Monthly Supplement to "HOUSEHOLD WORDS," Conducted by CHARLES DICKENS.

ENGLISHMEN are said to begin whatever they have to say, by talking about the weather. As the weather has a very material influence on the condition and prospects of the "Three Kingdoms," in the changing month of April, we need offer no apology for availing ourselves of an Englishman's privilege in commencing our account of it.

For, in Spring, as we all know, the first indications of good or bad harvests present themselves. Upon these, a vast deal nationally depends,-prosperity or depression; wealth or want; employment or idleness; mercantile activity, or commercial stagnation. In politics, also, "our agricultural prospects" have their influence. A bad harvest surrounds the minister with accumulating difficulties, while a good one smooths many away. It is said of an ex-premier, who has been at the head of affairs more than once, that when called upon to deliberate on taking office, he is guided less by the aspect of what is called "the political horizon," than by the state of the barometer. He calculates that if there be a reasonable chance of excellent crops, there is a corresponding probability of the people being good-humoured. It is astonishing how a man's mind clears up with the weather; and how it darkens (on such subjects as the Income Tax, and other trifles of that nature) with the sky.

Happily, the month's accounts from almost every part of the country give hope of an abundant season. A dry seed-time was followed by an unusually cold and nipping frost during March, which, though retarding vegetation, kept it from peering above ground to be bitten and blighted. April was ushered in with storms, the disastrous effects of which on shipping we have to record,-but the genial weather which followed, was only interrupted by heavy showers, much required for irrigation after the long drought. An unusual amount of electricity discharged itself on two occasions in severe thunderstorms. Upon the whole, vegetation promises unusually well. And, as things run on smoothly with the human, as with the equine race, when it can command abundance of corn, we are happy in the prospect before us. Plenty, however, so advantageous to the buyer, is, according to protectionist theories, a bane to the seller. Indeed, it is so, unless means of production are multiplied by skill, energy, and industry, in an inverse ratio to the diminution of prices. It has yet to be seen, whether the downward tendencies in the price of farm produce will be met by the farmer so as to decrease "the agricultural difficulty" which still exists.

The emigration movement has not slumbered, and is making head vigorously, as the season advances. Vast numbers of persons have recently departed from Ireland, chiefly to the United States. The public, at length awakened to a sense of the vast magnitude of the subject, and to its immeasurable benefits, both to those who go abroad, and to those who remain at home, are beginning to bestir themselves out of doors. Attention is universally directed to our great Australian colonies, but it rests with the public, still, to enforce upon the Government and Legislature the necessity of a careful, comprehensive, liberal scheme of popular emigration, and of a system of regulations for the health, comfort, and happiness of emigrants. There is no question of importance to the community, which is not included in this question. Its vital interest to every man who has the least care for the welfare of his country, and the progress of his race, cannot be exaggerated.

The lamentable intellectual wants of a vast proportion of the humbler classes have occasioned during the month much solicitude and discussion. These are due chiefly to Mr. Fox, member for Oldham, whose educational Bill-to extend the means of instruction to all sects and classes-has excited much wholesome and energetic agitation throughout the more thinking districts of the country; by which we mean the districts where men think, and act. It is striking, but discouraging, to note the contrast between the manner in which such comprehensive educational projects as that of Mr. Fox are met by the practical men of action in the manufacturing districts, and by the passive theorists of the House of Commons. But, in the manufacturing districts, they know the danger, and the monstrous ignorance and degradation lying at the base of all society; and in the House of Commons they do not, yet. The partywalls of that building are extremely thick, and keep out a great deal of social knowledge.

Our record of party politics presents features of vicissitude, and therefore of interest. April has been (as Francis Moore, physician, might have predicted, if he had foreseen it,) a disastrous month in the ministerial calendar. In the first week of the meeting of parliament after the Easter holidays, the Cabinet had to endure, in the House of Commons, three defeats,-two positive, and one comparative; and, shortly after, a fourth. On a motion, having for its object improvement in the status and accommodation of Assistant-Surgeons on board her Majesty's ships, ministers were placed in a minority equal to eight votes. On the measure for extending the jurisdiction of County Courts, to which they were not disposed to agree, they voted with a minority, which numbered 67 against 144 votes. These were the positive defeats; the comparative one arose out of a motion to abolish the window tax. Against this the Cabinet made some effort, but its supporters only mustered in sufficient strength to afford a majority of three. Their last disaster was in a committee on the New Stamp Duties Bill.

*It will be remembered by the readers of the preliminary announcement of this Supplement, that it is intended that numbers of the "Household Narrative of Current Events" for the months of January, February, and March, shall be published, at convenient intervals in time to complete the volume for the year. This is the explanation of the first page of the present number being page 73.

Whoever rejoices, or whoever grieves, at these evidences of ministerial declension, cannot fail to observe that the present government has not only evinced, but acted on, a desire for economy. Whether impelled by the pressure from without of the "Financial Reformers," or by a deeplyrooted conviction that the salaries of many of his colleagues in various departments are too great, Lord John Russell has obtained a committee to inquire into the emoluments of certain state officers with a view to reduction. This committee is constituted fairly, and includes Mr. Cobden, and his platform colleague Mr. Bright.

The Bill for the abolition of intramural interments will be considered in a committee of the whole House, next month. The Report on which this Bill is founded, is one of the most remarkable public documents that have ever appeared in England. It would be impossible to illustrate more impressively the deplorable condition into which we have insensibly lapsed, in respect of our disposal of the dead-the shocking indecorum, the waste of means and life, the diffusion of sickness, pestilence, misery, and want attendant on our present burial customs. To assert the awe and sanctity of Death; to separate the dead from the living; to surround death, among the poor and wretched, with humanising and not hardening influences; to respect the ashes of the humblest sharer in the common lot; is the lesson that it teaches. This is the end of the legislative measure founded upon it. It may be retarded by weak, mercenary, or bigoted opposition; but it would be to doubt the sense, the decency, and human feeling, of the country, to doubt its ultimate attainment.

APRIL.]

DISCUSSIONS IN PARLIAMENT.

first lieutenants of marines, but are excluded from the ward-room and from the society of their equal offi"Then," said the capcers, and put into the cock-pit. tain, "where is the cock-pit? Why, in the hold of a ship, where the sun never penetrates, where the only light afforded is by lamps or candles, where an impure atmosphere constantly prevails, where it was impossible to study, for study could not be carried on in the midst of middies fond of larking and full of fun!" The schoolmaster, the engineer, his assistant, and even boatswains and carpenters have each a separate room.-The resolution was opposed by Admiral DUNDAS, because there are plenty of applicants for the place of assistant-surgeons in our navy under the existing arrangement; and secondly, that the proposed alteration is impracticable. When the House divided, ministers found themselves in a minority; for 48 voted with Captain Boldero, and 40 against him.-Sir Francis BARING afterwards remarked, that the wish of the House was one thing, and the practicability of the resolution another; and he feared that it could not be carried out with advantage to the service. The ward-room of each ship was already fully crammed with officers entitled to use it.

The House then resolved itself into a Committee of Supply, when Colonel SIBTHORP proposed to reduce the number of lords of the Admiralty from six to four; and that their salaries, and those of their secretaries, and other officers in that department, should be curtailed so as to effect a saving of 7,1007. a year.-Sir F. BARING contended that the number of the lords was not disproportioned to the mass of detailed business to be superintended, and that their salaries should be left to the consideration of the committee upon public salaries.-Upon this, Colonel SIBTHORP restricted his motion to the reduction of two lords, which, upon a division, was negatived by 110 to 33.

George GREY advised caution. The sum to be sued for in these courts was now limited to 207., but it was proposed to enlarge the limit to 50%. for debts, and from Where, urged Sir 51. to 207. in cases of "tort," in which damages for wrong were sought to be recovered. George, was this to stop? The House may next year be called on to extend the jurisdiction indefinitely. The bill also proposed an increase of the judges' and clerks' salaries and to remove the limits of counsel's fees, which will detract from the present advantages of cheapness. To test the opinion of the House with respect to the bill, he moved that it be read a second time that day six months.-Mr John EVANS, in astonishment at Sir George Grey's objection, asked, why deter the legislature from continuing in a course of utility? The frequency of decisions on pitiful quibbles is so great in the superior courts, that the judges will find it impossible to go on much longer, from mere contempt and ridicule.Mr. MARTIN conceived the bill to be a step towards the abrogation of trial by jury. All experience proved that the best system of jurisprudence was that in which a jury decided upon matters of fact, and a judge upon law. Reverse that system, and allow 60 gentlemen [the present number of County Court judges] through the country to decide both fact and law, and serious evils would ensue. [In a County Court it is at the option of parties to have juries or not, as they please.]-Mr. CockBURN gave his cordial support to the bill. As to trial by jury in civil actions, he believed that a single judge of knowledge, education, and experience, was infinitely better than juries, especially those selected at assizes. In the course of equity, where property was dealt with in masses and in its most important relations, there were no juries. If important points of law arose, the case would do without juries willingly, for they very seldom might be brought before a superior court. The public Mr. HUME sought to retrench the vote of 689,9717. asked for them in County Court trials. The principle for home naval establishments by the 10,000l. for drilling of these courts simplified the law, which is so voluminous the dockyard artificers. He too was beaten by 66 to 15. and perplexing, that a lawyer's lifetime is too short to learn On Tuesday the 9th, the Repeal of the Window Duty it, and even at last he cannot understand it; while, to was brought under notice by Lord DUNCAN. When, the subject, the law is a sealed book; a state of things His arguments rested he said, the deleterious effects of this tax upon the public to be ashamed of.-The ATTORNEY-GENERAL opposed health is so notorious, it seemed a mockery to have dwelt the bill with emphatic warmth. so strongly on sanitary measures in the Queen's speech chiefly on the grounds that the County Court judges are unless ministers had intended to abolish the tax upon unrestrained by the opinion of a professional bar; that the light of Heaven. The Health of Towns Association the admission of persons to be witnesses in their own cause either promotes perjury, or hinders sensitive parhad pronounced it "more vicious in principle, more injurious in its practical consequences, than a tax on ties from seeking justice.-On a division, Sir George food." If the 100,000l. a-year voted for the impossible Grey's amendment was negatived, by 144 to 69; and endeavour to suppress the Slave trade on the coasts of the bill was read a second time.-Mr. HUME inquired Africa were saved, there would be no necessity for whether, after this demonstration of feeling, the Governtaxing houses containing fewer than fourteen windows.ment would persevere in opposing so salutary a meaSir Charles WooD said, the tax already presses as lightly sure?-Sir George GREY said, he should object to on the poor as possible. Out of 3,500,000 houses, it is increasing the salaries of the judges; but he could not only paid by 500,000 of the better class of houses; and undertake to say whether Government would oppose even for those the duty is ultimately paid by the capital the measure any further. of the landlord in reduction of rent, rather than by the tenant. The superiority of the dwellings of the poor in England over those in Ireland, where the tax does not exist, refutes, according to Sir Charles, much of the sanitary argument. The exemption of all houses having fewer than twelve windows would cost, not 100,000l. but 250,0007.-the duty now received from such houses.Sir George PECHELL recalled the fact, that since 1835, five Chancellors of the Exchequer have promised to "consider" this subject, and not one has considered it in the way the public voice requires.-Lord Robert GROSVENOR was obliged to tell the Government, that after the Commissions issued by them, which without exception have recommended the abrogation of the tax, their refusal to mitigate or moderate amounts to a great loss of character on their part.-When the House divided, there were for the motion, 77; against it, 80; Ministerial majority, 3. The announcement of numbers drew hearty cheers from the minority.

[Subsequently Sir George PECHELL'S annual return of the window-duties was printed. It shows that the amount assessed in the year ending on the 5th, was 1,893,9887., and the net amount received was 1,813,6297. The number of houses charged, 487,411.]

The County Courts Extension Bill came on for second reading on Wednesday 10th. It was opposed by Ministers and a portion of the Protectionist party.-Sir

The Public Libraries and Museums Bill was now to be moved into committee, and Mr. EWART announced that he had modified it in two points:-First, To limit its operation to boroughs whose populations exceeded 10,000; Secondly, To make it necessary for the town council of any borough, before determining to carry this act into effect, to call a public meeting of rate-payers, and to obtain their distinct consent.-Colonel SIBTHORP would still oppose the bill; inasmuch as it would impose a fresh tax, and he moved that it be committed on that day six months.-Lord J. MANNERS also objected to the bill as doing that for libraries and museums what the legislature had refused to do for churches, hospitals, and charities.-Mr. OSWALD wished to know whether the bill was intended to apply to Scotland? If so, he should These eager questions oppose it.-Colonel CHATTERTON asked whether the bill was to apply to Ireland? produced a laugh.-Mr. EWART said that the bill was not intended to apply to Scotland, but he should be most ready to include Ireland in its operation, if the majority of the Irish members so desired. He regretted to find a proposition for the establishment of libraries and the members for our universities.-Colonel Sibthorp's amendextension of knowledge opposed by three of the four ment was eventually lost by a majority of 35 out of 163 votes.

On Friday 12th Lord John RUSSELL moved for a

e 2

select committee on Official Salaries. He proposed great cheering. Sir Charles WooD immediately stated, that the inquiry should embrace the pay and emoluments that in consequence of this decision, the Government of offices held during the pleasure of the Crown by would proceed with the bill no further that night, and Members of either House of Parliament; of judicial would take time to consider what to do next. officers in the Superior Courts of Law and Equity; On 16th Mr. Milner GIBSON brought forward four the retiring pensions of the Judges; and also the expense resolutions for the abolition of Taxes on Knowledge: of Diplomatic Establishments. Lord John supported 1st, To repeal the excise duty only on paper; 2nd, To his motion by an appeal to precedents, and to the reduc- abolish the stamp, and 3rd, the advertisement duty on tions effected at the recommendation of former com- newspapers; 4th, To do away with the customs duty on mittees of inquiry, of which there was one in 1798, in foreign books. The sacrifice, said Mr. Gibson, of the civil establishments; others in 1818, 1828, and 1830, small excise duty on paper yearly, would lead to the emon the salaries of office-holders in Parliament; and a ployment of 40,000 people in London alone. We are totally fifth, on military establishments, in 1848. It was, said driven out of our own colonies in British America by his lordship, quite impossible to make sudden and the paper of the United States, France, Germany, and sweeping reductions, or to form fixed tariffs of salaries. Italy. The suppression of Chambers' Miscellany, and The motion was opposed by an amendment from Mr. the prevented reissue of Mr. Charles Knight's Penny D'ISRAELI: he did not see why that should be done by Cyclopædia, from the pressure of the duty, are gross parliamentary committees, which it was the duty of instances of the check those duties impose on the diffugovernment to do. Why did not ministers introduce a sion of knowledge. Mr. Gibson did not propose to alter bill on the subject at once? Lord John Russell's expe- the postal part of the newspaper stamp duties; all the rience and studies would enable him to settle in a single duty paid for postage-a very large proportion-would morning the scale of Parliamentary salaries; the Home therefore still be paid. He dwelt on the unjust Excise Secretary might do the same for the Judicial salaries; caprices which permit this privilege to humorous and Lord Palmerston for the Foreign salaries-no one scientific weekly periodicals, and even to the candlestick more capable. But committees, meant procrastina- and candelabrum circular of an advertising tradesman, tion. If this one be granted, it must go into the but deny it to the avowed "news" columns of the daily whole subject, as if no information existed; and nothing press. He especially showed by extracts from a heap of will satisfy it but thorough investigation. Its evidence unstamped newspapers, that great evil is committed on will be published; and at the beginning of the session the poorest reading classes, by denying them that useful of 1851-observed the honourable member, amid much fact and true exposition which would be the best laughter-"leave will be asked to sit again." Much has antidote to the pernicious principles now disseminated been said about the exhibition of works of art in 1851-among them by the cheap unstamped press. There is much respecting the competition of foreigners; but there no reason but this duty, which only gives 350,000l. per is one production which no foreign nation can touch, and annum, why the poor man should not have his penny that is the blue book which the committee will produce! and even his halfpenny newspaper, to give him the Mr. D'Israeli then moved "That this House is in leading facts and the important ideas of the passing time. possession of all information requisite to revise and The tax on advertisements checks information, fines regulate public salaries; that Parliamentary Committees poverty, mulets charity, depresses literature, and imof inquiry would only lead to delay; and that it is the pedes every species of mental activity, to realize 150,000l. duty of the Government, on their own responsibility, to per annum. That mischievous tax on knowledge, the introduce the measures that may be necessary for effecting duty on foreign books, is imposed for the sake of no more every reduction in the National Establishments consis- than 80007. a year! Mr. Gibson concluded by expresstent with the efficient discharge of the public service."- ing his firm conviction, that unless these taxes were The debate then exhibited some splitting of parties, espe- removed, and the progress of knowledge by that and cially among the financial reformers.-Mr. HUME would every other possible means facilitated, evils most terrinot oppose the amendment because it emanated from the ble would arise in the future,-a not unfit retribution opposite side of the house: he should like to see how many for the gross impolicy of the Legislature.-Mr. CowAN of those who profess a desire for public economy could pointed out that the paper tax checked the progress vote against it. Perhaps it pressed Government, but of manufacture. An attempt was made a few years Governments ought to be pressed. If the Committee's ago, in Gloucestershire, to manufacture paper from recommendations agreed with the wishes of Government, straw; but while the cost of raw material was 2s. a Government would carry them out; if not, they would hundredweight, the duty was 14s. 9d. the hundredabstain. A committee was next to useless.-Mr. HENLEY weight, and, of course, the undertaking failed. He had complained that Lord John gave no indication that he in his possession some paper made so long ago as the intended reductions. As to the Committee-would the year 1800 from straw; and but for the excise incubus, child unborn see the issue of its inquiries? Mr. Henley that peculiar manufacture would, by this time, have been would vote for the amendment.-Sir Benjamin HALL brought to a high state of perfection. -Sir Charles could not trust Ministers with the reduction of their own WooD opposed the motion. Everybody was nibbling salaries. Mr. BRIGHT was gratified to observe both at the surplus, although it had been already disposed of parties vying with each other in carrying out Mr. in other reductions. This course persisted in, he Cobden's economic views. If the Committee were to be seriously apprehended that a surplus would be more such as Lord John had appointed on former occasions, disastrous to a Chancellor of the Exchequer than a defithere would be delay and shirking. In the hope, how- ciency.-Mr. ROEBUCK, in supporting Mr.Gibson, assured ever, of an independent Committee excluding Govern- the House that it was centuries behind the time; whereat ment influence, officials, and all salaried or pensioned the House laughed. The education which the House Members of the House, Mr. Bright would give his refused, the French Socialists will give. The masses vote for the Government.-Finally, Mr. DISRAELI'S are learning from them the power of "combination." amendment was negatived by 250 to 159.-Mr. HORSMAN The learned member then proceeded to exclaim with then moved another amendment, adding to the original vehemence-“They will put you down to a certainty ; motion these words-"And incomes and emoluments of but they won't know how to direct their power for the Ecclesiastical Dignitaries." This was negatived, by 208 good of mankind. For God's sake, therefore, allow us to 95; and Lord John's motion was carried. to give the instruction which these vast multitudes need, who are destined to exercise power in this country!"Lord John RUSSELL owned that it is "very desirable that the people in general should have political intelligence. It is very fit that all the political concerns of the country should be known;" but much of the matter contained in the newspapers is hardly to be dignified by the name of knowledge. He opposed the motion, chiefly on account of the financial difficulties it presented -After a speech from Mr. D'Israeli, partly in favour and partly against them, the resolutions were negatived.

The Stamp Duties Bill was considered in Committee on Monday 15. On the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposing a further diminution of the rates of duty on bonds and mortgages-from 58. marked in the schedule for every 50%. of loan, down to 2s. 6d. ; and halfa-crown upon every 501. of increase-Sir Henry WILLOUGHBY moved that the duty be 1s. on 507., instead of 2s. 6d, as the Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed. Sir Charles WooD objected-and after some discursive conversation, the House affirmed Sir Henry Willoughby's amendment, by 164 to 135; whereupon there arose

APRIL.]

MR. FOX'S EDUCATION BILL.

Mr. Fox's Education Bill came on for second reading buck then proceeded to ask how the secular knowledge on Wednesday 17th. Mr. STAFFORD opposed it on philo- which it was proposed to give under this bill would shut gical grounds. It did not accurately define the word the mind of the children? He begged it to be borne in He con- mind that it was not proposed to take the child away from "secular," which might mean "atheistic." cluded by moving that the bill be read that day six home for seven years and then restore him. He was to months. The Earl of ARUNDEL and SURREY main- be at home day by day, and almost hour by hour; tained that secular education is quite inconsistent with at school, and at home, alternately. The school would religion, and warned the House, that in this country teach him secular education, and he would go home there are books of a highly intellectual character, beau- trained for the moment; by degrees he would be tifully written and widely circulated, which would better trained to receive religious instruction at home. utterly destroy every vestige of the Christian reli- Mr. Roebuck concluded by remarking in reference to gion. The noble Lord read a series of extracts from Mr. Fox, the framer of the bill, that he was glad to see works by Dr. Ullathorne, a Catholic vicar apostolic, that there was a gentleman in the house who had courage - for he must have known that he would Mr. Laing, Mr. Newman, two American writers, the to face all the imputations that had been brought and having now broken the Rev. Mr. Rose, and also from several newspapers; winding forward up with a stanza from "Reverberations." His lordship have to face them 67 great fight" it unthen having thanked the House for having allowed him ice, he hoped he would no longer halt by the way to "disgust" them by the passages he had read, proceeded that he would, in the language of the noble lord, During some portion of the learned in the following strain:-Every one knew what his par- continue the great fight, for a ticular religious belief was; but he was not advocating doubtedly was. the claims of the Roman Catholic Church; he was gentleman's speech, the house resounded with cheers.speaking on behalf of the poor of every religious denomi- Lord ASHLEY believed that this was the beginning of a nation, that they should not be exposed to the peril of series of conflicts; and he confessed alarm that the protheir souls. Some three centuries ago a great convulsion pounders of this measure persevered in renewing their arose in men's minds; what was called the Refor-attacks on the religious education of the country. He mation took place, and the Scriptures were set up for the then quoted certain statistics to show that the educateaching of the Church. He did not say whether that tional resources of the country were much under-estiwas right or wrong; but now they had arrived at another mated.-Lord John RUSSELL believed that if it were period; the Scriptures were to be utterly laid aside. totally impossible to agree on any mode of religious Lord Arundel wound up with a tremendous peroration. instruction, it would be better to have secular education The present movement he regarded as that of a mere than none; but nothing short of absolute necessity could skirmishing party which would be easily driven in; but justify the omission of religion. The bill is despotic; what he called on the House to consider was, that this it would altogether destroy existing schools; for when was not the last attack; the two armies were joined; so much was demanded in rates, the voluntary resources 'irreligion,' ,""God" for promoting education must fail. It would be exthe battle-cry was "religion" or and labour, in establishing schools upon the religious or "devil," and the issue for which they must fight was tremely hard that those who had spent their money, time, heaven or hell! basis, should have their purposes defeated.-Mr. HUME regretted Lord John Russell's opposition, as contrary to the whole tenor of his previous conduct and opinions.--On the motion of Mr. ANSTEY, the debate was adjourned to 2nd of May.

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"The mover of the amendment," said Mr. ROEBUCK, in answer to these various remarks, "had come with his quiver full of arrows, feathered with epithets, and barbed with imputations. In a mellifluous voice and well-poised sentences, he had nakedly charged the supporters of the bill with supporting Atheism." The noble seconder, continued the honourable gentleman, had followed with quoted doctrines which had as little to do with the bill as the doctrines of every saint in the calendar. His lordship objected to the Reformation; and why? Because it took mankind out of the thraldom of that priesthood which the noble lord would call a Church. Mr. Roebuck denied it. The priesthood were neither the Church nor the exclusive teachers of religion. Every father of a family when he opened the Bible and taught his children from its pages, was as much a teacher of religion as the meddling priest; he formed as much a portion of the Church as he who propounded doctrines from the pulpit. Mr. Roebuck asked for the education of the people, and he asked it upon the lowest ground. As a mere matter of policy, the State ought to educate the people; and why did he say so? Lord Ashley had been useful in his generation in getting up Ragged Schools. [Here a titter arose in the house.] Mr. Roebuck saw nothing to laugh at, it was Because a great imputation upon this kingdom that such schools Why were they needed? were needed. of the vice which was swarming in all our great cities. We pass laws, send forth an army of judges and barristers to administer them, erect prisons and place aloft gibbets to enforce them; but religious bigotry prevents the chance of our controlling the evil at the source, by so teaching the people as to prevent the crimes we strive to punish. It was because he believed that prevention was better than cure; it was because he believed that the business of Government was to prevent crime in every possible way, rather than to punish it after its commission, that he asked the House to divest themselves of all that prejudice and bigotry which was at the bottom of the opposition to this Mr. Stafford's speech was in the spirit as Lord Arundel's. The latter represented Grandmother Church, and the former Good Mother Church; and he had no doubt that many hon. gentlemen would be found on the Ministerial side of the house who represented some of her improper daughters. Mr. Roe

measure.

same

On Thursday the 18th, an attempt was made, but Two amendments defeated, to prevent the Larceny Summary Jurisdiction Bill from going into committee. were carried; one removing adults from the operation of the bill, and the other that no offender above the age of 14 should be whipped.-Mr. ROEBUCK-whose personal appearance is rather juvenile caused some amusement during the latter discussion. He remarked that, speaking of himself, he could say, that if anybody had laid hands upon him as a boy-(here he was interrupted by much laughter). He spoke what he felt as an individual, and had a right to suppose that the same feelings existed in the breast of the peasant.-In the end, the bill was reported as amended.

The Australian Colonies Bill was debated in committee on Friday the 19th. On the sixth clause Sir William MOLESWORTH moved an amendment, for the purpose of establishing "in the Colonies of Van Diemen's Land and South Australia respectively, a Legislative Council and a House of Assembly." After a sharp debate, it was lost by 218 to 150.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, on the 22nd, gave his promised explanations of what he intended to do with the Stamp Duties Bill. It was simply this:that the amendment carried on a former evening would produce so great a diminution of revenue, that if it were persisted in, he should be obliged to abandon the bill. Meantime he proposed to abide by the vote of the House as to the 1s. duty on sums under 507.; then to raise that by 1s. 6d. on every 257., up to his own scale of 10s. for 2001., and to carry it uniformly up, from that amount, to 100,000l., at one-fourth per cent.; finally to adopt a limit, and to confine the maximum duty to that which was payable on borrowing 100,0007., viz., 2507.

The details of the Australian Colonies Bill were then debated at great length, and most of them affirmed. -Mr. C. LUSHINGTON moved an amendment to clause 17, namely, that that part of it which provides for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure on every bill which shall be passed by the council in any of the