Maker, for certain improvements in window-shutters, which improvements may also be applied to other useful purposes. June 18th, 6 months.

W. Watson, of Liverpool, Lancashire, Merchant, for certain improvements in the manufacturing of sugars from beet-root and other substances. Communicated by a foreigner residing abroad. June 18th, 6 months.

J. Young, of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, Patent Locksmith, for certain improvements in manufacturing boxes and pulleys for window-sashes and other purposes. June 21st, 6 months.

R. Smith, of Manchester, Lancashire, Engineer, for certain improvements in the means of connecting metallic plates for the construction of boilers and other purposes. June 22nd, 6 months.

W. Wright, of Salford, Lancashire, Machine Maker, for certain improvements in twisting machinery used in the preparation, spinning, or twisting of cotton, flax, silk, wool, hemp, and other fibrous substances. June 22nd, 6 months.

C. P. Chapman, of Cornhill, in the city of London, Zinc Manufacturer, for improvements in printing silks, calicoes, and other fabrics. June 22nd, 6 months. W. Barnett, of Brighton, Sussex, Founder, for certain improvements in apparatus for generating and purifying gas for the purposes of illumination. June 22nd, 6 months.

H. Stansfeld, of Leeds, Yorkshire, Merchant, for improvements in machinery for preparing certain threads or yarns, and for weaving certain fabrics. June 22nd, 6 months.

J. Woolrich, of Birmingham, Warwickshire, Professor of Chemistry in the Royal School of Medicine, at Birmingham, for certain improvements in producing or making the substance commonly called or known by the name of carbonate of baryta, or carbonate of barytes. June 22nd, 6 months.

H. Dunnington, of Nottingham, Lace Manufacturer, for certain improvements in making or manufacturing lace. June 22nd, 6 months.

J. McDowell, of Johnstone, Renfrewshire, North Britain, and of Manchester, Lancashire, Engineer, for certain improvements in the machinery for sawing timber, and in the mode of applying power to the same. June 24th, 6 months.

G. R. Elkington, of Birmingham, Warwickshire, Gilt Toy Maker, for an improved method of gilding copper, brass, and other metals or alloy of metals. June 24th, 6 months.

S. Hall, of Basford, Nottinghamshire, Gentleman, for improvements in propelling vessels, also improvements in steam-engines, and in the method or methods of working some parts thereof, some of which improvements are applicable to other useful purposes. June 24th, 6 months.

A. Stocker, of Birmingham, Warwickshire, Gentleman, for improvements in machinery for making files. June 25th, 6 months.

MISCELLANEOUS, PHILOSOPHICAL, &c.

TREMENDOUS EARTHQUAKE.-The "Journal des Deux Siciles" gives the details of a tremendous earthquake that in the night of the 24th of April desolated the district of Rossano, in Upper Calabria. The whole of that part of the country, more or less, sustained disasters; but it was felt most severely in the communes of Rossano and Crosia. In the former, the shock was instantaneously followed by the fall of most of the houses; in the latter not one tenement remained; 192 individuals have perished, and 240 have been severely hurt. The inhabitants of whole communes hastened with laudable alacrity, with their magistrates and medical men, to the assistance of the inhabitants; and the scene is represented as afflicting in the extreme-the populace and the authorities digging from under the ruins the dead bodies, or those nearly crushed to death, amid the groans of the sufferers-the anxieties the lamentations-and the despair of those who had themselves escaped, but were seeking for relations or friends with scarcely a better hope than to receive their last breath. Public charity did all that it could to afford immediate succour to a people suddenly deprived of shelter, raiment, and food. The "Journal de Naples" contains a statement which it thinks, however, may be exaggerated by

the natural terrors of the imagination in such a catastrophe-that, at the moment the shock was felt, an ignited meteor was seen along the shore of the Caloppezgalt, in the form of large flaming beams-that long and deep clefts tore up and destroyed the fields-that the sea retired forty paces on one side, and advanced the same distance on the other; and that on the shore were found volcanic matter, and fish of a species unknown to the fishermen of the country. It appears that the same shock was felt at Ginosa, in the province of Otranto, and at Craco, in the province of Basilicata, where some houses were thrown down.

HISTORICAL REGISTER.

POLITICAL JOURNAL.-JULY, 1836.

HOUSE OF LORDS, June 20.- Nothing of importauce.

June 21.-The Royal assent was given by commission to several public and private Bills, amongst which were the Bishopric of Durham Bill; the Ecclesiastical Lease Renewal Bill; and a great number of Railroad Bills.-The Lord Chancellor gave notice on that day that he would bring in a Bill for abolishing imprisonment for debt, and for the more effectual recovery of debts.-Adjourned till Thursday.

June 23.-Lord Lyndhurst, in a clear, eloquent, and able speech, moved the second reading of the Prisoners' Defence by Counsel Bill.-The Lord Chief Justice (Denman) and the Lord Chancellor, gave their decided support to the Bill, which was then read a second time.-Adjourned.

June 24.-The Dublin Police Bill was read a third time and passed. Several Bills were forwarded a stage, and their Lordships then adjourned.

June 27.-Lord Melbourne moved that the House do agree to the Irish Municipal Corporations Bill, as returned, in its altered state, by the Commons.-The Noble Lord, after indulging in some strictures on the conduct of Lord Lyndhurst during the discussion of the Roman Catholic claims, moved that the amendments of the Commons be taken into consideration.-Lord Lyndhurst pressed it on their Lordships that it was their duty, as guardians of the national interests, to reject the alterations in the Bill, without regard to what might be the personal consequences to themselves.-The Marquis of Westmeath, the Duke of Richmond, and Lord Wharncliffe, severally addressed the House-the first and last against the Bill, and the second in favour of it.-Lord Melbourne shortly replied, and a division took place, when the numbers were-For the Bill-present, 75; proxies, 48-123. Against it-present, 142; proxies, 78-220. Majority against the Bill, 97.-On the motion of Lord Ellenborough a Committee was then appointed to draw up reasons to be presented to the Commons.

June 28.—The Grand Junction Railway Bill was read a third time. The Scottish Entails Bill was also read a third time, and passed.-The Lord Chancellor moved the second reading of the Church Discipline Bill. The object of this Bill is the adoption of a competent tribunal for the trial of offences. That tribunal he proposed should consist of nine Clergymen, under the Bishop of the diocese. No sentence to be valid unless six out of the nine Clerygmen agreed.-The Archbishop of Canterbury expressed his concurrence in the measure, and the Bill was read a second time.-Adjourned.

June 30.-The Lord Chancellor presented his Bill for the Abolition of Imprisonment for Debt, and for the more speedy recovery of Small Debts. He said that it would be more convenient to take the discussion upon the second reading.-The Bill was read a first time.-Adjourned.

July 1.-The Bishop of Exeter presented several important petitions in favour of shorter periods of labour for the children employed in factories.-The second reading of the English Tithe Bill was fixed, on the motion of the Marquis of Lansdowne, for Thursday next.

July 4.-The Royal assent was given by commission to the following Bills :Sugar Duties Bill; Land Revenues Bill; Bankrupts' Estates Bill; Waste Lands Improvement Bill; Dublin Steam-Packet Company Bill; Liverpool Fire Police Bill. The following Railway Bills:-Sheffield and Rotherham, Manchester and Leeds, Great Northern, London and Cambridge, London and Norwich, North Mid

land, London Grand Junction. The Herne Bay Pier Bill; the Sidmouth Harbour Bill; and a variety of other public and private Bills. The London and Brighton Railway Bill was read a second time, and the Committee fixed for Wednesday, after a division, by a majority of 1.

July 5.-The Westminster Small Debts Bill was read a second time, and the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Bill a third time; and their Lordships then adjourned. July 6.-Their Lordships did not meet this day, except in Committees above stairs, on Railway Bills, &c.

July 7.-The Marquis of Lansdowne moved the second reading of the Tithes Commutation (England) Bill. In doing so his Lordship entered into details of the leading provisions of the Bill. Commutation of tithes, he said, was most desirable on many accounts; it was also desirable that commutations should be voluntary, if possible; but, at the same time, if voluntary commutation were not obtainable, then the Bill gave powers which he hoped their Lordships would sanction. A short discussion ensued, but there was not any decided opposition. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Tuesday.

July 8.-Their Lordships went into committee on the Church Discipline Bill. Some clauses were withdrawn, and amendments introduced into others; when the House resumed, and the report having been ordered to be brought up on Monday, an adjournment took place.

July 10. The South Durham Railway Bill was thrown out on a division, by a majority of 52 to 19. The Lord Chancellor having moved the second reading of the Imprisonment for Debt Bill, the Duke of Wellington moved that it be read a second time that day three weeks. On a division the numbers were, for the amendment 46; for the second reading 22. The second reading of the Bill for the Registration of Marriages, &c., was moved by Lord Melbourne. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed. The Irish Chancery Officers' Bill was read a second time.

July 11.-After some uninteresting business, their Lordships received a message from the Commons, requesting a conference on the subject of the amendments in the Corporation Act Amendment Bill. The Conference took place, and the reasons offered by the Commons were ordered to be considered on Friday. The House then went into Committee on the Tithes Commutation Bill; and, several amendments having been agreed to, the report was appointed to be brought up on Tuesday next. July 12.-Several Bills were forwarded a stage and some petitions presented.The Church Discipline Bill was recommitted, the Chairman reported progress, and their Lordships adjourned.

July 13.-The Royal Assent was given by Commission to the Murderers' Execution Bill, Petty Sessions (Ireland) Bill, Benefit Societies Bill, Blackheath Small Debts' Bill, London and Croydon Railway Bill, Holyhead Roads Bill, and several public and private Bills. On the Order of the Day having been read that the report on the Prisoner's Counsel Bill be received, Lord Wharncliffe moved the postponement of the measure for six months, contending that the Bill would obstruct rather than promote the ends of justice. Lord Lyndhurst supported the Bill with his accustomed eloquence, as did other Peers.-The report was agreed to, the Duke of Richmond giving notice that he should, on the third reading, move the insertion of the clause (struck out in the Committee) requiring copies of the depositions to be given to prisoners.

July 15.-A short discussion ensued on the motion for the third reading of the Prisoners' Counsel Bill, and it was postponed till Monday next.

July 18.-The House proceeded to consider the amendments of the Commons on the Municipal Act Amendment Bill. One of these amendments was dissented from by a majority of 63 to 33, and another without a division.-The Civil Bill Courts (Ireland) Bill having been read a first time, their Lordships adjourned.

July 19.-After some preliminary business, a message was sent to the Commons, desiring a conference on the Municipal Act Amendment Bill. The Parochial Assessment Bill passed through Committee. The House then went into Committee on the Tithe Commutation Bill. The various clauses were gone through, and some amendments, principally verbal, agreed to, and the Bill fixed for the third reading on Friday, as was the second reading of the Small Debts (Scotland) Bill, and the Bankrupts' (Scotland) Bill.

July 20.-The examination of witnesses at the bar respecting the Stafford Borough Disfranchisement Bill was concluded; after which the Marquess of Clanricarde gave notice, that on Tuesday next he should move the second reading of the Bill. The

Constabulary Act Amendment Bill and the Cape of Good Hope Administration of Justice Bill were read a third time and passed.

July 21.-The Marriages and Births Registration Bill went through Committee pro formá, to enable Lord Ellenborough to propose some amendments. The Bishop of Exeter availed himself of the opportunity to condemn the principle of the Marriage Bill, in making matrimony a mere civil contract, a proceeding to which he would never consent, however anxious to relieve the conscientious Dissenters. The Right Rev. Prelate intimated that unless some solemnities were to accompany the proposed substitute for a marriage ceremony, he would oppose the Bill in a future stage.

July 22.-The English Tithe Bill was read a third time and passed.-Lord Melbourne then moved the second reading of the Church of Ireland Bill. His Lordship considered it unnecessary to enter into any lengthened statement on the subject, as it had so frequently been before the House, and had already been so fully discussed.— The Duke of Wellington spoke very shortly. His Grace offered no opposition to the second reading of the Bill; but reserved himself for the Committee, where he trusted their Lordships would make such amendments in it as would render it more consistent with the interests of the Church, and, he would add, of the nation. The Bill was then read a second time, and ordered to be committed on Monday.-The Scottish Universities Bill subsequently went through Committee. The Small Debts (Scot land) Bill was read a second time.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, June 20.-The House went into Committee on the Stamp and Excise Duties.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved that the duty now payable on newspapers should be removed, and future duty be payable on every piece of paper whereupon a newspaper was printed, a duty of 1d., subject to such provisions with respect to size of the newspaper, supplement, and so on, as may be provided by an Act passed in the present session.-Adjourned.

June 21.-The Solicitor-General procured leave to bring in a Bill, continuing the Insolvent Court for a year.-The House then went into Committee on the Registration of Voters Bill, and the discussion on the various clauses lasted during the remainder of the evening.

June 22.-Mr. Rice moved a resolution that it was expedient to assimilate the duties on the two descriptions of sugar. The Right. Hon. Gentleman explained that strict certificates of origin would be required for East India sugar, and that neither the stock on hand, nor that now on its way to England, would be affected by the proposed alteration.-At the suggestion of Sir R. Peel, it was arranged to take the debate and the vote on the subject on a future day.-The House subsequently went into Committee on the Bribery at Elections Bill, which occupied the remainder of the sitting.

June 23.-Mr. Grote again brought forward his motion for a Bill to provide that the votes at elections for Members of Parliament be taken by ballot. There were for the motion, 88; against it, 139; majority against the motion, 51.—The Fisheries Regulation Bill was read a third time and passed.

June 24.-An unusual excitement marked the proceedings on the Liverpool Docks Bill. Lord F. Egerton moved the adoption of the Report of the Committee. -Lord Clive moved the re-committal of the Bill, and Mr. Ewart moved that the Amendments of the Committee be taken into further consideration that day six months. This third proposition was made on the ground that the amendments took the control from the reformed and now responsible Town Council, and gave it to the rate-payers. Mr. Ewart's proposition was the one discussed, after much desultory conversation; and the decision on it was-for the amendment, 197; against it, 173; majority in its favour, 24. The Bill is consequently lost for the present session.-The Sugar Duties Bill was, on the motion of Mr. Rice, read a second time.-The further consideration of the report on the English Tithe Bill was then proceeded with, and occupied the remainder of the evening.

June 27.-The House went into Committee on the Registration of Voters Bill.The Tithe Commutation Bill was, after a debate of some length, read a third time and passed.-Adjourned.

June 28.-A long debate took place on a motion that the report of the Committee on the Brighton Railway should be agreed to. The result was a majority of 101 to 61 in favour of Stephenson's line.-Lord John Russell obtained leave to bring in a Bill to facilitate the abolition of personal tithes.-The Registration of Births Bill was read a third time and passed, after much discussion, upon amendments proposed by Mr. Goulburn.-The Registration of Marriages Bill next came under con

sideration. The discussion was chiefly remarkable for the warmth that distinguished it, and for the voluntary withdrawal, by Lord J. Russell, of a proviso introduced specially by himself.-The Bill was read a third time and passed.-Adjourned.

June 29.-On the motion of Mr. Hume, and after some discussion, the resolutions of the Committee for inquiring into the salaries of the officers of the House were agreed to.-The Civil Bill Courts (Ireland) Bill was further considered in Committee, after which the House adjourned.

June 30.-After the presentation of many petitions, there was a Conference with the Lords. The "Reasons" having been presented and read to the House, Lord J. Russell said, that as these Reasons held out no prospect of any settlement between the Commons and the Lords, as to what ought to be the provisions of the Irish Corporations Bill-as the Commons were for retaining, while the Lords were for abolishing, the Corporations in Ireland-he should not propose that the Reasons be taken into consideration. On the contrary, he moved that they be taken into consideration that day three months.-Sir R. Peel condemned the proposition now made, and thought they ought to take into consideration the Lords' Reasons.-After some discussion, in which Mr. Hume, Mr. O'Connell, &c., took part, the motion was carried without any division, by which decision the Commons have terminated the matter for the present session.-Sir J. Hanmer moved a resolution declaratory "that it is contrary to the independence, a breach of the privileges, and derogatory to the character of the House of Commons, for any of its Members to become the paid advocate in Parliament, for the conduct there of either public or private affairs, of any portion of his Majesty's subjects." The object of the motion was avowedly Mr. Roebuck's appointment to be the Parliamentary agent for the Canadas.-The motion was lost, the numbers being.-Ayes, 67; Noes, 178.

July 1.-The House went into Committee on the Irish Church Bill, and the clauses up to 49 inclusive were agreed to, after desultory discussion, which occupied no inconsiderable portion of the sitting.-The Charitable Trustees Bill next passed through Committee; the Lighthouses Bill was read a second time; as was the Stannaries Courts Bill.-Adjourned.

July 4.-The House, on the motion of Lord Morpeth, went into Committee on the Irish Church Bill. Upon clause 50 being put, Lord Mahon said if this clause had been discussed in a proper spirit it might have been discussed in a satisfactory manner to all parties, but as the House had now arrived at a point of principle, he must say, after the fullest discussion, he thought the principle of inalienability of Church property admitted of no compromise. Upon that principle he should stand; and upon that principle he moved that the 50th and 51st clauses be omitted. After much discussion, Lord J. Russell closed the debate. The Committee divided, when the numbers were-for the appropriation clause, 290; against it, 264; leaving only a majority of 26 in favour of appropriation.

July 5.-The Attorney-General moved the consideration of the Lord's amendments on the English Corporations Act Amendment Bill. Two of the amendments were rejected. The Church of Ireland Bill passed through Committee, as did the Paper Duties Bill. The Polls at Elections Bill was read a second time. The House next went into Committee on the Irish Grand Juries Bill, and the clauses, up to 74, were considered.

July 6.-After the presentation of some petitions, the greater number of which prayed relief from the operation of the new Poor Law Bill, the House was "counted

out."

July 7.-Sir J. Graham suggested, as private business concluded very early, that the House should in future proceed to the orders of the day at half-past four o'clock. Lord J. Russell agreed to the proposition; it was put to the vote, and adopted.— The Small Debts Court (Scotland) Bill passed through Committee; and the Court of Session (Scotand) Bill passed through Committee; and the Court of Session Auditors (Scotland) Bill as well as the Sheriff's Court (Scotland) Bill, were severally read a second time. The House then went into Committee on the Poole Corporation Bill. A warm debate ensued, and the unconstitutional and unjust nature of the Bill was ably maintained by C. W. Wynn, Mr. Serjeant Goulburn, Mr. Twiss, Mr. Praed, and other Members, in opposition to Mr. Poulter and the friends of the measure. House divided on the first clause: for the clause, 98; against it, 64. Mr. Twiss, at this period of the discussion, moved that the Chairman do report progress, which, after some opposition, was agreed to, and the House adjourned.

The

July 8.-Lord J. Russell moved that the House resolve itself into Committee on