Page images
PDF
EPUB

ward a measure, for which they had, obviously, no relish themselves?-Mr. Poulett Thomson complained of the misrepresentations employed by Mr. Goulburn. Ministers had never prevented Lord Ashley from bringing forward his Factory Bill. That noble Lord's bill differed altogether from the bill introduced by Government. Lord Ashley advocated a reduction in the hours of labour for adults, no less than for children. The whole question was, in point of fact, one of the most tremendous import. It was a question affecting the very existence of our manufacturing superiority. If labour were restricted by Parliament, capital would quit our shores. Even now the march of competition on the part of foreign manufacturers was of the most alarming kind. He entreated the House to pause, before legislating rashly on such matters.-Sir R. Peel observed, that he did not lean to the popular view in this matter, still the very importance of the questions involved rendered it advisable that the House should, at once, put a stop to delusions on the subject. If the President of the Board of Trade were correct in his views, the House might rest assured, that, compared with this question, all other questions were unimportant. If the interests of humanity should be found to require a curtailment of the hours of labour, the House ought, undoubtedly, to recognise these interests at all hazards but if on the other hand, it should be found, as he (Sir R. Peel) believed it would be found, that a more enlarged humanity dictated abstinence from interference between labourers and employers, still the House ought not to shrink from the duty of proclaiming its convictions to the world. The House divided, and the numbers were-For the original motion, 119; for the amendment, 111; majority for the original motion, 8.-The IRISH TITHE Bill was then read a second time.

ས་

On the motion of Lord J. Russell, the COUNTY COURTS Bill and the ECCLESIASTICAL DUTIES AND REVENUES Bill were both deferred for six months.

June 25. Lord J. Russell having moved the third reading of the IRISH MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS Bill, Lord F. Egerton proposed as an amendment, that the bill be read a third time this day three months. -Lord Eliot, repeating his formerly avowed opinions, declared that nevertheless he must vote for the amendment, as Ministers had shewn no disposition to modify the bill.-Sir Robert Peel explained his reasons for supporting the amendment. None of the ameliorations proposed by him had been adopted; and that which he had, from the first, treated as a sine qua non,

the bona fide 101. qualification, was obstinately refused. The House divided, when there appeared for the third reading, 169; for the amendment, 134: majority, 35.

June 30. On the motion that the VESTRIES IN CHURCHES Bill be re-committed, Mr. Hawes moved its re-committal that day six months. Mr. Hume seconded the amendment.-Lord John Russell admitted that the Bill made large changes in the ancient customs of the country, and was likely to put some parishes to great difficulty. It would throw great burthens on many parishes, by enabling vestries to go to almost any expense for the erection and alteration of buildings and the purchase of land, and by allowing the debts thus incurred to be thrown upon the Poor-rates.-Mr. Clay opposed the Bill at some length. Vestry meetings had been held in churches for 600 years, and no inconvenience had ever before been complained of.-Lord Dungannon only regretted that the Bill did not go further, and do away at once with all vestry meetings in churches.

The

House divided; for the re-committal of the bill, 141; for the amendment, 70: majority, 71.-The House then for a short time resolved itself into a committee on the Bill.

July 6. Mr. Gillon moved "that a humble address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that she will take into her gracious consideration the parliamentary allowance hitherto and at present enjoyed by his Royal Highness the DUKE OF SUSSEX, as compared with those enjoyed by the other members of the royal family, with a view to recommend some addition to them." Mr. Gillon showed that the income of the Duke of Sussex (21,000l.) was less by 6,000l. than that of any other member of the royal family similarly circumstanced. The royal duke had devoted all his life to the promotion of science and the encouragement of literature; and although his income had been more limited than that of any of his royal brothers, he had never hesitated to the utmost of his means in forwarding every undertaking honourable to the country and beneficial to our species. When he said that the Duke of Sussex was at the head of no less than seventy scientific and literary bodies and charitable institutions, some judgment, he thought, might be formed of the extent of the national obligation to him. Lord John Russell said, without entering into the merits of the different branches of the royal family, he must oppose this motion. Such a proposition could not originate in that House; it must originate with the recommendation of the

Crown.-Sir R. Peel concurred in this view. After some discussion, the House divided on it for the motion, 48; against it, 98.

In a Committee of SUPPLY the Chancellor of the Exchequer brought forward a resolution for granting to Her Majesty 70,000l. on account of the late Coronation. This was agreed to, as were grants of 74,5867. to defray the expense of the royal palaces; 12,000l. to Kingstown harbour; 41441. to the Holyhead-road; 18,0967. to the new buildings in the British Museum, up to March 1839; 43781. to the works required in the National Gallery and the Royal Academy; and among

several others, 100,000l.

towards the expenses of the new Houses of Parliament.

HOUSE OF LORDS, July 9.

On the motion that the IRISH POOR LAW Bill do pass, the Marquis of Londonderry moved that the Bill be rejected. -The Earl of Limerick, the Marquis of Clanricarde, and the Earl Mountcashel opposed the Bill, the latter lord describing it as one calculated to create rebellion and revolution.-Lord Brougham said he was as much opposed to the Bill as ever, and all the arguments he had heard on both sides had rather increased his objections to it; more especially the disinclination to adopt it which existed in Ireland led him to this conclusion. He argued against the Bill as calculated to introduce a vicious system, by teaching the people of Ireland to go to the workhouse, instead of relying on their own exertions and resources.-Lord Melbourne did not give credit to the great opposition alleged. The owners of large estates had declared that it would swallow rents; and hence, he feared, the poor had been induced to express the repugnance they would not have done had the bill been fairly described to them. He admitted that it was more experimental than the English bill, and consequently it would be more difficult to carry it into effect, but he maintained that no measure had ever been more generally called for by all parties than this bill.-Lord Plunket was of opinion that this was an experiment of great peril, but that Ireland was in such a state that it was utterly impossible to leave her in her present condition. The House divided on the question that the Bill do pass; Contents, present 69proxies 24. Non contents, present 23, -proxies 8; majority 62. The Bill then passed.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 11.
Mr. S. Lefevre moved the second read-
GENT. MAG. VOL. X.

ing of the PAROCHIAL ASSESSMENTS Bill. His object was to place the law on a more satisfactory basis, and to put an end to the dissatisfaction which prevailed, owing to the introduction of a principle of rating lately, which had never before been heard of. It had been laid down by the judges that personal property was to escape rating. The Parochial Assessment Act passed in 1830 did not conduce to equality of rating; the only good derived from it was, that it gave a cheap mode of appeal to the special sessions.-Mr. Goulburn opposed the measure, as inconsistent with the law for the commutation of tithes which had passed two years ago: that act was in the nature of a bargain which the present measure tended materially to alter. Every principle of good faith required them to adhere to that arrangement, and not impose an additional tax upon the clergy. If this bill was passed, every clergyman would be taxed more than was just. concluded by moving that the bill be read a second time that day three months. The Attorney-general supported the second reading of the Bill. He admitted that there were several points in the Bill which might require adjustment, but these, he thought, might be done efficiently in committee. The fact was that the law as it at present stood was so loose that it was open to endless litigation. The House then divided, when there appeared for the second reading 104; for the amendment 42; majority 62.

He

Sir W. Rae moved the third reading of the SMALL DEBTS (SCOTLAND) Bill.—Mr. Wallace moved that it be read a third time that day three months. The amendment was carried by a majority of 63 to

45.

HOUSE OF LORDS, July 12.

Lord Melbourne moved the committal of the MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS Bill.Lord Lyndhurst, in an able speech, announced the nature of the amendments he

The opera

intended to propose. In the 6th clause he proposed to strike out the words "rated to the relief of the poor," for the purpose of adding after the words "of the" the words "yearly value of not less than 10l. to be ascertained and determined as hereinafter mentioned." tive words he proposed were, "and that such yearly value be ascertained and determined in manner following, and not otherwise; that is to say, such value shall be composed of the net annual value of the premises occupied by the persons, and rated as they are hereby required under an act passed for the relief of the poor in the present session of Parliament, and of the landlord's repairs and insurance, as

2 B

[blocks in formation]

Committee on the TITHES (Ireland) Issue of Exchequer-bills Bill, Lord J. Russell moved that a sum not exceeding 360,000l., the residue of the 1,000,000l. originally advanced as a loan to the clergy of Ireland, should be issued in Exchequerbills, and in payment of the arrears of tithe.-Mr. Hume moved, as an amendment, "that the grant of 640,000l. advanced to the clergy and lay proprietors of tithes in Ireland, also the additional grants of 100,000l. and of 260,000l. now proposed, making the whole 1,000,0007. sterling, will be highly unjust to the people of England and Scotland." numbers were, for Lord J. Russell's resolution, 170; for Mr. Hume's 61.

FOREIGN NEWS.

The

solved the Special Council, and on the 2nd summoned the following gentlemen to form a new Executive Council:-Mr. Charles Buller, M. P. Chief Secretary; Mr. T. E. M. Turton, Secretary; Col. George Cooper, K. H. Military Secretary; the Provincial Secretary, and the Commissary-General. His Excellency

the The main

A sanguinary battle took place on the 20th of June. Espartero, on the 19th, opened his batteries against the Carlist fort of Penacerrada, and having effected a breach in one of the outer defences, the assault was commenced. The garrison, however, drove the assailants back with a loss of 400 men hors de combat. attack was opened on the 20th, and at length Espartero occupied the place, though at a considerable sacrifice of men and ammunition. Subsequently he has retired, and it is again in the possession of the Carlists. The new Carlist Commander-in-Chief, General Marotto, has entered on his functions, commencing by effecting an entire re-organisation of the army. A large force has been posted in the outskirts of Estella, to observe and check the movements of Espartero. The head-quarters of Don Carlos were still at Elorio on the 1st July.

WEST INDIES.

The Colonial Legislative Councils of Barbadoes and St. Vincent's have passed acts to put an end to the state of apprenticeship on the 1st of August; and resolutions to the same effect have been adopted by St. Kitt's. At Nevis, Tortola, and Montserrat, the same principle had already been adopted; Grenada and the Windward Islands, it is expected, would follow the example: and, at length, Jamaica, where a strong feeling continued to prevail against the immediate abolition of apprenticeship, has taken the same course, by an act which passed the legislature on the 7th of June.

CANADA.

On the 1st of June, the Earl of Durham, the new Governor-General, dis

Governor-General has also been pleased to make the following appointments:- -To be attached to the High Commission, Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, of her Majesty's 71st Regt. To be Inspector-general of Hospitals, and of all medical, charitable, and literary institutions in the province of Lower Canada, Sir John Doratt, Knt. M.D.

The celebrated Generals Sutherland and Theller, Colonel Dodge, and seven other state prisoners, are on their way to England, whence they will be transported.

SOUTH AMERICA.

The ports of Mexico have been invested by a French squadron with an active blockade, which commenced on the 16th of April. It is said that the Mexicans have consented to pay the indemnity, the refusal to supply which was the original cause of the blockade; but the French government have superadded to their previous requirements, the tender of an apology, which the Mexicans refuse to cede. It has also been officially announced that the Peruvians intend blockading the port of Valparaiso, on the 18th of August next. It may be doubted, however, whether they have sufficient strength to maintain a blockade against the Chilian naval force, which is represented as by far the most powerful.

The Dictator of Paraguay, Dr. Francia, is dead, and with his death ends the

most singular government that ever existed. His slavish adherents, dreading the vengeance of the inhabitants of Ascension, have left the country and fled to Monte Video. This singular man has left several unpublished manuscripts, one of which is "Proof of the character and the simplicity of the Spanish Americans, and the means which a governor must employ to make himself necessary to them."

The inscription which he affixed to his portrait is as follows:-"Despotism is increased either by having in a country very numerous laws at variance with each other, or no laws at all. I have chosen the latter course, because it is more adapted to the frankness of my character, and to the bad memory of the people of Paraguay."

DOMESTIC OCCURRENCES.

On Whit-Sunday the parish church of Cumberworth, near Alford, Lincolnshire, was re-opened for divine service, having been rebuilt in the decorated style of Edward the Second, with a cupola and spire (on the plan of those at Sinzig, on the Rhine), rising gracefully and forming a conspicuous object to the surrounding neighbourhood. The expense of rebuilding the sacred edifice has been defrayed almost entirely by the incumbent, the Rev. John Lodge, M. A. Librarian of the University of Cambridge; and his parishioners, in humble imitation of his munificence, have cheerfully subscribed to purchase a handsome chandelier.

June 16. Ata general meeting of the subscribers to the fund for erecting a Monument to Lord Nelson, held at Freemasons' Hall, the Duke of Buccleuch in the chair, a report was read, stating that the present exertions of the committee were to increase a fund, raised for a similar purpose in 1805, which then amounted to 13307. and which, with dividends, had been increased to 55457. 19s. Reduced Three per cents. Her Majesty the Queen has subscribed 5251. and her Majesty the Queen Dowager 2007. which, with other subscriptions, presented an additional 50001. The Duke of Wellington proposed a resolution-" That the meeting highly approves of the situation selected for the intended monument in Trafalgarsquare, and they derive the greatest satisfaction at the ready compliance with which her Majesty's ministers had appropriated so eligible a site." His Grace said, it was a matter of astonishment that the subject under consideration had not been carried into execution at an earlier period. It was to be hoped that on the present occasion every obstacle would be removed. Her Majesty the Queen had set them all a bright example—the Queen Dowager had nobly followed the Sove

reign-the Government had done everything that could be expected from them in order to enable them to carry their design into execution in a manner deserving the occasion, and it now only remained for the meeting and the public to do their duty. The list contains, amongst many others, the names of the Duke of Wellington 2001. the Duke of Buccleuch 2007. the Marquis of Anglesey 1051.

June 21. The new church, called Trinity Church, situate near Gough-square, in St. Bride's parish, was consecrated by the Bishop of London. The Goldsmiths' Company presented the ground to the parish. Its erection and furnishing have cost about 50007. After the consecration service had been performed, the Bishop preached a sermon in aid of the fund required to pay off a debt of 7001. still due on the outlay for the building. In the course of the appeal his lordship spoke of the deplorable want of churches to accommodate the immense population of the metropolis. He severely commented upon the government of the country for not advancing liberal funds for that purpose; and further insisted that it devolved upon individuals to come forward and freely to contribute according to their means to supply the great general want.

On the 5th July, the new church of All Saints, King's Cross, which is the second completed out of three intended district churches within the parish of Islington, was consecrated by the Bishop of London. It is calculated to accommodate 1000 persons, to nearly 300 of whom are allotted free sittings, and the whole cost of the building will not exceed 32007. 1000l. of which is subscribed by the Metropolitan Churches Fund, and the remainder by the voluntary subscriptions of the parishioners.

THE CORONATION.

THE Coronation of Queen Victoria was performed on the 28th of June. It was conducted in most respects after the reformed model of that of her immediate Predecessor; the walking Procession of all the estates of the realm, and the Banquet in Westminster Hall, with all the feudal services attendant thereon, being wholly dispensed with; not, however, without many complaints and various public struggles, as well on the part of the Tories, as on that of the tradesmen of the metropolis.

To meet in some degree the general wishes expressed for a Coronation more stately than the last, the exterior cavalcade was increased in splendour and numbers, and a much more extended line of approach was adopted. It was thus brought to resemble, still more closely than on the former occasion, the procession through the metropolis which was formerly considered a necessary part of the solemnities of the Coronation,* but which was last performed by King Charles the Second. The main difference was that the modern procession was not through the city of London, but through that of Westminster, a city now much larger, and far more magnificent, than ancient London. The utmost eagerness was shown to furnish all the accommodation for spectators that the space would allow, and there was scarcely a house or a vacant spot along the whole line from Hyde Park Corner to the Abbey, that was unoccupied with galleries or scaffolding.†

The ceremonies of the day commenced by the firing of a royal salute at sunrise by twelve pieces of artillery (nine-pounders) stationed within the inclosure of St. James's-park, to the north of the ornamental water (where they had been At six encamped during the night). o'clock the 20th regiment of foot and the 5th dragoons entered St. James'spark, and took up their station in front of the palace, together with the second Life Guards. The E division of police was also in attendance.

Soon after half-past nine, detachments of the Blues and the Life Guards, accompanied with their respective bands, arrived opposite the entrance gate of the palace, and their appearance was quickly followed by that of twelve of her Majesty's carriages, together with the state coach. The carriages of the Duchess of Kent, with those of the Duke of Cambridge, Duchess of Gloucester, and the Duke of Sussex, next reached the royal residence in rapid succession. The whole of them drove into the court-yard.

During this proceeding the various Foreign Ambassadors formed into line in the Birdcage-walk. Their equipages excited the greatest admiration, especially that of Marshal Soult.+

At the Queen's departure a new royal standard (measuring 30 feet by 18) was hoisted on the marble arch, where it will in future be kept displayed whenever her Majesty is resident at the Palace.

* By King James the First this procession was made some months after the Coronation had taken place, the solemnity itself having been performed as privately as possible, on account of the Plague.

The seats obtained various prices, from ten shillings to five guineas, and by many of the speculators large profits were realized. Many persons let the fronts of their houses for given sums, varying from 501. to 3001. In St. James's-street several houses were let for the day for 2007. and, after all expenses were paid, more than double that sum was acquired. The front of the house lately occupied by the Reform Club-house in Pall Mall was let for 2001. and upwards of 500l. realized. Enormous sums were expended in this way; and yet it is a singular fact, that on Constitutionhill, where the whole procession might have been seen to the best advantage, there was very little crowd, and the most timid might have witnessed it with perfect facility and safety.

Marshal Soult brought to England the frame of the carriage used on occasions of state by the last great Prince of the House of Condé, the father of the Duc de Bourbon. It was ornamented anew with the utmost resources of art. The Count Strogonoff bought, for 16007. the carriage which the Duke of Devonshire had built at an unsparing expense, for his extraordinary embassy to St. Petersburgh. It cost originally upwards of 3000l. and it was fitted up anew, and re-embellished with profuse expenditure. Some of the other Ambassadors, too late in the field, bought or hired sheriffs' carriages, which were newly emblazoned for the occasion. One of their Excellencies gave 2501. for the use of a carriage for the day.

« PreviousContinue »