The Week.

the evils arising from reckless driving in the metropolis . The j aged peer made the most extraordinary statements . All the blame of the accidents ivhich happen in London be charged upon Sir George Grey , and suggested that the poleaxe might with advantage be applied to the right hon . baronet . This brought up Earl Stanhope , who insisted that such language was most unfit for that House . Tho Marquis of AVestmeath apologised ,

and proceeded forthwith to make most astounding suggestions . Eari Granville of course replied ; but he had not much to say . The House immediately afterwards adjourned . On the 23 rd inst . the House heard an interesting statement from Lord Eedesdale . It referred chiefly to the manner in which the various railway schemes now brought before Parliament were

promoted . The noble lord said they were for tlie most part merely speculations of engineers and contractors . The deposit ivas borrowed money , and not money to be invested in the company , and generally there was very much that was unsound . He urged that some legislation in reference to this matter should take place . Several peers , including Earl Russel ) ,

expressed their thanks for the statement made . —The Marquis of Clanriearde introduced a bill iu reference to the law of landlord and tenant in Ireland . The fact has little interest , however , because both Lord Dufferin and Earl Russell stated that the Government were about to introduce a bill which they hoped ivould provide an equitable solution of the question .

In the House of Commons , on the 22 nd inst ., the election committees brought up their reports . In close connection -with the subjects of the inquiries , in which they had been engaged was the question put to the Chancellor of the Exchequer by Mr . Beaumont . That gentleman wished to know whether the Government ivould introduce clauses into their Eeforin Bill—1 . To render illegal the conveyance of

voters to the poll at the expense of candidates , and to multiply polling-places . 2 . To defray out of local rates certain election charges connected with returning officers , pollingplaces , & c . ; and generally to reduce the cost of the contests . The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied that these were undoubtedly subjects of importance , but the Government would first deal with the boundaries of boroughs and the

redistribution of seats before meddling ivith tho machinery of elections . Mr . Newclegate wanted information as to tho copyholders and leaseholders ivlio ivould be enfranchised under the bill , but Mr . Gladstone could not give him what he wished for . There were two lively discussions subsequently . The first related to 6 / ie escape of Stephens , and was introduced by

Mr . Whiteside , Of course the object was to throw tho blame on the Government . The effort was not remarkably successful . The second subject was the architectural competition for the designs for the new law courts . Mr . Bentinck assailed the proposal of the Government to limit the number of competitors , ancl inaugurated a discussion which

lasted for hours . It ended iu the carrying of a resolution , proposed by Mr . Bentiuck , to the effect that the competition for the design ought not to he confined to six architects . The Government were beaten by 101 votes to 70 . —The House , ou the 23 rd inst ., had a night of Reform . There were questions and statements and discussion . Lord Elcho asked for more

figures respecting voters . Tho Chancellor of tho Exchequer could not produce them , but ho made a statement to the effect that the number of the ; C 10 householders had increased much more largely in the first half of the period since 1 S 32 than they had since . Theu in moving the adjournment , Mr . Gladstone made a statement which took all the courage out of the Opposition . He declared that tho Government would regard the amendment of which Earl Grosvenor had given notice as ono of

no confidence . As to Mr . Kinglake's notice , he said the Governrnent would be prepared , between the second reading and the committee ou the bill , to stato what they proposed to do ivith respect to the extension of the franchise in Scotland and Ireland ancl the re-distribution of seats . This brought up Earl Grosvenor , who declared ho should stand to his gun . Mr .

Kinglake said the course marked out by the Chancellor of the Exchequer was just that which he wished to see adopted , and Mr . Oliphant aunnounced that he should withdraw his motion . Mr . Disraeli felt the ground moving from under his party , ancl uttered some taunts ivhich the Government can well afford to disregard . Then Mr . Banks

Stanhope made a dreary appeal for more statistics , and Lord Elcho followed suit . Mr . McLaren gave a perfect reply to Lord Elcho , ancl Mr . Villicvs showed how fallacious were the proposals made by the Opposition and tho renegades . Lord Robert Montagu attacked Mr . Villiors , and spoke of that gentleman's " pretended friendship" for the working men . Mr . Gladstone called his attention to this phrase , and on Lord Eobert repeating

it , declared amidst tho cheers of the House tliat the working men , against whom so much was said , would set an example of good taste , good manners , and good breeding to the noble lord . Then Mr . Gladstone , with his old fire , denounced the demand for more statistics , and asked of what invading army the opponents of reform wero afraid . Tlie speech in which this was

done will not bo without its effect on the country . Afterwards there was a little smart debating . Mr . "Fen-anil had au innings re reservoirs , and the motion for adjom anient over Easter having been agreed to , tho House was counted out . GEfEJiAi , HOME NEWS . —The Registrar-General ' s weekly return of births and deaths shows that the mortality in

London is still exceedingly high , although there is a decrease on that ofthe two previous weeks . Notwithstanding this the annual rate of mortality in tho metropolis is less than that of any of the twelve large provincial towns introduced into this return , excepting Hull . Eight deaths hy carriage accidents iveve registered , and ono from eating mussels . The deaths from typhus and other cognate diseases were about the average . ——* Two more members have fallen before the election committees ,

Sir John Acton is unseated for Bridgenorth , and Mr . AA'hitmore is put in his place . As to Totness , the committee have come to tho conclusion that Mr . Seymour ivas duly elected and that Mr . Pender was not . They further add that Mr . Pender was himself guilty of bribery by offering a place to a voter . The Yarmouth committee , having been engaged for tsvo days heaving how voters wove paid £ 15 each for their

votes , havo come to the conclusion that Sir E . Lacon and Mr . Godson were duly elected . Nottingham is still under tbe . attention of the committee , and seems likely to occupy some time . Mr . Chichester Fovtcsque was on the 22 nd inst . returned for Louth County without opposition . It is noted that while the Chancellor of the , Exchequer did not

vote on tho Oxford Tests Bill his son voted against the measure . The O'Donoghue was the only other Liberal who voted , against the bill . The Scotch members were in a preponderating majority in its favour . At a meeting of tho Court of Common Council it was resolved to request Prince Alfred to accent the freedom of the City , a

copy to be presented to him in a gold box of the value of a hundred guineas . At the same meeting a report was read and adopted recommending that a marble bust of Lord Palmerston , not to cost more than ; G 250 , should be placed in the Council Chamber . Prince Alfred and tho Dnke of Cambridge were present at the concluding Lenten supper at Christ ' s Hospital , We regret to say that the Bishop of London is very ill .