The Week.

the motion , which after some discussion was negatived by 196 to 34 , the large majority of the members of the opposition quitting the house . The house then went into committee , ancl on clause four , Mr . Ker Seymer opposed it on the ground that it was inexpedient at a moment like this to part with a source of revenue which produced £ 1 , 500 , 000 per annum . The debate was after some discussion

adjourned to Thursday . Lord Palmerston stated , in reply to the O'Donoghue , that the decision of the Postmaster-General with reference to the Galw . iy subsidy was the decision of the Government . At the same time , however , the Government would be willing to consider any representations ivbich might be made to them on the subject . Lord John Russell , having laid on the table certain official papers relating to the civil war in America , explained the steps which had been taken bthe Government of Washington

y for establishing an effective blockade of the ports of Virginia ancl South Carolina . A Select Committee was appointed to inquire how the education of destitute and neglected children may be efficiently and economically conducted by grants of public money . A committee was also appointed to inquire into the subject of the prohibitions or high duties imposed by foreign governments on tho export of rags . AVedncsday being Derby Day . the bouse did not sit .

G-ENERAL HOME NEWS . —The deaths in the metropolis last week numbered 1237 , showing still a high rate of mortality for the season of the year . In the same period there were 1824 births registered—892 being boys ancl 934 girls . There was an average temperature during the week of 57 ' 5 degrees , and the barometer recorded a mean height of 30-009 inches . At the general meeting of the members of the Fisheries Preservation Association , Lord Saltoun in the chair , it was resolved to appoint a deputation

to wait upon Lord John Russell for the purpose of calling attention to the great exportation of salmon from this country to France during the spawning season , when the fish are in an unwholesome state ancl unfit for food . This has been discovered to have been practised to a very serious extent , thereby diminishing the quantity in our own rivers , and at the same time injuring the health of those who are foolish enough to use them as food . The efforts of the association deserve public support . The

Duke of Cambridge presided at the usual monthly meeting of the National Rifle Association on Monday , and , in opening the proceedings , strongly commended to public support the object contemplated by the Association . The illustrious Duke also took the opportunity of removing an impression that had got abroad , that he was desirous of bringing the volunteers under the immediate control of the Horse Guards . Such was not the case . He wished to see the volunteer force entirely free ; hutat the same time

, , he held that when a large number of corps assembled for- field movements , it was desirable , with the view of obtaining system and order , that the general arrangements should be placed in the hands of an officer representing the AVar Office authorities . The question with reference to the will of Miss Isabella Bankes has been again before tbe Court of Probate . It will bo remembered that the deceased made a will by which she bequeathed the

whole of her property to Dr . Smethurst , who was appointed executor . After her death , Smethurst was convicted of having poisoned her , but was stibsevuently pardoned . He was then put upon bis trial , and found guilty of bigamy . The next of kin of the deceased now opposed probate on various grounds- —¦ the chief being that the conviction for bigamy disqualified Smthurst from acting as executor . Sir C . Cresswell took time to consider his decision . Judgment was given by the Lord Chief

Justice on Monday , in the Court of Queen's Bench , in a case arising out of the Beverley election . A person named Boyes bad been ' convicted on a charge of bribery , and a question arose at the trial whether a witness was bound to answer a question criminative of himself after having received a Royal pardon . His lordship now decided that tbe presiding judge in such a case was bound to insist on the witness answering the question , and that the law officers of the Crown ought not to be called to enter a nolle

upon proseoni . —¦—A fearful crime has been committed at Holywell , Flintshire . Two old people were found in bed with their throats cut . The husband was dead , but the wife , who is 77 years of age , was still alive , and at once confessed that she had murdered her aged partner because " he was troublesome and required her constant attention . " The coroner's jury have returned a verdict of " wilful murder " against the woman .

FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE . —The French Legislative Chamber commenced on Monday the discussion of the measure to change the differential duty on cereals into a moderate fixed duty , ancl to liberate importation to a certain extent . The measure is almost sure to he carried . Prince Napoleon and the Princess Clotilde are to leave on Sunday next for Algeria , and will afterwards visit Spain and Syria . The Belgian senate have adopted unanimously the literary convention , and the convention of navigation with France .

Francis IL , formerly of Naples , is not yet wholly deprived of the

The Week.

formal accompaniments of sovereignty . It is announced in a telegram from Madrid that the Court of Spain will maintain a representative with the ex-King so long as he remains in Italy . The position of the Pontiff becomes daily more hazardous . Besides a discontented people , who are continually showing their hostility to his government , and among whom a liberal manifestation is

being organised for the 2 nd of June , tbe presence of Francis II . on Roman territory , and the acts of Mgr . de Merode in furtherance of his schemes , are believed to be seriously compromising the Papal Government ancl hastily carrying it towards a crisis . The budget of expenses of the Government has only been covered by the sacrifice of theCampanaMuseum , which has been sold to France . The Spanish papers publish alengthened official document addressed to the Queen Jot" SpainbO'Donnellexplaining Jancl vindicating

, y , the annexation of San Domingo . This document , which is somewhat hyperbolical in language , represents the conduct of Spaiu , it need hardly be said , in the most chivalrous , disinterested , ancl even self-sacrificing light . Nothing whatever but the purest regard for the welfare of the Dominicans induced the Spanish Government , the public are informed by this official announcement , to accept the addition to their dominions . On Tuesday the Prussian

. Chamber of Deputies was engaged in tbe discussion of the government measure for military reform , ancl in the course of the debate the Minister of Finance made a declaration of some importance . In answer to a question , he declared that the full right of the representatives of the Prussian people to vote the supplies for the maintenance of the army was a part of the constitution , and could not admit of the slishtest doubt .

AMERICA . —By the Arabia we have intelligence from New York to the 16 th ult . Up to that period there had been no collision between the opposing forces . We wish we could augur from this delay that a compromise might yet be effected , but the hostile preparations and proceedings of both sides will not allow us to indulge in such a hope . The Federal Government , it is said , has notified to the foreign powers that it will cease to hold intercourse

with any foreign power which recognises any commissioners from the rebel states . This appears to be a very improbable proceeding , and , if true , will lead to complications with foreign powers which will prove embarrassing and injurious to the Federal Government . The Unionists in Western Virginia were very strong , and the governors of Ohio and Pennsylvania" have pledged their states to protect them . The Virginians have removed the remains of Washington from their resting place in Mount Vernon .

INDIA AND CHINA .- —The principal intelligence from Calcutta by the Overland Mail is the issuo on the 22 nd ult . of a Gazette Extraordinary , containing the long-looked-for scheme for the amalgamation of the Queen ' s and Indian forces . As it was onl y published on the eve of the departure of the mail we are not informed how it was received in the presidency . Mr . Laing was to produce his budget on the 27 th . The news from Hong-Kong comes clown to the 15 th of April . The expedition the -tse

up Yang River was looked on as perfectly successful , and the beneficial results likely to ensue from it absorbed public attention . There is no news from Tien-tsin . Mr . Bruce arrived at Pekin on the 26 th of March . The rebels , as usual , were troublesome , and increasing in ferocity .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

GRAND CONCLAVE . —We are requested to state that it was Bro . John Barker , Past 1 st Grand Captain , who represented the Prov . G . M . for Northumberland , the Rev . E . C . Ogle , at the Grand Conclave on the 10 th inst . Bro . Barker was assisted by Bro . Gillespie , Bannister , andllammarbo ' m . Bro . Barker was specially appointed by Bro . Ogle to do so , who , owing to the serious illness

of his daughter , could not be present , and handed the Prov . G . Master a letter from Bro . Ogle to that effect . LL . D . —Consult the Book of Constitutions . INITIATE . —You are wrong . When you are further advanced you will agree with us . S . S . —AVrite again . State the matter fairly . J . S . must not believe all that he hears .

A . B . —The Earl of Moira , afterwards Marquis of Hastings , was Prov . Grand Master at tho time . BRO . L . —The furniture of the Hounslow Lodge was supplied by Bro . Spencer .