal experience.

-He receives letters from suitors in the Court of Queen's Bench, and from all kinds of persons, and they are very seldom indeed paid. All writs issued by the Court of Queen's Bench are in the name of "John Lord Campbell" and in the form of a letter, and as he is supposed to be the wri- ter of these letters he is continually receiving answers to them. (Laugh- ter.) So far as he is concerned personally, therefore he ought to be satis- fied with the change ; but on public grounds he felt, himself compelled to join in the recommendation of the noble Duke, that the new order should be rescinded.

AGRICULTURA.I. STATISTICS. Mr. CAIRD revived this subject SO obnoxi- ous to the country party. He moved a resolution declaring that it would be publicly advantageous to have annual returns of the acres under crops of corn, vegetables, and grass. Mr. Gauss-or seconded the resolution. Mr. BE/crises and his friends contended that the statistics would be a sham, and of no use to the farmer, the artisan, or the labourer. Mr. HENLEY, for the Government, seemed a think that the farmers are opposed to giving the Information and that a compulsory, measure is out of the question. Mr. WILSON supported the resolution. The collection of these statistics in Ire- land and Scotland will be of no use until they are collected in England.

Mr. Cam pressed his motion to a division, when it was negatived by the narrow majority of eleven, the numbers being 163 to 152.

CanirseL PROSECUTIONEL—Lord BROUGHAM introduced a bill to extend to defendants in criminal, the privilege now enjoyed by those in civil eases of being examined if they chose. Lord CAMPBELL and the Loom CHAN- BELLOR seriously objected to the principle of the measure. If a defendant refused to be examined the jury would presume that he was guilty.

MR. WARREN. This Member made a long statement on Thursday to ex- plain how he had been offered a Mastership in Lunacy on condition that he gave up his seat in Parliament; how he had refused at first becasse he wanted to' submit certain resolutions touching Christianity in India; but how he had finally accepted the office with the annexed condition. He therefore bade them farewell.

Tim WEDNESDAY SITTING was devoted to Irish business ; and some pro- gress was made with the bill abolishing Manor Courts in Ireland and pro- viding compensation for displaced officials. The Government proposal was that this compensation should be a -charge on the Consolidates] Fund, but at the suggestion of the opposition, Ministers agreed that it should be paid out of moneys to be provided by Parliament.

MANNING THE NAVY. The Royal Commissioners appointed to inquire into the best means of manning the Navy have made their report, and. it has been presented to Parliament. The report is signed " Hardwicke, Chandos, Edward Cardwell, W. Fanshawe Martin, J. D. Elphinstone, John Shepherd, Richard Green." It is a long document, but its subjects aro very neatly arranged under separate heads, and its statements and recom- mendations are clearly stated. Although the recommendations of the Com- missioners occupy considerable space in the report yet the pith of them may be stated with much much brevity.

In receiving and training ships at each principal port they propose. to keep up reliefs to the amount of 4000 men, so that a ship in commission may never lose a day for want of a full crew. The Coastguard they would increase to 12,000. To the existing reserve of 6000 Marines they would add 5000. From the Marines who will have retired on short-service pensions they propose to enrol about 5000, and from seamen who have retired on short- service pensions 3000. In this way they reckon upon adding about 30,000 men to Her Majesty's service. But they also propose to raise Naval Volunteers, somewhat after the model of our voluntary Militia. By offering good pay, pensions, and admissions to Greenwich, they hope to induce 20,000 mer- cantile seamen, and 10,000 men living in ports and engaged upon the coast, to enrol themselves as volunteers, to receive occasional instruction in gun- nery, to place themselves within call and constant communication, and to be ready to serve for a certain time, when • uired. This gives another 30,000, and raises the total reserve to 60,111 men. But such a body of men cannot be obtained without adequate inducements. The Commission- ers have provided them. They propose to train more boys, and so have men whose very education gives them a preference for the Queen's service over other services. They insist that the hulks, in which the crews are lodged while preparing their ships for service, shall be much improved ; they suggest that the sailor's allowance of bread and meat shall be raised to an equality with that of the best private services ; that any man entering the Queen's service shall be supplied gratuitously with clothes, bedding, and mess utensils ; that his wages shall be paid while the ship is fitting out earlier than now ; that warrant officers shall be raised to their old rank, next after second masters ; and they call attention to the promised promotion of warrant and petty officers of great merit, and under extraordinary circum- stantes. To the whole of the additional men thus raised, in whatever form, and for whatever term, they would give in various degrees the benefit of the Pension Fund. It is necessary to add that the figures given above are not the outside of the hoped-for reserve. The whole of the Marines on shore, whirh on these proposals would amount to 11,000, may be fairly included in it ; as also 5000 short-service Pensioners, allowed under regulations to en-

gage themselves for long voyages, but liable, as fast as they return home, to be recalled to her Majesty's service. What will all this cost ? The improvements in the peace establishments, including an increased allowance of provisions, pensions to warrant officers' widows, gratuitous mess utensils, clothes, and bedding ; instruction and training ships; petty officers' badges, and pay and pensions for gunnery, are estimated to amount to 104,6711. The additional reserves in the Queen's service, including 2000 additional Coastguardmen, 4000 relief in home ports, and 5000 short-service Pensioners and Marines, would amount to about 294,1501. The additional reserves in the merchant service—that is, the 20,000 Royal Naval Volunteers in home, and 5000 in distant voyages (in- cluding school-ships,) would cost 200,000/. All these items would amount to 598,8211.

With regard to the power possessed by the Crown of impressing men, the Commissioners, while retaining it for use in cases of great emergency, su- gest alterations with the view of limiting the period of service of pressed men to three years. The report thus concludes. "Your Majesty possesses in the merchant service elements of naval power such as no other Government in the world enjoys. It is true that hitherto no sufficient organization has existed for securing to your Majesty the immediate command of these resources. During a long peace reliance had been placed either on the . improbability that danger would arise, or on the efficacy of impressment to furnish the means by which danger could be confronted and overcome. Changes in public sentiment and in the circumstances of the case have shaken that reliance. - We rejoice to believe, that by improvements in the administration of your Majesty's navy, and in the regulation of the merchant service, other re- sources have in the meantime been placed within the reach of your Majesty's Government, and that it is now in their power to substitute for untrained compulsory service a system of defence, voluntary, effective, and calculated to draw closer to your Majesty at the moment of danger, the loyal enthusi- asm of those on whom your Majesty will rely. We therefore humbly and confidently submit to your Majesty the adoption of measures which, while their primary object is the protection of this country from the hazards of war, must at the same time improve the position and elevate the character of the British seamen in the two services, and unite them together in the firm bonds of reciprocal good feeling and of common interest."