The Week.

ment was proventod from bringing on tho Roform Bill early in the ovem ' ng , by a sorios of questions put by Mr . Kinglake . In order that he might r ' aiso a discussion on tho subject , Mr . Kinglake moved tho adjournment of tho House . Tho questions related to tho courso taken by the Government in referonco to tho impending war . In effect ho wanted to know whether tho Government hud oithor by official despatch , or by tho action of

any of its members , given ceuntenanco to tho demand of Italy that Vcnotia should bo conceded to her by Austria . Ho denounced the demand of Italy , and declared that by her very position she must be tho' disturber of tho peaco of Europe . Tho possession of tho Quadrilateral by Austria ho regarded as essential to the peace of Europe . Tho Chancellor of tho Exchequer deprecated the speech

with which Mr . Kinglako had accompanied his questions . Ho denied that tho Government had made any representation of their views as to Vcnotia to Austria . There was no necessity , for Austria knew very well what those views wore . Many years ago Lord Palmorston had declared thoro could be no sottlod peace in Europo until Italy had possession of Vonotia , and the

Government 2-emainod of that opinion . On tho other hand , tho Government most heartily disapproved of the conduct of Prussia as to tho Duchies , and thought Austria was in that matter morally right . A long debate ensued , evidently intendod for tho most part to delay tho Reform debate . Tho discussion was chiefly remarkable for the declaration against Italy of Sir Robort Peel ,

and for tho curiously inconsequential speech of Sir Goorgo Bowyer . Tho majority of thoso who spoko censured the Government for not giving more assistance to Austria , but to theso members briof but strong reproofs were administered by Sir John Hanmcr and other gcntlomou . At last , shortly boforo ten o ' clock , tho dohato died from want of nioro Tories to tako part in it , and tho House was free to go to tho orders of tho day . —Tho Houso then wont info committee on tho Reform Bill and Mr . Hunt

proposed an ' amendment to Clause 4 , tho object of which was to make tho £ 14 country franchiso a rating and not a rontal franchise . Tho Chancellor of tho Exchequer opposod tho amendment , and after a lengthy discussion it was moved that progi-oss bo reported . Tho Government opposod the motion , and on a division tho numbers wore — for tho Government , 303 ; against them , 254 . Tho debate was resumed

and continued for somo time , when again a similar motion was mado . This time tho numbers wore—for Government , 254 against , 212 . Tho Tories stifl refused to allow the business tc proceed ; and the Chancellor of tho Exchequer , protesting against tho tactics pursued , consentod to progress being reported . On tho I 2 th inst ., an attempt was mado to defeat tho bill-of the gas

company which seeks to orect works at Hacknoy Wick , near tho Victoria Park . Tho proposal led to a long discussion , but finally tho Bill was advanced a stage by 1 G 9 votes to 13 S . Among tho quostions was a curious if not an impertinent ono by Mr . Cavendish Bentinck . Ho complained that both Mr . Gladstone and Mr . Layard were out of tho Houso for " a considorablo time " during

the dobate on foreign affairs on tho previous evening ; and ho wished to know whether tho Chancellor of tho Exchequer thought that a convenient thing or courteous to independent members . The Chancellor of tho Exchequer declined to oriticiso tho question , though strongly tomptod to do so . Ho replied in effect that ho heard all tho dobate ( of which ho had no previous notico ) , save

£ or about half an hour , and during his absenco ho requested tho Home Secretary and tho Chancellor of tho Duchy of Lancaster to take notice of what passed . While ho was absent they never left tho House . —Subsequently an interesting dohato took place , on a proposal of Mr . Hussey Vivian , for a royal commission to inquire into the state and prospects of our coal supply . Mr . Vivian brought forward tho proposal in an exceedingly ahlo speech . The discussion afterwards was highly interesting .

The Week.

On the 13 th inst ., on tho motion for going into committee on tho Oxford Tests Abolition Bill , Mr . Neate moved by way of amendment that a royal commission should be appointed to inquire into tho whole subject . Tho amendment was opposod and subsequently withdrawn . Tho Houso went into committee on the Bill , and Sir William Eeathcoto proposed an aniondniont to Clause 1 , which would have had tho effect of neutralising the

tho intended operation of the Bill . A long discussion onsnod , chiefly remarkable for tho opposition given to tho Bill by the Chancellor of tho Exchequer . Finally , tho amendmont was negatived by 245 votes to 172 , and tho Bill passed through committee . —Mr . C . R . Barry moved the second reading of the Poor Relief ( Ireland ) Law Amendment Bill . Mr . Gregory moved tho

rejection of tho measure , and a dobate ensued which lasted until a quarter to six o ' clock , when it stood adjourned . GENERAL HO :, IE NEWS . —Tho Duke of Edinburgh on tho 7 th inst ., received tho freodom of the city of London . Tho coromony was one of much state , and a subsequent banquet in tho Guildhall was one of tho pleasantest affairs of tho kind that has

been seen of late . Tho Lord Mayor mado a stately and gracious host , and tho proceedings altogether wero of a most delightful character . Tho festival of the charity children took place at St . Paul ' s . It is unnecessary to say that it is a most interesting spectacle , and that , thanks to the absence of rain during tho hours the children wero collecting , its success yesterday equallod that of any preceding year . Tho sermon was proached by tho

Bishop of Rochester . On the 8 th inst ., a mooting of the creditors of Messrs . Peto , Botts , and Co . was hold at the London Tavern . A statement of accounts was s \ ihmitted to tho moeting by Mr . Coleman . This document ivss ol a most satisfactory character , and the utmost confidenco was oxprossed in tho firm . Formal expression was given to this feeling in tho resolutions , by which it was dotcrminod that tho concorn should ho

liquidated by Messrs . Poto and Betts themselves . Tho annual dinner of tho Newspaper Press Fund took place on tho 9 th inst ., at- Willis's Rooms , Earl Granville presiding . Tho attendance was numerous , the proceedings interesting and tho subscriptions announced oxceeded tho sum of £ 850 . An extraordinary accident happened in tho Welwyn Tunnel on

tho Great Northern Railway . Shortly after midnight the ongine drawing a train of empty trucks broke down in tho tunnel . The guard ought to have gone hack to warn other approaching trains , but ho apparently failed to do so , and has paid a fearful penalty for his rashness . Shortly afterwards a heavily-laden goods train dashed into that which was stopped , and tho guard of tho first

train and a man whorn ho had with him in his van wero killed . By this collision the trucks woro thrown across tho lino and smashed up . But worse was to como . The Scotch goods train , bringing meat for Monday ' s market , dashed into tho two disabled trains , and a fearful scono was presented . The fire from the engines ignited the goods and trucks , and for some hours the tunnel was a hugo furnace . Fortunately tho drivers of the trains escaped .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

*»* All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , " Strand , London , W . C . "CASE IN POINT " ( CEYLON ) . —No , ho cannot ; wo refer you to tho "Book of Constitutions , " a copy of which we recommend that you and ovory office-bearer shoidd possess for reference in such cases as those which you mention . The matter is not one upon which any opinion of ours would apply .

ERRATA . —In the report of Lodgo La Cesaree , p . 435 , of tho present volume , 2 nd column , lino 26 , road thus : — " On tho condition and prospocts of tho lodge , comprising the prominent events within it , " & c . And at p . 430 , 2 nd column , line 20 , for departed , road despaired .