Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Week.
neglected until the beginning of 1859 , while the French had been continually strengthened and improved until it acquired a dangerous superiority , ancl he expressed liis opinion that even at the present time the strength of the English navy exceeded that of France only in a very slight degree . He urged the necessity of maintaining a Channel fleet sufficiently strong to maintain our supremacy , as the only means of preserving our commerce ancl keeping our ports free from blockade . He dwelt upon the difficulty of manning the fleet in case of any sudden
emergency , and inquired how far the recommendations of the commissioners had been carried out , with the view of providing a permanent supply of men equal to anydemand that might arise . The Duke of Somerset defended the government from any charge of inattention to the naval requirements of the country , asserting that during the last eight months more men had been employed in the dockyards than for years past , and contrasted the strength of the English navy with that of France . He also gave explanations upon the subject of tbe naval reserve .
In the HOUSE of COMMONS , on Monday , the adjourned debate on the second reading of the Reform Bill was resumed by Mr . Bentinck , who contended that the bill would place the constitution iu the hands of the working classes ; and hi support of his argument that those classes were not fit to be entrusted with a large share of political power , be referred to the fact , among others , that the greater part of Mr . Bright ' s own carpet weavers were then on strike for au advance of wages . Like the Reform Bill of 1832 it was a mere political expedientand while he
, , ( Mr . Bentinck ) was not opposed to all reform , he wished to see a measure introduced which would give to each class a fab" share in the representation , and remove those anomalies which now existed , and which had been framed for the purpose of giving place ancl power to the party of whieh Lord J . Russell was a member . Mr . J . AValter argued that , while a Reform Bill was not demanded either by any crying grievances which the working classes hacl to complain of , or by the composition of that housethere wasneverthelessa necessity for the redistribution
, , , of seats and an extension of the franchise . Lord J . Manners opposed the bill , to proceed further with which would , he said , be a mere idle farce . Mr . Clay supported the bill , contending that if , as some honourable members had argued , the working classes were not fit to be entrusted with the franchise because of their ignorance of political
economy , it would not be necessary to go out of that house in search of persons who ought to be disfranchised for the same reason . Mr . John Locke , as one of the few who were returned by the working classes , vindicated their right to the suffrage , as well as their prudence in its exercise , and asserted the superiority of large over small constituencies . Sir C . Napier moved as follows : — " That au humble address be presented to hor Majesty , expressing the regret of this House that , instead of a reserve of 70 , 000 men contemplated by the maiming commission , there onlexists 6362 coast
y , guard men , including officers , 1 , 900 district ships' companies , 1 , 400 revenue men and 600 cruisers' men , and 5 , 000 or 6 , 000 coast volunteers not to be depended upon ; and , as a vote of this House has unanimously decided that the report of the manning commission ought to be carried out , the House prays her Majesty will give directions that the coast guard should be completed to 12 , 000 seamen , as recommended by the commission , ready to be placed in efficient ships at the several ports , instead of the present block ships , thus constituting
a reserve of ten sail of the line , ready for any emergency ; that the number of naval volunteers , now under 1 , 000 , should be completed as soou as possible , and the other recommendations of the commission complied with ; ancl the House is also of opinion that the bounty for able seamen ought not to have been lowered till the number wanted was complete . " Sir J . Elphinstone seconded the motion . Lord C . Paget , after objecting to tbe course taken by Sir C Napier in bringing before tho House , almost weekly , those matters of detail which he had embodied in his speech as most uuadvisable , asked the House not to agree to the motion , whieh was principally founded upon a series of misconceptions . He
then proceeded to combat the assertions of Sir C Napier . Sir J . Pakington had heard the statement of the noble lord with great satisfaction , and rejoiced that it had been elicited by the motion , which he could not , however , support , because ho concurred in regarding it as one of censure . Sir M . Seymour made some remarks recommendatory of an improved system of manning the navy . After some remarks from Mr . Cony , Sir G . Peehell , Admiral AValcot , Sir H . Verney , Mr . Bentick , Mr . AAllliams , Lord Lovaiue , and Mr . AVkitbread , Sir C . Napier , in ldefended himself from the of
repy , charge exciting discontent in the navy , and retorted upon Lord C . Paget that it was he himself who hacl done so , as there had been no less than five mutinies since he became Secretary to the Admiralty . The gallant admiral added that the noble lord , instead of discouraging him , hacl often told him to persevere with his motions , as they did a great deal of good . He concluded by withdrawing his motion . The adjourned debate on the Reform Bill was fixed for Thursday . Lord Palmerston would take the sense of the House upon its further if the
adjournment second reading were not then agreed to . On AVednesday Lord Raynham moved the second reading of the Aggravated Assaults Act Amendment Bill , to prevent the repetition of those savage assaults which were so often perpetrated on women ancl children . To six months' imprisonment ho proposed to add a discretionary corporal punishment to the extent of fifty lashes for tbe first offence , with twelve months' imprisonment and a hundred and fift y lashes on a repetition of the offence . Mr . Clive , on the part of the government , opposed the bill , which , he contended , would , if passed become inoperative from the severity of the punishments which it pro !
The Week.
posed to inflict . Sir G . C . Lewis said that no case had been made out for the bill , either by proving the increase of the crime , or the insufficiency of the penalties to which it was at present liable . The assaults complained of took place principally among the lower classes , so that while husbands were imprisoned wives aud ^ families starved ; and therefore the bill would become inoperative , as wives would not like to subject their husbands to the heavy penalties of the bill . Even now it frequentlhappened that womenafter prosecuting their husbands to a
y , conviction , interceded for their release long before the term of their imprisonment expired . Mr . Coningham opposed the bill , ancl after some further discussion , the bill was read a second time , by 109 to 85 . GENERAL HOME NEWS . —The Chancellor of the Exchequer has been unable since Thursday week to attend to his parliamentary duties , in consequence of a severe cold . The right hon . gentleman has got better the last day or two . Her Majesty has given £ 250 as a prize to be
competed for by volunteers at the July meeting of the National Rifle Association , to be held on Wimbledon Common ; and bis Royal Highness the Prince Consort has given £ 100 as a prize to be competed for by all comers of all nations . The Select Committee appointed to consider the best means of cleansing the Serpentine have presented thoir report , which contains only one recommendation , viz ., that the project of filtration on Mr . Htuvksley ' s plan be abandoned . Though the report contains so little , ifc occupies , including the evidence , four hundred
pages , a large amount of labour aud expense to have incurred for so small a result . The Countess of Mansfield expired on Sunday , at her residence , Langham House . Her ladyship , who was in her S 7 th year , was the fifth daughter of tbe late Dr . Markham , Archbishop of York . She married , in 1797 , the third earl of Mansfield , who died iu 1840 . Several important May meetings were held on Monday . They include the Turkish Missions Aid , the Home and Colonial School , The Protestant Reformationthe AA esleyan Missionaryand the Religious
Pro-, , pagation Societies . It will be observed in the report of the Turkish Missions Aid Society , that Lord Shaftesbury talked somewhat glibly about the probable partition of the Turkish empire . Those who remember the speeches which the noble lord delivered some four or five years ago will perhaps be surprised at his change of tone on this subject . The Liverpool Sailors' Home was totally destroyed by fire on Sunday
This building was opened in 1851 . It cost thirty thousand pounds , and is only insured for thirteen thousand . The event is rendered most distressing from the fear which is entertained that several lives havo been sacrificed . As this was an institution occupied by a number of temporary inmates , it will probably be a work of some time to ascertain beyond doubt who have perished by the catastrophe . Following the example of the fast men of the Stock Exchange , the staid and sober indigo brokers of Mincing-lane , on Saturday presented a purse
containing a hundred guineas , to Mr . Thomas Sayers , the champion of the prize ring . The gift was prefaced by a speech from Mr . Laing , the chairman of the subscribers , in which , while he repudiated any desire to encourage pugilistic encounters , he professed the admiration of himself ancl his friends for a bold heart and a strong arm . Sayers paid his promised visit to Liverpool on Monday afternoon . He met with a regular ovation , ancl bowed bis acknowledgments from an elevated spot on 'Change . The assemblage was larger ancl of a more motley description
than has beeu seen in tbe room for many a clay . It was said by an old Liverpool merchant that no such scene has been enacted on 'Change since the clay that Lord Gough was honoured for his victories in India . On Sunday evening there were the usual disturbances which haye for months past disgraced the parish church of Sfc . Geerge ' s-in-the-East . There was a great crowd in Cannon-street prior to the opening of the gates for the seven o ' clock service , ancl when the mob of ruffians were admitted they indulged themselves by making the most hideous noises of which they were capable . The Rev . Bryan King was mocked and hissed iu a most disgraceful maimer . The evening hymn , which was
sung prior to the blessing , was parodied by " Hot Codlins" and similar profanity . Inspector Alison , who is not a man to be tampered with , having at length issued the word of command to his men , the pickpocket interest succumbed ; the conscientious comic singers fled before the constables , and the doors of St . George ' s were once more closed . Lord Panmure will shortly leave Brechin Castle for Germany , where his lordship purposes making a short sojourn at some of the celebrated baths . A meeting was held , on Tuesday , at the rooms of the Society
of Arts , of a number of gentlemen interested in the opening of a road to connect the north , and south sides of Hyde Park . This is much required for the public convenience , and we trust- the promoters will be successful in their object . On Tuesday , at the AA ' estminster Police-court , a man named Tyler was charged with having killed Thomas AA eller in a pugilistic encounter . It seems that the fight was the result of a quarrel ; but it was deliberately entered into , the men and their friends adjourning to a convenient place for the purpose . It is said , that it is not
impossible that the Earl of Elgin may find , on his arrival at Suez , a communication which will render his further progress to China unnecessary , a proposal having been made by the allies to the Chinese government , which , if assented to promptly , will , it is hoped , avert war . On Monday morning , the whole of the officers ancl men of the Chatham Division of Royal Marines were drawn up for tbe purpose of witnessing corporal punishment on private Joseph AA akefield , who was tried a few clays previously for desertion , and was sentenced to be branded with the letter D , and to be imprisoned for 168 days . On the sentence being read , in the presence of the whole of the division , the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Week.
neglected until the beginning of 1859 , while the French had been continually strengthened and improved until it acquired a dangerous superiority , ancl he expressed liis opinion that even at the present time the strength of the English navy exceeded that of France only in a very slight degree . He urged the necessity of maintaining a Channel fleet sufficiently strong to maintain our supremacy , as the only means of preserving our commerce ancl keeping our ports free from blockade . He dwelt upon the difficulty of manning the fleet in case of any sudden
emergency , and inquired how far the recommendations of the commissioners had been carried out , with the view of providing a permanent supply of men equal to anydemand that might arise . The Duke of Somerset defended the government from any charge of inattention to the naval requirements of the country , asserting that during the last eight months more men had been employed in the dockyards than for years past , and contrasted the strength of the English navy with that of France . He also gave explanations upon the subject of tbe naval reserve .
In the HOUSE of COMMONS , on Monday , the adjourned debate on the second reading of the Reform Bill was resumed by Mr . Bentinck , who contended that the bill would place the constitution iu the hands of the working classes ; and hi support of his argument that those classes were not fit to be entrusted with a large share of political power , be referred to the fact , among others , that the greater part of Mr . Bright ' s own carpet weavers were then on strike for au advance of wages . Like the Reform Bill of 1832 it was a mere political expedientand while he
, , ( Mr . Bentinck ) was not opposed to all reform , he wished to see a measure introduced which would give to each class a fab" share in the representation , and remove those anomalies which now existed , and which had been framed for the purpose of giving place ancl power to the party of whieh Lord J . Russell was a member . Mr . J . AValter argued that , while a Reform Bill was not demanded either by any crying grievances which the working classes hacl to complain of , or by the composition of that housethere wasneverthelessa necessity for the redistribution
, , , of seats and an extension of the franchise . Lord J . Manners opposed the bill , to proceed further with which would , he said , be a mere idle farce . Mr . Clay supported the bill , contending that if , as some honourable members had argued , the working classes were not fit to be entrusted with the franchise because of their ignorance of political
economy , it would not be necessary to go out of that house in search of persons who ought to be disfranchised for the same reason . Mr . John Locke , as one of the few who were returned by the working classes , vindicated their right to the suffrage , as well as their prudence in its exercise , and asserted the superiority of large over small constituencies . Sir C . Napier moved as follows : — " That au humble address be presented to hor Majesty , expressing the regret of this House that , instead of a reserve of 70 , 000 men contemplated by the maiming commission , there onlexists 6362 coast
y , guard men , including officers , 1 , 900 district ships' companies , 1 , 400 revenue men and 600 cruisers' men , and 5 , 000 or 6 , 000 coast volunteers not to be depended upon ; and , as a vote of this House has unanimously decided that the report of the manning commission ought to be carried out , the House prays her Majesty will give directions that the coast guard should be completed to 12 , 000 seamen , as recommended by the commission , ready to be placed in efficient ships at the several ports , instead of the present block ships , thus constituting
a reserve of ten sail of the line , ready for any emergency ; that the number of naval volunteers , now under 1 , 000 , should be completed as soou as possible , and the other recommendations of the commission complied with ; ancl the House is also of opinion that the bounty for able seamen ought not to have been lowered till the number wanted was complete . " Sir J . Elphinstone seconded the motion . Lord C . Paget , after objecting to tbe course taken by Sir C Napier in bringing before tho House , almost weekly , those matters of detail which he had embodied in his speech as most uuadvisable , asked the House not to agree to the motion , whieh was principally founded upon a series of misconceptions . He
then proceeded to combat the assertions of Sir C Napier . Sir J . Pakington had heard the statement of the noble lord with great satisfaction , and rejoiced that it had been elicited by the motion , which he could not , however , support , because ho concurred in regarding it as one of censure . Sir M . Seymour made some remarks recommendatory of an improved system of manning the navy . After some remarks from Mr . Cony , Sir G . Peehell , Admiral AValcot , Sir H . Verney , Mr . Bentick , Mr . AAllliams , Lord Lovaiue , and Mr . AVkitbread , Sir C . Napier , in ldefended himself from the of
repy , charge exciting discontent in the navy , and retorted upon Lord C . Paget that it was he himself who hacl done so , as there had been no less than five mutinies since he became Secretary to the Admiralty . The gallant admiral added that the noble lord , instead of discouraging him , hacl often told him to persevere with his motions , as they did a great deal of good . He concluded by withdrawing his motion . The adjourned debate on the Reform Bill was fixed for Thursday . Lord Palmerston would take the sense of the House upon its further if the
adjournment second reading were not then agreed to . On AVednesday Lord Raynham moved the second reading of the Aggravated Assaults Act Amendment Bill , to prevent the repetition of those savage assaults which were so often perpetrated on women ancl children . To six months' imprisonment ho proposed to add a discretionary corporal punishment to the extent of fifty lashes for tbe first offence , with twelve months' imprisonment and a hundred and fift y lashes on a repetition of the offence . Mr . Clive , on the part of the government , opposed the bill , which , he contended , would , if passed become inoperative from the severity of the punishments which it pro !
The Week.
posed to inflict . Sir G . C . Lewis said that no case had been made out for the bill , either by proving the increase of the crime , or the insufficiency of the penalties to which it was at present liable . The assaults complained of took place principally among the lower classes , so that while husbands were imprisoned wives aud ^ families starved ; and therefore the bill would become inoperative , as wives would not like to subject their husbands to the heavy penalties of the bill . Even now it frequentlhappened that womenafter prosecuting their husbands to a
y , conviction , interceded for their release long before the term of their imprisonment expired . Mr . Coningham opposed the bill , ancl after some further discussion , the bill was read a second time , by 109 to 85 . GENERAL HOME NEWS . —The Chancellor of the Exchequer has been unable since Thursday week to attend to his parliamentary duties , in consequence of a severe cold . The right hon . gentleman has got better the last day or two . Her Majesty has given £ 250 as a prize to be
competed for by volunteers at the July meeting of the National Rifle Association , to be held on Wimbledon Common ; and bis Royal Highness the Prince Consort has given £ 100 as a prize to be competed for by all comers of all nations . The Select Committee appointed to consider the best means of cleansing the Serpentine have presented thoir report , which contains only one recommendation , viz ., that the project of filtration on Mr . Htuvksley ' s plan be abandoned . Though the report contains so little , ifc occupies , including the evidence , four hundred
pages , a large amount of labour aud expense to have incurred for so small a result . The Countess of Mansfield expired on Sunday , at her residence , Langham House . Her ladyship , who was in her S 7 th year , was the fifth daughter of tbe late Dr . Markham , Archbishop of York . She married , in 1797 , the third earl of Mansfield , who died iu 1840 . Several important May meetings were held on Monday . They include the Turkish Missions Aid , the Home and Colonial School , The Protestant Reformationthe AA esleyan Missionaryand the Religious
Pro-, , pagation Societies . It will be observed in the report of the Turkish Missions Aid Society , that Lord Shaftesbury talked somewhat glibly about the probable partition of the Turkish empire . Those who remember the speeches which the noble lord delivered some four or five years ago will perhaps be surprised at his change of tone on this subject . The Liverpool Sailors' Home was totally destroyed by fire on Sunday
This building was opened in 1851 . It cost thirty thousand pounds , and is only insured for thirteen thousand . The event is rendered most distressing from the fear which is entertained that several lives havo been sacrificed . As this was an institution occupied by a number of temporary inmates , it will probably be a work of some time to ascertain beyond doubt who have perished by the catastrophe . Following the example of the fast men of the Stock Exchange , the staid and sober indigo brokers of Mincing-lane , on Saturday presented a purse
containing a hundred guineas , to Mr . Thomas Sayers , the champion of the prize ring . The gift was prefaced by a speech from Mr . Laing , the chairman of the subscribers , in which , while he repudiated any desire to encourage pugilistic encounters , he professed the admiration of himself ancl his friends for a bold heart and a strong arm . Sayers paid his promised visit to Liverpool on Monday afternoon . He met with a regular ovation , ancl bowed bis acknowledgments from an elevated spot on 'Change . The assemblage was larger ancl of a more motley description
than has beeu seen in tbe room for many a clay . It was said by an old Liverpool merchant that no such scene has been enacted on 'Change since the clay that Lord Gough was honoured for his victories in India . On Sunday evening there were the usual disturbances which haye for months past disgraced the parish church of Sfc . Geerge ' s-in-the-East . There was a great crowd in Cannon-street prior to the opening of the gates for the seven o ' clock service , ancl when the mob of ruffians were admitted they indulged themselves by making the most hideous noises of which they were capable . The Rev . Bryan King was mocked and hissed iu a most disgraceful maimer . The evening hymn , which was
sung prior to the blessing , was parodied by " Hot Codlins" and similar profanity . Inspector Alison , who is not a man to be tampered with , having at length issued the word of command to his men , the pickpocket interest succumbed ; the conscientious comic singers fled before the constables , and the doors of St . George ' s were once more closed . Lord Panmure will shortly leave Brechin Castle for Germany , where his lordship purposes making a short sojourn at some of the celebrated baths . A meeting was held , on Tuesday , at the rooms of the Society
of Arts , of a number of gentlemen interested in the opening of a road to connect the north , and south sides of Hyde Park . This is much required for the public convenience , and we trust- the promoters will be successful in their object . On Tuesday , at the AA ' estminster Police-court , a man named Tyler was charged with having killed Thomas AA eller in a pugilistic encounter . It seems that the fight was the result of a quarrel ; but it was deliberately entered into , the men and their friends adjourning to a convenient place for the purpose . It is said , that it is not
impossible that the Earl of Elgin may find , on his arrival at Suez , a communication which will render his further progress to China unnecessary , a proposal having been made by the allies to the Chinese government , which , if assented to promptly , will , it is hoped , avert war . On Monday morning , the whole of the officers ancl men of the Chatham Division of Royal Marines were drawn up for tbe purpose of witnessing corporal punishment on private Joseph AA akefield , who was tried a few clays previously for desertion , and was sentenced to be branded with the letter D , and to be imprisoned for 168 days . On the sentence being read , in the presence of the whole of the division , the