duced from his own observations. The remaining prize essays, which could not be read for want of time, were

4. For the best account of rural economy abroad, the Society's gold medal and 25 sovereigns.

5. For the best account of liquid manure, 10 sovereigns, to C. W. Johnson, Esq. of Gray's Inn, London.

6. For the best mode of making compost heaps, 10 sovereigns, to Jas. Dixon, Esq. Hathersham Lodge, near Oakham, Lanc.

The company afterwards, to the number of more than 400, dined together in the large room at the Star Hotel; Earl Spencer in the chair.

At seven o'clock the next morning the doors of the show ground at Holywell were thrown open, and, from that hour till the evening, there was a continued stream of people pouring into it. Before 12 o'clock the charge for admission was 2s. 6d. and the tickets issued, amounting to 5,000, were all disposed of. The price after that hour was 1s. and 12,000 tickets were all sold, and the committee compelled to take money at the doors, so that the number of persons on the ground during the day could not have been less than 20,000. The money taken was more than 1,1897. Every town and village within many miles appeared to have a holyday. The show of beasts was considered very superior; and the distri bution of the prizes gave general satisfaction. In the centre of the ground was an exhibition of agricultural implements.

The society of Queen's College lent their quadrangle (an area of 144 feet square), for the grand public dinner. It was covered with an awning, and tables were arranged in the manner of an amphitheatre; the diners were in number about 2,430; and every window of the college and surrounding buildings was filled with well-dressed ladies. At four o'clock the chair was taken by Earl Spencer, who was supported on his right hand by the Earl of Devon, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, and Lord Sandon, and on his left by the Duke of Richmond, the Provost of Queen's college, the Mayor, and Hon. Mr. Webster, from the United States. The dinner was an excellent cold collation, which was judiciously served up under the arrangements of Mr. Griffiths, the proprietor of the Angel Inn. Mr. Handley, M.P. officiated as vice-chairman. The festivity went off with the greatest eclat in this magnificent banqueting hall, an excellent representation of which is published in the Oxford Herald of the 20th July. The

Duke of Richmond accepted the office of President for the next year's meeting; which will take place at Cambridge. The subjects of the Prize Essays for 1840, are -I. Storing Turnips.-II. Admixture of Soils.-III. Early Spring Feed. The prizes, in money or plate, are for the first subject 101. and for the two latter, 207. The number of members is now upwards of 1,800, and the annual income exceeds 2,4007.

An Agricultural College is proposed to be established in Kent. Besides the usual branches of education (arithmetic, geography, &c.), the pupils are to be taught the mode of cultivating arable, pasture, hop land, &c.; the nature of soils, their chemical properties, and the manures proper for each; the different courses of husbandry, the best rotation of crops in different soils, and the knowledge of botany, grain, seeds, and natural history in general; the irrigation and improvement of grass land, &c.; gardening, planting, draining, and the management of farms and woods; the knowledge of stock and other animals,-how to breed, feed, and treat them; their points, conditions, and diseases; agricultural bookkeeping and accounts; agricultural mechanics; the power required to draw given weights, and how to combine speed, power, and economy, in draught; the construction of farm buildings, cottages, &c. and the construction and use of implements of husbandry; surveying and valuing of lands, &c. The sub-committee of the college have been offered a farm of 200 acres between Maidstone and Ashford, for the purposes of the institution. Its cost and that of the necessary buildings, is estimated at 18,9001. Agricultural colleges are not uncommon on the Continent, but the present is the first attempt to establish a similar institution in England. The Earl of Brecknock is chairman of the sub-committee of the Kent college.

SOUTHWARK LITERARY INSTITUTION.

July 16. At a special general meeting of this society, the report of the building fund committee recommended the purchase of a freehold site near Lant-street, Borough, for the erection of a new building, the whole cost of which, including the necessary fittings and the freehold, it was ascertained would not exceed 3,000l. On the motion of Mr. Blake, seconded

by Mr. Sturmy, the committee were empowered to carry their recommendation into immediate effect, towards which object nearly 1,500l. are already subscribed.

would be impossible to impose any new tax to make good further deficiency, and to support public credit.

Mr. Gillon moved that the House resolve into committee, for the purpose of revising the POST HORSE AND MILEAGE DUTIES, &c. A lengthened discussion followed, after which the motion was negatived by 109 to 48.

July 23. The House went into committee upon the BIRMINGHAM POLICE BILL, when Lord John Russell, after impressing upon the House the urgency and absolute necessity of the case, moved a resolution, that the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury be authorized to direct that 10,0007. be advanced out of the consolidated fund, for a police force in the town of Birmingham, the same to be charged upon and repaid out of the rates to be levied upon that town. Sir Robert Peel supported the resolution. He preferred the system of a local police, such as this resolution would establish, to a habit of draughting down detachments of the metropolitan constables. A strange force would ever be in danger of doing too much or too little. Mr. T. Attwood affirmed that the proposed measure was wholly gratuitous: that the town had not been asked for any money: if it were so called on, it would be very well able to raise its own defensive force. The resolutions were then passed and reported, and the Bill founded on them was forthwith brought in, and read a first time.

July 24. Lord J. Russell, in submitting his promised measure, empowering the county magistracy, in case of necessity only, to establish COUNTY AND DISTRICT CONSTABLES, said that there were now so many examples of an efficient police throughout the country, established through the recommendation and advice of the metropolitan commissioners, that it evidently would not be difficult for the magistrates to constitute a good police force. He thought that the Bill he proposed to bring in would lay the foundation of an improved system in the country. He thought it would tend permanently to the security of the country, if the peace could be preserved in counties without calling out the military or yeomanry. Mr. D'Israeli inveighed against the Ministers as the virtual origin. ators of all the mischief, and said, that unless they would enter upon the whole question of the recent outbreak, its causes and its circumstances, he would not consent to the measure propounded. Mr. Rice indignantly remarked, that the last speaker had attempted to affix to this measure, which was intended for the public benefit, a party character.

The

present measure was not one of war, but of protection to the mass of the people. Mr. Wakley complained that the object of the measure was to stifle the voice of the people. Let Government redress their grievances, and then there would be no necessity for a proposition of this nature. Colonel Sibthorp denounced the unconstitutional conduct of the Government. Leave was given to bring in the Bill.

HOUSE OF LORDS, July 25.

In committee on the IRISH MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS' BILL, Lord Lyndhurst proposed a number of amendments, the effect of the principal of which went to raise the qualification of voters from 81. to 10.; to vest the appointment of municipal sheriffs in the Crown; to afford full compensation to all those persons who might be deprived of office by the operation of the Bill; and that municipal char ters should be granted in those cases only where they should be petitioned for by a majority of inhabitant householders rated at such a sum as would entitle them to

act

as burgesses under such charters. These and other amendments were carried by triumphant majorities.-After a good deal of discussion, in the course of which the Bishop of Exeter strenuously opposed the CHURCH DISCIPLINE BILL, it was read a third time and passed, by a majority of 21 against 12.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 25.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer proposed that the charter of the BANK OF IRELAND should be renewed for the term yet unexpired of the Bank of England charter, that is, till 1844; and he proposed to continue to the bank the circle within which the monopoly of issue now existed. There was a capital loan of 1,015,0007. for which the public paid the bank 5 per cent.; and another of 1,615,000l. for which they paid 4 per cent. making together 2,630,000l. and an average interest of 41. 7s. 6d. per cent. He proposed to reduce this interest to 3 per cent., the bank charging nothing to the public for transacting all its business. Mr. Hume moved as an amendment that the exclusive privileges enjoyed by the Bank of Ireland shall cease as soon as the notice required by law can be given ; which was lost by a division of 36 to 112.

HOUSE OF LORDS, July 26.

In committee on the MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS (IRELAND), Lord Lyndhurst moved an amendment to the qualification clause to raise the amount of the qualification from 87. to 107.; and was supported by the Duke of Wellington. The House

divided contents, 93; non-contents, 50; majority 43.

The CHURCH DISCIPLINE BILL was read a third time and passed, after a division of 21 against 12.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, July 27.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that, at the request of the licensed victuallers and beer-shop keepers, he had consented to postpone the BEER BILL till next session.

The POSTAGE DUTIES' BILL was read a third time and passed. Lord John Russell stated that the measure would be brought into action before the next session of Parliament; that ample security would be provided alike for the safe delivery of letters and the safety of the revenue; and that the practice of franking, if not wholly abolished, would be limited as much as possible.

HOUSE OF LORDS, July 29.

The ELECTION PETITIONS' TRIAL BILL was, on the motion of Lord Lyndhurst, read a third time, and passed. It is provided by this Bill, that the Speaker for the time being shall, at the commencement of every session, select six persons out of the House of Commons, who are to constitute a general committee of elections; and that those six persons shall select, at their discretion, six other persons from time to time, to try the validity of every election petition which may be presented to the House. In furtherance of the latter object the General Committee of Elections are to divide the Members of the House of Commons into five lists, to be called five panels, to be arranged in order by lot, as numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; and the panels having been arranged in that order, the committees for the first week are to be taken out of the first panel; those for the second week, out of the second panel; and so on in succession until the number of panels are exhausted. In the important matter of the appointment of chairman of these committees, the General Committee are to have power to nominate a number of persons of intelligence and undoubted purity of character as a chairman's panel, from which a competent person may always be found to fill that office.

On the question that the COPYHOLD ENFRANCHISEMENT BILL be committed, their lordships divided,-contents, 28; non-contents, 39;—majority against the bill, 11.

July 30. On the motion that the INLAND WAREHOUSING BILL be read the second time, Lord Lyndhurst presented

petitions from the London and other Dock Companies against it; and moved, by way of amendment, that the second reading be on that day three months. The amendment was carried by a majority of 10.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, on the same day, Mr. Hume brought under consideration the refusal of the ROYAL ACADEMY to return accounts of their income and expenditure, and moved that, as the academy is a public body receiving public aid in the form of free apartments, &c. the directors be required to present such accounts forthwith. Sir R. Inglis moved, as an amendment, that the said order be discharged. The House divided, when the numbers were-for the motion, 33; for the amendment, 38.

July 31. The second reading of the POOR-RATES' COLLECTION BILL-a measure which authorises Guardians of the Poor to enforce the payment of poor-rates from the overseers of parishes- -was moved by Lord John Russell. It was opposed by Messrs. Hawes, Wakley, Hume, &c. and supported by Mr. Clay, Sir J. Graham, and Sir Robert Peel; and was carried by a majority of 88 against

29.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Aug. 2.

The Earl of Minto moved the second reading of the SLAVE TRADE (PORTUGAL) BILL, and said that, as all the efforts of Great Britain to put down the traffic in slaves had proved ineffectual, this Bill had become absolutely necessary. Portugal had not only thrown difficulties in the way of the suppression of the slave trade, but had connived at it, and under their flag facilities were given to the equipment and passage of slavers to the coast of Africa. The Duke of Wellington had always been of opinion that Portugal ought to be peremptorily required to observe the provisions of the treaty, and that the duty of compelling her to do so devolved upon her Majesty's Government. The Bill tended to condemn the conduct of Portugal upon only a one-sided view of the question, He would ask was it just to call upon their lordships to pass the Bill, unless all the facts of the case were known? The Earl of Minto, in reply, said that any complaint of want of previous negotiation with Portugal was unfounded, because there had been negotiations, and the papers were before the House. Equally unfounded was the objection against the Government calling in the authority of Parliament as a substitute for the prerogative of the Crown; the House of Commons, echoing the voice and sympathising with the feelings of the

people, had unanimously passed this Bill. The House divided-For the Bill, 33; against it, 38;-majority against the Bill, 6. Lord Brougham, in the sitting of the same evening, expressed his extreme regret at the course their lordships had taken in rejecting the SLAVE TRADE PORTUGAL BILL, and hoped they would agree to an address to her Majesty praying that she would be graciously pleased, by all means in her power, to negotiate with foreign nations, as well American as European, to obtain their concurrence to effectually put down the traffic in slaves; and that Her Majesty may be graciously pleased to give such orders to her cruisers to put down the traffic, more especially that carried on under the Portuguese and Brazilian flags, or in Portuguese and Brazilian ships, assuring her Majesty that that House will concur with the other House of Parliament in any measure that may be necessary with that view." If their lordships came to a unanimous vote, and some such sentiment were expressed by the other House, no harm would arise from the misapprehension which would get abroad with regard to their lordships' real opinions upon the subject from what occurred last night. The Earl of Devon concurred in the address, and after some conversation the address was agreed to with only one dissentient voice.-Lord Duncannon moved the second reading of the REGISTRY OF BIRTHS' BILL. Lord Lyndhurst proposed that it be read that day six months. Their lordships divided -for the second reading, 38; against it, 69.-The CANADA GOVERNMENT BILL and the CUSTODY OF INFANTS' BILL were both read a third time and passed.

Aug. 6. Viscount Melbourne moved the second reading of the PENNY POSTAGE BILL.

The Duke of Wellington very reluctantly gave his support to the measure, and said that, although Mr. Rowland Hill's was one of the best plans that could possibly be devised, he still doubted very much whether it would answer the purpuse of keeping up the amount of revenue. He could state from his own knowledge that, in the army, freedom from postage had not the effect of increasing correspondence. He felt persuaded that the plan would not work well in country parts. Not wishing to commit a breach of the conventional rules which were established between this and the other House of Par. liament, he should vote for the measure, but he assured their lordships that he did so with very great reluctance. After some further conversation the Bill was read a second time.-The ECCLESIASTICAL AND CATHEDRAL PREFERMENTS BILL was read a third time and passed. GENT. MAG. VOL. XII.

In the HOUSE OF COMMONS, on the same day, the NEW SOUTH WALES GOVERNMENT ACT (CONTINUANCE) BILL was read a third time and passed.

Mr. Fielden, after a lengthy speech, moved a very long resolution to the effect that, owing to "the taxes imposed on the necessaries of life, the working people cannot command a sufficiency to supply their daily wants;" and ending with the opinion that divers (enumerated) taxes should be repealed," that "the corn laws should be abolished," and that "the revenue should in future be raised by an EQUITABLE assessment on PROPERTY." Mr. Williams seconded the motion; and Mr. T. Attwood spoke warmly, though very briefly, in its support. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said, without meaning any disrespect to the hon. members who had spoken, he would not trespass on the House by answering their perversions and misrepresentations. The result was-for the motion, 15; against it, 58;-majority, 43.- On the sum of 8,9287. being moved for the COLLEGE OF MAYNOOTH, Colonel Perceval said he was opposed to the vote, but did not mean to divide the House on the question, as the attendance was so thin. Lord Cole declared his intention of dividing the House. Mr. Hume supported the vote; Lord Castlereagh was opposed to it. Lord

Morpeth said that he did not feel inclined to prolong the discussion; but, instead of the grant being too large, he thought it was too scanty. As to politics being taught in Maynooth, he could not speak. He presumed, however, that persons on leaving Maynooth adopted their own opinions, as was the case with priests all over the world. The House then divided-for the grant, 53; against it, 7: majority for the grant, 46.

Among other sums voted were 50,0007. towards the establishment of steam communication with India; 5,3127 to enable the trustees of the British Museum to purchase Dr. Mantell's geological collection, and Signor D'Athanasi's collection of Egyptian Antiquities; and 13007. for the School of Design.

HOUSE OF LORDS, Aug. 6. Lord Brougham brought forward five Resolutions on the administration of JusTICE IN IRELAND, founded on the immens mass of evidence, now forming four thick folio volumes, adduced before the Lords' Committee "on the state of Ireland in respect of crime." In a very powerful speech, which occupied three hours and a half in delivering, he urged that, in the main essentials of the due administration of justice" in Ireland, it is not as it is in 2 Q.