The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality

fflttropolitan JFjUfos. The duty on dogs last year was £191,699. Mr. Lumley is said to intend opening her Majesty's Theatre this season. The first meeting of the Fox Club this year will take place at Brooks's on Saturday. On Monday night Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean commenced an engagement at the Queen's Theatre, Edinburgh. A Cabinet Council was held on Saturday at the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, in Downing-street. Another meeting of the Cabinet was held on Tuesd 'I Seventy mei?Lrs of parliament claim this session to be wholly excused from serving on election committees, on account of being more than sixty years old. Mr. Thackeray has consented to preside at the anniversary of the General Dramatic Equestrian Sick Fund Association, which is fixed to take place on Ash Wednesday. The Right Hon. the Speaker of the House of Commons commences his customary full-dress Parlia- mentary dinners before Easter on Saturday, at his official residence at the New Palace, Westminster. The importation of cotton into this country has, since the import duty was abolished, increased sixteen-fold. Having been 03,000,000 lbs., it is now 1,000,000,000 lbs. Miss NIOHTINGALE.—This lady is residing at Oak- hill, Frognall, near Hampstead but we regret to say that her health, though much improved, is far from being re-established. INCREASED CONSUMPTION OF TOBACCO.—A parlia- mentary paper has been issued, showing that in the year ending 31st March last the duty on tobacco and snuff amounted to E5,46,5,226, against L5,272,471 in the preceding year, being an increase of £ 192,755. THE BRIGHTON RAILWAY COMPANY AND ITS EM- PLOYES.—The whole of the employes of the Brighton Railway Company have each been recently presented with an extra week's wages by way of a Christmas or New Year's gift. PROPOSED SYSTEM OF DECIMAL ARITHMETIC.—The Decimal Association are now collecting some curious statistical facts respecting the time now spent in teaching arithmetic in schools, with a view to ascertain the probable saving of time that would accrue from the in- troduction of the decimal system. LINACY.—An account of all monies received and paid by the secretary of the commission in lunacy, and of all charges and expenses under or by virtue, or in execution, of the Act 8th and 9th Viet., c. 100, s. 34, during the year ending 31st of July, 1859, shows that the receipts were E14,301 2s. Id. and payments, £U,122 3s. 4d. j leaving a balance of X178 18s. 9d. CORPOIUTIOX OF LONDON.—On the second reading of the London Corporation Bill Mr. Ayrton will move, that it be referred to a select committee, with in- structions to inquire into and report upon the charges and taxes on the metropolis, and the expediency of constituting the metropo1ia n GOunty of itself, f.. all" purposes o f local management, and for the administ?a- tion of justice." THE LUILDEILS' STRIKE. -According to the statement made at the weekly meeting of delegates held last week 2,300 skilled workmen are still out of work, and last week, the twenty-sixth of this unhappy struggle, they received a dividend of 4s. each. The con- ference" have issued a new appeal to the working classes, signed by their secretary, calling for further support, to enable the men on strike to continue their resistance to the" document." RAILWAY AND CASAL BILLS.—By a parliamentary return just issued it appears that the number of bills relating to railways in Great Britain deposited this session amounts to 202; of this number, 149 authorise new works. Of the proposed new works, 90 bills, re- lating to 1,048 miles ofline, are by new companies; and 59 bills, for 358 miles of line, by existing companies. The total length of new lines is, therefore, 1,406 miles, and there are, in addition, 106 miles of deviation lines. RESTORATION OF THE SHRVPBF.RIF.S IN HYDE-PARK. -At the weekly meeting of the St. Marylebone repre- sentative council, on Saturday, letters were read from the members of the borough, Mr. Edwin James and Lord Fermoy, on the subject of the destruction of the shrubberies in Hyde-park. It appears that Lord Fermoy has had the assurance from Lord Palmerston that the shrubs will be replaced and the grounds im e- diately laid out. Thus this much-agitated question is to be satisfactorily set at rest. CRYSTAL PALACE.—Arrangements have been con- cluded by the directors for a great musical celebration of several days' duration, by between 3,000 and 4,000 members of the choral societies of France, at the Crystal Palace in June next. M. EugJne Delaporte, the presi- dent and conductor of the Association des Orpheonistes, in Paris, who is well known for the success with which he has orarliaed similar great musical exhibitions in the Palais %e ?,Industrie, and elsewhere in France, un- dertakes the direction of the musical arrangements. TESTIMONIAL TO A CLERGYMAN.—The Rev. James Harris, late incumbent of All Saint's, Mile-end New- town, has just received from his congregation a grati- fying testimonial of their affectionate recognition of his valuable labours amongst them for eighteen years. It consists of a very handsome silver tea and coffee service, a timepiece, subscribed for by the children of the schools, and a very warm TBledi?to ri address, on the occasion of the rev. gentleman's departure for Wellington, Somersetshire, to the vicarage of which he has been preferred. THE LATH CAPTAIN HARRISON. Harrison, the Cumberland sailor, will be missed from a large circle of friends, and the best monument to his memory would be an annuity to his widow and child, from the funds of the Great Ship Company. The country which turns out so many brave seamen, and that produced a Paul Jones, can furnish other skilful navigators and dashing sailors but we owe a debt to the man who has helped in the peaceful work of bridging the Atlantic," who is cut off in the still prime and vigour of manhood, and who leaves to his partner in life, as the earnings of a long and stormy existence on the ocean, his small fortune embarked in a speculation which the leading men of the age have been at a loss to describe in sufficiently eulogistic terms, but which may never pay a farthing dividend to the shareholders. The best proof of sympathy for the dead is in the hearty acknow- ledgment and assistance to the living, thus bereaved.- Mitchell's Steam-Shipping Journal. ENDOWED SCHOOLS.-The bill prepared and brought into the House of Commons by Mr. Massey, Mr. Dill- wyn, Mr. Schol?field, and Sir Morton Peto to amend the law respecting endowed schools, provides that no endowed school founded prior to the final establish- ment by law of the church of England is to be deemed a ?h. ? of England school, an I everyone shall be ad mitted without distinction on the ground of religious belief to be a trustee, master, or scholar thereof. No school founded subsequently and prior to the Tolera- tion Act is to be deemed a church of England school, nor any dissenter from the church of England to be in- competent as such to be trustee, master, or scholar, un- less so declared by the instrument of foundation. The nature and extent of religious teaching shall be deter- mined by the governors of the school, but no child shall be required to learn the formularies or attend Divine Service of any communion to which his father does not belong. The sections of the Act of Uniformity re- quiring declaration to be made and license obtained before exercising certain offices, is to be repealed as to schoolmasters and tutors, with the exception of some nnivemtiee and public schools. NEW DESCRIPTION OF BANK NOTE.-A series of "Specimens of Bank-note Engraving" of a ve re- markable character has just been issued by Mr. Henry Bradbury, who has spent some years in perfecting that branch of art. Apart from their beauty of design and finish, they present the essential advantage of being producible only by machinery of a character so com- plex and costly as. to prevent all chance of successful forgery. This depar&ment of engraving, which has hitherto been carried on by Messrs. Bradbury and Evans, is henceforth to be conducted by a separate firm, under the title of Bradbury and Co.—Times' City Article. WILL OF THE LATB LADY PEEL.-The will of Lady Peel, relict of the Right Hon. Sir Robert Peel, Bart., P.C., of Whitehall-gardens, has been administered to by her son, the Right Hon. Frederick Peel, M.P., the sole executor. The personal property was valued at 914,000. The will, which is very concisely and ably drawn, disposes of the jewellery, ornaments, furniture, and effedct i: left to her ladyship by Sir Robert, as well as that previously her own, or since purchmed by her, all of which she leaves to her said son Frederick. To her daughters, Viscountess Villiers and Mrs. Stonor, £1,000 each, and to her sons, John and Arthur, E500 each. The eldest son, Sir Robert, becomes entitled to the mansion in Whitehall-gardens, with the family plate, and an annuity of £5,000 which was a charge upon the patrimonial estates in Staffordshire. OPERATIVE BAKERS TWELVE HOURS' MOVEMENT.— On Saturday night a somewhat numerous meeting of the German journeymen bakers of the West-end of London was held at the King of Prussia, Lower John- street, Golden-square, to establish a branch of the London Operative Bakers' Association, the object being to restrict the hours of labour to 12. Mr. Acker- man was called to the chair, and said the meeting was called to establish a union of the foreign journeymen bakers with the English, Scotch, and Irish bakers to reduce the hours of labour within fair, honest, and reasonable limits. Mr. Morison explained the means by which the objects of the society would be advanced and was supported by Messrs. Blackmore, Bennet, and others. Mr. Rose (chairman of the central committee) also forcibly advocated the movement; and resolutions were passed to form a branch, after which the meeting adjourned. THE WILL OF MR. JUSTICE CROWDER.-The will and codicil of Sir Richard Budden Crowder, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, have been proved by his brother, George Augustus Crowder. Esq., the sole executor. The personalty was sworn under £70,000. He has bequeathed to his brother, Frederick Robert, and to his sister, Anne Greene, each a legacy of L12,000 for their own absolute use; to his house. keeper a clear annnity of £52; and the following liberal legacy to his clerk, who appears to have been most highly esteemed by this excellent judge; and we cannot forbear to give the terms of this bequest in the judge's own words:—"I give to my faithful clerk, John Dickenson, whose kind attention and valuable services I have receiTed for upwards of 30 years, and whose zeal, diligence, and integrity I have ever highly appreciated, the sum of £3,000.' The will and codicil were entirely in his own handa-riting and it is a re- markable fact that he suffered alterations to appear in his will without the initials of himself and the wit- nesses, or any allusion thereto in the attestation clause. The witnesses, however, were able to prove they were made previous to the execution. LONDON, BRIGHTON, AND SOUTH COAST RAILWAY.— On Friday the half-yearly meeting of the proprietors was held at the Bridge-house Hotel, London-bridge, Mr. Leo Schuster in the chair. The chairman ex- plained the large increase in the capital account. The largest item of increase arose, he said, from the amalga. mation with the Crystal Palace and West End line. The traffic of the past half-year exhibited a steady and satisfactory increase. At the same time the fares had been placed on the most liberal footing. The third- class passengers had obtained not only a reduction of fares, but a much better class of carriages had been provided for them. The result was as satisfactory to the company as it was to the public. In 1859 there was an increase of 800,000 in the number of third-class passengers over the number in 1858, while the in- creased revenue from the same source was £30,000. Concurrently with this there had been a satisfactory in- crease in the number of first-class passengers, amount ing to about a million within the year, the amount derived from season tickets having again aumented'l There had also been a general increase in the goods traffic in its various departments. As regarded ex- penses, their position was much less satisfactory. The rates and taxes in 1859 amounted to no less than 114 per cent. on the nett earnings of that year. The report was adopted unanimously, and a dividend of 3! per cent. declared for the half-year. THE PROPOSED BEER BILL—A deputation of the friends of the National Temperance League attended on Saturday before the Right Hon. Sir G. C. Lewis, at the Home office, for the purpose of ascertaining the inten- tions of her Majesty's Government with reference to the above subject, and also with the view of offering suggestions. Mr. Tweedie said he had waited upon the Bi.hop of OAfcad, and had obtained a diotuxot (state- ment from his lordship that in the event of the govern- ment not bringing forward a measure in the Commons his lordship would introduce the subject into the House of Lords. They considered that 42,000 beer-houses and 63,000 public. houses were a great deal too many for the requirements of the public that facilities for the sale of beer increased the evil of drunkenness in- stead of supplying a better article that public-houses and beer-shops should be put under the same juris- diction, and that the jurisdiction should be removed from the magistrates and confided to a special body elected by the ratepayers. Sir G. C. Lewis said lie could not see how they could expect to extinguish drunkenness by measures of the kind proposed. As advocates of a Maine Liquor Law he could have better understood their purpose. What he understood them to recommend was that the present system of licensing public-houses and beer-shops should be abolished, and that the authority to license should be transferred to a body elected by some large constituency, and which should exercise no other functions. The deputation then withdrew. THE METROPOLITAN RAILWAY.-This railway ap- pears at last to be fairly started j and the works, we are told, are to be forthwith vigorously proceeded with. The western portion, from Paddington to Euston- square, is contracted for by Messrs, Smith and Knight; and the eastern portion, from Euston-square to Victoria. street, City, by Mr. John Jay. The route will be from the Great Western Railway Station at Paddington along South Wharf-road, Praed-street, Marylebone- road, Euston-road, Bagnigge Wells-road, to Victoria- street, near the foot of Holbom hill. There will be a branch in connection with the Great Northern Railway, at King's-cross. The railway, nearly throughout, will be in a tunnel, the crown of which will be just under the surface of the present roads. Besides terminus stations at Praed-street and Victoria-street, there will be numerous intermediate stations along the route for the accommodation of passengers. The first essential work to be done of course is to provide for the necessary drainage of the railway and of the sewers intersected by it. For this purpose Messrs. Smith and Knight, the contractors before mentioned, have begun a new main sewer in Conduit-street, Paddington, which will be continued across Westbourne-terrace, and along Praed- street and South Wharf-road, to the Edgeware-road, at a depth of 30 feet below the surface. We understand that the workmen in Conduit-street have already laid bare an interesting relic of the past,-no less than the foundation of the famous old conduit that formerly sup- plied a portion of the City with the sparkling spring- water ? ich abounded in the extensive bed of gravel and sand about Paddington.—Builder. CITY OF LONDON COAL DUES.—A deputation waited upon Sir G. C. Lewis, at the Home-office, on Saturday, to present a memorial of the coal-owners of the United Kingdom supplying coals which are subject to the London coal dues of Is. ld. per ton. The document stated that the memorialists supply the London market with a great portion of the four and a half millions of tons of coal per annum consumed in the metropolis, and within the radius of 20 miles around London, whether forwarded by sea, railway, or canal; that the London coal dues are a great hindrance to the exten- sion and prosperity of the coal traffic in the metropolis and surrounding districts, and their abolition would stimulate the trade, and reduce the price to the advan. tage of all classes in the community. Attention was drawn to the great hardship which these dues inflict upon the working classes and their manufacturing em- ployers, the London manufacturer paying from 15s. to 25s. per ton, whereas in the manufacturing town of Leeds for instance manufacturing coal is delivered at the Canal Wharf at 6s. 10d, and small coal, very ex- tensively used in manufactories there, at 3s. 4d. per ton and a leading daily London Newspaper is printed one day upon paper made where coal ranges in price from 15s. to 25s. per ton, and on the following day is printed on paper made where coal is only 4s. to 6s. per ton. It appeared to your memorialists to be a strange anomaly that a coal tax should be imposed in London, where coals are necessarily so costly from the great expense of transit. That it is stated that the 8d. and Id. dues will expire in the course of the present year in conse- quence of the debt created upon their security being now almost wholly repaid, and the 4d. due will then fall exclusively upon the seaborne coal. The me- moriZte i concision express the hope that goyem. Sent ^ll refuse to ,auction any further continuance of these coal dues for any purpose whatever, and will make provision in the proposed Corpomtion Reform Bill for getting free from the trammel$ Of tOxOtiOu 20 indispensable a U$Cessuy of life and manufactur0f, DBSTRUCTIVE FIRES.—On Tuesday night a fire of an alarming character broke out on the premises of Mr. Loader. known as the Bible Warehouse, and Messrs. Frazier and Co., pattern card manufacturers, situated near Snow-hill, City. A good supply of water having been procured, the various engines were set to work, but the fire continued to spread, and the roof soon fell in, and it was nearly two hours before the flames could be got under, and not until the upper floors were burnt out and the whole of the lower floors seriously damaged by fire and water. The origin of the misfortune is en. veloped in mystery. -The firemen had barely got the command over this fire when a message was received that that tremendous pile of warehouses belonging to Mr. Alderman Humphery, known as Hibernia Wharf, at the foot of London-bridge, on the Surrey side, was on fire. Some five or six engines were at once despatched to the spot, when the firemen found dense masses of smoke pouring from the first-floor windows, on 0 eastern end of the wharf, next to the Bridge-house Hotel. That part of the wharf was occupied by Messrs. Hicks Brothers, general merchants, and the upper floors by numerous other merchants and wharfingers. The powerful steam-float was draughted alongside the wharf, and after breaking the windows, copious streams of water were thrown into the building, but the fire was not extinguished until a considerable amount of property was destroyed. This fire it is supposed was caused by the overheating of a quantity of hempseed, and happened in precisely the same way as the one which destroyed the whole of Mr. Humphery's wharf some years since. A third fire also took place in the well-known hostelrie, the Five Bells Tavern, situate at Finchley. Mr. Engineer Perryer was at once despatched with an engine and a powerful body of firemen to the spot, and upon arriving there it was found that the whole of the rooms in the building had been burnt out in fact, the property was a complete wreck, and two other buildings more or less damaged. The origin of the fire could not be learned, but the sufferer was in- sured.—A fourth fire, attended with a serious loss of property, happened in the Postem-row sack and bag warehouse, situate behind the George Tavern, Tower- hill. In less than five minutes after the fire was dis- covered the flames, owing to the highly inflammable nature of the goods in the place, seized upon every floor, and rushing out of the front windows ignited the back part of the George Tavern, threatening at one time its entire destruction. Engines were soon on the spbt in full working order from a plentiful supply of water, but the fire could not be extinguished until the premises were destroyed, and serious damage done to the ad- joining property, more especially to the George Tavern I

IConlJon falter Courts. 8ELLING AN UNTESTED GUN. At the Mansion House, on Monday, Mr. Robert Adams, of King William-street, gunmaker, was sum. moned for sel!ing a gun, the barrel of which had not been duly proved, according to the requirements of the Gun Barrel Proof Act, 1855." Mr. Serjeant Payne appeared for the complainant; Mr. Robinson for the defendant. The defendant pleaded guilty. Mr. Seijeant Payne-As the defendant admits the offence, the amount of penalty to be inflicted is the point for consideration now, and that rests with your lordship. The gun barrel referred to in the information burst when being used by a member of the Victoria Rifle Corps, Paddington, but the rifle itself was bought of Mr. Adams. He admits that the barrel was not marked as having been proved, and that is the extent of the offence with which he is charged; the penalty according to act of Parliament being £20, with a power of mitigation in your lordship. My learned friend puts it upon the ground that this rifle was sent out by mi- take, under an impression that it had e 'd and if this were the only case, the offence would still be a serious one but I understand that directly after this accident happened Mr. Adams collected some other rifles, which he had previously sold without bearing the proof mark, and sent them at once to be properly proved and marked. Mr. Robinson said there could be no question that the rifle had burst, and that it had been sold without being proved, but while he admitted the great import- ance of the question at a time like 'the present,' when rifles were so much in use, he felt bound to submit, on behalf of the defendant, that the occurrence was only one of those accidents which no human foresight coul? prevent. Mr. Adams was always particularly careful in the directions which he gave to those in his employ, that his guns should be properly proved, and in fact it was absurd to suppose that he could have any motive for neglect, since the charge for proof was so trifling, and the penalties, pecuniary and moral, liable to be so heavy for neglect. Mr. Adams had in his employ a foreman, a person named Clarke, who was previously at Witton's, well known as a government contractor; and Clarke could only account for the sale of the rifles, without previous proof, by supposing that he supposed that the rifles were delivered to him, as was the ciistom at Witton's. after proof. The Lord Mayor said the offence was undoubted- in fact it was admitted-and however it might have occurred, he felt it his duty to inflfct a penalty which he hoped might have the effect of preventing such neg- lect in future. That guns should be properly proved before sold was always important; but it was doubly important now when so many new rifles were being daily called into use; and he congratulated the defen- dant that no serious consequences had resulted from the accident. For the future he had better look well after the proving of his guns personally, as well as after his foreman, or other accidents might happen with a more serious issue. The full penalty of the act was £20, with a power of mitigation in the court, and he (the Lord Mayor) thought he should be failing in his duty if he inflicted a lower penalty than £10 in the pre- sent case, which amount the defendant must pay. Mr. Serjeant Payne then applied for costs, which were fixed at 92 2s., and paid by the defendant in ad. dition to the penalty. ROBBING CHILDREN IN THE STREETS. At Clerkenwell, on Monday, Sarah Martin, a young woman, described as a bootbinder, was charged before Mr. Corrie, with robbing children. Many robberies of children have lately taken place in the neighbourhood of St. Luke's. Several youthful victims were in the court, who identified the prisoner as the person who had stopped them. On the previous night she was apprehended by a police. constable .on a charge of stealing a pair of boots from a child named Caroline Langley, and when taken she admitted her guilt. She now said she was guilty of some robberies, but in other instances the children were mistaken. The prisoner was remanded until Thursday. Ano tler woman, named Susan Eator, a prostitute, was charged with stealing 7s. 6d. from a ,?Wd stitute, was apprehended on Monday morning, in the Caledo- was apprehended on Monda a tundle, of which she could nian-road, while carrying a bundle, of which she could give no satisfactory account; and while waiting in the I prisoners' room she was identified by one of the children in the previous case as the person who had robbed her on Saturday week of 7s. 6d. Mr. Corrie, after questioning the girl, who was ten years of age, as to the nature of an oath, decided on not taking her evidence, and the prisoner was remanded for further inquiries to be made about her. A MOTHER CHARGED WITH CAUSING THE DEATH OP HER CHILD IN A TREAT I. Emma Connor, 27, was charged before Mr. Mans. field with being drunk in the Britannia Theatre, Hox- ton, and thereby causing the death of her female infant, between five and six months old. Gollard, a sergeant of the N Division, said-Shortly after 10 o'clock on Monday night I was on duty in the theatre, and heard a scuflfe in one of the passages lead- ing from the gallery. I repaired there, and saw the prisoner with a child in her arms. She was intoxicated, and exclaimed Oh, my child is dead; they have killed my child." Another female was in company. I with difficulty got the baby from them, and found it dead but warm; the strings of its cap and bonnet were tight round the throat. I instantly conveyed it to the, station, and took prisoner in charge. Doctor Coward, the divisional surgeon, speedily attended, and certified that the child had been dead about three-quarters of an hour, and apparently from strangulation. I then took the body to the workhouse, where it now lies. Mr. Mansfield-Is the prisoner married ? Sergeant-Yes, sir, and her husband is present. A young man, who appeared very much shocked at the position of the prisoner, stepped forward, and, re- presenting that she was his wife, declared that a kinder mother never existed. Mr Mansfield-What are you? Husband-A hair-dresser, and live in Baldwin's-gar- dens, Holborn. Mr. Mansfield-How long had the prisoner been in the theatre, officer ? Sergeant-I recollect her with the child and her friend coming in at half price; that would be about half- past 8 o'clock. Prisoner-I assure you that I was not in liquor, sir. The baby was always delicate, and when I found it quiet I thought it was asleep. My friend begged me q itld eur it, and I did not, but afterwards, finding it getting cold, I tried to suckle it, and then found it was dea Mr. Mansfield-By the evidence of the officer, you were drunk. Sergeant-There is no question about that, sir. Mr. Mansfield-And by inattention you may have caused the death of your child. Prisoner—I was not drunk, sir. £¡ Mr. Mansfield-I will take your husband's bail in 201. for your appearance this day week.

I Imutrtal Darliamtnt. HOUSE OF LORDS.—FRIDAY. Lord BROUGHAM, in'moving for returnsjinjeference to the importation of cotton, called attention to the im- portance of opening up Africa as a cotton producing country, in order that in future we might not be en- tirely dependent upon America for a supply of the raw material, and that slavery might be put an end to. The Duke of NEWCASTLE assented to the motion, and said the Government had under their serious considera- tion measures for the encouragement] of the growth of cotton in our colonial possessions. In reply to Earl Grey, Lord WODEHOUSE stated that the French Government had abandoned their system of free emigration, and that the American Goverment had increased their squadron employed on the coast of Africa in suppressing the slave-trade. Motion agreed to. The Marquis of NORMANBY asked whether Goverment had any information of the rumoured negotiations having for their object the annexation of Savoy and Nice to France. Earl GBANVILLE said the Government had received no information of the existence of any negotiation, and the French Government had long been acquainted with their opinions as to any such arrangement. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The ATTORNEY GENERAL gave notice that on Friday, the 3rd inst., he would introduce a Bill to amend the laws relating to bankruptcy and insolvency, and on the 17th a Bill to amend the laws relating to the transfer of real estate, and the title thereto. Lord 1. RUSSELL, in reply to Mr. Griffiths, said he did not believe there was any truth in the statement that 30,000 French troops are expected at Leghorn; and in- formed Mr. Milnes that a draftconvention has been drawn up, after communication with Mr. Dallas, to remedy the abuses on board American vessels and pre- vent cruelties to seamen. Sir G. LEWIS replied to a question from Mr. James, touching the Smethurst case, and some arguments in favour of a Court of Criminal Appeal, by stating that when Mr. M'Mahon's bill comes to a second reading he will state his opinion on that subject. Sir C. WOOD moved for leave to bring in a bill to re- gulate probate and administration with respect to cer- tain llndian Government Securities, to repeal certain stamp duties, and to extend the operation of the act of =d and 23d years of Victoria, chap. 39th, to Indian ::n; aT;tJa:: ::aX:'t¡' 39th, to Indian Sir G. C. LBWIS moved for leave to introduce a Bill for the better management of highways in England. The bill, he said, was substantially, with one exception, identical with a bill which had been introduced last session by Mr. Hardy, when Under-Secretary for the Home Department; it empowered the magistrates in Quarter Sessions to divide counties into districts of parishes for the repair of highways, the town-councils to have a similar power in boroughs. There was one material deviation in this bill, which made it optional with the magistrates in each county to say whether or not it should be introduced into that county. Mr. BRIGHT said no one had asked for such a bill, and he did not believe that anyone wanted it. He pro- tested against bills being brought from Government offices to disturb ancient arrangements (derisive cheers from the Opposition). Highways are better conducted now than ever they were, and why should such offen- sive needless measures as this be introduced when there are so many important questions before Parliament? He did not believe that Sir George had the slightest affection for the bill, and that when he took it out of the pigeon hole, language rose to his lips towhich he could not very well give expression, but which, if he had ut- tered it, would have been highly uncomplimentary to the measure (laughter). Mr. HARDY twitted Mr. Bright with his change of views, and asked who could ever have expected to find the hon. member for Birmingham acting upon the prin- ciple stare super antiquas viag ? (Laughter). After some discussion the motion was agreed to, and the bill was read a first time. Mr. BOVILL asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it was the intention of her Ma- jesty's Government to propose any alteration in the constitution of the Courts of Probate and Divorce. The learned gentleman pointed out several anomalies in the present arrangements. Mr. BOWYER also pointed out many defects in the Divorce Court, the proceedings of which were a stand- ing scandal to the country. He believed that collusions of the grossest kind occurred there, and the judge had no power to stop them. If this state of things went on much longer the Court would become a sort of Encum. bered Estates Court for the transfer of women (laughter). It was he that first proposed that the court should be called "The Court of Marriage." He now thought a much more appropriate name for it would be The Court of Adultery." Sir G. C. LEWIS said that, by the constitution of the Court of Divorce, a portion of the business was trans- aotoo by thp. Judge Ordinary and a portion by the Judge Ordinary in connection with the Common Law Judges. The business had been heavier than usual, and the Judge had been inconvenienced. The question had been under the consideration of the Lord Chancellor, and the Government were not prepared to recommend the appointment of additional Common Law Judges, or a second Judge of the Divorce Court; but they thought that measures might be adopted for increasing the business which might be transacted by a single Judge. Sir G. C. LEWM obtained leave to bring in a bill to make further provision concerning mortgages and other dispositions of property belonging to Municipal Corpo- rations in England and Ireland. The bill was read a first time. Mr. AYRTON obtained leave to bring in a bill to repeal certain Acts and parts of Acts relating to newspapers, pamphlets, and other publications, and to printers, typefounders, and reading rooms. The bill was read a first time. Mr. BOWYER obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend the law regarding Roman Catholic Charities. HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY. Lord CHELMSFORD brought in a bill for the abolition of grand juries. The Lord CHANCELLOR brought in five bills for the consolidation of the statue law. The Bishop of LONDON inquired whether any steps could be taken for preserving the peace and preventing the disgraceful scenes which had occurred at the Church of St. George-in the-East? Earl GRANVILLE stated that he had not seen any re- port from the police authorities on the subject. There was some difficulty arising out of the peculiar state of the law in regard to such disturbances, but there could be no doubt that it was the duty of the proper autho- rities to prevent the recnrrence of such proceedings as had taken place on Sunday last. On the motion of the Duke of MARLEOROUGH the com- mittee which sat last year to inquire into the operation of church-rates was re-appointed. The house then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Lord R. MONTAGU gave notice that on the second reading of the Bill for the Abolition of Church Rates he should move its rejection. Sir G. C. LEWIS, in answer to Mr. Hadfield, said that the only indemnity given to witnesses in cases of bri- bery before the Gloucester and Wakefield commissioners was that under the Corrupt Practices Act, which is at the discretion of the commissioners, and the government had nothing to do with the matter. There were 199 certificates presented at Gloucester, and 140 at Wake- field. Mr. DISRAE-tasked if the papers containing the com- munications of the government with that of France, on the subject 'of the annexation of Savoy and Nice to France, would be produced. Lord J. RUSSELL said the communications took place in July last; he would consider whether the papers should beproduced. Sir G. C. LBWIS. in answer to Mr. Butler, said that with reference to the occurrences at the Church of St. George's-in-the-East, steps were taken to station a body of police in the church, which force attended for six Sundays, and their presence had some effect in diminish- ing the disturbances. In the beginning of the new year the withdrawal of the police was ordered, and the Ilisturbances increased, especially on Sunday last. A arge body of police was within reach, who were called n, and the riot was put an end to. It had been arranged hat the police should be stationed on Sunday next out- side the church, and persons likely to cause disturbance would not be allowed to enter. There were no other Heans of preventing these unseemly disturbances. It vas not intended to bring in a measure with a view to interference with ceremonial observances in churches; but he thought it might be desirable te give power to the crown by order in council to modify the rubric. Mr. D. SEYMOUR moved the adjournment of the de- bate for the purpose of pressing some more decided steps on the part of the government to prevent these disturbances. He should istroduce a bill on this subject unless something was done. Mr. HADFtMD (amidst much laughter) urged that the wople of England had borne this nuince of the Ro- nAnising tendencies of clergymen of the church of 41_1 long enough, and some remedy must be found f CHAKCEMOK of the ExOBMUM »aid it wwin- tended that the ammoM statement should be made on M?davMAitw.uM 'ndu? the terms of the com- mercial treaty with France. It?imp<?ntth.t<h. decision of the house should be taken immediately, and they would be asked to take the question of finance into consideration on the following Thursday. The treaty would not be presented to the house before Monday next. Sir H. WILLOUGHBY called attention to the fact that public money was constantly spent without being granted in the supply. In 1857-8 a million and a half was spent on the army and navy in excess of supply, thus trifling with the most important right of the house. He asked if there had been any expenditure last year in excess of The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER objected to dis- cussing the subject in its 'present shape, but he could say that there had been an excess in 'the army depart- ment for the year 1858-9 of about £ 400,000. This sum would be asked in supply in this week. The LORD ADVOCATE moved for leave to bring in a bill to abolish the annuity tax in Edinburgh, and to make provision with regard to the stipends of the clergy of that city. After a short discussion, leave was given to bring in the bill. Sir G. C. LEWIS moved for leave to bring in a bill for the better regulation ef the corporation of the City of London, simply stating that the bill was substantially the result of the report of a select committee of this house, which considered in a former session a bill founded on the report of a commission of inquiry into the condition of the corporation. Mr. AYRTON contended that the services rendered to the liberal party by the corporation of London ought not to be deemed sufficient to entitle so great an incon- venience to perpetuation. He could not understand how a liberal government, which entered office under the circumstances which the present ministry did, could venture to propose a £10 franchise for the corporation of London. That corporation of London was now a mere local institution, established on a confined area, and ought not to be preserved, unless as an antiquated curiosity. He should, at the proper time, ask the house if they were satisfied with sueva measure as this-a bill which among other things retained the corporation tax on coal. After some observations from Mr. Williams and Mr. J. Locke, Sir M. FARCIUHAR inquired if any steps had been taken towards the extinction of the tax levied on coals by the corporation. Sir G. C. LEWIS said that the corporation claimed part of the coal-tax as their property, on the security of which a sum of money had been raised for the purposes of City improvements, which would not be paid off for some years. The remaining portion of the tax was ap- propriated to general metropolitan improvements. That part of the tax would expire in two years, and he should probably bring the subject before the house this session. Leave was given to bring in the bill. The CHANCELLOR of the ExcHEftDER"moved to re- appoint the select committee of last session on packet ..? telegraphic contracts. The early appointment of the com gtee was connected with a change of the aon- trol of the packet service from the Admiralty to the Post Office Department, which was contemplated by the government. Sir J. PAKINGTON called attention to the manner in which the inquiry entrusted to the committee of last session was conducted, and to the necessity that the proceedings of select committees should be strictly limited to the matters referred to them by the house. He did not propose to enter into a discussion of the ar- rangement made for the conveyance of the mails from Dover by the late government with Mr. Churchward. That would be brought on by a seperate motion next week. He would not allude to the censure passed by the committee on Mr. Murray. His object was to raise the question whether the mode in which the examina- tions were conducted by the committee, and the report drawn up, was not inconsistent with justice and the practice of the house, which was not to introduce per- sonal matters into the range of these :functions. The right hon. gentleman supported this proposition by a reference to a debate of last session, and urged that the case in which Messrs. Murray and Churchward were concerned should have been submitted to a judicial and not a parliamentary tribunal. He courted all possible inquiry into the conduct of any members of the late government, but on two conditions, that there should be a specific charge and a proper tribunal to deal with them. Sir F. BARING said on the part of the committee that he did not complain of the course taken by the right hon. gentleman. He was not prepared to say that ob- jection ought not to be taken to a committee on the ground of its not being a purely judicial tribunal, for it was difficult for members) of that house to escape, at least in personal questions, from being influenced by party motives. He hoped that in some shape the right hon. gentleman would take the opinion of the house as to the fpower which had been exercised by the com- mittee. Lord J. MANNERS was anxious that the house should decide in what manner the committee proposed to be apinted should proceed. gr B. OSROBNE agreed with Sir J. Pakington that the committee of last session was not a competent tri- bunal, but on different grounds. He (Mr. Osborne) had made specific charges against Sir J. Pakington of tampering with the electors of Dover against him. The committee was arranged between the present and late ? le of Caw me, caw governments, on the Scotch principle of Caw me, aw thee Mr. Bright objected to the constitution of the committee, one-fifth of the members of which were per- sons accused. It was clear that there was an attempt to whitewash the private secretary of the right hon. baronet, a clerk in the Treasury, who had a great deal to do with the management of the general election, and with Dover in particular. Mr. Gladstone laid Idown that the inquiry should be as wide as possible, and the right hon. baronet, who followed the advice of Lord Brougham to young Macaulay, and spoke on every oc- casion, said nothing, and made no objection; andit was now too late to complain. Sir S. Northcote, Mr. Hope, Mr. H. Herbert, Lord Lovaine, and Captain Vernon having spoken, The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he was de- sirous of having this question thoroughly] examined. He denied that any arrangement was made between Sir S. Northcote and himself as to the composition of the committee. It appeared to him inconvenient that those members of the committee who objected to the course which had been taken did not place their objec. tions on record, and then came and made complaints to the house. It was impossible to avoid a personal in- quiry into the conduct of the executive, and questions involving praise and blame must necessarily have arisen if the inquiry was to be thorough and searching; and although the committee were bound to inquire into the existence or otherwise of corrupt motives, they decided that it was not proved in evidence. He believed that the general opinion of the house was that the committee had not exceeded its powers. After a few words from Sir H. WILLOUGHBY, the motion was agreed to, and the house shortly afterwards adjourned. HOUSE OF LORDS.—TUESDAY. In reply to Viscount Dungannon, the Archbishop of CANTERBURY said that the prelates and the Lower House of Convocation had agreed to a bill to be introduced into the House of Commons on the subject of the dila pidations of glebe houses. Lord BROUGHAM presented petitions from 300 magis- trates and landowners in Cumberland in favour of en alteration of the law relating to the transfer of real real property. The noble lord obtained leave to bring real &rl Founied on a custom prevalent in Cumberland with reference to the transfer of copyhold property, the cost of which transfer did not'exceed 7s., and the length of the conveyance was only 200 words. The LORD CHANCELLOR, in answer to Lord Cranworth, said that a bill would be brought into the other house on the subject by the Attorney-General who had already given notice of his intention. The house then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS. I Lord J. RUSSELL, in answer to Mr. Stahsfield, said he could give no information with regard to a society called La Nazione Armata, in Sardinia, but he had been informed by Sir J. Hudson that there was an armed association projected, at the head of which Garibaldi was tp be placed, and he had given his opinion that it was inconsistent with the rights of the monarchv, and had stated that opinion to the King and to Garibaldi. It was entirely a private matter, which was conducted by Sir J Hudson without instructions from her Ma- jesty's government, but they had signified their approval of his conduct. In answer to Sir A. Agnew, Lord 1. RUSSELL said that the British Minister at Madrid was informed that Martin Escalante, a British subject, had been arrested at Cadiz, and on inquiry of the Consul it was found that he had been guilty of an offence against Spanish law; and though he was detained in prison for several months untried, he was allowed legal advice and ap- plications had been since made for his release. Mr. LINDSAY moved for a select committee to in. quire into the operation of the burdens and restrictions especially affecting merchant shipping, and of the acts for compensating the families of persons killed by acci- dents; the Merchant Shipping Act, 1854; the Mer- chant Shipping Amendment Act, 1855; the Passenger Act, 1856; and the Chinese Passenger Act, 1855. He said that he had obtained a committee of a similar character in Match last, the sittinga of which were interrupted by the dissolution of parliament. If it was granted inquiry could be made into the causes of the present depression of British shipping, and he thougW the inquiry would be very limited, for it was mainly owing to the over-production of ships consequent on the Crimean war. A committee might ascertain what had been done by successive governments to obtain for British ships the reciprocity to which they were entitled. Mr. HORSFALL seconded the motion, agreeing gene- rally with Mr. Lindsay as to the removal of the rall,? ens on shipping, with the exception of pressing tolls. I. Mr. DIGBY SEYMOUR moved, as an amendment, to insert after the word inquire," the words the causes of the present depressed condition of British merchant shipping, and how far the same are capable of legisla- tive remedy," and to add the words" and to consider the expediency of giving to the Court of Admiralty an appellate jurisdiction over naval courts and inquiries under the Merchant Shipping Act, and otherwise en- larging the powers of that court in matters relating to merchant shipping," with a view to give the inquiry a wider scope. Mr. SOMBS seconded the amendment. Mr. R. W. CRAWFORD, who had a motion for a simi- lar committee on the paper, said he should not have in- terfered with Mr. Lindsay but for his having been requested by a body of merchants of London to bring a motion before the house, and he would now merge his in that which had been moved, although he preferred the terms in which his own motion was couched. He thought jthat both the motion and the amendment were calculated to give a wider operation than was contemplated to the inquiry. Mr. BENTINCK pointed out the inconsistency of Mr. Lindsay in first attributing the depression in the ship- ping interest to ordinary causes, and then laying the blame on the absence of reciprocity of other nations in our measures of free trade; but he was not surprised to hear this admission of the failure of those measures. A lengthened discussion followed, in which Mr. M. GmsoN said that the regulations and acts of parliament which had been referred to in the debate would be the subject of inquiry by the committee, and there was no reason to say that they might not be sus- ceptible of improvement after inquiry. He thought that the committee might be appointed on the terms of Mr. Lindsay's motion, but the amendment of Mr. Sey- mour was hardly admissible, which would have the effect of passing a resolution that there was such a de- pression in the British interest as to demand inquiry. The motion, with some verbal amen Iments, was agreed to. Mr. MELLOR moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the Corrupt Practices at Elections Act (1854), and to make further provision for the detection and punish- ment of bribery, treating, and undue influence at par- liamentary and municipal elections. He urged that there was an opinion in the country that the house was not in earnest in their desire to put down bribery. The evidence of Sir W. Hayter before the Gloucester com- mission showed that the Corrupt Practices at Elections Act was a failure, and he characterised it as only one of those tributes which vice paid to virtue. It had had no effect in diminishing the expenses of elections, and had been rather a cloak for bribery than a remedy against it. It was necessary to resort to more stringent provisions for the punishment of bribery than fine and imprisonment. He proposed to add hard labour not exceeding six months to those punishments in cases of ,misdemeanour under the Corrupt Practices Act, this sentence being in the discretion of the judge who tried the indictment. He also proposed to give an indemnity to either of the parties to bribery who gave evidence sufficient to convict his confederate and that no per- son should, in cases of trial for bribery, be allowed to refuse to answer questions on the ground that it would criminate himself, although such answer should not be used against him in a charge of bribery. He sought to make it a misdemeanour for any one to pay any money except to the election agent, all expenses to be paid by him through the election auditor. There was a provi- sion to prohibit the employment of any voter as a mes- senger at an election. The bill was made to apply to municipal as well as parliamentary elections, owing to the prevalence of similar practices at both. Sir F. KELLY expressed his belief that no addition to the stringency of the punishment now applicable to the offence of bribery by the present law would have the slightest effect in diminishing the offence, but he would not oppose the introduction of the bill. Lord PALMERSTON, without giving any opinion as to the efficacy of the details of the bill, was willing to allow its introduction. He was afraid that among con- stituencies there was a laxity of moral feeling with regard to bribery, and therefore he thought that there was a stronger feeling against the offence in that hou-n; than in the country. tie should hope, with the expe- rience they had obtained, they would be able to devise some more efficacious measure than the Corrupt Prac- tices Act, the operation of which had been tested by a general clcotion. The government had already inti- mated that they had the subject under their considera- tion, with a view to the introduction of a measure, and they would give due attention to any plan which was brought forward for the purpose of putting an end to corruption at elections. Leave was given to bring in the bill. Mr. MELLOR obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend the Election Petitions Act, 1848. Its object was to put a check on frivolous petitions, by preventing their with- drawal except by leave of the house; and to give elee tion committees the power to compel witnesses to give answers which would criminate, accompanied .by an indemnity. Mr. SLANEY obtained leave to bring in a bill to enable a majority of two-thirds of the ratepayers of any parish or district duly assembled to rate their parish or district in aid of public improvements forgeneral benefit within their districts, a certain proportion being before raised, by donations and subscriptions. The house adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY. Mr. E. JAMES gave notice that, on the second read- ing of the Bill to Amend the Corrupt Practices at E f tions Act and the Bill to Amend the Election Petitions Act, he should move that they be referred to a select committee. Mr. M'MAHOX moved the second reading of a bill to provide an appeal in criminal cases, his object being,; > remove an anomaly in the law by which every suitor in civil cases had a right to appeal, while in criminal cases the only resort was to the mercy of the crown through the Home Secretary. He urged that there was an ap- peal in these cases in France and in America. What he proposed was that if after trial a person felt that he was wrongfully convicted, he might move for a certiorari, give security for costs, and then be entitled to a new trial on the merits. Mr. W. EWART seconded the motion, fully agreeing in the principle of the bill. He advised that it should be referred to a select committee to settle its details. Sir G C. LEWIS said that it was not proposed to abolish the prerogative of pardon, but merely to add a step in our criminal procedure. He thought if the bill passed as it was it would have little 'ou ??l'e?t, and still leave the actual appeal in criminal cases in the hands of the Home Secretary. He argued that the weight of authority was rather against than in favour of an ap peal in criminal cases. One effect of the bill would be to introduce delay and uncertainty into the administra- tion of the criminal law. The law in most civilised countries was not to grant new trials in these cases. the distinction between an appeal W civil and criminal :eice::rs. aPt: ra:;i:dthC there was no antagonism in criminal as there was in civil cases He moved the rejection of the bill. Mr. G. DENMAN, though opposed to this bill, was of opinion that a case had been made out for a full con- sideration of the question. Mr. PHILLIPS also opposed the bill. Mr. E. JAMES, while willing to sanction the principle of an appeal in criminal cases, could not give his assent to the present measure, the machinery of which would prove quite inefficacious. Mr. GEOROE and Mr. MELLOR opposed the bill. Mr. HENLEY wished to guard himself against its being supposed that he was unfavourable to an amend- ment of the law in this matter, by his opposition to and voting against this bill, which had rather increased than diminished the difficulties by which the question was surrounded. The SOLICITOR-GENERAL and Mr. DIGBY SEYMOUR also opposed the bill-the latter urging on the govern- ment the consideration ofthe question. Mr. LONGFIELD, though not wholly approving of the bill, would vote for the second reading. Mr. M'MAHON having replied, The motion for the second reading was negstived without a division. Mr. HADFIELD moved the second reading of the Qualification for Offices Abolition Bill. Lord LOVAINB opposed its being read a second time without discuuion. Sir G. C. LBWlS supported the bill. Mr. NEWDEOATB moved the adjournment of the debate, which wss agreed to. In commiUee of Mpp!y, which was agreeod f f B: tl st a am not exceedmg Mr. LA ING moved that a sum not exceeding 13,230,000/. be granted to her Majesty to pay off and discharge Exchequer Bills charged in the aida of 1860o unprovided for, which was agreed to. The House adjourned at half-past five,