Mr. Horsman, in a speech that was loudly cheered, proposed an address to the Queen praying for a commission of inquiry into the alleged grievances of the parishioners of Bishopwearmouth and Sunderland, which Lord John Russell opposed in an explanatory speech. Sir F. Baring moved the previous question, which was carried by 52 against 39.

March (COMMONS.) The second reading of the Small Debts (Ireland) Bill was lost by a majority of 31 against 29. The Landlord and 21. Tenant Bill was committed pro formâ, and the Clergy Relief Bill was referred to a Select Committee. On the motion for going into Committee on the Insolvent Members Debtors' Bill, Sir W. Clay moved that the Committee report progress, which was lost by 34 to 77. Clauses 1 to 9 were agreed to, and clause 10 struck out. On resuming, the Public Roads Bill was read a first time; the Tenants at Rack-Rent Relief Bill a second time; the Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up, and agreed to; and Mr. Mullings obtained leave to bring in a Bill to extend the remedies of sequestrators of ecclesiastical benefices; the bill was subsequently brought in and read a first time.

(LORDS.) The Royal Assent was given, by Commission, to March the Overseers (Cities and Boroughs) Bill. The Out-Door Paupers 22. Bill passed through Committee. Lord Aberdeen moved for the correspondence on the part of the Government to prevent the renewal of hostilities in Northern Italy; which, (after an explanation from the Marquess of Lansdowne, was withdrawn.

(COMMONS.) Lord D. Stuart moved for the production of the Government correspondence with Turkey on the subject of the occupation by Russia of Moldavia and Wallachia; which, after an explanation from Lord Palmerston, was withdrawn. The Recovery of Wages (Ireland) Bill, and the Protection of Justices (Ireland), Bill were advanced a stage. Sir W. Somerville obtained leave to bring in a Bill to renew the Act for the removal of prisoners from the several gaols in Ireland in the case of epidemic'diseases. (LORDS.) The Distraining for Rates Bill passed through ComMarch mittee. Lord Monteagle moved for an estimate of the sum which 23. it was calculated would be raised by a rate of 2 per cent. on rateable property in Ireland, which was agreed to.

(COMMONS.) Sir F. Baring stated, in reply to Sir T. Acland, that the government had determined on offering 20,000l. to any vessel that would afford efficient assistance in saving Sir John Franklin and those under him. Mr. Fox Maule, in moving the second reading of the Mutiny Bill, noticed the charges made by the Liverpool Financial Reform Association against the officers in the army; Mr. Cobden replied, and the Bill was read a second time. Mr. Labouchere, previously to the House going into Committee on the Navigation Bill, announced that it was not the intention of Government to press that part of the measure which had reference to the coasting trade to foreign nations. The House then went into Committee on the Bill, and Mr. Bouverie moved a proviso to the first clause, which, after a debate in which Mr. Gladstone, Mr. M. Gibson, Mr. R. Palmer, Mr. Labouchere, Mr. Herries, and Mr. Wason, took part, was lost by a majority of 132 to 15. Mr. Gladstone moved the omission of clause 11, and the introduction of another, which amendment was negatived by 158 to 104. Mr. H. Alexander Hastie moved an amendment on clause 16, which was negatived by a majcrity of 197 to 53; and on arriving at clause 19, Mr. Disraeli, in moving to report progress, made a fierce attack on Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Labouchere, to which these gentlemen replied, and the House resumed. The Larceny Acts Amendment Bill passed through Committee; and the Recovery of Wages (Ireland) and the Protection of Justices (Ireland) Bills were read a third time and passed.

March

(LORDS.) Lord Stanley, in presenting a petition from the inha bitants of Nova Scotia complaining of the mal-administration of

26. affairs in that province, and calling attention to the case of Mr. Fairbanks particularly, entered into a long argument on colonial government, which was fully replied to by Earl Grey, and the petition ordered to be laid on the table.

(COMMONS.) The Mutiny and the Marine Mutiny Bills passed through Committee. The House then went into Committee on the Navigation Bill, when, after some discussion, the remaining clauses were agreed to, and the Bill, as amended, was ordered to be reprinted. On the question of the second reading of the Rate in Aid Bill, Mr. G. Hamilton moved that it be read that day six months, and the debate on the amendment, after a long discussion, was adjourned. The House then went into Committee of Supply. On resuming, Mr. Napier obtained leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Irish Bankrupt Law.

March (LORDS.) The Petty Sessions Bill was read a second time, and 27. the Out-Door Paupers Bill a third time.

(COMMONS.) The Dublin Consolidation Improvement, Waterworks, and Sewers Bill, on the second reading being proposed, was opposed by Mr, T. O'Brien, who moved that it be read that day six months, which was carried without a division. The Dublin Improvement Bill was withdrawn. Mr. Adderley moved an Address to the Crown praying that convicts might not be sent to the Cape of Good Hope, which motion, having elicited explanations from Sir G. Grey and Lord J. Russell, was eventually withdrawn. Mr. W. Fagan moved for a Committee of the whole House to take into consideration the law relating to a rate called "Ministers Money" in Ireland. After a protracted debate, the previous question, moved by Sir G. Grey, was carried by a majority of 72 to 44. Mr. Sotheron obtained leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Friendly Societies Acts.

28.

March (COMMONS.) The Affirmation Bill passed through Committee; as did also the Indictable Offences (Ireland) and the Landlord and Tenants Bills, the operation of the latter Bill being, on the motion of Mr. H. Herbert, extended to Ireland. On Mr. Moffatt moving the committal of the Insolvent Members Bill pro formâ, a discussion arose which ended in the withdrawal of the Bill, that the amendments of the Select Committee might be added and the Bill be introduced in an amended form. The Larceny Acts Amendment; Mutiny; Marine Mutiny, and Indemnity Bills, were read a third time; and the Sequestrators' Remedies Bill a second time.

(LORDS.) In reply to Lord Brougham, the Marquess of LansMarch downe stated that the Government had received intelligence of the abdication of the King of Sardinia. The Commons' amendments on the Larceny Bill were agreed to.

29.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Reynolds moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the failure of the St. Peter's Parish Savings Bank (Dublin), and Mr. Herbert moved an amendment; the Chancellor of the Exchequer spoke in opposition, and on division the amendment was carried by 49 to 42, and the original motion by 51 to 48. The Poor Removal (Ireland) Bill was read a third time.

30.

(LORDS.) The Insolvent Members of Parliament Bill was

March introduced by Lord Brougham, and read a first time; and the Mutiny, Marine Mutiny, and Indemnity Bills, a second time. The Marquess of Lansdowne made some statements with regard to the state of affairs in Northern Italy.

(COMMONS.) On the motion for receiving the report of the Committee of Supply, on a vote for an excess of Navy Estimates, Mr. Hume moved an amendment, to which the government agreed, on the condition that the

vote should be passed first. The adjourned debate on the Rate in Aid Bill was resumed by Mr. Napier in opposition, who was followed on the same side by Mr. Shafto Adair, Captain Bateson, and Mr. Henry Grattan. Sir R. Peel, in an elaborate statement of his plan for the reformation of Ireland, supported the measure, and the debate was then further adjourned. The order of the day on the Affirmation Bill was postponed.

April

(LORDS.) The Recovery of Wages (Ireland) and Protection of Justices (Ireland) Bills were read a second time; and the 2. Mutiny, Marine Mutiny, and Indemnity Bills, a third time. The House went into Committee on the Petty Sessions Bill. A discussion took place on the affairs of Northern Italy.

(COMMONS.) The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply to Sir E. N. Buxton, stated that the expense of collecting the Malt Tax was certainly under 200,000l. An adjourned debate on the second reading of the Rate in Aid Bill was resumed by Mr. Bright, in favour of the measure, the Marquess of Granby and Mr. Disraeli in opposition, Lord John Russell concluding the debate, which was further adjourned. The Lords' amendment on the Out-Door Paupers Bill were agreed to. Sir G. Grey obtained leave to bring in a Bill for the regulation of public health in Scotch towns, and the Solicitor-General to introduce a Bill to regulate Charitable Trusts in England. The latter measure was subsequently brought in and read a first time.

April 3.

(LORDS.) The Royal Assent was given, by Commission, to the Mutiny, Marine Mutiny, Indemnity, and Larceny Acts Amendment Bills. Several Bills were advanced a stage. The Marquess of Lansdowne moyed the adjournment of the House to the 19th inst., which was agreed to.

(COMMONS.) The Attorney-General obtained leave to introduce a Bill on the subject of deserters to Portugal, and one to facilitate the administration of justice at the Central Criminal Court, and at the sessions of the peace in and near the metropolis. The adjourned debate on the Rate in Aid Bill was then resumed, and after a protracted discussion, the second reading was carried by a majority of 193 to 138. Several new Bills were then introduced.

April

(COMMONS.) On the motion of Lord John Russell for the adjournment of the House to the 16th November, Mr. Hume called 4. the attention of the House to the state of the colonies; Lord John replied, and the motion of adjournment was carried. The Attachments Court of Record (Ireland), the Passengers, and the Friendly Societies Bills, were read a second time. The Tenants at Rack-Rent Relief Bill, after a discussion, passed through Committee.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Scott, in a retrospective speech on colonial April rule, moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the political and

16. financial relations between Great Britain and her dependencies; Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Hawes spoke in opposition, and the motion was lost by a majority of 81 to 34. The House went into Committee of Supply. The Administration of Justice (Metropolitan Districts) Bill was read a second time.

April 17.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Sadlier moved for a Select Committee to inquire into the legal circumstances which impede the sale of landed property in Ireland; but the House was counted out before any decision was arrived at.

April

18.

(COMMONS.) On the second reading of the Public Roads (No. 2) Bill being moved, Mr. B. Denison moved that it be read that day six months. Mr. C. Lewis, in reply, made a minute statement of the course which had been pursued in the preparation of the measure, and Sir Robert Peel, Mr. Hume, and Mr. Spooner, spoke in oppo

sition to various provisions of the Bill, which was ultimately withdrawn at the suggestion of Sir G. Grey. Mr. W. P. Wood moved the third reading of the Affirmation Bill, which was carried, after a debate, by a majority of 70 to 46.

April

(LORDS.) Lord Monteagle moved for the attendance of William Chadwick, chairman, and John Marriner, late secretary, of the

19. North Wales Railway Company, at the bar, to answer the charge of disobedience of their lordships' orders. The parties having attended and failed to satisfy the House, were, on the motion of Lord Monteagle, removed in the custody of the gentleman usher of the black rod. The Prisoners Removal (Ireland) Bill was read a second time, the Recovery of Wages (Ireland), Protection of Justices (Ireland), and Petty Sessions, were read a third time, and the House sat in Committee on the Spirits (Ireland) Bill. (COMMONS.) The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that an extension of the period of payment of the hop duties was decided upon. The Navigation Bill passed through Committee with some unimportant amendments. On the House going into Committee, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, having described the urgency of relief to several Irish unions, moved that a sum not exceeding 100,0007. be advanced out of the Consolidated Fund on the security of the Rate in Aid. This gave rise to an animated debate. Mr. H. Herbert proposed an amendment, and Colonel Dunne, after replies to various arguments by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord John Russell, moved the adjournment of the debate, which was negatived; whereupon Mr. Sadleir moved that the Chairman report progress, which was carried, and the debate adjourned. The Landlord and Tenant Bill was committed.

April (LORDS.) The Smoke Nuisance Prevention Bill was read a 20. first time.

(COMMONS.) Lord Palmerston, in reply to Mr. Bankes, stated that the British Government had recognised the government of Sicily. The House went into Committee of Supply. The House resumed, and then went again into Committee on the resolution for granting 100,0007. on account of the Rates in Aid, when a protracted debate ensued, which ended in the amend ment being rejected by a majority of 194 to 146, and the resolution being carried by 201 to 106. The Apprehension of Deserters (Portugal) Bill went through Committee.

April (LORDS.) Their lordships sat in Committee on the Prisoners Removal (Ireland) Bill. The Marquess of Lansdowne, in reply 23. to the Earl of Harrowby, made some statements on the affairs of the River Plate. Messrs. Chadwick and Marriner were, on the motion of Lord Beaumont, called to the bar, reprimanded, and discharged from custody. The Spirits (Ireland) Bill was read a third time.

(COMMONS.) On Mr. Labouchere moving the third reading of the Navigation Bill, Mr. Herries, in a critical speech, moved that it be read that day six months, and was supported by Mr. T. Baring, Mr. Disraeli, and Mr. Walpole; Sir James Graham following, in a powerful speech in favour of the Bill. Lord John Russell having replied, Mr. Moffatt moved the adjournment of the debate, which motion he subsequently withdrew, and on a division, the third reading was carried by a majority of 275 to 214. The Reports on the Rate in Aid resolution and supply of navy estimates were brought up and agreed to. The Indictable Offences (Ireland), Summary Convictions (Ireland), and Apprehension of Deserters Bills, were read a third time.

April

24.

(LORDS.) The Law of Evidence Amendment, Highways Amendment, and Navigation Bills, were read a first time; and the Smoke Prohibition Bill a second time. The Marquess of Lansdowne moved a vote of thanks to the Indian army for their gallantry in the

Punjaub, and particularly in the battles of Goojerat and Mooltan, which was carried unanimously.

(COMMONS.) A similar vote of thanks to the Indian army, as that carried in the Lords, was proposed by Sir J. C. Hobhouse, and carried without a dissentient. Mr. M. Gibson, in a forcible speech, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal the Brazilian Act, upon which a debate ensued, in which Sir R. Peel, Sir F. Thesiger, Mr. Bright, Mr. Cobden, Mr. Hume, Col. Thompson, and Lord Palmerston, took part, and the motion on a division was negatived by a majority of 137 to 34. The Report of the Committee on Ways and Means was brought up and agreed to.

April (COMMONS.) Sir J. Pakington moved the committal of the Bribery at Elections Bill. On the House going into Committee 25. the first clause was lost by a majority of 146 to 54, and Sir J.

Pakington moved to report progress. Mr. Locke moved for the second reading of the Sunday Travelling on Railways Bill, which was negatived by a majority of 131 to 122.

(LORDS.) The Leasehold Tenure of Lands (Ireland) Bill was

April read a second time, and the Prisoners Removal (Ireland) Bill a

26.

third time.

(COMMONS.) On the motion of Mr. Henley a Select Committee was granted on the Contract Packet Service. Lord John Russell, in an explanatory address, moved for leave to introduce a Bill for the more effectual relief of the destitute poor of Ireland. A sharp debate ensued, in which Mr. Grattan attacked Sir R. Peel's policy, and to which the Right Hon. Baronet made an energetic reply, and leave was given to bring in the Bill. The Solicitor-General obtained leave to bring in Bills to facilitate the sale of encumbered estates in Ireland, and to enable persons having perpetual and limited interests in land in Ireland to make grants in fee or demises for long terms of years. The Administration of Justice (Metropolitan Districts) Bill was read a second time.

April

27.

(LORDS.) Lord Redesdale obtained leave to bring in a Bill to facilitate the Union of Turnpike Trusts. The Cruelty to Animals Prevention Bill was read a second time, and the Smoke Prohibition and Prisoners Removal (Ireland) Bills a third time.

(COMMONS.) The House went into Committee on the Rate in Aid Bill, when various amendments were proposed, and rejected by large majorities; and the preamble was finally agreed to without amendment. The House resumed and went into Committee of Supply. Sir W. Somerville brought in the Poor Relief (Ireland) Bill, which was read a first time.

April 28.

(COMMONS.) The report on the Rate in Aid Bill, as amended, was brought up and agreed to. The Exchequer Bills Bill went through Committee; and the Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up.

April

(LORDS.) Lord Brougham called the attention of the House to the spoliation of works of art in Rome. The Highways and 30. Turnpike Trusts Bill was read a second time. Lord Wharncliffe moved for the correspondence between the government and the Irish Poor Law Commissioners relative to the relief of Destitution, which was agreed to. (COMMONS.) On the question for the third reading of the Rate in Aid Bill, Captain Jones moved that it be read that day six months. The third reading, however, was carried by a majority of 129 to 55. The House then went into Committee of Supply.

1.

(LORDS.) Lord Brougham, in an energetic speech attacking May the Railway system, drew the attention of the House to the railway business of the country. Lord Lansdowne agreed with Lord Brougham that the state of affairs called for legislative interference. (COMMONS.) Mr. J. O'Connell, in moving that Mr. J. Lawson, as pub