The Week.

was eventnally defeated by a majority of 56 . —Subsequently there were discussions on Turnpike Trusts , the Licensing System , and other matters . On the 10 th inst . Mr . Leatham made an explanation which will not enhance the reputation of the Chancellor of the Excheqnor for straightforwardness . It seems that when Mr . Disraeli made the funny reply to Mr .

Bagge's question on the previous evening , he had in his pocket an explanation by Mr . Latham , yet not a word did he say about it . The second reading of the bill for the abolition of church rates was moved by Mr . Hardcastle , and a smart debate ensued . Mr . Gladstone , while reserving to himself the right to make alterations in the bill in committee , supported the second

reading . The division showed a powerful majority for the bill , the numbers being—For the second reading , 263 ; against , 1 S 7 ; majority , 76 . The announcement of this result was received with cheers . Mr . Newdegate then moved the second reading of his Church Rate Commutation Bill . He met with no [ support , however , and the bill was rejected by 117 votes to 45 .

GENERAL HOME NEWS . —The inclement weather appears to have had some effect upon the death-rate of the metropolis , as the official return of the Registrar-General for last week states that the mortality , which for many weeks has been below , now closely approximates to the average . The number of deaths increased from 1 , 425 in the previous week to 1 , 572 . The annual

rates of mortality per 1 , 000 were as follows : —Birmingham , 23 ; Bristol , 24 ; Hull , 26 : London , 27 ; Sheffield , 28 ; Dublin , 30 : Leeds and Newcastle-on-Tyne , 31 ; Edinburgh , Liverpool , Salford , and Glasgow , 33 ; and Manchester , 37- The election for North Shropshire has taken place . The vacancy was occasioned by the elevation of Mr . Cnst to the peerage , in

consequence of the death of his brother , Lord Brownlow . The new member , Lord Newport , [ is a Conservative , but advocates a liberal measure of Reform . —•—The proceedings connected with the opening of the new Exchange at Bradford serves to bring out in a striking manner the prosperity of the woollen manufactures of the West Riding of Yorkshire , and especiall y the

importance to which Bradford itself has been raised by that branch of industry . The worsted manufacture , of which Bradford is the centre , has increased in value from eight millions in 1 S 63 to thirteen millions in IS 66 , and the impetus which it

received from the American war remains unchecked . Lord F . Cavendish also remarked that the population of the town had increased in one generation from 43 , 000 to 107 , 000 . Mr . W . E . Forster affirmed that not even Manchester had benefited more by free trade than the town which he represents The inquiry touching the death of the unfortunate young man Edward

Elgar , who was shot dead by his fellow shopman , named Joh Hamel Holmes , at Gravesend , was resumed on the 14 th inst . by Mr . Hildei" , the borough coroner . After hearing the evidence the coroner gave it as his opinion that the case had assumed a very serious aspect , and the jury brought in a verdict of manslaughter against Holmes , who was committed for trial

There seems to be a likelihood that the threatened strike of engine-drivers and firemen throughout the kingdom will be averted . It appears that all the memorials have been sent in and that deputations of drivers have been appointed to meet the directors of the various railway companies on appointed days , at the request of the latter . It is said that many of the

companies are desirous to meet the men in the most friendly manner , and , if possible , to come to a mutually satisfactory settlement of the matter in dispute . The Great Central Gas Consumers' Company appeared before Aldermen Copelnml and Wilson on the 15 th inst ., at the Guildhall Police-court , to

answer a summons taken out against them by a Mr . Hayes , for neglecting to supply him with gas after they had been legally applied to . It seems that Mr . Hayes and another- gentleman have become joint proprietors of the Brougham luncheon bar , in Basinghall-street . In consequence of not having the supply of gas for which he applied , Mr . Hayes has

been unable to open the house . The defence of the company was that they had lost so much by former tenants of " The Brougham " that they would not supply it with gas again unless they got security against further loss . Alderman Copeland considered that it was a serious thing for the complainants not to be able to open their bar , and fined the company £ 5 and

£ 2 2 s . costs . Au inquest was held on the 15 th inst . on the bodies of the six persons who lost their lives a few days ago in a fire at a house , 30 , Bryanstone-street , Oxford-street . The evidence left no doubt that the fire had originated accidentally , and the jury , in returning a verdict of accidental death , passed a high eulogium on the manner in which the firemen and the

police had done their duty at the fire . The Lord Mayor presided , on the ISthinst ., at the first annual meeting of the London Middle-Class Schools Corporation . A report was presented of a very gratifying and encouraging character . According to it , the first school established by the Corporation , although in operation not quite six mouths , has been very successful . The council

contemplate establishing similar schools throughout the metropolis . To enable them to do so , the meeting decided upon making a public appeal for pecuniary assistance . Sir Roderick Murchison now strongly inclines to the opinion that the reported murder of Dr . Livingstone is well founded , and states that his apprehensions are based on the despatches of Dr .

Steward , the British political resident at Zanzibar , which have been furnished to him by Lord Stanley . Sir Roderick is no doubt perfectly competent to form an opinion on these despatches , but

it would be more satisfactory to Dr . Livingstone s friends and to the public if the documents themselves were produced . The judge of the Divorce Court on the 19 th insfc . gave his decision in the important case of Peaty v . Peaty . It will be remembered that the validity of the marriage was questioned b y Mrs . Peaty's relations , on the ground that she was insane when

the marriage took place . The judge decided that she was insane when she was married , hut an inquiry must take place as towhether she was insane now ; because the present suit was brought by her relations on the ground that she was now insane , whereas if she were now sane , she must decide for herself whether she will pray for the decree of divorce . At the

Middlesex Sessions , a man named William Foot was sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to hard labour for eighteen calendar months for acts of brutality towards his son—a mere child of a character almost incredible . It was proved in evidence that the poor child was so severely beaten one night by his father , for not having the kettle boiled , that he sought refuge under the

bedstead . The ruffianly parent coolly heated a poker , and struck at the child under the bed so effectually , that lie succeeded in burning his little chest , neck , arms , and mouth . The Assistant Judge expressed astonishment at such a brutal act There was a meeting at the Guildhall on the 20 th inst ., in reference to the proposed Metropolitan Improvement Rate .

The Lord Mayor presided , and the attendance was alike numerous and influential . The bill , introduced by Mr . Ayrton and Mr . Tite , by which it is proposed to empower the Metropolitan Board of Works to levy an improvement rate on the metropolis of 4 d . in the pound , of which 2 d . is to be paid by the owner and 2 d . by the occupier , was strongly condemned . Resolutions denouncing it , and pledging the meeting to resist the measure as far as possible , were passed by the meeting . Several M . P . 's were present-