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prints, that great injury had been done to certain lines of railway within the last few days, in consequence of the heavy rains, and in certain districts great inconvenience was occasioned, not only by the stopping of the regular communications, but also by the delay of the usual mails. It appeared to him that there was some want of proper caution on the part of the Post Office authorities in not forwarding the mails with that expedition which they might have used; for even though some of the great lines had been damaged, the mails should have been forwarded in the old way-by the turnpike roads-until they had reached. such parts of the railway as might be made available for communicating with the metropolis. During the last week several lines of railway in the Midland Counties were, he believed, stopped, in consequence of the damage that was done to them. At one place in particular within about four or five miles of Leicester a viaduct was carried away, which was not likely to be restored for about a fortnight or three weeks. The greatest inconvenience had arisen, in consequence, to the people of Leicester, from the non-adoption of proper measures for the forwarding of the mails by some other route. He knew himself of letters containing intelligence of the deepest importance and interest, posted in Leicester on Friday, not reaching London until Monday morning. The day mail, which was forwarded from London on Saturday morning, did not reach Leicester until seven o'clock in the evening. Now where there was another line open, the mails might have been conveyed at almost the same degree of speed with which they were forwarded for many years past. He was informed that the great line of communication near Tamworth had been stopped by an injury which had occurred to a bridge in the neighbourhood. He wished to call public attention to the subject, and more particularly to urge that everything should be done to facilitate the conveyance of the mails. He should conclude by moving that the Postmaster General be requested to order that the day mail between London and Leicester should be conveyed by way of Peterborough, Stamford, and Melton Mowbray, until the line of railway between Leicester and Rugby (which has been stopped in consequence of the injury done to it, caused by the late heavy rains) be re-opened.

MR. G. A. HAMILTON said, he was sure that the House would not agree in

the terms of this Motion when he informed them that the fact was, the Post Office authorities had used the greatest possible exertions to expedite the conveyance of the mails. He had just received a communication which stated that the day mail from Leicester had arrived on that day without the delay of a single hour. Under such circumstances he thought that the hon. Gentleman would not think it necessary to persevere in his Motion.

Motion, by leave, withdrawn.

INDIAN TERRITORIES. MR. HERRIES moved that the Select Committee on Indian Territories do consist of thirty-one Members.

SIR HENRY WILLOUGHBY begged to suggest that the name of Sir Thomas Herbert Maddock be added to the Committee, as the hon. Member was thoroughly conversant with the subject, having resided for several years in India.

MR. JOHN MACGREGOR said, he had intended to move the addition of two or three names to the Committee, in order that the great commercial ports might be represented; but when he saw the names of the eminent persons nominated, he thought it unnecessary to persist in that intention.

MR. HUME said, he thought that all the new Members of the Committee should be put into possession of the whole evidence which had come before the former Committee on this subject. He wished to know whether any steps had been taken by the Government towards effecting this object?

SIR THOMAS MADDOCK said, he would also beg to suggest that natives of India capable of affording valuable information to the Select Committee should be summoned to give evidence before it. He was aware that among the educated inhabitants there was a large proportion of Hindoos who were precluded by the prejudices of caste from undertaking a sea voyage. But there were many who would not be so precluded could give evidence before the Committee; and he imagined with respect to the others that there could be no serions difficulty in obtaining the testimony of those Hindoo gentlemen of attainments and qualifications on the spot in India. That was the more important, because the evidence that had already been given, and the evidence which would in all probability be taken by the present Committee, had been and would be derived

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEmation given some days ago by his hon. QUER said, he had not forgotten the intiFriend the Member for Montrose, but, from the pressure of circumstances connected with this solemnity, it was quite impossible to lay an estimate before the House.

from persons who had been officially en-pense. The department upon whom the gaged in the administration of the affairs trust was devolved should be prepared to of India, whether in this country or in that. lay before them an estimate in some deIt might be very useful that the evidence gree approximating to the amount. of all experienced persons should be made. available for laying down the plan so far as concerned the machinery of Government; but in reference to all those matters which had regard to the welfare and happiness of the people of India, on which it was really the great primary duty of the Government in this country to legislate, their legislation could not be either complete or satisfactory unless the class of natives of India to whom he had referred were furnished with an opportunity of giving evidence before the Committee.

MR. HUME said, that if the public money could not be accounted for, it appeared to him there must be great blame somewhere.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHE

MR. HERRIES said, with reference to the suggestion of the hon. Member for QUER said, his hon. Friend had greatly Montrose (Mr. Hume), the best mode of misconstrued what he had stated, in supproceeding would be to leave the matter posing that the public money could not be to the Committee themselves, who would accounted for. If the public money were know what was necessary for the require-expended in this manner, it would be acments of the House; and with regard to counted for to the last shilling; but, from the observations which had fallen from the the pressure of circumstances, it was imhon. Member for Rochester (Sir T. Mad- possible at the present moment to lay an dock), it would be the duty of the Com- estimate before the House. mittee to determine what witnesses they should bring before them, and what evidence bearing upon the inquiry it would be desirable to have.

Motion for nominating the Committee was then agreed to.

FUNERAL OF THE DUKE OF
WELLINGTON.

On the Order of the Day for going into
Committee of Supply,

LORD DUDLEY STUART thought the House had heard a most extraordinary statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and that they had been treated in a most extraordinary way by the refusal given to the request of his hon. Friend that an estimate should be laid on the table of the House. With regard to the expenses of the funeral of the late Duke of Wellington, all persons in the country were unanimous in wishing, by every possible MR. HUME said, before the Order of means, to testify their respect for the methe Day was proceeded with, he wished to mory of that great and illustrious man; state that he had made a request on a for- but he did not think that respect would in mer night, that some estimate of the ex- any degree be diminished by the constitupenses of the funeral of the Duke of Wel- tional course of giving to that House, who lington should be laid upon the table of the held the purse strings of the country, an House. He found, upon referring to the estimate of the probable expense attending journals of the House, that an estimate the solemnity of Thursday. They all rewas laid on the table by Mr. Vansittart of collected the letter addressed by the Prime the expenses of the funeral of Lord Nelson, Minister to the Home Secretary on the ocand also of that of Mr. Pitt. The House casion of the death of the Duke. In that was not sitting at the time of Lord Nel- letter, which he thought most admirable, son's funeral, and therefore the estimate and he believed was generally so considerwas not laid on the table until after the ed, the reason given for delaying the funeoccasion; but as the House was now sit-ral from what appeared to be the natural ting, they ought to have an estimate laid before them. Not that he was desirous to abridge or to throw any difficulty in the way of a public demonstration, but they ought to relieve and disabuse the public mind of the extravagant ideas that had been formed as to the amount of the ex

time, shortly after the death of the illustrious hero, was, that it would be better and more constitutional to delay it until Parliament should be assembled, in order that Parliament might give its consent and approbation to the manner in which it was to be performed. He was sorry to see that

the proceeding of the Government on this parade, and pomp of a public funeral. He occasion appeared to be like some other of thought all this wore the aspect of impiety their modes of proceeding-not character--it was man paying almost idolatrous ised by much sincerity, but to be something worship to the clay of his fellow worm. of a deceptive character. ["Oh, oh !" He had availed himself of his privilege as The Prime Minister was for waiting until a Member of that House to witness the Parliament could be consulted, and express ceremony of the lying in state. He did its opinion on the subject. But had Par- so from no idle curiosity, but for the purliament been consulted as to the arrange- pose of observation and reflection; but he ment or expense of this great national so- confessed, when he looked upon all its lemnity? On the contrary, everything had pomp, the feeling in his mind was only been done by prerogative. All the orders one of deep disgust, to see the clay of a had been given and the expense incurred, departed man hung round with all those and now the House of Commons, after emblems of heraldry, with jewellery and being thus bamboozled-["Oh, oh!" emblazonments, as if in mockery, and all was left without information, and had no alternative but to wait until after the expenses were incurred. ["Oh, oh !"] It was all very well for the adherents of the Ministry to cry Oh, oh!" but he was sure the people were with him, and having to pay the bill, they would say the Government had done wrong in not being prepared to answer the appeal so properly made by his hon. Friend.

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to do honour to a being who was placed beyond the honour of this world, and could receive it no more, but who, perhaps, had received more in his lifetime than any man of this or any other age. It was nothing more than a solemn mockery. The late Duke was now beyond the power of praise or the incense they might choose to bestow, therefore the pageant was a mockery, and ought to be put MR. S. CARTER said, he should be down. [Cries of Oh!"] Gentlemen wanting in his duty to his constituents if might cry" Oh!" but they would find it he did not protest against the doctrine of impossible to oh him down. The pageant the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor could only be justified on one of two of the Exchequer. The right hon. Gen- grounds: first, upon the plea that it was tleman had delayed the funeral solemnity a tribute to the dead; and, secondly, upon for more than two months for the purpose the allegation that it would be a benefit to of consulting Parliament, and yet was not the living. Now, he denied that it was in now prepared to say whether the expenses the power of that House to confer any would be 10,000l. or 100,000l., or whe- honour upon the dead, and he also denied ther, as some people said, they would that it was likely to confer any benefit amount to a quarter of a million. It upon the living. The eulogists of the Duke seemed a somewhat invidious and ungra- of Wellington told them that his virtues cious task to address the House on that were too great for imitation. They told subject. But he was bound to say he felt them that he was the greatest man of a last night he had not done his duty to his great age, and to a certain extent debarred own conscience, in not having stood up emulation. The only thing which the pawhen the right hon. Gentleman the Chan- geant would do, in his opinion, would be cellor of the Exchequer poured out, in to stimulate the military spirit of the well-turned periods, his eulogium on the people, and make militiamen come forDuke of Wellington, and resisted that ward, and also foster in the minds of the which he (Mr. S. Carter) felt to be a poorer classes the love for expensive funenational folly-for he could only term rals, a folly to which they were already a national funeral a national folly. The too prone. He must again protest against right hon. Gentleman said the feelings Government taking a carte blanche for the of a great people could only find vent expense, and then coming to the people in a splendid pageant. If that was the and saying the bill must be paid, as the only way in which they could express their debt had been incurred. He had not that feelings, it would be far better, in his confidence in hon. Gentlemen opposite; opinion, not to express them at all. He he had not that confidence in any Governthought it would have been much more to ment, and although they might not spend the credit of that House and of the coun- more money than the Whigs, if in power, try if the money expended on that funeral his want of confidence was an additional had been applied to some object of public reason for this protest. usefulness, rather than for the pageantry,

Motion agreed to.

SUPPLY.

House in Committee of Supply.

for their attendance, by a deputation, at the solemn ceremony of Thursday next. Motion agreed to; Resolution to be reported To-morrow. House resumed.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER moved that Mr. Wilson Patten take the Chair of the Committee.

MR. HUME seconded the Motion. He was not aware that there was any person better qualified for the office than the hon. Gentleman, whose devotion to the business of the House had been unceasing; and although he (Mr. Hume) regretted the loss from that House of his hon. Friend the late Member for Rochester (Mr. Bernal), still he did not consider that they could have a better chairman than Mr. Wilson Patten.

MR. WILSON PATTEN (having taken the Chair), read the following extract from the Queen's Speech:

MR. VILLIERS' MOTION.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER said, he did not know whether the hon. Member for Wolverhampton (Mr. Villiers) was present, but if he was not, perhaps some hon. Friend of his was who could give him an answer. He (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) had yesterday expressed an opinion that it would be couvenient to the House that the terms of the Motion of which the hon. Member had given notice, should be communicated to the House at as early a period as possible. He had expected that yesterday they would have been furnished with its terms; but they had not, and now another day had elapsed and the terms of the Motion had not been placed before the House. morrow (Wednesday) the House would only meet for a morning sitting, when it

To

"The advancement of the Fine Arts and of Practical Science will be readily recognised by you as worthy of the attention of a great and enlightened nation. I have directed that a comprehensive scheme shall be laid before you, having in view the promotion of these objects, towards which I invite your aid and co-operation." The hon. Gentleman then read the follow-was not usual to communicate such Moing from the Address in reply:

"To assure Her Majesty that we readily recognise that the advancement of the Fine Arts and

of Practical Science is worthy of a great and enlightened nation; and to thank Her Majesty for having given directions that a comprehensive scheme shall be laid before us, having in view the promotion of these objects, to which Her Majesty invites our aid and co-operation."

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER then moved that a Supply be granted to Her Majesty.

On

He was

tions of importance to the House.
Thursday the House would not meet at all,
and unless they were furnished that night
with the terms of the Motion, they could not
have them before Friday, if even then they
might count on possessing them.
sure the hon. Gentleman or some of his
Friends would answer this inquiry.
hon. Gentlemen must feel that a Motion of
that kind ought not, as far as its expres-
sions were concerned, to be kept from their
knowledge.

But

MR. SPEAKER then put the question that the House do now adjourn.

SIR ROBERT H. INGLIS said, that before the House adjourned he begged to take the occasion of his hon. Friend the Member for North Lancashire (Mr. Wilson Patten) being placed in the Chair of the Committees of the House, to advert to a sub

MR. HUME would remind the Committee that they were not bound by the passage of the Royal Speech just read, to the adoption of any specific scheme for the purpose mentioned; for when the question should come before the. House for discussion, it would be his duty to submit a plan for their consideration very different from that which he had understood was sug-ject which he had on a former occasion gested, and which, he thought, would be the means of their availing themselves of public property for the purpose, without coming unnecessarily upon the public funds.

The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER said, due notice would be given for taking that paragraph of Her Majesty's Speech into consideration.

COLONEL SIBTHORP wished to express, on the part of some hon. Gentlemen connected with the militia, their discontent that some measures had not been adopted

brought before the House. The House had enjoyed the services of its Speakers for an unusully long time without a single day's interruption of the proceedings. During the last seventy years, there had been but two occasions on which the illness of the Speaker had caused an interruption to the proceedings of the House, and then two subsequent occasions on which the Speaker, on account of the death of a near relative, had been obliged to absent himself. But, with these exceptions, the attendance of the Speaker had been unin

was on

terrupted. However, they could not always rely upon the continuance of such unbroken services; and it was obvious that the absence of the Speaker from illness or any other cause, without there being any person to supply his place, might occur at a crisis of our history when it might be of vital importance to the constitution of the country that the House should be sitting. It was in the recollection of many that the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act being deemed necessary, that measure occasion passed, he believed, through all its stages on one day. If, at the period of such necessity, Mr. Speaker had been ill, there could have been no House; and a Bill essential to the welfare, and even to the safety, of the State, could not have become law. No provision had been made for the appointment of a Speaker under those circumstances, and he now submitted both to the present leader of the House, and those hon. Gentlemen on the opposite side who had lately formed the Administration, whether it were not expedient to provide for such a contingency. The details of such a provision he would not presume to specify; but he thought they might obviate the difficulty by appointing two Privy Councillors on each side of the House, who, in case of any contingency such as he had referred to, might supply, as far as it was in the power of man to supply, the loss which the House and the country would sustain by the absence of the right hon. Gentleman in the Chair. If that were a fit suggestion to make, he thought it better to make it at a time when there was little likelihood that they would be deprived of the advantages of the Speaker's presence. The House adjourned at half-after Six o'clock.

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HOUSE OF LORDS,
Wednesday, November 17, 1852.

MINUTES.] Took the Oaths.-Several Lords.

probably he had made his statement indistinctly. He had, as his noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor was aware, been fatigued by attending a very important meeting respecting the commercial laws, and had come to the House thence. His noble Friend, not now present, who misunderstood him (being of a different opinion) expressed his satisfaction. But he (Lord Brougham) had said the very reverse of what he was supposed to have said. He had said that he was for an extension of the suffrage by all safe and expedient means, but that his reason for it was not because it would prevent bribery and corruption. He held that it could have no such effect, because, however numerous the constituents of any place were, there would be found among them a certain number capable of taking bribes when the contest ran near, which bribery supposed it to do-a number sufficient to turn the election, and so there would be bribery. As to the ballot, he had still an opinion against it on other grounds; but on one ground, usually given in its favour-its tendency to prevent bribery-he saw no benefit whatever that could result from it. It would prevent prosecution for bribery; but it would lead to bribery in another formnamely, promises to pay on the event of the election, and thus convert each person bribed into an agent of bribery. He wished to add, respecting one of the Bills presented by him last night-the only one entirely new, that on Evidence and Procedure-that he should, before he went abroad, leave not only an abstract of it carefully prepared, but also a full note of all the cases at law referring to the matter of each clause, which would be found convenient in the examination of the various proposed alterations of the law.

FUNERAL OF THE DUKE OF
WELLINGTON.

LORD REDESDALE brought up the Second Report of the Select Committee ap

ROYAL ASSENT.-Bills of Exchange and Notes pointed to consider the circumstances relat(Metropolis).

EXTENSION OF THE SUFFRAGE.

LORD BROUGHAM said, that he was under the necessity of setting himself right with their Lordships respecting what he found some of them had misunderstood in his observations last night upon the extension of the suffrage. One of his noble Friends supposed that he had expressed his opinion against all extension. Most

ing to the attendance of this House and their place at the solemnity of the funeral of Field Marshal the late Duke of Wellington :

"That the Committee had again met, and further recommend, That the Lord Chancellor, as representing this House, do attend in his Parliament Robes.

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Departure of the Lords who propose to proceed to Arrangements have been made by which the the Cathedral by Water may be deferred to a later hour than that mentioned in the First Report.

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