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bury warmly supported tho measure , and both Lord Derby and Lord Russoll expressed themselves favourable to it . In the HOUSE OF COMMONS on tho 2 nd inst ., somo anxiety was felt to see whore Mr . Gladstone would take his seat . Tho right hon . gentleman entered tho House from behind the Speaker's chair , and took his seat on tho front Opposition bench . —After tho Reform Bill had boon disposed of tho Bribery at Elections Bill

was read a second tiino . Tho Houso rose about nine oclock . On tho 3 rd inst ., Mr . Bright presented a petition signed by twelve or thirteen gentlemen in reference to tho Fenian prisoners in Ireland , and tho treatment of tho Fenians generally . Tho petition was most ably argued , and tho prayer was in effect that tho sentence of death on tho Fenians might not he carried out ,

that those who wero imprisoned shoidd not bo classed with other convicts , and that tho army might bo instructed not to imitate in Ireland in tho suppression of Fonianism tho atrocities committed in India and Jamaica . Of course Mr . Bright was not allowed to state tho purport of this petition without many interruptions . Tho chief of thoso who sought to stop tho member

for Birmingham was tho ardent admirer of Orangoism , Major Knox . When tho motion was made that tho petition lio on tho table , Major Knox moved its rejection , but was promptly rebuked by Mr . Nowdogato , who pointed out that tho petition contained nothing whatever disrespectful to the Houso . Tho motion for its reception was therefore carried .

Mr . Maguiro called attention to tho statements which havo appeared lately oi tho cruel treatment of the Irish political prisoners at Portland and iu Pontonvillo prison . Most ably ho pointed out tho injustice of classing thoso men with ordinary felons . The ODonoghno spoke in tho same sense . Lord Naas gave a general denial to the specific allegations of cruelty , and proceeded to say that there was no power under tbe law as it

stood to separate the political prisoners from other convicts . If such a separation was deemed desirable , the law would have to be altered On the 6 th inst ., after various questions had been put and notices of motion given , Mr . Bemal Osborne made an appeal to Mr . Dillwyn to produce the ¦ original memorandum with reference to Mr . Hibbert ' s amendment , and

offered if this were done not only to place his own copy before the House , the accuracy of which had been questioned , but to apologise if it were shown that he had been in error . Mr . Osborne , in a speech which was full of his characteristic spirit and humour , contended that as the memorandum had been drawn up for the purpose of attracting votes , it was essentiall y

a public document , and therefore ought not to be withheld . Mr . Dillwyn , however , " respectfully declined" to produce the original , unless the House required it of' him . Mr . Darby Griffith called attontion to what ho called " a question of privilege . " In impugning Mr . Blight ' s conduct in presenting tho Irish petition which excited so much irritation , he ventured

to challenge tho Speaker ' s decision , and to appeal to what ho called tho amended consideration of tho hi ghest authority in tho Houso . Ho , however , got nothing by his motion , and after having been twice called to order , ho received a di gnified robuko from tho Speaker , who reminded him that tho Houso of Commons was " the temple oi froo speech , " and said that if ho wished to

take any course with reference to tho petition ho must give notice of his intention . —Mr . Torrens moved his lodger franchise clause in a very earnest and practical speech . Ho was supported by Mr . Harvey Lewis and Mr . Locke . Mr . Smollett rather pooh-poohed tho advantages oi tho proposed franchise , and cited Scotland as an example of its ineffectiveness—ground upon which he was at

once met by Mr . Duncan M'Laron . Mr . Gladstone strongly supported tho proposition , and Dr . Brady , Sir Morton Poto , and Alderman Lusk took the same view ; while tho Chancellor of tho

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Exchequer , who disavowed all party considerations , gave a support to tho principle of a lodger franchise , provided Mr . Ton-ens would bring forward his proposal in a distinct and definite shape . A good deal of discussion then ensued as to tho mode of procedure in this matter . Ultimately Sir . Torrens withdrew his amendment , on the understanding that tho question would

bo dealt with as had been suggested by tho Attorney-General . On the 7 th inst ., Lord Naas , in reply to Mr . Morris , confirme the report that a season of great distress was impending iu Connemara , and that the poor people were already feeding their cattle with provender which they would require for their own sustenance . The Government are giving their serious attention

to this matter . —Mr . Gladstone gave notice of a series of questions intended still further to make clear the position of compound householders above £ 10 . —Sir John Gray then moved that , the House resolve itself into a committee to consider the

temporalities and privileges of the Established Church in Ireland . The hon . gentleman founded his argument not only on tbe excessive anomalies of the case , eighty-eight per cent , ofthe people of Ireland being averse to the dominant faith , and the clerical office in many parishes being a mere sinecure , but on the broad principles of religious equality , which , he contended ,

were recognised by Great Britain iu every part of her dominions except Ireland . He quoted the authority of great statesmen against the Irish Church , and appealed to the leaders of both parties to settle this question without rendering it necessary to institute another agitation like that for Catholic Emancipation . In 114- parishes the proportion of Protestants , including

the clerical and official members of the Church , amounted to fourteen in each parish . These and other equally pregnant facts formed the substance of Sir John Gray ' s speech . His motion was seconded by Colonel Greville . In the course of the protracted debate ivhich ensued , Mr . Gladstone made a magnificent speech in support of the principle of Sir John Gray ' s

motion , and intimated that the time would soon come when he should endeavour to give effect to his opinion . The Attorney-General for Ireland and Lord Naas , on behalf of the Government , offered an equally resolute opposition to

tho motion . Oh tho Sfch inst , tho chair was taken by tho Speaker at ton minutes past twelve o ' clock . The socond reading of tho Hypothec Abolition ( Scotland ) Bill was moved by Captain Carnegie . By this law of hypothec tho claim of tho landlord to the live stock on , ancl produce of , tho land hypothecated , is preferred to all ordinary creditors ; and tho landlord may either retain tho produce on tho ground against creditors , or , if sold or

taken away , may recover the value from tho purchaser or thoso who intermeddle with it . It being only just that tho substance of a tenant unable to discharge in full tho demands against him should be fairly divided amongst his creditors , this bill was introduced for the purpose of abolishing a law so objectionable in its operations . It was submitted by Mr . Baillie that tho small tenants in Scotland—consisting principally of farm

labourerswore vitally interested in the preservation of the law ; and believing that tho repeal of tho law would be injurious to thoso small tenants , ho proposed that the bill should be road a second time that day six months . A discussion ensued in which Mr . Baxter , Mr . Baillie Cochrane , Sir R . Anstruther , Mr . Gumming Bruce , Mr . Young , Mr . Graham , Sir J . Forgusson , Mr . McLaren , and other members took part . Ultimately the bill was rejected by a majority of 129 .

To Correspondents.

TO CORRESPONDENTS .

* * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , W . C . M . SnoioxDS . —If our correspondent will favour us what lodgo he refers to , wo may perhaps be ablo to answer his question . As thoro aro four or five Bedford lodges , we are unable to toll to ivhich his question particularly refers .