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FRANCE.J
FRANCE. J The lUtendard announces that the Emperor of Russia will leave St. Petersburg on the 29th May, and will arrive in Paris oil the 4th June, An official declaration is published, signed by France and Italy on the 29th April, 18G7, relative to the transit of despatches through Italy. The King of Italy will be in Paris by the beginning of June. The Prince of Wales arrived in Paris on Saturday
PRUSSIA.
PRUSSIA. His Majesty the King of the Greeks has been pre. sented by King William with the Order of the Black Eagle. The King of Prussia has conferred the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the House of Hohenzoliern upon the King of the Belgians and the Count of Flanders. The whole draught of the New German Constitution was adopted on the 8th inst. by 226 against 91 votes. The members of the Left voted against the draught. The cattle plague has recently broken out at Unter- steinach, in Bavaria, upon the railway line from Bohemia to Lichtenfds, upon the Main, and recently in the neighbourhood of Hildburghausen, upon the Werra line. The Government, therefore, totally pro- hibits the transport and entry of cattle from™Au&tria. The abolition of the limits to interest on mortgage loans has been agreed to. The Government Bill, authorising the Government not to submit until the next ordinary Session, the report in explanation of the extraordinary money demands of the Administration occasioned by last year's war was adopted. The Order of the Red Eagle has been conferred on several Belgian officers and officials.
ITALY.
ITALY. On the 8th inst., in the Chamber of Deputies, the Minister for Foreign Affairs laid before the House the Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with Austria, and the Postal Convention with Spain. Signor Rattazzi an- nounced that the marriage of the Duke d'Aosta with the Princess della Cistern a will take place on the 30th inst. at Turin. Signor Rattazzi then read a letter from the King, in which his Majesty declares he considers it his duty to give the first example of economy at a time of financial distress by renouncing annually the sum of four million lire of his Civil List. [This announcement was received by the Chamber with loud cheers,] His .Majesty expresses the hope that his example will be followed in all branches of the administration. A depu- tation was afterwards appointed to present the King with the thanks of the House. On the 9th inst. Signor Ferrara in making his Financial Statement announced that the deficit at the financial period beginning in January, 1869, would be 580,000,000 lire. He proposed that the 600,000,000 lire which are to be derived from the ecclesiastical property should be obtained in the form cfa-n extraordinary tax imposed thereon. A portion of this tax would be levied immediately by appropriatiii "for the use of the States the Rentes which are deposited with the Government in the Department of Public .Worship. A further instalment of 430,000,000 lire will become payable in four years. The proceeds from certain ecclesiastical property already in the possession of the Government will be exclusively employed for the ipayment of religious pensions and expenditure for public worship. The 600,000,000 lire which are to be levied from ,the ecclesiastical property will not be diminished by the costs of any financial operation, with the excep- tion of a commission of 3 per cent., which will be pay- able upon 430,000,000 lire. From the total amount there will be paid off 250,000,000 lire for the reimburse- ment of the liabilities of the State to the National Bank. 'The result of this reimbursement will be that the forced currency of the bank-notes will promptly cease. This announcement was received with great cheers from the House and the galleries. Signor Ferrara said that the Budgets for 1867 and 1868 would be regulated solely by extraordinary measures. The Government will avoid having recourse to a hasty imposition 01 new taxes. In order to provide for the ordinary deficit from 1860, Signor ^Ferrara reckoned,before all. on an increased revenue from the present taxes, and especially by a partial farming of the collection of the indirect taxes and the tobacco monopoly. The proceeds of the octroi will be given up entirely to the communes and provinces, in return for which certain extra imposts now existing in some pro- vinces will revert to the State, in addition to the direct taxes, which will thus be equalised, and, if possible, diminished. An alteration is also proposed in the tax on landed property, with the object of increasing the revenue .11 therefrom derived. An endeavour would also be made to reach those sources of income which have not hitherto 'been assessed under the tax on personal property. These alterations arc to be made alter 1867, but will not prevent the Government at once proposing various jaew taxes, which, however, will not come into opera- tion until after 1869. Means would thus be obtained to cover any annual deficit winch might still exist alter the reduction of the expenditure by the strictest and firmest economies possible to the indispensable minimum. The statement of the Minister was received with loud applause. Signor Ferrara, in reply to a question ()f Signor Laporta, said that the Bill relative to the taxes on ecclesiastical property will be submitted to the Chamber to-morrow, although the contract in re- ference to the financial operations has not yet been signed by all the parties concerned. It will be com- pleted in a few days. The financial operation in reference to the eccle- siastical property will be undertaken by Messrs. Roths- child, the Credit Fonder of Pans, and the National Bank of Italy. The King, in an audience to the authorities of the City of Venice announced that he has given 50,000 lire to the poor. His Majesty also stated that he would apply to the Parliament for 10,000,000 lire for the exe- cution of various public works in Venice.
RUSSIA.
RUSSIA. In consequence of the rumours of a reduction of the tariff, 18,000 workmen have addressed a letter to the Government inquiring what foundation exists for these rumours. The Finance Minister, in his reply, says that he does not sympathise with the free-trade views of M. Molinari. He does not desire a reduction of the tariff. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, replying to the satne inquiries, de- clares that he sees no necessity to ieduce the tariff in favour of foreign countries, although such a reduction might improve the relations with foreign Governments. The question of the lowering of the tariff would, there- fore, remain uninfluenced by political motives. The Emir of Bokhara has gone to Samarcand, and, fearing an attack from the Russian forces, has ordered fortifications to be erected. He is said ,to have in- vited English co-operation for the reorganisation of his army, and has broken off relations with the Russian authorities. The relations of Russia with the Khan of Khokan are of an extremely friendly character.
BELGIUM.
BELGIUM. The Works of the Belgian Public Works Company were inaugurated on the 6th inst. by the King and Queen, accompanied by the Count and Countess of Flanders, the Ministers, and municipal authorities.
--:.-CROATIA.
CROATIA. The Croatian Diet has postponed the discussion of the Address to the Throne. The Diet has resolved to iabstain from passing all resolutions or Bills until the jesolution of the Diet, that no member shall be liable to he prosecuted for his speeches or to be arrested, shall have received the sanction of the Emperor. M. ;Zsiokosrck, a member of the party hostile to the union Fbetween Croatia and Hungary, de were a speech strongly advocating national union between Servia and Croatia.
PORTUGAL. ^ .
PORTUGAL. In a sitting of the Chamber of Deputies the preliminaries of a bill authorising the construction of a railway from Oporto to Bengoa, and from Oporto to the frontier, were agreed to.
THE CANDIAN INSURRECTION.
THE CANDIAN INSURRECTION. Intelligence from Greek sources asserts that Omer Pasha attacked Sphakia on the 4th inst., but was re- pulsed, and that he renewed his attack on the following day, when he was again defeated with great loss. b
INDIA.
INDIA. The weather is seasonably hot, and the state of the public health satisfactory. His Excellency the Governor has gone to Matheran, where he will remain until the rains set in, occasionally returning to Bombay to attend the meeting of the legislative Council. The Hon. Mr. Shaw Stewart is to act as chief secre- tary to Government, Bombay, during the absence on leave of Mr. Chapman. r Mr. Henry Maxwell has been elected a director of the Bank of Bombay, in the room of Mr. Stewart. A meeting of the shareholders of the Bank of Bombay was held on the 17th instant, at which there was a long discussion on the proposed amalgamation with the Bank of Bengal No result was arrived at. Mr. W. Grey, it is expected, will assume the office of Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. Sir Cecil Beadon will not, however, leave for Eng- land till July. .1 From Rangoon we bear that the discontent of the people of Burmah with the King's administration in- creases, and that the princes who rebelled against him an October last are again in the field. The latest news from Zanzibar states that little hope was entertained of Dr. Livingstone's being alive, owing to the fact that the Mafeti tribe, the most savage in Africa, was known to have been on his route. | The ship Abel Tasman, from Bombay to Liverpool with cotton, has been wrecked at Lackadives. The crew were saved. The Viceroy has deputed the Bombay Government to raise a native regiment for service in China. Distrust continues in the money market. Cotton was tending downwards. Considerable dissatisfaction is felt in British Burmah, in consequence of the proposed enhancement of the duty on rice. Advices received from Bnrmah express fears of famine. The prospects of the Assam tea crop are favourable. Mr. Masscy is inviting subscriptions to a debenture loan of 1 millions sterling to provide funds for public 2 improvements. The Bombay Irrigation Works, Interest of Five per Cent. is payable in England and India. A dinner has been given in the Town Hall by Sir Cecil Beadon to Mr. Taylor on his retirement from office.
CHINA AND JAPAN.
CHINA AND JAPAN. The rebels have burnt several villages in Yang-tze- kiang. An earthquake took place at Hankow on the 14th of March, but no damage was done. The Golden Fleece, with Her Majesty's 30th Regi- ment on board, left Hong-Kong on the 20th Maich. Advices from Japan state that the French Minister is visiting the Shogoon. The Japanese officials are to assume the European dress after the new year. Fourteen English officers were stopped by Yockonins while riding in Jocaido. The Japanese afterwards made an ample apology. The British men of war at Yohohama were the Basilisk, Argus, and Firm. Commander Eaton had entirely recovered from his accident.
AUSTRALIA.
AUSTRALIA. The Postal Conference has agreed to maintain,^the three routes via Galle, Panama, and Torres Straits respectively, and will ask the Imperial Government to pay half the cost of the service, the colonies paying the other half. The Protectionist Tariff Bill has passed the Lower House it operates very injuriously to trade. The new duty on spirits commences on the 1st of October. The Queensland Government has reduced the foreign sheep quarantine to three months, and abolished the quarantine on New South Wales sheep.
AMERICA.
AMERICA. (Per Atlantic Telegraph.) The Government has ordered the writ of Habeas Corpus in reference to Mr. Davis to be obeyed. The majority of the men on strike in Chicago have yielded to the terms of the masters,
SHIP NEWS.
SHIP NEWS. The Supreme Court on the 26th ult. heard the argu- ment in the Georgia and Mississippi injunction cases. Attorney-General Stanbury argued that the injuries specified by the plaintiffs were entirely contingent and prospective, and based on presumption. The Recon- struction Act would be abused in their hands. The na- tional officials of the court had no jurisdiction over the officials enforcing the laws enacted by Congress. The question ot the constitutionality of those laws was purely political, and could only be reached by political means. Mr. Charles O'Conner, in reply, contended that the injuries specified were not merely prospective, because the defendants have declared they would enforce the Act and have taken the preliminary steps to do so. The Act set aside the legal state of the Government, and in- terfered with the constitutional rights of States to regulate the franchise, and was generally unconstitu- tional and void. The remedy could only be obtained in the Supreme Court, which was created for the ex- press purpose of deciding such questions. The jurisdiction of the Court could not therefore be denied. All manner of rumours are in circulation concerning the probable nature of the decision and the intended course of the President. If the sense and temper of the court may be rightly judged by the recent Milligan decision, which declared trials by courts-martial in time of peace illegal, then it may be fully ex- j pected that the injunctions will be granted. The Milligan decision was sustained by five and op- posed by four of the judges, and the same majority of one is expected in favou, of the injunctions prayed. Some Washington correspondents declare that the President will gladly undertake the enforcement of the injunctions, if granted, as a means of defeating Congress, while others assert positively that Mr. Johnson will disregard the injunctions and quietly prweea Yvia, the U-UCULion of the Reconstruction Act. The 26th of April having been appointed in Georgia for decorating the graves of Confederate dead, business was generally suspended; and at the cemeteries at Augusta, Rome. Macon, Atlanta, and Savannah, the graves were bedeckcd with wreaths and garlands, and imposing mortuary ceremonies conducted. There was no interference by the national authorities, who were pleased to regard the affair as only a manifestation of individual mourning, the proceedings being devoid of any disloyal demonstrations. The street-car difficulty at Richmond, Virginia, had been adjusted so far as granting permission for coloured people to ride. Mr. Walker, the president, and three directors of the company, waited by request on General Schofield, to interchange views in reference to an amicable settlement of the trouble; and, after ,many suggestions, it was ultimately agreed by the company to throw the cars open to the public, irrespec- tive of colour. General Schofield simply expressed his opinion that public vehicles ought to be thus thrown open. The company intended some time ago to adopt this very same course, but the question as to whether the experiment would pay being a doubtful one, in- fluenced them up to this time to retain things as they are. According to the arrangement which has been determined on, four cars will be open to the general public, whites and blacks alike, and two other cars, com- prising the entire number on the line, will be appropriated exclusively for ladies and children. The United States District Court was to meet at Richmond, Virginia, on the 6th May, and a motion would then be made to proceed to the trial of Jefferson Davis. The indications were that it would be denied, and a further postponement would be effected. An effurtto procure Mr. Davis's release would also be made at Washington, and the advisability of granting it was being considered. 0 A New Orleans telegram of the 25th says "General Mower, Assistant Commissioner of the Freedm en's Bu- reau, has received instructions from Washington to issue rations to destitute persons in this State through his agents in the different parishes. He has also re- ceived contributions from the North to aid the sufferers. The general calls the attention of railroad and steam- boat men to these facts, and in a circular issued to the papers of this city requests those who may be willing to lavour the suffering and destitute by conveying the bounty of the Government to them free of charge, to be kind enough to send written notice to that effect' to his head-quarters. Since the legal decision against General M'Dowell in the State of California, rendering him liable to damages inconsequence of arresting and imprisoning persons for using treasonable language, and expressing exultation over the assassination of President Lincoln, suits were being commenced throughout the State by those who were ai rested during the war. The Japanese Commissioners are still in Washing- ton. and though their business is unknown to the public, it is believed they have been regularly accredited for some important purpose. General Sickles has prohibited the sale of all spi- rituous liquors to soldiers and sailors in his district. In South Carolina the jurisdiction of the Provost Court has been extended to cases of murder and arson. It is reported that Fayetteville, in North Carolina, is to be garrisoned in consequence of the disloyal attitude of the residents. General Ord has issued an address to the Freedmen, urging them faithfully to perform their labour contracts. General Ord has removed the State treasurer of Arkansas for incompetency. The Washington Criminal Court has sentenced San- ford Conover to ten years' penitentiary for perjury during the trial of the assassination conspirators. Senator Wilson visited Mr. Davis at Fortress Monroe on Thursday. Admiral Farragut has been appointed to the command of the Mediterranean squadron. Eight Japanese commissioners have arrived at Wash- ington. Hostilities with the Indians m Nebraska have com- menced. Mexican news published in the New York papers from Republican sources reiterates the assertion that Maxi- milian bad offered to capitulate at Queretaro, provided the Imperialist officers were guaranteed their lives and property. This was refused by Juarez. It is also re- ported that Maximilian offered to capitulate if allowed to leave the country. Imperial accounts from Vera Cruz, via Havanna, report the recapture of Puebla by the Imperialists, and that the Garrison of Vera Cruz were well supplIed.
[No title]
!!T PRESENT OF HORSES TO THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON.— The Arab horses sent by the Viceroy of Egypt to the Emperor Napoleon were presented to his Majesty last week by G' neral Fleury, Grand Equerry. Two of them, superb animals, five years old, one chesnut, and the other a bright hny, are of Persian breed a third, a bay brown, comes from the stables of Toussoum, the son of Said Pacha, to whom it once belonged, and is the purest type of the Nedje, the true courser of the Desert. The fourth animal is a grey.
IMPERIAL PARLIAAlEiNT.
IMPERIAL PARLIAAlEiNT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—MAT 13. THE CONFERENCE. In the 11-iiise of Lords on Monday, Lord Derby an- nounced that the Conference had concluded its labours on Saturday by the signature of a treaty declaring the neutralisation of Luxemburg under a collective gua- rantec of all the Powers. The territory is to remain a portion of the territories of the King ot Holland, but the fortress is to be dismantled. INCREASE OF THE EPISCOPATE. The House then went into Committee upon the In- 0 crease of the Episcopate Bill, the provisions of which were warmly discussed, and several divisions took place but no material alterations in the Bill were made beyond providing that the incomes of any new Bishops should not be less than the minimum incomes of the existing sees, and transferring the new see of Southwell, when created, to the province of York. HOUSE OF COMMONS. SCOTCH REFORM. The Chancellor of the Exchequer introduced the Scotch Reform Bill, which, he explained, followed the model of the English Bill, with some slight technical discrepancies. The Burgh Franchise was founded on the performance of public duties, involved in the per- sonal payment of rates—a principle on the value or ad- vantages of which Mr. Disraeli dilated at some length, assuming that, after the division of Thursday, it had been finally accepted by the House; and exp essed a hope that rapid progress, undisturbed by any in- direct attempts to reverse the decision of the House, would now be made with the English Bill, not- withstanding the violent and menacing addresses of Saturday last, which he severely condemned, as increasing the difficulties of Parliament in settling Re- form, describing their authors as the" fpouters of stale sedition," 11 superannuated incediaries," and other strong epithets. Reverting the provisions of the Bill, Mr. Disraeli went on to explain that in burghs the franchise would be based on the personal payment of rates (and there were no compounders in Scotland), and the oc- cupation franchise in counties would be reduced to the same extent as in England. It was intended to increase the number of Scotch members from 53 to 60, and of the seven new members two would be given to the Universities (a proposal which was re- ceived with loud cheers from both sides), Edinburgh and St. Andrew's returning one member, and Glasgow and Aberdeen a second. Three members would be given to the counties by dividing Ayrshire, Lanark- shire, and Aberdeenshire, and two would be given to the boroughs in this way :—Glasgow would be divided, North Glasgow returning two members, and South Glasgow one, and the Falkirk and Kilmarnock groups would be dissolved, and three groups would be formed out of their constituent parts (the third group being called the Hamilton group), with the addition of several important and rising towns. New towns also would be added to the Ayr, Haddington, and Selkirk groups, though with no increase of members and the general result of the redistribution scheme would be that every town of 6,000 population would share in the burgh re- presentation. Mr. Moncreiff maintained that the circumstances of rating were so different in Scotland and England that the application of this principle of personal rating would produce different and opposite results in the two countries, and he explained how by the operation of the law in Scotland it was unusual to collect rates from the tenants under the dE4 line. Dwelling on the great increase the Bill would effect in the burgh constituencies, and the consequent inconsistency of its proposal by men who last year so loudly deprecated the reign of numbers, he illustrated his argument by reference to the case of Edinburgh, where 8,800 new electors would be created as compared with 2,770, which would have been created by Mr. Gladstone's Bill of last year, for which he ex- pressed his preferenceand he suggeste d that some provision for residence should be added both to the burgh and the county franchise. In the discussion which followed, a general approval was expressed of the burgh franchise, and of the con- cession of two members to the Universities, by Mr. Baxter, Mr. G. Duff, Mr. Laing, Mr. M'Laren, Mr. Kinnaird, and Mr. B. Cochrane, Mr. Bouverie, Sir T. Colebrooke, and Mr. Crum-Ewing joined in deprecating the proposal to extract the urban element from the counties. Mr. M'Laren and Mr. Laing demanded a laiger addition to the burgh members; Sir J. Ogilvy supported the claims of Dundee to a second member; Mr. Dunlop argued that the Bill would facilitate the admission of the lowest and least worthy of the poorer classes, and Sir J. Fergusson defended the Bill generally Mr. Gladstone, after remarking that the Redis- tribution scheme would require strict consideration, pointed out that Mr. Disraeli had not stated whence he meant to get his seven new members, and as such an important proposal as to increase the numbers of the House could not have been made without some justifica- tion and explanation, the inference was that they were to come from Ireland. While acknowledging that the Bill offered a large and liberal extension .of the franchise, he showed that under the pi esent law of rating, landlords being usually charged with the rates of all houses under L4, they would be tempted to pay the rates in their tenants' names for the purpose of obtaining politi- cal influence, and that it would depend on paro- chial Boards how low the franchise should be car- ried. He protested strongly against Mi-. Disraeli's denunciation of last Saturday's addresses, and to his complaint of the difficulties thrown in his way he re- torted that this Scotch Bill, which contained no odious J line of distinction between different classes of .the people, would be the greatest ùiilicuLy in the way of tteEnglisl1 Bill. The Chancellor of the Exchequer repeated that the principle of the two bills was identical—the principle of personal payment, which had been accepted by the House, and rather than deviate from which the Govern- ment would give up the bill. He replied to various ob- jections, explaining that the bill would about double the burgh constituencies and, in answer to the elimina- tion argument, he pointed out that the bill only took out of the counties 11 small towns with a population of 75,000. The new members would be additions to the total numbers of the House; and he defended the pro- posal on practical and constitutional grounds. Leave was then given to introduce the Bill. THE ENGLISH REFORM BILL. The House went into committee en the English Re- form Bill, commencing at Clause 3. An amendment moved by Mr. Denman, to obviate a danger which lie apprehended—that a landlord who pays under a contract the rates of a personally-rated tenant may be liable to the penalties of a clause 36, directed against corrupt payment—was objected to by Mr. Hardy, who pointed out that the Bill did not require personal payment, but simply per- sonal liability. Ultimately the clause was amended so as to qualify the payment as a bo-tiifide payment. On Mr. Disraeli's amendment that the compounder claiming to be rated shall pny an equal amount with the ordinary occupier, Mr. Ayrton endeavoured, in a some- what lengthy speech, to lead back the discussion to the connexion of rating with the franchise, the payment of full rates, and other controversial topics which have been debated since the bill went into committee but the Attorney-General pointed out that these points had al- ready been decided, and that this amendment was con- sequential on the division of the other night. The amendment was carried without a division. 11 An amendment suggested by Mr. Denman, that the rate required to be paid shall be demanded by the over- seer in some manner to be hereafter defined, was accepted by the Government. Mr. M Cullagh Torrens then brought up his amended "Lodger" Franchise, in these terUls Who, being full of age and not subject to any legal incapacity, as a lodger has occupied separately and as sole tenant for the twelve months preceding the last day oi July in any year lodgings being part of a dwelling-house, which lodgings would let unfurnished for ZCIO a-ycar, and has resided in such lodgings during the six months imriiedi- ately preceding the last day of July, and has claimed to be registered as a voter at the next ensuing registration of voters." Mr. Goldney, who had a counter proposition on the paper, fixing the line at 15 £ narrated to the House the results of inquiries he had made in various parts of London, with the object of showing that lOt. a year, or 3s. lOd. a week, would admit a migratory poor class, which would swamp the real artisan, and expressed a decided preference for Mr. Gladstone's lodger franchise, a lOt. annual value." Mr. Goschen pointed out that Mr. Galdney had not taken into consideration the residences required, nor the value of the furniture, and insisted that a 151. line would not admit an adequate number of the working classes in the metropolis. Sir R. Knightley inveighed against the Government for departing from their vaunted principle of personal payment, by accepting a Lodger Franchise, and Mr. Schreiber condemned the lodger in toto. After some arguments from Mr. T. Hughes and Mr. Locke in support of the amendment, Mr. Bright suggested as a compromisethe flo clear yearly value of last year's Bill—already mentioned by Mr. Goldney—to which both Mr. Torrens and Mr. Goldney assented; and The Chancellor of the Exchequer interposed no ob- jection on the part of the Government. A diffcrcuce of opinion arose on the question of the length of residence, which Mr. Goldney wished to put at twelve months and Mr. Torrens at six. After some discussion, the twelve months' was carried on a division by 208 to 145, and the Lodger Fnflichise was finally carried with the limit of lOt. clear yearly value and twelvemoiitl-g' residence in the same lodgings. 11 11 The ne; amendment was Mr. Watkin's—that no tenement shr.U be considered a dwclline-honae for s the [jurpuscs of this Act which contains less than two rooms—to which Mr. Pease added a rider, that the two rooms together."hall contain not less than 1,600 cubic feet of air. This was met by a motion to report progress, and though it was defeated by 235 to 48, the indisposition to go on was strongly manifested that Mr. Disraeli ultimately yielded, and the chariman was ordered to report progress. The Labouring Classes Dwellings' Act Amendment Bill was read a second time, and several other orders were forwarded a stage. Sir J. Pakington brought in his three Bills for pro- viding an Army Reserve and promoting enlistment. HOUSE OF LORDS.—MAY 14. CLERICAL VESTMENTS BILL. Lord Shaftesbury, in moving the second reading of his Clerical Vestments Bill, explained that his reason for so doing, notwithstanding the promised issue of a Royal Commission, which he fully approved, was that the adoption of unusual vestments by certain of the clergy had created great alarm and dissatisfaction, which was operating injuriously to the interests of the Church of England. Premising that he desired to introduce no innovation, but simply to give statutory effect to the usage of the Church during the last three centuries, he cited numerous authorities to show that the surplice was the only clerical vestment that had been sanctioned during that period. He also referred to the declarations of Convocation as evidencing the disapproval of the great body of the clergy of the novelties in ritual and ornament that had lately been introduced, and ex- plained that the object of his bill was merely to give statutory effect to the principle of the Canon of 1604. Anticipating some objections that might be offered to the measure, he asserted the necessity of immediate action in this matter, instead of permitting the objectionable practices to continue during the two or three years over which the inquiries of the Commission would probably extend. After quoting from various publications of the extreme Ritualistic party to show the rapid advances they were making towards a Romish ceremonial and doctrine, Lord Shaftesbury expressed his conviction that unless the laity took active measures little effectual inter- ference could be expected from the Bishops, and there- fore, in the interest of all connected with the Church of England, he begged the House to assent to the second reading of his bill. The Archbishop of Canterbury excused the inaction of the prelates by remarking that their powers were not so extensive as was sometimes supposed. Agree- ing with Lord Shaftesbury in condemning many of the doctrines put forth and practices adopted by the extreme party, be still thought it would be advisable to postpone proceedings with this bill, which dealt only with one of the many points that would come under the considera- tion of the Royal Commission. He therefore moved, adopting a suggestion of the Lord Chancellor, that the debate be adjourned for two months. Lord Shaftesbury having declined to agree to the amendment, Lord Nelson observed that if the use of the vestments complained of was illegal there was no need for this bill, and if they were not illegal then he thought they should hesitate before submitting to the penalties of an ex post facto law persons who were acting, as they be- lieved, conscientiously and lawfully. Urging the im- propriety of enacting a rigid rule of uniformity, he suggested that direct parliamentary legislation would give rise to a feeling of persecution, and therefore re- commended that Convocation should be left to assume the initiative in any changes that might be deemed to be necessary. The Bishop of London admitted that a great evil did exist, and that immediate action was required but he reminded the House that legislation could at best only palliate, and could not remove the evil. To do so effec- tually, the influences at the Universities, which exer- cised so much power over the minds of young men at the present day, must be dealt with, and with that object he urged the necessity of great caution in the appointments to the chief posts at the great educational centres of the country, although he disavowed all desire to set a ban upon any particular mode of thought. He thought the Commission, not dealing with doctrine, but with all matters pertaining to public worship, would be useful, but not entirely effectual for the removal of the existing evils, and he supported the Bill as a means of enabling all persons to know what was the law upon one particular point. Lord Devon warned the House against adopting apparently harsh legislation against zealous and pious persons, although he regretted the extremes to which they sometimes carried their convictions. Lord Harrowby thought congregations were entitled .1 to be protected against distasteful innovations, and there- tore supported the Bill. The Bishop of Oxford felt all the danger of the time, but objected to the Bill as wholly inadequate to deal with an influence which affected the minds not only of many of the younger members of the Church of England, but even of those who belonged to Dissenting bodies. Any legislation upon such a subject to be beneficial must be calmly considered and carefully matured. He approved a Royal Commission, and thought the plea of urgency did not warrant the passing of a bill dealing only with one out of the many questions involved in the coming in- quiry. Toere would be danger to the Church from hasty legislation, as it was well known that within her bosom were comprehended men of widely diverging views, and great forbearance must be practised if it weie not desired to drive them from their common Church. The Bishops of Durham and Carlisle supported the second reading, but, Lord Derby regretted that the adjournment of the de- y r, bate had not been acceded to by Lord Shaftesbury, as he conceived the bill, if passed, would be regarded as hasty and partial legislation. He urged the House to agree to the postponement, undetaking that the Royal Commission should be issued without delaj. Upon a division the motion for adjourning the debate was carried by 61 to 46. The sitting was closed at 25 minutes to 9 o'clock. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The new writ for the University of Oxford was moved consequent on the promotion of Mr. Hardy to the Home Office. THE MALT TAX. Colonel Bartellot. in moving for a Select Committee to inquire into the operation of the Malt Tax, sketched out a programme of the points into which the Com- mittee would inquire, distinguishing those affecting the grower and the consumer, and urging, among other arguments, that the Committee would demonstrate the value of malt as a food for cattle, would prove what truth there was in the allegation that to collect S6,000,000 revenue cost the consumer zC20,000,000, and how far it was desirable to replace the tax by a tax on beer, and would, he an- ticipated, show that, by checking adulteration and reducing the price of beer, the repeal of the Malt Tax would be a great boon to the working classes. It was only by such an inquiry, he argued, that the attention of the public could be called to the injustice on the growers of barley, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer enabled to deal satisfactorily with the tax. Mr. Read seconded the motion, and entered into a variety of particulars to show that by a remission of the tax the quality of beer would be improved, the quantity of its consumption increased, and the cultivation of barley—in which our soil enabled us to compete suc- cessfully with our neighbours—stimulated. He recom- mended the substitution of a tax upon beer. Mr. Gladstone, far from objecting to a Committee, indicated various points on which an inquiry might be very useful, and suggested that the order of reference should be in the same form as that to Sir F. Kelly's Committee in 1863, and that the operation of the Spirit Duties on the price of barley should be included in it. At the same time he deprecated the impression that any Chancellor of theJExchequer could dispense with a con- siderable amount of the revenue from the conversion of malt into beer. The motion was supported by Mr. Henniker-Major, Mr. Beach, Mr. Surtees, Lord E. Cavendi&h, Mr. Cor- range, and Mr. G. More, who all strongly condemned the tax, and by Mr. Greene, who expressed some doubt whether inquiry would not show other taxes to be more oppressive to the farmer. The Chancellor of the Exchequer assented to the committee, believing it to be expedient and useful, con- sidering the longtime which had elapsed since the inci- dence of the tax had been inquired into, the various unsuccessful motions which had been made on the sub ject, and the extravagant views entertained on both sides. After some observations from Mr. Dodson and Col. Bartellot, who declined to include an inquiry into the Spirit Duties as suggested by Mr. Gladstone, the com- mittee was agreed to. Lord Hotham moved for a select committee to in- quire into the sources from which the Military Reserve Funds are derived, and the objects to which they are applied and Sir J. Pakington, on behalf of the War- office, offering no objection, but acknowledging that there was much mystery about the subject which it was desirable to dispel. The committee was agreed to. 'J MISCELLANEOUS. ) Bills were brought in, by Mr. Neate, to facilitate the enclosure and improvement of Commons, and by Mr. Fawcett, to provide for the education of children em- ployed in agriculture by Mr. Pim, to extend the powers of limited owners of land in Ireland; and by Lord Naas, to provide for the custody of the Irish Records. On the second reading of the Bill for repealing the Ecclesiastical Titles' Act, Mr. M/Evoy announced that as the Government had consented to refer the operation of this Act to a Select Committee, he should defer the bill for a fortnight, and on Thursday he would move J he appointment of a select Committee. Mr. Newdegate, who had given notice of a motion to reject the Bill, reluctantly acquiesced in the proposed course, in the hope that the inquiry would open the eyes of the people to the continued existence of the aggressive policy against which the Ecclesiastical Titles Act was directed. After some observations from Mr. Whalley, the second reading was deferred for a fortnight. The Offices and Oaths and the Transubstant'ation, &c., Declaration Abolition Bills were read a third time and passed. The Bunhill-fields Burial-ground Bill passed through Committee. Some other orders were forwarded a stage, and the House adjourned at 5 minutes to 9 o'clock.
SHORT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
SHORT WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. The Parliamentary return just issued showing the convictions of tradesmen for using unjust weights, measures, or balances, relates to a quarter of the year ending the 24th of June last, which may be taken as a sample of the whole year. In the greater part of the kingdom there seems to be no very strict inspection. There was not a single conviction in many large towns among them Dover, Exeter, Gravesend, H-stings, Leeds" Newcastle, Nottingham, and York. In Norwich there were but two; in Bristol three; in Wolverhampton five; in Birmingham 15 in Manchester 14 in the City of London 23; in Liverpool 32. If we take a single county, Staffordshire, we see that if we suppose the ab- sence of convictions to imply innocence, we must believe that all the dishonesty nestles in one district. In the Burton-upon-Trent division there was one conviction in the Leek division two; in the Shenstone, Elford, and Rugely division, three but in the West Bromwich, Wednesbury and Walsall division there were 84. So also in the metropolis there only 12 convictions in St. Marylebone, 21 ill St, Pancras, 33 in Finsbury, none in Pad dington or the Strand division, but cross the water to the Newington division, and there are 225, and with heavy penalties, several as high as 1-5. It is rare to find a dM penalty inflicted anywhere else in the king- dom. There was one at Salisbury on a marine-store dealer, but he had above 30 deficient weights. Among his 56lb. weights was one which was above an ounce too heavy, but, per contra, he bad two other 56lb. weights each of them above 7oz. too light. These deficiencies are a grievous tax upon the :poor, and a disgrace to the tradesmen. Considering the variety of practice which appears to prevail iii the inspection, the actice wi-.ich appears to prevail arrangement which has been made in Bath and seems to be worthy of more general adoption. In that city all persons using weights and measures are required to bring them once a year to the inspector's office to be ex- amined and stamped; and persons complying with this regulation are not summoned by the inspector if all the deficiency that he finds in his intermediate visits is the mere result of wear and tear, but the weights or measures are readjusted (not by the inspector) without further trouble or discredit to the tradesman. In Bath there were but seven convictions in the quarter; but 1,170 weights and measures examined at the office were incorrect, apparently from mere ordinary usage, and were re-adjusted and re-stamped.
LONDON STREET SKETCHES. I---
LONDON STREET SKETCHES. Now we come under Temple influences. The ugly clever-looking men, with powerful mouths and firm upper lips, who are dressed carelessly enough, but who look like gentlemen notwithstanding, are barristers, eminent at Westminster and Guildhall. It may be taken as a tolerably safe rule that the shabbier the barrister, the more he has to do. There are certainly such things as dandy Queen's Counsel and needy men in their first year to be found but these may be taken as the exceptions which are said to prove every rule. The string of gentlemanly, well-dressed young fellows who arc turning into Inner Temple-lane as we pass are bar-students, who are bound for the Common-Law lecture in Inner Temple-hall. They are smart enough now but ten years hence, if they attain anything like success in the profession they have chosen, they will be as careless as to their personal appearance as they are now particular. The snuffy, dried-up old gentleman who is crossing the road towards Chancery- lane, and who would look like an undertaker's mute if we judged him by his clothes alone, is an eminent common-law judge on his way to Judges' Chambers in Serjeants' Inn. But, as a rule, the shabbiness of the working bar- rister is a totally different thing to the shabbiness of an y 11 unsuccessful professional man. His clothes arc well cut, and they are sUuiiDy nou because mc via, i>m because they are carelessly kept; his hat is not worn out, it is simply unbrushed; and then his linen is in good order. He wears no gloves, and his hands arc liabitu- ally in his trousers' pockets and he carries no stick or umbrella when you see him in mid-day, for he is only going to the Cock," or to Prosser's, or to Lynn's for his afternoon chop or a dozen oysters, or he is bound for Judges' Chambers or his bookseller's. Very different to the shabiness of the barrister is the shabbiness of the attorney, when he is shabby. He is often carefully dressed for he is brought face to face with clients and witnesses much more frequently than the barrister, who, save perhaps at an occasional consultation, never sees either until the case in which they are concerned is called on in court. But if the attorney is shabby, he is shabby indeed. His clothes wear the seediness of clothes that never were good, and his boots bulge with the lopsided bulginess of boots that are bought ready- made. The dapper, showy young men who cross and re-cross to Chancery-lane are barristers' clerks—I mean, clerks that really are clerks, aud not domestic servants. There are two classes of barristers' clerks young and middle-aged men, who work hard and well at legitimate clerking, and who are often intelligent assistants to their employer in his professional duties and small boys and faded old men, who are shared" by three or four briefless ones, and whose only duties are to receive and deliver messages for their masters, to ifeteli and carry beer and oysters, and to assist the local laundress" in her domestic duties. If the proprietors, or any of them, of a small boy happen to get into pro- fessional business, the small boy's prospects will pro- bably improve with those of his master's but for the faded old men there is little hope. The attorney's clerks are a totally different class of men. They are seldom very showy, (except on Sundays, with which we have nothing to do), and they carry their briefs as if they were not ashamed of them. They are very knowing in the matter of the respective merits of different eminent counsel, and speak of them in a horribly familiar manner.—" From St. Paul's to Piccadilly," in Belgravia.
[No title]
POST-OFFICE ALTERATIONS. — The Postmaster- General has issued announcements of several altera- tions with respect to foreign mails. One is to the effect that the limit in weight of books and patterns sent to the East Indies has been raised from 3lbs. to 5lbs. Another states that, as the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company are about to withdraw the extra steam vessels which have been appointed experi- mentally to sail fiom Suez to Bombay simultaneously with the packets which leave Suez about the 5th and 20th of each month for Madras and Calcutta, the last extra mail from London to Bombay will be forwarded from London on the 20th May via Southampton, and on the 27th May via Marseilles and thenceforward, and until further notice, corres- pondence addressed to the East Indies will be de- spatched as it was despatched previous to January 20 last. It is also stated that the postal communication has been re-established between Vienna and Con- stantinople, by way of the Danube and the Black Sea. Advantage will be taken of a line of railway which has just been opened between Rutschuk and Varna. Mails for conveyance by this route are despatched from Vienna on Mondays and Fridays, and letters from the United Kingdom will be in time for the mail of Monday if despatched from London, via. Ostend, on the morning of the previous Saturday, and for the mail of Friday if dispatched from London on the morning of the previous Wednesday. Letters for Constantinople, which the senders may desire to forward by this route, must be specially addressed via Ostend." The postage will be 9d. for a letter not exceeding half-an-ounce in weight when prepaid, and I Id. if sent unpaid. The total expenses of these estab- lishments amount to £ 15,342. Of this sum £1,870 is spent at Alexandria, X990 at Constantinople, zCI,155 at Gibraltar, £ 1.445 at Malta, Y-1,731 at P..nama, zE583 at Suez, and f-700 at St. Thomas. The salaries of post- ir~3ters and agents abroad amount to ^6,170. and of clerks to £ 3,226— £ 1.000 being granted to these, as well as the home establishments, for the purpose of defraying additional expenses connected with the exten- sion and improvement of the Post-office, and for the increase of the general business. FATAL ACCIDENT AT ST. VINCENT'S ROCKS.—On Saturday afternoon a ratal accident happened at a point of St. Vincent's Rocks, Bristol, near the tramway which has been recently constructed. The young gentlemen at the school of Mr. Tomkins, which is situated at South Parade, were out for the afternoon holiday under the care of one of the assistant masters. George Mardon, one of their number, whose parents reside at the Royal Promenade, Queen's-road, was playing near the edge of the rocks, and while doing so he suddenly fell over. The poor little fellow, whose age was about twelve or fourteen, must have fallen a depth of forty feet and then rolled for some distance. A policeman who witnessed the accident removed the injured boy to the Clifton Station. A cab was immediately procured, and he was taken to the General Hospital, where he shortly died from a fracture of the skull. The occurrence took place at the point overhanging the Bridge Valley-road, and near to the new tramway.—Western Daily Press,
VARIETIES.
VARIETIES. Mum" Is used as a title for ladies, on account ot their well-known love of silence. Why are chimney-sweeps extensive dealers in clotliq ing p—Because they get a soot at every sweep. Why is an auger-hole, when made too deep, like a man in the water ?—Because it is over-board. Aristides of Athens was more just than generous, so the natives literally" shelled" him out of the city. MEEMORADA FOR YOUNG LADIES.—Be sure to have a "dreadful cold" when asked to "favour the com- pany. TIES.—"There are ties that never should be severed," as the ill-used wife said when she found her brute of a husband hanging in the hayloft. THE FIRST WEED.—The practice of smoking is oi older date than is generally supposed. Every school* boy has heard of the Bacchce of Euripides. REAL MUSIC.—A Scotchman being asked to say what lie thought "real music," answered: "Real music hoot, mon, 'gin ye wad hear reel music, listen to the bagpipes!" When Hamlet spoke of making his quietus with a bare bodkin, it is evident he meant to try the awU opathic, mode of getting rid of the many ills his flesh was heir to. A teacher of vocal music asked an old lady if her grandson had any ear for music. "Wa'al," said the old woman, "I rahly don't know. Won't you just take the candle and see ?" JOYFUL.—An insurance agent, urging a citizen to get his life insured, said, Get your life insured for ten thousand, and then, if you die next week, the wi. dow's heart would sing for joy." ENDLESS JOKE.—"Will you give me that ring!" said a village dandy to a lady, "for it resembles my love for you; it has no end. Excuse me, sir," was the reply: "I choose to keep it, as being emblemati- cal of mine for you; it has no beginning." REMEDY FOR GETTING FAT.—An old miser, who was noted for his self-denial, was one day asked why he was so thin.—"I do not know," said the miser; "I have tried various means for getting fat, but without success. Have you tried victuals P" inquired the friend. WHAT IT WAS NEAR.—A gentleman, who had by a fall broken one of his ribs, was mentioning the cir- cumstance, and describing the pain he felt. A sur- geon, who was present, asked if the injury he sustain- ed was near the vertebra?—"No sir," replied he, "it was within a few yards of the court-house." "A BAD EXCUSE," &C.—An elderly gentleman was travelling lately, while afflicted with a very bad cough, which greatly annoyed his fellow passengers. Finally, one of them remarked, in a tone of displeasure. "Sir, that is a very bad cough of yours."—" True, sir," re- plied the old gentleman; "but you will excuse me— it's the best I have got." The office of bell-ringer of the church of a borough in the midland counties being vacant, a tradesman in reduced circumstances applied to the vicar for the situation, who asked him his qualifications for the office. He replied that he had had long and continued practice in bell-ringing, having rung the bell in the Bull's Head parlour for the last twenty-five years. APPROPRIATE MISQUOTATION.—-A dissipated young man, who ran away from home, and spent his sub- stance in riotous living, resolved at last to return to the paternal roof. His father was kind enough ta forgive the young rascal for his wickedness, and rush- ing into the house, overcome with joy that the boy had returned, cried out to his wife, "Let us kill the pro- digal, the calf has returned!" NOT AFRAID.—A little three-year-old child ran awoLV from home, and came over to a neighbour's house about eight o'clock in the evening, while her mother had gone to the well for a pail of water. Rather surprised at seeing her out at so late an hour, we asked her, "Are you not afraid to come so far from home in the night ?' Oh, no, sir," replied the confiding little thing, "I've got on mother's hood!" ROCKY. "Arrah, Barney!" said Mrs. O'Flinn to her husband, on the night of St. Patrick's day, as he tumbled into the doorway, tight; "arrah, Barney, now aren't ye ashamed of yoursilf, to be coming home wid a brick in yer hat?"Och! don't bother us now!" says Bar ney, "It's not a brick that is i 11 -7 at ",11 o/fc oil, lui it's a bit of a sham-rock that I niver was ashamed of, although I've often drowned it in O'Rafferty's best whisky." VALID REASON.—"Caesar," said a planter to a ne- gro, climb up that tree, and thin out the branches." The negro showed no disposition to comply, and on being pressed for a reason answered, "Well, look heah, massa if I go up dar an' fall down an' broke my neck, dat'll be a tousand dollars out o' your pocket. Now, why don't you hire some poor white man to go up, and den, if he falls and kills hisself, dat won't be no loss to nobody ?'-American Paper. ALL THE DIFFERENCE.—As Brown and Jones were going home late one night from a party, Brown said to J ones, when they came near an eating-house, Let's step in here and see if we can't get a glass of ale, and pick up the left leg of a goose or turkey." And pray, sir, what is the difference between the right and the left leg, sir ?" asked Jones, in his usually pom- pous style. All the difference in the world, quiet- ly replied Brown, "if it happens to be the only leg left. MORE WONDERFUL.—"Well," said a Yankee, proud- ly, to a travelling Irishman, as they stood by the falls of Niagara, "is not that wonderful ? In your country you never saw anything like that."—"Like that l' quoth the latter; bedad, but there's a far more wonderful thing just a couple o' miles from Ballica- wistor where I was born."—"Indeed!" says Jona- than; and pray what kind of a concern may it be ?" "Why, sure," replied the other, "it's a paycock with a wooden leg!" BACKSLIDING.—The following story affords a good commentary on the common selection of books for chil- dren in many Sunday-school libraries :—A gentleman was surprised, during the late frosty weather, to see his little daughter bring home from the Sunday school library a grave treatise on "Backsliding."—"My child," said he, "this is too old for you; you cannot make anything of it."—"I know it, papa," was the artless reply; but I thought I could when I took it. I thought it would teach me how to slide backwards. Some five-and-twenty years ago, when this part of the Empire State was but sparsely settled, it was a work of no small difficuly to get a jury together, es.. pecially as the inhabitants were notoriously disin. clined to the pleasures of litigation. The court had been forced to adjourn many times from day to day because the sheriff as often came in, and reported an incomplete panel. Finally, things came to a crisis. The judge fixed a day beyond which no further for* bearance could be exercised; and when at last that day arrived the enthusiastic sheriff rushed into the court-room, and exclaimed, "It's all right your hon- our. We'll have the jury by twelve o'clock. I've got eleven of them locked up in a barn, and we are running the twelth with dogs.—New York Paper. SPIRIT SEIZURES.—The leading iron stores have been ordered to close, on account of the connlaint that they all keep bars that are readily accessible to purchasers. The stocks of the principal opticians have been confiscated, as it is proved that peonie are in the habit of getting their glasses there. A seizure was ordered of a lot of liquor ice, owned by Mr. Todd but failed of being executed, as none of "the officers' wished the reputation of taking a Todd. The hori- zontal bar and tumblers will not be permitted at the circus. A shipmaster who takes "any port in a storm" will be compelled to tell where he got it. Arrests have also been made of the man who was ilf o Ki ca. ted with success, and the individual who was stag- gered by the result.-American paper. 0 ECCENTRICITIES OF AUTHORS.—Bulwer rit Ni^HFC and Mornin." What he did the rest ov the day ig not staited. Collins rit "Af! er Dark. Praps ha coodn't rite so well bi day. Le Fauu, he rit "All in the Dark." I don't see how he did it without a lite. How cood he dot the i's or kross the t's P Sum ori her lofe "Bound tu the Wheel." Whot an unlmmfori able posishun tu rite in bound tu a wheel! 'ihu-ide-! Carnentr- rit "Six Months at the White House." I spose that was as long as he stade there, his timebein out. GIlmor rofe "Four Years in the Saddle," soti eed. He must hevhed a "cuiet horse." Sum orthor rote "All for the Best." That must hev ben Seward. Thai's him klean ikroo. Miss Mulock rote "Nofhin New." This cood be sed ov many others with "rate propriety. Harrington rit "Inside." I take it for granted that most people du. Itwoodn't be kum fort- able ritein on the sidewalk in rainy wether. Sum orthor, hoo didn't give us his name, rote "Allo, i -,ier Wrong." A good menny hez copied from his s; ile but kev bed the effrunty tu give us their names, bcin lost, tu shame. Mr. Sala rote "Quite Alone." his is more than menny novelists kin say. Mrs. Mac' en- zie Da.n'e-L lote After Long Years." Sensible woman c I. sum ov the rest of em wod wait tilltha git too Mae ageov dishe: ion, it would be beLier for awl konsemed. —Josh Billings. The guarantee of the Great Powers for the neut-alisa- tion of Luxemburg has been agreed to by all the parties interested. The treaty will be signed to-morrow or Saf"