May 8. On the resumption of a debate on the HEALTH OF TOWNS Bill, Lod John Russell stated that in the clause which constituted the Superintending Board the Government intended to introduce an important alteration. In stead of a paid commission, he proposed that the Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests should be the President of the Board, and that there should only be two others, and those unpaid commissioners. May 11. The Lord Adrocate moved the second reading of the LUNATIC ASYLUMS (SCOTLAND) BILL. In twentyfour of the counties of Scotland there was at this moment no accommodation whatever for lunatics in either public or private lunatic asylumns. Out of 3,410 pauper lunatics in Scotland, who are either wholly or in part supported by the parishes, there were in the different asylums about 1,660; but the rest were maintained by their relatives or friends in a state of great degradation. By the present bill be proposed to establish asylums in Scotland for the pauper lunatics, and to provide for the expense by a county assessment. The REMOVAL OF ALIENS BILL was read a third time after a division of 146 to 29. May 12. Mr. Wood moved for a select committee to inquire into the allegations contained in the petition of certain electors and inhabitants of the borough of STAMFORD, Complaining of the interference of the Marquess of Exeter, at the late and former elections for that borough.-Lord John Russell said he had so much doubt in coming to a decision on this subject that he would not seek to influence the vote of any hon. gentleman.-Sir R. Peel said the Petitioners had neglected to come before an election committee, and had no right now to come to Parliament. On a division, the numbers were-For the motion, 178; against it, 177; majority, 1. May 15. The House went into committee on the NAVIGATION LAWS, and the paragraph of her Majesty's Speech recommending the revision of those laws having been read, Mr. Labouchere brought forward the following motion:"That it is expedient to remove the restrictions which prevent the free carriage of goods by sea, to and from the United Kingdom and the British possessions abroad, subject, nevertheless, to such control by her Majesty in council as may be necessary, and to amend the law for the registration of ships and seamen." He traced at some length the origin of navigation-laws, which he referred reign of Richard II.; stated th 10 tions which had been successively made in them; spoke in terms of admiration of the policy of Mr. Huskisson in partly removing their restrictions; described their principal provisions at the present day; and enlarged on the inconvenience of their regulations. He did not intend any alteration in the laws relating to the coasting trade or the fisheries, but, with those exceptions, he proposed to strike out the existing system altogether from the statutebook of the country, and to adopt in its place a system of open and unrestricted competition. May 16. Mr. Horsman moved us Address to her Majesty, praying an inquiry into the state of CATHEDRAL AND COLLEGIATE CHURCHES, with a view of ascertaining whether they may not be rendered more conducive to the service of the Church and the spiritual instruction of the people.—Lord R. Grosvenor seconded the motion, satisfied that the proposed inquiry must produce great benefit.-Sir R. Inglis opposed it, and defended at some length the principle of cathedral establishments. Lord John Russell having agreed that the subject required further attention on the part of Government, Mr. Horsman withdrew his notice. May 17. Sir De Lacy Evans moved the second reading of the PARLIAMEN TARY ELECTORS Bill, the object of which was, so far to alter the ratepaying clauses of the Reform Bill as to extend the time of paying rates from the 20th of July to the 11th of August.-The measure was supported by Sir G. Grey as nearly similar to one which had received the approval of Government on a former occasion.On a division the second reading was carried by a majority of 60 to 25. Sir F. T. Baring moved the second reading of the AUDIT OF RAILWAY AcCOUNTS Bill, the chief object of which was to enable the minority of a railway company to compel the auditing of the accounts by an impartial person. - Mr. Bankes opposed the Bill, and moved that it be read a second time that day six months.—On a division, the second reading was negatived by a majority of 100 to 38. Mr. Bouverie moved the second reading of the PLACES FOR SITES OF WORSHIP (SCOTLAND) Bill, which was intended to give, under certain circumstances, a power to the Court of Session to compel proprietors to make grants of land for places of worship on pro compensation being given.-The ding was carried by a majorit 18. nt into com"OWNS Bill, first two .: 2 clauses were agreed to, but the third, constituting "the General Board of Health," was warmly opposed. On a division, how. ever, it was carried by 145 to 45. Sir J. Hanmer, in moving the second reading of the BOROUGH ELECTIONS Bill, said, its object was, in all cases of bribery and corruption reported by select com. mittees, to institute an investigation by a local commissioner appointed by the Speaker. Further proceedings, either by partial or entire disfranchisement, should then be taken, according to the nature of the evidence taken on the spot, and under the sanction of an oath. The Bill also provided an indemnity to witnesses.---Col. Sibthorp led the opposition to the Bill, and moved it be read a second time that FRANCE. day six months. The second reading was carried by 198 to 25. The SALE OF INCUMBERED ESTATES (IRELAND) Bill was read a second time without a division. May 20. The House having gone into committee on the HEALTH OF TOWNS Bill, Lord Morpeth proposed an alteration in the third clause, that the General Board of Health should continue only for five years. The clause thus amended was agreed to.--On the sixth clause, Mr. Hen ley asked what salary was to be given to the commissioner? Lord Morpeth said it would not exceed 1,500l. per annum. The clause was then agreed to, and the House proceeded with the consideration of the other clauses up to a late hour. FOREIGN NEWS. The National Assembly entered upon its labours on Thursday the 4th of May with all the solemnities suitable to so important an event. There were almost 700 members present. Berger, in the name of the deputies of the Seine, proposed that the Assembly, before commencing its labours, should declare in the name of the French people, and in the face of the whole world, that the Republic proclaimed on the 24th February 1848 is, and will remain, the form of the government of France. The utmost enthusiasm was then evinced, and, the Provisional Government leading the way, the whole of the Assembly proceeded outside to the steps in front of the building. The whole of the area between the chamber and the bridge, and far down along the quays, on each side, was densely covered with people, interspersed with large bodies of the Garde Mobile and National Guard. Cries of "Vive la Republique!" arose from the crowd, and other cries of "We want the troops of the line!" This cry was repeated until Courtais descended the steps to bring in several colours of the line, each under a numerous escort. The scene then became of a most enthusiastic character. Swords were waved on high, military caps were displayed on the points of bayonets, the bands played national airs, the cannon thundered from the Invalides, and the air was rent with cries of "Vive la Republique !" On the following days several long reports were read by the members of the late Provisional Government, giving account of their administrations, and on Monday May 8 a vote of thanks was passed to the Provisional Government, who were declared to have merited well of T. MAG. VOL. XXIX. their country. M. Buchez, one of the deputy mayors of Paris, was elected President of the Assembly, to continue in office for one month. The Assembly proceeded to elect by ballot an Executive Committee, which should have power to appoint a ministry. The following were elected: Arago, by 725 votes; Garnier Pagès by 715; Marie 702; Lamartine 643; Ledru Rollin 458. Lamartine is supposed to have been reduced from the high place he would otherwise have occu pied in consequence of his having can vassed against the exclusion of Ledru Rollin. The following are the ministers appointed by the Executive Committee. Foreign Affairs, M. Bastide; War, M. Charras; Finance, M. Duclerc; Justice M. Cremieux; Public Instruction, M. Carnot; Commerce, M. Flocon; Public Worship, M. Bethmont; Public Works, M. Trélat; Marine, M. Casy; Interior, M. Recurt. The French Provisional Government has formally abolished slavery in all the colonies and possessions of the French Republic. The decree is to take effect three months after its publication in the colonies. An indemnity is to be granted to the slave-holders. On the 15th May Paris narrowly escaped a fresh revolution. The ultra-democrats, disappointed in their efforts to excite the National Assembly to declare war in favour of the Poles, succeeded by a well-concerted coup-de-main in penetrat ing into the National Assembly, which they declared dissolved, and into the Hotel de Ville, where they were about to establish a new Provisional Government; the National Guards having been paralysed by the treachery, as it would seem, of General Courtais. But the Minister of 40 Finance, M. Duclerc, being also a Chef soners. Citizen Sobrier repaired to the Ministry of the Interior with his Montagnards, was admitted, but only to be arrested. His 100 partisans were disarmed and turned adrift, and his house was sacked by the mob in favour of the present government. In the scuffle several of the ultra party were endangered, but some of the National Guards were killed, and were buried with honours. SPAIN. Madrid has again been "frightened from its propriety" by a sanguinary conflict. At an early hour in the morning of Monday the 7th May, a battalion of the "Regi. miento de Espana" marched from their barracks, under the command of their sergeants, with colours flying, to the Plaza Mayor, and, having taken possession of the houses on one side of the square, proceeded to man the building, as if preparing for a siege. Narvaez was not long in hearing of the movement, and hastened to the scene of action. He gave order that the side of the square facing that which was occupied by the insurgents should be manned, and a brisk fire was opened from both sides of the square, and sustained for about twenty minntes. The artillery was then ordered up, and a battery of four guns levelled at the buildings occupied by the insurgents, which soon caused them to surrender. Above two hundred had been killed and wounded; among the former was General Fulgosio, Captain-General of Madrid. The Duc de Sotomayor has rejected, with true Castilian pride, some good advice proffered him by the British minister, Sir Henry Bulwer. On the 17th May the Spanish Government sent passports to Sir Henry Bulwer, with orders to quit Madrid within 48 hours. He arrived in London on the 24th. bers to endure for five years, and to meet On the evening of the 17th May the Em- The total loss of the Austrian army in Italy, in killed, wounded, and missing, from the 18th of March to the 27th of April, has been, according to the official return of the Austrian Minister of War, 16,512 men, 687 horses, and a battery of six field pieces. Of these, 15,935 men were missing. ITALY. The forces of the King of Sardinia on one side, and of Marshal Radetsky on the other, were engaged for some hours in a severe contest on the 6th of May, under the walls of Verona. The Austrians occupied the village of San Lucia, in front of Verona, and the object of Charles Albert appears to have been to drive the enemy from their post. At first the attack seemed to succeed, and the Sardinian troops rushed impetuously forward, but they were met by an ambuscade of 5,000 or 6,000 men, and eventually they had to withdraw with severe loss. At Rome the people have been in a state of insurrection in consequence of the Pope having refused to declare war against Austria. He has been forced to accept a new ministry, at the head of which is Count Mamiani, and the only ecclesiastic among its members is Cardinal Ciacchi, the President, and minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs. SICILY. The Sicilian Parliament met on the 13th of May, when the Minister for Foreign Affairs declared that Sicily was desirous to join the Italian League, and trusted that she should be able to defeat the intrigues of the King of Naples. M. Paternostro observed that Sicily was bound to shake off her King, and proposed accordingly to decree on that very day that Ferdinand of Bourbon and his dynasty had forfeited the throne of Sicily. After some discussion, the adoption of the decree was carried amidst the most enthusiastic applause. The decree was as follows: The Parliament declares, 1. Ferdinand Bourbon and his dynasty are for ever fallen from the throne of Sicily; 2. Sicily shall govern herself constitutionally, and call to the throne an Italian Prince, as soon as she shall have reformed her statuto." 44 DENMARK. The town of Schleswig was taken by the troops of the Confederation, after an engagement which lasted from 3 o'clock in the afternoon of Easter Sunday until 11 at night. The fortification called the Dannewirk, on which the Danish artillery was placed, was taken by the Prussians at the point of the bayonet, after the battery had been silenced by the field pieces of the Hanoverian contingent. Schleswig then fell into the hands of the Confederation. The Danes had from 10,000 to 12,000 men engaged; the force of the Confederation was the greatest, but it was not all engaged; four Prussian regiments of the guard and line formed the bulk of the attacking army. On the 4th of May Lord Palmerston stated in the House of Commons that the Prussian and Danish Governments had accepted the mediation of this country on the Schleswig question. POLAND. Posen is in a deplorable state. The German and Polish populations are destroying each other. The Polish villages raise guerilla bands, which make war upon the towns, plunder them, and carry off their booty into the country. Fights take place each day between these bands-insurgents, as they are called-and the German troops, with varying success. Prince Czartoryski has quitted this scene of horror, and returned to Paris, despairing of the cause of Polish freedom. DOMESTIC OCCURRENCES. May 10. A deplorable accident occurred at the Shrivenham station on the Great Western Railway, to the express train from Exeter to London. An empty horsebox had been left partly covering the main line, and was in consequence struck by the engine of the train, and swung round with such violence against a second-class carriage, that it was broken to pieces, and the passengers flung out in every direction. The train, however, was not interrupted in its passage, and could not be stopped until it had passed the spot nearly half a mile. Two clergymen, the Rev. Mr. Philips, of Penzance, and the Rev. Mr. Sandys, of Woolwich, were killed upon the spot, together with a valet of Sir Alexander Mackenzie. Three other deaths have ensued, Capt. Blair, R.N. of the coast-guard service at Penzance, Mr. Lee, of Wadham college, Oxford, and Mr. Machen of London. May 13. The infant Princess, the fourth daughter of the Queen, was baptized in the chapel of Buckingham Palace. The sponsors were H. S. H. the Duke Gustavus of Mecklenburg Schwerin (represented by H. R. H. Prince Albert), the reigning Duchess of Saxe Meiningen (represented by Her Majesty the Queen Dowager), and the Hereditary Duchess of Mecklenburg Strelitz (represented by the Duchess of Cambridge). Her Majesty being seated, the following Corale, the music of which was composed by Prince Albert, was performed: "In life's gay morn, ere sprightly youth Oh! may thy Maker's glorious name The baptismal service was performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Queen Dowager named the Princess Louisa Caroline Alberta. May 18. The annual meeting of the Society for Improving the Condition of the Working Classes was held at the Freemasons' Tavern, and much interest was excited by the presence of H. R. H. Prince Albert: who delivered an address replete with benevolence, good sense, and true patriotism. When this society was organised in 1844, it proposed to itself three modes of achieving its objects-loan funds, allotments of land, and model lodginghouses. The two latter plans only have as yet been acted on. Their success has, however, been very satisfactory, and the society is in a flourishing condition. It possesses 117 acres of land, which are let to 553 tenants, in 11 different parishes. It has built in Bagnigge Wells 23 small houses, arranged on the completest models, and let at 38. 6d. and 6s. a week-as well as 30 rooms for poor widows at 18. 6d. Premises in King Street, Drury Lane, and in Charles Street have been taken, altered, and made into lodging-houses. One model lodging.house has been raised from the foundation at a cost of 5,500l. which accommodates 104 persons. These various establishments, it is important to note, are self-supporting. Upon from 13 to 14,000l. laid out there is a return of about 1,500l. a year. The next project of the Society is to erect a lodging-house for families; the object in this undertaking, as in the others, being not to supersede private enterprise in such matters, but to run the risk of doubtful experiments and establish such models and examples of success as must lead to better arrangements of dwellings generall LONDON AND ITS VICINITY. Feb. 21. The Bishop of London conseerated St. Matthias, the ninth of the ten churches proposed to be erected in the exIt is tensive parish of Bethnal-green. capable of accommodating about 2,000 persons, all the seats being free. April 8. A new church of St. Jude's, Commercial-street, Whitechapel, was consecrated by the Bishop of London. April 9. A new church, called St. Mark's, situate in Princess-terrace, Regent's Park (near to the well known tavern Chalk Farm), having been duly licensed by the Bishop of London, was opened for Divine Service by the Rev. T. Dale, Rec. tor of St. Pancras. It is the fifth temporary church recently opened in that district. It contains 600 sittings, one-fourth of them being free. BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. May 10. A large portion of the Buckingham and Chandos estates, situate within the counties of Oxford, Northampton, and Buckingham, were sold by auction at Garraway's, Cornbill. The estate of Finmore, in the county of Oxford, upwards of 1,200 acres, divided into compact farms, the rental amounting to 1,2267. 14s. per annum, distant three miles from Buckingham, was knocked down at 31,3007. The Syresham, Falcott, and Astwell estates, Northamptonshire, comprising 2.000 acres, eight miles from Buckingham, with a rental of 2,3001. (subject to an annuity of 5007. to the Hon. Lady Grenville, aged 76), was knocked down for 65,300l. The Hillesden estate, Bucks, two miles from Buck. ingham, comprising 2,890 acres, with a rental of 4,7634. was knocked down at 130,500. The Thornhill estate, within the borough of Buckingham (the holder of which, it was represented, could influence the return of the members for Bucking; ham), consisting of 440 acres, with a rental of 6651. sold for 22,300l. The Stock hill farm, 189 acres, sold for 8,3004.: it is within two miles of Buckingham. Three smaller farms sold for 4,7001. 4901. and 2007. respectively. The total produce of the sale was 262,9907. KENT. The east window of St. George's Church, Ramsgate, has been ornamented with stained glass. The figures represent the twelve apostles. It is intended as a testimonial to the worthy vicar, the Rev. Richard Harvey, and to commemorate his having completed his 20th year of incumbency. YORKSHIRE. Goole, erected at the cost of more than 8,000/. chiefly defrayed by the company to whom the town belongs. The next day his Grace consecrated the church at Ellerton, recently rebuilt through the exertions of the patron the Rev. Joseph Dunnington Jefferson, of Thicket Priory, whose contributions have exceeded 2,0007.; and on the 27th a beautiful Norman church at Sowerby, near Bridlington, built and endowed at the sole expense of Yarborough Greame, esq. the present high sheriff. It is designed in the pure Norman style, and decorated, to the minutest detail, after the design of Messrs. Scott and Moffatt, architects, of London. The windows are designed and executed by Mr. Wailes, of Newcastle. On the 1st May his Grace consecrated a church at Carlton, near Pontefract; and on the 2d the new church at Balby, near Doncaster. We understand there are three or four other churches which will be ready for consecration in the course of the ensuing summer. John Hardy, esq. late M.P. for Brad. ford, has presented to the Vicar of that parish (the Rev. J. Burnet, LL.D.) the munificent sum of 6,0004 for the building and endowment of two churches in that neighbourhood. 2,500. is to be applied to the endowment of a church to be erected at Wibsey-bank Foot, North Bierley, and 2,500l. to the endowment of a church to be erected at Shelf. The remaining 1,000!. is to be added to a subscription for the building of the two churches. IRELAND. The Irish agitators have been brought to trial on the charges stated in p. 419. The trial of Mr. Smith O'Brien took place on the 15th of May, and that of Mr. instances the juries could not agree upon Meagher on the following day. In both their verdict, and were discharged after being locked up for four-and-twenty hours without refreshment. Of Mr. O'Brien's jury ten were for conviction and two for acquittal; Mr. Meagher owed his escape to the pertinacity of one juror. On the 13th May Mr. John Mitchel, proprietor of the "United Irishman newspaper, was arrested on a charge of felony under the recent Act for the better security of the Crown and Government of these kingdoms," and was forthwith committed to Newgate. His trial commenced on Friday, the 26th of May, and the next day he was found guilty on all the counts of the indictment, and sen to fourteen years' transportation. Inmediately put on board the government packet, which 1 for her destination. |