THE FIELD 
419 
at *reat length that our financial position 
Lord Montwgie ^ anoTnalous ^ not dangerous. In spite of 
st ^ P^ v e“ c and prosperity we were in dJfflcnltles from the 
increased r , t j, e G 0vernmen t, among which he chiefly 
reduction of interest upon Exchequer-bills. He cautioned 
included Hte re ^ a|n9t unnecessarily meddling with public credit, 
the systems of experiment with the finances of the 
country- Art ryU contended that when tho financial measures of 
T &? D ““„,pnt were prepared, they had not. from the assurances given 
the : ,o ; e ™'F r0 r of Russia, any reason to anticipate a state of war. 
Mj he . ^d the House was greatly indebted to Lord Monteagle, 
B8 v .Ma manner in which he had examined the financial arrange- 
for the e Government. Our present financial position was extremely 
meats oi ‘ waa alarmed at the low state of tho public balances and 
serious. language held elsewhere in defending their reduction, 
still cft i cl ,iated upon tho whole amount of dividends not being 
hoc*"*? “ h«n due, and upon accruing’ revenue to discharge the ba- 
calledfo m the course pursued l>y “gentlemen in difficulties 
lance- their tradesmen to call again, and ho cautioned tho 
" hen „ »™inst a svstem which might lead to a notion in tho public that 
^fwas not monev in the Bank to pay them. 
tb ! o pTa few words from the Earl of Donoughmorc, 
£ n , rranv ji| 0 replied in considerable detail to the objections urged 
against the financial policy of the Government, which he vindicated in 
0 'Vhe bin "hen" passed through committee; after which their lord- 
* h r ^uos^Lord John Russell stated that Government intended to 
. i n additional army and navy estimates, and that the Chancellor 
f thP Fxchcqucr would mnko a financial statement on Monday next. 
The House went into committee on the Oxford University Bill. 
An clause 1, which appoints the commissioners, 
Mr Horsraan moved to postpone tho names of tho commissioners 
,U an the clauses of the bill had been gone through. 
The oommittee divided, and tho numbers wero— 
For the clause 169 
For Mr. Ilovsman's amendment 141 
Minority for Government 29 
The clause was agreed to, ns was clause 2, and after some discussion, 
riiuiso 3 A long debate took place on tho wording of that part of 
, “ , se 4 Which prescribes that no oath taken by any officer of the 
r University shall be pleadable in bar of tho authority of the Com- 
missioners ; Sir Wm. Heathcote moving the omission of these words, 
and the substitution of a modified proviso not making mention of any 
oath On division, this amendment was negatived by 118 to 69. ma- 
lorltv 49 ; and the clause was agreed to. , 
1 On clause 5, which substitutes tho Ilobdomadal Council for the 
Hebdomadal Board, , , . . , 
Mr Walpole explained the grounds of amendment winch he pro- 
pose! to tho sixth clause, which provides for the compo ition of the 
council. His amendments went to increase the number of heads of 
colleges or halls, who wero to be part of the council, ft-om six to seven, 
and to do the same os regarded the professors, and to provide that, in- 
tend of such heads being elected from among themselves by the heads 
of colleges or halls, and to mako similar provision in regard to tiio 
selection by the professors from among themselves. 
The Chancellor of the Exchequer removed from clause 5 some words 
connecting It with tho provisions for the composition of tho council ; 
and after "discussion and a protest from Mr. Newdcgate, tho clause was 
agreed to. .... 
On clause 6, Mr. Walpole s amendments being moved, 
The Chancellor of the Exchequer entered into argument to show 
their inexpediency, urgmg that the word cliqut seemed expressly in- 
vented to describe the limited constituencies they would create, and 
that the whole bill was based on trust and confidence in tho men for 
whom legislation was being attempted. 
A long discussion followed, in tho courso of which, 
Mr Henley contended that the proposed plan would throw the 
whole power into the hands of the younger members, wlio would be 
an oligarchy of about a hundred. He also avowed much apprehension 
of the increased influence of Tractavianlsm from the new constitution, 
In whicli the clerical element was far two prevalent. 
Mr. E. Denison, Sir W. Heathcote, andi other members having taken 
part in tho discussion, tire committee divided on tho amendment re- 
lating to the election of tho heads, and tho numbers were — 
For the amendment 162 
For the original clause 149 
Majority against Government — 13— 
Mr. Walpole then moved that portion of his amendment which re- 
ferred to tho professors. 
The Chancellor of the Exchequer admitted that this was virtually 
comprised in the previous decision. 
The clause was discussed fora long time amid some confusion, the 
alterations complicating tho meaning, and no honourable member 
being apparently able to explain the exact intention of the committee; 
but at length a division was taken on the question whether the words 
“ of theology" should be part of the clause, and this was negatived by 
148 to 135 : majority, 13. The clause was then agreed to. 
It being now midnight, progress was reported, and the House re- 
sumed. 
The Railway Traffic Bill was committed pro forma, in order to 
reprint it, that important alterations might be Introduced, 
Mr. Cardwell stating that lie had been in communication with the 
leading railway authorities on the subject. 
The Witnesses Bill was read a second time. 
Lord Palmerston moved for leave to brlng’in a bill for the amend- 
ment of the laws relative to the militia of the United Kingdom. Under 
the 42nd George III., tho Crown could embody tho militia only In case 
of invasion or of peril thereof; but though there was no danger of 
invasion, still, in the present state of things, with n large portion of 
the army abroad, it was important that Government should be able to 
avail itself of the militia for homo service. The bill was for enabling 
the Crown to cnll out cither the whole or part of tho militia for a 
continuous period when the country was in a state of war. If a 
regiment happened to be called out for less than fifty-six days, the rest 
of tho time might bo added, when necessary, without fresh notlco being 
given. 
Sir J. Y. Btillor said that the bill wonld.be met with cheerful assent, 
but ho regretted that no better provision was to be made for tho wives 
and children of militiamen. 
Colonel Knox said that every encouragement ought to be’given to 
the militia, to volunteer into the army. 
Mr. Grogan wished to know what was to bo done with tho militia in 
Ireland 1 
Lord Palmerston was preparing a bill for the consolidation of the 
militia law, and In that bill various other necessary provisions would 
he found. It would be introduced this session. He hud purposely 
confined tills bill to one specific object. It was not the Intention of 
Government to organize and enrol the Irish militia tills year. 
Leave was given to bring in tho bill. 
TUESDAY. -Loiids.— T ho Income-tax Bill was read a third time 
and passed, on the motion of Lord Granville, after some warning ob- 
servations from the Marquis of Clanricarde as to tho financial position 
of the Government, and tho resources on which It was proposed to carry 
on tho war. 
The Chimney Sweepers' Bill passed through committee with some 
verbal amendments, on the motion of tho Earl of Shaftesbury. 
A select committc was appointed, on tho motion of Lord Granville, 
to consider tho subject of printing papers for the House. 
Some other business was then despatched, and their Lordships ad- 
journed. 
Commons.— A t the timo when the House of Commons should havo 
assembled, there not being 40 members present, tho House stood ad- 
journed until to-day at 1 1 o'clock. 
WEDNESDAY.— Commons — The Mortmain Bill was read a second 
time. 
The County Court Extension Act Amendment Bill went through 
committee. 
The second reading of the Criminal Conversation Bill was moved by 
Mr. Bowyer, who explained that it had a two-fold character; It 
abolished the system of damages to the husband, substituting a 
fine to the Crown, and it entitled tho wife to be heard on tho trial. 
Mr. Collier moved that tho second reading should take placo that 
•“y six months. The bill might be entitled one for tho encourage- 
ment of criminal conversation. It confused the civil and the 
criminal systems, and the resnlt of it would bo that no actions would 
he brought. 
Mr. Craufurd supported the measure. 
Mr. Whiteside opposed it os impracticable and inconsistent. 
Mr. Dlgby Seymour was in favour of tho bill, which he deemed a 
measure of reform. 
Hi’ * >llinn > while condemning the existing system, could not support 
me present measure, which would introduce many anomalies into tho 
m U S£? ght ,0 Improve. 
•ur. Fitzgerald warmly supported the bill; it might be amended and 
improved in committee. 
the Attorney-General admitted that the whole subject required 
vision, and al-o that women required more protection than they 
refb* 64 * un< * er t,le existing law ; but he was opposed to bit by bit 
net V"'* we alt cred the system of expensive divorce, we ought 
wo take away pecuniary compensation ; but If we simplified and 
c “® a P and easy divorco, we might fairly consider whether da- 
mages should not be done away. 
Mr. M. Chambers advised Mr. Bowyer to withdraw his bill and re- 
construct it. 
Mr. Bowyer replied, urging that the principle of his bill had been 
admitted, and therefore that it ought to bo read a second time, and its 
details considered in committee. 
Tho House divided, and the numbers were— 
For the second reading 49 
Against it 121 
Majority against 72 
The bill is therefore lost. 
The second reading of the Declarations Bill was moved by Mr. Apsley 
Pellatt, and opposed by tho Attorney-General. 
On division, the bill was rejected by 136 to 37. 
Tho Carlisle Cannonries Bill was rejected, on tho second reading, by 
87 to 79. 
The remainder of tho sitting was occupiod with the adjourned de- 
bate on tho nomination of the committee on conventual and monastic 
Institutions. 
Mr. Dlgey Seyraon moved tho postponement of the appolntm cut 
of the committee until leavo was obtained to bring in a bill to amend 
an oot of 66th George III , for more effectually securing the liberty of 
tho subject. Ho thought 'hat the common law, if its meaning wero 
declared by tho amendment lie proposed, was sufficient to meet all 
the cases, real or supposed, which had been adduced by the promoters 
of this inquiry. 
Mr. Horsm m, deprecating the tono the discussion had assumed, 
suggested the abandonment of tho dobuto. 
Mr. Newdogate's protest against this courso was interrupted by tho 
termination of tho sitting. 
FRANCE. 
(From our own Correspondent.') 
Paris, Thursday, May 4. 
The preparations (juietly making for the active pro- 
secution of the war in all the great French arsenals, are 
on the most gigantic scale, particularly of the artillery; 
the amount of matiriel daily forwarding is so great, that 
it leads military men to the conclusion that the siege of 
Sebastopol is contemplated by the allies. The destruction 
of this harbour and its batteries would at once put an ond 
to the power of Russia in the Black Sea for half a century 
to come. As for any attack upon Cronstadt, the key to 
St. Petersburg, nobody dreams of it who knows the 
strength of that position, and the shallowness of the Neva, 
of which it defends the entrance. The military spirit of 
the country, which was at first somewhat sluggish, seems 
now thoroughly roused, and the idea of this being “ a 
little war,” which was at once entertained, appears now 
to be altogethe given up. To give an instance of the 
activity which prevails in the French ports, tho Moniteur 
dc la Ffotte has just put forth an authorised statement, 
informing the public that in five days time 354 vessels had 
been chartered, and that arrangements had been made to 
transport to the seat of war from 1200 to 1500 horses 
every week. 
Rejoicing is once more the order of the day at the 
Palace. Hopes are again entertained of an event which 
of all others would most gratify the Emperor and his 
consort, and also remove much uneasiness from the minds 
of many who, not unfavourable to the Government, still 
look upon it as without any of the elements of stability, 
in the absence of any direct heir to the throne. 
Among the superb monuments and edifices with which 
the Emperor is daily embellishing Paris, the splendid old 
Louvre still holds its own. The manner in which the 
beautifully elaborated friezes and cornices have been 
executed, along the whole length of the gallery running 
down in front of the river, constantly attracting hundreds 
of admirers, is really an honour to this branch of 
art in France. The interior courts and buildings will 
also he magnificent, but threaten a terrible contrast with 
the Tuileries, which no skill or alteration can redeem from 
ugliness. Meanwhile the work of demolition goes merrily 
on, and street after street, in the vicinity ot the palace, is 
disappearing, and with them some of those celebrated spots 
that had ^become landmarks, as it were, in history, 
of which Paris is, or rather was, so full — for they are 
fading before us every day under the pitiless spade 
and pick-axe of improvement. Among the places 
thus disappearing is the little Rue St. Nicaise, rendered 
famous by the explosion of the machine infemale, by which 
several of Napoleon’s immediate attendants, were killed, 
he himself escaping almost by miracle on his way 
to the Opera, while First Consul. Another interesting 
vestigo temporis acti in the immediate neighbourhood is 
also vanishing, namely, the fountain at the corner of the 
Rue St. Louis, in the Rue de I’Echelle. This spot was 
fixed upon by the unfortunate Louis XVI. and his family, 
as their rendezvous on the night of their flight from Paris 
in the terrible year 1792. The King, and the rest of the 
Royal (fugitives reached the spot, and woro kept waiting 
more than an hour for the Queen, who had left the palace at 
the same moment as thomselves, but by another door, to 
elude observation. Left in ignorance of her fate, and a prey 
to the most torturing anxieties, they were about to return to 
tho prison, which the palace had become, when they were 
joined by Mario Antoinette. The delay had arisen from the 
almost incredible fact, that neither Her Mujesty, nor the 
confidential friend who accompanied her, knew where the 
street was situated, though exactly opposite the palace, and 
not a stone’s throw from its gate. They were on foot, and 
were wandering about iu search of the place, and had 
actually crossed the river, only discovering their mistake by 
inquiring of a driver of a fiacre, iu the Faubourg St. Ger- 
main, who directed them back to the Rue do 1 Echollo. The 
loss of this hour, so precious at such a time, in ail pro- 
bability cost the hapless fugitives thoir lives upou the scaf- 
fold a few months’ later. 
An immense number of diamonds and precious stones 
of all descriptions have been received in Paris during tho 
past week, from Turkey. It is known that the Asiatics 
generally invest the greater part of their fortune in 
fewellery, so that incase of suddenly encountering the dis- 
pleasure of the powers that be, they may easily take then- 
treasures with them in their flight : the present importation 
is understood to be ft free offering from the Ottoman 
nobles to the Sultan, to assist him in vigorously carrying 
out the war. To such an extent, however, has this 
jewellery been introduced upon the Paris market, that 
these patriotic gifts must be sold at a considerable loss— a 
sacrifice to which the patriotism of the donors will doubt- 
less reconcile them. 
Our friend “ Old William,” as some Parisian litterateurs 
will persist in calling Shakspere, to show their extreme 
familiarity with his works, must assuredly have had our 
renowned romancero, Alexandre Dumas, when he described 
a certain original : — 
“Now by two-headed Janus, 
Nature hath made strange fellows In hor time ! ’ 
This incorrigible, who loves to figure before the public 
in any shape, has this week been pulled up as defendant 
in an action of a curious nature — a scrape into which he 
has brought himself by his sheer vanity, and love of 
playing the patron. He lately took it into his head that 
ne would erect two monuments — one to the late M. de 
Balzac, and the other to M. Frederick Soules, the cele- 
brated novelists. This was, however, to be done, not at 
his own expense, hut at the cost of the public — in other 
words, lie proposed to get up a number of theatrical re- 
presentations and concerts, at which all the leading artists 
of Paris should lend their aid gratis. The project was 
ushered into publicity in his own journal, Le Mousquetaire, 
with all the audacious flattery of which Dumas is so 
thorough a master, mingled, I am sorry to add, with a 
dash ot sycophancy towards persons in high places, 
ineffably disgusting. But tho joke of the thing is, that it 
was taken up totally in opposition to the wishes of the 
families of the individuals thus to be monumentalized, to 
add something to the eclat of M. Dumas, for no sooner 
had Mdnie. de Balzao, the widow of the novelist, a lady of 
wealth and station, recovered from her astonishment at 
this unexpected announcement, than she sent to Dumas to 
express her surprise, and to protest against his official 
impertinence in interfering in a matter in which he had 
no concern whatever. Nothing daunted, however, the 
gallant Mousquetaire proceeded^ his design, and Mdrae. 
de Balzac was compelled to resort to the tribunals to put 
an end to this impudent force. The judgment of the 
court was deferred to a future day— in the meantime, tho 
concerts and other representations havo been postponed 
until this singular suit is decided. This, and other pranks 
of this vain, clever creature, fully justify the saying of 
ono of his brother authors, — “ That sinoe the Revolution 
everything in France has undergone a change— except 
one — Alexandre Dumas.” 
We havo had a visit hore from your * wandering min- 
strel,” otherwise, your rt ex-candidate for Westminster,” 
Mr. Charles Coonrane, who, as usual, is “ ste eping all 
before him.” Laden with exuberant laurels, in having 
achieved a victory over your London mud, by which tho 
shopkeepers and others living therein, he positively avers, 
are richer by many thousands’ sterling a-voar, he has 
boldly ridden his nobby into the Hues ot Paris, tho 
authorities having good-naturedly allowed him to experi- 
mentalize upon the cleansing of thoir dirty ways. The 
attempt can do no possible harm; and could he deviso a 
plan to remove all that is offensive to noso and eye from 
the great souares and monuments in this fine city, he 
would indeed becoiu a public benefactor, hut tho filthy 
habits of the people, 1 fear, render this impossible. In tho 
meantime the French don’t exactly know what to think of 
him, and set down the taste which leads him to amateur 
scavengership to l' eccentric it o Antjlnise, as Boattio says of 
another minstrel, — 
1 Some shako their head and sigh, yet bless tho lad ; 
Some deem him wondrous wlso, and sorao bolievo him mad I " 
On Sunday tho second of tho Paris Spriug Races, 
favoured by more genial weather than tno first, and 
honoured by the presence of their Majesties the Emperor 
and Empress, drew to tho Champ de Mars an immense 
coneourso of spectators. The running was decidedly 
good, hut, in the way of betting, the races was a perfect 
blank. Subjoined is an account of the day’s perform- 
ances ; — 
Iena Stakes of 40 francs, for two and three-year-olds 
and upwards, Distance, once round. Winner to ho 
claimed for 100 franco. None allowed to ride but French 
jockeys. 6 subs. 
M. Carter’s f. Nettle, 4 yrs, 8st. . . .1 
M. de Hedonville’s e. Pile on Face, 4 yrs, 
8st. 31l> 0 
Prince de Banvean’s f. Ce n’est pas ga, 3 yrs, 
6st. 51b ^ 
M. Bain’s f. Graziella, 4 yrs, 6st. . . .0 
Count de Morny’s f. Belloue, 3 yrs, Cst. 61b. 0 
Pile on Face made all the running from tho first, and 
came in an easy winner, Nettle at some distance behind 
him, and the rest in a ruck behind. Unfortunately, on 
the jockey going to the scales, lie was found 2Rbs. too 
light, and Nettle, accordingly, was declared the winner. 
No second was placed. Winner was not claimed. 
Pavillon Stakes of 200 francs, for three-year-olds 
and upwards. Entry 12 francs— half forfeit. The second 
horse toreceivo half the entries. G subs. 
M. Aumont’s m. Echelle, 6 yrs, 8st. lOlbs. . 1 
Count d’Hedonvillc’s c. Moustique, 4 yrs., 
8st. 31b 2 
M. Aumont’s c. Papillon, 4 yrs, 8st. 31b. . 0 
A capital race, though the start was had. Moustique 
cut out the running at a terrific pace, but about half way 
was overhauled by Echelle, who came in flying at the 
post, winning by about three lengths . 
Government Stakes. (De l’Agriculturo ct du Com- 
merce) of 80 francs, restricted to 3-yrs old and upwards, 
whose descent is traced in the French or English stud- 
books ; winners of various races not allowed to run; entry 
4 francs ; 10 subs. 
M. Latache de Foy’s f Ravieres, 3-yrs 6st 41b 
(Kitchener) . • • • • • * 
M. Leclerq’s h Castor, 5 yrs 8st 121b . . 2 
M. Mosselman s o St. Aure, 3 yrs, Cst / lb .6 
M. Curtois’ c Vingt-deux Juin, 4 yrs 8st . O 
M. Aumont’s o Van Trorap, 3 yrs. Gat /lb . U 
Prince de Beauvean’s f Xenoclee, 3 yrs, 6st 41b 0 
Ravtercs had it all her own way from the first, and won 
it in a canter. 
Piuntemps Stakes of £100 for 3 yr old colts nnd fillies ; 
entry £8 ; weight, colts 7st lOlbs ; fillies Gat 7Ibs ; 9 subs. 
M. Latache de Foy’s c Pedagogne (Boldrick 1 
M. Aumont’s c Biason 2 
M. Ammont’s f Gazelle ‘ ‘ * n 
Prince de Bcauvean’s c Karnar . • • 0 
Until about half way it was a neck-and-neck race be- 
tween Gazelle and Pedagogue ; the latter then sprang 
forward and took the lead, which he kept to the end. 
Gazelle then fell hack, and was easily overtaken by Biason, 
who came in second. 
Hurdle Rack for £40, open to all horses ; weight 9st, 
nth extra on winners of previous hurdle races ; 2 subs. 
M. de Monnecove’s m Ballet Girl (aged) 9 st 31bs 
(Donaldson) 1 
Viscount Talon’s h Deceitful, 6 yrs, 9st 31b 2 
A closely contested race until within a short distance 
,f the winning post, when Ballet-Girl shot ahead and 
:ame in first, with five or six lengths to spare. 
