The Week.

fche subject AA-as not surrounded ivifch difficulties , and left it to be inferred thafc tlie Government , in his opinion , had no right to be troubled AA'ith any difficulties . The subject of the inundations on the east coast Avas brought under the notice of the House by Mr . Benfcinelc , lvho asked Air . Fellow-es AA'hat had been done . That gentleman entered into a long explanation , the

effect of Avhich ivas that the repairing of the ivorks Avhere they had been broken through by the tide had been confided to Mr . HaAvkshaAv to be effected Avithout regard to expense . A long discussion took place on Education in Ireland leadingtono result . On Friday Mr . Sofcheron-Estcourfc stated the terms of the resolution on the church rates question which he proposes to submit to a committee of the ivhoie House , immediately after

'Whitsuntide . The ri ght hon . gentleman ' s resolution declares thafc "the hiAA's relating to church rates may be beneficially settled on the principle thafc the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical ancl local courts for enforcing the payment of such rates should henceforth cease ; thafc facilities shoulel be given to the church-Avardens for carrying out the necessary arrangements for

protecting the fabric of the church ; and thafc poiver should be given to the vestries to vote a special rate in lieu of church rates to be levied Avithin the district attached to the church , to be recovered in the same manner as the poor and highway rates , and to be charged entirely on the owners . " Mr . Hoi-sman announced his intention of moving , as an araendiuont to Mr .

Stanfield's motion for the reduction of the public expenditure , that with every desire for economy , the house considers that the sums voted for naA'al and military purposes under both the present and the late Governments , have not exceeded the limits of necessity . Sir Robert Clifton said he had the highest authority for staling that the French army and naA'y had been

greatly reduced , ancl that the Emperor , anxious that the English public should have correct information on the subject , had ordered his Ministers to inform Her Majesty's Government

of " the extent and character " of tlie Imperial arnamenfcs . The hon . Baronet , AA'IIO charged the government witli creating baseless panics , moved that the papers to ivhich he had referred be laid on the table . Lord Palmerston repudiated the allegation that the Government had needlessly alarmed the public mind on this question , and promised to produce ail the wipers

bearing upon the subject , with the exception of the confidential reports of our agents in France . Air . Maguire described what he termed the serious and increasing- distress which prevails in certain districts of Cork county , and suggested thafc GOA'CI-IImenfc assistance should be given to the Bandon and Skibbereen RailAvaj-, witli the view of providing employment for the

people . Sir R . Peel asserted , on the authority of a Poor-law "Inspector AYVAO had been sent down to fche districts referred to , that tho member for Dungarvaii had exaggerated the sufferings of the people , and that the distress might be fully met

n the Boards of Guardians acted iritis pvouinitude and liberality . On Alonday Sir L . Pall ; gave notice of his intention to ask the Government u-hether any steps would be taken for mediation between the Northern and Southern State ., - of America . After a long discussion , the Highways Bill passed through Committee with a few A'erbal amendments . On Tuesday Sir Hugh Cairns obtained , ivithout opposition , a Commission to inquire into the working of the patent laivs . Mr

. Dihvyn moved that it is desirable that the estimates for iie . v Avorks should be submitted for the tho consideration of the House in a separate form from the annual estimates ; ancl Colonel Sykes thafc in any system of education by Government aid , provision should be made for teaching in industrial schools ; ancl for supplying- teachers to mechanics' institutions ; bufc both resolutionson being opposed bthe GovernmentAvere

, y , AvithdraAA'ii . A curious incident folloAved . Air . Berkeley rose to make his annual ballot motion , the Coiisen'ative benches behif at the time almost , if nofc quite , empty . The member for Bristol ancl his friends had , therefore , an easy task before them , ancl , on a division , they obtained a large majority in

The Week.

faA'our of the motion for leave to bring in a ballot bill , —a resul AA'hich Avas of course greeted Avith loud cheers from beloAV the gangAvay . Air . Augustus Smith also obtained leave to bring in a bill to allow votes at municipal elections to be taken by ballot On AVednesday the House Avas mainly occupied Avifcli the discussion of Irish bills . The Irish Fisheries Bill ivas read a second time , ancl ordered to be referred to a select committee . Two bills relating to elections in Ireland ivere also react a second time . Colonel White took his seat for Kidderminster .

GENERAL HOME NEAA-S . —The health of London slightly fell oft' in the course of last iveek . The deaths iu all numbered 1200 , of Avhom 176 died from consumption , and 46 from measles . The -average of deaths for the last ten years AA-as 1183 . The births continue above the average ; 1919 children in all ivere born , tlie average births being 1847 . The Japanese Ambassadors left London , on Monday morning for Neivcastle-on-Tyne , the main object of their visit to the north being to see one or tivo of the

coalpits in full operation . On AA ednesday they will proceed to Liverpool , and thence on the folloiving day to Birmingham , where they will make a short stay . Another target , composed entirely of iron , and constructed on a principle Avhich obviates the use of bolts in fastening the plates , AA-as tried at Shoeburyness on Friday . The target , Avhich AA-as put together under the direction of Mr . Scott Russell , iv-is submitted to the

usual test , and the result Avas that , while tbe mode of attaching the plates seemed very effective , the resisting poAver of the target , considering its greater Aveight , Avas deemed inferior to that of the Warrior . It appears that the iron plate committee ' s report has been sent in , bufc thafc ifc has been deemed prudentfor the present nofc to publish it . The Defence Commissioners ' report on the Spithead forts has also heen received , and it is stated thatit Avillbefound torecommendthe completion of the ivorks .

Ifc seems fchat the American Government have actually made a demand upon England for the surrender of the Emilie St . Pierre , Avhose captain so gallantly rescued her from the prize crew of the frigate AA'hich had captured her , on the plea of her attempting to break the blockade . As in all such cases , the matter ivas referred to tlie laiv officers of the Croivn , Avho have decided that the rescue Avas no breach of any municipal law

AA Inch Avould Avarrant the Americans in claiming her . to oblige om- government to give up the vessel . ——The government have determined to issue a special commission for the trial of the persons IIOAV in custody charged with the late assassinations in Ireland . Former instances of vigour in that direction have

been attended with beneficial effects , ancl it is to be hoped that the forthcoming commission may be equally successful in striking terror into the laAA-less and ferocious spirits of the community A meeting has been held , Air . Samuel Gurney in the chair to promote a plan for raising a memorial to the Prince Consort by the working classes , which shall consist of drinking fountains , model lodging-houses , & c , ancl resolutions in accordance there-Avith Avove passed . A Avretchecl illustration of fche end of

crime Avas brought before the Bow-street magistrate on Saturday . A man named Lemon Avas brought up on a charge of having murdered his Avife . His OAVII story , Avhich appears to be truthful , Avhile it exonerates him from the murder , is sad enough . He confessed that lie Avas in the habit of manufacturing base coin ; and , as might be supposed , he led a dissipated life . On the Thursday the ivoman ( AVIIO had left her husband fco live with him )

and he had been out drinking , and on returning home quarrelled and fought . Next morning he got up , ancl in his absence from the room the Avoman seized , a bottle of poisonous chemicals used in his nefarious trade , ancl drank off enough of its contents to cause her death in a short time affcenrards . The prisoner remains in custody , and the coroner ' s jury have returned an open verdict On Thursday evening ,- last weekAirsVysea milliner on Ludgate-hillpoisoned two of

, , , , her children , and then cut her OAVU throat . She had got poison in the morning from the shop of Air . Keating , of St . Paul ' schurcliyard , under the pretence that she Avanted to kill vermin . This she gave to the tivo children . In the afternoon she sent out her servant for more poison , anel on the return of the girl she found her mistress in hei'OAvn bedroom Avith her throat cut . The unfortunate Avoman was still alive and able to tell her sister

, AVIIO had been called , that the children Avere dead in the next room . There they ' . vere found in bed , apparently asleep , bufc really dead . The unfortunate Avoman still survives , ancl hopes are beginning to be entertained now of her recovery . Of course all communication AA'ith her in her present prostrate condition is forbidden . The inquest on the children is adjourned till the