to know what was the present situation of the country,
and, if we were not at war, what delayed a declaration
of war against Russia?—Mr. S. HERBERT defended the
policy of government from the attack of Mr. Cobden.—
Mr. DISRAELI entered at great length into a review of
the transactions from the beginning of the present
dispute. He severely censured the government, but
concluded by declaring that the opposition, whatever
might be their opinion of the conduct of ministers,
would do nothing to impede the action of the government
under the present crisis.—Lord PALMERSTON
spoke in defence of the government, and after a few
words from Col. SIBTHORP the debate closed.

On Tuesday, Feb. 21st, Mr. ADDERLEY moved the
second reading of the Manchester and Salford Education
Bill. By this measure it was proposed to raise
funds for educational purposes by a local rate, the
proceeds of which were to be distributed for the support
of existing schools established by the members of
different denominations in the places mentioned. Mr.
M. GIBSON moved an amendment, importing that
education, if to be supported by the public rates, was a
subject which ought not to be dealt with as a private
bill. It was, he contended, both informal and
inexpedient to attempt to extract from the house a pledge
in favour of a great public principle, under cover of a
piece of private legislation. After remarks from the
Lord Advocate, Sir G. Grey, Lord John Russell, Mr.
Bright, and several other members, the house divided:
for the second reading 76, for Mr. Gibson's amendment,
105. The bill is consequently lost.

On the motion of Mr. SOLBERON, the Friendly
Societies Bill was read a second time.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, at the mid-day sitting,
Lord J. RUSSELL, in reply to questions, stated that the
government could not agree to the Constitution
proposed for the University of Oxford by the Hebdomadal
Board.

Replying to Mr. BEAMISH, Lord PALMERSTON
announced the intention ot the government to Grant a
Pardon to Smith O'Brien, who had honourably
refrained from imitating the example of his fellow convicts,
who had escaped by breaking their parole.

Mr. BRADY withdrew the Medical Practitioners'
Bill for the purpose of re-introducing the measure in
an amended shape.

The report from the Committee of Supply having
been brought up, a conversation took place respecting
the Impending War.—Mr. HUME admitted that the
government had done everything in their power to
preserve peace, and were going to war to resist aggression
from a barbarous power. He believed that
economy had been observed as far as was possible in
their military preparatious, and found their policy
deserving of his support.—Mr. M. MILNES and Sir H.
WILLOUGHBY regretted that the ministry had concealed
their course so long, feeling assured that if they had
explained their policy at an earlier period, their hands
would have been strengthened by public support. Lord
PALMERSTON explained that the blue book was
withheld so long, not from distrust of the public, but
because an earlier and imperfect publication of the
documents might have defeated the pacific endeavours
of the government. He assured the house that now, as
heretofore, all provision was made for the health and
comfort of the troops sent on foreign service. That
care was rewarded by the result, that out of a
given muster-roll, more men could be brought out to the
field fit for active duty than in the armies of any other
nation.

On Thursday, Feb. 23rd, Mr. GROGAN moved for the
appointment of a select committee to inquire into the
propriety of Continuing the Public Grants to the
Dublin Hospitals. He enlarged upon the inexpediency
of withdrawing the support now afforded from the
national exchequer to the establishments in question.
Mr. WILSON recapitulated the reasons which had
induced the legislature in former years to decide upon a
gradual diminution of the grants to the Dublin Hospitals.
He allowed, however, that some assistance might with
propriety be extended for medical schools and military
patients, and stated that the government would not
oppose the appointment of the committee. The motion
was opposed by Mr. COWAN, and supported by
Mr. VANCE. Mr. V. SMITH disapproved of the
continuance of the grants in question, upon the ground
that the public aid chilled the ardour of private
benevolence. After some further discussion, the motion
was agreed to.

On the motion of Mr. OLIVEIRA, a select committee
was appointed to inquire into the condition of the
Metropolitan Bridges over the Thames, for the purpose
of ascertaining whether they were adequate to the
necessities of traffic; whether any new bridges should
be built or the tolls upon proprietary bridges bought
up and extinguished.

The LORD ADVOCATE moved for leave to introduce
a bill to make further provision for the Education of
the People of Scotland, and to amend the laws relating
to that subject. His scheme, as explained by him,
was intended to enlarge the educational system which
Scotland had enjoyed for three hundred years,
and render it better adapted to the wants of an
increased population. As a preliminary it was
proposed to extend the principle of school inspection,
and widen the discretion of the General Board of
Education, so as gradually to obtain a complete series
of facts and returns connected with the subject of
education in Scotland. The schools now existing in
every parish, and supported by the heritors, were to
be assisted out of the funds at the disposal of the Privy
Council. The maximum of £34, heretofore paid to the
schoolmasters, was to be increased to £50 from this
source, as well as one-half of a retiring allowance of £25,
leaving the other half to be defrayed by the heritors.
The condition of the schoolmasters would likewise be
improved in other ways, and by the abolition of all tests
a wider range allowed for the selection of individuals to
assume that function. No change would be made in
the mode of electing the schoolmasters, that power
continuing in the hands of the heritors and ministers, but
their choice must be approved by the district inspector,
and confirmed by the general board. The presbytery
were no longer to be entrusted with the superintendence
of the parochial schools. Religious instruction
would be continued in all the schools, the school
committee appointing the hours during which it was
to be given, but the children of parents who objected
would not be required to attend. A general
educational rate was to be levied in Scotland, the maximum
being 1d. in the pound, and which should be
apportioned under the supervision of the general board for
the establishment of industrial or reformatory schools,
and in assisting poorer parishes and districts to provide
for the education of their inhabitants. The last provision
related to the organisation of the general board,
which was to comprise the Lord Advocate and Solicitor-
General, five delegates from the Universities, and three
or four secular members appointed by the Crown.—Mr.
HUME approved of the measure as presented in outline.
—The bill was also supported by Mr. C. Bruce, Mr.
Stirling, Mr. Cowan, and other members; it was
opposed by Mr. Ellis and Mr. F. Scott.—Mr. Walpole
raised no objection to the general principle of the
measure, but disliked the mode proposed for affording
religious instruction in the schools, and the abolition of all
religious tests for the schoolmasters.—Lord J. RUSSELL
contended that the bill would effectually meet all the
requirements both of secular and .religious education,
and entered into a brief defence of its several provisions.
After a few remarks from Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Hastie,
Mr. Dunlop, Mr. Adderley and Mr. Fagan, and a short
reply from the Lord Advocate, leave was given to bring
in the bill.—Sir J. YOUNG obtained leave to bring in a
bill for amending the act relating to the Valuation of
Rateable Property in Ireland.

PROGRESS OF BUSINESS.

House of Lords, Tuesday.—Jan. 31st.—Parliament opened by
the Queen.—Debate on the Address.

Feb. 6th.—Questions and Conversation on the Eastern
Question..

7th.—Consolidation of the Statutes.—Lord Chancellor's
Statement in answer to Lord Lyndhurst.

10th.—Eastern Question—Statements and Conversation.

14th.—The Eastern Question Debate on Lord Clanricarde's