The Week.

that he might inquire whether an indictment should not be preferred against the directors and auditors of the company ; and the other , that a select committee be appointed to inquire what legislative measures were requisite to prevent directors of public companies from exceeding their borrowing powers . The Lord Chancellor announced that the course suggested by the firs '

resolution was about to be taken by the government . The second resolution , with some additions , was passed , and after disposing of some other business , their lordships adjourned . In the House of Commons , on Thursday , the 18 th inst ., in answer to a question from Mr . Evans , the Attorney-General for Ireland stated that if the house ordered the prosecution of Mr . Barbour ,

the unseated member , and other persons charged with bribery at Lisburn , he should do his best to carry it to a successful issue . —Mr . Villiers—who at an early stage of the proceedings stated , in reply to a question from Lord George Cavendish , that he was unable to say whether it would be deemed necessary to propose , or whether Parliament would sanction , a renewal of

the powers to levy rates iu aid in Lancashire and Cheshiremoved the second reading of tho Public Works Bill . The right hon . gentleman explained at some length the provisions of the measure , and expressed his belief that it would rescue the cotton districts from what otherwise would be a great , if not an overwhelming , calamity . Mr . Busfeild Ferrard urged that an

extensive system of emigration was the only remedy for the present state of things . Mr . Hibbert expressed his approval of the bill , which ( after a few remarks from Mr . Newdegate , Mr . Henley , and Sir B . Leighton ) also received the cordial support of Mr . Cobden . The member for Rochdale objected to a wholesale scheme of emigration , not in the interest of the manufacturers , but in the interest of the operatives themselves . Sir George Grey also pointed out the danger which would attend a

large exodus of the operatives , unless the colonies were prepared to receive and find employment for a great ancl sudden accession to their population . After some further discussion , the bill was read a second time . The House on Friday , held a morning sitting , which was entirely occupied with the consideration of the clauses of the Irish Fisheries and Alkali Works Regulation Bills . —At the evening sitting Mr . Guilders

gave notice of his intention to move a resolution in committee on the Public AVorks Bill , to the effect that any scheme for relieving the distress in the cotton manufacturing districts should include a provision for emigration to the colonies . —In reply to a question from Mr . Scully , Mr . Layard stated that the government had no official information of a proclamation alleged

to have been issued by General Mouravieff , ordering the punishment of the knout to be inflicted on all Polish ladies found dressed in mourning . —Mr . Hubbard moved for returns relating to parochial assessments , and stated that his object was to piocure information which might facilitate the framing of a general law , with the view of removing the anomalies which exist in

the present mode of making deductions in the rating to the relief of the poor . Mr . Henley thought it would be extremely difficult to make any such arrangement , and this view of the question was supported by the President of tha Poor Law Board . Mr . Hubbard then withdrew his motion . On Monday , Lord Hartington stated , in reply to a question from Mr .

Conningham , that it was intended to recall Colonel Crawley , of the Inniskilling Dragoons , in order that the court-martial which is to try the serious charges preferred against him may be held in England . In answer to a question from Mr . Busfeild Ferrand , Sir George Grey said a report had been received with reference to alleged recruiting for the Federal government at Leeds , and was now under the consideration of the law officers of the crown . —Lord Palmerston moved the

postponement of the orders of the day , with the view of allowing Mr . Henncssy to bring forward his motion on the Polish question . The proposition was , however , opposed by several members , and on a division the House decided by a considerable majority not to hear the member for King's county at present . Mr . Horsman protested against this decision , and

Lord Palmerston expressed his regret that Mr . Henuessy was not permitted to go on with his motion . He apprehended no inconvenience from the discussion , although it was his intention to oppose both the motion of Mr . Hennessy and the amend , ment of Mr . AV . E . Forster . The noble lord , however , stated the substance of the despatch which had been sent to St .

Petersburg by Her Majesty's Government . It was recommended that there should be a cessation of hostilities ; that a general amnesty should be proclaimed ; that a national representation should be granted on the principle of that established by Alexander I . in execution of the treaty of Vienna ; that the public offices in Poland should be filled by Poles alone ; that

perfect liberty of conscience should be conceded ; that the Polish language should be used in all the public transaction and in the education of the people ; and , lastly , that a regular system of recruiting should be organised , so as to put an end to such conscriptions as those which preceded the revolt . Communications had also been sent to the Russian

capital by the governments of Paris and Aleuua , whose views differed on some points held by Her Majesty ' s government .. In the main , however , they agreed , and Denmark and other States had given their sanction to the proposals of England . The noble lord added that in the present insurrection great atrocities had been committed on both sides , and it was this circumstance which nitinly led Her Majesty ' s government to urge au armistice . After some remarks from Mr . Disraeli and

Mr . Seymour Fitzgerald , the subject dropped . Mr . Hennessy will bring the question before the House when Russia ' s reply shall hive been made public . Mr . Layard stated that the Russian government had contradicted the statement that General Mouravieff had issued an order for the flogging of Polish women who wore mourning . The lion , gentleman also stated , in reply to a question from Mr . Baines , that some

difficulties had arisen in the negociations for a commercial treaty with Italy , but he trusted that all obstacles to tho conclusion of the treaty would ultimately be surmounted . On Tuesday the House hold a morning sitting , which wasentirely devoted to Scotch business . —At the evening sitting ,. Mr . Bailey Cochrane intimated his intention of moving an

amendment on Mr . Hennessy ' s forthcoming motion on Polish affairs , that the House , " anxious not to delude the people [ of Poland ] by false hopes , declares its adherence to the principle of non-intervention . "—Mr . Maguire moved an address to the Crown praying for the appointment of a Royal Commission "to inquire into the state of the agricultural classes of Ireland , and

to suggest such improvement in the relations between landlord , and tenant as may seem necessary and expedient . " The lion , gentleman traced all the evils from which Ireland is suffering to the present state of the law with regard to landlord and tenant and his great object was to secure the adoption of what is called the principle of " tenant right . " Mr . Bagwell seconded

the motion , and spoke strongly in support of it . Several Irish members took part in the discussion . Sir Robert Peel and . Lord Palmerston opposed the motion , on the ground that Ireland was now making steady progress , and that the laws with regard to landlord and tenant were not in an unsatisfactory condition .. The motion was lost by 128 to 49 , and some uniaiportant measures were advanced a stage . On AVednesday , Mr . Bouverie withdrew his Uniformity Act Amendment Bill . Sir AV .