Monmouthshire Merlin

HOUSE OF COMMONS. FRIDAY.—The Speaker took the chair at four o'clock. THE MANCHESTER CORPORATION WATER BILL. On the.motion of Mr. SCLATEK-BOOTH, an instruc- tion to the committee on the Manchester Corporation Water Bill was agreed to, empowering the Committee to inquire into the present sufficiency of the water supply of Manchester and its neighbourhood, and of y any other sources available for such supply; to con- sider whether permission should be given to maie use of any of the Westmorland and Cumberland lakes: to consider the prospective requirements of the popula- tions situated between the lake district and Man- chester; and to inquire what provisions should 00 made in limitation of proposals for the exclusive use of the water of any of the said lakes. THE AMERICAN MAIL SERVICE. Mr. Anderson gave notice that on that day four weeks he would call attention to the recent changes in the American mail service.

THE BURIALS QUESTION. Mr. O. MORGAN moved. That in the opinion of this House the time has arrived when the long-pending controversy as to interments in parish churchyards ought to ue closed, by permitting such interments either without any burial service or with the service preferred by the relatives or friends of the deceased, and conducted by persons chosen by them. It was generally felt, he said, that the Government bill of last year was a disappointment, and that a favourable opportunity for settling a great question had been missed. The mistake was that of mixing up two things that had nothing to do with each other, namely, the religions and the sanitary parts of the question. He protested against tiie notion that the Noncon- formists would be guilty of any abuse of the privilege of burying their dead a: tc. their own fashion; and said it was an extraordinary fact that Englishmen, when the Prime Minister went annually to Guildhall to thank God that they were not as other men were, were alone in this respect, that they were denied a privilege which was given to the people of despotic Russia and the superstitious Porte. iHear, hear.) Mr. KNATCIIBTLL HUGESSF.N, in seconding the motion, remarked that it was high time that this ques- tion should be settled. Mr. H CHBARD moved as an amendment "That Englishmen exercising their religious liberty in separating from the Established Church are justly free to provide themselves with places for worship and for burial, with such ceremonial as they approve, but have no right to require changes in the regulation of parochial churchyards which would impair the legal security for their orderly and religious use, agreeably with the purpose of their foundation. Mr. RICHARD supported the resolution. Mr. FORSYTH denied that there was any substantial grievance. Mr. M'AKTHCR supported, and Sir J. KEXXAWAY opposed the motion. Mr. WALTER argued that the right of interment in the parish churchyard was one of the national rights of Englishmen, and a further right appertaining to Christian burial was. that there should be a liberty of choice in regard to the service accompanying the interment. Mr. BALFOUR was c f opinion that interments should be permitted to take place without the burial service of the Church of England, and with such service as the friends of the deceased thought fit, in parish churchyards of older date than fifty years until other burial grounds were provided. Mr. R. ANSTRUTHER said he had listened attentively to the debate, and he found that the principle laid down by Mr. Osborne Morgan was generally conceded. jHr. BEEESEORD HOPE warmly opposed the motion. Mr. STEVENSON and 21r. opposed the motion. Mr. BRIGHT said he was glad to find that in that House, whatever might be the case outside, the ques- tion might be discussed with calmness, and with a general sense that they were not discussing a question of tremendous national importance. Outside, the dis- cussion had caused much heat and much temper, but he did not see why the clergy should be so much annoyed, and should disturb themselves so much about it. It was said that the proposition was not only an attack upon the Church, but it was described in terms that were reallv uncivil. It was said that it was a very nnjust and a very insolent attack, and Churchmen stood as if they were about to defend one of the dearest privileges of their lives. They said that the claim was dishonest, because the persons who promote it had other intentions. He thought it was intended by this step to come a little nearer to the overthrow of the great partly-political and partly-religious insti- tution with which they were mainly concerned. lia had a great sympathy with persons who were 'in a state of fear, even though the fear was purely imagi- nary. It seemed that everybody connected with the Established Church was in a state of fear. He recollected one clergyman in the West of England saying that if this bill were passed, life itself would be no longer worth hav- ing. (Laughter.) Now, it happened, unfortun- ately, that the parochial graveyard was in posses- sion practically of only one church. That was and is a misfortune, because in the parish there were many churches. Well, the graveyard is in the posses- sion of one church, and the population of the parish was distributed among other churches. The action of a large number of Churchmenin the House of Lords also showed that the laity were mild in their enmity to this measure, and it was a hopeful sign that the heads of the Church had given their assent to a pro- posal very like that before the House of Commons. (Cheers.) As to the objection that the clergy would be compelled to read the service over persons whose lives would make the words of the burial ser- vice inappropriate, this difficulty could be got over by a change in the burial service. Words written 300 years ago were not suitable to the opinions of the present day. If Churchmen came forward generously and freely to do an act of justice to the Noncon- formists, he believed that the Church which they loved so much, and the religion which on both sides they deeply cared for, would be strengthened and ad- vanced in the minds of all classes of the people of this country. i Cheers.) Mr. GRANTHAM and Mr. TALBOT opposed the motion. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the Government saw nothing in the circumstances ad- verted to by Mr. O. Morgan, and nothing in any of the arguments adduced to make any change in the view they had taken on this question. The Government would be glad to see a compromise effected, but it would be impossible on the present reso- lution. The solution of the difficulty was rather to be found in the Government measure last year, and not in the direction of Mr. Morgan's resolution. The Marquis of HARTINGTON said this question was virtually settled by the acceptance last year of Lord Harrowby's amendment by the House of Lords. Lord Harrowby's proposal was virtually the same as that before the House, and when a Conservative body like the House of Lords and even some of the bishops supported that proposal the whole ground was changed. The question was not one between Liberals and Conservatives, Nonconformists and Churchmen, but between extremes and moderates, men of intolerant and men of broad views. ILoud cheers.) The House then divided. For the resolution 227 Against 242 Majority 15 The announcement of the number? was received wi:}} much cheerin[[ from the LiLentl [;Cllche". The Consolidated Fund tsix millionsi Bill, and the Exchequer Bonds and Bills Bill, passed through com- mittee. The House adjourned at a quarter to one o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS. MONDAY.—Their lordships met at five o'clock. THE EASTERN QUESTION.—MOTION POSTPONED. The Earl of DERBY appe,aled to Lord Stratheden and Campbell, who iiad a notice on the paper of a motion on the subject of the terms of the armistice between Russia and the Porte, not to press the subject, as its discussion would be trh trnnertal to the public service. Earl GRANVILLE joined in the appeal, adding that he did not know whether the motion was intended as a vote of confidence or want of confidence m her Majesty's Government. -IT. I_ Lord* STKATIIEDEN and CAMPBELL said he should, under the circumstances, postpone the motion, the drift of which was to place their lordships in accout with the House of Commons, which had lately placed on record a vote of credit to protect the country against an overwhelming Power.

THE FENIAN PRISONERS. We (Press Association) understand that a depu- tation of Irish members will shortly walt upon the Home Secretary for the purpose of suggesting that the time has arrived when the remaining Fenian prisoners may be released from penal ser- vitude. Eight of the offenders still remain in prison, of whom two are connected with the Manchester outrage.

THE COLLISION IN THE CHANNEL. The steam tug Knight of the Cross, went out to the wreck of the C. M. Palmer on Tuesday morn- ing with divers who had surveyed her, as she lies in the way of shipping passing through the channel. It is supposed that she will have to be blown up if she cannot be raised. Another boat belonging to her landed at Harwich on Tuesday. The position of the ship renders the work of saving the cargo almost impossible. n

EXTRAORDINARY HIGH TIDE. An extraordinary high tide occurred on Tuesday afternoon in the Thames. By three o'clock the water had risen two feet above Trinity high water mark at Blackfriars. and half an hour later it overtopped a wharf wall, and streamed down into Commercial road. At four o'clock the water rapidly subsided, after registering 2ft. Din. above Trinity high water mark, and precautions against a recurrence of the overflow were at once adopted.

ACTION BY FATHER O'KEEFFE. In Dublin, on Tuesday, an action was brought by the Rev. Father O'Keel'fe, parish priest of Chilian, to recover JEOOO damages from some men who, last October, broke into Callan Chapel house, .whilst plaintiff was in occupation, wrecking it and carrying off his property. Plaintiff had had controversies with the heads of his church, and had obtained damages in a law suit with Cardinal Cullen. The jury found a verdict for £ (>u, over and above a sum of £100 he had already received at presentment sessions.

NEW RAILWAY. The first section of the West Lancashire Rail- way was opened at Southport on Tuesday. The line is intended to connect Southport and Preston by means of a direct railway about eighteen miles long. Eight miles have been completed, and were opened on Tuesday, extending from Hesketh Park, Southport, to Hesketh Bank, on the river Douglas, a branch of the Ribble. The carriages are first and third class only, and are all heated by waste steam from the engine. This is the only line on which this system has been adopted. The trial run was very satisfactory.

OUTDOOR BEER LICENCES. DEPUTATION TO THE HOME SECRETARY. On Tuesday afternoon, a deputation from several large towns in the United Kingdom had an inter- view with the Home Secretary for the purpose of presenting a memorial, praying her Majesty's Government to bring in a short bill dealing with the law relating to outdoor licences. Mr. Chamberlain, M.P., introduced them, and stated that it was the belief of the deputation that the Licensing Act of 1874, which dealt with outdoor licences, had been a failure, inasmuch as it had been applied to purposes other than those for which it was passed. The deputation urged that the present state of things fostered the increase of private drinking, pa l'ticularly amongst women, as there wasnothing to prevent any house or shop they went to for the purpose of procuring the necessaries of life from supplying them with drink for consumption else- where. They prayed for the repeal of the 37 and 38 Vic., chap. 49, sec. 31, by virtue of which these additional retail licences were now granted at special sessions. Mr. Cross in reply, promised to place their memorial before the Government, who had instituted an inquiry into the matter in Scot,- land. the result of which would be made known shortly.

THE PREMIER AT WINDSOR. Lord Beaconsfield left Paddington for Winclsor Castle on Tuesday afternoon, and had an audience with the Queen: shortly after her Majesty's arrival from Osborne.

THE VOTING ON THE COUNTY GOVERN- MENT BILL. The following Liberal members supported the Ministry in their County Government Bill on Mon- day: Adam, Lord F. Cavendish, Dodson, Grani Duff, Lord Hartington, J. F. Hibbert, Knatchbull- Hugessen, A. W. Peel, Playfair, and Stansfeld. Twenty-one Home Rulers voted with the minority, and two with the Government. Baxter, Campbell- Bannerman, Dilke, Fawcett, Mundella, Chamber- lain, and Sir Wilfrid Lawson voted with the minority, as also did Mr. Baring, a Conservative.

THE MARRIAGE OF DIVORCED PERSONS. Recently the Council of the Church of England Working Men's Society forwarded to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury a petition on the subject of the marriage of divorced persons, in which they submitted that the law of the Church in her times of greatest laxity never sanctioned the re-marriage of criminated persons in a divorce." The petitioners prayed as follows: That your Grace will take such action as may be necessary in order to move the clergy both personally to refuse to say the service of Holy Matrimony and also refuse to allow it to be said in their churches by others, in any case when both or either of the parties are divorced persons. Your petitioners also humbly pray that your Grace will refuse to assist in the contraction of such mar- riages by refusing the issuing of licences by surro- gates for such celebrations." His Grace the Arch- bishop has just replied to the petition, as follows; —" Sir,—I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of the petition which you have forwarded to me on behalf of the Council of the Church of England Working Men's Society. It appears to me that a. part at least of your petition virtually calls for an alteration of the Act of Parliament 20 and 21 Vic., chap. 85, sec. 58. Your proper course, there- fore, with regard to this part of your memorial will be to petition Parliament for the repeal or alteration of tiie Act. With regard to other points in your memorial, not having reference to matters prescribed by Act of Parliament, I shall not fail to give serious consideration to your wishes, and will again, as I have already done, consult thereon with the officers of my ecclesiastical courts.- Yours faithfully, A. C. CAN'TUAB,"

MR. LAYARD AND THE PORTE. (From the Times.) Lord Derby did not promise that our Govern- ment would give any sanction to the Russian pro- posals, and still less that it would urge Turkey to accept them. But Mr. Layard was invited to say whether he believed the Porte would make such a surrender of its power, and his replies were highly characteristic. They are marked by more vehemence of style than we usually find in the despatches of an ambassador, and a less serene temper than that of Lord Derby might think them, perhaps, slightly dictatorial. The Turkish Government, Mr. Layard said, would feel that an autonomous Bulgaria would soon be independent, that it would unite itself to Servia. and the other Slav provinces, and that the result would be the inevitable extension of Russian in- fluence and rule over the whole Slav population of Turkey in Europe." The Porte would also be- lieve that Greece would next invade Thessaly and Epirus, that she would be supported by Europe, and that there would thus be a. fresh dismemberment of the empire. Hence the Sultan could not consent to the creation of an autonomous Bulgaria without running a great risk of losing his throne, if not his life. Mr. Layard was equally certain that it would be in the highest degree imprudent for this country to support the demand for such a change. Not only would our influence at Constantinople be de- stroyed, but we should be looked upon as greater enemies of Turkey and Islam than Russia herself, because we should be regarded as false friends and traitors." So far Mr. Layard's opinions may be sound enough, whatever judgment may be passed on the energy with which they are enforced. Indeed, there cannot be the slightest doubt that the Porte would have scornfully refused to cut Bulgaria loose from the direct rule of the empire at the outset of the war when it had some hope of being able to resist Russia. But if our ambassador had, in concert with the representatives of Austria and Ger- many, laid the Russian demands before the Sultan and intimated that they would not be resisted by Europe, it is, to say the least, pro- bable that they would have been accepted after the fall of Plevna. Thus the war might not have passed the Balkans, and the danger of the present situation might have been avoided. Still it would be unfair to blame Mr. Layard for having failed to anticipate that the disposition of the Turks would so quickly change. The worst fault of his despatches lies in the vehe- mence with which he pleads for the maintenance of the Ottoman empire in its old form, because he thought that it was needed to stop the southward progress of Russia, and that the Sultan was a. useful if not a necessary ally to a State with so many millions of Mahomedan subjects as Eng- land.

THE FUTURE POLICY OF THE VATICAN. ( From the Standard.) It may be thought that, after narrating the non-fulfilment of some very confident anticipa- tions concerning the position of the present con- clave, it would be very unwise to venture on any prophecies as to the immediate outcome. Nor shall we enter upon a course so rash. We may, however, repeat the expression of our conviction, that the policy of the Vatican in the future will prove to be less uncompromising than the course which has been so disastrous in the past. Pius IX. was driven to issue his von possumus manifesto bv the force of events and the peculiar nature of his position. He could hardly be a con- senting party to the spoliation of the Church, and he would certainly not have gained in dignity by accepting the dole held out to him by the de- stroyers of his temporal power. He might, no doubt, on certain occasions, have shown himself more placable and forgiving; but no one could reasonably have expected him to kiss the hand that ha.d wrenched the sceptre. from his grasp. But there isnothing to prevent his successorfrom taking a new departure. No one must expect that the newly-elected Pope will openly proclaim the recon- ciliation of the Roman Church with the Kingdom of Italy; since to do so would be to seem to reverse the policy of his predecessor, and almost to cast a slur on the memory of Pius IX. But re- conciliations are not always less real tor not being much talked about. The process must, in any case, be gradual. The Papacy and the Italians will not run into each other's arms all at once. They did so in 1846, when Mastai Ferretti assumed the tiara; and the precedent is not en- couraging either to those who wish well to Italy, or to those who have at heart the welfare of the Papacy. Tiie reconciliation will be insensible and slow. But it will come. Our faith in this consummation would not be shaken even if the most reactionary and uncompromising member of the sacred college issued triumphant from the ballots of conclave. If not he, then his suc- cessor, would learn wisdom. But we cherish a strong expectation that the coming Pontihctuo will heal at least some of the wounds which cannot remain open without scandal and danger. It has often been said that it takes two sides to make a quarrel. So far the Italians have shown themselves eager not to quarrel with the Papacy; and the wise traditions bequeathed by Victor" Emmanuel and Cavour ought not to be departed from by the present generation of Italian politicians. Conclave could not have been 1, -le held at a more propitious time. iNo fierce light beats upon it. The passions and interests of Europe are at this moment engaged in watching graver and more pregnant issues. The two other Popes of this world—the Emperor of Russia and the Leader of the E althhh-are monopolising our attention. The new Roman Pope will succeed the old one without any question being asked. We eha. 1 soon know his name. We hope we already know his policy.

THE PROPOSED CONGRESS THE MOVEMENTS OF THE FLEET. In reply to Lord Granville, The Earl of DERBY said that no further progress had been made, so far as he was aware, with reference to the assembling of the Conference or Congress. What- ever delay had taken place had not been on the part of her Majesty's Government. (Hear, hear.) With re- gard to the movements of the fleet, it was true it had changed its position, having gone to the Bay of Mun- dania, where there was telegraphic communication with Constantinople, such not having been the case at Prince's Island. The movement of Jibe I—~ not oeen m consequence oi negotiations Deirvvcea the English and Russian Governments. On the subject of the Russian advance on G-allipoli, he had received information some two hours as-o. but it had not yet been considered by the Government. Mr. Layard had telegraphed to him with reference to the telegram which had appeared in the IinHii Xftrs on the 7th inst., stating that the Sultan and the Prime Minister had expressed regret at the flagrant breach of duty on the part of a. high functionary, and had promised that justice should be done in the matter. Server Pasha deme-i having made the statement, and he (Mr. Layard) denied that lie had encouraged the Turks to go to war, to continue war, or to expect mlttoriltl aid from England. THE VOTE OF CREDIT. The Consolidated Fund (£6,000,0001 Bill and the Exchequer Bunds and Bills ( £ 6,000,000) Bill were introduced and read. & first time. HOURS OF POLLING. The Parliamentary Election (Metropolitan) Bill, the object of which is to extend the hours of polling, was read a second time. Their lordships adjourned at half-past five o'clock.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. MONDAY.—The Spet1 kcr took the chair at four o'clock. RUSSIA AND POLAND. Mr. BEREHFOKD asked the Chancellor of the Ex- chequer whether her Majesty's Government would endeavour to obtain for the Polish subjects of the Empire of Russia a like measure of civil and religious liberty to that which the Conference may decide to be fit for the territories belonging to his Majesty the Sultan of Turkey? The CHANCELLOR of the Her Majesty's Government have no reason to believe that the affairs of Poland will be brought before them. THE Amiv MEDICAL DEPAUTMENT. Dr. WARD asked the Secretary for War if be would state what was the number of candidates for the recent examination for the army medical department, and what was the number of vacancies Mr. HARDY said there were 40 vacancies, and he was sorrv to say there were only 19 candidates. This was an unsatisfactory state of things, and he was about to make inouiries into the circumstances. :I<\F:YEH ON BOARD H.M.S. UNDAUNTED. In reply to Mr. Dodsou, Mr. W. H. SMITH stated that since November, 1877, there had been 25 cases of intermittent fever on board II.M.S. Undaunted, on the Bombay station, and one case of malignant fever, which proved fatal. During December four men W-TH sent home invalided. No officers had been invalided since August last. One case of small-pox had been reported. The number of officers invalided from the Undaunted had been considerably less than from the flagship in previous years. THE PATENT LAWS. Mr. Mi'NDET.r.A asked the Attorney-General if it was the intention of the Government to introduce a bill to amend the patent laws during the present session The ATTORNEY-GENKKAI., in reply, stated that it was the present intention of the Government not to intro- duce a bill to amend the patent laws.

THE DESPATCHES OF COLONEL WELLESLEY. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER: Perhaps I may take this opportunity of making an appeal to the hon. member for Gloucester (Mr. Monk), who has given notice that on the third reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill he will move. That the long delay that has occurred in presenting to Parliament the de- spatches of Colonel Wellesley to the Earl of Derby, dated 20th July and 7th August. 1877, has not been conducive to an early conclusion of the war in Turkey," I will venture to ask the hon. gentleman not tn proceed with that motion at the present time, as it might give rise to a debate which, I think, would be inconvenient to the public service. (Hoar, hear.) With regard to the point to which the hon. gentleman wished to clJl attention, and to which, no doubt, his own attention bus been exclusively directed, I may say that the reason for not printing these despatches was that they were of a strictly confidential character, and it was not possible to (make them public at that time, as the publication was objected to. THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT BILL. The adjourned debate on the County Government Bill was resumed by Lord E. FITZMAURICE, who declared that the bill failed to remedy the confusion of areas and rates, while it struck a'heavy blow at the Court of Quarter Sessions, which had hitherto administered county affairs satisfactorily and economically. Mr. PAGET was not in favour of the assimilation of areas, and did not believe that the direct representa- tion of the ratepayers would secure the services of the best men on the county boards. Lord G. CAVENDISH thanked the Government for the introduction of the bill. -111. C. S. READ advocated indirect election instead of the mode of election recommended by the amend- ment, and thought that a seat at the county board should only be obtained after a man had served an ap- prenticeship at the board of guardians. A. PEKT, admitted the inconveniencesthat. would be entailed by the introduction of the system of direct representation, but was of opinion that in the no distant future the board would have to be elected by the whole body of ratepayers. He should himself vote for the second reading of the bill, in the hope that it would be made a more perfect measure in committee. Sir G. JENKINSON accepted the measure as a. great boon, and thought the area proposed by the Govern- ment, namely, the petty sessional divisions, was the best that had been suggested. Sir T. D. ACLAND said he gathered that the great object of the Government was to lay the foundations of a municipal system for the country districts of Eng- land which did not at present enjoy that privilege. He looked upon centralisation as the necessity of the times, and what was required was a powerful system of local administration. He was satisfied that if there had been good county government in the country edu- cation would not have been made so much a matter c4 controversy and acrimonious party feeling as it had been. He suggested that when county boards were established one of their duties should be to assist the Charity Commissioners in improving the state of the local charities. He was also in favour of the repre- sentation of labour upon the county boards. Mr. GREGORY supported the measure, which was opposed by Sir H. Jackson. Mr. ASSHETON gave a general support of the bill. CHAMKEKLAIN would not venture to persist in opposition to the bill if the majority of the House showed themselves favourable to it, but he felt bound to vote against the second reading as a protest against the principles embodied in the bill. which were utterly opposed to the principles they had relied upon for efficiency and success in local Government. Sir J. HOGG approved of the principle of indirect election in the bill. That principle he could say from experience had worked well in the boards in LPDlhll. WHITBKEAD supported the amendment, and regretted that the Government had not devoted greater attention before framing their bill to the simplification of areas. Until this were done there would be no diminution of the tendency towards centralisation which was so much objected to, and which arose from the confusion of authorities and the existence of intersecting and overlapping areas. He contended that the bill was out of date, and its title a misnomer. lIe objected to petty sessional areas, and was not in favour of setting up one more area and authority in conflict with every other area and every other authority. Mr. NEWDEGATE denied that the Government, in preferring the petty sessional area, were setting up a novel authority, and pointed out that it was the existing county district area for county administration. Mr. GOSCIIEN said the main objection to the petty sessional area was that the electoral area was made different from the administration area. He regarded the establishment of county government as an attempt to stimulate and infuse fresh blood into rural civic life, and his main objection to the present bill was that after it had passed there would not be a single additional person who would take more interest in local administrative affairs than he did at present, ile should certainly wish that by a system of dirict elec- tions or in some other way they should cut themselves adrift from the idea that men elected merely for the purpose of poor relief should form the basis of this new administration of local affairs. Mr. SCLATEK-BOOTH replied to the criticisms which had been passed upon the bill in the course of the del ate. Lord HARTINGTON, on behalf of Mr. Stansfeld, saij Ins rnrht hon. friend did not think it would be Jo-nr- able to press his amendment. He v.-ouid be (,:In t ) tIe raise the important question of the proper area to he adopted when the bill went into committee. Major NOLAN complained that although in the Queen's Speech an Irish County Government i'.il. bad been promised, as well as an English bill, the lush measure had not yet been produced. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER regret:«••> 'he delay which had arisen in introducing the. Uis): h i", but said it was owing principally to the recent < Lo;v; in the office of Chief Secretary, and the bill would be laid on the table in the course of a few days Mr. PARNELL thought the explanation of the Chan- cellar of the Exchequer was unsatisfactory, an I v. i:s of opinion that the Irish members were justified in expressing their resentment at the neglect with which they were treated. He moved the adjournment of the debate. Mr. BIGGAR seconded the amendment. Mr. O'Coxon POWER characterised the amend most as delusive and misleading, and complained oi benr., as^ed to follow leaders whose leadership led nowhere, but ^landed their followers in a ditch. c "1.r. OL-LLIVAN said the Irish members intended to nght the battle of the English people on this bui, Knowing that in doing so they would lie lighting their °wn- Irish members had learned a. h s.son from tiie I nsons Bill 0f last year. They were learning something every year, and knowing that when the i.rish bill came on, the debate would be. heavy and dreary, and the subject threshed out tiiey were dot" mined to discuss their requirements on the English measure. 0 The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said the Govern- ment were desirous of giving a full opportunity fur a fair discussion of the Irish bill, and they intended to take it as the first order, and not late at night. lie honed to-morrow to lte able to srive notice of the dav OIl wmun úlle rrisn oui would oe lnirouuceu. After some remarks from Sir GEORGE BOWYER and Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSEY, Lord HARTINGTON appealed to the Irish members not to persist with their opposition, as it was impossible to discuss the Irish bill while they were in ignorance of its contents. Mr. SCI.ATEK-BOOTH said the Government would not proceed with the committee upon the present bill until the Irish bill had been read a second time. The motion for adjournment was then withdrawn; and the amendment of Mr. Stansfeld having also been withdrawn, the House divided, and the motion for the second reading of the bill was carried by 231 against 63 THE IRISH SUNDAY CLOSING BILL. The House then went into Committee on the Irish Sunday Closing Bill. After some discussion, and a promise from the Chancellor of the Exchequer that in the course of a. few weeks, when the pressure upon the Government business was removed, facilities would be given for pressing the measure forward, progress was reported. The House adjourned at two o'clock.

HOUSE OF LORDS. TUESDAY.—Their lordships met at five o'clock. PETITIONS IN FAVOUR OF NEUTRALITY. The Duke of Argyll presented a petition from seventy United Presbyterian congregations in Edin- burgh in favour of British neutiality in the war in the East. BILLS FORWARDED. The Public Parks (Scotland) Bill was read a second time; and the House Occupiers Disqualifiation (Metro- politan! Bill passed through committee. Their lordships adjourned at 5.20.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. TUESDAY.—The Speaker took the chair at foui o clock. ENGLISH SURGEONS MADE PRISONERS OF WAR, In reply to Sir James M'Kenna, Mr. BOFRKB stated that Drs. Annant1, Leslie, and Nevilie, two of whom were British subjects, were taken prisoners at KranrnU. They were made prisoners of war, and subsequently they no doubt endured very great hardships. When they arrived at Adrianople, the GrilnJ Duke Nicholas, on the representation of Consul Blunt, ordered their release, and they then proceeded to Constantinople. When the hardships which these gentlemen had en- dured becamc known to her Majesty's Government, they instructed their Ambassador at St. Petersburg to make a representation to the Russian Government, and the Commander-in-Chief had expressed very great r'Lrrct at the hardships these gentlemen had endured, and said lie would institute an inquiry into the matter, and that severe punishment should be inflicted upon the persons who had been the cause of the hardships, if it turned out that the facts stated were true. Upon their release they went to Constantinople, and the Government were informed that two of them intended to return to England. AFFAIRS AT THE CAPE. In reply 10 Mr. E. Jenkins, Sir M. II. BEACH stated that the Government had no information as to the state of affairs at the Cape beyond that which ap- peared in the newspapers. They had reason to hope that the insurrection was being suppressed; and tiie Azulu king, who had great influence among the natives of South Africa, was showing a more con- ciliatory disposition than formerly. Of course, the whole attention of the Government of the Cape colony was at present devoted to military operations, and it was impossible to say what measures would or would not be be taken to arrange the existing diffi- culties until the rebellion was suppressed. THE TEACHING OF GAELIC. Mr. Mackintosh withdrew his motion for an address in favour of the teaching of Gaelic in the Highland schools. THE BOROUGH FRANCHISE IN IRELAND. Mr. MELDOX called attention to the restricted nature of the borough franchise in Ireland, and moved that, compared with that existing in England and Scotland, it was a subject deserving the immediate attention of Parliament, with a view of establishing a fair and just equality of the franchise in the three countries. Mr. C. E. LEWIS strongly opposed the motion, and moved as an amendment, That in the opinion of this House there is no substantial ground for believing that in the present state of the Irish borough representation the opinions of the inhabitants of the borough consti- tuencies are not really represented; that it appears that certain of the borough constituencies returning 30 members have a population of less than one-sixteenth part of the whole of Ireland; that under these circum- stances the reform which is really required in the representation of Ireland is a re-distribution of seats." Sir W. V. HACCOURT urged that the speech of Mr. I Lewis was an argument in favour of rotten boroughs, and of the old Tory principle that the franchise should be given to wealth alone. He congratulated the new I Secretary for Ireland upon his absence, as he could not conceive a more unfortunate thing than for the right hon. gentleman to have inaugurated his new position by 1 being required to join the present debate. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND declared that the application of the measure to Ireland would have revolutionary effects, conferring the franchise on a much humbler and poorer part of the population than in England. The debate was continued by Mr. O'Shaughnessey, Sir Eardley Wilmot, Mr. Blennerhasset. and Dr. Ward. Mr. BIGGAR said that if the demand now made were again refused, it would be the strongest argument in favour of Home Rule, as it would show that the Irish people had nothing to expect from the English Par- liament. Major NOLAN supported the motion. Mr. STACKPOOLE was offering some observations on the resolution when an unsuccessful attempt was made to count out the House. Mr. KIRK strongly condemned the action of the Con- servatives in attempting to get rid of such an ugly question as this affecting Ireland by a count out. ilir. PLUNKETT who was greeted with loud cries of "Divide, said the question of the extension of the borough franchise in England, Ireland, and Scotland would come under discussion on Friday, therefore he trusted that the present motion would not be pressed. Mr. BRIGHT, who was loudly cheered, said he had been made extremely unhappy by the prophetic lan- guage used by the last speaker. According to Mr. Plunkett's view of the case, Ire'and was at present in a deplorable and hopeless condition. They had no middle class from whom they could expect any help, or on whom they could base hope. The higher class, who formerly had sent up all the Irish members, had given them a represen- tation which was neither creditable to the House nor useful to the country. fHear, hear, and laughter.) The present representation, he supposed, was not alto- gether suited to the views of the hon. and learned gentleman; and if it were extended, as proposed by this resolution, the result, that gentleman's view, would be a mischievous and uncontrollable democracy (Hear, hear, and laughter.) If that were so, there seemed nothing for Ireland but to relieve it of representation altogether, and govern it in a way that in this country was considered irreconcilable with the British constitution. (Hear, hear. and laugh- ter.) His own opinion was that the representation would not be much changed by the extension of the franchise. He considered the representation in a sense as deplorable, because of the differences which had sprung up between the Irish members and the Liberal party, but lie believed that the time would come when the Irish people would see the advantage of having a large and solid representation in the House of Commons, and the way to lead them to that belief was granting such moderate and just demands as that they were now making. (Cheers.) Mr. -T. M'KENNA and Mr. GRAY supported, and Mr. BHrEX opposed the bill. A division was then taken, when the numbers were: For the bill 126 Against 134 Majority against the bill 8 The result was received with loud cheers from the Opposition and Home Rule benches. THE CASE OK MR. MACI-HEEHOX. Mr. O'DONNELL called attention to the appointment of :\lr. Molesworth Macpherson to a legnl appointment in India. The hon. member described the appoint- ment as a scandalous job, and proposed a motion in its condemnation. ? Mr. BIGGAR seconded the motion. An unsuccessful attempt was then made to count out the Home. Lord GEORGE HAMILTON defended the appointment. A second attempt was made at a count-out, and was a g a i n unsuccessful. After a few words from Mr. ONSLOW and Mr. PAUNEI.L. the motion was witl1Jrawn,

S[XGRT.AR. ACCIDF.NT IX DUNDEE.—An accident of a singular nature occurred in Dundee on the 15th instant. Three men were engaged storing oil cake in a loft above a hot-water pond, p whuu the flooring gave way, and all three were pr .-cipitateil a distance of 20 feet into the pond below, tiie water in which was six feet deep, and heated to 100 degrees. About twenty tons of oil cake fell with the flooring. Two of the men were extricated by a rope, and were found to ,r,e only slightly injured. The third man was also rescued, but in a state of extreme exhaustion. The death is announced of Mr. Jacob de Liefde, who was, in 1870-71, present as one of the Dr/iill N-'irs war correspondents with the German army outside Paris, and afterwards during the Com- mune. He wrote" The Beggars," The Maid of Stralsund," "Lives of the Great Dutch Ad- minds, &c., books which showed, although the author was born of Dutch parents and educated in Holland, a singularly perfect mastery of the English language. Jacob de Liefde died at Twick- enham, on the fith inst., after a few days' illness, of acute pneumonia, aged 31. Mr. Stanley has chosen the following as the title of his forthcoming account of his African travels, "Through the Dark Continent; the Sources of the Nile; Around the Great Lakes; and Dowa the Livingstone River."

GREAT FAILURE IN THE CORN TRADE. At the London Bankruptcy Court on Monday the failure was announced of Messrs. Vogan Bros., corn merchants, for £ 79,000. The assets are un- known.

THROWING A WOMAN 0Ur3 OF A WINDOW. At a special sitting of the Nottingham magis- trates on Monday, Willi•; m Cox was charged with throwing a woman with whom lie lived out of a window. The man went home drunk, and a row took place, the result being that on getting up- stairs he threw the woman out of the window. She fell a distance of 18 feet. The fall was broken by a woman, who partially caught liei near the ground. The poor woman, however, had her leg broken, and had to be taken to the hospital. The Bench sentenced the accused to three months' imprisonment.

PERSECUTION OF MR. GLADSTONE BY PRO T UR KI S H R() W DIKS. The London Telegraph gives the following;— A correspondent, referring to the Trafalgar square meeting on Saturday, states that, after the pre- sentation of copies of the resolutions at the Turk- ish Embassy, and on the return of Lieutenant Armit to Trafalgar square, cries were raised, To Harley street; and, in spite of all attempts at dissuasion, about 1600 persons insisted on pro- ceeding to Mr. Gladstone's residence, where a Turkish flag was waved, and, amid a storm of groans and hisses, a copy of the resolutions was dropped in the letter-box, and a loud double knock given. Tho procession then marched off, cheering for Lord Beaconsfield and the Daily Telegraph, and singing patriotic songs.

DEAN STANLEY ON THE PAPACY. On Sunday afternoon, the Dean of Westminster preached in the Abbey to a very crowded congre- gation, and in the course of his sermon made special reference to the death of Pope Pius IX., and the vacancy thus created in the Romish Church. He said that institutions, like indi- viduals, had two natures, a higher and a lower one. At the present moment a single institution was going through a crisis in its history, and tho result would be regarded as a warning or an example. The Papacy was the oldest of all re- ligious institutions. It had been described in the well-known and pregnant words of Hobbes as "the ghost of the dead Roman Empire, sitting crowned upon the grave thereof. The Sultan of Constantinople and the Pope of Rome were the only two surviving inheritors of the wreck of Caesar's heritage. From the time of tho fall of civilisation in the old world the Papacy had gone through every vicissitude of light and shadow. It had passed from the simple bishopric of a few Jewish Christians to a despotic monarchy. It had witnessed in its chief seat some of theinost profligate and infamous of the human race, and it had seen two or three of lofty genius, two or three of enlarged and elevated minds, many of pure lives and blameless character, and many 01 obscure mediocrity. In an office at once so debased and so aspiring, with a history so contradictory and with complications so infinite, although the probability must be against any great change for the better or the worse, yet there was an endless field for conjecture, for hope, and for fear. There was a tale quoted by Black- stone, which had a certain limited foundation—in fact, which was full of intrinsic interest. A cer- tain Pope was once accused before a general council of heresy, and he was condemned to be burnt; but it was found that the sentence could not be legally carried into execution except with the consent of the Pope himself. The assembled Fathers went to the Pope, and they presented their humble petition, and said, "0 Pope! judge thyself to be burnt." The Pope ordered judgment, and the sentence was carried into effect. Afterwards, in reverential gratitude for this act of self-denial. he was worshipped as a saint. Such, although with a more cheerful issue, might, be the mission of some future tenant of the Papal See. They could imagine a man—it ought not to be an impossibility -a man of ordinary courage, common sense, and discernment, who should have the grace to per- ceive that the highest honour which he could confer on the highest seat of Christian hier- archy would be from that lofty eminence to pronounce the truth, which all the outside world truly knows, which many of the best spirits with- in his own communion fully believe, that he, his predecessors, and his successors, were, and are. and will be fallible, personally and officially, and may err-and probably will err, as they have erred, again and again—in faith and morals. By so doing he would incur insult, obloquy, perhaps death; but, like the legendary Pontiff, he would deserve a crown of the highest kind of sanctity, for he would have shown that quality of truthful- ness in which saints have too often failed.

YORK CITY ELECTION. RE-ELECTION OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND. On Monday, the Sheriff of York (Mr. Councillor Bellerby I, the returning officer, received nominations of candidates for a member of Parliament to serve the city in the House of Commons, Mr. Lowther having had to vacate his seat and seek re-election in conse- quence cf having accepted the office of Chief Secretary for Ireland. The nomination papers were handed in to tho Sheriff, who held a courtin the Council Chamber of the Guildhall from eleven to one o'clock. Mr. Lowther was the only candidate proposed. From olle to two o'clock the Sheriff sat to hear objections, but none being made he proceeded to the Sessions Court in the Guildhall, and there declared in the presence of several hundred persons, that :'IIr. Lowther had been duly elected.—Mr. LOWTHER proposed a vote of thanks to the Sheriff, and it was seconded by Mr. HUSRAND, and adopted by acclama- tion.—The SHERIFF acknowledged the compliment, after which the proceedings terminated. At night there was a very crowded meeting in tho large Concert Hall, the platform being occupied by the leading Conservatives of the city, Mr. Lowther re- ceived an enthusiastic reception. Mr. HUSBAND, J.P., presided, and brietiy addressed the meeting. Mr. W. B. RICHARDSON moved a resolution to the effect that the meeting tendered its hearty congratu- lations to Mr, Lowther on Jus appointment to the high office of Chief Secretary for Ireland, and also on his re-election that day. Mr. J. E. TAYLOR seconded the motion, which was carried by acci ation. Mr. LOWTIIE- in the first place thanked the meet- ing for the very cordial reception they had given him that evening, and he also thanked the electors for having again sent him to Parliament, this time without any opposition. He complimented the Liberal party upon their forbearance on this occa- sion, and also Mr. Aid. Lceman, M.P., with whom he had etc in harmony in furthering the local interests of York. He had been called upon to fulfil a position in the Government which lie had accepted, knowing that lie should have the approval of his constituents, jt was his earnest hope that he should be enabled so to discharge his duties as Chief Secretary for Ireland as to have no difficulty in giving a satisfactory account of his conduct. Turning to the Eastern Question, lie said that it was a great problem with which tho Government had had to deal for upwards of a ye aull a li-Llf. It was one of extreme difficulty, and ",I, the outset the Government hoped to be enabled to avert a war, but had not succeeded. They were earnestly in favour of peace, but their efforts in this direction bad been considerably hindered by the a/dtation which had been set 011 foot, an agitation which was most contemptible. ( Cheers. ) That movement tended in no small degree to lower the opinion of the English people for common sense. A late statesman had thrown all Ins ardour into that, movement. He believed that Mr. Gladstone had c.mniittedagreat error in identifying himself with the agitation, and that he now no doubt regretted it. All who had taken part in it had been guilty of a great moral offence, as they had been instrumental in pro- voking the war. He had never concealed his opinion with regard to the two belligerents. The Turks had fought gallantly against their foes in a war which was most unjustifiable, and was commenced in hypocrisy. He had always believed the Russian power was a pacific one, until it sought to gain its neighbour's land. The war had been sanguinary and unnecessary, and might be only the prelude to greater disasters. There was no nation on earth more desirous of peace than Eng- land, which wanted no additional lands or territories, and no territorial possessions. Whilst in favour of peace England had not forgotten how to fight, and would, should it be necessary, diaw the sword, and if she did so she would prove a very awkward and disagreeable antagonist to any enemy. British interests were not the interests of a party, but were essentially those of the people and nation at large. Party spirit was sunk into abeyance on the question of British interests, and the Government were determined to maintain them by the united voice of the nation. He hoped that his again being returned to Parliament would be acknowledged as one proof amongst others that the foreign policy of the Government was ap- proved. He alluded to that great statesman Pitt. whose knowledge was wonderful with regard to foreign policy, and he sought the co-operation and alliance of great military nations in the centre of Europe, and if the present Government were to form similar alliances it would require a very bold man to say a word against it. (Applause.) The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks tc the Chairman.

THE ELECTRIC LIGHT FOR WAR SHIPS. An order was received at Chatham, on Tuesday, directing that the armour-plated ship Monarch is to be fitted with the electric light before pro- ceeding to sea.

THE FACTORIES AND WORKSHOPS BILL. A deputation representing several English and Scotch School Boards waited upon the Home Secretary on Tuesday, to urge certain amendments in the Factories and Workshops Hill. Mr. Cross, in reply, declined to adopt the amendments on behalf of the Government, and they will there- fore be proposed in committee on the bill by an independent member.

A fire occurred on Monday on the promises of Messrs. Eyland and Sons, spectacle makers, Ac., Walsall, destroying the whole of the workshops, and doing damage to an amount variously estimated at from £ '2000 to £ f>0U0, besides throw- ing from 100 to 200 workpeople out of work. Under the presidency of the Archbishop of Canterbury a meeting was held on Monday at Lambeth Palace, for the purpose of organising a collection of subscriptions in aid of the sufferers from the famine in China. A committee was appointed to appeal to the public for contribu- tions. Nearly £1000 has been already received. At the Liverpool Police Court, on Monday, John Thomason and James Sward were remanded on a charge of having burglariously entered the Musty Ale Stores, in William street. Seeing a light in the premises early on Sunday morning, the police set a watch, and, finding that thieves were inside, they surrounded the buildings, broke into the place, and captured the burglars on the roof. An inquest was held on Monday on the two men who were killed at the fire at the Chatterley Oil Works on the lath inst. The fire was shown to have originated in the "frothing" of a still, and it was said that this "frothing" could not he prevented, although it does not seem to be often attended with serious consequences. The jury found a verdict of accidental death, and made a recommendation with a view to reduce the danger in future. I understand that the movement set on foot to obtain for Mr. Macdermott, the author of the stirring lyric, "We don't want to light," the re- version of Mr. Tennysou's office as Poet Laureate has been abandoned. Her Majesty's Government are not insensible of the great service rendered by Mr. Macdermott at a national crisis, and something may be done in the wav of a Civil List pension. But the Poet Laureateship could not be managed.—Mayfair. PRINCE LEOPOLD.—May fair says;—I hear on high, clerical authority that Prince Leopold is deter- mined to take holy orders, and that the Queen, after every effort to dissuade him, has at last reluctantly given her consent. Now that Bi- shoprics can no longer be held in commend am," and all minor appointments are severely criticised, it will be difficult to find a suitable berth for the royal devotee. On the whole, the Deanery of Windsor seems open to the fewest objections. THE TFR'rsII FLEET.—A London correspondent ) writes:—"It is perhaps not generally known that three years ago Turkey proposed to sell three oi her ironclads to France for less than a million sterling. But France could not raise the money. It is strongly suspected that one of the in- structions given to Admiral Hornby is to sei;;e the Turkish fleet, rather than let it pass under the Russian Hag. The fleet would certainly prove a valuable item to the credit of the Turkish bondholders." STRANGE DEATH OF A FARMER'S WIFE TIIROTCH DRINK.—On Monday, an inquest was held at Balne, near Snaith, touching the death of Alice Barker, aged 42 years, the wife of Mr. Win. Barker, jun., farmer. The evidence adduced showed a most distressing state of affairs. On the 15th iust. Mr. Barker left his wife seated in a I chair tipsy when he started for Selby. The servant girl, Hannah White, in order that the farm ser- vants might not see her mistress, pulled the chaii into another room. Her mistress afterwards I went upstairs, saying that she would go to Snaith, but fell downstairs. The girl being afraid to go near her, ran out for assistance, and it seems that during this time deceased was being suffocated by the tightness of her dress, and that had assist- ance been at hand she might have been relieved. Mr. Hodgson, of Snaith, had made a post-mortem examination. The verdict returned was "Death from suffocation caused by the tightness of her dress in the position she was in after she had j fallen downstairs."

A coroner's jury who had to inquire on Monday as to the death of an infant five months old at Burton-on-Trent, returned a remarkable verdict. It was shown that the mother of the child was drunk on the Friday night, and that the baby was afterwards found suffocated in an outhouse where she had been. it having, as is supposed, rolled off her lap. The coroner explained to the jury that drunkenness made the mother re- sponsible for the death of her child, but they re- turned a verdict of accidental death. The mothei remains in custodv.