The Principality

HOUSE OF LORDS.—TUESDAY, MAY 22. After a discussion on the state of our relations in the River Plate, and an almost inaudible conversation on railway companies, Lord BROUGHAM presented a petition from a large body of the Episcopal Church of Scotland, praying that all clergymen of the church of England and Ireland, on being appointed to chapels in Scotland, might be inducted to the charge of their congregations by t e Archbishop of Canterbury, or some other English bishop, and that there might be periodical visitations in Scotland by the bishops of the Established Church and finally, that the petitioners might be placed on such a footing as would give them all the advantages of the discipline of their own Church. A long and uninteresting debate followed on the petition and principles of the Episcopal Church in Scotland, in which the Bishop of SALISBURY, the Archbishop of CASTEKBUUY, the Duke of AR- GYLL, and the Bishop of EXKTEU took part. An accusation made by ihe Bishop of CASHEL against the Scotch Episcopal Church of Romanising tendencies elicited a warm defence of that Church from the Bishol) øf OXFORD, who insisted on its perfect Protestantism. The petition was ultimately ordered to lie on the table. The Marquis of LANSDOWNE stated, that in consequence of the lateness of the hour, he should propose that the committee on the Navigation Laws, which stood for that evening, should be deferred until Thursday next, when he hoped it would be proceeded with i hout any previous discussion. The committee was accordingly deferred, and Their lordships adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY, MAY 22. The Speaker took the chair at four o'clock.

THIENNIAL PARLIAMENTS. After the House had agreed to an adjournment till Thursday, the Derby being on Wednesday, Mr. TENNYSON D'EYNCOURT then moved for leave to bring in a bill for shortening the duration of Parliaments. He introduced the motion with a brief historical sketch of the changes made in the Parliamentary term of existence. The Reform Act had made a great step in the right direction, but the scheme was incomplete and, without affirming that the term uf the continuance of Parlia- ment should not exceed three years, he did affirm that it ought to considerably shortened, and he cited the recorded opinions of various prominent members of the Whig party to the same effect. Ii was a question which could not remain long unsettled, and it vould be wise to concede now a reform that would increase the confidence of the people in this House, diminish corruption out of it, and impart more stability to the institutions of the country than any o:her measure. If Lord John Russell would say that five years w as a wh< lesome term, he should be ready to concur in that proposition. Lord D. STUALT seconded the motion. He thought three years the proper term. Lord J. RUSSELL observed that the grievance against which our ar-cestors were anxious to provide a remedy was the suspension of Parliaments, and the Triennial Act contained a clause requiring that a Parliament should be called within three years. Twenty- 0118 years after the. passing of that act, those who had been most instrumental in framing it complained of its evil effects, which were enumerated in the preamble of the Septennial Act. The question, therefore, was not merely one of abstract reasoning and theory, but had been tested by the experience of our ancestors, who had, after a trial, demanded a change of the law. If Parlia- ments were triennial, it would be found that in the first year much time would be lost through the inexperience of new members, and in the third year there would be an indisposition on the part of the House to decide upon great questions, which might exert an effect upon a general election so that two out of the three years would be disturbed by these causes. He admitted that the advantages attending the present law would be dearly bought if the opinions of the constituency and of the public did not influence the conduct of the members of that House but his opinion was, that since the Reform Act general attention had been paid to the wishes and opinions of the constituency and the public on the part of the re- presentatives, upon whose conduct and votes they had as much in- fluence as they ought to have. He therefore opposed the motion. After a few observations from Mr. S. CBAWFOHD in support of tho motion, the House divided, when the motion was carried by 46 against 41-11. result evidently unexpected, and which was hailed with vehement and prolonged cheering. Mr. SLAXEY then rose to move for a standing committee to consider and report on practic d measures likely to improve the condition of the working classes, but there not being 40 members present, the House was counted our.

THE CANADIAN DISTURBANCES. IT is no new thing to see men giving the lie to the prin- ciples they profess. It is what in England the Whigs do every day. The same soft impeachment has been made times without number against Sir Robert Peel. Down in the lowest depths-far below the dim religious twilight—in the utter darkness of the agricultural mind—how is that idea, as a thing too fair to be rudely displayed, treasured up, wor- shipped, loved! Similar instances of human frailty are, alas, far from rare. It is said, not that we believe it, or would mention it, were it not that it can of course be so easily re- futed, that the same amiable weakness is occasionally dis- played by successors of the Apostles and others of that class, who have been called to renounce the pomps and vanities of this wicked world. The loyal Tories of Upper Canada have done the same thing. To evince their love of order they have burnt down the Parliament House in Montreal. To show their bound- less attachment to the Queen they have pelted her represen- tative with rotten eggs, have struck his name out of their clubs, and have petitioned for his recal. True, this is rather an ungraceful and certainly an undesirable mode of showing loyalty, but we can no more account for the idiosyncracies of public bodies than we can for those of individuals. It was said of that knight of indubitable prowess Sir Hudibras that He had much wit, But was shy of showing it." The tenderest love even has occasionally been displayed in an apparently somewhat unlovely manner. In proof of this we may refer to that modern Pyramus whose tender ardour his faithful but slightly austere Thisbe checked so severely as to force from him a remonstrance, which the poet (unfortunately we have forgotten the name) has married to immortal verse. Mournfully does the love-lorn swain sing with a broken limb and heart 'Tis true you might wish to dissemble your love But why did you kick me down stairs ? With a slight alteration, Lord Elgin might apply the same language to the loyalists of Montreal. This Canadian disturbance is neither more nor less than a wise saw," and a modern instance." It is a new version of the dog in the manger. Those who have seen a spoiled boy sulk because he cannot have his own way will readily -AWOIAUO AXT- liuitiuiiur uauirs. me tones recommended an appeal to the country, and their advice was taken. "Tho result of his measure," we quote from the official despatch of Lord Elgin, was in the last degree unfavourable to those who had recommended it; not so much in Lower Canada, however, where the complexion of the representation was little affected by the dissolution, as in the upper provinces, where several constituencies, amongst which were some of the most populous, rejected Conservative in favour of Liberal candidates." The majority in this new Parliament voted compensation to those parties in Lower Canada whose property had been destroyed during the rebellion in 1837 and 1838. Of course, this indemnity was not extended to those concerned in the rebellion. This, however was more than ehokric Tory flesh and blood could bear, and those who know what Tory mobs can do—how they drove Priestly out of Birmingham—how they struck terror in the heart of the metropolis under the leadership of Lord George Gordon—how in Queen Anne's time they pulled down Dissenters' chapels, and burnt their Bibles, cry- ing all the while, in their ignorant fanaticism, 11 Sacheverell and High Church "-will not be surprised at what has lately occurred in the streets of Montreal. This was not altogether an extemporaneous outbreak, though it seems to have taken Lord Elgin unawares. The clouds had long been gathering. The appeals to a blind and furious partisanship had, day by day, increased in intensity and strength. In the beginning of the session such language as the following appeared of the principal English newspapers published in Montreal:—" The object of the Parliamentary majority, composed of Frenchmen aided by traitorous Bri- tish Canadians, is to force French institutions still further upon the British minority in Lower Canada. When French tyranny becomes insupportable, we shall find our Cromwell. Sheffield, in the olden time, used to be famous for its keen and well-tempered whittles. Well, they inctlca bayonets there now Just as sharp andJust as well tempered. TVltenwe can stand, tyranny no longer, it will be seen ivhether youd bayo- nets in Saxon hands will be more than a match fur a mace and a majority." This is plain enough—it has at any rate that merit. Wo ll"t;on wkoiKov i:>h.c- famous war corro- spondent of whom we read in Martin Chuzzlowit could pen a more inflammable article himself. It smells, as Bob Acres would say, woundily of powder. The writer evidently was aiming to follow an illustrious precedent. Let me," exclaims Bully Bottom, let me play the lion too. I will roar that it. will do any man's heart good to hear me." The Canadians have got a responsible Government. The burden is now on the right back. What more do they want ? Would they have the ass carry the man or the man the ass? Is not the former mode preferable on the whole P If the minority were right they would Inveavoided this display of temper. When a man gets angry he is generally in the wrong. Are you Shelley, the infidel ? said a warm admirer of our glorious constitution in Church and Siat,2. "Yes," was the poet's reply. "Then takf. that," said the. interrogator, aiming at Shelley a blow which would have levelled an ox. The dodge is not an uncommon one. Lon- don policemen are not unacquainted with it. A country. cousin who loses his purse in an omnibus is amaz- ingly surprised to find the actual thief an apparent gentle- man, who was indignant when the idea was just hinted to him as mildly as delicacy would permit. So long as Canada is under our care, it behoves us to see that insolence be restrained-that her rulers maintain the majesty of law. For the difficulties by which its government is harassed, annexation would be no remedy whatever. It would but add fuel to the fire. We know that misery makes us acquainted with strange bed-fellows, but Sir A.M'Nab and his party must be indeed in extremis were they to be any parties to such a plan. We believe nothing is further from their thoughts, though of course the model republic would not be reluctant to take them under her sheltering wing. To part with Canada would to us be a pecuniary saving, but then Government would lose its patronage, and the younger sons of our impoverished and oppressed aristocracy would be thrown destitute on the world—and is not Lord John a man and a brother ? The very last charge that the future historian will be able to bring against the ministry at pre- sent in power will be, that they were guilty of the unpai- donable offence of forgetting their poor relations. n

A CHARGE WITH A COMMENTARY. THE Archdeacon of Llandaff has published what he terms a Vernal Charge to the clergy of his diocese. On the prin- ciple that a cat may look at a king, we trust we may be ex- cused for daring to look at this Vernal Charge. Vernal, we think, sometimes means green, and that is a word suggestive of singularly unpleasant associations. But let that pass. Were we now like Falstaff, "little better than one of the wicked," we might say somewhat from such a text. As it is we forbear. 0 Were we to sum up the contents of the Charge, in one line we should slightly alter the Beggar's Petition," and say its drift is to cry- Pity the sorrows of a poor old Church." The Church is poor-very poor—such is the burden of the Archdeacon's Charge. In our young days, before coaches had gone out and railroads came in, we have occasionally met, in the vehicles aforesaid, females in an apparently re- markably salubrious state, who from time to time have in- dulged in a fluid unlike tea, inasmuch as it not merely cheers but inebriates also, under the pretence of a nasty lowness and a sinking," easier imagined than described. Appa- rently well, they in reality 0 were quite. the reverse. The Archdeacon's Church has the reputation of being rich. This is quite a mistake. We had heard of poverty, it is true, in connexion with the Church, but that Church has not been the one which feeds an Archdeacon at Llandaff or, as in a recent case, can boast that one of its bishops drew seventy- five thousand pounds from its revenues to spend in Italy, while his cathedral was in ruins, and his flock were smitten down by disease and death. The Church to which we al- lude was made by no Act of Parliament-it is even too dis- loyal to acknowledge Queen Victoria as its head—the fisher- men of Galilee were its first bishops, and its earliest confes- sors were hunted like beasts from the haunts of men. That was the poor man's Church, for it was the only Church ihat could preach to the wretched and the poor the glad tidings r, In of a happier life to come. But we had always fancied that the Archdeacon's Church was, on the whole, well to do. We had always thought it could boast its silver and gold, and that owing to that it could attract to itself all who had silver and gold—that is, all the holy, and the earnest, and the pure, as the magnetic mountain we read of in the Arabian Nights," drew towards itself all the iron in the ships that came within its influence. The reverse is the case. Like Dogberry, the Church has had its losses, though it has had its two gowns and everything handsome about it." In this archdeaconry alone, out of 111 cures, there are, says the Archdeacon, no less than 30 that have less than a hundred a-year (he does not tell us how many Methodist, and Bap- tist, and Independent ministers there are in the same district, preaching and praying, and visiting the sick and the af- flicted, and labouring in season and out of season, for less). At one time the Church had ample revenues, but it has lost them, and what is the strangest part of all is, that the Refor- mation has done it all C, This is a fact for which we certainly were not prepared. We were aware, for we have heard it times without number, that the Maynooth grant had caused the famine in Ireland —that the cholera came because mail trains ran seven days instead of six-that reading and writing had produced Z, Z!1 Cliartism-tliat the mortality that prevailed amongst cattle was to attributed exclusively to Bin wa destroyed the Constitution—but we certainly were not aware that the Reformation had done much harm to the Protestant Establishment. We certainly did know that what the Archdeacon terms the rude hand of the spoiler was dipped at that time pretty deep into the ecclesiastical pocket, but we thought the damage then done had been done to Roman Catholics—that they were Roman Catholic priests that were many of them reduced to beggary—that they were Roman Catholic revenues that were turned into another channel. In our simplicity we had thought that it the rude hand of the spoiler" not only bestowed part, and a pretty considerable part too, of this money, given by Catholics for Catholic purposes, but actually created Protestantism, and gave to it a local habitation and a name." The facts are against you," said a gentleman to an orator, whose feelings had evidently got the better of his judgment. "So much the worse for the facts," was the cool reply. In a similar manner our worthy Archdeacon grows rmoaniic in narrating that part- of our national history with which every one is most familiar, but a blunder of this kind is excusable in one whose time is exclusively devoted to scriptural affairs. At any rate, the Archdeacon's new reading has the advantage of novelty. Henceforth be it known, that our royal Bluebeard did not create the Protestant Establishment. All he did was kindly to relieve it of its superfluous wealth. To talk about the rude hand of the spoiler is ungrateful at the very least. The Archdeacon is compelled to admit the existence of Dissent. He confesses that somehow or other it has grap- pled better with the spiritual wants of man than die cum- brous machinery of a State Church. He eYideiJ;! V is aware that it has covered our valleys, and peopled our mines wiih moral and religious men who otherwise would have been left to live and die like brutes. But he has a remedy for this evil. A plan is before Parliament, lie says, in densely- peopled districts, to make parishes for ecclesiastical purposes of not more than 4,000. A very common saying about the nearer the Church, &c., of course our worthy Archdeacon holds in merited contempt. Hood also says :— A daw 's not reckoned a religious bird, Because it keeps a cawing from the steeple." But then Hood was no better than he should have been. Very innocently the Archdeacon thinks there is a \irtue in a steeple. He evidently imagines that if every collection of 4,000 human creatures can but see one, their will never enter a conventicle again. We should not be suivrisedif he really believes that Tenterden steeple was the cause of Goodwin Sands. As steeples rise down will go Dissent. This idea for catching Dissenters is worthy the sagacious brain of that eminent naturalist who first recommended sparrows to be caught by pusting salt on their tails. One part of the Archdeacon's Charge we can most cordi- allv commend. It is when he asks the clergy to stir up the I rich in the cause of religion. If that be done, the Church will not long lag behind the age. There will not be then, as now, a church at Aberdarc, in a population of twelve thousand, that can hold but four hurnhvd. Let the Arch- deacon trust to the Volun arv Principle, and he will find that then the Church unfettered by the State, confiding only in truth, and the God of truth, respected even by those who belong not to her communion, will go forth to the world, as did he whose name she bears, the messenger of heavenly peace and love.

THE SANITARY" STATE OF CARDIFF. OUR readers are aware that within the last fortnight meetings have been held at Merthyr and Carmarthen, and at Swansea, for the purpose of improving the sani- tary arrangements of those towns. In some cases the cvixlciice lias testified to a violation of all the physical laws of health, such as wo could scarcely have looked for amongst the most ignorant and degraded of our race. Jt is high time that these tilings be inquired into, aud the parties, be they rich or poor, by whom they arc perpetu- ated be held up to public scorn. Science has come forth from her cloister to discharge her mission—to minister to human wants—to mitigate human woes and to refuse to avail cur- selves of her light is now not merely a folly but a crime' Of all nuisances, a manufactory of disease is the greatest; and from it, so long as it exists, man cannot, hope to escape. It does not merely confine the pauperto a pauper's grave, but it will as surely wither, in untimely death, all on whose wel- fare society depends. We are members one of another. The disease generated in the peasant's cot may strike terror in the hall of the peer. There is one great argument against all .sanitary arrange- ments—their costliness. It costs money to secure ventila- tion and drainage. It is cheaper to build to every ten houses those necessities which a comnion regard to decency would attach to every one. But is not disease costly? Does not a doctor's bill most grievously cripple a working man ? Does it not throw many of the poor entirely on the parish to which they belong ? Are not paupers' families costly? Are not poor-rates a real burden by which the small tradesman is constantly weighed down ? But to consider the question as a mere money one is short-sighted indeed. Sanitary neglect destroys human happiness and human life. It cuts down far more of the human family than the sword of the destroyer and for all the tears it has caused to flow-and for all the tender ties it has torn asunder—and for all the hearts it has broken—man is responsible, and man must give an ac- count. Not in vain will the wail of human sorrow and wretchedness ascend. Our own town is in a disgraceful state. At this time there are houses in Bute-street, whose kitchens are filled with two feet of such putrid matter as must poison all who come within its reach. Of typhus fever we hear every day. And the cholera is becoming, if report speaks true, a visitant in our midst. Whatever may be said of the latter, the former virulent disease is a disease mado by man—a disease that can only exist in ccr aill lamentable states of neglect and dirt. As the hot weather is approaching, whatever infectious diseases at present exist we may reasonably presume will then exist, and with far more malignant power. It is time then that inspectors should visit the narrow streets of Car- diff-many of them crowded with a population whose habits are but too favourable too the fostering typhus, or cholera, or any other form of swift and fatal disease.

TOWN LETTERS—No. 3. JENNY LIND is not married after all. Let the news circulate in the remotest corners of our land—let drooping hospitals again lift up their heads—let the daughters of England rejoice. And money has done it all. How many men are like the flower girls of Paris, who, if Biddy Fudge may be depended on, Spoil a romance with pecuniary views." Mr. Harris it seems has done the same; the settlement on him was not large enough; lie wanted other notes than Jenny's liquid ones; this wonderful affair has come to an end, and the bird of brilliant song has hopped off to Paris, there to drive away dull care. Not a day passes but shows the utter humbug of oaths. Rush, the most notorious of modern villains, interlarded his most lame defence with the most awful appeals to that God before whose tribunal he was so shortly to appear. Jacobites and infidels, in spite of oaths made purposely to keep them out, have had a seat in St. Stephens. Amongst conscientious men they are unnecessary. Hook was asked if he would sign the thirty-nine articles. 11 Yes, and forty too," was his t, reply. And in the same manner many men have taken an oath, and have all the while laughed at it as a farce. Yet Colonel Sibthorp the other night was indig- nant—was shocked down to his very martial toes, simply because Mr. Wood, a Chancery barrister, denominated oaths as rubbish. Lord John is endeavouring to amend them as at present they exist, but why require them at all ? Eng- lishmen have a right to send whom they like to St. Ste- phens—not merely Dissenters and Catholics, but the Great Mogul himself. If the people like to return six hundred men, not merely to alter the constitution of the Church, but even to make England a republic, it will be done—notwith- standing that the representatives may have all sworn alle- giance to our sovereign lady Queen Victoria. If oaths are not rubbish, will Lincoln's own member tell us what they are ? Russia is the land of true, uninitiusitpd una -re i7eums celebrated when she nad trampled brave but unfortunate Poland under her victorious feet. When Alexander fought against the rights of nations, and the liberties of Europe, the holy religion of our Saviour was (we quote his celebrated manifesto) his sole guide." Nicholas I., by the grace of God Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias, is equally as profane as his royal predeces- sors. The following is part of an ukase dated April '26 :— Having been called to the assistance of this righteous' en- terprise (that of re instating Hungary) the Almighty Leader of Battles and Lord of we have commanded our armies to move forward for the extinction of rebellion and the destruction of audacious and evil-intentioned men, who endeavour to disturb the peace of our dominions also. Let God be with us, and who shall be against us?" Is not this taking the name of God in vain ? The God of right, will he aid man in his endeavour to trample out right -the God of love, will he look down with complacency upon those who are foremost in an unholy war ? Had this ut- a e been penned by a Chartist convention, or nn Italian trium- virate, great would have been the indignation of the leading journal. As it is, not n. faint murmur of indignation has been raised. I Protectionism has again flashed in the pan, and, as usual, ended in smoke. Lord Stanley has been again beaten in his amendment on the Navigation-laws. And tho Duke of Hiclnnond-hc in whom the tenant fanners reposed—had not heart enough to finish his speech on agricultural distress by making even a motion on the subject. What a mouse has the mountain brought forth. After words so big, who would have expected deeds so rmall ? Like uncelebrated French monarch, with his twenty thousand men, Stanley and Richmond Went up the hill, and then—went down again or rather, they stood in heroic attitude, yet dexterously avoiding the fray as two heroes of other days are represented, to have done. The Earl of Olnthnm, with his sword drawn, Stands waiting for Sir Richard cfltrachan Sir Richard, eager to be tit \'m, Stands waiting for the Earl of Chatham." AVill the farmers ever be gulled again ? or have they got used to it as eels to being skinned ? The town has been in a state of intense excitement. What with the assassination, and the Derby, and the fine weather, ennui has been pretty well kept at a distance. Crowded theatres have sung "God save the Queen," and British loyalty is now fiercer than ever. Tliegi eatdebate of the week his been on the adjournment of the House over the Derby. The question was moved by the Marquisof Granby, who gave a right Protectionist ai g-miu nt in its favour— It always had I'-cn the custom." For the motion there were 138; against it, 119. The result was received with cheers. The few who remained endured a short debate on Triennial Parliaments, which, to the great surprise of all, were affirmed by 46 to 41. This, however, is u fact that has no meaning. It shows no progress has been made in the question. It is not a triumph, but the reverse. The question was thought to be so contemptible, that hardly lorty Whigs and Tories thought it needful to be in the House when it was debated. Every one was surprised at the result, and no one more so than the honourable member for Lambeth himself. Let tho people understand that there were nearly 270members present when the House, was discussing the propriety of adjourning business for a horse race, and barely more than eighty when the question of Triennial Parliaments came oil Verily, this is one of the signs of the times, that, as Captain Cuttlc would say, when found, should be made a note oi." WIDEAWAKE.

CARDIFF.. THS TOWN HALT..—AFKAIK WITH THK fi.- About ten cottages that have to be pulled down fur the purpose of clearing a site for the new Town-hall, were densely inhabited by natives of the sister isle. A fortnight's notice of removal had been, given them, but in vain. Last Aiouuay, there they were, resolved to maintain their right against ihe powers that be. Alas, their bruuiry was ui no uvaii; they had to succumb, a