HOUSE OF LORDS.

June 3. The Bishop of London moved the second reading of the Appeals to the Privy Council from the ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS (Matters of Doctrine) Bill.-The Marquess of Lansdowne objected to any legislation at all upon the subject at the present moment, as it could not fail to be attributed to dissatisfaction at the recent decision of the Privy Council. The Bill was not a modification, but a total reconstruction of the court of appeal. It would be a serious blow to the royal prerogative, for it would raise up a tribunal whose decision, in the words of the Bill, would be final and conclusive. would in effect be to shackle her Majesty and her advisers in the government of the Church and render null and void the advice of the Privy Council. He concluded by moving that the Bill should be read a second time that day six months.-Lord Brougham, Lord Campbell, and the Bishop of St. David's, also opposed the Bill; after which it was rejected by 84 to 51.

This

May 31. Earl Grey moved the second reading of the AUSTRALIAN COLONIES Bill. After briefly stating the enormous growth of these colonies in population and wealth, he explained that the measure before them was designed to provide a free and constitutional government for the other Australian colonies, modelled upon that which had worked well in New South Wales. The existing colonial councils, he added, were, after the passing of the Bill, to trace out the electoral districts, and make all preliminary arrangements. The legislative councils were then to be convened, to consist each of thirty-six members, twenty-four being elected by the constituencies, and twelve nominated by the Crown. These councils were to assist or to control the colonial governors in the duties of administration. -Read 2o.

June 11. In committee on the AUSTRALIAN COLONIES Bill Lord Monteagle moved an amendment, the object of which was the adoption of double chambers in each of the Colonial Legislatures; which was negatived by a majority of 22 to 20.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.

May 24. On the motion for Commit

tee of Supply, Mr. Blackstone moved as an amendment for leave to bring in a Bill to repeal so much of the Act 3 and 4 Victoria, c. 47, as imposes an additional duty of 10 per cent. on ASSESSED AND WINDOW TAXES. The tax was laid on expressly to make up a deficiency in the revenue, and now that they had so ample a margin they ought to reduce a tax so laid on.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer resisted the motion, and said that if he were even disposed to reduce taxes to the extent of two or three hundred thousand pounds, he should not certainly apply that sum to the reduction of the assessed taxes, but rather to those articles which affected the comforts of the great mass of the people.-The House divided-For the amendment, 65; against it, 130.

In the Miscellaneous Estimates the removal of the MARBLE ARCH from the front of Buckingham Palace, and its reerection in the Mall near Stafford House, surrounded with a garden, at the cost of 14,6721. was proposed by Government, but withdrawn.-The consideration of the estimates for the completion of the new PALACE OF WESTMINSTER occupied the principal part of the night, different Members objecting, in turn, to the style, size, accommodation, decoration, and expense of the new Houses.-Sir De Lacy Evans moved as an amendment to the vote for the decoration of the Houses, that the estimate should be reduced by the sum of 1,0507. proposed to be expended in the decoration of the Peers' private refreshment-rooms with pictures of the chase by Mr. Landseer. This amendment was carried by a majority of 94 to 75.-The vote for the repairs of MAYNOOTH COLLEGE also led to some discussion, Colonel Sibthorp having moved its rejection. On a division, however, the vote was carried by a majority of 121 to 47. Ordered to be received on Monday.

May 30. Lord Ashley moved an address to the Crown, praying for the total cessation of SUNDAY LABOUR IN THE POST-OFFICES of the United Kingdom.The Chancellor of the Exchequer con. ceded the religious importance of the question, but did not believe that the saying of Sabbath occupation would justify the prohibition of epistolary intercourse

throughout the entire country.-The House divided-For the motion, 93; against it, 68. [On the 10th June Her Majesty's answer was reported, acceding to the prayer of this address, and it was brought into operation on Sunday the 23rd of June.]

Sir F. Buxton moved a resolution enjoining the duty of maintaining the differential duties on slave-grown SUGAR, and declaring the injustice of exposing the British West Indian colonist, who relied upon free labour, to an unrestricted competition with the unscrupulous slave-traders of Cuba and Brazil.-Mr. Evans seconded the motion.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer remarked on the inconsistency of advocating a principle as regarded sugar, but saying nothing about the importation of coffee, tobacco, and other articles which were equally the produce of slave labour. He thought that free labour would ultimately supersede slave labour, and that the spirit of enterprise now apparent among the colonists promised them a surer result of prosperity than they could derive from protection.The House divided-For the motion, 234; against it, 275.

June 3. On the order of the day that the House resolve itself into a committee upon the METROPOLITAN INTERMENTS Bill, Mr. Lacy, referring to the nume rous amendments of the Bill, of which notice had been given, moved that it be referred to a select committee.-Lord D. Stuart seconded this amendment.-Lord J. Russell said if this Bill were to be referred to a select committee, it was probable that no report would be made before July, and the measure would be deferred until next session.—Mr. Alderman Sidney said the Corporation of London had unanimously condemned the centralization clauses of the Bill, and would prefer the evils of the existing system to a Bill like this. Mr. Hume intended to vote for the amendment, and, if he had read the clauses of the Bill, he should not have consented to the second reading of the Bill, which gave to an incorporated Board power over the burials of 52,000 bodies annually, the appointment of all the clergymen of all the cemeteries, and authority to levy fees without controul. On a division the amendment was negatived by 159 against 57, and the House went into committee upon the Bill.

June 4. Mr. French moved a series of resolutions relative to the POOR LAW IN IRELAND, recommending a return to the system of in-door relief as practised in 1838, declaring that the taxing powers now vested in the vice-guardians were objectionable, and their administration extra

vagant; and that it was unjust to throw upon the land alone the maintenance of the Irish poor.-The present system was defended by Sir W. Somerville.-The House divided-For the resolutions, 65; against, 90.

June 5. The debate on the EDUCATION Bill, adjourned from the 17th April, [see May, p. 523,] was resumed by Mr. Ansley, who examined at much length the objec tions urged against the Bill, the rejection of which would indirectly sanction the existing insufficient system.-Mr. Wood defended the educational foundations and institutions connected with the church, which treated man as a spiritual being, and, whilst improving his intellectual and moral qualities, deemed it of paramount importance to educate his spiritual faculties.-The House divided, when the second reading was negatived by 287 against 58, so that the Bill is lost.

June 6. In committee on the FACTORIES Bill, Mr. Elliot moved a proviso, to the effect that it should not be lawful for young persons and females to be employed or to work in factories for more than ten hours daily, between half-past five o'clock in the morning and half-past eight in the evening; and that it should be lawful for such young persons and females to work by sets or relays. Sir George Grey opposed the amendment, which he considered was contrary to the spirit of the Bill.- Lord Ashley also opposed it.-The committee divided-For the amendment, 45; against it, 246.-Lord Ashley moved an amendment, the object of which was to prevent children between the ages of eight and thirteen years from being worked in factories, except between the hours of six in morning and six in the evening.-The committee divided-For the amendment, 72; against it, 102.

Mr. C. Lewis obtained leave to bring in a Bill for taking an account of the PopuLATION of Great Britain. The hon. member said that the cost of the last census was 100,0007., a part of which had been paid by the parishes, and the rest out of the Exchequer. By this Bill he proposed that the whole expense of the census of 1851 should be paid out of the national funds.

A Bill was read a second time, without a division, "to enable Queen's Counsel and others, not being of the degree of the Coif, to act as JUDGES of Assize."

June 10. A postponed Resolution of Supply was read, that a sum not exceeding 103,6107. be granted for the works of the NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, to the 31st March 1851; whereupon Mr. Hume moved to reduce the grant to 100,6107. The former sum was carried; Ayes 144, Noes 62.-Mr. Hume then

moved for a select committee on the same subject, which was negatived by 85 to 55. Lord J. Russell then moved the second reading of the LORD LIEUTENANT ABOLITION (IRELAND) Bill.-Mr. H. Grattan moved that it be read a second time that day six months.-Mr. G. A. Hamilton seconded the amendment, and Mr. M. O'Connell supported it.-The debate was adjourned to the 17th instant, when the second reading was carried by a majority of 295 to 70.

June 11. Mr. Mackinnon moved for a select committee to investigate the revenue, condition, and expenditure of RAMSGATE and MARGATE HARBOURS.-Sir G. Pechell moved that Dover be included in the inquiry. The House divided upon the amendment, which was negatived by a majority of 71 to 60. The original mo. tion was carried by a majority of 78 to 47.

Lord Naas then moved that the House should resolve itself into a committee, to take into consideration the present mode of levying the duty on HOME-MADE SPIRITS in bond.-Lord J. Stuart seconded the motion.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer said if this motion should be carried the House should be prepared to take 4d. per gallon from colonial spirits, or to add 4d. per gallon to home-made spirits, which he believed would be no advantage to the British distiller.-The House then divided, and the motion of Lord Naas was carried by a majority of 85 to 53, being a majority against the government of 32.-The House then went into committee, and Mr. Forbes Mackenzie moved resolutions the object of which was that the charge of duty should be made only upon the quantity of spirits taken out of bond.-Agreed to.

FRANCE.

The electoral law having been carried by the large majority of 433 against 241, it was promulgated on Monday the 3rd of June, bearing the signature of the President of the Republic. As a loi d'urgence it was requisite that its promulgation should take place within three days. As it was not promulgated on Sunday a report was put in circulation that the President hesitated to affix to it his signature. Nothing, however, could be more unfounded than the supposition that Louis Napoleon was opposed to the law. He expressed to several persons his satisfaction at the result of the discussion, and to one person said, "Ils ont passé mon projet de loi."

SPAIN.

On Sunday the 7th of April, the cathedral of Saragossa was struck by lightning, and took fire. This accident happened at the moment when the procession of the Holy Sacrament was coming out of the church with the viaticum for the sick. The crowd was great; for the people thronged to see the procession, which was headed by a band of music, and a picket of grenadiers. Presently a thick cloud overcast the sky, and darkened the city like sudden nightfall; the heavy rain which fell obliged the procession to face about and take shelter in the church. No sooner had the priests and choristers effected this movement than a long roll of thunder, which shook the ancient cathedral to its foundations, was preceded by a violent crack, as if the building had been GENT, MAG. VOL. XXXIV.

rent. The tower had been struck by lightning. The son of the bell-toller escaped with a smart shock; but his father was

suffocated, and precipitated lifeless from the belfry to the pavement of the church. The roof caught fire, and a violent wind fanned the flames, so that all efforts to extinguish them were vain, and by three in

the afternoon the dome was burned.

AMERICA.

The Nicaragua treaty has been confirmed in the Senate by a vote of 42 to 10. Clay, Webster, and Cass, with others of distinction, took occasion to express approbation in most decided terms, and vindicated its various provisions.

A buccaneering expedition, proposing to revolutionise Cuba, started from New Orleans on the 7th of May. It was headed by General Lopez, who landed at Cardenas, a small town of 3000 or 4000 inhabitants, about 90 miles from Havannah, on the 17th. His forces consisted of some 500 men, who took possession of the town after a slight and ineffectual resistance. The garrison, composed of about 60 soldiers, was driven into a church, and after the loss of three men surrendered. greatest excitement was produced at Havannah by the movements of Lopez. The city was placed under martial law, the resident foreigners were ordered to enrol, several thousand militia were organised, and every preparation was made for a vigorous resistance. The troops at Matanzas amounted to 1500, and 800 were immediately despatched from Havannah to reinforce them and march against Lopez, M

The

After landing and burning the government house, the invading troops remained in peaceable possession of Cardenas, but soon proceeded to collect their wounded, and prepare for a safe retreat. General Lopez, with one of his aides, Major Sanchez Essnaga, arrived at Savannah. They were promptly arrested by the United

States marshal, under orders from the President, and carried before the judge of the District Court. No one appearing to accuse the parties, and no evidence being presented to authorise their commitment, they were discharged from custody, and left Savannah for Mobile.

LONDON AND ITS VICINITY.

April 11. A new church at Shepherd's Bush in the parish of Hammersmith, was consecrated under the designation of St. Stephen's. It has been erected at the sole expense of the Lord Bishop of London, who has also endowed it with 1507. a-year from the revenues of his see, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners contributing 401. per ann.

The architect is Mr. A. Salvin.

It has an elegant tower and spire 150 feet high; and consists of a nave and side ailes, a chancel, and two porches. The interior is fitted with English oak; the aisles laid with red and buff tiles, and the chancel with Minton's encaustic tiles. The stained glass is unusually abundant. The east window, of stained glass, has been presented by the Bishop's family; the west window by subscription; the two north windows of the chancel by Mr. William Scott; the south window by the architect and the builder Mr. Bird; the two windows at the east end of the aisles by the clergy of Essex, in respect to their former diocesan; a small window near the roof of the chancel by the Bishop's chaplain; and two quatrefoils in the nave by Mr. Willement, the artist. The organ, communion-plate, and alms-dish have been presented by other donors; and the font by the churchwardens of Finchley. For the site of the church, parsonage, and schools, half an acre of freehold land was given by the Messrs. Gomme, builders, of Hammersmith. To allow more space for the parsonage and schools, the church was built, partly on the waste belonging to the Bishop, as lord of the manor, and partly on the land given. His lordship has also purchased a piece of the freehold land adjoining for a garden to the parsonage, which building is in a forward state, and it is expected the schools will be erected by the parishioners.

A new Park is proposed for the borough of Finsbury, to have its entrance at Highbury, passing along the right side of the Holloway and Hornsey road to the Seven Sisters' House, from thence taking an easterly direction to the Green-lanes, and

then proceeding south to the New River, completing the inclosure-a space of 300 acres. In addition, it is proposed to form an esplanade on the banks of the New River, which runs through the park, 15 feet in width, commencing at the New North-road, and extending to the reservoirs at Lordship-lane; the total cost of of the undertaking being estimated at 150,0007.

The statue of Mr. Huskisson, presented to the members of Lloyd's by his widow, has been placed in the vestibule of that establishment. It is from the chisel of Mr. Gibson, and is a fine work of art, standing upwards of nine feet high. The drapery is arranged in chaste classic Roman style. The head and features are beautifully executed.

May 25. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company's ship Ripon, arrived at Southampton, with 166 passengers, and among them Jung Bahadoor Koonour Ranage, Ambassador Extraordinary from Nepaul to her Majesty. In his own country, his Highness occupies the important posts of Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Army. He is the first Hindoo of so high a caste who has ever been in England. In the suite of his Highness are his two brothers, Colonels Juggat and Dheer Shumshere Jung, and twenty-four attendants; also Mr. Macleod, his secretary and interpre ter, and Captain Cavanagh, in political charge of the mission. The Prince is most richly equipped in the Oriental fashion, his head-dress and costume being profusely embellished with gold, and glittering with precious stones, pearls, and diamonds, said to be worth 150,000l. sterling. He is very handsome, and so are most of his suite, though small in stature. He has taken up his residence in Richmond Terrace, Whitehall. The whole party was at Epsom on the Derby day, where they seemed highly delighted. They have also been entertained by the East India Company, and were present at some other public dinners, but without partaking of our provisions,

In

The Building for the Exhibition of Industry. This building, which is to be erected in Hyde Park between the south bank of the Serpentine and the Kensington-road, will be 2,300 feet long, rather more than 400 feet across, and the roofed area will probably extend to about 900,000 square feet, or upwards of 20 acres. the centre of the south front, opposite Prince's Gate, will be placed the principal entrance and offices. There will be three other great entrances in the centre of the other side of the building. Gangways, 48 feet wide, clear and uninterrupted excepting by seats, will connect the entrances, and at the intersection of these main lines it is proposed to form a grand circular hall for sculpture, 200 feet in diameter. Considerable spaces surrounding the old trees (which must be carefully preserved) will be fitted up with refreshment rooms surrounding ornamental gardens, with fountains, &c. The vast area destined to be filled with the products of all climes will be covered with remarkably simple iron roofing, of 48 feet span, running from end to end of the building; supported by hollow iron columns resting on brick piers, and covered very probably with boarding and slate. The extent of the roof covering the main avenue will be 96 feet. The lowest line of the main roofing will be 24 feet high, and the clear height of the central gangway will be about 50 feet. The floor will, for by far the greater portion of the area, be formed of boarding laid on joists and sleeper walls. The external inclosures will in all cases be constructed of brick. The light will be principally derived from skylights. The central hall will be a polygon of 16 sides, four of which will open into gardens reserved around it. Its main walls will be in brick, and about 60 feet high. The covering of this splendid apartment will be in iron, and probably domical. The whole building is to be finished by January next. The Commissioners for the Subdivision of Populous Parishes have published a report, recommending the sale of livings in the gift of the Lord Chancellor, the proceeds of which are to form a fund for the erection of 600 new Churches, and for augmenting the income of small livings. As many as 774 benefices are in the gift of the Chancellor, with an aggregate annual value of nearly 200,0007.; and these advowsons, they calculate, would realise a sum more than sufficient for the objects they have in view. The sales, they suggest, should extend over a series of years, and be effected, if possible, with persons locally interested in the respective parishes, as residents or proprietors. They are of opinion that no other course has yet been

pointed out which would so effectually supply the present deficiency of Church accommodation.

St. Barnabas Church, Pimlico, to which is attached a College, with a house for several Clergy, and ample school-rooms, was consecrated on the 11th of June (St. Barnabas day), by the Lord Bishop of London, in the presence of a large number of clergy and laity. A procession of chorister boys and men, and about seventy clergy, all in surplices, having issued from the door of the College, proceeded along the street a few yards, and entered the church by the western door, chanting the 68th Psalm from Helmore's Psalter. The usual ceremonies and services then took place, the Bishop of London preaching the sermon, and the Holy Communion being administered to a large number of persons. A dinner" for rich and poor followed, the Bishop of London being in the chair. Several toasts were proposed, and were duly responded to. The site for the whole buildings was given by the Marquess of Westminster. The organ, a very fine instrument, was presented by the Rev. Sir G. F. Ouseley. The buildings externally are strikingly ecclesiastical, though plain; but the church is exceedingly beautiful internally, the chancel, especially, being richly coloured. Every window in the church is of stained glass. All the seats are free and open, and furnished with kneeling boards.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

The parish church of St. Mary, Cheltenham, has recently undergone repairs. The woodwork of the roof of the south ailes, almost throughout its entire length, was found much decayed, but has now been effectually repaired. The organ, which has stood for many years at the west end of the nave, in a loft above the general tier of galleries, has been taken down, which has had the effect of throwing open a very beautiful Decorated window, the upper part of which has hitherto been entirely concealed. The organ will probably be placed in the south transept. The chancel has been improved by removing the upper part of the altarpiece, which almost concealed the tracery of the fine east window. The altarpiece, Corinthian in design, was removed from Gloucester cathedral about forty years ago, and it seems not improbable that ere long it will be again removed, and reveal the more simple design which it now conceals; the window having an embattled moulding at the springing of the arch; the part below being filled in with stonework between the mullions, and having been decorated with wall paintings, portions of which still re