which might prevent it taking place, but that as soon as all public measures of urgency were disposed of, he would advise an early dissolution of parliament, with a view to its re-opening before the close of the autumn. It appears to me that this declaration is so far satisfactory. I think that as matters stand, it would be advisable for us to proceed at once to consider the naval and army estimates, and I trust those votes will be agreed to without much discussion. There is another class of estimates-I mean the miscellaneous estimates, about which it is not now necessary to say anything, as they will come on at a later period, and perhaps we shall be better informed then as to the intentions of the government. It is clear, after the intimation of the noble lord at the head of the government, that there will be a dissolution of parliament in May or June, and such will be the ferment in the country, with a view to the new elections, and the canvassing of counties and towns, that I think it will be better if that dissolution is not delayed longer than the exigencies of the public service absolutely require. There is only one measure of which the right honourable gentleman the Secretary for the Home Department has given notice, I mean with regard to the regulation of the militia: I am willing to see such a measure introduced, and I will offer no obstacle to its introduction; but I do not | give any pledge with regard to it, as when it comes before the house, they will be able to judge whether it is such a measure as they think ought to pass; and I shall be at liberty to form a judgment upon it. With respect to other measures which the government may introduce, it will be competent to the house, if they do not think them to be of urgency or importance, to cause them to be postponed. Such being the state of affairs, if the house should coincide with me in that view, I propose that another day in the week should be given to the government; and that when the notices now on the book are disposed of, that Thursday should be a government day, and that on other days orders of the day should have precedence.'

[MARCH.

upon having come to his senses, and found out the mistake he had made. The CHANCELLOR of the ExCHEQUER congratulated the house and the country upon the announcement that there was not to be any further opposition to the granting of supplies. He was pleased to hear from so high an authority as the leader of the combined opposition, that there was to be no further obstruction to public business. The ministers were not less anxious than the noble lord that an appeal should be made to the country, as soon as the votes were passed which were necessary for the service of her Majesty, and those measures were carried which were requisite for the security and good government of the realm.-Mr. WALPOLE having disclaimed any intention on the part of the government to show anything like distrust or discouragement towards those who desired to form volunteer corps, Sir De Lacy Evans withdrew his resolution.

The house then went into committee, when certain votes for the army were agreed to, and the committee then proceeded with the Navy Estimates. On the navy vote of 134,6321. for admiralty salaries, Captain PECHELL asked what were the intentions of government with regard to the Building of Iron Steamers, the Patronage of the Dockyard, the South African Squadron, Naval Retirement, Naval Reserve, the Conveyance of Specie on board Ships of War, a system fraught with gross partiality; and Medals for Naval Actions. He stated that with proper management the navy was effective for the defence of the country without any additional expense.-Mr. STAFFORD excused himself from giving detailed information on the various questions connected with naval expenditure, on the ground of the short tinie he had been in office. As to the building of iron steamers, there would be considerable reluctance in the new board to continue it. With regard to the dockyards, he hoped some plan would be devised by which deserving naval officers might be rewarded, and the efficiency of the yards increased. Of the policy of keeping up the African squadron he would give no opinion; but, whilst it was continued, it would be maintained in an efficient state. The dead weight of the halfpay and naval allowances would be kept as low as pospresent estimates, and the course taken by the new Admiralty Board in general, was a sufficient answer to all the charges which, while in opposition, they had brought or supported as against their predecessors. To make our navy perfectly effective, it was absolutely necessary we should have a reserve of seamen-Mr. W. WILLIAMS animadverted on the enormous charge of maintaining our dockyards. Of the 5,600,000l. now voted for the navy, only about 2,000,000l. were necessary for what might be called the sinews of war, the rest being expended wastefully, in paying officers who were not employed, half-pay, dock-yard appointments, and other similar items. He considered the promotions under the schemes of 1846 and 1851 as jobs, which had unnecessarily increased the half-pay. The proposed naval reserve was unnecessary, if our sailors were in all cases properly treated.-Some further conversation took place, in the course of which Sir F. BARING expressed an opinion adverse to the maintenance of a large fleet in the Channel, as likely to induce France to take a similar step, and lead in the end to additional expense; and Captain SCOBELL offered various suggestions for the improvement of the navy. In the end the vote was adopted.

Lord John RUSSELL afterwards inquired of the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he had rightly understood that no change was to be made in the constitution of the National Board of Education in Ire-sible.-Admiral BERKELEY thought the adoption of the land, or in the system of combined education, which had been successful in bringing Roman Catholics and Protestants into the same schools.-—Mr. WALPOLE replied that there was no intention to make any alteration in the principle of combined education, but it was intended to consider whether, consistently with that principle, some alteration might not be made in the mode of administering the system, which would be more satisfactory to members of the Established Church.-Mr. OSBORNE observed, that if Mr. Disraeli had been as explicit in this house as Lord Derby had been in the other, he should not have attempted to delay the supplies, and he should not offer any further opposition. He thought, however, that Mr. Walpole's explanation as to the national education system in Ireland was most unsatisfactory and evasive.

Sir De Lacy EVANS moved a resolution that it is inconsistent on the part of the government to propose an Augmentation of the Armed and Paid Forces while they refuse and discourage offers of gratuitous service, having for their object the formation of rifle companies and regiments for the national defence.-Mr. HUME, in seconding the motion, observed that the statements of the government in both houses were satisfactory, and it Mr. RICARDO inquired whether it was the intention would be impossible to refuse to appeal to the country of government to alter the present policy with regard as soon as measures of absolute necessity were passed. to the Shipping Trade. Mr. HERRIES said, he had As to the Militia Bill (which Mr. Walpole had promised stated before, and he restated now, that to reverse that to introduce on Monday next), he hoped the govern- most unwise policy would be difficult, and, in some ment would reconsider the subject, and not entangle respects, impossible.-Mr. LABOUCHERE had understood themselves with a militia bill.-Mr. F. MAULE thought that this was now considered a settled question, and he the government should be allowed to develope their appealed to the state of the ship-building trade as deciviews upon the subject of a militia.-Sir R. INGLIS sive evidence of the success of the late policy. At no hoped that the acts of Lord J. Russell and those around period had there been such activity in our great shiphim would correspond a little more with their profes-building yards as at present. Mr. G. F. YOUNG, on sions than on Friday.-Mr. BRIGHT suggested that the Militia Bill, when brought in, shovid stand over until after the general election, as one of those measures upon which the opinion of the country ought to be specifically asked.-Sir J. TYRELL congratulated the noble lord

the other hand, declared that the ship-building trade was in a most disastrous condition. He referred to recent returns, showing that, while British tonnage was declining, foreign tonnage had increased.-Mr. W. BROWN, on the contrary, read statements which proved

the increase of British shipping.-Mr. HUDSON asserted that the ship-builders at Sunderland were prosecuting their business at a loss; while Mr. EWART insisted on the prosperity of the shipping trade at Liverpool.

The motion for going into committee on the Suitors in Chancery Reform Bill afforded an opportunity to Sir W. P. WooD to impugn what he said was an unfair and unfounded statement made by the Lord Chancellor in the Lords, to the effect that the present government when they came in, found no trace of measures to carry out the recommendation of the Chancery Reform Commission; the fact being that everything had been done as far as time would allow (the report having been made only on the 27th of January, a week before the meeting of Parliament,) to carry out the recommendation of the commission. Mr. J. STUART thought his honourable and learned friend's explanation fully bore out the Lord Chancellor's statement, for he had admitted there was not time to prepare the bills.-Some further explanation on the same point took place, after which the bill passed through committee pro formá.

The Copyright Amendment Bill and the St. Albans Disfranchisement Bill went through the same stage; in the latter case after a last appeal from Mr. J. BELL in favour of his constituency.

On Tuesday, the 23rd, Mr. FREWEN moved a resolution, that in any remission of taxation the Kepcal of the Excise duty on Hops ought to be taken into serious consideration. He founded his motion upon the facts that the amount paid into the Exchequer on account of this tax did not exceed, upon an average of three years, 269,0007.; that it was the only tax which had never been mitigated, and that it pressed with great severity upon the hop-growers, and was producing distress and ruin in his part of the country.-Mr. J. L. HODGES supported the motion. The CHANCELLOR of the ExCHEQUER observed, it was admitted that it would be improper to press government for any pledge upon this subject, which, at a fit time, would not escape their attention. Under the circumstances he hoped Mr. Frewen would not require a more definite answer. Mr. HUME and Mr. Henry DRUMMOND urged the repeal not only of this tax, but of the malt tax.Mr. COBDEN thought that upon every ground of expediency the obnoxious hop duty ought to be repealed. The malt tax stood upon a different ground; its repeal must be accompanied by an equivalent reduction of the expenditure. He recommended Mr. Frewen, if he really wished to succeed, to press his motion to a division, as the budget had not yet appeared, and this was a condemned parliament.-Mr. FREWEX, however, was satisfied with the answer of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and would not put the house to the trouble of dividing. The motion, accordingly, was withdrawn. Mr. M. MILNES moved for copies of the correspondence between her Majesty's government and foreign states respecting the Protection afforded to Refugees, in continuation of the correspondence already presented. He was anxious to have these papers prior to bringing forward the motion of which he had given notice. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the correspondence was now complete, and would be shortly laid upon the table. The motion was withdrawn.

RUSSELL stated that though we had guaranteed the treaty under which the Pasha of Egypt held the Pashalic, we had not guaranteed the conditions on which the future relations of the Porte and its vassal should subsist. Any interference, therefore, on our part with either the Porte or the Pasha could only be in the shape of advice given by one friendly power to another. He agreed that it would not conduce to the satisfactory termination of the negotiation if the papers asked for were given.-Mr. HUME, though disapproving of the interference of England in 1839, thought we were now bound to insist that the conditions of the treaty we then guaranteed should be carried out.-Mr. M. MILNES said England had never so guaranteed the independence of Egypt that she would be justified in supporting that independence by the force of arms; but he thought all the parties to the treaty were morally bound to see it carried out, and that Egypt, in its endeavour to promote civilisation, and to ensure security for life and property within its territory, should be supported by the moral influence of this country.-Mr. ANDERSON intimated that he did not intend to press his motion, and it was withdrawn.

On Wednesday, the 24th, Mr. FREWEX, in moving the second reading of the Protection from Dangerous Animals Bill, adverted to the public evils, and even injuries, arising from the absence of sufficient legal control over furious dogs and savage bulls, and from the enactment against draught dogs not being extended to the rural districts. The object of the bill was to remedy these defects in the law. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL gave a ludicrous exposition of the proposed provisions for the destruction of mad dogs (already without the pale of the law), and for the tethering of irritable bulls, and he urged that, although the subject of dog-carts might deserve consideration, there was no urgent necessity for legislation. It would be better, he thought, to withdraw the bill; otherwise, he should propose its rejection. Mr. SPOONER defended the bill, more especially with reference to draught dogs; and Mr. EWART suggested that that part of the bill should be alone retained, and that it should be referred to a select committee.-After a short discussion, the bill was withdrawn.-Mr. V. SMITH (in the absence of Lord J. Russell) moved the second reading of the Corrupt Practices at Elections Bill. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL repeated what had been said by Mr. Walpole, that the government did not object to the bill, reserving to themselves the liberty of proposing amendments in the committee.-The bill was read a second time, not without a vehement denunciation of election abuses by Colonel Sibthorp.

On Thursday, the 25th, Mr. HUME moved for leave to bring in his measure to amend the Representative System, by making the franchise depend on residence and rating only to introduce voting by the bailot-to shorten the duration of Parliament to three years—and to adjust the representation on the basis of population and property. He called on the house, as the best means of preserving the blessings of our constitution, to remove all ground of discontent arising from the injustice and anomalics of the present system. The only way in which the country could bear that competiMr. ANDERSON moved for a return of copies of cor- tion which must, ere long, come upon it, was by ensuring respondence between the British ministry and their to the people equal rights, and convincing them that they agents at Constantinople and in Egypt since January, had an interest in the maintenance of the institutions of 1850, relative to the attempted Interference of the Porte the country. He commented upon the recent speech of in the internal Administration of Egypt, by depriving Lord Derby, who, having seceded from the views he the Pasha of the power to inflict capital punishment, advocated 19 years ago, denounced as demagogues those and to construct railways in his own territory. He who remained stedfast to those opinions. The extension dwelt at length on the deep interest England had in up- of the suffrage had not tended to encourage, but to check, holding the efforts of the Pasha to improve and civilise the lawless march of democracy, and democracy was Egypt, and contrasting the security of European life only dangerous when it became lawless. At present, and property in that country, as compared with their one-fortieth of the adult male population could return insecurity in Turkey, recommended the exercise of the majority to make laws for the government of the British influence to terminate the dispute favourable to entire country; that was not a state of popular Egypt. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER could representation that could be satisfactory to the people, not accede to the motion. To do so would be to publish or permanently secure content and tranquillity.-Sir J. information in reference to important negotiations still WALMSLEY in seconding the motion showed the gross pending for the settlement of the differences between inequalities of a system under which 325 members, Turkey and Egypt; but a due regard to the interests of forming, in fact, a majority of the house, represented the two states, of England, and of the world, would be only 141,372 votes, or one for 430, while the rest were observed in the negotiations referred to.-Lord J. | returned by 908,715, or one for 2779, and after quoting

[МАКСИ.

aristocracy could not long continue as parts of our constitution; and as to triennial parliaments, he reminded its advocates that the triennial act had been repealed because of the inconvenience, expense, and heat which it occasioned. He believed at present the franchise was too exclusively confined to the middle classes, and that it should be extended to those members of the educated working classes who were in every way fitted to exercise it. He also considered it important that the constituencies of the smaller boroughs should be enlarged. Some observations were made by Mr. Walpole, and the house divided, when Mr. Hume's motion was negatived by 244 to 89.

Col. DUNNE, in moving the Ordnance Estimates, stated, that having examined them he found they had been prepared by the late government with the greatest economy consistent with the maintenance of the establishment in an efficient state. Though there was an increase in the number of men, consequent on the filling up of the artillery regiments and engineers, there was only one other vote, that for the survey of Scotland, in which there was not a decrease as compared with former years.

the Earl of Chatham, Mr. Fox, the late Duke of Richmond, Earl Grey, Mr. Lambton, and other authorities of past times in favour of an extension of the suffrage and short parliaments, concluded by impressing on the house the importance at this particular juncture of expressing an opinion on the subject.-Mr. H. DRUMMOND considered the danger of any extensive widening of the franchise to be that the House of Commons would represent the poverty instead of the wealth of the country. If he took up the part of reformer it would be to reform the House of Lords. The power of the House of Commons had increased, and was increasing, and he wished to enable the Lords to withstand that power. He suggested that the Crown On Friday, the 26th, on the motion for going into should have the power of naming peers for life. Committee of Supply, Mr. SLANEY made a variety of Sir W. P. WOOD argued that there was greater danger suggestions for the Relief of the Landed Interest. to be apprehended from excluding the unproprietary Amongst them, freedom from heavy stamp duties and class from the pale of the constitution than from extend- enormous law expenses on the sale, mortgage, or transfer ing the franchise to them. The case of France, which of property-a simple and general law to facilitate had been put forward as a warning to us not to extend disentailment, where necessary-the right to make the franchise to the majority, was in fact a warning to improvements, and obtain loans without the necessity of us not to exclude them from all political power. Had having a private bill in each case. With free-trade in the Reform Bill not passed, and the corn laws remained corn there should be free-trade in capital. Capital, unrepealed, what a fearful position would this country which had increased enormously of late years, was have been in in 1848! When disturbances were appre-seeking investment; and, if perfect freedom were hended in 1848, two or three hundred of the workmen allowed, would be invested in land, where it was employed on the building of the new houses of parlia- greatly needed. But for this, the law of unlimited ment, refused to be sworn in as special constables, on liability must be repealed. Freedom for labour, the ground that they would not go out against their which was restricted by the settlement law, was also order. He saw danger in that refusal-and the best necessary. way to guard against it was to destroy the "order," by admitting those who belonged to it into the pale of the constitution. He had voted for Mr. Hume's previous motions for reform, but as he did not approve of the details, he should not vote on the present motion. Mr. ROEBUCK contended that that system of representation could never give satisfaction or secure good government, which excluded from political rights educated and moral men. He was, however, of opinion that to unite a number of small boroughs into one, for the purpose of increasing the constituencies would be most objectionable. The advantage of having the minority represented in the House of Commons as well as the majority, would be lost if the country were so cut up into squares.-Mr. DISRAELI combated the proposition put forward by Mr. Hume and Sir J. Walmsley, that the town population was not fairly represented, by quoting the number of members returned by the urban and rural populations respectively, of some of the largest counties, showing that showing that the proportion of members to numbers was far greater in the towns than in the country. Against triennial parliaments he had no inveterate prejudice; but how could those who refused to allow a parliament to legislate in the last session of its existence demand that the duration of parliaments should be shortened to three, or, as some of them wished, to one year? With regard to the ballot, in an unlimited constituency it would be a conservative measure; but he could not conceive a more cunning device for an oligarchy than that the franchise should be confined to a limited number, whose voting should be concealed from the eyes of the unenfranchised millions. And if on the other hand, they went to universal suffrage, without which the ballot should not be established, that would involve a new constitution that of the sovereignty of the people. That was the constitution of America, but not of England, which was that of the sovereignty of Queen Victoria. He denied that the Earl of Derby, or any member of the government, ever said or meant that an extension of the franchise must necessarily involve an extension of democratic power. What they were opposed to was the tampering with the depository of political power, than which nothing could be more injurious or dangerous to the country. After some observations by Mr. F. Berkeley and Mr. Osborne, Lord J. RUSSELL did not consider that the propositions of Mr. Hume's motion would conduce to the good government of the country. Adverting to those propositions in detail, he spoke strongly against the ballot, as applicable only to a very wide extension of the suffrage, and gave it as his opinion that with universal suffrage and vote by ballot the monarchical principle and the hereditary

Of the various recommendations made by the committee on the Ordnance estimates, many had been already carried into effect, and others were under consideration. He proposed a vote of 15,582 men. After some slight discussion, the vote, together with the money grants for pay and other charges, passed.

Mr. G. A. HAMILTON brought forward the Commissariat Votes, and explained that the increase they exhibited over the corresponding votes of last year was consequent on the war at the Cape and the establishment of a convict station at Western Australia, which together amounted to 67,5521.

The grants having passed, a vote of 17,742,8007. was taken in Committee of Ways and Means on account of Exchequer Bills, Mr. Hume entering a protest against the high rate of interest at which this class of securities was maintained.

The President of the Board of Trade having moved the second reading of the bill authorising the Apprehension of Descrters from Foreign Ships, Mr. ANSTEY moved that the second reading be postponed for six months. If this bill passed, persons flying from the tyranny of their own government must be given up to what would be certain death. He inquired who were the foreign powers at whose instigation this measure, which was an insult to the country, had been brought forward? We had had extradition treaties before, and he was sorry for it, but this was the first instance in which it was provided that simple desertion, unaccompanied by scandalous crime, should be a sufficient ground for extradition.-The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE said the bill had been prepared by the late government. On the part of our merchants there was general complaint of the inconvenience they suffered from the desertion of seamen from British ships in foreign ports; and, having no means of reciprocating, it could not be expected that any application for their apprehension would be attended to. The object of the Board of Trade was to protect our own merchant ships

whether or not her Majesty's ships should have the same protection, it was for the house to decide. He should not object to the bill being altered so as to confine it to merchant vessels.-Mr. HUME thought much discussion would be avoided if the treaties on

which these arrangements were founded were stated. He asked how we could deliver up to the French government, for instance, slaves from Martinique who, being employed as seamen, escaped while their ships were in our ports?-Lord J. RUSSELL agreed with Mr. Hume that the preamble of the bill should declare the treaties on which the measure was founded. The bill was important to our shipping interest. Mr. Secretary WALPOLE intimated that the bill would not alter the law as regarded slaves escaping to British ground. The object simply was to carry into effect the same arrangement with other powers as was contained in the treaty with Portugal.-Mr. ANSTEY, on the faith of this explanation, withdrew his amendment, and the second reading was agreed to.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the committal of the Charitable Trusts Bill, and entered into a number | of details to show the necessity of legislation on the subject.—After some discussion, the bill passed through committee pro formá.

PROGRESS OF BUSINESS.

The Welch counties varied from 1006 in Merionethshire to 6424 in Glamorganshire. In the list of boroughs and cities, Calne has the smallest constituency-160; the next lowest is Andover-241. There are nine constituencies over 10,000 each: Bristol, 12,548; Manchester, Westminster, Liverpool, Lambeth, Marylebone, London, and Finsbury, form an ascending series, terminated by the Tower Hamlets, the largest borough constituency, with 23,534 registered electors. The boroughs of Wales vary in number of voters from Brecon with 336 to Swansea with 1694. The smallest constituency in a Scotch county is in Sutherlandshire-207; the largest, Perth, with 4938 voters. None of the town constituencies are very small. Glasgow has the largest total of electors -15,502.

A Meeting of Liberal Members of the House of Commons, on the invitation of Lord John Russell, was held at his lordship's house on the 12th inst. Upwards of 160 members were present. Lord John Russell stated that he had called his friends together to consult them as to the best course to be adopted towards the new government. When the late Sir Robert Peel relinquished

House of Lords.-March 12th.-Chancery Reform, Lord the government of the country, he put a question to the

Chancellor's Explanations.

15th-Ministerial Policy-Lord Derby's Explanations. 18th.-Lord Shaftesbury's Resolution to petition the Queen for a State Prison for Criminal Lunatics, debated and withdrawn. 19th.-Ministerial Policy-Lord Derby's answer to the Duke of Newcastle.-Patent Amendment Law (No. 2) Bill read a second time. 22nd.-Bill to Shorten the Interval between Dissolution and'Assemblage of a New Parliament, brought in by Lord Brougham. 23rd.-Law of Wills Amendment Bill, read a second time. 25th.-Law of Wills Amendment Bill, passed through Com26th.-Lord Brougham's Bill for Earlier Assembling Parliament read a second time.-Law of Wills Amendment Bill passed through Committee.

mittee.

House of Commons.-March 12.-Parliamentary Representation Bills postponed by Lord John Russell.-St. Alban's Disfranchise

Ministry which succeeded, and Lord John Russell answered that question with a full explanation of the policy which his government intended to carry out. Acting on that precedent, Lord John had made application to Mr. Disraeli, to know whether he would take a similar course, and make a similar full exposition for the benefit of the country on Monday next, of the principles on which the cabinet of which he is a member, intends to carry on the government of the country. But Mr. Disraeli replied that it is not the intention of government to make any such statement. Lord John Russell thought it extremely desirable that such a statement should be made; and in the event of ministers not being explicit as to their commercial policy, that they should be forced to inform the country what their views and intentions are. Nor did he deem it enough that the new cabinet should be made to declare their policy now with respect to the question of Free Trade; they should also be compelled to avow, if they did not avow of their own accord, what course they mean to pursue after a dissolution of parliament, in the event of their remaining in office. Lord John intimated that he had consulted all his friends, and also Sir James Graham and Mr. Cobden. Sir James Graham had concurred in Lord John's opinion of the duty incumbent on the new ministers to explain their policy; and had declared that 22nd.-Committee of Supply on Army Estimates.-Indemnity he and his political friends are ready to co-operate in Bill passed through Committee.-Suitors in Chancery Relief procuring such an explanation, and in securing Free Bill passed through Committee pro forma.-Copyright Amend-procuring ment Bill passed through Committee.-St. Albans Disfranchise

ment Bill read a second time.

15th.-Ministerial Policy-Mr. Villiers' question and debate

thereon.

16th.-Crime in Ireland-Mr. Stuart's motion debated and

withdrawn.

17th.-Manchester and Salford Education Bill referred to a Select Committee.

18th.-Cuffe-street Savings' Bank, Mr. Reynolds's motion for compensation negatived. Mr. Slaney's Industrial and Provident Partnerships Bill read a first time.

19th.-Irish Encumbered Estates Act, to be renewed. Ministerial Policy, questions and debate.-Passengers Act Bill

read a second time.

ment Bill considered in Committee.

23rd.-Mr. Frewen's motion for the Repeal of the Hop Duty debated and withdrawn.—Mr. Milnes's motion for an Address to the Crown for Correspondence respecting Foreign Refugees, debated and withdrawn.-Leave given Mr. Henley to bring in a Bill to arrange with Foreign Powers for the apprehension of Deserters.-Leave given Mr. Frewen to bring in a Bill to promote the Building of Churches and to prevent the Union of

Benefices.

25th.-London (Watford) Spring Water Company's Bill read a second time.-Mr. Hume's motion for Parliamentary Reform, motion negatived.

26th.-Committees of Supply and of Ways and Means. Mutiny Bill and Marine Mutiny Bill read a second time. Copy right Amendment Bill passed through Committee.-St Alban's Disfranchisement Bill read a third time and passed.-Apprehension of Deserters from Foreign Ships Bill read a second time.-Charitable Trusts Bill passed through Committee pro form.-Corrupt Practices at Elections Bill, and Enfranchisement of Copyholds Bill passed through Committee.

AN elaborate parliamentary return just published exhibits the numbers of Electors registered in Great Britain in the years 1850 and 1851, the various qualifications of the voters, the numbers poiled at the last contest, the population, and other particulars. The smallest English county constituency in 1851 was Rutland-1876; South Lancashire had 21,196 voters; and the West Riding, the largest constituency in the empire, 37,319.

;

Trade to the country. With respect to the question of parliamentary reform, Lord John stated that he pro poses to postpone for three months his Reform Bill because it is a measure for a government, and not 'for a private member. He intimated that should another government be formed, and he a member of it, he might bring forward an "improved measure" of parliamentary reform.-Several gentlemen made remarks on Lord John Russell's explanation. Mr. Hume and Mr. Duncombe, in particular, expressed much dissatisfaction at the abandonment of the Reform Bill. Ultimately, however, a policy of co-operation was adopted by all. An understanding was come to, that, in the first instance, the Derby cabinet shall be brought to an explicit declaration of their views on the subject of Free Trade.

The Anti-Corn Law League has been re-constituted. A meeting of gentlemen, who were formerly members of the Council of the League, was held at Manchester on the 2d inst. Mr. George Wilson resumed his former place of chairman, and resolutions were passed to the effect that the Anti-Corn Law League be re-constituted under its former rules and regulations; that the Council of the League put themselves in communication with their friends in all parts of the kingdom, to prevent the return to parliament of candidates favourable to duties on the importation of foreign corn; that a memorial be presented to the Queen praying an immediate dissolution of parliament; and that a subscription be opened to carry out these objects. The subscription was immediately commenced, and in five and twenty minutes sums were put down to the amount of 27,000%.—The merchants of Liverpool, adverse to Protection, resolved at a

NARRATIVE OF LAW AND CRIME. AT the opening of the Aylesbury Assizes, on the 1st inst., a Point of Difference occurred between the Judge and Mr. Scott Murray, the high sheriff of Berks. A few years ago, Mr. Murray was perverted to the Romish faith; and, as the high sheriff always appoints a chaplain, whose privileges and duty it is to accompany the sheriff and judges of assize on all occasions, and to preach the a-size sermon, Mr. Murray appointed a Roman Catholic chaplain, selecting Mr. Morris, who, like himself, had seceded from the Church of England. This reverend gentleman accompanied the sheriff and Mr. Justice Crompton to the church door of the hamlet of Walton, whence, having there deposited the learned judge, they proceeded to the Roman Catholic chapel, and afterwards took up his lordship. When both the courts were opened on the following day, for the despatch of business, the high sheriff was again attended by Mr. Morris as his chaplain. Lord Campbell, in his charge to the grand jury, adverted to this circumstance in terms of disapprobation. "The high sheriff," his lordship said, "without meaning in the slightest degree to be guilty of an impropriety, and, indeed, being informed it had been done in other counties, has appointed a chaplain of his own religion, and that chaplain has appeared in the garb of his order in accompanying the high sheriff and her Majesty's judges coming from the place where the sheriff meets them to the place where we now are. Gentlemen, that I do not approve of; and I think it my duty to say that I hope such an occurrence will not be repeated." Lord Campbell having set aside the idea that he was actuated by any illiberal motive, proceeded to say: "The sheriff appoints a chaplain who is to appear as the chaplain of the judges, and who is expected to take his seat in the same carriage as the judges, and to sit beside the judges in the court. That chaplain, therefore, becomes the chaplain of the judges, and the Protestant religion is the religion of the judges of this country." The grand jury, at the close of the day, in making their presentment, expressed their thanks for his lordship's observations on the subject of the attendance of the chaplain, and assured him of their unanimous concurrence in his sentiments. Mr. Scott Murray has published a letter justifying his conduct, and pointing out several recent precedents for it.

Edwin Harris was tried, on the 2nd, at the Winchester Assizes, for Stabbing his Wife, with intent to murder her. It appeared that these persons, who seemed decent people, had been married twenty years. Differences at last arose between them, which ended in a separation; but they had so far become reconciled as to meet and walk together; and shortly before Christmas-day they arranged to dine together on that day, and he gave her money to purchase the dinner. They met again the next day, and he then wanted some of the money back again, and she returned him some part of it. He was in liquor, and she went to bis lodging with him to take care of him. He kissed her many times, and cried very much. She begged him not to cry, and said she would come and see him in the morning, when he would be better. She left him, and went home. They met again on the 27th of December. She went to his lodging, and made his tea. He cried, and kissed her. They saw his landlord, who said he wondered he would be seen with his wife after what he had called her. His countenance instantly changed. She said he dared not repeat the words in her presence, and she became angry, and said if he repeated it she would slap his face; she had always been a faithful and virtuous wife to him, and had supported herself by staymaking during the time she lived separately from him. After the words had passed in the public-house, they left, and walked together some distance without speaking a word. At length the prisoner said, "What did he say?" alluding to what the landlord had said. He then said, "There's no knowing the heart of any man;" and he began to push his wife. She told him not to do so. He laid hold of her, and she thought he was going to kiss her. She remonstrated with him, and she then saw him draw a knife from his pocket, and he attempted to cut her throat. She screamed, and they fell; he was still endeavouring to cut her throat. The cuts went through her shawl, bonnet, and ribands, and five wounds were inflicted on her face and neck. At the instant a young woman came up and seized the hand in She which was the knife, and pulled his head back. contrived to hold his hand and the knife for some time, till he got his hand away, and again cut at his wife, who screamed "Murder!" and said, "My dear, don't "You bad cut my throat!" The other woman said, man, you've killed the woman," and she ran and procured assistance. She returned, and took the prisoner by the collar. He said, He said, "I'm not going to run away.' She said, "I'll take care you don't, you bad man;" and she gave him into the custody of two policemen. The wife was confined to her bed for some time. When the prisoner was sober he was very kind to his wife; but he was given to drink, and was then very excitable; he would change in a moment. It was urged for the defence that the prisoner's act arose from an uncontrollable jealous impulse. The jury returned a verdict of Guilty, with intent to do grievous bodily harm; and the prisoner was sentenced to be transported for life. Mr. Justice Talfourd told the young woman who had rendered such assistance, that he could not let her go without saying how much they were all indebted to her for the great courage she had displayed; he had never He had the power of heard of any one acting so well. awarding a small sum to a person for apprehending a felon; and he should, therefore, in this case award her 57., and he hoped she would purchase some trifle that might be kept by her and her family in remembrance of her courageous act.

At the Oxford Circuit, on the 3rd instant, William Kalabergo was tried for the Murder of his Uncle. On the 9th of January last, the uncle, who was a silversmith at Banbury, left that town with his horse and cart laden with goods, accompanied by his nephew. They were on their way home, and when coming down Wilscotehill, near Banbury, the uncle was shot in the head, and his body was discovered a few minutes after lying on the road. The nephew got through a gap, and proceeded a certain distance along the fields, and then getting again into the road, went on to Banbury, to the house of the Catholic priest, but was not admitted, as he could not make himself understood. He then went to his uncle's house, and, as far as competent, not being able to speak English, made the housekeeper and the lodgers under