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260

Proceedings in Parliament.-Reform Bill.

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measure were carried, it would be productive of the utter ruin of the whole system of social order and good government in this country. Mr. C. B. Wall thought the measure proposed of too sweeping a character.-Lord Newark thought the measure went rather too far.-The Earl of Darlington could not agree to the disfranchisement of so many boroughs without affording any compensation to the proprietors.-Lord Ebrington hailed the measure because it gave due preponderance to every interest in the State, and appeared to be calculated to stem the torrent of corruption.-Lord Stormont was decidedly opposed to the measure. appeared to him to be revolution-concession, spoliation..-Sir J. Walsh opposed the motion. Mr. Macauley thought it a great, noble, and comprehensive plan, excellently contrived for uniting and permanently knitting together all orders in the State.Lord Mahon conceived that it would be most injurious to the best interests of the whole country. Mr. Hunt, although he regretted that universal suffrage and the vote by ballot were lost sight of in this measure, yet gave it his warmest support.-Lord Morpeth believed that it would satisfy every friend of rational freedom, and that it contained nothing which ought to alarm the friends of order and the existing establishments.-Sir Charles Wetherell stigmatised the measure as a corporation robbery, and added that the principle of the bill was destructive of all property, rights, and privileges.-The Attorney-General supported the motion. In his conscience he believed that it was a measure in strict accordance with the spirit of the constitution; and in his conscience also he did believe, that it was almost the only mode of preventing a revolution.—Adjourned.

March 3-The adjourned debate was resumed. Mr. G. Bankes opposed the bill, stating it to be his opinion, that if it passed it would prove subversive of the monarchy, and introduce anarchy. Mr. Holhouse trusted that the bill introduced would receive the sanction of the House, as it would restore the confidence of the country in Parliament. Mr. Hart Davies opposed the measure, as being of a most unconstitutional nature. Mr. Baring considered the House, as at present constituted, a fair image of popular representation; he could not consent to such a general measure as would change the constitution-The Marquis of Tavis tock supported the motion.-Lord Palmerston said that public opinion was loudly calling for a Reform in the representation of that House; and it was due to the potency of that call, to consider the measure now be fore the House upon that subject.-Sir R. Peel said, that House was now called upon to substitute a different constitution for that which existed, and this appeal was made to motives the most unworthy and injurious;

[March,

for they were asked not to submit their fears to their judgments, but their judgments to their fears. The noble lord's plan was founded on erroneous principles, as it would tend to sever the connexion existing between the different grades or classes of the people; and he (Sir R. Peel) thought that objection alone must prove fatal to it.

March 4. The adjourned debate on Reform was resumed.—Mr. Gisborne supported the measure, observing, that it would open that House to the rank and talent of the country Mr. Freshfield considered it to be mischievous and dangerous.—Mr. Duncombe described it to be revolutionary as respected the country, and tyrannical as regarded that portion of the people whom it proposed to deprive of the elective franchise.--Mr. J. Smith, though the proprietor of a close borough, gave the measure his hearty support. Mr. Calcraft thought that it would overthrow the balance of the Constitution, and give this House a preponderance over the other two estates.-Mr. Stanley called upon the House to support the Bill, as it would enable Government to perform its duties without the aid of patronage, and restore the confidence of the country in the decisions of that House.-Lord Seymour opposed the measure-Mr. C. Wynne said, that unless the Bill were greatly modified, it could not receive his support.-The Lord Advocate supported the motion. Mr. Croker called upon the House to resist a measure which was only calculated to destroy the institutions of the country.- Debate adjourned.

March 7, 8, and 9. The debate on Reform was further continued for three days, in the course of which the motion for leave to bring in the bill was supported by Mr. Tennyson, Mr. Sykes, Lord Dudley Stuart, Mr. Long Wellesley, Lord Howick, Mr. Russell, Mr. J. Wood, Sir J. V. B. Johnstone, Mr. R. Grant, Mr. O'Connell, Sir J. Graham, Mr. Bethel, Mr. W. Harvey, Mr. Leunard, Alderman Waithman, Mr. Baynton, Lord Stanley, Mr. T. Duncombe, and Mr. Tennant. The motion was opposed by Col. Sibthorp, Sir G. Clerk, Mr. J. T. Hope, Mr. Tyrrell, Sir G. Warrender, Mr. W. Yates Peel, Mr. North, Mr. Attwood, Mr. Serj. Lefroy, Sir J. Yorke, Mr. Bethell, Mr. Praed, Mr. Perceval, Mr. Goulburn, Mr. C. Douglas, Mr. J. Stuart, Mr. Courtenay, and Mr. Keith Douglas.

Lord John Russell replied to the various arguments which had been adduced against his propositions in the course of this almost unprecedentedly long discussion. It had been asserted, that this measure would at once overthrow the Lords and the Crown. Fear, however, often conjured up apprehensions never to be realized. The repeal of the Corporation and Test Acts and Catholic Emancipation were to work the ruin of the

1831.]

Proceedings in Parliament.- Reform Bill, &c.

Constitution in short, every change produced alarm with some; even a change in the game-laws. As to the safety of the Crown, he thought the House might safely leave his Majesty to the protection of his people. (Cheers.) It was not by such rotten and decayed timbers as the close Boroughs that the throne was to be supported. The cry for reform was general. If now` conceded, the measure would be received with thankfulness; if deferred it would be wrung from the reluctant grasp of those interested in its refusal, and received with thanklessness and contempt. Let them, therefore, do that now with a good, which they must do at last with a bad grace; let them sacrifice their prejudices, and raise to themselves an altar for the sacrifice in the affections of the people. (Cheers.)

The Speaker then put the question, "That leave be given to bring in a bill to amend the Representation of the People in England and Wales."-The motion was agreed to.

After some discussion, Lord John Russell obtained leave to bring in bills to amend the representation of the people in Scotland and Ireland.

HOUSE OF LORDS, March 14. Lord Wynford, after stating objections to certain parts of the bill brought in by the Lord Chancellor relative to the jurisdiction in BANKRUPTCY cases, moved to postpone the further consideration of the bill for one month. The Lord Chancellor opposed the motion at some length, and it was negatived by 34 to 19.

In the HOUSE of COMMONS, the same day, Sir J. Newport moved for an address to his Majesty, praying for an inquiry into the abuses in the administration of FIRST FRUITS in Ireland, with a view to remedy abuses. He observed, that when the Crown gave up its claim to the revenue arising from this source, it was intended that it should be appropriated to the building and repairing of churches, and the augmentation of the smaller livings; instead of which, the Hon. Baronet said, that the clergy had appropriated this money to their own use, whilst the people were taxed for the objects to which it ought to have been applied.-Mr. Stanley seconded the motion. The resolu tion was opposed by Messrs. Goulburn, T. Lefroy, Sir R. Peel, and Sir R. Inglis, and supported by Messrs. Leader, Stanley, O'Connell, S. Rice, M. Fitzgerald, and Wyse; and was finally agreed to.

The House having resolved itself into a Committee on the CUSTOMS DUTIES BILL, on the motion of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, a resolution was agreed to, "that a duty of 5s. 10d. be charged on every cwt. of cotton wool and waste cotton wool, imported from foreign countries."

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Lord John Russell brought in his bill "to amend the Representation of the people in England and Wales," which was read a first time. His Lordship said that some few alterations had been made in the plan, it being intended, in one or two instances, that certain large suburbs should be joined with the towns to which they belonged. Thus Chatham and Stroud would be added to Rochester; Sculcoates to Hull; and Portsea to Portsmouth. It was also proposed that Devonport and Stonehouse should be joined, and send two Members to Parliament, leav ing Plymouth as it was at present. The right of suffrage was to be extended to the whole parish of Halifax and the suburbs, which contained 100,000 inhabitants, who were intended to have the privilege of returning two members.

HOUSE OF LORDS, March 15.

Lord Tenterden moved for leave to bring in "a bill for shortening the time of pre-. scription in certain cases, and for lessening the impediments to the transfer of real property created by outstanding terms and judg ments." The bill proposed that claims of profits arising out of land, such as rights of common, should not be defeated where uninterrupted enjoyment for sixty years could be proved. After some opposition, on the part of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London, the bill was read a first time.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, March 18. The House went into a Committee on the TIMBER DUTIES, when Lord Althorp said, that it was his intention to reduce the duty on Baltic timber, and leave the duty on Canadian timber as it stood formerly. His proposition was, that from the first day of January next, the duty upon Baltic timber should be reduced from its present rate to 21. 98. per load; in January, 1833, to 21. 35.; and in January, 1834, to 21. Some considerable discussion ensued, and at length Mr. Attwood moved that Sir A. Grant do leave the chair. The House divided, when there appeared-For the amendment, 236; against it, 190; Majority against Ministers, 46.

March 21. On the second reading of the REFORM BILL being moved, Sir R. Vyvyan rose to oppose it, and in a long and able speech moved as an amendment that the bill be read that day six months. It was his intention, should the present bill be rejected, to propose some resolution which would give an assurance to the country that that House was determined to strengthen the representation; but he considered the present measure as revolutionary, and calculated to destroy the King's authority.Mr. Cartwright contended that the government had not bestowed sufficient reflection

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Proceedings in Parliament.-Reform Bill. [March,

upon the measure before they proposed it, and seconded the amendment. Mr. Sheil strongly supported the bill, and called upon the House to show their wisdom by timely concession; not to procrastinate, and thus occasion feelings and combinations similar to those which had forced the conceding of the Catholic claims. He conjured the House not to put England in the same situation as Ireland, nor wait till political rostra should be established in every district in the country.-Lord Harvey opposed the bill.-Mr. Pendarvis and Mr. C. Grant supported it. Lord Valletort regretted that ministers had introduced it; and he must say that it appeared to him to have been the cause of much of the excitement which prevailed through the country.-Lord Norreys opposed the measure. He could not bring himself to support that which in his conscience he believed would endanger the institutions of the country.-Mr. Villiers Stuart was favourable to the measure, but in accordance with the wishes of his constituents, he should vote against it.—Sir E. Sugden supported the amendment.

The question was then adjourned.

March 22. The adjourned debate on Parliamentary Reform was resumed by Visc. Mahon. He was not opposed to a moderate reform, but could not support a measure which would have the effect of destroying the constitution.-Sir J. Shelley regretted to differ from his constituents, who were in favour of the bill; but feeling it to be unjust, fallacious, and revolutionary, he could not give it his support.-Mr. W. Cavendish said, that although a portion of his constituents had lately expressed themselves hostile to parts of the bill, he should give his unqualified support to the measure, feeling it to be necessary to secure the safety of the country.-Mr. Ormsby Gore objected to the bill, as unjust and partial.-Colonel Polkill supported the motion. Mr. Wm. Ward felt it his duty to declare his opposition to the measure. His only object in opposing it, was to promote the good of his country. -Mr. Wyse supported the bill.-Sir R. Bateson could not consent to the present crude and undigested plan submitted by his Majesty's ministers. Lord Mountcharles had given a pledge to his constituents that he would act in conformity with public opinion, and he deemed it but right to state his conviction, that the inclinations of the people ran so strong in favour of reform, as to render it impossible for that House to deny concession to their wishes any longer. -Lord Castlereagh said, that he was prepared to support a plan of reform at once sound, moderate, and constitutional, but not such a sweeping change in the representative system of the country as that proposed by ininisters.-Mr. Shaw could not consent to a measure which applied an

axe to the tree of the constitution, and which would tear up root and branch the rights and chartered liberties of numerous bodies of British freemen.-The AttorneyGeneral supported the motion in a long and eloquent address, in the course of which he observed, that the object of this bill was not one of disfranchisement, but that its object was to keep as much as possible the existing right of voting, as far as that was consistent with the real and effectual reform of the representation of the people in that House. Sir J. Scarlett said, that he was convinced, that if this bill passed, it would destroy not only that House, but also the constitution of the country. He should therefore oppose the second reading of this bill.-Sir T. D. Acland said, that being a reformer on principle, he felt it indispensably necessary to vote for the second reading of the bill, with a view to its modification in the Committee.-Lord John Russell then rose to reply, and concluded by saying, that ministers had risked place, power, and distinction-in short, every thing-in an endeavour (he hoped it would be a triumphant endeavour) to improve largely, liberally and generously the constitution of Great Britain.

The House then divided, when there appeared

For the amendment
For the second reading

Majority for the second reading

301

302

1

Tremendous cheering announced that the fate of the second reading had been favourably decided. The bill was then ordered to be committed on Thursday the 14th of April.

The following is a list of the different motions on the subject of Parliamentary Reform which have been introduced into the House of Commons since the French revolution, commencing with the present premier, Earl Grey: 1793 Mr. Grey 1797 ditto 1800

ditto

1809 Sir Francis Burdett
1810 Hon. T. Brand
1812 ditto

negatived by 241

ditto 165

ditto 142

ditto 59

ditto 119

ditto 127

1817 Sir Francis Burdett
1818

ditto

188

1819

ditto
ditto

ditto

106

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1831.]

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FOREIGN NEW S.

FRANCE.

The effect of the late disturbances in Paris, and the angry discussions to which they gave rise in the Chamber of Deputies, has been a resolution on the part of the Crown to dissolve the Chamber, and to appeal to the nation through the electoral colleges for a judgment on its past proceedings, and a direction of its future conduct. According to the new law of elections, the qualification of voters is fixed at 200 francs of direct taxes per annum instead of 300. Thus the whole number of electors under the new law would be about 240,000; under the old law the number was about 90,000.

The following is a list of the newly appointed Ministry :-M. Cassimir Perrier to be Secretary of State for the Interior, and President of the Council of Ministers; Baron Louis, Minister of Finance; M. Barthe, Keeper of the Seals; Count de Montalivet, Minister of Public Instruction; Count d'Argout, Minister of Commerce and Public Works; Vice-Admiral de Rigny, Minister of Marine. Count de Bondy is appointed Prefect of the department of the Seine, and M. Vivien Prefect of Police.

On the 18th of March there was an important debate on the question of peace or

war.

The Ministers spoke in favour of peace. M. Salverte, General Lafayette, and some other members of that party, were anxious to make France interfere in the affairs of Italy and Poland. Lafayette read some documents found in Warsaw, in which Marshal Diebitsch is said to have declared that a campaign would ere long be made upon the Rhine.

ITALY.

In our last we mentioned the progress of the revolutionary spirit in the Italian States, and the successful insurrections in Modena and Bologna. The palace of the Duke of Modena was completely destroyed by the people after his departure. No act of vengeance took place, but the doors of the state prisons were thrown open, and the prisoners set at liberty. The custom-houses on the frontiers of Bologna were suppressed, and the insurrection of the Legations and the Marches completed, extending from Bologna and Ferrara to Ascoli. The Duchess of Parma, whilst at breakfast, received a deputation from the people of the town, who announced to her that the Parmesans intended to join the Italian confederation, and requested her to withdraw; a requisition with which she felt herself compelled to comply.

In consequence of these insurrectionary movements Austria has thought proper to interfere in Italian affairs. Gen. Frimont entered Modena on the 9th, and, after a

short action, succeeded in taking the city. Bologna and Parma have also been occupied by the Austrian forces. BELGIUM.

Surlet de Chokier was installed Regent of Belgium on the 25th of February. He has since published a Proclamation to the inhabitants of Luxemburg, assuring them of the support of the Belgic Government against Holland, the King of Holland having sent a new governor with troops, to assert his claim to that province, as admitted by the conferences of London.

RUSSIA AND POLAND.

Hostilities have been carried on with the most determined spirit on the part of the Russians since their entry into Poland, and in their resistance the brave Poles have performed prodigies of valour. The war commenced on the 14th of February with some skirmishing; but on the 19th and 20th a regular engagement took place, during which the carnage was dreadful. It is generally allowed that the advantage was on the side of the Poles, who fought nobly. The loss of the Russians is estimated at 10,000 men. Several hundreds of prisoners were brought to Warsaw, with about 1000 wounded Poles. The field of battle and the firing of the artillery were distinctly to be seen from the city, which has been declared to be in 3 state of siege, and every precaution adopted. On the 21st some of the outposts came to blows; but a white flag was sent by the Russians, which led to a parley between the Russian and Polish Generals, in the course of which an armistice was agreed upon, for the purpose of burying the dead.

Another murderous conflict took place near Grochow on the 25th. The Russians made six tremendous charges, and were six times repulsed with great loss. A seventh time they made a desperate charge, when two regiments of Russian cuirassiers were literally cut to pieces; only thirty making their escape. The loss of the Russians, on that day, was about 15,000 killed and wounded, and 600 prisoners, three pieces of cannon taken, and eight spiked. The loss of the Poles was great: the killed and wounded were reckoned at about 5000. Chlopicki had three horses shot under him, and being wounded in the foot was obliged to be carried off the field of battle.-On the 26th and 27th some partial fighting took place between the neighbouring wood, in which the Russians had established their head quarters, and Praga, the suburb of Warsaw. On the 27th the Polish Government destroyed part of Praga, for the purpose of giving the greater scope to their artillery.

By the last accounts from Warsaw, the

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Foreign News.-Domestic Occurrences.

Polish army is said to be unbroken in spirit, with supplies of all sorts abundant, strongly posted on the left bank of the Vistula, and a large force in Praga. Moreover, the Russians have been compelled to retreat. The breaking up of the severe weather had

[March,

laid the country under water, and brought the roads into such a condition that the artillery, baggage-waggons, &c. sunk four and five feet deep in mud. Many pieces of artillery had fallen into the hands of the Poles during several successful rencontres.

DOMESTIC OCCURRENCES.

INTELLIGENCE FROM VARIOUS

PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. Jan. 23. The church of Southgate was re-opened after the repairs. It will now contain about seven hundred persons, an addition having been made to the eastern end, on ground presented by his Grace the Duke of Buckingham. A new east window has been introduced, containing a transparent painting of Our Saviour bearing the Cross, after a Murillo, in Magdalen College, Oxford. Over this painting a gallery is formed for the charity children, and above it is a small semi-circular window, in which is also painted the Holy Dove, surrounded by cherubs in glory. The paintings are the gift of Mr. Serjeant Wilde, of Bowes Manor, and of Guildford-street; and have been executed by Mr. William Bacon, of Great Russell-street.

St John's Church, Holloway, has also been recently ornamented with a large east win dow, painted by Mr. Bacon, and presented by him to the parish. In the centre, over the royal arms, is a large figure of Our Saviour, after his resurrection; and on the east side are figures of the Apostles, taken from the works of the old German masters in the gallery of Stutgard. In the compartments immediately over the figures, are the Rose, Thistle, and Shamrock: and in the upper compartments, are highly finished paintings of seraphs and cherubs in glory. Mr. Bacon seems to have observed much care in adapting the figures to the compartments they fill, so as to preserve the architectural outlines of the window.

During a recent storm the remaining part of Kilnsea Church, which has been a conspicuous object from the Holderness coast, near the entrance of the Humber, gave way, and was swallowed up by the sea.

Feb. 3. A meeting of the clergy of Cheshire, convened by circular, was held at Knutsford, to take into consideration the subject of Church Reform. In the absence of Archdeacon Wrangham, the Rev. R. Clewes, Vicar of Knutsford, took the chair. Thirty-one clergymen were present, of whom twenty-eight signed petitions to the King and the House of Lords, founded on a series of resolutions, setting forth that some modifications or omissions in the Liturgy, adapted to the change of times and circumstances, would render the whole service more

influential, and increase the attachment of the public to the national church; that, though tithes are the unquestionable right of the church, the system is too frequently destructive of harmony between the clergy and their parishioners, and the petitioners would readily agree to an equivalent in lieu of that mode of payment.

After a long and mature consideration of the several plans submitted to the Clifton Bridge Trustees, in which they have received the able assistance of Mr. Davies Gilbert, Mr. Brunel, jun. has been unanimously appointed civil engineer for the erection of the suspension bridge.

The new building opposite the Savoy, for Public Meetings, called the Philadel phaion, is on the eve of completion. The saloon is 90 feet broad, 138 in length, and 48 in height, and is lighted by 18 large windows. The ceiling is tastefully comparted into alternate sunken squares and parallelograms, ornamented in their centres with raised rosettes. At the eastern eud, to the right of the principal entrance, at an elevation of about five feet, is a platform for the orators and principal persons, consisting of five broad steps, regularly rising above each other by a graduated scale of two inches, and sweeping in a semicircle from the south to the north side of the apartment. Immediately behind this are two galleries for the accommodation of ladies. From the base of the platform the floor stretches on a level about 50 feet to the west, from which point 27 steps, each two feet in breadth by two inches in height, rise in graduated succession to the western extremity of the hall. About 3000 persons can, without the slightest inconvenience, assemble in this capacious room, the arrangement of which will ensure all of them a full view of the pro-. ceedings.

It has been recently decided by Lord Tenterden, in a case Lovelock against King, that a person contracting to do a work for a certain stipulated sum, was not entitled to depart from that contract on account of alterations or additions afterwards made, unless, at the time those alterations or additions were proposed, he not only told his employer that they would have the effect of increasing the sum originally agreed upon, but also expressly informed him what the additional amount would be..

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