cellor, the first motion of the noble lord was agreed to, and the second negatived. APOTHECARIES' BILL.] On the motion that the Report of this Bill be received, Earl Stanhope rose to express his objections to the Bill in question. He had never seen such a bungling bill, even from the bunglers of the House of Commons [a laugh]. During the last session, a Bill had come up from that House to their lordships, in which the pecuniary penalty for some offence had been changed into transportation for fourteen years. Now, their lordships knew, that when a fine was levied by way of penalty, it was customary to provide that half the fine should go to the informer, and the other half to the King; but in this Bill they forgot to alter that provision, so that the enactment literally ran thus-that the person committing this offence should be transported for fourteen years, half the penalty to go to the informer, and the other half to the King [a laugh]. With respect to the present Bill, he was decidedly friendly to its object, because it was an honest one; but he was an enemy to its clauses, because they were oppressive. The noble earl specified several of the provisions which he thought oppressive and incorrect. He objected also to its being made a private instead of a public Bill, as it was smuggling the measure through the House in an unfair manner. He wished that it might be postponed for the present, not from any desire that it should be abandoned, but merely that it might be resumed next session in a less imperfect manner; and he should therefore move, that it be read a third time on Thursday next. The Lord Chancellor defended the Bill, as calculated to produce much good. It was not so perfect as it might be, perhaps; but that was no reason for rejecting the benefit it would produce, merely because it was possible to render it still more efficient. With respect to the oppression complained of by the noble earl, if he would examine the charter of the Apothecaries Company, he would find that they possessed, by virtue of that Charter, powers much more extensive than it was now proposed to grant them. In fact, the present Bill was a qualification and limitation of that Charter. It would, indeed, be a great act of injustice on the part of that House towards the suitors for the Bill, if they were now, after having suffered it to go through so many stages at a considerable expenditure of time and money to throw it out, except there existed some stronger grounds for such a proceeding than had been indicated by the noble earl He should, therefore, certainly vote for in passing to a third reading. The amendment was negatived, and the Bill ordered to be read a third time to morrow. HOUSE OF LORDS. Tuesday, July 11. Earl Stanhope presented a Petition, which he said had just been put into his hands, from a person of the name of St. John Mason, complaining of oppression and imprisonment sustained by him in Ireland, during the administration of the earl of Hardwicke. The noble earl said he wished he had received the Petition earlier, as it contained some strong allegations, which he thought deserved inquiry; but he was in great doubt as to the best mode of proceeding at the present moment, it being now the close of the session. The Lord Chancellor suggested, that as ! no steps could be taken upon the Petition now, it would be much better to defer presenting it till the commencement of the next session. Earl Stanhope concurred in the propriety of this suggestion, and accordingly with drew the Petition. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Tuesday, July 11. REPORT ON MAD-HOUSES.] Mr. Rose brought up the Report of the Select Committee on Mad-houses. On moving that it be printed, Mr. Rose took the opportunity of observing, that all who read the Report must feels atisfied of the indispensable necessity of legislative interference. In no country were there any set of people so unprotected as the unhappy persons to whom the Report referred. The way in which they were usually confined, was that of criminals; and their treatment was in general worse than the ordinary treatment in gaols. The number of persons appointed to take care of them, was in most cases utterly insufficient; in consequence of which the greatest severity was too frequently resorted to. He trusted that the subject would be fully considered by honourable members during the recess, Tect3E Fry that all would be disposed in the next tionable manner, in dram shops, at feasts, sion to give their assistance towards the and even in the purchase of luxuries of "mation of a measure calculated to dimi- all sorts, eatable as well as drinkable. *****h the existing evil. That in many. The committee had ascertained a fact ses those who were afflicted might, if which was unknown to him beføre. Many operly treated, recover their sanity, was parishes farmed their poor. 'About 100 ry evident. One strong instance was parishes, he believed, in the City did so. Sesetentioned in the Report, of a poor insane Six or seven shillings a week each were F. Dyman, who, having for some time been allowed to those by whom they were ained down to the floor in a parish taken, and who then sent them about to =ɔrkhouse, disturbed all the other inmales beg during the day for the purpose of has the dwe!ling by her cries; and who, saving their provision! It was desirable i being removed in consequence to a that the conduct of parishes in this respect ore proper place of confinement, was, should be more carefully watched, even 322, proper treatment, perfectly cured in when they maintained their own poor. e space of five months. It appeared by the minutes of evidence * s: The Report was then ordered to be annexed to the Report, that in one case 3:27 rinted. 22 paupers were compelled to sleep in a single room of small dimensions, thus e 303961. MENDICITY OF THE Metropolis.) Mr. creating a great risk of pestilential disease. e. Treskose reported from the committee ap. Many of the paupers of the Metropolis ce.pro ointed to inquire into the state of Men- were Irish, who coming to this country sa-pe kicity in the Metropolis, and its immediate with the laudable intention of oblaining le series : eighbourhood, and to report the same, employment, failed in that object. In å vede as u zogether with their observations there court which led out of one of the fashioni ide preus pon, to the House, and who were em- able streets of Mary-le-bone, 700 of these jose of tbe powered to report the minutes of the poor persons were crowded into 24 small Pience evidence taken before them ;—That they houses! It would appear by the Report wurd beard ad considered the matter to them re- that the number of privale charities in the ouit be serred; and had directed him to make a Metropolis was almost inconceivable. But Report thereof to the House, with an ap- unfortunately most of those by whom jendix : and the Report was read. On they were supported, contented themselves he motion, that it be printed, with giving their money, and never exaMIOK CONT" Mr. Rose begged to call the attention mined into its application. The House of the House for a few moments to the would hardly believe that there was one Peint03. subject. When in a former part of the benevolent institution supported by peers, Fiession he had moved for the appointment members of that House, and other opulent ('SE OF C:of a committee, he stated that his object individuals, the object of which was to was twofold-to better the situation of purchase beef, and sell it to the poor at a Tatay" those who were really distressed, and to moderate price. Nothing could be more o Must repress scandalous and abominable im- commendable than this institution, were posture. The evidence obtained by the it properly administered. The revenue Mad-2015 committee, confirmed more strongly his of it was 600l. a year. But it appeared previous opinions on this subject. They that the whole of it was managed by a se tock the shad found that there were a great many single individual, and it had been recently at all who red objects of real compassion, but that there discovered that this man put the whole of were many more of the worst description the money, with a trifling exception, in de inverteren of impostors. The number of mendicants his own pocket! It appeared in evidence, an r set oligin in the metropolis was estimated at about that in one year be bad purchased only happy pero 30,000, but probably it was much greater. 271. worth of beef, and that the largest pred, 128 Most of these persons, gained more than quantity he had ever bought within the ily concedo many industrious individuals of the lower twelvemonth was to the value of 721., he classes of the community. One man appropriating the remainder to his own vse than the rise actually acknowledged that his profits use. On a Bow-street officer's being be noaberi were about thirty shillings a day. This employed to apprehend this person, it was of thes, might be a singular case, but it was proved found that he was the subject of other . greates sense receipts of mendicants in London were fice: 1 by the strongest evidence that the average charges of were various practices described in the sorted to. Sul from three to six shillings a day each. Report, by which the most cautious as This money was spent in the most excep- well as the careless had been imposed git tilbe on. estion, 2 a o the Keer in ed, d of the od their "uld be falt members in upon. It had never been in his contem- | with him on political subjects entertaz plation, that a complete remedy could be of the advantages which the country to discovered for these evils; and he was rived for his exertions, that I found my persuaded that the closest attention was excuse for this address that I ever necessary to the formation of any mea- claim the concurrence of all those wie sure calculated materially to diminish hear me in the feelings which agitate sa them. The existing laws were evidently at the present moment-[Hear, bear too severe; in consequence of which they I am well aware, Sir, thai a majority were never acted upon. There must be this House thought his opinions erroneon some alteration in the law. It was evaded But I speak it with confidence-[ 20 in a hundred ways. One man with a dog, sure that there is not one of his politica when taken up by the parish officers, re- opponents who will not lay his hand a monstrated, exclaiming, “ I am no beggar, bis heart and say that he always found it is my dog that begs; you see that he him a manly antagonist-{Hear, bear has his hat in bis hand.” It was but justice | The House of Commons will, I am pero to the beadles and parish-officers in this suaded ever do justice to the good nie. cily to say, that they discharged their tions of those who honestly dissent from duiy with commendable activity. But the sentiments of the majority. Acsaithe only present effect of apprehending tomed to defend his opinions with . beggars in the Metropolis was, to remove nestness and warmth, the energies of ts them to the vicinage-10 Richmond, to admirable and comprehensive mind 2014 Egham, and elsewhere. The best course never permit the least approacb to tape that could be adopted with respect to ness or indifference. But no particies them would be, to provide places in animosity ever found a place in bis brex. which they could be employed; but this and, to use his own words on anothe would be attended with great expense to melancholy occasion, “ be never carta the public. At all events he trusted the his political enmity beyond the threshok House would feel, that this was a subject of this House,”–{ Hear, bear!) I wa which demanded their most serious at his uniform practice to do justice to ti' tention. motives of his political opponents; an Mr. W. Smith hoped, that when the am happy to feel that the same justice subject should be again brought foward, done to his motives by them- {He. as it would next session, the consideration hear!) To those, Sir, who were not of a measure on it would not be confined immediately acquainted with his exalle to this metropolis, but extend to the whole character who knew the directness o country. his mind, his zeal for truth, his cosbakes The Report was ordered to be printed. love of his country, the ardour and bold ness of his disposition, incapable of disa MR. WHITBREAD - BEDFORD Writ.) may, his unaffected humanity, and his ) , The Marquis of Tavistock rose, evidently other various and excellent qualities, bis under the strongest emotion, and addressed loss is irreparable-[Hear, hear!) Bu the Speaker to the following effect :- most of all will it be felt by the poor 1 Sir ;-I am persuaded that it must be his neighbourhood. Truly might be be quite unnecessary for me to say that I called “ the poor man's friend.” Oas am at this moment labouring under feel those who, like myself, have had the op ings of the most painful and afflictng portunity of observing his conduct near nature-_(Hear, hear!) I wish, however, can be aware of his unabating zeals shortly to state to the House the reasons promoting the happiness of all aroani which induce me to depart from the usual bim-[Hear, hear!] Thousands of i practice in moving for a new writ, in dividuals have benefited by the generowcy order that I may pay a humble but sin- of his heart; and the county, the pro cere tribute of affection to the memory of cipal town of which he represented, ce my departed friend. Sir, it is not on any tains imperishable records of his sctn consideration of private friendship-it is philanthropy, as well as that of the gar not on any contemplation of his many man who went before him-[Hear, bear. virtues as a private individual,-it is on His eloquent appeals in this House the reflection of the great space which he favour of the unfortunate-appeals exti occupied in this House it is on the re- biting the frankness and honesty of the collection of his splendid abilitiesit is true English character will adorn tube on the conviction which we who thought pages of the bistorian ; althougb at the himself, he could never forget the impor tant assistance which he derived from his zeal and ability in the great cause which he had so long advocated in that House. On every occasion, indeed, in which the' condition of human beings was concerned and the lower their state the stronger their recommendation to his favour-no one was more anxious to apply his great powers to increase the happiness of mankind-[Hear, bear !] present moment they afford a subject of melancholy retrospect to those who have formerly dwelt with delight on the benevolence of a heart which always a beat, and on the vigour of an intellect which was always employed for the benefit of his fellow-creatures [Hear, i hear!] Sir, I am conscious that I need not intreat pardon of the House at large for thus indulging in the praise of my lamented friend; but I owe an apology to w those who loved him, for the feebleness with which it has been bestowed-[Hear, hear!] I move, Sir, "That the Speaker ido issue his warrant to the Clerk of the Crown, to make out a new writ for the electing of a burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the borough of Bedford, in the room of Samuel Whitbread, esq. deceased." The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated, that it was far from his wish to detain the House after the address, replete with feeling and propriety, which they had heard from the noble marquis, and after the excellent observations of his hon. friend[Hear, hear!] All that he desired to say was, that it must be some consolation to the noble marquis, and to the whole House, to feel, that whatever difference of opinion might exist on political questions, there was no one who did not do justice to the virtues and talents of the object of their regret, or who for a moment supposed that he was actuated in his public conduct by any other motive than a conviction of public duty-[Hear, hear!] The new writ for Bedford was then or Sir J. Yorke, seeing an hon. member in his place who had lately complained of the conduct of captain Baker, of the Cumberland, in the management of a convoy which he had in charge, read a letter from captain Baker, explaining the nature of the transaction, and defending himself from the accusation. Mr. Wilberforce expressed the gratification which he felt at the pathetic speech of the noble marquis, which afforded an additional proof that the best eloquence was that of the heart. He wished to add his testimony to the excellent qualities of the lamented individual whose death had rendered the present motion necessary; and in doing so, he could with truth declare, that he was only one of many thou-dered. sands, rich as well as poor, by whom his character had been most highly estimated. Well had it been termed by the noble marquis a truly English character." Even its defects, trifling as they were, (and what character was altogether without defect?) were those which belonged to the English character. Never had there existed a more complete Englishman[Hear, hear!] All who knew him must recollect the indefatigable earnestness and perseverance with which, during the course of his life, he directed his talents and the whole of his time to the public interest; and although he (Mr. Wilberforce) undoubtedly differed from him on many occasions, yet he always did full justice to his public spirit and love of his country-[Hear, hear!] He was capable (as had been seen at various times) of controlling the strongest feelings of personal attachment, when he thought that his duty to the public compelled him to do so. It was a melancholy satisfaction to those who loved him, to see that those who had differed from him on many political questions, nevertheless considered him as one of those public treasures, the loss of which must by all parties be deeply lamented-[Hear, hear!] For Mr. Forbes declared, that no man would be more rejoiced than himself if captain Baker cleared himself from the charge alleged against him, and pledged himself to take the earliest opportunity to put the Admiralty in possession of the means of prosecuting the inquiry. Mr. M. A. Taylor gave notice, that early in the next session he would revive the subject of the abolition of the punish-、 ment of the pillory, unless some measure of that kind should originate in another quarter; and also, that early in the next session, unless a considerable alteration should take place in the mean while, he would renew the Bill for better paving the Metropolis. HOUSE OF LORDS. THE SPEAKER'S SPEECH TO THE PRINCE CREDIT BILL.] Exactly at two o'clock, his royal highness the Prince Regent entered the House of Lords. The Usher of the Black Rod was immediately dispatched to the House of Commons, requiring their attendance. The Speaker and a great number of members accordingly made their appearance in a few minutes. As soon as the Speaker had reached the bar, he pronounced the following Speech: "May it please your Royal Highness: "We his Majesty's faithful subjects, the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland, in obedience to your Royal Highness's commands, attend your Royal Highness; and, according to our ancient privilege, we crave leave to present with our own hands our grant of supply, which concludes the labours of the session. "In the ordinary course of our proceedings, much of our time has been occupied in discussing measures of great importance to the State, with respect to its agriculture, shipping, and finances. "We have endeavoured so to regulate the Corn Laws with prudence and firmeness, that protection and encouragement may be given to the agricultural interests of every part of the United Kingdom, without endangering the prosperity of our trade and manufactures. We have endeavoured also to derive new means of maritime strength from the valuable resources of our Indian possessions; and, after devising and preparing such plans for adjusting the public revenue and expenditure, as might suit a period of returning peace, we have been called upon by unlooked-for events, to renew our exertions and sacrifices upon the most extended scale of war. by rapid strides, the fate of Europe ba been again brought to issue; and the cost flict was tremendous, but the result ba been glorious. The most warlike nations headed by the most renowned commac ders, have met in battle; and as Britons we have the triumphant satisfaction t know (however much that triumph may be saddened with private grief), that it s now no longer doubtful to what name and to what nation, the world will hence forth ascribe the pre-eminence for military skill and unconquerable valour. "To consecrate the trophies, and per petuate the fame of our brave countrymen who fell in that unrivalled victory, we have declared it to be our ardent desire, and it will be the distinguishing glory of your Royal Highness's days, to erect, i the metropolis of this empire, such a lofty and durable monument of their military renown, and our national gratitude, as may command the veneration of our latest posterity. "Great, however, and glorious as this victory has been in itself, it is not to the joint exertions and heroic achievements of the British and Prussian arms in that memorable conflict, that we must limit our admiration. We have also to contemplate with equal pride and satisfaction its inmediate consequences, military, political, and moral. "We have seen the illustrious Com manders of the Allied Armies advancing at once into the heart of France; and Paris, twice conquered, has again opened her gates to the conquerors. The Usurper of a throne, which he has twice abdicated, has sought his safety in an ignominious flight, and the rightful Sovereign of France has once more re sumed the sceptre of his ancestors. "With these awful scenes passing before us, we may presume also to hope, that the period is not now distant, when the hand of Providence will finally extinguish the remaining effects of that guilty and perfidious spirit of domination which has so long raged without control, and restore to desolated Europe the blessings of peace and justice. |