pilots, their widows, and children. The revenue of the Northern LightHouses, under a Board of Commissioners, was, for the year 1850, 48,3941; the expenditure was 48,4377. The excess of expenditure has been added to the previous debt, which is now 21,332.

MERCHANT SEAMEN.-The Corporation for the Relief of Seamen in the Merchant Service, received for that purpose in the year 1848 the sum of 25,556%., of which 17,5021. were derived from duties on merchant vessels; their expenditure within the same period was 23,840l., of which 18,5431. was paid in pensions, 2,3617. in affording temporary relief, and 5241. given to the Seaman's Hospital Society.

NAVAL OFFICERS.-Total number of officers in the Royal Navy on January 1, 1850, distinguishing those in commission and in the Coast Guard service, the remainder being on half-pay.

Admiral of the Fleet

......

In Com-
mission.

In Coast Guard Service.

Total
No.

1

MILITARY SAVINGS BANKS.-On March 31, 1850, the total amount of deposits was 114,1237. The number of depositors was, Cavalry and Infantry 7,859, Ordnance 1,204.

SITTINGS of the HOUSE of COMMONS.-In the Session of 1851, the House of Commons sat on 120 days. The number of hours during which they sat was 921, of which 86 were after midnight. The total number of entries on the votes was 7,947.

INCLOSURES, ENGLAND.-The Sixth Annual Report of the Inclosure Commissioners, dated January 31, 1851, states that 60 applications for inclosure have been made since the last annual Report (see 1851, p. 171), applying to 46,719 acres. Many of these, however, will require the previous authority of Parliament. The total number of acres comprised in the applications for inclosure and conversion in the last six years, is 320,686.

VOTERS, IRELAND.-The number of voters registered in Ireland under the Act 13 and 14 Vict. cap. 69, was for counties, 135,245; for counties of cities or towns, 20,255; for boroughs, 8,046. Of counties there are 32; the largest number of voters is for Cork, 13,192; the smallest, Leitrim, 1,265. Of counties of cities or towns there are 9; the largest number of voters is in Dublin, 11,290; the smallest Drogheda, 501. Of boroughs there are 24; the largest number of voters is in Belfast, 2,697; the smallest, Portarlington, 71.

I

JOINT STOCK COMPANIES.-In the year 1850, 57 Joint Stock Companies were completely registered, and 159 provisionally registered: of the 159 provisionally registered, only 17 had completed the registration within the year. The amount of fees received at the office for the registration of Joint Stock Companies was 2,656l.

METROPOLITAN SEWERS.-Under the old separate Commissions of Sewers, between Jan. 1845 and Nov. 1847 the total rateable annual value of the districts under their control was 6,683,8967.; the average amount collected for one year was 81,7387., equal to something less than 3d. in the pound per annum. From Dec. 1847 to Oct. 8, 1849, under the combined and consolidated Commissions, the rateable value of the districts was 7,128,1117.; the average yearly sum collected, 67,7071., or a little over 21d. in the pound. From Oct. 8, 1849, to July 21, 1851, the rateable value has been 8,135,090.; the yearly amount raised, 89,341/., or something over 2d. in the pound, but expenses have been incurred in places not included in the rateable value, which are about to be rated on a yearly value of nearly 700,000l., which will reduce the rate to something less than 2§d. in the pound.

LUNATICS, IRELAND.-From the Fifth General Report of the Commissioners for Lunacy in Ireland, we learn-that on March 31, 1851, there were in eleven Lunatic Asylums, 2,584 patients; 1,301 males, and 1,283 females. In 125 Unions there were of Idiots, Epileptic Imbeciles, and Lunatics, unaccommodated in any public institution, 8,985 persons; 4,087 males, and 4,898 females. In the several Union Workhouses there were, of the same classes, 2,393 persons; 898 males, and 1,495 females. In the central Asylum of Dundrum, received from the other asylums and gaols, there were 92 persons; 59 males, and 33 females. In the whole, a number closely approaching 15,000.

In SCOTLAND on January 1, 1851, there were 3,362 lunatics confined in Public Asylums, Private Madhouses, or Poor Houses.

THE NATIONAL VACCINE ESTABLISHMENT.-The Annual Report states, that "In the course of 1850, 179,370 charges of lymph have been supplied in answer to 7,965 applications; 124,217 cases are reported as vaccinated; of these 10,025 were vaccinated by our stationary vaccinators in London." Supplies of lymph have been also sent to various British settlements, to Egypt, to Baden, and to the African Coast. The Report adds, with regret, "that in our own country the spread of Vaccination is still materially impeded by influences emanating from ignorance and prejudice in the lower orders, and from prejudice in many who cannot plead the excuse of ignorance."

MARRIAGES.-In the year 1849, there were in England and Wales 141,883 marriages, of which 123,182 were according to the rites of the Established Church, 5,558 in superintendent registrars' offices,4,199 in registered Roman Catholic places of worship, 8,662 in places of worship of other Christian denominations, 53 in Quakers' meeting-houses, 229 by Jews. Of the total number 44,027 men and 65,135 women signed the register with marks.

BIRTHS.-In the same period there were born 578,159 children, 295,158 males, 283,001 females; 20,049 of the males and 19,285 of the females were illegitimate.

DEATHS.-In the same period died 440,853 persons, of whom 221,801 were males, and 219,052 were females.

X.-CHRONICLE OF THE SESSION OF PARLIAMENT, 1851.

Feb.

[14-15 Victoriæ.]

(LORDS.) The Parliament was opened by the Queen in person. Her Majesty in the Royal Speech dwelt with satisfaction on the 4. continuance of peace and amity with foreign nations; on the termination of hostilities between Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein through the exertions of the German confederation in carrying out the stipulations of the Treaty of Berlin; on the conclusion of an additional treaty with the King of Sardinia; and on the new measures taken by the Government of Brazil for the suppression of the slave trade. Her Majesty having alluded to the estimates of the year, which "were framed with a due regard to economy and to the necessities of public service," proceeded to remark on the satisfactory state of the revenue, notwithstanding the large reduction of taxation in late years, and upon the flourishing state of the commerce and manufactures of the kingdom. The difficulties still felt by the owners and occupiers of land her Majesty lamented, but hoped that the prosperity of other classes of her subjects would have a beneficial effect in diminishing those difficulties and in promoting the interests of agriculture. Her Majesty then foreshadowed the principal government measures of the coming session -a bill to prevent the assumption of certain Ecclesiastical Titles conferred by the Pope; bills for improving the Administration of Justice in the several departments of Law and Equity; and a bill for a Registration of Deeds and Instruments relating to the Transfer of Property. Her Majesty concluded by expressing her thanks to Almighty God for the tranquillity and happiness which He had vouchsafed her kingdom.

(LORDS.) The address, moved by the Earl of Effingham and seconded by Lord Cremorne, gave rise to a long debate, chiefly on the subject of the assumption of territorial titles by the Roman Catholic hierarchy established by the late papal bull in England, and was carried unanimously. The most remarkable speech was made by a Roman Catholic peer, Lord Camoys, who strongly condemned the proceedings of the Pope in the matter of the hierarchy. Lord Redesdale was appointed Chairman of Committees in room of the Earl of Shaftesbury.

(COMMONS.) The Marquis of Kildare moved and Mr. Peto seconded the address to her Majesty, which, after a long debate (in the course of which Mr. Roebuck strongly condemned the conduct of Lord J. Russell in relation to the Roman Catholic hierarchy), was carried without division.

Feb.

(COMMONS.) In answer to Mr. Reynolds Lord J. Russell announced his intention to re-introduce a bill to abolish the Irish

5. vice-royalty. On the motion of Lord J. Russell a resolution appreciating the services of the late Mr. Ley, 50 years clerk of the house, was agreed to. The first division took place on a motion made by Mr. Hume, that no money vote be taken in supply after midnight, which proposal was rejected by 116 to 47. Mr. Brotherton's motion to adjourn punctually at twelve o'clock every night was also rejected by 108 to 32. The report on the address was brought up and agreed to.

6.

Feb. (LORDS.) After a denial by Lord Minto that he had made himself a party to the proceedings of the Pope in relation to the English Roman Catholic hierarchy, Lord Campbell brought in a Bill for the Conversion of Copyhold into Freehold Tenures.

(COMMONS.) Lord J. Russell announced his intention to bring in, at an early period, a measure for the alteration of the Oath of Abjuration. Mr.

T. M. Gibson obtained leave to bring in a Bill to establish County Financial Boards for the Assessing of a County Rate and for the Administration of County Expenditure in England and Wales. A motion made by Lord J. Russell pledging the House not to "proceed upon any motion for an address to the Crown to which opposition is offered but in a committee of the whole House" was opposed, and withdrawn with a view to its reintroduction.

Feb.

7.

(LORDS.) Lord Brougham brought in a Bill for the Extension of the Jurisdiction of the County Courts' Act, which was read a first time. (COMMONS.) Lord J. Russell, in a long historical speech, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to prevent the Assumption of certain Ecclesiastical Titles from places in the United Kingdom. Mr. Roebuck characterised the measure as "one of the meanest, and pettiest, and most futile measures that ever disgraced even bigotry itself." Mr. J. O'Connell thought the measure a contemptible one, but the noble lord's proposal to include Ireland in its operation would be resented in that country. Mr. H. Drummond spoke in support of the motion. Mr. E. B. Roche contended that Government was taking a retrograde course, and that Ireland ought to be excluded from the provisions of the Bill. Mr. G. H. Moore opposed the motion in strong terms. Mr. Bright pronounced the measure as little, paltry, and miserable, a mere sham to bolster up church ascendancy." Mr. D'Israeli would not oppose the introduction of the measure, which he spoke of with contempt; it was a piece of petty persecution; Lord Clarendon's correspondence with the Pope and the policy of the Whigs in relation to Roman Catholicism was an excuse for the step taken by the Pope; the problem to be solved was the reconciliation of the recognition of a Roman Catholic hierarchy by the law with a complete respect for the civil and religious liberties of the Roman Catholcis. Mr. M. J. O'Connell defended the Roman Catholics against the charge of disloyalty, and condemned the insulting tone of Lord J. Russell's letter to the Bishop of Durham. Sir R. H. Inglis thought the Bill did not go far enough, and replied to Mr. Bright's "bill of indictment against the Established Church." The debate was

adjourned.

(LORDS.) Certain returns relating to the bankruptcy courts Feb. having been ordered on the motion of Lord Brougham, the 10. Marquess of Lansdowne moved a resolution, which was agreed to, recognising the long and faithful services of the Earl of Shaftesbury as Chairman of Committees, and referring the grant of a retiring allowance to her Majesty's pleasure.

(COMMONS.) The adjourned debate was resumed by Mr. Reynolds, who opposed the Government motion, arguing that the proposed Bill was an aggression on the liberties of the Catholics of Ireland. The Attorney

General explained the provisions of the Bill-which imposes a penalty of 1007. for the assumption of an ecclesiastical title under the papal rescript from any place in the United Kingdom; makes absolutely void every act done by persons by virtue of such titles; and declares the endowment of such sees illegal, and gifts made to their holders forfeited to the Crown. 'The learned gentleman added that the measure was framed as much for the protection of the Catholic laity as of the Protestants. Lord Ashley applied himself to rebutting Mr. Bright's assertion that the Dissenters had held aloof from the recent religious agitation; to showing the dangers of allowing the Roman Catholic prelates the power of synodical action; and concluded by warning his adherents against the "histrionic antics" of the Puseyites. The other speakers in favour of the motion were Mr. Conolly, Mr. P. Wood, and Sir G. Grey; Mr. H. Grattan and Mr. T. M'Cullagh opposed

it. The debate was again adjourned. Mr. Anstey's motion for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal all penal enactments against Roman Catholics was rejected by 175 to 35. Mr. Baines brought in a Bill, which was read a first time, for the protection of young persons under the control of others, as apprentices or servants, and to enable the Poor Law Guardians to prosecute in certain cases.

(COMMONS.) In answer to Sir J. Walmesley Lord J. Russell Feb. said "it is not the intention of her Majesty's Ministers to take 11. any steps during the present session to extend the right of voting for members of this House beyond the classes now in possession of it;" that he was of opinion that certain extensions of the Reform Act were desirable, and that "he would act on that opinion when he thought the proper time had come." The clerk having read the passage in the Royal Speech relating to the condition of the country, Mr. D'Israeli moved a resolution to the effect that the severe distress which continues to exist among the owners and occupiers of land, as lamented in her Majesty's Speech, renders it the duty of the Government to introduce without delay measures for their effectual relief. The motion having been seconded, the Chancellor of the Exche quer in reply argued that no protected interest ever lost protection without transient suffering; that the agricultural labourer was never in better circumstances than at present; that, the revenue since 1841 having increased by 4,726,000% and the taxes repealed having amounted to 10,763,0007., leaving a clear balance of relief of above five millions sterling after deducting the income-tax which had been since imposed, it was impossible for a legislation producing such results to be wrong; and concluded by calling upon the House to reject the motion. Mr. Hodgson, Mr. G. Berkeley, and Mr. Sandars having spoken in favour of the motion, and Mr. Brown against it, the debate was adjourned. Mr. W. Williams obtained leave, by a majority of 70 to 19, to bring in a Bill to prevent Sunday Trading in the Metropolis, which was read a first time.

Feb.

12.

(COMMONS.) The adjourned debate on Lord J. Russell's motion was resumed by Mr. P. Howard, who rebutted the asser. tion of Ministers that this Bill was needed for the protection of Catholics against their bishops, and said that the Catholics only asked to enjoy their religious liberty in an unendowed church. Mr. Napier argued that the step taken by the Pope was an attempt to introduce foreign authority into this land, and to raise it above the constitution and the law; legis lation therefore was necessary; and they ought to have a strong legisla tion in favour of Protestantism unaccompanied by a strong policy in favour of Popery; at present "it was a disqualification for a man looking for a situation in Ireland to be a Protestant." Mr. Keogh replied strongly to this last observation, the contrary of which he asserted to be the rule; and concluded by arguing that the Queen's prerogative was not interfered with by the establishment of a Catholic hierarchy in this country; that there was no assumption of territorial power; and that no insult was offered to the Crown or Protestant subjects of this country. Mr. Anstey repeated his objections to the act of the Pope, and said he would propose to exempt Ireland from the operation of the Bill. Mr. Spooner supported the measure. Mr. A. B. Hope attacked Lord J. Russell for inconsistency, and maintained that no repressive measures were necessary. Col. Thompson supported the Bill, and would gladly support it even if it went further; he attributed the act of the Pope to the anti-British promptings of France. Mr. Hume was surprised beyond measure that the gallant colonel should advocate persecution, and protested against this measure as an aggression upon the civil liberties of his fellow-countrymen. Mr. Oswald would not join in a crusade against the religion professed by one-third of the inhabit