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    No. 434, July 17, 1858.] _ T H E _L 13 A...

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    The Paper Duty.—A conference of gentleme...

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    Pablia.Menta.Ry Pemmicanv At The Morning...

    tlie order for the second reading of his India Bill , which , he has kept upon the paper ever since he resigned office ; should be discharged . Defeated competitors usually amuse their friends by assuring them that their successful rivals have stolen their ideas . Lord Palmerston was

    weak enough to pursue this course on the present occasion . The Government bill was , he said , substantially the same as his ova . Recollecting that he had energeticallyhis friends say obstinately—opposed all the important provisions of the Government bill , his Lordsbip ' ts statement indicates singular perversity . Disraeli half rose from his seat to make the obvious retort , but contented himself with a smile , and leant back again . On Monday Mr . Hutt proposed a resolution , which , in effect , if not in terms , condemned the employment of forcible m « ans on our part to suppress the slave-trade . This is a question on which the sense of the nation is opposed to its sentiment , and at present sentiment is the stronger . Mr . Hutt ' s resolution was negatived by a large majority .

    In the Lords , on Monday , their Lordships' reasons for adhering to the amendment they had made in the Oaths BilL were sanctioned by a majority of eight , and , together with the bill , were ordered to be sent to the Commons . Lord Lucan's Jew Relief Bill vas read a third time , and passed . The conduct of the Whigs , with reference to this question is contemptible . As long as there was no prospect of settling the question , none wer « so loud as they in professions demanding its settlement ; but , from the moment when Lord Derby accepted the Lucan compromise , they have , covertly , endeavoured to

    defeat the arrangement by attempting to excite dissension amongst the noble Earl ' s supporters , and , upon this ¦ very last occasion , they divided against the " reasons , ' although they knew , and because they knew , that if they succeeded in . obtaining a majority , Lord Lucan ' s till would not have passed . The settlement of the question removes an important element of party strife . Hence the mortification of the Whigs . They find themselves deprived of one of the . banners Avhieli they have been accustomed to . flaunt before the eyes of credulous and confiding Liberals .

    Lords Granville and Landsowne , if they could not altogether conceal their m otives and their mortification , at least did not parade them . Willing to wound , and yet afraid to strike , they were content to " hint a fault and hesitate dislike" —now to appeal to the passions of a bigor , and now to sneer at Lord Derby ' s consistency . Lord Stanley of Alderley , however , " \ v hose training as vhipper-in for his party i n the Commons has , probably , taught him not to set " too high a value on notions of reserve and delicacy , blurted out his spite by coarsely declaring that "the cause recommended to their Lordships by the noble liiirl ( Derby ) was perfectly discreditable and hypocritical . " With

    equal tact the ncblc Lord remarked that the memory of Sir R . Peel was now avenged for the attacks made upon him for conceding Catholic emancipation 1 The Duke of Newcastle , as a follower of Sir 11 , Peel , said that that statesman ' s memory required no vindication , and reproved Lord Stanley of Alderley for introducing " bitter and reproachful language , for tlie first time , during the debates on this question . " The noble Duke did justice to Lord Derby and his colleagues . " Imputations , " lie said , " would of course ue cast , in and out cf doors , upon their conduct ; but he felt that the noble Earl ait the head of the Government had done an act for which he was entitled to great praise . "

    Lord , Stanley of Aldcrlcy ' s allusion to the attacks on Sir R . Peel had not the merit of being apposite . Peel Was assailed by a portion of the Tories when he proposed emancipation ; but , as soon as the question was stttled , attacks on their part ceased . If Sir It . Peel ' s memory has been avenged , it has been on Lord Alderley and his friends , who never lost an opportunity of fnunting that eminent man for what they termed his "inconsistency " with respect to Catholic emancipation aiul other questions ; just as they are now doing in the case of Lord Derby . As fur tho members of Lord Derby ' s Government , not one of them , we think , was in Parliament when emancipation was carried , except the Premier and Lord Salisbury , both of whom voted for it .

    On Tuesday , tho Chancellor of tho Exchequer made an arrangement "with Lord J . Ilussell by wliich tho Jew question was to come under t he consideration of the House on Friday . Lord John undertook to carry X , ord Lucan ' s bill through the House , but gavo notico of his intention to move a resolution declaring , in eiFect , that inasmuch as tho Lords have passed Lord Lucnn ' a bill , tho Commons do not think it necessary to pay any attention to tho reasons wliich the Lords hnvo given for adhering to their amendments of tho Oaths Bill . This course- lias been concerted with tho Wing Lords of the upper chamber—indeed , it was specifically suggested by Lord Grunviljo ; but we must regard it us unwise and impolitic . It is , besides—though this has merely a personal bearing—illogical , unless it could bo shown that tho provisions which tlio Lords struck out of tho Oaths Dill and tlioHo comprised in Lord Lucun ' a Hill aro identical , which na one will venture to maintain .

    Lord J . Kussell has himaelf done what lio objects to the Lorda doing , a hundred times , und no longer ngo than on the Curdwoll and Fitzgerald resolutions . Ho counselled tho bringing forward of thoso resolutions , as

    an " imperative duty ; " but when defeat stared him in the face , he did not scruple to advise their withdrawal , also as an imperative duty , urging , of course , some flimsy pretences to save his consistency—a word to which some politicians attach no other meaning than

    this , that change of opinion is jwrong except at the right moment . It is a pity that angry feelings should again be roused , and without any practical object , just as this great question was about to be settled amicably , and even ivitli something like a fueling of general satisfaction . In this respect , Lord John's conduct contrasts unfavourably with that of Lyndliurst , on which we commented last week . We hav « no means of knowing what view the persons most interested take of the matter ; but we are inclined to believe tliat Lord Lyndliurst is a more faithful exponent of Jewish , feeling than the noble member for London . It will be seen that on the same evening the House , in Committee of Supply , snuffed , out poor Otto Mundler , " expert de la Galerie Nationals- < fe LondresJ' The German ' s fate was sealed from the moment that tlie

    Chancellor of the Exchequer , in Ins quiet , dry way , expressed a hope that the committee would not " suddenly terminate the career of M . Otto Mundler . " It was evident that no defence could be offered for the job , and the House at once put an end to it . On Thursday morning the Government got through the last of their estimates . In tlie even ing the Chancellor of the Exchequer brought in his bill relative to the purification of the Thames . It is precisely the measure which we anticipated two -weeks back . It enables the Metropolitan Board of Works to borrow money on the securities of rates , under the guarantee of the Treasury ; and , further , as we have suggested above , it is

    provided that , as London is to < Jo the -work at its own cost , London shall be perfectly unfettered and at liberty to do it in the way it thinks best ; The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that the cost of the plan which the Metropolitan Board of Works intend to carry into effect Av . ould . be ; three millions sterling . The money is to be raised by a rate , not to exceed 3 d . in tlie pound , which is estimated to produce 140 , 000 / . per annum . A portion of this money will be set apart , every year , as a sinking fund , so that at the end of forty years all the money borrowed Avill be repaid and the rate will cease . It is calculated that the drainage works -will be completed in five years and a half .

    The bill was well received , and will meet with little or no opposition . - The Lords read the India Bill a second time without a division , and it may now be looked upon as law .

    No. 434, July 17, 1858.] _ T H E _L 13 A...

    No . 434 , July 17 , 1858 . ] _ _ L 13 AJPJE It . _ __ __ ' 689

    The Paper Duty.—A Conference Of Gentleme...

    The Paper Duty . —A conference of gentlemen connected with the newspaper press , and the members of the Society for the Repeal of the Taxes on Knowledge , was held on Monday . Mr- Milner Gibson occupied the chair . Resolutions pronouncing for a vigorous agitation to effect the repeal of the paper duties , and appointing a committee to co-operate with the society , were unanimously adopted . Sir . Bohn , tlie publisher , opposed the removal of the duty , and referring to "various countries where fibrous substances wore to be found , convertible

    into paper , contended that , if they were employed in a manner suitable for the purpose , their introduction would make paper no cheaper than at present , on account of the expense of shipment and other charges before they reach the manufacturer ' s hands . If the duty were taken off , there would he ( said Mr . Bohn ) a great rush for rags , and tho paper-makers and publishers of this country would not benefit , because all tho available material would be bought up . Mr . Holm , however , was tho only person present who took this view ; and the general impression was that , if the duty were taken off " , tho cheap press would be forced to giv « its readers tho benefit in the . shape of improve ! literary contributions . Mr . S . C . Hull , referring to his own publication , WxaArt

    Journal , said that in 1851 it pai < l 70 , 000 £ . paperduty , and that , notwithstuning its enormous circulation , more than 3006 / . wus lost on it that year . " Ho understood Mr . Holm ' s objections well . Many a good and expensive book , which had nuver paid cither nutlior or publisher , found its way to Mr . Bohn's book-shelves at a price which enabled him to make monoy ; nnd tlio repeul of tho paper duty might seriously interfere with him . " Several biibacriptions wero announced before the meeting closed . Tjik Easi * India Housk . —A special meeting of the East India Court of Proprietors Avas held on Monday , to take into consideration the India Bill an now adopted by the House of Commons , Sir F . Currie , tlio

    chairman , presided . Mr . Crnwdhay moved tho adoption of a petition to tho House of Lords , condemning ( ho bill on various grounds . Some discussion ensued ; but finally an adjournment to Wednesday was agreed to : tho petition in the meanwhile to bo printed . — At the adjourned debnto , Mr . Crawshay ' s petition was unanimously agreed to . The opinion of counsel ( Sir ltichurd Lotliell and Mr . Maine ) on the position of the East Company after the passing of tho act wuh made known to tho meeting . The counsel nro of opinion tlnit it is doubtful if tho Company will bo in a position to discharge any functions whatever . Tho Court of Directors is annulled , and consequently itis incupuble of acting an a corporation . Tho opinion uIho states that tho bill loaves tho Company

    wholly without the means of fulfilling its pecuniary engagements . The West Coast of Africa . —The officers composing the Niger expedition were all well at their encampment near Rabba , with the exception of Mr . Davey , the surgeon , at the last dates . Mr . Davey was so unwell that he Avas compelled to leave for England . Lieutenant Glover had rejoined his companions , much improved in health by his visit to Lagos and to Sierra Leone , and Mr . May bad returned from Fernando Po . The latter gentleman bad again traversed the Youraba country to Ibaddan , with the intention of opening a direct communication between the confluence of the Niger and Lagos , in order to give the establishments

    formed at the former locality a direct postal communication with England vid Lagos . —A proclamation has been issued at the Spanish colony of Fernando Po to the effect that no public worship but the Roman Catholic should be permitted . The majority of the inhabitants , who are Africans of the Baptist faith , liberated from slave-ships by British men-of-war , memorialized the Governor against this arbitrary edict , which was the work of some Jesuit priests ; but their prayer was rejected . —The Admiralty Court at Monrovia , in the case of the Regina Coeli , has aAvarded six thousand five hundred dollars to the Ethiope . — " But few slavevessels , " says a communication in the daily papers , "have lately been seen in the Bight of Benin ; the last that made her appearance , the Mary Gibbs , under American colours , has been captured by her Majesty's

    ship Trident . A portion of the crew of this vessel , seeing the vigilance Avith which she Avas watched , and the length of time that Avould elapse before an opportunity might offer for shipping their slaves , disposed in the usual manner of the fictitious American papers and flag , and then gave notice to the commander of the Trident that the Mary Gibbs Avas without papers . — Captain Protet , commodore of the French squadron on . the coast , has lately returned from a lengthened visit to the King of Dahomey . The object of the commodore ' s visit appears to have been to obtain from the king the exclusive privilege for the French to purchase slaves at Why dab . and the Dahonrian ports . Notwithstanding that this application was , it is -said , supported by a present of six handsome brass field-pieces , superbly mounted , the commodore ' s mission proved a complete failure . " .

    1 bade avith India .- —We are enabled to state that the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company have just concluded an arrangement under which shippers of cargoes , & c , by their steamers from the ports of India and China may , by the payment of an additional rate of freight equiA-alent to the cost , of insuring the value of their shipments , be guaranteed against all the . risks usually taken by underwriters , in addition to those to which the company are liable as shipowners . — -Tunes . Mr . Auchjiuty Glovek has addressed a letter to Major EdAvards , the preset . t member for Beverley , asking . whether he is prepared to give up his seat to him ( Mr . Glover ) , its rightful owner , ousted by " a base conspiracy . " The Minor briefly answers in the negative ; on which . Mr . Glover retorts upon him in a letter full of fiery censure .

    Sine Fuosi Victoria . —Hopes , it appears , ( say 3 the Australian and New Zealand Gazette } , are entertained of a new branch of export of a rather novel character , for it is stated that a native variety of the silk-worm may be found in the bush of this colony , clinging in countless swarms to the shrub which forms-its food . The Avorm is enclosed in a -dark-coloured cocoon , the exterior of Avhich . is of extraordinary toughness , and encloses a quantity of yellowish silk . Tlie staple of this , both as regards its fineness nnd length , has been pronounced by a manufacturing house in Glasgow , by whom , it was testo . l , superior to the product of the best European worms . The cocoons aro found in extraordinary abundance .

    Tub Metropolitan Draixaoe . —A public meeting of owners and occupiers of property on and near tho banks of the Thames was held on Tuesday , at tho Bridge House Hotel , London-bridge , to consider tho course recently adopted by the Metropolitan i 5 oard of Works in connexion with drainage , and to deliberate upon tho state of tho question na nfleeeing the interests of the owners nnd occupiers of property on tho banks of the Thames , and upon tho proper stops to be taken to prevent tho adoption of any measure involving reservoirs and outfalls for tho London sewage into the river likely to bo injurious to their interest . Tho : meeting , which was not very numerously attended , was presided over by Sir Culling Enrdloy . Resolutions condemnatory ol the plans for making the outfull between Woolwich and Eritli Avoro passed , and it was determined still to agitate tho question .

    run Stamvoud Elkction . —Sir Stafford Henry Northcoto luia issued an address to tho electors of Stamford , tho scat being vacant by tho elevation of tho Lonl-Advocato of Scotland ( Mr . John Inglin ) to tlie office of Lord Justice-Clerk . Sir Stafford promises his support to the present Government . Mils . Ciiiuiiolm , at tlie hint advices from Melbourne , was lying dangerously ill , und was not expected to live .

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), July 17, 1858, page 17, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_17071858/page/17/