May

9.

(COMMONS.) On the motion of Mr. P. Scrope, the second reading of the Employment of Labour (Ireland) Bill was read a second time, whereupon he moved its committal to that day six months, which was carried bya majority of 166 to 41. The Bribery at Elections Bill was proceeded with in Committee, and several clauses were struck out. (LORDS.) A conversation ensued on a motion made by Lord Beaumont and agreed to, for a committee to consider the accommodation afforded to strangers in the House, in the course of which their lordships unanimously eulogized the efficiency of the press reporters. The Indictable Offences (Ireland), Summary Convictions (Ireland), and Apprehension of Deserters (Portugal) Bills, were read a second time; and the Exchequer Bills Bill a third time.

May

10.

(COMMONS.) Mr. C. Anstey, in a long speech, brought forward his motion condemning the fraudulent use of chicory in coffee; the Chancellor of the Exchequer replied, and on a division the motion was lost by a majority of 62 to 11. Mr. H. Drummond moved that the House resolve itself into Committee to consider the national taxation with a view to its reduction, which motion, after a debate, was rejected by 151 to 100. A Select Committee was appointed, at the instance of Mr. Charteris, to inquire into the railway expenditure, classed as 'parliamentary expenses,' and to inquire into the affairs of the Eastern Counties Railway. Mr. Hindley obtained leave to bring in a Bill to prevent unnecessary Sunday trading in the metropolis. On the order of the day for the second reading of the Public Health (Scotland) Bill, Lord Drumlanrig moved an adjournment, which was negatived by 96 to 33, and the second reading carried.

May (LORDS.) The Royal Assent was given by commission to several Irish Bills. The Earl of Carlisle moved the second reading of 11. the Rate in Aid Bill; and the Earl of Roden moved that it be read that day six months. On adivision, the second reading was carried by a majority of 48 to 46.

(COMMONS.) In reply to Mr. B. Osborne, Lord Palmerston stated that notice had been received from the cabinet of Vienna of the advance of Russian forces into Hungary, and that the British government had made no overtures of mediation between Austria and Hungary. The Land Improvement and Drainage (Ireland), and the Encumbered Estates (Ireland) Bills, were read a second time. Several Bills were advanced a stage, and two new Bills introduced.

May

(LORDS.) The Marquess of Lansdowne, in reply to Lord Beau14. mont, stated that the British government had taken no measures with regard to the French occupation of Italy. The Rate in Aid Bill passed through Committee. Earl Nelson introduced a Bill relative to the appointment of British chaplains in foreign parts.

(COMMONS.) Lord Palmerston, in reply to Mr. Disraeli, stated that notwithstanding the renewal of hostilities between Denmark and Germany, her Majesty's government would continue to make all efforts for the conclusion of a definite treaty between the parties. The Land Improvement and Drainage (Ireland) Bill, after a sharp debate, passed through Committee, and the House resumed. On the question of the committal of the Parliamentary Oaths Bill, a long debate took place, in the course of which Sir R. Peel suggested that the oath, as it regarded the Jews, should be so framed as to enable the members of that persuasion to hold civil office also. amendments for adjournment having been negatived, Lord John Russell consented to the Chairman's reporting progress, and the House resumed. The Encumbered Estates (Ireland), and the Estates Leasing (Ireland) Bills, passed through Committee. Lord Palmerston introduced a Bill for legalizing marriages celebrated in Consuls' houses abroad.

Two

May 15.

(LORDS.) Earl Grey, in reply to Lord Stanley, made some explanations with regard to the riots in Canada. A discussion took place on Agricultural Distress. Lord Monteagle brought in the Railway Audit Bill, which was read a first time.

(COMMONS.) A discussion took place on the outbreak in Canada, Lord John Russell's explanations not being thought sufficiently precise. Mr. Monsel! made a motion recommending emigration as a wholesome measure for Ireland. Mr. J. O'Connell moved an amendment, which was negatived by a majority of 45 to 10. Mr. C. Pearson, in a statistical speech, moved the appointment of a Select Committee on Prison Discipline, that led to a debate which was adjourned.

May (COMMONS.) On the question that papers lie on the table relative to the outbreak in Canada, a discussion, in which Sir G. Grey, 16. Mr. Roebuck, and Mr. Gladstone, took part, occurred, and the papers were ordered to lie on the table. The House then went into Committee on the Landlord and Tenant Bill, when several amendments were proposed and negatived; and on the House resuming, Lord J. Russell moved that the record of the judgment in the case of Mr. S. O'Brien be printed, giving notice that on the following Friday he should move its consideration; and further, that Mr. W. S. O'Brien be expelled the House.

May

17.

(COMMONS.) Two petitions (to which Mr. Hudson, Mr. Waddington, and Mr. T. Bagshaw, severally replied), making grave charges against these gentlemen, with regard to the Eastern Counties Railway, were ordered to lie on the table. The Poor Relief (Ireland) and Police of Towns (Scotland) Bills were read a second time; and the Landed Improvement and Drainage (Ireland), the Accounts of Turnpike Trusts (Scotland) Bills, a third time.

May (LORDS.) The Marquess of Lansdowne made some further 18. explanations with respect to the invasion of the papal dominions. On the motion for the third reading of the Rate in Aid Bill, the Earl of Glengall moved that it be read that day three months, which motion, after a discussion, was negatived by a majority of 37 to 29, and the third reading was carried. Several Bills were advanced a stage.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Hawes, in reply to Sir W. Molesworth, would not give a pledge that a cessation of transportation to Van Diemen's Land would take place. Lord Palmerston also made explanations with respect to the Sicilian question. Lord J. Russell moved that, inasmuch as W. S. O'Brien, a member of that House, had been adjudged guilty of high treason, a new writ be issued for the County of Limerick, which was agreed to. On the House going into Committee on the Parliamentary Oaths Bill, Mr. J. O'Connell, having again complained of the partiality of the Times reports, moved, pursuant to notice, that strangers be ordered to withdraw. The Bill, therefore, proceeded in Committee with closed doors. It was ascertained, however, from the messenger, that several amendments were proposed and negatived. On resuming (strangers having been admitted), the House again went into Committee on the Defects in Leases Bill. The Passengers Bill we it through Committee.

21.

(LORDS.) The Marquess of Lansdowne, with reference to the May shooting at the Queen, said that it was an act too contemptible, though disgusting and odious in the extreme, to call for an address of congratulation to her Majesty on the subject. The Land Improvement and Drainage (Ireland) Bill was read a second time, and passed through Committee. The House went into Committee on the Navigation Bill, and Lord Stanley proposed an amendment on the first clause, which, after an animated debate, was lost by a majority of 116 to 103.

(COMMONS.) Lord J. Russell made a similar statement to that of the

Marquess of Lansdowne relative to the discharge of a pistol at the Queen. The Encumbered Estates (Ireland) Bill, after some discussion, passed through Committee. The Charitable Trusts Bill was read a second time; the Passengers Bill was committed; and the Lords' amendments to the Rate in Aid Bill were agreed to.

May (LORDS.) A discussion took place on a petition presented by 22. Lord Brougham from members of the United Church of England and Ireland, temporarily settled in Scotland, involving questions of doctrine, in which the Bishops of Salisbury, Exeter, and Oxford, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, took part. Several Bills were advanced a stage. (COMMONS.) The Marquess of Granby moved the adjournment of the House over the following (the Derby) day. Mr. Aglionby opposed the motion, which, on a division, was carried by a majority of 138 to 119. Mr. D'Eyncourt moved for leave to bring in a Bill for shortening the duration of Parliaments, and was supported by Lord Dudley Stuart and Mr. S. Crawford, and opposed by Lord J. Russell. On a division, the motion was carried by a majority of 46 to 41.

May (LORDS.) The royal assent was given by commission to the Rate 24. in Aid, Land Improvement and Drainage (Ireland), and several other Bills. The Bankruptcy Consolidation Bill was committed pro forma. The House went into Committee, and in the course of debate the Earl of Ellenborough proposed amendments, which were rejected, and the Bill passed through Committee.

(COMMONS.) Mr. H. Berkeley, in an able speech, moved for leave to bring in a Bill substituting vote by ballot in the place of the existing system, which motion was supported by Mr. W. J. Fox, and on a division lost by a majority of 136 to 85. Mr. Roebuck, in an address replete with historical details, moved for leave to introduce a Bill for the better government of certain of the colonies. After a debate, the motion was lost by a majority of 116 to 73. The Encumbered Estates Bill was recommitted for the insertion of certain amendments. Mr. D'Eyncourt brought in a Bill for Shortening the Duration of Parliaments, which was read a first time. The Grand Jury Cess (Ireland) Bill was read a third time.

May 25.

(LORDS.) The Report on the Navigation Bill was brought up and agreed to. The Protection of Women Bill was read a second time; several Bills were advanced a stage, and their lordships adjourned till the 4th of June.

(COMMONS.) A discussion took place on the distress and famine in Ireland. The Report of Supply having been brought up, Sir F. Baring, in deference to the opinion of certain members, postponed the eighth item of the vote for the Admiralty. The Report was agreed to, omitting the eighth item. The House then went into Committee of Supply. On the House resuming, Mr. Baines obtained leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Procedure in Courts of General and Quarter Sessions, and the House adjourned until the following Thursday for the Whitsuntide Holidays.

May 31.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Hawes, in reply to Mr. Christopher, stated that the government was always anxious to comply with applications from the press for official information, without favouring any journal in particular. The Report on the Committee of Supply was brought up, and, after a discussion, agreed to. The House went into Committee of Supply. Several Bills passed through Committee. The Police of Towns (Scotland) Bill was referred to a Select Committee; and six new Bills were introduced.

June

1.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Hawes, in reply to Mr. Aglionby, stated that the total amount of damage done by the late earthquake in New Zealand did not exceed 15,0001. The House went into Committee

of Supply. On resuming, the Defects in Leases Bill was read a third time, the Public Health (Scotland) Bill was referred to a Select Committee, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer obtained leave to introduce a Bill to amend the 56 Geo. III. c. 68.

June 4.

(LORDS.) On Lord Palmerston moving the second reading of the Landlord and Tenant Bill, Lord Beaumont moved that it be read that day six months, which amendment was negatived by a majority of 9 to 5: the Bill was then read. Several Bills were advanced a stage.

(COMMONS.) After a discussion relative to the Rebellion Losses (Canada) Bill, the third reading of the Encumbered Estates (Ireland) Bill having been moved, Sir L. O'Brien moved that it be read that day six months, which motion was negatived by a majority of 117 to 12, and the Bill passed. The House went into Committee of Supply, and the Report of the Committee of Supply was brought up. The Protection of Pupils (Scotland) and the Sheepstealers (Ireland) Bills were read a second time. Mr. Hawes in an explanatory address introduced a Bill "for the better government of the Australian Colonies," which was read a first time. Various Bills relating to Ireland were brought in.

June

(LORDS.) On the motion of Lord Brougham the Bankruptcy Law Consolidation Bill was re-committed. A discussion took

5. place, chiefly between Lord Brougham and Earl Grey on the Canada Rebellion Losses Bill; the Encumbered Estates (Ireland) Bill was read a first time, and the Apprehension of Deserters (Portugal) Bill a third time. Several Bills were advanced a stage.

(COMMONS.) Mr. Hume in a eloquent statistical speech moved for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the National Representation. The motion was supported by Mr. H. Berkeley, Col. Thompson, Mr. Locke King, Mr. B. Osborne, Mr. W. P. Wood, and Mr. Bright, and opposed by Sir G. Grey, Lord John Russell, and Mr. Newdegate, and lost by a majority of 268 to 82. The Report of Supply was brought up and agreed to, and the Silver Coinage Bill was read a second time.

(COMMONS.) The second reading of the Bankrupt and InsolJune vent Members Bill was carried by a majority of 55 to 45 ; and the 6. third reading of the Affirmation Bill was carried by a majority of 73 to 51, and the motion that the Bill do pass by 77 to 73. The Bribery at Elections Bill passed through Committee-clause 9 having been expunged. The Copyhold Enfranchisement and the Smoke Prohibition Bills were after some opposition and divisions read a second time. Several Bills passed through Committee.

June

7.

(LORDS.) Lord Brougham moved the third reading of the Bankruptcy Law Consolidation Bill; and the Protection of Women Bill passed through Committee.

June (LORDS.) The Bankrupt Law Consolidation Act was read a

8.

third time.

(COMMONS.) Discussions took place on the evictions at Toomevara and Kilrush. On the motion for going into Committee on the Poor Relief (Ireland) Bill, Sir H. W. Barron moved an amendment which was negatived by a majority of 144 to 30. The House then went into Committee, when Mr. J. O'Connell, having urged that he had been unfairly reported, observed that there were strangers in the gallery," who were forthwith ordered to withdraw, and the discussion which occurred in Committee was not reported.

June

11.

(LORDS.) The Defects in Leases Bill was read a third time and passed. The Earl of St. Germans presented a petition from Mr. Goldsworthy Granby, relative to improvements in the ventilation

of coal-mines. The Encumbered Estates (Ireland) Bill, after discussion, was read a second time, and referred to a Select Committee.

(COMMONS.) Mr. T. Duncombe introduced a Bill for regulating the Ventilation of Coal-mines. In reply to Mr. Hume, Lord Palmerston made several statements on the French intervention in Rome. On the motion for the third reading of the Parliamentary Oaths Bill, Mr. Law moved that it be read that day six months; a protracted debate ensued, and the third reading was carried by a majority of 272 to 206. Several Irish Bills were advanced a stage. Leave was given to introduce four new Bills. The Australian Bill was read a first time. Mr. B. Osborne obtained a Committee to inquire into the law relating to receivers in the Irish Courts of Chancery and Equity Exchequer.

June

(LORDS.) A discussion took place on the French expedition to Rome. The Marquess of Lansdowne moved the third reading of 12. the Navigation Bill. The Earls of Ellenborough, Winchelsea, Talbot, and Waldegrave, and Lord Stanley, opposed the motion; Lord Lansdowne replied, and it was carried without a division. On the motion that the Bill do pass, the Bishop of Oxford moved an amendment, which, after a debate, was negatived by a majority of 23 to 9, and the Bill passed. (COMMONS.) Sir R. H. Inglis eulogized the American government for their sympathy with the Franklin Expedition. Mr. Cobden, in a speech pointing out the expense of war, and the blessings of peace, brought forward his motion for the adoption of a system of international arbitration in the stead of war. He was supported by Lord Robert Grosvenor, Mr. Ewart, Col. Thompson, Mr. Roebuck, Mr. M. Gibson, and Mr. Hume, and opposed by Mr. Urquhart, Viscount Palmerston (who moved the previous question), Mr. M. Milnes, and Lord John Russell; Mr. Cobden having replied, the previous question was carried by 176 to 79. The Highways Annual Returns Bill was read a third time, and the India Mutiny Bill a first time.

(COMMONS.) The Cruelty to Animals Bill was read a second June time. Mr. Hume moved the second reading of the County Rates 13. and Expenditure Bill, whereupon Sir J. Pakington moved, as an amendment, that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the subject, which amendment was carried by 154 to 96. On the amendment being put, a discussion and several divisions ensued, and the House rose at six, without having come to a decision on the question.

June

(LORDS.) Lord Campbell introduced a declaratory Bill removing the doubts which existed with regard to the Crown's right to 14. exercise the prerogative of mercy in cases of high treason, as put forth in the case of W. S. O'Brien; the Bill was read a first time. The Protection of Women Bill was passed by a majority of 23 to 19. The Turnpike Trusts Union Bill was read a third time and passed.

(COMMONS.) Lord John Russell, in reply to Mr. Disraeli, stated the business he intended to press during the current session. Lord Palmerston denied that the British Government had in any way countenanced the French expedition to Rome. The Lords' amendment to the Navigation Bill was agreed to. On the motion for the postponed resolution of supply for Colonial services, Mr. Herries proposed an amendment condemning the Canada Rebellion Losses Bill, and this called forth an animated debate, which was, at length, adjourned. Lord John Russell obtained a Select Committee on the subject of the exclusion of strangers.

15.

(LORDS.) The Transportation for Treason Ireland Bill was read June a second and third time, and passed. Earl Nelson moved the second reading of the Consular Expenditure Act Amendment Bill, which was opposed by Lord Lansdowne, and finally withdrawn.