The Aberystwith Observer

PASSING EVENTS, RUMOURS, &0. Advices from Vera Cruz state that the Republican authorities at Mazatlan had executed Mr. Carman, the American Consul, who had killed two Mexicans in defending his house against rioters. The com- mander of the Federal gunboat had demanded the punishment of the officers engaged in the execution, and this being refused he bombarded the town.

It is said that the Admiralty have decided to con- tribute to the Paris Exhibition a complete set of ship's boats, from the launch down to the dingy, our build being considered superior to that of any foreign navy. A difficulty might be expected to arise in regard to space and shelter for these not very trifling specimens of dockyard work; but this it is hoped will be over- come by fitting up one of the huge wood-carrying barges on the Seine with shed and hoisting tackle, and attaching the boats to it-an idea which will be carried out if found not to interfere with the navigation.

On Saturday Colonel Nelson, having read in the newspapers the reports of the proceedings at Bow- street in respect to Lieutenant Brand, went up to town from Leamington, where he is residing, and ap. peared before Sir Thomas Henry to meet the charge of the wilful mmderAof Gordon, who "M executed under sentence of a court-martial at Jamaeia during the recent insurrection there. Colonel Nelson said he wished to contradict in the most positive manner a report that- he had been hiding in London; and Mr. Shaen, for the prosecution, admitted that there waa n ot the slightest foundation for such an idea, as he knew the Colonel was residing at Leamington, and that he would attend when required. The case having been opened a remand was granted and the accused liberated on bail.

Vice-Chancellor Malins has given his decision in the case of two shareholders of Overend and Gurney —one an original allottee, and the other a transferee— who moved that their names should be struck off the list of contributors and the register of members, on the ground that they had been induced to take shares by false and fraudulent statements contained in the prospectus used by the director. The Vice-Chancellor, after recounting the history of the formation of the company, and Bhowingthat the directors did not dis- close the real state of things to the public, but sent forth statements that virtually kept the share- holders and the public in the dark, and after as. serting that, if the public had been told how matters really stood, not a single share would have been taken up, decided that whatever claim the shareholders might have to be relieved as against the directors, they were liable to the creditors. The motions were con- sequently refused, with costs. An appeal to a higher tribunal will be made against this decision.

Amongst the details of American news is an opinion of the Boston Journal that the impeachment of the President cannot be proceeded with at present, owing to the pressure of business before the Congress. So many legislative matters of vital necessity are yet to be settled that, says the Journal, no time can be spared for the examination of the charges against Mr. Johnson. It is also stated that the Radicals will en- deavour to appoint Gen. Grant as President during the proposed trial.

The London correspondent of the Irish Times says :— "I have good reason for stating that the Railway Com- mission, of which the Duke of Devonshire is chairman, has, after long deliberation, decided to report against the claim made on behalf of the Irish railways. This decision, however, must not be supposed to bind the government, which, although it has deferred any action until the report of the commissioners shall be issued to members, has been much impressed by the recent demonstrations of public opinion on the subject, and is fully satisfied of the necessity for legislation to remedy the undeniable defects of the Irish railway system as it exists."

In view of efforts that may be made to introduce horse railways into the streets of London or other English cities, a report of the annual operations of the horse-railways in an American city may be of value. Philadelphia has a greater number of miles of horse-railways in operation than any other American city, there being eighteen different roads, with 160 miles of railway track. The total invested capital of these roads is 9,500,500 dols., and during 1866 they earned 2,890,268 dols. Of this sum they paid 100,357 dols. in direct taxes to the United States and State of Pennsylvania, and over and above their expenses divided an average profit of about 8 per cent. These roads carried 46,221,499 passenges during 1866 at fares ranging from 7c. to 9c. each.

Mr. Robert Hanbury writes to say what has come of the letter he sent some time ago to the London Times, inviting the co-operation of laymen and clergymen in a movement in opposition to Ritualism. After several private meetings had been held, a con- ference of clergymen and laymen was convened to con- sider the whole subject. The conference appointed a committee of laymen, who held several lengthened meetings, and ultimately agreed to a report. The principal recommendation of this report—that a deputation should wait upon the Prime Minister to ask for a Royal Commission—is to be carried out by a committee appointed for that purpose. The committee deprecate a public meeting in London as a mere demonstration. It will of course depend (Mr. Hanbury says) on the result of the application for a Royal Commission whethy-aiw and what, ulterior steps shall be taken to secure the pure worship of our Reformed Churcb.

EPITOME OF NEWS. BRITISH AND FOREIGN. There have been 1,600 divorces granted in Massa- chusetts in the last six years. A mulatto slave in Brazil has carried off a national prize medal for the beat work of sculpture, and also re- ceived a paper ot manumission. His statue is a Cupid The latest rumour is that some adventurous mem- bers of English swimming clubs have determined to swim across the Channel on their way to the Paris Exhibition They are to be accompanied by umpires In boats, and are to be furnished with planks to rest upon at stated intervals! Within the last few years, according to Post-office returns, the letters delivered in the metropolis and in the provinces on St. Valentine's Day have increased a thousand- fold. Much of this Is perhaps to be attributed to the vast Improvement that has taken place in these annual messages of Cupid. The King of the Belgians met with an accident last Saturday, while riding on borle-back-hls horse gave a sudden start, by which his Majesty was unseated. The ao- cldent has had no injurious results. A terrible earthquake, causing much damage to property and loss of life, took place in the island of Cepha- lonta on tbe 4th. A thirteen year old Italian boy walked to Detroit from Chatham, Canada, a distance of forty miles, to see Rlstorl. Arrived at Detroit he pawned his harp to purchase a ticket, and unable to pay for a night's lodging, slept in a police station-house, satisfied with having seen the great genius of his native land. One of the expedients for passing away the weary hours oa the Liverpool Flags," during the past week, has been the solving of arithmetical problems. Considerable sums of mnnev are said to have changed hands over the fallowing:—" If six cats bill six rats in s!x minutes, how many rats will fifty cats klil in 100 minutes At a London police-oourt,.a Frenchwoman has got afortnieht's hard labour for throwing pepper into the eyes of a coffee-shop keeper. Tae keeper of the house had given her a cup of coffee gratuitously, because she appeared dis- tressed, and allowed her to remain some time, bnt as some of his regular customers were coming in he asked her to leave. This seems to have annoyed her, and she seized a pepper box, and flung its contents in the landlord's eyes. The Saturday Review complains that the country Is asked to pay to B*ron Marochettl for the casting of the Trafalgar-square lions about twice as much as Sir E Land- seer receives for eight years' labour in designing and model- ling them. The Baron asks not less than 11,000J. for the casting, although our best English firm offered to do it for 6,000J. Mr. Roberts, formerly senator from Texas, has computed the recent murders of negroes in that state at 2,700. At one post in the same state eight officers of tbe Freedmen's Bureau have, it is said, been successively murdered. There are now in Paris sixty-three political and 511 non-political journals. The young Lord Belgrave, son of Earl and Lady Constance Grosvenor, and grandson of the Marquis of Westminster, will be the wealthiest man in the world. It is expected that the King of Prussia will make a progress through his newly-acquired territories In the course of March, and that he will be accompanied by the Royal Princes and Count Bismarck. There are 7,772 makers and sellers of playing cards, and the duty last year was 9822. Mr. Kelly, owner of extensive gardens and orchards at Rathmullen, County of Meath, has died, In consequence of being ridden over accidentally while looking at a hunt near his own house, by P. Dalton, the whipper-in of the Louth hounds. Mr. De la Poer has withdrawn his action against Major Wombwell, of the 12th Lancers, for alleged slander in calling him a Fenian; the defendant having, not only by his plea but by his counsel, denied using the words attributed to him. From an official paper just issued it appears that in the year ending the 31st March last the duty on railways amounted to 463,023L, being an Increase of 23,6911. on the preceding year. Here is a fine prize for some historian of the twentieth century. A Russian general of artillery has just died after having deposited In the Bank of St. Petersburg a sum of 8,0001., to remdn at interest until the year 1925, the anniversary of the death of the Emperor Alexander I., and tjen to be given to the author of the best history of that Sovereign. The sum will then amount to 384,0002. Mr. Joseph Mayer, who has long possessed one of the most valuable collections in Europe of Egyptian, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon antiquities and works of art, has bequeathed the whole of this collection to the Liverpool Free Library and Museum, the only conditions being that the collection shall be called by his name, and shall not be separated. Mrs. (Longworth) Yelverton is coming again before the House of Lords this Session to establish her status as a married woman. It is said she will appear in forma pau wis. During last year there nvas a payment of legacy and succession duty under one will of the sum of 150,2602. The same estate contributed 42,0002. to the probate duty, the property being valued at 2,800,0002. The winner of the late ocean yacht raee, Mr. Ben. nett, has had an audience of the Emperor Napoleon. A large camp will be established on the plain of St. Maur, In the immediate vicinity of Paris, during the Exhibi- tion. The camp at Chalons is not to be used this year. The Legislature of the State of Indiana has passed an Act imposing a fine of 1,000 dollars on any member of that body who evades voting on a measure by bolting." During the past year forty-five sailing vessels, five steamers, and fifty-seven barques were built In Austrian ports. The value of these ships is 2,118,819 florins, and their tonnage 17,782 tons. A new kind of cartridge-pouch, made to contain 100 cartridges, is being introduced in the French army. There are 2.455 lodges of Odd Fellows in the United States with 179,700 members. On the authority of a person of high position in London, it is stated that the Queen and royal family, in-. CIU 'ing the Princess of Wales, will visit Killarney next summer. It is the intention of her Majesty to renew the gift of 260 volumes of books to the Itinerant Village Library of the Yorkshire Union of Mechanic*' Institutions made In 1864 by the Prince Consort. The Belfast magistrates seem determined to punish with severity all persons brought before them on a charge of using party expressions In public thorough- fares tending to a breach of the peace. A num- ber of both women and men have been fined In sums ranging from 2s 61. to 40s. for shouting In the streets, some in favour of Fenianism, others against the Pope. It is rumoured, and I believe may be regarded as true, that a Federal tax on tobacco is contemolated by this Government. In the interest of health, sobriety, and good manners It Is to be wished that the plan may be carried out, and a portion of the Federal military expenditure defrayed from the proceeds. At the present cheap rate of the article, when a good,eigar may he had at one-third of what It costs in England, men are being fast converted into walking chimneys t "—Correspondent of London Times. The question of the practicability of telegraph messages to America for 4l and under, which has been raised by the new British and American Telegraph Company, is exciting considerable Interest in London and elsewhere. It is felt that the benefits of telegraphic communication with America can never be obtained upon a prohibitory tariff, of 10l for a message of a few words. In Rome, on the evening of the 2Sth of January a Jesuit committed suicide by throwing himself from the clock tower of the Romsn college. He was an Italian thirty two years of age, and is said, in the society, to have been deranged. At a meeting in Deptford the other evening, Mr. Spurgeon made a novel and very creditable proposition. After the sermon, a collection was to be made in aid of the building fund of a proposed Baptist chapel; but the reve- rend gentleman expressed his opinion that the time when so much distress prevailed in the town was inopportune to collect money for such a purpose, and said the announced collection would ha made, but on behalf of the poor, while he would give a corresponding amount to the building fund out of his own pockfft. The collection amounted to 102. Ivy, ivy.—Please write one line. Longing to hear something of you "—"Oh! Willie. Write or come at once to yonr d stressed Fop and parents. All is made right.— J.N.F.B."—Advertisements in London Times Captain Sherard Osborne has written an able paper In the Fortnightly Review on How the English navy is managed," in which haooei not spare the rod. It is confidently rumoured in Oxford that it is in contemplation not only to erect a new Roman Catholic chapel, but also to establish a Roman Catholic college on an extensive scale at Oxford. Lord Augustus Loftus is said to be about to nego- tiate with the Prussian Government respecting the surrender to the King of Hanover of his private property. Before the extradition can take place his Majesty will be probably obliged to return the stock which he transmitted to England on leaving his country. During the past week fifty wreeks have been re. ported, making a total for the present year of 513. An inquest has been held in London on the body of Elizabeth Berry, aged 76 years. The deceased in lighting a candle set are to her gown, and whilst the landlord was endea- vouring to extinguish the flames she fell dead at his feet. She was dreadfully charred over the whole body. A parliamentary return just issued states the duty on race horses last year at 8,4242., being an increase of 6782. on the preceding year. There is at Mallardstown, within a mile of Callan, a woman, named N> 11 Dea, who has atTained the age of 108 years, and who u iet in tbe full possession of her mental faculties."—Kilkenny Journal. At the annual bird show at the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, on Saturday, nearly 1,100 specimens were exhibited, including a jackdaw, all white; an almost eS!l? B,n8"'ar specimen of the hedge-sparrow genus, all a iuani1 an Australian magpie, which has a tenor voice that, with a little musical culture, might be turned to profit as an exhibition. The miners of Fife have passed a resolution in favour of the eight hours movement, and of carrying it into effect oa the earliest opportunity. Advices from Jamaica say that in several districts the negroes had struck for higher wages, asserting that Qneen Victoria had ordered them to do so. Four numbers of various German newspapers were confiscated by the Prussian police at Frankfort on the 5th because they contained articles against the Prussian Govern- ment. Public curiosity is so great in Paris as to the pro- gress of the works of the Exhibition that last Sunday 6,066f. were taken at the door. A Belgian paper states that the cattle disease haa broken out in the following manner :—" The son of a farmer In whose establishment the first case of the epidemic had been noticed had passed some days at a place already infected. Feeling ill he had returned home, and was for a long time confined to his bed. After his recovery he again put on the clothes which he had worn in the luf-c,ert district, and placed himself in contact with the healthy beasts he- longing to his parents The next day the disease manifested Itself in the stable and was thence propagated over the whole country." The 28th of May, which is the 25th anniversary of the marriage of the King and Qaeen of Denmark, Is, as the "sliver wedding" of their Majesties, to be made the occasion of a general gathering at Copenhagen of all the members of the royal family, when it is expected that the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Czarewitch and his bride, and the King of Greece will all meet. The Majorca fishermen are just now making hand- some profits of an enormous take of sardines, which are sold at as little as four maravedls (about two-thirds of a penny) per lb. A couple of lunatics confined in the Fife and Kinross Counties Asylum fell out over a game of draughts on Friday, and from words soon got to blows. Three keepers w. re soon on the spot, but in the meantime a third patient, who J'1 known to have homicidal tendencies, entered the room. Tne latter became at once unmanageable, and while the whole o. the keepers were getting him away, one of the original combatants gave the other a dexterous twist under the chin, laying him dead at his feet with a broken neck. A number of drapers' shopmen at Liverpool have got themselves Into trouble. There has been an "early closing movement" there, it seems, and some of the tradesmen who at first joined it have withdrawn. Around the shop of one of them, on Saturday night, some thirty or forty shop- men from other houses assembled, under the pretence of distributing tracts. A crowd soon congregated, and a small riot ensued, during which several persons were hurt, and a good deal of plate-glass was broken. During the passing of the Reform procession in London along the New road a young gentleman of seven- teen was robbed of his watch, money, hat, and coat, and so cruelly beaten that he had to be carried away insensible. The Leeds Mercury says that the cattle plague has re-appcared In the nelgnbourhood of Halifax, upon the farm of Mr. Sntcliffe, of Warley, who was a severe sufferer by the disease last year. At Bow-street in London, on Tuesday morning, Colonel Nelson and Lieutenant Brand, charged wlrh tne murdfr of George William Gordon, again surrendered. As Mr. Bristowe, the Admiralty solicitor, and Mr. Claude Scott, solicitor for the War Department, appeared for tne respective defendants, it would seem that their defence is to be conducted by the Government. The average cost per prisoner i. the Irish county gaols is only 222. 8s. 2d., while in the English oounty gaols it is 292. 14s. Id. A fire occurred on Monday at the Rising Sun public-house, Lower Tooting, by which the house, cnn- taining sixteen rooms, and an assembly room adjoining, about forty-flve feet by twenty five feet, were destroyed. and three men named Smith, Butting, and Porter, and a man whose name is unknown, were burnt to death. It is not known how the fire was caused. Instated that Mr. Adams will shortly return to Srf U olted States, and that he will be succeeded, as American Minister in London, by Mr. Dudley Field. The case of Mr. Robertson, the Glasgow com- positor, who appealed te the last Free Church General Assembly against a decision excluding him from reiigi jus privileges, has been taken up by the Free Presbytery of Glasgow. As Mr. Robertson had not given up Sunday work, the Presbytery on the motion of Dr. Gibson, resolved to instruct the Gorbals Free Session to strike his name off the congregational roll. A steamship that wai seen to founder suddenly, with all hands, oil St. Ive's Head on Wednesday in last week, has proved to be the Fanny Lambert, of London, 626 tons. The booy of a young man, supposed to he that of the mate, has been washed ashore witn a life buoy around it. Parti of the wreck havealso been picked up The crew numbered eighteen. The Electoral Returns for Counties contain one very curious and instructive table—the numoers. county by county, of occupiers who are also owners. Many men, no doubt, own in two counties, but still the return enables us to arrive at the minimum number of considerable owners of land outllide Parliamentary boroughs. There are in all England—without Wales-but 43,591 persons who own land assessed at more than 501. a year. According to the American Constitution, if a bill that has been sent to ihe President Is not returned by him approved or disapproved within ten days from the time H is placed in his hands, it becomes law. fwo bills one con- ferring suffrage on negroes in all United States territories, the other repealing the amnesty and pardon power given the Prellident In 1862—have thus beeome law, the same as if the President had signed them. J^onrfay the police at Leeds apprehended a young man who said his name was Thomas Ftnton, with a bundle in his possession, which he at first said was wearing apparel, but which was found to contain twenty-four packages of ball cartridges, greased and ready for use. Oa being apprehended and taken before the magistrates, Fenton said that he had reoelved the parcel from a gentleman to carry, but he did not know who the gentleman was. The cartridges, about 140 in number, were wrapped in pieces of old newspapers. Of course it is believed that they are the property of some abettors of the Fenian movement. The prisoner was remanded for a week. A new trade has been openly started in Paris—it has often been spoken of as existing in secret—namely, that of I?. <■„ person advertises an office at which any one have but to apply in order to obtain information as regards family secrets, the tracing of a debtor, and the general surveillance of parties in whom one may be Interested. In the American House of Representatives on the 20th nit., Mr Hunter, of New York, pronounced something uttered by Mr. Ashley, of Onio, to be "a base lie." This fact has been reported In the columns of several English news- papers, but without tbe additional fact which should be mentioned In fairness to the Congress, namely, that a re- solution calling upin the Speaker to censure Mr. Hunter was immediately pas8ed, and the reprimand was imme- diately given, after which Mr. Hunter apologised to the House. There was a considerable improvement in the income tax assessments for the year 1864 over the previous year. The property and profits afsesser, in 1863 under all the schedules was 326,696,0002., while in 1864 the amount was 349 096 0002 an Increase ot 22,400,0002. Wheat is now at last amounting up to a most un- pleasant price for consumers, and so is barley. The last returns of the state of the corn trade show that the antici- pations of a steady rise In prices are still being fulfilled, and that things promise to be worse instead of better. When we find the best white wheat fetching in some markets as much as 72s. a quarter, coupled with the fact that anything like really sound home grown wheat is very scarce, we begin to wonder how much higher it will rise, and we pity afresh the starving crowds out of work in London. The best malt- I'LwnK lg aGtuaUy fetching 60s. a quarter a price farmers can grow wheat itself at a profit, in a fair season, and with good harvest weather. New Zealand advices say that sentence of death haa been recorded against a man of the name of Elcock for setting are to premises in Cbancery-street, Auckland, oc- casioning the last large conflagration in that city. This was upon the first count on his Indictment. There were two counts, and upon the second he was sentenced to penal ser- vitude for life. It is hoped in the colony that this convic- tion will have a favourable influence in arresting a species of crime which has been growing to a fearful head in the southern province. The Jesuits, according to their custom, have published the annual statistics of their society. The company reckoned, at the close of 1866, four consistories, and twenty provinces; the number of members being 8,167, showing an augmentation of 215 over the year 1865. In the French province there are 2,422, whereas in 1865 there were only 2,266 Notwithstanding their expulsion from Naples, Sicily, Turin, Venetia, and the Mexican empire, they are lucessantly increasing in numbers. A new process for cleaning the facades of public buildings and dwelling-honses la now being experimented on in Paris. A steam-engine supplies pipes of gutta-percha with a constant stream of vapnur. These are applied to the stone or brick surface of buildings, one man directing the steam jet and the other using a brush. The building, after the application of this system, looks as clean and new as when erected. A couple of men in three days will thus wash the facade of an hotel. A sad occurrence has just happened at Monte Rocca Bona, in Sardinia. TMntayor, who was highly esteemed, died, and the people wishing tc testify their respect, hastened to visit the mortuary chamber. About a hundred persons were assembled In the room when suddenly the flooring gave way, and the whole of them as well aB the corpse were pre- cipitated to the lower story. The neighbours hastened to their assistance, and after some hours' labour they were extricated, but one woman was found dead and several other persons more or less Injured. It is rumoured in Paris, on good authority, that the Sultan proposes to Introduce a representative Assembly in Turkey, similar to that lately established by the Viceroy of Egypt. The President's Message was telegraphed from Washington to CaUfornla and appeared in the evening papers of San Francisco on the same day with its delivery to Congress. At present the New World beats the Old in telegraph linea, having 90,000 mlles of linea against 60 000 in E1l1'ope and 8.000 In India. M ^ear ^r- Disraeli's statement on ^IrPv as half Reform was something remarkable. As secured aimu!f °nve as ma°y as thirty Persons who had a neltincr r«K. Vu had a.sembled In Palace yard, where in Ann*. Jt ,ral°they quietly waited till six o'clock, when the Of Westminster Hall were opened, and they then proceeded to take their seats In St Stephen's Hall (the wait- ing-room being now closed for that purpose). By a special regulation Introduced this Session, each person presenting a member's order has It marked by the police in the order in which it is presented, and takes his seat accordingly, where he must remain till half-past toree, unless he engages a locum tentns. There were plenty of persons ready to act in that capacity at prices varying from 10s. to 2s. 6d. The printers played off a rich joke upon Mr. Vance, the newly-efcted member for Armagh, the other day. That gentleman was made to say in the middle of a political speech that he had never tasted malt liquor in his life;" that "no doctor could induce him to drink It, because he knew|>more about Its bad effects than any doctor could tell hlmj that "hundreds of thousands of persons were going to perdition through drink, who might be saved by the Maine taw and so on. The next morning the jour- nal that made Mr. Vance say this, had to explain that through the carelessness of the printer a bleck of type out of a teetotal meeting had been inserted in Mr. Tanes's speech, and that lot what Mr. Vanoe really aw sit the roadtt would hate to fflok at ttti CMtoM riftaUiil,

On Saturday the King of Prussia closed the Prus- sian Diet. He delivered a speech on the occasion which is remarkable in more respects than one. Throughout it is marked by the egotism which King William has shown on all and every occasion since his accession to the throne. "My Government," "my army," my efforts," occur again and again with almost Eainful reiteration. The Diet is congratulated on aving condoned the past offences of "my Govern- ment" in respect to the budget, and patronisingly praised for having discovered how right "my Govern. ment" has been and how wrong the diet. Then the king bestows praise for the administrative measures passed during the session takes the opportunity of advising the people of the annexed States to reconcile them- selves to their present position and concludes with a pious expression of hope that he may be enabled to consummate that unity of the German people for which the nation had so long vainly striven.

In reply to an address from the mayor and town council of Cork on the subject of a Government pur- chase of Irish railways, the Lord Lieutenant has in- timated that the report of the Royal Commission may now be very shortly expected and he sincerely trusts it will be favourable to some action being taken. Lord Abercorn adds that he will give every support to the railway interests of Ireland, and endeavour to impress upon the Treasury to advance the views of the railway companies as far as he is able.

The principal of the North Wales Training College has been called upon to resign his post at the expira- tion of six months under the following circumstances —He has been in the habit of putting to every candi- date for admission into the college a series of ques- tions propounding the most extreme High Church views. For instance, candidates are told to "show that there is perfect safety in the English Church, and that to leave her for any other Church, or any mere sect, must be a fatal error." Tbis is but one out of about sixty similar questions. The course adopted by the principal was made the subject of severe comment at the annual meeting of the institution, which was attended by the Bishops of St. Asaph and Bangor, the Dean of St. Asaph, four archdeacons, two M.P.'s, and a large number of influential gentry-

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. In the House ol Lords on Feb. 8, the Duke of Somerset, in moving for certain returns, entered upon a vindication ot bis administration of the Admiralty Department, which he conceived to have been impugned by his successor in omce He explained that a large portion of the amount voted for the Navy during the past six years had been applicable to other purposes than the construction of ships, and he justified the caution exercised by his Board in the building of new ships by the uncertainty that had prevailed as to the class of vessel that would ultimately be found most useful. He also gave explanations as to the keeping of accounts, the iron ballast used as pavement in the dockyards, and as to the regulations tor manning the Navy, upon all of which points he insisted the Board over which he had presided wan not deserving of the adverse criticisms that had been passed upon I$. Lord Derby expressed a favourable opinion of the Duke of Somerset's administration, and explained some remarks of Sir J. Pakington on the present state of the Navy, as intended to show the necessity for strengthening our mari- time defences, and not imputing to the late Board of Admiralty any blame for a state of things which was certainly not satisfactory. Lord Grey recommended caution In proceeding with the construction of new vessels, observing that the transition state ot naval science and the continuous and rapid changes and improvements in naval architecture rendered it unad- vlsable to hurry on the building of ships, which, when completed, might be found obsolete. Many millions had been wasted In that manner, for which he thought the House of Commons, rather than the Governments, was responsible. The returns were agreed to. Lord Dudley, referring to the Reform procession announced for next Monday, called attention to the public inconvenience wblch it would caUle, and to the absence of any reason for such demonstrations now that the subject of Reform was about to be considered by Parliament, and inquired what were the Intentions of the Government in respect ot the pro- posed procession. Lord Derby regretted that the leaders ot the movement should persist in a plan which must cause great incon- venience, and possibly a disturbance of the public peace, but said that beif g advised that the contemplated procession, however objectionable, was not illegal, the Govern- ment would take no other steps in the matter than those incumbent upon them, of providing a force to prevent any breach of the peace, or to restore order should it be vio- lated. At the same time, he earnestly deprecated the pro- cession, as calculated to create an gry feeling between d fferent classes of the community. The Lord Chancellor, in reply to a remark from Lord Ellenborough, explained that large assemblies of people were not in themselves Illegal, but were only so when there was a well-grounded apprehension of a disturbance of the public peace. Their lordships then adjourned. In the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer, replying to an inquiry from Mr. Gladstone as to the mode in which the Reform question would be brought for- ward on Monday night, excused himself from laying on the table any precise formal notice of motion, which might lead to a misapprehension of the views of the Government, but promised that the first order of the day for Monday should be the consideration of the paragraph of the Queen's Speech relating to the representation of the people, and that he would then state more fully what they proposed to do. Mr. Walpole, in introducing his bill for facilitating In certain oases the proceedings efthe Commissioners appointed to make inquiry respecting Trades' unions, explained that the attention of the Government had first been called to the subject by two deputations—one of workmen, and the other of employers, who waited on him soon after the last Sheffield outrage—and after full consideration, they had concluded that an inquiry was necessary, and that for the sake of all concerned it ought to be as wide and comprehensive as possible. The bill was limited in the first instance to the inquiry into the acts of violence perpetrated at Sheffield, and it gave power to compel the attendance of witnesses, to examine on oath, and to give indemnities to witnesses confess- ing to illegal acts. After a few words of general concurrence from Sir G. Grey, Mr. Hughes urged the Home Secretary, pending the in- quiry, to bring In a bUl to protect the societies from the ef. fects of the recent decision in the Queen's Bench, under which any dishonest treasurer might embezzle their funds with impunity. Mr. Goschen doubted the expediency of mixing up an in- quiry into particular outrages with an inquiry into the gene- ral operation ot Trades' Unions, and suggested one or two practical inconveniences of this coi junction. Mr. Neate concurred in thinking the propossd course in- convenient but Mr. Roebuck saw no ground for the diffi- culty which had been started. Sir F. Crossley gave the House some of his own experience as an employer of labour, and was more disposed to trust to the good sense and discretion of masters and men than to any action of Parliament. The discussion was continued by Mr. Ayrton, who anticipated no useful result from the inquiry and supported by Mr. Hughes suggestion by Mr. W. E Forster who also objected to the mixing up of two different inquiries by Mr. Barrow, Mr. Whalley, and the Attorney-General. Mr. Walpole intimated that the in qulry Into the Sheffield outrages would be conducted on the spot l:1y examiners appointed by the head of the Commission, and gave some further explana- tions, after which leave was given to bring in the but. Leave was obtained by Mr. R Gurney to bring in a bill to remove some defects In the administration of the criminal law by Mr. Lawaon for a bill to open certain professorships of natural philosophy in the University of Dublin to all persons, irrespective of their religion; and by Sir C. O'Loghlen for a bill to amend the law of libeL The remaining business was disposed of, and the House adjourned. On Feb. H, the House of Lords sat for but a short time, and no business of general interest was brought before it. The House at Commons was densely packed with mem- tors in anttdpafKm ol the Chancellor of the Exchequer's speech on Reform, and there were also a numerous attend- ance of strangers. Of members of the Upper House, there were present Earl GranvUle, Lord Fowls, Lord Walslngham, and others. A number of private bills were read a first time. PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. Mr. Disraeli rose at a quarter to five and moved that the paragraph in the Queen's Speech relating to the representa- tion of the people be read. The paragraph having been read, he again rose, amid the cheers of the House, and said he wished, on behalf of her Majesty's Government, clearly to eonvey to the House the interpretation which they placed on those gracious words that had Just been read from the paper. They were signifi- cant words. Her Majesty from the Throne appealed to the Houle of Commons in deliberating on a most important subject of a political character—namely, the distribution of power In the State,—that they should divest themselves of that party spirit which generally is the emeient. the cus- tomary. the eonstitutional influence by which all great public questions are brought to a satisfactory settlement Her Majesty s Ministers were the last of all Man in this House who would depreciate the importance of the ties of party; they were the last men who wished to derogate from the legitimate functions of party. In their opinion party organisation is a condition of Parlia- mentary Government, and that they see no security like it, and without it they see no security for either efficiency or independence in a popular assembly. Nor, least of all oa this occasion, are they inolined in any way to refrain from appealing to the support of those with whom for long years In public alliance and private friendship, they have been connected with In this house, Oa the contrary, they felt that this was an occasion of all others when they would have most earnestly to appeal for the continuance of that rupport, of that coBnIejce, of that sympathy, of that friendship, and even of that forbearance on which they had before rested with assurance and success. Under the cir- cumstances in which the House was placed, it wa", in the opinion of the Government, expedient that Parliamentary reform should no longer be a question which should decide the fite of Ministries. They had arrived at that conclusion with the conviction that it Is consistent with th-ir duty and their honour as public men, and thfy hoped that the House ot Commons, notwithstanding an expression of opinion from a very limited quarter, the IJ use of Commons, after due consideration, will a'so be of opinion that such a course, compatible on their part with all those principles and sentiments which should actuate public men. And they had arrived at that conclusion, that it was not for the advantage of the couatry that Parliamentary Reform should be a question that should decide the fate of Minis- tries, that it thould not be what was commonly called a party question, for this simple and to them irresistible rea- son, that all parties in the state had attempted to deal with it and failed. In the year 1852 there was a pure Whig Government headed by Lord John Russell, who dealt with this subj-ct and failed. In the vear 1S64 there was a Co- alition Government, headed by the Earl of Aberdeen, which attempted to deal with this question and failed. In the year 1859 there was a Conservative Government, headed by the Earl of Derby, which attemoted to deal with this question and failed. In the year 1860 there was a moderate Liberal Government, headed hy Lord Palmerston, which attempted to deal with this question and failed. And in the year 1866 there was a ——— (laughter) Government, headed by Earl Russell, which attempted to deal with the question, and failed. In the opinion of her Majesty's Government the seeds perhaps of the most considerable portion of those cbangeg which they contemplated were In the memorable Act of 1832. Until the Act of 1832 was passed, the claims of the labouring class to a share in our Parliamentary system were ignored. At that time it was thought fit to abolish the rights and privileges of the freemen. He thought that was a great error. In 1852 the question of Reform was again brought on. In the first month of their accession to office It WAS absolutely necessary they should decide on what course to adopt with regard to Rtform. At that time what was called financial Reform was in fashion and it was in reference to a motion which the hon member for Surrey brought forward, that he made a declaration on the part of her Majesty's Ministers, which would show that this ques- tion, which having been taken up originally when the Re- form Act of 1882 was introduced was never entirely deserted. On every fitting occasion there have been expressions of opinion similar to those which he then made. It was not difficult in 1832 to carry measures of disfranchisement which now would not be tolerated. The opposition ef the labouring class in 1882 was not similar to 1866, and the right hon. gentleman proceeded to quote the prophetic remark of Sir R. Peel on this head. Since 1S32 this country had made great progress but, during the last ten years that rogress had been most remarkable. He could not now attempt to inquire into the particular causes which had brought about that advancement; bnt he thought ha might say there was one sovereign cause which was at the bottom of everything—namely, the increased ap- plication of science. That, he believed, was the main cause of the vast changes whieh they had seen in the condition of the labouring classes. They were all familiar with the moral results which that application of science had pro- duced. That resolution in locomotion which would strike them as a miracle if they were not familiar with it, had given to the great body of this eountry immense advantages. The more in which steam was applied to the printing press, had prcdnced effects more startliog even than the first dis covery. It was science that had increased the desires and opportunities of men, and It was science that had ennobled the labourer. There were some who said its effects must be to equalise the conditions of men. That was a matter ef con- troversy, Into which he should not now enter. But there eBce toad elevated all classes. Having said this, he must repudiate the opinion now prevalent, which was utterly unfounded, that the legitimate claims of the labouring classes do not receive due consideration in Parliament-that they have met a vexatious opposition, and have encountered sinister neglect and delay. On the contrary, he knew no great question which had met wlih less discussion and less antipathy than that of Reform. He looked npen the bill of 1832 that was introduced by Earl Russell as eminently a prema- ture movement, for it did not even aim at supplying a deficiency. He did not blame Earl RusseUon that account for he had often vindicated the noble lord in this House when attacked on that head. He looked npon that more- over, as strictly one of self defence. Lord John Russell found himself attacked by members of this House who pro posed Isolated measures, applying only to fragmentary questions of Reform. He knew the danger that might accrue if such meatures were adopted. He knew, whether the consequences might be democratic or oligarchic, the consequences would be such as to startle even the proposers. Therefore, Lord J. Russell thought it ab- solutely necessary to make some effort that the question of Parliamentary Reform should be settled. He reminded the House that the alsturbance of the settlement of the Reform decision came to in 1832 originated entirely in the House of Commons. This, therefore, was a House of Commons quee- tion. And this was remarkable, that the House of Commons, having been the originators In disturbing the settlement ol 1832. had defeated ever, attempt that had been mane by organized parties and responsible bodies of men to tffect a settlement of that which they had unsettled. He had no charge to bring against the House in that rfgpect. He mentioned it historically. The House of Commons mteht have been perfectly justified in coming forward and senu- lousiy attempting to disturb the settlement of 1832. But he contended that the House of Commons had undertaken pe- culiar responsibilities. Under those circumstances, he thought it could hardly be denied that the relations between ti e Home of Cmmous and the present Goverl mAnt woe ptcui»-r difficult and perplexing. Although in five instances Governments were defeated on Reform, on four occasions the bill was allowed to be read a second time, but Lord Darby's bill was not allowed to he read a Sfcond time. He must say that until 1859 Parliamentary Reform was not a party question. The settlement of 1832 was an Act carried with a great deal of party feeling, but notwithstand- ing that ihe contract entered Into on the occasion of Sir Robt. Peel's Mlnhtry not to disturb that settlement wal minutely observed, it was broken through by Lord Russell. He had traced the question down to 1859. With reference to Lord Palmerston, in 1857 he was at the height of his power, and when he left office in 1858 he was to anxious that a settlement shouid take place that he said If his successors, the Derby Ministry, Jjrought forward a well- considered measure he would not oppose it. But, notwith- standing the engagements and efforts of Lord Palmerston, one single member of the House ot Commons gave a different colouring to a subject which had not hitherto been a party question. Who was that member 1 Lord John Russell, who, by his vote, made the question for the first time since '32 a party one. The House and the country could not bear a repetition of the manoeuvres of 1859. Well, they had to consider under these difficult circumstances which they ought to pursue, and it did appear to the Government that, seeing the House itself had disturbed the settlement of 1832 f and that five Governments had attempted Ineffectually to deal with the subject—it appeared to them that in a position of so much difficulty they ought to pursue a course not hitherto adopted with regard to the question; and they thought that before Introducing a bill they should ask the House whether it would sanction what they recommended. In taking that course they were impelled by as pure a sense of public duty as ever impelled any body of public men. Alluding to objections which might be taken, he remarked that nrst it migat be objected to proceed by resolutions on the ground of delay. He could not for himself believe that there was anything in the theory of resolutions that would lead to delay. Discussions which took place on the second reading were anticipated by discussions on resolutions, and therefore might be set against each other. In looking over the course of proceeding in the journals, It did not appear v.0 J K resolutions had produced delay, but that they had been followed by successful legislation. With reference to the India Billon which there were considerable differences viT ji there was only a month between the second and third readings. The object of resolution was to obtain the opinion of the House to the principle of a bill subsequently to be introduced, and it was their duty to listen to sugges- tionl. With regard to the vagueness of resolutions it was not the interest of the Government to bring forward reso- lutions of that character. He wanted to meet this question fairly. He would take one of the most difficult questions in resolutions of reform, namely, that there should be an extension of the suffrage. If he were to say that there should be an extension of the suffrage in couaties and boroughs, he would call that a vague resolution. But If a reso- lution stated that the basis ofthefranchile should be by ratlr g, that would be affirming a principle It would, however, be un- reasonable to ask the Government to fix the exact amount at which that rating should be. He hoped the resolutions would be submitted to them to-morrow. Was the franchise to be on the principles of the English constitution, or of that ofany other eountry? The reconstruction of that House which the Government would propose would te based on the English Constitution. He did not regard the English Constitution as a mere phrase. It would be unwise to for- get the ancient traditions of the country In which we lived. Undoubtedly, the relations of different classes were greatly changed; but that was no reason why they should forget the Constitution, but rather a reason why they should cling to It. There was no doubt that the one of the estates of the realm—the Commons-whom they represented, had made large advances. What had placed the Commons in the commanding position they now occupied? It was the de- velopment of oar Constitution, and it had arisen from the high deliberative character of that House. In that respect no alteration would be proposed. They did not consider that they could retain that high character if they admitted any class to have a preponderating power, and there- fore the Government went on this principle, that that House must be an equally-balanced popular assembly, and not an overwhelming democratic one. It might be said that our representative institution was not suited to the times In which we live. Across the Atlantic, in America, there was a democratic Government, but could any one pretend that the House of Representatives was espial to the House oi Commons? How did that arise? The members of the House of Representatives were elected by one class. Mr. Disraeli also remarked that the Corps LegUlatif in France contrasted unfavourably with the ttouse of Commons, and proceeded to state that, con- the false and pernicious doctrines that were now circulated, the Government could not prooeed qasklng that House to lay down their opinions. The 01 tbe Treasury would Introduce a bill that evening ? ho ™1LWi ^vCertain inequalities with regard to rating, House to affirm that that principle—the prfncipleofratlng—w°uld be the basis of their franchise. Alluding next to the distribution of seats, he said they must proceed with great caution, and he thought he had a right to ask the House to state their opinion as to what principle a redistribution should be based on. The resolution of the Government on this part of the question would affirm that no borough should be whol y disfranchised, so far as the distribution of seats were concerned. Such would be the second resolution. Another question of difficulty was that of boundaries. If it were clearly understood there would be little difficulty, bat unfortunately if, was not understood. Eleven and a haIr millions was the popula- tion of counties represented in that House by 162 members, while the population of the boroughs, represented in that House by 331 members, was nine and a half millions. Since 1832 the population of the boroughs had passed their boundaries to the amount of millions. If they reduced the franchise many of these would bee .me county electors, and ♦v. well-grounded complaint of many would be that the boroughs oupht to be contented with their 334 members. It was said that the scheme of re-adjusting the Parliamentary boundaries of England was a schtme to give the 162 county members entirely into the hands of the landlords, their tenants, and their labourers. He was sorry they had accepted a proposition so fatally erroneous. He had reminded them of the eleven and a half millions. If the proposition of the Government was accepted there would be a considerable diminution of that number. Let him remind them that tbere was a village population in the counties nearly equal to the amount represented in the boroughs. Well, it was said, what are they? For the most part farmers or labourers. They were however a very respectable class—tne backbone of Eugland. But on the subject of the county population to wbich he was Jutt adverting—who were the seven mtUlons-tbe village population ? There were no less than 3'0,000 freeholders among them utterly ignored by that Houae. They were bound to let this part of the population have their right, and to let the county population elect their own representatives. He hoped the House would do justice tî)- the great body of freeholders of England. The re was a person who went about the country maligning men and things (lanebter), who asked where were the 4,000 freeholders of Buckinghamshire? Why, where did they expect to find them but In the county of Buckingham ? But they would not do justice to the counties because some- body had induced them to believe that nobody lived in them but landlords, farmers, and farm labourers. He had now laid before them the propositions which the Government w01lld ask them to adopt. Tne Government was not angling for a policy, but there were several subjects besides those to which he had alluded, on which it would be desirable that the opinion of the House should be given, and on those sub- jects they would defer to the opinion of the House, and al- though they were not prepared to shrink from the leading principles of the policy which he had suggested, he could only say that those suggestions w01lld not only be received with candour but even with gratitude. Of course It would have been very gratifying to them If they had been able to bring in abtll backed by a confiding majority, which would have tended to Improve and dignify the Constitution, but they must all suit themselves to the present circumstances. In conclusion, Mr. Disraeli referred to the Insinuations which had been cast upon the House of Commons as at present constituted, and concluded by moving, that on the 25th Feb. the House should resolve itself into a committee of the whole Honse, to take Into consideration the 2nd and 3rd William IV chap. 4 and 5. Mr. Gladstone said the Chancellor of the Exchequer by his proposition had placed the House In a peculiar and un- paralleled position. They were asked to approach this subject in a manner altogether noveL He concurred in the opinion that the Houae, by the action of Independent members, had incurred a responsible p> sttlon on the subject of Reform, but be understood the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer to'go further than thl8, and to contend that with the increase of the responsibility of the House, there was a decrease in the responsibility of the Government, and that that responsibility was less than that which usually attached to ministers of the Crown. He doubte t whether such an announcement would add to the weight of the proposition which the right hon. gfntleman had named. There were many objections to proceeding by way of resolution, but he should advise independent members not to urge those objections but to examine the resolutions to see if it was possible to make an onward movement in this matter. Allusion had been made to the intention to alter the law of rating, and a bill was to be brought in on that subject. But was that to be made a reason for delay ? The same reasons that induced him to make 110 objection to the proposition to proceed by resolution would induce him to offer his determined opposition to any preposition that would have a tendency to cast this question off to the future. He denied that the late government had attempted to reconstruct that House on any other than the principle of the British constitution. The resolution was then agreed to. Mr. Hunt then moved for leave to bring in a bill to pro- vld e for a common basis of value, for the purposes of go- vernment and local taxation, and to promote uniformity in the assessment of rateable property in England and Wales. The bill, he said, would apply to the metropolis. The House then adjourned. In the House of Lords, on February 12, Lord Russell pre- sented a petition from Mr Rigby Wason, imputing to tbe present Lord Chief Baron that he had wilfully deceived an Election Committee of the House of Commons in 1837, and praying for a Committee of Inquiry, with a view to the re- moval of Sir F. Kelly from his present office. Lord Ruisell said he had felt it his duty to present the petition, but, having examined its statements and Sir F. Kelly's reply, he could not support Its prayer. The Lord Chancellor, after expressing regret that Lord* Russell should have thought it right to present a petition the statements contained in which he had himself shown to be unfounded, entered upon a minute examination of the various allegations, which he declared to be untrue and un- justifiable. After some observation from Lord St. Leonard and Lord Derby eventually a formal vote of non-reception waø agreed to.. In reply to Lord Stanley of Alderley, The Earl of Derby said he had little Information to give regarding the alarm which had been felt at Chester In con- sequence of a number of strangers, believed to be Fenians, being assembled In the city with the supposed intention of making an attack upon the castle. A detachment of 500 Guards had been despatched to the city. Lord Elcho said Lord Grosvenor, when he heard the ru- mour last night, weut down to Chester, and he had this after- noon received a telegram from him to this effect: "Was serious timely information; all right now." In the Hoose of Commons a petition was presented from Sir Fitzroy Kelly, the Lord Chief Baron, complaining of certain charges made against him by Mr. Rigby Wason, and denying their truth. In reply to a question, Mr. Walpole stated that rumours reached him on Sunday that an unusual excitement was observable among those who were believed to be Fenians at Liverpool, and on Mon- day he received a telegram from the Mayor of Chester stating that that city was in a state of alarm, owing to the assemblage there of from 800 to 1,200 strangers, supposed to be Fenians, who, it was feared, intended to attack the castle, and asking for military assistance. He then narrated the steps that he had taken, and stated that a detachment of 500 Guards were despatched in the course of Monday night to the city, but after they had gone he reoelved a telegram from the general in command of the northern division, stating that the troops at his disposal would enable him to preserve the paaoe- Mr. M'Cullagh Torrens moved for leave to introduce a bill to provide better dwellings in towns for artisans and labourElrs. „ Mr Walpole, with the qualification of looking carefully to the provisions of the bill respecting the taking of private property, consented to the introduction of the bill; and leave was given to bring it in. Mr. J. B. Smith thought the hon. member had adopted the principles of Louis Blanc. If they were to build houses for the working classes, they would be asked soon to establish ateliers natienau& Mr. Locke, fix. Kinnaird, and Colonel Sykes supported the Mil. and the latter expressed a hope that It woald be ex- tended to Ireland. L«ave was then given to bring in the blM. The O'Conor D°n obtained leave to extend the Industrial Schools bill to Ireland. He said there were twice as many javenile vagrants in Ireland as in Eugland, and these schools, which were considered necessary In England, were therefore much more necessary in Ireland. Mr. Watkin moved for leave to bring In a bill for affording better security to the holders of railway debentures. He pointed out that of the whole amount invested In railways tfiere were not sixty millions not paying dividend, and that Included the seventeen millions of the nominal capital of the London, Chatham, and Dover. The bill would give power to the debenture holders, under certain circumstances, to take part 111 the management of the property. Sir S. Northcote consented to the Introduction of the bill, on the understanding that the operation of the biU was to be prospective, and not retrospective. L*ave W8S given to bring In the bill. Sir C. 0 Loehteu obtained leave to bring in a bill to regu- late and improve the tenure of land In Ireland between landlord and tenant. The blil, he said, related to tenure only, and had nothing to do with tenants' improvements, and its object was to substitute written for verbal agree- ments, anu to facilitate the granting of leases. Mr. Neate moved for leave to bring in a bUt to exempt, during a limited time, trades unions from forfeiture of the benefits Arising from the Friendly Societies Act, Mr Wh 1 pole, reserving his right to object to the bill after studying 1;8 provisions, consented to tne introductlon of the bill. Leave was given accordingly, and thehouse then adjourned

THE RESOLUTIONS ON REFORM. The following Is a oopy of the Resolutions to be moved by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Committee of the whole House, on Monday, February 25:- "This House having, in the last Session of Parliament, assented to the second reading of a bill entitled A bill to ex.end the right of Voting at Elections of Members of Parliament In England and Wales, is of opinion,— 1. That the number of electors for countiesand boroughs In England and Wales ought to be increased. "2. That such increase may best be effected by both re- ducing the value of the qualifying tenement in counties and boroughs, and by adding other franchises not dependent on such value. 3 That while It Is desirable that a more direct represen- tation should be given to the labouring class, it is contrary to the Constitution of this realm to give to any one class or Interest a predominating power over the rest of the com- munity. "4. That the occupation franchise in counties and boroughs shall be based upon the principle of rating. 5. That the principle of plurality of votes, if adopted by Parliament, would facilitate the settlement of the borough franchise on an extensive basis. "6. That It is expedient to revise the existing distribution of seats. 7. That In such revision It Is not expedient that any borough now represented in Parliament should be wholly disfranchised. "8. That, in revising the existing distribution of seats, this House will acknowledge, as its main consideration, the expediency of supplying representation to piaces not at pre- sent represented, and which may be considered entitled to that privilege. 9. That it is expedient that provision should be made for the better prevention cf bribery and corruption at elections. "10. That it is expedient that the system of registration of voters in counties should he assimilated, as far as possible, to that which prevails in boroughs. "11. That it shall be open to every Parliamentary elector, If he thinks fit, to record his vote by means ot a polling, paper, duly signed and authenticated. 12. That provision be made for diminishing the distance which voters have to travel for the purpose of recording their votes, so that no expenditure for such purpose shall hereafter be legal. "13. That a humble address be presented to Her Majesty, praying Her Majesty to issue a Royal Commission to form and submit to the consideratlou of Parliament a scheme for aew and enlarged boundaries of the existing Parliamentary boroughs where the population extends beyond the limits now assigned to such boroughs and to fix, IUbJect to the decision of Parliament, the boundary of such other boroughs as Parliament may deem fit to be represented in this House."

THE REFORM LEAGUE DEMON- STRATION IN LONDON. The following account of the Reform League De. monstration m London on Monday is from the Daily News'.— The Reform Demonstration passed without an oppor- tunity being given to its enemies to hold the leaders of the movement "personally responsible" for any breaches of the peace or destruction of property. Not only was there no In- fringement of the law, but, so far as we saw, not even an ordinary street row. The people met and parted with a quietness that would strike some as significant. The somewhat late hour of two was chosen for the start from Trafalgar-square, In order to ensure a large attend- ance at the evening meeting at seven o'clock, in the Agricultural-hall, Islington; and as the procession ar- rived at its destination soon after dark, the end justified the means. Trafalgar-square was taken possession of about twelve o'clock by a crowd, not exactly of "roughs," but ot persons who would have- had no right to be offended if they had been classed amongst that unloved fraternity. That there were many sharpers and suspicious persons prowling about seeking what they might devour there Is every reason to believe, but, owing to the deter- mination of the bonafide reformers, and the presence of police enoagh to oereassuriog, Monday could not have been a thieves' harvest. After the assembly—perhaps 200 m'iln and boys—in the square had had their fill of ttie leonine arrivals at Nelsou's feet, they indulged in a little boisterous romp- log at their own expense, that might have ripened into mischief it it had not been soon rendered Impossible fratn the crush. The porchway of the National Gallery, the steps ol St. Martin's Church, and every other accessible point, was covered by well-to-do men and women, who were anxious to witness the proceedings without feeling the crowd. Towards two o'clock the square and its approaches were densely packed, some on a little space to the right, where the driving spray from the fountains proved a most effective police. Fears were entertained that when the divisions arrived there would b3 confusion, perhaps disaster. Natural as those fears were they happily turned out to be groundless, although there were abundant reasons why ou any future occasions St. James's-park should be preferred to Trafalgar- square. After but fifteen minutes delay, occasioned by the accu- mulated tr flic and throngsd thoroughfares, the procession was set in motion by the marching of a contingent straight from the S,rand along the bottom of the square toward Pall- mall. The other divisions then found no oiffieulty In falling in the r proper places. The obstructed omniouses, and cabs were exceedingly numerous, but everybody appeared good humouredly to accept the inconvenience as a matter of course. Tue procession did not i iffcr materially from the one two raunths ago It was headed by a band, and by a troop of farriers, who gained well-deserved renown by the successful manner In which they performed the duty of pioneers Then branches of the League, interspersed with trade societies, followed with their bands and flags. The trades had taken part in the proceedings simply as members of the league, the understanding being that if the intentions of the present Government are not strictly honourable, the entire trades unions will hold a demonstration of their own at Easter that shall eelipse all Its predecessors. Still there were several trades represented. Including the tailors and others, who. It was stated, had refused to attend The trade emblems were few, while the h8nDera were more numerous and more handsome than W8 nave seen them before. The banners and 1hgs, as Is their wont, proclaimed the principles and sentiments of which the processblonlsta are proud-the princT^les 01 unity, liberty, 1 peace, law, order, charity, and Independence, expressed by text, by proverb, or motto. The bands, so far as the popular music of the country gives opportunity, reflected the in- scriptions, but it must be confessed that opportunity was of the scantiest description. The melody relating to the dis- position of John Brown's body, the French republican hymn, and the kindred Garibaldian song, were played as often as decorous, but the majority of the tunes were of the Cham- pagne Charley" class, that being the air played most triumphantly within earshot of the Temperance division which brought up the rear. On the whole, the procession, In its display ot fltgs, was an improvement on all its prede- cessors. Lord Derby's "fancy dresses" were, of course, conspicuous by their absence. The most fanciful thing we observed was a tricoloured scarf, or rosette, used solely as a distinguishing mark. Along the entire route the spectators were apparently three times as numerous as when the trades unionists trudged through the mud to Baaufort grounds. At no time, at least until Pentonville-road was reached, were the crowds inconvenient, but at all times the interest shown in the procession was the most striking feature of the demon- stration. In Pall-mall and St. James's-street the shop win- dows were but partially closed. The pavements and a portion of the roads were comfortably occupied with per- sons, and the windows and balconies the same. A request, so strong as to be almost an order, had been circulated through the ranks by the counoil, to pass the clubs in signifi- cant silence, and to cheer only at the American embassy. As a rule this desire was strictly complied with, the only departure being a slight cheer given at the Reform Club. The Prince of Wales and the Doka of Edinburgh occupied one of the upper windows of the United Service Club, and they laughed heartily at the playful gamhuls of some of the troopers of the farrien who were 8cci"entally halted at the end of Waterloo-place. At the Athei seum opposite, the Archbitbopof York, one or two other prelates, and Mr. Charles Dickens were npon the balconies. The political clubs appeared to be given over as a rule to ladies and to those members who are often irreverently described as "club fogies The only prominent Ilberals at the Reform Club were Mr Forater and Mr. T. B Potter. In St. James's-street stray members of the House of Commons and several peers were at the windowa of various houles with nartles of ladies, the Duke ot Sutherland, Lord Halifax, Earl Spencer, and Lord R. Grosvenor amongst tnem. Lird Ranelagh, on horseback at the skirts of the crowd, was applauded by several sections. Slight delays occurred at the corners of the street, but as there were invariably strong reinforcements of police posted In the proper positions, there was nothing worse than delay. The fashionable shop- keepers In Regent-street, partaking perhaps of the alarms expressed on Friday in the House of Lords, had closed their shops and barred their windows, although as the people did not stand or pass within a yard of them, there was no necessity for such a sacrifice of trade at the commencement of the season. The appearance of the banners and marchers along the whole length of Regent-street was very imposing. Tne procession made the best of tts way along the elear ground tn the 11t1Iton-road, having previously adopted the suggeltion of the council to cheer the American minister in Portland- place. From to the end of the journey the spectators were In fuU sympathy with the Reformers, cheer- ing them, and greeting them with waving handkerchiefs and flags. Outside the Agricultural-hall a competent force of mounted police kept guard-much, no doub., tothedisappolnt- ment of the evll-dlsposed lurking near. The procession arrived atabout a quarter to six, and entered the building in order. Masses of the Islington population could be seen as far as the eye stretched in either direction. Colonel Dickson was the marshal, and Messrs. Langley and Bradlaugh deputy- marshals, of the entire procession, and each division had its sub-marshal Thele gentlemen were on horseback. Considerable labour and expense had been incurred to convert the Agricultural-hall from an arena used since Boxing night for the "Congress of Monarchs" into a suit- able meeting place for a congress of working men. Messrs. Sanger's usual performance was given on Saturday, but the transformation effected by last evening was wonderful. Many of the circus deooratlons still remained, and as they harmonised with the banners brought In by the proces- sionists, the hall looked more picturesque than ordinary Reform meetings do. But these trifling accessories were soon forgotten in surveying the grand sight presented by the audience. When from fifteen thousand to twenty thousand persons have gathered in one place, for a single object, in the face of difficulties, reproach, and self sacrifice, the sight itself should demand respect and admiration from alL It was said that nearly 100,000 were unable to obtain admission. To look down upon so many thousands of up-turned faces of men, women, and children was an opportunity not often obtainable. Several of the seats were priced, and twice there was a pressing upon them from behind, until disturbances were imminent. The tumults were, however, calmed by a little coaxing on the part of the executive.

THE MEETING AT THE AGRICULTURAL HALL. At seven o'clock the president and two friends came upon the platform, and were enthusiastically cheered The Chairman congratulated the meeting upon the success of the demonstration, which, he said, had been as imposing in point of numbers and in moral significance as it had been conspicuous In its observance of law and order. He then proceeded to say that if the Tories had been converted to reform it was owing to such exhibitions of national political feeling as the present. He explained that Mr Bright was unable to be present in consequence of his attendance at the House of Commons, where the question which they were met to consider was about to be brought forward by the government. He then read a letter from Mr John Smart Mill, M.P., In which he gave his reasons for not being present. The reform minstrels then sang the chorus which the Reform League has adopted for its rallying cry. Before the chorus had concluded the ODonoghue, MP, and Mr. Potter, M P., ascended ihe platform amidst loud cheers. Professor Rogers moved the first resolution, which was as follows :—"That this meeting consider it their duty to dis- tlnotly declare that no mea8u'e for the improvement of the representation of the people in Parliament will be satisfac- tory which Is net based upon the principle of the people themselves being directly and personally no represented instead of such representation being only virtual and sec- tional, and that such direct and real representation can only be effected by means of residential and registered manhood suffrage, protected in its free and honest exercise by the baUot." The learned professor supported the resolution by an appropriate speech. The Q'Donogbue, wbo was received with enthusiastic cheering, seconded the resolution. The hon. gentleman said he had just left the House of Commons, and he could tell them as a matter of fact that the Government had not intro- duced a Reform Bill. (Hissing and uproar) He could also tell them the impression produced upon his mind by the tpetchot Mr. Disraeli, which was that the Tory party in- tended, if they could, to smuggle a reform bill tnrough the House of Commons, without consuming the people. (Cries af We shall turn them out ") He then proceeded to lay that hy had come that evening for the purpo8" of Ihowlng hla prof011nd sympatby with the cause of reform, and his readiness to do all he cculd in his place in the House of Commons to promote Ita triumph After some other observations The O'Donognue said,—He believed the reform question could never be settled unless the people of these kingdoms were satisfied that justice had been done them, and that no arrangement come to by parties could either be øath- factory and tillal unless that arrangement had I he unqualified aanctloD of the people. Mr. 1', B. Potler, M.P., who wall received with much applause, aupported the resolution, and spoke at soma length on it. Mr. Earnest Jones, in proposing the second resolution, recdved quite an ovation, and his speech thereon was listened to with great attention. The resolution was as follows:- That this meeting desires most earnestly to press upon the liberal members of the House of Commons the absolute necessity, as they regard the peace and welfare of the country, of not consenting to any measure of Reform des'gaed to evade the full and just rights of the people to be directly represented in their own branch of the legislature." Professor Beesley seconded the resolution, which after being supported by Mr Bradlaugh, was carried. The Rev. Arthur O'Neil, who said he had been a reformer for thirty years, proposed the third resolution, via :— "That, iu the opinion of this meeting, the statements made in Ihø House of Commons this evening, on the subject of reform in the representation of the people in parliament, are eminently unsatisfactory, and complete the proof of the present government being unworthy ot the confidence of the country." Mr. Councillor Bird, of the Glasgow Reform League, seconded the resolution, which was supported by the Rev. Mr Porter, of the M*nche»ter Reform League, and like the others c irrled by acclamation. Thanks were then voted to the chairman, and after several rounds of cheers had been given for Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Bright, and other popular reformers, the assembly dis- persed shortly before eleven o'clock.

HOW COLLIERY EXPLOSIONS ARE CAUSED. At the Chesterfield Petty Sessions on Saturday a stallman, named Harris, was brought up in custody charged with smoking in No. 4 pit belonging to the Clay Cross Coal and Iron Company on the 1st of February. It will be remembered that about two years ago a serious explosion took place in the same pit, and about twelve men were killed and several others were severely injnred. Since that time that part of the pit has been condemned as unsafe to be worked unless by the use of safety lamps. Some of the men had complained that they were in much danger because the defendant persisted in smoking, and he was taken before Mr. J. Jackson, the general manager of the works, who explained to him the serious consequences which might arise from such a practice. Notwithstanding this caution, he went into the pit on the day in question, commenced his work on the scene of the late catastrophe, and in a few minutes he was seen to fill his pipe with tobacco, and for the purpose of procuring a light he took off'the top of his safety-lamp. The bench inflicted a fine of U., and 17s. costs, or one month's imprisonment, with hard labour. Mr. Busby appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

THE EXCITEMENT OF LOTTERIES IN AMERICA. The New York correspondent of the Morning Star gives the following interesting specimen of the 'cuteness of a Yankee:— Political affairs generally have been compelled during the last few days to give way to the interest felt in the numerous lottery schemes. First there was that famous Crosby Opera House speculation, (located in Chicago,) and which was erected by a Mr. Crosby, who spent so much money upon it that it ruined him financially. He hit upon the idea of recovering his lost money by putting up the opera house at lottery. To give the scheme wider popularity and interest, he included with the opera house a number of paintings, some of which were quite valuable. Altogether, I believe there were 240,000 shares, which were to be disposed of at 5 dollars per share, making an aggregate of 1,200,000 dollars, which Mr. Crosby ex- pected to receive for his opera house and paintings. Before the drawing, the building was nominally valued at 600,000 dols. but was not by any means worth that sum, as was evident when after the drawing had taken place, it was set down as worth 350,000 dols. Mr. Crosby succeeded in selling 210,000 tickets, which netted him 1,050,000 dols. On the expense side of the account were 80,000 tickets unsold, making 150,000 dols. He spent 150,000 dols. in advertising the paintings are said to have cost 75,000 dols. the engineering, 100 000 dols. the commissions, 45.000 dols. printing and travelling, 45,000 dols. A Mr. Lee, living somewhere in Mis- souri. drew the grand prize, and Mr. Crosby paid him 200 000 dols. for the Opera House, which was first valued at 600,000 dols. So the projector of this scheme came out just 650 000 dols. ahead. It would seem as though the fact that he made so large a profit as this out of receipts amounting to less than double that sum, would open the eyes of the victims to the fact that they had been swindled, and that the odds were alto. gether against them; but there is an infatuation in this business of gambling which no amount of experi- ence, however bitter, can cure, and already there are innumerable schemes started of a kindred character. A CHARITABLE LOTTERY. One day, the drawing in a lottery, started, osten- sibly, in aid of a charitable institution—a soldier's home, I believe—took place in this city (New York), and it was curious to witness the excitement it created. Over 400 000 tickets had been sold. They were scat- tered all over the country; but most of them, of coui lie, were held in this city and, as the drawing pro. gressed, some of the papers actually issued extras, giving the lucky numbers, and for a time the scenes in the neighbourhood of the newspaper offices reminded one of those which were witnessed dunng the war when we were receiving news of victories or of defeats. Already upon the heels of this lottery another is announced, also under the cover of some charitable undertaking, and so the fever is fairly upon us. There Eire laws directly prohibiting all undertakings of this class, and unless I am greatly mistaken, they will be j ] brofight to bear before long upon those who are guilty < < of this infraction of them, for they are really de moral- ising the community to an alarming extent.

In another way, to be sure, but upon a principle substantially the same. Wall-street speculations are conducted and the evil that they may work was illustrated a few days ago by the sudden disappearance of a broker who bad managed to overdraw his account to the extent of 250,000 dols. The bank president, who allowed the checks of this broker to be certified, was naturally overwhelmed at the disaster he had brought upon the institution with which he was conneoted; and on the morning of the day that the deficit became public, died—of a stroke of apoplexy, his friends said; others insisted that some more active agent than grief caused the catastrophe. The defaulting broker has been expelled from the board, of which he was a member.

THE LOST CHILD. (RUSSELL'S LAMENT. After HOOD.) Did you see my child—my last, that II-my own dear little Bill -Not that he's the last by many as I 'opes to be parient to still— It was only last Feb'wary, bless his 'eart, he was playin' about the Ouse Which I trusted him ont with youug Gladstone, as I thought would have 'ad the nous To keep him clear o* mischief, and his little things neat and clean, And send him up to our 'Ouse and his parient, fit to be seen; But he let the blessed babe git a playin' with that John Bright, Which I don't think him fit company for a well-brought-up child, not quite. But young Gladstone he says, Bright ain't so black as he's a, painted, not by 'alf, Though he 'ave a tongue and a temper and a deal o' cheek and chaff. And that he's our own flesh and blood, which let's hope that he may be It, But I've a respectable fam'ly to my back, and I don't see it Anyways be said as 'ow Bright would purtect my Bill from the rude little boys. And keep him out o' mischief and larks and nonsense and noise, And now all along o' that wery Bright and young Gladstone he's gone and got lost, As clean as the poor Brussels sprouts that was nipped off clean by last frost"; And I'm worrited to that degree as I'm pretty near druv' wild, Now I've lost my last out o' four, and only one growed up to a child That's my fust, born In '21:.1, as might make any parient proud, A blessln' to me, and a beauty, as used to be gin'rally allowed. Though they do say 'ard things on him, now, do some of your Bealeses and Potters- Which "proof o'tbe puddin'" and 'anMm Is," etceterer, ain't that sort's motters Well I nnssed, and washed, and did or him, since he was a blessed babby, And didn't we keep his christenings and birthdays at Woburn Abbey!) They say I'm as proud as a hen with one chick, but a parient will be a parient, And I've good call to be proud o' my Bill, my fust and my alr-apparlent. I've 'ad three since him as never growed up, being born, as yon may say, still, And the fourth he's the one that's gone and got lost, my latest little Bill. I did 'ope I'd have reared him through rash and croup and teething, For I never see a likelier child than he Is-leastways was —breathing. And now he's gone and got lost, they say, but I know better nor that, It's them nasty kidnappers has got him, which it's their old game they're at. Thev've stole no end of babies from our side of the court, And dressed 'em up to go beggin', arter cuttin' their good clothes short, There's Catholic 'Mancipation and Corn-Laws, as they sarved so, And my little Bill a the last, and what parients, I'd like to know, Wonld'nt make a row and a rumpus, and give 'em a piece of their mind ? Which it's the only peace on It as I am likely to find, Now they've stole my little Billy, and It's on'y too well I knows, They're a goln' a beggin' with him, arter changln' his dear little clothes !-Punch.