_—— , Nha and one of these gentlemen being absent from Charlottetown, it was necessary to get as. sistance. The hon. member from Cascumpec had taken the impost accounts of Georgetown for one year, but be would find that the ac- counts of the revenue received at that port during, say, the last five years, would show that the salary proposed was not unreason- able. Hon. Mr. Pors was not particular as to the sum proposed te be sesigned te the, Col- Jector at Georgetown. The resolution had reference only to the shire towns of Prince | and King’s Counties, and the consideration which induced the Government to propose the specific amounts waa, that in the ports of | Georgetown and Bedeque, although the busi- | ness might and doubtless would fluctuate, the | Collectors had te devote their wholv time to! it. They should, therefore, be reasonably | compensated for the time which they would! otherwise employ in private business, With | provide that if, after the death of a father, | a he hoped would be remedied in futute. the Commigsioner at any time departed from his instructions, he should state his reasons ern ' for doing so. Hon. Mr. Pope observed that the remarks made by the hon. member (Mr. Conroy) were called for. He observed by the Road ' Returns of some of the Road Commissioners, that moneys had not always been appropri- ated as directed by the Road Seales of that House. It would, therefcre, 1 that instructions be given to such Commis- sioners, through the Boad Correspondent, not to expend money for any other purpose than that for which it was appropriated by | that Louse. On motien of the Hon. Solicitor General, the Bill relating to Wills, Legacies and Exe- cutors, was committed to a Committee of the whole House. Mr. McLennan in the chair The principal feature of this Bil' is to be necessary | ir of opinion that the details of the scheme, as ‘contained in the Report of the Quebec Con- ference, were not just and liberal to the Is- lland. After which the debate was again adjourned. [louse adjourned. Tvespay, March 28. | The Hon. Leader of the Goyernment_sub- mitted a message from His Excellency the | Lieutenant Governor, transmitting the Report of the Adjutant General of Militia for the year 1864. . The House in Committee on Pauper Scales |which progress was reported. | The House in Committee on matters relat- ling to Roads, Bridges and Wharts, and |after some time spent therein, progress was | reported. ; f ; The House then again spent some time in , Committee on the report of the Committee on new Roads. Objection was taken to the opening of a reference to the observation on political hon- | any of his children shall die intestate, with- | road at Bay Fortune, as recommended by esty which had fallen from hig hon. colleague | out wife or children, during the lifetime of | said Report, on the grounds that the law in (Mr. Howat), he claimed to be 4s honest as, the mother, every brother and sister, and) ..4) cases would not authorise the House in chat gentleman. Ile had never pledged him-| velf to particular details, nor would he do so. | lt that hon. member were inthe present, or| the representative of them, shall have an equal share, with the said mother of the deceased, of the property of such intestate ‘opening said road, | Hon. Mr. Beaton moved that the report ‘of the Committee, touching the opening of acy other Government, he would find it dif-| Executors of Wills are also vested with cer-| that road, be adopted ; and explained the de- ficult to carry it on, if they who had been, tain powers and interests over the estates! i ahility and advantages of extending the y , . ¥ ~ elested as its supporters should be constantly | harping at every vote proposed. If the hon. member was prepared to sacrifice the Go- vernment, let him avow his intention todo so. | He could assure him that he was not trusted | committed to their charge. The Bill was reported agreed to. The Bill to amend the Law of Real Estate was read a third time and passed, The Bill to compel Masters of Vessels to | road in question to the sea shore. : A counter petition against the completion jof that road, was then alluded | to; after | which it was resolved that the Government | be authorized to appoint a Commmission to by the Opposition, nor did he believe in any | exhibit a ight while in harbour, daring the! ..umine into the real merits of the case, with man clearing hia skirts at the expense of bis\ night-time, was also read a third time and) i}, yew of ascertaining the necessity or party. He(Hon. Mr. Pope) had always been | willing to assume the responsibilities of bis} position without reference to consequences| went into Committee on the report of the} persone! to himself. Mr. Howar had not, in the obseryations he} had made, intended to cast any reflections upon hon. members who might differ ia} opinion from himself. He had merely ez-| pressed his own views, and in doing so he | was but doing his duty to himself and bis| constituents. He felt bound to adhere to his public pledges. and he bad been elected to support the Government, but only as far as he considered their policy to be right. He had objected to the reyival of the ofjve of So- licitor General, which seemed to indicate an intention of increasing the number of officials. | Hen. Mr. Copes approved of the course adopted by the Government in paying speci- fic salaries to the Collectors at Sun merside and Georgetawa. Lle had no objection to the amount proposed for the Collector at Summerside, but thought £175 too much for the officer at Georgetown. He suggested that £150 would be sufficient. Hon. Mr. Pore had no objection. Mr. Beecgen explained that the unusual amount paid to Queen's Counsel just year was caused by the absence of the hon. Attor- | ney General in England. The renewal of | public contracts, the preparation of those be-| tween the Goverument and the Steain Navi- gation Company, and those relative to the| construction of important public works, had} oceupied so mach of his time that be was of opinion that he had not charged enough. lion. Mr. Coies.—As the Attorney Gene- ral, while absent, bad been in receipt of his full salary, and had his expenses defrayed by | the Government, be shou!d have pai ior the work allusied to. Ilon. Mr. Lainp.—If the salary of any officer ehould be increased it was that of the Controller at Charlottetown. With reference to the appointment of Solicitor General, 1} had no objection to the gentleman on whom | the office had been conferred, but for four) e oficial on tl n . a ag «po ms Nets ee £100 aoe ment of a Grammar School at that place. of the House. enoagh for the office, and not having been | eonsuited on the subject, he had no idea that | it was intended tv give more thun that) amount. Hon. Mr. Loxeworta.—It could not be expected that any Government could fill the | principal offices of a country without affixing | to them ealaries proportionate to the time to| be oceupied in the duties of the office, and} the talents requis.te for the proper discharge | of those duties. As @ member of the legal | profession, it might be supposed that his| views were tinged with a shade of sclf-inte-| rest in dealing with the subject of the salary | of the Solicitor General. Such, bowever, | was not the case; and if the necessity of having a law officer in the House were ad- mitted, and the acceptance of the oflice im- posed upon a member the necessity of re- election, it must be evident thas £100 was) too smali remuneration for the services of a| gentleman whose office required the possession | of talents and education, which, he was) happy to eay, were combined in the present | be Selicitor Geseral in a very high degre. The resvlution was carried. giving to the Collector at Summerside £175, to that at Georgetown £150 per ansum SUMMARY OF THE PROUEEDINGS OF | THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. Satvrpar, Marcel: 25. Mr. MeLennan, Chairman of the Commit- tee to whom were referred sundry petitions relating to the opening of new roads, sub- mitted a report, which was received and read, and ordered to be submitted to a Committee of the whole House on Monday next. On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General, the Bill to amend the Land Purchase Act was submitted to a Committee of the whole ri0use— MT. Liowlan In the chair. Hon. Solicitor General explained that the object of the Bill was to abolish the restric- tions in regard to the minimum prices fixed by the Act on the wilderness land of the Worrell Estate. It was, therefore, necessary to amend the law s9 as to authrize the Go- verniment to lessen the prices of said lands whick could not be sold at the present fixed rates. Portions, at all events, of those waste lands, he eaid, would be sold, provided the prices were lowered. Hons. Messrs. Coles, Hensley, Colonial Secretary, Davins, Laird, Longworth, Pope, Gray, and Messrs. Sinclair and Sutheland, addressed the Committee on the object of the Bik. During the debate, it was considered ad- visable te retain the clause in the Act limit- ing the quantity of land sold to any one per- sun to 300 aeres. After which the Bill was reperted agreed to. pass d. On motion of Mr. McLennan, the Ilouse special committee on new roads, Mr. Sin- clair in the chair. Said Report was then read, during which objections were taken to the recommenda- tions of the Committee relative to the open- ing of some new roads, a compliance with which would be contrary to the established principles of that House. Mr. Howat explai ed the peculiarly em- barrassing situa:ion of the parties alluded to in the report, especially those resident on ot 28, and contended that the road asked for by such would provs a general benefit to the travelling public. A counter-petition however, was presented, objecting to the road in question. | otherwise of completing the road in ques‘ion. | Is was also resolved that a similar Commis- sion be appointed to report on the road asked for on Lot 20. After some further discussion, ent other localitiesalluded to, the Report was agreed to with amendments. — “Hon. Solicitor General submitted a Bill to amend the Militia Laws of the Island, which was received and read, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow. Hon. Mr. Longworth, Chairman of the Committee appointed to bring in a bill re- lating to the appointment of Clerks of Magis- trates Courts throughout the Island. The hon. member then explained the object of ‘this Bill, and the duties imposed on Clerks rr appointed, relative to forwarding returns to the Prothonotary’s. Office previous to the The Keport was then amended, and pro- meetings of the terms of the Supreme Courts gtess reported thereon. AFTERNOON, On motion of the Hon Mr. Pope, the Re- venue Bill was read a third time and passed. | ('n motion of the Hon. Mr. Longworth, | the Bill relating to the Estate of the late J.) H. Winsloe, by which tenants on that Estate | ean secure the titles of their farms, was also) read a third time and passed. On motion of Hon. Mr. Davies, the Bil) to amend the Union Bank Act, for the par-| pose of altering the time for bolding the an-| nual meetings of that Institution, was read | a second time and agreed to. | Mr. Brecken moved that the House go into Committee on a Bill to amend the Incorpor- ation Act of the City of Charlottetown; and in doing so explained the principal altera- tions recommended by the said Bill, Llon. Mr. Laird moved an amendment, that the House go into Committee thereon this day three months. The said amendment having been negatived, progress was reported. Hon. Col. Gray presented a petition from the Rev. Alexander McLean, and other in- habitants of Eildon, praying for the establish- The hon. member, in recommending the petition to the favorable consideration of the House, said that a great many young men, in that rising place, were anxious to acquire a knowledge of the higher branches of edu- cation, preparatory to their entering College The laudable object of the petition he there- fore hoped would be favorably supported. ito amend the Land Purchase Act. of the Island; after which the Bill was re- ceived and read, and ordered to be read a second time to-morrow. On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General, the House went into Committee on the Bill Mr. tlowlan in the Chair. | The Bili was then read by the Chairman, clause by clause, and agreed to with certain amendments. On motion of the Hon. Mr. Davies, the Bill to amend the Union Bank Act was read a third time amd passed. On motion of the Hon. Leader of the Go-- vernment, the Bill to assist Leaseholders in the purchase of the fee simple of their farms, was read a third time and passed. Louse adjourned. AFTERNOON. On motion of the Hon Solicitor General, the Bill relative to Wills, Legacies, and Testators, was read a third time and passed Hon. Mr. Longworth, Chairman of the Committee on Private Bulls, recommended that the Bill to incorporate the Presbyterian Church at Woodville and Little Sands be exempt from the charge of fees payable thereon. Hon. Col. Gray then moved that the House | go into Committee on the Bill to incorporpte ithe Church at Woodville, &¢. Mr. Green in the chair. The said Bill was then read, clause by clause, and reported agreed to. The Pauper Seales were then again taken up in Committee and disposed of. Owing, however, to the established rulv of the House, which provides that ell petitions praying for money grants should be forward- ed to the office of the Cul. Secretary, pre- viously to the opening of the Legislature, the said petition was ordered to be withdrawn, the remedy being with the Executive Coun- ceil or the Board of Education. Hon. Col. Gray then presented a petition praying for the Incorporation of a Presby- terian Church at Woodville and Little Sands ; which petition was received and read, and referred to a Committee to report thereon. Hon. Col. Gray, chairman of the said Committee, submitted a Bill, which was re-| ceived and read, and ordered to be referred the Private Bill Committee to report thereon. On motion of the Hon. J.C. Pope,seconded by the Ion. Solicitor General, the Bill to enable tenants to purchase the fee simple of | their farms, was submitted to a Committet of the whole House. The principles of tha’ important Bill re- ceived the general approval of hon members on both sides of the House ; the object of which was to aid and assist tenants to pur- chase the freehold interest of their farms, by | advancing them one-half the purchase money, iimiting the same to 16s 8d per acre, cur- reney ; one-hall of which, namely, 8s 4d per acre, to be loaned by the Government for a period of ten years, payable by instalments, and bearing interest at 6 per cent. The money to be obtained, for the accomplish- ment af that ohjeet. hy the issue of Dehon- tures amounting, for the present,to £50,000. Hon. Mr. Coles said it was not his inten tion to oppose the Bill, bat he had hoped that two-thirds of the purchase money might, with all propriety, be advanced to tenants fine them to one-half, as proposed in the Bull. The Bill, after some further discussion, was read clause by clause, and reported agreed to. When the IIon. Mr. Coles moved that it be recommitted, for the purpose of amending the same by a Resolution, which he then submitted, to the effect that two-thirds, and not one-half, the purchase money be ad- vanced; and also to allow for any instal- men's paid by tenants, who might produce a receipt for the same, to the Commissioner of Publie Lands, said receipt being for the pay- ment of ouve-third of said purchase money of their farms. He said that he was desirous On motion of the Hon. Mr. Davies, the Hlouse reeolved itself into a Committee of the whole to resume the consideration of Supply. Several Resolutions were then reported from Supply and agreed to. Hon. Solicitor General presented a petition | i from divers inhabitants of Georgetown ask- ing permission to erect a Pound on the pub-| lic square of that Town. Said petition was referred to the following | special Committee to report thereon. viz :| Hons. Solicitor General, gar Kaye. On motion of the Hou. Mr. Laird, the House resumed the debate on the subject of Colonial Confederation. Hoa. Col. Gray opened the debate by de- liverieg a long speech in favor of Confeder- ation. He was followed by the fIon. Mr. Warbur- tom, who epoke in opposition to the proposed Union. After which that important debate was again adjourned till Monday next. Won. Mr. Pope then introduced a Bill by which to assiet Tenants to purchase the fee! simple of their farme. He said the ob ject of | the Bill was to advance money to Tenants to the extent of one half the purchase «money necessary to obtain the fee simple o! their farm. The money, thus advanced, to be secured on the property and repaid with in- terest, by annual instalments extending toa term of ten years. To acccmplish that ob- ivet, he said the Gill authurized the Govern- ment to isswe debentures to the extent of 450,000 currency, which amount might here- aiter be inereased, if necessary, for the pur- pose of finally abolishing that leasehold! system which had retarded the progress and | prosperity of the Colony. The Bili was then reeeived and read, and ordered to be read a second time on Monday next. House adjourned. Mowvay, March 27. (ln motion of the Hon. Mr. Pope, the dlouse went into Committee on the appropri- ation for Koads and Bridges. Whéie in Comamittee on this subject, Mr Conroy remarked that the Roud Commision ers had not always expended the grants of thas Hows2 im accordance with the Road Seajes put jato their hands. There was, he of the Quebec Conference. to have that amendment inserted in the Bill, that Mr. Haythorne’s offer might be carried /out, which he had read to the House pre- | viously to going into Committee; for he thought that if the tenants on the estate of that gentleman could get rid of all their back rents, by the Government advancing three- fifths, that amount should be paid by the Government. In reply to that Resolution, the Lon. Leader of the Government remarked that the suggestions therein contained received due consideration before the Bill was submitted to the Llouse, which, if carried out, would necessarily involve a heavy loss, as all Pro- prietors, who had a number of the very poor- est class of tenants from whom no rent could be received, would willing|y give such tenants a receipt for one-third the purchase money tor the sake of getting the other two-thirds from the Government. ‘To prevent that, the Bill c atemplated that all the purchase money should pass through the hands of the Land Commissioner. As for the tenants on Mr. Llaythorne’s estate, it could not be ex- pected that the House couid legislate exclu- sively for their benefit; and if the agree- menis entered into between those tenants and their landlord were as advantageous to them as hud been represented by the hon. leader of the Opposition, he did not see that they required any special aid. The question was then put on the amend- ment of the Hon. Mr. Coles, and negatived on the following division, viz : Por the amendment—tLlons. Messrs. Coles, Whelan, Warburton, Hensley, Thornton, Kelly, Beaton; Messra. Howlan, Sinclair, Walker and Conroy—11, Against it—Hons, Messrs. Pope,Longworth, Col, Secretary, Laird, Sol. General, Davies, Kaye; Messrs. Liaslam, Montgomery, Yeo, Green, McLennan, Howat, Brecken, Ramsay and Duancan—16. The Bill was accordingly agreed to. Tie debate on the question of Colonial Confederation was thea resumed, and kept up till a very late hour. lion. Mr. Hensley und Mr. Brecken spoke in opposition to the proposed Union scheme lon. Mr. Davies aid he was in favour of for the purchase of their farms, and not con-_ | consideration of the appropriation for Roads, | Bridges and Wharts, and reported the same jagreed to. On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General, the Bill to amend the laws relating to the better administration of Justice, was com- mitted. Mr. Yeo in the chair. Lon. Sol. General explained the changes in the practice sought to be introduced by of Writ to be served upon corporate bodies, plaintiff to file common bail in suits against incorporate Companies, in accordance with the present practice in suits between indi- viduals. Another provision in the Bill was for the relief of parties sued by executors or administrators, rendering them liable to the consequences of litigation in the saine manner as were private individuals. ‘The Bill also provided ior liability to pay interest on open accounts after demand and notice. It also authorized the adoption of legal proceedings, in the form of signature, used by any de- fendant in subscribing to any contract. Rights of action in cases of tort, were, by the Bull, reserved to the personal represen- tatives of deceased individuals. It also pro- vided that in the case of Notes drawn, payable in specific articles, the plaintiff should not be compelled to prove value re- ceived, and gave the privilege of paying mo- ney into Court in cases of fort. It also der for leave to plead more than une plea in suits in the Supreme Court. | After some time spent in Committee, Juring which several hon. members spoke on the principles of the iil, _ Mr. Montgomery objected to that claus> rendering parties liable tu the payment of interest on accounts, as he considered it would tend to encourage litigation, and be productive of no benefit to the debtor. Mr. Howat also offered some objections to that clause. Progress thereon was then reported. The adjourned debate on the subject of Colonial Confederation was then resumed. Hon. Mr. Hensley continued his speech of the previous evening, expressive of his views on that subject. He said he would not go so far as to say he was against Union altoge- ther, but was of opinion that the dearest in- terests of the Island would be injured by the adoption of the principles of the Quebec Covvention. Le spoke at consideranle length, and was followed by the Ion. Solicitor Gene- ral, who entered fully into the whole ques- tion, in defence of the Union side of the sub- ect. . Mr. Ifowlan followed and delivered a long address in opposition to the views held by the advocates of Confederation. The debate was then again adjourned, and ata late hour the Mouse adjourned till 10 o’clock to-morrow. WEDNESDAY, March 29. Hon. Mr. Pope submitted the account of sales of the Steck imported to this Island last year, which was received and read. ‘The Report of the Adjutant General of Militia, which bad been previously submitted, was also read, Mr. Brecken moved that the House go into Committee on the petition of divers inhabitants of Charlottetown, asking the House to appropriate part of Government House Grounds for a Military Parade Ground, and a Park for recreation of Citizens and other inbabitants of P, E, Island. | After some discussion on the subject of the! petition, it was submitted to a Committee of the! whole House. Mr. Yeo in the ehair. [he petition was then received and read, and after some further discussion, during which the desirability of procuring a portion of the domain attached to Government House grounds as a place fora Parade and Recreation ground, was gene- rally admitted by bon. members. Mr. Brecken then submitted a resolution to the effect that, in the opinion of that Committee, it was expedient that a Bill should be passed, au- thorizing the dedication of a portion of the Go- vernwent House farm to the purposes of a Parade ground for the Militia and Volunteers, and as a} Park or place of reereation; and also that au address be presented to Her Majesty the Queen, | praying that she willbe graciously pleaced to give her royal sanction to such dedication. Atter which progress was reported. Hon. Mr. Coles read, in his place, a petition from divers inhabjtants of Marshfield School Dis- trict, Lot 34, complaining of some of the provisions of the present School Act, and suggested certain ameudments. The hon. member observed that he was aware he could not ask for any action to be taken on the petition, which had only been very recently handed to him. He would, however, ask if it were the intention of the Government to amend the Schoo] Act during the present Session ? avid, & lack of attention on this poins which the muin principles of Contederatian,but was ———— relating to the opening of new roads in differ-| The House ther in Committee, resumed the | the Bill, which specified the particular form | abolished the necessity of applying for an or- | Fe gh a —— Hon. Mr. Longworth veplie the intention of the Governe action on the subject of due | present Session, in consequence that had elapsed since the present au had been in Operation, the werits of which not yet been fairly tes'ed. APTERNOON. amended jaw had incorporate the Minister and ‘Trustees of Presbyterian Congregation at Woodville an Little Sands, was read a third ume aud passed On motion ot the Hon. Mr. Davies, the Suppler On motion of the Hon. Col. Gray, the Bill to) 4, that it was not | reason," eaid he, “for pfomptness on the part ut to entertain any | of the ation, during the of the short time | Canadian Legislature in adopting the reso- jutions was, to avoid the necessary reaction which would pervade England from one end to the other, if it were thought that this project was abandoned. He believed what more than any- thing else had raised British Ainerica, or at least Cavada—its chiet component part—in the esti- vation of Englatid, was that by this scheme we offered a means by whijeh these colonies would cease to be a source of embarrassment, and be in fact a sgurce of strength. ‘That feeling per- yaded England, and the reaction that would tul- Jow its disappointment would be very great. ile jmeutary Kstimates for the Current year were reported several resolutions agreed to, after jsubumitted, and referred to the House when in) | Committee on Supply. |” Hon. Mr. Coles asked for returns of the number of acres of land purehased by ‘the Government last year, and the price paid tor the sawe. Hon. Mr, Davies said he thought that the Ac- eountsand Returns from the Laud Office, already | before the House, ‘uruished the necessary iulor- To diel Leader of the Government, shortly afterwards, produced mel we gy of the Laud ‘ jssjouer the paper asked tor, Oe cctiod of the Hos. Solicitor General, the Mihtia Bill was read asecond time and committed. eo in the chair. og Hos. Selicitur General explained the Bill, and said that it repealed the Act 14 Vic. cap 6, and thereby revived certain Acts therein men- tioned. ‘The repeal of said Act, he said, would enable the Commauder-in-Chiet to cali out the Militia, if occasion required. After some debate on the subject, the Bill was agreed to without any amendment. The House resumed Committee on Supply, and reported several Resolutions agreed to. ; Mr. Yeo, Chairman of the Committee appointed to examine the Public Accounts, presented their Report, which was ordered to be committed toa Committee of the whole House to-morrow, On motion of the Hon. Mr. Longworth, the Bill relating to the appointment of Clerks of Jus- tices of the Peace, was submitted toa Committee lof the whole House. Hon. Mr. Beaton in the chair. Hon. Mr. Longworth then explained the object of the Bill, which authorizes Justices ef the Peace, in any district of the Island, if they think proper, to appoint a Clerk, for whose acts the said Jus- tices should be responsible. The duties of such the Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of the County in which he shall hold his office; such Returns to be forwarded to said office at least four days previous to the holding of the respective Sessions of the said Supreme Court. Those Re- turns to contain a record of all convictions before such Justices of the Peace from whom he may hold his appointment, together with the amount of fines ordered by sneh Justices, and the manner in whieh they might have been levied and distri- buted, On motion of Me, McLennan, a Resolution was adopted, to the effect that an address be presented to His Excellency the Lieut. Gevernor on the subject of the report of the Comuittee. Hon. Solicitor General, agreeably to notice, introdueed a Bill to amend the law relating to the Agricultural Society, so as to alter the time for holding the annual meeting of that Society. The House in Committee thereon. Mr. Yeo :in the ebair. / Several hon. members then spoke of the neces- : sity of resuscitating that institution, with the view of rendering it more generally useful to the Agri- cultwwral interests of the Colony. Progress was then reported. The adiourned question on the subject of Colo- nial Confederation was :hen resumed; the debate was opened by : The Hon. Mr Longworth, whe delivered a long speech condemnatory of the principles upon which were based the Report of the Quebee Conierence, the adoption of which, he said, would be subver- sive of the best rights and liberties of the veople | of this Colony. He was followed by Messrs. Sinelair and Howat. both of whom spoke against Union, and con- demned the scheme propounded by the Constitu- tion agreed upon at the Quebee Conference. |} The debate was then adjourved till toanorrew jafternoon, After which the House adjourved till 10 o'clock to-morrow. Tacrspay, March 3. On motion of the Hon. Solicitor General, the House in Committee resumed the consideration of the Bill to amend the laws for the better adminis- tration of Justice. | After some vernarks from Messrs Howat, Dunean, | Montgomery, and the Hons Messrs Hensley, Bea ton and the Solicitor General, the Bill was amended |on motion of Mr Montgomery, by striking out the | clanse authorizing Execuators or Administrators to Aiter destrain for rent due deceased landlords. ‘ } which it was reported agreed to. | | Committee te bring in the Appropriation Bill, viz: | Hon Mr Davies and Messrs McLeunan and Yeo. The Bill to appoint Clerks w Justices of the | Peace, and to regulate proceedings had betore them, was read a third time and passed. | ‘The Bill relating to Militia was also read a third time and passed, Hon. Solicitor General, having obtained leave, and also designated the parties on Whom | introduced a Bill to amend the Act passed during | such Writ should be served, and enable the} the present Sessicn, relative to Pickled Fish. He | explained that certain restrictions were placed by the Bill recently passed to which strong objections | were taken by gentlenien extensively engaged in | the Fisheries of the Island. He, therefore, felt it | to be his duty to bring the matter under the cousi- | deration of the House, in order that the Act in | question might be repealed or amended so as to offer every facility to those engaged in that important branch of industry. Mr Howlan opposed the views taken on the mat- ter by the Hion Solicitor General, and contended | tha* the provisions of the Bill, which had just re- | ; ceived the sanction of that House, were caleulated | | to give acharacter to our trade in the article of | Fish, and would also foster aud encourage our Fisheries Hon. Mr. Bexton also defended the Inspection a Government Brand, the securing of the trade of the Island a “ status,” the want of which has hitherto been a serious loss to those engaged in the Fishery trade. Hon. Mr. Davies said that he would not support any restrictive policy on that subject; the objectof the Bill, recently passed, was to zivea character to |} our Fish in markets abroad—an object highly ne- cessary. He would, however, support any measure that would facilitate trade, dnd remove any un- necessary restrictions that may have been imposed by the Act- The House then went into Committee on the Bill. Mr. Yeo in the eliair. Hons Messrs. Coles, J.C. Pope, Davies, Solicitor General, and Messrs. Duncan, Howlan and Me- Lennan, addressed the Committee on the subject of the Bill, during which hon. members on both sides conearred in the propriety of offering every en- conragement and facility to the trade of the Island with the United States, by the removal of any ob straction whieh might be deemed inexpedient. Ion. Solicitor General then moved an amendment to the Act, to the effect that all Pickled Fish land- ed on the Island, from on board any vessel belong- ing to any Foreign country, which Fish bave been caught for, and belong to, any Foreigner, and are not to be used or consumed on the Island, but all intended to be re-shipped for exportation to any Foreign country, shall be exempt from the provi- sions of the Act passed during the present Session of the Legislature of the Island, intituled “ An Act for regulating the Inspection of Pickled Fish for exportation from this Island.” Vhich amendment was agreed to; after which the Bill, as amended, was agreed to. House adjourned. AFTERNOON. The Honse resumed the adjourned debate on the Union of the Colonies. Hon. Mr. Kelly opened the debate in opposition to Colonial Union of any kind, and on any terms. believing thatzit would retard, rather than advance the prosperity of this country in every point of view. He was followed by Messrs Conroy, Hasiam and Montgomery, all whom recorded their opposition to Confederation. A few remarks was also offered by Mr McLen- nan, relative to the appointment of the Delegation to Quebec. Hon Mr Whelan then rose, and oceupied tayo hours and a half in delivering a speech in favor of the principles adopted at the Quebec Conference. Mr Dunean next spoke in opposition to the pro- posed scheme, which, he said, would be ruinous to the general interests of the Colony. The debate was then, at a very late hour, ad- journed till to-morrow, Hon Mr. Pope, a member of the Executive Council. prevenree the nnnuaal Report of the Visitor of Schools for the Eastern Section of the Island, accompanied by an Extract from the minutes of 2 meeting of the Board of Education, beld that day, regretting that the said Report was not received in time to be transmitied to the Legislature at an early period. Which documeuts were then or dered to be laid on the table, House adjourned. A. MeNeitt, Reporter. CORRESPONDENCE, CANADA. --—- (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Toronto, C, W., March 14th, 1864. THE HOUSE. The news of the defeat of the Confederation candidates in New Brunswick, was the most Clerk should be to make a Return to the Office of Law, which had for its object, by the adoption of called theretore on hon. gentlemen not to allow Canada and British America tu lose the vantage ground they had gained by showing any signs et | receding on this question. Another reason why this matter should be dealt with promptly was because of its connection with the question of de- fence—opne wiiich must at once be considered in view ef the present position of affairs on this con- tinent. As had already been freqaetitly stated, this question had engaged the anxious attention of this Government, and they had been mW con- tinuous correspondence with the Home Govert- ment as to the best means of organizing ap eth- cient defence against every hostile pressure, trot whatever source it mightcome. ‘They had hoped that the Confederation scheme would secon have assumed such an aspect that that question would have been dealt with by these Provinces as a whole. They could not disguise from themselves that the course of events in New Brunswick would prevent the early united action of these Provinces on this subject. The question of de- fence therefore caine up now as between Canada and England, and the Government felt it Was one which could no longer be postponed. (Hear, hear.) . Then there was a third question which alsu called for immediate action, and that was the commercial relations between Canada and the United States. The fact of the consumma- tion of union being protracted or postponed, and therefore the construction of the Litercolonial Railway being postponed, called on the Imperial Goverument tor Immediate action on that subject. He would now state to the House the policy. the Government proposed, in view of these circum- stances, to pursue, and for which they sought the support of the House and country. First, they desired that this debate should be brought to an end with all convenient speed, and that the House should, as sven as possible, vote yes or no on these resulutions. Then, so soon as the address was carried, the Government intended to ask a vote of credit from the House, and prorogué Parha- ment on the earliest day possible thereafter. Un- finished business would be taken up next session at the point at which it had reached this. Some members of the Guverument would proceed to England for the purpose of discussing and ar- ranging with the linperial Government the ques- tion of Confederation in its present aspect, the question of defenee, and the other important matters to which he had alluded, and the result of that mission would be submitted to this House at an early summer session. (Hear, hear.) As it may be supposed, this bomb-shell thrown into the Opposition camp, rather took them by surprise, and the leaders were wp in arms at once, and aecused the Government of trying to coerce them, and to puta step to the debate. They were very wrathy and protested against the Their indignation was very amusing when one consid- ers the fact that they had been talking for 2 whole month, and had not advanced one single movement of the “ previous question.” argument, or given an amendment during the whele course of the debate... The friends of the scheme combatted these statements, and ap- plauded the energy and the determination of the Government to pursue their policy. This cross fire was kept up by both sections until Friday night, or rather Saturday morning, when a. yote was taken. The House divided on the previous question, which was earried, Yeas, 25; Nays, 39. The motion for the address en Confederation was then put and carried on the following vote : Yeas—Merssrs. Alleys, Archambault, Ault, Beaubien, Bell, Bellerese, Blanchet, Bewman, Bown, Brousseau, Brown, Burwell, Cameron (Peel), Carling, Cartier, Cartwright, Cauchon, } Chambers, Chapais, Cockburn, Cornellier, Cow- an, Currier, DeBoucherville, Denis, DeNiverville, | Dickson, Dufresne (Montealm), Dunsford, Evan- turel, Ferguson (Frontenac), Ferguson (South +| Simeoe), Gait, Gaucher, Gaudet, Gibos, Harwood, | Haultain, Higgonsou, Howland, Huot, Irvine, | Jackson, Jones (South Leeds), Jones (North | Leeds), Kuight, Langevin, LeBeutillier, Atty. McDougall, McGee, MeGiverin, McIntyre, Me- Kellar, Mogill, Morris, Morrison, Parker, Pope, | Poulan, Poupere, Powell, Rankin, Raymond, Remillard, Robitaille, Rose, Ross (Champlain), | Ross (Dundas), Ross (Prince Edward), Scoble, |Shanly, Smith (Durham), Smith (Torente), Somerville, Stirton, Street, Sylvain, Thompson, Walsh, Webb, Wells, White. Wilson, Wood, Wright (East York), Wright (Ottawa)—91. Navys—Bigger, Bourassa, Cameron, Caron, Coupal, Dorion (Hochelaga), Dorion ( Arthabas- ka), Duckett, Dutresne (Lberville), Fortier, Gag- non, Geoffrion, Holton, Houde, Huntington, Joly, Labreche-Viger, Lafrombaise, Lajoie, Me Donald (Cornwall), McDonald (Glengarry), McDonald (Toronte), O'Halloran, Paquet, Perrault, Pin- sonneault, Pouliot, Kymai, Seatehered, Tasche- reau, Thibaudeau, Tremblay, Wallbridge (North Hastings)—33. Messrs. Powell, Parker, Gibbs, iTuot, Evantu- rel, and Gaudet, who voted against the previous question, voted yea on the main motion. The House adjourved at half-past four—mem- bers immediately joining in chorus, “God save the Queen.” By referring to the above, it will be seen that only nine Upper Canadian meinbers voted against it. The vote was the largest that ever was taken in the House on any question, and never was the attendance of members so good as during tbis debate; knowing tlat the majority would have been so overwhelining, it reflects great credit upon the members to see that they were so much in terested in the result as to sit out so tiresome a debate in purpose to have their names recorded on the scroll of fame. Business is being wound up with alacrity, and I don’t think that the House wil sit longer than the present week; then Dele- gates will go to England to lay their plans before the House of Parliament, and get their support to do something with the Provinces that still hold out. There is no doubt but that the passage of the scheme here will affect the elections still to come off in New Brunswick, in Nova Scotia, and with you. The resultof the negotiations with the Court of St. James will be anxiously looked for, and on it the future greatness of the British North Amerieaa Provinces will in a great measure depend. THE ST. ALBANS RAIDERS Are stillin jail. Since I last wrote to you their case has not advanced a stage, owing to the con- tinued illness of Judge Smith. SILVER. Canada is flooded just now with American Silver, which is used to the detriment of the Banks of the Province. Bills have toa great extent dis- appeared, and the Directors of the Banks are making toud outeries about the nuisance. The Board of Trade met to-day and passed a resolu- tion recommending store-keepers to put a discount | of four per cent upon it. The recommendation | has not been adopted by over two-thirds of the | retail dealers, and a war is being waged. | Pla- | cards adorn the windows of the shop in which the silver is taken at par, and a rivalry exists as to who will get the most customers. The opinior is beginning to prevail that those who take it at | par add the per centage on the goods, ‘There is little doubt but that this is really the ease; and if it is found to be so, trade will be withdrawn from these shops. THE PASSPORT SYSTEM Ts now abolished as far as Canada is concerned, and now the trade of passenger travel! over the Railways is being resumed... When the order was promulgated the people on the frontier had great rejvicing. Hand-shaking and mutual interchange of public opinion was the erder of the day. The enforcement of the system is not unattended with good results. It has shewn the good feeling which does really exist between the people of both countries; and, in fact, the Americans were more demonstrative than the Canadians. They hope | that from this time out good feeling and brotherly love will reign supreme. CRIMPING Is being carried on in Canada toa great extent, and hundreds of British subjects are being taken to the other side to fight the battles of the North. Legal measures are taken to try to step this ex- odus, but few arrests are made. Bounty jumpers are getting well posted in the manner of eva ing the law aud few corrections are made. THE WINTER fortunate thing for the Canadian Government which have happened. The Hon. Attorney! General McDonald rose in his place in the House, | | on Monday, the 6th instant, and explained that) so far from the Canadian Government giving up| the scheme because. New Brunswick was going against it, would have the effect of making thew | act more promptly and vigorously than they had farmers intended to do. The Government did not con- sider that it afforded any cause for the abandon- ‘Mr. Haslam eaid he had a petition on the same! ment or postponement ef the question submitted subject, which he was about to present, when the in the resolution before the House, ‘ Que great’ IIas this year been the longest that has been known for very many years. Snow storm fol- lows snow storm in quick succession. Many are benefitted by it, whilst others suffer very much. Fodder for cattle is very scarce, and many of the FOAL O11 adjacent to the present oil wells is holding on so a8 to get large prices. New York speculators (are very busy, and they are buying up all the land that the people willsell. Several persons have suddenly found themselves rich, far beyond their most sanguine expectations, George Brown has, i is said, disposed %250,000 in gold. PEAT. ; ferent parts of Canada, and companies are being formed to prepare the commodity for market. It} would be a-great gain to Canadians if it could be found in sufficiently large quantities to replace wood as fuel, as the latter is now getting very scarce in the vicinity of large towns. FROM OUR CANADIAN CORRESPONDENT. Toronto, C. W., Merch 21st, 1865. THE CONFEDERATION SCHEME. In my last letter I informed you that Confede- ration had been carried by a sweeping majority. Since then, the Government have hurried up matters, and the Houses were proregued on Saturday last. On Menday last, on motion that an address should be made to Her Majesty, the Opposition gut off some of their spleen, which they had been nursing so Jong against the Government, and which they had not the courage to do whilst the debate was going on. Mr. Jobn H. Canieron (Peel) was the chosen scape-goat, ard be made himself very ridiculous betore the eyes of the country and his constituents, by moving in amendment that an address be pre- sented to His Excellency the Governor General, praying that His Excellency, in view of the mag- uitude of the interests involved in a measure of such momentous importance, which changes the whole of the existing constitution of the Province, will direct an appeal to be made to the people before any action is taken for its confirmation or enactment by the Imperial Parliament. Mr. M. C. Cumeron seconded this amendment, but neither of these geutlemen have anything te brag about by doing as they have done, more especially when the Confederation scheme was passed, and the debate closed upon it altogether. As may be ex- pected, their amendment was defeated by an im- mense majority. During this debate a great deal was said about annexation; and Mr. Erie Dorion ( Rouge) spoke strongly in favour of cutting away the apron strings which bind Canada to England. Coming from the man it did, there is no pretence that he speaks with the consent or the will of his party. Some men like to de or say something which wil bring them prominently before the public; notoriety 1s what they want, and if they only get it, they care not by what means it is ac- complished. Mr. E. Derion has chosen this questionable mode, and has got himself: well talked about for his pains. Since his speech on the subjeet, a few other members, who have al- ways been satisfied to be silent on any and every occasion, have deigned to give vent to their dis- loyal sentiments, and annexation is now the prin- cipal topic ot conversation throughout the country. The people of the Maritime Provinees may thank themselves for this; and if Canada should, in a year or two, advocate Annexation, the Maritime Provinces will, of necessity, require to follow suit. The poiuts at issue are very grave, and I c2n searcely imagine that the anti-Confederation- ists ever dreamt of such a turn of events. On ‘Tuesday the House resolved itself into a Com- mittee ef Supply, and Mr. Galt (Finance Minis- ter) explained most clearly and elaborately the necessily that existed for.a speedy action in granting supplies. As may be expected, his éx- planations wére not received without being ques- tioned by the Opposition; but the Jen. Finance Minister explained everything to even their satis- faction, although some of the members had not the manliness to admit it. After a lengthy de- bate, $1,000,000 was granted for the purposes of defence. Mt is proposed to extend the period during which tke Volunteers will remain m the field until September; and it is not improbable that should the struggle on the American conti- nent still be prolonged after that dute, that the volunteers will still be required to mount guard }upon the frentier. On Thursday the Committee jot Supply rose, and reported that the Supply Bill, granting $3,380,000, had been adopted. Friday was devoted to the winding up of the business, which was far eneugh advanced to be treated in ; that way; and, as stated above, on Saturday the | House was prorogued. iso, spoke as follows — by flon. Gentlemen of the Legislatire Council— “ Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly— “In releasing you for the present from further | The Resolutions last reported from Supply were | Gen. Macdenald, Mactarlane, Mackenzie (Lamb- attendanee in Parliament, 1 rejoiee that J am received, and the following gentlemen appointed «| ton), Mackenzie (North Oxterd), MeConney, jable to congratuiate you upon having Jaid the | foundation of a mere intimate anion of Ter Ma- | jesty’s possessions in British North America. I jam also happy te think that the eourse which jyeu have adopted bas been ealenlated to prove ihe sineerity and earpestuess with which you | adhere to the policy of Her Majesty in relation to foreign countries, and your readiness to pass measures Which may be tound necessary for the enforcement of that policy within the Province. “ Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly ,— “I thank you for the provision you have made for carrying on the public service of the Province. The sum which bas been entrusted to the Govern- ment by your vote, for the permanent defence of the Province, cannot fail to be regarded by our tellow-subjects in England as an earnest that Canadians are ready to accept the responsibility whilst they claim the advantages of British counection. “ Hon. Gentlemen, and Gentlemen,— “Tt has been considered advisable that a depu- tation from the Government of Canada should proceed to London to conter with Her Majesty's Ministers on questions of great importance to the Celony. When these gentlemen shall have re- turned, I shall lose no time in again availing myself of your counsels, and laying before you the result of their mission.” Thus closes one of the most important sessions of the Canadian Parhament that ever was held. The delegates are actively preparing for their trip to the Court of St James, and next week, if all is well, will see Messrs. John A. McDonald, Galt, Cartier and McDougall on the bosom of the broad Atlantic. So soon as they can return it is proposed that Parliament shall again re-assemble and receive the report of the delegates. SURPLUS OF SILVER. Je all the rage now, ar eny one who bas land | fessors’ salaries, rent anc who could scarcely eke out a miserable pittance, | The Hon, | C2eation of their childrea. of’ 5000 Stated is true, and I believe itis, I ask the tax- acres of his estate at Bothwell for the sum of | P&yers of the Colony if th ‘y are prepared to His Excellency, in dving } counts show that the amount paid for Pro. other e i £765 17s. 4d, besides six country scene - of £20 each; total £885 17s.4d. Thissum divids ied by 27, the number of scholars attending the College, is about £32 15s. for each seho are independent of fees paid by parents for che If what 1 have continue an institution whch benefits so small a portion of the community, wien an educa- le; . “ Large deposits of peat have been found in dif- | ston equaily as good is ir:parted at another College, receiving no public aid, and where order i8 maintained, which, true, is not the ease at the Col lege ? _ It will be for the people to say whether it is advisable to continue the College in its preseot shape, or whether some arrangement ought not to be made to render it available for the country at large? I remain yours very truly, J. WARBURYON, Chariottetown, March 27, 1866. i i To tue Epiror or tne Exaier. Sir :—Eaclid, when asked, by one of hig royal pupils if there wes not some easiar way of learning Geometry than by close stud und application, is said to have replied wi the simple sentence: ‘There is no royal road to Geometry.’” Now, Mr. Editor, thig if the reports are Prince of Wales consider the time and coantry in which — Euclid lived: but any one can, by reading — the Protesiant of March |8th, see that it entirely inapplicable to the present day and the City of Summerside. 1 Thereis, in the paper referred to, a notice of a quarterly examination of the Summerside Grammar School, taught by one Alexander realized the stupendous strides that civiliza~ ion, art, and especially learning, are makin in this nineteenth century, which is bl with the auspicious light of Mr. McRae’s countenance. I may vyerture to say that this centary would be remembered as an eventful era in the world’s history, merely on account of his having honoured it with his presence, if there were no other causes which would contribute to make it favor us, But enough 9f McRae; Jet us see what is said concerning the progress of the pupils under his charge. It is about three months since he was appointed to the Grammar School, and lo! what effects are seen since then. Greek, French (?), Geometry, Geography, English Grammar, Dictation and Mental Arithmetic,and ‘‘acquitted themselves well.’’ How astonishing it 1s that Mr. Monk—gene- rally considered one of the best teachers that the Island ever saw — excepting, of course, the one who now occupies 18 place—taught the children none of these »ranchea. McRae is perhaps a distant relation of the person spoken of in Butler's Ludibras, of. whom it is said: Besides, ’tis known he could speak Greek, As naturally us ries do squeak. and that may aceount for is happy mode of teaching what some are inclined to think be never knew. W onderfai too, is it not? that such profi- ciency in such varied stutiies could be ob- tained in the brief period of three months. There must, Mr. Editor, be some Cape Breton road to learning with which the in- habitants of the rising City of Summerside are being enlightened. It is no matter of surprise that they have applied to Govern- {ment to have their village incorporated, for if their sons can aecomplis!) 80 much in three jmonths, what must the older members of jsuciety be capable of. Should the powers | that be’’ pass an Act for incorporating Sum- jmerside, McRae will probably be elected Mayor by an unanimous ror populi, and of the City into Greek. There would indeed be some advantages arising from ench an act on the part of McRae, for there could nos possibly be any dispute concerning the true meoning of the Laws—every one, however great lis erudition, being equally ignorant. Some doubt existed at tive time that Me- Rae was appointed Master of the School, as to whether 1t were right to appoint bim in preferences to either of the other candidates, but now fortunately the minds of all will be set at rest, and the wisdom ef the choice ,whieh was made acknowledged. The only uneasiness that can henceforth exist will be | caused by fear that, on aceount of his great ‘talents and varied aequirements, he may not }live to bless the eountry in whieh he resides, jlor the matural term of three score and ten years. Trusting, however, that such a calamity as bis death muy be spared the Island, Lam yours, &. QUILL. e Mareh 29th, 1865. ORWELL YOUNG MEN’S INSTITUTE. On Tuesday, the 14th inetart, Mr. Leander G. McNeill, P. W. Collega, Chaslottetown, read a lecture before this Inet Hulgor “ British Secular Oratory.” The lecturer Tirst gave his ideas of eloquence in general, and of secular eloquence in particular. ‘This second object was to give a brief biographical sketch ef several of the most promi- nent orators of British birth, The Earl of Chat- tam, Wm. Pitt, Edmund Burke, C. J. Fox, R. B. Sheridan, Grattan, Canning, O’Connel, and seve- ral otbers, were treated at some length. Three pieces were recited in an able manner in order te present to the audience seme idea of the great powers of Britain’s speaking sons, viz: a part of Chattain’s speech on Britain's employing mer- cenary troops in the war with Americans, Burke’s impeachment of Warren Hastings, Eeq., and one of Grattan’s most sareastie ptillipics. The sub- jeet was ably treated, occupied about an hour and a half in delivery, and was favourably re- ceived by a full house. A spirited discussion ensued on several poiits advanced in the leeture. We, in Upper Canada, are dreadfully annoyed with a surplus of American silver, and the To- ronto Globe is out against it. The Board of | Trade recommended that the Store-keepers should | put a discount of four per cent upon it; and many of them adopted the recommendation, whilst others again, who are not troubled with bank ac- counts, stuck out against the movement, and “ sil- ver at par” labels are in the windows of a large number of the shops. It is made publie that a good deal of money has been made on American silver. The banks of course do not take it, and | when any dealer wishes to make a deposit he has | to apply te the money changers, and they charge | him from 4 to 6 per cent discount. ‘This silver is | again sold by the brokers to establishments where | a large number of men are employed, and it is ! paid to them at par, and thus the American silver | has been circulating in Upper Canada for the last three years. There.is to be a meeting to-night | cf the citizens to take action in the matter, and it | will be for them to say whether the silver will | be taken at par or the rate of discount increased. | Many are in favor of releasing the Canadian | coinage now lying useless in the bank, by | putting a discount of 10° per cent upon it. It! seems rather strange to hear so much about re- | fusing to take silver when trade is so dull; but dealers have been compelled to take some action in the matter to save themselves and their eustom- evs from the clutches of unprincipled brokers. SPRING AT LAST. Since my last letter to you spring has come | Upon us quickly, and already the snow is fast dis- | appearing; aud from what has already been seen | of the Fall wheat, the show is a most promising | ene, and if no severe night frosts follow, we will | evidently have a good yield of Fall wheat. This is | | much to be desired, as for the last four years the crops have not been anything like what they were years ago, and many of the farmers fear that they will not be able to make both ends meet unless there are good crops this season. The winter has been a very severe one, and many far- mers had to kill off their stock to keep them from dying from starvation. Freshets are, howeve ry working considerable damage throughout the country, and a large amount of property bas been destroy ed. _— ee To rng Epirog or truz Examiner. Dear Sir ; : For the last three sessions of the Legisla- ture I have endeavored to show to the country that the benefits derived from the Prince of Wales College are not at all commensurate. with the lavish expenditure required to sup- port it, while the salaries of the district teachers have been redaced one third. I ean- not see the justice of subsidising an imstita- tion at the expense of the country @istricts, farmers in the back townships are necessitated to kill off their cattle to prevent them dying from starvation. The roads are good, and had prices of grain been — to what was expected, a large business would have been done; but as it is, few eo do more than clear expeuses, while others kave an account on the wrong side of the book. All look anxiously forward for Spring to open, so that they may see how the wheat cro leoke. March came in like a Jamb, but the se- which are so poorly supported by the counsry, Last year I made an estimate of the cost to) the country, of each scholar attending the Prince of Wales Uollege.: independent of the amount paid by eer it was about £35 “4 meeps uring the present session as or the returns of the past year, a , find there are 27 prt tb College, besides ten which are * exchanged’* cond day ushered in a storm of great severity. from the grammar school. The public ac-' scholars attending the | of And had not the evening been so far spent as to prevent many others from stating their views, the ost lively and instructive debate would certainly have followed. The Institute heartily thanked Mr. MeNeill, and will be glad to be entertained by him at any future time. A notion appears to be pretty generally abroad to the effect that Sir Edmund Surke was neither a pre-eminently great man nora great orator. Many place him, as an orator, beneath Chattam, Pitt, Fox, Sheridan, Grattan and Shiel. This is a mistaken idea. Burke, like every genius, wrote and spoke for a future generation. And it is only in this age that his master mind is being fully appreciated and openly acknowledged. Have not all our leading statesmen, whether they will own to it or not, literally lived upon Edmund Burke?) The great mine of constitutional and political wisdom which is stored up im his works, has been a fouvtain from whic all may gain re- freshinent to day and forever. For political sa- gacity, soundness of judgment, constitutional knowledge, and majesty of diction, be stands on a summit of hisowa. And is be nut frequently placed in the same category with Shakespere, Milton, Bacon, and Newtou!? As to his oratory, he stands unrivalled among Lnglish Senators. Sheridan has been beld forth as a greater orator than Burke. Sheridan certainly was a skillful off-hand disputant. He beut all the powers of his acute mind to shine as a dazzling declaimer. He attended debating clubs, soted every keen thought and witty saying, resorted to theatrical display, and, as a consequenee, won the reputa- tion of being the readiest wit aud most gorgeous orator of the day. But this hind of reputation never lasts. His speech, on introducing the Be- gum Charge, in the trial of Hastings, owes its greatest success to display of this nature. And although it was then considered the noblest effurt in the annals of British eloquence, yet no sooner had the interest of this great trial passed away, than the chief merits of this famous speech passed with it. And this bas been the fate of all poor Sheridan’s highest flights. Not so with Burke, Barke’s imagination was as gorgeous as ever plumed the wing of eloquence, aud, besides, it was enriched by erudition so vast, genius so dar- ing, a judgraent so comprehensive, a discourse go boundiess, that.all his oratorical effurts must ever command the admiration ot mankind. If we are to credit the assertions of Erskine May, in his Constitutional History, Barke was scarcely able to command a hearing—was quite inferior to the Pitts, and altogether unfit. to be compared to Charles James Fox! Fox. once said that “no good speech reads well.” This is undoubtedly true of Fox's orations, but it is not a true test of the highest order of eloquence, Let a speech be heated with emotion, let it be deli- vered with the appliances of the orgtor’s art, and it will be a great speech to both reader and hearer. Fox was a debater of the first order. He gave his hearers the most splendid specimens ot nopassioned eloquence as ever made St. Ste- phen’s ring. Fox had logie and passion, but little imagination. His wit, his invective, bis appeals to the feelings, were perhaps unrivalled. But be lacked the wisdom, the intellect, the knowledge, the mapeuy and the originality of his “ great master.” The reason, then, that Burke’s style t oratory was rict so popular as Fox's, wae Siinply the fact that it was too elaberate, too learned, too philosophical, to be appreciated by may have been an excelient answer if we” McRae ; and, on reading that notice, | fully — The scholars were examined in Latin, © _ forthwith commence to trenslate the Laws ° shew a. @ AR t—/4 Gee Gee feel o « i i a ia a a ee es a Oe lk lee ek ek Oe oe ine a OO be os & oe So ae eee ee eee —————— ee ae a ae en ~~. -/. ak * — ae eS Oo ll gees OO ee eee