HOUSE OF COMMONS.

April 14. The House resolved into a Committee of Supply.—Mr. Spring Rice moved several grants, amongst which was 8,000l. towards the new buildings at the British Museum. The next grants were 37,000l. on account of works at Windsor Castle, and 13,000l. on account of the National Gallery. Several other grants were admitted without much opposition.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

April 15. After the presentation of several Petitions in favour of the ESTABLISHED CHURCH, for the relief of the Dissenters, for an alteration in the sale of Beer, &c., the Lord Chancellor entered into a brief explanation of his views upon that important measure, the NEW BEER ACT. His Lordship explained, in giving a history of the measure, that the provision which allowed the drinking of ale upon the premises, and out of which the evils appeared to have chiefly arisen, was not contained in his original Bill, but was subsequently adopted, after an investigation of the subject by a Committee of the House of Commons, and upon their express recommendation. He thought that more time ought to be allowed, in order to try whether the evils were or were not incurable. There was a wide distinction to be drawn between Beer-shops established in towns and villages, and those established in remote parts of the country, where no public-houses had existed before. It was in the latter situations, where there was no police to look after them, that they produced such injurious effects as were complained of. But, by improving the superintendence of Beer-shops, and only permitting them in towns and villages, it appeared to him that a great portion of the existing evils might be overcome.-Lord Kenyon expressed his determination to bring forward a measure for its correction. -Lord Ellenborough thought that Government should take up the subject.-Lord Melbourne observed that there were great difficulties attending it. The question lay between the present system and the old one, and he thought no one would wish to return to the old one. After a few words, the conversation dropped.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, the same day, the Chancellor of the Exchequer entered into a statement of his plan for effecting

the Commutation of Tithes. The following are the propositions moved by his Lordship: "That all Tithes in England and Wales do cease and determine from..... That in future, all land liable to Tithe shall pay an average rate in proportion to its value, in the different counties. That all land liable to Tithe may have such Tithe redeemed, by the payment of twenty-five years' purchase." After a speech of some length from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Baring, Sir R. Peel, Sir R. Inglis, and other Members, made a few remarks, expressly reserving their opinions on the plan itself, until they saw it detailed in the printed Bill.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

April 16. The Lord Chancellor moved for certain returns upon subjects which, he said, had occupied their Lordships' attention, as well as the attention of many distinguished persons, Members of the other House of Parliament. In a large and prosperous country like England, something ought to be done towards educating SCHOOLMASTERS, and not have it left to a casual supply. He did not think any person, however desirous he might be of seeing economical principles acted upon, would object to a sum of money being spent with that view. He was favourable to the establishment of normal schools, as in France, supported by such funds as the wisdom of Parliament should think fit to adopt ; and he hoped that the present Session of Parliament would not pass, without some provision of that nature being made. Some institutions were not only not innocent if they did no good-for if they were he would not condemn them— but actually were productive of much mischief. Many of them, whatever persons might think to the contrary, were not only mischievous, but were such as the law ought never to have allowed, and of this class he would name an instance-the Foundling Hospital, with its extensive buildings in the neighbourhood of Guildford-street: and when the leases expired it would have a vast increase of revenue. It was now a hospital for children, it was true; but no longer for foundling children, because such an institution led to great and obvious mischief; and the rule now was, before a child could be received into the institution, its parent must first undergo an examination. In the same manner, when another institution had ceased to be

beneficial, it was altered; he meant the Smallpox Hospital, which was built before vaccination was thought of. That which was beneficial at one time might cease to be so at another; or a person with charitable views might be mistaken in the end or effect of it, when he established an institution. It was sufficient for him to have called attention to this matter; it was sufficient for him to state, that if the trustees had the remedy in their hands, and yet neglected it, and if they did not "take heed to their ways," there was a method of providing a remedy. The noble and learned Lord then concluded with moving for the returns in question, which were eventually agreed to.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

April 17. Lord Althorp brought for ward a motion for leave to bring in a Bill TO ALTER AND amend the LAWS RELATING TO THE POOR. After dwelling for some time on the importance of the subject, the difficulty of dealing with it, and the ill success which attended many of the endeavours of the Legislature to do so, he referred to the appointment and the labours of the Commission from which the valuable body of evidence had emanated, on the statements of which he rested the necessity of an immediate change. The working of the present system he described as most ruinous-worse than an agrarian law-for an agrarian law contemplated a division of property, but this system pro mised the destruction of all property. In alluding to the general measure of the Government, his Lordship stated the following to be the principal heads :-To get rid entirely of the allowance system to agricultural labourers; to have Central Commissioners, who should make general rules and orders as to the mode of relief, and for the regulation of workhouses, and the mode of relief afforded therein; to take from Justices the power of ordering parochial relief to persons in their own houses —that is, outdoor relief to the poor; to alter, in certain cases, the constitution of parochial vestries; to give large discretionary powers to the Central Commissioners; every method of acquiring a settlement to be abolished except those only acquired by birth or marriage; children to follow the settlement of their parents, until they attain the age of sixteen years—after that period, their settlement to be the place of their birth; to take away the power of imprisoning the reputed father of an ille gitimate child, and to make the mother liable for the support of her child, in the manner and mode of a pauper widow. The motion was agreed to, and Bill ordered to be brought in.

GENT. MAG. VOL. I.

Colonel Williams rose to bring forward a motion, "That an humble address be presented to the King, requesting His Majesty to signify His pleasure to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge respectively, that those bodies no longer act under the edicts or letters of James I., 1616, by which he would have all that take any degree in schools to subscribe to the three articles' of the thirty-sixth canon, with the exception of those proceeding to degrees in divinity; nor to require the declaration, namely, that I am bona fide a member of the Church of England,' nor any other subscription or declaration of like effect and import."-The motion was seconded by Mr. Buckingham.-Mr. G. W. Wood rose to move an amendment, that the words of the original motion, after the word “that,” be omitted, for the purpose of substituting these words, "leave be given to bring in a Bill to grant to His Majesty's subjects generally the right of admission to the English Universities, and of equal eligibility to degrees therein, notwithstanding their diversities of religious opinion-degrees in divinity alone excepted."-Mr. Estcourt opposed the measure. He said that the object of the motion was to introduce Dissenters into the Universities. -Dr. Lushington supported the measure. He said it should be the endeavour of the Universities, as of the Legislature, to mix up in cordial union every class of His Majesty's subjects, and, by promoting good-will amongst all men, promote the well-being of the whole of society.-Mr. Goulburn said he must enter his protest against the motion then before the House-a motion not only untenable on examination, but unsupported by any thing like argument.-Lord John Russell said that, by admitting the Protestant Dissenters to those great establishments of literature and science (the Universities), and the greater his respect for their distinguished learning, the more anxious was he that Protestant Dissenters should share in it.—Sir R. Inglis maintained that the present concession would tend necessarily to completely destroy the existing character and discipline of the English Universities, while, even if the proposed Bill passed to-morrow, there would still be restrictions on Dissenters; there would still remain on their consciences the obligation to take the oath of supremacy, and, on their loyalty, the tax of taking the oath of allegiance. Feeling deeply and strongly upon this subject, as intimately connected with the best inte rests of the Church of England, he should give the strongest opposition to both propositions, now before the House. From the forms of the House, it would be ne3 Z

cessary for him, in the first instance, to give an affirmative to one of them; but when it afterwards came as a substantive proposition, he should then most unequivocally vote against it.-Colonel Williams afterwards withdrew his motion for an Address, and the proposition of Mr. Wood therefore stood as the original motion. On this the House divided, when there appeared-Ayes, 185; Noes, 44; Majority, 14; leave was accordingly given to bring in the Bill.

April 18. After a desultory discussion on the sentence of transportation against the Dorchester Unionists, several Bills were introduced. A Bill to regulate and abolish sinecure offices in the House of Commons was read a first time-as also a Bill to give freedom to domestic religious worship another to abolish capital punishment in cases of letter-stealing, returning from transportation, and certain cases of burglary-another to allow prisoners in all cases the aid of counsel and another to prevent the hanging in chains of prisoners sentenced to capital punish

ment.

The House having resolved into Committee on a Message from the King, after some discussion it was agreed that the KNIGHTS of the BATH, being for the future to be exempted from paying fees, the Officers of the Order, who were to be reduced to five, should receive compensation for the loss of their emoluments.

Lord Althorp brought up his Bill for the

better PROVISION OF THE POOR of England and Wales, which was read a first time; to be read a second time April 29th.

April 21. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in a Committee on CHURCH RATES, brought forward his proposal on that subject. The first portion of the plan was, that these Church Rates should, after a day to be named, be entirely abolished. He should propose, instead of the present Church Rates, that 250,000l. a-year should be raised as a charge on the Land Tax. The sum thus raised was to be appropriated, not in the same manner as it was now applied, but chiefly, if not entirely, to the sustaining and repairs of the fabric of the churches. This fund, so made a charge on the Land Tax, was to be invested in the hands of the Church Commissioners, not now a permanent body, but which it would be necessary should be made so if this plan were adopted, by them to be distributed to the purpose of supporting the edifices of the churches throughout the country.-Mr. Hume objected strongly to the plan, as calculated to afford no relief to the Dissenters, who paid the Land Tax, and therefore would still continue to pay Church Rates in a different form. A long and animated discussion followed, in which Mr. Divett, Mr. Wilks, Mr. Stanley, Mr. D. W. Harvey, Lord John Russeil, &c., took parts. The House then divided, when the motion was carried by a majority of 256 to 140.

FRANCE.

France has been the theatre of popular commotion, attended by sanguinary results. At Lyons, on the 7th April, a serious disturbance broke out, when the military and people were engaged for five days in a sanguinary conflict, in which the rioters were eventually defeated. It originated from the trial of some of the members of the association who had been arrested during the late riots, arising from the coalition of the silk weavers. A large military force having been stationed near the court house where the trial of the Mutuellistes (a political association, which had instigated the workmen to their unlawful proceedings), was to take place, a considerable body of workmen, part of them armed, came there also, under pretence of protecting their friends, in the same way as the military were to protect the tribunal.

The people were desired to withdraw, and on their refusing to do so, orders were given to the military to fire on them, which orders were obeyed, but, it would seem, not without some hesitation on the part of the soldiers. The consequence, however, was a general battle, which lasted all day. Artillery was used, barricades raised, and carried by the military, and a great number of lives were lost. The contest continued, with varying success, to the 12th, when it appears the insurgents, driven from their positions, took refuge in three or four churches, among others in the cathedral, which it was necessary to besiege. who were shut up in it perished. The rebels had also possession of two posts-one at Fourvière, seated on a hill commanding the Saone, which the troops took by assault, killing or making prisoners all who were found in it; and the other was that of

All

St. George, which was attacked and taken. The letters received from Lyons show that the contest there was almost as bloody and destructive as if the town had been stormed by a besieging enemy. The people poured a deadly fire on the troops from the roofs and windows of the houses, and when driven from them they took refuge in the churches, the doors of which were battered down with cannon-shot. According to the latest accounts all was quiet, but Lyons was nearly ruined. 1,700 troops had been killed and wounded, and of the workmen upwards of 5,000.

The news had scarcely arrived in the French capital of the civil war in Lyons being quelled, when an insurrection of a most formidable nature broke out in Paris. On Sunday the 13th, disturbances began on the quays and Place du Chatelet. At half-past two and three, the Rues St. Martin and St. Denis were in commotion. At half-past three and four troubles began in various quarters of the Marais, and at five to six the workmen in all the faubourgs gave proofs of their determination to revolt. At nine o'clock twenty thousand troops and twenty thou sand National Guards were under arms. The drums beat to arms; the barricades were formed in every direction. The "Conservatoire des Arts et Metiers" were turned into barracks, and the inhabitants of that neighbourhood were entreated to place their windows at the disposition of the troops, in order to have lights, &c. at them. At twenty minutes past nine the firing was tremendous in the Rue St. Honoré and the Rue St. Denis. Fiacres and omnibuses were overthrown, in order to form barricades. Driven from the barricades, the rioters afterwards retired into some houses in narrow streets, from the windows of which they kept firing a great part of the night against the soldiers and National Guards who came within reach. In the morning of Monday the rioters, whose whole number, it is said, did not exceed 300, were either dispersed or taken. Several lives were lost. Extensive measures had been taken by the government to maintain order in the capital. The matter was brought before the Chamber by M. Guizot, and a notice that government was preparing strong measures to "crush the anarchists" was favourably received. The Chamber afterwards, in a body, went up with an address to the King. Chalons, Macon, Dijon, Strasbourg, Befort, and St. Etienne, in one or other of which disturbances had or were reported to have taken place, are reported by the accounts from Paris to be perfectly tranquil. The Tribune newspaper has been forcibly suppressedin Paris, and many persons arrested.

On the 14th, in the Chamber of Deputies, a law was introduced to punish with death persons using arms, and with fine and imprisonment persons possessing ammunition or arms; and with imprisonment of from four to ten years persons assisting in erecting barricades.

M.

There has been a change in the French ministry, in consequence of their defeat in the Chambers. The question upon which they were defeated was the indemnity of 25,000,000 of francs, guaranteed to America, under a treary of the 4th of July, 1831. This indemnity, so guaranteed, the Chamber of Deputies has refused to grant. The most important resignation was that of the Duc de Broglie. M. Persil, Deputy, Procureur-General of the Royal Court, is appointed Keeper of the Seals, and Minister of Justice and of Worship. M. Thiers, Deputy, Minister of Commerce and Public Works, is appointed Minister of the Interior. Duchatel, Deputy, is nominated Minister of Commerce. Vice Admiral Count de Rigny, Deputy, and Minister of the Marine and Colonies, is appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs. Vice-Adm. Baron Roussin, Ambassador at Constantinople, is named Minister of the Marine. M. Martin du Nord, Deputy, and Advocate-General of the Court of Cassation, is appointed Procureur-General of the Royal Court. The ministers who retain their previous offices are, Marshal Soult, President of the Council and Minister of War; M. Humann, Minister of Finance; and M. Guizot, Minister of Public Instruction.

The Semaphore of Marseilles states that a coal-mine has recently been discovered near that city, below the surface of the sea. The Echo de la Frontière states that another mine has been discovered at Saint Mathieu, in the territory of Dourchos. More than 150 hectolitres of coal were extracted from the first orifice of the mine. The coal is of very excellent quality.

BELGIUM.

Some alarming riots took place at Brussels on Saturday and Sunday the 5th and 6th of April, in which 15 or 16 houses of the Orange party were gutted, and the furniture thrown out of the windows. The riot was produced by the circulation of lists and subscriptions for purchasing the horses belonging to the Prince of Orange's stud at Terveuren. It is well known that, from the suddenness of the Belgian revolution of 1830, and the accident of the Royal Family being then at the Hague, very considerable property belonging to that family was of necessity left in the Royal Palaces at Brussels,