we are glad to find that its abolition or material modification is now at hand; a resolution, moved by Mr. Buckingham, "that it is the duty of this House to avail itself of the present period of profound peace to institute an inquiry whether some means may be devised of manning his Majesty's ships in time of war, without have recourse to the practice of forcible impressment," having been rejected by a majority of five only, in a House of 113 members.

The

Ministers are beginning to show a little more tact in the management of the House of Commons than they did during the early part of the session. They now see that the people are determined to have at least one benefit from the Reform in Parliament, that of retrenchment; and they take care not to incur a defeat by a direct opposition to motions having the object of enforcing economy in the public expenditure. Mr. Buller brought forward a motion of this nature; and instead of being directly opposed, Lord Althorp moved an amendment to the effect, that the House feel it their duty to affirm the determination to which they have already come, to adhere to the principles of a wise economy, and to apply those principles to all departments of the state, paying a due regard to the national engagements, and to the interest of the public service. subject of sinecures was again brought forward by Mr. Hume, the indefatigable guardian of the public purse, in moving an address to his Majesty for an inquiry into sinecure offices with a view to their abolition. Mr. Hume pointed out numerous instances of the gross waste of the public money in the payment of sinecures, among which the offices of Keeper of the Great Seal, the Keeper of the Privy Seal, the Keeper of the Signet, and the Governor of the Mint, all in Scotland, were conspicuous. The old plea of vested rights was set up by Lord Althorp, and Lord Melville's sinecures were defended on the ground, that his Lordship was entitled to remuneration, for services under former Administrations and that he would have been entitled to a pension had he not held sinecure offices. Lord Althorp, however, avoided giving the motion a direct negative, but moved, as an amendment, that an address be made to his Majesty, to direct an inquiry to be made explaining the nature and extent of all emoluments derivable from sinecure offices in the United Kingdom. Mr. Hume having thus obtained his object withdrew his motion. The Factory Bill, after receiving various amendments in the committee, has been read a third time, and passed. The HOUSE OF LORDS has passed the Irish Church Bill with much

fewer alterations than were apprehended. Except the provision for the abolition of vestry cess, a tax of L.60,000 a-year, we can see nothing in the bill deserving of commendation. The Jews' Disabilities Bill, and the Dramatic Performances Bill, have been rejected by their Lord. ships; but as they will be brought forward at an early period of the next session, we may expect ere long to see the Jews admitted to civil rights, and the property of dramatic authors protected from invasion. The East India Charter Bill, and the Slavery Bill, are making rapid progress in the Upper House, and are likely to pass without material modifications. Great apprehensions were entertained for the Scotch Burgh Reform Bill; but it has been read a second time without a division. We have, therefore, a speedy prospect of getting rid of the close selfelective system, the parent of so much corruption and jobbing which has reduced many of the Scotch Burghs to bankruptcy.

ENGLAND.

Sir John Key having received, contrary to law, a Government contract for stationery, to the amount of L.60,000, felt himself under the necessity of resigning his seat as one of the members for London. Mr. Francis Kemble appeared as candidate on the conservative interest, and Mr. Crawford on the liberal, and the result has shown that the Tories have no chance in the metropolis. Though later in taking the field than his antagonist, Mr. Crawford was at the head of the poll from the outset, the majority in his favour hourly increasing. At the close of the second day, the numbers were, Mr. Crawford, 4,041, Mr. Kemble, 2,004. Majority for Crawford, 2,037.

CHOLERA has again broken out in the metropolis, and prevails to a considerable extent. Cases have also occurred in other parts of England. Government, apparently influenced by the little benefit derived from the exertions made last year, has taken no steps to prevent the spread of the disease; but several of the Continental States have placed all vessels from England under quarantine.

SCOTLAND.

ANNUITY TAX.-The proceedings of the clergy to enforce payment of this assessment for their stipends, creates a great sensation in Edinburgh. On the 10th August, Mr. William Tait, Bookseller, who had resisted payment of the tax for some years, was imprisoned, and remained in jail four days. Having thus testified his abhorrence of the tax, he paid the amount, and was escorted from from the jail door to his own house, by

a procession of the trades, consisting of upwards of eight thousand. The spectators were very numerous, and the spectacle was altogether one of the most magnificent and heart-stirring which was ever exhibited in Scotland; and must have given the death-blow to this iniquitous tax. The clergy, however, nothing daunted by this show of unanimity of sentiment, and fixed resolution, have proceeded in their reckless career; and continue to imprison the refractory.

SCOTCH BURGHS.-A royal commission has been issued for inquiring into the state of the municipal corporations. The members are exclusively Whig lawyers, not a single banker or merchant having been named.

IRELAND.

STATE OF THE COUNTRY.-More than usual tranquillity seems to prevail in Ireland at present. This is attributed by the Whigs to the effects of the Coercion Bill, but it is more than probable that it has arisen from the attempts to collect the arrears of tithes having been relinquished. One-third of the extra police force has been withdrawn from Kilkenny, and it is understood that the remainder will shortly be removed.

FRANCE.

The

The silk weavers of Lyons, who, it will be remembered, defeated the King's troops in 1831, and held out the town against them for several days, have again been in a state of insubordination. The storm has, however, blown over for the present; but from the known determination of the weavers to obtain higher wages, new combinations are again apprehended. anniversary of "The Three Days," notwithstanding anticipations to the contrary, passed over without disturbance. There was so much feasting, dancing, parading, and gratuitous performances at the theatres, that the populace was delighted. Great preparations were made by Government to ensure tranquillity.

BELGIUM.

The Queen of Belgium has given birth to a male heir to the throne. This event happened on the 24th of July. The child has been named Louis Philip Victor Ernest, and is to be created Duke of Brabant.

HOLLAND.

Great distress, and consequently great dissatisfaction, exist among the mercantile community in Holland. Not only have their burdens been much increased by the war, but their commerce has been materially impeded. Many towns on the Rhine, which formerly obtained their supplies of colonial produce from Holland, now receive them from France, great facilities for their carriage having been af

forded by the employment of steam-boats on the rivers.

PORTUGAL.

On

The success of Donna Maria's arms has been greater than could have been anticipated. The capture of Don Miguel's fleet has led to the most important consequences, and it is now seen that the accounts of the popularity of the usurper have been much exaggerated. Lisbon was taken on the 24th July. Villa Flor, the Duke of Terceira, had advanced to St. Ubes with 1,500 men; and being opposed by Telles Jordao, at the head of 6,000 troops, an engagement ensued, in which the latter was defeated with great loss. learning this disaster, the Duke of Cadaval, the Governor of Lisbon, evacuated the city with the garrison, consisting of 4,000 men. The inhabitants, finding themselves freed from restraint, rose en masse, liberated the prisoners confined for political offences, and made themselves masters of the city before Villa Flor could reach it. Captain Napier, who has been created Viscount of Cape St. Vincent for his excellent conduct, sailed up the Tagus with his fleet on the 25th. The Duke of Palmella was on board. Don Pedro, on learning the intelligence of the capture of Lisbon, sailed from Oporto on the 26th July, and reached the capital on the 28th. severe attack was made on Oporto by Marshal Bourmont on the 25th; but although it was persevered in for several hours, the Miguelites were repulsed with great loss. Notwithstanding these reverses, Don Miguel's troops still continue steady to his cause; although Marshal Bourmont has found himself under the necessity of raising the siege of Oporto. Our Government has at length determined to recognise Donna Maria. patches have been transmitted from the Foreign Office, containing credentials to Lord William Russell, to act as Minister of Great Britain at the young Queen's

court.

SWITZERLAND.

A

Des

There have been disturbances in the Cantons of Schytz and Basle, in consequence of the resistance on the part of the aristocracy to the liberal ameliorations introduced since the French Revolution of 1830. These disturbances are understood to be promoted by Prussia and Austria; but the Federal Diet, which is supported by France, having acted with vigour, tranquillity has been restored.

POLAND.

The severities of Nicholas against the unfortunate Polish nation continue with unabated rigour. The despot is not content with warring with the nation; he must extirpate their language itself. He

has recently published two decrees, one for the more effectual rooting up of the Polish language, the other for making political offences subject to courts-martial. An association of young Polish students had been formed in the University of Winnica for the preservation of their language, and for this offence they have been drafted into Russian regiments.

THE COLONIES.

By accounts from Jamaica to the 20th June, it appears that the planters were much alarmed and exasperated upon receiving intelligence of Mr. Stanley's first emancipation project. A public meeting was held, at which resolutions were pass ed, that in the event of compensation being refused by the British Government, Jamaica ought to be freed from her alle giance to the mother country. The conversion of the loan of fifteen millions into

a grant of twenty, will, probably, moderate the frenzy of the planters. Montreal papers to the 3d July have been received. Upper Canada is said to be in a state of increasing prosperity. Agricul ture and commerce are rapidly advancing. New canals are about to be cut; and the number of steam-boats on the rivers has been greatly augmented. The emigrants who have arrived this year are generally persons of property. The prospect of the harvest was gloomy, the crops having suffered from severe rains and floods. MEXICO.

A treacherous attempt was made, in the beginning of June, to create a fresh revolution, by seizing the President, Santa Anna. The plot was formed by the Spanish party; but the conspirators were defeated by the President making his escape from his place of confinement.

While France seems disposed to relax the restrictive system, and has already made some steps towards removing the restrictions on trade, Prussia is using all her energies to exclude our manufactures, and has been actively employed for the last year and a half in endeavouring to prevail on the other German States to second her views. Although we have reduced our duties on several Prussian commodities, her auties on our hardware, cottons, and woollen, are as high as ever, and it is in contemplation to impose so heavy a tax on our wool, as to prohibit its exportation altogether. Considering the very large proportion of our exports sent to Germany, it cannot be denied, that if Prussia were to succeed in her anti-commercial policy, much injury would be done to this country; but there is little chance of her success.

ing, and we may hope that it will, ere long, recover from the distress which it has so long suffered.

Agriculture continues in a greatly depressed state; for, notwithstanding the speculations and rise of prices in the commercial markets, the price of grain has continued rather retrograding than otherwise. The uncertain state of the corn laws, and the prospects of an early harvest, have repressed all speculation. In the south of England the harvest has almost terminated, and the greater part of the crop has been carried in the best condition. In the earlier districts of Scotland shearing began on the 5th, and was general on the 12th. By the 19th, several stacks were to be seen in the yards, but the carrying was interrupted by the rain of the succeeding days. The accounts of the crops vary exceedingly. In East Lothian the bulk is certainly under an average; but the quality of the grain, particularly of wheat, is finer than it has been for many years, and it is perfectly free from disease. The oats and barley are generally light crops, but will probably yield well. In the county of Edinburgh the crops appear generally to be more bulky, particularly the wheat and oats. In Stirlingshire severe injury has been done to the wheat by rust; and the bean crop is likely to be deficient in produce.

Cattle markets have been brisk, though prices have been rather falling than otherwise. sheep and lambs have been in steady

and the rise on white-faced stock since last year is estimated at 5s. per head.