Vtliatra ant Vranttiugs iu

PRINCIPAL: BUSINESS OP THE WEER,

HOME or Loans. Monday, May 1. Ticket-of-Leave System; Statement by Lord St. Leopards-Income-tax Bill committed.

Tuesday, May 2. Income-tax Bill read a third time and passed—Pauper Remo-

val; Lord Berners's Question—Expediting Business ; Lord Redesdale's Sessional Order.

Thursday, May 4. Ticket-of-Leave System ; Lord St. Leonards's further State- ment.

Friday, May 5. Bombardment of Odessa; Lord Clarendon's Statement—Duke of

Cambridge ; Duke of Newcastle's Explanation—Operations in the Black Sea ; Lord Chmricarde's Criticisms.

Home or COMMONe. Monday, May 1. Oxford University Bill in-Committee- Militia Law Amendment; Lord Palmerston's Bill read a first time. Tuesday, May 2. " No House."

Wednesday, May3. Law of Mortmain ; Mr. Headlam's Bill read a second time— Criminal Conversation ; Mr. Bowyer's Bill thrown out—Declarations ; Mr. Pel-

latt's Bill thrown out—Carlisle Canonries ; Mr. Ferguson's Bill thrown out—Con- ventual Committee ; Debate on the Nomination again adjourned.

Thursday. Maya. Ticket-of-Leave System ; Mr. Fitzroy's Statement—Coal in the Black Sea ; Mr. Ewart's Question—New Writ for Lichfield—Horses to Turkey ; Sir John Walsh's Question—Railway Regulation ; Mr. Cardwell's Bill, committed pro forma—Oxford University Bill in Committee—Industrial Reformatories ; Mr. Ad- derley's Question and Lord Palmerston's Answer. Friday, May 5. Bombardment of Odessa; Sir James Graham's Statement—The Civil Service ; Mr. Gladstone's Statement—Russo-Dutch Loan; Lord John Russell's Declaration—Standing Orders ; Lord John Russell's new Sessional Order—Supply; Navy, Army and Ordnance Supplemental Estimates—Railway Regulation ; Mr. Cardwell's Bill committed—Militia ; Lord Palmerston's Bill committed—New Writs for Devonport and Hastings.

TIME - TABLE.

The Commons.

Hour of Hour of

Meeting. Adjournment.

Monday 4h (es) lh Om rueeday No House. Wednesday Noon 5h 53m Thursday 4h .1m) lh Om

Friday 4h .(m) lh 46m Sittings this Week, 4; Time, 33k 36m — this Session, 67; -- 563h t7ni

ORFORD UNIVERS= REFORM BILL.

In the Committee on this bill, on Monday, Mr. HOESMAN raised a debate on the first clause, which named and appointed the Commissioners, —the Bishop of Ripon, the Earl of Ellesmere, Mr. Justice Coleridge, the Dean of Wells, and Sir John Awdry. He moved that the appointment of the Commissioners should be postponed; urging, that their duties would be of the most arduous kind, but that it was questionable whether the Bishop of Ripon, for instance, could be a practical working member, absorbed as he is with the duties of his diocese ; while it is notorious that Sir John Awdry is opposed to diverting any portion of the College funds to University purposes. Lord JOHN RUSSELL defended the course pro- posed by the Government : the bill, he said, conferred extensive powers, and it would not be wise to confer those powers until it were determined to whom they should be intrusted ; many persons would be reconciled to the bill when they saw the names of the Commissioners. Sir JOHN PARINGTON strongly doubted whether the persons named could discharge the duties intrusted to them : it would be better to as- certain first the functions of the Commissioners, and then appoint them. Mr. SOTHERON declared that the names in the clause reconciled him to the bill. Mr. GLADSTONE vindicated the fitness of the persons chosen. Mr. DISRAELI protested against the doctrine laid down by Mr. Sotheron, and reenforced the arguments of Sir John Pakington. Mr. HORSMAN having persisted in dividing the House, the amendment was negatived by 169 to 141.

On clause 4,—empowering the Commissioners to require the produc- tion by any officer of the University, of any documents or accounts re- lating to such University, and any information relating to the revenues, statutes, usages, or practices thereof respectively ; and providing that no oath which might be taken by any such officer should be pleadable in bar of any authorities of the said Commissioners,—Sir WILLIAM HEATHOOTE proposed to strike out all the words after the word "respectively," and to substitute for them the following : " And it shall be the duty of such officer or member to produce and furnish the same, any prohibition or impediment now existing or arising in or by reason of any of the statutes thereof respectively notwithstanding." Lord Jour'. RUSSELL offered to accept the amendment if Sir William would consent to the introduction of the word "oath." Upon this sub- ject there was much discussion ; Mr. HENLEY and Mr. WALPOLE stand- ing up stoutly for the sacredness of the College oaths ; Mr. ROUNDELL

The Lords.

Hour of Hour of

Meeting. Adjournment.

Monday sh . . 10h bm

Tuesday bh . sh Om Wednesday No sitting.

. Thursday 6h 6h 4.5m Friday Oh 6h 60m.

Sitthigstlils Week, 4 ; Time. 10h 40m

-- this Session. 47 ; — 105k Om

Permsa insisting that every oath in its nature stopped in point of obligation under the authority of the law. and lir. Granarorrs explaining that it is undeniably necessary to take the power sought to be obtained under the present clause, and that if they intend to have the required information they ought to say so. Here Mr. DISRAE1.1 suggested that the clause should terminate at the word "respectively." Mr. J. G. Pitn.mtoaz and Mr. ROUNDELL PALMER at once fell in with the suggestion ; but Mr. Comma immediately pointed out, what the SOLICITOR-GENERAL subse- quently confirmed, that there would then be no power of compelling the production of documents, and the object of the clause would be defeated. However, Sir Wrizaam HpxrucoTE accepted Mr. Disraeli's amendment, and the Committee divided upon the question "that the words proposed to be left out stand part of the bill "—Ayes, 118; Noes, 69 ; majority, 49. So the clause was agreed to. On clause 6,—providing for the composition of the Hebdomadal Conn. cil, and its election by the Congregation,—Mr. WALPOLE raised a question that led to much discussion. He proposed, as an amendment, that instead of " six" Heads of Houses being elected by the Congregation, and one nominated by the Chancellor, seven should be elected by the Heads them- selves. This raised the whole question as between Congregational and what is called "Sectional" election. Mr. GLADSTONE, Mr. LOWE, and Sir WILLIAM HEATHOOTE, defended the clause as it stood. The power given to the Chancellor of nominating two members of the Council was inserted because it was thought desirable to maintain some of the rela- tions between the University and the external world. Three classes, the Heads of Houses, the Professors, and the resident members, would be re- presented in the Council. With respect to the Heads of Houses, it was natural that they who were to suffer, for a moment, an abatement of long-enjoyed power and dignity, should desire to elect themselves. Go- vernment has every disposition to meet that feeling, provided they could do so without sacrificing a great object. Government desires that the Professorial element should occupy a substantially recognized but not a dominant place in the University ; and it might be said this would best be accomplished by permitting the Professors to elect themselves. Many of the ablest men in the University, however, begged the Government not to adopt the Sectional plan. The word "clique" seemed invented to express a body so elected. They would form three separate interests, and endeavour to maintain them, instead of striving to promote the gene- ral interests of the University. The plan would be most unacceptable to the University. On the other hand, Sir JOHN PAXINOTON, Mr. HORSMA.N Mr. WAD. roLz, Mr. J. E. DENISON, and Mr. HENLEY, contended in &our of the Sectional plan. Sir John Pakington said, all he heard from the Uni- versity led him to differ from the conclusion arrived at by Mr. Gladstone. If the present clause were passed, the Professors would be put into the hands of the Tutors. Now, it is said, the University is ruled by an oligarchy of twenty-four ; under the clause it would be under an oli- garchy of a hundred. Mr. Henley laid great stress on the influence which Congregational election would confer on the younger, clerical, and Tract- arian party ; and urged upon the Committee that they would never secure an independent governing body unless they guarded against that clerical element.

On a division, the amendment was carried against the Government, by 162 to 149 ; and the announcement of the result was received with Op- position cheering.

The words " one other Head appointed by the Chancellor of the Uni- versity" were struck out. Mr. WALPOLE, continuing his amendments, proposed that the Professors should be elected from among themselves ; and it was agreed that this alteration was included in the previous de- cision.

Another division took place. As the clause originally stood, one of the Professors was to be a Professor of Theology : it was moved to add to the clause as amended the words "of Theology " ; and on a division the amendment was carried, by 148 to 135.

At this stage, leaving the clause incomplete, the Chairman reported progress.

The Committee was resumed on Thursday ; and clause 6 was further considered. Sir JOHN PARINGTON proposed to insert words to thd effect that the seventh Professor should be chosen from among the Professors of Theology. Mr. GLanwrorrs objected, and the amendment was negatived without a division.

The last sentence of the clause, " together with six members of Con- vocation of not less than five years' standing, elected by the Congrega- tion," was next considered. Sir JOHN PAXINGTON proposed as an amend- ment, to substitute the word " Convocation " for the word " Congrega- tion." The establishment of a Congregation would practically throw the power into the hands of the prevailing party, set aside Convocation, and materially affect the interests of the University. The University ought not to be exposed to party feeling.

This amendment occasioned considerable debate. Lord Scam Russzu, defending the clause, said that if the persons engaged in teaching at Ox- ford were so imbued with party feeling as they were described to be by Mr *Henley and Sir John Pakington, rather than intrust them with the education of youth, it would be better to abolish the University alto- gether. Such is not a fair description of the teachers of Oxford. It would be a great misfortune if persons could be prejudiced by circular letters and brought up from Cornwall, Northumberland, and other coun- ties, to vote against all improvements. Mr. HENLEY contended, that, under the bill, the young men resident at Oxford might give an impetus to peculiar principles; which, if the amendment were adopted, the great body of the University would check. The Congregation would be a nar- row oligarch". The amendment was further supported by Mr. NEWDE- GATE, Lord ROBERT CECIL, Mr. ROUNDELL PALMER, Mr. HILDYARD, and Mr. VANSITTART ; and opposed by Mr. DRUMMOND, Mr. GLADSTONE, and Mr. R. PHILLDIORE.

In the course of 'the debate, Mr. GLADSTONE vigorously defended the residents of the University from the disparaging attack of Mr. Henley, who had called them young, and said they had a tendency to run from one extreme to another, now Tractarian now Rationalistic. Mr. HENLEY, rising with heat, said that Mr. Gladstone might misrepresent him as much as he pleased : no doubt, he knew best whether there was a Tractarian tendency in the University. What he had really said was, that he did not believe the Rationalistic tendency existed to such an extent as Mr. Horsman supposed. Mr. GLADSTONE retorted. He considered he might, if he chose, appeal to the Speaker against the angry taunts of Mr. Hen-

ley ; who had no right to tell any Member he might misrepresent him as he pleased; imputing to another wilful misrepresentation. Mr. Gladstone ilated he need not defend himself from such an imputation. He vindicated the resident body at great length ; and showed that when the members of Convocation came from a distance to vote, it was not the quiet and sober-minded who did so, but those imbued with strong party and political feelings.

The Committee went to a division, and the amendment was negatived by 192 to 176. The clause was then agreed to. Clause 9,—enacting that the Hebdomadal Council might appoint Com- mittees,—was struck out, as unnecessary. Clause 10 was agreed to. The Chairman reported progress, and the House resumed.

THE INCOME-TAX.

In the House of Lords, on Monday, upon the motion of Earl Gator- mks to go into Committee on the Income-tax Bill, a discussion arose which had very little reference to the tax itself. Lord Granville prefaced his motion by a brief statement in vindication of the budget of last year from antecedent attacks of Lord Derby; and in still briefer terms de- scribed the present bill, as a simple measure, merely enacting that during the first half of the current year double the half-year's Income- tax should be paid. One reason for doubling the tax in the first half- year is, that as direct taxes cannot be collected for six or nine months, the whole charge might be received in the current year ; and another, that circumstances might make it necessary to double the tax for the second half of the year.

Lord BROUGHAM repeated the objections he has often before expressed against an income-tax. Of all taxes that can be imposed, except taxes upon food, taxes upon knowledge, and taxes upon the administration of justice, an income-tax is the worst. But as we are unfortunately plunged in war, he feared it is not only necessary to continue but to increase the tax ; and on that ground he assented to the motion.

The Earl of MALMESBURY scarcely touched on the Income-tax. He sneered at the boasted simplicity of the measure : its simplicity some- times appears to be one of our greatest misfortunes, as any Chancellor of the Exchequer must be open to the temptation of making use of this great instrument of taxation. He defended the late Government, and especially his " eminent and eloquent friend" Mr. Disraeli; in whose path it would be expecting too much from human nature to suppose Mr. Gladstone would condescend to follow. He attacked Mr. Gladstone's system of finance; reviving the charge, that, regardless of the warnings in the consular despatches and the secret correspondence, (extracts from which Lord Malmesbury read,) Mr. Gladstone, with a probable war be- fore him, yet reduced taxation, and held out the expectation that within seven years the Income-tax would no longer be in existence. Asserting that Mr. Gladstone had said that the present generation would be able to bear the weight of the present war, Lord Malmesbury adversely criticized that opinion; and taunted Mr. Gladstone with acting contrary to his own principles, by coming down with a " newly-invented kind of loan" : he had paid off one kind of stock at 3 per cent and taken up another at 31 per cent ; he had paid off at par in one month, and had borrowed at the rate of 15 discount in another month.

Lord MONTEAGLE with many professions of admiration for Mr. Glad- stone, entered into a minute criticism of his financial measures, to show what he called the extraordinary, the anomalous, and dangerous position in which the country is placed. Mr. Gladstone had objected to the amount of the unfunded debt, yet he created a debt of the same de- scription ; he proposed to make the expenditure of one year come out of the income of that year, yet the words were hardly cold from his lips be- fore he created a debt bearing upon future time. Lord Monteagle hinted at great financial difficulties that have arisen between the Bank and the Government ; in the face of which we are called upon to raise a loan and double the Income-tax. The revenue is prosperous ; the internal condition of the country gives no cause for complaint ; last year 2,000,0001. of taxes were repealed, yet still the surplus is 2,500,0001. Whence then arose the difficulty ? Lord Monteagle found the cause in the measures of last year. The proposal to convert the South Sea Stocks resulted in giving large sums to its proprietors: the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge, by electing to be paid off at par, got 10,0001. by the bar- gain. By these means, Mr. Gladstone reduced the balances in the Ex- chequer. Lord Monteagle rejected the supposition that had there been a large balance at the Bank Parliament would have shrunk from the de- mands made upon it. The Emperor of Russia relied for security upon this country's having a " bourgeois Parliament," which would not sup- port the expenses of the war : the ever-memorable conduct of the House of Commons in this session in voting supplies was a noble refutation of the insinuation. But the Government, having no ready money, ran into debt, and took a vote for 1,750,0001. of Exchequer Bills ; which must be set down to the war expenditure. Entering minutely into the disputed question with respect to the Exchequer balances, he contended that they should not be kept low ; that to keep them low interfered with the work- ing of the Bank Act of 1844, and injured the Bank, the public, and com- merce. He commented on the present loan proposal ; questioning the policy of fixing periods for its payment, when the Minister could not possibly know what would be the position of the country at those periods. Again he said that he did not intend to speak disrespectfully of the man- ner in which the financial department of the Government is carried on, for it is managed now as well as ever ; he had only placed these matters before the House in a plain English common-sense view. The Duke of ARGYLL answered the attack of Lord Malmesbury, and retorted some of his charges respecting the Eastern question. Earl GREY spoke at great length ; commenting at the outset on the Duke of Argyll's passing over the speech of Lord Monteagle without an attempt to answer it,—a course disappointing to the House, which had a right to full explanations. He then turned his attention to the financial policy of the Government ; again went over the conversion scheme; re- suscitating the warnings given to Mr. Gladstone at the time—an im- pending war, the rise of interest, prospects of a bad harvest, and so on; and condemning the whole plan as one that denuded the Exchequer of its balances, and only conferred gains upon the proprietors of stock at the public expense. Mr. Gladstone had made a most important state- ment—he said that he had taken upon himself to regulate the issue of Deficiency Bills with reference to the actual demand at the beginning of the quarter, and that by this course the amount of Deficiency Bills had been reduced from 5,800,0001. to 2,800,0001. Lord Grey thought that

MR. CARDWELL'S RAILWAY BILL.

An irregular discussion upon the Railway and Canal Traffic Regulation Bill took place on Thursday. On the paper, the Oxford University Bill stood first, owing to a technical scruple on the part of the Clerk. Many Members had come down to discuss the University Bill ; and when Lord JOHN RUSSELL inquired whether the House would object to pro- ceed with the Railway Bill after the University Bill, or to allow the Railway Bill to pass through Committee pro forma, taking the discussion on Friday, considerable dissatisfaction was expressed. The Marquis of CHANDOS did not object, as there is now no substantial difference between the object sought by the Board of Trade and the Railway Companies ; but other Members objected; and when the question was put, that the Speaker should leave the Chair, Mr. J. L. RICARDO, on the ground that there had been no time to consider the bill, moved the adjournment of the debate. In this he was vigorously supported by Mr. THOMAS Dux- Gomm ; who attacked the Government for yielding to the Railway in- terest.

He considered the announcement of Lord Chandos, that the bill is satis- factory to the Railway interest, as a proof that it was a bad bill for the public. He would like to see a return of the Members of the House who are in receipt of salaries from the Railway interest. It used to be a rule that no Member should vote on a question in which he had a pecuniary in- terest, and it would be well to prevent chairmen and directors, with their 20001. and 1500/. a year, from voting on Railway questions.

This was followed by a desultory discussion. Mr. BRIGHT said there never was an interest of such magnitude which was so little united for selfish purposes in that House as the railway interest. Mr. BOUVERIE pointed out that many private bills, containing clauses similar to those in the Railway Bill, were hung up waiting the result of the discussion. Mr. HENLEY objected to the adjournment of the debate. Put to the vote, the motion for the adjournment was negatived by 261 to 40. When the motion that the Speaker leave the chair was again put, Mr. EVELYN DENISON renewed the discussion, by complaining, mainly, that all mention of amalgamation had been withdrawn from the bill, and that railway legislation generally is in a very imperfect state. The drift of the discussion which intervened before Mr. Cardwell was permitted to make his statement was one of complaint. Mr. Humz and Mr. T. W. EGER- TON preferred the original bill, as a better protection to the public. Mr. Mexcu.ss defended the Railway Companies; asserting that they had been greater sufferers than the public by the adoption of that system of competition to which they now desired to add regulation. Mr. Wn.- xxxsox took an opposite view. Mr. HENLEY saw little difference be- tween the present and the original bill ; but if anything, it opened more pits for the public to fall into. Who would go to law with the great companies, to get a construction put upon such terms as "reasonable fa- cilities," and "unreasonable delay " ? Mr. JAMES MACGREGOR and Mr. WHITESIDE objected to the bill ; and Mr. ATHERTON supported it. Mr. CARDWELL explained its main provisions; prefacing his statement, which was very meagre, by answering some of the objections put forward in debate.

The amalgamation clause had been struck out, because it was thought that it could not properly be dealt with by statute ; for the first private bill which "dissented' from such an act would repeal it altogether. Amalgamation had, therefore, been dealt with by resolutions. Mr. Henley had objected the Bank of England ought to be in a position on quarter-day to pay all the dividends due. By the old Loan Acts, the Chancellor of the Exche- quer was bound to leave with the cashiers of the Bank enough to pay the whole of the demands ; but, he believed, the clause had been omitted in later acts. Is it not a dangerous practice to calculate the amount that may be called for? Mr. Gladstone may speculate upon 3,000,0001., but some future Ministers might speculate more boldly and leave the cashiers with- out enough to pay the dividends. By a policy of this kind they might be led into circumstances when they would not be able to maintain the standard of value. The mode of raising the new loan is a proof that Government is imprudent and deficient in foresight; for how do they know in what position the country will be in 1858, and 1859, and 1860 ? They are going to raise money with an obligation to pay in full at cer- tain periods; while if the war goes on, they must suppose that the public funds will go down as they did in the last war. He did not wish to em- barrass the Government : he saw much to disapprove in their proceedings; the reckless and imprudent course they are now entering upon filled him with alarm ; but he only came forward in the hope of checking a policy prejudicial to the interests of the country. After a few words from the Earl of DONOUGHMORE on the Opposition side, Earl GRANVILLE replied. He lauded free criticism, as creditable to Parliament and wholesome to the community ; but deprecated premature discussions upon the pending proposals for the issue of Exchequer Bonds. He admitted Lord Monteagle's superior knowledge and long experience of the technical details of finance ; but it did not follow that, therefore, his views were unquestionable. Both Lord Grey and Lord Monteagle had been uncandid in keeping out of view all but the bare fact that the con- version experiment had failed. It was easy to make an effective ex post facto speech. He smartly rebutted the oft-repeated charges of want of forethought, disregard of warning, and recklessness in diminishing the balances at the Exchequer. Ho did not argue for a large amount of De- ficiency Bills ; they had arisen from a failure not much worse than those during the financial administration of Lord Monteagle ; for while the balances at the Bank were then double what they are now, the interest paid now is twenty times less than the interest paid then. Ile concluded with an ironical compliment to Lord Grey on his talent for criticism.

The bill itself went through Committee without a word of discussion.

At the third reading of the bill, on Tuesday, the Marquis of CLANRI- GARDE made some hostile criticisms on the financial measures of the Go- vernment.

Lord Clanricarde made a distinct charge against Mr. Gladstone. When this bill was first brought in, there was every reason to believe that another income-tax would have to be laid before Parliament, because the Chancellor of the Exchequer said, most fairly, that if war were imminent further de- mands would be made to Parliament ; but it was distinctly stated that when other taxation was had recourse to there would not be a loan. This was stated early in March ; it was restated on the 11th of April ; and on the 21st of April the proposition for a loan was made. When they saw such evidences of indecision and want of foresight as this, he thought they might fairly ask to have the whole question considered, and to hear a statement of what re- sources were relied upon by the Government for the prosecution of the war.

But no debate ensued ; and the bill, having been read a third time, passed.

to the word "reasonable" : now, the object of part of the bill was to apply the old law of common carriers to the altered state of things upon railways. That law imposed a peremptory obligation on the common carrier, and "rea- sonable" was the word legally adopted to define the measure of obligation. The bill defines what are the duties which the companies owe to the public in respect to the services to be rendered upon their lines, and obliges them to consult each other in order that their arrangements may be so made that the public may pass as easily from one line to another as along each separate railway. Voluntary arbitration and representations from the Board of Trade have been found of no effect, and compulsory power was found to be neces- sary. The bill, therefore, declares that if any person be aggrieved, or if the Attorney-General should be instructed on behalf of the Crown, he should ap- ply to a court of law for a remedy. The application was to bein the simplest and most summary. form : if the facts were not disputed, there would be im- mediate decision; if they were disputed, there was a power of reference to such engineer, barrister, or other person, as the court should think fit to ap- point, on whose report it might act.

The House went into Committee, and the bill was committed pro forma.

MILITIA.

Lord PALMERSTON has obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend the Militia Act. As a large part of the Army has been sent abroad, and a much larger part would almost immediately leave the country, it is de- sirable to place the Militia in a position fit for home duty. The object of the measure is to enable the Government to call out the Militia when the country is in a state of war ; and also, if a regiment of the Militia has been called out for a shorter period than fifty-six days, that formal notices may be dispensed with in calling such regiment out to complete its term.

In reply to Mr. GROGAN, Lord PALMERSTON said that Government does not intend to enrol the Irish Militia during the present year, as it is not deemed desirable at the present moment to incur the expenditure.

CErMINAL CONVERSATION.

Mr. Bowsmi moved the second reading of the Criminal Conversation Bill, which abolished damages to be paid to the husband in actions for criminal conversation, and substituted in lieu a fine to the Crown by way of punishment. Mr. COLLIER pointed out anomalies in the bill, which, he said, left it doubtful whether the offence was criminal or not, and mixed up together criminal and civil proceedings; and he moved that the second reading be on that day six months. Mr. CRAUFUED, Mr. W. D. SEYMOUR, and Mr. J. D. FITZGERALD, supported the bill ; while Mr. Wrirresmz, Mr. Prys, and the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, agreed with Mr. Collier, deprecating the system of bit by bit legislation, when the whole subject requires a comprehensive reform. On a division, the bill was thrown out, by 121 to 49.

DECLARATIONS BILL.

Mr. Peraerr moved the second reading of the Declarations Bill, ena- bling persons who feel conscientious scruples to make a declaration in lieu of an oath. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL objected to the bill, that it would lead to great abuses ; as many persons who have a sense of the religious sanction of an oath are not sufficiently alive to the moral obli- gations of a declaration. There is before the other House of Parliament a bill which he hoped soon to bring before the House of Commons, af- fording considerable relief to witnesses in this particular. He proposed that if a judge before whom a person gives evidence is satisfied that the person objecting really entertains conscientious scruples against taking an oath, he should be allowed to make a declaration. Mr. FITZROY moved that the hill be read a second time that day six months. This was carried by 136 to 37, and the bill was consequently thrown out.

CARLISLE CANONRIES BILL.

This bill proposed to appropriate the income of one of the four Canon- ries of Carlisle Cathedral in augmentation of the incumbencies of that city. Mr. FERGUSON moved the second reading. Mr. GOULBURN ex- pressed his surprise that the House should have sanctioned the first read- ing of such a measure. Other incumbents like those of Carlisle are poorly remunerated. Twelve years ago, the House decided that there should be four canonries in each cathedral, and would they now reopen the question ? Mr. THOMAS CHAMBERS and Mr. HOWARD supported the bill ; while it was opposed by Mr. R. PHILLLMORE, the Marquis of BLANDFOILD, and Mr. Cowren. Mr. FERGUSON divided the HORS; and the second reading was negatived by 87 to 79.

Disroses or CRIMINALS.

Lord ST. LEONARDS has called attention to a case arising out of the new ticket-of-leave system. A man, sixty years of age, was convicted at Edinburgh, and condemned to seven years' transportation. He was sent to Dartmoor, remained there seventeen months, and then obtained a ticket- of-leave. Under this permission, he was sent back to Edinburgh ; and there he committed a new felony, upon proof of which he forfeited his ticket-of-leave, and was remanded to his former place of imprisonment. When committed, he made a statement, of which this report has been published- " The prisoner, who cried bitterly on being removed from the dock, told the officers who had charge of him that he was driven to commit the felony in question by starvation. The authorities of Dartmoor prison sent him back to the scene of his former disgrace ; where, consequently, he failed to get employment. Wherever he went in Edinburgh he was a marked man ; and even if he obtained a situation, the police made it their business to in- form his employer of his previous character, and no confiderce was subse- quently placed in him."

It would be better to hang or drown a man than subject him to this system. It is desirable that this subject should be reconsidered by the Government with reference to the mode of employment and the means of existence for the persons so discharged.

The Loan CHANCELLOR said, he would obtain information with regard to the case from Lord Palmerston. He threw doubts on the statement of the prisoner. Until he heard it authenticated, ho could never believe that a man having a ticket-of-leave should be obliged and compelled to resort to the scene of his former delinquencies. Lord Sr. LEONARDS said, the act enables the Crown to grant the ticket- of-leave on such conditions as it may think fit. Lord CAMPBELL joined in condemning the alleged practice.

Some further explanations were made in both Houses on Thursday. In the House of Peers Lord ST. LEONARDS returned to the subject ; citing a letter from the Reverend T. Sutton, Chaplain of York Castle, addressed to the Times, declaring on the faith of prisoners' statements, that "discharged prisoners are constantly watched by the Police, and every impediment thrown in the way of their obtaining employment" ; and on Mr. Sutton's own, that in some instances their companions in crime "are bribed by the Police to decoy them again into the commission of crime," in order that the Police may get a job. Lord St. Leonards trusted that was not the case, and hoped the statement would be fully investigated. The Loan CHANCELLOR concurred in thinking that there must be an in- quiry. He promised to lay on the table copies of the instructions given to the Police with regard to persona receiving tickets-of-leave.

In the other House, in reply to Mr. SCULLY, Mr. FITZROY explained, that a person discharged under licence is permitted to name the place where he wishes to go, and where, according to his statement, he can ob- tain employment,—if, on inquiry, that statement prove correct. If the place selected is not farther from the prison than the place where he was committed, his carriage is paid; he is provided with subsistence on his journey ; he receives the money he may have earned, and a new suit of clothes. Brown, the convict sent to Edinburgh, received for his earn- ings 51. 6s. 6d., for his carriage expenses 2/. 3s., and subsistence-money for the journey. Mr. Fitzroy read a statement from a newspaper— vouching for its truth—to show that the Police do not offer impediments to men under licence ; that Brown did not seek employment ; that he was drunk every day ; and that he was neither seen nor heard of by the Edinburgh Police until he was apprehended for theft. Brown had pleaded "guilty" to four offences, and confessed that he neither sought for employment nor obtained it. In reply to Sir Jowl PAKINGTON, Mr. FITZROY further explained, that the Police have no special instructions with regard to men liberated under licence. They are exactly in the same position as liberated convicts who have completed their term of confinement.

INDUSTRIAL REFORMATORIES.

Mr. Animism/ renewed his question, as to whether Government would bring in a bill to encourage voluntarily-established industrial reforma- tories for criminal children ? Lord PALMERSTON replied, that he had considered Mr. Adderley's bill, and thought the general principle ex- ceedingly good ; and that, without pledging himself to details, in the course of the session he would introduce a bill founded on that principle.

PAUPER REMOVAL.

Lord BERNERS, in presenting a petition from the Guardians of the Union of Cosford, Suffolk, praying that the laws of settlement and remo- val might be repealed, asked for some explanations with regard to the abandonment of Mr. Baines's Pauper Removal Bill ; whether Scotch and Irish poor will be included in any future measures of the Government ; and whether real estate will be relieved from any portion of the burden levied as poor-rates.

The Earl of ABERDEEN said, that the measure introduced into the other House had been suspended, not abandoned; that there must be extensive inquiry into the state of the law affecting Scotch and Irish poor before they can be included in any measure ; that there is no prospect of any such measure being introduced in the present session ; that Government does not intend to propose a national rate, nor to make any change in the charge of real property to the poor-rate; and that it is highly important the Committee about to be appointed elsewhere should report as speedily as possible, in order that legislation, may take place early next session.

HORSES Pon TURKEY.

Sir JOHN WALSH, referring to a former statement of Sir James Graham, that 2259 horses had been sent to Turkey, asked whether Sir James meant to say that 2259 horses had arrived in Turkey ; or whether they had only been embarked to Turkey in sailing-vessels : and supposing they had not arrived, when is it likely they will arrive ?

Sir hares Grisliest said, his statement was, that 2259 horses had, at different times, been sent from this country on their way to Turkey. A letter he had that day received from Lord Raglan, at Malta, stated that the first portion of the horse-transports had safely arrived, without loss ; and the horses would be expedited to Turkey by steamers. Government, he further said, has taken up the steamer Himalaya, to carry 500 horses to Turkey, as an experiment.

TURKISH COAL.

In reply to Mr. EWART, Sir JAMES Gnexest said it hasbeen ascertained that excellent sea-borne coal could be obtained at Ezakli, on the Southern coast of the Euxine, between Constantinople and Trebizond ; that a Bri- tish officer has been sent to make an inspection and pay immediate at- tention to the working of the mines ; and that he confidently expects both the British and French fleets would be able to obtain all the coal they will want from the coast of the Black Sea.

THE CHAMBERS COMMITTEE.

The debate on the appointment of the Committee on Conventual and Monastic establishments, which has so long been hanging over the House, was resumed on Wednesday. Mr. DIGBY SEYMOUR spoke against the appointment of the Committee, as unnecessary. Mr. Hone:well also de- precated any further proceedings; and Mr. NEWDEGATE had just begun a long sentence, when the SPEAKER interrupted him and closed the debate, by an intimation that it was within a quarter of six o'clock ; and by one of the standing orders the matter is adjourned till:next Wednesday.

BUSINESS IN THE LORDS.

On the motion of Lord REDESDALE, the following resolution was agreed to, thereby becoming a sessional order- " That this House will not read any bill a second time after Tuesday the 25th of July, except bills of aid or supply, or any bill in relation to which the House shall have resolved, before the second reading is moved, that the circumstances which render legislation on the subject-matter of the same expedient are either of such recent occurrence or increased urgency as to render the immediate consideration of the said bill necessary."

The object of, the resolution, Lord Redesdale explained, is to expedite public business.

In the last session of Parliament, which began in November, there were 136 public bills passed ; only 40 of which had passed up to the end of July, the remaining 96 having received the Royal assent in the course of the month of August. Of these 96 bills passed in the month of August, 62 were read a second time after the 25th of July. The Earl of ABERDEEN said, similar complaints had been made ever since he entered Parliament, nearly fifty years ago. The evil continues unabated, and he could not be sanguine as to the success of the remedy now proposed; but he thought its tendency will be to expedite business in the House of Commons. Lord BEAUMONT protested against the reso- lution, as unconstitutional : it is as much the duty of Peers of Parlia- ment to attend their duty after the 25th of July as before that date. Lord REDESDALE said, that so far from being unconstitutional, the reso- lution only carried out an old standing order of 1668, requiring that no bills should be discussed after a certain date.

[During this speech, the gas-lights suffered a sudden eclipse, to the great merriment of their Lordships : Lord Redesdale continued to speak in the obscurity, audible, but scarcely visible, until the gas was turned on again. One effect was, that the darkness prevented the reporters from taking their usual notes.]