The North Wales Express

One of the members of Parliament who promoted the memorial to Government on the subject of the Cloture, which has been in process of signature, states that a member A. of the Cabinet has, according to promise, placed their representations before Mr Glads tone, who has intimated in reply that after due consideration of the statement made on their Ix-kalf ho caunot see his way to recommend the Government to modify the new rules of procedure. Under these circumstances, as anticipated by the Press Association, the memorial wiH not be presented, and must ot members who Vere favourable to its udwcaoy of the two- .LIPII""1. thirds majority in order to close a debate will support the Government proposals as they stand. The announcement that the sleeper which was placed on the Holyhead line at Flint the other evening could not have been in- l tended to bring the Irish Secretary to grief is no consolation to ordinary passengers who have to travel over the spot. It is certain that a diabolical outrage was in- tended, and that but for the timely discovery of the obstruction a fearful disaster to life and limb might have occurred. The down Irish mail, which runs from Chester to Holyhead without stopping, would have been the next train to travel over the metals' and as the train passes Flint at a speed of between 50 and60miles an hour the obstruc- tion would in all probability have thrown from the rails. It is impossible to divine the fiendish motive which could prompt a man to deliberately jeopardize the lives of his fellow-creatures in so wholesale a manner, and no punishment known to the law would be adequate to deal with such a wretch if caught. Unfortunately this is not the only outrage of the kind within recent experience. A week or two ago a similar attempt was made to throw a Midland express train off a high embankment near' Stockport, and in that, as in the present instance, the obstruction was discovered just in the nick of time. The only inference to be drawn from such outrages is the humilating one that, notwithstanding the many Christianizing influences at work in the land, there are devils in human shape in our midst, who are as malignant in their devilry, and as insensible to all considera- tions of humanity, as any of the wretches whose deeds helped to make up the worst periods of history. The trial of Lamson, for the murder of his paralysed nephew, will hereafter take a pro-. minent place among the celebrated criminal trials of modern times. To say that the accused had fair play is to say very little. So thoroughly exhaustive a defence-a de- fence involving snch a painstaking exhibi- tion of scientific knowledge on the part of counsel—has seldom been heard in a modern court, English or French. It recalls in its radical and scientific phases the famous trial of Palmer, for the murder of Cook. It was strychnine against antimony in this case it has been the deadly poison monkshood in its various forms that has, so to speak, been put upon its trial in the case of Lamson. It must be manifest that our knowledge of the powerful and subtle poison aconite or aconitia has been considerably advanced by the unfolding of the case in question before Mr Justice Hawkins, and it may be shrewdly conjectured that we shall hear of aconite again. As to the ease with which that and other deadly agents may be procured by persons whose names happen to be in the medical directory, or by persons who, ne- fariously borrowing such names, are able to write an "order" in the form of a doctor's prescription, it is sincerely to be hoped that the matter will be brought before Parlia- ment, and that very soon. Some of the Nonconformist journals are jubilant about the statistics shown by the recent non-official religious census. It is shown that taking 100 small towns a sub- stantial majority of those who attend places of worship on any given Sunday attend Nonconformist churches. Taking a, number of the large towns, the majority is still more considerable. On the other hand, however, it must be remembered that if re- turns are made with regard to the village population, the proportion would be very di tferent. Moreover, Dissenters are cer- tai nly much more regular in their attendance at public worship than Church people and, indeed, there are many persons who rarely attend church and nevertheless profess themselves to be orthodox Churchmen. Instead of disputing upon questions of numeric superiority, it would be well for both Church and Chapel to take to heart the fact that, as far as can be gathered only about 29 per cent, of the population attend religious service at all. The annual meeting of the North Wales Congregational Union will this year take place in Easter week at Wrexham, one of the strongholds of the denomination in North Wales. The proceeding promise to be more than ordinarily successful, as amongst other gentlemen who are expected to take part in the meetings are Mr Henry Richard, M.P., the Right Hon. Geo. 0. Morgan, Q.C., M.P., (who is to preside at the luncheon), and Sir R. A. Cunliffe, Bart, M.P. Lord Aberdare presided at an influentally- attended meeting, held at the Westminister Palace Hotel on Wednesday night, for the purpose of promoting a national memorial to the late Sir Hugh Owen. Among those present were Sir Watkin Wynne,Sir Robert Cunliffe, Messrs Osborne Morgan, Henry Richard, Hussey Vivian, J. H. Puleston, and S. Leighton, M.P.'s. Speeches were made testifying to the work done by Sir Hugh Owen for the nation at large, and Wales in articular, and it was resolved to raise a statue.to his memory; and if funds permitted, to establish a scholarship. Local committees will be formed througout the country.

A LOSING JOKB.— A prominent physician said jok. iiagly to a lady patient w* o was complaining of her continued ill health, and of his inability to cure her, Try Dr. Bardsley's Ac.tw'-hous x ills The lady took it in earnest and uecd tne ruis, trom which she obtained permanent hf:-il £ h. one now laughs at the doctor for his joke, bu' lis is 11,ot Phased with it, as it cost him a good patient, bold by all Chemists in j Jo.vcs ut 13.id. tmd ka. 9d- po&t Iree on receipt of 15 or 35 »tamps. VVn1. Mather, Whole- we Druggii t, Manchester. II 243-p

CARNARVON ELECTION, ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION OF MR LOVE JONES-PARRY. THE CONSERVATIVES IN A DILEMMA. The steady growth of Liberalism in Carnar- vonshire has somewhat damped the ardour of the Conservatives, and the leaders of the party are beginning to look upon their chances of storming the opposition stronghold in a hope- less light. They have held several meetings- both formal and informal—since Mr Bulkeley Hughes's death, but so far they have not succeeded in prevailing upon any of the champ- ions of their cause to take up the sword. It is highly probable, therefore, that the struggle- it, it can be called so-will rest between Mr Love Jones-Parry, the choice of the Liberal executive, and Mr Sorton-Parry, who is a kind of self-created political genius. The Con- servatives, having no candidate of their own will, no doubt, extend their sympathy to Mr Sorton-Parry rather than not vote at all. The latter gentleman continues to persist in his in- tention of going to the poll, notwithstanding that he must see his chances of success are as rwnote as they were when he entered the field in 1880. Mr Sorton-Parry's services are not required at the present juncture—he was never invited to contest the vacant seat by the recognized Liberal executive, and it is a pity that he should be imbued with so much egotism and presumption as to thrust himself where he is not wanted. He has probably read of the fable of the crow who for one brief moment paraded himself before his companions in the borrowed splendour of the peacock, and if he will permit us to tell him, he would do well to retire before he is visited with the consequences of his vanity and folly in the same manner as the crow was. If anything were needed to condemn him as an aspirant to political distinction it is his address. In this remarkable manifesto he touches upon the Disestablishment and Disen- dowmentof the Episcopal Church ef Scotland; local option; the amendment of the Burial Laws the assimilation of the county franchise; and farmers' alliances but on such topics as Ireland, the Cloture, and the House of Lords, he maintains a dignified silence. We are almost justified in asking whether Mr Sorton-Parry has any knowledge of these questions ? If he has, why does he keep it all to himself ? Any- how, we would much rather hear his views on Ireland than on the Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Episcopal Church of Scotland. There is a striking contrast between the movements of the Conservatives and the Liber- als at the present juncture. The former have done nothing but hold "dark" meetings; the latter, as if by a single word ef command, have drawn out their line of battle, and are in com- J plete preparation for the fight. This is a most satisfactory state of affairs, and shows not only the perfectness of the Liberal organization, but the thorough unanimity which happily exists in the Liberal ranks. On Tuesday afternoon meetings of both parties were held, the Liberals assembling in their old quarters at the Queen's Hotel, and the Conservatives at the Royal Hotel. The result of the deliberations of the Liberal delegates was made public at half-past four. Two names alone were submitted for their decision—Mr Jones-Parry and Mr John Roberts, Bryn Adda, Bangor. Five out of the six contributory boroughs were known to be unanimously in favour of Mr Jones-Parry; Bangor alone, by a majority of nine, having decided upon placing Mr John Roberts as the first candidate for their support, Mr Jones- Parry being second. There were 46 delegates present, all of the boroughs being represented. Mr W. A. Darbishire, the president of the Liberal Association, whose friends have, with a view of avoiding a split in the Liberal ranks, studiously refrained from advancing his claims to the candidature, presided, Mr Pughe-Jones, of Ynysgain, Criccieth, who has also been named ^as a suitable candidate, being amongst those present. The large majority recorded for Mr Jones-Parry on a first ballot satisfied the Bangor delegates that there was little chance of success, and with that loyalty to the party characteristic of their borough, the name of Mr John Roberts was withdrawn, he having pledged himself to abide by the decision of the meeting, and Mr JonesP-arry was unanimously selected as the Liberal candidate for the Carnarvon Boroughs. The Conservative meeting was p. esided over by (Jolonel West, as representing Lord Pen- rhyn's interest. The result of the decision of the Liberal delegates was awaited with con- siderable anxiety, and after it had been declared, the report went forth that the Conservatives, who had hitherto made no secrecy of their de- termination to contest the boroughs, required further time for consideration before introducing their candidate. Whether time will disclose the "candidate" we are not in a position to say at the hour of writing, but it is pretty evident that when the Mayor of Liverpool has to be petitioned to come to the rescue, the local leaders of the Conservative party can have no very high estimation of their chances of success. The selection of Mr Jones-Parry as the Liberal candidate has been received everywhere with manifestations of enthusiasm. He is un- answerably the right man in the right place; he has none of the pretensions of Mr Sorton-Parry about him; be does not resort to placarding egotistical biographical sketches of himself about the various boroughs; he does not profess a knowledge of political questions that he is lamentably unfamiliar with; and finally, he has not co-ne forward like Azriel-the uninvited guest-but nt the bona fide invitation of the executive i the association. The public meeting on Tuesday night, at the Carnarvon Guild Hall, demonstrated beyond the semblance of doubt the popularity of Mr Jones-Parry's candidature. His address was characterized throughout by sound common sense and practical reasoning, and the genuine en- thusiasm with which it was received by the crowded audience is a pretty safe augury of Mr Jones-Parry's triumphant return. The latest phase of the election is a threatened action for libel by Mr Sorton-Parry against Mr Darbishire for charging him with having uttered an "unmitigated falsehood, and against Y Genedl Uymreig and the Liverpool Mercury for having published the said charge. The case will be heard on Mon- day at the Carnarvon Borough Magistrates' Court, and eminent counsel have been engaged on both aidoe. The wnt for the election was received on Wednesday by the returning officer, the Mayor of Carnarvon (Mr G. R. Rees), and he has fixed the 22nd mst. for the nomination, and the 28th for the election.

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING OF MR JONES- PARRY'S SUPPORTERS. On Tuesday night last, a crowded and enthue iastic meeting of the supporters of Mr Jones. Parry was held at the Guild Hall, Carnarvon,— Mr George Farren presiding. On the platform were Messrs R. Pughe-Jones, T. Bigbird, W. J. Williams, John Davies, Dr Kirk, Mr John Jones, Revs Evan Jones, J. Alun Roberts, Mr D. W". Davies, &c. The Chairman, after a reference to the late Mr Bulkeley Hughes, said it was but seemly and fit that a vote of condolence should be passed with the family of their late member, whose zeal and energy were beyond all praise, and who was industrious in furthering any deserving individual interest com- ing under his notice. Mr John Jones, chemist, in a few appropriate words, seconded the vote of condolence. Mr Jones-Parry, who was enthusiastically re- ceived, said it was with mingled joy and sorrow that he stood before them -sorrow, because it was only that afternoon that he paid the last tribute of respect to his very good friend Mr Bulkeley Hughes, who had served them so faithfully (hear, hear). It was not for him to say anything in the praise of their late member, because he was well known in the constituency., and whoever knew him respected and admired him. The death of Mr Bulkeley Hughes was a great loss, not only to the constituency, but to the county at large, for he interested himself in everything that was for the good of the public (hear, hear). Peace be to his ashes. As for his (Mr Jones-Parry's) humble self, they knew a good deal about him. Some years ago he was before the public, when he ventured to come forward, against tremendous odds, to fight the battle of the Liberal cause against the Tories, who had held the monopoly of the county for very nearly half a century unopposed. Many thought that it was a quixotic and absurd thing for any man to come torward against such powerful in- fluences but he then said, I will try, and if I fail somebody else coming after me will have a better chance." When he consented to contest the representation of the county in 1868 he did not for a moment think he should succeed, but he and his friends said, "Let us break the ice" (laughter). They were all very agreeably sur- prised to find that the cause gained the day. He said "the cause" emphatically, because he personally was nobody (laughter). It was the Liberal cause and not him personally that he wished them to support on the present occasion. Several very able gentlemen had put themselves forward to ask for their suffrages, and their claims were submitted to a meeting of representatives that afternoon. Those representatives, however, did him the honour of selecting him in preference to any other name placed before them, and for this honour he thanked them from the bottom of his heart. He considered it a very great honour, and he also thought a very great responsibility had been placed on his shoulders, but they were broad enough. He would not say one single word about his only opponent, Mr Sorton-Parry, which would be the least uncomplimentary or uncouiteoas to him or to his candidature (hear). He simply left Mr Sorton-Parry to the judgment of the electors. That gentleman, he might add, was well known by them, because he had been among them for several months canvassing and making himself public (shame). And it was only to be hoped that even if he persisted in opposing their humble servant, and thereby causing a split in the ps as to enable their honourable friends tht my- (laughter)—to have a chance of running a Tory between the divided ranks, they would still treat him courteously, and that nothing personal or offensive would be said against him (hear). In a few days hence it was his intention to address a large meeting in that borough, therefore he would not at present enter fully into the questions of the day. It appeared to him that one of the principal questions affecting the Welsh people was that of higher education in Wales. He need not remind the intelligent gentlemen and the lovely ladies he saw before him how very important education was for every man, and he would be glad, if returned, to support in the present Parlia- ment a bill founded upon the report of the com- mission of which Mr Lewis Morris was one of the principal members (cheers). One of the recom- mendations of this commission was that there should be two colleges founded, one for North Wales and the other for South Wales. He per- fectly agreed with many of his Carnarvonshire friends in hoping and wishing that the college for North Wales should be located in the county of Carnarvon, and in the old historic town of Car- narvon—(hear, hear)—but, on the other hand, they must not look selfishly or with a narrow mind upon a great national question of this sort (cheers). Therefore it would depend very much upon the claims of other parts of North Wales as to what locality would be considered the most central and beneficial for the six North Wales counties (hear). Bangor, Denbigh, and other places had been spoken of. However, whilst wishing that Carnarvon should be honoured as the locale of the proposed university college, he could not promise them anything on the subject, but asked them to leave him free on that point. Another important measure which the present Government would doubtless introduce was that dealing with the constitution of county financial boards for the control of the rates. The only time he voted from 1868 to 1874 against Mr Gladstone and the Liberal party-and he fearlessly made the confession—was on a motion respecting the consti- tution of such boards, which he then supported with the Conservatives, and would continue to support. Having referred to the proposed amend- ments in the Bankruptcy Act, he said that as to Sir Wilfrid Lawson's local option bill, he had not changed his opinions since he first came before them politically in 1868, when he refused to sup- port the bill. He then came to a compromise with his temperance friends, that he would not oppose the second reading of the bill, but would reserve to himself the power to modify and make it more practicable in committee of the whole house (hear, hear). He was strongly in favour of the assimilation of the county franchise to the borough franchise, and also of a redistribution of seats. Legislation in the latter direction, however, would mean a dissolution of Parliament. The land laws, he believed, ought to be amended in the interests of the tenant farmers. In dealing with this question he claimed to speak honestly, possessing, as he did, some thousands of acres of land and buildings, mocmt&ins and bogs, in Laeyn—-(laugh* ter)-and he was pleased to tell them that he was on the very bestof terms with his tenants. There should be legal enactments to enable tenant farmers to demand compensation for improvements. He did not in any way hint that in this county landlords refused them that; but it should be laid down by law that landlords should not t;ke any undue advantage of their tenants. With reference to the Ground Game Act, he was glad that it had been passed, as he did not care for rabbits—(laughter) —perhaps that was attributable to his bad taste- gaughter)-but he thought it was the most un- sportsmanlike and childish amusement in the world to shoot rabbits. They might as well shoot barn door hens, for there was no fan in it. Of course rabbits were good for the pot-(laugliter)- but as the damage they did to the crops was in- sufferable, they were not worth preserving. He did not wish to blow his own trumpet to them, but years before the act was passed he had permitted his tenants to kill rabbits, saying, "Leave me a hare or two and I will be satisfied" (laughter). Having referred to the Agricultural Holdings Act, the full benefit of which tenants did not get be- cause of the present system of contracting out of it, he dwelt upon the deplorable state of Ireland. Commenting on the Irish Land Act, he rejoiced to think that on this side of the water a commission to investigate and decide upon the terms as to rent between landlord and tenant was not neces- sary. He hoped that the difference between the Lords and Commons respecting the committee to inquire into the working of the Land Act would eventually be quietly smoothed over. At the same time, the Commons should stick up for their rights (cheers). There had been a great deal too much talkiug ia the House of Commons lately by a clique of Irish "gintlemen," who obstructed the business, and who could really talk a brass mon- key's tail off (laughter). This was very amusing in private society, but in the House of Commons it was a fearful nuisance. Such conduct placed usi a very p,, or condition in the sight of foreign nations. Regarding a remedy against this, some thought the French cloture was a good thing to act upon; but he objected to that extreme measure, as it will interfere with tLe freedom of speech of which they prided themselves (cheers). Someone had mentioned the name of Mr Biadlaugh. He did not intend to speak of that person, not being acquainted with him. Mr Bradlaugh was a man whose religious and moral opinions he loathed and abhorred (hear, hear). Some of his political opin- ions were shared in by many, including himself, but others were too extreme. All he said was, that if returned, he should consider it his duty to obstruct and prevent an avowed atheist like Mr Bradlaugh from taking the oath; but if a bill should be introduced to enable any member to make an affirmation he would vote for it, although he was bound to say frankly that he should be sorry to sit in the same room as Mr Bradlaugh (cheers). Dr Kirk said that Mr Jones-Parry having been selected by the Liberals, all minor differences must be sunk in supporting his candidature. There was, unfortunately, another candidate in the field -Mr Sorton-Parry (groans, and a voice: "He will remain there, and never go to Parliament"). But his existence must not be poo-poohed, as the Liberals had not such a large margin of a majority to work upon. He proposed a resolution supporting the candidature of Mr Jones-Parry, and pledging the meeting to secure his trumphunt return (cheers). The Rev J. Alun Roberts seconded the resolution, and ridiculed the claims set up by Mr Sorton- Parry to represent the borough. Mr Pughe. Jones and the Rev E. Jones, Moriah, addressed the meeting in support of the resolution, which was carried unanimously and enthusias- tically. Ater a vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by Mr Jones-Parry, and seconded by Mr J. Davies (Iwyacddon), the meeting came to a termination.

CONSERVATIVES NCN-PLUSSED. The. Conservative Committee had a long meeting at the Royal Hotel, on Wednesday, but broke up without being able to announce that they had any candidate desirious of contesting the boroughs in their interest. By some extraordinary means the name of the Mayor of Liverpool has been associated with the candidature of the Conservatives. Why the name of Mr John Hughes should have been introduced it is difficult to understand, seeing that he is not personally known in the borough, and the only qualification possessed by him which can be a recommendation is that he is a Welshman and able to talk his nat've tongue. The prospects of Tory opposition are regarded as extremely remote, although the fact that the returning officer has fixed the nomination for the latest possible day may afford them a chance of finding a suitable candidate at the eleventh hour.

MR TONES-PARRY'S PROGRESS. Mr Jones-Parry, the Liberal candidate, on Wed- nesday, prosecuted a most successful canvass at Carnarvon, his reception on all sides being of a most cordial character, the numerous promises of support which poured into his committee rooms from the boroughs testifying to his popularity and auguring his return, should there be any contest, by a very large majority. He left by the afternoon train for Pwllheli, where he was received with marked enthusiasm. The horses were taken from his carriage, which was drawn through the streets, that were crowded, that day being one of the largest fairs of the year. He addressed a few words expressing his thanks for the cordiality with which he, as an old resident in the neigh- bourhood, had been welcomed, reserving his formal speech for yesterday afternoon, when he will speak in the Town Hall, his engagement last night being in the neighbouring borough of Nevin, which is within two miles of Madryn, the seat of the Parry family.

[CENTRAL NEWS TELEGRAMS. I "NORTH WALES EXPRESS" OFFICE, Thursday Evening. THE WIMBLEDON MURDER. The Central News is informed that the friends of Dr Lamson have instructed his solicitor to prepare a memorial praying for the respite of the convict's sentence on the ground that the medical evidence regarding the aconitine was by no means conclusive, and not in accordance with independent experiments. It will also be shown that the prisoner was in the habit of prescribing aoonitiae, and had need. of injections of morphia so frequently that his mind was affected.

PARLIAMENTARY ESTIMATES. A parliamentary return issued to-day estimates the amount required for the South Africa wars, other than the Transvaal out. break, for this year at £ 135,000. An additional sum of X19,000 is re- quired for the civil services.

GENERAL SOHOBELEEF- A Central News telegram dated Tilsit, Thursday, says that General Schobeleff spoke at the Officers' Club, St. Petersburg, on Sunday last. He main- tains that the Czar entirely approved of his famous Paris speech, but dared not show this openly owing to Russia's dependence on Germany. 4

LONDON CATTLE MARKET. There were 380 beasts, including 20 foreign, quiet, at 4s to 5s lOd; 1710 sheep, inactive, 5s 6d to 7s lOd; 50 calves, 5s 6d to 6sl0d; pigs quoted 4s 4d to 5s for 81bs. »

BIRMINGHAM, CORN MARKET. •MM MM English wheat sold at the outside prices of last week, but it was difficult to obtain any advance. The same was the case with American wheat, but East Indian was 6d to a Is per qt. dearer. 4

illISCELL NEOUS. The Lords' Committee on the Irish Land Act met again at noon to-day, Lord Cairns presiding. Mr S. Lyttle was the first witness examined. A woman named Haywood, who has lately given way to drinking, this morning, threw her SOD. aged seven years, into the Birmingham Canal, near Dudley, and afterwards jumped in herself. The boy was rescued, but the woman was drowned. A Sunday Closing Bill for Cornwall is issued with the parliamentary papers to-day. Bank-rate unaltered. Consols 1-8th better.

MR HERKOMER ON ART EDUCATION.—Mr Her- komer's theory is personal and interesting. But the fact is that a certain amount of academic training is absolutely necessary. Of course the conventional system can be, and nearly always, i." carried too far; but-and especially to the greatest and loftiest artists-a careful study of the antique, as a preliminary to the study of nature, is helpful and useful in the highest degree. Mr Herkomer pointed to Frederick Walker, Small, Pinwell, and other now famous men, who have developed talents of a high order by constant practice in illiREraf-i- periodical literature. But in doing this he was somewhat unfortunate, for it is notorious that Walker never lost the hard outlines necessary, and indeed unavoidable, in his style of wood-drawing, but which are wholly out of place, and degenerate into mere trick and falsehood, in painting; and that Small, however beautiful his black-and-white, has so far failed to show any true sense of colour. Besides some hundreds of far greater names—from Van Eyck's day to Burne Jones's—could be men- tioned of men who had done little or no such work, who indeed have had hardly any but the l I acede. mic training that Mr Herkomer laughs at. We are not unreasonably prejudiced either for or against the academic system; it has its uses and abuses, but so has the system advocated by Mr Herkomer. If the one is apt to produce dullards and dull work, the other is certainly responsible for much which, if it did not deal, as other jour- nalism does, with actuality, would add to the re- proach of dullness the greater reproaches of chf«p- forSMaDrch °m The MaHazin* °fArt for March. =:

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and yet there were lengthy speeches ^.e home and foreign policy Ministers, their policy with regard tO Ireland, and a large number of extraneous issues. With regard to the second—a subject of which the whole country is now pretty well eaned-the elected of Northampton Is where he was at the commencement of the session, and we hope very little J^ore of the time of the House of Emmons will be devoted to him. As to the third, it has produced a very un- pleasant antagonism between the two houses; it has consumed iour nights allotted to the Government; and not- withstanding the censure by one house 'Of another-for censure.there has un- doubtedly been-the House of Lords has not only been stopped in its pro- ceding with its inquiry, but it is now evident that a good deal more dis- cussion on the Irish Land Act has afready sprung, and will yet spring Out of the action which their Lord- ships have taken. A remarkable fact in connection Wit. the slow progress of public business is that nothing has yet been done in respect to the Ministerial scheme for facilitating that business, ^he lengthy discussiors to which we have referred have prevented Ministers bringing forward their proposed rules of procedure. Monday, the 20th, has been talked of as the day for commenc- Ing this discussion but even this late Period is doubtful, as the Army and ^avy Estimates, and other Ministerial financial arrangements will have Previously to be disposed of, and Meanwhile as to practical legislation little or nothing has been done. This lanientable delay of public business need not to be looked at from a party Point of view, and, on the contrary, it IS a state of affairs which both the great political parties should unite to obviate. It must be admitted, however, that this condition of parlia- mentary business is in itself a strong argument in favour of some alteration with regard to the rules of procedure, and when the debate comes on, Minis- ters will be able, in taking a retrospect of the session thus far, to employ an Unexpected argument to enforce their views It is now pretty generally agreed on both sides of the house that cc something must be done," and the point of difference is what that "some- thing should be. It is understood that theConservativeswill sternly oppose the Cloture by an absolute majority, and it is well known that even some Liberals are opposed to it, so that it is not at all improbable that the Govern- ment may express their willingness to make some modification in this respect. We have no wish, however, to attempt to anticipate the course which this debate will take, and will only add on this subject that this debate will assuredly be a protracted one, but that the time will not be wasted if some arrangements can be arrived at for facilitating the progress of parliamentary business for the future. In connection with these proposals, however, there is one reform which would be an immense boon to the public. A large proportion of the business of the House of Commons is of a private nature-dealing with railways, canals, highways, and so on -which might be better disposed of by commitees, the house subsequently ratifying their decisions. There is yet another reform which was some time ago aimed at by Mr Edward Clarke Q.C., who proposed that bills which, had passed their second reading in the House of Commons might be rele- gated to the next session of the same Parliament, and then be taken up at the committee stage. This would very materially advance the progress of public business. At present a great part of the time of one house, and sometimes of the two houses, is thus absolutely thrown away, and all the work has to be done over again. The main argument against Mr Clarke's proposition was that it would be un- advisable to entertain it while the whole subject of procedure was await- ing consideration, and it must be confessed there was great force I.ln the objection. It is to be hoped, however, that sooner or later this idea may be carried out. The House of Commons, under the whole existing system of procedure, is evidently unequal to its work, and it is advisable that all un- necessary delays should be removed.