February 18.] 
THE FIELD. 
157 
FuU* Moon^ • .13th. 2h. 57m. morn. 
fist Quarter . 20th. 1011. 41m. morn. 
£5 Moon -.27th. 4h. 3‘Jm. mom. 
jlOOX'S CHAIJOU 
4th. lOh. 37m. night. 
LENGTH OT DATS. DAT BREAK* 
On the 6th.. 9h. 33m.. .6h. 39m. 
„ 12th.. 9h. 45m... Oh. 0m. 
„ 18th.. lOh. 7m.. .Oh. Om. 
„ 27th.. lOh. 42m... Oh. Om. 
SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 18, 1864. 
that nearer home, at Carlscrona, a heavy fleet is fitting 
out which may yet play a distinguished part in th e 
Baltic ; that fur away to the west a plot has been dis- 
covered for the assassination of the President of the 
Dominican Republic : and that at Cuba no less than 
eleven vessels were, but a week or two since, fitting 
out for the coast of Africa for slavers ; while seven 
vessels had also sailed within six weeks from Baltimore, 
Boston, and New York with the direct intention of 
being employed as slavers. 
NEWS OF THE WEEK. 
The grand measure of Parliamentary Reform, intro- 
duced by Lord John Russell, in a speech remarkably 
brief for the occasion, on Monday, is of course occupying 
the country, to the exclusion of every other topic except 
the war. No one will be disposed to charge the 
Ministers with having departed either from the spirit 
or letter of their pledge to bring in an ample measure 
of Reform at an early period of the session. It is, as 
yet, too soon to attempt to gather and record the 
national feeling on the subject of the bill (all that it 
falls to our lot to do), but there is no doubt that the 
Conservative party will regard it as calculated to bestow 
a large addition of power upon the commercial interest, 
and that it will be resisted at every stage. The intro- 
duction was not resisted, and no speaker of consequence 
rose after Lord J ohn. The second reading is appointed 
for the 13th of March. The great importance of the 
bill, and the general interest it excites, will be deemed 
sufficient reason why we should here give its principal 
features, from a rfauvie of Lord John Russell’s speech, 
instead of placing it amid our ordinary Parliamentary 
news : 
“He proposed to disfranchise 19 boroughs, either containing fewer 
than 300 electors, or containing more than that number, but having a 
population not considerably exceeding 5,000; and from 33 others, 
having less than 500 electors, or 10,000 inhabitants, lie would take one 
member away. Next, he thought that the tendency of the Reform 
Act had been too much to divide the country into opposite camps of 
property and trade. Moreover, it had been very justly suggested that 
the minority was entitled to representation, and he showed the hard- 
ship of the case of those who, mustering in thousands on one side, were 
6hut out from representation by the trifling majority which gave 
the seats to their opponents. He proposed to take the West Riding, 
which had 800,000 inhabitants, besides those of towns which wore re- 
presented, and South Lancashire, which, in similar manner, had 
600,000. He would divide those counties, and give three members to 
each division, and would give an additional member to each county 
and town with more than 100,000 inhabitants, and these should vote 
for two candidates only, so that a minority numbering two fifths of 
the constituency would bo enabled to have one representative. He 
should glvo four additional members to Yorkshire, four to Lancashire, 
and thirty-eight to other counties. There were nine towns with more 
than 100,000 inhabitants, without counting the metropolitan boroughs, 
which were to be looked upon as parts of one great city ; but there 
would be an additional member given to Southwark. This would 
in all give fifty-live new members. The three towns of 
Birkenhead, Stalcybridge, and Burnley, having more than 20,000 
inhabitants, would have a member each, and Keusington und 
Chelsea would be formed into a borough with two members. 
He proposed to give the franchise to the inns of court. He 
proposed to give one member to the University of London. It 
was proposed to create several franchises common to counties and 
towns, namely, first, a snlary of 100/. for nny employment, public 
or private, paid half-yearly or quarterly, and not as weekly wages 
Secondly, 10/. a year dividends from the Funds, Bank Stock, or the 
East India Company. Thirdly, the payment of 40s. income-tax, or 
assessed taxes, yeurly. Fourthly, the being a graduate of any 
university. And fifthly, the having had for three years 50/. in a 
savings’ bunk. As regarded counties and boroughs, it was not pro- 
posed to add considerably to the number of towns sending members, 
but it was proposed to admit the 10/. householder to the county 
franchise; but in order to avoid vote-manufacture, the building must 
be rated at 5/. a year, unless the voter were resident. As regarded 
the borough franchise, ho considered that the Reform Act did not 
make sufficient provision for the admission of the working classes; 
and he proposed that the borough franchise should attend 6/. mu- 
nicipal rating. Moreover, the check imposed by the Reform Act, 
by the provision that payment of rates and tuxes should precede 
the right of voting, was to be done away, as no longer necessary. 
The register was to bo made Anal. The present 10/. franchise would 
remnin as it was, except as regarded the above provision us to 
buildings, and ns to rates and taxes. He proposed to do away with 
the freeman's franchise, after the present interest lmd ceased. There 
would be 66 vacancies in all 63 new members had been appor- 
tioned, and the other 3 scats would bo given to populous towns in 
Scotland and to a Scotch university." 
We should also add, that Lord John Russell, consider- 
ing- that the statute of Queen Anne, which compels any 
member who accepts office under the Crown to go to 
his constituents for re-election, is very inconvenient 
in practice, proposes to repeal it. 
The preparations for war are being: pushed forward 
on a scale and with a vigour worthy of the cause and 
of the country. In another part of our journal will be 
found the details, military and naval. The passage of 
a portion of the Guards through our streets on Tuesday, 
on their way to the port whence they will embark, was 
a memorable sight, not from the display, as there were 
but some 700, but from the enthusiasm manifested by 
the populace, who unmistakeably expressed their 
satisfaction with the mission the gallant fellows were 
departing to discharge. 
The concentration of our largest mercantile steamers 
at Southampton, and the opportune arrival of the 
Himalaya, will probably draw a vast number of visitors 
lo the coast to witness the departure of the troops. 
We have every reason to believe they will start on 
Wednesday; but, go when they may, they must have 
the proud satisfaction of knowing that the whole coun- 
try regards their mission as one of the most generous 
and gallant in which British soldiers can be employed, 
and that in defending the Sultan from the aggression 
of the Czar, they are, in fact, defending the liberties 
of Europe, and preserving that balance of power, with- 
out which, in a very few years, right would have to 
succumb to might, and a detestable tyranny reign 
triumphant. 
In the interest attached to the Eastern Question, 
news received from divers quarters seems almost lost. 
Yet may we record that in Rome, on the Oth instant, 
the anniversary of the Roman Republic, a secret agent 
of the police was assassinated by the “ botta alia Rossi;” 
that Cardinal Wiseman still gojoiu’pa in the Etcj’qal City ; 
HOME NEWS. 
The Court. — Her Majesty, his Royal Highness Prince 
Albert, and the other members of the court, quitted Windsor 
Castle on Monday afternoon. 
The royal suite consisted of the Marchioness of Ely, Lady 
Caroline Barrington, the Hon. Eleanor Stanley, the Hon. 
Beatrice Byug, Lord Catnoys, Colonel the lion. C. B. Phipps, 
Colonel the Hon. Charles Grey, Mr. W. F. Cavendish, 
Major-General Buckley, the Master of the Household, and 
Mr. Gibbs. 
On tbeir arrival at Buckingham Palace, the royal party 
were received by the Earl Spencer, Lord Ernest Bruce, 
Lord George Lennox, Colonel Wylde, and Lieut.-Colouel 
the Hon. A. Gordon. 
It is stated to be her Majesty’s intention to give a series of 
levees forthwith. On Monday evening the Earl of Aberdeen 
had the honour of dining with her Majesty at the Palace. 
Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester was honoured 
by a visit from the Queen and Prince Albert at Gloucester 
House, on Tuesday. Her Majesty and the Prince Consort 
were attended on the occasion by Major Genoral Buckley, 
and Lieut. -Colonel the Hon. A. Gordon. 
Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Prince 
Alfred, attended by Mr. Gibbs, also visited the Duchess of 
Gloucester. 
In the evening the Queen and Prince Albert, attended by 
the Marchioness of Ely, the Hon. Beatrice Byne, Major- 
General Buckley, and Colonel the Hon. A. N. Hood, were 
present during the performances at the Princess’ Theatre. 
The Queen on Wednesday afternoon visited her Royal 
Highness the Duchess of Cambridge at St. James s Palace. 
Prince Albert also honoured the Duchess with a visit 
after having been to the new Palace at Westminster. 
Her Majesty had a dinner party in the evening at 
Buckingham Palace. The company included his Serene 
Highness Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar and the Coun- 
tess of Dornburg, the Duchess of Hamilton, the Turkish 
Minister and Madame Musurus, the American Minister, 
the Earl of Mulgrave, Lord and Lady Wodehouse, Lord 
and Lady Raglan, and Colonel Wylde. 
The Marquis of Ormonde has succeeded Lord Camoys, 
and Lieut-Colonel the Hon. N. Hood has succeeded Mr. 
F. Cavendish, as Lord and Groom in Waiting. 
FASHIONABLE WORLD. 
On Monday the Lady Edith Clinton gave birth to a 
daughter, at her house in Park-lane. 
The Duke of Buccleuch has left Montagu House for the 
north. The Earl of Dalkeith remains in town to attend his 
Parliamentary duties. 
Lady Molesworth has cards out for an assembly on the 
2’2nd inst. 
The Earl ar.d Countess Cowper huvo been entertaining 
a few select friends at Panshanger, Herts. Viscount and 
Viscountess Palmerston are expected shortly to visit the 
noble earl and countess. 
Lord and Lady Foley are staying in Grosvenor-square. 
The Earl and Countess of Rosebery, and La I y Louisa 
Primrose, have arrived on the Terrace, Piccadilly, from 
Scotland. . . ... 
The Duke of Norfolk, who has been suffering from indif- 
ferent health, is convalescent. 
The Chancellor of the Exchequer gave a dinner to the 
Cabinet Ministers on Wednesday evening, at his official 
esidence in Downing-street. 
Mr Baines brought in a bill to amend the laws relating to 
the settlement, removal, and chargeability of the poor in 
England and Wales. The present law, lie observed, was the 
source of innumerable evils and of great injustice. By it 
labourers becoming destitute were tied to. the spot of their set- 
tlement, or liable to be brought back by magistrates’ warrant 
from the further part of the country, and even to imprisonment 
as vagrants, if they sought to procure a livelihood at a distance. 
This had produced a most prejudicial effect upon the condition 
of labourers, especially agricultural, and also of employers — in 
fact, upon the whole productive interest of tho country, because 
under such a state of things neither capital nor labour could bo 
said to meet with its fair reward. Moreover, there were many 
parishes where tho combination of a few landowners could, by 
forbidding the erection of teuements, provent the labourers 
working there from obtaining settlements among them. The 
men must, therefore, resido in some adjacent parish, where they 
might by so doing obtain a settlement, at. the same time that, 
they would be compelled to suffer the cruelty and hardships of 
walking three or four miles morning and night, going to or re- 
turning from work. Another consideration of some weight 
was the amoimt of money now consumed in legal expenses on 
trials in cases of settlements ; and, in all respects, a great deal 
was to be gained by a reform of the law. Her Majesty’s 
ministers were, therefore, of the opinion that the only means of 
effectually overcoming evils which he had referred to, would bo 
the abolition of the power of compulsory removal, and tho bill 
which he wished to introduce proposed that it should not, after 
its passing, be lawful to remove by compulsion any poor person 
from any parish in England and Wales. The bill would also 
extend the area of chargeability, making it the union in the 
place of tho parish. The rating throughout each union would 
he gradually equalised, but the rating of parishes not in unions 
would be the same as at present. 
MONDAY.— Lords.— Nothing of Interest. 
Commons. — The Reform Bill, for whose provisions see News 
of the Week. 
TUESDAY. — Lords. — A long and interesting debate on tho 
Orient question originated by Lord Clanricarde, who assailed 
Ministers, and was supported by Lords Grev and Malmesbury . 
Lord Clarendon, the Duke of Argyll and Lord Aberdeen de- 
fended this policy, and tho Premier thought proper to say that 
“ If, by the blessing of God, they should yet preserve peace, 
many people would, he feared, be disappointed. " 
Commons. — Mr. Locke King was permitted to introduce a 
bill for abolishing the eldest sou's advantages, arising from his 
primogeniture, and for dividing Inherited real property among 
all the children equally. 
Mr. Oliviera proposed a resolution for reducing tho duty oil 
foreign wines to one shilling a gallon ; but, having made out an 
fidiinnmtag. 
[It is our desire that the readers of the “ Field ” should 
havo a complete Parliamentary history before them. But 
it very frequently happens that Friday night, and sometimes 
an advanced hour on that night, is selectod by Government 
for the introduction of important measures, and tho necessity 
of goin n ' to press renders it impossible for us to wait lor a 
summary of these. We shall, therefore, whenover prevented 
from doing justice to any 6uch measures in tlio week in which 
they ore introduced, commence our Parliamentary resume 
with them tho following week, so that there may be no 
hiatus in the sessional history. This explanation will 
account for our Parliamentary week beginning as it does.— 
Ed. “ Field."] _ ... 
FRIDAY Feb. 10 .— Commons.— Lord J. Russell brought in 
two bills, one “ to consolidate and amend the laws relating to 
bribery', treating, and undue influence at elections of members 
of parliament," the other “ to amend the law for the trial of 
election petitions, and for inquiring into the existence of cor- 
vivvtivii ijv. iinviioi *' * i n , ■ • . 
nipt practices at elections of members to serve in parliament. 
The noble lord explained his measures at great length, the 
principal provisions of the first bill being a fine of oU L tor 
bribery or being bribed, recoverable by any person who pleases 
to sue’ for it; parties bribing to he incapable ot afterwards 
sitting in parliament; parties using undue influence to be 
incapable of again voting for members for the same place, and 
the names of persons bribed to he registered so as to be open to 
constant inspection. With regard to the second hill, he pro- 
posed that all petitions against the return of members, upon 
the ground of bribery, &c., should go before a preliminary com- 
mittee, acting in the manner of a grand jury. Such committ 
to be assisted by assessors, ten of whom were to be selected 
from the revising barristers, though he apprehended that so 
many would not be required after the first year. If . 1 " 
bunal decided that there were -good grounds for the petition, it 
should go before an election committee at the public expei s , 
and he thought this course would ensure investigation into 
many cases of flagrant bribery, in which petitions would not 
otherwise be prosecuted, on account of tho great expense now 
entailed by such a step. As a further provision, he proposed 
that when a candidate who had not bribed hud obtained two- 
thirds as many votes as an opponent who had bribed, the elec- 
tion committee should have power to seat that candidate. i 
regard to the boroughs, he proposed that, when an election 
committee reported the existence of extensive bribery, the 
Speaker of the house, without the formality ot un address, 
should forward a copy of the report to the Secretary for the 
Home Department, and that thereupon tho Crown should have 
power to issue a commission of inquiry. 
Several of tho advocates of the ballot assured lus lordship 
that that measure only would remedy election evils. 
excellent case for the cheap bottle, curiously enough, dropped 
the subject without a motion for “fear of emharras-ing Govern- 
ment." [Simple Mr. Oliviera — Chancellors of the Exchequer 
are not so easily embarrassed.] 
WEDNESDAY. — Lords. — The house did not assemble. 
Commons. — T he sitting was short, and the business of a 
routine character. 
THURSDAY. — Lords. — The Chancellor drew the attention of 
the House to the law in regard to testamentary matters, and to the 
Ecclesiastical Courts, and pointed out that no less than 386 diffe- 
rent tribunals had jurisdiction over wills, which absurdity rendered 
an alteration of the law necessary. He was anxious to abolish 
the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and to vest the whole 
contentious jurisdiction of wills in the Court of Chancery, 
which would never require more work in this respect than 
sixty days in a year. In short, his plan was to transfer tho 
whole machinery of the Prerogative Court to Chancery, but, 
nevertheless, to give the proctors the exclusive transaction of 
non-contention business for a limited time. He also desired to 
extend probates to real estate as well as to personalty, and to 
permit probate of wills in the country up to 1,500/. Lords 
Brougham and Campbell concurred in the bill ; but although 
Lord St. Leonards was hostile to probate being extended to 
real property, the bill was read a first time. 
Commons. — Lord J. Russell, in answer to Mr. Disraeli said 
that the Government had suggested certain modifications in 
the letter transmitted by the Emperor of the French to tile 
Czar, in order that its terms should correspond with the Con- 
ference of Vienna ; and that although not responsible for its 
contents, they thought it a laudable endeavour to prevent war. 
Sir F. Kelly obtained leave to bring in a bill to regulate tho 
practice at the election of members for England and Wales; 
to prevent bribery, intimidation, and undue influence, and to 
diminish election expenses. He proposed that the returning 
officer should be a barrister; that all moneys from the candi- 
dates should be paid through his hands, and that electors should 
give their votes by voting papers. 
Mr. C. Forster obtained leave to bring in a hill to amend the 
Truck Act. 
Mr. Sergeant Slice laid on the table a bill to provide com- 
pensation for improvements made by tenants in Ireland, after 
what Tuesday’s debate on the nomination of the Committee of 
privileges was resumed, and the proposed names were agreed to. 
FRIDAY.— Lords.— The Lord Chancellor took his seat on 
the woolsack at five o’clock. The Royal Assent was given, by 
commission, to the Assessed Tuxes Act Amendment Bill. The 
Lords Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, Earl Granville, 
and Lord St. Leonards. The Earl of Eglinton presented 
several petitions in favour of the reading of scriptural lessons 
in the national schools of Ireland. Lord Lyttleton presented a 
petition, from a place the name of which we did not hear, in 
favour of reformatory schools. Lord Brougham bore testimony 
to the importance of establishing reformatory schools, calculated, 
as he contended they were, to improve the morals ot the people, 
and lessen the public expenditure in the prosecution of cnminals. 
Earl Granville was happy to inform the noble and learned lord 
that a measure of this kind was now under the consideration of 
the Government. „ . . . . , 
Commons.— The Militia.— Lord Seymour wished to ask 
Lord John Russell whether it is the intention of the Govern- 
ment to lay on the tahlo of the house the militia and com- 
missariat estimates before proceeding with the army estimates, 
so that the house may he enabled to consider at the same time 
the whole military expenditure of the country l And whether 
it is the intention of the Government to introduce any measure 
with tho view of bringing the several departments connected 
with the administration of the army under the superintendence 
anti control of one responsible department ? Lord J. Rtusell 
said with respect to the first question, it was very desirable to 
proceed with the Army Estimates as soon as possible, and he 
was afraid the Militia Estimates could not be prepared in suffi- 
cient time to be laid on the table before the Army Estimates 
were brought up. With regard to the second question, the 
Government had no such intention. . . 
Navy. — The sum proposed to be voted for the senna s of the 
current year is 7,487,948/., and exceeds by 1,202,45a/. the 
aggregate of last year's vote, which was 6,285,493. On eleven 
St of the seventeen distinct votes which are ann^Uy taken 
there is an increase, amounting in the whole to , on 
five there is a decrease, the total of which is 42,49o/. , and one 
remains precisely the same as on the last occasion. 
Iittesiig an* (IlMcal. 
Cambridge. — The Regius Professor of Hebrew has given 
notice that his lectures on the Hebrew, Sanskrit, and Gothic 
languages will be delivered in the Arts School, °n TiiMday8, 
Thursdays, and Saturdays, beginning on, Tuesday, May *. In 
Hebrew, the subject will be “ The Book of Genesis; in Sanskrit, 
.‘Nala;” and in Gothic, “The Gothic Now Testament, and Tlio 
