The Second Prussian Chamber on the 17th, adopted a very important resolution, namely, to call on the government to prepare as promptly as possible a bill for the suppression of the privilege of exemption from the land tax, which certain property of nobles still enjoys. This resolution was adopted by a large majority, in spite of the opposition of the ultra-conservative party. The Vienna correspondent of the Daily News, writing on the 20th instant, says: "Prince Gortschakoff had yesterday a very long conference with Count Buol, at the Foreign Office, in which he communicated to him the contents of a fresh despatch just received from St. Petersburg, which has made a great sensation in the diplomatic circles of this city, as I learn on good authority it contains the confirmation of the first instructions to the Prince to enter at once into negotiations, as the Emperor accepts the interpretation of the four points as laid down by the conference." The greatest confidence and harmony exist between the Allies, and the attempts of Prince Gortschakoff to sow discord amongst them have proved a signal failure, as well as his attempts to gain a delay in the united decision of the Allies, which would only prove the more dangerous, since it is now known that the severe weather set in in the Crimea might otherwise prove a very dangerous ally to the Russians. Sardinia has joined the alliance of the Western Powers. This important step is taken in virtue of the fifth article of the convention between Her Majesty and the Emperor of the French, signed at London on the 10th of April 1854. The fifth article runs as follows:"Their Majesties the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the Emperor of the French will readily admit into their alliance, in order to cooperate for the proposed object, such of the other Powers of Europe as may be desirous of becoming parties to it." The Sardinian government has added its signature to this protocol. At the same time, General Dabormida has resigned, and Count Cavour has accepted the office of minister for foreign affairs. The King of Naples has celebrated the proclamation of the dogma of the immaculate conception in various ways. He has placed the army under the care of the Immaculate Conception; and he has organised festivals in honour of the Madonna. On one of these occasions, the streets and back slums of the city were cleaned, and all the place put on an air of decency; for the King intended to assist in a procession. Arbitrary arrests continue to be made as usual. People's minds are so accustomed to such incidents, that they are regarded almost as a necessary part of the routine of government. A short time since a gentleman of wealth, influence, and where he was detained five days and nights, and then respectability was arrrested and taken to the Prefettura, dismissed, without the slightest reason being given for his detention, or the slightest excuse offered. Accounts from Stockholm, of the 23rd inst., state that orders have been given for placing the entire Swedish army upon a war-footing. This measure is to be executed with the greatest promptitude, as it is required to have the troops ready to march. inst. It appears that the money market has improved New York papers have been received to the 10th materially since the beginning of the year, and nearly all the state stocks are selling higher with the interest off than they were before the 1st of January with the interest on.-From the annual report of the treasurer of the state of Texas, we learn that the amount of cash and United States bonds on hand and received on account of the general fund, the past year, is four millions and a quarter of dollars, 300,000 dollars having been expended for ordinary appropriations, and 170,000 dollars towards the debt of the late republic. Two millions of the United States bonds have been transferred to the school fund of the state. This great and munificent act is a striking illustration of the determination of the people of the United States, wherever they go, to establish and maintain popular education as the corner-stone of their entire social and political system. NARRATIVE OF LITERATURE AND ART. THE events of the war continue still to exert an unfavourable influence on literature, and we have few important books to introduce in our list of new publications. Setting aside mere pamphlets or new editions, the prominent works of the month have been two octavo volumes of a History of Political Literature from the Earliest Times, a compilation from printed sources by Mr. Robert Blakey; the first volume of a History of the City of Dublin, by Mr. J. T. Gilbart; three octavo volumes devoted to the Origin and Progress of the Mechanical Inventions of James Watt, drawn from the private correspondence of himself and his friends, by Mr. James Patrick Muirhead; a treatise on Food and its Adulterations, by Dr. Hassall; the second volume of Mr. M'Intosh's very complete and richly illustrated Book of the Garden; the third and last volume of Mr. Peter Cunningham's edition of Johnson's Lives of the Poets; the second volume of Mr. Johnston's Chemistry of Common Life; a series of popular lectures on English history, from the Anglo-Saxon times to our own, entitled Landmarks of the History of England, by the Rev. James White; a volume descriptive of Elba, and of Napoleon's government there, partly translated and partly original; a descriptive account of the Druses of Lebanon, by Mr. George Washington Chasseaud; a volume of Historical Memorials of Canterbury, consisting partly of republished Quarterly articles and partly of original lectures, by the Rev. Arthur Penrhyn Stanley; a brief narrative of a Month in the Camp before Sebastopol; an excellent translation, in two octavo volumes, of new Travels in the Chinese Empire by the Abbé Huc; an account, from apparently authentic sources, of the Chinese Rebel Chief, by the Rev. Theodore Hamberg; a collection, taken from his writings in a weekly literary review, of Literary Papers by the late Professor Forbes; a volume of Memoirs of Anne Duchess of Brittany, twice Queen of France, by Miss Costello; several additions (reprints) to the libraries of Mr. Bohn, one of which, a well known Handbook of Proverbs, has had large and curious additions made to it by Mr. Bohn himself; a useful little treatise on the Art of Travel, by Mr. Francis Galton, the object of which is to give an easy and popular description of the shifts and contrivances available in wild countries; a volume, by Mr. Peter Bayne, on the Christian Life, Social and Individual, chiefly in reply to Mr. Carlyle's views and philosophy; a short treatise, by Doctor Wilson, on the Pathology of Drunkenness; a translation from the French, the first that has been made, by the Rev. F. B. Wells, of Thierry's Essay on The Formation and Progress of the Tiers Etat or Third Estate in France; the first and second volumes of Memoirs of the Life and Writings of James Montgomery, written by Mr. John Holland, with the assistance of the Rev. James Everett; A Life of William Etty, R.A., by Mr. Alexander Gilchrist; the first volume, comprising the period from 1745 to 1770, of a History of England during the Reign of George the Third, by Mr. Massey, M.P.; a descriptive treatise on Cornwall, its Mines and Miners, on a similar plan to a former Treatise, by the same writer, on "Our Coal and Coal Pits;" a Ramble through Normandy, by Mr. Musgrave; and the following tales and novels-The Warden, by Mr. Trollope; Heliondé, or Adventures in the Sun; The Curse of Gold; The Step-Son, by Mr. Dyer; A Dozen Pairs of Wedding Gloves; and Guen, or the Cousins. Three per Cent. Reduced New Three per Cents. Long Annuities, Jan., 1860 Bank Stock, 8 per cent. Highest. Lowest. Latest. 914-1 924 901 924 91 91 " Town made, per sk. 68-73 South Downs.. 1 1-1 4 .... ...... METALS. 1 3-2 Copper, Cakes, per ton, 1261. PROVISIONS. BEEF-Mid. to prime, p. 8 lb., CHEESE Cheshire, per cwt., PORк, per S lb., 38. 4d. to Fowls, 48. Od.-78.; Chicks, 4s. Od.-6s. Od.; Ducks, 48.68.; Geese, 38. 6d.-68.; Turkeys, 38. 6d.-68.; Pigeons, 4d.-9d. HIDES, &c. -Market, 96 lb., 41d.-5d.; do., do., 50 lb., 34d.d.; do., Calf-skins, 10 lb., 6s. do., Horse-hides, 6s. 6d.; Rough Tallow, 30s. OILS. Gallipoli, per ton, 58l.; Sperm, 114. to 1151.; Pale Seal, 451. 108.; Rape, 531. to 557.; Cocoa-nut, 46. to 471.; Palm, 461. to 481.; Linseed, 371. 10s. TALLOW Australian, Beef, 48. 6s. to 531.; Sheep, 541. to 561.; Y.C., 571. to 571. 98. GROCERY. Cocoa, per cwt., Trinidad, 37s. to 458.; Bahia, 30s. to 32s. COFFEE, per cwt.-Ceylon Native, 458. 6d. to 468. Od.; Do., Plantation, 558. to 80s.; Mocha, 628. to 868.; Jamaica, 658. to 848.; Java, 51s. to 568.; Costa Rica, 588. to 738. RICE, per cwt.-Carolina, duty paid, 278. to 398. Od.; Bengal, 138. 6d. to 158. 6d.; Patna, 168. to 188. SUGAR-Barbadoes, per cwt., Do. REFINED-Grocery lumps, EMIGRATION RECORD. MINES. BANKS. Australian 2-14 dis. Australasian 80 to $2 Colonial Gold Ind. Aust. and China Lond. Chart. of Aust. 14-2pm. To Nov. 30 74,581 Dec. Total 7,173 $1,754 37,381 184,823 3039 299,824 3,725 200 11,098 37,381 188,558 3239 310,922 Australian Royal Mail CURRENT RATES OF PASSAGE AND FREIGHT TO THE " Eastern Steam Navig.. General Screw St. Ship 134 Published at the Office, No. 16, Wellington Street, North, Strand. Printed by BRADBURY & EVANS, Whitefriars, London. 24-3 Monthly Supplement to "HOUSEHOLD WORDS," Conducted by CHARLES DICKENS. IN the HOUSE of LORDS, on Monday, January 29th, Earl GREY moved a resolution to the effect that the Administration of the Army ought to be concentrated under the control of a single well-organised department. The chief proposition was that of the appointment of a board analogous to the Board of Admiralty, for the purpose of administering all the business connected with the military service in all its branches. He would have the Commander-in-Chief a member of the board ex officio, but without having the chief authority. To this board he would entrust the patronage of the army. -The Duke of NEWCASTLE explained the principles on which, in his opinion, the consolidation of the war departments should be effected. Referring to the condition of the army in the Crimea, he attributed the privations it had undergone principally to the want of education both in officers and men, and especially as regarded what were called camp services. He proceeded to comment at some length upon the numerous deficiencies in the military resources of the country, occasioned by a long peace and a too strict economy. Three officers, he stated, had been despatched to Paris to enquire into the working of the French military system, and Lord Raglan had been requested to make similar inquries in the French camp. Great advantage was to be anticipated from the result of these investigations. Reverting to the immediate subject before their lordships, he detailed the reasons which led him to believe that a board would be a most cumbrous and inefficient machine for the performance of the duties that fell upon the various departments of the war administration, and was calculated to result in serious embarrassments, and a dangerous division of responsibilities.-The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH objected to the motion as being ill-timed at the present crisis. Earl Grey withdrew the motion. On Thursday, February 1st, the Earl of ABERDEEN announced the Resignation of the Government, in consequence of the vote in another place, on Monday night. Although he believed the vote to be unconstitutional it was not his desire, nor that of his colleagues, to avoid inquiry into their conduct. He believed that the Duke of Newcastle had in particular suffered great injustice. He (the Earl of Aberdeen) was not at all surprised at the feeling throughout the country. It was natural that the public, who, without reasoning acutely, no doubt felt very strongly, should look somewhere for the responsibility of conducting the war; and that, finding the commanders at fault, they should turn their censure upon the government. He thought the accounts from the Crimea had been grossly exaggerated. At any rate the condition of our troops was now improving. He then referred to the great strength of the French army, as appeared from the Emperor's address to the legislative body of France. We had recently, too, concluded a treaty with Sardinia, by which 15,000 Piedmontese troops were placed at our disposal. There was also our treaty with Austria, and our engagements with that State had arrived at a most important point. Here, then (said the noble earl), was the alternative of a peace which would secure all the objects for which we are contending, or ensure the assistance of that great military power whose army is now raised to the amount of 500,000 men. Under such circumstances, how was it possible to entertain apprehensions from those casualties to which all armies are liable? Having described our [PRICE 2d. military prospects Lord Aberdeen briefly adverted to our domestic position, and to that general prosperity which he ascribed to wise financial measures. He also referred to the condition of the navy, against which, he said, nothing had been or could be alleged. He trusted that, whatever the future government might be, they would carry on this war with vigour, with effect, and with a view only to a speedy termination, and a safe and honourable peace. He trusted they would not be diverted by a wild and imaginary vigour, or animated by merely vindictive feelings, but would listen to the dictates of humanity and of true policy, and would lose no time in realising the advantages of peace.— The Duke of NEWCASTLE found it necessary to make some explanations in consequence of statements in the other house by Lord John Russell. The noble lord had placed the justification of the course he had taken almost exclusively upon his (the duke's) acceptance of and subsequent continuance in the secretaryship of the war department. Lord John had said, in a letter to Lord Aberdeen, that when the two secretaryships of state were divided, he yielded to his (the Duke of Newcastle's) strong wish to occupy the war department, thereby undoubtedly implying that he had been opposed to that arrangement, and had been overruled. This was not the case. At the cabinet council in which it was decided that the two offices of secretary of state for the colonies and secretary of state for war should be divided, he had said, "So far as I am personally concerned, I am perfectly ready to retain either or neither." That was the "strong wish" which has been spoken of by the noble lord. So far as regarded Lord Palmerston, he never for a moment understood that it was the wish of Lord J. Russell for him to occupy the war department. He had heard something of Earl Grey being proposed by the noble lord, but had never contemplated standing in his way. Again he wished distinctly to deny having expressed a "strong wish" to continue in the war department. On the contrary, indeed, it was only when he saw no other member of the cabinet stand forward to take the seals of his office, that he determined on not shrinking from a post of difficulty and danger. Many of his private friends knew this, and those noble lords opposite who generously cheered the assertion were among them. He hoped, therefore, he had sufficiently explained to their lordships the conduct which had been characterised by some as arrogance, and by the noble lord to whom he had referred, in the more patronising phrase of " commendable ambition." The noble lord's expressions of kindness, while endeavouring to remove him from his position, were only so much of what the Americans designate "soft sawder;" and he would therefore refrain from dwelling on the letter of the noble lord's to his noble friend late at the head of the government, on the 18th of November, in which he said, "It was my intention, in writing the letter, to avoid throwing any blame upon the Duke of Newcastle; indeed, I think he deserves very great credit for the exertions he has made." While the noble lord was quoting letters that had passed on the subject, it was somewhat strange that he should have forgotten to quote the letter of Lord Aberdeen on the 21st of November, in answer to that which he had received. The very beginning was in these words: "I have shown your letter to the Duke of Newcastle, and also to Sidney VOL. VI. с 26 THE HOUSEHOLD NARRATIVE. Herbert. They both-as might have been expected-painted by the Duke of Newcastle, made the following strongly urged me to adopt any such arrangement, with statement:-On the resignation of the noble earl (Aberrespect to their offices, as might be most conducive to deen), her Majesty did me the honour of commanding my the public service." He had shown their lordships that attendance yesterday (Wednesday) morning at half-past I do not think it would be for he did not insist upon holding the seals of the war 11 o'clock. I had a long audience with her Majesty, in department; and when his noble friend (Lord Aberdeen) which I hardly need say that I met with the most conplaced Lord J. Russell's letter in his hands, his im- descending kindness. mediate remark was, "Don't give Lord John any the public advantage that I should at this time avail Do with the opportunity of stating all that passed on that occapretext for quitting this government. On no account myself, even if I had the permission of her Majesty, of resist his wish to remove me from my office. me whatever is best for the public service. In that way sion. It might lead to the serious inconvenience of the you will gratify me most; in that way you will be public service, if, while negotiations were going on, serving the Queen best." The next instance in which previous to the formation of a government, such statehe was obliged to quote from the speech of the noble ments were to be made. It was the duty of every lord was where he used these words: "I then went on public man to be prepared at the proper time to give an to give some instances of errors which had been com-explanation of the motives and reasons which had led to mitted." Now the impression produced upon the his acceptance or refusal of office. Until a government public mind was, of course, that these errors were of a might be formed it would not, however, be right for not able to offer her Majesty the assurance of being able grave character, that upon them had hinged the safety him (the Earl of Derby) to say more than that he was of our troops in the Crimea, and perhaps all the conLord John satisfactorily to conduct the affairs of the government. sequences that have been lately seen. Russell did not read the complaints which he had He concurred entirely with the noble carl opposite, that errors, and therefore, with their whatever government may be formed, the great interests made of these And whatever government may be enlordships' permission, he would read them himself. of this country require at the present moment a strong They were contained in a letter to the noble lord dated government. the 28th of November, in which he stated that he had trusted by her Majesty to carry on the great war in written to him (the Duke of Newcastle) early in which we are engaged, that man is undeserving of the October, on the subject of transferring the 97th Regi- character of a patriot and of an honest man who does not ment then at the Piræus to the Crimea, and that the to the utmost extent of his power give to the governanswer had been that he (the Duke of Newcastle) had ment of the Queen a disinterested, and, as far as he can, On Monday, February 5, the Earl of ABERDEEN stated wished to do so, and had also wished to send between a cordial support.-The house then adjourned. 2,000 and 3,000 men, the drafts of various regiments to the Crimea. The noble lord had gone on in this letter that Lord Palmerston had been charged by the Queen to ascribe the failure of his (the Duke of Newcastle's) with the Formation of a Ministry, and moved the adOn Thursday, February 8, Lord LYNDHURST intiintentions, to his inability to contend with obstacles put journment of the house, which accordingly took place. in his way by other departments. Now this matter had been explained to the noble lord in writing, and could mated that he should not press his motion concerning Earl GRANVILLE, as president of the council, moved be soon explained to their lordships. The 97th regiment the conduct of the war. could only have been removed from the Piraus in the teeth of a representation by the foreign minister that the Adjournment of the House for a week.-The Earl no troops could be spared thence at such a time. The of DERBY then explained the part which he had taken regiment was withdrawn and sent to the Crimea at the during the ministerial interregnum. Though he might earliest moment tranquillity was sufficiently restored to have felt justified, when honoured by her Majesty with the Piræus. The noble duke proceeded to explain why her commands, in attempting to form an administration other drafts had not been sent; and added that though out of the great conservative party, in which he proLord John Russell's statement that "errors" had been posed to include Lord Ellenborough and Sir E. Lytton, laid before him (the Duke of Newcastle) was true, it he had come to the conclusion that out of the unassisted was also true that those errors had been explained. strength of that party he could not have brought toHow far they were explained to the satisfaction, at that gether so strong a government as the exigences of the time, of the noble lord, might appear from a passage in country demanded. He had, therefore, felt it to be his his own letter, closing the correspondence on the duty to apply to Lord Palmerston for assistance, and he subject. The noble lord said:-"You have done all had found, as was to be expected, that that noble lord The could only aid him with the concurrence of his friends. that can be done; and I am sanguine of success. later proposal of Lord John Russell that he (the Duke After some delay, his invitation to Lord Palmerston and of Newcastle) should leave the cabinet, was not opposed his colleagues was responded to by a refusal to co-operate by him or Lord Aberdeen, but had been placed before all in the formation of a government, and he had, therefore, their colleagues, and had been unanimously disapproved informed her Majesty that his attempt had failed, and of. After the meeting of parliament on the 13th of Decem- that it would be necessary to ascertain whether a stronger Though his conduct might have ber, and the cabinet council on the 16th, Lord J. Russell government could not be formed by some other minisexpressly declared he had changed his views, and that he terial combination, had abandoned any wish that he had entertained for a disappointed some of his more sanguine supporters, he change. The reason ascribed by the noble lord for doing was convinced that the great conservative party should He would only add that, while a so was that he had consulted a noble friend, not in the not rashly or prematurely accept office at the present cabinet, who had advised him to withdraw his proposal. portentous crisis. The duke then proceeded to discuss the question of deep responsibility would attach itself to any minister measures, and to justify the course that had been pursued who should conclude a peace which should not guarantee He was prepared to defend the the tranquillity and independence of Europe, a still in his department. conduct of all involved with him in the responsibility deeper responsibility would rest on any minister who of governing the country in time of war-Lord John should prolong the war a single moment after those Russell included. Whatever had been the result of the results had been obtained.-The Marquis of LANSDOWNE division in the House of Commons, it had been his also gave a narrative of what had taken place in the determination to resign office in deference to the formation of a government, and explained the constituexpression of public opinion upon his management of tional principles on which her Majesty had acted in the war. Whoever might succeed him, he would first seeking the services of Lord Derby, and next of endeavour to make his path easy. If his past experience Lord John Russell. When Lord Palmerston was enwere of the slightest value, his successor might claim it, trusted with the task of forming a government, he was He did so because he felt that and have it, whether his acts were taken as an example consulted, and at once advised Lord Palmerston to peror a warning. It was his earnest prayer that whoever severe in his attempt. might succeed to the conduct of affairs would merit and the question was not whether we should have Lord Having given this advice, he obtain that success and that approbation which it had Palmerston's government, but whether we should have been his earnest desire but not his good fortune, to a government at all. secure. - The Earl of DERBY, after some sarcastic could not refuse, though he consented with great rerémarks on the picture of the interior of the cabinet as luctance to remain a member of the government. That government now relied, not only upon their own friends, but upon the patriotism of every member in both houses. He hoped they all would remember that representative institutions were now passing through their ordeal, and he hoped parliament would give no occasion to foreign countries to say that in a state of war despotism had more advantages than free institutions.The Earl of MALMESBURY adverted to the speech of Earl Grey on military reform a few nights ago, and gave his opinion that if the army was to be governed on the same plan as the navy, there would soon be as much jobbing at the Horse Guards as there was now at the Admiralty. He defended the composition of the army from the charge of its officers being for the most part connected with the aristocracy, and stated that of one hundred officers in the Grenadier Guards eighteen only were connected with the peerage. In the regiments of the line and cavalry the proportion was still less. He hoped, therefore, the new war-minister would not be led away by these clamours to make rash innovations. -Lord PANMURE said that he was quite aware that reforms were wanted in the army, but he was not then prepared to state either the extent to which he would carry them, or the time when he would introduce them. One qualification, at least, he could pledge himself he would bring to the administration-that was, purity of intention. None should be employed whom he did not believe to be qualified, and in dismissing incompetent persons he would show that he could sacrifice his own feelings to his country's good. He entered upon his office with the qualification of some years' experience in the War-office, and of having served twelve years in regimental service. From his own experience he could state that whatever defects might exist elsewhere, he believed the regimental system was as near perfection as possible. He concluded by stating that if he felt himself unequal to the task he had undertaken he would not hesitate to give it up.-The Earl of RODEN recommended a patriotic support to the new government as far as possible, and wished Lord Panmure every success in the task he had so gallantly undertaken. He urged upon the government the necessity of appointing a day of national prayer for the success of our army. The house adjourned till Friday the 16th instant. On Friday, February 16, Lord PANMURE explained some of the Reforms which were Contemplated in the War Department, and introduced a bill to allow the enlistment of men of a more extended age, and for shorter periods than was at present usual. Lord Panmure, after giving some further details of what he proposed to effect, said: In order to obtain a class of men more capable of enduring the fatigues and hardships of the service than boys of eighteen, whom they were in the habit of enlisting, he proposed to enlist in the army for any period within ten years-that is to say, from one, two, three, or any number of years within the ten years which he might desire. These men should, however, not be under twenty-four nor above thirtytwo years of age. As soon as the government could obtain a sufficiency of transports, it was their intention to establish a communication every week or ten days between Scutari and England. Those transports would be then enabled every week or ten days to convey to this country perhaps 500 sick, who would be much sooner restored to health and to the service of the army in England, than they could hope to be while they remained in the place which they then were. He had been informed by a medical gentleman and others, that such was the state of the atmosphere in Scutari, that wounds scarcely ever healed properly there, and that the fevers which generally supervened were scarcely ever cured. It, therefore, appeared absolutely necessary at once to bring those men home, where they could be attended to with much greater advantage than at Scutari or the other hospitals in the East. In reply to a remark made by Lord Ellenborough respecting the appointment of General Simpson to a high command in the Crimea, Lord Panmure said that neither that general's health nor age precluded him from filling the appointment. Sir John Burgoyne had been recalled to fill his old post of Inspector of Fortifications, his duties before Sebastopol having devolved upon Major-General Harry Jones. In reply to a question from Lord Campbell, the Lord CHANCELLOR observed that the Thanks of that House had not been given personally to the Earl of Cardigan, merely because no precedent could be found for such a proceeding.-Lord CAMPBELL regretted that, if no precedent existed before, one had not been made for the special occasion. On Tuesday, February 20th, Lord PANMURE moved the second reading of the Army Service Act Amendment Bill. The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH complained of the course taken by the noble lord in merely moving a measure of such importance without a detailed statement of the condition of the army. He was not disposed to oppose the measure under existing circumstances, but he could not help thinking that the period for which this addition to our military force was enlisted should be limited to three years. The noble lord then proceeded in a somewhat discursive speech to comment on the vices inherent in our military system, and the mistakes which had been committed in the conduct of the war. He was dissatisfied with the way in which the ranks of the militia were filled up, and, instead of the counties, would make the poor law unions responsible for the proper quota to be furnished to that force, fining them if they failed to make it up. With respect to the conduct of the war, the principle on which the war department seemed to have acted was that of sending out to the seat of war every available man, taking no care to provide for its efficiency by maintaining sufficient reserves. The only point which he looked upon with any satisfaction was the treaty with Piedmont, a country which he rejoiced to see assuming a new position in Europe. On the other hand, the way in which the proper carrying on the war in Asia had been neglected by the government was deplorable. By a little management Persia might have been made an useful ally, and an attempt at least should have been made to employ a portion of our available Indian strength in that quarter, which, combined with Persia, and added to the force which Schamyl could bring into the field, would have proved irresistible.-The Earl of HARROWBY thought that a great mistake had been made in not calling the oppressed nationalities of Europe to our aid in our present struggle with Russia.Lord PANMURE had not expected to be led into a debate on the bill, but had no objection to insert into it the limitation proposed by Lord Ellenborough, especially as he fervently hoped the state of things which required an enactment of this nature would not continue so long as three years from the present time. With regard to recruiting, the attention of the government had been seriously directed to the subject, and there was no question that means must be found, if not gentle, then by compulsion, to fill up the ranks of the service, so that the war might be carried on with vigour. The noble lord then replied to some other points touched on by Lord Ellenborough, and concluded by moving the second reading of the bill, with the insertion of the limitation proposed.-Lord MALMESBURY complained that the militia regiments had been completely disorganised by the sergeants of the line who had been sent to enlist militiamen for their regiments. In consequence of this system, as well as of the violation of the original understanding on which the force had been raised, an impression now prevailed that the militia as a body had not been fairly treated.-Lord GREY quite agreed with Lord Malmesbury in thinking that the departure from the original understanding had had a very prejudicial effect on the militia. Instead of enticing away men from the militia into the line, the proper way was to increase the army in a legitimate manner, by holding out sufficient inducement to men to enter at once into the regular service. regard to what he could not help calling the wild and extravagant suggestions of Lord Ellenborough with regard to a campaign in Asia, he was glad to find Lord Panmure gave them no countenance. With regard to Poland, too, and her nationality, he trusted that the present war would not be diverted from its original object into a scheme for the restoration of that kingdom. No man felt more for the fate of Poland; but the Poles, by their incurable dissensions and divisions, had ruined their country.-After some further discussion, in which Lords Harrowby, Fitzwilliam, Granville, Colchester, With |