ATTORNEY-GENERAL confessed that the law of simony
was at present in an anomalous condition, but opposed
the bill because he did not feel convinced that it would
make any change for the better.—The bill was also
opposed by Mr. Liddell, Mr. Hildyard, and Mr.
Aglionby.—Mr. PHILLLMORE having replied, the
house divided,—for the second reading, 52; for the
amendment, 138—86.—The bill is consequently lost.

The second reading of the Vestries Bill was moved
by Mr. EVELYN, but, after some remarks in opposition
from Mr. FITZROY, who proposed the usual formal
negative, the motion was not pressed to a division, and
the bill was thrown out.

The Payment of Wages (Hosiery) Bill was brought
forward for a second reading by Sir H. HALFORD. The
measure is designed to supply by direct legislation a
technical deficiency in the Truck Act, and prohibit the
excessive charges of rent for machines now made by
many masters to the framework knitters in Nottingham
and Leicestershire.—Sir W. CLAY opposed the bill, and
moved that it be read a second time that day three
months. All the relations between masters and work-
men rested, he thought, on principles with which the
legislature should not attempt to interfere.—After some
discussion, Mr. FITZROY, on the part of the government,
was willing to have the bill referred to the select
committee already appointed to inquire into a kindred
subject—namely, the truck system.—On a division, the
bill passed the second reading by a majority of 120 to
73—47.

Sir F. BARING brought up the report from the Sligo
Election Committee, who had decided that Mr. Sadleir
was duly returned.

On Thursday, May 23, Colonel BLAIR elicited from
Mr. B. Osborne and Sir J. Graham statements to the
effect that the firm who had Supplied Bad Hay for the
Service of the Troops, were the Messrs. Thomas
Sturgeon and Son, of Grays, in Essex, and that the
solicitor of the Admiralty had been instructed to
commence proceedings for the purpose of bringing the
offenders to justice.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL obtained leave to bring in
a bill for the Suppression of Gaming Houses. Public
gambling, he remarked, had been effectually put down,
but gaming was still carried on in private houses,
producing most deplorable results, yet so managed that the
present law could not reach the perpetrators. His bill
was designed to give the required power to the civil
magistrates. It contained four provisions for this
purpose:—First, it was made a distinct offence to fortify
any house or apartments therein against the access of
police officers when properly authorised to enter.
Secondly, it was made penal to give a false name and
address to the magistrate when brought up for examination.
The fear of publicity would, in his opinion,
operate as a very effectual check upon the passion for
gambling. Thirdly, the magistrate might select
witnesses from among the parties who might be charged
on suspicion under the bill, and whose testimony would
be available against the other defendants. Fourthly,
when the police found cards, dice, or other instruments
of gaming in any house, the onus would rest upon the
occupants of proving that the place was not a gambling
house under the provisions of the law.

The Income Tax Bill was read a second time after
a few words from Sir F. KELLY and Mr. SPOONER,
reserving their right to object hereafter to the principles
on which the measure was founded.

On Friday, March 24, the second reading of the
Settlement and Removal Bill having been moved by Mr.
Baines, Mr. STAFFORD moved as an amendment that
the bill should be read a second time that day six
months. The right hon. member urged many practical
objections to the measure, and pointed out the injurious
results to which it might lead in a great number of
actual or hypothetical cases. He condemned the
proposition especially as tending to break up the parochial
system, and perpetrate an act of confiscation against the
possessors of real property.—The amendment was
seconded by Lord D. STUART, who thought that the
bill would prove injurious alike to the ratepayers and
the poor. The evils of the present system as regarded
removal were much exaggerated, and the proposed
change would make matters worse, particularly in
crowded city districts. The bill led directly to the
enactment of a national rate and to the total abolition
of local government. Many members spoke for and
against the measure.—Mr. V. SMITH enlarged on the
evils arising from the present law of settlement, whose
injurious influences dogged the labouring man through
every period of his life. Respecting the effect upon the
value of property occasioned by the new area of rating,
he contended that the effect would be gradual and
limited, and where they occurred, should be borne for
the sake of the public good.—Col. DUNNE complained
that the evils attending the present system of removal
of Irish paupers were left untouched. The promise to
introduce a separate measure on that subject he treated
as quite illusory.—Mr. AGLIONBY approved of the
proposition so far as removal was concerned. The rating
question remained to be grappled with, and would never
be fairly settled until the whole property of the country
contributed to the support of the poor.—Sir G. GREY
declared that the labouring classes entertained the
strongest objections to compulsory removal, which had
also been denounced by those who had studied the
question most deeply, and were best entitled to
pronounce an opinion on it. The removal of Irish and
Scotch paupers should be provided for in a separate
bill, without being mixed up with the present measure,
whose success might be in that case imperilled.—Sir J.
GRAHAM remarked that the leading principle of the
bill was that of adopting destitution instead of settlement
as the claim for relief. This principle once
admitted, a great change in the whole system was the
necessary consequence, and must be extended to
Ireland and Scotland. In the absence of Lord Palmerston,
he would not answer for the determination of the
government, and proposed that the debate should be
adjourned till Monday, which was eventually done.

PROGRESS OF BUSINESS.

House of Lords.—Feb. 27th.—Courts of Common Law Amendments
Bill read a first time.—County Courts Extension Act
Explanation Bill read a second time.

28th.—Landlord and Tenants' Bills (Ireland) read a first
time, and referred to a Select Committee.

March 2nd.—County Courts Extension Bill passed.

6th.—Criminal Law Consolidation, Conversation respecting
the Bill.

9th.—Manning the Navy, Lord Ellenborough's motion for
Returns.

10th.—Lord Shaftesbury's Statement respecting Christianity
in the East.

13th.—Lord Derby's Questions respecting Correspondence
with Russia.—Civil Service, Lord Montague's motion.—Lord
Brougham's Scotch Mercantile Law Bill read a first time.

14th.—Testamentary Jurisdiction Bill read a second time.

16th.—Coasting Trade Bill read a second time.

17th.—Charge against Foreign Office Clerk.—Rights of
Neutrals, Lord Clarendon's Explanation.

20th.—Registration of Bills of Sale Bill read a second time.
—Marine Mutiny Bill and Exchequer Bills Bill passed through
Committee.—Coasting Trade Bill read a third time and passed.
—Arbitration Bill read a first time.

23rd.—Church Building Bill read a first time.

24th.—Common Law Procedure Bill read a second time,
and referred to a Select Committee.

House of Commons.—Feb. 24th.—Committee of Supply, Army
Estimates, Navy Estimates.—Committee of Ways and Means,
Vote of Eight Millions.—Improvement of Towns (Ireland)
Bill read a second time.

27th.—Committee of Supply, Navy and Ordnance Estimates.

28th.—Conventual Establishments, Mr. Chambers' motion
for Inquiry carried.

March 1st.—Committee of Supply, Navy and Ordnance
Estimates.

2nd.—Great London Drainage Bill thrown out.—Coasting
Trade Bill read a second time.

3rd.—Reform Bill, second reading postponed to 27th of
April.—Committee of Supply, Supplemental Army Estimates.
—Coasting Trade Bill reported.

6th.—The Budget, Mr. Gladstone's Financial Statement.—
Church Building Acts Continuance Bill read a second time.

7th.—Postal Communication, Select Committee granted.—
Coasting Trade Bill passed.

8th.—Succession to Real Estate.—Mr. Locke King's Bill
thrown out.—Absconding Debtors' (Ireland) Bill read a second
time.

9th.—Thames Improvement Bill thrown out.—Ministers'
Money, Mr. Fagan's motion negatived.—Judgment Executions,
leave given Mr. Crauford to bring in a Bill.